Who doesn’t dream of becoming an instant millionaire? You might even have some detailed plans for how you’d spend an unexpected windfall if it were to happen. Imagine if a distant relative who’d been rolling in the stuff suddenly passed on and left you as their sole heir. Your dreams could now become a reality!…
Dealing with a Financial Setback
Financial setbacks come in all shapes and sizes. It can be an expensive household repair or major car trouble. It may be increases in your insurance plus a rent hike taking effect at the same time. Or, it can be something more extreme, like getting a pay cut at work- or even being given a…
Why Do I Need to Get Preapproved for a Loan?
Q: I’m in the market for a new home, and everyone I talk to, from friends to financial advisors, suggests I get preapproved for a mortgage before I start house hunting. Why is this so important? A: You’re actually on the receiving end of great advice. When looking to take out a large loan, whether…
Phone Cloning and Digital Self-Defense
Most of us realize a clone is a genetic copy of something else. But, did you know it is possible to clone a phone? Cloning a phone means that the identity of one phone is copied to another phone, making a nearly exact replica of the original. This frightening practice happens more than you might…
Should Couples Combine Their Finances?
To consolidate or not: that is the question. Some couples elect to consolidate their personal finances, while others largely keep their financial lives separate. What choice might suit your household? The first question is: how do you and your partner view money matters? If you feel it will be best to handle your bills and plan…
What Can I Do About Robocalls?
Are you sick of grabbing your ringing phone five times a day only to find yet another robocaller on the other end? If robocalls are getting to you, you’re not alone. Those super-annoying automatic calls have recently exploded, and it’s enough to make anyone go bonkers. More than 30 billion robocalls were made in the…
What’s the Best Way to Finance a Home Renovation?
Q: I’m doing some home renovations this summer and I’m not sure how to finance this expense. There are so many loan options, but which one makes the most sense? A: Whether you’re gutting your entire kitchen or turning your basement into a home theater, we’ve got you covered! As an Oregonians Credit Union member, you have…
The Dos and Don’ts of Credit Repair
If you’ve recently been rejected from a credit application of any kind, you may be looking at a poor credit score for any number of reasons. You might have been late with your credit card payments, have an outstanding judgment against you or have even been frauded or victimized by identity theft. Whatever the cause…
Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, and Tokenization: How to Stay Safe with the Wallet of the Future
Left your wallet at home? No worries; you can still pay for those purchases! Just use your phone. Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and other mobile wallets are revolutionizing the checkout experience by blending two developments in payment infrastructure to save you time: near-field communication (NFC) and token encryption. Approximately one-third of all payment terminals nationwide…
Don’t Let Financial Stress Take the (Wedding) Cake
There are so many things to think about when you’re just married, or about to be, and no one would rate finances as the most exciting of them. In fact, studies show that money (not relatives) is the number one reason couples argue. Those financial arguments are one of the top predictors of divorce. So,…
