Taking control of your finances can feel like a daunting task. Thankfully, the University of Louisiana Federal Credit Union is here to assist you with your financial needs.
Chief Executive Officer Monica Declouet has been a part of the credit union for 26 years, and she鈥檚 proud to lead an organization that鈥檚 committed to its members. 鈥淲hen you join the credit union, we treat you like family,鈥 Declouet said.
Over the past two decades, Declouet has seen the credit union grow in many ways. The organization now has over $60 million in assets and offers an array of services to its members, including savings accounts, checking accounts, car loans and credit cards.
The credit union also prides itself on offering financial education. If you鈥檙e looking to take your finances to the next level in the upcoming year, check out these three tips from Declouet.
Create a Budget
No matter where you are in your financial journey, Declouet encourages everyone to start by making a budget. 鈥淭here is no perfect budget and every budget can be different depending on the person.鈥 Mapping out your monthly expenses is a great way to set up the framework for a successful budget that will allow you to allocate your funds appropriately. Suppose you鈥檙e not sure where to start with your personal budget. In that case, the credit union offers customizable budget templates to help you stay on track with your financial goals.
Check Your Credit Report Once a Year
Ensuring you have an accurate credit report is essential for your finance journey. According to Declouet, checking your credit report at least once a year can help you stay informed on your report while also monitoring for any fraudulent activity. 鈥淵ou want to make sure there isn鈥檛 something on your credit report that shouldn鈥檛 be there.鈥 The University of Louisiana Federal Credit Union has several certified credit union financial counselors on staff to help members understand their credit reports. These counselors are trained to go over every detail of your report with you so that you can become an expert when it comes to your credit.
Set Financial Goals
Finally, Declouet recommends one essential tip everyone can use to help manage their money 鈥 setting up a financial goal. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 short term or long term, we encourage our members to set up some type of goal.鈥 If you鈥檙e trying to save for a specific initiative, such as a vacation, the credit union offers special savings accounts to help you achieve these benchmarks. The best part is that once you get into the habit of goal setting, it will be even easier for you to achieve financial success.
The University of Louisiana Federal Credit Union offers membership to 星空无限传媒 Lafayette employees and students, South Louisiana Community College employees and students, the 星空无限传媒 Foundation members, and all 星空无限传媒 Lafayette Alumni Association members. If you鈥檙e interested in joining the credit union, for more information.
Photo caption: Monica Declouet, CEO of the University of Louisiana Federal Credit Union, shares information at a campus event. (Submitted photo)