iQCU Blog

Financial independence is something everyone strives to achieve. You want to have a solid financial foundation so you are prepared for any emergency and can achieve your long-term goals. If you can eliminate money worries, you will have less stress, which can prolong your life. How to become financially independent is the real question. The answer can be summed up in one word: planning.

Too many of us worry about making enough money to pay bills and stave off mounting debt. Rather than focusing on making enough, you should focus your energy on achieving financial freedom. Freeing yourself from everyday money worries can eliminate most of your day-to-day stress and help you live longer, but few people know how to achieve financial freedom.

Wedding season is upon us. Many couples who had planned to get married in 2020 put their nuptial plans on hold because of the pandemic, so 2021 has seen an increase in weddings. Budgeting for weddings is different these days, with couples planning unusual wedding venues, bigger or even multiple receptions, and more extravagant weddings to compensate for COVID-19 claustrophobia.

When you first get engaged, there is so much to think about. In addition to the plans for the wedding and the honeymoon, you have to consider changes to your living situation, legal issues such as changing your will, and—perhaps most important of all—how you are going to deal with your finances. Should you commingle your assets? What about opening a joint bank account? What are your goals for your financial future?

You found the love of your life and you can’t wait to get married. However, you don’t want to get so caught up in your wedding plans that you fail to lay a solid foundation for your future together. Talking about money before you tie the knot is one way to avoid future conflict. Conversations about money are always awkward, but laying your financial cards down on the table before you get married is always a good idea.

Spring is the time when the weather gets warmer, flowers bloom, and people get married. Spring is traditionally the wedding season, which means you may start receiving wedding invitations from friends and family. You also may be asked to be part of the wedding party. Attending weddings when you are on a budget can be challenging. However, with the right planning and a little creativity you can attend those weddings without breaking the bank.

One of the consequences of the internet age is an ever-increasing lack of patience. We are used to finding what we want quickly and receiving near-instant gratification. While that may work with finding the right video or online shopping, it doesn’t work with investment time. Getting the maximum return on investments as part of a retirement strategy takes planning and patience.

After the pandemic lockdown of 2020 everyone is anxious to get out and explore. The vacation travel plans canceled last year are back on the calendar this year, and families are planning summer excursions. At the same time, the travel industry has changed following the COVID-19 pandemic as well. Air travel is more challenging, and hotels and rental car agencies are adjusting their fees to make up for lost revenue. If you are planning travel this year, it’s still important to know how to travel on a budget.

98% of the credit union’s employees participate to raise funds to help local children-based charities

Buying a new home is a big commitment, probably one of the biggest in your life, and when you decide you are ready to buy, it’s a time of real excitement. However, you can’t let your enthusiasm get in the way of common sense. There is a significant amount of time and energy, not to mention paperwork, that goes into buying a house, and it’s easy to overlook things. That’s why we wanted to provide some tips for buying a home.