The Community Conversation by CommunityAmerica

Making Your Credit Card Work for You

For some, using a credit card can be seen as something to avoid altogether. However, a credit card can be a great resource for your financial health and offers users benefits that go far beyond a way to make payments. By fully understanding your credit card, you can utilize it to work for you.

Avoiding Fraud This Holiday Season

With the holiday season fast approaching, it's important to remember that this time of year comes along with an unfortunate increase in the number of fraudsters and scammers aiming to take advantage of your generous holiday spirit.

 

While it is important to be aware of fraud all year long, here are 6 helpful tips you should review to help protect yourself online and in stores over the next few months

The Psychology of Financial Planning

The way you feel about money has a significant impact on how you manage it. Typically, those with a financial plan feel more financially secure than those without.

In this podcast, we will discuss the common emotions often associated with money, the vital resource of financial planning, and the many forms it can take. Big or small, simply having a plan can make you feel better about money.

Disclosure: Securities and advisory services offered through Copper Financial Network (“Copper Financial”), LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Copper Financial is a SEC registered investment adviser. Copper Financial is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Wealth Management by CommunityAmerica is a marketing name used by Copper Financial. For important disclosures from Copper Financial, including our Form CRS, please visit here. Investment and insurance products, including annuities: Are not deposits | Are not NCUA or otherwise federally insured | Are not obligations of, or guaranteed by, the credit union | May lose value.

How Young Adults Can Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market

Your career is one of the biggest decisions that will affect your happiness, earning potential, and lifestyle.  It’s difficult to think about such a heavy conversation as a young adult, but understanding how you can gain experience to land your dream job is a needed planning process as you enter the working world. 

Funding Your College

Your student has worked hard to choose a school right for them and obtain any financial assistance possible, from scholarships to financial aid. Even after taking advantage of the resources, families often feel the strain of the hefty price tag a college education requires. 

Join us as we discuss options for families looking to make up for the gaps in funding their child's higher-level education.

We breakdown:
- Loan types and options
- Ways to reduce costs
- Obtaining department scholarships
- How to discuss and plan for college expenses with your student and family

Visit our website to access our cost and compare calculator that will help you determine the amount you may pay for your child’s college based on your income level and location. 

You are not alone in assuming all the costs of your child’s tuition. Make an appointment with our College and Career Planner, Karly Scholl, to discover options that work best for funding college for you and your student. 

Competing in the Competitive Housing Market

Bidding wars, lack of inventory, and rising interest rates all contribute to a harsh market for current home buyers. In this episode, Jackie Reed, Manager, Brand & Outbound Sales is joined by Jane Coppinger, Real Estate Agent at Reece Nichols, to offer hope for what has made buying a home feel impossible.

We tackle:

Market Conditions
-When can we expect more inventory?
-Rising rates and how that affects a home’s overall cost

Realistic Expectations
-How to set a budget with room for over asking offers
-Planning for a longer home buying process

How buyers can Stand Out 
-Working with a trusted, local team as opposed to chain type mortgage companies
-Getting pre-approved to make faster offers
-Things to consider when buying a home as-is
-How to make a leg up offer 

This podcast is brought to you by CommunityAmerica Credit Union.  This recording is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not intended to replace the advice of a loan representative or financial advisor.  The examples provided are for illustration purposes only and may not apply to your situation.  Since every situation is different, we recommend speaking to a loan representative or financial advisor regarding your specific needs. All loans are subject to approval.   You may also want to contact your tax advisor for additional tax implications. Any reference to third-party websites are provided for information purposes only and are not endorsed by CommunityAmerica.  CommunityAmerica is an equal housing lender. Please visit CommunityAmerica dot com to learn more about how we can assist you in achieving your Financial Peace of Mind.

What to Expect Through the Mortgage Process

Your offer has been accepted, and you are officially under contract on the purchase of your new home! What happens next? 

In this podcast episode, we detail the steps in the home buying process now that you are under contract and answer your most pressing questions, such as:
How much does a home inspection cost, and what do they check?
How is homeowners’ insurance different from mortgage insurance?
What supporting documents will I need to complete my loan approval?
What is an appraisal?
What documents will I need to bring to closing?

When you are ready to start the home buying process CommunityAmerica Credit Union offers resources to help you get into a new home you love. 

This podcast is brought to you by CommunityAmerica Credit Union.  This recording is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not intended to replace the advice of a loan representative or financial advisor.  The examples provided are for illustration purposes only and may not apply to your situation.  Since every situation is different, we recommend speaking to a loan representative or financial advisor regarding your specific needs. All loans are subject to approval.   You may also want to contact your tax advisor for additional tax implications. Any reference to third-party websites are provided for information purposes only and are not endorsed by CommunityAmerica.  CommunityAmerica is an equal housing lender. Please visit CommunityAmerica dot com to learn more about how we can assist you in achieving your Financial Peace of Mind.

Getting Started

When it comes to purchasing a home, there is much to consider. In this podcast, we break down the basics of home buying:
Budgeting 
Getting pre-approved
Optimizing your potential
How to choose a realtor and what to expect from them

We discuss concerns like raising your credit score and dispel misconceptions like down payment requirements. We also provide some easy-to-follow guidelines in selecting a real estate agent that will work to negotiate and coordinate on your behalf. 

If you are considering buying a home, this podcast gives you the basics and next steps to get you into a home you can afford and an investment you can be confident in.

 

This podcast is brought to you by CommunityAmerica Credit Union.  This recording is for educational and entertainment purposes only.  It is not intended to replace the advice of a loan representative or financial advisor.  The examples provided are for illustration purposes only and may not apply to your situation.  Since every situation is different, we recommend speaking to a loan representative or financial advisor regarding your specific needs. All loans are subject to approval.   You may also want to contact your tax advisor for additional tax implications. Any reference to third-party websites are provided for information purposes only and are not endorsed by CommunityAmerica.  CommunityAmerica is an equal housing lender. Please visit CommunityAmerica dot com to learn more about how we can assist you in achieving your Financial Peace of Mind.

Women Who Invest

Investing has historically been a male-dominated field, for both career options and personal finance. However, not only are we seeing that environment change in recent years, we’re also seeing what positive power women have when they are actively a part of investment conversations. There are many things than can be learned from women who invest, along with more resources on how you can get started on investing – no matter where you’re at in your life.

In our latest episode, we’re joined by Taylor Ahern and Ashley Dickson, both wealth advisors with Wealth Management by CommunityAmerica. They discuss their personal experiences with investing, and cover a variety of topics including:  

• Covering investment gaps
• How the environment is changing
• What we can learn from women who invest

Listen to our most recent podcast for further education about approaching an investment journey. To talk more in-depth about your own investment opportunities, set up a free consultation with one of our talented Wealth Advisors today.

 

This podcast is brought to you by CommunityAmerica Credit Union.  This recording is for educational and entertainment purposes only and may not reflect the experiences of all consumers. It should not be viewed as personalized financial advice and is not a substitute for consultation with your financial representative. Any reference to third-party websites are provided for information purposes only and are not endorsed by CommunityAmerica.  Please visit CommunityAmerica dot com to learn more about how we can assist you in achieving your Financial Peace of Mind.

 

Securities and advisory services offered through Copper Financial Network, LLC (“CuFi”), Member FINRA/SIPC. CuFi is a SEC registered investment adviser. CuFi is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Wealth Management by CommunityAmerica is a marketing name used by CuFi. For important disclosures from CuFi, including our Form CRS, please visit here.

 

Tips to Protect Against Fraud Exploitation

Financial exploitation can be categorized as forgery, misappropriation of financial resources or abusive financial control. While this can happen to any age group, our older loved ones are especially at risk of falling victim to this type of abuse. 

In our latest episode, Roxanne Doss, manager of the fraud and financial investigations department, and Amanda Roberts, investigations analyst, sit down to talk about the complex topic of financial exploitation. They cover how to identify financial exploitation, suspicious activity to lookout for, as well as how you can protect yourself and your loved ones from this type of scheme, including strategies such as: 

• Adding a joint signer to your accounts
• Visiting your county’s Adult Protective Services to connect with an advocate
• Visiting The Department Of Justice's website, a federal initiative assisting the elderly

Listen today to learn more about how you can protect yourself and your family from financial exploitation.  

 

This podcast is brought to you by CommunityAmerica Credit Union.  This recording is for educational and entertainment purposes only and may not reflect the experiences of all consumers. It should not be viewed as personalized financial advice and is not a substitute for consultation with your financial representative. Any reference to third-party websites are provided for information purposes only and are not endorsed by CommunityAmerica.  Please visit CommunityAmerica dot com to learn more about how we can assist you in achieving your Financial Peace of Mind.