This podcast reviews tips on what to look for when shopping for a new credit card and ideas on how to use your cards wisely. 

Credit Card Podcast

To listen to the podcast, click on the above link and the podcast will play in the blog player, or right click and save to your computer to play later.

For other available podcasts, vist the Podcast section of this blog.

Listen to our latest podcast to find out what vishing is and what you can do to prevent being a victim.

Vishing Podcast

For other podcasts, check out the podcast section of this blog. 

To save the podcast to your computer, right click the above link and choose “save as”.  To listen right now, mouse over the above link and click on the play button in the blog podcast player.

Our podcast talks about some common scams, how they work and what you can do to prevent them.

To listen to the podcast, click the play button in the blog podcast player, or right click the link and save the MP3 version to play later.

Online Safety Podcast

For other podcasts from First New York FCU, check out the podcasts section of this blog.

First New York FCU has begun offering a new online bill payment and E-bill service, which can help save time by allowing members the ability to pay bills without writing a check, and also by receiving bills online, through our First OnLine service.

You can save money… because it’s FREE!  So, you don’t need to worry about not having stamps or checks to pay your bills.

Online bill payment and E-bill is secure, and by receiving your bills online, you are helping to save the environment by reducing paper statements.

To sign up, visit www.firstnewyork.org, logon to First OnLine and click on the bill payment button. 

IRA rules don’t have a minimum age requirement, so any young person who has earned income is eligible to open an IRA. Because earned income is the key to qualifying for a Roth, generally, a young adult or even a child would have to be working part time for an employer who collected taxes and reported the earnings to the IRS.

How big are the benefits of starting early? If a 19-year-old began contributing $1,500 each year to a Roth IRA, by age 68 he or she would have about $608,000, assuming an average annual return of 7%.

Money is taxed going into a Roth IRA and accrues interest until it can be withdrawn, completely tax-free, beginning at age 59 ½.  While that may be a long way off for young investors, certain withdrawals can be made earlier, including a $10,000 for a down payment on a first home.

For more information on a Roth IRA, contact First New York Federal Credit Union!

If you’re in your 20s, you have a financial asset money can’t buy–time.  And time makes your money grow.  Here’s 10 smart money moves for twenty-somethings:

1. Set financial goals, say, to take a vacation, go back to school, get married, buy a house, or start saving for an early retirement.  Put your goals in writing, then calculate how much you’ll need to save each month to reach them.

2. Make a spending plan, limit your debt, and concentrate on paying off existing bills.  Limit debt to your ability to repay.  Monthly credit payments, excluding a mortgage, shouldn’t exceed 20% of your monthly take-home (after-tax) pay.

3. Build an emergency fund equal to three to six months’ living expenses, even if it takes years to build.  Use this fund only for true emergencies, such as unexpected car repairs, illness, or unemployment.

4. Save at least 10% of gross income for your emergency fund, future goals, and retirement.  If you can’t manage 10%, start with 5% and increase it over time.

5. Take advantage of the services offered by your credit union.  You’ll earn more when you save and pay less when you borrow.

6. Make it a priority to get adequate health, disability, auto, personal liability, and tenants’ or homeowners’ insurance.  If someone else depends on your income, you also need life insurance.

7. Once you’ve implemented your spending plan, built your emergency fund, and obtained appropriate insurance, make the most of your money by starting to invest.  The key to making the most of your money is investing small amounts gradually and sensibly over time.

8. Use tax-advantaged savings plans your employer or the government offers to save money for your retirement, such as company 401(k) retirement savings plans and individual retirement accounts.

9. Keep job options open by keeping your job skills fresh.  Get necessary training and education so your knowledge and skills stay up to date.

10. Maintain orderly financial files to keep track of your money and put your hands on important records when you need them.

Try these tips, they’ll help!

Sounds good, but how do you pay for these?  One of the best ways is through a Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit.  This podcast will give you information about Home Equities and talk about the differences and how you can decide which is best for you.

To listen to the podcast, click the play button in the blog podcast player, or right click the link and save the MP3 version to play later.

Home Equity Podcast

For other podcasts from First New York FCU, check out the podcasts section of this blog.

Getting a car of your own–and it’s about time.  All you can think about is how great it’s going to be to cruise around town with your friends.  But don’t get ahead of yourself and overlook the expenses associated with car ownership.  There are a number of costly fees looking to hitch a ride with you every chance they get.

Common auto expenses shouldn’t discourage you;  they simply come with the territory of auto ownership.  When you buy your car, there will be tax, title, and license plate fees.  Then there are insurance costs and inspection fees.  And don’t forget about routine expenses like gasoline, oil changes, and tune-ups.

Research the average costs of auto insurance and other expenses ahead of time,  and save money so that you can stay ahead of the auto-expenses game.  Your preparation and resourcefulness will leave you ready for anything that tries to come between you and your new set of wheels.  Now, get out there and take a little drive–and leave auto expenses on the side of the road, looking for an unprepared driver to latch onto.

A big thank you goes out to the Times Union of Albany NY.  Recently they featured our blog, along with our other podcasts, in-school branches and youth initiatives, in the Capitaland Quarterly.

Here is a link to the article:

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=675726

If you’re as worried about climate change on the planet as you are about climate control inside your car, it’s now easier to pick out the greenest vehicle that meets your needs and budget.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—which regulates tailpipe pollutants as well as measures gas mileage—has combined data from both roles into a new Green Vehicle Guide.  Consulting this and other Internet green car ratings will help you make a more informed decision.

If you look at EPA ratings, you can see which of the cars, vans, pickups, or SUVs you’re considering add least to your hometown air pollution as well as have the least impact on global warming.  And there’s a bonus: Cars with lower carbon dioxide emissions generally have higher gas mileage and so will cost you less to drive.

In trying to think green for your next car, here are some issues to consider:

• Look hard at how you use your vehicle.  Consider your actual automotive needs rather than just your wants.

• Choose the greenest in your category.  Even if the vehicles you’re interested in don’t show up in the EPA or other top ratings, remember that better gas mileage translates to lower emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide.

• Don’t assume a hybrid is the only answer.  Though gas-electric hybrids top the mileage and green rating lists in most categories, you can find other green choices as well.

• Be alert for quirks in the EPA Rating.  Some vehicles flagged by the EPA as green standouts run most efficiently on E85 ethanol. Check here for E85 availability where you live; you’ll have to put in your zip code.

Greener choices–from small vehicles to large–are becoming available.  For the latest on hybrids and other green cars, visit Edmunds.com and click on Tips and Advice.