Natural disasters such as flooding are unpredictable. What can be controlled is making sure your home and finances are in order before disasters hit.
The simplest advice is to set your retirement income as a percentage of your current income. But that approach doesn't account for your specific plans.
Solar panels are an increasingly popular way to shrink your footprint and boost your home's efficiency. But how do you cover the upfront cost?
Going out of town for awhile? Kaydie shares her top 5 tips for prepping your finances for vacation. Plan ahead, stay safe, and avoid surcharges at the ATM.
CD rates are the highest they've been in a decade and SELCO’s certificates are offering some of the best returns available. See for yourself how we compare.
Owning a boat is a major commitment. Best to know what's in store before deciding what you're buying, when you're buying it, and your plan for financing.
Found yourself trapped on a growing stack of unpaid bills? Here are three different strategies for managing debt and finally becoming debt-free.
It's easy to accrue debt these days. Steer away from the "living paycheck to paycheck" path by checking yourself for these red flags.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 goes into effect this year. What are the biggest changes and what do they mean for you and your expected return?
Burdened by high-interest credit cards? A home equity line of credit can be a great way to consolidate debt and minimize monthly payments.
Many insurance carriers require extra coverage for rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t realize it.
Don't fill your savings account with whatever's left over. If you set aside a fixed amount each paycheck, your balance will grow faster than you realize.
There's no shortage of opinions about the housing market for 2019, but these three overall trends seem certain.
How do certificates of deposit work? Think of CDs (a.k.a., share certificates) as the "set it and forget it" approach to savings.
Jen's dragged to couple's therapy by her credit card, which is at its limit. Literally.
The average American ends the holidays with an extra $1,000 in debt. A manageable budget is the best way to keep that stressful debt from piling up.
Young people's familiarity with technology—specifically, social media—can create a false sense of security when targeted by online scams.
While people don't typically associate autumn with home buying, it can be less competitive, less frantic, and more flexible than the peak seasons.
Losing (or leaving) your job is stressful enough, but figuring out health insurance during this gap can be overwhelming. Here's a guide to your options.
From unexpected winnings to fake charities, this anthropomorphic inspector breaks down the increasingly complex ways fraudsters collect financial information.
Between drafty windows, leaky faucets, and power-hungry appliances, you might be spending hundreds more in energy each year than you need to.
College tuition has tripled over the past 30 years. All the more reason to take advantage of savings tools (like 529 College Savings Plans) early.
Is it better to purchase coverage you might not need or risk covering maintenance expenses yourself?
Robocalls come in many forms, and have gotten smarter about tricking you into answering. Here's how to slow them down.
Student loans inevitably mean debt, but with the right choices, you can make the most of the money and minimize what you’ll have to pay back.
There's more to used car shopping than picking whatever's newest and cheapest. These basics cover the research worth doing before you head to the dealer.
Used car sales through private sellers don't have the same protections as through a dealer. So it's important to make sure you're not misled.
In terms of major life purchases, an RV lands somewhere between a car and a house. So the more you know before you buy, the smoother things will go.
The big decision for all high school graduates is between college and starting work. How do you make that choice?
The relative calm of a guaranteed return on investment from savings is a bit more appealing when the stock market becomes less predictable.
FAFSA will be due soon. If you're considering applying for a student loan, you have a full menu to choose from. How can you tell what's what?
Not all virtual purchases are equal. Understanding the differences is key to helping your kids spend responsibly.
Jen's on her way to interview for a job at the Candy Museum, when she's stopped by a coin-operated unicorn with a penchant for giving a good first impression.
Conventional savings accounts offer the easiest access to funds but the lowest interest rates. Don't overlook these alternatives.
Nobody ever wants to drag out the process of home selling. Here are a few tips from our mortgage team on getting it done ASAP.
From changes in the tax code to the state of the housing market, 2018 brings with it a series of financial questions that have yet to be answered.
Searching for "how to earn money online" generates something like 217,000,000 results, but if you look closely they all fit into three basic categories.
Natural disasters common to the Pacific Northwest, like flooding or fallen trees, aren't always covered by your default insurance policy.
Now that the days are getting longer, put that extra daylight to use to declutter your home and make sure it's safe. Here's where to start.
Are you dumping your receipts into the first trash can you see? Or are you keeping EVERYTHING just in case you ever need to prove you bought that donut?
Value can only truly come from a relationship that is itself valued. How does SELCO provide value? Let's count the ways...
Ever notice a sign for 30 cent per gallon gas in the background of an old movie? Inflation changes value over time, but not always at the same rate.
The future has a habit of sneaking up on you. Keep an eye out for these all too common—but avoidable—financial miscalculations.
Financing a new or used car can be complex. Make sure you know all your options and have a clear understanding of what lies ahead.
Do your mobile deposits keep getting held up for "review"? Here are some tricks to make sure your money shows up in your account right away.
When you're healthy and insured, it's hard to imagine you'd ever need an emergency fund. But that thinking can get you into hot water.
In the moment, it can be hard to tell the difference between what you need and what you want. That's the beauty of having a budget to fall back on.
It’s natural to let your security slip a little when spending a lot. That's why scammers step up their game during the holidays.
Deciding the perfect job is tough. After all, how many successful careers today didn't even exist when you were in school?
Switching from a bank to a credit union is surprisingly easy, and can often be completed in just minutes.
Be careful not to confuse being caught unaware with fraud if there's an unexpected charge on your account.
The exact math behind long-term investment growth can get pretty complicated. Luckily, there’s a shortcut to making a pretty good estimate.
Scammers aren't going away anytime soon, even if their methods change with the times. Here are a few tips for avoiding their hooks.
’Tis nearly the season to spend more money than you normally do. Here are a few tips for stretching your budget.
Don't be fooled by these common myths and misunderstandings about life insurance.
Spending money isn't exactly "good," but it's not necessarily "bad" either. It's up to you to set your goals and be responsible with what you earn.
Be careful when getting your first off-campus apartment with friends. There are some key questions you need to ask and precautions you need to take.
Jen assumes the best mortgage should be the one with the lowest rate. Turns out it's not quite that simple.
Credit unions provide the same services as banks, but these myths sometimes make people miss out on lower rates and local service.
Jen's in desperate need of some advice on getting (and keeping) a better credit score. So she turns to her old friend Credit Squirrel.
You like to take risks when investing. Your partner would rather play it safe. So where do you go from here?
Home equity can be a useful resource for home improvements, but make sure the value added by the project is worth the cost.
A guide to your financing options when car shopping.
Over the past five years, the auto insurance industry has seen a slow but steady increase in cost. What's causing it?
Payment Protection is the simplest safeguard for your loans in the event of a life-altering change.
If your car is stolen or totaled, your insurance settlement won't always cover the amount you still owe. GAP coverage waives the rest.
In the late 1960s, Stanford University conducted a now-classic psychology study called the Marshmallow Test ...
Your credit score has a huge impact on your financial life, but how is it calculated?
The sooner you get into the habit of saving for retirement, the more time your money has to grow.
The budget fortune teller can't really see the future, except for the need for savings and an emergency fund.
For those of us who aren't early adopters, what's so special about mobile wallets?
Weatherizing your home is cheaper in the long run than cranking your thermostat. (More eco-friendly, too!)
When all your cards are clamoring to be swiped, which one should you choose?
Luckily, the best protection is just a matter of small changes to everyday habits.
Ah, clickbait personality quizzes. They're a procrastinators' greatest weakness.
The surprisingly interesting ins and outs of insurance. And that retro animation is pretty sharp, right?
Car buyers have a TON to keep in mind. That's why we've narrowed it down to the fundamentals.
No matter how minor or severe, there's a universal checklist for how to best ensure everyone’s safety and contact the people who need to know.
Excess liability coverage isn’t just for the super-wealthy! Learn how this extra protection can keep your finances secure if you’re found liable for damages.
Responsibly managing debt is one of the most valuable processes in building your financial identity.
Owning a home may be more attainable than you think. Here's how to tell when it's time to start hunting.
A slightly passive aggressive lesson in smarter shopping.
Will our contestant chose the approachable credit union, the overbearing bank, or the eerily taciturn piggy bank?
Talking to your kids about money can be difficult. Here are suggestions on how to get the discussion started.
Discover how your credit score is calculated, plus helpful tips on achieving excellent credit, paying down credit card debt, and more!
Take SELCO with you, wherever you go, with the CO-OP Shared Bralench network.