MoneyWisdom Blog

It seems like every retail transaction we make involves some sort of secondary solicitation from the cashier. Do you want to donate to the charity du jour? Save 15% on today’s purchase by opening a store credit card? Sign up for our rewards program? (By the way, it's free and only takes two minutes to sign up!)

Even if the first two questions compel a hard no for you, signing up for a store rewards program might be worth it — especially when one is offered at a store you visit frequently and you want to save some cash.

So how do you know if a rewards program is right for you? Here are 7 things you should know before signing up for a store rewards program.

Organizing the needs and finances for our loved ones, family members, or our own retirement can be overwhelming. The good news is that there are many helpful organizations specializing in senior issues.

Beating incredible odds, you’re holding a winning lottery ticket in your sweaty-hands. Your heart is racing. You’ve checked the numbers more times than you can count. What should you do? Breathe. We spoke with several investment advisors and attorneys to find out the top advice for lottery winners, and we share their advice here.

To start, they advise that you don’t make any life changes right away. In fact, keep quiet about your winnings until you have had time to think through the consequences of making the news public. Don’t go on a spending spree. Don’t post your windfall on Facebook. Do everything that you can to maintain your privacy because predators will be knocking at your door. 

Next, follow these smart steps for lottery winners: 

Planning a funeral is not what most people would envision as a fun way to spend an afternoon, especially if it is your own funeral that you are planning. However, it is a task that should not be neglected. A funeral costs can quickly rise to upwards of $10,000, and without proper planning, loved ones can be stuck with bills they cannot afford to pay.

“Do you want your receipt?’’

We hear that question so often as clerks complete our transactions that we can be tempted to tune it out, dismissing it with a quick head shake as we dash off to the next receipt-generating errand.

But we shouldn’t. Taking that receipt can pay off...literally. It's a small piece of paper that can add up to big bucks.

Here are 6 reasons why you should always say yes to the receipt:

This week, it was scams, scams, scams...online scams, dating scams, and phishing scams. Read on to learn how to protect yourself from crooks eager to rip you off.

You’ve thought long and hard about who will take on guardianship of your minor children in the event of your death, and you want to make sure that a) this trusted friend or family member has enough money to cover the costs of raising them and b) your kids will have the funds to eventually pay educational costs and/or get their adult lives started.

The truth is, the process knowing how to distribute your assets is overwhelming, so we’re here to help with 6 things you should know about leaving money and assets to minor children.

As a credit union member, you're a savvy consumer. I’ll take it a step further: you're brilliant. This statement is underscored by a recent Bankrate.com survey that shows the average cost for an ATM withdrawal hit a record $4.72 in the last year, up 3.3% over the past three years and 33% the past decade. It's also a cost that you, in your wisdom, have chosen not to pay as a member of Hanscom FCU.

If you're applying for a home equity loan or HELOC (home equity line of credit), you'll want to make sure you get approved for the maximum amount you can. That figure will hinge on the appraised value of your home. Even if your property needs a lot of work — one reason why you might be applying for a loan in the first place! — a little TLC ahead of an appraisal can ensure you're approved for the loan amount that helps you achieve your goals. 

This week, see how Americans' credit scores have improved, understand last week's drop in the prime interest rate, and learn the tried-and-true way to build wealth.