By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
In today’s complex economic landscape, financial literacy is more essential than ever. The ability to manage money wisely, make informed financial decisions, and plan for the future not only improves individual quality of life but also contributes to broader economic stability.
Verity Credit Union is stepping up to address this critical need by offering educational tools and support systems that empower individuals to take control of their finances. Through programs focused on budgeting, credit management, and long-term financial planning, Verity helps community members build lasting financial health.
“One of the truths that we came upon was the fact that people are already doing the best that they can. They already know a lot of the tips and tricks as far as coupons and not using DoorDash as much, calling creditors and negotiating interest rates or all of those things that people do to help in the short term,” says Mandy Lee, Community Impact Manager for Verity Credit Union. “But opportunities to connect with financial coaches, financial counselors, to participate in financial education, those give you long term support. They help you figure out the sustainable long-term solutions that work best for you and that’s why we’re super happy that Verity is getting folks to understand those long-term solutions.”
According to Lee, true financial literacy starts with mastering the basics—budgeting, saving, and spending wisely. By creating and sticking to a budget, you can avoid the pitfalls of overspending and accumulate savings for future needs or emergencies. It’s not just about limiting spending; it’s about making intentional choices that align with your financial goals.
Saving regularly, even in small amounts, builds a financial cushion for unexpected events. But literacy extends beyond budgeting and saving—it also means understanding and managing your credit, a vital component of modern financial life. From securing housing to landing a job, your credit history plays a crucial role in everyday opportunities.
“When it comes to your credit history, when you pay back on time, when your credit utilization is low, meaning you’re not maxing out your credit card, you’re keeping it below 30% or paying it off every month, that is what’s going to help you build your credit and get you a better credit score or keep your credit score high,” says Montel Smith, a certified credit union financial counselor and assistant branch manager. “Everything revolves around credit, it’s not just being able to buy a home, it’s renting an apartment, it’s getting a job. So, it’s really just looking at credit as a tool that can benefit you instead of hurt you.”
Beyond credit, access to reliable financial education is also very important. Many people lack basic financial knowledge, which can lead to poor financial choices and long-term consequences. Programs like Verity’s Practical Professor and other educational initiatives give individuals the tools to make smarter financial decisions—whether through school-based curricula, community workshops, or online platforms.
By working with community partners, Verity has created financial education curriculums that are deeply rooted in addressing the needs of diverse communities. Credit classes and financial workshops will begin in the first quarter of 2026 and Verity assures its members and the community at large that these resources will always have its members best interest at heart.
“Verity has been working with community partners to co-create a financial education curriculum that is culturally relevant and rooted in what community needs right now,” says Lee. “Credit classes, credit workshops were at the top of the list with our community partners. The curriculum won’t go live until 2026 January quarter, so January or February of 2026, but we do have the workshops developed and we would be happy to bring those classes to partners to kind of get a feel and make sure that they work for people.”
Financial education should be an ongoing process, as the economy and financial products constantly evolve. Staying updated on new financial trends, regulations, and opportunities ensures your financial strategies remain effective and aligned with your goals. Continuously investing in financial knowledge helps individuals make informed choices, adapt to changes, and build long-term financial security.
Smith says that as families, individuals, and particularly young adults, navigate their financial journey, making sure that your financial institutions provide them with the necessary tools and resources are essential. But Smith also advises that people should look at the bigger picture as it relates to their financial goals, and make sure to cover all their bases, including seeking advice from an array of different options.
“Talking with your financial institution, asking them questions and making sure that they know what you need is so important for financial well-being,” says Smith. “If it’s not what you need, if it’s not what you want, shop around, go talk to another credit union, go talk to another bank, look at their interest rates, look at their credit cards, look at their financial well-being programs. Are they offering coaching? Are they offering education? Do they have a financial advisor in their investment services program? If that’s what you want and that’s what you need, then yeah, think about switching to a credit union or a bank if what you have and are using is not meeting those needs.”
