Learn How to Destroy Your Debt

Feel like you’re drowning in debt.  No matter how difficult your situation is-with some hard work and discipline, you CAN begin to gain control of your finances. Here are some beginning steps to start:

• Track your spending and find out where your money is going
• Develop a spending plan-one that is flexible, and focuses on increasing income and decreasing living expenses! 
• Set Goals!  Look at your list of debts and set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic, and Timely) goals to pay them off!
  • Use the “Full Steam Method”-
    • You will pay your debts according to your spending plan.
    • When a loan/debt is paid in full, Full Steam will use that payment amount or any portion left to apply it toward another debt!
    • Plastic Surgery: it might be time to cut up those credit cards and close accounts to help keep you on track

    Sign up for our Debt Rehab or Budgeting class and let our Personal Financial Managers share additional tips!

Want to Improve Your Financial Fitness?

Have you come into some extra money (i.e. pay raise, bonus, tax refund) and itching to spend it on something you may not really need?

• ** The formula is:  Save 25%  ♦  Spend 25% ♦  50% goes toward debt. **
• This spending formula may be a much healthier financial choice. 

Come to our Getting a Refund? What’s Next? class to explore the best way to manage that extra money.

Why is Credit Important?

A credit score is a number assigned to you that indicates to a lender your capacity to repay a loan. This score helps lenders decide if they will give you a loan and the interest rate you will be charged.

Your Credit Score is based on:

• Payment history [35%] – Are you paying your debts on time?
• Amounts owed or credit utilization [30%] – Can you handle what you owe?
• Length of credit history [15%] – How long have you had and used credit?
• Type of credit [10%] – This considers the various types of credit accounts you have (revolving and installment) and whether you use credit appropriately.
• New credit or inquiries [10%] – Each time you apply for a new line of credit, it counts as an inquiry or a “hard” hit, and multiple “hard hits” can potentially lower your credit score.

Come talk to one of our Financial Counselors or attend our myFICO Credit Score/Report class for more ideas.

Tips to Improve Your Credit Score

Ensure your credit report is accurate and up to date and develop a plan to correct any negative items that are affecting your score.

• Payment history: Make all payments promptly and stay within your limits. Use automatic payment plans or set up a bill-paying calendar.
• Amounts owed or Credit Utilization: Pay down your existing balances and try not to exceed 30% of the credit limit on a credit card. Prefer credit cards to be paid in full every month.
• Length of Credit History: Don’t add any new accounts and do not close out long-term accounts. Establish new credit but only if you have little or no existing credit history.
• Type of Credit: Scores consider your mix of credit, revolving (credit cards, retail accounts, lines of credit) and installment (car loans, mortgage loans, student loans). It's not necessary to have one of each, and it's not a good idea to open credit accounts you don't intend to use.

Come talk to one of our Financial Counselors or attend our Credit…What’s the Big Deal class for more ideas.

10 Steps to Protect Against Identity Theft

1. Shred All Identifying documents, bank slips, credit card receipts, etc.
2. Shop Online ONLY on secure websites – Look for a padlock icon or “https” in the address bar to ensure your data is encrypted.
3. Keep anti-virus and anti-spyware software up to date
4. Beware of Phishing Scams –  Identity thieves will try and obtain your sensitive data, online or by e-mail, by disguising themselves as a trustworthy company, such as a credit card company or Paypal. Don't respond to any e-mail or click any links contained within it, even if it appears to be legitimate. 
5. Ask about Identity Theft Prevention Procedures from your bank, credit card companies, and even your employer
6. Don’t fall for telephone scams – Never give out your personal information over the phone to someone who calls you claiming to represent a bank, credit card company, charity, or other organization.
7. Check your Credit Report  – According to US law (Fair Credit Reporting Act), every citizen is entitled to one free credit report each year. You can get free reports from the three major credit reporting agencies by going to Annualcreditreport.com. Verify that the information is correct and check for suspicious activity, particularly mysterious new accounts opened. 
8. Protect your Social Security Number  –  Always validate the reason your SSN is needed and how it will be stored, shared, and protected. Ask if there is another identifier that can be used instead. 
9. Safely store your Important Documents such as passports, birth certificates, and social security cards
10. Be mindful of your snail mail –  Don’t let mail sit in your mailbox for too long and consider dropping sensitive mail off at a secure collection box or at the post office itself.

Literally, freeze your credit & identity theft in its tracks (one of the many ways you can be proactive and protect yourself and your credit).

For more information on protecting your identity, schedule an appointment at 425-304-3735, with one of our Personal Financial Managers today.

Start Your Savings Account Today

Here'e how you can proceed with dividing your funds when your paycheck comes in:

• Always pay yourself 1st (treat your savings goal like any other bill)
• Make a plan for how to save
• Create a budget to track what you spend & save (to allocate and have a plan for every dollar you get/own your money don’t let it own you)
• Set a Goal: what are you saving for (emergencies, retirement, car, home, vacation, belly button piercing, car parts, education, WHAT)? Set money aside regularly so you don’t have to use your credit cards.
• Start small--If saving 10% of your net income is a challenge right now, start with 3%! 
• Meal prep/shop sales/discounts/etc. 
• Save Automatically
• Use the 24-hour rule for purchasing items (guarantee it will help you spend less and save more & have less buyer’s remorse)
• Save your loose change 
• Try to save 10-20% out of each check (again if that is too much- start smaller: change, rounding up to the nearest dollar, etc.)
• Save your tax refund!

For more individualized tips on starting your savings, come and talk to one of our Personal Financial Managers or attend our Budgeting without Tears class.

Preparing Finances for Deployment

1. Gather key estate-planning documentation such as your will. If you need assistance with this, contact the JAG legal office on base.
2. Grant a power of attorney to your spouse or other family member who will be handling the finances.
3. Update your beneficiary designations on your insurance and retirement accounts.
4. Automate your bills, especially if you are a single Sailor.
5. Contact your service providers to cut or reduce any services that are unnecessary during the deployment. This would include things like extended cable, internet, or cell phone service. Some cellular phone companies will allow service members to suspend service for up to 18 months.
6. Adjust your auto insurance. If there is an extra vehicle that will not be driven, you may be able to get a discount if the car is not being used.
7. Get the right insurance on your home or apartment. If you will be renting or subletting, make sure you have the proper coverage.
8. Know the tax-filing rules. You do not have to file taxes while you're deployed to a combat zone, in fact, you and your spouse can file up to 180 days after you leave the eligible combat zone.
9. Build up an extra emergency fund. It is always important to be prepared in the event of an emergency.
10. Create a notebook of key information that may be needed in your absence. An inventory of your financial accounts, how to access them, and passwords should be a vital part of this notebook.

Buying a home is one of the most expensive and complicated purchases you will ever make.  Here are 10 things to consider when buying a home. 

1. Are you ready to purchase a home? Things to consider: 
   - How long will you stay in the area? 
   - Do you have Job/income security?
   - Do you have enough money set aside for expenses and upkeep of the home? Have fully funded emergency savings. It is important to have 6 months’ worth of income saved up before buying a home…it’s not a matter of “if” something will happen with the home but more of “when.” 
2. What can you afford?
   - Create a Budget so you know your price range!
3. Know your credit score! Lenders look at your credit score to determine the rate on your mortgage loan.
   - Get your FREE annual credit report at annualcreditreport.com
4. Save for a Down Payment
   - Many mortgage loans require 3-20 percent down payment on a home.
   - Even if no down payment is required, making a down payment will help lower your monthly payments and leave you with additional funds to invest elsewhere. The more money you can put down will also save you thousands of dollars in interest over the long term. Also, consider using a mortgage calculator (beforehand) to play out different scenarios (down payments; 15 or 30-year fixed; interest paid over the long-term; total lifetime payment; etc.) 
5. Choose a lender that offers several loan options, is knowledgeable about those options, and takes time to explain them to you.
6. Evaluate the different types of loans and choose the one that is right for you.  If you finance a 30-year fixed mortgage loan, it is always a good idea to pay extra and have the intention to try to pay the loan off in 15 years or less. Paying your home off this early will save you thousands of dollars in interest payments over the long haul. Even if you can afford a 15-year fixed mortgage loan, it is still a smart option to finance it for 30 years fixed. When you finance it out longer this gives you more security if something happens in the economy, (so your payments are more affordable). Again, if you finance it out longer the goal is to still look at the mortgage payment in your head as a 15-year mortgage (and plan to double the 30-year fixed mortgage payment) to pay off the loan in full in half the time. 
7. Find the right real estate agent for you who will help you find a home within your budget and parameters as well as help you manage the details of your purchase.
8. Research comparable property values around the area so you can negotiate an offer.
9. Always, always, ALWAYS get an inspection.
10. Remember to purchase adequate home insurance to protect your home, possessions, and liability to others.

To learn more about buying a home, attend one of our Home Buying classes or make an appointment with your Personal Financial Manager at 425-304-3735.