August 14 marks National Financial Awareness Day. MSGCU is here to help you make the most of your money every day. These simple tips can help keep you focused on your financial success:
Check your accounts often
Log in to your MSGCU account online or via the MSGCU Mobile App so you can easily track what is coming in and out of your accounts. Don’t have an online account yet? Download the app and register in just minutes.
Monitor your credit report
Review and make sure your credit report is correct. You can get your credit report for free 24/7 when you log in to Online Banking and the MSGCU Mobile App (choose Credit Score from the menu). There’s even a convenient link to report inaccuracies.
An MSGCU Certified Financial Counselor, available at each MSGCU branch office, will gladly review your credit report with you if you’d like help improving your score or finding creative solutions to save you money every month.
Help prevent fraud
Keeping tabs on your account and monitoring your credit report are also important fraud prevention tactics, helping you spot any potential issues fast. In addition, check out MSGCU’s Security Center, which features tips for safeguarding your sensitive information to help prevent identity theft.
Evaluate, and reevaluate, your spending
Reviewing your budget periodically is an often-overlooked step. This allows you to see how you are spending your money. Take the time to evaluate, or reevaluate, your expenses and make changes where you see fit. Don’t have a budget? Take this 5-minute lesson on creating one.
Build up savings
Experts recommend saving at least three months of expenses for an emergency fund. Read our post about building an emergency savings fund.
Check your rates
You may be surprised at how much you can save when you compare rates from other financial institutions to those at MSGCU. To help make the comparison simple for you, MSGCU’s new Credit Score tool can even show you savings options based on your unique credit report. It’s available for free in Online Banking or the MSGCU Mobile App.
Tip: if you save money by reducing your monthly payments with a lower rate option from MSGCU, use that savings to build an emergency fund. You are already used to paying a higher amount and savings you add each month can add up quickly.
Brush up on your financial literacy
Check out other MSGCU blog articles for helpful tips or take a quick 5-minute interactive lesson on one of many topics. Or, please join us at one of our free online or in-person workshops that address important money management topics.
Refer your friends or family
Your recommendation means a lot to us. And it could be worth something to you, and your friend or family member, too. Earn $10, $25, even $100 when you refer your family or friends to MSGCU. Check out the details.
Cut the paper clutter
Enroll in eStatements to cut down on sensitive paper documents that need to be shredded. View your eStatements from anywhere in the MSGCU Mobile App.
As always, MSGCU is here for you, on National Financial Awareness Day and every day, to help you reach your version of financial success.
*You must be at least 16 years old, and a member of MSGCU to participate in the Program. Referrals made to existing members of MSGCU are invalid. By making a valid referral that is completed by a Friend in accordance with the Program Terms, you and the Friend will each receive a cash reward as follows: $10 for a new MSGCU membership which is established by the Friend and remains in good standing for a period of at least 60 days; $25 for an approved and funded Auto, RV, Boat or Powersport loan of $5,000 or more applied for by the Friend within 10 days of membership open date; $25 for a new MSGCU VISA credit card which the Friend must apply for within 10 days of membership open date and be approved for within 30 days of application date; $100 for an approved and funded mortgage loan applied for by the Friend and funded within 180 days of membership open date; $25 for a new checking account opened by the Friend and funded with $25 or more within 10 days of membership open date. The Friend will receive an additional $25 reward if they make 10 debit card transactions of $10 or more via the new checking account within 60 days, or they receive a direct deposit of $100 or more into the account within 60 days. Only one reward per reward type is available, for each Friend referred, subject to a maximum of $1,500 in cash rewards per calendar year. Rewards will be automatically deposited into your oldest existing MSGCU primary share account two business days following confirmation by MSGCU that the referral has been made in full compliance with the Program Terms. Reward cash payments are considered interest and annual payments totaling $600 and above will be reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC, to federal, state, and local tax authorities, if required by applicable law. You are responsible for any taxes due. For full terms and conditions, visit https://www.msgcu.org/disclosures-and-fees.
Category: Finance
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