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First Northern Blog

Fraud and Scams

Don't Fall for the Zelle Texting Scam

In September of 2022, one woman lost thousands of dollars as a result of believing text messages she had received were from Zelle®. These sort of scams are all too common these days. Receiving a text message from a credit card you don't own or an account you've never opened might be confusing, but the goal is to get you to react. Scammers count on your initial reaction to the message to create their opportunity. If you react without doing your research, you will open yourself up to being defrauded of your money.

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In the Community

Rockford Helps Rock House Kids

Throughout the month of August the Rockford branch and Mortgage Services Office coordinated a donation drive benefitting Rock House Kids. We were seeking non-perishable individually wrapped snack items that kids could take home with them. Members, area residents, and staff visited both locations and dropped off their items. On August 10th, we also hosted an Ice Cream Event and collected even more during that event.

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News

How to find the best credit union in Illinois

Finding a financial institution is no easy task. By “banking” with a credit union, you’re helping to keep business within your local community. Credit unions are not-for-profit organizations, governed by a board of unpaid volunteer members who live and work right by you! While you’re making your decision, here are some things to look for when searching for the best credit union in Illinois:

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Saving Money

Back-to-School Shopping 

If you’ve procrastinated over doing your child’s back-to-school shopping because inflation has made the task seem about as fun as a trip to the dentist, you might be in luck. That’s because waiting until after the summer back-to-school sales may help you save. Below you'll learn why and get some additional tips for making your shopping experience as joyful as graduation day.

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Saving Money

Frugal Date Nights: Keep Your Partner and Wallet Happy

When you and your partner are focusing on paying down debt, it's easy to put relationship fun on hold. After all, dining out is a sure-fire way to blow the budget. Expensive vacations? Entirely out of the question!

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Saving Money

Six Ways to Save on Homemade Meals

Cooking meals at home is a great idea. Home-cooked meals can be better for you and sometimes better tasting than other available options. However, one significant challenge of eating homemade is keeping costs under control. Here are six ways home cooks can spend less on the food they prepare.

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Saving Money

Daily Habits That Make Building Wealth Easier

It is easy to think of wealth as something that happens overnight. The media often emphasizes rags to riches stories, forgetting how rare those scenarios are. News sites share stories of happy lottery winners, reports that also overlook the enormous odds ticket buyers face when they lay down their hard-earned money.

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Saving Money

Ideas for Vacationing on a Budget

Summer vacations are a great way to create priceless memories and experience new places that you'll remember forever. From Europe to Fiji, to resorts or campgrounds, everyone vacations differently. And the best part? You don't have to go halfway across the globe for a quality vacation. You can have a fantastic vacation for a fraction of the price if you do some research and take advantage of offers and deals.

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Mortgage Tips & Advice

Is New Construction the Right Choice for You?

Buying new construction might seem ideal for anyone looking for a new home. There are obvious reasons, both from a financial standpoint and for aesthetics. For example, the homebuyer won't be living in a house previously occupied by strangers. However, new construction can also pose problems to the owner, just like an existing home. Homebuyers should keep a few things in mind to determine whether buying new construction is right for them.

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Safe Spending

Tips to Control Emotional Spending

Emotional spending is an effort to relieve stress by spending money on something you don't need—and it's common. According to a survey by NerdWallet.com, almost half of all Americans spend more than they can afford for emotional reasons. Whether you're trying to console yourself after a breakup or just trying to avoid thinking about why your boss is giving you the silent treatment, shopping may seem like the best way to make yourself feel better, but the benefits are short-lived.

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