The Edge

Take control of your financial future.

Solutions designed for the young adults ages 18 to 24 who wants financial freedom without hassles and fine print. USPS FCU is here to set you up with the services you need, today. And we’ll be here for you in the future, too!

Here’s what you’ll get when you apply:

Ready to take the next step?

Starting your personal USPS FCU relationship is easy. Just CLICK HERE TO join the Credit Union today. Once your account is open, come back and log on to the edge's website.

Resources

With newfound independence comes financial responsibility. Get tips for managing your finances wisely as you plan for the future. The articles below will help you to make smart financial decisions.

Getting a Credit Card

Now you're not only saving money, you probably need to borrow some too. Don't fall into the trap of many college students: amassing thousands in credit card debt before your four years is up.

Obtaining credit is a big step. Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you understand what you’re signing up for. Look at the following:

Interest Rates: How much do you want to pay to borrow money? 21%, 18%, 12%? Are you earning that kind of interest on your savings? No! Be smart; shop for the lowest interest rate you can find.
Late Payment Penalties: You could be charged a $35 late fee on a $50 monthly payment! Always make sure you know how much the late fees are. Then avoid paying them late by mailing your check several days before the due date.
Beware of Introductory Offers: Some credit cards charge little or no interest for the first six months to one year, but after that the rates go up. Read the terms of the credit card carefully so you know what the rates will be.
Annual Fees: Some credit cards have annual fees; some don’t. If the card has a fee, check out the reason for it. Does the card offer benefits, such as store discounts or travel rewards? If you don’t need the benefits offered, pick a card with no annual fee.

Look for all of this information in the “Fed Box” of each credit card promotion. Don't forget to check out our Visa Credit Card. It has a surprising lack of fine print, and a very competitive rate.

How to Avoid ATM Fees

ATM surcharges keep rising. Here's a list of easy ways to help you avoid ATM fees.

If you have a Visa check card, use it any place you can! Don’t spend your cash at restaurants, department stores and other places that take Visa. The money will come right out of your checking account.
Budget your money throughout the month so you make fewer ATM withdrawals.
Access surcharge-free ATMs.
Use the cash back option at grocery stores, Walmart, K-Mart, CVS and others.
Avoid ATMs in hotels, casinos, restaurants and similar locations. They usually have high surcharges.
Consider using traveler’s checks, personal checks, and credit cards instead of ATMs when traveling.

Investing Money

You’ve finally saved your first $500. Now, where should you put it? It depends. You’ve got lots of choices:

Savings Account
Money Market Account
Share Certificate
U.S. Savings Bond
Mutual Fund
Stock Market

Some options are riskier than others, some are more accessible and some will earn you more money. Before you put your cash in one of these investments, weigh these factors:

Liquidity: Liquidity means how quickly and easily you can take your money out of an account or investment and turn it back into cash. With some investments, you may have to wait until a maturity date before you can get to your money or pay a penalty for withdrawing your funds early.
Safety: Money in the credit union is typically insured up to $100,000 or more. If anything happens to your savings, money market or certificate account, your money will be replaced. U.S. Savings Bonds are also insured. If you invest in the stock market or buy mutual funds, this is not the case.
Risk and Reward: There is risk with mutual funds and stocks because no one insures your investment. If the stock price drops, you lose money. However, if the price rises, you may earn a large amount of cash.
Fees: Credit union savings accounts typically have little or no fees. There’s also no fee to purchase savings bonds. Mutual funds, on the other hand, typically have management fees. Also, stock market trading fees are assessed when stocks are bought or sold.