Financial Tips
2026-02-19
Wedding Planning: Making Smart Financial Decisions for Your Big Day
With over 200 weddings planned, Sydney Schatz brings her expertise and advice to talk about realistic budgeting, wedding trends, and where couples can spend or save their money with confidence. ...
Fraud Awareness
2026-02-11
Romance Scams and How to Prevent Them
Romance scams are on the rise and can happen to anyone. With so many social platforms, scammers are becoming increasingly clever, finding more creative ways to access their victim’s finances. ...
Credit Union Impact
2026-01-15
Why Credit Union Advocacy Matters
When you think about a credit union, you may think about everyday banking such as checking and savings accounts, loans, transactions, digital banking, and friendly customer service. What you may not think about is the advocacy work happening behind the scenes to protect and strengthe...
Financial Tips
2026-01-08
Building Financial Wellness in the New Year
With the start of the new year, it’s a great time to pause and reflect on 2025, while also planning for the future. This is why January is Financial Wellness Month, a reminder for everyone to prioritize and focus on their financial well-being to start the new year. ...
Fraud Awareness
2025-12-19
Holiday Scams to Watch Out For: How to Protect Your Money This Season
As the holidays get closer and last-minute shopping begins, opportunities for scammers to take advantage of people during this time increase. Whether you’re shopping online, picking up gift cards, or tracking deliveries, staying alert can help protect your personal and financial inf...
Financial Tips
2025-12-10
4 Simple Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter
The leaves are nearly done falling, and the temperatures have begun to drop. With winter just around the corner, preparing your home for the season is vital. Here are four ways to best prepare and winterize your home. ...
Credit Union Impact
2025-11-13
Neighbors Feeding Neighbors: How Community Partnerships are Feeding Families This Holiday Season
Season of Giving is a very special time of year at P1FCU. This is a time when we can spread joy throughout our communities and partner with community members in giving back to others. We had the opportunity to sit down with Carlo, the owner of Lewiston Grocery Outlet, and Jason, our...
Financial Tips
2025-10-15
Financial Abuse: The Hidden Side of Toxic Relationships
In our 20th Episode of Making Sense of Money, we sat down with Shelly Meisner from the YWCA. Shelly is an advocate with over 20 years of experience supporting survivors of abuse. She shared her insights into how financial control operates in toxic relationships and what resources are...
Financial Tips
2025-09-18
Building Credit the Smart Way
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of building credit? Or maybe you wish that someone had taught you about it sooner. Either way, you're not alone. In the latest podcast episode of Making Sense of Money, Tanis sat down with Kylie, Consumer Lending Program Manager at P1FCU, to...
Financial Tips
2025-09-04
Free Resources that Help You Improve Your Credit Score
Your credit score is a key factor lenders use to make decisions to lend you money when you need to make purchases like homes, vehicles, or get a loan for your business. If you need to improve your score, use the free resources below to get on the right track. ...
Credit Union Impact
2025-08-28
Building Legacy Through Partnership: P1FCU & The University of Idaho
When it comes to meaningful partnerships, few stand out like the relationship between P1FCU and the University of Idaho. In the latest episode of the Making Sense of Money podcast, President Scott Green of the University of Idaho and Chris Loseth, President and CEO of P1FCU, reflect ...
Financial Tips
2025-06-18
Thinking About Investing?
Whether you're just starting out or looking to optimize your retirement plan, here is a breakdown of what you need to know. ...
Financial Tips
2025-05-15
Success From Scratch: How B's Bakery Turned Passion Into a Thriving Business
From baking in an Easy-Bake Oven to selling out her storefront every Saturday, Brittin’s journey is a sweet reminder that with passion, persistence, and a little financial know-how, anything is possible. ...
Financial Tips
2025-04-17
Clearing Up Common Financial Aid Myths
Planning for college can be very overwhelming, especially when it comes to financial aid. That's why we sat down with Soo Lee Bruce-Smith, an admissions expert from LC State, on our Making Sense of Money podcast. She shared some myths and invaluable tips that can take the stress out...
Fraud Awareness
2025-03-27
How to Protect Yourself from Fraud
In our increasingly digital world, the threat of fraudulent activities is more prominent than ever. Here are some ways to protect yourself from fraudsters. ...
Homebuying Tips
2025-03-13
What You Need to Know Before Purchasing a Home
Buying your first home is an exciting and scary milestone; sometimes, the journey can feel overwhelming. But don't worry! P1FCU's VP of Mortgage Lending, Wes Gossage, joined the Making Sense of Money Podcast(Opens in a new Window) to break down everything you need to know to make you...
Financial Tips
2025-02-13
How to Save Money on Groceries: Tips from the Idaho Foodbank
Kesha Barden, a Nutrition Education Specialist at The Idaho Foodbank, shared practical tips on how to shop smarter, avoid impulse purchases, and plan meals without breaking the bank. Her advice can make a big difference if you want to cut costs or simply get more organized! ...
Financial Tips
2025-01-16
Breaking the Post-Holiday Debt Cycle
Break the post-holiday debt cycle with tips to manage spending, create a budget, and prioritize debt repayment. Start the year financially strong! ...
Financial Tips
2024-12-18
Why Giving Back Matters More Than Ever
Giving back is not only important to your community, but also to your personal well-being, but it shouldn't be motivated by peer pressure or shame. Identify what causes align with your beliefs and values, and make donations that fit your budget. ...
Financial Tips
2024-11-21
Change the Way You Think About Budgeting
If you've never had a budget before, you're not alone. When you think of budgeting as a verb, a regular activity, rather than a one-time act of creating a budget, you'll set yourself on a track toward creating a healthy relationship with your finances. ...
Financial Tips
2024-10-24
Avoid the Buy Now, Pay Later Pile Up During the Holiday Season
We know, it's only October, and for a lot of us, the holiday season is the furthest thing from our minds. But when you look at the calendar, it is only a few paychecks away. Planning ahead will help you avoid overspending and needing to lean on your credit cards or Buy Now Pay Later ...
Financial Tips
2024-09-19
The Relationship Between Your Credit Card Balance and Credit Score
Your credit score is part of the foundation of your financial well-being. Building a high credit score is a goal we can all work on throughout our lives. The balance on your credit card is closely related to your credit card balance at the end of your billing cycle. ...
Financial Tips
2024-09-05
Let's Work on Your Credit Score
Your credit score can affect you in more ways than you could ever imagine. Whether you are getting a new apartment, buying a house, or starting a business, your credit score will be a massive part of the screening process. Keeping up with your score is a very smart idea. Here are a f...
Financial Tips
2024-08-21
Take a Strategic Approach to Paying Off Debt
Paying off your debt is a fantastic goal for countless reasons. If you're unsure where to start with your payoff journey, we recommend taking a strategic approach to your payments. Here are some strategic ways to start paying off debt. ...
Financial Tips
2024-08-20
How You Can Raise Financially Literate Kids
Teaching kids about financial literacy starts when they're young, and it's more about basic concepts than practical skills. Some foundational concepts to teach kids include goal setting, earning money, spending money responsibly, and saving money in a bank account. ...
Financial Tips
2024-08-14
3 Things That May Be Hurting Your Credit Score
Your credit score is an important part of your financial well-being. If your credit score needs improvement, these are some things that a lot of people don't realize they're doing that could be hurting their score. These are easy-to-correct habits that will make a big impact on your ...
Homebuying Tips
2024-07-24
Every Expense Associated with Buying a Home
Buying a home is more complicated than other large purchases. If you're buying for the first time, or it's time for a refresher on the process, we'll break down the up-front costs needed to purchase a home. ...
Financial Tips
2024-06-24
How to Read Your Credit Report
If you've never looked at your credit report, the notion of looking at it to understand how what you do affects your score might seem intimidating. That said, the free report you get when you request it from annualcreditreport.com is actually pretty easy to understand. ...
Financial Tips
2024-06-19
Student Loans 101: Everything You Need to Know
If you have a college student starting school soon or a rising senior, be sure you're familiar with these student loan basics. It's important to know the ins and outs of student loans, from understanding what happens when you submit your FAFSA to what happens when you're in school, a...
Financial Tips
2024-05-21
Good Debt and Bad Debt: Weighing the Differences
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so it's high time we address a common yet often unspoken concern that impacts the mental well-being of many individuals—debt. The thought, "Am I the only one struggling with debt?" frequently crosses the minds of countless people. However, the re...
Financial Tips
2024-04-15
Your Financial Roadmap in the Game of Life
While we're all for living in and enjoying the present, doing a little bit of planning for your future self will make a big difference for you down the road. These are some fundamental goals we suggest everyone prioritize to help you secure your financial future. ...
Homebuying Tips
2024-03-21
How to Set Yourself Apart as a Homebuyer
Is purchasing a home one of your goals as the new year gets started? Here are a couple of tools that can help you stand out from others who are also starting their homebuying journey. ...
Financial Tips
2024-03-18
5 Credit Score Myths, Debunked
Credit scores, by their very nature, can seem a lot like an enigma. This can cause a lot of confusion and lead to a lot of misinformation about them. Here are five common myths about credit scores, and why they're myths. ...
Financial Tips
2024-03-06
Who Calculates Your Credit Score?
Your credit score is an essential part of your financial well-being. That said, do you know who is actually calculating your credit score and keeping track of your credit? ...
Financial Tips
2024-02-29
How to Build and Improve Your Credit Score
If you're trying to improve your credit score, odds are that it is because you know your credit score is low. If you haven't yet, make sure you have a copy of your credit report or look at your credit score. Review it to identify areas you can improve. If you're not sure where to sta...
Financial Tips
2024-02-22
5 Factors That Impact Your Credit Score
Your credit score, sometimes called your "financial reputation," is based on five elements of your financial profile and history. These elements are weighed differently by the different credit agencies, so while you may be excelling in one area, where you're doing poorly in another a...
Financial Tips
2024-02-15
Is Buy Now Pay Later Right For You?
Buy now, pay later services are short-term, interest-free financing for online purchases. It's easy to see why these services have become increasingly popular over the last few years. That said, let's break down the pros and cons of these services. ...
Financial Tips
2024-02-01
Understanding Credit Scores: An Introduction to Your Financial Reputation
Your credit score is essential to your financial well-being, but do you understand what it does? These numbers are used to make decisions that have real implications for your ability to borrow money to purchase things like cars and homes. ...
Financial Tips
2023-11-16
Mastering the Envelope Budgeting Method
When it's so easy to swipe, tap, or click with your card, it's very easy to overspend your budget. If you're looking for a more tangible, visual way to manage your budget, the envelope method is a good place to start. ...
Financial Tips
2023-10-19
How to Budget with the 50/30/20 Rule
The 50/30/20 method allows your budget to relax a little and outline three broad spending categories, rather than allocating every single penny to a specific category. ...
Financial Tips
2023-09-22
Budgeting 101: How to Zero Budget
Budgeting is an essential skill and tool for your financial well-being. It helps you track your expenses, save money, and reach your goals. They set guidelines for how much you want to spend in certain categories, so you have more for things like vacations, debt repayment, retirement...
Homebuying Tips
2023-06-14
What First Time Home Buyers Should Consider
If you're thinking about buying your first home, you might be weighing the pros and cons of buying versus renting. It can be hard to know when the right time is to buy, but here are some factors to consider when you're thinking about buying for the first time. ...
Financial Tips
2023-04-24
Strategies for Paying Off Debt
Where do you start when you know the bills have been piling up and you feel anxious about your finances? The best way to start is to make a plan for how you'll pay down your debt and get started from there. When you're paying down debt, knowing that you have a plan in place to pay of...
Financial Tips
2023-03-20
Spend Your Tax Refund Wisely
When your refund hits your bank account, do you have a plan for it? When receiving unexpected cash, we always suggest outlining a plan for those funds to prevent you from going on a spending spree. Your money will serve you much better when you plan for it. ...
Homebuying Tips
2023-02-14
Dos and Don't of the Mortgage Process
Are you looking to purchase, refinance, or build a home? For many, this is a more extended loan process than most people are used to. With that in mind, here are some Dos and Don'ts to follow during the mortgage process. ...
Financial Tips
2023-01-27
4 Steps for Making Your Budget
Whether you're just starting with your budget or you've been at it a while, creating a budget is a key part of your overall financial well-being. Often, we don't have a plan for money and hope it works out. Budgeting is the first step toward financial health. Creating a budget doesn'...
Financial Tips
2022-12-09
Tips That Will Reduce Your Heating Bills
Heating bills have been more costly than ever this last year. Little things you do every day in your home can make a big difference in how warm your home is and how much your heating bill will cost. Save money where you can with these tips that can help you big time in the long run. ...
Financial Tips
2022-12-07
Setting Financial Goals That Actually Work
There are many seasons of life when we set goals for ourselves, whether we call them that or not. . We're big fans of setting S.M.A.R.T. goals because they help you plan how to reach your goal. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. L...
Homebuying Tips
2022-09-27
Signs You're Ready to Buy a Home
Is purchasing a home on your mind? Here are some signs you're ready to buy a home. ...
Homebuying Tips
2022-08-29
Build or Buy?
Have you considered building your own home but are unsure about the decision? The thought of building your dream home can be exciting and stressful at the same time. Let's weight some pros and cons of buying a home versus building your own. ...
Financial Tips
2022-07-29
Is the Tiny Home Lifestyle What You're Looking For?
Do you ever find yourself looking for a simpler way to live your life? A tiny home might be the solution you're looking for. Tiny homes are growing in popularity as people seek ways to embrace minimalism and save money. ...
Financial Tips
2022-06-08
Tips For Your Vacation Budget
The school year is ending, and the weather's warming up, so naturally, a fun summer trip is on all of our minds. Here are some tips to help you set a budget for your vacation: ...
Homebuying Tips
2022-02-17
Let's Do Some Spring Cleaning
The spring is the time to get your home ready to go for the ever-anticipated summer, whether you're in the market to sell or not. Doing things in March and April can limit your exposure to hot weather and help you save time and money! Whether you have a home or are just renting, keep...
Financial Tips
2021-12-21
New Year, New Budget?
Whether you're saving for a new car, your first home, or that remodel your house desperately needs, an effective/accurate budget can help you accomplish them in no time. What are some things to take into account when making a budget? Keep reading for a few tips from the saving expert...
Financial Tips
2021-11-24
Budget-Friendly Tips to Thrive During the Holiday Season
The holidays are one of the most fun times of the year, whether you like celebrating with family, eating yummy treats, or listening to holiday music. Although it may be fun, gift-giving can be very stressful, and we want to help you through it with some holiday season tips. ...
Fraud Awareness
2021-10-29
5 Things We Will Never Call and Ask You
There have always been scammers hiding on the other end of the phone or behind a keyboard. We've all seen the spike in current telemarketing/fraudulent claims calls, and we're sure it's getting very frustrating ...
Financial Tips
2021-09-22
What's Better, a Credit Union or a Bank?
If you're on the hunt for banking services, you've definitely encountered two of the most common types of financial institutions, credit unions and banks. Have you wondered what the differences are and which is the best choice? If you're not sure, we'll tell you what we think below! ...
Financial Tips
2021-09-22
What's the Best Financial Advice You've Received?
We've all gotten countless amounts of financial advice, whether you liked it or not. We're sure some of it was good, and some wasn't. We thought, let's chat with some of our team members and have them share the most important tip they've ever gotten and how they used it in their live...
Homebuying Tips
2021-08-24
Is Your Next Home a Shome?
Have you ever heard of this phenomenon, shome? We have, and we've seen some gorgeous ones. For those of you who don't know, a shome is a shop/home. At P1FCU, we refer to them as Shop/Living Quarters. Let's learn some more about these unique homes! ...
Financial Tips
2021-06-22
4 Tips to Help You Save for College
Need some ideas on how to save up and some financial tips for making it through college? We've got you! Here are some tips and tricks to help you start saving for college. ...
Financial Tips
2021-05-26
Side Hustle Summer
Summer is rapidly approaching, and we all wish we had a few more dollars for a vacation, a new boat, an RV, or simply extra cash on hand. We have met people with some serious side hustles, and we would like to share some tips and tricks for a financially stable summer. ...
Financial Tips
2021-01-06
Find Financial Success After the Holidays
For nay, the holidays are the best time of the year. Whether you like the colder weather, getting together with family, or exchanging presents. Although it may be a great time of year, it can be financially stressful. We've got some tips to help you recover and how to conquer your ho...
Financial Tips
2020-11-20
Beat the Holiday Financial Stress
Would you like to have some extra cash for the holidays this year? We've got some tips for you on buying presents, managing your accounts, and planning for the holiday season. ...
Financial Tips
2020-08-17
A Financially Stable Summer
Summer Vacation is the time when kids are eager to waste no time having fun. On the one hand, you're excited to spend more time with them and not have to worry about projects being due. At the same time, you're worried about how you're going to keep them entertained without draining ...
Homebuying Tips
2020-07-13
5 Common Mistakes of First Time Homebuyers
Are you looking into buying your first home? Are you excited to create some equity after years of renting? Getting your first mortgage can be your most significant financial leap. Over our first 80+ years as a credit union, we have seen many success stories. Here are five common mist...
Homebuying Tips
2019-07-19
How to Get a Head Start on Home Buying
The housing market has been very buyer-heavy, making purchasing one of the few homes on the market very competitive. How can you get ahead of some of the competition? We're here to tell you "How To Get A Head Start On The Home Buying Process." ...