It’s no secret that the cost of living in 2024 is placing an economic burden on Americans, which can be quite stressful. According to a recent report by the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, “prices have grown by 20 percent overall since 2020, with energy prices the most volatile since 2020.” Mixed with the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics noting that since 2023, consumer pricing has increased by 3.1 percent across the country, it is no wonder you may feel like you’re fighting every day to reach your financial goals.
SAFE Credit Union understands that in times of economic uncertainty, it is completely understandable to want financial peace of mind. SAFE has tools and resources that can help you take charge of your finances and safeguard your family from the impact of rising expenses.
Track your transactions. It’s easy these days to track your account 24/7 through Online Banking and the SAFE Mobile App. For real peace of mind, set alerts on your accounts, debit, and credit cards so you know when purchases hit your account. It helps you detect any fraud, too! You can also set up balance alerts that we’ll text directly to you on a schedule you choose.
Use budgeting tools: Check out SAFE’S FinLit Toolkit that offers info on paying down debt, preventing fraud, and easy budgeting guides. Consider using online budgeting tools and apps, too, that help you plan and monitor your spending. SAFE has a free, full-featured financial management tool available through Online Banking and the SAFE Mobile App where you can set and track goals as well as monitor your spending.
Dive into Financial Education: SAFE offers free educational resources, including webinars on everything on building emergency savings to planning for retirement, and the Zogo app that lets you earn real money while learning financial info in engaging lessons.
Though it may feel uneasy to navigate economic uncertainty, there are opportunities to own your financial wellness with positive account management strategies. SAFE is always here to help you, so if you have questions or want to learn more about how to take control of your finances, give us a call or schedule an appointment to talk with one of our friendly and knowledgeable service representatives.
