The doctor’s appointments. The pharmacy runs. The late-night check-ins and early-morning calls. If you’re a family caregiver, these moments are just part of your everyday life. These acts of love often come with emotional, physical, and financial challenges. Between caring for someone else and managing your own responsibilities, it’s easy for your own financial well-being to slip to the bottom of the list, adding to your stress and concern.

At Members First Credit Union, we see you—and we’re here to help you care for yourself, too. With tools, guidance, and support designed for real life, we can help you find stability, simplify your finances, access financial education, and protect what matters most.

The Financial Side of Caregiving

Caregiving affects far more than your schedule: it can have a major impact on your wallet. Many caregivers experience lost income from reduced work hours or time away from a job, along with higher everyday expenses such as gas, groceries, and utilities. Add in the cost of prescriptions, accessibility equipment, or the occasional home repair or last-minute trip, and the financial strain can quickly add up.

At Members First, we’re motivated by our dedication to the community, especially those who quietly give so much of themselves to others. That’s why we offer simple, practical tools to help you stay organized and regain a sense of control.

 Consider starting with:

• Using our budgeting calculators to plan monthly expenses
• Automating bill payments to save time and avoid late fees
• Setting up account alerts to track spending and catch unusual activity early

Taking charge of your finances helps reduce stress and frees up mental space for what truly matters—being present for the person you love.

The Rising Cost of Senior Care

Caring for an aging parent or loved one has always been a deeply personal responsibility—but today, it’s also an increasingly expensive one. According to LinkedIn News, elder care costs in the U.S. are increasing at three times the rate of inflation, placing new pressure on families across the country.

From assisted living and in-home care to prescription costs and mobility equipment, expenses can quickly stretch even the most carefully planned budget. For many New Hampshire families, this means making difficult choices—balancing financial stability with the desire to provide compassionate, quality care.

Members First Credit Union understands these challenges because we’re part of this community, too. We work with members every day who are navigating the same realities and looking for ways to stay financially secure while caring for their loved ones. Our goal is to help you create a plan that eases financial stress so you can focus on what matters most: family.

Protecting Yourself and Your Senior Loved Ones

Many caregivers also help manage someone else’s money or accounts. That makes fraud awareness and prevention especially important. Sadly, scammers often target older adults or people under stress: two groups that caregivers frequently support.

To stay protected:

• Be cautious of unsolicited calls or emails requesting personal information
• Use strong, unique passwords for financial accounts
• Review transactions regularly with the help of account alerts
• Contact Members First immediately if you notice anything suspicious

Our team can walk you through how to secure your account and recover safely if fraud occurs. You’re never on your own. We’re here to help you protect both yourself and your loved ones.

Strengthening Your Own Financial Foundation

While caregiving often means putting someone else first, your future still deserves attention and care. A few ways to start:

• Build a small emergency fund for unexpected expenses
• Open a savings account or short-term certificate to set aside funds with confidence
• Revisit your budget and long-term goals using our financial education tools

You can also explore our Move Forward Academy, an online learning hub filled with short, practical courses on budgeting, saving, credit, and more. It’s a convenient way to build financial confidence, whenever you have a quiet moment to focus on yourself.

You’re Not Alone

Caregivers embody the best of what it means to be part of a community: selfless, strong, and deeply compassionate. At Members First Credit Union, we’re proud to support you with resources that simplify your life and strengthen your financial peace of mind.

If you’d like to take the next step, we invite you to:

• Explore our online learning hub
• Connect with a member service representative for personalized support
• Create a budget as the foundation of your financial health

Because caring for others shouldn’t mean putting your own well-being on hold—and at Members First, we’re here to care for you, too.