Making Money Personal

A Lower Cost Option to Higher Education

 
Community colleges offer students of any age the opportunity to achieve the degree they want at a significant cost savings. In this episode, Terri chats with Laura Tremblay and Anne Eule, representatives from Nashua Community College, about how community colleges can be an integral part of any student’s long term education plan and the many resources available for both students and parents to save money on financing, earn scholarships and ultimately transfer to a 4-year institution.
 
Important Notes:
Community colleges can be a great way for students to get their core classes out of the way before transferring to a 4-year school while saving thousands in the process.
Start looking for scholarships in middle school. There are plenty out there and even a $500 scholarship can cover books or other college costs.
Visit NCC’s website to learn more
Visit NHtransfer.org to learn about the college transfer process
Learn about the FAFSA form and student aid at studentaid.ed.gov
Download the myStudentAid mobile app for convenient FAFSA filing and tracking
Visit the NH Charitable Foundation to learn about available NH scholarships
Attend our College Night event to meet with college representatives and learn about college funding from New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF).
View the episode transcript.
 
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Kickstart College Planning

Is your student looking toward a future in higher education? If so, the sooner students start the planning process, the better prepared they will be.
In this episode, Terri and Liz chat with planner, teacher, and mother of three, Julie Dillow, about what parents can do to help their students begin the application process and develop a manageable college funding strategy. They cover everything from career assessment and selecting schools, to funding options and scholarships.
 
Important Notes:
Encourage your kids to explore career options while in middle school or early high school to get a jump start on the scholarship and application process.
Taking dual credit enrollment classes can save a lot of money on tuition costs.
Use sites like fastweb.com to explore and apply to scholarships and try out college apps like Niche to learn about different colleges and their rankings.
Consider other education options for cost savings like attending a two-year school then transferring to a four year, or maybe finding a job with an employer who will cover a portion of education costs.
Attend Triangle's free College Night event to meet with college representatives and learn about college funding from New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation (NHHEAF).
View the episode transcript.
 
For more information visit trianglecu.org and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Financial Resolutions Review

Are you still on track to complete your New Year’s Resolutions? It’s easy to start off the year with momentum and enthusiasm, but what about when it’s halfway over?
In this episode, Wil and Terri touch base on their New Year’s resolutions, financial and non-financial, to see what kind of progress they have made… or haven’t. They also bring in Producer Liz on her 2019 resolutions and what kind of progress she has made.
 
Important Notes:
Take some time to assess your monthly expenses and see if there is anything that you can cut back on. It may save you more money than you think.
Getting a part-time job like driving for Uber is a great way to earn extra money and increase your total income for the year.
If a full year resolution is too lofty, try doing a 30 day challenge or even a weekly one, if you’re just starting out.
Try out the Money Management tool within your online banking as a way to keep track of spending.
View the episode transcript.
 
For more information visit trianglecu.org and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Starting Your Business Relationship

When embarking on your new business journey, it’s important that you have the right guide to help you along the way. Your business relationship with a financial institution can be the strongest relationship you build and the most lasting that offers guidance and provides resources to keep your business running for years to come.
In this episode we talk with Christine, Commercial Loan Officer and “Dream-Maker” at Triangle Credit Union, who helps entrepreneurs and business owners get the financing they need. Christine offers advice on what to expect when applying for financing and shares a little bit about her passion for building trusting relationships with local business owners.
Important notes:
Visit trianglecu.org to learn more about the available business products and services
Contact Christine at mailto:cmalloy@trianglecu.org or call 603-889-2470 to learn more about how to start your business relationship today
Check out the additional business resources available:
SCORE NH – volunteer business experts offering workshops and mentoring programs
Center for Women in Enterprise (CWE) – organization that assists women entrepreneurs
Division of Economic Development - offers advice and assistance to businesses
Live Free and Start –initiative with the Business Development Authority and Department of Business and Economic Affairs to make NH a great place to start a business
Small Business Association (SBA) – provides numerous articles and resources on a wide variety of business topics
View the episode transcript
 
For more information visit trianglecu.org and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
 

Finding Allies For Your Business

Starting, running, and growing your business is a journey. With the amount of time, effort and mental preparation needed to stay the course and build success, it’s important to know you’re not alone. That’s where the Small Business Administration (SBA) comes in as your reliable companion helping you face the journey with confidence.
In this episode, we chat with Phil Frechette and Rachael Roderick, from the SBA, about a wide variety of resources they offer to businesses of any size, how they help small businesses get the financing they need, and the partners they work with that have provided years of reliable support to business owners.
Important notes:
Check out the Small Business Administration (SBA) and its resources
Search for any SBA Resource partners near you using their local assistance finder. Try searching SCORE, Center for Women in Enterprise, Veteran’s Business Outreach Centers and more!
Check out their online courses in the Learning Center
Looking for business financing? As an SBA Preferred Lender, Triangle has many loan options for a variety of needs
Check out our other business products and services for merchant, payroll services and others
View the episode transcript
 
For more information visit trianglecu.org and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
 

Boosting Your Business with Local Resources

Do you want to take your small business to the next level but need some guidance to get there? Through SCORE and its chapters, you can gain access to a variety of free resources that help entrepreneurs strategize, market, and effectively grow a business with help from their volunteer expert business mentors.
In this episode we talk with Rick Dassatti, Certified Mentor from SCORE's Merrimack Valley chapter (NH), on the wide variety of resources available to businesses. Rick describes the process of working with a SCORE Mentor, as well as the available resources including one-on-one guidance, webinars and courses, local events and more that can be utilized to achieve success.
 
Important notes:
Learn more about SCORE NH, its available workshops and other business resources.
Looking for business financing? Triangle has many loan options for a variety of needs.
Check out our other business products and services.
Check out the Small Business Administration (SBA) and its resources
View the episode transcript
 
 For more information visit trianglecu.org and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
 

ID Protection: Money Management, Credit Scores & Better Checking

Take the first steps to ensure your identity is secure: stay on top of your finances and pay attention to your credit score. Budgeting, reviewing your credit report, and signing up for identity protection and monitoring will give you peace of mind.
In this episode, we chat with Better Checking guru, Jen, about the easy ways to safeguard your identity from the many threats it faces. She provides tips on what she does to make sure she is in control of her identity and talks about the tools she uses to stay financially secure.
 
Important notes:
Paying attention to your budget is a great first step in keeping a close eye on your financial identity.
Keep track of your spending and set financial goals using the free Money Management personal finance tool within your Online Banking.
Register and sign up for alerts through your Better Checking account to make sure your identity is being monitored for suspicious activity.
Check your credit score and report every 90 days by logging into the IDProtect website.
Learn more about identity theft in our other episode titled Child Identity Theft and Ways to Avoid It and get identity protection tips from our blog article.
View the episode transcript.
 
 For more information visit trianglecu.org and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
 

Teaching Your Child The Importance of Saving

Encouraging children to save money at an early age helps them develop solid financial habits that they will carry on into their teen years and eventually, adulthood.
In this episode we chat with Triangle Credit Union Financial Services Representative and mother of two, Lori, who shares what she has learned over the years about teaching her children the importance of earning and saving money.
Important notes:
Encourage kids to find ways to earn money doing side jobs for friends and family.
Training kids to get in the habit of saving money can help them make well-informed and educated purchasing decisions.
Use a clear jar or container to collect the money so kids will watch the level increase as the coins collect in the jar.
Use the Debit Card Manager App and mobile banking to help manage your teen’s spending and saving.
Open a Flex CD for your child, add money over the life of the CD, and watch the amount increase as they get older.
 
Links:
Learn more about our Kids and Teen Club accounts
Download a free $5.00 first deposit coupon to use when you open a Kids or Teen club account
Interested in a 529 plan for college saving? Contact Triangle Financial Group to learn more
View the episode transcript
 
For more information visit trianglecu.org and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

What to Expect in the Closing Process - Mortgage Madness Series

Closing on a home is an exciting and happy occasion for homebuyers. Finalizing paperwork is the last step in bringing your mortgage journey to a close. You owe it to yourself to be prepared and ready for what the closing process holds in store.
In this episode, we talk with Attorney Neil Gauthier from Gauthier & MacMartin, PLLC, about the closing process. He breaks down what documents you are expected to sign so you can be aware of what you’re committing to at the closing table.
Important notes:
When you’re at the closing table, make sure to ask questions. There really are no bad ones. Don’t leave having signed something you don’t understand or don’t feel comfortable with. If you don’t understand, it simply means the documents haven’t been presented to you correctly.
Purchase your Owner’s Title Insurance at the table. It’s cheaper than waiting and purchasing later.
Walk the property the day of the closing and make sure loose ends are tied up before signing documents.
Don’t feel intimidated when it comes to closing on your home. If you understand the process, and know what to expect, you can be confident and excited when you finalize your purchase.
 
Links:
Neil is a Board Certified NH attorney. Contact him at neil@gauthierlaw.com or visit his website at gauthierandmacmartin.com.
Call Gauthier & MacMartin, PLLC, at (603) 673-7220 or Neil’s cell at (603) 321-2472
Visit our events page for a list of upcoming free Home Buyer seminars
View the episode transcript.
 
For more information visit trianglecu.org and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Don’t Buy a Dud! The Importance of a Home Inspection - Mortgage Madness Series

A house will most likely be your most expensive purchase. For this reason, a home inspection is an important step in buying your new home. Inspectors are trained to take a thorough look at the home to check for stability, soundness and overall condition. Don't buy a dud!
In this episode we talk with Home Inspector Ken Hynes from All Views Home Inspection Services. Ken has many years performing home inspections and provides insight on items to look out for when considering a house and what to expect to see in an inspection report.
Important notes:
Hire a home inspector that is experienced, has a background in the trades and is licensed through the state.
A typical home inspection is about a 40-50 page report and can include 50 -100 photos.
It’s recommended that the buyer attend the inspection with the inspector.
Inspections take a look at the structural stability, electrical condition, roof condition as well as tests for water quality, air quality, and hazardous materials.
Links:
Visit Ken's website allviewshomeinspection.com
Check out their Facebook page
Call Ken's office at 603-493-7535
Visit our events page for a list of upcoming free Home Buyer seminars
View the episode transcript.
 
 For more information visit trianglecu.org and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!