How to Declutter Your Life in 2018

What do you like to do in your down time? Perhaps you enjoy settling in on the sofa and reading a good book. Maybe you prefer to go on a walk or take a bike ride in your neighborhood. Whatever your favorite method of relaxation is, one answer we don’t hear a lot of is cleaning or organizing the house. Let’s face it—there’s a bunch of other things we’d rather be doing in our spare time than scrubbing our bathrooms or cleaning the kitchens. But you have to admit it, once you actually do, doesn’t it feel amazing?

There’s really no better time than now to de-clutter your life; after all, a new year means a new you.  Having a closet in your home full of mystery contents or a drawer with too many miscellaneous items is so last year. This is 2018; this is going to be your year where your life has minimal chaos and excessive order.

It sounds a lot scarier than it is; after all, we’re always afraid of some potential, hidden problem we’re going to find. But getting your finances in better shape, particularly with tax season right around the corner, is going to be the most therapeutic and beneficial way to get a fresh start in 2018.

Here are a few things we consider to be helpful to declutter your financial life in 2018:

Pay Bills Immediately

Never receive a bill, set it aside, and pay it later. Not only are you adding extra steps to your process, but you are just adding more paper to an already growing list of bills. Instead, open your mail as you are in your home office, and pay your bills immediately with a computer in front of you. Better yet—set up automatic online payments as you work on that computer.

Buy a Shredder

Bills like credit card statements and bank statements don’t need to be saved; often your bank will easily be able to access that information online for you. We recommend you go for a cross-cut shredder to help declutter your files.  

Ditch Paper Receipts

There’s an app we are loving right now that will easily declutter your life in 2018. Foreceipt Receipt Tracker is a great way to take pictures of your receipts and organize them digitally, set budgets, and track your spending. It’s an easy way to both store the information you need while significantly cutting down on paper.

Organizing your storage, re-evaluating your financials, or cleaning out your closet doesn’t have to mean that book that you’ve been reading gets abandoned. Decluttering your life and sorting out your bills means bringing a renewed balance between your professional life and your personal life. For more information on how to start the new year right by better financial organizational tips, contact your friends and experts at Fairmont Federal Credit Union.  Call 304-363-5320 or visit one of our locations today.

Eight Reasons to Love a Credit Union

Being a part of a credit union has many benefits over large for-profit financial institutions. Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations that offer financial services to individuals who are eligible for membership. Membership provides an ownership share in the credit union and as such the member has control over the business practices of the organization. One similarity between a credit union and a bank is the fact that federal credit unions, like Fairmont Federal Credit Union (FFCU), are insured by NCUA’s National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, which is comparable to FDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund.

Perhaps you are wondering why people love credit unions so much. Here are seven reasons to consider.

1. Lifetime membership – Once an applicant meets the membership requirements for the credit union, they will always be a member. At FFCU, membership is open to individuals who live, work, worship, volunteer, goes to school or businesses in the West Virginia counties of Marion, Monongalia, Harrison or Taylor; or are employees of Valley HeathCare in Preston county.”
2. 24/7 account access – Access your account at over 55,000 surcharge-free ATM machines.
3. Electronic Banking – Mobile and online banking allows instant access to funds and account information from anywhere in the world.
4. Low or no fees – Depending upon the account you choose, credit union members enjoy considerably lower fees than those who have traditional bank accounts.
5. Family benefits – Immediate family members, including a spouse, parent, child, sibling grandparent or grandchild are qualified to join the FFCU even if the eligible family member chooses not to join.
6.  eStatements – Get your account transactions sent to your email account instead of waiting for a paper statement.
7. People first – Because credit unions are part of the communities in which they operate, they are more connected to the needs of the community, often taking time to reach out to underserved populations.
8. Discounts for other retailers – As a credit union member, one of unique benefits includes enrollment at lovemycreditunion.org. This rewards program offers credit union members valuable discounts to a variety of local and national retailers.

At Fairmont Federal Credit Union, our goal is to provide our members with valuable financial services that offer rewards based on membership. Each of our members are a valuable part of our credit union community. Contact us for more information on credit union membership as well as our reasonable lending and account products. 

New Year, New You: Financial Fitness for 2017

2017 is here, and with it, the commercials for gym memberships and fitness clubs. They all proclaim the same basic message: that the new year is the time to fashion a new you. In addition to physical fitness, this year, take the steps to creating your financially-fit self. Taking stock of just what sort of shape you’re in and toning up those areas that need attention will get you on the road to fitness in no time!

Make sure these financial “muscle groups” are given a workout:

• Check your credit report and score. Knowing how attractive your financial situation is to would-be creditors is a valuable guide for what you’re doing right, and what needs improvement. It’s also a necessary tool for making sure all accounts are legitimate and in good standing. Check for any accounts that you don’t recognize, as this could indicate you’ve been a victim of identity theft.
• Set concrete goals. Whether it’s setting aside more of your paycheck for retirement, building your emergency fund, paying down debt, and/or reducing your discretionary spending, having tangible goals to work towards will help you stay on track. Many Americans--even high earners--don’t have $1,000 in savings to cover an emergency, let alone the recommended 6 months of living expenses saved for major life events such as a job loss or health crisis. For more ideas on making New Year’s financial resolutions, check out our Resource Center or look over our "Emergency Financial First Aid Kit".
• Make sure you’re well-insured. Most people think of auto and health insurance, but what about life insurance, homeowner’s or renter’s, disability and long-term care insurance? Many of these forms of overlooked insurance are relatively affordable, and protect you in case of an emergency. To find out more information and how you can save money on insurance check out, TruStage.
• Meet with a financial planner. Despite the myriad online tools and resources, we have today, sitting down with an expert and getting a second opinion is still invaluable. Sometimes, just speaking about the state of your finances and goals  followed by  feedback from a professional puts everything in perspective.

Fairmont Federal Credit Union is here for you to reach your 2017 financial fitness goals! For more financial tips and tools, our online Resource Center contains helpful budgeting calculators, security and fraud awareness information, helpful links, and much more.

Fairmont Federal Credit Union is a non-profit financial institution in West Virginia that serves anyone living or working in Marion, Monongalia, Harrison and Taylor Counties and several select employee groups (SEGs) in Preston County. We are owned and operated by and for our members. Our services extend to savings, checking, IRAs, home mortgage loans, and more. Please visit our website or call (304) 363-5320 today for more information!

Fairmont Federal Credit Union Keeps You Sane this Holiday Season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—the time when city sidewalks are dressed in holiday style, sleigh bells ring, and baby, it’s cold outside! Yes everyone—the holiday season has arrived! Something else that has arrived with the holiday season is holiday shopping.

For many, that means many trips to your local mall or department store, in search of the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. With plenty of people to buy for and not enough hours in the day, it is understandable to become flustered. But one aspect of holiday shopping that should not make you stressed is how you are going to pay for your gifts. Because you are a valued member of Fairmont Federal Credit Union, you know there are plenty of ways that you can pay for every gift this year.

As you begin making your list (and checking it twice), here is our own list for you, that must be used in order to maintain your sanity this holiday shopping season! This is how FFCU can keep you as stress free as possible during your one (or many) Christmas shopping trips this year!

Use your FFCU Debit Card

Your FFCU debit card is a convenient solution to pay for all of your shopping needs this season!  Choose debit or credit to pay for that sweater for Grandma and those toys for your nieces!

Take Advantage of Visa Checkout

With Visa Checkout, all you do is click, pay, and be on your merry way! Not only is your data guarded with multiple security layers, Visa Checkout is also easy for you to use. With just one password, you can securely make your payments with a single login from any device! Sounds like the gift that keeps on giving!

Monitor Your Spending On the Go with Online Banking and Mobile Banking

Online banking allows you to manage your account by viewing transactions and reviewing purchases! Not close to a computer during your holiday shopping spree? Mobile banking is the solution for you—simply download the app and get all the benefits of online banking right from your phone!

Need Cash? Visit a Surcharge Free ATM

Fairmont Federal Credit Union is pleased to offer over 55,000 ATMs where YOU don’t pay a surcharge! Our website gives you detailed information about where these ATMs can be found, check it out to find an ATM near you!   www.fairmontfcu.com/locations