Simplify your life with automatic transfers!

Sick of making multiple trips to the credit union per month to transfer money to pay bills? Or being one or two days late on a payment because you didn’t have time to stop at the credit union? Why not let someone doing the running for you! HCCU offers FREE automatic transfers between accounts. Tailored to fit your needs: YOU pick the day, YOU pick the amount, and YOU pick the frequency! It’s fast and easy to set up, simply stop in to one of the locations and speak with a MSR.  Can't make it to the credit union?  You can also set them up online anytime through our ItsMe247 online banking!

Do you have a bank account elsewhere that you consistently withdraw money from simply to bring over to this bank account? We also offer FREE ACH origination here at HCCU!  This means that we can pull directly from another bank account of yours that is held at another financial institution.  If you split the funds to pay bills from different bank accounts, we can help you get the funds to one of your personal accounts here and you’ll be set to go!  Setting up an origination is also very easy, simply talk to one of our friendly MSRs at either location!  They can gladly answer your questions and help you get your transfers set up.  

Check one more thing off your to-do list and let your banking happen automatically!

Post by: Emily P

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 

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

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

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

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

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.