BECU Blog

Your source for stories and information to help you reach your financial health goals.

This is a collage of several women finance leaders in history.

Women Finance Leaders 

Celebrate women who shaped the financial industry.

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Advancing Equity | Budgeting | Credit & Debt | Spending & Shopping | Mortgages & Home | Security, Scams & Fraud | Hear From Our CEO | Taxes | Jobs & Income | BECU in the Community | Business Banking Tips

Featured

Big 2025 Income Tax Updates

A woman sits at a kitchen counter with a laptop open in front of her. The Consumers’ Checkbook logo appears in the upper right corner.

Learn about big tax law changes and what they could mean for your return.

Women and Money: How Learning Builds Confidence

A smiling woman stands at a table with a promotional sign behind her. She has a light blue name badge and is wearing a black shirt.

Learn how women increased money confidence through education and empowerment.

Credit Unions: Good for Business Accounts?

A woman wearing an apron holding a potted plant inside an indoor plant shop, filled with hanging and shelved greenery.

Learn more about opening and using a credit union business account.

Most Recent

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2026 Tax Extension: Deadline, Rules, How To File

A man sits in his kitchen looking at papers he's holding in his right hand and punching buttons on a calculator with his left hand. A laptop is open on the table in front of him.

Need more time for your taxes? Learn about tax extensions.

Year 1 Baby Costs: More Than You Think

Two adults sit on the floor with a young child while one adult cradles a newborn, all seated closely together.

Prepare for necessary and optional costs in the first year of your baby's life.

Music and Members Matter

A woman stands in a professional radio studio beside a mixing console, wearing headphones and positioned near a broadcast microphone, with multiple computer monitors displaying audio and messaging software.

KEXP and BECU celebrate their longtime partnership.

Advancing Equity

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Creating Equitable Pathways to Leadership

A group of BECU Black Alliance Cooperative (BAC) employee's pose in front of a Black History Month flag. The six of them are standing in a line and the flag consists of red, green, yellow and black colors with a tree in the middle.

How mentorship and business practices can combine to diversify leadership.

Tribal Businesses Fuel Washington Economy

A large crowd gathers next to Northern Quest Casino for an outdoor concert. People are standing in bleachers and on the floor. Bright lights shine from the stage, and a sunset is visible in the background.

Learn about work by and for Native American tribes.

7 Asian American Financial Influencers

A woman on a bench, using a laptop, with a park setting in the background. She's wearing a teal blazer and has long dark hair.

Learn about these "finfluencers" and their platforms.

Budgeting

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How To Budget as a Couple

A couple seated in an airport terminal with a plane visible through the window behind them. The man wears a Seahawks 12th Man jersey, and the woman wears a blue sweater.

Learn about budgeting methods, tools and common spending patterns for couples.

9 Steps To Plan for Financial Uncertainty

A woman in a blue blazer seated in a chair engages in conversation with another woman seated in front of her. The woman in blue has her hands up, like she's explaining a concept. They are in an indoor BECU financial setting.

Manage money anxiety with this financial review and roadmap.

11 New Year Financial Resolutions for 2026

A woman looks down at her laptop and is smiling. One of her hands is raised happily in a clench position suggesting an achievement concept. In her other hand is a cup of coffee. She's seated in a kitchen setting. On the table are flowers in a vase. A sink, cutting board, and various kitchen appliances are in the background. She is wearing an orange blazer.

Take steps to set and meet your financial goals in 2026.

Credit & Debt

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Federal Student Loan Repayment

Two young college-aged students sitting at a table inside located in front of large windows. Trees are in the background outside. The two students are looking together at the screen of a laptop that's in front of one of the students, who is typing on the laptop keyboard. The other student not in front of the laptop is holding a pen in one hand and has a book in their other hand resting on the table, open to a page.

Learn more about changes to student loans.

Credit vs. Debit Card Options for Kids

Mother holding a mobile phone sits next to her child who is holding a credit card. They are sitting at a table, smiling. A large green plant is in the background.

Learn how to help build kids’ credit and teach them about managing finances.

How To Pay Off Credit Card Debt

Two women in an office setting, one gesturing as if explaining something while the other listens attentively. A laptop sits on the desk in front of them.

Get tips for paying off debt and saving for the future.

Spending & Shopping

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Exercise Your Options Before Joining a Gym

A man is smiling and riding a stationary bike indoors. In the background is fitness equipment. He is looking at a screen while riding the bike. Both of his hands are on the handlebars and he is wearing a red crewneck sweater. The photo has a Consumers' Checkbook logo and the bottom right-hand corner.

Consider your exercise goals and learn how to save money on fitness.

Do You Need Travel Insurance?

A smiling woman wearing sunglasses and a green top lies in a hammock while looking at her phone. A sandy beach, blue ocean and bright blue sky are in the background. The Consumers' Checkbook logo is in the upper right corner.

Get tips to help you decide if insurance makes sense for your trip.

How To Get the Best Deal on a New Car

A woman stands next to a white SUV in a parking lot setting, she's wearing a black top and black plaid pants. She has one hand on her hip and is smiling proudly. There are trees and another parked car in the background.

New car shopping requires savvy strategies.

Mortgages & Home

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How To Win a Bid in a Seller's Market

Three people sit at a kitchen island with documents and a laptop, discussing a possible sale. One man appears to be signing papers while his partner looks at the papers and smiles.

Even in a tough market, buyers can win a home.

First-Time Homebuyer Guide

Two women sitting on the steps of a house. The woman on the right has one arm wrapped around the other. She has red long curly hair and is wearing a blue long sleeve cardigan and jeans. The woman on the left has black curly hair. She is wearing a periwinkle-colored long sleeve and black shorts. The home is blue with white trim around the windows and the steps are wooden. On the left are bushes with yellow flowers.

From credit score to the front door, navigate homebuying with these steps.

Homebuying as an Unmarried Couple

Three people standing in front of a brick house, one person is holding and showing a document to the other two. The woman holding the document has curly black hair and glasses. She's wearing a green top and beige pants. The couple, are standing next to each other, looking at the document. A man, in the middle, is wearing a beige top and brown pants. He has dark hair. The woman, to the right, is wearing a white top and light jeans. She has blonde hair. To the left are some plants.

Learn about legal agreements and title options to protect both of you.

Security, Scams & Fraud

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2025 Holiday Shopping Scams To Avoid

A woman wearing a tan coat, carrying shopping bags walks through a mall.

Learn about the latest online holiday shopping scams so you can avoid them.

Password Phishing Scams: How To Avoid Them

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Protect your personal and financial information from online attacks.

Voice Cloning AI Scams Are on the Rise

A woman in a yellow hoodie sits on the floor in a living room setting, holding a credit card and a smartphone, likely making an online purchase. There is a wooden bookshelf and gray couch in the background.

Watch out for AI scams that use the voices of family and loved ones.

Taxes

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5 Common Tax Filing Mistakes To Avoid

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Be sure to avoid these mistakes during tax season.

What’s the 2025 Gift Tax Limit?

A family enjoys a meal together at a picnic table. A man is seated passing out chips and other family members are gathered and seated around the table with burgers.

The gift tax limit will change in 2025.

2024 Income Taxes: What You Need To Know

A man and woman sit together looking at a piece of paper that the woman is holding. She's talking and gesturing with one hand. The Consumers' Checkbook logo in white text is in the upper right corner of the image.

Learn what’s new for the 2025 tax season.