Rapids Blog

We are excited to announce that the members of Lighthouse Community Credit Union voted by an overwhelming majority to merge with Rivermark Community Credit Union. The vote was the final step for merger approval, having already been approved by state and federal regulators and both credit union’s boards of directors. To accommodate system upgrades, all Rivermark branches will be closed on Saturday, July 31.

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At some point during the long summer, kids are bound to say the words every parent dreads: “Mom, I’m bored!” Oh sure, there are many things to do—amusement parks, costly trips to the mall, and summer camps—just to name a few. But thrifty moms and dads can keep kids happy without having to break the bank. With a little creativity, you can still uncover a variety of ways to keep your children stimulated with little or no cost. Here are some budget-friendly activities to enjoy during the long summer months.

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Even though it’s July, it’s never too early to start budgeting for the holidays. And that’s exactly what we are talking about for this month’s financial fitness challenge. In this article, we look at how to make a holiday budget and how to painlessly put money towards it.

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You've probably heard the phrase, "It's not how much you make; it's how much you spend." There is truth in that witty saying, but the problem is figuring out how to spend less each day. Keep reading to learn about smart ways you can save money every day of the month.

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Now that the world is opening up again, your spending habits are probably changing. Gas expenses may have increased by getting out more. You may be feeling the need for a social spending spree of outings, dining, and events that you haven’t been able to indulge in for over a year. You may also be earning more again and feeling more secure financially. Or, you may feel lost about how to recover from the past year. Rather than “winging it,” now is the time to rebuild your post-pandemic financial health with a new budget!

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It's no secret that maintaining a good credit score is essential to strong financial health. It is a must if you ever wish to take out a substantial loan or need to apply for rental properties. Most people know the basics of what may hurt and what may help your credit score. For example, paying your bills on time will help your credit score, while filing for bankruptcy will hurt it. However, you may not know about a few surprising things that can hurt your score. Here are six factors that may negatively impact your credit score.

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Credit union members in the Northwest are falling victim to a new twist on classic telephone scams. Scammers are using easily obtained software to mimic the phone number of credit unions and other financial institutions. They then make phone calls to their victims, posing as credit union employees from the security department, and try to obtain information from the members to set up fake debit cards and credit cards, and to steal credentials to compromise online banking accounts.

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We take a look at how to collect and protect important personal documents. Keeping sensitive documents safe can give you peace of mind in case of unexpected events, and ensure you have documents ready when needed. Below we share what documents you should protect, and options for doing so. This also can be a great summer project if you are stuck inside avoiding the heat.

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As new college graduates, young professionals, and others in their twenties launch their careers, they get bombarded with tempting ways to spend money. For many, handling a more considerable income and “adult” expenses like rent, utilities, and insurance, is a new experience. Now more than ever, money management will be a skill needed to meet future saving and investing goals. Here are tips for twenty-somethings to help control spending and manage their money.

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This month, we look at creating a will. It’s not always an easy thing to think about, but preparing for your end of life will ultimately ensure your property is distributed as you wish, and to the benefit of those you care about most. In this article, we discuss why a will is important and how to create one. While creating a will may not help your personal financial fitness, it can help your beneficiaries.

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