Knowledge Center

Estate planning is a smart thing to do to protect your assets and ease an already difficult time for your loved ones. However, starting the process and executing it effectively can be challenging. Making plans for distributing your money, home and other assets after you’re gone may be uncomfortable, but it’s important to address the topic so you and your loved ones are prepared.

Every day, fraudsters are hard at work trying to steal personal financial information from hardworking, honest people like you. They are more clever than ever, so you need to stay informed about how to avoid falling victim to their schemes.

A checking account that makes you pay to access your own money is no friend to your finances. The truth is, plenty of banks charge fees that can chip away at your account balance. That’s not the case at Advancial. As a not-for-profit credit union, our checking accounts are designed to benefit your bottom line, not a bank’s shareholders.

Three simple digits. That’s all it takes to capture the quality of your credit history. It seems simple, but credit scores are an important tool that lenders use for virtually all loan and credit applications. Those three digits help lenders determine if they can trust you to repay a loan fully and on time.

While college can be expensive, scholarships can help ease the financial burden—and the best part? Scholarships are essentially free money you don't have to pay back.

Negotiating your salary or asking for a raise might feel scary, but it's normal and can seriously pay off. Here's how to do it without feeling awkward or sounding ungrateful.

Credit might seem like a boring adult thing, but it's a tool that helps open doors for your future. Learn how to use it wisely now!

Ever wonder where all your money goes? Learning to track your expenses is a key step in managing your money wisely. The good news? With the right tools and a little effort, it's easier than you think!

If your first job is with a company—like working at a retail store, a restaurant, or an office—you'll notice that your paycheck isn't as big as you thought it would be. 

When you borrow money—whether for a car, a house, or even a student loan—you don’t just pay back what you borrowed. Lenders charge you extra money for lending it to you. This is where principal and interest come in. But what do these terms mean, and why do they matter?

As you grow older and start earning more money, it’s important to think about where and how to save.

Fraud is everywhere. From sneaky online scams to fake emails and text messages, fraudsters are always looking for ways to trick people into giving away their money or personal information.

Knowing how and when to tip is a key part of growing up. Tipping is a way to show appreciation for good service and support people in jobs that often rely on tips to make a decent living. Here's a guide to help you navigate the sometimes-confusing world of tipping etiquette.

In an era of digital payments, you may not regularly need to write a check to complete a purchase. But at some point, you will likely want or need to write a check because it’s the best option available.

If you think managing your money is challenging, you’re not alone! Nearly three-quarters of teens (74%) say they’re not confident about their personal finance knowledge, according to a recent survey.

While you may know a lot about test scores, how much do you know about credit scores? One day, these scores will have an important influence over financial matters in your life, so it pays to learn about them sooner rather than later.

Life is full of choices, including whether to bank with a credit union, like Advancial, or a traditional bank. Unlike banks, credit unions like Advancial are not-for-profit organizations that exist exclusively to serve their members.

You’ve decided on a college and sent in your enrollment deposit — now it’s time to organize your finances and prepare for your move. Moving away to college may be the first time you’re living independently and making your own financial decisions.

At Advancial, we’re committed to helping you protect your accounts. Here's how to build better passwords and reduce the risk of compromise.