Tips for a Stress(less) Christmas

Every year I tell myself that I am going to buy gifts earlier then December and that I am going to get the decorating done right after Thanksgiving. Well I can tell you that it’s December 18th and I still have to finish Christmas shopping and there are no lights outside my house right now. I can’t believe how quick Christmas seems to be coming this year. I have spoken to friends and family on both sides of the spectrum and it seems some are totally ready for Christmas while others are stressing about getting things done. Now it might be too late for me, but these are some things that may be helpful to you and that I plan to keep in mind for Christmas next year….I hope!

1. Start Saving! I started my Christmas club with HCCU 2 years ago and this has help so much with our Christmas budget. I put away $25 per pay check and come October I have around $650 saved. I can’t imagine where I would have pulled that money from if I hadn’t been saving all year long. Christmas gifts get expensive so save your money to save you the stress.

2. Start decorating after Thanksgiving! I usually end up working the day after Thanksgiving and in the past I always ended up decorating the Saturday after Christmas. I don’t know what my procrastination was this year, but I didn’t get my decorations up until 2 weeks ago. Decorate early so that you have time to pick up decorations that you may need to replace or update It also allows you to enjoy your decoration efforts for a lot longer.

3. Start shopping early! My mom used to always start shopping after Christmas. She said that is when you get the best deals. I used to work in retail so I know that this is true especially when it comes to Christmas items. Some Christmas clearance starts at 70% on December 26th. Think about how much you can get done if you do not have to shop in December. You also won’t have to deal with crowds and trying to figure out what people want. Try to keep in mind when you hear your friends and family talking about things they want throughout the year and pick those items up right away. Again, whatever you can get done early will make you less stressed.

4. Don’t try to please everyone! My boyfriend has divorced parents so we are bound to at least 3 Christmases each year. Add in Christmas with our extended families and that can be a lot! We tell ourselves each year that our immediate family comes first. We always make it to my parent’s house each year, his mom’s house and his dads. If we can fit our extended families in as well we do, but we don’t go to every party that we get invited to. This allows us to enjoy Christmas and not feel like all we are doing is traveling all day long.

5. Limit your spending! Each year it feels like we are spending more and more on Christmas gifts. Each year I tell myself that we are going to cut back and it seems like we continue to buy more. While our families always come first I decided this year to cut back on buying all of our friend’s gifts. Instead of buying gifts we decided to go out and have a nice dinner. Each couple ends up spending $100 on gifts, that money can pay for a really nice dinner and then you are not buying things that your friends could go out and buy themselves.

So there you have it. These are some great tips on how you can make the holidays a bit less stressful. I can’t tell you how many times I hear people say that they don’t like Christmas because of all the work that they need to do. Keep these tips in mind and you may just have a Merry Christmas after all!

Written By: Katie B.

Safe Shopping Tips:

http://ow.ly/TbfhJ 

• Always get your card back. Make sure you get your credit card, debit card, or driver’s license back after completing your purchase. *Keep your cards in the same place in your wallet all the time so you know when one is missing!

• Save your receipts. Keep the receipt for every gift you purchase and ask for a gift receipt to make any returns or exchanges easy for the recipient.

• Keep credit card info at home. Make a photocopy of the front and back of your cards, or write down account numbers and customer service phone numbers in case they are lost or stolen. Don’t forget to update your records when you get new cards in the mail!

• Watch out for scams. Only buy gift cards from reputable retailers (like HCCU), not online auction sites as they could be counterfeit. 

• Be careful with your cash. If you prefer to pay with cash, don’t flash your cash around. Count your cash discreetly out of sight of others. Keep a couple stashes in your wallet and purse instead of just one, that way it doesn't look like such a big stash to the nosey person behind you in the checkout line. Plus if your wallet disappears only some of your cash is gone and not all of it. 

• Keep your browser updated. Whether you use Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox, updating your browser helps ensure you’re getting the most up-to-date security protection.

• Update your anti-virus software. Before shopping online secure your pc by updating your anti-virus or security software.

• Look for the lock online. Only use secure websites for purchases. Look for the icon of a locked padlock at the bottom of the screen or “https” in the URL address.

Holiday Shopping Tips!

Holiday shopping is just around the corner, and HCCU has a few tips for you this holiday season:

http://ow.ly/TbdyC 

Tip #1—Use the Right Card.

Before you start shopping check your credit cards and see which card has the best rewards program so that you get the most back.
If you spend more than you saved, check which card has the lowest interest rate before you start charging.
HCCU offers VISA® Credit Cards with lots of great benefits! If you don’t have one yet. get the details or apply today: visit our website at www.horizonccu.com or call (920) 433-0122.

Tip #2—Check out the EXTRA perks your HCCU VISA® Credit Card get you.

Yes, there are all the regular benefits our card offers; low rates, no annual fee, no balance transfer fee, and Scorecard Rewards Points, where you earn 1 Scorecard Point for every $1 you spend with your HCCU VISA Credit Card on purchases.
In addition, VISA® is giving away a Grand Prize trip to Super Bowl 50 and a 1st Place Prize of $5,000 to throw a Super Bowl bash to be remembered. All you have to do is use your VISA® card between now and 11/30/2015.
If that isn’t enough, HCCU is also giving you a gift this season! Use your HCCU Credit Card between 11/1/15 and 12/31/15 and earn DOUBLE REWARD POINTS! That means 2 Scorecard Reward Points for every $1 you spend! When you’re done with your shopping you can redeem your points and get yourself a little something at www.scorecardrewards.com.

Tip #3—Use It’sMe247!

Our online banking is a fast and easy way to get current account balances, transfer money between accounts, reconcile your checkbook, and more, plus it’s available 24/7. Did we mention it’s FREE? Try it today—contact us to activate your online account.

Tip #4—Ditch Checks.

We have a MUCH better solution for you than writing out paper checks at the store—a VISA® Debit Card from HCCU. You can use it at merchants and if you select credit the money still comes right out of your checking account. By selecting credit and signing instead of entering your PIN, it VISA offers you more fraud protection. If you have direct deposit, are a student, or you’ve celebrated your 50th birthday already, your 1st debit card is FREE. Apply today!

Post by: Cari J.

The Legend of the Easter Bunny

Did you know that the bunny has been a symbol of fertility since ancient Egypt? From Egypt the symbol spread to Greece and Rome. The Celtics also used the rabbit as a symbol for the festival celebrating the goddess of spring. But the Easter Bunny got his origins in 13th century, pre-Christian Germany. He was first found in literature dating back to the 1500’s. Children celebrated ‘Oschter Haws’, a rabbit that left eggs and candies on their shoes. Why eggs? They are also a symbol of fertility and rebirth. In the 1800’s Germany earned my undying gratitude by introducing that delightful treat: the chocolate bunny!! The Easter Bunny tradition was brought to America by German settlers that came to the Pennsylvania Dutch area in the early 1800’s. Over the years the amount of candy and eggs delivered increased until finally baskets became common. Well, except at my house where the candy and eggs were delivered in covered shoe boxes, so the dog couldn’t eat our candy! The Easter Bunny isn’t used in every country though. In Australia, bunnies are considered a nuisance and instead they use a Bilby to deliver eggs! I wonder if they make chocolate Bilbys?

Post by: Mary D

Love Coupon Book

When it comes to Valentine’s Day, do you feel like you get the same things for your special someone every year? Roses, chocolates, greeting cards… It’s time to get creative and switch it up this year! Even though the roses and the chocolates are great, nothing says “I love you” more than something that you make yourself! Putting time and effort into a gift makes it even more special. There are a few things you can make your special someone without spending a lot of money. One of my favorite is the love coupon book. This is a way to pamper your special someone and show that you still care deeply about their wishes. With a love coupon book you can make written promises for your loved one to be redeemed whenever they wish and with no restrictions. There are no rules; you decide what you want to promise. Here are a few examples to help you get started:

•        Romantic Dinner for two
•        A night of stargazing
•        A free wish
•        One BIG bear hug
•        24 hours of no arguments- no matter what!
•        A day of games and fun
•        30 minutes of cuddling
•        A movie date to the movie of your choice
•        Favorite homemade meal made by me
•        One full body massage
•        Blank- you fill in
•        One evening treated like royalty
•        Breakfast in bed

There really are no limits to this! So be creative and have fun, this is a gift your other half is really going to appreciate!

Post by: Karla C

Happy Holidays from HCCU!

We know the end of the year is a busy time for many of you.  Traveling, decorating, shopping for gifts, returning gifts, celebrating...  All that fun can get expensive, and we would never want you to be without access to your cash!  In order to help you plan ahead, our holiday hours will be:

Wednesday, December 24th    8:30 am -  12:00 pm
Thursday, December 25th       CLOSED
Friday, December 26th            8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday, December 27th        9:00 am - 12:00 pm   Voyager Dr. location only
Monday, December 29th         8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday, December 30th         8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday, December 31st    8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Thursday, January 1st             CLOSED
Friday, January 2nd                 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday, January 3rd              9:00 am - 12:00 pm   Voyager Dr. location only

To access your account information, It'sMe247 Online Banking and CU*Talk Phone Banking are available anytime of the day or night - even on holidays!  For cash, our ATM at Voyager Dr. is available 24/7 every day, but if that's not convenient for you, you can also use any ATM Alliance Network terminal without incurring a surcharge!  For a map of fee-free ATMs near you, visit the  ATM Alliance Network page on our website.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM HCCU!  

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

How early is too early to save for the holidays?

The Christmas season is one of the most joyful times of the year, but it can also be the most expensive. Buying wonderful gifts for loved ones can sure take a hit on your bank account. If you’re not prepared, it can be stressful! There is actually an account here at the Credit Union that is designed specifically to help save up for this time of the year!

In 1909 the first ever Christmas Club Account was created to help consumers save for Christmas. At that time there were only 350 total account holders. Today, people all over the country use this option to help save up money throughout the year, not only for Christmas but for other big events as well!

This account can easily be opened by visiting an MSR at one of our branches! Then you just deposit a little bit each month. On October 1st, the entire balance of the account will be transferred back to you, either by a transfer to your checking or savings account, or in a check. There are no restrictions on the amount of withdrawals or deposits made either, so if something unexpected comes up, you can use your Christmas savings without a penalty! Come on in to set up one of these fabulous accounts with us and start saving now!

PS – Christmas is only about 6 months away!

Post by: Emily P