What Does The Retail Apocalypse Mean For America?

Personal Finances

It’s become a familiar and depressing sight: the shuttered doors, the “Going Out of Business” signs, and the empty storefronts. And it’s not just happening to the mom-and-pop shops of our neighborhoods. In fact, dozens of major national brands we’ve grown up with are disappearing from the country’s retail landscape. What’s happening to the retail world in America? Is there …

Thanksgiving Hacks To Save Time, Stress And Money

Personal Finances

Thanksgiving prep stressing you out? Wondering how you’re going to get everything done in time for the big day and stick to your budget at the same time? We’re here to help! Whether you’re traveling home for the holiday or hosting a houseful of guests, we’ve got you covered. Here are 15 clever Thanksgiving hacks to save you time, stress …

What To Buy And What To Skip This Black Friday

Personal Finances

It’s the bargain-hunters favorite season -or is it? Before you brave the crowds this Black Friday, take a few minutes to read through our list of what to buy and what to skip so you only come home with true bargains. Skip: Large home appliances While you may find markdowns on large household appliances, like dishwashers and refrigerators, on Black …

All You Need To Know About Your First Student Loan

Student Money Tips

You might approach your student loan the same way you approach those term papers: If you don’t think about them, they can’t stress you out. Unfortunately, just like those papers, you’ll eventually have to write, your student loan debt isn’t going anywhere. If you’ve borrowed the funds from a private lender, you likely need to start making payments toward your …

What To Expect On Your First Holiday As A College Student

Student Money Tips

The holidays can be a bit different once you’re in college. Going home costs money, and you might find the family dynamic a bit different. It’s the jolliest time of year again, but everything’s different now. Instead of decking the halls with your family and counting down the days until Christmas together, you’ll be heading home just days before the …

8 Ways To Beat Holiday Stress

Personal Finances

If holiday stress is already nipping at your enjoyment of the season, we’ve got tips to help bring the cheer back! While the entertainment industry would have us think the holidays are always full of good cheer, lots of laughs and warm feelings, the reality can, unfortunately, be otherwise. Sometimes, all that frenzied consumerism, party-hopping, and crazy schedules can bring …

6 Ways To Keep Your Finances Intact This Holiday Season

Personal Finances

‘Tis the season to shop until you drop-or until you go broke. But you don’t have to overspend. There’s no need to rack up a huge credit card bill or go into debt just to cover your holiday expenses. Enjoy a stress-free season by keeping your spending in check with these six tips: 1. Create a detailed list of all …

Don’t Get Scammed By Santa!

Security and Scams

One of the oldest holiday scams, which is even more prevalent in the age of the internet, is the letter from Santa scam. Here’s all you need to know about this Christmas-themed scheme. How it plays out In this ruse, scammers set up bogus websites where parents can order legitimate-looking letters from Santa for their children. The cost is less …

6 Ways To Spot A Payday Loan Scam

Security and Scams

Payday loan scams may seem like old news, but they’re more common than ever. In fact, in 2018, the FTC paid a total of $505 million to more than one million victims of payday loan scams. In this scam, a caller claiming to represent a collection agency who is acting on behalf of a loan company tells victims they must …

6 Misleading Advertising Ploys To Beware Of This Black Friday

Security and Scams

You deserve to find fantastic deals this Black Friday.  Here at Directions Credit Union, we hate to see your money go to waste.  That’s why we’ve put together a list of misleading advertising schemes you may come across when hunting for deals this Black Friday. 1. Very limited quantities That $200-off supersized TV screen coupon that just landed in your …