Saving money doesn’t have to feel like a struggle, even on a tight budget. By using smart strategies and building healthy financial habits, you can make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed. Every small step counts, and over time, those little wins can lead to greater financial confidence and security. What Does a Personal Budget Look Like? A personal budget is a clear, specific, and easy-to-read breakdown of your income and expenses, typically over a month. It should be tailored to your individual goals and lifestyle. Budgets help you track spending, plan for future expenses, and make informed financial decisions, whether you’re saving for college, paying off debt, or investing for… read more »

What Is a Budget? A budget is a simple yet powerful financial tool that helps you manage how you save and spend your money each month. Simply put, a budget helps you take control of your money instead of wondering where it went. When you create a budget, you can clearly see: How much money you bring in (your income) Where your money goes (your expenses) Once everything is laid out, you may begin to spot areas where you can cut back, reallocate your spending, or start saving more intentionally. According to Debt.com’s 2025 Budgeting Survey, over 86% of people say they budget regularly, and among them, more than 84%… read more »

Choosing where to keep your money is a major decision. While many people go with big banks simply out of habit, that may not be the best option. Credit unions offer a compelling alternative. As member-owned, not-for-profit institutions, they focus on people over profits. While they offer many of the same services as banks, credit unions can provide a more personal, affordable, and community-driven experience. Here are 10 key benefits of joining a credit union Profit vs Not-For-Profit Banks exist to make money for their shareholders, not their members. That often means focusing on profits over people. Flashy ads and big marketing budgets may grab attention, but they don’t always… read more »

Check out these tips to help you support small businesses in your community May is National Small Business Month, a time to celebrate the significant impact small businesses have on our lives and well-being. By supporting them, you strengthen the local economy and foster a thriving, connected community. Supporting local businesses doesn’t have to be complicated, since there are many easy ways to make a difference. Here are some simple tips to help you champion small businesses this May and throughout the year! 1. Shop Local When you’re ready to make a purchase, whether online or in person, consider the small businesses in your area. Supporting local shops, restaurants, and… read more »

This article was written by Jean Chatzky and our friends at Credit Score. Learn more aboutCredit Score here or in your Money Manager app. Check out these ideas for helping children learn to set money aside When it comes to teaching children about money—including the importance of saving forthe future—it’s smart to start early. And it’s really up to us, the parents, family members,and mentors of the next generation, to drive these points home. While it may seem a little daunting, building a strong financial foundation for youngsterscan start with just a few simple steps. Here are some real-life examples of how you canteach children good money habits. That way,… read more »

HARRISBURG, PA (November 9, 2022) – Belco Community Credit Union, President & CEO, Amey Sgrignoli has been selected by American Banker as one of its 2022 Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions. “The inaugural Most Powerful Women in Credit Unions honoree list recognizes the women who are driving innovation and inclusion in this very unique segment of the financial services industry,” says Daniel Wolfe, Content Director at American Banker. “These are proven mission driven leaders who value their members, employees and positive workplace experiences as much as their business goals.” Nominations for the program were open to any women leaders who are primarily employed at a credit union. Applications were… read more »

You may be just graduating high school heading into college, purchasing your first home, retiring or looking to buy your dream car. No matter where you are in your life, odds are you will need your credit checked at some point. But you may have heard the simple saying “how can I build credit, if my credit score is low and I do not have the chance to?” This old paradox has left many individuals confused, frustrated and downright angry. Credit scores have always been difficult waters to navigate, but with proper guidance, you can set sail on a financially healthy life. What is a credit score? In order to… read more »

Congratulations! You are about to apply for your first credit card! Having heard about how great a credit card can be, and the importance of building credit, you decided to do some research. You saw fancy things like “0% interest for the first year” and “2% cashback on purchases” that sound like a great deal, but what does it all mean? Whether you are going into college and getting your first credit card, or deciding now is the time to build your credit, you have come to the right place. This guide will help you understand basic credit card terms, and how you can start building your credit score today!… read more »

The world has changed from COVID-19. People are relying on technology now more than ever to accomplish their daily tasks. From groceries delivered right to your door from an app, to Zoom meetings with team members from the comfort of your home, the dependency on technology has grown to new heights since 2020. Banks and credit unions are no exception to the mobile and online technology movement. One of the most beneficial and easy tools at Belco is our Mobile Deposit feature. While this tool has been around a long time, many people do not take advantage of Mobile Deposit because they may not be aware of how it can… read more »

Q: I need to get some money together in a hurry. Help! What can I do? A: There’ll always be times in your adult life when you find yourself in need of a sizable amount of money without enough savings on hand. Maybe you’re drowning in debt, or you just spent some time in the hospital, or your car started to breathe fire. Whatever the case, you need that money pretty quickly. For times like these, consider a personal loan. A personal loan is a loan of any amount of money, typically ranging from $1,000 to more than $50,000, which is not secured with collateral — that is, there’s no… read more »