Start saving for that young one!

Whether it’s your grandkids, brothers or sisters, nieces or nephews, or your very own children, now is the time to save! Sure, we hear it all the time, save, save, save, blah blah blah! With the economy today, saving isn't ideal for most of us. BUT- it’s not impossible! If you start saving now until they turn 18, with our rate of 0.08% and a $50 deposit per month, that’s $10,928.49 saved! That’s less than $2 a day! Don’t have $50 EVERY month? THAT’S OKAY! Empty those pockets and put it in their HCCU piggy banks; we all know four quarters are worth more to kids than a $1 bill.  Bring the kids in to your credit union (yes, YOUR credit union) and open a youth savings account today and receive a HCCU piggy bank so they can watch their money grow!   

                                         Year           Balance

                1              $650.26

                2              $1,251.00

                3              $1,852.22

                4              $2,453.92

                5              $3,056.11

                6              $3,658.77

                7              $4,261.92

                8              $4,865.55

                9              $5,469.67

                10           $6,074.26

                11           $6,679.35

                12           $7,284.91

                13           $7,890.96

                14           $8,497.50

                15           $9,104.52

                16           $9,712.02

                17           $10,320.02

                18           $10,928.49

Final Savings Balance: $10,928.49

Post by: Kelly V

Kids' Day in Green Bay

Every year, on June 25th, Green Bay celebrates kids and the fun of being young. Mayor Jim Schmitt declared back in 2003 that every June 25th would be Kids' Day, since it’s exactly 6 months away from Christmas. There are plenty of events going on all days for kids and their parents to enjoy. Kids enjoy free things like bowling, lunch, movies, and rides at Bay Beach. This year Horizon Community Credit Union will be participating at the Mayor’s Luncheon from 11-2. The luncheon is located at Leicht Park, right next to Titletown Brewery. Stop by the Horizon Community Credit Union tent and see what goodies we’ll be giving out!

Mark your calendars and check out the website for places to get wristbands: http://greenbaywi.gov/parks/kidsday

Post by: Sara D

Points Points

Summer is slowly approaching (really slowly) and since Spring has not begun, it is hard to fathom that it will eventually arrive.  And who can forget what Summer means, ORANGE CONES and MORE MONEY at the gas pump.  The credit union has decided to reward you with double reward points when using your HCCU credit card at the pump.  Two points for every dollar that you spend at the pump. 

WHAT, you don't have a credit card with us here at HCCU?!?!?!?  Then it is time to sign up.  Just fill out the application on-line and submit.  The address to on-line applications is:  http://www.horizonccu.com/loans.php 

Scorecard reward points give you the opportunity to save up points for that special something, from a stainless steel coffee mug to a 55 inch LED 3D TV.  If you have not already signed up for the rewards program, this is the site to go to:  https://www.scorecardrewards.com/general_logon.asp  It is time to sign up and start saving!!!!

Oh and about those ORANGE CONES.  I say knock one over and if you get caught, tell the nice officer that it was your bank that told you do to do it.  From what I heard, it's the right thing.

- Your CU

Safe and Secure

Grandma’s Heirloom Necklace, Dad’s Favorite Watch, Passports, Your Last Will & Testament, Car Titles, Extra Cash.

What do these all have in common?  These have all played an important part in your life, and at Horizon Community Credit Union we want to help you protect these memories and valuable items. 

What would happen to these things if you had a house fire, experienced a natural disaster like a tornado or flood, or if your house got robbed?  What if you didn’t have to worry?  At our Voyager Branch we offer four different sizes of safe deposit boxes starting as low as $15.00 a year.  Yes, that is only $15.00 a year, for us to protect your important documents and life’s memories in our secure vault.  

Stop wondering where you put that birth certificate or car title, or if your jewelry is safe where you currently store it.  Call to inquire about our prices and box sizes, or next time you are in ask one of our friendly Member Service Reps.  We are always here to serve you, our members.

**Remember, HCCU does not insure the contents of your box.**

Post by: Karen S

Will that be debit or credit?

You just swiped your debit card – should you choose debit and enter your PIN, or sign for credit?

Did you know you are more susceptible to an attack if you use your PIN?  When you choose debit, you could fall victim to PIN harvesting by a “Man-In-The-Middle” attack.  Fraudsters can intercept your information and PIN as it passes through the electronic network.  They can then use that information to create a fake debit card and withdraw your money using your actual PIN.  Even if a transaction was fraud, it is a lot harder to recover those funds when a PIN was used.  

If you are looking for a safer way to make your transactions, choose credit and sign rather than entering your PIN.  Signing at POS prevents PIN harvesting from happening.  Also, signing for your transaction gives you additional protection from VISA or MasterCard.  All HCCU debit cards carry VISA Zero Liability coverage for signature transactions that will cover you in case of fraud; PIN-based transactions do not receive the same level of protection.

So whenever you can, choose credit and sign on the dotted line rather than punching in a PIN code for purchases.

Post by: Lori S

High Score!!

Your credit score impacts loan rates, insurance rates, even whether or not you are approved for a cell phone.   Here are some tips that will help with building and maintaining a credit score that will increase your chances for approval and make you eligible for the best rates possible.

Make payments on time.  ALWAYS.  Your payment history has the biggest impact on your score. Make sure your credit card balances are well under the limits. You’ll be scored favorably if you keep outstanding balances below 30% of your total credit limit. Keep accounts open for as long as possible, especially if doing so is cost-free. Don’t open too many new accounts all at once. This lowers your average account age.  Have a good mix of types of credit: auto loans, mortgage loans, and credit cards.  By following these simple tips you can increase your credit score and take advantage of lower rates – saving you money!

Post by: Kelly B

Make a saving for a big purchase a little easier...

The other day my granddaughter said, "Grandma I can't believe I'm going to be a freshman next year!”  I told her that I couldn't believe it either.  That means in just a couple years from now, she will be driving.  After realizing that, I started thinking how happy I was for taking out an Add-On CD for her seven years ago at Horizon.  That savings will be a nice down payment when she wants to get a car.

The Add-OnCD at HCCU is one that starts at a minimum $100.00 – very affordable.  Unlike a standard CD, you can make additional deposits to an Add-On CD.  You can add as little or as much money to it, as long as you deposit monthly.  The interest rate is higher than a regular savings and is locked in for a year.  You can cash it in after a year or roll it over for another year at our current rate. 

If you need to set aside money for a purchase in your future, or maybe just for a rainy day, consider an Add-On CD.  For us, that money will come in handy the day my granddaughter finds a car!

Post By: Alice E

Looking for a cheap date?

 Looking for something to do in the summertime in the Green Bay area.  Here are 10 dates for less than $20!  Write each date idea on a slip of paper, fold it up, and stick them all in a jar. Whenever you have down time and need a date night, grab an idea from the jar and head out for a day on the town. 

1.      Invite a couple or couples to meet for a game night.  Have everyone bring a board game and you are all set.

Cost 2 people = $0.00

2.      Gather some snacks from home, pack a picnic, and take a drive to Maribel Caves for the day and check out all the different caves, springs, rare ferns and flowers. 

Cost 2 people = $0.00

3.      Go to Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, check out all of the different wildlife, and feed the ducks followed by a fun ride on the Zippin Pippin.

Cost 2 people = $4

4.      Put on your Green Bay Packer attire and take a walk down ‘Walk of Legends’.  Walk of Legends is a free, one-mile public art walkway, east of Lambeau Field featuring 24 statues that chronicle the history, and honor the legends, of Green Bay football between 1895 and the present.

Cost 2 people = $0.00

5.      Check out Marcus Theatre on any Tuesday and popcorn is included for free.

Cost 2 people = $10.00

6.      If it’s a hot and gorgeous Wisconsin day, take a ride to Neshotah Beach in Two Rivers, Wisconsin to spend a day on a beautiful sand beach on Lake Michigan with areas for swimming, volleyball, and launching jet skis and kayaks.

Cost 2 people = $0.00

7.      Rent a movie from Red box and have a quiet movie night at home.

Cost 2 people= $1.50

8.      Head on out to the Farmer’s Market on Broadway each Wednesday afternoon to experience a variety of different restaurants, shops, entertainment from all around the area.  This is a free event to attend unless you feel like spending any money on items, food, and drinks.

Cost 2 people = $0.00

9.      Go to a dollar store and purchase two kites. And then go fly a kite together.

Cost 2 people = $2.00

10.  And the total without tax and of course gas mileage = $16.50.  Next make a stop at your favorite credit union family, Horizon Community Credit Union, and deposit the money you have leftover from your $20 and save it for a rainy day!!! 

Post by: Beth B

The Credit Union Difference

You may think that there is no real difference between a credit union and a bank. You can submit cash and checks for deposit or withdrawal. You can open financial savings products through both of these institutions such as savings, checking, or money market accounts. You can also receive loans through both banks and credit unions. So what is the difference? From the outside looking in, both institutions seem very similar.

                 

Here at HCCU, and at all credit unions, each of the members is an owner of said credit union, while banks are owned by investors who may or may not be depositors. Since the members are the owners, they each have one vote in electing board members who help to make decisions for the credit union. The board members of these credit unions are not paid; they are volunteers who represent the diversity of the membership. Credit unions spend much of their focus on consumer loans, savings products, and providing essential services needed by the membership. On the other hand, banks focus primarily on commercial loans and big business accounts that generate significant income.

                

Why should I do my banking with a credit union? The answer is simple.  Credit unions are nonprofit organizations whose earnings are paid back to the members in the form of higher savings rates and lower loan rates, leaving more money in YOUR pocket. According to the NCUA the average credit card interest rate for banks is 1.29% higher than credit unions. Also while credit unions are not careless with the loans they give out, they tend to be easier to borrow from than megabanks. Finally, the customer service at credit unions is more personable than banks with a larger clientele, making for a better experience every time you come in to make a transaction.

Become a member of a credit union today!

Post by: Matt K

Let's hit the road!

Spring is FINALLY here!  After being cooped up all winter don’t you just want to hit the road and let the wind whip through your hair? 

Whether that means on a motorcycle, ATV, or boat, in a convertible, or an RV (does the wind actually whip through your hair in an RV?).  Well, whatever it is, we can help out!  We can do loans for just about any kind of vehicle, plus we have great rates and flexible terms to make sure that it will work with your budget. 

If you’re thinking about buying, or if you have a loan somewhere else that you are paying too much on, let us take a look and see what we can do for you.  Check us out online at www.horizonccu.com or give us a call at (920) 433-0122.