Neutralize the Digital Threat You Carry Everywhere

Your smartphone is your confidante, your hand-held connection to the world — and one of your biggest vulnerabilities.

Scammers can take advantage of day-to-day tasks that seem innocuous, like checking a bank balance or charging a phone at a public USB port, to exploit personal information for their profit.

To keep that data safe, start by understanding the threats you face. Your phone has three main areas of vulnerability: its hardware, its software and your phone number. Each carries a risk, and there are steps you can take to mitigate them.

EVAN’S RECIPE SPOTLIGHT: Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal

Fresh fruit and rich, custardy oats make this baked oatmeal a filling and flavorful “fix ahead” breakfast. Just heat and eat each morning!

Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hr
Adapted from Budget Bytes

Worried About the New FICO Score? Here’s What to Know — and Do

FICO announced a new “suite” of credit scores this week, leading to alarming headlines warning that 40 million people could see their scores drop by at least 20 points. That’s scary if you think you’ll be among them.

But lost in the worry about FICO 10 is the fact that another 40 million will see scores increase by that much. And 110 million will see a difference of less than 20 points.

Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions About Wills

Although studies show that most people believe having a will is important, the sad truth is that less than half have one.

Preparing for the end of life is one of those things you know you should do–but according to a recent study, most American adults haven’t taken the time to get their end-of-life documents and plans in order.

60% of Middle-Aged Americans Do Not Have a Will

Local Service. Global Reach.

On October 17, 2019, DOCFCU will join with 56,000 credit unions around the world in celebration of International Credit Union (ICU) Day®.

There are 200+ million credit union members around the world—more than 100 million in the U.S. alone—and DOCFCU joins them in celebration of the not-for-profit cooperative spirit that all credit unions share.

Four tips that will kickstart your college savings plan

Most parents want to set up a college fund for their kids. The challenge is knowing how and when to start. What’s the right age, how much should you save, and which savings plan is best?

The process can be overwhelming, but rest assured, BALANCE is ready to help. Check out these effective tips to get your college savings plan on track:

Back-to-School Shopping: Kids Influenced by Social Media Push Parents to Overspend

Kids pushing their parents for the coolest in back-to-school gear is a late-summer tradition, and today, youngsters have some backup: social media influencers.

Peer and social media influences on children are not news unto themselves, but it turns out these factors are affecting how parents spend their back-to-school dollars, according to a new NerdWallet survey conducted online by The Harris Poll.

Why You Need a Midyear Budget Check-In

A typical July includes vacations, travel, shopping, weddings and beaches. Budgets? Not really.

But the year’s halfway point provides a great opportunity to take a close look at your financial health and goals.

Retirement Withdrawal Rate: What’s a Safe Number?

For quite a while, the standard advice was to take 4% out of your total retirement nest egg every year to have enough money for a comfortable lifestyle in your golden years. There was strong logic behind that number; a mixture of 60% of your money in stocks and 40% in bonds has historically been a very safe bet to return greater than 4% over any 30-year period. As long as you adjust your withdrawal for inflation periodically, you should be fine.

Free Webinars: PLANNING FOR MONEY MILESTONES

There are many important financial milestones for consumers. To help prepare for a positive financial future—without sacrificing fun—we take a realistic approach to managing finances. We’ll cover SMART goals, getting financially organized, building a budget, controlling expenses, wiping out debt, and much more!