Financial Tips

Using My Tax Return

Tax Return: Not a phrase you would expect to hear this time of year. Of course, due to COVID-19, the tax deadline for 2020 was extended from April 15 to July 15. So as of yesterday, everyone should have there “i”s dotted and their taxes filed. If you’re expecting to receive a tax return soon and are interested in the best ways to use it, here a few initiatives we think are worthwhile:

Whether you have credit card debt, student loans, auto loan debt, or anything in between, using your tax return to pay down debt may be the smartest move for you. Compare the interest rates on your loans and credit cards, as well as considering any forbearance or suspended interest accrual, to determine where to apply your tax return for the maximum benefit.

If you find your debt is manageable and you would benefit more from saving or investing, consider putting your tax return into an emergency fund, a retirement savings account such as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), or in investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds and similar options.

If you are comfortable with your debt or lack thereof and feel you have sufficient savings and/or investments, you may want to use your tax return for purchases that will save you money in the long run. These kinds of purchases would be items such as energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, electric vehicles, or xeriscaping. Take a look at where your money is going – water, electricity, gas etc. – and determine which area you could reduce your costs the most.

Visit our Energy Efficient Resource Center to learn more about solar and energy-efficient options.

Using your tax return to take out a Share-Secured Loan may be to your benefit. Doing so can help boost or build your credit score. It also allows you to keep your money in a savings account or certificate, so you can earn dividends on the funds rather than cashing it in for a purchase.

If you are interested in a Shared-Secured Loan, speak to a Wheelhouse representative today.

Although these are “our” top picks for how to spend your tax return, you may find more benefit through another avenue. You could also split your refund using multiple strategies and benefit in a variety of ways. In the end, you want to be sure to analyze your finances and determine how you can the most out of your tax return, based on your personal circumstances.

Avoid Fraud:
Tips on How to Identify and Handle Fraud Attempts

Fraud can happen to anyone, and people fall victim to it every day. That’s why it is important to stay vigilant of possible scams to protect yourself and your loved ones. The tips below include specific contact information for Wheelhouse Credit Union; however, they can be applied to any institution, provided you have or obtain the correct information for that institution.

1. Hang up the phone and dial our Phone Branch directly at 619‑297‑4835. Do not simply call back the number that called you – often times the phone number will be spoofed to look almost identical to the real phone number (e.g., 619‑267‑4835).

2. Do not click on any links. If you do click on a link that takes you to what appears to be our website or digital banking login, close the browser. Open a new browser and search for our website directly at https://www.wheelhousecu.com. Again, spoofed websites will often look nearly identical with a small change in the URL (e.g., www.wheelhousecu.corn).

3. Remember, we will never CALL, TEXT, or EMAIL you to request:

• Your online/digital banking credentials
• Your credit or debit card number
• Your PIN or CVV
• Your social security number
• Your account number

4. Ask someone you trust. If you doubt the legitimacy of a message, person, or request, ask someone you know and trust for their thoughts on it before you act.

5. Be wary of wire transfer requests. If you were not planning to wire money or are not absolutely certain that you are sending a wire to someone you know and trust, do not send it. Once a wire has been sent, it is nearly impossible to retrieve the funds.

6. If you don’t recognize it, don’t act on it. Fraudsters may contact you claiming to be a representative for a service that you have or cancelled; when in reality, you do not have the service and have never had the service. They may say you owe them money, or that they owe you a refund. Either way, if you do not recall having or previously having that service, do not engage.

7. Know common fraud tactics

• Phishing – A tactic used to garner information from you. Example: You receive an unexpected notice that says: “An attempt was made to log into your account, please reset your password using this link.” Solution: Do not click on the link. Either call us directly or go to digital banking directly to verify the notice.
• Threatening – Aims at making you feel anxious to act quickly. Example: May claim you owe money and if you do not pay now serious consequences will occur. Solution: Directly contact whomever the person claims to represent. Do not disclose any personal information to the suspect or click on any links.
• Too Good to Be True – A tactic used to make you believe you won something or can get something highly valuable quickly. Example: Claims you won a contest you did not enter, wants to give you free products, or claims you can purchase property that you were not looking for. Solution: If it is unexpected or sounds too good to be true, ignore it and do not disclose any private information.

8. Continually educate yourself on the topic
We keep recent fraud and scam scenarios in our Member Security Center, as well as preventative measures and tips. We encourage you to reference it regularly to help avoid falling victim to fraud. Additional resources can be found through the Federal Trade Commission: Privacy, Identity, and Online Security | Scams Alerts

4 Things to Consider Before Buying an RV

Whether for local jaunts or a several-week adventure, purchasing a recreational vehicle can provide an unlimited amount of enjoyment for you and your family—particularly during a time where social distancing and contained forms of travel are preferred. It is also a significant financial investment, and as with any financial commitment, education is key to making the best decision. Here are 4 critical questions to ask when considering the purchase of an RV.

Consider what classification is the right fit for you. RV Classification can be confusing, and with each step up in size, although you will have more rooms and amenities, you are almost certainly going to pay more. Plus, larger RVs tend to require more skills to navigate effectively.

Driving Options
Class-A are your largest RVs and most states, including California, require a non-commercial “Class B” license for motorhomes over 40’.
Class-B is a great choice due to the price, versatility, and ease of operation and are typically referred to as “Camper Vans”.
Class-C RVs are smaller versions of the Class-A RVs and are built on a classic truck or cab chassis. They come with an array of amenities and sleeping options, typically topping out at comfortably sleeping 4.

Towing Options
Towing options include small campers, pop-ups, fifth wheels and travel trailers. Trailers can be very convenient as you can park them and then use your vehicle to easily drive to places such as a local grocery store. If you go this route, you’ll want to check your vehicle’s towing capacity before purchasing a trailer.

You have two options here: your driveway/yard or a storage center. Many communities in Southern California have HOAs that restrict RVs on property, so check your Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs) before purchasing. If you plan to store the RV, you’ll want to consider the additional cost of doing so; usually ranging between $200-$500 a month.

RVs that are over 10 years old typically cannot be financed; and as a result, you will need to pay cash directly to the seller. For this reason, most RV Retailers do not carry old RVs. However, if you decide to take this route, you can hire a specialist to come inspect the RV with you—a few hundred dollars could save you thousands in repairs.

In addition to all the bells and whistles, newer RVs are eligible for financing. Plus, the newer they are, the lower the rate typically is.

Unlike a trip to Hawaii where the money is spent and only to return in the form of sunset selfies and memories, an RV is an asset and an opportunity to travel, while keeping your finances flexible and cash accessible. If you pay cash for your RV, the only way to is to liquidate or sell it; which might take some time and potentially put you in a desperate seller position. If your RV is financed and you want to sell it, you will be far more likely to wait for a “great offer” and not just the “best offer”.

Interested in financing an RV through Wheelhouse Credit Union? Check out your options here.