Protect Yourself from Mortgage Fraud

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

As Americans continue to struggle with economic difficulties, more and more folks find themselves in real danger of losing their home. It’s natural that people in such a situation would look for information and assistance wherever they can find it. Unfortunately, scammers realize this and are finding new ways to prey on vulnerable homeowners.
According to [...]

Opt in to Stay Covered: New Rules on Overdraft Protection

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

No question, getting your denied debit card back from an apologetic cashier can be embarrassing. And in an emergency situation—you’re stranded and need a taxi or a tow, for example—having the funds you need may even help you stay safe. Overdraft protection can ensure you have the money you need when you need it, even [...]

Amazing Rates = Right Time to Refi

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

 

 
 
 
 
With rates for mortgages still dipping into historically low territory, many homeowners are wondering if the time is right for a refinance. Refinancing to a lower rate could potentially save thousands of dollars in interest, shorten the time left on a loan or both. How do you know when a refinance is worth the work?
If [...]

The Right Time for an IRA

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

 
 
 
 
There’s never a bad time to begin or boost your retirement savings, but tax season is a particularly good time to consider your IRA options.
What are the choices?
A traditional IRA allows you to make contributions for immediate tax savings. The earnings of the IRA grow tax-deferred until you begin making withdrawals in retirement. The [...]

Room to Move: Extended Tax Credit

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

 
 
 
 
If you thought you’d missed out on the tax credit for homebuyers, you’re in luck. On November 6, 2009, President Obama signed into law an extension and expansion of the Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009. The extension of the credit, along with GHCU’s highly competitive rates, local servicing and low fees and the [...]

Repairing Damaged Credit

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
A high credit score is always a good goal, but in this difficult economy, credit is increasingly difficult—and expensive—to come by. However, those with the highest credit scores get the best rates on loans and credit cards. Here are some tips for improving any credit score:

Get current on your bills and stay there. Late payments [...]

ID Theft–Protect Yourself

Friday, June 26th, 2009

In a troubled economy, it’s more important than ever to keep an eye on your identity. Instances of ID fraud, according to the Javelin Strategy & Research Center, rose 22% from 2007 to 2008. According to their study, stolen personal information (obtained from a stolen wallet or purse) accounted for 43% of all ID theft; [...]

Pedal-powered saving

Monday, April 20th, 2009

I hope you’ll forgive the occasional bike-riding post; I’m a commuter biker with great enthusiasm for my two-wheeled, pedal-powered transit vehicle of choice. It’s a great way to save money, and these days, that’s worth getting excited about.
May is National Bike Month, and GHCU is forming its first-ever Bike to Work team. We’re at 6 [...]

Don’t throw away your good name

Monday, March 30th, 2009

GHCU is hosting a free, public shred-a-thon! Check our events page for more information or see details below.
One of the most common ways identity thieves get ahold of personal information is by digging through the trash. Once thieves have your details, they can drain your bank accounts, run up balances on your credit cards or [...]

“Securing” credit in a crunch

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

Secured cards are a great alternative for those seeking a credit source or to build or repair a credit history.