May 25, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
Selling Your Home
Whether you need some more space, are ready to downsize into something a bit more manageable, or are relocating to a new place, you should prepare for the emotional and financial impacts of selling your home.
April 24, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
Insuring Your Home
Home Insurance is absolutely essential to protect what is likely your largest investment: your home.
April 17, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
Learning to Budget
A budget is a plan for how you’ll spend your money. To create one, you divide your income (the money you get) into your expenses (the things you buy).
April 10, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
Working with a Mortgage Lender
Applying for a mortgage is a big endeavor. Most lenders require you to complete a mortgage application—a comprehensive financial statement.
March 20, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
Is the Money in My Account Safe?
Your financial institution is one of the safest places to store your hard-earned cash. The best part? All you have to do is open an account.
March 10, 2023
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
4 Tips for Using Peer-to-Peer Payment Apps
Whether you’re splitting the bill at a restaurant with friends, paying back your parents, or buying snacks at a sports event, it’s hard to beat the convenience of peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, Google Pay, Cash App, and PayPal.
March 2, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
50 Internet Safety Tips for 2023
Cybersecurity risks have grown just as rapidly as technology has and online scam artists are always finding new ways to lower a system’s defenses.
February 28, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
3 Jar Allowance for Kids
The sooner you teach your children the basics about budgeting, the better, and the 3-jar money system is a great way to get started.
February 9, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
Completing a Return
Filing a tax return is a matter of following the line-by-line instructions that come with your tax form. Each form has its own set of instructions and includes a number of charts and worksheets to help you figure out if you're eligible for credits, deductions, and exemptions.
February 3, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
Scams Targeting Seniors
Scammers target seniors more aggressively than any other group. Recognizing the most common scams helps prevent your money and personal information from getting stolen.
January 23, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
Paying Taxes
Many major life changes, such as buying a new home, changing jobs, getting promoted, starting a business, having a child, and more, will have tax implications. But that doesn't always mean you'll owe more to the federal government.
January 19, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
Tax Brackets and Statuses
How much you owe in federal income taxes is determined by many factors, but your tax bracket and status will likely have the biggest impact.
January 11, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
Meet Your 401(k)
Even if you’re just starting your first real job—actually, especially if you’re just starting your first real job—it’s time to start thinking about retirement. That’s not a comment on how motivated or unmotivated you are, or a suggestion that you should wish your life away. It’s just reality.
January 6, 2023
by: banzai
by: banzai
Tracking Your Joint Expenses
It’s hard enough keeping track of your own expenses. So you shouldn’t be surprised that managing money as a team effort can test your patience, especially if your partner has a different method of keeping financial records—or worse, no method at all.
December 21, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
Picking the Right Credit Card for You
Finding the right credit card isn’t as easy as filling out the first application you get in the mail—or at least it shouldn’t be. To use credit to your maximum advantage, it’s best to shop around before picking the right card for your needs.
December 21, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
How To Manage Your Debt: Strategies & Tools
Even if you're financially responsible, life's unpredictable nature can sometimes catch you off guard, at times making it dangerously easy to fall into debt. Discover how to start managing your debt with these tips and tools.
December 15, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
Mobile Banking
Mobile banking provides a convenient, safe way to access your funds when you're unable to visit a branch.
December 9, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
A Practical Guide to Bitcoin
Over the past decade, cryptocurrency has grown in popularity, yet it’s still “cryptic” to many. As the foundational and most popular cryptocurrency, understanding the basics of Bitcoin can help you unravel the riddle of crypto.
December 2, 2022
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
Renting Rulebook
If you want the best renting experience possible, there are a few rules you should follow.
November 28, 2022
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
Trusts
A trust, similar to a will, is a way to designate what happens to a person’s belongings after they pass away.
November 18, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
14 Ways to Cut Household Expenses
Changes to the economy, your situation, or your goals may prompt you to take a look at your budget for opportunities to save. But where do you start? These lists will help you make changes, both big and small, to your budget.
November 11, 2022
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
Leaving a Job with a 401(K)
When you leave a job with a 401(k), you’ll generally have four options for what to do with the money. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, so deciding what’s right for you will depend on your situation and preferences.
October 27, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
The Upside of Frugality
Frugal living discussions often talk about pinching pennies or “stretching a dollar.” A penny saved is a penny earned, or so the saying goes, but is that actually the case?
October 21, 2022
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
Certificate of Deposit
If you're willing to wait, a CD can be a great way to earn a high interest rate on the money you deposit.
October 17, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
Savings Accounts
If you're building an emergency fund, saving for a big purchase, or getting money together to invest, using an insured savings account can put you on the right road.
October 7, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Use Psychology to Build a Budget You’ll Stick With
When you start looking for financial advice (or any kind of advice, for that matter), experts will share their take on what’s “good” and what’s “bad.” In personal finance, there are some classifications that we can all agree on: Debt is bad. Emergency funds are good. Overdrawing your account is bad. Earning interest on your savings is good.
September 30, 2022
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
What a Car Loan Costs
September 26, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
Opening Your First Account
Opening an account at a bank or credit union is the first step toward owning your personal finances. Best of all? It’s super easy.
September 16, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
7 Internet Safety Rules
Follow these 7 internet safety rules to help keep yourself and others safe online.
September 9, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
How to Overcome ‘Credit Card Shyness’
News outlets and credit card companies are quick to label millennials as being credit card-shy. According to a recent survey, millennials apparently fear their credit card debt more than climate change, the threat of war and even death. It may sound like an overreaction, but the underlying trend is substantial: millennials are carrying fewer cards and have lower balances, compared to the previous generation of young adults.
September 2, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
Improve Your Cybersecurity
It’s likely you use a phone, computer, or some other device every day (you’re even using one right now!). But just because you use it often doesn’t mean you can let your guard down.
August 26, 2022
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
Getting a Car
When looking for a new car, you have three main options: buy used, buy new, or lease.
August 11, 2022
Check It Out
Still stashing money under beds, in ceiling tiles, or under floorboards? You may even use a safe to protect your cash. Yes, these are fun, creative ways to secure money, but they aren't great for all your income. Instead, it’s time to take safe-guarding your money a little more seriously. Checking accounts—they’re serious—and safe.
August 11, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
When You Can't Afford Your Minimum Payments
It’s scary to find yourself in a situation where you can’t afford your monthly debt payments. Whether that’s due to a sudden life change, like a job loss or illness, or if you’ve simply found yourself unable to keep up, there are steps you can take.
August 3, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
College Budget Breakdown
Most people ask, "How much does college cost?"—that’s the first mistake. It’s not to say this question isn’t answerable, but grouping college into one huge expense can be a little deceiving.
August 1, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Auto Insurance
Auto insurance is not only often a legal requirement, it's also absolutely vital to your financial health.
July 19, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
What is a HELOC?
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a line of credit that allows you to tap into your home’s equity.
July 15, 2022
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
To Buy or Not to Buy?
They say there’s no place like home, but does that mean you have to purchase one to get the benefits? Just like everything else, buying a home has its pros and cons.
July 8, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
When’s the best time to write a business plan?
Writing a business plan is an essential part of building a successful business. At its core, a business plan is a road map for your project: it establishes your purpose, it sets goals and expectations, and it forecasts the relationship between cost and revenue. Business plans exist in many forms: some formal and some informal.
June 30, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
The Effect of Time on Investing
Investing can seem like a very risky, complex and fast-moving process. With endless combinations of investment vehicles to choose from, it can be difficult to take your first step as an investor—especially with the knowledge that all investments carry the risk of losing some or all of your money. So why bother?
June 22, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Where You Seek Financial Advice Says a Lot About You
How did you decide where to open your first bank account? Where did you learn to budget or pay bills? If you have a money question now, what do you do? Who do you turn to?
June 16, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
How to Stop Lifestyle Creep in its Tracks
Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming about all of the amazing lifestyle changes that await you just beyond your next pay raise? Have you ever fantasized about how to spend a work bonus, only to have the money instantly disappear into your monthly spending? If this sounds familiar, you might be prone to lifestyle creep.
June 10, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Why Is It Called A Credit Union?
While bank and banking are universally understood and accepted terms, the term credit union is still largely misunderstood and unknown to many. Credit union is an unusual term, isn’t it? Is it just another name for a bank? Is it a credit card company? Do I have to be in a union to join?
June 2, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
It Pays To Start Saving Now
In case you haven’t heard, compound interest is the best.You may remember it as an equation you had to memorize for math class, but it’s so much more than that. It’s the concept that powers all sorts of savings and investment products and, over time, allows you to turn your money into, well, more money!
May 27, 2022
The Dos and Don’ts of Debt Repayment
Consumer debt is an extremely contradictory part of our personal finances: it’s at once common and incredibly personal. According to numerous sources, the majority of US adults owe money in some way, shape or form—and yet what this consumer debt represents can vary drastically from person to person. To some, a debt might signify a major accomplishment or progress toward a large goal. To others, it might be a constant reminder of a time of crisis or hardship. The decisions that lead us to consumer debt can be thoughtful and deliberate, or rushed and misguided. It is perhaps these differences that make it challenging to talk openly about debt for fear of judgment.
May 18, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Living On Your Own And “Bill Time”
Living on your own for the first time can be empowering. It means having independence and all the things that come with it. Some of those things—like not having to share a bathroom—are wonderful. Others—like killing spiders yourself—are not so fun. And leading the pack in the not-so-fun category: bills.
May 17, 2022
by: SavvyMoney
by: SavvyMoney
College Planning
While the price tag for a college education has edged down slightly during the pandemic, it’s important to plan ahead to determine how to fun – or partially fun – tuition, fees, room, board and everything else for four (or more) years of undergraduate studies.
May 12, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
Romance & Dating Scams
They love me, they love me not. Here’s how you can prevent yourself from falling victim to some of the sneakiest crimes out there—romance scams.
May 5, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
Scams Targeting Seniors
Scammers target seniors more aggressively than any other group. Recognizing the most common scams helps prevent your money and personal information from getting stolen.
April 29, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Learn to Spend, Save and Give
For most people, spending comes naturally. Saving up for something special is harder. And setting money aside for giving is really hard.
April 22, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
What does it mean to be a credit union member?
Even though there are over 5,000 credit unions in the United States, many misconceptions about their structure and their services still exist. One popular-but-false assumption is that the term “credit union member” is interchangeable with the term “credit union customer.” It might seem like a harmless mistake, but the concept of membership is what sets credit unions apart from other financial institutions. A “member” isn’t an empty marketing term—it reflects your credit union’s commitment to co-operative values and shapes your entire banking experience. As a member, you’re a part owner, you have a say in how your credit union is run and you get to share in its success in tangible ways.
April 14, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Why Do People Borrow Money?
Borrowing money comes at a cost. This extra cost is called interest. If borrowing money costs more, why do people still do it? Here are three reasons why:
April 8, 2022
Choosing your financial institution
March 31, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
What is Opportunity Cost?
You make many choices every day. You choose how to spend your time. You choose how to spend your energy. You also choose how to spend your money.
March 24, 2022
The 3 Hidden Expenses of Pet Ownership
According to the American Pet Products Association, nearly 70% of all US households own a pet. That translates into an estimated $86 billion spent on food, supplies, medical care and pet services in 2018. Although the love and companionship our furry (or feathered, or scaly) friends provide is priceless, it’s impossible to ignore the effect that pet ownership has on our wallet.
March 18, 2022
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
Ransomware
Everyone has secrets—personal data, passwords, private documents, etc—and people will spend lots of money to keep this information secret or gain access to it. Ransomware is just one way that hackers win access to personal information, expecting its owner will pay to win it back.
March 4, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Four Questions to Ask Yourself Before Signing a Mortgage
Asking the right questions is an important part of every financial decision you make, and home ownership is no exception. If you’ve been thinking about buying a place, preliminary research will turn up a long checklist of questions for you to ask at every part of the process. There are questions for your financial institution, questions for your mortgage broker and questions for your real estate agent. But what about the questions you should be asking yourself?
February 23, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Buying vs. Renting a Home: Are You Getting the Right Advice?
The average person moves residences about 11 times in their lifetime. That provides a lot of opportunity to confront the following question: is it better to own your home or to rent it? It’s a huge decision that affects your lifestyle as much as it does your finances, and the answer will vary depending on who you ask. There are compelling arguments to be made for both sides and the resulting advice—though well-intentioned—can quickly become confusing and contradictory. So, is paying rent really just a waste of money? Or is it true that you can make more money by renting than by owning a home? Take a closer look at six snippets of common owning-versus-renting advice:
February 17, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Pay Yourself First: How to Automatically Start Saving More Money
Like going to the gym or eating a healthy diet, saving money is one of those concepts that’s simple to grasp but weirdly challenging to put into practice. We understand its benefits. We agree that it’s essential to our well-being. We know that it’s something we should be doing. But paycheck after paycheck, it’s the same routine: after the bills have been paid and the regular expenses have been looked after, there just isn’t quite enough left over for our savings goals. We blame our lack of financial willpower and promise ourselves we’ll do better next paycheck, but more often than not, the cycle repeats itself. If this scenario seems all too familiar, consider automating your personal finances in order to pay yourself first.
February 10, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
The Secret History of the Wall Street Bull
Bulls and bears can be considered the unofficial mascots of the stock market. They represent the upward and downward movements of the stock market over a period of time and have even come to describe investor behavior (optimistic investors are said to be bullish, while investors with a pessimistic outlook are said to be bearish). In a field typically known for its confusing financial terminology and often uninspired language, the bull and bear symbols really stand out—and this is especially true in Lower Manhattan.
January 26, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Breaking Up with Name Brands
Picture this: you’re steering your shopping cart through the sliding doors of the supermarket, shopping list in hand. As you walk the aisles, there’s a strategy you can use to save an average of 33% on your entire purchase. It doesn’t require any coupon clipping or rewards cards. And the best part? You still get every single item on your list. The secret? Buying private-label products instead of brand-name products.
January 24, 2022
by: SavveyMoney
by: SavveyMoney
Frugal February Challenge
Frugal February
January 21, 2022
by: banzai
by: banzai
Recognizing and Avoiding Scams
Con artists cheat Americans out of billions of dollars every year. Recognizing red flags for potential scams can help protect you, your loved ones, and your hard earned cash.
January 14, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Keep or Toss: How Long Should I Hang Onto My Financial Documents?
Every year, it’s nice to do a bit of “financial spring cleaning” and declutter your filing cabinet, your desk drawers, and the various hiding places where miscellaneous scraps of paper tend to accumulate and multiply. Read on to find out what you should be saving, and what’s OK to shred.
January 7, 2022
by: IAMT
by: IAMT
Boost Your Credit Score: 4 Myths Debunked
Credit scores are an area of personal finance that seem a lot more mysterious than they actually are. Many people believe that improving them is a matter of trial and error and, as a result, there’s a lot of “credit score advice” floating around that can end up doing more harm than good. Four common credit score myths have been rounded up and debunked below:
December 23, 2021
Are Checks Obsolete?
Checks hold an odd place in our personal finances. In many ways, checks seem like relics from a previous era. We maybe write one or two checks a month (usually for rent or similar bill-paying situations where electronic payment simply isn’t an option). This is vastly different from only a few decades ago, when checks represented more than 85% of all non-cash retail payments. (Can you imagine whipping out a checkbook in line at the grocery store? Times have certainly changed!)
December 20, 2021
by: Savvymoney
by: Savvymoney
5 Financial New Year’s Resolutions
December 16, 2021
Keeping Your Money Safe
Imagine this: you are out for a walk and you find a stack of shiny gold bars. Where do you put your treasure to keep it safe?
December 16, 2021
by: Banzia
by: Banzia
Be Prepared, Because Life Happens
An emergency fund is an essential part of your personal finances. Its importance is stressed in almost every personal finance book and budgeting blog, and yet 26% of Americans currently have no emergency fund in place. Of those who do have an emergency fund, up to two-thirds do not have the often-recommended six months’ worth of expenses saved up.
December 9, 2021
5 Identity Theft Jackpots (and How You Can Safeguard Against Them)
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.
December 1, 2021
by: SavvyMoney
by: SavvyMoney
5 points of Financial Data you should check before end of year.
Prepare your tax documents – One third of Americans file their taxes at the last minute. Filing late could cost you additional penalties, interest, or fees. Most common tax forms include:Wage information
Photo identification
Personal information for all filers
Previous year(s) tax returns
Charitable donations
Childcare or education expenses
Itemized medical expenses
November 23, 2021
5 Totally Free Things You Can Do to Support Your Local Economy
Supporting your local community is a positive thing—it builds relationships, it strengthens the local economy, and it makes your neighborhood a happier and healthier place to work and play. The most obvious way to support your surrounding community is with the choices you make with your dollars. Money you spend in your community is recirculated in the local economy instead of being extracted from it. This translates into more local jobs, more opportunities for local business owners and service providers, and more tax dollars that stay in the community. Supplementing your grocery shopping list with fresh farmers’ market finds, choosing independent cafés and restaurants over national chains, and purchasing art and gifts from local vendors are all simple ways to support your local economy.
November 18, 2021
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
Filling Out the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application for financial aid made up of scholarships and grants that the government awards to students based on their needs.
October 27, 2021
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
The Cost of a Mortgage
A mortgage is likely going to be one of the largest loans you'll take out in your life. It's essential to understand all that goes into the cost and your responsibility in paying it back.
September 30, 2021
Reasons to Refinance
Refinancing can be beneficial if everything lines up in your favor. What can you get out of it? The list is long and exciting for someone stuck with loan payments that they aren’t happy with.
September 23, 2021
Career choice roller coaster
This blog post is geared to younger kids in 1st – 5th grade. It’s a great starting for when children begin talking about what they want to be when they grow up! After reviewing the comic, some great questions to ask kids include:
September 22, 2021
by: SavvyMoney
by: SavvyMoney
Budgeting from Halloween to Christmas
Retail sales during the November - December 2020 holiday season grew at an unexpected high rate of 8.3%. Sales are expected to grow again in 2021.
September 15, 2021
Why We Get Scammed
If you use a cellphone or have an email account, you’ve almost certainly been exposed to an attempt at mass marketing fraud. Common examples include being interrupted by an annoying robocall just as you start eating lunch, or waking up to a suspicious message in your email inbox that somehow slipped through the spam filter. Sometimes, the attempted fraud is kind of funny—the wording is so strange or the premise is so ridiculous (“An exiled prince needs my help transferring a million dollars? Really?”) that we’re left wondering how anyone could possibly fall for such an obvious money grab.
September 3, 2021
To Lease or To Finance: That is the Question!
When it comes to buying a new car, you have three options: purchasing it with cash, purchasing it through a loan (also known as financing) or leasing it. For most shoppers, the decision comes down to buying or leasing.
August 27, 2021
Budgeting With 50/30/20
Budgeting is a skill that helps you make smart decisions with your money. It ensures that you’re spending less than you earn, it prepares you for life’s curveballs, and it funds your goals and your dreams. Unfortunately, budgeting is often seen as restrictive and overwhelming. Financial priorities are deeply personal, so it can be challenging to find the right combination of strategies and tools that work for you.
August 25, 2021
Speed to Savings
Kohler Credit Union members are able monitor their credit by using Credit Insights, our free credit monitoring tool available in digital banking. Want to learn more about credit scores? Click here to read more about your credit score and why it’s important or check out our credit score videos on It’s a Money Thing.
August 24, 2021
Finding the Loan That's Right for You
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).
August 9, 2021
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
Emergency Funds
One of the most effective tools for preventing a large-scale financial disaster is an emergency fund, an amount of money that is set aside to cover unexpected expenses, or to keep you afloat if no regular income is coming in.
August 6, 2021
5 Good Money Habits to Boost Your Retirement Savings
Think back to your most recent savings goal. How long did you have to save in order to reach it? Was it a concert ticket or some new shoes that took a few weeks of budgeting? Was it a big-ticket item like a new computer or a summer vacation that took a year or two of planning in advance? Perhaps you’re currently saving for an even more ambitious goal: a car, a wedding, a down payment on a home? Although savings goals vary from person to person and range in size and scope, it’s likely that your longest-term savings goal will be your retirement.
July 28, 2021
Four ways to boost your credit score starting now
Kohler Credit Union members are able monitor their credit by using Credit Insights, our free credit monitoring tool available in digital banking. Want to learn more about credit scores? Click here to read more about your credit score and why it’s important or check out our credit score videos on It’s a Money Thing.
July 23, 2021
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
Credit Score
A credit score is a number that potential lenders will use to determine whether they should lend you money, how much, and at what interest rate.
July 2, 2021
5 Ways to Lower the Cost of Tuition Before Considering a Student Loan
If you’re considering financing your college education with the help of a student loan, the smartest thing you can do for yourself is to only borrow what you truly need. (This advice applies to pretty much all loan products, by the way.) Pursuing post-secondary education should be an exciting time in your life. You’re making decisions and opening up possibilities that will shape your future—a future that is adventurous and fulfilling and that decidedly does not include years and years of crippling debt.
June 18, 2021
by: Banzai
by: Banzai
To Buy or Not to Buy?
There are some compelling reasons to buy real estate, but it's not a clear-cut situation for everyone.
May 5, 2021
by: Emilee Shostrom
by: Emilee Shostrom
3 reasons a credit union is the best choice for your next auto loan
Are you looking at purchasing a new or used vehicle? Here are three reasons why a credit union is the best choice for your next loan:
