The 52 Week Savings Challenge!

So, it’s the time of year where we are all about spending money, whether it’s for gifts, visits to family, donations to charity, or for the fantastic meals that you’ve been dreaming about all year. It seems that everything around you is telling you to buy, buy, buy, so it may seem like a weird time to talk about saving your money, but we all have to start somewhere!

About a year ago, I found a cool savings challenge that I wanted to try. I’ve struggled for years to save enough money so that I would have a comfortable margin for error- if my car broke down, if an unexpected bill hit, etc- but nothing seemed to motivate me enough to actually start saving. Sure, when the problem was right in front of me, I would say that tomorrow I would start, but tomorrow is always just a little too late to help. The challenge I found seemed relatively easy, and since it was basically a competition, I was going to WIN.

For each week of the year, you put aside another dollar. So, the first week is one dollar, the second is two dollars, the third is three, etc. The most you ever have to do is $52, and that’s at the end of the challenge. By then, you’ve seen your money growing, and feel a sense of real pride. At the end of the year, you have an additional $1378!

If you started the challenge right now, this week, you would have enough saved next year to have a spectacular Christmas season, or perhaps something put aside to start paying for that new car, because the old one just keeps breaking. It’s also rather convenient to have a small fund to “borrow” from, something I’ve done at least three times this year. If I hadn’t been challenging myself, I wouldn’t have had enough to get my car repaired when the brakes went out, I wouldn’t have been able to purchase a new laptop when the old one refused to turn back on, and I wouldn’t have been able to pay my rent one month when the money from a paycheck was going to be a week later than I had anticipated.

And because I’m addicted to a challenge, I have two going on at the same time, about two months apart. When this is all done, I’ll have almost $3000 saved in just over a year, and that’s something I haven’t ever done before. It’s enough to replace the car that keeps breaking, or take a little vacation, or perhaps to save for another rainy day. I do know that I’ll be doing this again next year, and maybe this time I’ll put it in an Add-On CD, so that I won’t be able to touch it unless there’s an emergency. Maybe that will encourage some better fiscal planning on my part. This challenge certainly has. 

Post by: Liz R

Preparing for Your Holiday Road Trip

As the holidays approach, so does the time for road trips. Whether you’re only traveling an hour or two up north, or across state lines, it is important to be prepared for your winter road trip. I will be traveling across Wisconsin and visiting family in three different cities, all about 50 +/- miles from each other. I do this every year, and each year I prepare so that the only thing that I have to worry about is whether or not I’ll be able to eat all the lovely holiday food! Each person will have different priorities when it comes to their road trips, but here are a few suggestions from me.

                                     

First, you won’t get to your destination without a working vehicle of some sort. I highly suggest that, prior to any road trips, that you take your car to a trusted mechanic. It is important that your tires, brakes, and fluids are in good shape for the long trek ahead. Your vehicle is about to run a marathon and your mechanic’s check and fixes are its training. You wouldn’t run a marathon without training, right?

                                      

It is also important to have a safety kit in your trunk, including a first aid kit and basic tools for repair. Be sure to include winter items like blankets and shovel, as well as some cat litter, which will provide traction in case you are stuck. There is a link at the bottom of this post to an article by Consumer Reports that lists suggested safety kit items. Lastly, make sure your cell phone is fully charged before leaving. Please, please do not use it while driving—wait until you are stopped somewhere or are in an emergency situation.

                                      

Even if you know where you are headed, it is important to map your drive. Be sure to check the weather for the locations you will drive to and through, and be sure to check where there might be construction projects on your drive. There is a link at the bottom of this post to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website, where you can find the work zones in various regions of the state.

                                     

Now that you have taken care of your car and your safety in it, it’s time to take care of you. As with any trip, make a packing list and double checking that you have packed everything that you need. In order to check that I have all I need, I often visualize a full day and what I use, pointing at the items in my suitcase as I go. It might sound a little silly, but that’s often how I remember to pack my toothbrush or some extra socks! Now that you have your clothes and other items packed, be sure to pack snacks and entertainment, these are especially important for those extended trips.

                                      

These are just a few suggestions, and I hope they help. Being prepared can take some take away some of that holiday stress and allow you to enjoy spending time with family and friends. From every employee at Horizon Community Credit Union, we wish you the happiest and safest of holidays!

Safety Kit Suggestions:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/03/roadside-emergency-kit-what-to-carry-with-you/index.htm

WI DOT Work

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/road/workzones.htm

Posted by: Breanna B. 

Stock the Shelves - There's still time to donate today!

How many of us have ever really gone hungry for any length of time? Yet it is one of the biggest challenges a lot of families have: how to pay for quality, nutritious food. It’s sad, and the worst part is that most of those affected are children.  Sometimes the only real meal they get is at school. When school is not in session many don’t even get that. 

So many people are turning to food pantries to help fill their kid’s needs, the demand is huge.  We at Horizon Community Credit Union have joined many others in the Stock the Shelves Campaign. Please join us in helping those in need, especially during this holiday season, and give the gift of a full belly.

You can stop in at either one of our branches, located on Eastman Ave. or at the Voyager Branch and drop off your non-perishable donations.  Or you may choose to donate a monetary gift which will be given to the Stock the Shelves campaign. Donations must be received by the end of the day today for this year's campaign.  We thank you ahead of time for any and all donations, you don’t have to be a member to drop off donations, so stop by and help us fill our shopping carts.

Post by: Lori S.

Helpful Tips for Deer Gun Season

• Sight in your gun or riffle. If you miss a deer because you didn’t sight in, you get what you deserve.
• Make a list of everything needed for your hunt. Everything –from gun and ammo to the rope and sled you need to drag out your buck. Include a knife, compass, map, permit/tag, license, toilet paper and anything else you usually carry with you. Pack it in a bag and store it where you’ll find it.
• Shower before you hunt. Use a scent-free deodorant. Avoid scented aftershave or cologne. The deer don’t care what you smell like. But if they smell you, they’re going to run.
•  Do not leave your stand site after a couple hours to cast about looking for deer or to go get a bite to eat. Stay put all day.  Dress warm and bring something to drink and eat to your stand.
•  Now that you got to your deer stand quietly, you need to stay that way so you don’t scare the deer away.
•  A whitetail’s keen sense of smell, hearing and sight help the detect danger. You need to out smart them.
•  Opening day is the best chance you’ll have of getting you gun-season deer.
•  Opening day stats:

- Pennsylvania           47%

- Wisconsin                 40%

- West Virginia           38%

- Missouri                    37%

-New York                  36%

-Michigan                   35%

- Arkansas                   22%

From everyone at Horizon Community Credit Union, we wish you a safe and productive hunting season!


Posted by: Alice E. 

Great Musical Events Coming Up - Starting This Sunday!

Looking to change up your routine Sunday plans? This Sunday, November 16^th, the Green Bay Youth Orchestras are performing at the Weidner Center for only $10! Tickets will be available for purchase starting at 3p.m., and the concert will begin at 4p.m. The Weidner Center is located on the University of Wisconsin Green Bay’s campus. Their annual bake sale will also be going on to let you grab some sweets beforehand or during intermission! So why not switch things up, enjoy some fabulous music performed by area youth for a small price, and attend this great show!

Speaking of fabulous music, have you ever considered attending the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra? Even if you aren’t a classical music fan, they are great shows to see and they offer quite a variety! The orchestra has been around for more than 100 years, and has performed at numerous venues including Lambeau Field! The organization was built on the support from the community and local organizations, but sadly this is its’ final season. 

As it is the final season for the adult orchestra, it is encouraged that all fans attend to see some of the last wonderful performances! To see more about their upcoming events, go to   

http://greenbaysymphony.org/

All of your support helps immensely and is greatly appreciated! 

Posted by: Emily P.

Thank you Veteran's!

Today is Veteran’s Day, a moment during the year set aside to honor those citizens who have given a great deal to protect and defend our country. There likely isn’t a person out there who hasn’t met a veteran, and most of us have at least one in our family - people who have served their country in the uniform and have sacrificed to make sure that we are safe and free. For me, it’s a grandfather, an uncle, a cousin, an aunt. For others, it’s a husband, a brother, a son or daughter. I feel grateful every day that they were willing to do what had to be done, but today is set aside to honor them in person.

So take just a moment to thank a veteran. Many of them are in uniform today, honoring their fallen brothers and sisters. Visit them in the nursing homes and hospitals; give them a call and thank them for their courage and sacrifice. Remember that many of our veterans, particularly the older generations, suffer from loneliness and would appreciate even a few moments of your time. Take your children along, and say thank you on behalf of yourself and your children; give them the opportunity to say thank you as well. Spend some time today talking to your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews about what veterans have done to protect and defend us, because it has given them the opportunity to live in this wonderful country of ours.

Stop by, ring the doorbell, say hello, thank them and then simply ask if they need any help with anything today. It can be as simple or as challenging as you want to make it, but whatever you do, it will make a difference in the life of a veteran.

-Liz R.