Financial and Lifestyle Resources for Vermont

Changes are coming to Vermont’s net metering incentives for solar.  Currently, all new solar customers receive a three-cent solar adder for all the energy their array produces. Customers who register their solar system on or after July 1, 2019 will lose one cent for every kilowatt hour of energy their array generates. This one cent is a portion of a state net-metering incentive (often referred to as an adder), which has been in place since 2011. The adder, which is offered for the first 10 years of a new solar system’s life, will be reduced from three cents to two cents. If you are considering purchasing a solar system, this is your cue to register your system now.

Over the past couple of years, VSECU has gone through an internal transformation that has made it easier for all employees to cultivate and strengthen relationships across the organization. Over the course of that transformation, I learned a lot about the importance of relationship to personal and career growth.

Though I help people figure out their money woes all day, when it comes to my own finances, I sometimes feel like sticking my head in the sand like the proverbial ostrich. Like anyone else, once I pay my bills, I’m lucky if I have extra money for the things I want to do. Fortunately, I’ve learned a few money-saving strategies along the way. If you’d like to stop living paycheck to paycheck, here are some techniques you can try:  

According to AAA, the average cost of car ownership is roughly $8,000 per year. Fuel and repair costs are increasing, and transportation is often the largest household budget item for a Vermont family when factoring in car payment, insurance, repairs, and fuel.

Elder Financial Abuse is one of the most despicable crimes committed because it targets our senior population and often wipes out the victim’s entire life savings. Fraudsters target the elderly because they know that they will likely get a larger payout for their efforts. The US Census Bureau estimates the number of adults over 65 will represent 20% of the population by 2030, compared to 13% in 2010. According to estimates, elder financial abuse puts billions of dollars into fraudsters’ pockets, so the expected growth in the elder population will likely make elder fraud more and more attractive to fraudsters.

You’re in your car with the windows rolled down. The wind is blowing your hair and the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams comes on the radio. You start singing and thinking about how amazing a road trip would be with some friends.

Discussions about money can feel taboo, so it’s easy to feel alone when you have financial issues and hard to know who to ask for advice. Besides confiding in a trusted representative at your credit union or bank, below are some ideas that may help you recover from common money mistakes and reduce your anxiety so you can start saving again.   

Did you know that April is National Car Care Month?  It is! And there's no better time of year to start thinking about your vehicle. By caring for your vehicle monthly, using this car maintenance checklist, you will help reduce stress and expenses associated with your vehicle and possibly help conserve energy. People often think car care costs a lot, so I want to share this car maintenance checklist to help you take care of your vehicle without breaking the bank!