Steps to Improve Your Credit Score: Check Your Credit Report Regularly Start by getting a free annual credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. This gives you a clear picture of where your credit stands and helps spot any errors. This website is the only source authorized to fill orders for free annual credit reports you are entitled to by law. The three nationwide credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) have permanently committed to a weekly credit check program, effectively ensuring better public access. Be sure to take advantage of these resources and keep track of your score! Pay Bills on Time, Every Time Your payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score, and making timely payments is the single most impactful thing you can do to improve it. Even paying the minimum amount due, on time, will help you maintain good credit standing. Late payments, especially those over 60 days, can severely damage your score. Set up automatic paymentsfor all your bills on the OneUnited mobile banking app, so you don’t miss important due dates! Use a Secured Credit Card If you’re rebuilding credit, our UNITY Visa®, a secured credit card, can help you get back in the game of good standing. Unlike prepaid cards, secured cards report to the credit bureaus, making it easier to establish or improve your credit history. Just starting your credit journey? Consider a secured credit card as a tool to help you build credit history while minimizing risk. Since it requires a security deposit, it’s easier to get approved, and it reports to the credit bureaus, which helps you establish a positive payment record. Keep Your Credit Utilization Low Don’t max out your credit limit—aim to use less than 30% of your available credit at any time. The ratio of your credit balance to your credit limit plays a crucial role in calculating your score.

Today’s financial wellness tip is: Review and Reduce Unnecessary Subscriptions Take some time to review your monthly subscriptions and memberships. Many people unknowingly pay for services they no longer use or need. Go through your bank statements and cancel any subscriptions that are not essential or valuable to you. • Tip: Use budgeting apps or tools to track these recurring expenses and set reminders to reassess them every few months. By reducing unnecessary subscriptions, you can free up money that can be directed toward savings or other financial goals.

Late Night Financial Wellness Tip: Before you end your day, take a moment to review your spending from the day. Reflect on whether your purchases align with your financial goals. If you’ve spent on something unnecessary, don’t stress—use it as a learning moment. Regularly checking in with your finances helps you stay mindful and on track with your budget, setting you up for long-term financial wellness.

Monday Financial Wellness Tip: Smart Shopping for a Healthier Lifestyle One key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle starts with how you shop for your groceries. Here’s a tip to keep in mind this week: Tip: Stick to the outer aisles of the grocery store. Most fresh, whole foods—like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy—are located around the perimeter. These are the foods that fuel your body with essential nutrients. Try to limit shopping in the center aisles, where highly processed and sugary items are typically found. Plan ahead, make a list, and focus on stocking up on nutrient-dense, whole foods that support your wellness goals! 😄💪🏽😄💪🏽😄💪🏽

Teach Your Children the Power of Saving Early Encourage your kids to start saving a portion of any money they receive, whether it’s from allowances, gifts, or small jobs. Explain the importance of having savings for unexpected expenses or opportunities that may arise in the future. To make it fun, you can help them set a savings goal and track their progress visually. Starting early builds good financial habits and helps them understand that small, consistent actions lead to big results over time. This is a simple and impactful way to introduce children to financial literacy and the value of delayed gratification!