Blog
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How to Recession-Proof Your Budget
The coronavirus has hurt the nation’s economy and it has likely impacted your finances as well. While a recession is out of your control, you can take steps to tighten things up at home. Here are some tips to recession-proof your budget.
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MEMBER ALERT 9.4.2020
Granite State Credit Union has recently been made aware of fraudsters distributing false GSCU Teller Checks tied to a variety of scams. Please be aware that these fraudulent checks are in circulation. We ask members be wary of receiving unexpected, suspicious checks or requests for money. If you receive one of these checks or have further questions please call a Live GSCU Representative 24/7 at 800-645-4728.
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Hoping for a Home
According to a recent study of Generation Z young people ages 18 to 25, buying a home remains top-of-mind even during the pandemic. The report found that 83 percent of Gen Z dream of buying a house within the next decade. However, the reality of the market and their financial situation is making things difficult for them.
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How To Focus On Retirement Savings During The Pandemic
With headlines focused on the day to day, it’s tough to wrap your brain around saving for the future. It’s possible if you follow these suggestions.
As many of the helpful provisions from the CARES Act, including the additional $600 in weekly unemployment benefits from the federal government, draw to a close, it can be difficult to focus on anything but the short-term financially. But hard doesn’t have to mean impossible.
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Refinancing Your Car Loan to GSCU!
Ever thought about refinancing your car loan from another financial instituion to GSCU to get a better interest rate and save on your monthly payment? Here’s how you can do just that:
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COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Scams
UPDATE (8/14/2020): GSCU has recently been made aware of a scam regarding the Small Business Administration (SBA) COVID-19 Relief Loan. Phishing emails are being sent, that may appear as if they are coming directly from the SBA Website. Individuals seeking information about the Small Business Administration Loans should visit government websites directly for more information.
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Four Before
Four questions to ask yourself before you refinance your mortgage.
With mortgage rates at their lowest point in years, you might be asking yourself if now is a good time to refinance your home loan. You’re not alone. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, in early February, the volume of refinanced loans was at the highest level since 2013. Here are four questions to ask yourself before you join those homeowners who refinanced.
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Stepping Stones
How to build your adult kids’ credit
If your child recently graduated college and is struggling to find a place to live, their credit — or complete lack thereof — could be the reason. Good credit is a key to landing apartments, mortgages, credit cards and loans. So what do you and your adult child do now? Try building their credit by following the steps below. -
Balance is Key
It might be time to consider rebalancing your 401(k)
The recent stock market fluctuations due to the Coronavirus might have you thinking about rebalancing your 401(k). It could be a smart move. If your portfolio is out of balance, you could be risking more than you originally planned on while also getting less in returns.
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Zoomed Out
Why you’re having video chat burnout
The coronavirus has led to almost everyone working from home. That workplace shift has likely increased the amount of time you’re spending on video chats with coworkers and bosses. If you’re feeling burned out by all those calls, don’t be worried. Here are some reasons why it’s easy to get exhausted by video chats, and how to combat that fatigue. -
Homeward Bound
According to a recent study from USA Today, American workers are feeling more productive after being told to work from home due to the coronavirus. The uptick in productivity — coupled with the money-saving aspects of having workers stay home — could mean tele-working is here to stay
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How to Consolidate Your Debt
Is Debt Consolidation Right For You? Here’s How To Find Out:
Having multiple sources of debt can make you feel like you’re being pulled in several different directions at once, and takes a toll on you both financially and emotionally. That’s debt consolidation can help! It’s exactly what it sounds like — rolling multiple debts into one manageable monthly payment. Debt consolidation loans help bystreamlining the payment process with a budget-friendly option, as well as, potentially lowering your interest rate.
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Small Steps
Saving for retirement can seem daunting. How can you possibly stash enough cash? Instead of being intimidated by the mammoth size of the entire task, try starting small. If you’re saving some for retirement, but could use a little extra (and who couldn’t?) try these easy tips to add a couple hundred dollars to your savings every month.
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Smarter Shopping
With many states under “stay-at-home” orders due to the coronavirus, there’s a good chance you’re doing most of your shopping online. Here are some things to keep in mind to make sure you’re shopping smartly.
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How to keep your credit solid during the Coronavirus outbreak
Maintaining a good credit score during this pandemic might not be a top priority at the moment. However, try to remember that this crisis will pass, and you should do your best to come out of this as financially solid as possible.
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How to Deal With The Financial Anxiety You’re Feeling
The impacts of the coronavirus are causing many people to experience financial stress. If you’re one of them, consider employing some of the strategies below.
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Remember, Cashless is Cleaner!
With a natural disaster, or any national crisis, many feel an urgency for cash on hand in case of emergency. Banks and credit unions are realizing the pressure members are feeling with increased visits, cash withdrawals, and questions.
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Why Wait Until Spring for Your Renovations?
Spring is often the most popular time to start a renovation project. The weather is warmer, you don’t have to worry about snow and we’re all ready for a fresh new start.
But there are some definitive advantages to renovating during winter months:
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GSCU's Steps to Protect Against COVID-19
The health and well-being of our members and employees is of utmost importance to GSCU.
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Choosing the Best Motorcycle for You
There’s a lot more to choosing a motorcycle than just looks. Are you looking to do some weekend riding, or heading out for an extended road trip? Will this be a commuter bike? Are you taking back roads, or riding on highways? Here are a few things to consider:
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What to Do if Your Debit Card is Lost or Stolen
Losing your debit card can result in stress and anxiety. You retrace your steps trying to remember when exactly the last time you had it was. You filled your gas tank yesterday. Swiped it at your local coffee shop this morning. And then… well, you can’t seem to remember. You have searched high and low, called the coffee shop to confirm you didn’t leave it there, but still no sign. Don’t panic, we’ve got you covered.
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Refinance Right
Refinancing your home is a big step to take. Before jumping into the refinancing process it is important to know exactly what you are doing, what your end goal is, and what additional details go along with the process. Start by meeting with your financial institution and discuss the questions below before following through with refinancing.
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Winter Activities on a Budget
New England winters are not for the faint of heart. Freezing temperatures and lots of snow can make staying inside and bundling up seem like the only option - especially when you are on a budget. However, if the idea of being stuck at home all winter makes you go stir crazy, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorite winter activities that don’t break the bank:
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Make Payday About More Than Loans
Everyone gets tight on cash once in awhile and with back-to-back bills budgets can get overlooked. With the support of Granite State Credit Union, forget payday loans and focus on helping yourself with some extra funds with these 3 features:
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First-Time Homebuyer Seminars
GSCU recently began holding First-Time Homebuyer Seminars at local breweries in Manchester, NH. Sema Costa, a Branch Specialist for GSCU, attended the first seminar with her husband is sharing her experience for our members!
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Don't abbreviate 2020. It's for your own good.
It’s a new year, with new opportunities and potential new scams! We have all become accustomed to abbreviating the year when we are writing the date. Here a few reasons why you should not abbreviate the year 2020.
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When to Consolidate Debt or Not
According to Debt.org, more than 189 million Americans have credit cards. On average, each household with a credit card carries $8,398 in credit card debt. It can seem all too easy to continue adding to this debt, but nearly impossible to get rid of it - especially with high interest rates. -
Reaching Retirement
Saving for retirement is often talked about, but how much do you really know about saving for the future? With different account options, different financial goals, and a whole lot of unknown, saving for retirement is a stressful, but essential thing to start doing today.
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Winter is here, is your car ready?
It’s important to make sure your vehicle is ready for the winter months. Here are some simple steps you can take to stay safe and keep your vehicle in good working order this winter.
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Importance of Never Skipping a Home Inspection
Buying a home is often a long and stressful task. There are many options that you, and the seller, must navigate through. Deciding on location, finding the house, financing a huge investment – all of it leaves you with questions, including, what steps are actually required in home buying process?
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Keep Up-To-Date with GSCU
At GSCU, we believe that there is more to a great Credit Union than just finances. We are New Hampshire and that means that we go beyond banking to be a part of the NH community. The best way to keep connected with GSCU is through our social media! Don’t believe us? Here are the reasons why:
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Dear Mom and Dad, Please Send Money!
College isn’t cheap. Beyond tuition there are a lot of little charges that sneak up on you and your beloved student. Take it from a current college student, sometimes your professor changes their mind about the textbook, clubs ask for dues, and you really just need some take-out to get you through a hard night of studying. From someone who has been through it, here are the best ways to send your college student money.
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MEMBER ALERT 10.29.19
IMPORTANT MEMBER ALERT – DO NOT SHARE ACCOUNT PIN or ONLINE BANKING INFORMATION!
Granite State Credit Union has been made aware of a fraud trend where individuals are being contacted by what appears to be their financial institution via Phone, Text and/or Email. Please be aware GSCU would NEVER ask members to provide debit card PIN or OnLine Banking log-in information over the phone, text or email.
If you are contacted and asked to provide any personal or account information, hang up and call a Live GSCU Representative 24/7 at 800-645-4728, ext.3805
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Get to Know Your Credit Union
Our services go beyond banking
Think that you are getting all you can from your credit union? At Granite State Credit Union we believe that there is a lot more than just banking to be done for our members.
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October 2019 CreditLine CEO Message
We’re officially heading into Fall and beyond that, the holidays! It was a great summer at the credit union and we helped many members get new cars and some summer fun toys!
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Online Loan Application Success Story
Did you know that it’s easier than ever before to apply for a loan at GSCU? Not only do we offer an online loan application, but now it’s also mobile-friendly! You can apply for a vehicle, personal, or even real estate loan right from your phone, anywhere you are!
Here is one story of how easy it was for a member to apply for, and get their new vehicle in just one day with GSCU.
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Values of a Tiny Home
The “tiny home movement” has been taking the Country by storm over the past few years. There are television shows dedicated specifically to this new trend, numerous magazines have featured tiny homes and, according to a survey done by the National Association of Home Builders, more than half of Americans would consider living in tiny homes.
