Making Money Personal

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!

Steps to Finding Your Dream Home - Mortgage Madness Series

Finding an experienced and knowledgeable Realtor when you’re shopping for your home is critical. Your Realtor acts as your best guide and advocate so you can shop with confidence and ultimately enjoy the home buying process.
In this episode we talk with Realtor and Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®), Lisa Waller-Gage from Sky Realty and discuss what to look for when searching for your dream home.
Important notes:
Pick up an app (like Redfin Real Estate or Realtor.com® Real Estate) and start browsing around to keep your eyes open to the inventory; you don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity.
Decide who is going to be on your team and who will be part of the decision making process right from the start.
Make sure you think about some specifics you want like location, condition, budget, neighborhood, etc. Also, it’s important to consider potential resale value, proximity to buildings, and any regular commuting times.
Bring people along with you who can influence this decision (friends, parents, etc.). Decide what is important so you can act quickly when you find the right house.
Get a solid pre-approval. It educates you on the financial side of buying and builds your confidence in what you can afford.
Don’t look at too many options in one day. A good rule of thumb is to keep it around 5-6 showings so you don’t get overwhelmed.
Links:
Lisa is a licensed New Hampshire Realtor. You can visit her website skyrealtynh.com or give her a call at (603) 440-8486.
Get an instant home evaluation online at www.603-homevalue.com
Check out all the services an Accredited Buyer’s Agent can offer you
Visit Lisa’s Facebook page or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Set up a Free Consultation with a Triangle Mortgage Originator
Test out our mortgage calculators for monthly payment and rate estimates
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!

Securing Financing For Your New Home - Mortgage Madness Series

So you want to buy a home, but don’t know where to start. Join us for the first episode in our special home buying series Mortgage Madness to learn about the first step in your home buying process!
In this episode we talk with experienced Mortgage originator, Al Lima, who helps guide home buyers through their purchase. Al provides insight into the steps needed to secure the financing potential buyers need to get into the house of their dreams.
Important notes:
Determine how much money you will pay for a down payment. With a Triangle Credit Union adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) you can put as little as 3% down!
Get pre-approved! It’s the easiest way to find out how much you’ll be able to borrow and can move the purchasing process along when you are ready to purchase.
There are many types of mortgage options out there. The most common are fixed rate loans and adjustable rate loans. Make sure you shop the rates and terms to find the loan that’s perfect for you.
A 5/5 adjustable rate loan means your rate will remain the same for 5 years, then can adjust in increments of 5 years after that.
After your pre-approval, the next step is finding your Realtor. Our Mortgage Originators will be happy to suggest Realtors we have worked with.
Links:
Set up a free consultation with an Originator today or call (603) 889-2470 to get started!
Check out our current mortgage rates
Use our mortgage calculators to research your potential monthly payment
Check our events page for a list of free Homebuying 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!

What the Heck is Credit and Why is it Important?

Credit woes can lead to “no’s”. Learn how important your credit score is to your financial wellbeing and how to turn a potential “no” to a “yes”. Your credit score plays a role in your ability to get a car loan, an apartment, a mortgage and, in some cases, even a job.
In this episode we talk with Rosemary Gagne, one of Triangle’s Senior Loan Officers for over 17 years. With her experience using credit scores as one of the many factors used to qualify loans, Rosemary provides a substantial amount of credit knowledge for anyone trying to understand more about credit scores and their impact on the ability to borrow.
Important notes:
The best way to boost your score is to pay your bills on time!
If you are struggling to make your payments, reach out to your lender. They can help you if you need it. Don’t let your credit score take the hit.
Make sure you review your score regularly. Watching it can help you determine your chances of securing the loan you want.
You are entitled to one free credit report a year from the three big credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. You also get a quarterly report with your Better Checking account and can review your score regularly.
Your credit score plays an important role in the interest rate you’ll get. A higher score can get you a better rate!
Never charge more than 50% of your credit limit. This can hurt your score in the long run.
Teach your kids and family how to pay back the money they spend. Paying back what you owe is important for maintaining a healthy score.
“Make sure you use credit. Don’t let credit use you.” – Rosemary Gagne
Links:
Get your credit score and report with a Better Checking account
Use rate calculators to determine what you’ll pay in the long run
Try AutoSMART for easy auto research and buying
Get pre-approved for your auto purchase before shopping
Contact us today about using a Shared secure loan to build credit
Open a Triangle credit card to help build credit
Contact us for more information on one-payment loans
View your credit reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion
View this episode transcript.
 
For more information visit trianglecu.org and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
 

Financial Resolutions for the New Year

Get inspired to set your new personal and financial goals this year and arm yourself with the tools to give you the success you want.
In this episode Wil and Terri share their personal goals for the New Year and discuss the tools they use to establish their objectives and track their progress. Join them as they embark on this year-long journey to reach their personal goal destination.
Important notes:
Set goals! Make a list of both personal and financial goals you want to attain for the year and make sure you write them down.
Use an app to help you stay on track. There are many out there so do some exploring to find the best one for you. We can help you get started with our Money Management tool within online banking. It’s super easy to use and already synced with your accounts for convenience and security.
Use the Making Goals Personal Roadmap and worksheet to write down your goals and track them from start to finish.
Consider setting goals that help you plan for securing your family’s future like finalizing a will or estate planning.
Make this the year that you finally take the steps towards protecting your identity. Open a Better Checking account to guard yourself against identity theft. If you already have one, make sure you activate it to get the most out of this valuable benefit.
 
Links:
Take charge of your estate planning services with Triangle Financial Group.
Download the Making Goals Personal Roadmap and worksheet.
Protect your identity this year with Better Checking.
Check out Jeff Rose's online article The Top 10 Good Financial Goals That Everyone Should Have For 2019.
View this episode's transcript.
 
For more information visit trianglecu.org and don't forget to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!