Planning for Life Events and Major Purchases
Featured Lessons

Buying a House in a Hot Market
Buying a home in a seller’s market can be challenging. While housing market conditions may be less than ideal, there are still benefits to buying a property versus renting. Use these tips to stay ahead of the competition and land the house you’ve always wanted.

Refinancing Your Home: How to Refinance a Mortgage
Refinancing your mortgage is a great way to reduce debt and take control of your finances. There are many reasons to swap out your current home mortgage for a new repayment plan. It all depends on what you’re looking to achieve with your new home loan. Use this guide to learn more about the refinancing process to see if this is the right option for you.

Paying Student Loans: How to Pay Back Your Student Loans
Paying off student loans is a top financial priority for many people, but it can be confusing and hard to navigate. Many people don’t understand how student loan debt works or what their options are to reduce their payments. Read this article to learn more about student loans and what options you have to pay them back.

How to Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage
Are you ready to house hunt, but are wondering "How much mortgage can I afford?" Getting pre-approved for a mortgage can show sellers that you are a serious prospect and give you a leg up on other buyers who jump the gun by visiting open houses without even knowing their budget. In this market, where sellers are getting many offers including cash offers, a pre-approval can help you stand out as a buyer. When you have a documented pre-approval, the seller knows you will be able to get the funding you are offering for the home and you’ll be able to close more quickly and reliably.

Home Buying Process: Seven Major Steps in Buying a House
The decision to buy a home can be both exciting and terrifying all at the same time. Homeownership is what many of us strive for—to be able to have a home that we can call our own, as well as a real estate asset we can use to build our personal wealth. It is a big step to take. At the same time, though, the process of buying a house can be overwhelming. Understanding the step-by-step process in purchasing a home can help make the home-buying experience a more positive one for you and your family and can help reduce the additional stress that comes with big purchases in life.

Vehicle Inspection Checklist: Pre-purchase / Used Car Inspection Checklist
Use this checklist when buying a used vehicle to help make sure you're getting a good deal and a reliable car.

Estate Planning Documents: Four Important Estate Planning Documents You Need
Estate planning allows you, not the courts, to make important decisions about your assets in the event you are incapacitated or deceased. Take a look at this lesson to learn about four documents that are essential to any estate plan.

A Parent’s Guide to Raising Money-Smart Kids
As a parent, you might struggle with when and what to teach your children about money management. Is five too early to earn an allowance? Should you share the family budget with your children? When should teens learn about credit? These are all important questions, and it’s often not easy to know the answers. Kids have different levels of interest in financial education. But research tells us that by the age of five most children understand money and what it can do. The information below offers more specific guidelines for different age groups. Again, these are just guidelines. What decisions you make about when and what to teach at home depend on your family situation, household budget and how comfortable you are in the role of teacher.

The Ultimate Guide to Buying a New Car: Things to Know When Buying a Car
Ahh the rumble of the engine starting up, the sun glinting off the new paint and that sweet new car smell. There are few things that are more satisfying than the feeling of driving your brand-new car off the lot for the first time. But before you walk away with keys in hand, there are a few steps you must go through first. There can be a lot of anxiety around the car buying process, especially if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know what to ask. This guide will give you a comprehensive primer of things to know and look out for to ensure that your experience at the dealership is a smooth ride.
Upcoming Events
We all encounter forks in the road to financial success. Join us to navigate through budget busters, understand spending habits, and learn to eliminate debt.
Presenters: Mike Vierzba and Sara Bickers
Are you ready to purchase your first home in Colorado? Get prepared by learning all the steps towards home-ownership and what it takes to qualify. Join Mortgage Loan Officer, Shirley Stange, for this informative webinar.
Calculators
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HELOC Calculator: Home Equity Line of Credit Calculator
The amount of equity available for a home equity loan or home equity line of credit is determined by the loan-to-value ratio of the home and the ratio requirements of the lender. A loan-to-value ratio is calculated by taking total mortgage debt (including any second mortgages or existing home equity loans) and dividing it by the current, appraised value of the home. The size of a home equity loan or line of credit will also depend on the loan-to-value requirements of the lender. Higher loan-to-value requirements can result in larger home equity loans or lines of credit.

Auto Loan Calculator: Calculate a Vehicle Payment
Your monthly auto loan payment is based on the net purchase price of the vehicle, the loan term and the interest rate for the loan. The loan amount is based on the net purchase price of the vehicle (plus sales tax) or the vehicle price less any cash rebate, trade-in or down payment. If you have an outstanding balance on the vehicle you trade-in, that amount is added to the price of the vehicle you are purchasing.

Mortgage Proceeds: Home Sale Proceeds Calculator
One of the most important questions consumers will ask themselves is "how much money the sale of their home will yield?" That is largely dependent on two things: the amount you still owe on the home and what you will have to pay your realtor for selling the home. If you have a second mortgage, or home equity loan, on the property, you will have to pay that off when you sell the home. When you sell a home, you will also have to pay interest on your outstanding mortgage balance from the date of your last payment until the time of the sale. You are also liable for property taxes up until the day you sell the home. At times, sellers have additional expenses. Local governments will often require that you pay a transfer tax when the home is sold. Incidental closing costs may also nibble away at your proceeds.

Mortgage Payment Calculator
The primary factors to consider when determining how much you can afford to spend on a home include your income, your monthly debt obligations (car payments, student loans, credit cards, etc), how much money you have for a down payment as well as your specific financial goals. There are also a variety of loan programs available offering a range of options for different situations. Ultimately, the best way to understand what is right for you is to talk to a licensed loan officer who can help you explore and understand what is right for you.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Calculator
Adjustable rate mortgages typically offer home buyers the advantage of having a lower mortgage payment during the initial period of the mortgage. Adjustable rate mortgages are generally offered on a 1, 3, 5 or 7-year basis. Once the initial period expires, the mortgage rate will reset at then current interest rate levels. Depending on the direction interest rates are taking, these resets can result in higher or lower monthly payments to the borrower. This adjustable rate mortgage analyzer will help you understand the implication of your adjustable rate terms by showing what your monthly payment will be under different scenarios.

Loan Rebate Calculator: Auto Rebate vs. Low Interest Financing Calculator
Vehicle manufacturers or dealers will often offer incentives to purchase a particular vehicle in the form of a low rate loan or a cash back incentive. While a low rate loan sounds attractive, you might be better off taking the cash back, using it to add to your down payment and reducing the loan amount for the vehicle. Evaluate which option is best. A lower loan amount will mean a lower monthly payment, and you might find that the interest savings you will gain by the low rate loan is less than the cash back amount.

Home Value Estimator
Use this calculator and compare home values in your neighborhood and discover big savings with Ent Credit Union.

Car Affordability Calculator with Trade-in
The purchase price of the vehicle you can afford is based on several factors, including the monthly auto loan payment you can afford to make, your down payment, the net value of any vehicle you will be trading in and any rebates or cash back offers available from the dealer or manufacturer.

Home Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Depending on how fast prices and rents rise and how long you stay in your home, you may be better off renting rather than buying. Factors that are part of the equation are the difference in monthly rent versus mortgage payment, home value appreciation, annual rent increases, the interest rate you will pay on your loan, your marginal tax rate and the yield you might receive on savings. When looking at these factors, consider the present value of each option. The one with the lower present value will be the better financial choice.

HELOC Payment Calculator: HELOC - Home Equity Line of Credit Calculator
Repayment of a home equity line of credit requires that the borrower makes a monthly payment to the lender. For some home equity lines of credit, borrowers can make interest-only payments for a defined period, after which a repayment period begins. Interest-only payments are based on the outstanding loan balance and interest rate. During the repayment period, the payment includes both repayment of the loan principal, plus monthly interest on the outstanding balance. Loan payments for the repayment period are amortized so that the monthly payment remains the same throughout the repayment period, but during that time, the percentage of the amount that goes towards principal will increase as the outstanding mortgage balance decreases.
Latest Resources

Great Resignation: Money Tips When Transitioning Your Job
With a record number of job openings all over the country, it’s a great time to look for a new job. But transitioning careers can leave you without income for several months or more, depending on how long you are out of work. If you are thinking of changing jobs, learn how to manage your finances during this period of transition.

Interest Rates' Impact on The Housing Market
Most people need a mortgage to buy a home, and this means borrowing money from a lender. The lender will always charge interest on top of the principal amount used to buy the home. The interest rate depends on a number of factors, including those related to monetary policy and the health of the economy, as well as those related to your personal finances and credit history. Learn more about how these rates affect the housing market and your bottom line.

How to Vacation on a Budget
There’s nothing better than leaving town with your loved ones as you explore a new city or country. But going on vacation is more expensive than it used to be. The cost of travel, housing and meals out can put a major dent in your finances. You don’t want to get to your destination and suddenly realize you don’t have enough money to enjoy your trip. This is your time to relax. You shouldn’t have to worry about every dollar you spend. Learn how to budget for your upcoming trip, so you can make the most of your time away from work.

Have Home Equity? Cash-Out Refinances versus Home Equity Loans
If you’ve been in your home for several years or more, chances are you have what is known as home equity, which means you’ve paid off a substantial part of your mortgage loan. You can turn your home equity into cash with a cash-out refinance or a home equity loan. Refinancing your mortgage may also allow you to lock in a lower interest rate, helping you save money in the years to come.

How to Get the Best Mortgage Rates
For homeowners, a common financial goal is to pay off the mortgage as soon as possible and avoid paying extra interest. The lower the interest rates, the less you will owe down the line. That’s why it’s important to find a loan with the lowest possible interest rates, usually represented as annual percentage rate (APR), and other fees associated with the lending process. Use this guide to help you find the best mortgage rates to save money over time.

Buying a Fixer-Upper Home: Know the Pros and Cons
If you’re looking to save money when buying a home, you might consider buying a fixer-upper home. Some individuals choose to renovate an older home or one that needs repairs and flip it to make a profit, but are these homes really worth your money? Take a look at the pros and cons of buying a fixer-upper home
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Estate Planning Documents: Four Important Estate Planning Documents You Need
Estate planning allows you, not the courts, to make important decisions about your assets in the event you are incapacitated or deceased. Take a look at this lesson to learn about four documents that are essential to any estate plan.

DTI Calculator: Try Our Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculator
If you’re hoping to get a home loan, auto loan or debt consolidation loan, there’s one important number lenders will want to take a close look at. That number is your debt-to-income ratio (DTI.) Even if your credit report is squeaky clean, your DTI is a good indicator of whether or not you’re overextended and might have trouble with additional monthly debt payments like house or car loans.

Great Resignation: Money Tips When Transitioning Your Job
With a record number of job openings all over the country, it’s a great time to look for a new job. But transitioning careers can leave you without income for several months or more, depending on how long you are out of work. If you are thinking of changing jobs, learn how to manage your finances during this period of transition.

Do Youth Accounts Help Kids in College?
Read this article to learn how a youth account can help your kids succeed in college.

College Savings Plans: What You Need to Know About 529 Withdrawal Rules
Whether you’re saving for your child to go to college or planning the next chapter of your career, you have several options to choose from when it comes to paying for school. The good news is that you’re thinking about your options ahead of time, which should help you make the most of your money as you prepare to further your education. 529 plans can be confusing but learning about these programs will help you save money over time as you finance your education, regardless of where you decide to go to school.

Vehicle Inspection Checklist: Pre-purchase / Used Car Inspection Checklist
Use this checklist when buying a used vehicle to help make sure you're getting a good deal and a reliable car.

Buying a Fixer-Upper Home: Know the Pros and Cons
If you’re looking to save money when buying a home, you might consider buying a fixer-upper home. Some individuals choose to renovate an older home or one that needs repairs and flip it to make a profit, but are these homes really worth your money? Take a look at the pros and cons of buying a fixer-upper home

Interest Rates' Impact on The Housing Market
Most people need a mortgage to buy a home, and this means borrowing money from a lender. The lender will always charge interest on top of the principal amount used to buy the home. The interest rate depends on a number of factors, including those related to monetary policy and the health of the economy, as well as those related to your personal finances and credit history. Learn more about how these rates affect the housing market and your bottom line.

Life Insurance Buyer's Guide: Life Insurance Made Easy
This article will cover what to expect, give you some tips to help compare your options and make the life insurance buying experience more convenient and stress free.

A Parent’s Guide to Raising Money-Smart Kids
As a parent, you might struggle with when and what to teach your children about money management. Is five too early to earn an allowance? Should you share the family budget with your children? When should teens learn about credit? These are all important questions, and it’s often not easy to know the answers. Kids have different levels of interest in financial education. But research tells us that by the age of five most children understand money and what it can do. The information below offers more specific guidelines for different age groups. Again, these are just guidelines. What decisions you make about when and what to teach at home depend on your family situation, household budget and how comfortable you are in the role of teacher.

The Ultimate Guide to Buying a New Car: Things to Know When Buying a Car
Ahh the rumble of the engine starting up, the sun glinting off the new paint and that sweet new car smell. There are few things that are more satisfying than the feeling of driving your brand-new car off the lot for the first time. But before you walk away with keys in hand, there are a few steps you must go through first. There can be a lot of anxiety around the car buying process, especially if you aren’t familiar with it and don’t know what to ask. This guide will give you a comprehensive primer of things to know and look out for to ensure that your experience at the dealership is a smooth ride.

What are Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC) and Home Equity Loans?
If you are new to the world of Home Equity Loans and HELOCs, learn how these loans work and how you may be able to use them to your advantage.
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