Financial Education

Helpful, easy-to-understand articles to guide your financial wellness journey at every stage.

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Quick Money Tip: Cut the Cable

There are lots of little moves you can make to save big amounts of money. While your monthly cable bill might not seem to be breaking the bank – with the average monthly cost of cable being "only" $70 – consider how it adds up over time. You’re likely spending anywhere from $600 to well over $1,000 a year, depending on the provider and whatever fancy extras you've signed up for. If TV is your biggest hobby or your DVR list is your pride and joy, then this might not seem like too much to fork over. For others, though, there’s no better time of year than now to ditch the cable and watch the (major) savings grow!

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Personal Finance

Money Monday: It’s National Credit Union Youth Week!

April 20 through the 26 is National Credit Union Youth Week. A week that not only encourages youth to set up savings accounts at a credit union, but also learn how to manage their money.

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Personal Finance Checking & Savings

5 Basic Yet Powerful Financial Lessons

I never thought I’d find myself working for a financial institution. The simple truth of the matter is: Money, financial know-how, and planning for the future always seemed scary and boring to me – although I never denied the importance of these matters.

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Personal Finance
3Rivers Savings

Credit Unions vs. Banks: The Credit Union Difference

It's a common question, and it's one we never get tired of answering: What's the difference between a bank and a credit union? Sure, both offer products and services that help you house, spend, and save your money. But that's where the similarities end and the credit union difference begins.

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Products & Services

Identity Theft: The Fastest Growing Crime in America

Identity theft is "the fraudulent acquisition and use of a person's private identifying information, usually for financial gain." In other words, someone who is not ;you using your information to better their situation, often leaving you in debt and your personal records – like your credit score - in bad shape.

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Fraud Protection & Security

Credit Scores: How They’re Calculated + How to Improve Yours

A credit score is one major way of measuring how financially responsible we are. It determines our creditworthiness. It's a number that financial institutions, renters, and car dealers, along with many others, look at to determine whether or not we're a dependable candidate to pay back what we'll owe them on time. So, it needs to look good.

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Credit Score

Budgeting 101: How to Create a Budget

You may occasionally drop the phrase, “That doesn't fit my budget,” or hear family, friends, or strangers claim, “I’m really sticking to my budget this year!” But answer me this: How often do we actually have a budget – one that’s mapped out, detailed, and truly top of mind – to be referencing?

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Personal Finance

10 Tax Scams to Avoid

The IRS often warns consumers about tax scams this time of year. While it’s important to keep an eye out as you work with your tax preparer or do your own yearly tax filing, watch out for many of these scams that happen year-round.

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Tax Returns Fraud Protection & Security

Consumer Protection: Your Rights & Responsibilities

As National Consumer Protection Week continues, here are some basic steps you can take to protect yourself. Phishing and identity theft are serious problems, costing banks, credit unions and consumers millions of dollars every year. In many cases involving credit card fraud, your bank or credit union assumes most of the risk. But even in cases where the customer is made whole, and the bank or credit union covers the fraudulent charge, the consumer pays a price in terms of inconvenience and occasionally with a hit to their credit that takes time and effort to clear up.

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