Making Money Personal

Protect Your Car this Winter - Money Tip Tuesday

This is a hectic time of year, and with all the activities and events occupying our attention, it can be difficult to plan for all the possibilities life might throw at us. When it comes to your vehicle, there are a lot of things to prepare for, especially when winter weather takes an unpredictable turn.  
Links:
Learn more about GAP benefits and check out our Auto Refinance promotional rates!
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Nearly 70% of the United States population lives in regions that experience winter weather. The roads can get icy, snow impacts visibility, and drivers slow down on the highways—all these factors impact travel and increase crash risks.  
Even if you've lived in these regions for a while or your whole life, there are steps you should still take to prepare yourself and your car for winter weather.   
Check Lighting
In addition to snow impacting visibility during winter, visibility is limited because the days are shorter. For your safety and the safety of others on the road, check your headlights, taillights, and turn signals to ensure all are working properly. If any bulbs are dull and/or require replacement, this is the perfect time to do that. 
Install Winter Tires
All tires are not created equal! If your vehicle has standard tires, they might not have the tread to handle snow and ice. Snow tires offer better traction during inclement weather than all-season tires. While vehicles with all-wheel drive are better in snowy conditions, snow tires on front-wheel-drive cars can be similar or more effective.   
GAP Coverage
Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) is optional auto coverage that pays the difference between your car’s value and the remaining balance on your loan if it is totaled in an accident or stolen.  
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 24% of weather-related accidents occur on snowy or icy roads. With winter weather making road conditions dangerous, GAP keeps you secure if something were to happen. 
How does GAP coverage work?  
Let's say you have $15,000 left on your auto loan, but your car is only valued at $10,000. The difference in value means if something happened to your car, such as an accident that totals your vehicle, you would pay $5,000. With GAP coverage, this cost is reduced or eliminated, which means that instead of worrying about having to pay off the rest of the loan before getting a new car, you can focus on finding the right deal and auto loan rate.      
These three steps will help you protect yourself and your vehicle this winter. Looking to refinance your current auto loan so you can start the new year with a lower rate? Triangle Credit Union has a limited-time special for auto refinancing. Learn more and apply today! 
If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.  
Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Have a great day! 

How to Eliminate Debt with the Debt Snowball Method - Money Tip Tuesday

As the year winds to a close and we shift our attention to the new year that’s about to begin, the next few weeks may be the right time to assess our existing financial situations and consider what new plans we’d like to implement for the following year. For many Americans, one of those plans could be to finally get debt-free.  
Links:
For a more visual explanation of the debt snowball method watch this short debt snowball explainer video on YouTube
Watch our Pay Off Debt: Your Path to Financial Freedom webinar 
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Getting out of debt is a noble goal, one worth pushing towards. If you’re feeling the burden of debt, one very effective method can help you pay down that debt and reach financial success. But when it comes to this venture, where does one start? How do you know the plan will be a success? That’s what this debt snowball method is for.   
In this tip, I’ll explain the debt snowball, how to use it to eliminate debt, and share a few additional thoughts to keep in mind while following the plan.  
One of the biggest challenges many people face when paying down multiple debts is determining which debts take priority. Do you pay off the oldest debt first? The largest debt first? A certain type of debt first? This often paralyzing decision can make it hard to advance toward the goal. Juggling different bills with varying balances can be tricky to organize, so you need a solid and practical plan to focus on and eventually eliminate debt.   
That’s where this plan comes in. The debt snowball works by organizing your payoff plan to pay down your lowest debt first, then using that freed-up cash to put towards the next largest balance, and so on.   
Start by putting all your debts in order by total balance from smallest to largest. Then focus on making larger payments to the smallest debt while making only the minimum payments on the other ones.  
For example: If you have three debt balances, one for $3,000, one for $8,000, and one for $10,000, focus on paying more towards the 3K one and pay just the minimums for the 8k and 10k ones. Keep paying your bills this way until that lowest debt is completely paid off.  
With one debt gone and out of the way, take all the money you were paying towards it and now put it towards the $8k one, continuing to pay the minimums on that $10k debt.   
Keep doing this until the 8K bill is gone.  Then, put all that freed-up cash from both eliminated debts towards that last 10k debt.   
The effectiveness of this strategy is that it increasingly builds your cash contributions towards debt every time one balance is paid. So, by the time you’re on that last debt, you’re shoveling money at that balance, and it will decrease at a more rapid pace. 
For anyone prepping to give this a go, here are a few things to keep in mind when you work your own debt snowball:  
This plan works best with a budget. Your debt snowball method won’t work if you don’t budget. The budget provides a framework that distributes your income in a specific manner. To pay off debt, you need to know how much money you have coming in and going out. It’ll also help you determine how much to allocate toward each balance as you build your snowball, putting every free dollar toward your debt. 
Get organized and stay organized. Even though you have a budget, keeping all your information organized is essential. Set up dedicated folders in your email for electronic bills or statements, so you know exactly where to go to see them. If you get paper bills, store them in a dedicated folder or envelope so they don’t get lost. Also, create a spreadsheet or use a debt payoff app to keep all your balances logged and up to date. It’ll also allow you to watch each bill as it gets paid down and eventually eliminated. 
Keep your focus with visual reminders. Find a way to keep your goal top of mind. Some people write it on an index card and leave it by a mirror or on a fridge so they’ll see it every day. Keep one in your car or on your phone as a constant reminder that you’re working towards something important.  
Celebrate the small wins. The journey isn’t any fun when you can’t enjoy the process. When you pay off a debt, celebrate the victory. Find a way to treat yourself for your hard work and accomplishments. Just make sure to keep it within budget.  
Be patient. A system like this doesn’t work immediately. It takes time and diligence to get rolling. Keep a steady pace and understand that with some time, patience and perseverance you’ll reach your goal and look back on the long journey that brought you there.   
For a deeper explanation of paying down debt and a visual walkthrough of the debt snowball method, check out our Paying Down Debt webinar and our Debt Snowball Method video clip on our YouTube channel.   
If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org, and don't forget to like and follow our Making Money Personal FB page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on Instagram and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.   
Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   
Have a great day! 

Episode 77: Amazing Added Benefits of Credit Union Membership

Local credit unions offer amazing benefits that can help us save money and time every day.
In this episode, we'll be discussing a few of those benefits you might not be aware of, but they could make a world of a difference in your money management strategies, your savings and your financial future. 
Links:
Learn more about our Purchase Rewards program
Shop for a new car with our AutoSmart tool
Find shared branching locations and fee-free ATMs with our ATM locator
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union

Fun & Budget-Friendly Holiday Activities - Money Tip Tuesday

The holidays are coming up very soon, and it's time to get in a festive mood! If you're on a budget but still want to get into the holiday spirit, here are some activities you can do.  
Links:
Watch free movies (with ads) on Tubi & Freevee
Learn more about VolunteerMatch
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.      
Watching festive movies is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Set up a movie night with friends and family and watch your favorite holiday classics or find a new favorite! Movies are a great way to celebrate the holidays on a budget, as they are relatively cheap, or even free. Streaming services like Tubi or Freevee have a large selection of holiday movies that you can watch free with ads.   
Another great way to celebrate the holidays on a budget is to bake and decorate cookies. Buying all the ingredients you need at a store is relatively cheap. If you hesitate to do this because you’re not good at baking, you can also buy plain cookies and decorate them yourself. Make it an event and invite your loved ones to help decorate the baked goods with you. Similarly, you can buy gingerbread house kits to decorate and display around the house.  
You can also explore other fun ways to decorate your home for the season. String up colorful lights or some garland inside and out. You can purchase affordable decorations at a budget store or make some on your own. Find templates and patterns for paper snowflakes, fabric decorations, paper chains and other types of homemade decor. If you don't have the space for a tree in your house, take some time and decorate a tree outside and if there's snow on the ground, make a snowman with a fun outfit to add to the festivities.  
If you’re in need of some inspiration take some time to see how other people are decorating for the holidays. Get in your vehicle and go for a drive around neighborhoods at night. Lots of people put up holiday decorations outside for people to look at, and sometimes you can find holiday "tours" online that show which neighborhoods go all out on their decorating. If you're feeling brave, knock on some doors in your local neighborhood to sing a few holiday carols.  
You can also get into the holiday spirit by volunteering. Show goodwill to others this season by helping. Visit VolunteerMatch.com for a list of organizations near you that are in need of volunteers. Look for a cause you're passionate about and start helping!  
However you celebrate, there are many ways to get into a festive mood, even on a budget. Let us know how you like to celebrate the holidays, and if you have any special traditions that you love to do!   
If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Also, remember to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts. Finally, remember to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on Facebook and LinkedIn.       
Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.       

Great Financial Gift Ideas for Any Age - Money Tip Tuesday

Finding the perfect gift for those on your list can sometimes be puzzling. If you’re racking your brain looking for a gift for someone, and you want that gift to be of good use and value, consider the benefits of a simple financial gift instead.  
Links:
Start them early with one of our youth accounts!
Check out Triangle's Financial Planning Services
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   
Finding the right gifts for our loved ones can be challenging.   
For many, choosing the right gift can be difficult because you want to make sure whatever you select for the person is something they can use and like.   
One great gift that most anyone can use is money. If you’re at a loss for a gift idea this year, there are some awesome financial gift ideas for many different ages that can be both useful and appreciated.   
For the young ones in your life:  
Don’t overlook the simplicity of giving cash or gift cards. If you want to make it fun for littles, give them a couple of fives or a bunch of ones. Maybe throw in a cute piggy bank or a new wallet for those a little older. Gift cards work great if you would rather give something a little more personal. Select some gift cards to places that provide them opportunities for fun memories that’ll last.   
Fund an account like a savings account or a Flex CD. Starting a savings account helps them build savings habits, and a Flexible CD gives them the benefit of an interest-bearing account that compounds over time.   
Set aside money for college with a 529 plan. Start building an account that they can use toward college and college-related expenses. The earlier they get started, the better.  
Financial gifts for adults might be a little more tricky since there’s a chance that most already have established banking relationships and funding. But there are still options for the adults in your life:   
You can gift them money for a celebration or special event. If they’re planning an upcoming event like a vacation, birthday party, or wedding, consider offering cash towards the special event as a holiday gift.  
Consider offering money towards their financial needs – If you know your friend or family member is working to pay down student debt, medical expenses, or saving for a home downpayment, it might be a nice gesture to offer some funds towards those needs. 
Consider giving investment assets as financial gifts. Stocks, bonds, or other investment assets might be good gifts for those who value building wealth. Because of regulations and rules surrounding gifts like these, research beforehand and even talk to a financial professional or accountant. But it can be an excellent idea for those interested in giving something that will grow in value over time and contribute to their net worth.   
You could give the gift of a financial plan. If you know someone starting out in life or trying to organize their finances, you can offer to cover the cost to meet with a financial planning professional as a gift. Sometimes, people intend to connect with a financial planner, but because of schedule conflicts, financial constraints, or other reasons, they haven’t been able to complete the effort. Giving the gift of a financial plan to a loved one might be the first step they needed to build a bright financial future. 
In summary, this time of year, considering financial gifts for friends and family could be an excellent way to provide a quality gift that will continue to pay into the future.  For any advice or assistance needed in getting started with giving any of the gifts mentioned in this tip, feel free to contact the credit union staff or consult our financial planning professionals at trianglecu.org  
If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.  
Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Have a great day! 

Celebrate Generosity This Giving Tuesday - Money Tip Tuesday

While this time of year has us rushing around and planning for all the festivities and activities of the season, it’s also an important time to take a step back and recognize the fundamental purpose of the season in the first place – the practice of generosity.  
Links:
Learn more about the mission at givingtuesday.org
Check out some tips and ideas on how to participate
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
We’ve passed through the hectic Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping to come out on the other side to the official launch of the Christmas season.  
With all the attention we give to finding deals, preparing parties, planning travel and signing Christmas cards, it’s helpful to remember that the heart of the season lies deeper than just the parties and the shopping- it's about giving.  
For those who may be unaware, today is Giving Tuesday. Officially established back in 2012, it was intended to ignite a movement reminding all of us to take some time to serve others and our communities through volunteerism or financial means.  
The website givingtuesday.org states boldly that the overall purpose of the movement is to “Unleash the power of radical generosity around the world.” 
I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a movement I can get behind. 
Since its creation, the movement has gained international traction. Every year, people and organizations unite across the globe from India, Africa, Europe, and more to recognize the importance of serving others through giving.  
So the question some may have is, “what’s the best way to give?” 
The good news is that there are no requirements. Participation counts in whatever way you choose to give back. 
Try a random act of kindness like complimenting a stranger, carrying someone’s groceries, leaving positive notes for someone to find or pick up litter on a walk.  
You can participate through financial generosity like paying for the next person in line, rounding up your purchase to donate to a charity, collecting goods for a soup kitchen or buying presents for children in need.  
Volunteerism is another great way to participate like serving others at a shelter or soup kitchen, walking dogs at a shelter, or reading to kids at a local school or daycare.  
If you’re interested in participating this year, check out givingtuesday.org for a list of ideas on how to join in the mission. The site also offers a variety of giving tools and other inspiring resources to ramp up the Giving Tuesday energy.  
For many of us, the holidays are so busy, and rapidly speed by so when they’re finally over, we sadly realize we missed some beautiful opportunities to share in the glorious practice of generosity touching the many around us who could benefit most this season.  
For those familiar with the famous Charles Dicken’s story, A Christmas Carol, here’s a relevant scene from the story about the importance of generosity.  
Quick backstory: Scrooge, stunned by Jacob Marley’s ghost wrapped in chains, is baffled that a man so successful in life could be so burdened afterwards. The quote goes:  
“But you were always a good man of business, Jacob,' faltered Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself. Business!' cried the Ghost, wringing its hands again. "Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were, all, my business. The deals of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!” 
When we reflect on the significance of this season and the true need of the many people around us, this day, Giving Tuesday, serves as reminder that our real business on earth is to give and share with those around us who are in need.  
Participating in Giving Tuesday is a great way to practice generosity and share in the joy of helping others.  
If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.  
Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Have a great day! 

Black Friday Shopping Mistakes to Avoid - Money Tip Tuesday

Black Friday is coming soon and is the perfect time to get your shopping done for the holidays. Many deals are happening in-store and online that it's easy to get caught up in the chaos so beware because there are some common mistakes to avoid while shopping during Black Friday. 
Links:
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.     
Before you even go into a store or visit any website online, you should devise a plan for your shopping spree. One big mistake that many people make is going shopping without a plan. They often will overspend, buy things they don't need, and miss out on some deals. When putting together a plan, start by setting a budget for yourself so you don't overspend. With all of the deals happening on Black Friday, it's common for people to spend more than they meant to. Come up with an amount or at least a range of how much you are comfortable spending.   
As part of your plan, it’s also important to make a list of potential items you’d like to buy. Then, before you go shopping, look up deals for items on your list. This gives you the chance to compare deals between different retailers and figure out what works best for you.  
A second common mistake people make while Black Friday shopping is thinking they’ll get the best price on anything they buy. Many stores will have a big sale based on a limited amount of one product. Then, once that limited amount is gone, they will slowly mark the price again. Some retailers will even mark up a product's price before the sale begins so that when they put it on "sale" it’s actually marked back to the original price.   
A third mistake that people make during Black Friday is prioritizing quantity over quality. Just because the deal looks good doesn't mean the product is good. Buying an item just because it's cheap is not always a smart idea. Do your research on any product before you buy it to ensure you’re getting the proper value for the price you’ll pay. 
A fourth mistake some make is thinking that they have to wait until Black Friday arrives to get any deals at all. Many stores offer pre-Black Friday deals that are just as good as deals offered during Black Friday events. Savvy shoppers can also get plenty of great deals after Black Friday by shopping on Cyber Monday.  
It’s important to remember that some products might also be best avoided on Black Friday. That's not to say you won't get a good deal on them; it's because there are better times of the year to buy them. For example, exercise equipment, winter clothing, and holiday decorations are actually the cheapest in January. Make sure you know the best time to buy the right deals before making an impulsive decision to buy on Black Friday.  
If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Also, remember to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts. Finally, remember to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on Facebook and LinkedIn.      
Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.      
  

Episode 76: Holiday Budgeting Strategies to Save Money this Season

This is a favorite time of year for so many but this season does not come without financial strain and stress. Today we're going to talk about how to save money this holiday shopping season. 
Links:
Try out our budgeting spreadsheet to finally get organized this season!
Watch our Budgeting for the Holidays webinar on YouTube
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
 

Keep Your Cards Secure When Holiday Shopping - Money Tip Tuesday

While the holiday season ramps up, it’s important to remember that holiday shoppers aren’t the only busy ones this year. Identity thieves and scammers take advantage of this busy season to steal information.
While you’re out there in-person or shopping online, make sure you guard your cards and card information to ensure your transactions are secure.  
Links:
Learn more about secure password managers like LastPass
Learn more about Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal
Add your Triangle cards to a mobile wallet for secure and convenient payment
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
We all do our shopping however we feel most comfortable. Some love going out to a physical store to explore the shelves and find that perfect gift. Others like to comfortably camp out on the couch and browse websites for their holiday hunt. 
Whichever way you choose to shop this year, remember to keep security top of mind.  
Fraud attempts increase significantly during the shopping season so it’s important to consider whether anything insidious is hiding behind that tempting email, social media ad or website. 
Scammers want your payment information. They target credit card transactions both in-person and online in hopes to steal information from as many unsuspecting shoppers as they can.  
This holiday, remember to guard your payment information whenever and wherever you pay.  
For those who prefer shopping online keep these security tips top of mind before you go through the checkout.  
Make sure the website is secure. Look for the lock icon at the top URL address bar to ensure information being transmitted is encrypted.  
Don't save your card information in browsers.  Instead use a secure digital wallet or vault like LastPass. 
Don’t make payments over unsecured WI-FI or mobile networks. Scammers and hackers can monitor public, unsecured Wi-Fi sources to intercept sensitive data that might be transmitted 
Use an online payment company that doesn’t use card numbers like Google Pay, Apple Pay or PayPal.  
For those who still shop in-person bad actors can still target your physical card transactions. Remember these tips when using your cards out in public.  
When using self-pay locations like gas stations, stand-alone ATMs and parking terminals, remember to examine the pump or terminal for any signs of tampering, cameras or card skimmers. 
Use the contactless payment method for physical cards instead of inserting the EMV chip or swiping the magnetic strip. Contactless methods are more secure when transmitting data 
Don’t shy away from using your phone’s mobile wallet to store your cards. Mobile wallets keep all your card information secure; they transmit encrypted codes rather than card information during payment and you get the bonus of no longer needing to carry around physical cards. 
If you lose your physical card, immediately lock it from any future use until you can find it or report it as lost to the credit card company  
One final way to keep your cards secure is to get into the habit of monitoring all transactions. Set up transaction alerts to get instant notifications any time your card is charged so that way if suspicious activity occurs you can report it right away. 
If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page, and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on social media to share your thoughts.   
Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday, and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   
Have a great day! 

Tips to Save on Holiday Travel - Money Tip Tuesday

The holidays are coming fast! There will be a lot of scheduling, planning, and prepping for the busy season's festivities, especially holiday travel.
For those of you hitting the road or flying out to celebrate the holidays or even to get away, you can do a few things to save a little money on this season’s holiday travel planning.  
Links: 
Learn more about Triangle's Holiday Cash personal loan promotion to get a great rate for holiday spending needs
Save money with popular travel apps like:
Expedia
Priceline
Skyscanner
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
The holidays are known for fun festivities and moments of cheer and delight, but if you remain unprepared for too long it can get stressful fast.  
For those who know they'll be traveling to see friends or family, it's time to start planning that travel so you'll have one less thing to worry about during the peak season.   
In this episode I’ll share a few strategies to save some money on any upcoming travel expenses.   
Set a budget. Have a clear budget in mind on what you’ll be spending on holiday travel. Set up a separate budget sheet for flights, any car rentals, lodging, food and holiday activities. Use a spreadsheet, budgeting app or even old-fashioned pen and paper to lay out every expenditure. Setting a budget and planning out how much you can spend for the holiday trip will help keep your expenses within affordable means and prevent the post-holiday spending hangover that can occur once the bills start rolling in. For those worried about affording holiday travel expenses this year, check out seasonal holiday loans, like Triangle’s Holiday Cash personal loan. These loans offer a great opportunity to borrow plenty of cash to afford most holiday expenses at an affordable rate.
Book early. If you're flying, book as early as possible to ensure you get the right deals and competitive pricing. Also, be selective about which days to travel. Some days are less busy than others, which means you could score lower ticket prices. Rearranging your travel schedule to avoid heavy travel days can save you quite a bit of money. If you're looking for an easy way to help price out and compare flights, try using flight comparison and travel apps like Expedia, Priceline and Skyscanner. 
If you have credit card points, now is a good time to cash them in. Regardless of how many you have, look into applying them towards as many travel costs as you can. Any opportunity to save on expenses during the holiday season is great!  
Explore benefit programs and travel bonuses. Many credit card companies offer travel bonuses and perks just for being a cardholder. You may get complimentary access to airport lounges, discounts, and other travel benefits for low or no cost.   Take some time to explore your credit card program benefits to see what additional perks might be available for your holiday travel.  
Set aside a little extra money to prepare for the unexpected. It’s the holidays, and you’re traveling. There’s a chance that spontaneous delays and cancellations can occur. If travel issues do arise for whatever reason, make sure you have some emergency money available. A mixture of cash and credit cards are good to have on hand while traveling so you can relax knowing there’s additional money available for any unexpected needs.  
If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page, and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on social media to share your thoughts.   
Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   
Have a great day!