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30 days of Thankfulness

AGCU is Celebrating November with 30 Days of Thankfulness for our Church Heroes!

Thank you, Child Care Workers, Cleaning Crew, Sunday School Teachers, Musicians, Maintenance Team, Grounds Keepers, Sound Board Operators, Camera Crew, Bus Drivers, Greeters, Leaders, Staff, and Volunteers! You’re all HEROES to the church!

Tell us about your Church Heroes, and we will select $100 winners every Monday in November. Plus, one church will win $1,000!

CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE YOUR HERO!

OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE THE CHANCES OF WINNING.

Eligibility: Thirty Days of Thankfulness (the “Sweepstakes”) is open only to those who sign up at the sweepstakes page located at  https://l.feathr.co/ChurchHero and who are 13 years old as of the date of entry. The sweepstakes is only open to legal residents of  United States of America and is void where prohibited by law. Employees of AGCU (the “Sponsor”) their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, suppliers and their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to participate in the Sweepstakes. The Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. Void where prohibited.

Agreement to Rules: By participating, you agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these Rules, and you represent and warrant that you meet the eligibility requirements set forth herein. In addition, you agree to accept the decisions of AGCU, as final and binding as it relates to the content. The Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws.

Sweepstakes Period: Entries will be accepted online starting on or about November, 1 2022 and ending November, 30 2022. All online entries must be received by November, 30 2022 11:59PM EST.

How to Enter: The Sweepstakes must be entered by submitting an entry using the online form provided on this Sweepstakes site, located at  https://l.feathr.co/ChurchHero. The entry must fulfill all sweepstakes requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win a prize. Entries that are not complete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified at the sole discretion of AGCU. You may enter only once and you must fill in the information requested. You may not enter more times than indicated by using multiple email addresses, identities or devices in an attempt to circumvent the rules. If you use fraudulent methods or otherwise attempt to circumvent the rules your submission may be removed from eligibility at the sole discretion of AGCU.

Prizes: Winners will receive Church Hero (4) – $100 Visa® gift card. Grand Prize Church (1) – $1000 Visa® gift card. Actual/appraised value may differ at time of prize award. The specifics of the prize shall be solely determined by the Sponsor. No cash or other prize substitution permitted except at Sponsor’s discretion. The prize is non transferable. Any and all prize related expenses, including without limitation any and all federal, state, and/or local taxes shall be the sole responsibility of the winner. No substitution of prize or transfer/assignment of prize to others or request for the cash equivalent by winners is permitted. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission for AGCU to use winner’s name, likeness, and entry for purposes of advertising and trade without further compensation, unless prohibited by law.


Odds:
The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

Winner selection and notification: Winners of the Sweepstakes will be selected in a random drawing under the supervision of the Sponsor. Winners will be notified via email to the email address they entered the Sweepstakes with within five (5) days following the winner selection. AGCU shall have no liability for a winner’s failure to receive notices due to winners’ spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for winners’ provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If the selected winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within 72 hours from the time award notification was sent, or fails to timely return a completed and executed declaration and releases as required, prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner selected. 

The receipt by winner of the prize offered in this Sweepstakes is conditioned upon compliance with any and all federal and state laws and regulations. ANY VIOLATION OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES BY ANY WINNER (AT SPONSOR’S SOLE DISCRETION) WILL RESULT IN SUCH WINNER’S DISQUALIFICATION AS WINNER OF THE SWEEPSTAKES AND ALL PRIVILEGES AS WINNER WILL BE IMMEDIATELY TERMINATED.

Rights Granted by you: By entering this content you understand that AGCU, anyone acting on behalf of AGCU, or its respective licensees, successors and assigns will have the right, where permitted by law, without any further notice, review or consent to print, publish, broadcast, distribute, and use, worldwide in any media now known or hereafter in perpetuity and throughout the World, your entry, including, without limitation, the entry and winner’s name, portrait, picture, voice, likeness, image or statements about the Sweepstakes, and biographical information as news, publicity or information and for trade, advertising, public relations and promotional purposes without any further compensation.

Terms: AGCU reserves the right, in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes should (in its sole discretion) a virus, bugs, non-authorized human intervention, fraud or other causes beyond its control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes. In such case, AGCU may select the recipients from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by AGCU. AGCU reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or website or violates these Terms & Conditions.

AGCU has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Sweepstakes, to void entries for any reason, including, but not limited to; multiple entries from the same user from different IP addresses; multiple entries from the same computer in excess of that allowed by sweepstakes rules; or the use of bots, macros or scripts or other technical means for entering.

Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any web site or undermine the legitimate operation of the sweepstakes may be a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, AGCU reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law.

By entering the Sweepstakes you agree to receive email newsletters periodically from AGCU. You can opt-out of receiving this communication at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the newsletter.

Limitation of Liability: By entering you agree to release and hold harmless AGCU and its subsidiaries, affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, partners, representatives, agents, successors, assigns, employees, officers and directors from any liability, illness, injury, death, loss, litigation, claim or damage that may occur, directly or indirectly, whether caused by negligence or not, from (i) such entrant’s participation in the sweepstakes and/or his/her acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of any prize or any portion thereof, (ii) technical failures of any kind, including but not limited to the malfunctioning of any computer, cable, network, hardware or software; (iii) the unavailability or inaccessibility of any transmissions or telephone or Internet service; (iv) unauthorized human intervention in any part of the entry process or the Promotion; (v) electronic or human error which may occur in the administration of the Promotion or the processing of entries.

Disputes: THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF United States of America AND Missouri, WITHOUT RESPECT TO CONFLICT OF LAW DOCTRINES. As a condition of participating in this Sweepstakes, participant agrees that any and all disputes which cannot be resolved between the parties, and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Sweepstakes, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action, exclusively before a court located in Missouri having jurisdiction. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental, or consequential damages, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, other than participant’s actual out-of-pocket expenses (i.e. costs associated with entering this Sweepstakes), and participant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased.

Privacy Policy:  Information submitted with an entry is subject to the Privacy Policy stated on the AGCU Web Site. To read the Privacy Policy, https://agcu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/PrivacyNotice-12.9.2020.pdfclick here.

13. Winners List: To obtain a copy of the winner’s name or a copy of these Official Rules, mail your request along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Assemblies of God Credit Union, P.O. Box 2328, Springfield, MO 65801. Requests must be received no later than December 31,2022

Sponsor:  The Sponsor of the Sweepstakes is AGCU .

15. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Google. You understand that you are providing your information to the owner of this sweepstakes and not to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, Pinterest, LinkedIn or Google. 

12 Steps to Financial wellness: Review and TweakReview and Tweak12 Steps to Financial wellness: Review and Tweak

12 Steps to Financial Freedom - Review and Tweak

12 Steps to Financial Wellness:

Step 12- Review and Tweak

Congratulations! You’ve reached the 12th and final step of the 12 steps to financial wellness. Here, we’ll review the previous steps and adjust this part of your financial health plan as necessary.

Step 1: Track your spending

Are you regularly tracking your spending? Knowing where your money is going will help you make more responsible spending decisions in the future.

Step 2: Create and stick to a budget

Budgets need to be reviewed and tweaked every few months or so to ensure they still work for present life circumstances. If your budget no longer works for you, tweak until it does.

Step 3: Pay down debt

Have you made as much progress in your debt-paying journey as you’d hoped to by this point? Can you beef up any payments to make debt disappear sooner?

Step 4: Talk money with your partner

Have you had the big money talk with your partner? Need to revisit any of the topics you’ve discussed, such as sharing accounts, dividing expenses and saving up for a shared dream?

Step 5: Spend mindfully

Review some of your recent purchases. Are you blowing money on stuff you don’t need instead of relieving stress in a healthier manner? If so, look for better ways to de-stress.

Step 6: Pay it forward

Are you remembering to pay it forward? The money, time and smiles we share are the only moments that are truly ours.

Step 7: Pay yourself first

Are you remembering to feed your savings? At this time, you may want to consider increasing the amount you’re regularly putting into savings by trimming some discretionary expenses.

Step 8: Know when and how to indulge

Are you remembering to work your just-for-fun expenses into your budget so you can indulge without guilt? Now is a good time to look back at your indulgences to figure out if they were really good uses for your money.

Step 9: Check your credit score

If you’ve been following the rules for boosting and maintaining a high credit score, like paying your bills on time, having several active cards, and keeping your credit utilization low, your score should have improved during these last few months.

Step 10: Think about retirement

Review your retirement accounts and assess whether your funds have reached the place you’d hoped they would by now.

Step 11: Start investing

Make sure your investments are performing well and that your assets are optimally diversified.

Step 12: Review your overall financial health

In this final step, you’ll review your financial health on a regular basis, just as you’ve done here.

Reviewing your financial health on a regular basis is an important part of staying financially fit.

Banking With A Purpose

Much more than a catchphrase, our tagline is our passion, our reason why we do what we do. This is the impact of your membership with AGCU.
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8 Holiday Shopping Hacks to Help You Save Big This Season

8 Holiday Shopping Hacks to Help You Shop & Save

Ready, set… charge! The holiday shopping season is here. Among inflated prices, the rising cost of gas, and the urge to splurge, it can be tough to stick to your budget. Here are our top 8 holiday shopping hacks to keep your spending under budget.

8 Holiday Shopping Hacks To Help You Save Big This Season!

Jump To:

 

1.  Make a Shopping List and Check It Twice

When you shop with a list in hand, and be mindful to stick to it, you can make responsible shopping decisions instead of buying every shiny thing that catches your eye.

 

2. Price Shopping By Comparing Prices

All it takes is a few quick online clicks or taps to check if an item is available for less. You can also use a price-checking app, like ShopSavvy, to search for the hottest deal.

 

3. Shop With a Friend

Grab an accountable friend to help you stay on track as you shop. Share your budget or which gifts you’ll be looking for on this trip. Ask them to gently remind you to stay within budget and on-plan as you browse.

 

4. Take Advantage Of Rebates and Refunds

Want to get paid to shop? When you make a purchase through a rebate app, like Earny or Rakuten, you get cashback for every purchase you make.

 

5. Buy Discounted Gift Cards

You can find discounted gift cards on sites, like Raise and CardCash, for big-name brands like Lowe’s, Starbucks, Amazon, and more.

 

6. Shop With Coupons

Before completing an online purchase, do a quick search of sites, like RetailMeNot, to check for available coupons that can lower the price. You can also use a browser extension, like Honey, which will automatically find and apply coupons while you shop online.

 

7. Shop Early

This year, with anticipated delivery delays and supply shortages, it’s best to tackle your holiday shopping early. Shopping with a clear head when the stores are well-stocked, will make it easier to stick to your budget.

 

8. Buy Electronics on Black Friday

The Black Friday deals you’ll find on TVs, laptops, audio equipment, and other electronics will likely be the best you’ll find all year.

 

Follow the tips outlined above to save big on gift shopping this year.

Banking With A Purpose

Much more than a catchphrase, our tagline is our passion, our reason why we do what we do. This is the impact of your membership with AGCU. Learn More About Banking with a Purpose

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12 Steps to Financial Wellness: Step 10- Plan for Retirement

Step 10 of 12 Steps to Financial Wellness-Plan for Retirement

 

12 Steps to Financial Wellness:

Step 10- Plan for Retirement

It’s never too early – or too late – to start planning for your retirement. However, the more time you allow for your savings to grow, the bigger the nest egg you’ll have when it’s time to cash in.

 

Here’s how to get started on planning your retirement.

 

Set a target number

First, determine how much you’ll need to have saved to live comfortably and independently throughout your retirement. Experts advise taking your current living expenses and multiplying the number by 400 to identify the amount you’ll need to sustain yourself based on a 4% return.

 

Choose your retirement account strategy

Next, you’ll need to select a place to keep your retirement savings. There are many options to consider, some of which you may already have if you are, or have been, employed. Here’s a quick review of the two most common retirement accounts:

 

  1. 401(k)

If you’re employed, you likely have a 401(k) that’s working toward collecting money for your retirement. Take advantage of this retirement tool by maximizing your contributions. Also, many employers match a portion of (or all) contributions you make, which is basically free money, to help your retirement savings grow tax-deferred.

 

  1. IRA

There are two popular kinds of Individual Retirement Plans (IRA): conventional IRAs and Roth IRAs. A conventional IRA will let your money grow, tax-deferred, but withdrawals are taxable. A Roth IRA does not feature tax-deferred growth, but qualified withdrawals are not taxed. Like a 401(k), some employers match a portion of (or all) contributions. But, there are federal limits on how much money you are allowed to add to your IRA each year.

 

The table below shows a brief summary of the pros and cons of each retirement vehicle for easy comparison.

 

Features 401(k) IRA Roth IRA
Matching Funds Yes No No
Tax-Deductible Yes Depends on income, tax-filing status and other factors No
Tax-Deferred Growth Yes Yes No
Taxable Withdrawals Yes Yes No
Maximum Yearly Contribution (2022)

$20,500

$6,000

$6,000

Maximum Yearly Contribution Age 50+ (2022)

$27,000

$7,000

$7,000

 

After you’ve selected your retirement fund, you’ll also need to choose somewhere to invest. With a bit of work and a lot of planning, you’ll have your future secured in the best way possible.

 

Read Step 1: How to Track Your Spending

Read Step 2: Creating a Budget

Read Step 3: Pay Down Debt

Read Step 4: Have the Money Talk With Your Partner

Read Step 5: Practice Mindful Spending

Read Step 6: Pay It Forward

Read Step 7: How to Pay Yourself First

Read Step 8: Know When and How to Indulge

Read Step 9: Build and Maintain an Excellent Credit Score

Read Step 10: Plan for Retirement

Read Step 11: Start Investing

Read Step 12: Review and Tweak

 

Banking With A Purpose

Much more than a catchphrase, our tagline is our passion, our reason why we do what we do. This is the impact of your membership with AGCU.
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12 Steps to Financial Freedom: Step 11- Start Investing

12 Steps to Financial Wellness: Step 11 Start investing

12 Steps to Financial Wellness:

Step 11- Start Investing

The world of investing can be confusing, especially for a first-timer. No worries, though; AGCU can help! Here’s how to start investing in five easy steps.

1.  Define your tolerance for risk

If you’re investing, be prepared for potential losses, because there are no sure things. But how much loss can you take? Your risk tolerance will vary according to the time horizon you’re working with, the amount of money you can afford to lose and your objectives.

2.  Define your investment goals

Why are you investing this money? Do you hope to save enough money for a down payment, or to fund your retirement? Or, are you simply looking for a way to grow your money? Identifying your investment goals will help you choose your investment vehicles and the amount of money you’re comfortable investing.

3.  Determine your investing style

Next, you’ll need to find an investing style that suits your personality and investing goals. Here are your basic choices:

  • Active management–personally managing your investments. This can be a great choice for an investor who is confident in their knowledge of the market.
  • Broker/financial advisor–allowing an outsider to manage your investments and make decisions regarding your portfolio.
  • Robo-advisor–an automated option that typically costs less than a traditional broker and works with your goals, risk tolerance level and other personal details.

4. Choose your investment account

You’re ready to choose your investments! Here are some popular first-time investments:

  • Bonds–a loan to a company or government entity which agrees to pay you back in a specified amount of years. You’ll get modest dividends until the bond matures. Bonds are low-risk, but offer lower long-term returns.
  • Exchange traded funds (ETFs)–individual investments bundled together and traded throughout the day, like a stock. Share prices are relatively low.
  • Mutual funds–professionally managed pools of investor funds that focus their investments in different markets. Mutual funds are inherently diversified, making them a good choice for beginner investors.
  • Stocks–a single share or a few shares in a specific company. Be sure to research your chosen company/ies carefully.

5. Learn to diversify and reduce risk

Monitor and adjust your portfolio on a regular basis to keep it diversified and help minimize the risk of loss. Follow these steps to help you get started investing with more confidence.

If you’re ready to start investing or would like some more advice, Reach out to our good friends at AGFinancial

Read Step 1: How to Track Your Spending

Read Step 2: Creating a Budget

Read Step 3: Pay Down Debt

Read Step 4: Have the Money Talk With Your Partner

Read Step 5: Practice Mindful Spending

Read Step 6: Pay It Forward

Read Step 7: How to Pay Yourself First

Read Step 8: Know When and How to Indulge

Read Step 9: Build and Maintain an Excellent Credit Score

Read Step 10: Plan for Retirement

Read Step 11: Start Investing

Read Step 12: Review and Tweak

Banking With A Purpose

Much more than a catchphrase, our tagline is our passion, our reason why we do what we do. This is the impact of your membership with AGCU.
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Mystery Savings

 

Scratch and Save up to 2%

Scratch and Save is back August 1st!


You could save up to 2% on your next auto, motorcycle, RV, or watercraft loan.* This includes NEW & USED vehicles.

Here are the ways you can get your discount:

  • Postcards will be mailed to members at the beginning of August. Scratch off the circular shaded area on the back of the postcard to discover your discount.
  • Log in to Online Banking and click the banner at the top of the homepage to reveal your discount. You can even click again once per day to try for a bigger discount! Online Banking will keep track of the best discount you reveal. Log in here.
  • Visit one of our branches to get a scratch-off postcard from a loan officer.

Do you have a vehicle loan with another lender? See if Mystery Savings can save you money by refinancing your loan with AGCU!

Apply online or contact a loan officer at 866-508-2428.


*Minimum interest rate is 2.24% APR up to 72 months and 3.24% APR up to 84 months. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. The maximum loan term is 84 months. Member must be in good standing. Subject to credit approval and the credit union’s eligibility requirements. No refinancing on existing AGCU loans. Offer valid 8/1/2022 – 9/30/2022. Not valid with any other offer. See credit union for complete details.


Banking With A Purpose

Much more than a catchphrase, our tagline is our passion, our reason why we do what we do. This is the impact of your membership with AGCU. Learn More About Banking with a Purpose

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Beware Malware Scams

Beware Malware ScamsBeware Malware Scams

Oh no! Your computer’s been hacked, and it now has an awful virus. But there’s good news; a helpful caller reached out to you to offer their expert help. The caller may even be a representative of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or another reputable company, and they’re happy to help restore your device to safety. Just do as they say, and all will be right again.

Unfortunately, it won’t: If you do follow the caller’s instructions, you’ll be lured into a scam.

Malware scams are particularly malicious, as they exploit the prevalence of scams and hackers to trick innocent victims into losing their information and money. Here’s what you need to know about malware scams and how to avoid them.

How these scams play out

Malware scams, also known as tech support scams, begin with a phone call. A scammer reaches out to an individual and informs them that their computer has been hacked. The caller claims the alleged hacker gained access to the victim’s device and can do all kinds of damage. However, the caller, posing as tech support, says they can help remove any malware that’s supposedly installed. The bogus rep gives the victim instructions for removing the malware, possibly even giving the caller access to their device. Unfortunately, though, if the victim follows these directions, they’ll actually be installing malware on their computer.

Red flags

Avoid malware scams by looking out for these signs:

  • An alleged rep of a tech support company, or the FTC, has called you without you reaching out to them first.
  • The “tech support rep” asks you to provide them with remote access to your device so they can allegedly remove any malware that has been installed.
  • The caller claims that serious damage has already been done to your computer even though everything looks untouched from your observations.
  • The caller urges you to act immediately or risk causing further damage to your device.
  • The caller asks you to enter your credit card information or checking account details to pay them for their service. Alternatively, they’ll ask to be paid via a prepaid gift card.

If you’ve been targeted

If you believe you’ve been targeted by a malware scam, take these steps to protect your money, and your device, from harm.

First, do not engage with the caller. Hang up as soon as possible and block the number. Next, if you’ve started entering information into your computer as per the caller’s instructions, close your device immediately. If you believe you have already given the scammer access to your device, you may want to consult a genuine tech support expert to remove any malware that may have been installed. In addition, consider canceling any credit cards you may have shared with the scammer or which were stored on browsers and apps on the device. Also, consider placing a credit freeze on your name to prevent any loans or new lines of credit the scammer may take out in your name. Finally, report the scam to the FTC.

Signs your device has been infected

A computer may be infected with malware and still operate almost normally. Here’s how to tell if your computer’s been infected:

  • It’s slowed down considerably.
  • You’re being blasted with endless pop-up ads. Most of these are also scams.
  • Your system abruptly crashes.
  • You’re suddenly low on disk space.
  • There’s an unexplained increase in internet activity.

If you notice any of these signs on your computer, it’s best to bring it to a tech support expert who can scan it for malware. If malware is found, follow the steps outlined above to protect your money and your information from further harm.

Don’t get caught in a malware scam! Stay alert and stay safe.

Banking With A Purpose

Much more than a catchphrase, our tagline is our passion, our reason why we do what we do. This is the impact of your membership with AGCU.
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12 Steps to Financial Freedom: Step 6: Pay It Forward

Step 6 of 12 to Financial Wellness: Pay it Forward

Step 6 : Pay it Forward

There’s so much good you can do with the money you’ve been blessed to have. There’s also a lot of good you can do with your time, talents, and possessions. Let’s explore some ways you can make the world better by paying it forward.

  1. Donate funds to your favorite cause

The classic and simplest way to pay it forward is by supporting a charity or two that speaks to your heart. Make a donation that fits your budget to help make a difference. Be sure to verify the authenticity of the organization on a charity-vetting site, like Charity Navigator or CharityWatch. Don’t forget to save your receipt so you can claim a tax deduction.

  1. Commit to do one random act of kindness each day

Kindness doesn’t have to be big, loud, or costly to make a difference. Small things can have a big impact on someone’s day. You can offer to make a coffee for your coworker, feed a parking meter that’s about to run out, remove a branch or rock from a busy thoroughfare or let someone go ahead of you at a checkout counter.

  1. Write thank you letters

When was the last time you thanked your child’s teacher, your parents or your postal carrier? Pick up a set of thank you cards, and spend 20 minutes writing thank you letters. Your letters may be cherished by the recipients for many months or years to come.

  1. Donate your time

Unfortunately, there are many people suffering from various hardships. With just a small donation of your time, you can help alleviate some of their suffering. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, help bring cheer to hospitals, offer to babysit for a couple who is going through hard times so they can have a night out or visit a lonely person. You can brighten someone’s day simply with your presence!

There are so many ways to pay it forward and make the world a better place. And when you give to others, you’re really giving to yourself by learning to be a better, kinder person.
The more you use AGCU for your day-to-day banking needs, the more you help support worthy causes – both locally and worldwide. We donate 10% of our annual earnings to support churches and ministries, educational scholarships and programs, and humanitarian efforts. Every day, we provide financial services to people across the United States and missionaries in 190 countries around the world.

Read Step 1: How to Track Your Spending

Read Step 2: Creating a Budget

Read Step 3: Pay Down Debt

Read Step 4: Have the Money Talk With Your Partner

Read Step 5: Practice Mindful Spending

Read Step 6: Pay It Forward

Read Step 7: How to Pay Yourself First

Read Step 8: Know When and How to Indulge

Read Step 9: Build and Maintain an Excellent Credit Score

Read Step 10: Plan for Retirement

Read Step 11: Start Investing

Read Step 12: Review and Tweak

Banking With A Purpose

Much more than a catchphrase, our tagline is our passion, our reason why we do what we do. This is the impact of your membership with AGCU.
Learn More About Banking with a Purpose

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12 Steps to Financial Freedom: Step 8: Know When and How to Indulge

12 Steps to Financial Freedom. -8 Know When and How to Indulge

Living a life of financial wellness means being happy with a lifestyle that’s within your means, but doesn’t leave you feeling like you’re lacking. At the same time, financial wellness means money choices are governed by discipline and not by emotion. So how do you strike a balance between the two?

Here’s how to indulge responsibly.

Live with a budget

To do this, track your spending for three months. Next, make a list of all your expenses and list your income in a parallel column. Tally up your totals and assign a realistic dollar amount to each expense. Going forward, be sure to only spend within the allocated amount for each expense category.

Leave room in your budget for “just for fun” purchases

As you work on building a budget, leave room for the occasional treat. The exact amount will vary by income level, lifestyle and personal choice. However, wisely choose an amount you can easily afford without feeling deprived.

Review your savings

Before giving yourself permission to indulge, make sure you’re setting aside some of your monthly income to savings. Ideally, short-term savings should be enough to keep you afloat for 3-6 months if you have no source of income. Long-term savings should be sufficient to support your retirement and any long-term savings goal you may have.

Choose your “treats”

Everyone’s got a personal vice or three. Take a look at where your non-discretionary money went over the last month and highlight the more expensive impulse buys. Hold these purchases up to these questions:

  • Did this purchase bring me happiness or positive energy the day I bought it? How long did that feeling last?
  • Did this impulse buy blow my budget?
  • Does thinking about this purchase now fill me with joy, guilt, or something else?

Use the insight about your indulgences to help you make better money choices in the future.

Lose the guilt

Once you’ve decided how much you want to spend each month on indulgences, it’s time to let go of guilt. If you’re spending responsibly, there’s no need to beat yourself up over an impulse buy you could have done without. As long as you’re keeping these just-for-fun purchases within your budget, you can maintain your financial wellness.

Read Step 1: How to Track Your Spending

Read Step 2: Creating a Budget

Read Step 3: Pay Down Debt

Read Step 4: Have the Money Talk With Your Partner

Read Step 5: Practice Mindful Spending

Read Step 6: Pay It Forward

Read Step 7: How to Pay Yourself First

Read Step 8: Know When and How to Indulge

Read Step 9: Build and Maintain an Excellent Credit Score

Read Step 10: Plan for Retirement

Read Step 11: Start Investing

Read Step 12: Review and Tweak

Banking With A Purpose

Much more than a catchphrase, our tagline is our passion, our reason why we do what we do. This is the impact of your membership with AGCU.
Learn More About Banking with a Purpose

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Summer Skip a Pay

AGCU Summer Skip A Pay

Summer Skip-a-Pay

Need some extra cash this summer? You may be eligible to skip your consumer loan payment!*

Simply download and fill out the “Skip-a-Pay” form. Then send it to one of the following:

Email: skipapay@agcu.org
Fax: 417.831.4420
Mail: AGCU (Attn: Skip-a-Pay), PO Box 2328, Springfield, MO 65801

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Summer Skip A PayLoans financed elsewhere? You may be able to lower your rate and payment by refinancing with us, and you can delay your first payment up to 30 days.

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Much more than a catchphrase, our tagline is our passion, our reason why we do what we do. This is the impact of your membership with AGCU.
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*CONSUMER CREDIT CARDS, REAL ESTATE LOANS, HELOC LOANS, BUSINESS LOANS, AND BUSINESS CREDIT CARDS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THIS OFFER. Skip-a-Pay fee is $25 or 10% of the loan payment amount, whichever is greater. Maximum of two (2) payments may be skipped per loan, per calendar year. Maximum of four (4) payments may be skipped over the life of the loan. Interest will continue to accumulate on the loan during the month the payment is skipped. All loans must be current to qualify and must have been opened at least 60 days prior to the month of loan payment skipped. If the processing fee is not paid, this offer is void.