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Grocery costs have been climbing and many of us are feeling it at the checkout line. According to the Consumer Price Index*, prices rose by nearly 3% over the past year. If your weekly food bill feels heavier than it used to, you’re not alone. The good news is that a few simple habits can help you stretch your grocery budget further.
One of the easiest ways to cut costs is by planning meals in advance. A few minutes of preparation can save both money and stress. Start by checking your fridge and pantry to see what you already have, then build your weekly meals around those items. This not only reduces waste but also helps you avoid buying things you don’t need.
Once you have your meal plan, write out a shopping list and then stick to it. Impulse buys are one of the fastest ways to overspend. I’ve found that shopping with a list not only helps me stay on budget but also cuts down on those “why did I buy this?” moments when I unpack the bags at home.
Cooking a little extra can actually save you money. Leftovers may not be the most exciting option, but they make for quick, cost-effective meals. Try planning dishes that are easy to repurpose, like using taco meat for nachos the next day or turning roast chicken into soup.
Consistency makes saving easier. Choose a day each week, such as Saturday or Sunday, to plan meals and create your list. Once this becomes part of your routine, you’ll find it easier to stick to your budget and avoid those last-minute, expensive grocery runs.
Small changes in your grocery routine can add up—and keeping track of your spending is easier with the right tools. Check out our online and mobile banking features to see your transactions, set up spending alerts, and make your budget work for you.
Category: Saving & Investing Money
Starting college is exciting, but it also brings new responsibilities, especially when it comes to managing money. Between housing, food, books and social plans, expenses can pile up quickly if you’re not careful.
Whether you’re living on campus or commuting, building smart habits now can help you stay on top of your finances all semester long. Here are a few tips to make your money go further while you’re in school.
Life is unpredictable and you can be responsible for unexpected expenses at any moment. Whether it is a broken appliance, a minor accident or an urgent vet bill, having a financial cushion can make all the difference. An emergency fund acts as your safety net, helping you manage these surprises without stress or debt.
Grocery costs have been climbing and many of us are feeling it at the checkout line. According to the Consumer Price Index*, prices rose by nearly 3% over the past year. If your weekly food bill feels heavier than it used to, you’re not alone. The good news is that a few simple habits can help you stretch your grocery budget further.
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With fraud and scams on the rise, we are taking extra steps to keep your accounts and personal information safe. As part of these efforts, you may notice that our online and mobile banking systems will now prompt you for multi-factor authentication more frequently.
Keeping your money and personal information safe is always our focus at BrightBridge Credit Union. Part of that commitment is helping you recognize the latest scams before they can cause harm. Recently, we’ve seen an increase in cases where fraudsters use alarming pop-ups or urgent messages to trick members into taking action that puts their money at risk.
Keeping your BrightBridge accounts safe starts with strong, unique passwords. Recent trends have shown an increase in people using the same password for multiple apps and websites including email, social media and online banking. While this practice seems like an easy way to remember your login credentials, it can put your accounts at serious risk.
