- Most people realize that a job (or lack thereof) has a major impact on your financial future (as well as your current situation). Yet when we think, "What do I want to do when I grow up?" even if we have an opinion on the matter, most of us could never predict what our career path will eventually be. The best career advice anyone has ever given me was to: Always have an updated resume because…, Know who you are, decide what you want, and have a plan:, What are you qualified to do today? What does it take to be successful in your field? Will you need a degree or certification, or could ample experience get you the job? These are all great questions that may need some research. Look up job descriptions on listing sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, or your local department of labor. What do many employers require for what you are interested in? Don'…, Which benefits are important to you?, Which ones might become important to you as you look down the road? Research this information, too. Be sure that your prospective employer offers benefit programs or services that will meet your needs – because a great job without helpful benefits might not be a good move. Regardless of career path, receiving income through legitimate payroll is always more financially responsible than working "…
- Preparing for Baby Costs, Oh, baby., I found out in February., I came home to a scavenger hunt – clues scattered by my wife throughout the house. At the end, I discovered a drawer filled with tiny booties, a Captain America onesie, and a board book about dads and babies. And there I was. I was going to be a dad in October. Elation and excitement turned to planning and anxiety. Amidst the thoughts of, What color should the room be? and, Is it a boy or a girl…, Plan ahead (if you can), My wife and I knew we wanted to be parents, which is something I want to be clear about up front: not everyone has that luxury. To quote the great Dr. Ian Malcolm, "Life uh...finds a way." So while the considerations I'm putting forth here are great for parents who plan ahead, know that – depending on your circumstances – the advice may shift. That means establishing a budget (which can actually…, About that budget..., Perform a Google search about the average cost of having a baby and you're going to get different numbers. Like, super different. But, as an expecting parent, I figured we'd probably be looking somewhere around $5,000 (with a frequent prayer that it will be less). That's based on where I live, the insurance we have, and anecdotes from friends and families who had their own little ones with…, You're going to buy a lot of stuff. Look for discounts, First time parents need a bunch of stuff. Bottles, crib, mattresses, books, car seats, monitors, swaddles, and cute outfits for holidays so that you can laugh when she looks like a super tiny but super pudgy Santa at Christmas. Y'know – the important stuff. The first thing we did was sign up for discounts and look for sales. There are dozens of discount baby clothes options online, secondhand…, Ask your network, We had the advantage of siblings and friends who have had babies before. You may, too. Ask around or post on social media for baby items. I can almost guarantee that you'll have parents reach out almost begging you to take stuff so that they can clear space in their ever-expanding closets for new clothes. Don't have baby friends? Join a group online. Nearly every community has a local group for…, Don't discount the value of a baby shower, Our baby shower was one of the single biggest hauls of items we received. The big-ticket items, the wishlist items, and everything in between. Remember: anything that you're not spending money on is money you can save. And you're going to need to. , Plan ahead for those long-term costs, Unless you're fortunate enough to have a family support system or can afford to have a parent stay at home (that's assuming you're part of a two-parent household, which not everyone is), you're going to have to pay for childcare. And the cost? Wooboy. Just look up the average cost of daycare . Like searches for the cost of having a baby, the numbers vary. And they vary drastically based on…, The other stuff and the unexpected, There's paint, nightlights, changing tables, diapers, and a million other things. Make that wishlist early and add to it often. It'll help you reevaluate your budget as you go. Oh, and remember our dear friend, Dr. Ian Malcolm? Life will uh...find a way, so remember that your baby is going to be calling the shots at the end of the day. They may come early and there may be unexpected costs, so…
- One Budget, Two Weddings, , Our original outline and budget for the wedding put us at $15k-$18k., We decided to elope first. We assumed it would remove pressure off the bigger event and encourage us to keep it affordable. Because we were already married. Right? And how could I say "No" to two weddings? Twice the love, twice the party, twice the bliss! But at what cost? (literally) Our elopement cost us less than $350, not counting the rings or the modest dinner that followed. It was an…
- Has something ever happened out of nowhere that made you think, "How am I supposed to pay for this?!" Savings accounts or lines of credit are potential options for a bailout if you happen to have ample funds, and in this case my credit card came in handy. But not the way you'd expect! I use my credit card as if it were a revolving door. Out go the funds, then in come the payments. Not only…, Man, I can't wait to use my rewards to travel again!, -JMS
- , Healthcare: we need it, it's important, and it's expensive., And as I found out at age 27, with what should have been a routine procedure, it doesn't cover everything. For me, it was a little over $1,500 after insurance. Which, wouldn't you know, was a completely surprise bill. And, as you probably also know, isn't an unusual thing when it comes to the healthcare system. I'm not here to make indictments, though. I'm here to give you some tips on things…, 4. Ask about payment plans or cost reductions, The best thing I did with my unexpected healthcare bill was contact the hospital directly. As it turns out, they had an income-based financial assistance program. After providing them with a copy of my W-2, they calculated a reduction to my balance based on my income, saving me 30% of what I thought I had to spend. And, because I didn't have $1,500 laying around (kudos to you if you do), I…, 5. Ask for help when you need it, I think we can all agree that surprise bills are terrible, but leaving them out there to fester will come back to bite you. Bills sent to collections can wind up on your credit report and hurt your standing in the long run. While that can take time, don't dawdle or you'll come to regret it. If you find that you need more assistance, reach out to one of our financial coaches for help. They may be…
- Struggling to pay your mortgage? Help is available., If you are experiencing difficulty making your mortgage payments then we may be able to help you. There are many resources now available and all you have to do is ask. Please call call our Member Solutions team at 800.242.2120 ext. 10270 to discuss your situation., AVAILABLE OPTIONS, The right option for you depends on your individual circumstances. Based on the information you provide, we can determine if you qualify for temporary or long term relief foreclosure alternatives, including the solutions defined below that may allow you to stay in your home:, Financial Counseling, – In-house professional staff to assist you in reviewing spending patterns, developing budgets and exploring payment alternatives, Forbearance, – Make reduced mortgage payments or no mortgage payments for a specific period of time, Note Modification, – Receive modified terms on your mortgage to make it more affordable or manageable, Refinance, – Apply for a new loan and you may be able to lock in a lower interest rate and lower your monthly payment, CASE ESCALATION, If your mortgage loan is being reviewed for one of the foreclosure alternatives listed above and you have questions or concerns, or if you wish to have your case reviewed again, please call 800.242.2120 ext. 10615 to speak with Christopher Alfarano, VP/Chief Lending Officer. If he is unavailable, be sure to leave a detailed message and we will contact you in writing to acknowledge receipt of your…
- Ithaca, NY – Visions Federal Credit Union invites the Tompkins County and surrounding community to enjoy free admission to summer events at the Visions Amphitheater. Events kicked off during June with a morning yoga session and an evening viewing of the classic baseball film A League of Their Own . The series of free events is continuing through August 23 rd . The summer season includes monthly…, Outdoor Movie Nights, will bring a different family-friendly film each month, beginning at dusk on select Friday evenings. You’re invited to enjoy the recent Roald Dahl prequel Wonka on July 19 th , then Pixar’s Elemental on August 23 rd . Arrive before sundown and bring your own chairs, blankets, and refreshments. Alcohol will not be permitted. , Rise & Shine Yoga, on August 10 at 9:00am will feature an hour of vinyasa morning flow with Liz Klohmann, Registered Yoga Teacher with the Yoga Alliance and owner of The Mat Fitness in Trumansburg, NY. All levels of experience are encouraged to attend. Please bring a yoga mat or towel. Check-in begins at 8:30am. To learn more about The Mat Fitness, visit thematfitness.com. , Visions FCU Kids Summer Bash , on Saturday, August 17 th at 9:00am will have plenty of family fun activities and local vendors. Festivities will include a 9:30am performance of Sing Me A Story! Read Me A Song! , featuring the reading and musical talents of John Simon and Cal Walker. Attendance is free for these community events. No tickets are necessary, but registration is encouraged. Registration details are available on…, About Visions, Visions Federal Credit Union is a not for profit 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. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender. Ref: Visions FCU press release,…
- 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…, Cooperation Among Cooperatives, . Cooperation Among Cooperatives “Credit unions serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative principles by working with other cooperatives through local, state, regional, national, and international structures.” – National Credit Union Foundation This may seem obvious: cooperatives cooperate. Vital associations within our industry connect us to a dynamic, worldwide…, "Through our industry’s growth on a larger scale, we all reap the benefits.", Our collective unity is bigger than our footprint and bigger than our nation. As a member of CUNA, we’re part of an even larger, global collective: the World Council of Credit Unions , which works to ensure that more nations can benefit from strong credit unions in their own communities. Through associations such as these, we cooperate on regional, national, and international levels to improve…, In other words, unity is our credit union superpower, . As wealth shifts away from banks and toward credit unions, more of that wealth circulates through cooperative values, improving our services and benefiting the world around us. Learn more about Visions, our mission, values, and the credit union movement . , Explore our cooperative principles:, , Autonomy and Education, , Democracy and Community, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, , Cooperation Among Cooperatives, Membership and Participation
- Binghamton, NY – Veterans, their families, service organizations, and community members are invited to attend our third annual Veterans Expo on November 4 th at the Visions Federal Credit Union Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton, NY. In partnership with the Arena, the event is being organized by Visions Federal Credit Union as a free community resource fair through the Visions Veterans Program…, About Visions Federal Credit Union, Visions Federal Credit Union is a not for profit 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, 2024.
- Reading, PA – Alvernia University and Visions Federal Credit Union celebrate the expansion of their ongoing partnership with the unveiling of a new Financial Wellness Center in the university’s Bernardine Hall Commuter Lounge. A ribbon-cutting ceremony, held Thursday, marks an important step in the university’s efforts to enhance financial literacy as part of its ongoing commitment to fostering a…, About Visions, Visions Federal Credit Union is a not for profit 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: Alvernia University press release, October 2024.
