BECU Blog

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

Headshot of Beverly Anderson, BECU President and CEO, alongside BECU and SAFE Credit Union logos on a gray background.

BECU and SAFE Credit Union To Combine

BECU is joining forces with SAFE to become one credit union. Together, we will amplify our impact for our members and communities. 

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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

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11 Ways To Save in the 2025 Holiday Season

A couple are shopping and smiling as they look into a window together. The two are wearing winter clothes. Both are wearing scarves and are shopping indoors in a mall-like setting.

Enjoy a budget-friendly 2025 season with our holiday spending and savings tips.

90 Years of Growing Together

Collage of historical moments from BECU's 90-year history, featuring a 90th anniversary logo with the text "90 Years BECU."

BECU's president and CEO reflects on our rich history and bright future.

Holiday Fun in Washington

A group of BECU employees pose gather in front of a love sign in a festive mall setting. They are all wearing red sweatshirts that say "purpose."

Discover budget-friendly winter activities that spark the holiday spirit.

Most Recent

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7 Ways To Spend Less on Holiday Shopping

Couple standing shoulder to shoulder together outside, dressed in warm winter clothes, smiling and looking down inside of a red shopping bag, with holiday lights visible in the background. "Consumers' Checkbook" logo in the bottom right corner.

Learn how to get the best deals and avoid scams during the holidays.

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.

How To Maximize Your Charitable Donations

A woman stands in a warehouse, holding a bag filled with clothes, ready to sort or donate the items inside.

Get tips for making the most of your donation dollars and time.

Advancing Equity

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12 Black Finance Leaders in History

A collage of images of Black finance leaders in history.

Learn about Black trailblazers in finance.

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.

Disability-Empowerment Nonprofits To Know

A young girl pets a pony's nose in an outdoor wooden stable.

Learn about seven programs and life-changing services.

Budgeting

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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.

Estate Planning: Tasks and Tips To Get Started

Man and woman and sitting close together across from another woman. The man is reading a sheet of paper and the woman on the left is smiling at the woman on the right.

Get tips on wills, power of attorney, executors and more.

AI and the Future of Personal Finance

A headshot of BECU employee Nadim Homsany. He's posed outside and is wearing a dark blazer and checkered shirt.

How Gen AI tools could help provide rapid and personalized financial guidance.

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 smiling men sit shoulder-to-shoulder in front of a laptop and look over a paper document together.

Tips for paying off debt and saving for the future.

Spending & Shopping

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Should I Get Preapproved for a Car Loan?

A man in a green jacket stands next to a gray SUV, he is wearing jeans and smiling. In the background are trees.

Learn why, how and when to get preapproved for a car loan.

10 Tricks Stores Use To Get You To Spend More

Image shows a bustling crowd with sale signs in the background.

Learn the sales tricks that make you think you're getting a bargain.

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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Password Phishing Scams: How To Avoid Them

Image illustrating a log in and password prompt.

Protect your personal and financial information from online attacks.

Protect Your Child From Identity Theft

Two smiling young children, sitting side by side, looking down at a digital tablet they are holding together. Consumers' Checkbook logo in bottom right of image.

Learn the warning signs and take steps to protect your kids.

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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2025 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.

5 Common Tax Filing Mistakes To Avoid

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Be sure to avoid these mistakes during tax season.

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.