Off to College?

It’s getting close! A few more weeks and you may be off to your first year in college. College is a time of new experiences – new friends, new faces, new responsibilities and new money issues. Here are some tips to help you manage your money:
1. Know Your Budget!
Knowing how much your income and expenses are is really important. You may have a part time job or you may receive a monthly allowance from your parents, either way, it is important
2. Be Economical
College life can be expensive, so save money where you can. Start out by searching for coupons, these can be really helpful when it comes to buying groceries or eating out . Also, buy your textbooks used, borrow books or check them out from the library.
3. Find Out What’s Free
Universities are well known for free or low cost events. They can be both fun and entertaining, and you may even meet some new friends. You may also want to consider joining a club or organization, which insures you will always have something to do and someone to do it with.
4. Choosing a Credit Card
A credit card is a great financial tool. At the same time, it is a big responsibility. If you don't use it carefully, you may owe more than you can repay, damage your credit rating, and create credit problems for yourself that can be difficult to undo. Chances are your mail is full of solicitations from credit card issuers. Check with America First Credit Union to find the right credit card for you.
5. Value Your Education
Obtaining a college education will require sacrifice on your part. It will be well worth it. It is well known that college graduates earn more in their lifetime than someone without a degree. Giving up some now, will definitely payoff later.

Off you go! If you have questions about managing your college finances, turn to America First Credit Union for help. Near or far, we are always here to help you out with money!

We've Gone Green

Today I found out many ways America First Credit Union is going green. I wanted to share a few:
1. 461,360 lbs of paper recycled
Saving:
· 3,922 trees
· 761.2 cubic yards of landfill psace
· 87,658 gallons of oil
· 1,614,760 gallons of water
2. Lighting Environmentally Efficient
· All T-8 fluorescent blubs
· Recycle bulbs
· Motion switching
· Photo cells
· Computerized lighting schedule
3. Landscaping
· Zero scape
· Drip systems
· Indigenous plants and grass, drought hearty for the Utah area
4. Recycling
· Cardboard and paper
· Asphalt and cement
· Carpet tiles are made of recycled carpet
· Sheet rock is made from recycled products
These are just a few items. I am proud that America First is environmentally aware.
What are you doing to go green? Share your ideas!

I Love a Good Roller Coaster

At America First Credit Union, I sit in a cubicle near our Deposit Services Department. I hear them helping members and branch employees over the phone on a daily basis. But over the last few days, there are an overwhelming number of calls coming in. Here are the questions: Is my money safe? Is my money insured? Is all my money insured? Should I withdrawal my money and put it under my mattress? HOLD ON!!
On July 11th, IndyMac Bank, the largest savings and loan in the Los Angeles area and the 7th largest mortgage originator in the United States, was closed and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) took over. At the same time, the government is dealing with a crisis at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, the two largest mortgage finance companies in the nation.
This has now sent people into a crazy frenzy, wondering if their money is safe at America First Credit Union. The funds deposited in your share accounts are insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), an arm of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). This means your financial resources are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. (To learn more about Share Insurance try out the NCUA insurance estimator)
It’s a wild ride right now – keep you hands, feet and your money inside at all times!

Chocolate Fix

We all know that we need our chocolate fix periodically (some more often than others). Researchers have found that eating chocolate, the number one food craved by American women, causes the brain to release endorphins, chemicals that make us feel good. The trick is to only eat a little bit -- yeah right. But this might help -- Pieces of chocolate (“Rompicollo” by L’Agenzia per il Disegno e la Funzione ) whose portions come printed with calorie counts carved directly on the surface. The chocolate bar is divided into portions of different sizes with different calorie count. This allows you to treat yourself to a bit of chocolate while keeping you aware. That way you’ll be able to monitor how long you’ll have to hit the treadmill for to make up for those excess calories.

Does this still make it a guilty pleasure?

Bear Lake Beach Not Free

So I joined the crowds up at Bear Lake for the 4th of July. I have never seen so many people on the beach -- and I go to Bear Lake quite often. This year the community of Garden City decided to charge to go down the road to the beach. -- $7 per carload, $5 per 4wheeler. They even have a cash drop box if someone is not there to collect your money. The amount of money they collected was probably substantial. This really bothered me! Needless to say, I did not pay to go to the beach. I find it hard to believe that Garden City can charge to go down a road in their city to get to a Free State beach.
Who'd of thought?

Where Have the Tips Gone?

Recently there has been discussion on the amount of tips we are leaving a local dining establishments. Due to the recent struggles in the economy and the cost of gas we are all finding ways to cut back – this is one of them.

When eating out, if I receive good service, I leave a 20% tip. I have not changed the amount I leave because of the economy, I change the amount based on the service. Really the difference between a 10% to 20% tip is just a few dollars. If the service is poor, you should leave 10% and let management know; otherwise you are just being cheap. If you can’t afford to tip your server, don’t go out.

How much do you tip?

I Need Gas Again

Some simple ways to save on gas:

1. Don't fill until the last quarter tank. If you do this, it can extend your gas because you are hauling a lighter load as the tank nears empty. This also allows you to buy gas on low-cost days. However, in cold weather, you run an increased risk of condensation in the fuel tank. And you never know when you might be in an emergency and need some gasoline in your car!

2. Buy gas on Wednesday. Gas prices are statistically the cheapest on Wednesdays, but this is only statistically true over a large number of days. It won't be true every week.

3. Check the air pressure in your tires every week. Buy an accurate tire gauge. Keep all tires inflated to the pressure as recommended for your car.

Also, check out this website, http://www.utahgasprices.com/, to find the least expensive gas in your area.

And of course, drive less. Share your ideas, we all need help with gas these days!