Alaskan@Heart

In many ways, your credit score is like a Polaroid of your financial past. For lenders and many other businesses, this score serves as a snapshot that helps them understand your financial history! This understanding can have a huge impact on your financial future -- which is why caring for your credit score is so important. Whether you're new to the concept of credit scores or trying to turn a new page, below you'll find a guide to boost, maintain and leverage the power of your score. 

Credit scores. You know you have one. You know it’s important-ish, right? But do you know how to unlock the great mystery of improving it? Raising your credit score can mean a mighty financial power -- and we’re talking the awesome, money-growing kind. Here are three easy steps to get there.

Vegetables are good for you. Don’t touch electric fences. And hey, your credit score matters. All three of these statements are true, and you’ve likely heard them before. But when it comes to your credit score, does that warning feel a little vague? To help clear it up, here are three concrete ways that your credit score can impact your life (read: reasons you should care about it!).

Earlier in our credit score series, we talked about why your credit score matters and how to raise it. Now once you’ve reached your credit score goal, how can you use it to your advantage?

What an exciting time! You’re in the market for your first car, which means newfound freedom to go places.  You’ve likely set a budget and have some idea of what vehicle type you’d like – however, you may also need an auto loan to help make this dream happen. Don’t worry! Auto loans are pretty straightforward and simple. Here’s what you need to know:

Identity theft is nothing new, and yet it still manages to cost its victims billions of dollars (yes, that’s billions with a “b”) globally each year—not to mention the time and hassle involved in recovering a stolen identity. 

Loans help finance some of our biggest goals in life. They can provide access to possibilities that we can’t afford upfront—possibilities like going to school, buying a home or starting a business (to name just a few).

You’ve likely heard about credit scores before (thanks to all those commercials with terrible jingles), but what do you actually know about them? How long have they been around? And what’s the deal with checking them?

Has the steady employment you depend on suddenly come to an end? Many Alaskans are finding themselves in unsure waters these days as our job market changes and the economy adapts. If your own job is ending or at risk, there are steps you can take to prepare for the future! Act now before your bank account suffers – and remember that you always have a helping hand at Credit Union 1.

With the new year in full swing, we’re going to go out on a limb here. Do you have a bit of aging credit card debt you’d like to wipe off your slate? DON’T WORRY! It’s totally normal to want a fresh start. Plus, if you’ve chosen your existing credit cards wisely, you won’t pay an arm and a leg in interest as you work toward paying down your balance.

The question is how do you choose the right card?

Main priorities should be your interest rate, terms and any associated perks of the card (such as One for All Rewards). Take a look at a few different options below: