Popular Money Related Podcasts

Are you looking to expand your financial knowledge and gain valuable insights? Immerse yourself in the world of finance and discover a wealth of wisdom through these popular podcasts dedicated to all things money:

• NerdWallet Smart Money Podcast: Get real-world financial questions answered by NerdWallet experts, empowering you to reach your goals faster and make smarter money decisions.
• Planet Money: Explore real-world topics that connect back to the economy. Don’t just understand the economy – understand the world.
• HerMoney with Jean Chatsky: Join host Jean Chatsky as she guides women through the steps they need to take today, for a comfortable tomorrow. Get access to the latest research, tips, and personal advice.
• Suze Orman’s Women & Money: Suze Orman equips women with the financial knowledge and emotional awareness to overcome obstacles that have hindered their financial well-being. Take control of your money – and yourself.
• Good Money Moves: Gain confidence in managing your money with tips and advice from hosts Andy Brownell from KROC AM and Jenna Taubel from First Alliance Credit Union.

These podcasts will help pave your path towards financial success. Don’t miss out, tune in today!

Financial Considerations When Changing Jobs

We all know that changing jobs can be an exciting adventure, but don’t overlook the financial impact of this transition. 

When transitioning between jobs, it’s important to plan ahead for any gap in pay. You’ll need to determine how long you’ll have between jobs and make sure you have a financial cushion to cover living expenses until you get paid by your new employer. Other things to think about include:

• Changing the due dates on your bills to align with your new pay schedule. 
• Creating a budget and sticking to it can help you understand your finances
• Trim expenses where you can, cutting back on costs while you wait to get paid. 

Furthermore, it’s crucial to understand the changes to your entire paycheck, including the benefits package that comes with your new role. Don’t hesitate to ask your new employer about PTO (Paid Time Off), health insurance coverage, and retirement benefits.

By equipping yourself with this knowledge, you’ll be able to make informed financial decisions when changing jobs. Even better, you can utilize this free budgeting calculator to help establish a budget, track your monthly spending, and achieve your financial goals!

9 Tricks to Keep Back-to-School Expenses Under Control 

Children can have mixed emotions about going back to school in the fall, with some excited to see friends and others unhappy about the end of relaxation and video games. Meanwhile, parents also experience stress, primarily due to the expense of back-to-school shopping.

The good news is that you don’t have to sit back and accept these expenses. If you take the steps below, you’ll be able to reduce the cost of back-to-school supplies. 

• Search your home
• Visit second-hand stores
• Buy from Dollar Tree
• Start your shopping early
• Save over time
• Avoid name brands
• Look for coupons or discounts
• Buy in bulk
• Get outside help if you need it 

Plus, you can keep track of your back-to-school spending with First Alliance Credit Union’s free back-to-school budget template which will help you plan how much you can spend on supplies and help you keep track of what you have already purchased. 

Should You Get a Joint Bank Account?

A joint account can bring numerous benefits to couples. The most significant advantage is the ability to track and monitor how money is being spent as a family. This fosters transparency and encourages you to openly discuss your spending habits, leading to stronger communication within your relationship. There are several other benefits to consider as well:

Benefits of a joint banking account for couples:

• Helps promote trust: Being open about finances with your spouse builds trust in other areas of your relationship too. 
• Helps in creating a budget: You’ll quickly gain clarity on your earnings and expenses with a joint bank account. 
• Easy access to family finances: If you both keep separate accounts and your partner gets injured (for example), accessing their account for medical expenses or bills may be difficult. 

Getting a joint account with your partner has a lot of advantages. It’s time to talk with your spouse or partner about how you handle money and figure out if a joint account is right for you. 

Are Rewards Credit Cards Worth It? 

Credit card companies often lure in potential customers with enticing rewards, ranging from airline miles to cash back to discounts at theme parks. While the idea of receiving a reward just for using your credit card may seem too good to be true, the fact is that rewards cards can offer numerous advantages for consumers. So, is it worth getting a rewards credit card? The answer is a resounding “yes”. If you really want to take full advantage of everything a rewards card has to offer you will need to follow a few guidelines.

Choosing a Rewards Credit Card: You’ll want to select a rewards credit card that will benefit you with rewards you will actually use. 

Read the Fine Print: It’s crucial to take a closer look at the fine print, as there are often terms and conditions that go unmentioned in the initial offer. Plus, you might discover some unexpected perks that come with your card that could save you money and enhance your experience.

Don’t Ignore the Basics: While reviewing the rewards program don’t forget to review the interest rates and annual fees. Understanding the financial implications is imperative to making informed financial decisions.

Adjust Your Expectations: It’s best to look at the rewards you get as a nice extra, as opposed to being a goal in and of itself. If you do that, you’re less likely to spend more than you intended and go into debt while chasing the next level of rewards. 

Charge Everything to the Card: If your rewards card doesn’t limit where you need to spend in order to earn rewards, you should consider making this card the credit card you use for most purchases in order to maximize its effectiveness. 

Review Your Rewards: This is especially important since the points most rewards programs give you will eventually expire, and you’ll want to reap all the benefits of the rewards you’ve accumulated.

Use our credit card comparison worksheet to see which rewards credit card is right for you. Download here >>> https://resources.firstalliancecu.com/credit-card-worksheet