Mindful Spending = Great Rewards

January 11, 2024

Want a better financial life?  Make habits around your money. Many of us want to lead a better financial life with less stress.  Does that mean working 80 hours a week, never taking a vacation, or never buying anything nice for ourselves?  As we start 2024, here are some tips…read more.

Newlyweds: Don’t Let Financial Stress Take The Cake

October 6, 2023

There are so many things to think about when you are in a serious relationship and thinking about marriage or moving in together.  No one would rate finances as the most exciting thing to think about, but studies show that money is the number one reason couples argue.  And those…read more.

It’s A Money Thing: Boot Camp Emergency Fund

December 16, 2022

Emergency Fund Boot Camp It’s time to get your savings in shape—and having an emergency fund in place is a solid step toward a fit financial future. Fitting an emergency fund into your budget can be confusing, though. How much should you save, exactly? What kinds of situations should it…read more.

Have you thought about ALL of your budget items?

July 22, 2022

It's great to make a budget.  But one of the hardest things to do when initially starting out is just listing all the things, big and small, that we spend our money on.  Sometimes we don't even pay attention! See below for our American Southwest Credit Union starter budget list.…read more.

My Emergency Fund – A Personal Journey

March 12, 2022

Saving Wasn't Easy I remember a time in my history when saving wasn’t easy.  In fact, it was almost impossible.  I wanted an emergency fund, but I literally didn’t have the money to even buy one cup of coffee a month, let alone go to the movie or out to…read more.

Credit Cards and How They Affect Your Credit Score

March 11, 2022

There is a lot of hype about credit card rewards or low interest credit card that can entice you into purchases.  If you choose to use a credit card, it is important to understand how having a credit card and using it can help and hurt your financial life.  They…read more.

Zero-Dollar Budgeting

Many people have made a 2022 goal of trying to budget better and save for an emergency fund.  It's a difficult task for those of us who have a fear of not being able to buy what we want or have a fear of failing to live up to the…read more.

Can a Budget App Help You?

February 7, 2022

Budgeting can be a challenge for a lot of us.  We, as Americans, don’t save nearly as much as we should and with all of the gadgets available that connect us to the world, these gadgets increase the cost of living.  For instance, could you live without your internet connection? …read more.

5 Small Bites for Big Financial Success

December 31, 2021

Is it time to polish your financial to-do list?  We know financial tasks are not what people want to do after a busy day.  It’s stressful and time consuming to say the least.  But there are some small things you can do in 2022, that will make a big difference…read more.

Combat The Financial Mistakes Of Our 20s And 30s

April 10, 2020

Early in their careers, people tend to focus on the here and now while ignoring the future. As you climb the ladder of success, you might think raises and promotions will never end and that you have forever to plan for the future. Surprisingly, though, the future comes faster than…read more.

Mindful Spending = Great Rewards

January 11, 2024

Want a better financial life?  Make habits around your money. Many of us want to lead a better financial life with less stress.  Does that mean working 80 hours a week, never taking a vacation, or never buying anything nice for ourselves?  As we start 2024, here are some tips…read more.

Newlyweds: Don’t Let Financial Stress Take The Cake

October 6, 2023

There are so many things to think about when you are in a serious relationship and thinking about marriage or moving in together.  No one would rate finances as the most exciting thing to think about, but studies show that money is the number one reason couples argue.  And those…read more.

It’s A Money Thing: Boot Camp Emergency Fund

December 16, 2022

Emergency Fund Boot Camp It’s time to get your savings in shape—and having an emergency fund in place is a solid step toward a fit financial future. Fitting an emergency fund into your budget can be confusing, though. How much should you save, exactly? What kinds of situations should it…read more.

Have you thought about ALL of your budget items?

July 22, 2022

It's great to make a budget.  But one of the hardest things to do when initially starting out is just listing all the things, big and small, that we spend our money on.  Sometimes we don't even pay attention! See below for our American Southwest Credit Union starter budget list.…read more.

My Emergency Fund – A Personal Journey

March 12, 2022

Saving Wasn't Easy I remember a time in my history when saving wasn’t easy.  In fact, it was almost impossible.  I wanted an emergency fund, but I literally didn’t have the money to even buy one cup of coffee a month, let alone go to the movie or out to…read more.

Credit Cards and How They Affect Your Credit Score

March 11, 2022

There is a lot of hype about credit card rewards or low interest credit card that can entice you into purchases.  If you choose to use a credit card, it is important to understand how having a credit card and using it can help and hurt your financial life.  They…read more.

Zero-Dollar Budgeting

Many people have made a 2022 goal of trying to budget better and save for an emergency fund.  It's a difficult task for those of us who have a fear of not being able to buy what we want or have a fear of failing to live up to the…read more.

Can a Budget App Help You?

February 7, 2022

Budgeting can be a challenge for a lot of us.  We, as Americans, don’t save nearly as much as we should and with all of the gadgets available that connect us to the world, these gadgets increase the cost of living.  For instance, could you live without your internet connection? …read more.

5 Small Bites for Big Financial Success

December 31, 2021

Is it time to polish your financial to-do list?  We know financial tasks are not what people want to do after a busy day.  It’s stressful and time consuming to say the least.  But there are some small things you can do in 2022, that will make a big difference…read more.

Combat The Financial Mistakes Of Our 20s And 30s

April 10, 2020

Early in their careers, people tend to focus on the here and now while ignoring the future. As you climb the ladder of success, you might think raises and promotions will never end and that you have forever to plan for the future. Surprisingly, though, the future comes faster than…read more.

Cost of Poor Credit

October 5, 2023

[video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://ascu.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Cost-of-Poor-CreditFinished.mp4"][/video]read more.

Can Refinancing Your Car Help Your Overall Financial Health?

June 1, 2023

When someone is looking into refinancing a car, there is always a financial reason behind the decision.  They are usually looking for lower monthly payments to improve monthly cash flow, reduce interest rates to lower the overall amount that will be paid over the life of the loan, or to…read more.

It’s A Money Thing: Boot Camp Emergency Fund

December 16, 2022

Emergency Fund Boot Camp It’s time to get your savings in shape—and having an emergency fund in place is a solid step toward a fit financial future. Fitting an emergency fund into your budget can be confusing, though. How much should you save, exactly? What kinds of situations should it…read more.

What You Need To Know About Chip-Enabled Cards

April 10, 2020

Are you a swiper or a dipper? Chances are, you have at least one EMV chip-enabled card in your wallet. EMV, which stands for Europay, Mastercard and Visa, and has been used for years throughout the world, was introduced in the U.S. about 18 months ago. The cards are also…read more.

Review And Adjust Your Investments Each Year

Your portfolio is diversified and you've developed an asset allocation strategy that you're comfortable with. All is well. Then, at the end of the year, you find that the weighting of each asset class in your portfolio has changed. What happened? Well, over the course of the year, the market…read more.

Changes In The Vantage Score System

Q: I've heard that the Vantage Score system is getting an overhaul. What kind of changes are being made and how will this affect the way my score is calculated? A: The Vantage Score, which dictates the way credit bureaus -- Experian, TransUnion and Equifax -- determine your credit score,…read more.

5 Common Tax Mistakes To Avoid

It's that time of year again! Get ready to break out the calculator and pencils; dig out the enormous pile of receipts, tax forms, and pay stubs, and get to work. Whether you choose to go it alone, use a tax-prep computer program or hand it all over to an…read more.

401k Programs for the Self Employed

February 3, 2020

Did you know that if you are self-employed you can set up a solo 401k program for yourself? Yes, that’s right!  You don’t have to be employed by an employer who has set up a 401k program for the company’s employees.  If you are a sole proprietor and self-employed, you…read more.

OPT-OUT! Services to make your life easier!

January 6, 2020

Now you can OPT-OUT of many solicitations of mail, email and phone calls.  De-clutter your life using the links below. To cut down on credit card and insurance offers in your mailbox, go to  www.optoutprescreen.com  and choose whether you want to opt out for 5 years or permanently! To cut…read more.

How Men and Women Manage Money Differently

December 26, 2019

Over the last century or so, society has made tremendous strides toward gender equality on every level — and this includes basic money management. Today’s culture has further narrowed the gap between the sexes, and the caricatures of the “overspending wife” and “overworked husband” have nearly become extinct. Despite society’s…read more.

Documentation for Buying a Car

September 10, 2023

When you buy a car, there’s a lot of paperwork that everyone has to deal with. Below is a description of the various documentation types involving the sale of an auto. Registration:  The registration paperwork describes who the auto is registered to at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).  The…read more.

Negotiate the Best Deal for Your Next Auto

August 25, 2021

No matter how many cars you buy, you will never be as good at buying a vehicle from a dealership as the salesperson is at selling them.  Even a mediocre salesperson will sell at least 100 vehicles a year and a good one will sell hundreds.  You, on the other…read more.

Extended Warranties – Are they worth the cost?

August 20, 2021

Q: I am in the process of buying a new set of wheels, and I’m being pushed to take out an extended warranty plan on my car.  Is this a good idea? A: The process of buying a car involves lots of decisions, each of which should be considered carefully. …read more.

Audio Blog: Getting the Best Deal on Your Next Auto

September 17, 2020

Episode 003  Financing Your Auto Find your best financing deal for your next auto.  Listen in for strategies to reduce your stress about car buying and give you some negotiating power.  Ready to check into financing options?  Call us at 520-459-1860 and ask to speak with an auto loan specialist.…read more.

Take Control: Get the best deal on your auto

April 28, 2020

It’s that time.  We all hate it, but we have to do it.  Going to the car dealership is a stressful time.  It should be fun to shop for a new or newer car but it isn’t.  It’s annoying!  But we just can’t drive an undependable car anymore.  The entire…read more.

Tips for Buying a Used Car

October 28, 2019

Tips for Buying a Used Car But buying a previously owned vehicle can be a great way to save big on one of your most valuable possessions.  You do have to do your homework however, and be careful with the car you are buying. If you are shopping for an…read more.

How Can a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Help You?

September 5, 2023

With more people working from home, families are struggling to find ways of upgrading their home offices or converting a garage or an unfinished basement into a useable space to get their work done. It's hard to work if you can't get away from the family, but if you can…read more.

Buying A Home In Today’s Economy

April 10, 2020

The only thing certain about today’s economy is that it is uncertain. No one can guarantee what the next few years will bring.  Fortunately, you don’t have to give up on the home of your dreams because of a fluctuating economy. Here are four steps you can take to make…read more.

How Can You Get The Most Out Of Your Investment In Your Home?

I want to increase the value of my home this summer. What can I do? Regular home maintenance is essential to protecting your largest investment. Before you worry about luxury amenities like a swimming pool or marble countertops, go through the house and do some preventative maintenance. You can start…read more.

Choosing An Equity Loan In A Rising Rates Environment

Q: I'd like to take out a loan against my home's equity, but I've heard that interest rates are expected to climb soon. What are the differences between a home equity line of credit (HELOC) and a typical home equity loan? How does an environment of rising interest rates impact…read more.

4 Home Improvement Projects With High Long-Term Return

When you’re making improvements to your home, you’re not just making your life better in the short term.  You’re also making an investment in your future. Ideally, the increase in the value of your home will exceed the cost of the improvement.  However, it seldom works out like that.  The…read more.

Home Loans

December 24, 2019

What is a home loan? A home loan, or a mortgage, enables you to purchase a home without having to foot all the cash out of your pocket when purchasing. You will, however, need to make a down payment, which is typically between 5-20% of the home’s appraised value (some…read more.

Mistakes First Time Home Buyers Make

November 14, 2019

Q: My husband and I have been renting an apartment since we got married. We recently decided to buy our first home. Some friends of ours had lots of trouble with the process, and wound up buying a house they can’t really afford. We don’t want to go through what they…read more.

Flipping Houses

October 1, 2019

In the 2019 real estate market, home-flipping has become more popular than ever. Flipping houses is a basic real estate investment concept that involves purchasing a rundown or undervalued home at the lowest possible price, spending the necessary time and money fixing it up and then selling it for a…read more.

Energy Efficient Appliances

September 26, 2019

Our dependence on energy increases daily.  With energy-dependent technology driving our lives, ecologists continue to search for ways to save our environment.  Focusing on energy-efficient appliances is one way to do that. Your monthly electric bill may not itemize the specific usage of each appliance in your home, but you…read more.

Can I Buy a House if I Have a Student Loan?

September 10, 2019

Is it possible for me to buy a house while I’m still paying off a student loan? Yes, you can buy a house and have a student loan you are still paying off.   If student loan debt that is managed responsibly should not hold you back from purchasing a house. …read more.

How Can a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) Help You?

September 5, 2023

With more people working from home, families are struggling to find ways of upgrading their home offices or converting a garage or an unfinished basement into a useable space to get their work done. It's hard to work if you can't get away from the family, but if you can…read more.

Buying A Home In Today’s Economy

April 10, 2020

The only thing certain about today’s economy is that it is uncertain. No one can guarantee what the next few years will bring.  Fortunately, you don’t have to give up on the home of your dreams because of a fluctuating economy. Here are four steps you can take to make…read more.

How Can You Get The Most Out Of Your Investment In Your Home?

I want to increase the value of my home this summer. What can I do? Regular home maintenance is essential to protecting your largest investment. Before you worry about luxury amenities like a swimming pool or marble countertops, go through the house and do some preventative maintenance. You can start…read more.

Choosing An Equity Loan In A Rising Rates Environment

Q: I'd like to take out a loan against my home's equity, but I've heard that interest rates are expected to climb soon. What are the differences between a home equity line of credit (HELOC) and a typical home equity loan? How does an environment of rising interest rates impact…read more.

4 Home Improvement Projects With High Long-Term Return

When you’re making improvements to your home, you’re not just making your life better in the short term.  You’re also making an investment in your future. Ideally, the increase in the value of your home will exceed the cost of the improvement.  However, it seldom works out like that.  The…read more.

Home Loans

December 24, 2019

What is a home loan? A home loan, or a mortgage, enables you to purchase a home without having to foot all the cash out of your pocket when purchasing. You will, however, need to make a down payment, which is typically between 5-20% of the home’s appraised value (some…read more.

Mistakes First Time Home Buyers Make

November 14, 2019

Q: My husband and I have been renting an apartment since we got married. We recently decided to buy our first home. Some friends of ours had lots of trouble with the process, and wound up buying a house they can’t really afford. We don’t want to go through what they…read more.

Flipping Houses

October 1, 2019

In the 2019 real estate market, home-flipping has become more popular than ever. Flipping houses is a basic real estate investment concept that involves purchasing a rundown or undervalued home at the lowest possible price, spending the necessary time and money fixing it up and then selling it for a…read more.

Energy Efficient Appliances

September 26, 2019

Our dependence on energy increases daily.  With energy-dependent technology driving our lives, ecologists continue to search for ways to save our environment.  Focusing on energy-efficient appliances is one way to do that. Your monthly electric bill may not itemize the specific usage of each appliance in your home, but you…read more.

Can I Buy a House if I Have a Student Loan?

September 10, 2019

Is it possible for me to buy a house while I’m still paying off a student loan? Yes, you can buy a house and have a student loan you are still paying off.   If student loan debt that is managed responsibly should not hold you back from purchasing a house. …read more.

Preventing Financial Elder Abuse

June 3, 2020

Financial Scams cost victims almost 40 billion dollars a year.  Unfortunately many of the victims are the elderly and vulnerable adults of all ages.  According to the FTC, 20% of the elderly will fall for some type of scam and lose money.  The average loss of a financial elder abuse…read more.

RV Life: Preparing Your Budget

March 17, 2020

Are you thinking of the RV Lifestyle when you retire? Or maybe an extended road trip? It can be a wonderful experience, but it can be more expensive than you think! It's important to be realistic when planning your budget. Now, let me say this. If your goal of travelling full time involves…read more.

Putting Your Affairs in Order

December 3, 2019

Q: I know it’s important to have my financial affairs in order, especially when approaching an advanced age, but it is all so overwhelming. How do I go about this task? A: No one knows when their time will come, so, it’s best to be prepared at any age. Also,…read more.

How Much Should I Invest In Retirement?

September 12, 2019

Experts recommend allocating 15% of your monthly income toward retirement. Before you start exploring your options, though, you will need to set a goal, or a target number.  This number will represent how much you need to have saved for living comfortably and independently throughout your retirement.  A good way…read more.

Save Money by Shopping Smarter

November 30, 2021

Does Comparing Prices at the Grocery Store Make You Crazy? Make it easy with your smart phone! We all want to save money.  Some people want to put a little more into their Rainy Day fund but others are saving for a fabulous vacation.  If you’re money conscientious, saving a…read more.

Cooking for a Better Financial Future

April 2, 2020

Cook Your Way to Wealth As an American, I love to eat.  I love to go to restaurants and try new dishes with friends.  But the fact is, if you have limited funds, learning how to cook is one of the best ways to save money.  Not only is a…read more.

Cochise Cheap Eats

March 18, 2020

When it comes to cheap eats, nothing beats eating at home.  But eating at home can add up if you indulge in gourmet cheeses and pre-seasoned meats.  Here are a few simple favorites to really watching your dollars.  Good food, amazing savings.  And don't forget to freeze leftovers in small,…read more.

Let’s Talk Tacos!

March 3, 2020

Street Tacos This recipe is a cheap and fun way to eat. Chop up toppings –a tomato, a small onion, and some cilantro. Spray a cast iron skillet with olive oil.  Plop 6” flour tortillas, one at a time, onto the pan.  Fill half the tortilla with seasoned shredded or…read more.

The Ultimate Shopping Cheat Sheet

October 17, 2019

You’ve already perfected your monthly shopping schedule to get the best possible prices throughout the year: linens in January; luggage in March; household appliances in May; patio furniture in September and wedding dresses in December. But, did you know you should be timing your shopping throughout the week as well?…read more.

Great Grocery Apps to Make Your Life Easier

September 11, 2019

Grocery shopping is an inevitable part of life. Whether you choose to do your shopping at the corner grocery, Whole Foods or your local supermarket, remembering what you need and trying to stick to your budget can be difficult. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if this chore was a little easier? …read more.