By: Nicholas Franks06.01.23
Culture
Days get longer, nights become shorter, and extra time with friends and family is just beginning. As entrepreneur Michael Altshuler once said, “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” It’s your choice today to be the pilot or a passenger.
Thankfully, we’ve made it easy to help you narrow down your options where to land the plane! Check out the top things you can do this June in the greater Philadelphia area.
This could be the right time for you to refinance your home loan. You’ve had the same mortgage for several years now, and you’ve built up home equity. What will happen when you refinance? How do you get this process started, and what does it include? Here’s what you need to know about the process of refinancing your home loan.
If you’ve got first-class travel dreams but more of a road-trip budget, don’t worry: It’s possible to explore the world without wrecking your wallet. Here are some money-saving travel tips to help you keep costs down before, during, and after your trip.
By: Nicholas Franks05.11.23
Culture
Spring weather is finally here, so now it’s time to hang up that winter jacket that you’ve been telling yourself that you’re going to put away for the last several weeks. Take your allergy medication and head out to meetup with friends you haven’t seen in a while at a local restaurant or a backyard fire. There are many things to do around the Delaware Valley this month and we hope that this list will give you some ideas!
In the last five to ten years, large scale data breaches appear to be getting ever more common. It seems like every week, another news story breaks about a large company that fell victim of a data breach. These breaches see millions of users’ personal information compromised, often including usernames and passwords, either encrypted, or in the worst cases, in plain text. While there is little that can be done from a user perspective to prevent data breaches from websites, there are ways to protect yourself from cyber threats, including using strong and unique passwords.
You may have seen in the news that there is a “new” tax for mortgage borrowers with higher credit scores.
Before we get into things, know this: You will not get a better deal on a mortgage rate if your credit score is lower. Don’t ruin your credit score for a myth. Continue reading to understand the facts and the whys surrounding these fee adjustments.
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is an often-overlooked cost that homeowners may need to pay when buying a home with a conventional mortgage or refinancing that loan. Understanding PMI can help you to avoid paying it or saving money in the long term. Here’s what you need to know.
By: American Heritage04.20.23
Culture
Earth Day is celebrated by billions of people around the globe each year on April 22. In honor of this year’s theme, “Invest in Our Planet,” we’ve compiled a list of 52 eco-friendly ways you can help the planet every week. These Earth Day ideas can help you conserve water and energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and improve the environment for future generations—plus, they’ll help you save money while you make a positive impact!
Financial literacy is an essential life skill that lays the groundwork for a successful future. As parents, grandparents, or guardians, it’s crucial to teach children about money management since that’s often not covered in schools. To help you guide your little ones on this important journey, we've compiled a list of seven common mistakes to avoid when teaching your kids about money.
By: Nicholas Franks04.06.23
Culture
Spring is here and it’s time to get out to enjoy the warm sun and take in all the activities the greater Philadelphia area has to offer. From attending a sporting event to cultural demonstrations, there’s something for everyone and their families!
Home is where the heart is … and it can also be a valuable source of low-cost funds you can use for just about anything. If you’re a homeowner who’s built up equity in your home, you may have the opportunity to access affordable financing through a home equity loan or line of credit (HELOC). Here are some things to consider before tapping into your equity.
If you’ve been following the news, scams and fraud are seemingly everywhere in our world. Whether over the phone, online, or even in the mail, it seems like there is a new trick to learn every day with regards to fraudsters, and it is important to stay informed about the latest cons to protect yourself and your family.
Traveling can bring excitement, new experiences, and can even help you recharge and reduce stress. But to travel, you’ll need to pay for your trip and expenses that come with it. Travel credit cards are a great option for those looking to earn and redeem points, cash back, and receive valuable perks to help ease travel costs. With many options available to travelers, it’s hard to know which card is your best option. We’ve created a guide to help you determine which type of card best suits your spending habits, travel needs, and expectations.
By: Nicholas Franks03.02.23
Culture
The City of Brotherly Love: the heartbeat of the Delaware Valley which we’ve been tied to since 1948. American Heritage Credit Union is one of the leading financial institutions in the greater Philadelphia area that provides members with full-service banking solutions while continually staying involved with our community. Here are some affordable things that you can do this month with your friends or family for under $60!
Since 2007, America Saves Week has been inspiring people of all ages to commit to building and maintaining good savings habits. This year’s theme is “A Financially Confident You,” and it’s all about taking control of your finances to achieve financial well-being.
In honor of America Saves Week, here are some money-saving tips to help you boost your financial confidence and empower your financial future.
By: Holly Benedetto02.16.23
Auto
A vehicle is no small purchase. Many people will research for hours before making a decision, comparing manufacturers, models, and even dealerships. When doing your research, don’t forget to answer this vital question: when is the best time to buy? By timing your purchase for a sales event, you can save yourself thousands of dollars on the ticket price or interest payments over the life of your loan.
Millions of people use dating apps or social networking sites like Facebook and Instagram in the hope of finding love. But instead of finding their dream person, they wake up to an empty bank account. In fact, in 2021 alone, the Federal Trade Commission said that losses from romance scams were up nearly 80% from 2020, totaling $547 million.
There are lots of things to look out for when it comes to romance and other online scams. In this blog, we’ll look at some different kinds of scams so you can avoid them and the heartache that can come along with them.
Identity theft can be a devastating crime that victims may not notice until it is already too late. Anyone can become a victim of identity theft, but luckily, anyone can take precautions to protect themselves.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and its partners hosted Identity Theft Awareness Week from January 30 through February 3, 2023. Their mission is to raise awareness that any person, of any age or background, can be a target for identity theft.
Soaring home prices over the past few years have caused an interesting side effect – homeowners are finding themselves with a lot more home equity.
Home equity is the difference between your home’s value and how much you still owe on your mortgage. For example, if your home is worth $300,000, and you owe $50,000 on your mortgage, you have $250,000 in equity.
By: American Heritage01.19.23
Credit
Between the rising cost of gas and groceries, holiday expenses, and unexpected bills, chances are your credit card balance may be a little higher than you’d like. Luckily, there’s a simple solution to help you lower your monthly payments and pay off your credit card debt faster: transferring your current balance to a low- or no- interest credit card. Here’s how a credit card balance transfer can help you get a fresh start and give your budget some breathing room in the new year.