Financial Fundamentals Blog

Financial Freedom Awaits: Setting and Achieving Your Long-Term Goals

  • 7 17 Staff
What does financial freedom mean to you? Is it paying off credit card and loan debt? Saving for a house? Being well prepared for retirement? Improving your credit score?

Inflationary Realities: Adapting Your Budget To Economic Pressures

  • 7 17 Staff
Inflationary pressures on personal budgets have a huge impact on your day-to-day. Suddenly, the same gallon of milk you bought last month is twice as expensive. You’re keeping track of every mile you drive in your car.

Exploring the Pros and Cons of Different Types of Checking Accounts

  • 7 17 Staff
Regardless of the type of checking account you choose, one thing should always be true: Your checking account should give you more power over your money. That said, you do have options.

Debit Card Advantages and When to Reach for Your Debit vs. Credit Card

  • 7 17 Staff
Debit and credit cards look nearly identical, enable you to make purchases more conveniently and can even offer rewards. But that’s where the similarities stop.

Choosing the Right Checking Account: Personal vs. Business

  • 7 17 Staff
If you’re a business owner, it’s important to understand the difference between a business checking account and a personal checking account, and to utilize the right checking account for the right purpose.

Checking accounts vs. savings accounts: Leveraging your financial options wisely

  • 7 17 Staff
You’ve likely heard the terms checking account and savings account thrown around a lot. What you may not know is how they differ and how they can be used to efficiently manage your money. Today we’re taking a look at checking versus savings accounts and how you can leverage both to put your money to work for you.

The Ins and Outs of Tax Deductible Donations

  • 7 17 Staff
Disclaimer: 7 17 Credit Union is providing this information for educational purposes only. 7 17 does not offer tax advice; please consult a qualified tax professional for matters related to your finances. With many people facing a wide array of financial challenges, more and more people are turning to nonprofits and charities...

The Top 6 Benefits of Keeping a High Credit Score

  • 7 17 Staff
Financial experts all talk about the importance of building and maintaining good credit. But what exactly does this mean — and why should consumers care? If you haven’t pulled a credit report or applied for credit recently, your credit score might not be at the top of your mind. But your credit score plays a crucial role in...

4 Ways to Have a Budget-Friendly Valentine's Day

  • 7 17 Staff
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, and with it, the reminder that you should shower your loved ones with lavish gifts. But expressing your love doesn’t mean emptying your wallet. You can still make romantic or thoughtful gestures without breaking the bank.

Financial Literacy: 7 Lessons to Teach Your Kids

  • 7 17 Staff
Parents have a lot of aspirations when choosing what lessons and skills they plan to teach their children. But if money management and other financial lessons aren’t near the top of that list, they should be.

Understanding Deferred Interest: Avoiding Financial Pitfalls

  • 7 17 Staff
Using a credit card may sound like a smart way to finance a large purchase, but if you’re not careful, you may be falling into a debt trap. Most retailers offer store-branded, deferred interest credit cards to appeal to buyers, but few consumers are aware of the pitfalls of deferred interest.

What is a checking account and how do they work

  • 7 17 Staff
No matter who you are or how much you earn, money management is a necessary skill that involves creating a budget, tracking spending and saving money for financial well-being.