The Current


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Spring in West Michigan is the perfect time to spruce up your home after the dreary winter weather! Not only can winter dampen our moods, but it can also take a toll on our homes. We’ve shared six items to mark off your spring cleaning to-do list to help keep
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Have you ever felt money-related stress around the holidays? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Before you know it, the holidays will be here, leaving us wondering where the time went. Holiday shopping can be stressful, but being prepared can ease the mental load. Set a Budget NOW!  Before you go
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A strong password is a crucial step in keeping your private information, well private. Passwords that are too simple, too short, or use easy to find information, like your birthday, can be easily hacked. So what type of passwords should you use? DO 1. Have a password you can easily
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We wanted to thank our team for all of their hard work during this tough season while also supporting the community. The solution? Pay it forward with dinner on CWCU to any local restaurant! Each staff member was reimbursed during the month of July to enjoy a meal with their
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Have you heard about Debit Card Round Up? It’s the free tool that helps you save as you spend! The best part? It’s automatic, so there’s no guesswork or manual transfers required from you! Each purchase you make using your debit card will be rounded up to the nearest dollar.
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Now is the perfect time to organize important documents and financial statements, but where do you start? It’s hard to know what’s okay to shred and what you may need to keep for the future. We’ve made it easy by compiling a list to take out the guesswork. Keep Forever
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The thought of buying a home can be daunting but it doesn’t have to be. Determine if you’re ready to buy a home by asking yourself these questions – you may even realize you’re better equipped than you think. How much house can I afford? Your monthly mortgage payment is
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The Internal Revenue Service knows that many taxpayers have had a stressful spring. So, it has reset the federal tax deadline. You now have until July 15 to file your 1040 form. July 15 is also the deadline to pay any federal taxes owed for 2019.1 Beyond these important details,
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The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is now law. With it, comes some of the biggest changes to retirement savings law in recent years. While the new rules don’t appear to amount to a massive upheaval, the SECURE Act will require a change in strategy for
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Start our easy, online application to begin financing your dream home or refinance your current home. Use the mortgage application checklist below, so you can prepare everything your mortgage loan officer will need to finalize your application. Apply today! Please note: Not all items are due during the initial application.
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Easy is my favorite meal, so we’re sharing 5 meals that use 5 ingredients or less! Most of these meals you can prep, throw together and forget about until it’s time to eat. Note: Any necessary spices are not included in the 5 ingredients for each meal.  Tuna (or Chicken)
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For those rainy days, keep your kids busy with these fun, indoor activities! Build a fort Dye or paint Easter eggs Create an obstacle course Paint a portrait Teach your kids a new card game that your parents taught you Make slime Play ‘hide and seek’ Play a board game
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Enrolling in Online Banking is simple! Follow the steps below to begin accessing your account digitally. Simply and safely manage your accounts when it’s most convenient for you using Online and Mobile Banking. It’sMe247 Online Banking Download the Mobile App for Apple Download the Mobile Banking App for Google Play
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How do you save for retirement? Two options probably come to mind right away: the IRA and the 401(k). Both offer you relatively easy ways to build a retirement fund. Here is a look at the features, merits, and demerits of each account, starting with what they have in common.
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Does your vision of retirement align with the facts? Here are some noteworthy financial and lifestyle facts about life after 50 that might surprise you. Up to 85% of a retiree’s Social Security income can be taxed. Some retirees are taken aback when they discover this. In addition to the
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Run the numbers There is a rule of thumb for retirees suggesting that retirement income has a target of 70-80% of the household’s end salary, though this can certainly vary. So, years before leaving work, sit down (perhaps with the financial professional you know and trust) and take a look
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Small expenses can quickly eat away at a budget and make it harder to save or do the things that matter to you! By cutting these 5 items from your budget, you may be able to save more, invest, or finally plan the vacation you’ve been dreaming of. Coffee The
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Managing money can be a tricky task on your own, let alone in a relationship. The aspect of money can be difficult to navigate if you’ve only had to consider your own income and spending. According to a study done by SunTrust Bank, finances are considered the leading cause of
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Eating healthy can be a difficult task for many when working with a small grocery budget. We all know we should incorporate healthy foods into our diet but boxed products are not only more convenient – they’re often cheaper than fresh foods, too! Eat fresh AND stay on budget by
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The teenage years are full of new experiences, which may include a first job. Whether it’s scooping ice cream at a local shop or babysitting for the neighbor down the street, it’s a time when your teen is earning money on their own. While it’s important to be a kid,
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Since 2013, there have been over 14 billion data breaches where data has been lost or stolen. It’s normal to think it won’t happen to you, but the reality is that we put our information at risk if we aren’t diligent about seeking tools for protection. Amid the latest Equifax
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Love pie? Love baking? Then join Community West Credit Union for the Middleville Heritage Days Pie Baking Contest on Saturday, August 17! That’s right, a pie baking contest with an opportunity for some pie eating, too! Bakers across West Michigan are invited to submit their best homemade pie for a
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Below are free and inexpensive things to do in West Michigan this weekend that won’t cost you your entire budget. Enjoy summer fun without feeling the strain on your wallet! Free – Tuesdays and Thursdays at The GRAM Not a weekend activity but every Tuesday and Thursday The GRAM offers
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Your credit score is determined by many factors and it’s your financial habits that will affect the strength of your score. Your credit score can range between 300 – 850 with a higher number increasing your chances for loan approval and better interest rates. Need to raise your credit score?
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Start your budget off strong this month while still enjoying your weekend! After experiencing the 2019 Polar Vortex this week, we’re all itching to get out of the house. Below are free or inexpensive activities you can do this weekend that won’t cost you your entire budget. Free – Visit Your Local
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Spring Break is probably the last thing on your mind. But the vacation you’ve been craving since the first snowfall will be here before you know it, which means now is the best time to put a plan into place! It’s never too early to start saving and with spring
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Imagine this: it’s the end of the month and you have $300 in your account and rent is due in three days. That scenario would be fine if your rent was only $200 but it’s 2019 and that’s not very realistic. You work hard but it always seems like you’re
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Spending time together is important for any relationship but sometimes the cost of going out can add up. While some date nights are worth celebrating (anniversaries, accomplishments, etc.), not every evening together has to break the bank. We’ve put together four frugal date nights to keep your budget and marriage thriving!
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It’s easy to fall into societal traps. In our twenties, we’re told we either need to be living large, exploring and spending our money on experiences or should be slaves to our savings accounts, never splurging. Take it from me, it all comes down to living within your means. When
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Community West is honoring those who have served in the Armed Services with a digital display in our branches this month.  If you or your loved one has served or is currently serving, we would appreciate it if you would provide us with a service photo, name, branch of the
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The federal government is by far the single largest source of financial aid to college students, but there are also state government loans, college-sponsored loans, commercial lending institutions and credit unions which also offer private student loans. Qualifying for funding involves filling out multiple forms, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
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Before applying for a private student loan, make sure that you have thoroughly exhausted all sources of free and low-cost financial aid (such as scholarships, grants, and federal direct student loans). While the process may seem daunting, planning carefully and researching all of your options can save you thousands! Completing
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If you’re thinking about purchasing a home, there are a few things you should consider. Most people start day-dreaming about their dream house before they’ve begun planning financially. When you’re ready to start planning to buy a home, you really need to consider a few things and we will discuss
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Congratulations! You’ve decided to further your education by attending a college or university! Between applying for schools, picking a major, and choosing where to go, you are probably overwhelmed by the amount of decisions you have to make.  Luckily, we have a few different suggestions to help reduce your stress
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Let’s be real — saving money sometimes seems like an impossibly intimidating task, especially when living life is so expensive. Well, today we are going to go over just a few different methods that can help you kick start your saving habits and help you cut down on your spending.
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