- Looking to clean up credit card debt? There are actually several ways to get it done – some you might not have thought of. Here are the top five suggestions from Visions Federal Credit Union's Debt Experts. CONNECT WITH A DEBT EXPERT, Personal Loan, The personal loan is your likeliest solution for debt consolidation. The goal is to combine all your loan balances (and their associated APRs) into one loan at a better rate. It not only, saves you tons of interest, , but, simplifies your payments, as well. "I had a member who was paying over $1,000 a month on credit card debt," says Kham Phonechanthasone, Visions Debt Expert and Assistant Manager of the Binghamton University and University Center Branches in New York. "I helped her consolidate them into a personal loan and was able to save her over $500 a month." "She was thrilled to be able to have extra money in her pocket and know that…, Home Equity Loan, This is not always the most obvious solution, but a solid one if you've been in your home for a while. Debt consolidation is a great way to utilize your home's equity as, like the personal loan, you can combine, save, and simplify multiple lines of credit. In addition, it's a type of secured loan, which, locks in an even better rate, . "I find my go-to is to talk to members first about our home equity loans as Visions offers great rates," says Lindsay Kennedy, Visions Debt Expert and Manager of the Muhlenberg, Pennsylvania Branch. "I think people often forget about home equities to help consolidate." "I often say that you work hard to pay for your home and to accumulate equity, so sometimes in certain situations, it's time…, Mortgage Refi, You may also leverage your home's value when you, refinance to knock down mortgage payments and free up some extra cash, . You can even do a cash out refinancing in some instances, which puts money right in your hands to clean up debt., Balance Transfer, It may seem counter-intuitive at first, but if you're prepared to keep your spending under control, consolidating multiple cards and rates to a new line of credit with a low APR can really work. There are plenty of cards out there with great rates or other incentives and a Debt Expert can help find one that improves your payment situation. For example, Visions credit cards will charge, no fees for cash advances, , which can be a great solution for moving outstanding credit card debt into your Visions account and away from other institutions that may charge higher rates and additional fees., Cash Out Auto Refi, If you don't own a home, you might also look to your vehicle to put cash on hand with an auto refinance. At Visions, you can refinance your auto loan and "cash out" based on, up to 100% of your equity, . "One thing people might not think of is you can do a cash out auto refinance," Phonechanthasone says. "If you have enough equity on a vehicle or you own the vehicle outright, you can take equity out of it to pay down other debt at a lower interest rate." Visions understands the value of having local Debt Experts across the areas the credit union serves. That's why they made it a point to place…
- Do you know the benefits a premium credit card can provide?, Almost every grown adult has one or more credit cards . Credit cards are used in a variety of ways. While people swipe their cards and go on their way, many are unaware of some of the great features and perks that come with certain credit cards, especially premium credit cards. When you consider some of these features and benefits, it reveals several ways a premium credit card can be used to your…
- Endwell, NY – Visions Federal Credit Union offers congratulations and best wishes to their 2024 scholarship winners! Visions recently awarded $25,000 to select students for the 2024-2025 school year. Visions offers two scholarship programs each year: the Visions Cares and Visions Salutes Scholarships. Each recognizes college-bound and currently enrolled college students for their outstanding…, 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.
- 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 (2024). The summer season includes…, 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.
- Syracuse, NY – Visions Federal Credit Union is proud to announce that Ty Muse, Visions’ President/CEO, has joined the advisory board of Syracuse University’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs (OVMA). Muse and two additional newcomers will join the eight current members to provide advice and counsel to the university’s leadership related to programs, initiatives, and opportunities that…, veterans.syr.edu, . Visions also maintains a Veterans Program for veterans, their spouses, and their dependents, as well as a suite of resources for military-connected students. Visions resources can be found at , visionsfcu.org/veterans, and , visionsfcu.org/ovma, . , 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. Source: , https:/veterans.syr.edu/news/three-new-advisory-board-members
- Endwell, NY – Visions Federal Credit Union is thrilled to announce the rebranding of Visions Investment Services as Visions Wealth Management. The rebranding coincides with the 20 th anniversary of the credit union’s division of investment services and reflects the comprehensive wealth management and advisory services they now offer to their community. Since its founding in 1966, Visions Federal…, Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/SIPC)., Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates. Visions Federal Credit Union (VFCU) and Visions Wealth Management , are not, registered as a broker/dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using the name Visions Wealth Management and may also be employees of VFCU. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from and not affiliates of VFCU or Visions Wealth Management. Securities and insurance offered through…, Not Insured by NCUA or Any Other Government Agency | Not Credit Union Guaranteed | Not Credit Union Deposit or Obligations | May Lose Value, The LPL Financial registered representative(s) associated with this website may discuss and/or transact business only with residents of the states in which they are properly registered or licensed. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident of any other state. Your Credit Union (Visions Federal Credit Union) provides referrals to financial professionals of LPL Financial LLC (“LPL”)…, https://www.lpl.com/disclosures/is-lpl-relationship-disclosure.html, . The Forbes ranking of America’s Top RIA Firms, developed by SHOOK Research, is based on an algorithm of qualitative criteria, mostly gained through telephone, virtual and in-person due diligence interviews, and quantitative data. The algorithm weighs factors like revenue trends, assets under management, compliance records, industry experience and those that encompass best practices and approach…
- Lessons From My Elders, I won't always be young. I'm not jaded by the notion that I have a lot of years ahead of me, and many lessons to learn. But eventually, I won't be able to work the same 40 hours per week (plus the occasional side gig) to support my family and cover my health expenses. Not forever. So when someone older than me talks about life, I'm happy to listen because I might be in their shoes someday. I'm…, Retirement #3: The distant artist, Some people like to work hard and play hard, like my cousin JJ on the other coast. With a passion for cinema and photography, JJ left for California as soon as she had enough money for an apartment. She loves her work, both in study and creation, and it consumes her – she'd be the first to admit it – but JJ also loves to schmooze. She's a pro at working the room at a party, fulfilled by the small…, Here's what I learned from my cousin, the distant artist:, 1. Residual income is a return on investment. Think of someone who owns a successful business. They work hard early in life, investing in a company that should pay off later in life, right? That's the ideal: the company earns a healthy profit, managers handle the daily grind, and the company runs itself. For many artists, it's a similar game. In one industry, musicians pitch albums that make some…, Read more Lessons From My Elders:, My Crafty Neighbor, A Veteran's Folly
