7 Fun Money Saving Challenges to Try in 2023
Is your New Year’s resolution going to be to save more money? Breaking bad habits and increasing your financial security is an admirable resolution – ...
AmeriChoice Digital Wallet
The days of frantically searching for your card when you’re checking out at the grocery store, or groggily paying for your morning coffee are over!
New Years Savings Goals
“New Year, New Me!” is a phrase we hear constantly from the end of December through January every year. Everyone has big plans about how they’re going...
Why are Mortgages taking so long to process?
Anyone trying to buy a new home or refinance their current mortgage, may be wondering why mortgages are taking so long to process. While historically ...
Sharing Living Expenses
Before tying the knot, more and more couples are choosing to live together. While living together can be a great opportunity to see if you and your si...
Summer Fun that Won’t Break the Bank
The summer heat sets in just in time… to be surrounded by children who want to be entertained. All. Day. Long.
Starting a Conversation
As Friends and Families Age – You Can Help Make Sure They’re Financially Secure
Are You Prepared to Buy a Home?
Student Loans Don’t Have to Hold You Back: Good Planning Will Get You There Be prepared.
Get Started: Paying off School Debt to Reach Your Goals
You won’t be making payments forever. Promise.
Use Equity to Upgrade Your Home
Use Equity to Upgrade Your Home Make your most valuable asset even more valuable.
3 Tips for Building a Budget You Can Live With
Many people have to work hard to not visibly cringe when they hear the word “budget,” as they conjure up visions of joyless futures lacking in cash fo...
Comparing Traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs
Are you curious about how traditional and Roth IRAs compare? When it comes to planning your future, you should know how to invest, so you make the mos...
Your guide to understanding home inspections
Buying a home can be an overwhelming process and can leave many people questioning if they are making the right decision. One way to increase your con...
What is the difference between APY and APR?
We have been receiving questions about interest rates with APY and APR. How are they factored in for loans and investments? How can one word make such...
Should You Pay with Debit or Credit when holiday shopping
The holidays are here, and you are ready to go holiday shopping. You’ve read our tips on how to make your holiday budget work and used that informatio...
When is it time to invest in your next vehicle?
There are a variety of factors to consider when deciding if it is the right time for you to invest in your next vehicle. Evaluate the status of your c...
Tips to make your holiday budget work
When it comes to budgeting and saving money so that you can enjoy the holiday season, it all begins with planning. The goal of this up-front effort is...
Use the FREE Personal Financial Management Tool in Online Banking
Did you know that AmeriChoice online banking includes a free personal financial management tool called Focus? We want all of our members to know and t...
3 Reasons to Add Credit Union Membership to Your Employee Benefits
Attention small business owners! What can you offer employees that sets you apart from your competitors? Here’s one – credit union membership! Of all ...
Travel Smart with an AmeriChoice VISA
Are you about to head off on summer vacation? While you are making sure that you have your hotel or condo rental, plane tickets, rental car and activi...
5 Questions to Determine if You Know the Smartest Way to Use a Credit Card
What’s the smartest way to use a credit card? Responsibly. In order to take advantage of credit, raise your credit score, and get rewards through your...
What are Wire Transfers & Should I Use One? [The Basics]
Wire transfers are a quick, secure method of transferring money between two parties. The bank wire transfer process is simple, even if you’ve never tr...
New College Grads: Avoid these 5 Financial Mistakes
You finally graduated college – congrats! This is a huge accomplishment but also just the first step in adulthood. The ‘real world’ can often throw yo...
5 Smart Ways to Spend Less on College Tuition
Are you nearing the end of high school and starting to question how you’re going to pay for a college education? The average college tuition per year ...
15 Spending Tips Every College Student Should Know
College students understand the need to be frugal. When you’re dishing out money on tuition, textbooks, and daily living expenses – it can be difficul...
Professional Financial Planner & Adviser FAQs
How much does a financial planner cost? Do I really need a professional advisor to help manage my money? We’re answering these frequently-asked questi...
Your Exterior Spring Home Maintenance Checklist
Too often spring cleaning happens inside the home and ignores the exterior. We compiled this spring home maintenance checklist for important exterior ...
5 Surprising Statistics about Borrowing Equity in your Home
We found some really interesting statistics we want to share with you! These 5 stats could help you decide whether to borrow equity against your home,...
Breaking Down 7 Different Types of Credit Cards
When a google search for the best credit cards yields millions of results – it can be difficult to answer the question ‘what credit card should I get?...
The Top Financial Issues U.S. Families are Facing Today
Overcoming financial hardship is one of the underlying themes of the American dream. Many Americans are concerned with financial problems in their lif...
Mortgage Q&A with Vicki
At AmeriChoice, we’re always looking for ways to help members better their financial situation and reach their goals. One topic that always seems to b...
17 Financial Questions You Must Ask Your Future Spouse
Newly engaged? Congrats! While this is an exciting time, it’s also the perfect time to get to know your partner better than ever – and that includes t...
Use these 3 Plans to Save for Your Child’s Future
How soon should you start thinking about your child’s future? Are there even college savings plans for babies? It’s never too early and absolutely. As...
11 Money Saving Life Hacks You Have to Try This Year
Saving money isn’t an impossible task. Sometimes it just takes the right strategy. These are our favorite money saving life hacks that anyone can use....
How to Start a Small Business in PA [Simple Guide]
If you’re considering starting a small business in PA – congratulations! Owning a business can be incredibly rewarding and challenging. We’ve compiled...
13 Easy Ways to Avoid Common Holiday Scams
The holidays are one of the most exciting times of the year – for families and scammers. As spending is on the rise in November and December, so are t...
13 Holiday Spending Statistics that May Surprise You
Happy Thanksgiving! Or should we say – Happy Black Friday! You’re probably aware that Thanksgiving is a prime time for Holiday shopping. In fact, you ...
Should You Pay with Debit or Credit at the Cash Register?
When you spend your hard-earned money, you have a few options of how to complete those transactions. You could choose to pay cash, use your debit card...
Use these Seven Strategies Catch Up on Your Retirement Savings
One out of every three Americans has zero dollars saved for retirement, according to a GOBankingRates survey. The survey also found that 75% of indivi...
5 Holiday Budgeting Tips to Help You Keep Your Sanity
It’s no secret that the Holiday season is full of joy – and full of costly expenditures. Use these holiday budgeting tips to make sure you’re not over...
Would You Save Money by Refinancing Your Auto Loan?
According to Experian’s latest data, the average monthly payment for a new car is up to $506! One way you could drop that monthly payment is to refina...
11 Pieces of Financial Advice Every New College Graduate Should Read
If you graduated in May of 2017, you’re quickly discovering the reality of budgeting after college. If you used federal student loans, your grace peri...
How Many Transfers Can You Make from Your Savings in a Month? [FAQ]
One of our most frequently-asked questions is how many transfers from savings to checking are allowed in one month. Our savings account transfer limit...
Debt Collection Basics: What to Do if Your Debt Goes to a Collector
Approximately 30 million Americans had a debt in collections in 2013. The debt collection process can seem scary. You hear horror stories about the wo...
Online Banks vs. Traditional Banks vs. Credit Unions
With 62% of Americans now listing digital banking as their primary method of banking, it’s easy to see why more online-only banks are popping up by th...
Breaking Down 4 Types of Mortgages for First Time Buyers
First time home buyers are estimated to make up 35% of all home purchases in 2017. Your first venture into the world of real estate can be overwhelmin...
Use These 7 Hacks to Repair & Raise Your Credit Score
While the average American’s FICO credit score is 700, which is considered fair, there are still many who struggle with their score’s limitations. May...
7 Questions to Ask Before You Open a Savings Account
Did you know that a staggering 34% of Americans have no money in a savings account? This lack of savings can mean financial ruin in the event of an em...
Introducing Personal Financial Analysis
At AmeriChoice, we are always looking for new ways to help our members reach their financial goals. In 2015 we introduced our Personal Financial Analy...
Saving Money: Where should you be at age 30?
Saving for the future is vital for your financial well-being. Whether you’re preparing to make a large purchase, contributing towards retirement, or s...
How to Use a Credit Card to Improve your Credit Score
Using credit cards wisely is one of the best ways to gradually improve your credit and increase your credit score. However, using credit cards to buil...
Top 9 Ways to Pay Off Student Loans in Less Time
The average college graduate in 2016 owes a staggering $37,172 in student loan debt. This debt can hinder reaching financial milestones like buying a ...
How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt: One Lump Sum vs. Monthly Payments
Did you know that 38.1% of all American households carry some form of credit card debt? This debt can weigh heavily on your credit score, making it mo...
How to Find the Right Mortgage for You
The most common type of mortgage is the conventional 30 year, fixed-rate mortgage – but there are plenty of other options out there that will cater to...
Home Equity Loan Breakdown
Could you be in the market for a new home equity loan? A home equity loan is a loan for a fixed amount of money that is secured by your home. You repa...
The Importance of Banking Locally
With over ten banks and credit unions operating just in Mechanicsburg, PA, and dozens in the greater Central PA area, it can be difficult to narrow do...
Choosing the Right Loan: Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
If you’ve decided now is the right time for you to invest in a home, it’s also time to decide what type of mortgage works best for your unique situati...
Buying vs. Renting: Are you Ready to Own a Home?
Owning a home was once the pinnacle of the American dream. While that sentiment still rings true for many, since the housing bubble burst, people have...
Youth Savings and Financial Tips
Soon you’ll be planting that financial seed in your young one’s mind to watch them grow into a responsible young adult who makes great money choices. ...
Help for First Time Home Buyers
When it comes to milestone purchases, your first home will always be at the top of the list. At AmeriChoice, we have researched and requested informat...
Financial Stress Management
Adult financial education is a touchy subject. We all know the basics of saving, planning for retirement, and getting a loan, but often asking for hel...
How CU Services Can Help Avoid Fraud Tactics
The 2016 Identity Fraud Study from Javelin Strategy & Research found that many consumers who do not trust their financial institutions are engagin...
5 Secrets to Sticking to Your Budget
You know that budgets are important, and you may have already created a personal budget spreadsheet, but the true test is if you can stick to your own...
3 Reasons Why Budgeting Will Change Your Life
Can you remember the last time you tracked how much money you spent in a month? Can’t remember? You’re not alone. In fact, only 32% of households in t...
The Beginners Guide to Creating a Budget
If you’re looking to take control of your personal finances, creating a budget is the first place to start. A budget tracks your income and expenses a...
Why Switch? The Top 3 Reasons to Join a Credit Union
Credit Unions have been a part of the world’s financial system since 1849 and have swelled to include over 100 million members in America alone. The p...
Common Fraud Tactics and How to Avoid Them
At AmeriChoice we pride ourselves in providing the best products and services for our members. We also want to keep our members educated on the most p...
10 Ways to Tell if You Have Good Finances
A new study by CNBC finds that 8 in 10 people in America are in some form of debt. With such a large number of the population dealing with these finan...
Successful Home Buying Tips
Purchasing a home is a big decision, but with the experts at AmeriChoice on your side, we’ll ensure the decision is a sound one. So, before you go sho...
HSA: Why Should I Have One?
Healthcare in today’s world can be very confusing and even scary. If you are one of the many folks who does not have “conventional” health insurance o...
Make Memories, Not Worries… Convert Debt Into Savings!
When the bills come in every month, it becomes increasingly more difficult to focus on your true financial goals. The average American household carri...
AmeriChoice’s Loan Protection Program
Help preserve your standard of living. Long-term unemployment (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) has accounted for more than one-third of the total ...
Credit Scoring System Updated
Breaking News.
Consumers to Benefit With Credit Bureau Change
Breaking News. For decades, consumers have been complaining about the challenges with disputing items with the credit reporting agencies. Finally, the...
Monkey See, Monkey Do: Teaching Financial Literacy
Teaching Financial Literacy We’d be “lion” if we said saving was easy. Teach children how to save for their goals and they’ll have one of the most dif...
Frauds, Scams, and Cyberthreats: Part Two
The fight for member security continues! Educate yourself about possible threats and ways you can prevent fraud on your account.
Have you made your New Year’s Resolution?
Well the New Year is finally here. The month of “resolutions” begins!
Why you shouldn’t pay for college with retirement savings
College costs rise every year and leave many parents worried how they’ll be able to help their child achieve a degree. In 2011, 4% of those parents wi...
Life Insurance: 3 Major Misconceptions
People come in all shapes and sizes. We are all different and unique, from our nationality and religious background to our individual opinions and sen...
Top 7 Reasons Your Debit Card was Declined
Updated: February 14, 2017
Planning Your Legacy
Your First Aid Kit Like most families, I keep a First Aid Kit in my home… just in case. If some part of my daily plan goes awry (the slip of a knife w...
Movin’ on Up!
What do rising interest rates mean to YOU? Are you a saver? A borrower? An investor? Perhaps each of these categories represents a fragment of your fi...
The Sky is Falling!
Protecting Yourself from “Bad Investment” Advice Is there such a thing as a bad investment? Each type of investment was created for a reason – to fill...
How to Establish Credit as a Young Adult
Breaking into the world of credit can be an intimidating process In order to get a credit card, financial institutions want to see that you have good ...
Preserve Your Standard of Living
Did you know that just over 1 in 4 of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled before reaching age 67? Whether you’re taking out a loan to make home ...
A Simple Guide to Income Tax
Your accountant hands you your completed tax return. You pull out your checkbook to pay the accountant’s fee that you pay every year. But wait…WHAT? Y...
The Next Step in Fraud Prevention
In light of the recent data breaches, we are hearing a lot in the media about EMV. What is EMV? EMV stands for Europay MasterCard VISA (EMV) and is th...
Improve your Credit Score
Do you know what your credit score is? Or how you can improve your credit score? Today people understand less and less about their credit score, espec...