5 Smart Ways to Use Your Stimulus Check

Posted on January 14, 2021 by VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

As part of the COVID-19 Relief Package, the U.S. government is issuing stimulus checks to many households in an effort to boost the economy and help individuals deal with the financial impact of the global pandemic.

1. Cover the Essentials

Millions of people have lost their jobs or been furloughed, leaving many with smaller incomes. However, expenses have likely remained the same. Before spending your windfall, take a look at the next few months of bills that may come due and make sure you will have enough to pay for:

Mortgage or rent and car payments
Utilities, cell service and internet
Minimum payments on credit cards and debt
Insurance for vehicles and/or home

Note: Take advantage of relief programs. If you’re experiencing significant financial strain, check with your lenders and service providers to see if they’re among many who offer relief programs or special payment terms during this time.

2. Build an Emergency Fund

If you’re in a position where you don’t need the money immediately, consider setting it aside in an accessible, protected account to use when absolutely necessary. There’s no way to know how long the U.S. economy will suffer as a result of the crisis or whether your financial status may change in coming months. Stashing it away for safekeeping may help you ease a potential impending financial burden down the road.

3. Pay Off Debt

If you’re confident that you’ll have enough to cover basic expenses for the next few months, consider having your stimulus check go toward paying off credit card debt, medical bills, car payments or student loans. While some institutions may offer relief programs in the short term, those funds will still be due later on. Prioritize by paying off debt with the highest interest rates first.

4. Invest

If you’ve established a healthy emergency fund and believe you’ll remain financially secure, you may consider contributing to your retirement through a variety of investment strategies. Markets experienced some turbulence in 2020, and have since stabilized. Long-term investments may prove promising.

Note: If you’d like to learn more about how planning ahead today can pay off in your future, contact a financial professional located at your credit union.

5. Be Generous

The global pandemic has put a strain on many nonprofits as the need for the goods and services they provide climbs to an all-time high. If you’re in a financial position to help others during this time of crisis, find a nonprofit that you feel passionate about and consider donating a portion (or all) of your stimulus check funds to those who need it most.

Representatives are registered, securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, which is not an affiliate of the credit union. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution to make securities available to members. Not NCUA/ NCUSIF/FDIC insured, May Lose Value, No Financial Institution Guarantee. Not a deposit of any financial institution.

CBSI-3053187.2-1220-0123

More Ways to Make the Most of Your Coronavirus Stimulus Check

Posted on May 1, 2020 by VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

If you already received your stimulus payment directly deposited into your bank account, or even if you are still awaiting a paper check in the mail – it’s a good idea to have a plan on how you will use this payment. Everyone’s financial situation is different, but here are four additional ways to consider spending your coronavirus relief check.

First and Foremost: Cover Your Needs

If there were ever a time to prioritize needs over wants, it’s right now. This is especially important if you’ve lost income due to unemployment, reduced hours or slow business. If this is the case for you, your stimulus money should go toward making sure you have a roof over your head and food on the table.

Create a budget and add up the cost of your essential expenses. Then look at how much money you have in your bank accounts as well as your stimulus check, to get a good picture of how long your money will stretch. Feeling overwhelmed? Create a budget that works for you with our budgeting guidebook.

If you are having trouble paying your bills, reach out to your financial institution or lender as soon as possible. Many are offering payment deferments and other relief options during this time.

Increase Your Savings

If you’re still working and bringing in enough money to cover your essential needs, look to using your stimulus check to boost your emergency fund.

No one can predict how long this pandemic will last and shelter-at-home advisories have forced many industries to change how they do business or temporarily shut down.

While the typical advice is to have at least three months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund, you might want to increase that if you can. Your emergency fund should help you feel financially secure. You will also want to separate your emergency savings from your spending money. A higher yield or money market account will earn interest while your money is sitting in the bank.*

Think About Your Future

If your finances are in good shape and you have an emergency fund, consider spending the money you’ll get from your stimulus check to set yourself up for a better financial future (i.e. going toward that side or start up business you’ve always wanted to get off the ground).

Making a dent in your debt up front could also help you save money in the long run. You also might want to think about using your stimulus money to cover initial expenses that’ll help you save money over time (i.e. buying gardening supplies so you can grow your own produce and cut costs on groceries while also staying out of the store right now).

Help Others

If you’re in a financially stable situation with a healthy emergency fund, another good use of your stimulus money could be to help others who need it.

Use the extra cash to help a family member or friend in need, or donate to a reputable charity. You could also spend your money to support local businesses and restaurants — whether that’s through online orders or purchasing gift cards for future in-person visits.

*A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account. All personal memberships are part of the Rewards First program and a $5 per month non-participation fee is charged to the base savings account for memberships not meeting the minimum requirements of the program. Click here to view full Rewards First program details. A First Financial membership is required to open an account or loan and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean counties.

Article Source: Nicole Dow of The Penny Hoarder

6 Ways to Spend Your Stimulus Payment Responsibly

Posted on April 17, 2020 by VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

Did you receive your COVID-19 stimulus payment on April 15th? Have you started thinking about how you should spend it?

It’s tempting to think about all of the ways you could spend an extra $1,200 or $2,400 – depending your filing status and the number of dependents you claim. Before you get that list finalized, we want to give you some tips to help your money stretch as far as possible.

Prioritize. Look at your bills. Which ones are essential (rent or mortgage, car payment, utilities), and what bills are non-essential (entertainment, streaming services, unusable memberships)? Make a list of what you need and what you can live without. Focus on paying the essential bills first.

Save. Save. Save. Don’t miss an opportunity to pad your savings account with some of your stimulus money. It’s a one-time payment, so think of your stimulus as a mini emergency fund. You may want to set aside some of the payment as “just in case” money.

Divide and Conquer. You only get one stimulus payment, but your bills will still come monthly. If you’re currently unemployed, it’s especially important to be strategic in how you spend your stimulus payment. Take this opportunity to divide it up into smaller chunks to help cover some of the essential bills you pay each month. Also, talk to your landlord or mortgage lender, your utility company and internet service provider, if you’re having trouble meeting your monthly obligations. Many companies are finding ways to help their customers defer payments during this unprecedented situation.

Don’t Hoard Cash. Hoarding cash is a bad idea in general. Your money is much safer at your financial institution than it is in your home. So, bring it to us and let us safeguard it for when you need it!*

Pay Down Debt. Paying off debt is almost never a bad financial move, but think about it and prioritize carefully. Even in these uncertain times, paying off any highest interest debt isn’t a bad idea. However, don’t feel like you need to be in a hurry to spend all your stimulus money to pay off debt. Look at your options for forbearance, payment deferrals, or even the option to skip a monthly payment. If you can get some relief on your debt in the coming months, let your stimulus payment sit in your savings account.

Splurge Smartly. We’re all feeling the weight of stress and uncertainty as we wonder when this pandemic will end, and life will return to normal. No matter how you decide to spend your stimulus check, see if you can set aside a little bit to spend on something fun for yourself. Maybe even shop at some of your favorite local businesses to offer support. Remember: the government is hoping these stimulus payments will put some cash flow back into the economy to stimulate it.

Over the past couple of months, we’ve faced a situation no one could’ve possibly prepared for. We know that our members have been affected in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the stimulus payments will certainly help and offer some relief to most, please know that First Financial is here for you. We want to help you stretch your stimulus payment as far as can go. Give us a call and let us figure out a way to help you!

*A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account. All personal memberships are part of the Rewards First program and a $5 per month non-participation fee is charged to the base savings account for memberships not meeting the minimum requirements of the program. Click here to view full Rewards First program details. First Financial membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties in NJ.