Happy New Year from Matadors Community Credit Union!
MCCU branches will be closed in observance of the following holidays:

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Monday, January 20

  • Presidents Day - Monday, February 17
All You Need to Know About Your First Student Loan

The real talk is this: college isn't cheap. And sometimes federal aid, if you can get it, doesn't last long. So how do you manage your student loans?

You might approach your student loan the same way you approach those term papers: If you don’t think about them, they can’t really stress you out. Unfortunately, just like those papers you’ll eventually have to write, your student loan debt isn’t going anywhere.

If you’ve borrowed the funds from a  private lender, like MCCU , you likely need to start making payments toward your loan before you graduate from school. Federal loans don’t have this requirement, but it’s still a good idea to start making headway on your loan.

Here’s all you need to know about managing your student loan debt:

1. Set it and forget it
The best way to make sure you never miss a payment is to set up an automatic payment plan. 



How Much Money Should I Keep in my Checking Account?

Most of us use our  checking accounts  on the daily. Every swipe of a  debit card , every  bill we pay  and every personal check we write takes money out of our checking account.
But, seriously, how much money should we be keeping in these super-convenient accounts? Let’s find out.

What’s your magic number?
It’s best to have one to two months’ of living expenses in your checking account at all times. Some experts suggest adding 30% to that for an extra cushion.

To figure out your exact living expenses, track your spending over several months, including all bills and discretionary (i.e. coffee, concerts, clothes!) spending.

Why keep that much money in your checking account?
Here are three reasons you want to keep your checking account well-padded at all times:

1. Avoid overdrafts.
Even high-income earners can miscalculate their spending and end up with an overdrawn account.

group of young adults sitting and looking at paperwork, smiling
Get Your Maximum Refund and Special Savings on TurboTax

Tax time doesn’t have to be stressful! With TurboTax, you’ll get your biggest possible refund fast and your taxes done right. PLUS, credit union members save up to $15 on TurboTax federal products, all through tax season.
 
TurboTax makes it easy to find the best solution for your unique tax situation. Simple filer? Homeowner? Independent contractor, freelancer or side-gigger? TurboTax has a product that is right for you.

File with confidence, knowing that TurboTax guarantees 100% accurate calculations and runs thousands of error checks as you go. And if you need help, TurboTax has it: from answers online anytime, to unlimited advice and a final review from a CPA or Enrolled Agent with TurboTax Live.

Save on TurboTax today ! Try it for free and pay only when you’re ready to file.

Visit http://turbotax.intuit.com/lp/yoy/guarantees.jsp for TurboTax product guarantees and other important information. Limited time offer for TurboTax 2019. Discount applies to TurboTax federal products only. Terms, conditions, features, availability, pricing, fees, service and support options subject to change without notice. Intuit, TurboTax and TurboTax Online, among others, are registered trademarks and/or service marks of Intuit Inc. in the United States and other countries.

There's never been a better time to switch to Sprint

MCCU members can get up to $200 cash when you switch to Sprint. Plus, get $100 annual loyalty reward and 25% off select accessories in Sprint stores.

You can try Sprint's improved LTE service for 30 days worry-free. Get their 100% Total Satisfaction Guarantee and see why Sprint is the right choice and will save you money. 

It's easy, here's how it works:

  1. Switch to Sprint.
  2. Register your new line(s) at LoveMyCreditUnion.org/SprintRewards.
  3. In six to eight weeks, your cash rewards will be deposited directly into your account.

Visit LoveMyCreditUnion.org/Melvin to learn more.

Cash Reward: Via deposit. $100/line, max 2 lines. Req. active. On eligible plan and registration at lovemycreditunion.org/sprintrewards within 30 days of active. Loyalty Reward: Via deposit. $100/yr./acct.
Matadors Community Credit Union Helps Local High School Create Game Room for Students

MCCU has been a long-time supporter of the Child & Family Guidance Center (CFGC) in Northridge. The credit union recently donated funds to help create a much-needed game room for students at Northpoint High School, a part of the CFGC. The official ribbon cutting and grand opening took place on Friday, November 15 th .

Northpoint is a non-public school for students, grades 8 through 12, with emotional and/or behavioral challenges whose needs cannot be met in a public school setting. Academic instruction is combined with highly specialized services to meet each student’s unique needs. Instructional accommodations and modifications are designed to encourage the success of each student.

The game room offers the students a “safe place” where they can relax and have fun, and the kids are incentivized to get good grades and generally do well in school in order to be able to take full advantage of it. The game room has something for everyone, including basketball, ping pong, air hockey, video games, and a large connect four game. There are also hot dog and popcorn machines.

“We are so fortunate to have received the funding from Matadors Community Credit Union for our new game room.  Filled with activities and games, the room is a favorite spot for our current students where they can take a break from their studies, relax, and enjoy time with their friends. The game room, also, is a highlight on tours for prospective students,” commented Dr. Kathleen Welch-Torres, Vice President of Programs at Child & Family Guidance Center.