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City Cast Pittsburgh

Tips and tricks by Pittsburgh locals, for locals.

Amanda Hicks at Clearview FCU

Have you looked at your bank account recently and wondered why your savings aren't growing? You aren't alone. We know that setting money aside each month has become more challenging for everyone. It isn't just about willpower, either. There are real economic forces at play making it harder for you to get ahead.

Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward overcoming them. Let's explore why saving feels so difficult right now, and how we can help you regain control.

One of the biggest hurdles we all face is the steady increase in everyday costs. Groceries, rent, utilities, and transportation have all become significantly more expensive. Because these are not optional expenses, even small increases across multiple categories add up quickly. When more of your income goes toward essentials, you naturally have less left to put into a savings account.

At the same time, wages aren't always keeping pace with inflation. Even when you receive a raise at work, it might not fully offset your rising living costs. This dynamic creates a frustrating feeling of constantly trying to catch up, where higher expenses quickly absorb any financial progress you make.

Managing your finances today means navigating a constant stream of decisions. Do you cook dinner after a long day, or tap your phone for delivery? Keep that subscription, or let it go? Click “buy now,” or hold off?

Each choice may seem small, but over time, they add up — not only in dollars, but also in mental energy. When you’re stretched thin or running on empty, it’s natural to lean into what feels easiest in the moment. But those quick, convenient decisions can quietly chip away at your ability to save.

By understanding how our mental energy shapes financial habits, we can take steps to make mindful choices that better align with our goals. Even small habits, like planning a few meals ahead or regularly reviewing subscriptions, can help take some of that pressure off your day-to-day decisions.

Because of these pressures, we often see a common tendency to delay saving until things feel more stable. You might tell yourself that you will start saving when things calm down, or when you finally have a little more room in your budget.

The problem is that expenses often stay high, or new unexpected costs appear. That perfect moment keeps getting pushed further out. This creates a cycle where building your savings always feels just out of reach. Even setting aside a small, consistent amount now can help break that cycle.

Here’s the good news: saving doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Taking small, consistent steps can still make a massive difference in your financial life. Giving your savings a clear purpose, like building a modest emergency cushion or preparing for planned expenses, makes it much easier to stay committed.

You don't have to navigate these economic hurdles alone. Clearview’s 

 are here to guide you. With their support, you can create a personalized strategy that helps you overcome any challenges and empowers you to achieve your goals. One step at a time, we can build a brighter, more secure financial future together.

Why It’s So Hard To Save Right Now

Tips and tricks for living your best Pittsburgh life, by locals, for locals.

Pittsburgh Life Hacks

Francesca Dabecco

Ready to do your civic duty? Allegheny County’s primary election is next 

If you're voting at a new polling place or in PA for the first time, you may need to provide an 

. If you are a returning voter, you don’t need an ID.

If you’re voting by mail, your application for a mail-in or absentee ballot must be received by the 

 by 5 p.m. May 12. Once you receive and complete your ballot, it must be 

Send your ballot through USPS or drop it off at 

Want to make sure your ballot was received? 

Reminder: PA is one of just eight states with a 

, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans get to vote in their respective parties’ spring primaries. Independents and third-party voters can, however, vote on ballot measures.

, state Senate, state House, U.S. Congress, and more.

See exactly what’s on your ballot by entering your municipality, ward, and district into 

Elections can’t run smoothly without volunteers at each polling place. Help set up, check in voters, and assist with equipment by 

. Extra perk: You can make $150-$175 for your day of work.

7 Ideas To Make Voting Better in PA

How well do our elections actually work? Here are 

seven ways PA could improve its voting process

, from opening our primaries to making Election Day a holiday.

What to know before you vote in Allegheny County’s primary election on May 19.

Your Guide To Voting in the 2026 Primary Election in Allegheny County

Pittsburgh's Guide To Voting in the 2026 Primaries

Mallory Falk

Megan Harris

We made it through the NFL Draft! Depending on your level of football fandom and tolerance for large crowds, you may be sad the party's over or relieved to move on.

Either way, you should get yourself Downtown to take advantage of the post-draft glow. Here are a few of our recommended ways to enjoy the Golden Triangle this spring:

Sure, the ice skating rink at PPG Place is iconic, but wouldn't it be nice to skate in the shadow of skyscrapers when it's warm and sunny? The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership is putting a roller skating rink in Market Square from May 7-25. Lace up and glide through the newly-renovated space.

Try yoga in the square instead. Free classes take place every Sunday and Tuesday, starting May 12.

Check out the expo Friday and Saturday at the convention center and prepare to lace up! Even if you aren’t running Saturday or Sunday, you can hang out by the finish line near Point State Park and cheer people on. Then grab a post-race meal or drink in the neighborhood. (Shouting words of encouragement and dramatically waving signs counts as a workout, too!) Make sure to stop by the Pittsburgh Pub, a pop-up bar in Market Square that was built for the NFL Draft but is sticking around through Marathon weekend.

Eighteen new businesses opened Downtown ahead of the NFL Draft as part of 

a long-standing program to fill empty storefronts

, a novelty shop that sells everything from s'mores earrings to pasta-shaped oven mitts. Get a drink at 

, a new tasting room serving beer, spirits, cocktails and N/A drinks from Black producers throughout the state. There are so many great spots to check out — and if they're successful, they could stick around the neighborhood for years to come.

Starting May 14, you can swing by Market Square every Thursday to find local produce and small-batch food. There's nothing like strolling around the space while snacking on a fresh plum or piece of fudge, and it'll be made all the sweeter this year now that Market Square is more shaded and walkable.

More fun things to do in Pittsburgh!

Roller skate through Market Square, browse the Downtown farmers market, and check out new pop-up businesses.

What To Do In Downtown Pittsburgh Spring 2026

What To Do Downtown After the Draft

You’re minding your business, enjoying a cold brew in Shadyside, when a text comes through. “Did you make this charge for $325 at WALMART? Your account has been locked. Click here to verify.”

Panic ensues. There was no way that could be real. You haven’t been to that store this month. You go to click the link to verify when something hits you. This feels off.

Situations like this are becoming more common and can happen to anyone. The good news is that there are clear, actionable steps to take that can make a meaningful difference if you do fall prey to a phishing scam.

In the age of AI, scammers are becoming more and more sophisticated. They’re skilled at creating urgency, pressuring you to act and act quickly so that your account can be restored. It’s that pressure that often leads people to not think things through.

It’s essential to trust your instincts in moments like this. If something doesn’t feel right, it usually isn’t.

When the scam involves money or your accounts, your first move should be to contact your financial institution. Reach out to them using a trusted phone number, like the one on the back of your card or listed on their official website. Avoid using any contact information provided in a suspicious message or phone call.

Your financial institution can help you freeze your account(s) or card(s), flag or stop suspicious transactions, and walk you through next steps based on your situation. Even if you’re not sure whether something was a scam, it’s always worth reaching out. Having a real person on the line can make a stressful situation feel a lot more manageable.

If you clicked a link or gave someone your password or login credentials, it’s important to act quickly to secure your accounts.

Start by changing your affected passwords, especially for online banking. If you use the same password across multiple sites, you’ll want to update those as well.

Most financial institutions offer two-factor authentication as an added layer of account protection. Once enabled, someone can’t access your account as easily, even if they have your password. Simple steps like this make a huge difference.

Save the text message and/or phone number it came from. Screenshot any website you may have entered or any other online interaction you took during this scam. If you entered information anywhere, note what was shared.

This information can support your financial institution’s investigation and help identify patterns in similar scams. It can also help flag patterns that protect other people from the same scam.

After you report the issue, your financial institution may begin a review process.

Issuing provisional credits in certain situations

Following up with additional questions or updates

These steps can take time. Staying in touch and keeping an eye on your accounts can help you feel more in control as things move forward.

Getting scammed can feel unsettling, but taking a few quick steps can make a big difference. The sooner you act, the more control you have over what happens next. By staying calm, taking swift action, and leaning on the support of your financial institution, you can mitigate a scam’s impact and safeguard your accounts. Scammers may be evolving, but so are the strategies to outsmart them.

 Clearview Federal Credit Union has been in operation since 1953 and serves more than 140,000 members in the Southwestern PA region. Their commitment is to create an inclusive and thriving community where financial growth and prosperity are accessible to everyone. 

, you're part of a movement toward a brighter financial future for yourself and for everyone around you. Clearview is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration and is an Equal Housing Lender.

What To Do When You Get Scammed

 Stephanie Yackovich at Clearview FCU

When’s the last time you thought about where you bank?

If you’re like most people, the answer is… not recently. Maybe you opened your account in college. Maybe it was the bank closest to your first apartment. Maybe you opened an account where your parents have always banked.

And now? You’re still there! Even though your financial life looks nothing like it did at 22.

So let’s dig into something more Pittsburghers are starting to ask: What’s the real difference between a credit union and a bank — and does it actually matter?

The clearest distinction has to do with ownership. Traditional banks are for-profit institutions owned by shareholders. Their goal is to generate returns for investors.

Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives owned by their members, AKA the people who have accounts there. When you join a credit union, you’re not just a customer, you’re technically a part-owner.

That structural difference may sound subtle, but it shapes everything from fee philosophy to customer experience.

At a bank, profits typically go to shareholders or toward expanding the business.

At a credit union, earnings are reinvested into:

In a city like Pittsburgh, where people care about shopping local, supporting nonprofits, and showing up for their neighborhoods, that distinction hits differently. Your financial institution is part of the local ecosystem, too.

Not all banks operate the same way, and neither do all credit unions. But many people describe big banks as transactional: open an account, use the app, call a customer service line if there’s an issue.

Credit unions often lean more relationship-based. Because they’re member-owned and community-focused, the model prioritizes long-term financial guidance and personalized support.

Having a local financial partner, not just a login, can matter more than you expect.

This is a city where people care about local businesses thriving, first-time homebuyers getting a fair shot, and neighborhoods continuing to grow. When your financial institution reinvests locally through lending, community partnerships, and member-focused products, that money doesn’t disappear into a national balance sheet. It circulates here.

Someone needs real help navigating fraud or identity theft.

You want to talk to a person who understands the region you live in.

Banking may feel invisible day to day — until it suddenly isn’t.

So here’s the practical takeaway: if you haven’t evaluated your account in years, now’s a good time. Compare what you’re getting. Look at the fees. Check the protections. Ask whether your institution feels like a partner or just a platform.

And you might be wondering what the credit union model means in real dollars. America’s Credit Unions, the national trade association representing credit unions across the country, estimates that Clearview Federal Credit Union returned more than $11.2 million in direct financial benefits to members in the twelve months ending September 2025. That’s about $84 per member or $176 per member household!There’s also a current 

$412 bonus for new members who open an Absolute Checking® account and meet the qualifications

. It’s a strong incentive, but the bigger reason to explore a credit union is to find a financial partner who’s invested in your goals.

Because in a city built on reinvention, loyalty, and local pride, where you keep your money matters.

 Clearview Federal Credit Union has been in operation since 1953 and serves more than 140,000 members in the Southwestern PA region. Their commitment is to create an inclusive and thriving community where financial growth and prosperity are accessible to everyone. 

Credit Union vs. Bank: What’s the Difference And Does It Matter in Pittsburgh?

Looking out for your neighbors’ safety can be as simple as looking down.

 is building a network of volunteers to document risky sections of our city’s walkways. The collaborative project is led by BikePGH, Access Mob, and Pittsburgh’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure.

“It’s really about equity,” says Seth Bush, Advocacy Manager at BikePGH. “We’re looking at the distribution of the quality of our sidewalks and how we can connect neighborhoods to resources more effectively.”

The crew’s observations will be used to assess sidewalk conditions throughout our 90 neighborhoods and help the city create long-term plans for upgrades.

This planning, Bush says, is essential to 

. A 2024 report from the Governors Highway Safety Association shows that 

 in the U.S. happened in locations without a sidewalk.

“This program works best when volunteers report from their neighborhood. They know it best.” Bush says. “We have a lot of ground to cover, and we need a lot of people.”

Discover what makes sidewalks safe and accessible 

. Attendees will learn how to report sidewalk issues through a form where users can easily log a concern by noting the location and uploading a picture.

If you don’t see a training date that works for you, contact 

 and they’ll coordinate a session. Once trained, you can submit reports from anywhere in the city.

If you want to connect with more crew members, be sure to look out for neighborhood-wide “blitz” efforts on 

. Note: Training isn’t required before attending one of these events; you’ll get a crash course and a partner to walk with.

Pittsburgh Walks can also train volunteer groups, such as clubs and workplace teams. Reach out to 

Disability advocate and Access Mob Pittsburgh Director Alisa Grishman 

 — but especially wheelchair users like herself.

“In a world that has great sidewalks, sliding doors, and ramps, I wouldn’t be disabled; I’d be able to get everywhere just the same as someone who is currently able-bodied. It’s the world that creates the disability, not my chair.”

Stay engaged by following organizations like 

, and reporting all kinds of neighborhood 

Help make Pittsburgh more accessible by reporting sidewalk issues from anywhere in the city.

How You Can Help To Make Pittsburgh Safer for Pedestrians

How To Join Pittsburgh’s Safe Sidewalks Crew

A city controller report from 2024 showed that 

 actually gets recycled. That’s why it’s important to know what’s accepted and how you can divert items from the landfill.

Your collection day depends on where you live. 

. When a holiday falls on or right before your collection day, pickup is often delayed one day. Remember: You can’t have more than two bulk items (like furniture or carpets) per week, per household. Otherwise, 

The city will collect yard waste like leaves, branches, and tree trimmings two days a year: April 25 and Nov. 7. Yard waste must be in a paper bag. Branches should be bundled and tied, no thicker than 4 inches and no longer than 5 feet. Miss the pickup day? Find year-round 

You could get fined between $35 and $100 if you don’t 

. Trash must be in a tightly sealed container and out of public view. Trash cans can’t be on the curb before 6 p.m. the night before collection and must be put away before 10 p.m. on collection day.

Plastic bottles, jugs, jars, and tubs, cleaned with lids removed

Mixed paper like junk mail, newspapers, magazines, and soft and hardcover books

Metal like aluminum, aerosol, and steel cans that are clean and dry. You can leave the labels on

Cardboard boxes that are flattened, bundled, and placed in your blue bin or another box

You can always put glass at the curb, but it often breaks before it gets to the recycling center, making it difficult to recycle the other items carried in the same heap. You can make sure your glass is recycled by using one of these 

City residents can make an appointment to drop off electronics or hazardous chemicals through 

. Also keep tabs on Pennsylvania Resources Council’s calendar for ongoing 

Have leftover supplies from a house project? Furniture you grew out of? Old doors and hardware? 

 in Point Breeze is your one-stop shop — but be sure to 

 because they accept donations depending on what they have in stock. Most thrift stores will also resell old furniture, but you can help a family in need by donating to 

 also takes things for recycling like alkaline batteries; electrical ballasts; light bulbs; scrap metal; and medical supplies like crutches, walkers, and shower chairs. 

, attached to Construction Junction, accepts a bunch of random household objects and craft supplies.

Pickup: Have an old (working) refrigerator, freezer, AC unit, or dehumidifier? If you're a Duquesne Light customer, they’ll 

, and they’ll haul it away at no charge. Or, you can arrange to have it picked up from the 

 (for a $10-$20 processing fee per object).

Special trash pickups, what's recyclable, and how to get rid of hazardous materials in Pittsburgh.

How To Recycle in Pittsburgh

Your Complete Guide to Trash and Recycling Rules in Pittsburgh

Pack up your ornaments and coil your lights — it’s time to recycle your Christmas trees 🎄 

Pennsylvania has a claim to fame for its lush firs and pines. The commonwealth 

Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association

, there are more than 1,400 Christmas tree farms statewide. They cover nearly 31,000 acres and produce about one million cut trees every year. Luckily, trees are considered a renewable and recyclable resource.

Here in Pittsburgh, cut trees get recycled into mulch. Find a tree recycling drop-off near you:

 take place Dec. 26 through Jan. 26 at the following locations.

Allegheny Center – Sue Murray Swimming Pool

Brighton Heights – Jack Stack Swimming Pool

Hazelwood – 3rd Division of Public Works

Homewood North – 2nd Division of Public Works

Perry North/Observatory Hill – 1st Division of Public Works

Squirrel Hill South – Prospect Drive Roundabout in Schenley Park

West End – 5th Division of Public Works

Mulch produced by the city will be available for residents for free this spring. Check the 

 in April to see announcements for free mulch pickups at local parks.

 run from 8 a.m. to dusk through Jan. 18 at the following parks.

Mulch produced will be spread throughout more than 12,000 acres of Allegheny County parks.

Find tips on reducing your holiday waste from the 

Pennsylvania Resources Council’s Holiday Greening Guide

Pittsburgh and Allegheny County will recycle your Christmas trees and turn them into mulch for spring gardens.

How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree In Pittsburgh 

How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Pittsburgh

Seeking Snow Angels! The city is looking for volunteers to help seniors and people with disabilities as part of its annual snow removal assistance program.

 on the city’s website, and the Department of Public Works will match you with a resident no more than a 10-minute walk away. Once registered, you’ll be notified via email when you’re assigned. Volunteers are asked to shovel and salt steps and walkways within 24 hours after snowfall.

To receive assistance, you must live within the City of Pittsburgh; be 62 or older and / or have a physical disability; and have no other resources for snow removal. 

 to see if your home address is within city boundaries.

. Note: Signing up does not guarantee assistance. Volunteers may be assigned immediately or later during the winter.

If your street still needs snow or ice removal 24 hours after snowfall has ended, make a report to the city by calling 412-255-2621 or contact the 

The City of Pittsburgh is looking for Snow Angel volunteers to help remove snow for seniors and people with disabilities.

Pittsburgh Life Hacks

Why It’s So Hard To Save Right Now

Pittsburgh's Guide To Voting in the 2026 Primaries

What To Do Downtown After the Draft

Latest articles

What To Do When You Get Scammed

Credit Union vs. Bank: What’s the Difference And Does It Matter in Pittsburgh?

How To Join Pittsburgh’s Safe Sidewalks Crew

Your Complete Guide to Trash and Recycling Rules in Pittsburgh

How to Recycle Your Christmas Tree in Pittsburgh

How To Become A Pittsburgh Snow Angel

Who Plows Your Roads When It Snows in Pittsburgh?