Blog
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What you need to know about the 2021 child tax credit
More than 36 million eligible American families are expected to receive monthly child tax credit payments slated to start on July 15.
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CreditLine CEO Message - July 2021
Summer has finally arrived! And after this past year I am sure many of you are excited for warm weather, relaxing days on the lake, long road trips, camping under the stars and other summer fun activities.
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Your top 5 credit questions answered
When it comes to building and maintaining good credit, the best path isn’t always obvious.
A new survey from U.S. News & World Report shows that nearly one-third of Americans surveyed were unclear about exactly what factors have an impact on their credit score. It’s no wonder with a lack of financial literacy courses available to most school-age students in the U.S.
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5 Good Habits To Continue Post-Pandemic
The phrase “grow through what you go through” certainly hits home for the lifestyle choices we can continue to make when the global health pandemic eventually fades. As the number of those vaccinated for COVID-19 surges in the United States, the path to a more normal future seems closer than ever.
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Teach It
The results are in: teaching kids early financial education pays off in smart money decisions down the line. In one study, from the National Endowment for Financial Education, kids who participated in financial education courses made better choices when it came to paying for college.
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Steps to rebuild your credit score after missing credit card payments
Missing a credit card payment isn’t the end of the world. If you’ve missed one payment by a few days, you can often get your credit card provider to waive any fees by citing your history as a good customer and reaching out to them directly. But if you’ve missed multiple payments for long periods of time — think a month or two — your credit will take a hit. Here are some ways to rebuild your credit score, should that ever happen.
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How to make up retirement ground if the pandemic set you back
If you haven’t been saving as much as you would like for retirement because of the global health pandemic or other life challenges, don’t panic. You can make changes starting today to grow your nest egg for a more financially comfortable tomorrow.
Remember, saving for retirement is important because Social Security was never meant to to be our sole means of support once we hit our golden years. The estimated average Social Security retirement benefit in 2021 is $1,543 a month, according to the AARP. Generally, those who earn more in their lifetime should be able to receive more, but only up to a certain point. So it’s important to tuck away as much as you can while you’re working.
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Credit report errors are on the rise
Are you checking your credit report regularly? If not, you should be. According to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, credit report errors are skyrocketing.
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Things to know if you’re about to sell your home
If you’re on the fence about selling your home, we have a stat that might interest you. A study from the National Association of Realtors found that the median home price was $303,900 in January 2021 — a 14 percent jump compared to January 2020. The message? It’s a seller’s market. Here are some other things to consider if you’re ready to sell your home.
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Instagram Influencer Scams
As the name suggests, an influencer is someone whose opinions influence a large social media audience. While influencers usually attract sponsorships from legitimate brands, these accounts can also be used as a tool for cybercriminals.
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Ins and Outs of Pet Insurance
Pet insurance might be a good idea if you simply want peace of mind. That way, you know that if your pet experiences an unfortunate health issue, the bills won’t crush your budget. Importantly, pet insurance doesn’t cover everything. Even with coverage, you’ll still have to pay for a variety of items. Here’s what you need to know.
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The best way to use your stimulus check or tax refund
Tax season has officially arrived. For nearly 75 percent of Americans, that means receiving a refund from the IRS of the taxes that were overpaid throughout the previous year. With the average check or direct deposit for individuals coming in at $2,700 for the most recent filing season, chances are you could expect to receive a tidy sum after completing your 2020 returns.
How you should spend these funds, whether it’s from taxes or a pending stimulus check or even both, really depends on your financial situation.
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CreditLine CEO Message - April 2021
Warmer weather is in the air, vaccines are being distributed, and many businesses are opening back up. It’s beginning to look like a beautiful Spring for 2021!
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2020 Annual Report to Members
2020 marked the 75th Anniversary of GSCU, and the credit union had plans to celebrate throughout the year. But with the onset of the worldwide pandemic, the credit union was faced with unprecedented challenges. A comprehensive business contingency plan, already in place, allowed GSCU to swiftly shift to a pandemic business-model. This ensured we could continue to keep branches open and serve our member’s financial needs.
