Public vs. Private Student Loans: Why the Differences Matter to You

"Now that college acceptance season is well under way, the time has come to get focused on the next harrowing step on the road from high school to the dorm: Paying for it."

"As hard as it is to get into the college of your dreams, financing four (or more) years there can be even more difficult. And just as the college and major you choose can have a huge impact on the rest of your life, the way you choose to pay for your education can mean the difference between a manageable post-college debt and a crushing burden that will dominate your financial life for years after graduation."

"There are two basic types of student loans: federal and private. Federal loans are made by the government, either directly to the borrower or through his or her college, while private loans are made by banks. Here are some of the major differences between the two: "

READ MORE:
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/05/01/student-loans-public-vs-private-paying-for-college/

Food Stamps for Pets? 

Regardless of the reasons -- job loss, home foreclosure or health problems -- the need is real. Though some 47 million Americans receive food stamps, the benefit cannot be used to purchase pet food, which frequently results in pet owners having to give up their cherished animals.

As Okon told the Journal, "Millions of pets are surrendered to shelters each year and euthanized because their owners can't afford to feed them."

Read More:  http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/05/01/pet-food-stamps/

Ten Steps to Spring Clean Your Finances.

"When it comes to spring cleaning, you probably haul the junk out of your garage, scrub your fridge, and wash the rugs and drapes. But don’t forget about your personal finances. Just after tax season is the perfect time to perform an annual evaluation and tidying up of your budget, bank accounts, debts, and investments."

Terrific Helpful Hints from TIME Business & Money - article by Martha C. White (not sure if she is related to the Flour - LOL)

But even 10 Steps can seem overwhelming.  CPCU can help you figure out your personal debt reduction and help you create a plan to improve your credit score.

For the FULL article click here: http://business.time.com/2013/04/29/10-steps-to-spring-clean-your-finances/#ixzz2RrYhkFEv

TEXT MESSAGING SCAMS!  BEWARE!

CPCU does NOT TEXT our members with Account Information nor about upcoming Account Closures.  Please do not click on the link or call the phone number included in these suspicious texts should you receive one.  Feel free to contact your local branch if you are concerned about any TEXT messages you may receive pretending to be from CPCU.

FROM wiseGEEK.COM:

"Avoiding getting trapped by a text message scam is possible by following some simple advice. First, people should always remember that financial institutions do not ask for personal information in emails or text messages. Second, they should always check the apparent sender identity — many times, the false text messages are directed at a wide range of people who live in the region of a financial institution, and many consumers receive a notice of account closing from a bank at which the receiver has never had an account. Third, individuals should never contact a financial institution using a link or phone number in an SMS message or email; instead, they should find the contact information published on the bankcard or in the phone book. Fourth, news sources and cell phone carriers are often quick to publish reports of scams when they hit, so keeping an eye out can help people recognize scams and ignore such messages."

For the full article go to:  http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-text-message-scam.htm
CPCU is committed to protecting your accounts and your personal information.

The Financial Rules of Cohabitation

by Andrea Murad

Published April 25, 2013

FOXBusiness

Moving in with a significant other is a big step: both emotionally and financially.

While experts say couples living together should have the same discussions about living arrangements as married couples, they advise unmarried individuals co-habiting take extra financial protections.

Before moving in together, couples should determine if they have shared lifestyles, calculate a budget and agree on who pays from what expenses, says Anna Behnam, an advisor for Ameriprise Financial. Leave emotion out of the decision-making process. “Have a black and white discussion for how you’re going to manage your assets and expenses.”

It’s also important for couples to have an exit plan in case the relationship sours, recommends Randy Kessler, founding partner of Kessler & Solomiany. “You are an individual, even in a relationship.” Agree on the terms of cohabitation and have legal agreements about anything owned together, like houses or cars: any name not on the asset means that person doesn’t have a legal right to it.

For complete article click here: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/04/25/financial-rules-cohabitation/#ixzz2RZz16GOn