- People want to refinance their auto loan for various reasons . As with any financial decisions, some times are better than others to refinance your auto loan. When Should I Refinance My Auto Loan? In general, early in the term of your loan and if you have a good reason. You can see more benefits in terms of money saved the earlier you refinance. There are two simple explanations for this. Auto…, Here are a few other times and reasons you might want to consider:, Have you earned a higher credit score? Have you experienced an unforeseen financial setback and could use a lower payment? Are you at the end of a lease and want to purchase the vehicle? If you've answered "Yes" to any of these questions, you may want to consider refinancing your auto loan. Take some time and look into the interest rates . Crunch the numbers and calculate the payments. Weigh the…, Ready to apply?, Get started!
- People have all kinds of questions about auto loans, many of them related to their options. This leads to a logical question:, Can I refinance my auto loan?, The short answer is, "Yes." Refinancing an auto loan is generally an available option, and Visions can help. Whether it's right for you or your vehicle is another question. The fact is, refinancing may not be appropriate for everyone. For example, if you have a low credit score or your car is worth less than what you owe (this is known as being "upside down"), it may not be the best move. As with…, Interest rates have dropped, – Let's face it: when it comes to auto loans (or any loan), people like lower interest rates. Depending on your situation, you could enjoy some serious savings with an interest rate that's lower by even a point or two., You have a higher credit score, – Maybe your credit wasn't that great when you needed your last car but you've been working on improving it. In general, a better credit score means a better rate. Refinancing an auto loan could be a great opportunity to take advantage of a more attractive interest rate., You've experienced a bump in the road, – Life is unscripted. Things happen. If your financial situation has taken a hit, refinancing for a longer term might be a way of lowering your monthly payments. Keep in mind, however, that lengthening your loan term could impact the cost of interest payments over time. Weigh the benefits and other considerations. Before you make a decision on refinancing, take some time to understand your…
- It's pretty common for people to buy a car or truck using an auto loan. So, it makes sense that people are interested in getting the right auto financing. When seeking an auto loan, people want to: Know that they can get a loan Secure an attractive rate for their auto loan Have auto loan options from sources other than the dealership Have an understanding of what they can afford going into the…, Pre-approval for an auto loan really provides several benefits:, Establishes your budget Helps you calculate potential monthly payments Allows you to shop in a similar way to a cash buyer Provides solid options outside of dealer financing Simplifies the buying process Helps reduce stress (if buying a car stresses you out) and saves time! With all of these solid benefits, you may want to explore pre-approval for your auto loan . It may be simpler than you think…
- Financial Prep for Study Abroad, So, you've decided to study abroad? How exciting! With dreams of the adventures that await, it can be tough to sit down and think logistics. If you take the time to map out your finances now, though, you'll not only leave yourself with less stress during your studies, but you'll be far more likely to recover afterward from the long list of unforeseen expenses. You'll be financially stable and…, What I didn't realize was how quickly that could change., Within months of starting my degree, the US dollar changed to parody, and by the end of my two-year stint in Australia, I was paying 1.5 times more than when I had initially set out! Take it from me: if you have the luxury to pay entirely upfront – do it. If not, educate yourself on the trends of the dollar and always expect the unexpected. You may want to plan several forms of payment during…, you could be looking at a hefty bill by the day you graduate., Speaking of loans... Financing Borrowing money can be one of the trickiest parts of preparing to study abroad. By the time I realized that I didn't have enough savings left to pay tuition, it was already a dire situation. Loans accepted in the US are not always the same as those accepted abroad. It highly varies by country. The university I attended was so picky that they only accepted loans…, You can easily avoid this situation by planning for the worst., Do your research and figure out what your options would be, even if you think you're all set. Take it a step further and contact the loan provider to get a clear picture of the interest rate for the loan as well. It's all about the prep work when it comes to studying abroad. Don't feel like you have to go about it alone, though. If you still have questions, we're here to help. Bon voyage! -ADJ
- So, you're thinking about getting a furry friend..., Owning a pet has many benefits, like a decrease in stress and depression, as well as having a best friend. While a cat or dog can be a great companion, it's important to keep in mind the costs of adopting and owning. Consider these costs before making the big decision to adopt or buy. Should I adopt or buy?, Adopting, : Generally, adopting is much cheaper than buying – averaging up to 90% cheaper from a shelter when compared to a breeder! Shelter to shelter, the cost will vary, but prices to adopt a cat range on average from $30 to $300, while dogs are more likely in the $100-$700 range. Dogs are more expensive to adopt, buy, and care for, because – contrary to the stereotypical image of cats being primped and…, Buying, : The price to buy puts you in a whole new ballpark. Depending on the breed, you should expect to pay anywhere from $1000-$3000 for a dog, and anywhere from $300-$1000 for a cat. Not only is buying expensive, but you generally should expect a higher maintenance pet – at least in the beginning. The breeder you're buying from might have taken care of the first round of shots for your pet, but you…, Your one-time expenses might include things like:, Obedience class Collar Tags Leash Harness Bed Cage Crate Food and water dishes Litter box, Recurring costs might include:, Food Treats Litter Toys Carpet cleaner Pet insurance Grooming Medical expenses Recurring costs often catch new pet owners by surprise when it comes to budgeting. As a result, many pet owners set funds aside for their pets, or at least for veterinary care, because these expenses can be overwhelming when they're unexpected. Remember, you also invite a certain amount of, opportunity cost, when getting a pet. If you have a dog, for example, you'll need to ensure that they'll be taken on walks and properly attended for meals and potty breaks. As a result, if you're used to picking up extra shifts or working a second job for additional income, you may find that your new pet interrupts those opportunities or routines. Going on vacation? What about your fur baby? This is something…
- PlayStation 2, Memory Card, and Planning for the Unexpected, The year was 2001. Toys "R" Us was still a thing. And I walked into that fluorescent-filled toy palace on a chilly November day, my mom begrudgingly in tow. I didn't even know what the word meant at the time, but my excitement was "palpable." I was brimming with it. I was beaming. Today was the day. I was going to buy my PlayStation 2. Getting there wasn't easy. Back up, though. You see,…, Insert memory card, ., "What?" I stammered. "That doesn't make sense, I have a memory card in there." I took it out and blew on it – because we all know that works – put it back in the slot, yet still. Nothing. , And that's when I realized that a PS2 used a different type of memory card than PS1., Not only that, I didn't have enough money saved to buy a new one (not counting the fact that my mom wouldn't drive me back to the store, anyway). And that, my friends, is how I realized that – despite the best planning – you always need an emergency fund. You always need something to cover you when the unexpected comes up. And that's the lesson from an 11-year old who had to leave his PS2…, Thank goodness memory cards aren't a thing anymore., -Devin M.
- I started homebrewing about five years ago. I had just gotten a real job and apartment, so as far as new hobbies go, it was the perfect time. And it was awesome! I loved it! Well, until the time came to bottle it, that is. Between cleaning, sanitizing, and filling 50 individual bottles, I got kind of sick of the process. So, like an actor in an infomercial, I threw my hands up and shouted, "There…, But it was expensive. And I had a job at the time making less than $15 per hour..., Here's what I did. First step: calculate how much I'd need for the build. Between the freezer, temperature controller, and all the bells and whistles and equipment, I was looking at around $1,000 (I never said this was a cheap project). Next came the timeline. For this, I needed to figure out how long it would take to afford the build based on how much I could set aside. That was around $50…, And I have to tell you: pouring that first pint felt, amazing!, Have a simple system. All this is to say, budgeting for a goal doesn't have to be complicated. It's as simple as getting a price, saving some cash, and making it happen. For me, it was a keg system. For you, it could be a vacation or a trampoline. Here's a three-step system to a savings goal: Take your paycheck and chop out your expenses (taxes/rent/bills/food/life) Decide what you can set…, Cheers., -Devin M.
- While we’re certainly one-of-a-kind, we didn’t invent the co-op. Financial cooperatives and credit unions have been around since the 1800s, evolving with a shared set of principles that govern and guide like-minded companies around the globe. From our commitment to community, to our unique mission in financial services, to your relationship and role as a member – the Eight Cooperative Principles…, Voluntary and Open Membership, and, Member Economic Participation, . Voluntary and Open Membership “Credit unions are voluntary, not-for-profit financial cooperatives, offering services to people willing to accept the responsibilities and benefits of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination.” – National Credit Union Foundation The primary principle of cooperatives worldwide, Voluntary and Open Membership proclaims…, membership eligibility, ? We’re glad you asked… As a cooperative, we can’t simply march into another credit union’s territory and compete with their charter. We serve communities that require our services, and our charters are the bylaws that define those communities. Sometimes, the field of membership is defined by territories, like Otsego County , NY or the City of Reading , PA. Other times, it’s defined by employment…, secondary membership, . That means if a person is eligible to become a Visions member, then everyone in that person’s immediate family and household is also eligible to become a member – voluntarily and without discrimination. Member Economic Participation “Members are the owners of their credit union and contribute to its capital. Members, not shareholders, benefit from their credit union’s profits in proportion to…, Members will benefit the most by increasing their participation, . For example, compare our checking accounts :, Flex Checking , Without meeting any minimum balance or prerequisites, members can enjoy a Flex Checking account with a complimentary debit card , a free box of standard checks per year, and no dividends. It’s an excellent checking option with no monthly fees., Flex Checking Plus, By increasing your participation, you could skip the $8 monthly fee* on our Flex Checking Plus and earn dividends on your checking balance, while also getting free money orders and official checks, free wire transfers, unlimited refunds on non-Visions ATMs, and more – and still receive the complimentary debit card ! Flex Checking Plus requires a $1,000 minimum account balance or an aggregate of $…, Explore our cooperative principles:, , Autonomy and Education, , Democracy and Community, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, , Cooperation Among Cooperatives, Membership and Participation
- While we’re certainly one-of-a-kind, we didn’t invent the co-op. Financial cooperatives and credit unions have been around since the 1800s, evolving with a shared set of principles that govern and guide like-minded companies around the globe. From our commitment to community, to our unique mission in financial services, to your relationship and role as a member – the Eight Cooperative…, Autonomy and Independence, and, Education, Training, and Information, . Autonomy and Independence “Credit unions are independent, self-reliant organizations controlled by their member-owners, not outside stockholders. When making business deals or raising money, credit unions never compromise their autonomy or democratic member control.” – National Credit Union Foundation Think of Visions as self-contained, self-reliant, and self-motivated. Unlike most banks or…, Explore our cooperative principles:, , Autonomy and Education, , Democracy and Community, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, , Cooperation Among Cooperatives, Membership and Participation
- Reading, PA – Visions Federal Credit Union’s new branch is open for business at 35 North 6th Street in downtown Reading, PA. The Visions branch is on the ground floor of a registered historic building, formerly Berks County Trust Company, which is being restored by Shuman Development Group to include apartments, a food court, offices, and retail space. “It’s a convenient spot for those who live…, About Visions, Visions Federal Credit Union is a nonprofit financial institution completely owned by its members. Established in 1966, Visions proudly serves over 250,000 members in communities throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Services include banking as well as auto, home, personal, and business loans. Ref: Visions FCU Press Release, 2023. View recent news.
