How To

Plan for the Next Heat Wave

As we continue making our way through this years’ heat waves, it may be a good time to plan for the next – since it typically remains hot in San Diego well into October, while Fire Season can last all the way through November.

The following is a list of things to do during a heat wave to keep you, your household members, and your pets safe:

1. Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. Avoid alcohol, tea and coffee as these can dehydrate you.
2. Keep out of the sun and avoid exercising between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm – the hottest part of the day.
3. Pay special attention to those most at risk, namely elderly people and small children; ensure that they’re comfortable and staying out of the sun as much as possible.
4. Ensure pets have a constant supply of fresh water, do not let them outside for long periods of time and never leave them in a car.
5. When letting your pets outside, be mindful of the asphalt temperatures. The ground may be too hot for their paws to walk on, so you’ll want to wait until it’s cooler or have them wear shoes.
6. Turn on your air conditioning to keep your house cool and comfortable, relying on solar, including solar batteries, whenever possible.

If you want to beat the heat while at home, but not break the bank with your electricity bill, you can still install solar or get a solar battery. To learn more about how solar can help you through the next heat wave and reduce your monthly expenses, visit WheelhouseCU.com/solar.

How to Fund and Set Up a Home Office and Classroom

Many of us have found ourselves in a new reality this year, one that comes with new work patterns, school environments and more. As our Stay-at-Home efforts continue, we thought it would be helpful to provide some insight into how to fund and set up a functioning home office, one that can be used for telecommuting and/or academics.

First off, determine how many office or classroom spaces you need. Depending on the number of people working from home and taking classes online, you may need more than one office or classroom space. Whether it is one or ten, it’s important to know exactly who needs dedicated space to complete their tasks, prior to setting everything up.

Once you have a good understanding of how many office spaces you need, identify where each person will be working. In some cases, you may all need to work in one area. In others, you may be able to identify a space in separate rooms for each worker. Ideally, a home office should be in a quiet area that allows some privacy. This is especially important if you share your residence with children or roommates.

It is important to note, children who are participating in online classes may need some supervision; therefore, you may want to pick a location for them to work that is within your eyesight.

Take a moment to make a list of all of the items each person will need to fulfill their responsibilities. Then, create a budget to purchase the items you currently do not have. The following is a good start of what you may need:

• Computer, Laptop, iPad
• Monitor
• Wifi
• Desk
• Comfortable Chair
• Good Lighting
• Cell Phone and Charger
• Printer
• Cabinet
• Paper, Pens, Notepads, Stapler, Calculator, Highlighters
• Fire Safe
• Shredder

Since the need to work and learn from home came out of the blue, you may not have the savings to purchase what you need. But not to worry, there are several ways to pay for the expenses. Credit cards are an option; however, they tend to have high interest rates. An alternative is a Personal Loan, like the low-rate Life Loan from Wheelhouse. With a fixed-rate and term and a minimum loan amount of $500, you can easily make a plan to pay off these expenses quickly. To learn more and apply for a Life Loan, visit WheelhouseCU.com/lifeloan

Once you’ve completed these four steps, you can set up your new office and/or classroom space in no time! With your spaces up and running, you should ensure your system(s) are always up-to-date and secure. You can update your systems manually or turn on Auto Update. Install an anti-virus program and make sure it updates daily.

The last thing to remember is to minimize distractions and do your best to keep your personal life from spilling over into your business life—and vice versa. Create a schedule, which includes breaks and lunches, and remember to walk away from your office space at the end of the day.

How to Refinance an Auto or Vehicle Loan

If you haven’t already, now is a great time to consider refinancing an auto or vehicle loan. Interest rates are low and you could save money by reducing your monthly payment. To make the refinancing process as smooth as possible, you’ll want to follow these simple steps:

Before anything else, you should check how much is left to pay on your loan, what your interest rate is, and if there are any fees for paying it off early. If you don’t know, you can probably find this information in your Online Banking.

To refinance your vehicle loan, you will want to be prepared with any necessary documents. At Wheelhouse, you will need:

• Vehicle Registration
• Current Auto Loan Statement
• Proof of Insurance
• Income verification may be required

Use our vehicle loan calculators to compare auto loans and see how much you can save. Consider if a lower rate or a longer term is your best option. You can view Wheelhouse’s auto loan rates here. Lastly, you’ll also want to be aware of any small fees that may be associated with transferring the loan.

Visit the financial institution you want to refinance with to start the refinancing process. Wheelhouse makes it easy with a 3-step online application. Of course, if you wish to apply in-person or over the phone, you may do so as well.

Apply Online

Interested in using your refinance to get cash out? Learn how today.