ATFCU blog
News, Events, Resources, Tools & Advice
12 Steps to Financial Wellness – Step 10: Plan for Retirement
Once you’ve got your financial present taken care of, it’s time to plan for your financial future, namely retirement. There are multiple ways to save for your golden years, with a 401(k) through your employer or a conventional or Roth IRA. They each have different rules, so pick the one that fits your needs the best! Continue reading
12 Steps to Financial Wellness – Step 12: Review and Tweak
Here we are at the end of our year-long journey to financial wellness. We hope you've learned a lot and your financial picture is brighter now! It is time to review. Continue reading
12 Steps to Financial Wellness – Step 11: Investing
Got your financial house pretty much in order and ready to start investing? Great! There are some big decisions to make, and we can help! Continue reading
12 Steps to Financial Wellness – Step 9: Build and Maintain an Excellent Credit Score
One of the big keys to financial wellness is building your credit score and keeping it high. This score affects a dizzying amount of your adult life, so pay attention to it! Continue reading
12 Steps to Financial Wellness – Step 8: Know When and How to Indulge
Believe it or not, you should make room in your monthly budget for indulgences! Without a little fun every month, you’ll be tempted to go off the rails in a big way at some point and really blow your plans. Just be sure to work it into your budget like any other expense and be sure you get a bang for your buck. Continue reading
12 Steps to Financial Wellness – Step 7: How to Pay Yourself First
One of the truest secrets to financial wellness is paying yourself first. This means setting aside money for emergency funds and short- and long-term savings goals. Keep an eye on your spending, and trim where you can to make faster progress. As you go along, check in periodically to make sure you’re making the progress you want. Continue reading
12 Steps to Financial Wellness – Step 6: Pay it Forward
When you’re getting your own financial house in order, don’t forget to pay it forward, too! Helping those in your community who are in financial, medical or emotional distress helps the whole community, and everyone benefits. Plus, it just flat makes you feel good! Continue reading
12 Steps to Financial Wellness – Step 5: Practice Mindful Spending
Do you indulge in retail therapy? If so, it's time to look into mindful spending. Instead of making buying an automatic action, actually stop and think every time you spend. Hold each purchase up to the light of good financial sense and you'll find yourself spending less! Continue reading
How to Create a Budget in 6 Easy Steps
Making a budget is the most basic, but in some ways the most difficult, step toward financial security. We’ve got a simple six-step process to make it easy! Continue reading