Jennifer Carranza">

Author: Jennifer Carranza

Recent Posts

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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Building Stronger Neighborhoods: How Lafayette Federal shows up for our community.

Our Mission in Action This past year, Lafayette Federal showed up. From food drives and faculty presentations to 1×1 career mentoring, we’re committed because the communities we serve are our communities, too. You’ll find us at neighborhood festivals, small‑business workshops, and school stadiums, building relationships and delivering resources that help families thrive and achieve their…

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Get Ahead in 2026: Your financial planning checklist.

A new year is more than a calendar reset — it’s an opportunity to get intentional about your money and what you do with it. Whether you’re building wealth, protecting what you’ve already accumulated, or planning for major life milestones, having a plan will help you get there. Most successful plans include a checklist of…

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Smart Giving: Donating with impact.

The holiday season and year-end inspire generosity, but effective charitable giving requires more than good intentions. Whether you’re a first-time donor or a seasoned philanthropist, understanding how to maximize your impact while optimizing tax benefits can transform your approach to giving. This guide can help you make informed decisions about charitable donations, understand the purpose and value of donor-advised funds, and explain some of…

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