Alternatives Federal Credit Union

06/02/2026

Have homeownership questions? Get answers — and a chance to win $200.
June is National Homeownership Month, and we're celebrating with a free webinar and a giveaway — open to all Alternatives members.

Here's how it works:

Step 1: Register for our free June Homeownership Webinar — pick the session that works for you:
📅 Saturday, June 27 · 10:30 a.m.
📅 Monday, June 29 · 5:30 p.m.
(Can't make it live? All registrants get the recording.)

Step 2: Complete one short 5-question activity — a quiz or a survey — by June 30. Takes under 3 minutes.

That's it. You're entered to win a $200 cash deposit into your Alternatives savings account. Drawing in July.

Whether you're just starting to explore homeownership, working on your credit, or you've owned for years and want to understand your options — this webinar meets you where you are. Topics include mortgage readiness, budgeting, credit, home equity, and first-time buyer considerations.
No cost. No catch. Just useful information and a shot at $200.

🔗 Register and enter: www.alternatives.org/junehomeownershipcontest

See Official Rules for complete details.

06/01/2026

💚 Business of the Month

Meet Babe's Burger — a family-owned food truck serving fresh, made-to-order burgers at Hector NY and Ithaca NY. Frank and Lexi Purrazzi started it during the pandemic, and what began as a small operation has grown into a staple on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.

What makes them stand out: they source their meat locally from Cudlin's Meat Market in Newfield and support surrounding farms — so every order connects back to the region.

They're also expanding — their newest venture, the Ithaca 5 & Dime Bar and Restaurant, is bringing even more energy to the local dining scene.

Find them on the road or follow along at Babe’s Burger — or visit www.babesburger.com. 🍔

Have you stopped at a Babe's Burger truck yet? Where did you find them? Tell us below 👇

06/01/2026

05/30/2026

This is what your membership made possible in the first three months of 2026.

Seven families bought their first home. $149,000 in down payment assistance went to people who needed it. 165 people got free, one-on-one financial coaching. And $2.4 million in loans went to women, people with disabilities, and the BIPOC community.

That's not a goal. That's what actually happened — because you're here.

Read the full Q1 2026 Impact Report and meet the members whose stories are inside it.
🔗 https://www.alternatives.org/impact-reports/

05/29/2026

Financial wellness isn't about being perfect with money. It's about having the habits and the clarity to handle what comes at you.

Our nonprofit partner BALANCE is hosting a free webinar — Foundations of Financial Wellness — led by Shellye Carpenter, a certified credit union financial counselor with over 20 years of experience helping people build real financial confidence.

This session covers the essentials: spending mindfully, saving with intention, managing debt, and planning ahead. You'll leave with straightforward strategies you can actually start using right away.

This is a great fit if you're:
🔹 New to thinking about financial wellness and want a solid starting point
🔹 Looking to reset or tune up your money habits
🔹 Ready for more clarity and confidence around your finances

📅 Tuesday, June 3
🕑 1:30 PM EDT — or — 🕔 5:00 PM EDT

Free. Online. Two sessions to choose from.

👉 Register: https://alternatives.bebalanced.org/webinars

05/28/2026

Sweepstakes Announcement Post

Free financial education — and a chance to win $1,000 for attending.

Our partner BALANCE is running their 8th Annual Webinar for the Win Sweepstakes all summer long. Attend any qualifying webinar between June 1 and August 31, and you're automatically entered to win.

Here's how it works:
1️⃣ Register for any BALANCE webinar marked with the "Webinar for the Win" logo — like the one in this post
2️⃣ Attend the full session and opt into the sweepstakes
3️⃣ Earn one entry per completed webinar — attend more, earn more entries
4️⃣ One winner is drawn at random at the end of August

💡 How to spot qualifying webinars: When we share a BALANCE webinar this summer, look for the Webinar for the Win graphic in the post image. If you see it, that session counts toward the sweepstakes.

All sessions are free, practical, and designed to help you make stronger financial decisions — the $1,000 is just a bonus.

👉 See all qualifying webinars and official rules: https://ow.ly/GuFb50YZA4B

05/27/2026

Build your financial confidence and you could win $1,000 along the way.

We’re excited to share the 8th Annual Webinar for the Win Sweepstakes in partnership with Balance.

From June 3 through August 5, attend free financial wellness webinars and earn entries for a chance to win $1,000.

Start your journey with our first session:
📅 June 3

Foundations of Financial Wellness

Register today: https://bit.ly/FoFW2026

05/26/2026

If you're actively looking at homes — or getting close — this free workshop is worth your time.

Our nonprofit partner BALANCE is hosting Becoming a Homeowner II: The Mortgage & Buying Process, led by certified financial literacy educator LauRae D. Upchurch.

You'll walk away knowing how to:
✅ Compare mortgage types and understand what you're actually paying
✅ Go from pre-approval to closing — step by step
✅ Make offers that fit your budget and your goals
✅ Spot red flags before they cost you

📅 June 2 at 1:30 PM EDT
📅 June 11 at 5:00 PM EDT

👉 Register: https://alternatives.bebalanced.org/webinars