Credit Union shared branching locator app now available on iTunes

Financial Service Centers Cooperative, Inc., the nation's largest and most convenient credit union Shared Branch Network, announced the launch of the new credit union Shared Branch locator app on iTunes. The free application is available to download and offers over 6,400 locations to perform Shared Branching transactions.



This makes it even easier for you to access your LA Financial CU accounts. Whether you are trying to locate a branch or a 7-eleven location near home or school, this free app will give you a list of the most convenient locations. It is perfect for anytime you are on the go, or even while you are traveling. Wherever you are, the free app will provide you with the closest locations, their addresses, contact information, hour of operation, and even driving directions.



http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/credit-union-shared-branching/id358196777?mt=8

Teach Your Children Well...

LA Financial Credit Union was featured on a Fox News LA story about people who are dumping their banks for credit unions or small community banks. Check it out...
http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/money/dumping-your-bank-20100304

New year, new things to talk about...

Its a new year and I think its time we had some new topics for discussion around here. There have to be financial questions you are all pondering in your money savvy heads out there, and we want to answer them. Or maybe you have an inspiring story to tell about applying for college, a cautionary tale about buying your first car, questions about how you can get a credit card... The possibilities are endless.

Ask a financial services related question or tell us about an experience (it can be about saving, debit cards, loans, credit, the list goes on and on...) either on the blog or on facebook and we'll send the first 50 people a green-accounts tote bag!

To get the tote, you will need to email your mailing address to green@lafinancial.org. We will either mail it to you or arrange for you to pick it up at one of our branches. Supplies are limited and LA Financial Credit Union will choose the 50 tote-bag recipients in the order that their questions/comments are posted.

Look out 2010!

December is just about over and its time to start thinking about my new year's resolution, that is aside from my constant resolution to start putting away my laundry... For 2009, I wanted to keep my credit card in check, using it only for emergencies and when I really needed it. While I won't start 2010 without a balance, I have a new plan. For 2010, I'm going to create (and stick to!) a budget. I've made up a spreadsheet for myself so I can track my expenses every month in regards to how much I will put into savings, how much I will need for bills/rent/utilities/gas, estimated budget for food, and miscellaneous expenses. I already have a separate savings account for the weddings I will be in/attending this year and I will probably open one for this year's big vacation too (Greece maybe?...). I've got big plans for you, 2010! With my trusty budget in hand, this will be the best year yet.

Anyone else have good intentions for the new year?

Christmas Gifts Tip 2

Buying gifts for everyone you know can be a huge expense, not to mention stressful! My second gifting tip for this season may help with the expense part. Instead of buying gifts, maybe make some gifts. It's not as hard as it sounds. You can make photo albums (scrapbooks) of things you have done throughout the year for grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles. What they really want to see is you and you can add your own special touches to personalize it. Remember to keep it simple though, I've heard people can get a little crazy at the scrapbooking section of Michaels and all those little items add up quick. If you knit or crochet, you can make scarves, hats, mittens, or anything that fits into your skill level. Trust me, a home-made toasty scarf is always appreciated. These are just 3 suggestions, but if you have different talents and ideas, go for it! And if you make it a theme gift for a lot of people, you can buy the materials in bulk and significantly lower your cost for a very thoughtful gift.

Christmas shopping!

Thanksgiving is over and I'll bet some of you have already started decorating for Christmas. Have you started your shopping? Remember to make that list, it saves you money on last minute decisions and you can compare prices! And that is my first holiday shopping tip: Compare prices. Already I almost paid more than I needed to on a cookbook from Williams Sonoma that I'm pretty sure one of my friends will love. I had clicked it into my shopping cart and had my credit card at the ready when a voice in my ear reminded me to check Amazon first. Thank you voice, I saved $5 on this gift and I get free shipping! Together that's a savings of over $10. If I can save like that on all of my purchases, maybe I'll be able to save enough money for a little ski weekend...

Don't Scare Your Wallet this Halloween!

This Saturday is Halloween! This year I have it easy since I only have to wear a masquerade mask to a theme party. Easy costume! If you don't have your costume all picked out yet, not to worry you dont have to go shopping and spead lots of money if you are creative! Take a look in your closet to see what you have that would only need a few themed accessories to complete your look (like a pirate's patch or a witch's hat). Making your own costume with things you have around the house can be really fun and easier than you think! Google "homemade Halloween costumes" and see what comes up. Or, you can trade with your friends. It changes things up and the costume is new to you.

Happy Halloween!

I know it's early but...

the time has come to talk about holiday shopping. Wait! Don't stop reading! I know we're all disgusted by the Christmas decorations set out in stores way before we even have our Halloween costumes picked yet, but hear me out. If you don't plan ahead, you won't be able to afford all the presents you want to buy, you'll find yourself bargain-shopping at the mall on Christmas eve instead of enjoying yourself, and/or (probably yes) you'll have a massive amount of credit card debt waiting for you in January. So be proactive and get a game plan going now if you don't already have one. Here are some great ways to save money so you can enjoy yourself more and get your credit card to stop smoking.

Start cutting back on small unnecessary expenses and put them into a Secondary Savings account. You can open one with just $5. Then you add to it ($5 deposit instead of Starbucks, watch a streaming movie on Netflix, deposit $15, etc) and when you're ready, just take the money out and pay for your purchases in cash.

I have a big extended family. So to save money and some stress in trying to find the perfect gift for everyone, we have a gift exchange every year. Everyone buys one gift (and yes there's a price limit) and then we put all the wrapped presents in a pile and everyone gets one. It's more fun to shop and more fun to open.

With friends, sometimes it can be hard to give presents to everyone. With some of my closest friends we have a "date" instead of giving presents. Last year my best friend and I went to see Wicked together. We "gave" it to each other as a gift, but it didn't necessarily have to be bought until a few weeks later.

And my last piece of advice is to start buying your presents early! Spread them out a little bit, that way it won't hurt as much to buy them all at once. Make a list and buy one present every paycheck and you'll get a bunch done before the holiday season gets into full swing!

Breaking Up with Banks All Over the Place...

Since we've started our Break Up With My Bank campaign ,I have heard some very interesting stories about why people who are breaking up with their banks and joining credit unions. One story I heard was from a friend who was traveling abroad and was not informed about extra fees she would incur by using international ATMs. Because her bank did not inform her of the fees it caused her to overdraw her account! She was venting her frustration to someone else when they pointed out that she doesn't shop at large chain stores, she supports local merchants, and buys local organic food. Why would she put all of her money into one of the largest banks in the country? So, that’s when she decided she was going to break up with her bank and join her local credit union because… it's local, community oriented, and cooperatively owned.
I love that she applied her life style to her relationship with her financial institution. Another great reason to join a credit union!
What have been some of your reasons for breaking up with your bank and joining a credit union?