This Week @ South Metro Federal Credit Union

Short, timely articles based on a real-world weekly theme.

A piggy bank on the welcome mat of a home.

Home Improvement and Renovation

If you own your home, it's likely to be your biggest investment. So how do you determine whether or not to invest more?

Woman with tool belt and using power tools, adding tile to fireplace.

Improvements Versus Repairs

Day 1: The financial distinction can be important and often overlooked.

For Sale sign in front of a house.

Renovate or Move? It's Complicated

Day 2: Deciding whether to renovate your existing home or buy a new one involves more than purely financial considerations.

A thermostat with a wool cap and the word SAVE on the display.

Energy Efficiency: Is it Worth it?

Day 3: The financial benefits of energy efficient upgrades can vary greatly.

A woman installing a wood floor in a home.

Which Renovations Are Worth It?

Day 4: From a financial point of view, the answers can be surprising.

Model house made with $20 bills.

How to Fund Renovations

Day 5: From mortgage refinancing to government loan programs, home owners have a variety of finding choices.

Scattered coins on part of a tax form.

Tax Benefits and Home Renovations

Day 6: From tax deductible interest expenses to tax credits for energy efficient upgrades, a reduced tax bill can take some of the bite out of renovation expenses.

Man looking electrocuted with a wire in each hand.

The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Renovating

Day 7: Five things to avoid when starting a project - and what to do instead.

New topics are posted every Sunday.
Miss last week? Scroll down to catch up.

$100 bill on computer circuit board

Last Week @ South Metro Federal Credit Union

How Big Economic Concepts Affect You

Ever wonder how concepts like the unemployment rate, trade deficits and inflation affect you? This week, let's take a look at topics you hear about in the nightly news.

A stressed man reacting to declining stock market.

Big Economic Concepts That Can Affect You

Day 1: Basic knowledge of complex economic concepts and terms will bring much of the economic news into focus.

A woman comparing two soda bottles in a supermarket.

The Trade Deficit

Day 2: Let's simplify the trade deficit to understand how it affects the economy, the country, and your life.

Bottom portion of a W-2 Form.

Unemployment Versus Underemployment

Day 3: A thorough understanding of the unemployment rate will improve your understanding of the workforce and how unemployment and underemployment affect jobs and the economy.

Arrow going upward over increase amounts of stacked bills.

The Ups and Ups of Inflation

Day 4: What is inflation and can you protect yourself from it?

People line up to withdraw money from ATMs.

The Federal Reserve Bank

Day 5: The vast operations of our contemporary central bank in managing the money supply are crucial to stabilizing the economy and making the United States a country in which its citizens can live, do business, and prosper.

A woman making a purchase from a clothing store.

How Free Trade Agreements Work

Day 6: Much of the discussion and debate over free trade agreements stems from determining whether or not they are healthy for the economies and the people living in the countries involved.

A SALE sign in a store window.

Chinese Imports: Are They Good or Bad?

Day 7: Deciding what's best for the U.S. economy and your bank account can be tricky when it comes to imports from low wage countries like China.

  Popular Resources

Tracking Your Spending

Introduction to Budgeting

Income and Expenses

How to Improve Cash Flow

Evaluating Your Budget

Debt and the Pressure to Spend

About South Metro Federal Credit Union

Our suite of Financial Education Services (FES) is founded on providing a thorough education and consistent guidance with a confidential personal representative. With this relationship in place, we’ll work with you to determine your broad goals and set tactics for direct outcomes that build credit and help manage debt. We’ll empower you with the mindset, tools and products it takes to make an impact on your financial health.

Have a question? Contact Alyssa Walford at:

952-358-9738
fes@southmet.com

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