Losing a job is one of the most stressful financial challenges many Americans face. If this happens to you, remember that you’re not alone. Our team is here to support you through this transition...

Earlier this year, we made members aware of plans to close dormant accounts by September 9, 2024.

If you’re like many young Americans, a large chunk of your income goes toward paying down debt. Paying off student loans and credit cards as soon as possible is a smart move – you can save on..

Tired of throwing away your hard-earned money on rent each month? Want to buy a new home but don't have the funds for a down payment? Look no further than Hanscom Federal Credit Union's No-Money-Down..

Check fraud is a growing problem that can have devastating effects on your finances and personal well-being. In this blog post, we'll explore what check fraud is, why it's on the rise, and what you..

Do you remember when your folks insisted on knowing where you were going, who you’d be with, and when you’d be back when you were a teen? It wasn't very pleasant then, but as an adult, you probably..

Imagine receiving a call from a loved one who says they’re in distress and urgently needs your help. Your heart beats rapidly, and your breath becomes shallow. All your senses are heightened as you..

Many people use the terms "heir" and "beneficiary" interchangeably, but there are important differences between the two designations. Here's how an heir and a beneficiary differ:

Have you been watching your home's value increase over the years and want to leverage that equity?

If so, there are several reasons why you might consider tapping into this valuable asset, such as..

When you’re checking out at your favorite online retailer, you notice one of the payment options includes a way you can pay for your purchase in four interest-free installments. Which, for many..

If you've moved to a new neighborhood recently or feel like the checking account you have today won't serve your financial needs tomorrow, don't settle for less — you have the freedom to switch to a..

We're guessing that paying your bills isn't high on your list of favorite tasks. However, rushing through it or putting bills off can cost you — big!

On Valentine’s Day, thoughts of love surround us.

Unfortunately, so does the work of scammers.

Ever notice that your spending and consumption tend to increase as your income grows over time? Then you're well acquainted with the concept of  "lifestyle creep."

More money in your hand often means..

If you decided to buy the dip this year and dove into the world of cryptocurrency (crypto) investing, there’s likely one more important step in your education: filing taxes*. Whether you bought..

Karlie* was a hard-working corporate attorney living in a luxury condo in Boston. She loved shopping and always seemed to have a new outfit, whether she was at work or meeting a friend after hours.

We share our stories, connect with family and friends, and express ourselves online. But how much sharing is too much?

You open your latest credit card statement and notice a charge at a large big box retailer. The problem? You don't remember shopping there and the charge doesn't look familiar.

You hear it every time you step up to the counter to pay: “Would you like to save an extra 20% on your purchases when you open up a credit card with us today?” I feel a little foolish declining any..

Do you have some money to invest but don’t know where to begin? A Share Certificate can be a great entry point for those looking to build their investments.

If you've ever had to wait for your paycheck, you know how frustrating it can be.

Thankfully, there is an easy solution that will help you get your money faster: direct deposit. With direct deposit,..

Everything you need to know about HELOCs

They say home is where the heart is – it may be where the smart borrowing is, too! If you've lived in your home for a while, you may have equity built up that..

Refinancing your vehicle loan is a little-used, yet valuable, tool that can help you save money. If you find yourself in any of these situations or are just curious to see if you could lower monthly..

Money management can be intimidating and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. By developing the right money habits and strategies, you can keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. Here..

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..

What Is Home Equity?

Home equity is the difference between the appraised value of your home and any current mortgage balance(s). For example, if your home is currently appraised at $325,000 and you..

Being a real estate investor is an appealing idea for many people. It can seem like a fun and lucrative way to make some extra money. But, of course, it’s not quite as simple as that. Before you sink..

Heating your home can be expensive, and this year it may be more so. Domestic energy usage has increased considerably in the last year. So how can you cut the high costs of heating your home this..

You could be skating on thin ice if you’re not mindful of holiday credit card spending. Splurging could cause you to fall through the ice into unmanageable debt— chilling indeed! Keep your head above..

You and your spouse have decided to split, or you’re in the midst of parting ways, and you’re wondering if you should try to negotiate to keep the house you’ve shared. In most cases, the primary..

When you're in the market for a new car, whether it’s your first or your next, you’ll see tons of ads promising super-low monthly payments that may sound too good to be true.

Everything You Want to Know Before You Borrow Home Equity

So you’re thinking about borrowing home equity, but you have a bunch of questions. What kinds of rates can I expect? What sorts of penalties..

Due to increased security in credit card and Internet transactions, traditional targets of electronic theft, many thieves are turning to other options to steal money, such as hijacking ATMs. This can..

How Do Homeowners Use Home Equity?

Rising residential real estate values mean an increase in home equity for American homeowners, and many are taking advantage of this fresh source of revenue. But..

My daughter made a purchase at a mall store recently. She stood at the register, counting out change from her piggy bank. The folks in line behind us smiled indulgently, charmed by her earnestness.

..

It has been an expensive year. The Consumer Price Index (CPI), a measure of economy-wide inflation, was up by 8.2 percent from September 2021 to September 2022, making it tougher to stretch your..

You have wants. You have needs. And you have two ways of paying for them – pull out the credit card or use the money you have set aside. Which would you prefer?

It’s a safe bet that most people would..

Looking to buy a home but don’t have 20 percent of the home price to put down upfront?

Want more space in the living room? Are you longing for a bathroom separate from the kids? Is your kitchen driving you crazy? When your current home no longer serves your needs, it may be time to..

There is no magic wand to poof away debt. But you can save money and pay what you owe faster by managing your credit card balances thoughtfully. Start with a close look at your finances, and follow..

Wouldn’t you like to know immediately if someone tapped your home equity line? Alerts will appear by email, text, or phone letting you know. Is someone trying to guess your login ID? Get alerts when..

Wedding season is now in full swing, and you might have a backlog of invitations to weddings re- and re-rescheduled over the last couple of years. That alone can get pricey, but add this rising..

Knowing how to get your credit reports and credit scores can be very confusing. There are many different options out there. First and foremost, there are a few key things to remember:

I learned two things from my no-cost Mass Save® home energy assessment: both the attic insulation and windows of my home are in great shape.

This was good news to hear before investing in central air..

When Amazon Prime Days roll around, they're an enticement for you to take advantage of deals galore on their website.

Unfortunately, they are prime days for phishers, who are already hard at work..

We often get members who'll come into a branch or call our Remote Support team to ask about opening a Certificate of Deposit (CD). Sometimes they're surprised to learn that we don't offer CDs; we..

There’s a lot of misinformation about car leasing that floats around, so don’t take your neighbor’s or your cousin’s word for it. Get the facts from a reliable source.

Here are three common..

If you're thinking about leasing a car, you likely have questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions people ask when they're considering a lease over financing:

My brother's voice was laced with panic. "Please call me back," he said in the voicemail. "I got a notice today that my credit score is in the 600s and I don't understand why."

Deciding among mortgage products and the rates associated with each can be overwhelming for home buyers. On a list of mortgage rates, you're going to see loan rates for both fixed-rate mortgages as..

Gone are the days when you could sell your house by doing a little cleaning and sticking a FOR SALE sign in front of your house. Maybe it’s because of all the interior design shows on TV and that..

Scammers love natural disaster headlines. These bad actors view devastating news of hurricanes, wildfires, and other catastrophes as opportunities to line their pockets. While federal, state, and..

Transferring money from an account at one financial institution to another used to be a headache, or at the very least, required a trip to the post office to mail a check, but today there are three..

What if your income stream suddenly stopped? Would paying for the essentials be difficult? What if an unexpected expense, such as a medical bill, popped up? Would you be able to pay it? Many people..

Women have made incredible strides towards equality in the last 50 years, especially in terms of financial independence. It’s almost a challenge to remember that we only attained the legal right to..

Whether you've been a homeowner for 15 minutes or 15 years, paying off your mortgage faster could help you free up cash for other financial goals. Your mortgage is likely your largest single monthly..

Weddings have a reputation for being incredibly expensive, and it can certainly be true. Even though there are less costly ways to have a wedding, the average cost for a wedding in the United States..

A trust might sound like something only a very wealthy person needs, but a living trust is a common estate planning tool more and more people are becoming interested in because of the benefits it can..

She opens her messages from the online dating site and her heart skips a beat.

Someone wants to meet her. But not just any man. He is the man of her dreams, dreams sparked the first time she watched ..

Investing in rental or commercial real estate is a common approach for those planning an alternative income stream, especially during retirement. Gicelle Brito, Hanscom FCU VP of Commercial Lending,..

An incredible 41 million Americans have federal student loans, and here’s some welcome news from them after what has been a rough twenty months: The government has extended a pause on federal loan..

Across the country, police departments are investigating a rise in thefts of catalytic converters from underneath cars and trucks. A catalytic converter is part of your vehicle's exhaust system, and..

Like many newlyweds, Tarah and Ryan of Littleton, MA, dreamed about becoming homeowners someday. Their first step? Getting a handle on their credit scores. A preliminary credit check surprised Tarah;..

I love modern technology – especially in the world of financial services. It has given local banks and credit unions the ability to provide the same service as the big banks and yet still maintain..

When you have too many unexpected expenses and not enough savings, it can feel like you've been thrown into the deep end. Matters only get worse when you know you have multiple credit cards you can..

If you're like a lot of holiday shoppers, you've already started hunting for pre-Black Friday bargains. But unlike in many years past, you might be planning to make the majority of those purchases ..

If you're looking to tap into the equity of your home, it'll be worth your time to do some homework. Understanding the pros and cons of loan products on the market and how each might impact you can..

There are several situations in which someone you care for may give you the legal authority to act on their behalf.

Two of these situations are as the executor of an estate and through a power of..

Unless you plan to start collecting 400-foot mega yachts, a vehicle is likely to be one of the largest purchases you will make in your life. By taking the time to properly plan and prepare for buying..

You see quizzes all the time on social media: What is your favorite flower? What kind of dog would you be if you were a dog? What state should you be living in?But here’s a question we can answer for..

Searching for ways to lower the federal taxes that your estate or heirs may owe after your death is exhausting. However, reducing tax liability through wise estate planning isn't as difficult as it..

For some taxpayers, the most frightening day in October arrives weeks before Halloween.This date that haunts taxpayers falls on Oct. 15, which is the last day to file a 2020 federal tax return if an..

Whether you just left the closing table or recently unpacked your last moving box, nagging emotions or troubling questions fill your head. For some people, it's an unsettling feeling that keeps them..

Floods, fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters can wreak havoc with your personal life, including your finances. The following tips can help you organize an action plan to tackle..

T-Mobile recently reported that millions of their customer accounts and prospective customers' accounts had been compromised by a cyberattack. (You can read T-Mobile's account of the cyberattack and..

When I went off to college, my parents took me into the local bank, set me up with my first checking account and that was it. No sage advice. No spreadsheet. No CliffsNotes version of Personal..

One of the interesting things about real estate is that there is a fixed amount of it in the world. This fact, combined with a wide variety of home improvement television shows, have many convinced..

It can be difficult to figure out how much of a car you can afford. Everyone has variables in their incomes, budgets, and spending; two people making the same income will have different amounts they..

After being stuck at home for over a year, many families are ready for a break. This break often comes in the form of a summer vacation. However, 2021 vacations look a little different from those of..

Refinancing your vehicle loan is a little-used, yet valuable, tool that can help you save your money. Here's how to know if refinancing makes financial sense for you.

Your refrigerator can cost you some cold, hard cash.

It's our responsibility at Hanscom FCU to keep your member information as safe as possible, and it's a responsibility I take seriously. Yes, I get that it can be frustrating to deal with the layers..

If overwhelming debt is causing you stress, you are not alone. Millions of Americans are suffering from anxiety and depression because they have difficulty paying their financial obligations.

Summer's finally here. The waves are crashing and the AC is blasting. With summer concert bands playing classic hits, fireworks exploding in the skies, and excited kids screeching joyously in splash..

Do you tune out when you're asked “credit or debit” at the cash register? I do. I'm asked so often, I just automatically respond, "Debit." It seems easier to enter my PIN right when I swipe my card..

To get in the highest offers from buyers, most houses could use some work before they're listed. However, not every seller has the time or money to make significant upgrades. Still, little things can..

Credit card rewards programs offer valuable incentives for your loyalty. Use them to pay for most purchases, and you could earn free merchandise, gift cards, travel vouchers — even cashback. Of..

You paid off a big loan last week but when a new lender runs your credit report, it still shows a large balance on your old loan.

That can be really frustrating, especially if you were counting on..

Congratulations, you did it. You’re a homeowner. The stress of securing financial approval, finding just the right house, and waiting for your offer to be accepted can be overwhelming. You deserve to..

In these days of record low housing inventories, buying a house can seem like a military campaign.

I enjoy our Lunch and Learn seminars because they give me a chance to share helpful information, and I get to hear what’s on everyone's mind when it comes to personal finance.

In this blog, I've got..

Everybody loves summer, right? School’s out. Students are graduating. Friends are getting married. And everybody’s thinking vacay! Trouble is, the costs for all that fun can add up and sink your..

It’s graduation season! Many college graduations have already taken place, high schools are finalizing the details of their commencement ceremonies and I’m getting ready to get on a plane to go..

Meet Tom. He lives in Boston and rides the T to work. He can walk or ride his bike almost anywhere else he needs to go. He’s just been offered a great job opportunity — a two-year placement outside..

Want to save money? Here are five questions worth posing to save money without spending a dime.

A year ago you went 45 days past due on a few of your bills when you lost your job. Luckily, you were able to find a new position quickly and catch up on the amounts you owed. Now you’re ready to..

Like many Americans over the past few months, you may have opened up your credit card bills and paid them without noticing your available credit limits were lower. 

Your car conks out or your dog needs emergency surgery. How would you pay for it?

Everyone loves getting the best deal, especially on a car.For many people, scoring discounts by visiting clearance racks at a favorite retailer is easy. It's harder, and often intimidating, to..

Getting a job is more than sending in your résumé, sitting through multiple interviews, and providing great references. Employers want to ensure they make the best hiring decisions, so they've turned..

Tax season is upon us, which means lots of Americans are moaning and groaning about their tax brackets. You may have heard a family member or friend complain along these lines:

"My promotion and..

The freshness of spring motivates a lot of people to throw open the windows and doors, and conduct a thorough spring cleaning. Spring is a great time to take stock of what you have, organize it so..

You've gotten through the last year relatively unscathed, but your credit report may have some collateral damage.

It's why the three major U.S. credit reporting agencies, Experian, Equifax, and..

You may be wondering which type of IRA you should contribute to: a traditional one or a Roth? Here's the difference between the two and how your contributions will affect your taxes.*

Taking a year off between high school and college — a gap year — has become more common in the U.S. over the last few years. A common path for European students, a gap year gives young adults time to..

Money experts and financial gurus frequently talk about avoiding "bad debt" and only taking on "good debt." There are even some outspoken experts who think all debt is "bad."

What makes one debt..

When you switch financial accounts, you'll want to make sure your payroll check makes the transition, too. It's actually a fairly straightforward process to make the switch, and you can accomplish it..

You know the basics when viewing properties. Flick the light switches, inspect the closets, take a deep sniff in the basement. But do you know the tools that can help you uncover a problem, and how..

You may have received a U.S. Savings Bond as a baby gift when you were born more than 30 years ago. Or perhaps your parents purchased them decades earlier, leaving behind a stash of 60-year-old bonds..

Banking is usually straightforward. Your paycheck shows up in your account via direct deposit, you pay your bills online, and you withdraw your spending money from the ATM. Everything's easy and..

You know what can be more valuable to a thief than the money in your wallet?

Information. Specifically personally identifiable information, or as security experts refer to it, PII.

And it's more..

If you’ve ever accessed your credit report, odds are that you've spotted some mistaken information in the file. Statistics show that the majority of people have errors on their credit reports. Do..

When a parent passes away, the loss can be made more difficult with the weight of trying to organize their financial affairs. The difficulty is compounded if they pass away suddenly and/or you don't..

That “unclaimed property” that you hear advertised on the radio...could some of it be yours? Have you ever wondered how and why an individual’s or company’s assets become unclaimed? How does that..

It's frustrating realizing your money is going toward someone else's mortgage when you're paying rent month after month. Make this the year your money goes toward a home of your own!

Here are four..

You might know one or two ways your credit union can save you money, but there are actually 5 important ways we help members keep more cash in their wallets. Here's how:

I spent the last night at my old house, sleeping on the hardwood floor with only a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a change of clothes beside me. Everything else I owned sat in a moving truck in the..

We've had several members contact us in the last week to tell us they'd been scammed by criminals posing as Norton reps urging them to renew their Norton AntiVirus subscriptions.

It's a fresh twist..

I've been collecting expired credit and debit cards in my desk drawer for awhile, waiting for the right time to pull my scissors out and start cutting. But then I started thinking: most of my cards..

When you're eager to grab the keys to your first set of wheels, the last thing you want to do is put on the brakes to consider finances. The anticipation of finally being free to go where you want,..

As we begin a new year, the pandemic continues, as do relief efforts. On December 27, 2020, another COVID-relief package — the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA)..

Moving your debt to a lower-interest credit card might seem like a smart solution to slow a growing balance, but that may not be the case. Fine print could reveal fees, changing introductory interest..

The pandemic has led to multiple waves of applications for unemployment benefits, and scammers are taking advantage of the situation to apply for benefits under false identities.

In this scam,..

Retirement experts say by the time you retire at age 67, you should have at least 10 times your annual salary saved. If that number is daunting, remember: the sooner in life you start saving, the..

Many people would rather purchase a car and won't consider leasing. Their reasoning is usually along the lines of, "Why would I rent when I could buy?" At first glance, it's a sensible argument, so..

Now that the government has passed a second stimulus package, it's time to prepare for the second check you'll be receiving sometime in 2021. The better prepared you are now, the more likely you are..

We're aware of an ongoing scam that's targeting financial institutions across the U.S. While we have no reports of our members being victimized, we urge you to remain vigilant about protecting your..

We're aware of an ongoing scam that's targeting financial institutions across the U.S. While we have no reports of our members being victimized, we urge you to remain vigilant about protecting your..

While it might not seem like there is much the average person can do to stop ID theft from happening, there are steps individuals can take to minimize personal risk. One of the most practical ones?..

Lack of buyer confidence may be the biggest obstacle in selling a used car on your own. Anyone looking to buy a pre-owned vehicle can go to a used car lot and get a car that has been checked over by..