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After a long cold winter, the lion coming in is a sign that springtime is just around the corner and time to start anticipating the warmer weather. As the lamb goes out, it leaves us with the rejuvenating April showers that will bring us May flowers.

Are you ready to put your home on the market? If so, it’s time to start staging your house to sell. Staged homes tend to sell much faster and often for substantially higher prices than homes that have not been staged, so it’s worth your time and effort.

If there’s one upside to doing your taxes, it’s the refund that you might get once you file. While it is a great feeling to get a check from the government, there are plenty of ways to put a refund to good use. Here’s a look at what to consider.

Coming down with a case of spring-cleaning fever? Now is also a perfect time to tidy up your finances. As you start to declutter and reorganize, don’t forget to dust off of your finances. The best part of the following tips is they don’t involve a mop or a broom.

Arm yourself with the basics of consumer credit reporting. Consumers Credit Union is hosting “Your Credit Score,” a no-cost seminar that provides insight into building a better credit score. The workshop is open to the public and credit Union Members alike.

Creating a budget is one of the first steps toward taking financial control. It’s a plan for how you’re going to get and use your money. Creating your personal monthly budget will show exactly where your money’s coming from and where you’re spending it.

By being a member of Consumers CU, you’re part of something bigger. Not only are you the reason we exist, it’s also through your participation that we are able to help provide impactful support throughout our communities making them stronger.

It’s important to keep track of your DTI ratio as it helps identify your financial standing. DTI makes it easier to compare your income with what you creditors. You’ll recognize when your debt load is too high and if you need to take steps to avoid problems.

Of the 62 million women between 21 and 64 in the workforce, only 45% participate in a retirement plan. Since women outlive men by at least two years, on average, an even bigger nest egg would be recommended.

What is your definition of financial independence? Is it when you no longer have to work another day in your life, because all of your financial needs are met from the income of your investments?

If you haven’t joined the mobile banking revolution, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon. You’re missing out on some great benefits. Mobile banking offers many advantages, such as good security, easy access, and true banking freedom.

The possibility of having your personal financial data stolen is enough of a burden. You shouldn’t have to worry about who is going to clean up the mess and pay the bills for the fraud. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works.

The need to protect your finances from fraud isn’t new. But with identity theft on the rise in recent years, it’s a growing concern. EMV cards, the next generation of credit and debit cards, are here and will help the fight against fraud.

Section 529 plans can be a great way to save for college–in many cases, the best way–but they’re not the only way. When you’re investing for a major goal like education, it makes sense to be familiar with all of your options.

Whether you’re seeking to manage your own assets, control how your assets are distributed after your death, or plan for incapacity, trusts can help you accomplish your estate planning goals. Their power is in their versatility–many types of trusts exist, each designed for a specific purpose.

At any age, health care is a priority. When you retire, however, you will probably focus more on health care than ever before. Staying healthy is your goal, and this can mean more visits to the doctor for preventive tests and routine checkups.

It can be a bit disheartening to work hard all week, only to discover how much of your pay was withheld. If you have ever looked at your paycheck and didn’t know the meaning of each part of it, it’s time to learn.

It’s easy to dismiss a missing piece of mail as just having gotten lost somewhere along the way. But if there is a pattern of lost mail or particularly sensitive correspondence has mysteriously gone missing, err on the side of caution and take protective actions.

After a long, steady ascent, it is easy to become lulled into thinking that the market only goes up. We all know differently, but even so it can be a rude awakening when the major indices rollercoaster or plunge. Be patient rather than let emotion take over.

As Consumers Credit Union celebrates credit union month this October, know that we’re thanking you for belonging to a movement that’s helping your neighbors and people around the world grow, thrive, and follow their dreams.