Every year, we make tons of resolutions. We sign up for a gym membership and vow to get healthy, we swear to ourselves we’ll start going to bed on time, and we make promises to become healthier, happier people.  But this year, the best resolutions you can make are the ones that affect your finances. Help nurse your credit score back to health, make your checking account happier, or invest in your future and start down the path of a healthier, happy financial year.

For a millenial, saving can seem like a scary word. We often look at saving as something meant for adults looking to buy a house or save for retirement, simply not applicable to us. However, starting to save in your 20's can have incredibly positive effects on your financial wellbeing as you continue into adulthood. Here are some reasons saving is important and some ways to start saving (even if you think you have no money). 

College is the start of your adult life, and you'll start to see some changes in your day to day routine. From paying rent, to grocery shopping, to managing your free time and homework schedule, college comes with a lot of responsibilities you've never had to consider. One of these considerations is your personal finances. You might be wondering, "Where do I even start?". We hear you. Here's 5 helpful tips from our friends at Money Under 30 to follow as a college student getting started in your financial journey. 

If you’ve been following this blog, you may have suddenly realized that you want everyone in your family to become member-owners of the USC Credit Union. However, they might also be hesitant to make the switch. The process of closing one account and opening another appears daunting, but it is actually very easy! If you want to share the joy of lower fees, greater accessibility, and better resources with a loved one, just send this blog their way to clarify the process.

Here at USCCU, our mission is to enable the Trojan Family’s financial dreams and to enhance the quality of life in the communities we serve. Education is power making it imperative to be knowledgeable about how you manage your finances. Now you may be wondering, if I have a bank account, how can I access my money?

More good news on the financial education front! The Council of Graduate Schools is pushing for universities nationwide to step up when it comes to financial education for students. Fifteen institutions are taking part in a 3-year project to “enhance the financial literacy of graduate and undergraduate students.”

Don't let a fraudster, pickpocket or identity thief ruin your next vacation.

These 15 financial safety tips will show you how to protect your wallet, your valuables and your financial information when vacationing in America and abroad.

1. Lighten up your wallet. Only carry the credit cards you'll be using on your trip and leave the rest at home. Pack an ATM/debit card for withdrawing cash at ATMs.

Remove any card with your Social Security number. For health insurance cards, the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit organization focused on identity theft prevention, suggests making a copy of the card and removing the last four digits of your Social Security number. Bring the photocopy with you on your trip and leave the original card at home.

Leave your checkbook at home. 

"Limit what documents you are going to carry with you," says Linda Foley, co-founder of the Identity Theft Resource Center. "Clean out your wallet and purse before you take that trip."