The Summit Blog

Insights and tips to help you with your finances, plus information from The Summit’s community partners.

Saving for College: It’s Never Too Early to Start!

September 1, 2022

It’s September. The scent of autumn is in the air and the kids are back at school. It’s also National College Savings Month – a time to recognize the importance of saving early and often when planning for your child’s education.

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Scams and How to Avoid Them

August 29, 2022

They seem genuine. They appear to know a lot about you. They are the scammers. Scammers are a sad fact of life in today’s world. It is increasingly important to protect yourself against those who use lies and deceit to separate honest people from their money, property, or identity.

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You’ve Thought About Money FOR College. Now Think About Money AT College

August 19, 2022

College costs money. But while parents and students are calculating the expense of tuition, room and board, they can sometimes overlook the fact that students usually need additional funds for things like supplies, transportation and personal items (and maybe pizza).

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6 Ideas to Take the Stress out of Back-to-School Shopping

August 10, 2022

A recent back-to-school survey shows that parents plan to spend an average of $661 per child for back-to-school shopping this year, up 8% from 2021 and 27% from 2019. Clothing and accessories lead the increase, costing 18% more this year on average. School supplies cost 7% more.

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A family sitting in front of a wall that they are painting

5 Steps to Prepare for a Big Purchase

July 22, 2022

A financial journey typically includes several twists and turns – such as understanding how to manage spending, build savings and control debt. There might be “speed bumps” in the form of unexpected changes in income. Along the way, you might also navigate milestone purchases such as financing a home or car. 

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Shared Branching – What It Is and How You Can Benefit

June 28, 2022

Shared Branching is unique to credit unions. Shared Branching is a national network of credit unions from all over the country that share facilities to give members thousands of convenient locations to perform financial transactions.

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The Summit Celebrates Graduating Seniors With College Scholarships

June 23, 2022

Taste of Syracuse is the biggest 2-day event in Central New York. This year’s event will raise money for Make-A-Wish Central New York, and McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center.

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local events and community support

Taste of Syracuse 2022: Meet the Beneficiaries

June 2, 2022

Taste of Syracuse is the biggest 2-day event in Central New York. This year’s event will raise money for Make-A-Wish Central New York, and McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center.

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First Time Homebuyer? Make Sure You’re Prepared for These 7 Hidden Costs.

June 1, 2022

Current low mortgage rates may make it seem like the perfect time to purchase your first home. One of the biggest mistakes first-time homeowners make is spending more than they can afford by overlooking the “true” cost of homeownership. Here are 7 often overlooked costs that can have a big impact on your bottom line.

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Why You Should Consider Refinancing Your Student Loan

May 25, 2022

When you refinance a student loan, you take out a new loan to pay off an existing loan to take advantage of a lower interest rate. Before you do, ask yourself these questions:

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Saving for Vacation

May 6, 2022

The past two years have changed the way that we travel, or even plan for travelling. Here are some great tips for financing your next trip of a lifetime.

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Smart Parents Teach Their Kids These Financial Lessons – Part IV

April 26, 2022

By Dawn Kellogg Talking to your child about money does not have to be awkward. This series of blogs will help you navigate through the conversations and make them not only educational, but interactive and fun. Yes, money can be fun! Lesson #4: Don’t give in if kids spend all their money and need more! […]

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