BATON ROUGE — As 2025 winds down, many families are taking a closer look at their finances. And with good reason. From rising insurance premiums to fluctuating gas and grocery prices, the economy continues to shift quickly.
Neighbors Federal Credit Union says a few small adjustments now can put you in a stronger financial position heading into the new year.
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Build (and protect) your emergency fund
Kim Chapman, Financial Wellness Director at Neighbors Federal Credit Union, says one thing never changes: you need an emergency fund.
“The only thing that’s constant is change,” Chapman said. “No matter what’s going on around us, we want to make sure we’re constantly adding to and building our emergency fund, because that’s going to help us weather those unknown storms.”
Even your financial goals should have flexibility built in.
“Gas prices change from week to week. Groceries change from week to week,” she said. “If there’s a big change in the economy, revisit your goals and see if they’re still practical.”
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Your credit score could be raising your insurance premiums
Chapman says one of the most overlooked ways people lose money is through their credit score.
“A lower credit score is going to lead to a higher insurance premium,” she explained. “If you’ve worked on your credit score and your premium is still high, that’s a great time to shop around and see if you can get a better rate.”
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Don’t get caught in the insurance ‘bundle trap’
Shopping around is important but comparing the wrong things can cost you.
“Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples,” Chapman said. “If you call Insurance Company A for a quote on your mortgage and two cars, make sure Insurance Company B is quoting you on the same thing. One mismatch can really distort your comparison.”
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Personalized help is available
Neighbors Federal Credit Union offers customized financial guidance through its Blueprint for Financial Success program.
“Blueprint is that one stop where we can tailor your financial needs,” Chapman said. “If you don’t even know where to start—how much you can afford, what your credit score means, how much debt you have—we can help you navigate all of that.
Blueprint is designed to meet you where you are, whether you’re reviewing auto insurance, planning for a home, or figuring out how to get your finances back on track.
Click here to start your Blueprint for Financial Success.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a sponsored segment paid for by Neighbors Federal Credit Union.
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