Blog Archive
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
As our world grows increasingly digitized, many consumers are banishing cash from their wallets and choosing other ways to pay. You may be thinking about following the masses by also getting rid of your cash. Or maybe you’re wondering if every transaction in the country will soon be digitized. Whatever the case, we have answered all of your questions about going cashless on a societal and personal level.
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Don’t be the next victim of a debt-collection scam! Here’s everything you’ll need to know to keep your hard-earned money safe.
Friday, December 11, 2020
This school year has been a journey (to say the least) for everyone involved. However, through the lens of technology, many new paths have been created on this journey. When school was canceled in March of last year, Education Partnership Coordinators at Community Financial went to work to help teachers engage students in virtual financial education. Life Management teacher, Colleen Ramirez, at Liberty Middle School in Canton, welcomed the help provided. Seventh grade students in Mrs. Ramirez’s classes have had several opportunities to engage in financial education, via online and Zoom classes, with our Education Partnership Coordinators at Community Financial.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
As the end of the year approaches fast, it’s time we come to terms with the fact that masks and Zoom calls are here to stay for at least the near future. But being health-conscious doesn’t mean you can’t still have a great holiday season! Whether you’re celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or the upcoming New Year, we have compiled 3 different ways to make sure your holidays stay bright—and safe—this year!
Tuesday, December 1, 2020
During the winter months, cold weather puts extra strain on families, some of whom are forced to choose between paying utilities and putting food on the table. Not only that, but COVID-19 has put strain on many households as well, which means this may be the hardest winter yet. Community Financial remains dedicated to supporting the fight against cold and hunger in Michigan each winter.
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Friday, November 20, 2020
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
How the scam plays out
A scammer impersonates a court or law enforcement official, claiming the victim has failed to show up for jury duty. They threaten immediate arrest unless a fine is paid by credit card, prepaid debit card or money transfer. Unfortunately for the victim, the money they pay will go directly into the scammer’s pockets.
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
A hologram of the face image on the bill: When held up to the light, the hologram on the bill should match the face on the front of the bill. Scammers will often bleach a lower denomination bill and try to pass it off as a bill of a higher denomination — but they can’t change the interior hologram. Check to make sure the face matches the one in the center of the bill to be sure it’s authentic.
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Community Financial’s Wixom branch opened to members in 2018. Since then, our school partnerships within the Walled Lake Consolidated School District have begun! Wixom Elementary joined in partnership with Community Financial in the fall of 2019. Wixom Elementary’s Student-Run Credit Union volunteers and members demonstrated how to be positive, and have fun, all while learning valuable work skills.
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Hope is a global resource that everyone has a right to feel and experience. This year’s ICU Day theme, “Inspiring Hope for a Global Community,” reflects how we as credit unions work to create a brighter future through financial empowerment, education, and support.
In the spirit of ICU Day, let’s take a look at just a few of the perks members receive by entering in a relationship with their local credit union:
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
1. Mummify Your Door
Turn your front door into a bona fide mummy with toilet paper and masking tape. This project is easier with a helper, so get your kids in on it!
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
Working one job may be turning into a thing of the past. According to a 2019 study, almost 45% of Americans (roughly 70 million people) report having some sort of side hustle. About a third of those surveyed also indicated that their side income went toward regular living expenses. For Millennials, this number is even higher with 50% reporting side hustles—and nearly 40% of these individuals are using the money to pay for monthly expenses such as utilities, rent, and student loan debt.
With side hustles becoming a regular part of life for millions of Americans, we’ve compiled a list of some of the easiest ways to start earning extra money in your free-time.
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Today marks the first day of autumn, the season of apple cider, donuts, pumpkin patches, hay rides, and everything Halloween. If you’re like the majority of Americans (as nearly every survey done in the past twenty years has shown), this is the season you’ve been waiting for! Whether you’ll be first in line to get a mug of pumpkin spice latte at your local coffee shop or you’ve got apple orchards and pumpkin carving on the brain, we’ve compiled some of our favorite ways to celebrate this amazing season below!
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Elevator pitches take humble-bragging to a new level. At its core, the concept of an elevator pitch is to squeeze all you can about your talents, strengths and work experience into the time it takes for an elevator to travel from one floor to the next.
The beginning of the new school year is a great time for polishing your elevator pitch until it is perfect. You can use it to answer common interview questions as you job hunt, or just have it handy if you happen to run into a potential new employer, anytime, anywhere. Working on your elevator pitch will also help you clarify your work goals as you prepare to transition to a new stage of life.
To make this task easier, we’ve broken down the process of creating a killer elevator pitch into seven simple steps. While reading through each section, jot down a few sentences that cover the details of that category. Don’t worry about the writing or syntax here; we’ll get to that.
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
As credit and debit card purchases become more prevalent than cash transactions, you may think that pulling out your plastic is more hygienic than paying for your morning coffee with cash. Think again! According to a 2019 study, the amount of bacteria living on the average credit card is about twiceas much as that on the average dollar bill.
With COVID-19 still on the front of many minds, looking for a healthy, safe alternative to cash and cards should be a priority. Thankfully, Community Financial has the answer: Digital Wallets! With a digital wallet you can securely store your Community Financial debit or credit Mastercard in your phone and use it just like your physical card—but without the added germs! Below, we’ve compiled the top 3 reasons to switch over today.
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
For some, the COVID-19 shutdown provided extra downtime to learn new skills. Now whether that be a skill they’ll be able to utilize in the future (like a new language) or one that’s more fun than anything else (such as throwing a ping-pong ball over your shoulder sinking it into a cup), people have been utilizing their own creativity and online resources this summer.
Just because you didn’t jump onto the pandemic-learning bandwagon doesn’t mean you can’t start now! Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, but the Rosetta Stone price-tag kept you from committing? Don’t worry! Learning new skills doesn’t mean you have to break open your piggy bank. Teach yourself something new without even spending a penny with our resources below.
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
With states continuing to work toward reopening, as usual, scammers aren’t far behind. Keep your finances safe and watch out for these trending scams as the country continues to reopen:
Account Takeovers
Shorter hours and percentage-capacity rules mean many consumers are still shopping remotely. This leads to an increase in online retail scams like account takeovers, where scammers hack a company’s database to break into a customer’s account. Using the customer’s remembered payment information, the scammer goes on to place large orders to their own address — all on the client’s dime.
Tuesday, August 11, 2020
This Friday, August 14th is a little-known holiday: National Financial Awareness Day. With all of the uncertainty and financial ups-and-downs this year has given us, it’s about time that we take a step back and reevaluate, reassess, and regroup.
Financial awareness means different things to different people. For some, it comes with the awareness and monitoring of a savings or nest-egg balance. For others, awareness is found in financial education and learning new savings habits. Whatever your view of financial awareness, we’ve compiled 5 ways to help you celebrate National Financial Awareness Day.
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
With country-wide shutdowns and lay-offs this summer due to COVID-19, many Americans are finding their finances in a rough spot. This financial struggle has caused many to use their savings to get by; with emergency funds and savings accounts dropping to zero.
For many, this August is bringing a plateau, if not an upturn, in financial situations. As situations return to normal, it’s imperative to build savings accounts back up again. As such, many may be asking the same question: Where do I begin?
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
You’ve fired off your resume to a potential workplace, and they’ve contacted you to set up an interview. You’re super-excited to prove yourself, but also super-nervous. What if you mess up and jeopardize your chance at landing the job? What happens if you get tongue-tied and can’t answer the interviewer’s questions?Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Though it’s hard to believe it when you’re knee-deep in their laundry and begging them to do their homework, your little ones won’t be young forever. Someday, they will be all grown up and have homes of their own. And while you can lecture them about budgeting, spending their allowances wisely and saving up for the occasional expensive item, running the finances of an entire household is a whole different ballgame. This simple yet challenging activity can help you teach them this crucial skill.Tuesday, July 14, 2020
dollars have already been donated to local charitable organizations throughout Michigan!
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Losing a job is never easy. Regardless of how it comes about, choosing to view this time as an opportunity for growth can help you more than you would think. Let’s take a look at some practical steps you can take while embarking on a new direction in your career path.Take a Step Back
Take a moment to look at where you stand career-wise. Where do you want to go next? Would a complete career pivot be in your best interest, or would you do better with a small shift, such as a change in position within the same field?
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
If you are one of the millions of Americans on furlough—or just getting back to work—due to the coronavirus, you may be scrambling to cover your bills. Let’s take a look at what some financial experts are advising so you can make an informed decision about your finances going forward.Tuesday, June 23, 2020
With stay-at-home orders being gradually lifted, realtors have started work back up in many states. So if you’re in the market for a new home, don’t forget to budget for closing costs! This includes all fees and charges incurred while officially transferring a property from one owner to another. Friday, June 19, 2020
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| Education Partnership Coordinator, Kristen La Forest, brings financial education to NSH students via the Student-Run Credit Union program. |
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
With families home more often, cooking the same meals can get boring. So give your classic spaghetti a fun new twist with this creative, budget-friendly recipe! Tuesday, June 9, 2020
As the calendar turns from April to May to now June, Americans are finally getting used to living with the new reality of the coronavirus pandemic. And part of that reality means empty store shelves.Tuesday, June 2, 2020
2020 has been a year of unprecedented firsts. And while many things have changed and our summer activities may not be the same, Community Financial remains committed to the community now more than ever. Summer will be here soon, and with it the return of Community Financial Credit Union’s 10th annual Summer of Sharing campaign. Tuesday, May 26, 2020
With being home more often during the COVID-19 stay-at-home measures, you might find your energy bills skyrocketing. Community Financial wants to help you find creative ways to “beat the heat” while you stay safe and healthy at home this Spring.Tuesday, May 19, 2020
If you’re having a hard time with the quarantine during these unprecedented times, you’re not alone. The COVID-19 outbreak has changed a lot of things, including our daily routines, which can trigger stress and health problems for many individuals. While we at Community Financial are always available to help with your financial stressors, we have also come up with a variety of ways to help kick those annoying quarantine blues. Friday, May 15, 2020
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has been raging on American shores for several months, but scammers are still finding new ways to exploit the panic, fear and uncertainty surrounding the virus to con people out of their money. The latest in a string of coronavirus scams involves a simple text message with criminal intent.Tuesday, May 5, 2020
The stimulus checks promised in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act are starting to land in checking accounts and mailboxes around the country. The $1,200 granted to most adults is a welcome relief during these financially trying times.Tuesday, April 28, 2020
If you’ve never had a credit card and your credit history is non-existent, where do you start? Building a credit history from the bottom up can be tricky business. It may take a while until you see results. But, with time, effort and responsible financial choices, you can build an excellent credit history, which will positively impact your financial health for years to come.
Here are 5 steps you can take to get the ball rolling on your credit file.
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
David Bennett, manager for repair systems at AAA, says cars won’t need any major maintenance during a lockdown, but there are several important steps drivers can take now to ensure their vehicles don’t deteriorate due to non-use.
Friday, April 17, 2020
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| PSCA Student-Run Credit Union middle school winter volunteers. |
Community Financial’s school partnerships extend to several National Heritage Academies within the Plymouth, Canton, and Westland areas. Our NHA partners include: Plymouth Scholars, Achieve, South Canton Scholars, and Grand River Charter Academies.
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
For many people, navigating the COVID-19 crisis successfully means being stuck at home as they wait out in quarantine. Sitting at home without much to do can quickly get old. If you’re waiting out the crisis at home, be proactive about spending your time productively. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Call an old friend.
Socializing in person may be out, but the old-fashioned phone still works just fine. A leisurely chat with an old friend can be a wonderful way to pass the time. You can also set up a video conference to talk face-to-face and reconnect.
Tuesday, April 7, 2020
April is Financial Literacy Month, and a great time to think about some important lessons everyone can learn about finances. Whether you’re a parent looking to make talking money with your kids easier or a professional looking for a few tips, there’s always something to learn. Here are a few Community Financial Resources you can use to build your financial knowledge this month. Plus a few ways to get your kids involved!
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Here are some fun activities to keep your kids busy while you wait out the pandemic at home:
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Unfortunately, this can prove to be a lot harder than it sounds. If you find yourself struggling to complete your workload from home during the outbreak, we can help!
Here are some tips on how to stay focused, on-task and productive as you work from home.
Friday, March 20, 2020
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| Gallimore Elementary Student-Run Credit Union winter volunteers with Education Partnership Coordinator, Julie Blaylock. |
Education Partnership Coordinator, Julie Blaylock, works with student volunteers who typically embrace challenges with open arms.
Julie finds creative ways to challenge Gallimore students’ abilities and thinking, usually by multitasking. Here are some pictures of student volunteers multitasking on the job!
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published on its website a warning against email scams connected to the coronavirus. The agency claims it has received reports from around the world about phishing attempts mentioning coronavirus on an almost daily basis.
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Most of us are accustomed to abbreviating the date by using just the last two digits when we need to write it. While it was fine to do in the past, continuing this practice in 2020 can be problematic. With the two sets of digits that make up the new year being identical, abbreviating the date on documents opens us up to multiple scams.
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Starting Monday, March 9th, you can nominate a local organization that's doing great work in your community for a chance to receive a donation up to $10,000! Nominations will be accepted at cfcu.org/thumbsup until Friday, March 27, 2020.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
At home
There are harmful microbes all over our homes-and most are found in the kitchen.Kitchen sink
According to microbiologist Charles Gerba, there is more fecal bacteria in your kitchen sink than there is in your toilet after flushing it. Gerba recommends regularly scrubbing your sinks with diluted bleach, or with a kitchen cleaning product that contains bleach. For best results, allow the cleaning solution to sit for a bit before wiping, or use wipes for a more targeted cleanup. Be sure to clean the entire sink and all nearby surfaces, as well.
Friday, February 21, 2020
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| Hillside Middle School Student-Run Credit Union first semester volunteers |
So, what are middle school students saving for these days? A phone, a down payment on a car, video games, college, and clothing are just a few examples. Although the list is wide-ranging, maintaining good money-saving habits during middle school is important for a student’s future financial success.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
A budget will help you gain financial awareness, which will help facilitate more responsible decisions. Here are 6 easy steps to create a budget:
Step 1: Gather your financial information
Collect all your financial documents and receipts for three consecutive months. This includes all account statements, bills, pay stubs, receipts and more.
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Where should you look for props?
- Your best bet for cheap props is your local dollar store
- Try discount shops like Five Below
- Most box stores have an aisle of clearance or 5-and-under items
- Make something at home! Take empty boxes, paint, scissors and glue and create something new
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
How does the scam play out? There are several variations of the fake check scam, but all of them ultimately lead to the victim cashing an extra-high fake check and returning the difference to the scammer.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
We all can point to that one person in our lives for whom everything seems to come easily. He or she has a good income, great house, beautiful children and the checkout line they choose always moves the quickest. You probably really wonder about that person. Why are they so lucky? Why not me?Tuesday, January 21, 2020
If you’re in the market for a new home, you’ll likely need to take out a home loan or mortgage. Let’s take a closer look at this product and its application process.Friday, January 17, 2020
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| Wildwood Elementary Student-Run Credit Union fall volunteers. |
Wildwood Elementary joined in partnership with Community Financial last year. Here are some pictures of Wildwood’s Student-Run Credit Union.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
If you’re looking to make good on your New Year’s resolution by joining a gym, make sure to keep your eyes out for these five subtle gym scams.The Free Trial
Free gym trials can end up costing you a pretty penny. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns against sharing your credit card information with a gym that’s offering a free trial, since many will start automatically charging you a monthly fee unless you remember to cancel your “membership” within a certain time-frame.
The Fix: Read the fine print on free trial offers. If possible, only take advantage of a free trial offered without asking for any financial information.
