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Portrait of Lora Shinn

Lora Shinn


Contributor

Lora writes for BECU and other regional and national publications about a range of personal finance topics including credit cards, student loans, home loans, medical debt, auto insurance, health insurance, renters insurance, estate planning, small business and careers. You'll find Lora's work in publications including The Balance, U.S. News and World Report, LendingTree, GoodRx, CNN Money, Bankrate, The Seattle Times, Redbook and Assurance IQ.

Lora has a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Washington.

Learn more about Lora's professional experience and education on LinkedIn and on Lora's website.

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.

7 Account Alerts You Should Set Up

A woman smiles while looking down at her phone. To the right is a pop-up illustration of a BECU banking alert. The notification says, " $100.00 (ATM Transfer Credit From Sa...) was deposited into your XXXX * Checking Account."

Learn how account alerts can help you better manage your money.

How To Save Money

Two individuals seated at a table in an office setting, collaborating over a laptop. The woman, on the right, is holding a pen and has short blue hair. She's wearing a white top. The man, on the left, has dark hair and is wearing a blue long sleeve shirt.

Learn smart ways to save more money.

BECU Celebrates Pride Month

A big red-sided float carrying music DJs travels down a street in Seattle. The side has the BECU logo and says "Pride Marches On" in big white letters surrounded by rainbow colors. BECU employees are walking behind the float. Some are wearing rainbow clothes and carrying rainbow flags.

Learn about exciting upcoming summer Pride events.

How Automatic Savings Plans Help You Save

A mom and a child sitting on a couch, reading a book together. The two are smiling and both looking down at the book.

New approaches to saving money can help you save more and hit savings goals.

How To Budget on a Fixed Income

A senior couple stands closely in a park. There are trees and greenery in the background.

Smart tips to stretch your money on a fixed income.

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.

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.
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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.

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.

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.

8 Business Checking Account Benefits

Two men in a warehouse inspecting a wooden plank, with various wood materials around them. The man on the right is wearing a hard hat and is holding a clip board. The other is wear a button up tee and pointing to the stack of wood.

Business checking accounts can benefit small business owners.

How Much Car Can I Afford?

A woman poses next to a black car, showcasing the car and her excitement. She is holding the door open and smiling. She's wearing a striped white and red shirt and blue jeans. In the background are trees and grass.

Learn how to budget for a car purchase.

Protecting Elders From Fraud

An elderly couple looks out of a window, holding each other with a red blanked draped over their shoulders.

Learn about risks and what's being done to help Native and Indigenous elders.

Military Veterans Reflect on Money Matters

A group of BECU members participating in the Spokane Lilac Parade. They are holding a red BECU banner, wearing blue Veterans t-shirts and smiling proudly.

BECU military veterans discuss financial challenges and opportunities.

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.

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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.

How To Finance a Car From a Private Seller

Four people gathered around an open vehicle trunk. They are chatting in a parking lot setting, having a conversation together.

Learn the process for financing a car from a private seller.

Overcoming Data-Breach Fatigue

A man is seated at a desk, in a home office setting, focused on his laptop while working. He is wearing glasses and a button up shirt. In the background is a bookshelf with books and other home decor. The window next to him makes the setting bright.

How to avoid weariness while also avoiding worry about data leaks and breaches.

Latinx Retirement: Saving Despite Barriers

A family stands together in their kitchen, smiling for a photo. There is a grandfather, grandmother and three grandchildren. There are several framed photos, a refrigerator and vase with flowers on the floor behind them.

Culturally relevant approaches can help increase opportunities to build wealth.

11 Ways to Fund Large Home Improvements

Two men standing side by side, smiling as they collaborate on a home renovation project. The man on the left is pointing upward and wearing a white shirt. The main on the right is wearing a plaid shirt and is holding a clip board and rolled up sketch paper. They are in a hallway indoors.

We share options to pay for home projects that work for your budget.

Is Now a Good Time To Buy a House?

A family poses together in front of their house. Grouped to the left is a woman, in the middle is a child and to the right is a man. They are standing in the outside entryway in front of a green hedge and sold sign.

Here's what you should know if you're looking to buy a house.

Financial Tips for Young Professionals

A family posing together in an outdoor setting, with mountain views, trees and nature all around them. The family of six is holding hands and standing in a line.

BECU's young professionals share how they manage their finances.

How a Home Equity Line of Credit Works

A man and woman engage in a flooring project. The man is kneeled over and is measuring flooring on the ground and the woman is sitting behind him on steps. There's a paint can on the steps next to the woman, She has a paint brush in her hand. Both of them are smiling.

Learn how you can use your equity for home improvement projects.
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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.

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.

How To Control Costs of Assistive Devices

A young boy is sitting on an adaptive bike, while three individuals help to make sure the bike fits correctly. All three women are looking at the bike. Two are wearing gray shirts and one is wearing a tie dye shirt. In the background is other assistive devices such as wheelchairs, walkers and other equipment. They are outside under a red canopy tent. Behind the group are trees and a couple parked cars.

Learn about resources and payment options for assistive technology and devices.

LGBTQ+ Couples Plan for the Future

Three Polaroid family photos displayed on a greenery background. The first photo shows one of dads and a daughter, the second shows both fathers and their daughter, and the third shows the other father and daughter.

Learn about financial factors for LGBTQ+ people preparing for marriage and kids.

Money and Mental Health Self-Care Tips

A woman is seated on a couch as she counsels a person who is also seated in a therapy looking setting. She has both her hands raised a bit lower than shoulder length as if she's explaining something. She is wearing a black lanyard, a gray blazer and has long brownish black hair with a side pony tail. The man, who is facing away from the camera has black hair and is wearing a light blue button up. In the background are large windows showing bright light and trees.

Learn steps to improve your mental and financial health.

What is a Checking Account?

Two ATMs located inside a BECU neighborhood financial center. The ATMs are placed on a red BECU branded wall. There is a BECU branded photograph on the wall as well. On the left is a window showing an outside parking setting.

Learn how checking accounts work and different types of accounts.

CDs vs. Money Market Accounts

Two women are indoors, seated in an office setting. The woman on the left has brown curly hair. She's holding up both hands, in a descriptive position. She is wearing a white long sleeve shirt and a necklace. The woman on the right has curly dark brown hair. She's wearing her hair up. She has glasses and a white dangly earring. She's wearing a white blouse with black polka dots. She has one hand on her chin, like she's listening. In the background are windows and a plant.

Compare CDs and money market accounts, pros and cons, and what they’re used for.

​​What My Family Taught Me About Money​

A black and white family photo with over 30 people posing for a group shot. The ages range from young children to older adults. The photo is captured in a living room setting. There are windows and curtains in the background. Some children are sitting crossed-legged or kneeling in the front, other family members are sitting on chairs in the middle, and many are standing in the back.

​​ANHPI employees share money lessons that reflect diverse experiences.​
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Credit Union vs. Bank CDs: 5 Differences

A man and woman are sitting close together at a table having a conversation. They appear relaxed and their expressions are calm. A cup of coffee and some papers are on the table. They are sitting in front of a white wall with picture molding and a window with a green lawn outside. Sun is shining in the window. The woman is looking at the man and talking while holding a stack of papers. The top few sheets are flipped up so they can look at a page in the stack. The man is looking down at the papers, gesturing with one hand and writing on a piece of paper with the other.

Learn the differences to find the best account for your savings goals.

How To Boost CD Savings: 3 Strategies

A smiling person starts to open the hatch back of a silver car parked in front of a building. He has a suitcase in his hand. He is wearing a black and white striped shirt. In the background is a sidewalk, green bushes and a staircase leading up to the front of a house. Another person is standing at the front of the house.

Learn three main strategies to help you invest with CDs.

What Is a CD and How Does It Work?

A BECU employee sits down with a member in an office at a neighborhood financial center. The employee is wearing a name tag and a green shirt. The member is facing away from the camera and he is wearing a blue shirt. In the background are desk cabinets, some office supplies like pens and pencils in containers at the employee's desk and a window facing trees.

Learn more about CDs, the different types and the pros and cons of CD investing.

Joint Accounts: Pros and Cons for Couples

A couple is looking at paperwork in their kitchen. A woman is holding paperwork in her hand while her other hand is rested on her chin in a thinking posture. The man is behind her and is also looking at the paper with one of his hands on his hip. They are in a indoor kitchen setting. The woman appears to be sitting at a kitchen counter, while the man is standing. There are two mugs on the countertop and a computer is open as well.

Learn about co-managing finances with your partner using a joint account.

How To Use a Secured Card To Build Credit

A woman is smiling and handing her card to pay her bill at a restaurant. In front of her is a card reader and a figure's hand reaching for her card. In the background are two women talking. The background is a restaurant setting with a bar in the back.

Learn how you can use a secured credit card to help improve your credit.

What Is a Secured Credit Card?

This image is a close up of someone paying for a transaction with a BECU visa credit card. One person's hands are on their wallet, and the other persons hands are inserting the credit card into a wireless point of sale card reader. They are at what appears to be a wood countertop.

Learn how secured credit cards work and how they can help you build credit.

Are CDs Worth It Right Now?

This is an image of a father and son in an airport. They are sitting down in chairs and looking out a window and pointing outside. In the photo in a red suitcase. The son is wearing a gray stripped shirt and has blonde hair. The father is wearing a gray shirt and has brown hair.

If you don’t need access to your money soon, a CD might be good for you in 2025.

Latinx-Owned Businesses See Growth

A group of nine individuals are seated inside at a table, while one person is standing and presenting in front of the group. The person presenting is holding a piece of paper and reading. To the left of the group another individual is standing and listening. The background displays a projector screen and a brick wall.

Latinx-owned businesses are growing — but owners still face barriers in funding.
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​How To Spot a Text Scam

This is an illustration of three hands holding up smart phones. Each phone is displaying text message threads with potential text scams. The phone on the left appears to have an alert message. The phone in the middle has question mark icons and a red security flag. The phone on the left has several dollar sign symbols and a red security flag. Each hand has a diverse skin tone color. The background of the illustration is blue.

​​Is that text real? We identify common scams and ways to spot fake texts.​

12 FAQs About Repaying Your Student Loans

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.

​​We share options and information about repaying your federal student loans.​

Back-to-School Budget-Friendly Checklist

A young boy stands next to his mother and father in the aisle of an office supplies store. The family is facing a wall full of writing utensils and other back-to-school supplies, with the father reaching to pull an item off the shelf.

Browse common school supplies to build your must-buy list.

The Cost and Benefits of Caregiving

Young girl in a wheelchair smiles as she looks back at four other members of her family, who are surrounding the young girl on all sides while posing and smiling for the photo.

Learn about financial challenges caregivers face and resources that can help.

CD vs. Savings Accounts: Which Is Best?

Three people on a kayak in a lake. A man wearing a red life vest in the back, a boy wearing a red life vest in the middle and a boy wearing a yellow life vest in the front. They are holding paddles and smiling at the camera.

Learn which type of account might be a good financial fit for you.

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.

Why Did My Credit Score Drop? 11 Reasons

Illustration of a credit score gauge. A person is sweating from the effort of pulling on the indicator needle, like it's a lever, to move their credit score up.

Learn about these common credit-score setbacks and how to improve your score.

How Credit Debt Could Affect Your Mortgage

Image of a young, smiling couple standing in front of a brick home with one of the individuals holding house keys in their hand.

Find out if credit card debt affects whether you qualify for a home loan.
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Year 1 Baby Costs: More Than You Think

Mother and father sitting on the floor in front of a baby crib holding and looking at their newborn baby, with a black- and white-colored dog as well as a brown- and grey-colored dog laying down on the floor next to them. Friendly depictions of a raccoon, bear, and forest are painted on the walls of the room. "Miranda Jade Photography" photo credit is displayed in text in bottom left hand corner of image.

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

Grocery Inflation: Rising Costs and How To Save

A person pushes a grocery cart down the dairy aisle of the grocery store. The cart contains lots of fresh vegetables and other items. The person's hands and lower body are visible.

Learn which grocery items cost more and what you can do to save money.

LGBTQ+ Money Tips

Illustration of five people holding a Pride flag. A cloud of comment bubbles of varying sizes, each containing a dollar sign, is above their heads, to symbolize that they are talking about money.

Get personal finance tips from BECU's LGBTQ+ employees.