Simple tips to help you stretch your dollars further.

At AllCom Credit Union, we know that saving money doesn’t always require big changes—it’s the small, everyday habits that can make a big difference over time. Here are a few smart life hacks to help you keep more money in your pocket:

1. Automate Your Savings
Set up automatic transfers from your checking to your savings account—even a small weekly amount adds up fast. Out of sight, out of mind, and into savings!

2. Meal Prep Like a Pro
Plan meals for the week, shop with a list, and cook in batches. You’ll save money by avoiding takeout and reduce food waste.

3. Use Cashback & Coupon Apps
Download apps like Rakuten, Ibotta, or Honey to earn cash back and find coupon codes for everyday purchases, from groceries to online shopping.

4. Cancel Unused Subscriptions
Take a few minutes to review your subscriptions and cancel any you don’t use. Those small monthly charges can quietly add up over time.

5. Brew Your Own Coffee
We’re not saying skip your morning pick-me-up—just try making it at home. A daily coffee shop run could be costing you over $1,000 a year!

6. Review Your Bills Annually
Call your service providers—like internet, cell, or insurance—and ask if better rates are available. Loyalty doesn’t always mean you’re getting the best deal.

Smart money habits start small, but they can lead to big savings. Need help setting up a savings plan or want to explore budgeting tools? Our team at AllCom Credit Union is here to help!

Keeping your contact details current ensures you can fully benefit from AllCom Credit Union’s services and stay informed about important updates. Plus, outdated information could mean missing a critical email or advisory.

Here are three key reasons to update your contact information today:

1. Enhanced Fraud Protection:

   With the rise in online transactions and card-not-present purchases, fraudsters are always looking for vulnerabilities. Providing AllCom with your updated contact details helps us alert you quickly about any suspicious activity and take swift action to protect your accounts.

2. Secure Delivery of Confidential Information:

   A USPS change of address doesn’t guarantee that your account statements or other sensitive documents will be forwarded. Ensure your financial information stays confidential by updating your contact information directly with us.

3. Stay Informed:

   Don’t miss out on important updates, reminders, and time-sensitive notifications—especially if you’ve gone paperless. Keeping your contact information up to date ensures we can always reach you when it matters most.

Updating is quick and easy! Visit us in person or give us a call at 888-754-9980 to make sure we have your latest information.

The new year often comes with the tradition of formalizing goals for the coming months. In a study by Forbes, 38% of adults surveyed said their top New Year’s resolution was improving their finances. This stat comes as no surprise, as financial goals are often tangentially tied to many other aspirations on our list.

Let’s dive into some financial New Year’s resolutions that are easy to achieve and stick to for the long haul!

1. Build a budget that prioritizes savings

If you’re part of the 38% of Americans prioritizing saving this year, you should know a few key things before you start. First, keep your goal attainable!

The best way to keep your savings resolution is to automate it. Start by picking a budget that prioritizes saving first. The zero-balance budget is a method of managing money where every single penny of your paycheck is accounted for. This type of budgeting lets you consistently automate your savings on payday.

2. Step up your retirement contributions

If the start of the new year also means performance reviews at your workplace, this goal is easy to tackle! Retirement savings is one of the most important long-term financial goals you can work toward.

Experts recommend increasing your 401(k) contributions by at least 1% annually. If you receive a 3% raise, try increasing your retirement contributions by 1%. You’ll still be getting a 2% raise every paycheck and setting yourself up for success to live a comfortable life when you retire.

3. Commit to improving your credit score

Have you ever taken a deep dive into your credit report to see if everything is correct? If you answered no, this is your year to familiarize yourself and better understand what impacts your credit score.

It’s essential to know more than just your credit score. Monitoring your credit report once a year will bring you peace of mind and help you spot any potential fraud issues before they spiral out of hand. Remember, you can access one free credit report—which includes your FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) score—every year at freecreditscore.com.

4. Assess your finances for extra saving opportunities

Saving more than you already are can sometimes feel like a stretch. Assessing your monthly spending habits can uncover extra saving opportunities you may not even realize you had!

5. Make extra payments to eliminate debt

Do any of your financial resolutions involve paying down debt faster? Commit to putting “extra” money that comes your way to paying down student loans, credit card debt or your mortgage. Prioritize paying off the debt with the highest interest rates first.

One of the most anticipated moves by the Internal Revenue Service every year is the new limits on funding retirement accounts. The new contribution limits reflect cost-of-living increases over the last year.

The IRS recently announced that the contribution limits for 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans, as well as the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan will increase to $23,000 in 2024, up from $22,500 in 2023.

The IRS also announced that contributions to IRAs will increase from $6,500 in 2023 to $7,000 in 2024. The IRA catch up contribution limit for individuals aged 50 and over was amended under the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 to include an annual cost of living adjustment but remains $1,000 for 2024. Taxpayers can deduct contributions to a traditional IRA (not a Roth IRA) if they meet certain conditions. If during the year either the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse was covered by a retirement plan at work, the deduction may be reduced, or phased out, until it is eliminated, depending on filing status and income.

As the leaves change colors and the air gets crisper, fall is certainly in the air. Fall is the perfect time to take a closer look at your money matters and make some smart financial moves. Here are some fall finance tips to help you stay on track.

Review your budget and expenses

Where is your money going? Do you need to adjust your budget to make room for certain things, or cut back on others? Fall can bring different spending patterns with holidays and back-to-school costs, so it’s a good idea to adjust your budget accordingly.

Plan for holiday expenses

As the year winds down, it’s a good time to think about year-end expenses. This includes holiday gifts, travel plans, and any tax-related actions you need to take. Planning ahead can help you avoid extra stress come December.

Check on your credit

Take a moment to check your credit report. Reviewing your credit for errors or discrepancies can help you maintain good credit.

Get ready for open enrollment

Fall often means open enrollment for employee benefits. Review your health insurance, retirement plan, and other benefits to ensure you’re making the most of what your employer offers.

Winterize your home

Before the winter frost sets in, take a moment to seal cracks and gaps in your home. It’s like bundling up in a warm scarf for your home. Proper insulation can help keep the cold out and keep your heating and energy bills low.

Save for emergencies

Fall storms and unexpected expenses can happen. Make sure you have an emergency fund to cover unexpected costs. If you don’t have one, consider setting up small automatic transfers to build your savings.

Prepare for tax season

It’s never too early to start preparing for tax season. Organize your financial documents, such as receipts and records of deductible expenses. It’s a good idea to check how much money is left in your FSA account if you have one, too. Consider making any year-end contributions to retirement accounts.

Declutter and sell

Everyone always emphasizes spring cleaning, but fall is also a great time to declutter your home. Consider selling items you no longer need online or through a garage sale. The extra cash can boost your savings or help you pay down debt.