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Portrait of Katie J. Skipper

Katie J. Skipper

(She, Her, Hers)

BECU Community Content Manager

Katie manages the BECU Blog and writes about personal finance topics including credit cards, budgeting, debt management, loans, taxes, home improvement, inflation, fraud and scams. She also writes about race, gender and social equity, and features the stories and expertise of BECU employees and community members.

A former journalist, she has reported for daily newspapers in Washington and Montana, including The Daily (Everett) Herald, Great Falls (Montana) Tribune and The Bellingham Herald, covering a range of topics including government, law and justice, and the environment.

She transitioned to public service, communicating on behalf of the Northwest Clean Air Agency and the Washington Department of Ecology with a focus on helping communities understand complex environmental and regulatory issues. She broadened her communications portfolio to the private sector at Ragan Communications and Nyhus (now DH).

Katie has a Master of Communication, Digital Media, and a certificate in content strategy from the University of Washington.

You can learn more about Katie's professional experience and education on her LinkedIn profile.

VP's Work for Equity Informed by Her Latinx Culture

Photo of Jackie Martinez-Vasquez's face. She is smiling.

Working to achieve equity for oppressed people.

Home Improvements That Increase Value in 2022

Photo of a modern house with stone veneer along the bottom, vinyl-framed windows, and a four-panel garage door with windows across the top.

How to make the most of your home improvement dollars.

Road to Financial Health 'Takes a Village'

Left half: White text on teal background says National Immigrant Heritage Month. Right half: Headshot of Pauline Hernandez, a Filipino American woman and manager of a BECU neighborhood financial center.

A BECU manager works to share her financial knowledge.

The Financial Significance of Juneteenth

A Black person's hand holds a Juneteenth flag with a blue sky and clouds in the background. Text: Juneteenth Freedom Day

Learn about the barriers to financial health Black people have faced throughout U.S. history.

Why You Should Spend With Pride Year-Round

Illustration of two people walking toward each other, one carrying a Pride flag and the other carrying a scarf that says "Pride." Five icons in circles arch over them: a grocery bag, a contract, a graph with a dollar sign, a beach scene and food. Text in the lower left reads "LGBTQIA+ PRIDE."

Your everyday spending can support the LGBTQIA+ community year-round.

9 Steps To Include Fun in Your Budget

Two people kayaking in orange boats with orange paddles on a sunny day. A woman in the foreground is smiling, looking in the direction that the man in the boat behind her is pointing. The sun is shining on the calm water.

Learn how to loosen up spending limits to avoid splurges.

BECU SVP: Value Differences To Open Doors

White text on red background says, "Asian Pacific American Heritage Month," next to headshot of BECU SVP Bryan MacDonald

Bryan Lee MacDonald says real connections pave the way to equity.

2022 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 getting an extension in 2022.
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How To Budget for Inflation

A woman sits at her kitchen table reading a receipt she is holding in one hand. She is holding an apple in the other hand. A paper bag of groceries is on the table next to her.

Get tips on how to adapt your budget as prices rise.

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.

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

Pandemic Pressure: A Toll on Women's Finances

White text on red background says "Women's History Month," next to an image of a woman's smiling face. She is outside with green leaves behind her.

A BECU employee shares how her career took a detour because of the pandemic.

Women Leaders Share Vision for Path to Equity

White text on red background says "Women's History Month" next to headshots of four women.

BECU leaders discuss what it takes to increase opportunities for women.

Credit Unions Positioned to Lead on Gender Equity

White text on red background says "Women's History Month" next to headshots of four women.

Credit union leaders share their experiences and ideas for closing the gap.

BECU Educator Helps Brighten Financial Futures

White text on black background says, "Black History Month," to the left of headshot photo of TJ Peguero, BECU Financial Educator.

A Black financial educator empowers students to achieve financial health.

Creating Opportunity for Black-Owned Business

White text on black background says, "Black History Month," next to headshot photo of Kesha Rodgers, co-founder of the Ally League.

Kesha Rodgers is on a quest to help local Black-owned businesses flourish.

10 Black Finance Leaders in History

White text on black background says, "Black History Month" to the left of photo of Maggie Lena Walker

In honor of Black History Month, learn about these trailblazers in finance.
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Guide to 2021 Child Tax Credit: Amounts, Eligibility

A toddler squats in the grass, looking at a clover held by her smiling mother.

Find out how advance payments might affect your tax return.

RV Supplies Increasing, but Prices Still High

A father, mother and their two boys pose for a family photo in front of their RV, which is hitched to their pickup truck.

What to expect — and what to consider — if you’re shopping for an RV.

Holiday Giving: How To Maximize Your Donation

A BECU employee speaking with another person, with food donations in the background.

Tips for making the most of your donation dollars and time.

2021 Holiday Shopping Scams: What To Watch Out For

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.

Barriers to Indigenous Wealth

Illustration of a Native American drum.

How access to financial health has been limited for Native Americans.

The Emerging Threat of AI in Cyber Scams

Illustration of a person pointing at a screen displaying a digital replica of himself.

How scammers are using AI to fool you into giving away sensitive data.

Different, Not Less: Employment for All Abilities

White text on red background: "Disability Employment Awareness Month," next to a photo of a smiling man driving a forklift and wearing personal protective equipment.

Randy Lewis’s successful effort to employ thousands with disabilities.

Password Phishing Scams: How To Avoid Them

Computer screen with password typed in has a sticky note in the top right corner with a fishing hook going through it. White text below computer screen says "Cybersecurity Awareness Month"

Protect your personal and financial information from online attacks.
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End of Rental Eviction Ban: Where To Get Help

Rental relief written in a notebook

Find help through government and nonprofit programs.

Is DIY Home Improvement Right for You?

A woman smiles as she paints a white wall gray using a roller brush.

Save time and money and increase your home value by doing your homework.

Mortgage Scams Are Real in 2021: How To Avoid Them

A woman, man and dog sit on the front stairs outside their gray house. The bright yellow front door is ajar behind them.

Protect yourself from mortgage fraud, foreclosure scams and wire fraud.

Edgar Villanueva on Closing the Racial Wealth Gap

White text on teal background: MONEY AS MEDICINE; headshot of Edgar Villanueva

The author of “Decolonizing Wealth” works for equity and community healing.

Consider Costs Before Getting a Pet

A woman dressed in warm clothes sits on a Pacific Northwest beach with two dogs

Learn how much you’ll need to budget to care for a new furry friend.

No Stimulus Check Yet? Here’s What To Expect

A person holds a stimulus check with two hands, facing the camera

Find out whether a payment might be due to you and how to claim it.

Buy or Refi? Low Mortgage Rates Boost Buying Power

Standing in front of a yellow house, man cradles woman in his arms while she dangles keys from her fingers.

Read expert tips about what low rates could mean for you.

BECU SVP Faced Steeper Climb as a Woman in Finance

White text on red background reads Women's History Month next to image of a woman's face

Jenni Fancher talks about her path in the male-dominated finance world.
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Employee Helps Others Benefit from his Experience

Black man in a suit and tie looks at the camera; white text on black background says Black History Month

A Black BECU employee talks about overcoming adversity and helping others.

Fund Takes New Approach to Building Black Wealth

White text on black background reads "Black History Month" next to image of four Black women founders of the Black Future Co-op Fund

Transforming how philanthropy builds Black wealth and health.

A Wedding During COVID-19? Learn from Two Couples

A man smiles at the camera while a woman wearing a flower wreath on her head hugs him from behind

Couples share how COVID-19 affected their big day and their budget.

Small Businesses Get Second Boost for COVID-19 Relief

Cafe worker wearing surgical mask over his nose and mouth standing in front of the counter

Learn the basics of the Paycheck Protection Program, Round 2.

How to Stay Positive When the Job Search Drags On

Woman smiling, talking on a cell phone and looking at a laptop

Motivation for when it seems like your job search has no end in sight.

Stimulus Round 2 — What You Need to Know

A hand holding a check labeled "relief program" from the United States government

Checks are on the way. Find out how much you’ll get and when you’ll get it.

Set Sights on Smaller Resolutions for 2021

Illustration of the start of a New Year's resolution list surrounded by six pictures in circles: an apple with a milk carton, a person walking outside, a person riding a bike, a book, a small picture of a piggy bank, and a small picture of a dumbbell.

After a tough 2020, it’s ok to set smaller goals for the new year.