Making Money Personal

How To Keep Your Budget Running Smoothly - Money Tip Tuesday

When it comes to budgeting, how many of us get started, work through it for a few months, and then stop using it altogether? What is it about budgeting that is particularly difficult to stick with?
If you’re struggling with maintaining a budget for longer than a few weeks or months, there are various ways to keep that budget running for years.
Links:
Check out our Goal Builder tool to help automate saving
Watch out Budgeting 101 webinar
Triangle 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.   
We make budgets to improve our financial situation. And they only work if they’re maintained.  
Putting together the budget is the first step and usually the easiest step but after that, sticking to it over a worthwhile period is the real challenge.     
There are many reasons why budgets fail. Lack of discipline, lifestyle changes, emergencies, and disorganization can all contribute to losing control of a budget.   
With the right strategies, you can turn your failing budget into a successful one that helps you reach your financial goals.   
Here are a few ways to ensure your budget gets the attention it deserves.   
Set clear financial goals—the more precise, the better. By setting clear short-term and long-term goals, you’ll know exactly what goal to work towards, providing a clear direction and adequate motivation to achieve it.  
Create a budgeting schedule. Set aside a little bit of time each day or week to review your budget. Make this your time to focus on your finances. If you want a budget to work, you must pay regular attention to it. Be consistent, show up, and make your budget a priority. 
Track your expenses. Keep a consistent and detailed record of every expense you make. Tracking expenses will keep you aware of where your money is going and can help you highlight spending trends that need to be adjusted or tweaked.  
Plan for irregular expenses. Life is unpredictable, and many things can pop up out of nowhere. Make sure you’re planning for seasonal or irregular expenses in your budget. These don’t have to be emergencies. Things like birthday gifts, wedding gifts, and shower gifts can all fall under unexpected, irregular expenses.  
Use budgeting tools. Various budgeting tools are available that help people put together and regularly manage their budgets. Find these tools and use them to keep your budget running like a well-oiled machine.  
Review and adjust regularly. The budget you put together a year ago may not be the same budget you’ll make today. Many things can change over a year, so regularly reviewing and adjusting your budget is essential. Did you get a promotion? Buy a house? Have a baby? All those life changes are significant enough to force you to review and adjust your budget to keep up with the changes in your life.  
Automate your savings. Set up automatic savings to keep money funneling towards healthy savings. Saving is often one of the last things people think to do, but it should be the first. Automating savings through tools like direct deposit and even goal-building tools is an easy way to make sure you’re regularly paying yourself first.
Stay educated. Keep your financial knowledge up to date. Research, read, listen, and learn. There are so many ways to keep informed of economic news and changes that will impact your budget. You’ll be more enabled, confident, and motivated to run and adjust your budget to improve your financial future exponentially. For news, tools, and trends, check out our vast collection of webinars and financial articles at TCU University and explore the many financial planning services on our website.   
Staying on top of your budget can be challenging, but with the right strategies and discipline, you can manage your finances effectively.   
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. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   
Have a great day! 

The Growing Threat of Text Scams - Money Tip Tuesday

In today’s digital age, text message scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. These scams can lead to significant financial loss, identity theft, and even compromise your personal data. It’s more important than ever that you learn how to detect the key signs of fraudulent messages to protect yourself from falling victim to these common scams. 
Links:
Read more about fraud awareness tactics and view recent fraud alerts
Learn more about the benefits of Better Checking with ID Protect
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.  
There has been an increase in all kinds of scams targeting almost everyone they can. Fraudsters attempt to get unsuspecting victims in almost any way. They’ll use fake ads, fake websites, cleverly disguised emails, phone calls from seemingly recognizable companies and even text messages with links.  
The danger of these scams is that with only a little bit of personal information, they can wreak havoc on your life and finances for years to come. 
Lately there’s been a large increase in scams targeting individuals, coming specifically through text messages. It’s important to know the signs of these types of scams so you don’t become a victim. 
Here are some of the more common text message scams you might run into. 
Bank Alerts: Scammers often impersonate banks, sending texts that claim there’s an issue with your account. These messages are designed to create a sense of urgency, prompting you to click on a link or call a number to “resolve” the issue or verify personal information.
Delivery Notifications: You might get a text saying there’s a problem with a package delivery. The message includes a link to a fake website asking for personal information or payment details to correct the problem.  
Fake Fraud Alerts: Scammers send texts pretending to be from your bank or credit card company, warning you of suspicious activity. They ask that you confirm account details to keep your account secure, but it’s their way of getting your login information so they can access your accounts and steal your money.
Prize Notifications: You receive a text claiming you’ve won a prize or a lottery. To claim it, you’re asked to provide personal details or pay a fee. Scammers use your excitement of being a winner to trick you into giving away sensitive information.  
Impersonation of Friends or Family: Scammers might text you pretending to be someone you know, claiming they’re in trouble and need money urgently. 
Job Offers: You might get a text offering a high-paying job with minimal effort. These scams then ask for personal information to continue forward with the job or they’ll request an upfront fee for job-related training or equipment.  
Fake Invoices: Scammers send texts with fake invoices for services or products you didn’t order. These texts then include a link to dispute it that leads to a fake site asking for sensitive information.  
 
Scammers are getting increasingly clever and crafting believable messages disguised to look like urgent alerts from companies and individuals you trust.  
It’s more important now than ever to familiarize yourself with these tactics so you won’t be caught off guard next time you’re targeted by a scammer. 
So what actions should you take if you get any of these messages? 
Don’t act on the message out of fear! These texts rely on the tactic of creating urgency to get you to act without thinking. Don’t follow the prompts or click any links.  
Contact your financial institution, the company or individual through an access point you know is safe. Open a new browser and go to the company’s website to get their contact information. If it’s a suspicious message from an individual like a friend or colleague, contact them through a method you know to be safe, like a trusted messaging app, their phone number in your contacts or a known email address. 
If you get a message of fraud activity on our card like, “fraud use detected: verify this purchase was yours or not.” Investigate on your own first. Open your mobile app or visit your online banking account using the browser and check your transactions there. If there’s no reflected transaction, then the message was a scam.  
Finally, set up identity theft protection for yourself and family members. There are a lot of great products out there that provide identity monitoring, expense reimbursement, and case managers to provide assistance in case you ever become a victim. Check out Triangle’s Better Checking account with ID Protect for identity theft protection and other resources to keep you and your family safe.  
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. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   
Have a great day! 

Strategies to Overcome Financial Anxiety - Money Tip Tuesday

Financial anxiety is a common yet often overlooked issue that affects millions of people all over the world. It can stem from various sources and can significantly impact one’s mental and physical well-being. 
Whether you’re struggling with financial stress or looking to support someone who is, understanding financial anxiety is the first step towards a healthier, more secure future. 
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.  
If you’re someone struggling with feelings of financial anxiety, it’s necessary to manage those feelings and overcome them before they take a significant toll on your mental and physical wellbeing. 
What kinds of situations tend to cause financial anxiety in many Americans today? Here are a few reasons people might be facing the challenge of financial anxiety. 
It can stem from having too much debt. Carrying high balances on credit cards, student loans or even a mortgage can lead to levels of anxiety.
Income instability can cause financial anxiety because taking in irregular income makes it difficult to plan out a consistent budget and maintain regular payments from month to month.  
Unexpected expenses are another cause of financial anxiety. When sudden costs come up like medical bills, car repairs, home repairs or more, it can cause a disruption in your financial stability that can significantly increase your stress.
A lack of overall savings is also a cause for financial anxiety. If you don’t have enough money set aside for the future it could lead to constant worry.  
The dangers of financial anxiety can cause many negative effects on your body and habits. High levels of anxiety can cause physiological responses like insomnia, headaches and racing heart whenever you think about finances. You might also notice behavioral changes like obsessively checking your bank balances, avoiding certain financial decisions, and feeling overwhelmed by small expenses.  
Struggling with these emotions and not tending to the root cause can lead to behaviors that negatively affect habits and lifestyle. Some people might practice avoidance by ignoring their bills, statements, and other financial responsibilities. Some might engage in impulse spending by making unnecessary purchases to relieve stress and help themselves feel better. Some may even turn to substance abuse to cope with anxiety and others might face isolation by withdrawing from social interactions to avoid embarrassing conversations about money. 
Fortunately, there are many ways to properly manage and overcome the pressures of financial anxiety. Here are a few tactics you can try to minimize financial anxiety and start improving your financial life. 
Start with creating a budget and stick with it. This will keep you organized, gives you control and helps reduce your overall feeling of uncertainty when it comes to money.  
Get in touch with a financial professional who can assess your current situation, provide some clarity on your financial shape and give you actionable steps that will move you on the right path.  
Take time to practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Taking time to calm yourself and your mind can improve all kinds of anxiety. Meditation apps and yoga practices are great ways to practice self-care and improve your overall mood giving you more energy and confidence to tackle challenges.  
Get on building that emergency fund so you’ll have a comfortable cushion of cash sitting on the side for unexpected expenses and an added sense of security.
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 check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Have a great day! 

Episode 73 Follow-Up: Insights on the Complexities of Entrepreneurship | Adriana Torres

In this short follow-up segment to our latest episode, Adriana Torres discusses insights from her conversation with Elizabeth Costa about the complexities of entrepreneurship. She highlights the importance of recognizing and overcoming biases, emphasizes that the entrepreneurial journey is personal and non-linear, and advocates for understanding customer problems and providing effective solutions to succeed in business.
Links: 
The Process Reinvention LLC
Contact Adriana: theleanidea@gmail.com
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union

Tips to Avoid Common Junk Fees - Money Tip Tuesday

Junk fees are those unexpected, often hidden charges that can turn a seemingly good deal into a costly affair. Whether you’re booking a flight, renting a car, or signing up for a new service, these fees can sneak up on you, adding significant costs to your final bill. Fortunately, there are ways to recognize and avoid many common junk fees if you know where to look first.
Links:
Find fee-free Triangle ATMs when you're out
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
View episode transcript
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Junk fees are known as hidden or unsuspected fees that pop up at the final checkout point raising the final price of the product or service.  
If you’re looking for a practical way to cut down on the number of junk fees you pay or avoid paying them entirely, then it’s worth it to recognize the most common types of junk fees. 
Some of the more common fees people end up paying are as follows:  
Service charges for event tickets  
Resort fees at hotels 
Late payment fees 
Overdraft fees 
Termination fees 
Out of network ATM fees 
So how does one avoid paying additional junk fees when purchasing a product or service? 
When it comes to purchasing items like event tickets, there aren’t too many ways to avoid service charges and fees. The best thing to do is to make sure you’re aware of the cost of the fees beforehand so you won’t be surprised at checkout.  
When it comes to resort or hotel fees, make sure you explore the listing before you purchase and read all the booking information. Get a good understanding of what’s included and what’s not. Will you need to pay extra for wifi, breakfast, certain amenities? Make sure that you’ve reviewed all the information when you purchase so you’re fully aware of all the additional charges you might have to pay when booking. 
For late payment fees, the most important way to avoid paying them is to, you guessed it, avoid missing payments altogether.  The best way to make sure you no longer miss payments is to stay organized and set up automatic payments. With online and mobile banking you can use bill pay tools to easily automate payments to different payees. Setting this up will ensure your payment will be sent on time every month and you won’t get slammed with additional fees. It’ll also help your credit score!  
An overdraft fee is a charge imposed by a bank when you spend more money than you have in your account, causing your balance to go negative. This fee compensates the bank for covering the shortfall and allows the transaction to proceed. To avoid overdraft fees, set up overdraft protection with your financial institution so the missing funds will be drawn from another one of your accounts. Also, set up account balance notifications that will send an automatic message to alert you when your account balance dips below a set dollar amount of your choice so you always know your account balance before initiating a transaction. 
Termination fees are another way people get charged extra in ways they didn’t quite expect. Some companies like gym memberships, phone services, internet and more have written contracts where they charge you a fee to cancel your subscription before the contract ends. The best ways to avoid paying too much to cancel a membership is to make sure to review the FAQs and fine print cancellation policy before signing up to learn how much the company will charge to cancel the service.  
And our final fee is one you may encounter when getting cash from ATM. ATM transaction fees are common but can easily be avoided with a little planning. Try to find and use ATM locations that don’t charge fees like ones at your banks branch location or others that might be part of an ATM co-op. If you’re a credit union member, your institution likely participates in a co-op system that allows any credit union member to use another credit union’s ATM fee free. You can also check your institutions’ website for a list or map of fee free ATM locations in your area like some gas station chains and other locations. 
When it comes to paying junk fees it’s important to stay vigilant and informed on the most common types of junk fees so you can take measured actions to reduce their impact on your finances.  
Have you recently encountered junk fees? Do you have a special strategy you use to avoid them? Feel free to share your thoughts with us and other listeners on our social media and podcast pages! 
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. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   
Have a great day! 

Episode 73: Learning the Lessons of Entrepreneurship | Adriana Torres

In this episode we chat with Adriana Torres about the differences between corporate and entrepreneurial mindsets, including the need for calculated risks, continuous innovation, and self-motivation. We also discuss the value of failure as a learning tool as well as some important business resources budding entrepreneurs can use to achieve their dreams. 
Links:
Check out the business resources from CWE, SCORE and the SBDC, 
Start with Why, by Simon Sinek
Finding Your Why by Simon Sinek
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
How I Built This by Guy Raz
The Process Reinvention LLC
Email Adriana: theleanidea@gmail.com
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
View episode transcript

The Role of Technology in Modern Banking - Money Tip Tuesday

Technology continues to shape the landscape of just about every area of our lives and one of the areas where we experience the most technological adaptation is the world of finance. It continues to play an important role by bringing us more power and capabilities through new tools and platforms. These tools provide the capabilities to improve finances, set and achieve goals, and transact safer and easier.  
Links: 
Sign up for online banking and download Triangle's Mobile App to access digital banking services
Check out our Goal Builder tool to set new savings goals
Try out our Financial Wellness Assessment to see how your finances measure up
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.  
Technology is a game changer for so many processes and platforms. When it comes to banking, you’ll gain access to a lot more valuable tools that can give you more power to achieve your financial goals. There are three top ways banking tech continues to improve our experiences. 
1. It offers us more convenience
It makes deposits easier for more efficient management. Direct deposit eliminates check cashing by depositing your paycheck directly into a designated account. You can even have the check allocated across different accounts for easy, automatic management. Plus, if you do receive a paper check, remote check deposit eliminates the need to travel to a branch or ATM to deposit it. You can quickly deposit it at home with your mobile app or online banking.  
Banking is now in the palm of your hand – and with you wherever you go because many of these everyday banking tools are right within a mobile app. If you want to check your accounts daily you can and whether you’re at the store, in the office or at home on the couch. Banking tech also provides more convenient payment processes through tools like your phone’s mobile wallet which keeps your card information protected behind layers of security both within the app as well as during the transaction process.  
It offers Heightened Security
Banking, with its expansion across technologies, has an increased focus on security, keeping your account information and finances safe from threats. Digital banking platforms incorporate biometrics and PIN codes to keep layers of security between your information and anyone collecting it. New digital tools like wallets and chip cards keep your card numbers out of the transaction and use tokens to give you a seamless payment experience without ever exchanging your sensitive banking info.  
If you like to be kept in the loop about the status of your accounts or of any ongoing fraud trends going on it’s good to sign up for notifications so you can be ready before danger strikes.  
It Brings us Better Tools:
Banking tech has also provided more sophisticated tools for financial management and awareness. Financial management tools give you the capabilities to organize your cash flow systems by setting goals, paying down debt and building your net worth. You can use goal builder tools to automate savings into categories geared towards financial goals like a house downpayment, new car, or emergency fund. Like a digital envelope system. You can also access financial wellness tools that assess your financial health and detect areas of improvement. Then with this knowledge you can follow up with a financial professional to fix any areas of improvement.  
Banking technology has come so far from the days with bank books and checks. Now with ease of use and accessibility, you have more control over your money now than ever before. Technology will continue to increase our banking experiences giving us more power to improve our financial situation. 
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 check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast. 
 

Popular Side Hustle Ideas for Extra Income - Money Tip Tuesday

Are you looking for ways to make more money and increase your revenue stream? Then starting a side hustle or several of them might be for you! Here are some great ways to make extra money on the side!   
Links:
Freelancing: Upwork, Designhill, LinkedIn
Pet Care: Wag, Rover
Ridesharing: Uber, Lyft
Delivery Service: DoorDash, UberEats, Instacart
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.        
One nice thing about having a side hustle is choosing what interests you. It allows you to explore your interests and broaden your horizons while making some extra cash. Freelancing is an excellent example of this.    
Freelancing is when you work with a client on a one-off project. If the client likes your work, they may come back to you when they have another project. Freelancing can involve all sorts of different work, including writing, editing, graphic design, website design, etc.    
Are you unsure of where to get started freelancing? Don't worry because there are plenty of websites where you can find freelancing gigs. Upwork, Designhill, and LinkedIn are great places to start your side hustle!   
This next side hustle is great for animal lovers. Pet sitting and pet walking are great ways to make money on the side, and hanging out with animals is a bonus. To get started, ask your friends or family if they need someone to take care of their pets while they're away. Websites such as Wag and Rover let you find people who need their pets cared for while they are away.   
For these following side hustles, you will need a vehicle and a valid driver's license. The first one is ridesharing. If you are okay with driving a stranger in your car, ridesharing is a great way to make extra money. It works like a taxi service, but you use your car instead of working for a taxi company and driving a taxi. You can also pick when you want to work, which is great if you're looking for a side hustle with flexibility. Check out ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft; they're popular and well-recognized.   
The second one is to run a delivery service. If you'd prefer not to have a stranger in your car, you could use it to deliver food or groceries instead. Like ridesharing mentioned, delivery services offer flexible hours, where you get to work on your own time to deliver food or groceries to homes in your area. Popular delivery service companies are Doordash, Uber Eats, and Instacart.   
One thing to look out for when getting into side hustles is to avoid scams. As you explore side hustle, you might discover some multi-level marketing or pyramid schemes promising that you'll make tons of money, but that is rarely the case, and you'll most likely lose money instead of making any. Do some research beforehand, and don't let promises of making a lot of money quickly convince you to sign up for something that'll cost you more in the long run. Remember, if it's too good to be true, it probably is.  
This tip mentions just some of the side hustles out there, and there are plenty more to explore! To figure out what side hustle is right for you, start with your interests and what skills you want to expand on. Then, search the Internet and ask around to find out ways you can use those skills and interests to bring in some extra cash.   
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.     
 

These Money Principles Will Help You Build Wealth - Money Tip Tuesday

When it comes to your finances, it takes some time to learn the proper lessons to achieve financial goals. With the right mindset and understanding you can use the money you earn to build wealth and eventually reach financial independence. 
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. 
For anyone looking to be financially independent, it’s critical to understand some fundamental financial principles to follow that can help you get there.  
Although everyone’s financial road map is a little different because goals and experiences are different, there are some financial principles that can help you build wealth over time and achieve financial independence. 
Pay Yourself First (save early, save often) Why are you working and earning money? Is it to make yourself wealthy or to make someone else wealthy? The fact is that when you bring in money, yes, you’re getting paid, but if you don’t keep any for yourself because you spend it all then you didn’t build any wealth for your future. Whenever you pay money to anyone else, whether it’s an item you buy at the store, or money spent for a vacation, you’re not contributing to making yourself fiscally rich, you’re contributing to making someone else rich.  This is why budgeting is so important. It ensures you’ll have enough money to pay for the necessities of life, some for your enjoyment and well-being, but also putting some aside for yourself. Try to set some of your money aside for saving in a regular savings account, CD, Money Market or investment account over time. As it accumulates, you’ll be building wealth for yourself.  
Consider the true value of what you buy Everything you buy has a value to it that is more than just the price you pay for it. Some things hold value for a long time and even go up in value, while other things depreciate, sometimes so fast, you’re buying a new one within the next two months.  Being an informed shopper will help you determine whether the higher quality, more expensive item is worth the purchase, or if the cheapest item is the way to go.  Some key factors to consider when purchasing are as follows: the cost – how much will you pay for it. The quality – what are the materials and are they long lasting or more disposable. The usefulness – how does this item affect my immediate and future needs. The lifespan – How long will this item last?  There are many instances where buying the cheapest item is the most economical way to go. But remember that for many things in life, you get what you pay for. Understanding the cost and value of the items you purchase will help you make an informed spending decision and avoid wasting money. 
Understand what credit IS and ISN’T Remember credit is NOT your money, nor is it your wealth. Credit is the ability to borrow money to buy something now, with the agreement that it’ll be paid back later.  But, many people forget that their credit limit and lines aren’t the same as having cash in the bank. Every cent on the credit balance needs to be repaid. Using credit isn’t a bad thing, since many people use credit lines for emergency purposes or to get cash back and other rewards programs for purchases. The danger lies in the thinking that credit is your cash and thereby the temptation to overspend is great. If you manage your credit cards correctly, by paying your balance every month, then you can use your credit for beneficial purposes. Credit is a useful tool that can give you a lot of buying power, but it needs to be treated with respect and care.  
Be Patient Our impatience holds a large influence over our spending tendencies. It also impacts our trajectory towards financial independence. As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and the absolutely applies to building wealth. Don’t expect to be at the finish line the day you start the race. It will take careful planning and time to get to your destination. You need the motivation to begin, but the endurance to continue.  Impatience can sabotage even the most well-conceived plan because along this journey you’ll get tired, feel like you’re not making progress, and sometimes consider giving up, but don’t. Understand that this is a process and with consistent, steady action, you’ll build wealth and achieve your financial goals. 
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! 
 

10 Awesome Staycation Ideas for the Summer - Money Tip Tuesday

Summer is the time to get out and do some traveling. But if you’re like many Americans looking to find ways to save money, you might be rethinking that elaborate getaway and opting to do something a little closer to home. Fortunately, there are a lot of amazing staycation ideas that’ll likely give you plenty of opportunities to get the needed rest and relaxation or chance to explore something new.  
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.  
We all vacation for a variety of different reasons. Sometimes it’s to get away from the responsibilities of home, or simply to explore a new environment. But, if you’re looking to cut back on traveling this year, you can still find many activities that provide the same benefit of a vacation, right within the comforts of your home or local area.  
If you’re on the hunt for some ideas, here’s a list of 10 awesome staycation ideas to enjoy staying local this summer:  
Set up a spa day. If you’re someone who loves being pampered, then schedule a time to get a relaxing spa treatment or massage. Show yourself some love for all the hard work you put in every day by taking time to relax and enjoy a little self-care.
Tour your own town. How many people really explore the attractions and locations around their own towns? Yes, we shop, work and go to appointments, but have you ever visited your local museum or a nearby historic site? Check a tourist guide or website of your surrounding area to get an idea of the sites and attractions you haven’t yet discovered. 
Host a cooking night for friends or family. If you love hosting, schedule an evening to invite some people over and enjoy cultural dishes or a special themed meal complete with apps, drinks and dessert. 
Go on a day trip. Taking a staycation doesn’t mean you can’t travel a little. Day trips are a great way to get the benefits of a new experience without a hefty price tag. Find a nearby town or city that you haven’t visited before, get in the car and explore it for a day.
Camp in your own backyard. Even if it’s in your backyard, camping can still be enjoyable. Put up a tent, set up a campfire, roast some marshmallows and spend a night out under the stars. 
Do a movie marathon. If you love movies, set up a time to watch your favorite film series from beginning to end. You can also organize a special film fest with friends to watch a custom series of critically acclaimed or award-winning flicks.  
Go to see a live performance. Enjoy a visit to your local performing arts center or concert hall this summer to watch a play, orchestra or your favorite artist perform. Live performances are a great way to immerse yourself in the experience and leave lasting memories for life.  
Take an art class. If you’re interested in trying out a new art, explore your area for local art classes and try your hand at a new craft. Many local artists and art groups offer classes to teach newbies all kinds of artistic skills like painting, photography, glass blowing, pottery and more.
Try out an escape room.  If you’re in the mood for a little challenge, get a friend or two together and visit an escape room in your area. They’re great for testing your teamwork and observation skills under pressure but in a fun and memorable way. 
Spend time volunteering. Take a day to help at a local charity or non-profit in your town. One of the best uses of your time is to spend it helping someone else. If you’re looking for an opportunity to give back, use a bit of your staycation time to make a difference in your community. 
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!