General

It’s finally house-hunting season and you could not be more excited to get the ball rolling on your big purchase! Before you hit the road or the search bar, consider these 7 steps. 

Before signing the papers or falling in love with the first home you see, be realistic about what is in your budget. We recommend spending no more than 25 percent of your monthly income on...

Is your current car on the fritz or have you been eyeing that shiny new Jeep you see parked at a dealership on your way to work every morning? If you’ve been hesitant to buy a new vehicle because you’re worried about it costing too much, here are some ways that you can get the car you’ve had your eye on while still saving money. 

Before starting your search, you should get pre-approved...

Saving money over time is often one of the hardest things for a household to do. Between monthly bills, household essentials and, daycare, you may ask yourself, ‘is there anything left to save?’ If this sounds like you, read these tips to increase your savings game over time! 

Sticking to a budget is a simple concept, but in reality, it can...

Its Spring! With the new season comes a new energy and attitude which we want to take full advantage of! Over the last year and this winter, it’s been easy to get into a financial rut or overspend on subscriptions which is why it's time to purge your finances. Keep reading to see our top tips to help you spring clean your finances! 

You’ve heard this before, but it...

According to a recent survey, only five percent of adults received any kind of financial education in school. It is a scary statistic, and may partially explain consumers’ record-high credit card and student loan debt.

If you want to equip your kids with the tools to be financially secure adults, a good place to start is with a savings or a checking account. Once they see money going in and coming out, it can drive home a lesson about money management.

Wondering...

Most parents understand that they should teach their kids about money. Knowing where to start, on the other hand, is another story.

Fortunately, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently released a guide to help families raise money-smart kids. In it, the CFPB discusses practical ways to build and measure financial capability in children.

Here are a few important takeaways from the guide paired with our own tips for making your child financially capable:

It is the question that every household asks. What can I do to cut my monthly costs? And it is a great question! No one wants to spend unnecessary money when there are mouths to feed and basketball uniforms to pay for. While you can tighten the budget by setting strict guidelines for yourself, your experts here at American First Credit Union have a few more realistic ways to lower monthly bills. 

At...

Think back to how you formed your financial habits. Did you learn everything you needed in school? From your parents? If you could go back and talk to your younger self, what financial pitfalls would you tell yourself to avoid? If you have children of your own, you may be wondering how and when to start teaching them smart financial habits like saving early and spending responsibly.

Younger kids enjoy the process of learning and earning rewards, while teens will be motivated to learn...

Tax time is just around the corner. Wouldn’t a big fat tax refund come in handy? Well, here are steps you can take now to boost your tax refund when you file after the first of the year.  

The standard deduction is $12,400, so it’s tempting to claim it rather than tracking down receipts and tax forms so you can itemize your deductions. But itemizing might be worth...

What a year 2020 has been! New Year’s celebrations were barely over when the coronavirus turned things topsy-turvy. But one bright spot for 159 million people was the $1,200 Economic Impact Payment that appeared in their mailbox or checking account. 

If you didn’t receive a payment, you may be wondering, why? And if you did, you may be wondering, what’s the catch? American First is here to help put your mind at ease, so let’s tackle your questions, one by...