Jennifer Carranza">

Author: Jennifer Carranza

Recent Posts

Using Credit as a Tool (and Not a Crutch)

What separates financially confident households from financially stressed ones? The relationship they have with credit. The difference isn’t about income, it’s about intention. Credit is one of the most powerful financial instruments available. Used strategically, it can accelerate wealth: helping you purchase a home that appreciates, smoothing your cash flow during investment cycles, or earning…

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Balancing College Costs with Retirement Planning

If you are within five years of retirement and still financing a college education — or two — you are not alone. Millions of American parents find themselves caught between two of the largest financial obligations of their lives at the very same time. The good news is that with a clear-eyed strategy, you can…

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Lafayette Federal Credit Union Empowers Members Through February Financial Success Workshops

Throughout February, Lafayette Federal Credit Union (LFCU) hosted a series of Financial Success Workshops at nearly all of our branch locations. Designed to meet members where they are financially—and in their local community—these workshops combined in‑person and virtual experiences to deliver practical, relevant guidance on budgeting, goal setting, and building long‑term financial confidence. Led by…

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Preparing Your Taxes: Reduce your stress this year.

Tax season doesn’t have to feel like an annual ambush. For many middle- and higher-income households, the difference between days (or weeks) of stressing out before April’s filing date and a smooth filing often comes down to preparation, not expertise. With a clear framework and some new habits, you can approach tax time with confidence…

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2026 Fraud Trends: What you need to know to protect your money.

Financial fraud is getting more sophisticated and convincing. Scammers use artificial intelligence, psychological tricks, and stolen data to create scams that feel completely legitimate. Once you understand how these schemes work, you can protect yourself and your family. The numbers are staggering: $12.5 billion in consumer fraud losses (FTC, 2024), $16 billion in internet crime…

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Lafayette Federal’s 2026 Financial Wellness Week: Building stronger financial futures.

Last month, we reaffirmed our commitment to member-centered financial guidance by hosting our annual Financial Wellness Week. Designed to proactively connect members with personalized financial advice, the week-long initiative demonstrated that thoughtful planning, flexibility, and consistent outreach can deliver meaningful impact—even when unexpected challenges arise in the form of several inches of ice blanketing our…

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