All posts by Achieva Credit Union

Exciting New Improvements Coming to the Achieva Paw Park!

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Thanks to Brandon Galley from Boy Scout Troop 177 in New Port Richey, FL and Beneful’s Dream Dog Park Project Team! Before our Paw Park came to fruition, we had no idea the impact it would have on the community. While many dog owners have expressed gratitude for the park, we are just happy to be able to serve our community in this way; it’s just the Achieva way. Because the Paw Park is an ongoing project for us, we are always looking for ways to improve it for the dogs and their owners. While the park has lots of...
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Do I Really Need a Credit Card?

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The merits of the credit card have been hotly debated since the first universal card debuted in 1950. And once debit cards became popular in the late 1980s, many experts opined that credit cards were no longer necessary. This is not exactly true; while the debit card serves many of the same functions as a traditional credit card it lacks some of the credit card’s key advantages. In short, the answer is YES, you do need a credit card. Here’s why: Protection In today’s digital world, it pays to be cautious. Using a credit card instead of a debit card...
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Cheap Flight Day: It’s a Real Thing!

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Looking for a great travel deal? Mark your calendar for August 23rd! What’s so special about that day? Taco Tuesday? Yes – especially if you want to be eating tacos in Cancun. For the airline industry, August 23rd signifies the beginning of the fall travel season, which means that air fares are usually discounted by ten to twenty percent or more. According to Rick Seaney, CEO of Fare Compare, the demand for leisure travel drops off sharply right around the last week of August, since most students are back in school by that time. To bolster business, airlines begin discounting...
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Tips for Saving Money on College Textbooks

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College textbooks can cost as much as $100–$400 each. That means a college student can spend more than $2,000 a year just on textbooks. According to the census bureau, since 1978, books have increased in cost by a whopping 812% for college books. However, books for some courses are remarkably higher, like an average of $317 for economics-related college books, $268 for languages, $262 for chemistry books, and $246 for physics books. Based on one school, the University of Virginia, the most expensive new books are in biochemistry ($406) and physics ($378). However, these same books by the same authors...
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Olympics Spotlight: Team Refugees

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Team Refugees is, without a doubt, the most unusual group of Olympic athletes to compete since the Jamaicans fielded a bobsled team at the Calgary Winter Games in 1988. This team, however, is not made up of athletes from a single country, but instead represents competitors displaced from their native lands as a result of violence or civil war. The team is sponsored by the International Olympic Committee. In an interview with NBC News, IOC President Thomas Bach stated, "This will be a symbol of hope for all the refugees in our world, and will make the world better aware...
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Make Back to School a Success!

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Back to School: the phrase elicits groans from students and cheers from their parents. It can be very stress-inducing for kids to leave behind the carefree days of summer for the more structured routine of school.  So what can parents do to help children prepare for the transition? We queried an experienced teacher, and her answers may surprise you. “The best thing parents can do to prepare children for school is to demonstrate a positive attitude. If the parent conveys optimism and excitement about the new school year, the child is likely to share those feelings,” states Karen Barker, a...
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Your Guide to This Year’s More Limited Tax-Free Weekend

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Everyone’s favorite back-to-school holiday is upon us – tax-free weekend, that is. Most people are familiar with this exciting time right before school starts when you can shop till you drop and don’t have to give Uncle Sam his cut. Tax-free weekend is a fantastic way to save on supplies for your child or yourself and prepare for the upcoming school year. But before you hit the stores in a frenzy this Saturday, take a few minutes to get familiar with what is and isn’t exempt, as there are many changes and more restrictions on what qualifies this year. The...
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Five Tactics to Avoid Unnecessary Student Loan Debt

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Americans owe nearly $1.3 trillion in student loan debt, with the average class of 2016 student graduating with an indebtedness of $37,172.  What once was a minor inconvenience to graduates has grown into one of the greatest financial epidemics of our time. While it’s hard to dispute the value of having a college education, it’s difficult to defend the insane dollar amount associated with earning a degree. If you are currently enrolled in, or are planning to attend college, take a moment to step back and look at your current situation. What you do, how you act, and what you...
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Using Home Equity Loans the Right Way

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It’s no secret that the values of the homes we all live in have improved over the past few years. While the Great Recession presented several financial challenges, decreasing values of our biggest asset created the most anxiety and uncertainty. As home values rise, the best advice I can give our members is to be very diligent in how you decide to leverage the value of your home. Please remember that history tends to repeat itself and if market values shift unexpectedly, borrowers may become upside down on the amount they owe and the value of their home. Keep in...
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Five Ways to Save on Dog Care

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For many dog owners, their pet is just another member of the family. And just like their “non-furry” family counterparts, they have needs and requirements that cost money. Sure, Fido doesn’t need new clothes for school (or any clothes, for that matter), but he does need food, medical attention, supplies, and maybe a few toys. It doesn’t take long for these costs to add up and take a substantial bite out of your monthly budget. Here are a few tips to help you save money while caring for your furry family member. Saving on Shots No, we’re not talking about...
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Achieva Life blogs and articles are intended to provide general information, thoughts, and articles in regards to the topics covered therein. Achieva Life is provided with the intent and understanding that Achieva Credit Union is not engaged in the act of rendering financial, consulting, medical, technological, legal, accounting or any other professional advice. The information provided within Achieva Life is not intended nor should be used as a substitute for medical, legal, or other professional advice or other expert opinions. Achieva Credit Union is not responsible for the accuracy of the information on Achieva Life and makes no representation regarding the accuracy of the content. Achieva Credit Union reserves the right to delete or block any comments. The content and comments on Achieva Life do not necessarily reflect the views of Achieva Credit Union.