You probably have life insurance, but what about credit life insurance? It’s not for everyone, and the premiums are higher than regular insurance, but if you’re carrying a lot of debt, it can prevent your family from having to pay off your debts after you pass away. Some lenders will require it, but depending on where you live, the insurance …
DCU Fraud Policy Overview: Debit/Credit Card Data Breaches
It can be overwhelming with endless reports of data breaches, cyber-attacks and fraud. Here at Directions, we want to help you understand these data breaches as much as possible! First and foremost, data breaches happen at the merchant/business level – not at your financial institution. Directions Credit Union has never experienced a data breach. How data breaches occur Businesses that …
Student Loans Scams
College students, take note! If keeping up with your coursework, acing your exams and scrambling to hand in every term paper before the deadline weren’t enough, you now have something else to worry about: Student loan scams are on the rise! Scammers know you hate owing tens of thousands of dollars, so they’re quick to offer you an easy — …
5 Tips For Your First Spring Break On A Budget
It’s your first spring break and you’re totally psyched! But that doesn’t mean you need to break the bank. Have yourself an awesome time without blowing your budget by following these five spring break tips. Check your school for discounts and help Lots of colleges offer on-campus travel agents who can help you plan your vacation right by snagging the …
Don’t Get Caught In A Crowdfunding Scam
The days of handouts and begging loans off wealthy relatives are fast becoming extinct. Today, if you need boatloads of money—whether it’s to help you cover an expensive emergency or to fund a new business idea—you only need to appeal to the vast audience of the internet and wait for the money to start rolling in. Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe, …
Tax Code Changes 2019
The annual tax code changes can be confusing. No worries, though; we’ll walk you through everything you need to know for 2019. Though most changes won’t take effect until April 2019, some of them can impact the financial choices you’ll make this year. For that reason, here’s the details on the most important tax changes. 1.) Changes to the amounts …
Tax Scams 2019
Each year, the IRS publishes the “Dirty Dozen,” a list of 12 scams that are rampant during that year’s tax season. This year, the IRS is cautioning taxpayers to be extra vigilant because of a 60% increase in email phishing scams over the past year. This is particularly disheartening, since it comes on the heels of a steady decline in …
7 Reasons Not To Skip A Home Inspection
Shopping for a new home can be an exciting blur of listings, neighborhood scouting and open houses. There’s so much to consider! You want a house in the perfect neighborhood with that gorgeous kitchen and great yard, all within your budget. And then, it all finally comes together and you think you’ve found your dream home. But don’t go “under …
The Ultimate Guide to Your First Apartment
If you’re in the market for your first apartment, you may be feeling a little lost—and more than a little overwhelmed. How do you get started? What should you be looking for in an apartment? How do you check out a building? So many questions, and we’ve got answers! Let us walk you through the apartment-hunting process from start to …
Why Do I Spend So Much When Shopping Online?
Both online and in-store shopping can tempt you to overspend, but the internet is particularly designed to help you lose track of your dollars. More and more people are choosing to hit the web instead of the mall. The internet definitely wins for convenience. Plus, you get to shop in your PJs. Can it get better than that? Shopping the …