ReadyForZero Blog

In the years since the infamous Lehman Brothers collapse and the ensuing financial crisis, scrutiny of banks has only grown worse. It’s enough to make some people want to go back to the old days of stuffing cash under their mattress! However, in order to protect your money it is important that you put it into a bank. In a bank your money is insured and has the ability to grow. If left at home your money could get lost, stolen, or damaged if there’s a fire or flood. Plus, let’s not forget about the convenience of online banking, debit cards, and overdraft protection. The real question is, which banks should you trust? As resentment towards big banks simmers, people are flocking towards their local credit unions for their banking needs. How can you decide which is right for you?

To start, let’s go over the differences between banks and credit unions. A traditional bank is a for-profit public financial institution. A credit union is a non-profit financial cooperative. In order to join a credit union, you need to share a “common bond” with them. Typically this takes the shape of a professional association (i.e. a teacher’s credit union) or a geographic community (meaning you have to live in a certain town or city to join). In a credit union, each member is not simply a customer, but a part-owner that has a vote in the leadership of the union.

Now that you understand the basic differences between a bank and a credit union, let’s talk about some of the highest priorities for most bank customers and see how each type of institution adds up.

Happy Monday! We’re just two weeks away from Memorial Day. Do you know what that means? That’s right, the official start of summer! To most people, summer equals fun in the sun – but it’s no time to give up on all the hard work you’ve done so far this year to save and earn money. So before you bust out the swimsuits and travel plans, check out these tips for making and saving extra money this summer!

I always love Mother’s Day because I think my mom (like most moms) is underappreciated. I’m thrilled there’s one day a year we can set aside to celebrate her. Everyone loves to get gifts, but what moms really love, is when we take the time to show them how thankful we are they’re in our lives. Here are some thoughtful and affordable Mother’s Day gift ideas your mom will love:

DIY specialty gift baskets. A “Do It Yourself” (DIY) gift basket is simple to make and easy to tailor to your mother’s likes and dislikes. Just purchase an inexpensive basket at any craft store and then fill it with some of her favorite candles, bath salts, lotions and other beauty goodies. Or you could put in some candies, chocolates and other homemade treats. If it reflects your mom’s personality it will be even more special, so get creative with it!

Customize your own cards. Whether it’s a poem, a song or just a handwritten letter, creating a custom card will definitely bring a smile to your mother’s face. It doesn’t take much time or money, but it’s a heartfelt gift she will really enjoy – and will probably cherish for a long time.

May is here! That means flowers are blooming, summer is coming, and Mother’s Day is less than a week away!  Have you thought about what you’re going to do for your mom? There’s still plenty of time left to do something thoughtful for mom and we’ve rounded up some creative – and cost-effective – ways to celebrate Mother’s Day this year. Try something new and she won’t forget it!