allU.S. Wishes You a Safe and Happy Holiday
December 6, 2013 - by Lynn Banks
For most people, the holiday season is a time of joy, gathering together with family and friends, relaxing watching your favorite sports on TV, and just appreciating the simple things that come with the Christmas season. Your friends at allU.S. Credit Union in Salinas also know that the holidays can be expensive, especially if you are not careful with your financial information. We want to make sure you know how to stay safe, so here are a few tips for protecting yourself during the holidays:
If you’re out and about in the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, be sure to keep track of who has access to your personal information and how that information is being used. Do not bring unnecessary credit cards, personal cards, or documents with you when you go shopping. Do not carry written PIN or pass codes with you, and always keep an eye on your surroundings if you stop to withdraw money from an ATM. When making purchases, consider using your credit card over debit or cash. Credit cards have simpler processes for disputing fraudulent charges and limit your liability.
If you shop for holiday gifts online, be mindful to buy only from reputable websites with secure, encrypted connections. Before you check out online, check that the site is verified by TRUSTe or a similar trusted data management service. You can look for the TRUSTe privacy seal at the bottom of a secure webpage. Do not opt to have websites store your credit card information; while it may be more convenient, it can put your information at risk. You might even want to limit your online shopping to only one credit card, so that if your information is compromised, you will be able to limit the damage. Most importantly, avoid shopping or browsing your online banking and credit card accounts on a public Wi-Fi connection. It’s impossible to tell who has access to any data you transfer over an unsecure connection, so better to be safe than sorry.
In addition to being careful to protect your financial information, there are lots of things you can do to make the season more affordable and more manageable. Planning ahead is the best way to be a smart shopper and save money at the holidays. Make your holiday gift list early and make a budget so you know how much you will be spending. Start setting aside some funds now, so you will not have to rely on high-interest credit cards that you will end up paying back all next year. Starting early also allows you to shop around and compare prices, so you will know you are getting the best deals.
The holiday season can be a great time of fun and excitement, but is almost always means an extra demand on your finances that can make an otherwise joyful season very stressful. allU.S. can help you make it through the holidays if you need a little assistance. Apply today for a holiday loan that’s right for your budget and get a head start on the holiday shopping season!
Of course, while you are working to make the most of your money for this year’s holiday, you can plan even better for next year by setting up a Christmas Club account with allU.S. Credit Union. It is one of the best ways to save money for next Christmas!
Stay safe and shop smart this holiday season! Best wishes for a happy holiday to all of our allU.S. Credit Union members!
Topics
Changing the game of vehicle total loss protection
3/2/2019
Why Should I Refinance My Vehicle at allU.S. Credit Union?
5/26/2015
Save Money with a Fuel-Efficient Car
4/24/2015
Should I Buy or Lease?
3/26/2015
First Time Car-Buying Tips
2/25/2015
Is 0% Financing Too Good to Be True?
1/16/2015
Protect Your Financial Health During and After the COVID Crisis
7/2/2020
What Can You Do With $20?
2/28/2020
BUILDING A SOLID FINANCIAL FOUNDATION
1/29/2020
What is your Financial Personality?
9/28/2019
Money Management Apps to help boost your finances
9/2/2019
How's Your Financial Vocabulary?
1/30/2019
BACK TO SCHOOL SEASON IS UPON US!
8/2/2017
How to Enjoy Your Summer Vacation Without Maxing Out Your Credit Cards
6/24/2017
CONFESSIONS OF A TAX GUY
3/29/2017
Make the Most of Your Financial Life
1/26/2017
Nine Strategies to de-clutter, organize accounts and manage your money
9/26/2016
Perks to Belonging to allU.S. Credit Union
4/27/2016
A New Card with Improved Security
3/29/2016
Tax Time: Prepare Smart and File Fast
2/24/2016
SET YOURSELF UP FOR FINANCIAL SUCCESS IN 2016
1/20/2016
Clean Up Your Finances for the New Year!
1/6/2016
Splurge Or Save? The Unlikely Budgeting Tip To Help You Stick With It
8/25/2015
Home Equity Loan vs. Home Equity Line of Credit - What’s the difference?
7/30/2015
Why Should I Refinance My Vehicle at allU.S. Credit Union?
5/26/2015
Save Money with a Fuel-Efficient Car
4/24/2015
Teach Your Children Financial Independence
4/24/2015
Should I Buy or Lease?
3/26/2015
Should You Consolidate your Debt Into One Low Payment?
1/28/2015
Spend Smart This Holiday Season
12/16/2014
Spring Clean your Finances
4/22/2014
Make the Most of Your Tax Refund
2/26/2014
allU.S. HOLIDAY SURVIVAL GUIDE
12/7/2019
Happy Thanksgiving from allU.S. Credit Union
11/27/2019
Discover Halloween Savings
10/11/2019
8 Holiday Tips to Get You Through the Year
12/11/2018
Happy Thanksgiving from allU.S. Credit Union
11/20/2018
Season's Greetings!
12/18/2017
How To Survive Black Friday and Cyber Monday Like An Ace!
11/15/2017
allU.S. Wishes You a Safe and Happy Holiday
12/19/2016
7 Ways to Avoid Stress this Thanksgiving
11/17/2016
Happy Holidays from allU.S. Credit Union
12/17/2015
Let’s Have Thanksgiving Dinner on a Budget
11/9/2015
Fun With Pumpkins: 5 Homemade Fall Decorations Using Everyone's Favorite Gourd
10/19/2015
Spend Smart This Holiday Season
12/16/2014
Pull Out All The Stops This Thanksgiving without Breaking Your Budget
11/21/2014
Three Ways To Maintain Your Summer Financial Goals
7/20/2019
Tips for a Frugal Fourth of July
6/28/2019
Tax Identity Theft: Protecting Your Credit and Finances
4/22/2019
How to get the Best Deals Online
3/30/2019
PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
10/27/2018
Charging your phone in public? Watch that port!
9/1/2018
CAN YOU SPOT ME SOME CASH?
7/25/2018
Loyalty Loan Program
8/31/2016
Home Equity Loan vs. Home Equity Line of Credit - What’s the difference?
7/30/2015
Why Should I Refinance My Vehicle at allU.S. Credit Union?
5/26/2015
Save Money with a Fuel-Efficient Car
4/24/2015
Should I Buy or Lease?
3/26/2015
First Time Car-Buying Tips
2/25/2015
Should You Consolidate your Debt Into One Low Payment?
1/28/2015
Go Green - It's a no-brainer investment!
7/30/2014
TIPS TO THROW A PERFECT TAILGATE
9/28/2018
Coronavirus Update
3/26/2020
allU.S. Credit Union is proud to announce the launch of our new mobile banking app!
2/27/2018
Jazz Advanced Banking
1/17/2018
EQUIFAX DATA BREACH
10/24/2017
allU.S. – Your Most Trusted and Valued Financial Resource
10/20/2016
Moving a Hop, Skip & A Jump Away
5/20/2016
Celebrate International Credit Union Day with allU.S. Credit Union.
9/28/2015
allU.S. Vacation Discounts Promise Nothing But FUN This Summer
6/19/2015
Annual Update From The CEO
5/21/2015
Stress Free Banking At Home In your Briefs!
3/26/2015
allU.S. Moves Forward With Plans for New Branch In North Salinas!
10/23/2014
A Message To Our Credit Union Family
5/18/2020
Make Your Home Equity Work For You!
3/27/2018
2017 Is The Year to See Change in Your Life!
2/20/2017
allU.S. Credit Union Announces the Grand Opening of its New Location in Salinas
7/21/2016
Celebrate International Credit Union Day with allU.S. Credit Union.
9/28/2015
allU.S. Vacation Discounts Promise Nothing But FUN This Summer
6/19/2015
Stress Free Banking At Home In your Briefs!
3/26/2015
allU.S. Credit Union Is Turning 1
8/25/2014
