John Scharff is the Digital Marketing Lead at People Driven Credit Union, where he helps create clear, practical financial content for members and the communities PDCU serves. He focuses on making financial topics easier to understand, from loans and savings accounts to digital banking, fraud prevention, and everyday money management.
Financial Literacy for Kids: Build Strong Financial Habits Early
The money habits your child develops before age ten will shape how they handle finances for the rest of their life. Teaching kids about money does not require a curriculum or a classroom. It happens in everyday moments, at the grocery store, around the dinner table, and through the games they already love to play. Here’s How to Build Strong ...
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7 Advantages of Borrowing from a Credit Union for Your Home Equity Loan
When you are ready to tap into your home’s equity, you have a choice between a traditional bank and a credit union. Both can get you to a funded loan, but the experience and the total cost are often meaningfully different. Advantages of Borrowing from a Credit Union for Your Home Equity Loan Here are seven advantages of borrowing a ...
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Smart Strategies to Maintain a Healthy Housing Budget
Smart Strategies to Maintain a Healthy Housing Budget With rent and home prices at record highs across Michigan and the country, housing costs are consuming a larger share of household income than at any point in recent memory. If your housing budget feels tighter than it used to, you are not imagining it. Here is how to assess where you ...
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Buy Now, Pay Later: The Cost of Convenience
Buy Now, Pay Later: The Real Cost of Convenience Buy Now Pay Later services have grown from a niche payment option to a mainstream financial product remarkably fast. According to a report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the number of BNPL loans in the United States surged from 16.8 million to 180 million between 2019 and 2021. Services like ...
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GAP Insurance (Guaranteed Asset Protection)
Guaranteed Asset Protection Insurance: Protect Your Vehicle Investment When you finance a vehicle, your auto insurance covers the market value of the car if it is totaled or stolen. The problem is that vehicles depreciate fast, often faster than your loan balance decreases. If your car is declared a total loss in the first few years of ownership, your insurance ...
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PDCU’s Own Julia Kaiser Wins SmCC “Helping Hands” Award
PDCU’s Julia Kaiser Wins Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce Helping Hands Award People Driven Credit Union is proud to announce that Julia Kaiser, Community Relationship Manager at PDCU, has been recognized with the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce Helping Hands Award. The award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond to support their neighbors and strengthen their communities. Julia is ...
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New vs. Used Cars: Which Auto Loan is Right for You?
New vs. Used Cars: Which Auto Loan Is Right for You? The new versus used decision is one of the first and most consequential choices you make when buying a car. It affects your loan amount, your interest rate, your insurance cost, and how much value your vehicle holds over time. Neither option is universally better. The right answer depends ...
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Top 5 Tips for Getting the Best Auto Loan Rate
The interest rate on your auto loan has a bigger impact on the total cost of your vehicle than most buyers realize. On a $30,000 loan over 60 months, the difference between a 5% rate and an 8% rate is nearly $2,500 in additional interest. Getting the best rate available to you is worth the effort. Here are five practical ...
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How Pre-Approval Can Speed Up Your Car-Buying Process
Shopping for a new or used car is exciting but can also be overwhelming if you’re unprepared. One of the smartest ways to streamline the process is by getting pre-approved for an auto loan before you even set foot in a dealership. Pre-approval gives you a clear picture of what you can afford, strengthens your negotiating power, and saves you ...
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The Complete Guide to Financing Your Next Car
Financing a car can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! Whether buying your first vehicle or upgrading to a new model, understanding the process can make all the difference. People Driven Credit Union is here to guide you every step of the way with affordable auto loan options, expert advice, and a commitment to helping you drive off ...
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