Like many others, this is my favorite season. Nothing beats the holiday festivities and spending time with loved ones. The season also brings an experience that can be fun, frustrating and stressful: holiday shopping. If you’re feeling more of the negative side this season, here are ways to make it easier: Make a List Figure out all the people you need to get gifts for and write down a few ideas for each person. Going out with a shopping list will help you avoid splurging on gifts (for them or yourself). Making a list also helps curb spending when grocery…

You’ve heard how important it is to set up a retirement plan and you want to get started. Or, maybe you just want to understand what options you have. The two common accounts you’ll hear about are  401(k)s and IRAs. Here’s what you need to know about both of them. 401(k) Plan This is a plan you can get from your employer. You won’t need to worry about maintaining your account or remembering to make contributions. You specify how much to take out of your paycheck and it’s a pre-tax deduction. Employers often offer to match up to a certain…

Getting out of debt is one thing, staying out of debt in another. After you pay off that last bill, you should try to stay on the budget and lifestyle you were maintaining while paying off your debt. That extra money can now go to savings. So how do you do it? Follow these tips. 1. Don’t spend more than you earn You can never maintain a debt free lifestyle if you spend more than you earn. If we examine why and how people fall into debt, we will find that this is the root problem – people spend more…

Fall 2014 car shopping season is in full swing! Aspire FCU is here to help with your auto loan or auto refinancing needs.  If you’re still in the shopping phase, here are eight 2014 vehicles you may want to consider (photos and details from Kelley Blue Book): Jeep Compass Price range: $18,795 – $27,995MPG: 23 city, 30 highwayThis vehicle is currently averaging 13.5% below sticker price. Features depend on trim, but may include: -Front or four-wheel drive -Rear backup camera -Uconnect media center with iPod interface View more Toyota Corolla Price range: $16,800 – $21,300MPG: 28 city, 37 highwayThis is…

The best college loans are the ones available through the federal government. If you are interested in pursuing private college loans, you need to proceed carefully. Here are seven things you need to know when shopping for private loans: 1. You’re Stuck with Them With federal student loans, there are options to help you deal with any rough patches you may encounter. This is not the case with personal loans. If you lose your job, you won’t be able to defer payments. You also can’t select income-based repayment options. What you sign up for is what you get – and…