MoneyWisdom Blog

One of the biggest keys to a happy retirement is getting to do what you really want. After all, you’ve worked a long time to get to the point where you get to choose your activities. If your ultimate retirement involves a lot of R&R, and you’ve got the resources to do it, then by all means go for it.

More than likely, your grandparents’ credit union was associated with a workplace. Tucked away in a corner of the plant or operated out of a co-worker’s home, these small financial institutions offered employees access to banking services that often could not be obtained elsewhere.

A recent survey by The UPS Store, Inc., reveals that 66 percent of their respondents dream of opening a small business, motivated by desires such as being their own boss, seeing their idea come to life, and/or forging a new career path. Also high on respondents’ lists was their optimism that it’s a good time to start a small business.

Perhaps you’ve got the itch to strike out on your own and feel like 2019 is the year to take that leap of faith. Or maybe you’ve already hung up your shingle and need assistance as you grow. At Hanscom FCU, we want you to know we have tools and products designed for small businesses like yours, whether you’re an independent contractor, a mom-and-pop operation, or a fledgling corporation poised to be the next big thing.

Looking for that golden ticket to financial freedom? Multi-level marketing (MLM) companies want you to believe that a) there is such a thing and b) they are it.

From February 25 through March 2, Hanscom FCU will be offering free programs to help our military members save money, reduce debt, and build wealth. Military Saves week is coordinated by Military Saves, an initiative of America Saves...so if you're not in the military, you can also participate through America Saves Week, which runs concurrently. 

How can you make a budget when you are never sure how money will be coming in? It's a dilemma that many entrepreneurs, artists, and commission-only salespeople face. If doing the work you love to do is important to you, here are four things you can do to manage an unsteady source of income:

Job loss ranks as one of the top stressful events we encounter during our lives, right up there with a death in the family, a serious illness, and divorce. It not only can crush you emotionally and wreak havoc with your self-esteem, it can devastate you financially, especially when you're unprepared...and let's face it, most of us are caught short when we're handed a pink slip. The financial impact of job loss is probably the toughest challenge to face during this time, so it's critical to develop a plan that reduces as much financial stress as possible. Here are nine steps to take when you're facing unexpected unemployment:

Is your office kitchen area a savory or sour spot? Do smells emanating from the fridge or microwave turn your stomach? Do you constantly find some of your items missing, or have to deal with crumbs and dirty dishes that weren’t yours?

Are you hesitant to offer financial education as part of your wellness programs or employee benefits? You aren’t alone. Many of the employers and HR professionals I talk to are aware of the benefits of providing financial literacy support to their workers, but they are also mindful of the challenges.

I talk to a lot of small business owners and HR professionals who want to increase participation in their employer retirement plans. They invest a lot of resources into retirement benefits for employees, yet many are frustrated by low participation rates. 

In an effort to get employees interested in retirement plans, some employers try innovative techniques. For example, the office-supply company Staples created a vampire-themed game to make planning for retirement and money management more appealing to its busy associates.