Budgeting & Savings Tips

Learn how to track and manage expenses, create a budget and save for your financial goals.

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Person reaching for vegetables in a grocery store produce aisle, holding a head of lettuce with shelves of fresh greens and carrots nearby.

Grocery Inflation: Rising Costs and How To Save

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

How To Save Money

Learn smart ways to save more money.

Two people stand in an auto repair shop reviewing a clipboard beneath a car on a lift.

Emergency Funds: Your Financial Safety Net

Learn what an emergency fund is, why you need one and how much you should save.

Two people sit at a dining room table, sharing food, with bookshelves behind them.

Create a More Affordable Life in 8 Steps

Tips to stretch your budget when life becomes less affordable.

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

Year 1 Baby Costs: More Than You Think

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

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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.

How To Budget as a Couple

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

A couple is outdoors on a path walking their dog. The man is wearing a blue vest, a long sleeve plaid shirt and blue jeans. The woman is wearing a black coat with a red shirt underneath. She is also wearing blue jeans. The dog is white. In the background are trees and water.

How To Talk to Your Partner About Finances

Learn how to be a better financial communicator with your partner.

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.

Joint Accounts: Pros and Cons for Couples

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

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Two women sit close together on couch, holding hands. Woman on the left is holding phone up to take a selfie.

How Do Couples Split Bills?

Explore ways to manage shared expenses with your partner.

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.

11 New Year Financial Resolutions for 2026

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

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.

11 Ways To Save in the 2025 Holiday Season

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

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

How To Maximize Your Charitable Donations

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

A father and son stand in front of a house. The son holds a box filled with personal belongings, suggesting he may be moving out.

9 Great Ways To Save for College

Learn how different accounts can help you save for college.

Interior view of a BECU lobby with glass windows and two ATMs positioned around the area.

What Is a Credit Union?

How credit unions work to provide services to members.

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.

Estate Planning: Tasks and Tips To Get Started

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

Exterior of a BECU neighborhood financial center with a red LED advertising screen visible. The interior of the building can be seen through the windows, and the building’s glass reflects cars passing on the street.

NCUA vs. FDIC: Protecting Your Money

Learn how your accounts are covered at insured credit unions and banks.

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Mother and teenage daughter sitting on a couch, smiling and chatting while using a laptop.

Teaching Teens About Money

Learn about how to talk to teens about money matters.

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

AI and the Future of Personal Finance

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

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."

7 Account Alerts You Should Set Up

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

A couple in helmets biking on a trail, enjoying the outdoors together. In the background is a mountain view, trees and blue sky. The two are both wearing sunglasses.

Budget-Friendly Vacations in Washington

Explore Washington on a budget with these vacation ideas.

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

How Automatic Savings Plans Help You Save

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

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

How To Budget on a Fixed Income

Smart tips to stretch your money on a fixed income.

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.

How To Adjust Your Budget for Inflation

Learn how to adapt your budget when prices are high.

A man stands holding a blue yoga mat in one hand while smiling and holding his phone in the other hand. He's wearing a yellow t-shirt and is outdoors.

30 Tips To Get Financially Fit

Get a month's worth of daily tips to build your money-managing muscles.

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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.

9 Steps To Plan for Financial Uncertainty

Manage money anxiety with this financial review and roadmap.

Two women walk side by side on a sidewalk, engaging in conversation. Both are wearing purple University of Washington t-shirts.

How To Afford an Apartment in College

Find tips to help you decide if an apartment is right for you.

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.

Are CDs Worth It Right Now?

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

Two women are smiling inside a living room setting facing the camera while seated and posing for a photo. The woman on the left has dark, short hair. Her hand is resting on her chin as she smiles. She is wearing a gray long sleeve shirt. The woman on the right has long red hair. She is wearing a yellow long sleeve shirt. Her arms are crossed as she smiles big. The background is blurred out, but shows some shelving in a living room setting.

Banking Basics: Tips To Get Started

Learn how common banking accounts and services can help you manage your money.

A couple at a hockey game, wearing Seattle Thunderbirds jerseys. The man, on the left, is smiling and wearing glasses. The woman, on the right, looks excited, posing with her mouth open. The two are seated in a hockey arena setting.

Low-Cost Staycation Ideas

Discover fun and affordable staycations near home.

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.

9 Steps To Include Fun in Your Budget

Learn how to loosen up spending limits to avoid splurges.

A mother and daughter standing on a sandy beach, both smiling and wearing sunglasses. The ocean, white waves, blue sky and a large rock are visible in the background.

How To Budget for a Vacation

Get tips for planning and saving for your next vacation.

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.

What is a Checking Account?

Learn how checking accounts work and different types of accounts.

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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.

CDs vs. Money Market Accounts

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

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.

Credit Union vs. Bank CDs: 5 Differences

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

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.

How To Boost CD Savings: 3 Strategies

Learn three main strategies to help you invest with CDs.

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.

What Is a CD and How Does It Work?

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

This is an image of a woman on a bike outside. She's in front of a brick building. She's wearing a gray rain jacket, a blue scarf and a helmet. She's looking down at her phone.

​​11 Money Management Tips: Where To Begin​

​​Get started on building a solid foundation and working toward your goals.​

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.

CD vs. Savings Accounts: Which Is Best?

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

Three college students laugh as they walk away from a building on campus together.

Personal Finance Tips for New College Grads

Learn how to navigate your financial life after college.

Young girl sporting a light blue backpack smiles as she stands in front of her smiling mother, who has placed her left hand on the young girl's shoulder, a showing of support as the young girl readies to leave through the front door of their home to go back to school.

Back-to-School Savings Tips

Use these simple tips to budget for back-to-school shopping and save money.

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A mother and her teen daughter stand together in their kitchen facing the camera for a photo. The mom has her arm around the teen and is resting her cheek against her daughter's head.

5 Banking Tips for Kids and Parents

Get tips to help kids start banking and building good financial habits.

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

Consider Costs Before Getting a Pet

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

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.

Set Sights on Smaller Resolutions for 2021

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