BECU Blog

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

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.

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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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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.

12 Black Finance Leaders in History

A collage of images of Black finance leaders in history.

Learn about Black trailblazers in finance.

Get the Best Blooms for Your Buck

This is an image of a man in a florist shop. He is holding a boutique of red roses. He is smiling and wearing a blue striped collared shirt. In the background are more flower arrangements. In the lower right-hand corner of the photo is the Consumers' Checkbook logo.

Learn how to get the best flowers for less money and hassle.

Most Recent

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Olympic Speedskater Balances Blades and Budgets

Cooper McLeod speedskating in a blue racing suit, leading a race on an indoor rink.

Learn about Cooper McLeod's financial reality and he chases Olympic gold.

How To Talk to Your Partner About Finances

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.

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

How Do Couples Split Bills?

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

Explore ways to manage shared expenses with your partner.

Advancing Equity

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Image illustrating a log in and password prompt.

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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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

Calculator paper clip and pen on a table

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.