--- title: Access Credit Union Blog (8) description: "Empower yourself with the knowledge you need to control your finances. Access Credit Union is where you need us to be, with sound advice on any device. \n (8)" --- #003B49 [![AccessCU\_Horizontal\_Colour\_pws-1](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/AccessCU_Horizontal_Colour_pws-1.png?width=199&height=50&name=AccessCU_Horizontal_Colour_pws-1.png "AccessCU_Horizontal_Colour_pws-1")](https://www.accesscu.ca/) Open main menu Close main menu Select Category Budgeting Education Savings Finances Financial Literacy Fraud Investing Lending Mortgage Retirement Savings Saving Security Spending TFSA Tips & Advice ![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/iStock-1325860496.jpg) [Tips & Advice,](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/tips-advice) [Finances](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/finances) ### [How to Spend Your Tax Refund](https://blog.accesscu.ca/how-to-spend-your-tax-refund) With tax season coming to an end, you may be in a fortunate position to be receiving a tax refund. Here are five different ways you can spend your tax return wisely. [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/how-to-spend-your-tax-refund) ![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/iStock-1356074032.jpg) [Tips & Advice,](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/tips-advice) [Lending](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/lending) ### [Should I Buy a New Home or Fixer-Upper?](https://blog.accesscu.ca/should-i-buy-a-new-home-or-fixer-upper) Buying a new home or fixer-upper is always a topic of debate for anyone who’s in the market for a home. There are many pros and cons to each that every prospective buyer must take into consideration. Check out these tips we’ve compiled so you can spend less time debating and more time purchasing the home of your dreams.   [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/should-i-buy-a-new-home-or-fixer-upper) ![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/How-to-get-a-loan-remotely-1.jpg) [Lending](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/lending) ### [How to Get a Loan Remotely](https://blog.accesscu.ca/how-to-get-a-loan-remotely) [Personal loans](https://www.accesscu.ca/en/personal/borrowing/loans-lines-of-credit) are one of the most commonly used borrowing options for members who have a specific amount or need in mind. Follow these five easy steps to get approved for a loan from the comfort of your home. [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/how-to-get-a-loan-remotely) ![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/iStock-1179026152.jpg) [Mortgage,](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/mortgage) [Lending](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/lending) ### [How to Include Renovation Costs When Buying a New Home](https://blog.accesscu.ca/how-to-include-renovation-costs-when-buying-a-new-home) When you’re looking for a new house, it can be hard to find a place that has exactly what you want. Sometimes a house may need some renovations to make it the home you want. However, did you know that renovation costs can be rolled into your [mortgage](https://www.accesscu.ca/en/personal/borrowing/mortgages) with a purchase plus improvement mortgage? [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/how-to-include-renovation-costs-when-buying-a-new-home) ![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/iStock-1373167241.jpg) [Mortgage,](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/mortgage) [Lending](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/lending) ### [Building a New Home](https://blog.accesscu.ca/building-a-new-home) One of the first decisions you’ll face if you are building a new home is whether to buy land to build on right away or buy land to build on in the future. Read about the mortgage options for a new build. [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/building-a-new-home) ![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/iStock-1187551648.jpg) [Mortgage,](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/mortgage) [Lending](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/lending) ### [Is Now a Good Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?](https://blog.accesscu.ca/is-now-a-good-time-to-refinance-your-mortgage) ### You've heard of mortgage refinancing, but should you do it, and when is the right time? Learn about the benefits of refinancing your mortgage with Access. [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/is-now-a-good-time-to-refinance-your-mortgage) ![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/How-to-take-advantage-of-budgeting-1.jpg) [Saving,](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/saving) [Tips & Advice,](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/tips-advice) [Budgeting](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/budgeting) ### [How to Take Advantage of Budgeting](https://blog.accesscu.ca/how-to-take-advantage-of-budgeting) ### Did you know that more than 50% of Manitobans don't use a budget system to track spending? [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/how-to-take-advantage-of-budgeting) ![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/iStock-905899034.jpg) [Mortgage,](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/mortgage) [Tips & Advice](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/tips-advice) ### [Tips for First Time Homebuyers](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tips-for-first-time-homebuyers) Buying a house for the first time may seem like a difficult and daunting task, but with the right knowledge, the process can be a breeze. Here are some tips to consider when starting the home buying process. [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tips-for-first-time-homebuyers) ![Older couple packing a box](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/iStock-1324436366.jpg) [Retirement Savings,](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/retirement-savings) [Tips & Advice](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/tips-advice) ### [Five Things to Consider When Downsizing Your Home](https://blog.accesscu.ca/five-things-to-consider-when-downsizing-your-home) ### Follow these tips to help determine when it’s the right time to downsize. [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/five-things-to-consider-when-downsizing-your-home) ![](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hubfs/iStock-1351204753.jpg) [Mortgage](https://blog.accesscu.ca/tag/mortgage) ### [Why You Should Get Pre-Approved For A Mortgage](https://blog.accesscu.ca/why-you-should-get-pre-approved-for-a-mortgage) Whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth, getting a [mortgage pre-approval](https://blog.accesscu.ca/what-you-need-to-have-ready-for-a-mortgage-pre-approval) is the first step you should take before shopping for your new home. A pre-approval is a commitment from your financial institution to lend you a certain amount for your mortgage at a particular interest rate. [Read More](https://blog.accesscu.ca/why-you-should-get-pre-approved-for-a-mortgage) [6](https://blog.accesscu.ca/page/6) [7](https://blog.accesscu.ca/page/7) [8](https://blog.accesscu.ca/page/8) [9](https://blog.accesscu.ca/page/9) [10](https://blog.accesscu.ca/page/10) #### Connect with Access Credit Union Follow Access Credit Union on social media for financial advice and news from our member community.  [![facebookwhite\_64x64](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/facebookwhite_64x64.png?width=45&height=45&name=facebookwhite_64x64.png)](https://www.facebook.com/AccessCreditUnion) [![linkedin](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/linkedin-6-64.png?width=45&name=linkedin-6-64.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-credit-union)[![instagramwhite\_64x64](https://blog.accesscu.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/instagramwhite_64x64.png?width=45&height=45&name=instagramwhite_64x64.png)](https://www.instagram.com/accesscreditunion/)