Self-Help Shares


Honoring Traditional Native American Values Through Modern Money Management

By Staff
  | Nov 27, 2024

American Great Plains Prairie at Sunrise stock photo

This Native American Heritage Month (Nov.) and Native American Heritage Day (Nov. 29th), we are honoring the diverse languages, traditions, and stories of Native American and Alaska Native communities and taking time to ensure we are respectful of their histories and contributions. 

Native American communities often have a strong sense of values and spirituality. According to Native Hope, “The life and oral traditions of Native cultures in North America offer rich and ancient spiritual insight.... They thought of all of life—every task, every ceremony, every community gathering, every relationship with humans and non-human things—as part of a larger sacred story. The spiritual and the physical are not separate, but interwoven and constantly interacting with each other.... This has enormous significance for the way that Native Americans live in modern society, and it helps explain the tension many Natives experience as they try to live in the ancient beliefs of their peoples while also living in today’s Western-dominated culture.” 

Modern-day financial support and advice can sometimes be antithetical to Native values with some banks and institutions focused more on results than overall wellbeing. However, that doesn’t have to be the case. In this blog post, we will acknowledge existing financial barriers for Native Americans, discuss how Native Americans might be able to honor their traditional values when considering modern money management options, and provide resources for support. 

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Naming & ID Support for Transgender People

By Staff
  | Nov 18, 2024

filling in the name section of a form with a pencil

November is Transgender Awareness Month, and the 20th is Transgender Remembrance Day, which honors the memory of transgender people whose lives have been lost to anti-transgender violence. As a Community Development Financial Institution, Self-Help is in a unique position to support and empower underrepresented communities, particularly those who have had to overcome significant financial barriers. 

As we reflect on this solemn holiday, it’s important to address challenges faced by transgender people, including the complex decision and process of changing legal names and updating identification documents.  

In this blog post, we will be exploring the current landscape and process of ID and naming protocols and alternatives if you don’t want to go through a legal change. 

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How to Get the Most out of Veterans Benefits

By Staff
  | Nov 08, 2024

Military ID tags and US army patches on camouflage background stock photo

Veterans Day is coming up on Monday, November 11, which is dedicated to honoring military veterans. There are a wide range of benefits that are available to support Veterans upon their return to civilian life, but it can be challenging to figure out what is available and navigate the systems that provide access to these benefits.  

At Self-Help, we believe in economic opportunity for all, which means supporting Veterans in getting access to and maximizing the benefits that can give you a greater opportunity to achieve your financial goals. 

In this blog post, we will be discussing the financial challenges Veterans face, benefits that are available to Veterans, and some tips for maximizing benefits. 

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How to Create a Holiday Budget (and Stick to It)

By Staff
  | Nov 04, 2024

various sizes of gifts on a green background

The holiday season is upon us, which means we are preparing for the joyous food, festivities, and gifts that we love to share with loved ones... but unfortunately, that comes with extra expenses, too. 

Avoid the extra financial stress by creating and sticking to a holiday budget, so you can enjoy this time of year without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we will be going through the steps for creating a holiday budget, tips for how to stick with it, and ways you can get extra support. 

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Your Step-by-Step Guide to Saving for Retirement

By Staff
  | Oct 23, 2024

image of a young person putting coins into a piggybank at home with several stacks of coins next to the piggybank

This week is National Retirement Security Week, which encourages a focus on increasing retirement savings, expanding financial literacy, and improving the retirement security of all people in the United States. Saving to reach your financial goals is important, and saving adequately for a happy, safe, and healthy retirement should be one of those goals regardless of whether you’re new to the job market or have built a successful career. 

However, understanding how to save for retirement can be intimidating – many people put it off because they don’t know where to start.  

In this post, we’ll discuss the importance of saving for retirement and some tips on how to get started. 

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The Role of Remittances in Latino & Hispanic Finances

By Staff
  | Oct 15, 2024

3D globe of the Americas with flight routes

As Latino and Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, we are continuing our recognition of these important cultures in our communities by discussing the essential role of remittances in Latino and Hispanic American finances. According to a brief from World Bank Group, in 2023, remittances to Latin America and the Caribbean saw the highest increase of any region at 7.7%, reaching a record $155 billion, primarily from the U.S.

In this post, we will be discussing the significance and benefits of remittances, challenges, and tips for people who send remittances.

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How to Support Those Affected by the Recent Hurricanes

By Staff
  | Oct 10, 2024

National guard & Red Cross brought tons of supplies to aid hurricane victims. Piles of bottled water stacked for distribution

As we continue to witness the destruction of Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton, Self-Help is committed to supporting victims of the hurricanes, which includes many of our members and staff, during this challenging time.  

If you are trying to find ways to assist those in need, we have put together a short list of organizations you can support who are providing essential services in response to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. 

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Learning from the Experts: Financial Tips for Latino & Hispanic Communities

By Staff
  | Sep 16, 2024

national hispanic heritage month on a purple background with hispanic imagery on the top and bottom margins of the image

September 15-October 15 is Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month, which is a time to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Latino/Hispanic American communities. September 15 was chosen as the start of this month-long celebration because it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of five Latin American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua).

In honor of this month, Self-Help is focusing on how we can support economic opportunity for our Latino/Hispanic communities. For this blog post, we asked a handful of the incredible Latino/Hispanic experts at Self-Help: What is one unique financial challenge and/or opportunity that you have observed within the Latino/Hispanic community, and what advice would you offer to help navigate this?

We are excited to share their responses with you!

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Driving Down Costs: The Financial Benefits of Going Electric

By Staff
  | Sep 12, 2024

plug-in port of an electric vehicle that has a charger plugged in

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, and we can understand why. They’re better for the environment and – we're told – better for our wallets. But with the higher starting purchase prices of many EVs, do they really end up saving you money?

In this blog post, we will discuss the current market of EVs, the pros and cons of choosing an electric vehicle for your next car, and how much you might be able to save.



Gluten-free Dreams: CheSa's Journey from Celiac Diagnosis to Restaurant Owner

By Staff
  | Aug 28, 2024

CheSa standing behind the bar at her business: CheSa’s Bistro and Bar in Chicago, Illinois

CheSa is the owner of CheSa's Bistro and Bar in Chicago, IL. 

August is Black Business Month, and we are honored to be celebrating the accomplishments of all the incredible Black-owned businesses that have enriched our communities.

CheSa is one such business owner in Chicago, and her story of determination, creativity, and resilience is an incredible reminder of what it means to adapt in pursuit of a dream.

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The Role of Community Banks in Supporting Black-owned Businesses

By Staff
  | Aug 08, 2024

three different images of Black-owned businesses

Images of owners of businesses that Self-Help has worked with

Happy Black-owned Business Month! At Self-Help, we are honored to celebrate and support Black entrepreneurs.

In 2021, only 2.8% of businesses in the U.S. were Black-owned, even though Black people make up roughly 14% of the country’s population.1 This discrepancy is why it’s important to make conscious efforts to champion Black-owned businesses. At Self-Help, we believe that entrepreneurs of all backgrounds should have the opportunity to succeed, but there are many barriers to racially equitable business ownership.

In this post, we will discuss the potential reasons for why there are so few Black-owned businesses and why community banks and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) can serve as an important resource.

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The Significance of the Americans with Disabilities Act

By Staff
  | Jul 26, 2024

numerous colorful figures representing people and handicapped people on a dark gray background

July 26th marks the anniversary of the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. This landmark civil rights law prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and ensures accessibility across public buildings, businesses, communications, transportation, and employment.

In this blog post, we cover the history behind the ADA, its key components, and the positive changes that have resulted from its enactment.

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The Cost of Accessibility: Financial Planning for People with Disabilities

By Staff
  | Jul 22, 2024

on the right is the words

Happy Disability Pride Month! July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination based on disability. While we have come a long way as a society in recognizing and accommodating various disabilities, there is still so much work to be done to make our spaces and systems truly accessible.

One of the major challenges that people with disabilities often go through is the additional costs that can come with supporting a disability or making an environment more accessible through things like adaptive technologies and home modifications.

In this blog post, we will be discussing the financial effects of ableism and providing some helpful tips and resources to support people with disabilities.

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Our Impact in 2023

By Staff
  | Jul 08, 2024

Our 2023 Annual Report is now available! Through 2023, we have continued to demonstrate significant impact and are grateful to be part of your community.

We are excited to give you the numbers, share some incredible member stories, and let you know how we plan on continuing to create economic opportunity and promote financial inclusion for all.

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Out and Proud at Self-Help

By Staff
  | Jun 26, 2024

people holding a Self-Help Federal Credit Union banner in front of the California Capitol building

Self-Help employees outside the state Capitol building during 2024 Pride in Sacramento, CA

Happy LGBTQIA+ Pride Month!

With the new waves of anti-LGBTQIA+ sentiment and the 532 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills that the ACLU is currently tracking, it is more important than ever to show our support for the LGBTQIA+ community.

At Self-Help, we understand that our focus on uplifting underrepresented groups must include queer folks, who are often discriminated against in the housing and financial services industries. In honor of this month, let’s take some time to recognize some of the ways Self-Help has worked to support LGBTQIA+ communities.

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Celebrating Juneteenth: Understanding the Flag, Colors, and Traditions

By Staff
  | Jun 18, 2024

Juneteeth Celebrating Black liberation in the past, present and future

Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) is a holiday commemorating the end of chattel slavery in the United States. It marks the day in 1865 that news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Galveston, TX, letting the last people who were enslaved in the U.S. know they were free. It is considered a second Independence Day and is also called Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.

Juneteenth became the newest federal holiday in 2021, which means many of us are still learning about its significance. At Self-Help, we’re honoring this important holiday by getting a better understanding of the meaning behind some of the iconic Juneteenth symbols and traditions.

 

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A Guide to Navigating Homeownership for LGBTQIA+ Folks

By Staff
  | Jun 06, 2024

pride flag hanging outside a home

June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month and Homeownership Month. What better way to honor both of these month-long celebrations than by talking about homeownership for LGBTQIA+ folks. 

At Self-Help, when we say ownership and economic opportunity for all, we mean ALL, which is why we put together this guide to support a more accessible homeownership journey for LGBTQIA+ couples, families, and individuals. LGBTQIA+ people face unique challenges when it comes to housing, and education is key!  

In this article, we discuss barriers to homeownership, advice on how to financially prepare, and tips for ensuring a safe and productive homebuying experience. 

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What Does the Recent CFPB Supreme Court Ruling Mean for Me?

By Staff
  | May 31, 2024

outside view of the Supreme Court

 

If you’re following the news, you may have seen or heard something about the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, often referred to as the CFPB, and be wondering what it’s all about. 

We’re here to help break down what the CFPB is, what function it serves, and why this latest ruling is meaningful to you as a consumer. 

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Uplifting AANHPI Small Businesses in the Wake of the Pandemic

By Staff
  | May 29, 2024

Asian man in a suit outside of a store

Tae Park, entrepreneur and borrower with Self-Help Credit Union, stands outside his grocery store, International Foods, in Raleigh, NC. Circa 2012. 

While most of us have adjusted to living in a post-lockdown world, it’s hard not to acknowledge the deep, lasting impacts that COVID continues to have on our lives.  

In this article, we discuss the challenges that AANHPI businesses have faced due to the pandemic and how we can uplift these businesses this Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and beyond.

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Financial Empowerment for AANHPI Communities: Breaking Down the Model Minority Myth

By Staff
  | May 16, 2024

Pacific Islander Family showing a baby a phone while smiling

 

This May, Self-Help is honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month!

To achieve our mission of economic opportunity for all, we are actively working to close the racial wealth gap. But too often, AANHPI communities are left out of conversations about economic inequality and financial empowerment.

In this post, we explore some of the dynamics that affect the financial well-being of AANHPI people and share some financial tips for people in the AANHPI community.

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