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Featured financial wellness topics from First Service Federal Credit Union.

Budgeting and Spending

Why budgeting is important, no matter how much money you earn.

Woman's hand writing out three goals on yellow legal pad.

Introduction to Budgeting   

Why budgeting is important, no matter how much money you earn.
$100 bill on computer circuit board

Tracking Your Spending   

Tracking your money can be a powerful way to spot unplanned spending.
Two fingers climbing a $100 staircase

Income and Expenses

A big part of budgeting is identifying income and listing expenses.
Young woman with magnifying glass to her eye.

Making Sense of Your Budget

After you've identified your income and tracked your spending, it's time to compare the numbers, gain perspective, set priorities, and make changes.
Man making two small piles of dollar bills.

Debt and the Pressure to Spend

It’s wonderful to have the freedom to buy so many products, but unless you’re rich, the key to happy spending is planned spending.
Person putting coin into a pink piggy bank.

Money Saving Ideas

Looking for ideas for ways to save money? Almost everyone can find a way to save using at least one of these tips.
Man on the top of a staircase made with a dollar bill.

How to Improve Cash Flow   

Cash flow is a key indicator of your financial health.
Person handing car key to another person.

Buying a Car

From choosing a make and model to financing a purchase, topics every consumer should understand when buying a car.

Person handing car key to another person.

Buying a Car Introduction   

An introduction to the basics of this major purchase and responsibility.
Front of 5 new cars lined up. Same car, different colors.

Choosing a Make and Model

A look at four important factors to consider when choosing a car: fuel consumption, insurance rates, reliability, and depreciation.
Man making two small piles of dollar bills.

The Total Cost of Ownership

Understanding the many costs associated with owning a car - from financing to taxes.
An approved Lease Agreement

Buy or Lease?

Understanding the pros and cons of vehicle leasing.
Desktop showing two people holding pens and reviewing papers.

Financing a Car Purchase

How a loan affects the total cost of buying a car.
Man pointing under the hood of a car to a man and woman

Evaluating a Used Car

How to "do your homework" before buying a used car.
Cartoon of Archery Target with Arrow in Bullseye.

Setting a Target Price

How to set a realistic target price for both new and used vehicles.
Desktop showing two people holding pens and reviewing papers.

Negotiating Price

Know what to expect when negotiating the best deal.
Young woman in driver's seat adjusting rearview mirror in car.

Avoiding Surprises

Think the negotiating is finished when you agree on a price? Here's how to negotiate dealer extras and extended warranty pitches.
Lower part of man's leg with one foot about to step on upwards facing tacks.

Common Mistakes When Buying a Car

Twelve common mistakes to keep in mind when shopping for a car.
Computer screen with many numbers in green and shadow hand grabbing the word

Identity Theft

An overview of identity theft, including strategies for preventing it and what to do if it happens to you.

Woman's forehead leaning down on her hand. Discouraged.

Identity Theft   

Understanding ID theft and how to prevent it.
Shadow figure holding bag representing money. Thief.

Avoiding Identity Theft

The three Ds of identity protection: Deter, Detect and Defend.
Computer Screen Shot of Closed Padlocks

Protecting Your Digital Information

There are many data backup solutions designed to protect personal information that vary in their security and ease of use.
Man looking discouraged at kitchen table with papers, laptop and calculator.

Dealing with Identity Theft

Understanding the different types of identity theft and what to do in each scenario.

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This Week

Setting Your Financial Priorities

 A look at the factors influencing how we spend and save money.

  Trending Topics

Introduction to Budgeting

Income and Expenses

How to Improve Cash Flow

Tracking Your Spending

Debt and the Pressure to Spend

About First Service Federal Credit Union

First Service is open to everyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway, or Union County! You can open your account with as little as $5. Simply visit any of our branch locations during regular business hours to join or open your account online. It's that easy!

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