Making Money Personal

Financial Topics Couples Should Discuss - Money Tip Tuesday

How often do you talk with your spouse or partner about money? Are you even on the same page when it comes to finances? The truth is, if you’re married or in a serious relationship there are some important financial topics you should discuss.  
Links: 
For budgeting resources check out:
You Need a Budget (YNAB)
Ramsey Solutions
Triangle Credit Union webinars 
Learn about Triangle's financial planning resources 
Check out other financial resources and blogs at TCU University
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
If you’re in a relationship, there’s a good many things you need to work together on, and finances aren’t any different.  
For some people finances are that sort of thing that most don’t want to discuss at all. I mean, it can turn a civilized conversation into a knockout drag out fight. 
But, the reality is that some of these topics should be talked about, and for many people, sooner rather than later.  
Here are six financial topics couples should discuss: 
The first topic couples should discuss is budgeting.  
For most couples, particularly married couples, this is a must. The purpose of this is to work together to determine how much you make and where it’s all going every month.  
If you’re new to this, get started by watching some videos, attending a webinar, or reading some books. Then, armed with the knowledge of how to properly set up a budget system, take some time, sit down and do your budget. Make it a date. Try ordering takeout or cook a special meal to make it feel more of a fun event rather than a chore. 
If you need some help, check out resources like You Need A Budget (YNAB), Ramsey Solutions, and Triangle Credit Union webinars, available to watch on YouTube. 
The next topic couples need to discuss is savings and retirement. 
Like the last one, this one also applies more to married couples, but for single people however, it might not be a bad idea to get an idea of where your partner stands when it comes to spending. It’ll give you a peek into how compatible you two really are. 
When discussing spending, ask each other what you’re saving for, both as a couple and as individuals. Determine whether you have an emergency savings account and how much you’ll need to fully fund it. Having a proper savings plan ensures that your financial future will be secure. 
Are you both planning to retire and when? Make sure you’re discussing retirement goals and how working to reach those goals affects your savings rate now. If you’re going to build your financial future together, you need to give it the best foundation possible by having a healthy emergency fund, good savings habits and a well-planned retirement strategy.  
The third thing to discuss is goals.  
If you have wishes and goals, your partner likely does too. You need to talk about what those goals are and how they affect your finances in both the near future and distant future.  
Start with short term goals. As a couple, do you want to save for a downpayment? How about paying off a credit card? Or perhaps paying down a set portion of your student loans? 
When it comes to long term goals, look a little farther out. Depending on where you are in life, do you want to finally own a home? Get completely debt free? Maybe buy a second home? Plan a once in a lifetime vacation? 
The best way to achieve goals is by determining where you want to be or what you want to achieve as a couple, laying out the steps you’ll need to get there and work hard and keep focus to meet that goal at its appointed time. Set up a timeline, determine milestones and remember to celebrate once your goal is reached. 
The fourth topic to discuss is whether you’ll have separate or joint bank accounts. 
If you’re not married, then keeping accounts separate is the better plan. 
If you’re married, the typical choice is to combine finances. Though there are many cases where husbands and wives continue to manage their own money, in many ways combining finances and accounts forces you to make the financial decisions together as one household rather than two separate individuals with their own goals.  
If you are married and choose to keep your accounts separate, that can work too. Just make sure that you’re both fiscally mature and communicate about everything. Keeping an open conversation about spending, saving and the like will keep the stress down and ensure you’re both still on the same page. 
The fifth topic is to discuss what you’ll teach your children when it comes to money. 
If you have kids, or plan to have them one day, talk about what you’re going to teach them when it comes to money. Will they have chores? Get an allowance? How much?  
Will you teach them how to budget? How old do you think they should be when they get their first job? 
You and your spouse should discuss all these questions so you’re both on the same page when it comes to raising your kids in a financially responsible way. 
The sixth topic to talk about is Insurance. 
For couples, this is definitely not the most exciting topic at all, but it’s important to have this discussion. Because there are so many different types of insurance coverage for a variety of things from houses and cars to pets and identity, you need to talk about which ones would benefit you most as a couple and household.  
Insurance costs money, so just because your spouse thinks you need that special coverage doesn’t mean it’s best for you both to dish out the extra money each month. Have a discussion to decide on the most beneficial types of insurance for your lifestyle and select the plans that you can reasonably afford.  
If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to insurance, meet with a financial planner who can steer you into the right insurance plans with the proper coverage and premiums for your current financial situation. They’ll also help reassess any existing plans and provide alternate options to keep up with the many changes that can occur in life. 
That’s it for this tip with six financial topics couples should discuss.    
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! 

Follow This Simple Money Rule to Start Building Wealth - Money Tip Tuesday

Building wealth might seem complicated and hard to master, but there’s one financial habit when done effectively, that can put you on a path to building wealth in no time. In this tip, I’m going to share one simple money rule that changed the way I view my paycheck forever. 
Links:
The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
Get your dollars earning more for you with CDs, IRAs and Online Savings
Learn how Triangle's financial professionals can help you set up an investing plan that will build wealth!
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast. 
When it comes to building wealth, it’s easy to get discouraged when after years we don’t seem to be any farther along than when we first started.  
We then jump to conclusions about ourselves with thoughts like, “I don’t make enough”, “I can’t afford to save”, or “I don’t have enough time”.  
But surprisingly, building wealth has less to do with how much money you make and has more to do with how much you save.  
If you want to be wealthy, if you want to amass a fortune, I’m going to share a brief segment from a little parable you may have never heard before. It comes from the book, “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason.  
This book was first published in 1926 and it shares important financial principles in the form of parables set during the time of ancient Babylon. 
The first parable addresses how your perspective on the money you make and how you choose to use it determines whether you’ll grow wealthy.  
Here goes:  
Arkad, known to be the richest man in Babylon, started as a humble scribe and now as an older man, owns a legendary fortune that rivaled even the very king.  
In the parable, Arkad speaks with a young man who wants to know the secret to building a fortune.  
Arkad responded by simply saying, “I found the road to wealth when I decided that a part of all I earned was mine to keep.” 
The young man was a bit confused at the short reply and responded, “Is that all? But all I earn is mine to keep.”  
Arkad replied, “Far from it. Do you not pay the garment maker? Do you not pay the sandal-maker? Do you not pay for the things you eat?... What have you to show for your earnings of the past month?... You pay to everyone but yourself. You labor for others.” 
This first exchange illuminates the reality that much of the money we earn is spent. Much of it goes to bills and necessities as well as other things we desire or want to experience.  
Arkad’s first point is important because we need to recognize that when we’re spending money, we’re paying other people and that money isn’t ours to keep. 
So what does that leave for us? How can we build wealth if we don’t have any money to build wealth with? 
At this point, Arkad continues the lesson by saying, “Every gold piece you save is a slave to work for you. Every copper it earns is its child that also can earn for you. If you would become wealthy, then what you save must earn, and its children must earn...” 
 Arkad sums his lesson up with this simple message. 
“A part of all you earn is yours to keep.... Pay yourself first.” 
Arkad’s simple, yet profound advice, though fictional, is a simple strategy to building wealth over time. 
When we spend everything we make, we’re contributing to making others rich rather than building our own wealth. We’re paying everyone but ourselves.  
Faithfully set aside a portion of your income for yourself every time you get paid. 
Then, find a way to get that money to make more money. Use savings accounts like online savings, CDs, IRAs with good interest rates and talk to a financial professional to set up quality investment accounts that will get those dollars earning more in the background. 
Before closing I’ll leave this final message from Arkad. He says, “Wealth like a tree, grows from a tiny seed. The first copper you save is the seed from which your tree of wealth shall grow. The sooner you plant that seed the sooner shall the tree grow. And the more faithfully you nourish and water that tree with consistent savings, the sooner may you bask in the contentment beneath its shade.” 
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! 

Maximize February Car Deals with a Pre-Approval - Money Tip Tuesday

Hunting for a new car doesn’t have to be a hassle. It should be fun and enjoyable. Fortunately, this time of year is a good time to find that perfect car and, with a little advanced planning, score a fantastic deal and a great rate. 
Links: 
View auto rates, get pre-approved, and start your search with our AutoSmart tool.
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 in the market for a car, you’ll have a lot of decisions to make. You’re probably hunting through car listings or scoping out nearby dealerships to pop by and maybe take a few cars for a test drive.  
But did you know that the process of buying a car starts before you even sit in that driver’s seat?  
If you’re ready to take advantage of the upcoming car deals this time of year, you’ll want to take certain steps to make sure you get a great price. 
 
First, establish your budget then go ahead and shop the prices. - Determine your budget by crunching numbers to find an affordable price. Use some online payment calculators to get an idea of how much your monthly payment will be.  With your ideal price in mind, start scoping around for good deals. 
This time of year, President’s Day is a spectacular deal day, particularly for car buying. It’s usually the first deal weekend of the year for most car sellers so they’re going to be extra eager to share attractive pricing on not only new models but also on popular cars you’ve been dreaming to own. 
Before you visit the dealer, scope out the car or cars you’re interested in a few weeks before President’s Day so you can keep an eye on pricing and take advantage of any deals that pop up over President’s Day weekend. Remember to keep that budget in mind.  
 
Second, make sure you know your credit score and check your report. Prepping your credit is an ideal way to set yourself up for getting a great price for the car you want. Your credit eligibility is an important factor to getting the most from these special deals because it largely determines how much you’ll get approved for and at how low a rate.  
Review your credit score and report. If you’re not happy with what you see, start taking steps to fix it. Make sure you make all your payments on time and keep any balances well under your credit limits. Doing this will help demonstrate that you’re responsible with your credit and will likely score you a lower rate.  
 
The final thing to getting the car you want at a great price is to get pre-approved BEFORE you head to the dealer.  
Whatever your reasons for buying a car, whether it’s your first ride, or you’re ready for an upgrade, if you’re planning to take out a loan for your vehicle, you’ll want to be prepared with the financing that is best for your budget and you do this by pre-qualifying for the loan. 
Prequalifying tells the dealer that you’re already set up with financing. It will help you shop with confidence because you already know the amount you’ve been approved for. That confidence also comes in handy when you negotiate pricing with the dealer, because your budget remains fixed due to the pre-approval.  
Pre-qualifying can also move the process along much faster because it cuts down on your time spent at the dealership. Once you decide on the vehicle you want, you simply return to the credit union and get your check to complete the purchase.  
If you’re wondering how to get pre-approved, it’s pretty straightforward.  
You can get started online or stop by your local branch. Once you’re in the system, a representative will get in touch with you to work through the next steps.  
Once your preapproval is established, it’s time to shop. When visiting the dealers, inform them that you already have a pre-approval with your credit union. When you’ve selected your vehicle, you’ll then bring the purchase and sales agreement from the dealership back to the credit union to finalize the process.  
If there are any other tips or topics you would 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!
 
 
 

Banking in a Box: Advantages of an ITM - Money Tip Tuesday

Have you ever wanted the convenient experience of an ATM with all the benefits of going into your local credit union branch?
With an Interactive Teller Machine, or ITM for short, you can do anything you’d do at an ATM, plus get access to other features that are usually only available in a branch. Learn how you can make this technology work for you! 
Links: 
Watch this video to learn more about ITMs!.
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. 
An ITM is essentially banking in a box. One of the most convenient features of an ITM is the ability to call for assistance from a live teller. Not a machine or artificial intelligence, the teller is a real person who is ready to help you with all your banking needs. This feature is only available during business hours, so don’t expect to have any late-night chats with your local teller. But if you visit during the available hours, a live teller can video chat with you to help you through your transaction or answer any questions about your accounts.  
That’s not all ITMs can do. Like an ATM, ITMs let you deposit and withdraw cash, check account balances, and transfer money. You can also make loan or credit card payments and cash checks at an ITM, which you can’t do at an ATM. 
ITMs give you the ability to do almost anything you’d do at the teller line and provide better service through features that ATMs have lacked for years. For example, ATMs are usually limited by set cash denominations with most distributing only $20 bills. With an ITM, you're offered an assortment of denominations to choose from so if you want a $50 bill, or a bunch of $1s, you can select the quantity of each when you take out cash. This can come in handy, especially if you need smaller bills like $5s but don’t have time to run into the branch. 
Today, more and more people are doing their banking while on the go. This is where ITMs fit in for those of us living a busy lifestyle. If you’re in a rush, ITMs can sometimes be a quicker alternative to waiting in line at the bank or credit union. If there’s a long line to get to the tellers, just look for the ITM and do your transactions there. Many financial institutions also offer drive-up ITMs, which allows you to use the ITM from the comfort of your vehicle.  
With all these features, the ITM truly is banking in a box. An ITM allows you to bank your way, offering the perfect blend of self-service banking and in-person assistance. 
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 Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts And remember to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Facebook and LinkedIn.  
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! 

Episode 65: Take Charge of Your Credit Score in 2024

If you don't have a New Year's resolution, we've got one for you. In this episode, we'll be sharing tips on how to take charge of your credit score in 2024. 
*For the most accurate and up to date disclosures about the products or services mentioned in this episode, visit our website at trianglecu.org
Links:
Learn how to check your credit score with Triangle's Better Checking account
Learn more about Triangle's Teen Club account and the teen builder loan
Check out more information from this Forbes article about how to improve your credit score
Check out the credit score simulator from NerdWallet to see how certain adjustments might affect your score
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources!
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
 

Protect Yourself, Protect Your Money - Money Tip Tuesday

We are in a value-added age for consumer products and services, and the financial industry is no exception.  Checking accounts, for example, provide many bells and whistles, including identity protection for you and your family. Stay tuned to learn how to protect yourself and your money.
Links:
Learn more about Triangle's Better Checking account
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. 
With so many online banking services available today, consumers are no longer relegated to banks or credit unions at the end of the street. How does one decide which financial institution or product is right for them? Often that decision is decided by the value-added benefits of the financial product. As an example, let’s explore the value-added features and benefits of a checking account. 
According to one financial blogger, value-added checking can take a standard checking account to new levels and adds a bit of a mission-focus.  
At Triangle, our mission is to protect you and your money. For over 85 years, Triangle has maintained the strictest financial safety and soundness standards, so how does our Better Checking account, with IDProtect™, safeguard you and your money?  
First, enrollment for identity theft protection is automatic. As soon as you open a Better Checking account, you have protection that covers you and your eligible family members, including elderly parents and dependent children, up to age 25, living in your household. 
Second, IDProtect™ provides state-of-the-art detection and monitoring services around the clock. Time is of the essence in discovering identity theft, since the quicker it is discovered, the easier it is to recover from it. Identity monitoring is a critical component in discovering identity theft quickly in order to limit the amount of damage done.  
For example, credit reports contain information about you, including what accounts you have and how you pay your bills. If an identity thief is opening credit accounts in your name, these accounts are likely to show up on your credit report. IDProtect’s ™ Credit File Monitoring service alerts you to these key changes. 
Monitoring your credit report and score can be a tedious task, but it is imperative to keep a watchful eye out for fraudulent activity. With Better Checking, members rest easy with credit file monitoring and have access to a 3-in-1 credit report every 90 days. 
Because lenders use credit scores to determine who qualifies for a loan, the interest rate they’ll get, and the credit limit, it’s important to monitor your credit score and keep track of changes and setbacks. 
Third, Better Checking’s IDProtect™ offers recovery and resolution with a dedicated case manager. 
Becoming a victim of identity fraud is a frightening, frustrating experience and it can happen to anyone at any time. 
IDProtect™ is here to help during such a difficult time. Should you become a victim, a dedicated fraud specialist will be assigned to manage your case. Experienced recovery professionals will handle the recovery process until your identity is completely restored. Plus, IDProtect™ provides identity fraud expense reimbursement to cover expenses associated with restoring your identity. 
Triangle Credit Union’s Better Checking, with IDProtect™, is available for those who are 18 and working or residing in the Hillsborough, Merrimack, Belknap, Rockingham, and Cheshire Counties of New Hampshire, as well as the Franklin, Worcester, Middlesex, and Essex Counties of Massachusetts.  There is a nominal monthly fee of $4.99. 
For a full list of features and value-added benefits, including identity protection for you and your qualifying members of your household, visit trianglecu.org/checking.  
If you have any questions about today’s topic or suggestions for future topics, please email us at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. For more great content, be sure to follow the Making Money Personal podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and the Making Money Personal podcast Facebook page. 
Many thanks to our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, voted Best Credit Union in NH, and to you for tuning in. 
Have a great day everyone! 
 
 
 

How to Prepare for a No Spend January - Money Tip Tuesday

What resolutions have you made this year? Did you decide it’s time to start making some financial changes?
Financial resolutions aren’t for the faint of heart, and if you’re gearing up to make this year one of your best for financial discipline then there’s nothing better than a no-spend challenge to put yourself to the test.
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.  
The New Year has finally come and if you’re like many other people you’re likely sitting down to plan out some resolutions. When it comes to resolutions, people often choose to start a new diet or exercise routine while others set financial goals.   
One goal you may want to consider participating in is a no-spend challenge.   
A no spend challenge can last for a week, a month or even a year!  
The purpose of a no spend challenge is to cut back on frivolous spending and have a better grasp of your financial habits.   
How does a no spend challenge truly work?  
Although the name suggests it, it’s impossible to not spend any money for a whole month.   
You need to make sure you have your four walls—food, utilities, shelter, and transportation—covered.   
Note: When we say food we mean groceries, not restaurants. Transportation refers to gas, public transportation, or anything else that is necessary to get you where you need to go   
Once the four walls are taken care of, you are not allowed to spend money on anything else.   
When’s the best time to start a no spend challenge?  
This month, January, seems like the best month to start a no spend week or month for a few reasons:   
January follows the holiday shopping season and on average, Americans spend approximately $997.73 on holiday shopping each year. Starting a no spend challenge in January is a great way to let your bank accounts and credit cards breathe a bit.  
You might have received some restaurant or store gift cards over the holiday season that you can use during the challenge. This is essentially free money since it won’t be coming out of your accounts.  
No spend challenges are easier to participate in when the weather is cold or snowy since poor weather conditions typically mean staying indoors, thus you are less tempted to go out and spend money.  
How Do You Prepare?  
Before you begin this challenge, it’s important to plan out all your meals, snacks, desserts, etc. to ensure they fit into your grocery budget for the duration of the challenge. Be resourceful and take inventory of your pantry, freezer, and fridge, that way you know exactly what you have. 
To help yourself with online shopping, delete all shopping apps (Target, Amazon, Walmart, etc.) from your mobile devices. It may also be helpful to set up a filter on your email that will send marketing emails to a hidden email folder, that way you aren’t tempted to shop those deals.
One of the benefits of a no spend challenge is the money you save. Write down your plan for those saved funds. This will serve as a reminder and a motivator of your goals if you struggle during the challenge.  
Obviously, if an emergency arises, that does not break the no spend challenge.   
A no spend challenge may seem a bit daunting if this is a new idea for you, but once completed it is very rewarding.   
If at first you don’t succeed, don’t be too hard on yourself and don’t be afraid to try again! We’re rooting for you. 
 
If there are any other tips or topics you would 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! 

Financial Resources for a Fresh New Year - Money Tip Tuesday

The new year has just begun! It’s the perfect time for a refresh, and the beginning of a new journey. 
If you’re ready to get kicking this new year with a resolve to tackle your finances, now is the perfect time to scope out some reliable resources and learn effective strategies to accomplish whatever goal you seek to achieve this year. 
Links:
Books:
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey 
I will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
The Millionaire Next Door – by Thomas J Stanley
The Simple Path to Wealth – J.L. Collins
The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
YouTube Channels
Ramit Sethi I Will Teach You To Be Rich - YouTube
Dave Ramsey The Ramsey Show Highlights - YouTube 
Graham Stephen Graham Stephan - YouTube 
Khan Academy (Economics and Finance) Khan Academy - YouTube 
Next Gen Personal Finance Next Gen Personal Finance - YouTube 
Financial apps
You Need a Budget (YNAB) 
EveryDollar
Good Budget
Pocket Guard 
Use Triangle Credit Union's app for iOS or Android for Money Management tools
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.  
To improve and learn, you need to find credible resources. Today, there are so many different avenues to find anything you have an interest in. 
This might be the year you want to increase your net worth, get your finances more organized, save more money, or get out of debt.  
Fortunately, there are so many resources and tools available that cover any financial topic.  
Here are some top resource categories with specific examples you should explore this year for financial knowledge, practice, and motivation.  
The first one for all the readers out there is to select some finance books that explore popular themes to help you not only understand money but also how to lay out strategies for organizing it. 
Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey 
I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi 
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J Stanley 
The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel 
This is just a short list of the many books out there covering finance topics. Doing a simple Google or Amazon search will bring up additional suggestions for you to explore. Also, if you prefer to listen to audiobooks, most of these are available in audio format.  
Keep in mind, many authors also write articles on their social media and websites so explore their profiles for more insight, news, and other advice they may be sharing. 
For anyone who likes to watch videos and tutorials, another resource is to seek out financial videos from good teachers and experts. 
If this is your preferred learning method, YouTube can be a great resource. Many financial institutions and professionals host videos and discussions on their own channel where you can pick up some useful tips, advice and learn all about a variety of topics.  
Explore the YouTube channels of some of these popular creators. 
Ramit Sethi I Will Teach You to Be Rich - YouTube
Dave Ramsey The Ramsey Show Highlights - YouTube
Graham Stephen Graham Stephan - YouTube
Khan Academy (Economics and Finance) Khan Academy - YouTube
Next Gen Personal Finance Next Gen Personal Finance - YouTube 
Don’t forget to also explore your financial institution and financial planner’s social channels for videos and posts sharing insight and advice.  
The last resource you will want to use is a personal finance app. 
It’s one thing to know what you need to do financially but another to make it work. Using a good mobile app or two will give you the tools to work a budget, set up goals, manage cash flow and pay off debt.  
There are a few top-rated ones out there so browse the app store and see what you can find. Right off the bat here are a few of the popular ones to start your search. 
You Need a Budget (YNAB) - This app helps you track spending and budget to pay off debt YNAB 
EveryDollar  - This app helps you with budgeting and cash management where you assign a use for every dollar you make EveryDollar - Ramsey (ramseysolutions.com) 
Good Budget – This app offers a digital take on the envelope system to help you organize spending money Best Home Budget App for Android, iPhone, & Web | Good budget 
Pocket Guard – This high rated app helps you simplify your money, track bills, and manage cash flow PocketGuard: Budgeting App & Finance Planner 
Keep in mind that some of these apps mentioned require subscriptions and others may have free versions so explore the features of each to see which ones you are most likely to use for your financial management. 
Also, make sure you get familiar with your financial institution and financial planner’s mobile apps. Many of them provide cool and useful tools for budgeting, debt payoff plans and net worth building.  
If there are any other tips or topics you would 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! 

Post-Holiday Savings Deals to Explore - Money Tip Tuesday

The holidays are almost over, but surprisingly, many deals are just beginning. Post-holiday sales are very common and taking advantage of these savings is a great way to start the New Year. Here’s what you need to know to ensure you get the best deals. 
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. 
The first deal you should look out for is for anything that is seasonal, or holiday related. For example, holiday decorations. You will probably be taking down your holiday decorations soon, or maybe you already have, so it’s way too early to put them back up. However, buying holiday decorations now is a great way to save money. Stores want to get rid of their holiday decoration stock so there will be plenty of good deals out there on all kinds of holiday items. It’s the perfect time to replace any festive lights that may have gone out or even buy yourself a new artificial tree for next year. 
Seasonal and holiday related food will also go on sale. Certain brands, especially candy, will usually offer limited supplies of festive themed food. Deals like these can be found wherever you buy groceries. Just make sure to check the expiration date first, as you don’t want to buy too much and not be able to eat it all before it goes bad. 
Holiday themed wrapping paper, cards, and gift bags will also go on sale. Before you grab these deals, try and remember how much wrapping paper you used this past season and take inventory of what you have left. That way, you have a rough estimate of how much you will need for next year. What you don’t need is an over-abundance of holiday themed wrapping paper that you only use once a year. 
Another deal you should look for during post-holiday sales is on winter clothes. In January, retailers turn over their merchandise, which means that winter clothing will go on sale or clearance to make room for next season’s clothing.  
The next deal to look for is anything fitness related. One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to exercise more, and retailers will take advantage of this by offering great sales. Exercise equipment, clothing, and more will be on sale to help people become healthier in the new year. You will definitely be able to find a discounted rate on gym memberships, so if you don’t have the space for exercise equipment, you can go there instead. 
The final deal you should look out for is on toys and games. Stores will often overstock these products in preparation for holiday shopping.  
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 Facebook to share your thoughts. Don’t forget to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on Facebook and LinkedIn.  
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! 

Charitable Giving Ideas to Help Others - Money Tip Tuesday

It’s that time of year! Time for family and friends, get-togethers, yummy food and sharing. It is also a time of reflection and a time when we consider others more often than ourselves. One way we do that is through charitable giving.
Links:
Charitable organizations to look into: Make a Wish, Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, Soup Kitchens
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Transcript:
Charitable Giving is a wonderful way for individuals and corporations to donate or “give” either to individuals or to organizations, particularly, those that support their values and organizations whose mission it is to help people either directly or indirectly. Some examples are, Make-a-Wish, Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, Soup Kitchens, and so many others. Or donating to fund a scholarship or donating goods for a fundraiser.
Unsurprisingly, December is the month in which most charitable giving occurs. Last year, according to nationalgivingmonth.org, Americans gave $410.2 billion, with 31% occurring in December alone. With stats like these, it’s clear that we are a generous people. Charitable giving is often tax deductible. And though it is about others, this can be an incentive for individuals and businesses and in the end, it goes to help and support others anyway.
If you are anything like me, you notice the increase in requests whether it is the famous bell ringing to the different requests in the various places we visit. This proliferation of need can be daunting so here are a few helpful hints.
#1 Decide ahead of time what you will give.
By setting a “budget” for giving it helps you prepare yourself just as you would when purchasing gifts for family and friends and helps you avoid that uneasy feeling of not giving to everything. The burden of need falls on all of us and no one can do it alone. Giving should be cheerful and without obligation or compulsion.
#2 Give thought to whom you would support.
Giving is a privilege and giving wisely benefits you, as the giver, too. If you have ever wanted to give but are unsure about the company and what it stands for, do some research before giving. This way you can give according to your principles, ideals, and beliefs and avoid any hesitation or “givers remorse”.
#3 Be creative in your giving.
While charitable giving is most often associated with money, there are other ways we can give, this would be our time and talent. This time of year, there are plenty of opportunities to give by sharing your time. You can volunteer to serve; you can volunteer to spend time with others who may feel alone this time of year. Your talent could literally be something you’re good that you “give” or share with others like performing or reading to kids or something similar. Sharing your treasure is awesome but don’t overlook your time and talent either!
Well, that’s it for this MTT, all of us at TCU hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday season. Be encouraged to give and seek the joy in doing so.
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.  
Bye!