Alaskan at Heart Blog

If you’ve ever enjoyed a night of mosquito-filled, chilly-yet-gorgeous Alaskan tent camping, the thought of owning an RV or camper has likely crossed your mind. Wouldn’t it be nice to get out and explore more of Alaska (and everywhere else) from the comfort of your own traveling home?

With the holiday season in full swing, your budget may be feeling the strain of extra gift-buying, grocery shopping and even utility costs. Unfortunately, those light-up reindeer on your rooftop don’t run on magic! To help you keep the holiday spirit alive without stressing about that bottom line, CU1 has handy tips and tricks to protect your debt load and overall financial well-being during the biggest spending period of the year. Make use of the info below, so you can kick back with a glass of eggnog and truly enjoy this special time of year!

Boy we had a beautiful autumn in Alaska this year. Those golden leaves, sunshiny mornings and steaming mugs of pumpkin spice made it a season to be admired. Unfortunately (or fortunately, that’s OK too), winter is right around the corner – which means it’s time to prep our pocketbooks for cold weather! Thankfully, there are many money-saving steps you can take today to slash your bills over the coming months.

What an exciting time! You’re in the market for your first car, which means new found 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. 

Budgets are like the New Year’s resolutions of personal finance. We all know we should have one and we all know it’s a fairly simple thing to follow—at least in theory. Like resolutions, we often map out personal budgets with the best of intentions, only to abandon them a couple of weeks later.

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.

Lately, you may find yourself exhibiting a few unfamiliar behaviors, such as snuggling up in blankets, sipping on cocoa or silently cursing your car in the morning. Don’t worry, folks. Winter is here, and we can survive it together! While many people dread the snowy season, there is one undeniable bright side: ‘tis also the season of GIVING! Each of our upcoming holidays celebrates the spirit of saying “thank you” to the ones we love, the ones who help us enjoy each day, and our Alaskan community. If you’ve ever struggled with how to express thanks to these important people, you’re in luck! The CU1 team has collaborated on great gift ideas for all the “helpers” in your life. Below is a brief list of guidelines to get started. Next, move on to our Pinterest board for visualization of more great ideas!

A few weeks ago, we shared a blog about what exactly your credit score means and we gave you the scoop on 13 things you didn't know about credit. Now that you know what your number represents, let’s look at ways to improve it! When you have a healthier credit score, you’ll enjoy lower loan interest rates – which basically means you pay less for the money you borrow. Win-win! 

Want to learn even more about credit? Sign up for a FREE Discover Financial Fitness class offered in-person and online.

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