Financial Fundamentals Blog

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...

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Opening a checking account is a pretty easy process, right? You walk into a bank or credit union and simply apply for the checking account you want.

No matter how big or small your financial goals are, a financial plan can help you make those goals a reality. Think of financial planning as a roadmap to help you achieve your goals. It’s an ongoing process that can help you feel more confident about your finances and navigate any bumps in the road, such as inflation or a...

School is back in session, and with it comes a myriad of costs. If you’re heading off to college for your first or last semester, don’t be afraid to look for ways to save. One way to cut costs is to eliminate visiting your college bookstore for textbooks. Don’t be afraid to look for deals or to get creative! Here are some tips to help.

Knowing the signs of elder financial abuse can help protect yourself or your loved ones. Seniors are increasingly becoming targets for financial abuse. People over the age of 50 control over 70 percent of the nation’s wealth, and fraudsters are using new tactics to take advantage of the growing number of older Americans. Senior abuse is estimated to have cost victims at least $2.9 billion in the last year alone.

While the country returns to normal following the height of the pandemic, many people are still finding themselves working from home. It’s not surprising to learn that working from home can be very different from working in the office. There are new complications.

Everyone learns about money differently. Some people take classes, others rely on advice from family and friends and even more people learn from personal experiences. But following poor advice can end up costing you money and have negative implications on your credit score. Before you follow a misconception about money, check our list of debunked money myths.