BECU Blog

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

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Holiday Fun in Washington

Discover budget-friendly winter activities that spark the holiday spirit.

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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

Featured

90 Years of Growing Together

Collage of historical moments from BECU's 90-year history, featuring a 90th anniversary logo with the text "90 Years BECU."

BECU's president and CEO reflects on our rich history and bright future.

11 Ways To Save in the 2025 Holiday Season

A couple are shopping and smiling as they look into a window together. The two are wearing winter clothes. Both are wearing scarves and are shopping indoors in a mall-like setting.

Enjoy a budget-friendly 2025 season with our holiday spending and savings tips.

BECU and SAFE Credit Union To Combine

Headshot of Beverly Anderson, BECU President and CEO, alongside BECU and SAFE Credit Union logos on a gray background.

Read a message from our president and CEO.

Most Recent

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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.

BECU Wins Community, Advocacy Awards

A large group of BECU employees standing on a blue and gold stage during an awards ceremony, with two employees holding awards.

Learn about BECU's awards and industry recognition.

7 Ways To Spend Less on Holiday Shopping

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Learn how to get the best deals and avoid scams during the holidays.

Advancing Equity

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12 Black Finance Leaders in History

A collage of images of Black finance leaders in history.

Learn about Black trailblazers in finance.

Tribal Businesses Fuel Washington Economy

A large crowd gathers next to Northern Quest Casino for an outdoor concert. People are standing in bleachers and on the floor. Bright lights shine from the stage, and a sunset is visible in the background.

Learn about work by and for Native American tribes.

Disability-Empowerment Nonprofits To Know

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Learn about seven programs and life-changing services.

Budgeting

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How To Maximize Your Charitable Donations

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Get tips for making the most of your donation dollars and time.

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.

Estate Planning: Tasks and Tips To Get Started

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Get tips on wills, power of attorney, executors and more.

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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Tips for paying off debt and saving for the future.

Spending & Shopping

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Should I Get Preapproved for a Car Loan?

A man in a green jacket stands next to a gray SUV, he is wearing jeans and smiling. In the background are trees.

Learn why, how and when to get preapproved for a car loan.

10 Tricks Stores Use To Get You To Spend More

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Learn the sales tricks that make you think you're getting a bargain.

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

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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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2025 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.

5 Common Tax Filing Mistakes To Avoid

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Be sure to avoid these mistakes during tax season.

2024 Income Taxes: What You Need To Know

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Learn what’s new for the 2025 tax season.