Financial Counseling
A+FCU is committed to your financial well-being. Together with BALANCE, we equip you with free, confidential one-on-one coaching for all your fiscal needs.
Take Your Finances Up A Notch
To help strengthen the communities we serve, A+FCU partners with industry-leading BALANCE to provide free, confidential financial counseling services at no cost to you. Their multilingual counselors have the highest accreditations and offer objective advice so you can tackle all of life’s twists and turns.
To speak to an expert, call 888.456.2227. For simple questions, you can also send a message via chat.
BALANCE Hours
| Day(s) | Time (CT) |
|---|---|
| Monday – Thursday | 9:30 am – 8 pm |
| Friday | 9:30 am – 7 pm |
| Saturday | 11 am – 4 pm |
Financial Coaching
Need help developing a savings plan? Confused about buying a car? Have questions about whether you’re adequately insured? For all things personal finance, there’s a financial counselor ready to help you work through challenges and provide expertly crafted advice.
Explore Programs
Ready to create a plan to achieve your goals? Work with an expert to review your spending patterns and create a saving and spending plan that allows you to take charge of your financial situation, both month-to-month and long-term.
Let a professional help you make sense of credit. A counselor can guide you in obtaining your credit report and answer questions about credit scoring, how to build a strong credit history, how to correct errors on your credit report, and more.
The homebuying process can be complex. Whether you’re just considering it, saving for a down payment, applying for a mortgage, or preparing for a closing, a counselor can guide you through all aspects of the journey.
When it comes to debt reduction, it’s best to have a strategy. A counselor can go through your options. If needed, they can also work with you to establish a Debt Management Plan — a structured repayment option to help you achieve financial freedom.
If you’re a prospective or current student, counselors can help you determine which student loans best suit your needs based on your career prospects and budget.
If you’re a graduate, they can discuss repayment plans, postponement, and consolidation.
If your home is at risk, take advantage of early delinquency intervention counseling to discuss alternatives to foreclosure. BALANCE is a HUD-certified counseling agency and can help ensure you’re aware of and understand all your options.
Get help with improving your credit and get tips on becoming a desirable tenant. Additionally, a counselor can help you develop a personalized spending plan and provide you with advice for saving money, increasing income, and reducing debt as well as offer guidance on leasing agreements, your housing budget, and more.
Counselors will guide you through an eight-question survey based on the four pillars of financial health (spend, save, borrow, and plan). Once complete, you’ll receive your financial health score indicating whether you’re considered financially healthy, coping, or vulnerable along with action steps to improve your score.
Resources
Get on the path to financial success with these resources.
Personal Finances
Financial health is a key part of overall wellness. Count on us to provide the knowledge and tools you need to make sense of your money, better your financial journey, and improve your peace of mind.
(Re)Building Credit
Credit is factored into many decisions, including loan approvals, housing applications, insurance rates, and employment opportunities. To obtain the most favorable outcomes, it’s important to understand the basics of credit scores and credit reports.
Related Articles
Protect Your Finances Checklist
‘Tis the season to be on high alert for fraud. Better protect your finances with these recommended steps and free services available to A+FCU members.
16 Months Of Financial Tips
Use these monthly financial tips to break down your top financial tasks and to-dos and get on the right path to being financially healthy.
Are Share Certificates Worth It?
When looking into ways to grow their money, many people wonder, “Are share certificates worth it?” Learn more about how share certificates can help you earn more on your savings.
Join The A+FCU Family
Joining is easy and comes not only with a wide variety of money-saving products tailored to fit your needs, but also exclusive member-only benefits.