Tag Archives: Personal Finance

3 Steps to Prepare Your Finances for a Good Year

Posted on by
Reply

bigstock-Laptop-On-Beach-Sun-6188505-e1449145718150

January is over and for many of us, that means New Year’s resolutions are almost out the window. But we still have most of 2016 ahead of us. Here are a few ways you can set yourself up for financial success this year and beyond.

1. Adjust your tax withholdings.

When it comes to income tax, the goal should be to come out even. On April 15, you don’t want to get a huge refund or a huge tax bill.

Getting a refund is exciting, and it’s not a bad way to accumulate savings. But remember, that means the government has held your money for the entire year without paying you interest. In essence, you gave the government a free loan. To avoid this situation, decrease the amount of income tax you have withheld by your employer.

If you’re in the other camp and receive a big bill, that’s another reason to revisit your withholding amount. In this case, you should increase the amount of taxes being taken out of your paycheck each month.

And if your life situation changes in the middle of the year — for example, you get married or divorced or have a baby — you should also take another look at your withholding amount.

2. Increase your 401(k) contributions.

Are you saving enough for retirement? Now is a good time to review your year-end 401(k) statement or pay stub and find out how much you contributed to your retirement plan in 2015.

At the minimum, you should contribute enough to qualify for your employer match, if you have one. If you have more money available, shoot for the maximum allowable contribution in 2016 ($18,500); if you’re over 50, set up additional “catch-up” contributions of $5,500.

Making these changes early in the year will ensure that you plan your monthly cash flow around your higher contributions. And if you wait until the middle of the year to adjust your contribution amount, you’ll have to save much more each month to reach your savings goal.

Have you had your financial portfolio reviewed lately? We invite you to set up a no-cost consultation with the Investment & Retirement Center located at First Financial to discuss your current finances and future savings goals. Contact us at 732.312.1564, email mary.laferriere@lpl.com or maureen.mcgreevy@lpl.com, or stop in to see us at any branch location!*

3. Review your employee benefits.

Check your company’s resources page to make sure you’re taking full advantage of the useful — and often free — benefits it provides.

Review your current benefit elections to determine what coverage — such as health, life or disability insurance — you have in place and whether it’s still adequate. Life changes — again, including getting married or divorced or having children — can be good reasons to adjust your coverage.

If you do need to make changes, ask about your company’s open enrollment period; this is often the only time you can make changes to your coverage, unless you experience a qualifying life event, like the ones mentioned above. On the other hand, you may change your 401(k) options on a fairly regular basis.

Pay close attention to your benefits. Incorrectly selected or overlooked benefits can cost you money.

The Bottom Line

Doing these tasks early in the year can help you commit to improving your finances in other ways during the rest of the year. So don’t wait — tackle these steps today to set yourself up for a financially successful 2016.

*Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker/dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) and First Financial Investment & Retirement Center are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using First Financial Investment & Retirement Center, and may also be employees of FFFCU. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of FFFCU or First Financial Investment & Retirement Center.

Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

Original article courtesy of Anna Sergunina of NerdWallet.

9 Ways to Get Your Finances Ready Before Having a Baby

Posted on by
Reply

Newborns don’t just come with that adorable new-baby smell and impossibly tiny toes — they also carry a hefty price tag. One of the most overwhelming challenges of parenthood is managing the many new costs, which seem to grow exponentially as your child does. If you’re planning to start a family, don’t panic. Here are the eight financial moves to make before becoming a parent.

1. Decide Where to Rein in Spending.

Knowing what your numbers look like is necessary to the planning-for-baby process. Leave out nothing: List all your assets, including your bank accounts, investments, and property. Get a clear picture of your debt, from car payments and credit cards to student loans and your mortgage. That way you have a starting point for your new financial plan.

Next, take a look at your budget (or set one up if you don’t have one) to cut back on unnecessary expenses. Now is the time to trim the fat in your spending, so reassess the costs you take for granted — like your cable or cell phone bills — to make sure you’re getting the best deals.

If you need to curb your spending, make realistic cuts that you can sustain. Otherwise, you’ll likely give up on your cost-saving measures.

2. Devise a Debt Action Plan.

With a baby on the way, it’s more important than ever to get serious about paying down your debt. It will only get harder to do as the expenses of raising a family pile up. Try:

  • The avalanche method: Kill your high-interest debt first — this is often credit card debt. Then continue down your list, tackling the highest interest rates first. This approach gives you the most bang for your buck financially.
  • The snowball method: Pay off your smallest debts first. Having a “win” under your belt early on can help give you the motivation you need to keep going.

You can also do a mix of the two strategies: Start with the snowball method and once you’re motivated by a zero balance, switch over to the avalanche. If you’re unsure of the best approach, you can also use an online calculator to help you strategize.

3. Build an Emergency Fund.

An emergency fund is crucial no matter where you are in life, but it’s even more vital when you become a parent. Conventional wisdom says your cash cushion should be around two to three months’ worth of expenses. Calculate what that means for you (rent/mortgage, food, bills, transportation, etc.), and then figure out what, and how long, it will take to get there. A savings calculator can help.

Padding your emergency fund generally should be secondary to paying off debt, because your debt’s interest can cost you over the long haul. But if you don’t have anything in the coffers, then you should work on both at the same time.

4. Budget for Baby.

Your budget isn’t written in stone; it should change as your life — and family — grows. Start crunching the numbers and adjusting as soon as you find out you’re expecting, or ideally, even earlier. You’ll need to add, at minimum, these basic expenses (based on national averages, which vary by location) into your new monthly budget:

  • Child care (at a daycare): About $972 a month
  • Disposable diapers: $30-$85 a month
  • Formula: $60-$100 a month
  • Clothing: $20-$50 a month

Note: If you want to save for college, you might consider a 529 college savings plan. For example, here is a hypothetical situation to help illustrate this point: To cover 25 percent of a public, four-year, in-state school, you’d need to save $109 a month starting when your child is born. (This assumes a 6 percent annual return and tuition rate of $201,386, which is what SavingforCollege.com predicts will be the average tuition in 18 years.)

If you would like to set up a no-cost consultation with First Financial’s Investment & Retirement Center to discuss setting up a 529 college savings plan or other savings products, contact us at 732.312.1500, email mary.laferriere@lpl.com or maureen.mcgreevy@lpl.com, or stop in to see us!*

5. Save for the Big-Ticket Baby Items.

There’s often a big up-front investment for new parents — babies require endless gear. You’re going to need a solid savings plan for those costs alone.

Depending on what’s right for your family, your up-front costs should include the following (these are based on the national average costs, and may vary according to your location or brand):

  • Crib: $120-$850
  • Changing table: $80-$250
  • Car seat: $80-$300
  • Stroller: $70-$900
  • Diaper bag: $25-$200
  • Playpen: $59-$150
  • Swing: $85-$120
  • High chair: $60-$250
  • Bottles: $50-$100
  • Monitor: $40-$60

Remember that people love to give baby gifts, so you may be able to register for many of these items and take them out of your budget.

6. Pump HR for Information.

If you’re expecting, or even just considering having kids soon, talk to HR as soon as possible. In order to fully understand what your leave will look like, find out:

  • The pay policy for parental leave.
  • Whether you can combine your leave with paid time off.
  • Your company’s long-term disability policy, and whether it can be applied to your leave.
  • The benefits entitled to adoptive parents.
  • How long your job is secure.
  • What forms you need to fill out to take leave.
  • Who is going to cover your duties while you are away.
  • The options for transitioning back to work — can you work part-time or telecommute to on-ramp?
  • Finally, get a sense of the insurance changes that will come with parenthood. Find out when and how to add your baby to your health care plan, and see whether your insurance allows you to contribute to a Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account or a Dependent Care FSA.

7. Get Your Legal Ducks in a Row.

No one likes to think about these sorts of things, but if you and your partner (if you have one) were to pass away, your estate would go to court for a lengthy process that can cost somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 percent of your assets.

To get your house in order, some of the documents you should consider having include a will, a power of attorney, and a health care proxy. This may save your heirs from having to make difficult decisions for you and help ensure that they’re taken care of: Wills clarify how you want to distribute your property after death, and they declare a legal guardian for your children. Power of attorney gives authority to another person to make decisions on your behalf about your property or finances. A health care proxy lays out who will make medical decisions for you if you can’t make them for yourself. Make sure you have both primary and contingent beneficiaries listed on all of these so that your wishes are as clear as possible.

You also should consider creating a living trust — a legal document that provides lifetime and after-death property management and lets you transfer assets easily. A living trust is a revocable trust, meaning it can be dissolved or changed at any time. Living trusts are especially helpful for parents of young children: You can include specific instructions within the trust, like how and when your assets will be transferred if you die before you children become legal adults (18 or 21, depending on the state).

8. Know Your Tax Breaks.

Having a kid comes with tons of benefits — unending love and (hopefully) someone to take care of you in your golden years, to name a few. But don’t overlook the concrete tax benefits that you can get as well. These include:

  • $4,000 for an additional dependent exemption.
  • $1,000 for the Child Tax Credit until the child turns 17.
  • $3,000 per child or up to 20 percent of qualifying costs for the Child and Dependent.
  • $13,400 for the Adoption Credit.

Each deduction and credit has specific requirements and can change from year to year, so be sure to double-check your eligibility with your financial advisor. Fun fact: You can claim a full year’s worth of tax benefits even if your child is born on December 31.

It’s always a good idea to start saving for your child’s future as early as possible – open a First Step Kids Savings Account right here at First Financial!** There’s just a $5 minimum to open the account and no fees, PLUS they’ll earn dividends on balances over $100. Stop by any branch location and we’ll help you get started!

*Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker/dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) and First Financial Investment & Retirement Center are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using First Financial Investment & Retirement Center, and may also be employees of FFFCU. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of FFFCU or First Financial Investment & Retirement Center.

Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

**As of 7/2/2020, the First Step Kids Account has an annual percentage yield of 0.03% on balances of $100.00 and more. The dividend rate may change after the account is opened. Parent or guardian must bring both the child’s birth certificate and social security card when opening a First Step Kids Account at any branch location. Parent or guardian will be a joint owner and must also bring their identification. A First Financial Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties.

13 Commandments For Smart Personal Finance

Posted on by
1

commandments1. Know your goals. This means trying to step back and say, “Where are we going? How are we going to get there?”  While it doesn’t necessarily mean having all the pieces in place, you should be able to identify the goals and a few actions that will bring you closer to achieving them.  Don’t be be afraid of dreaming a little, but also make sure the goals are specific, measurable, and realistic.

2. Don’t be paralyzed by past mistakes. Most people, even those who are highly successful, have made bad investments at some point in their lives.  The important thing is to learn from your mistakes and move forward. Stressing about the past is not a productive activity.

3. Develop a plan. A goal without a plan is nothing but a wish.  You also need to be flexible enough to re-calculate as goals and situations change. This is where a trained and certified financial planner can be an asset, monitoring your performance, how it measures up to the market, and whether or not you are on track to meet your stated goals.

4. Know your cash flow. This is the financial equivalent of taking your blood pressure. It’s not about putting you on a budget, it’s about knowing how much money is coming in and where it’s going. You might be surprised at how much you are spending on certain items. Having a handle on your cash flow combined with knowing your goals, will help identify possible changes that can be made to help you achieve your objectives.

5. Plan your major celebrations without stress. Planning for a child’s wedding?  Rather than incurring excessive debt, consider scaling down the event to reduce stress. In addition, if there is enough time and with proper planning, there may be ways to save well in advance.

6. Understand your liquidity. Liquidity is the ability to convert your investments into cash quickly.  Liquidity is valued because life is dynamic and your need to move quickly may be necessary – whether it’s due to an opportunity like a good investment, or an unforeseen expense, like a flood in your basement.

7. Know and manage your risk. Things go wrong and accidents happen. Whether it relates to a downturn in your health or your finances, you want to protect your family. Understanding your insurance options is an important part of every financial plan.

8. Plan for financial independence. Knowing when you can retire and having some confidence that you will have enough money, is what financial independence is all about. The financial planning process can help you project your retirement at a given age based on such things as assumed income, expenses, inflation, social security, and savings.

9. Establish an estate plan. This gives you control over your money and your children’s future when you’re gone.  Unfortunately, too many people relegate this to the bottom of their list.

10. Manage your taxes. Your accountant and financial advisor should be talking when it comes to your tax planning. You should have a strategy in place that will minimize your taxes, while helping you achieve long term value.

11. Manage your debt. Carrying debt creates anxiety and stress. Credit card debt in particular often results in interest rates exceeding 20%! It’s important to pay down debt as quickly as you can. This ultimately frees up funds that can be relegated elsewhere.

12. Understand your investment strategy. Your investment strategy should be tied to your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Having a plan guides you so that you avoid the type of panic that can lead to making bad decisions.

13. Putting it all together. Simply stated, this means looking at the big picture and feeling confident you have crossed your T’s and dotted your I’s. Be sure to prioritize your needs and talk with a professional who can offer independent advice.

Questions about retirement savings, estate planning, or investments?  If you would like to set up a no-cost consultation with the Investment & Retirement Center located at First Financial Federal Credit Union to discuss your savings goals, contact us at 732.312.1500 or stop in to see us!*

*Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker/dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) and First Financial Investment & Retirement Center are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using First Financial Investment & Retirement Center, and may also be employees of FFFCU. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of FFFCU or First Financial Investment & Retirement Center.

Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

4 Times You Should Ignore Good Financial Advice

Posted on by
1

finances-e1303266500480It’s so great when someone gives you advice that helps you make a positive change in your life. Sometimes, we can truly learn from the experience and the tips that others provide. However, there are other times when we need to learn to ignore the advice given to us by other people. While it’s often well-meaning, sometimes the advice that other people give can lead us down the wrong path entirely.

Especially when it comes to financial tips and advice, sometimes people become set in a certain way of thinking, or they believe a financial myth because it has been told to them by someone else. It’s important to make your own financial decisions. There are certain financial tips that are either out-dated or conditional. Some tips are just wrong all together.

Here are four financial tips that you definitely should ignore, and how to spot poor financial advice.

1. Avoid credit cards. Credit cards can be dangerous. According to Lifehacker, they make it easy to spend money, we can easily feel peer pressure to use them because so many other people do, and of course, the interest can really add up.

However, credit cards are not all bad, as long as you use them responsibly. If you can afford to pay the balance off immediately, there is no harm in using a credit card. There are actually several positive aspects of credit cards, including the fact that most credit card companies protect you against fraudulent charges (whereas if someone steals $200 in cash, you probably are not getting it back). Also, many credit cards come with excellent rewards.

Did you know First Financial has a lower rate VISA Platinum Cash Plus Credit Card, great rewards and no annual fee? Apply today!*

2. Save first. It is absolutely essential to set savings aside each month toward future purchases, an emergency fund, and your retirement. If you don’t save now, you risk not having enough saved later. However, as important as prioritizing savings is, it isn’t always the right decision for each person. If you are drowning in debt, but you are setting aside hundreds of dollars each month toward savings (while your bills lay unpaid), you are probably making the wrong choice. There’s no use having savings if you are in a bad financial situation, and it’s getting worse because interest and late fees are piling up while you focus on your savings.

We offer a number of Savings Account options, click here to learn about our various accounts and to find one that fits your needs.**

3. Stick to your budget. Many Americans have a hard time sticking to their budgets (and many don’t even have one), and in general, you should try to stick to your budget. However, you actually need to be flexible when things change. If you go from a two-income household to a one-income household, and you are still living on a budget that was designed when you had a lot more money available, you could set yourself up for a lot of debt.

At the same time, when you get a raise, it’s appropriate to change your budget (even if you are just adding the extra income directly into savings or your retirement fund). Circumstances change, and inflation causes prices to go up, so it isn’t fair to yourself, or even responsible, to expect to have the same budget all the time. While in general you should try to stick to your budget each month, sometimes you need to reevaluate it.

Don’t forget to utilize our great financial calculators – they’re free and a great tool to help you get your finances on track.

4. Don’t take a risk. This is another piece of advice that is often well-meaning, but is given by people who usually are more interested in saving everything than taking risks. While it is important to save, unless you take risks, you probably won’t get very much interest back on your savings. People disagree about the best way to handle various financial decisions, but you have to determine what is right for you. You might lose a lot of money by taking a chance on a risky stock, or you might end up rich. Although diversifying your portfolio is often the smartest choice, it might not be the right choice for you. If you want to start your own business, but others advise you against it because of the risk of failure, you have to decide if the risk is worth it to you. There is very little financial advice that fits every single situation.

According to Fox Business, if you are trying to figure out if the advice you are receiving is bad, there are certain signs you should watch out for. If the person giving you the advice has a stake in your decision, they may not be presenting a fair picture. If you didn’t solicit the advice, that could be another sign to watch out for, and they might be trying to scam you. You should also avoid accepting advice that follows the one-size-fits all idea (like don’t take a risk).

Financial advice can be extremely helpful, whether it comes from a financial advisor or even a trusted friend or family member who really wants to help. Just make sure that the advice is really worth listening to. Also, remember to go with your gut. If someone suggests a financial move that you don’t feel good about, don’t do it. Whether the other person is intentionally leading you down the wrong path or not, your intuition might be trying to warn you.

Take advantage of the Investment & Retirement Center located at First Financial. If you have questions about retirement savings or investments, set up a no-cost consultation with our advisor to discuss your brokerage, investments, and/or savings goals. Call us at 732.312.1500 or stop in to see us!***

*APR varies up to 18% for purchases, when you open your account based on your credit worthiness. The APR is 18% APR for balance transfers and cash advances. APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Subject to credit approval. Rates quoted assume excellent borrower credit history. Your actual APR may vary based on your state of residence, approved loan amount, applicable discounts and your credit history. No Annual Fee. Other fees that apply: Cash advance fee of $10 or 3% of the total cash advance amount—whichever is greater (no maximum), Balance transfer fee of $10 or 3% of the balance—whichever is greater (no maximum), Late Payment Fee of $29, $10 Card Replacement Fee, and Returned Payment Fee of $29. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a Visa® Credit Card and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties.

**A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account. All personal memberships are part of the Rewards First program and a $5 per month non-participation fee is charged to the base savings account for memberships not meeting the minimum requirements of the program. Click here to view full Rewards First program details. Accounts for children age 13 and under are excluded from this program.

***Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker/dealer (member FINRA/SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates. First Financial Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) and First Financial Investment & Retirement Center are not registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using First Financial Investment & Retirement Center, and may also be employees of FFFCU. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of FFFCU or First Financial Investment & Retirement Center.

Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are:

.

4 Fun Ways to Teach Your Kids About Money

Posted on by
Reply

kids-money

Have you ever wished that someone taught you more about money as a child? The sad reality is that many students graduate from college with a degree but are unable to manage their money. Here are some tips to educate your children about money so they can better handle their finances in the future:

1. Talk isn’t cheap when it comes to money.

Dianne Caliman, creative director of The Centsables, an award-winning animated TV series on the Fox Business network, believes talking is key when it comes to money matters with children. She suggests including your children in the family’s money management activities such as looking through circulars and clipping coupons.

She points out that these types of activities are great jumping off points for discussions. Caliman explains that showing real life examples to children fosters understanding and meaningful connections to money management. “Show the kids your bills, and explain how purchases made earlier must be paid for now,” she says.

Caliman also reminds parents to be role models and to ask themselves the following: What messages do you send your children? Are you living beyond your means? Do you pull out the plastic for every purchase? Do you and your spouse worry or argue about money? She advises taking a look at your own money habits, and make any changes where you think necessary. “When you exercise good financial judgment, you are automatically teaching your children by example. That’s a win-win situation for all,” she adds.

2. Make a budget-based allowance.

Bill Dwight, founder of FamZoo.com, suggests giving children an allowance that is based on a very simple budget. “Make a list of the typical things you would expect your kids to buy for themselves over a period of time, plus how much you would expect them to save and give, and calculate an allowance amount to match those clear expectations,” he says. Dwight adds that as your kids mature, you can extend the budget to cover more areas of spending like clothing. This approach helps insure that an allowance is a personal finance teaching tool rather than an entitlement.

3. Practice paying back loans before college.

One way to get practice at paying back a loan is to lend your kids money. Dwight suggests teaching your kids how to manage loan payments by arranging a parent-financed loan for a big ticket item like a laptop or a smartphone. “Direct a portion of their allowance, chore or job payments to paying off the loan each period. By making regular payments over an extended period of time, not only will your kids appreciate the cost of expensive items more, but they’ll take better care of them.”

4. Take on the tough lessons, too.

No one said teaching kids about money was easy. It may take work to get kids on board with the idea. Rod Griffin, director of public education for Experian knows this firsthand by getting a little pushback from his own granddaughter when it came to the topic. In her elementary school class, she has to “pay” for her school books and “rent” the desk she sits in with pretend money she earns through various activities, academic performance and good behavior. What she saves after expenses can be used to “buy” rewards.

Griffin points out that many parents feel ill-equipped to teach their kids money concepts, especially more advanced ones and don’t know what to do. He explains how there are many sources on the web that can help. Griffin recommends checking out Moonjar.com for younger children, because it explains the basics of saving, spending and giving.

Griffin also suggests showing high school and college-aged kids an actual credit report. A sample one is provided on the Experian website to understand the different parts and what they mean. They can see how their financial decisions impact how prospective creditors view their credit history. They get to see how their financial behavior, such as paying bills on time or being late, is tracked and recorded much like a permanent record.

At some point, everyone has to manage their own finances. The more exposure and practice a child gets, the better equipped they will be in the future when they have to make financial decisions on their own. Consider teaching them age-appropriate lessons as they grow to help them develop the skills they need to successfully handle their money.

Here at First Financial, we have a few products and services just for kids so they can start saving for their future while having fun doing it!

  • First Step Kids Savings Account: First Financial’s unique First Step Kids Savings Account is specifically designed for young people, with a focus on education and fun.*
  • Dollars for A’s Program: For every “A” your child earns on their report card, First Financial will deposit $1 into your child’s First Step Kids Account!* It’s a great way to reward your child for doing his or her best in school. It also teaches the life long practice of saving for the future. To earn your dollars, visit a branch location.**
  • Summer Reading Contest: Every summer we have a reading contest where First Financial kids up to age 18 can earn rewards for the books they read, along with a great grand prize!***
  • Student Checking Account: A complete Checking Account for students ages 14-23. It comes equipped with an instant issued Debit Card, has no minimum balance requirements, and more!****

*As of 7/2/2020, the First Step Kids Account has an annual percentage yield of 0.03% on balances of $100.00 and more. The dividend rate may change after the account is opened. Parent or guardian must bring both the child’s birth certificate and social security card when opening a First Step Kids Account at any branch location. Parent or guardian will be a joint owner and must also bring their identification. A First Financial Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties.

**Available for First Financial members between 1st and 12th grades. Child must be present and a deposit to a First Step Kids Account is required to receive the Dollars for A’s incentive. Offer applies only to report cards for most recent school terms. Qualifying report cards must be submitted within 45 days from the date of issue. No back rewards available for prior semesters or marking periods. Letter grade “A” (or school district’s equivalent) or 90%+. Limit of $10 will be rewarded for A’s per each marking period, not to exceed $40 in Dollars for A’s deposited per school year or calendar year. A First Financial Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. Parent or guardian must bring both the child’s birth certificate and social security card when opening a First Step Kids Account at any branch location. Parent or guardian will be a joint owner and must also bring their identification. As of 7/2/2020, the First Step Kids Account has an annual percentage yield of 0.03% on balances of $100.00 and more. The dividend rate may change after the account is opened.​

***First Financial Kids up to age 18 are eligible to participate in our Summer Reading Contest every July & August. Credit Union membership and First Financial Savings Account are required to participate. Participants will earn $1 per book read, up to 10 books. Each book requires a separate entry form to be filled out online using our electronic entry form. Only completely filled out entry forms will be eligible for reader rewards. Participants will earn 1 entry per book read in our prize drawing of three Gift Cards in the amount of $75, $50, and $25. If the parent/guardian prefers – Reader Rewards can be electronically deposited to the child’s First Financial Savings Account when a confirmation email for each book read (up to 10 books), is received and reviewed by the Marketing Department upon completion of a digital entry form. Reader Rewards can also be redeemed in person in any First Financial branch by displaying the confirmation email(s) to a branch employee on a mobile phone or printed out.​ The 3 prize winners will be drawn at random and will be contacted by the First Financial Marketing Department.

****A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account. All personal memberships are part of the Rewards First program and a $5 per month non-participation fee is charged to the base savings account for memberships not meeting the minimum requirements of the program. Click here to view full Rewards First program details.

*Original article courtesy by Karen Cordaway of US News.

7 “Not So Smart” Credit Tips

Posted on by
1

There’s a lot of advice floating around out there about how to manage your credit cards and other debts to maximize your credit score. The trouble is, not all this wisdom is created equal, and some tips intended to help your credit can actually have the opposite effect. Here are seven “not so smart” tips that you should steer away from.

1. Asking for a lower credit limit.

If you can’t control your spending, asking for a lower credit limit may indeed keep you out of trouble by simply capping how much you can borrow. But there’s also a risk to this approach. As MyFICO.com explains, 30% of your credit score is based on how much you owe. The formula looks at how much you owe as a percentage of how much available credit you have, otherwise known as your credit utilization ratio. So if you’re unable to pay off your debt, lowering your credit limit will increase your ratio — and damage your score. The impulse to impose external limits on your spending is understandable, and in some cases wise, but you’re better off focusing your energy on restraint.

2. Paying off an installment account early.

Paying off debt early might seem like a good way to improve your credit, but paying off an installment loan (like a car loan), too early can actually ding your score because it raises your utilization ratio. For instance, if you have a $10,000 car loan with a $5,000 balance that you pay off in one fell swoop, your debt load will drop by $5,000, but your available credit will drop by $10,000 once the account is closed.

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t pay off a debt early if you find yourself with a windfall on your hands. An earlier payoff can save you a bundle, but if you’re trying to raise your credit score – paying off a credit card sooner rather than an installment loan is the way to go.

3. Opening a bunch of cards at once.

Since your utilization ratio is so important, a lot of people think that getting as much available credit as possible — immediately — will do the trick. But it doesn’t work like this, unfortunately. “You can’t magically improve your utilization ratio by applying for a slew of cards in rapid succession because numerous inquiries and multiple brand new cards both can lower your score,” says Barry Paperno, credit expert at Credit.com. If you want more credit to improve your score, space out the process and be realistic about your situation; don’t take the hit to your score by applying for a card you know you probably won’t qualify for. (Financial institutions that aggregate credit card offers generally spell out what kind of credit score you need to obtain a particular card).

4. Settling a debt for less than you owe.

Negotiating with a lender and then settling the debt for less than you owe can be a smart move. But it can also hurt your credit if you do it the wrong way. You must get the lender or collections company to agree in writing to report the debt as “paid in full;” otherwise, it will be noted “settled for less than the balance.”

5. Using prepaid debit cards to rebuild your credit.

John Ulzheimer, president of consumer education at SmartCredit.com, says a lot of borrowers have the misconception that prepaid debit cards and credit cards are equally good credit building tools. They’re not. Prepaid cards “don’t do anything to help build or rebuild your credit and are not a viable long-term plastic solution,” he says. Although some prepaid card issuers say they help build credit, none currently report to the three major credit bureaus.

Businessman's hand holding blue credit cards 03. Isolated on whi6. Never using your credit cards.

Some people approach credit like a poker game, with the mentality that you can’t lose money if you don’t play your cards. Although it’s always advisable to pay off your bill in full every month, not using credit cards at all can actually backfire when it comes to your credit score. If an issuer looks at your account and sees that there hasn’t been any activity for a while (how long varies, but more than a year is a good rule of thumb), they might close it. Losing that credit line hurts your utilization ratio, which can hurt your credit score. Try to  charge a small amount regularly — maybe a recurring bill like a gym membership or airline tickets for your annual summer vacation — and paying it off every month.

7. Checking your credit daily. 

Checking your credit score every day won’t hurt your score (when you request your score, it’s called a “soft pull,” which is different from the “hard pull” lenders conduct that does affect your score). But trying to parse why you gained or lost two points here or there will just give you heartburn and won’t give you any greater insight into how your score is calculated. Lenders generally report to credit bureaus every 30 days, so checking your score every day takes the focus off what really matters: how your longer-term financial habits affect your credit file.

Article Source: http://business.time.com/2013/05/06/7-smart-credit-tips-that-arent/#ixzz2SzgoxXjx