Summer is full of fun vacations, backyard barbecues, road trips, fairs, and family activities. Unfortunately, it can also be a season when spending gets out of control. The good news? A few simple habits can help you enjoy summer while building your savings at the same time. 1. Play the “Zero Out” Game At the end of each day, move your leftover dollars into savings. For example: Have $24 in your wallet? Put $4 into a savings jar. Have $253 in your checking account? Transfer $3 to savings. Even easier: You can automatically round up your debit card purchases and…

Pay down high-interest credit card debt.Using your refund to reduce credit card balances is one of the smartest financial moves you can make. High interest rates quickly erode your income, while paying down debt frees up cash flow and reduces financial stress. Once balances are lower, make a plan to avoid running them back up. Build or strengthen your emergency fund.An emergency fund helps cover unexpected expenses without relying on credit cards or loans. Aim for at least three months of living expenses in an easily accessible savings account. Adding your refund can jump-start or reinforce this important financial safety…

First Education Federal Credit Union is building a new, full-service branch at 1509 South Greeley Highway, located near the intersection of College Drive and South Greeley Highway. Exterior rendering Interior rendering “While some parts of the city have many financial institutions nearby, south Cheyenne has fewer options. This project allows us to bring convenient, member-focused financial services to an area that has been underserved.”Jim Yates, First Education president The construction project will primarily utilize local contractors when available, and is expected to create four new, permanent positions once the branch opens.   Once completed, the new location will provide full-service credit…

For more than two decades, the humble penny has cost far more to make than it’s worth—nearly four times its face value today. That imbalance finally caught up with it, and after 227 years, the Federal Reserve has ended penny production. The first penny, designed by Benjamin Franklin, entered circulation in 1787. The last one was struck on November 12, 2025. A historic milestone, certainly. But what does it mean for the everyday American? In truth: almost nothing. Much like the Y2K scare, the “final penny” is more headline than hardship. With an estimated 300 billion pennies still rattling around…

Straight from one of the most successful investors of all time, check out this great advice from the legendary Warren Buffett: Stay in your home You don’t have to move every time you get a raise. Enjoy the home you have, and keep building equity.  Buy used cars Cars are not an asset; they’re an expense. If you want to keep your transportation costs down, buy used. Most new cars lose up to 30% of their value the moment you drive them off of the lot. Eat simple and use coupons Before you spend money on fancy food or the ingredients for…

While credit cards often grant us the joy of instant gratification, saving up for a specific item or experience makes bigger purchases feel much more meaningful. We recommend never buying the following items on credit: Exercise equipment Car repairs/accessories: Having an emergency fund ready to cover unexpected repairs—or expected costs, such as new tires—alleviates a lot of stress when these situations arise. Cosmetic surgery, including tattoos College living expenses: It’s never too soon to start saving for college, including expenses beyond the education itself. If you or a family member is planning to attend college in Wyoming, the Hathaway scholarship…

As we “spring forward” to warmer, longer days, it’s also a great time to make small adjustments for big savings.  Here are some quick, easy ways to start today! Review Your Finances Check your statements for recurring charges and cancel unused services (gym, shopping clubs, streaming, car wash). Evaluate regular payments: Insurance: Ask your agent about discounts and compare quotes. Utilities: Request an energy audit; consider canceling landline/cable TV Watch for Fees If you see any, ask yourself: Were they avoidable (overdrafts, stop payments)? Are they recurring?  Track Spending Categorize expenses, log every purchase, and review after 30 days. Maximize…

Please be aware that we have received reports from other members about text messages pretending to be from First Education FCU. If you receive a text message supposedly from us, do not reply or call the number, delete the message and either call or text us at 307-432-7400. Do not use any other number to contact us.

Three little letters; one invaluable element of our credit union. It’s you!  And guess what? Every service you use as a First Education member—from setting up a savings account, to getting a new loan—has a positive ripple effect on our entire community. Tap the “play” button to listen to the episode now: Be the first to hear our next episode We’re so happy you joined us today.  “Like” us on Facebook, where we’ll share the news as soon as our next episode goes live!  

The fresh slate of a new year is here—and so is your old pal Jim Yates!  You’ll love the way this conversation feels like you’re sitting down for coffee with your most finance-savvy friend, with the goal of getting your finances in their most prosperous place yet. Tap the “play” button to listen to the episode now: As Jim mentions, setting up sub-accounts and automatic deductions from checking to savings helps tremendously with meeting your savings goals.  To get started, give us a call, or stop by the branch; we can get you all set up in no time!  Be…