BECU Blog

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

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Create a More Affordable Life 

Tips to stretch your budget when life becomes less affordable.

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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 | Business Banking Tips

Featured

2025 Year in Review: More Value for Members

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See BECU's 2025 highlights for members and communities.

2026 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.

Emergency Funds: Your Financial Safety Net

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

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

Most Recent

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BECU Supports Spokane's Lilac Festival

BECU volunteers carry a red BECU banner while walking in a community parade.

Discover how BECU supports Spokane's Lilac Festival and Torchlight Parade.

BECU CEO Honored for Supporting Education

BECU President and CEO Beverly Anderson speaks at a podium during a formal event, with stage lighting and floral decor in the background.

UNCF recognizes Beverly Anderson for leadership and education access.

Grocery Inflation: Rising Costs and How To Save

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

Advancing Equity

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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.

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.

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.

Budgeting

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How To Save Money

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Learn smart ways to save more money.

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.

Year 1 Baby Costs: More Than You Think

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

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

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

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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

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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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Big 2025 Income Tax Updates

A woman sits at a kitchen counter with a laptop open in front of her. The Consumers’ Checkbook logo appears in the upper right corner.

Learn about big tax law changes and what they could mean for your return.

What’s the 2026 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.

Learn about taxes on gifts.

5 Common Tax Filing Mistakes To Avoid

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Be sure to avoid these mistakes during tax season.