Alternatives Federal Credit Union

09/02/2026

💚 Financial Wellness Wednesday

An emergency expense doesn't wait for a good time. A car repair, a broken appliance, a bill you didn't see coming, any of these can throw off your whole month if there's nothing set aside for it.

The good news: you don't need a big change to start building a cushion. A few small habits go a long way.

1. Save your spare change. Empty your pockets at the end of the day and drop the coins in a jar. Deposit it once it's full.
2. Set up a small automatic transfer. Even $5 or $10 from every paycheck adds up, and you won't have to think about it.
3. Negotiate one bill. Call your internet or cable provider and ask about a better rate. You have more room to negotiate than you'd think.
4. Set one simple savings goal. Pick a weekly or monthly amount and track it.
5. Keep the fund a little out of reach. A separate savings account makes it easier to leave the money alone.

You don't have to do all five at once. Pick one and start there.

Want the rest of the list? Read all the tips here: 🔗 https://alternatives.bebalanced.org/resources/articles/are-you-flying-without-a-net-ten-ways-to-boost-your-emergency-savings

💚 Want one-on-one help putting any of this into practice? Our Financial Education Team offers free sessions, no prep required. Sessions available in Spanish.

Which of these five feels like the easiest place for you to start? Tell us below 👇

08/26/2026

💚 Financial Wellness Wednesday

Ever wonder where you actually stand financially, not just your bank balance, but the bigger picture?

The BeWell Financial Check-up is a free, quick survey from our non-profit partner BALANCE that gives you a real answer. It looks at three things:

1. Your stability today
2. Your resilience for tomorrow
3. Your momentum for steady growth ahead

You'll get a personalized score you can actually use, not just a number, but a clearer picture of where you're strong and where to focus next.

No judgment here. This is just information, not a test you can fail.

Two minutes now can give you real clarity on where you stand.

Take the survey:
🔗 https://alternatives.bebalanced.org/bewell

💚 Want some help getting started? Our Financial Education Team offers free, one-on-one sessions, no prep required. Sessions available in Spanish.

What's one thing you'd want a financial check-up to tell you? Drop it below 👇

Achieve financial wellbeing one step at a time.

08/25/2026

Buy It or Lease It? Driving Through Your Options

Choosing between buying and leasing your next vehicle isn't just about the monthly payment. It affects your budget and your options for years down the road, and it's easy to feel unsure which choice actually makes sense for you.

In this free webinar, you'll learn:

• The real pros and cons of buying vs. leasing
• How to compare total cost over time, not just what you pay each month
• How your driving habits, mileage, and lifestyle should factor into your decision

This session is presented by our non-profit partner, BALANCE.

📅 Pick the session that works for you:
Tuesday, September 1 at 1:30pm EDT
Thursday, September 10 at 5:00pm EDT

Register free → https://alternatives.bebalanced.org/webinars

08/21/2026

💚 We're honored to be named a 2026 Finger Lakes Favorite!

Thank you to everyone who voted. That recognition means a lot, but what means more is who it's for: the parent who never thought they'd own a home, the restaurant owner rebuilding after incarceration, the single mom rebuilding her financial life from the ground up. Those aren't exceptions. They're the reason we're here.

As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), we earn that designation by proving this mission every single year. 💚

08/20/2026

💚 $525 in prizes went to 10 Alternatives members in July.

One member won $250, two won $50 each, and seven won $25 each, all just for saving. That's the Lucky Savers Certificate at work: an account that pays you for something you're already doing.

Here's how it works:

1. Deposit at least $25 into a Lucky Savers Certificate.
2. Every $25 you save is another chance to win, in Alternatives' monthly drawing and the statewide drawing.
3. The statewide drawing includes a $5,000 grand prize every quarter.

No tricks, no fine print games. Just your savings, working a little harder for you.

Want a shot at next month's drawing? Learn more about Lucky Savers Certificates. 🔗 www.alternatives.org/accounts/savings-certificates/lucky-savers-certificate/

Federally insured by NCUA. Void where prohibited by law.

08/19/2026

💚 Financial Wellness Wednesday

Ever want something but have no idea how to actually get there? A trip, a new couch, an emergency fund? You're not alone. Turning a "someday" into a real plan is easier than it looks.

Here's how:

1. Pick your goal and when you want it. Don't worry about the cost yet.
2. Find out what it costs today.
3. Subtract what you've already saved.
4. Divide that number by the months you have left. That's your monthly savings target.
5. Check it against your budget. If it doesn't fit, that's okay. You can stretch the timeline, trim the goal, or find a little more room to save.

You're just doing the math here, not judging yourself. A goal that needs adjusting isn't a goal that failed.

Small, clear steps turn wishing into having.

Read the full article here:
🔗 https://alternatives.bebalanced.org/resources/shareable/3kVrjagT7pdCYLfM6uKIpp

💚 Want some help getting started?

Our Financial Education Team offers free, one-on-one sessions, no prep required. Sessions available in Spanish.

What's a goal you've been meaning to put a real plan behind? Drop it below 👇

08/12/2026

💚 Financial Wellness Wednesday

Retirement can feel overwhelming — or like something to figure out "later." But it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing project. It can be 30 minutes a week.

BALANCE breaks it into four simple steps:

1. Dream it out. What does your ideal retirement actually look like? Write down three things you want to do regularly. Getting specific turns a vague goal into a real one.
2. Crunch the numbers. Estimate your monthly expenses in retirement — including healthcare. Factor in inflation. This step turns your vision into a target.
3. Take stock of what you have. Review your 401(k), 403(b), IRA — wherever your savings live. Know your starting point.
4. Make one small adjustment. Are you leaving employer match money on the table? Even a small contribution increase now adds up significantly over time.

You don't have to overhaul everything. You just have to start somewhere. 💚

💚 Read the full four-week plan here:
🔗 https://alternatives.bebalanced.org/resources/shareable/4zDQkKR9pEtRwZtPaWw8Aq?section=chapter-8-july-retirement-planning

08/10/2026

🎉 We're proud to announce that Alternatives secured the maximum $50,000 allocation available through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York's Small Business Recovery Grant Program.

These funds were awarded to seven nonprofit organizations serving the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes region, supporting work in affordable housing, food security, youth development, entrepreneurship, conflict resolution, and reentry services.

Congratulations to:
✨ Amplify Equity
✨ Greater Ithaca Activities Center
✨ OAR of Tompkins County
✨ Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC)
✨ Loaves & Fishes of Tompkins County
✨ Chemung County Habitat For Humanity
✨ Southside Community Center, Inc.

Together, we're helping bring new resources into our communities and supporting organizations that make a difference every day. 💙

08/09/2026

08/07/2026

Debt can feel like it's always one step ahead of you, especially when it's hard to know where to start. 💚

Our Financial Education Team is hosting a free webinar on managing debt with confidence.

You'll learn:

• The most common types of debt, and how they work
• Repayment strategies like the snowball and avalanche methods
• Simple ways to build stronger credit along the way

August 31st at 5:30pm. Free and open to everyone.

Register free → e3098544-e076-401d-af2f-3beb8839712c@16e28202-09ca-4fe5-b104-f08041f62ef1" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e3098544-e076-401d-af2f-3beb8839712c@16e28202-09ca-4fe5-b104-f08041f62ef1