Starting Out
Congratulations on your recent graduation from high school! You have a lot to look forward to as you start off on your own—the last thing you should have to worry about is your finances. Whether you need a checking account with a debit card, a credit card or an auto loan, you can count on us!
Start Saving
A savings account is an important first step in learning how to manage your money. You can start small and just deposit a percent of your gifts or allowance. Begin by setting goals and opening a basic savings account with only $25. You can even open up other savings accounts and name them to remind you of what you are saving for - like "my ipad savings". Watch it grow by tracking your history on home banking.Catch the VIBE!
An Orange VIBE checking is perfect for someone starting their first checking - and it's FREE!
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FREE Home banking |
Checking Tools
A checking account is an essential tool for managing your money but it can get you in to trouble fast if you overdraw your account. That is why Heritage has created a couple of helpful tools to keep you from paying unnecessary fees while you learn.
Understanding Checking
Checking accounts can be complicated. Heritage has developed a tutorial to help you learn about checking accounts before you have to start managing your money. Whether its your first checking or you just want to better understand how they work, the quick tutorial will make it easier. Learn basic check balancing, how debit cards work, when holds will be placed on your deposits and much more.
Finance 101
You may be starting out with a checking account but there are lots of things to learn about your future finances. If you are getting ready to start out on your own, our finance class explains important things in easy to understand language. Learn about savings goals, budgeting tips, understanding your credit, and how to keep your account secure.
CU Money card or debit card?
If you would like to learn finances with the help of your parents you don't need to have a checking account to do that. An alternative is a CU Money card. It is a prepaid reloadable VISA debit card. Use it at any merchant or ATM just like a debit card and track your spending online. The difference is that it is not tied to an account so only the money available on the card can be spent. Funds are loaded using any current HCU account, typically by a parent. For more information visit our CU Money page.
Drive off in your new car
It’s exciting to get a new car, but it’s a good idea to get pre-approved for an auto loan first. We suggest that you talk with one of our experienced Member Service Representatives to figure out how much you can spend on a vehicle and what your monthly payment will be. When you know how much you can spend, the purchasing process will go much quicker and easier.
Understanding your Credit
When you graduate from college, it's likely that you will be responsible for your own finances. Now is the perfect time to talk with a financial services representative about building credit, how a credit score is calculated, and what habits you can work on now to benefit you in the future.
Resources
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A lifestyle money magazine written for young adults, by young adults about the money side of life™. |
Educational Links
Quarterlifecrisis.com
An active, supportive online community for twentysomethings transitioning to life in the “real world”. You can take surveys, connect with other twentysomethings, and access career resources.
Motleyfool.com
A site designed to educate, enrich and amuse individual investors around the world. Offers seven monthly investment newsletters covering a variety of investing styles.
Iwillteachyoutoberich.com
A blog on personal finance (banking, saving, budgeting, and investing) and personal entrepreneurship.
Feedthepig.com
A website that encourages you to take small savings steps today to build a solid financial tomorrow. Features financial calculators, weekly email savings tips and educational articles.
BrassMagazine.com
The web version of Brass Media's magazine. The site provides direct, intelligent, entertaining content to young adults about the money side of life.
Games
