Live Greater Blog | Greater Nevada Credit Union

Woman holding coffee while using laptop

Greater financial know-how can lead to Greater opportunities for your family, friends, and (of course) you! Browse through our various financial & lifestyle tips to help you thrive.

Cash Back Checking vs. Free Checking Accounts

Discover the perfect match for your finances! Dive into the Cash Back vs. Free Checking guide. Optimize rewards and minimize fees. Reading time: 2.5 min

What is Debt Consolidation and When is it a Good Idea?

Explore the power of debt consolidation for financial freedom. Learn if it’s right for you and your path to a secure financial future. Reading time: 2 min

When Should I Refinance My Car Loan?

Thinking about refinancing your car loan? Explore the benefits and costs of this financial move with our comprehensive guide.

Financial Education

Top 3 Signs of Predatory Loans

Learn the Top 3 Warning Signs of Predatory Loans to protect your financial future. Spot shady offers and make smart borrowing decisions.

5 Essential Steps to Prepare for Small Business Saturday

Get ready to shine on Small Business Saturday! Follow our 5 steps and leverage credit union products for a legendary event that boosts your business and brings holiday cheer.

Piggy Banks to Portfolios: Saving at Every Age

Saving money isn’t just a good habit — it’s a fundamental necessity. From your very first penny to retirement planning, saving plays an essential role in your financial journey.

Fraud & Identity Theft

Account Alerts to Help You Protect Your Digital Banking Profile

Account Alerts help monitor your banking profile to protect your money and information. Learn about GNCU’s Digital Banking alerts.

Fraud & Identity Theft

3 Practical Tips to Safeguard You From Identity Theft

Learn about the risks of identity theft, its potential consequences, and practical steps to protect yourself.

Fraud & Identity Theft

4 Ways Bank Imposters Try to Scam You

Imposters posing as your financial institution are trying to trick you and drain your accounts. Here’s what you need to know to avoid getting scammed.

Get Ready for Student Loan Payments to Resume

Student loan repayment is coming whether we like it or not. Get prepared with these expert strategies to handle student loan debt as payments resume.

Fraud & Identity Theft

5 Tips to Avoid Phishing Scams

We are constantly bombarded with attempts to steal our personal data and, ultimately, our money. Through email phishing scams and text message smishing, cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics to scam you.

Rewards Checking Account vs. Rewards Credit Card

In the world of personal finance, two heavyweights battle for your attention: rewards checking accounts and rewards credit cards. Both promise rewards and perks, but they serve different purposes. Let’s compare their features, advantages, and potential drawbacks to see which one suits you best.

How to Improve Your Credit Score

Learn how improving your credit score from fair to very good can lead to substantial savings on car loans and mortgages. Get actionable credit improvement tips and access free online courses and expert guidance from Greater Nevada Credit Union for enhanced financial stability.

Why You Should Get a Credit Union Insurance Policy

Credit union insurance programs make getting insurance easy and affordable by customizing policies with trusted partners for their members.

10 Tips to Master Your Business Budget

Discover the secrets to taming your business budget, setting realistic goals, and optimizing expenses. Don’t miss out on these strategies for long-term financial growth!

Tips to Manage Inheritance to Maximize Your Financial Growth

Would you know what to do with an inheritance if you received yours today? Over the next two to three decades, the Baby Boomer generation is expected to pass on $30 trillion of accumulated wealth—a staggering sum that begs the important question: How do you manage inheritance?

Plan a Family Vacation With Get Away Today

Planning a family vacation doesn’t have to be a budget-buster. Here’s what you need to know about planning a family trip on a budget – and how GNCU partner Get Away Today can help.

Unmuffled Stories

To celebrate Hot August Nights, we asked Greater Nevada employees about their experiences with their first cars. From clunkers to classics, these vehicles made a lasting impression on their drivers.

What To Do With Extra Money

Extra money is always nice, but do you know how to make it work for you? Check out these tips from Greater Nevada Credit Union!

6 Fun Date Ideas on a Budget

Dating is expensive, but it doesn’t have to be! You can enjoy dating and stay on track with your financial goals. These six fun date ideas will get you started.

Financial Education

3 Financial Tips for the Class of 2023

Greater Nevada Credit Union wants to prepare the class of 2023 for the future. Here are 3 for financially healthy habits.

Financial Education

New Law Adds Nevada Financial Education Class to High School Curriculums

A new law adds a Nevada Financial Education class to high school curriculums, so students have the financial tools to help them in adulthood.

Savings & Checking

How to Create a CD Ladder

CD Ladders help you take advantage of the higher yields of Share Certificates while giving you regular access to cash as you reinvest money.

Financial Education

Financial Literacy Month

Here are five quick and easy tips to help you up your financial skills for Financial Literacy Month to make the most of your money.

7 Places GNCU Employees Volunteer, You Should Too

At Greater Nevada Credit Union, we believe in helping others to Live Greater by volunteering in Northern Nevada. Check out seven organizations we’re involved with.

Financial Education

Financial Education: Get Smart About Your Money

April is Financial Literacy Month! It’s never too early or late to learn to manage your money effectively. Our financial education resources can help.

Manage Money and Have Fun

If you’re learning to manage money through personal budgeting, include some fun. How to enjoy your life while meeting your financial goals.

Paying Down Debt

Paying down debt is a type of savings! See these quick tips for paying off your debt, consolidating your loans and freeing up some money.

Credit Utilization Ratio

How much credit you have access to verse how much you use impacts your credit score a lot. Learn about Credit Utilization Ration.

Online Banking Tools & Tips

Online banking tools make managing your finances and achieving your goals easier. Here are five ways to make the most of these online tools.

Tuning your Financial Diet for 2023

Three tips to help you create a financial diet to help you pay off debt, create a balanced budget and create and emergency fund.

Questions to Ask About Debt

If you’re thinking about taking out a loan or using a credit card, here are 12 questions about debt to ask before signing on the dotted line. Read more in this blog.

Top 10 Tips to Save More Money This Holiday Season

With the holidays fast approaching, we’re all looking for ways to save more money for gifts, traveling, entertainment, and more. So, if you’re wondering how to save more money each month, we’ve got 10 manageable, realistic changes you can make to see your savings grow.

Shop Local, Bank Local

When you bank with a local credit union like Greater Nevada Credit Union, your money stays in your community—just like when you shop locally. Learn more here!

Why You Don’t Need a Perfect Credit Score

You know you need a high credit score to make your financial life easier. But if you’ve been striving for a perfect score — typically 850 — you need to know that it’s not worth it. Here’s why there’s really no need to hit that perfect three digit number.

Five Ways Credit Unions are Different From Banks

Credit unions like Greater Nevada Credit Union (GNCU) offer a distinct approach to providing financial services and community engagement. Discover what sets credit unions and banks apart and how to leverage them in conjunction with other financial institutions and solutions.

An Alternative to Payday Loans

Sometimes you just need a little extra cash. Maybe your car broke down or you were injured and need help covering your deductible. For these unexpected moments in life, we’ve created the Right Now Loan™.

Navigating the Current Auto Market? What to Know Before You Shop

With limited inventory and above-average wait times for new vehicles, buyers who plan ahead may encounter fewer speed bumps in their car buying journey.

3 Reasons to Join a Credit Union

Don’t sleep on a credit union for your banking needs! Here are three reasons to join a credit union: You get more. You have a voice. You’re investing in your community.

Real Talk: Making Banking Better and Easier to Understand

We want to make banking simpler, easier to access and understand for Nevadans. We offer accounts and programs to help your money go further. We committee to taking banking terms and fine print and turn it into real talk that real people can understand.

Buy Now, Pay Later Loans: Should You Use Them?

Buy Now, Pay Later Loans are becoming more popular, and it’s essential to understand how they can impact your credit score and whether they are the right choice for you.

What is a Personal Line of Credit, and How Can It Help You?

A personal line of credit with Greater Nevada gives you immediate access to money when you need it, with terms that fit your financial needs.

How To Make The Most Of Extra Money That Comes Your way

From creating an emergency fund to paying off debt, here is a game plan to use extra money to make a meaningful impact on your life.

An Inside Look at Greater Nevada’s Early Response to COVID-19

We’re a people business. That’s why we jumped into action to help our community when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March, 2020. In part one of our two-part interview with Greater Nevada President & CEO Wally Murray, read about the thoughts and actions that went in to keeping our communities alive and thriving through the financial hardships.

Savings & Checking

Here’s How to Get the Right Checking Account for Your Needs

Along with a savings account, a checking account is one of the cornerstones of how you manage your money.

Rural Business

When a global health crisis disrupts America’s rural businesses and communities, the ripple effects can impact supply chains of essential services and products.

Its Never Too Early To Start Saving

Learn about just some of the benefits of establishing healthy savings habits at a young age.

Auto Loan Refinancing 101

Auto loan refinancing can be a smart financial decision but isn’t for everyone, so it’s important to understand what it means to refinance your loan, your motivations for doing so and the outcomes you seek.

Budgeting to Fit Your Lifestyle

Setting a budget is key if you want to reach financial success. Explore Greater Nevada Credit Union’s steps to creating a budget that fits your lifestyle.

Personal Loan: What It Is & How to Apply

Personal loans are growing in popularity, but many of us may not know the “ins and outs” of a personal loan like we do with a car loan or mortgage.

7 Tips for Your Perfect Car Loan

Before you take a test drive, it’s important to learn all your financing options to get the best loan for you.

Money Matters for Newlyweds

One of the most common problems in marriage is finances. Explore various ways to discuss financial matters before you walk down the aisle.

4 Tips to Teach Your Kids About Money Before College

Have an honest money conversation before your kid goes off to college. Read Greater Nevada Credit Union’s tips on how to teach your kids about money.

What to Know Before Buying an RV, Motorhome, Trailer

If you’re looking for a new or used RV, motorhome, or trailer, Greater Nevada Credit Union has tips to help make the process easier. Explore more tips.

Children & Teens

How to Pay for College

Hooray! You’ve been accepted to college. Now the question is, “how do I pay for it?” With several different options, including pay as you go, scholarships, grants and student loans, finding the best way to finance your education can seem overwhelming. Here are some tips to make navigating the financial side of your college education that much easier.

Choosing the Right Credit Card

The credit cards consumers choose can have a considerable impact on their overall financial health, so it’s important to choose wisely.

Financial Education

Improving Financial Wellness

Stress over financial struggles can make it harder to make good financial decisions. Escape the cycle! Start new healthy spending habits.

Benefits of Online Bill Pay

Setting up online bill pay is important for making your life easier, safer and overall better.

Accessible Modifications for Your Home

Creating a home that minimizes physical limitations and allows for unhindered mobility can go a long way to building a person’s comfort at home.

What is Person-to-Person Payment?

Person-to-person, or a ‘P2P’ payment, is a term you may have heard in conversation or mentioned in passing. This new form of payment is a way to send or request money from your friends and family, or pay bills via an app faster and easier.

Tips for Buying a New Car or Truck

Discover various tools to help you feel confident when buying your next new or used car.

Saving Money on Pet Ownership

Pets can make great companions, as long as you make sure you’re financially ready to make that companionship work.

How to Start a Retirement Plan

Are you living with uncertainty about having enough to enjoy retirement? If you don’t know how or where to start, here are some ideas.

Children & Teens

Entrepreneurial Education for Our Youth

Basic money management skills are crucial to daily success but financial education isn’t commonly offered in schools. Here are some ways that you can teach children financial education.

Financial Education

Is Homeownership Your American Dream

Getting a job and buying a home used to be the American Dream. However, lately homeownership rates have dropped and renting has increased.

Protecting your Assets and your Family

CONSIDER THIS: According to a Caring.com survey, only 42 percent of adults in this country have estate planning documents such as a will or living trust. Are you part of the 42 percent?

Tips To A Better Home Renovation

Avoid the most common pitfalls of home renovations. Read 5 tips to a better home renovation with the help of Greater Nevada Credit Union.

Children & Teens

Five Tips to Help You Land Your First Professional Job

Life after college can be scary, but not to worry! We’re here to make your life a little easier and to help you find your first grown up job out of college.

What Is A Share Certificate

For those looking for earnings on their savings, one of the options that credit unions offer is share certificates.

Best Budgeting Apps

Mobile Apps can help you make better decisions about spending your money. Explore the best budgeting apps on the Greater Nevada Credit Union blog.

Financial Education

Greater Nevada Credit Union

Most of us remember when “foreclosure” wasn’t a household word. But there is life after foreclosure. Find out how to get back on your feet.

Greater Nevada Credit Union

What is home equity and how do I know if I have any? Is a HELOC line of credit right for me?