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We have engaged FORVIS, LLP (Attn: Jeff Rosno, 1801 California Street , Ste. 2900, Denver, CO 80202) to perform member verifications. Kindly compare the balance of your accounts on your December 2022 statement WITH YOUR RECORDS. If balances do not agree, please address your discrepancies directly to FORVIS, LLP. Include your name, truncated account number, and an explanation of the difference noted.  A reply is not considered necessary unless a difference is noted.

Friday, March 15: the Kirtland CU branch on KAFB is CLOSED. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please visit our nearest Gibson branch for assistance.

Our Gibson branch will have a delayed opening for Friday, May 3.

All other Kirtland CU branches are open at normal hours, and Online and Mobile Banking are available for your financial needs.

Kirtland Credit Union will never ask you to provide, update, or verify personal or account information through an unsolicited email, phone call, or text message. If you receive an unsolicited email, phone call, or text message, DO NOT RESPOND. Notify us at (505) 254-4369 or 1-800-880-5328.

Concerned about how a government shutdown may impact you? Call us at 1.800.880.5328 to discuss your needs.

We're Invested

Retirement, investments, financial planning for every stage of life—learn about it all here at Invested,
a blog from your Wealth Management Advisors at Kirtland Financial Services.

It’s Not Too Late to Become Financially Literate

By Kirtland Financial Services

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Financial literacy is crucial to a solid financial future and an enjoyable retirement. No matter your age, when you understand how to manage your money and finances, you can make sound financial decisions and take the needed steps toward your financial goals. So, if you are approaching retirement and want to improve your financial literacy, below are a few simple ways to get started.

Budget for Today and Your Future

Budgeting is crucial both for your present financial situation and future financial goals; when you create a budget and spend within its parameters, you can save money for your retirement and any future emergencies. First, start with a current budget to manage your monthly expenses. Ensure you include all your expenses, including money you currently put in savings. Once you have it completed, see if there are any deficiencies or areas where you could cut expenses.

Next, you will want to create a future budget as well. Try to paint a picture of what your budget will look like in retirement the same way you would in your current monthly budget. If you feel that money from Social Security and your savings may produce too little income to cover expenses and the things you’d like to do in retirement, look at ways you can put more into savings to prepare.1

Get to Know Your Credit

Your credit score and personal credit history will majorly impact your financial situation. Poor credit may lead to limited borrowing power, and higher interest rates may derail your financial plans. Also, be sure to pay your bills on time and keep older credit cards open, even if you don’t utilize them.

Consider signing up for credit monitoring services. Identity theft will quickly damage your credit and may take years to repair. Monitoring services will alert you to potential errors and suspicious credit behavior that may signal possible identity theft.2

Save for the Future

Whether you are a few years from retirement or a decade away, continuing to save for your future is always essential. Don’t be discouraged even if you feel like you have fallen behind. Find ways to cut back on expenses so that you may put more toward your retirement savings. Consider increasing your 401k contribution or adding a lump sum to your IRA to get your savings beefed up quicker.1

Cut Back Where You're Able

Taking control of your spending is the perfect way to save more and ease up your monthly budget. Find expenses you may not have known you had or ones you may no longer need and immediately cut them. You will also want to cut back on spending, ensuring you only buy things you plan to use or fulfill a specific need. This will help you reduce your overall debt.1

Footnotes:

1 7 Steps to Financial Literacy, Skillsyouneed.com, https://www.skillsyouneed.com/rhubarb/financial-literacy-steps.html

2 The Ultimate Guide to Financial Literacy, Investopedia, https://www.investopedia.com/guide-to-financial-literacy-4800530

Sources

https://www.skillsyouneed.com/rhubarb/financial-literacy-steps.html

https://www.investopedia.com/guide-to-financial-literacy-4800530

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial professional prior to investing.

All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy

This article was prepared by WriterAccess.

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