Tuesday, September 30, 2014

There are so many ways to make a difference!

It seems like more often than not there is always an organization or charity collecting money for fundraisers. It seems almost impossible to go through the line at the grocery store without being asked if you would like to donate. If you are like me you try to give every single time that you are asked because you want to help make a difference. Did you know that there are ways you can help that are as simple as doing your grocery shopping?

Box Tops for Education:  You can find box tops on hundreds of different items. I started paying attention to the items that I was purchasing and it’s amazing how many different items will have those special tops on them. I even saw them on binders that we purchased for our CU branches. All you have to do is clip the box tops from packages, send the box tops to your child’s school and the school will receive 10 cents per box top! That can definitely add up. Don’t have any children in school? That’s ok because someone you know probably does and would be happy to take them off your hands. Some businesses even have Box Top collection receptacles and will donate to local schools throughout the year. Visit http://www.boxtopsforeducation.info/ for more information and a list of participating products.


Labels for Education: Look for the labels for education on participating Product UPC and beverage/Sauce caps. Clip the labels from the item and donate to participating schools so that they can earn FREE education merchandise. Again, you will be amazed at the number of items that have these labels on them! There are even labels on BIC pens! Something that you probably use on a daily basis! Visit http://www.labelsforeducation.com/ for a list of participating products and more information.


Pop Tab Collection for Ronald McDonald House: Whether you are popping open an ice cold beer, a refreshing can of soda or opening a can of soup those little tabs can make a difference.  Look for special Ronald McDonald pop tab collection containers in the shape of a house at schools, community organizations and businesses in your area. You can also contact a Ronald McDonald house near you to ask about getting your own house for collection. Those tabs are recycled and turned into cash this helps the Ronald McDonald house pay the bills and gives families a place to stay while their children are in the hospital. It’s something so small that makes such a big difference. Visit http://www.rmhc.org/other-ways-to-help to find out how you can help this organization.


So the next time you are at the grocery store make sure to buy those items with the Box Top for Education and the Labels for Education. Think twice about recycling that can with the tab still on it. Something so simple can make a difference for some great organizations. 

Post by: Katie B 

Friday, September 26, 2014

A Cheesehead

Being a cheesehead and going to a Green Bay Packer game is fun, exciting and costly. 

Average game ticket $77.00
Parking spot $20.00
Draft beer $9.00
Soda $5.00
Hot dog $6.00 
Peanuts $5.00
For a family of 4 it would cost approximately $400.00

If you were to watch the game at home...

Tickets and parking are free
12 pack of beer $10.00
12 pack of soda $5.00
8 hot dogs and buns $7.00
Big bag of peanuts $6.00
Total cost $28.00

That’s a savings of $372.00! Being a cheesehead at home saves you a lot of money!! 

Also, no line for the bathroom – priceless!

Post by: Alice E

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

How to start a savings when saving seems impossible...

For most people, saving money is as simple as adjusting a few little habits!  Don't believe me?

1) If you buy yourself a coffee everyday on your way to work, skip one day and put that amount into savings. Average Starbucks coffee $5.00. Savings $260.00 in a year.

2) If you smoke, instead of a pack a day, cut back a little each day and bring it down to 6 packs a week. Average cost of a pack of cigarettes $8.00.  Savings in a year $416.00.

3) If you buy lunch out everyday and spend and average of $9.00, pack your lunch twice a week.  You'll save $18.00 a week.  Accumulated savings in one year $936.00.

4) If you buy a soda everyday at the convenience store at an average cost of $1.69, skip the soda three times a week and you will have saved $263.00 in a year, don’t buy soda at the convenience store at all, savings total for the year $615.16. 

*With all of these changes, cutting back will not only benefit your wallet but your health as well.  And that will save you even more in the long run!


Everyone deserves a treat, but we all deserve security too, so you don’t have to go cold turkey.  Take baby steps to start. When you see the savings growing you will be more motivated to make more small changes that equal big results.

So when we think it is impossible to start a savings account, remember there is always a way!  And not only will you be saving for security and peace of mind, but you will also enjoy a sense of accomplishment.

Post by: Lori S

Photo Courtesy of photouten at freedigitalphotos.net

Monday, September 22, 2014

The Perfect Gift

Photo Courtesy of digitalart at freedigitalphotos.net

Paper or Plastic?   Replace those paper gift certificates with plastic VISA® gift cards today!  Gift cards are the perfect gift for any occasion or time of the year … birthdays, graduations, showers, weddings, and all holidays.  Buying a gift card is easy and requires very little thought or time.  Shopping for gifts can be a real dilemma.  Just what do you get your significant other, your child, or your co-worker?  Gift cards may be the answer: one size fits all, and the receivers can get exactly what they want.  Our prepaid VISA® cards range from $10 to $500 and can be purchased for $2.50 at both Horizon locations.  So come in today & pick up that perfect gift!  

Post by: Beth B

Friday, September 19, 2014

In Case of Emergency...


Definitely an emergency!

Emergencies happen.  Maybe you forgot to deposit a check, annual insurance payment is due, or an unexpected car repair arises.   That’s why it’s so important to have a financial safety net in place. Horizon Community Credit Union offers a solution for the times your account lacks the funds. It's a: 

A Kwik Cash Line of Credit!

Full Disclosure: This isn't what happens... but it can feel this way!


A Kwik Cash Line of Credit is a simple and convenient way to help ensure your checking account transactions clear in the event your balance runs low.  It is a line of credit that is linked to your checking account.  In the event funds aren't available in your checking account, the line will advance to help cover the difference. Not only can this product save you money on overdraft charges it can also save you the embarrassment of having a check returned or a transaction declined.  Plus, there are NO transaction-based monthly or annual fees.

Click here to see our current Kwik Cash Annual Percentage Rate and learn about Cash Loan Rebates!

Give us a call at 920-433-0122 to talk with a Loan Officer and make an appointment today! 

Post by: Kelly B

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Benefits of Taking Out a Loan with a CU vs. a Bank

Lower rates: Auto loan averages for CUs as of July were 2.85%  on a 36 mo. car loan vs. Banks @ 5.59%.  Therefore, banks are charging nearly twice as much for the same loan.

Easier to borrow: Community-based CUs tend to be easier to deal with than megabanks. Lending decisions are more likely to be made locally with more flexibility.

In addition, while few national banks make signature loans(unsecured loans), CUs regularly offer this type of loan to their members with good credit.  CUs also offer lower-dollar loans than banks.  You could get a $500 signature loan with a CU, but probably not at a bank because it wouldn't be profitable to them.

Loans through CUs are usually reviewed and completed in a much quicker time-frame.

Lower fees:  When it comes to fees, you will probably find better deals at CU’s than at giant commercial banks.  Whether is for fees to maintain loans, checking accounts, ATM fees, or penalty fees for overdrawing, you are more likely to have fewer and lower fees at your CU.

Credit Unions are typically smaller than banks so talking with, meeting with or working with a real live person happens much sooner in the loan process.  If you've been a member for a while, you might have even talked to the person who makes the decisions on the CU's loans.

Credit Unions offer loans that a lot of traditional banks do not.  Overall, CU rock compared to traditional banking institutions!

Post by: Lori S.


Friday, September 12, 2014

Out and about, don’t know your balance?

Out shopping, at dinner, or taking in a show?  Want to use your debit card, but you’re not sure what your balance is?  And you have no way to access your account on-line...or maybe there's no public wi-fi and you're almost over on your data for the month?  Call our toll free number @ 1-855-718-0884 to activate CU*Talk.

The system is totally automated, and easy to walk through.  All you need is a touch-tone phone, your account number, and a four digit PIN (password).  You can find out your balances, see what checks have cleared your account, check any deposits or withdrawal that have been made, and verify the date and amount of transactions.  You can even transfer money between your accounts if you are running low in one of them.  You'll even have the option to make a loan payment.  (Just remember transferring out of your savings via CU*Talk will count toward your allowable Reg D transfers.)

If you have not used our CU*Talk phone banking yet, your generic PIN will be the last four digits of your Social Security Number.  

CU*Talk is fast and easy to use.  Add us as one of your contacts on your phone and give us a call.

Any questions, you can still always call us during our business hours at 920-433-0122.  We'd love to chat with you!

Post by: Karen S.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

My CU Staff Wears Jeans to Work!

If you stop in either of our branches today, you will see members of the HCCU staff wearing jeans.  It might seem strange to see everyone dressed so casually, but we promise there's a good reason for it!  So why the jeans?

Today is Miracle Jeans Day - a fundraising day for Children's Miracle Network!  Each employee who wears jeans makes a $5 donation to Children's Miracle Network.  These donations are sent to Children's Hospital of Wisconsin to help children and families in our area who are facing life-threatening illnesses!  By wearing jeans today, we are helping to continue the tradition of excellent care that our local Children's Hospital provides.  Did you know that in the US News and World Report's 2014-2015 ranking of best hospitals, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin was recognized in all 10 pediatric specialty areas?  That means that some of the best care in the country is right in our backyard, and at HCCU we are proud to support the fabulous work they do.  That's why, a few days a year, Horizon Community Credit Union goes casual for kids!


Monday, September 8, 2014

Tips for Road Trips




Packing a cooler with drinks and bringing snacks and sandwiches along on a road trip is a smart thing to do.  Everyone gets thirsty and hungry on trips, so bringing your own goodies will save you money along the way.  (It's also healthier than a candy bar or a Big Mac!)  

Let's say you're on a road trip... You stop to get gas on your trip and you go inside the gas station to pay for your gas. You notice that a bottle of water cost $1.50. You paid $3.00 for a whole case at the local grocery store before you left.  A loaf of bread and a jar of peanut butter cost around $5.00.  That’s almost the cost of a single sandwich at the gas station or fast food restaurant!  A bunch of bananas costs around a $1.00.  You’d  pay that for just one.  So pack up your sandwiches, beverages, fruit and veggies.  You can eat them along the way or stop and have a nice picnic.  Think of all the money you will save!  And who doesn't need a little more spending money on vacation?!

Post by: Alice E




Image courtesy of Serge Bertasius Photography at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Friday, September 5, 2014

Who needs the DMV?

What is long, slow and drives most people crazy?  Standing in lines.  Unless you are waiting in line for a delicious Mc Donald’s ice cream cone, chances are you’d rather not have to wait so long.  Which Wisconsin service building requires constant renewal of services?  The DMV.  Do you dread going to the DMV because you know it will be PACKED and it will take FOREVER?  Did you have any idea that your Credit Union actually provides many DMV services?  It is as simple as making a quick stop at your local HCCU Credit Union!  We can renew your auto registration, issue new license plates, provide license plate year stickers, and even transfer plates for you!

Forget that ridiculously long line at the DMV, stop in to HCCU today and get your basic DMV services!

Post by: Emily P

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Getting an HCCU VISA® Credit Card is as easy as 1-2-3!

Applying for an HCCU VISA® credit card is a very simple process. Bring in your 2 most recent paystubs (2 for each applicant) and fill out and sign our hassle-free application. A loan officer will review your application and let you know if you are approved. It’s as easy as that!

HCCU offers 2 types of VISA® credit cards: Classic and Platinum. What is the difference? The cards are essentially the same, but the Platinum cards have a lower interest rate of 9.9% APR whereas our Classic cards have a 14.9% APR. Both cards have no annual fee and can be used anywhere VISA® is accepted.  Another great feature is the fact that you can request the limit you would like (based on credit qualifications).

Both Classic and Platinum cards also offer Scorecard® reward points, so you earn something for your spending! For every $1 spent you earn 1 point and those points are good for 4 years. Visit www.scorecardrewards.com for more details or to browse the rewards catalog.

And when you have your credit card and your checking account in the same place, monthly payments are easy!  Payments can easily be made with a quick transfer from your HCCU checking account. That’s pretty convenient to have your accounts all in one place!

Stop in today to fill out an application and start getting rewarded for your purchases!

Post by: Katie B

Image courtesy of  stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Monday, September 1, 2014

No, you don’t HAVE to, you WANT to…

Face it, there are some things that we just don't like to do.  They might be a pain, a time-suck, or just undesirable.  I'm talking about things like paying bills, going to the DMV, having dinner with that friend... You have probably said it yourself, or hear it everyday from friends, your kids, coworkers, spouse, etc. - “Ugh, I have to go to work”; “I have to take out the garbage”; “I have to do my homework”; I have to, I have to, I HAVE to…do NOTHING!  

A few months ago, HCCU brought in a wonderful speaker who stirred up my thoughts and motivation to do, or not do, things I dreaded.  How, you may ask?  Simply by replacing the word “have” with “want”.  You don’t have to do anything, you have a choice about everything you do.  All these things that you think you have to do, you simply want to do.  You might be wondering, “Is she crazy, who would ever WANT to take out the garbage?” Okay, point taken.  But seriously, you do WANT to. You want to take out the garbage because otherwise it’ll stink up the house.

You want to go to work so you see that paycheck at the end of the week.  You don't have to go to work.  You really don't!  Stay in bed and just don't go if you really don't want to.  "But then I might lose my job" you say?  Right!  So get up and go to work because you want to, because you want to keep your job and keep getting a paycheck.  

You want to do your homework because you want to graduate.  Catching on?  You're not forced to do anything.  You don't have to!  You have a choice about everything, and you want to do something because of what the end result will be.  By owning your choices, you'll feel more empowered and in charge of your life.     

So remember this tomorrow morning, after the long holiday weekend, when you’re snuggled nice and warm in your bed with your blankets covering you and your alarm goes off.  Tell yourself, “I want to get up because I want to go to work today”.  Don’t tell yourself you have to, because you don’t have to do anything, you can stay snuggled up all morning if you decide to do that. It’s easy to catch on, just switch “have” with “want” and take control of your choices in life and you'll be a step closer to a positive you!  Carry this new outlook into your work week and see if it changes your attitude at all!  :)

Post by: Kelly V

Image courtesy of samuiblue at FreeDigitalPhotos.net