Tips To Avoid The “After-Holiday” Headache

Christmas is behind us, and 2014 is coming to a close! As hard as it is to believe that the next Mason Jar Monday will be in 2015, the holidays are tapering off.  We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas with their family and friends that left you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated and ready to start the New Year!  If, however, you (and your wallet) have been left with an “after-holiday” headache, here are a few tips to get back on track in time for the New Year!

• Assess The Situation – If the holidays put a bit larger of a dent in your wallet, savings, or credit card balance than you anticipated, the first step is to make a new plan.  Instead of stressing over your after holiday situation or living in denial of how much you spent, accept it and breakdown your current situation so that you can make a plan to get back to your pre-holiday situation.
• Set Goals – So you’ve assessed the situation, and you know the areas that need improvement.  Now it’s time to set some goals.  What area of your finances took the biggest hit this holiday season?  Your savings, your credit card, ect.?  Set a savings goal or a debt payoff goal that includes an end date so you make a new monthly budget given your new goals.
• Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help – If assessing your situation and setting goals has you with a bigger headache than you started out with, swing on in to your local credit union for some help.  We are here to put you in the best financial position possible, and have tools that can get your new year started off right.  If your credit card took the biggest hit this holiday season, Honor’s Visa balance transfer could help you consolidate your debt into a more manageable monthly payment to help you achieve your goals faster.  If building up savings is what you are after, an account specialist can help you set the savings goals you need with a plan to get you there!  

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know what you want to hear about for next week’s Mason Jar Monday using #askhonorcu!  

You can listen to the last Mason Jar Monday of 2014 below! 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill and Honor's Scott talk about their tips to avoid the "after-holiday" headache!

Your Local Credit Union & Your Favorite Christmas Cookie Have More in Common Than You Think!

Arguably one of the best things about the holiday season are the baked goodies that come along with it!  While we’re not sure there is a bad Christmas cookie, we definitely all have our favorites that we hunt for on that cookie tray in the break room every year.  Whether you are a sugar cookie with green and red frosting type or if a peanut butter ball dipped in chocolate is more your forte, I’ll bet you didn’t know that your local credit union and your favorite Christmas cookie actually have a lot in common!

• Both have really great recipes!  Your favorite Christmas cookie is a work of baked art that all starts with following a few simple guidelines and ends with sugary perfection.  Your local credit union has the recipe you need to achieve your financial goals that all starts with a visit or phone call and ends in you achieving financial success!
• Every cookie is unique, and so is your financial situation!  Even the most dependable sugar cookie recipe might turn out different if you bake it or your Grandma bakes it, making each batch of Christmas cookies a little bit different than the rest.  The same goes for your financial situation!  Your local credit union understands that everyone’s financial goals and situation is unique to them, and we want to help you achieve your goals, whatever they may be!
• Both are dependable!  Have you ever sat down with a cup of tea and your favorite Christmas treat and NOT enjoyed yourself?  Christmas cookies are dependable and tend to make you feel good, and that’s exactly what your local credit union’s goal is, too!  Reliable, dependable, and trustworthy are all words that can describe the member experience you will receive visiting your local credit union!

What’s your favorite Christmas cookie? Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know using #askhonorcu!  

Listen to 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill and Honor's Scott talk about the similarities between Christmas cookies and credit unions with two special guests! 

Four Reasons Why Millennials Can (& SHOULD) Trust Credit Unions

First thing you’re probably wondering is what the heck is a millennial?  That’s an easy answer – anyone born between 1980 and the early 2000’s.  A harder question to answer is why this group of people has such trust issues regarding their finances.  Nearly 40% of this group regularly worries about their finances, but 25% trust “no one!”* Credit unions are here to help, and here are four reasons that millennials can (and SHOULD) trust credit unions.

1. Credit Unions are nonprofit organizations.  What this means for members, including those that fall in the millennial category is that any profits made off of credit union’s financial products is reinvested into the credit union, NOT put in the pocket of a select group of shareholders.
2. Credit Unions want to educate members, not take advantage.  It truly is in the best interest of the credit union to have members that are confident with their finances and educated on how to manage their money.  More financial confidence and stability means less defaulted loans and lower interest rates for the members!
3. Credit Unions provide members the tools to succeed.  On the same note as educating members, credit unions not only talk the talk, but give members the tools they need to succeed.  Contrary to some beliefs, credit unions have many tech-savvy tools to help members manager their money and feel more confident with their financial plan in whatever way suits them best.  From the mobile app to mobile deposit capture, there are many way that millennials can keep tabs on their finances and still keep up with their busy demanding lives.
4. So many millennials don’t think they even are eligible to join a credit union, like it’s a special club that they haven’t been invited to.  This could not be more wrong, especially at Honor!  Anyone in the great State of Michigan, no matter their age can become an Honor Credit Union member!

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know what you want to hear about next week using #askhonorcu! 

Listen to 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill and Honor's Scott talk more about millennials and why they should trust credit unions on Mason Jar Monday!

*Source - http://www.cuna.org/WebAssets/Pages/newsnowarticle.aspx?id=27917295025&blogid=448&utm_source=real_magnet&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=CUNA_NN%20-%20%2314615577-1

Three Quick Cash Traps To NOT Get Caught In

Especially this time of year when consumer spending is at an all-time high, many Americans are looking for quick and easy ways to add a little cash to their wallet to fill the gas tank, fit all those bills in for the month, or simply put food on the table.  If you are struggling to fit holiday shopping in and still make ends meet, looking for some extra cash isn't a bad thing, but here are a few traps to avoid*:

Payday loans – while getting a small loan that you plan on paying back your next paycheck may sound simple enough, there are usually HUGE catches.  The fees and interest rates on these types of loans can be massive, leaving you in a bigger hole than you started in when you go to pay it back with your next paycheck.  These loans can cycle out of control very quickly, so approaching your credit union for an alternative that doesn't include those huge fees is a much safer bet. Low balance loans, like Honor’s current Cash For Christmas loan special, can get you the same result as a pay day loan with a better interest rate and a much more reasonable repayment plan.

Car-title loans – like payday loans, car title loans are small dollar amounts that can come with HUGE interest and fees, but instead of holding your next paycheck hostage, they hold your car title AND a set of keys hostage.  If when the amount of money you borrowed is due, you find yourself in another situation, they can come and take possession of your car no questions asked.  Once again, come visit your credit union if you find yourself even considering one of these types of loans for a safer and smarter alternative.

Credit Card Advances – there is a lot of confusion on the difference between 

using your credit card for purchases and taking cash advances on your credit card.  Cash advances often come with a higher interest rate and that interest starts accruing right away.  If a credit card is your solution, it would be wiser to make purchases with your card and make a plan to pay them back quickly to avoid the cash advance trap. 

If you find yourself in need of a few extra bucks this Holiday season, or any season for that matter, make your local credit union, like Honor Credit Union, your first stop.  We can help you assess your personal financial situation and come up with the best scenario for you and your family!

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know what you want to hear about next week using #askhonorcu! 

Listen to 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill and Honor's Scott talk about cash traps on Mason Jar Monday! 

*Source - http://www.bankrate.com/finance/debt/payday-loan.aspx

Holiday Scams You Need To Know About

The holiday season is upon us, which means additional shopping, spending, and traveling for many. These increased transactions are looked at as a golden opportunity in the eyes of scammers. To better keep our members protected and well-aware this holiday season, Honor has put together a list of potential consumer scams to watch out for this shopping season.

Home Delivery Scam

Scam: The homeowner finds a delivery notice on their front door notifying of an "unsuccessful" attempted delivery which directs the homeowner to call a number.

Prevention: Never call back nor provide any type of personal or financial information. If you were expecting a delivery, research it further to find out if it's legitimate.

Coupon Scam

Scam: Consumer responds to an offer for online coupons requiring personal or financial information including card or password information.

Prevention: If responding to online coupons, never provide personal or financial information including card or password information.

Fake Charity Scam

Scam: The consumer receives mail or in person to give money to a charity. The letter or person asking for the donation doesn't give up. Don't give money to a charity until the consumer has researched them. Take extra caution when asked in person or at your home.

Prevention: Don't give money to a charity until the consumer has researched them.

Gift Purchase Scam

Scam: Scammers advertise popular gifts on websites and social networks, even if they don't actually have the popular items.

Prevention: Take extra caution when considering the purchase of a popular item. Researching the website and social networks is a must.

Gift Card Scam

Scam: Consumer purchases a gift card on a online site or at a retail location. When the gift card is used, there is no value on the card/card number.

Prevention: Consider purchasing a gift card at your credit union. This will help secure the value placed on the gift card when used.

Technology Support Scam

Scam: Consumer is contacted and advised to provide information because of a threat to their computer/mobile device.

Prevention: Never provide any information when a technology support team is contacting you. If you are having technical problems, the consumer should do the contacting to the technology 

support service.

Fraudulent/Fake Check Scam

Scam: One of the most popular scams involves scammers convincing unwitting victims to accept fraudulent/fake checks. Checks are much higher than the amount expected. Scammers then used a variety of creative, clever stories to explain the compensation discrepancies and convince victim to send back overpayment via cash-like payment methods or wire transfer.

Prevention: Never send funds back on any overpayment check.

Electronic Holiday Greeting Card Scam

Scam: Clicking on a phony online greeting card can result in downloading a keystroke logging program.

Prevention: Take extra caution before clicking on an online greeting card. Check with the person who is sending it to confirm it was from that person.

You can also view this list and up to date fraud alerts on Honor's website.  If you think you have been a suspect of fraud, contact your financial institution right away!  If you are an Honor member, you can call our Member Solutions Center at 800.442.2800.

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know what you want to hear about next week using #askhonorcu!  

Listen to 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill and Honor's Scott talk about some holiday scams on Mason Jar Monday!

Three Ways To Make Your Money Work Harder For You

While the theme of this week for many will probably focus on turkey, giving thanks, and finding deals on Friday, we want to spend some time to focusing on making your life easier so you have more time to think about those things and not your money!  Here are three ways you can effortlessly make your money work harder for you:

1.  Start Saving!  It sounds simple, but the first step is always just to start.  Elect to have your paychecks automatically deposit a certain amount in to your savings account so you don’t have to think about it.  You won’t even miss the money because you won’t see it from the beginning in your checking account and it will just start adding up in your savings!

2.  It’s Your Change! Honor’s "It’s Your Change" program could not make it any easier to both balance your checking account AND add a little extra in your savings account each month.  "It’s Your Change" automatically rounds each purchase up to the next dollar and transfers that change into your savings account for you!  You will be surprised how doing something this simple can add up over time!

3.  Take Advantage of Interest Rates!  Perhaps the easiest way to make your money work harder for you is by letting it earn interest.  Accounts like Honor’s Benefits Checking let you use your checking account like your busy life requires AND get 5% APY on your first $5000!  Or if you are interested in more of a savings account that will pay you interest, check out our CD special that will give you up to 2.22%! You can find out all the details and requirements for both of those accounts and more at www.honorcu.com!

The goal is always to get more for your money while working less, and your local credit union can help you do that!  You can listen to Honor's CEO Scott and 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill talk about their tips to make your money work harder for you on this week's Mason Jar Monday! 

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know what you want to hear about next week using #askhonorcu! 

Three Tips To Save On Holiday Shopping

There’s only 9 days left until the biggest shopping day of the entire year!  Whether you are planning on braving the Black Friday crowds bright and early or sleeping in and wait for the crowds to disburse a little bit, here are three tips to save your wallet this holiday shopping season!

1.  Plan ahead and stick to your mission!  The aisles and displays at stores are meant to draw you in and inspire you to fill that cart fuller.  Avoid impulse buys that you don’t really need by making a solid plan of what you want to accomplish beforehand and stick to it!  Along these lines means making and sticking to a budget, too!  Online budgeting tools, like Honor’s MoneyDesktop, can help you figure out what your budget is and help you stay disciplined in sticking to it!

2.  Price-Match!  More and more stores are willing to match prices, but you’ll never know unless you ask!  Take advantage of that smart phone in your pocket and do a quick search of items you find in the store you are currently in to make sure it’s not cheaper elsewhere.  If it is, show the cashier your smartphone and see if they will match it!  The most they can say is no!

3.  Coupons! Coupons! Coupons!  All that mail that you typically put right in the recycle bin or emails you usually swipe to delete before opening might be worth a second look this time of year!  Paying attention to who is having the sales will help you create your plan and stick to your mission like we mentioned in tip #1!  The dollars that some of those coupons can save you collectively can really add up meaning extra money that stays in your mason jar!

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know what you want to hear about next week using #askhonorcu! 

Source - http://www.bankrate.com/financing/saving-money/jean-chatzky-4-holiday-shopping-secrets/?ic_id=News4

Easy Ways To Protect Yourself From Holiday Fraud

Did you know that according to many recent news outlets, November is the most active month for card fraud?!  As holiday shopping and spending ramps up, so do the bad guys that aim at ripping people off.  Don’t let this stop you from going about your holiday shopping routines, though.  With a few simple precautions, you can stay a step ahead of fraudsters.

• When paying for a purchase with a debit card, opt for credit vs. debit.  Signing is safer than entering your pin at the checkout!
• Monitor your accounts for transactions that you don’t recognize
• Take only the cards you will need for shopping
• Put your card away after each use.  Don’t put it in your pocket
• Completely fill out receipts, don’t leave blank space on card receipts
• Hide your card from others.  Believe it or not, there are people who stand in line at checkouts and memorize others card numbers

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know what you want to hear about next week using #askhonorcu!  

Did you miss this week's Mason Jar Monday?  No worries!  You can listen to 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill and Honor CU's Scott talk about holiday shopping card safety right here!

Credit Unions Shouldn't Be Confusing - Clearing The Air On Some Common Credit Union Questions

What is a credit union?  If you were thinking an institution that is here to help you manage your finances and improve your financial position you are right on the money.  While a lot of people can probably tell you that, there still seems to be a few things that are confusing.  Here are a couple of those questions and their answers to clear the air:

Who can join a credit union? – Yes, credit unions are special, but you do not have to be in a special club to join one.  While years ago, you may have been more limited based on where you worked, now most credit unions are community based.  The amazing financial services and benefits that credit unions can provide are available to just about everyone!  For example, anyone in the State of Michigan can join Honor CU!

Not for Profit Status – what does this even mean? Not for profit means that profits made by the credit union are reinvested back to the members in the form of better rates and improved products and services.  Not for profit is nothing but a positive thing and should set your mind at ease when you decide to join a credit union.  You can sleep a little easier knowing that your money is in a safe place that has your best interests at heart.

How can I access my money? – A lot of people think that they are limited in the places they can access their money, like ATMs or credit union locations.  The really convenient thing about credit unions is the nationwide reach of accessible ATM’s and shared branches!  You can see the over 35,0000 nationwide affiliated ATM’s that you can access through your Honor CU account on our website!

But credit unions don’t have all the high tech stuff that banks do, right? – WRONG!  Just because some credit unions are physically smaller than the big banks, doesn't mean we don’t have cool and convenient tech products to make your life easier!  Between Honor’s mobile app, online banking, remote deposit capture, and text banking there are multiple ways you can access your money 24/7 from anywhere you are!  Credit unions aim to make your life easier while putting you in a better financial position and using technology is just one of the ways we are able to do this!

Now that some of those concerns have been cleared up, you are completely prepared to talk about how great credit unions are with all of your friends and family, right?  Join a credit union today, and see how much you can save!

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know what you want to hear about next week using #askhonorcu! 

Listen to the 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill and Honor CU's Kaylee talk about their misconceptions about credit unions on this week's Mason Jar Monday!

Shopping Local Pays

Local credit unions, like Honor CU, are here to support the local communities and so are locally owned businesses!  Just this month, we celebrated CU Lunch Local, a cash mob that encouraged everyone to spend their lunch hour at a locally owned restaurant to support their local community.  Credit unions believe in people helping people and shopping locally is a great example of how you can help support the people and businesses in your own community.  Here are three reasons that should make you reconsider the places that you prepare to spend your money as the 2014 holiday shopping season fast approaches:

•       Your pennies stay local – You’ve worked hard to save the pennies in your mason jar, so when it comes time to take a few out don’t you want them benefit the community live in?  45%-58% of a local business’ profit stays in the local community versus only 13%-33% of a national business’ profit!
•       Local Passion – Many locally owned businesses have been started from the ground up by owners that are truly passionate about what they do.  With that passion comes a level of expertise and customer service that you can often not find in the big box stores.
•       Main Street Economics – On the same lines of keeping profits local, local businesses fuel the local community with local job opportunities.  So when you spend your pennies local, you are not only supporting that particular business but your own local economy!

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know what you want to hear about next week using #askhonorcu!  

Source - http://www.cuinsight.com/top-5-reasons-credit-unions-should-encourage-shopping-locally.html

Four Money Myths That Can Lead To Money Problems

Last week we talked about common financial problems in America, and this week we are continuing on the same track with some money myths.  Here are four money myths that can lead to money problems if taken too literally*.

Myth #1 – Two incomes are better than one.  It’s obviously the case that two incomes give you more money than one.  Counting on both of those incomes to pay your families bills often the case for most families, but make sure you don’t get caught in a situation if one of those incomes goes away unplanned.  You can avoid this by watching your monthly expenses to leave more room for savings.  Stacking that nest egg up will protect you from getting in real financial danger should your double income be suddenly cut in half.

Myth #2 – Owning is always better than renting.  While owning means your payments are building up your equity vs. your landlords in the case of a house, renting is not always a bad thing.  Everyone’s financial situation is unique and owning a home is not for everyone.  If you think you may not be in the same city in 3 years, buying would probably not be the best option for you at that time.  The key is to look at your own unique situation and really assess what your finances will allow to meet your long term goals. 

Myth #3 – A near-perfect credit score will get you the best loan rate.  Technically speaking, the higher the score the better, but there really is no “magic” number.  When determining a loan rate, many factors are taken into consideration in addition to your credit score.  Different loans and different lenders have different criteria and standards.  Having good credit is never a bad thing, though.

Myth #4 – You need to earn more to save more.  Earning more may increase your ability to stack more away for savings IF you are disciplined enough to do so.  Your ability to save is determined more on your discipline and responsibility with your budget than how much your paycheck is.  Make a budget, include savings in that, and then stick to it regardless of how much you earn each month.

Listen to Honor's Scott and 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill talk about money myths on Mason Jar Monday! 

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know what you want to hear about next week using #askhonorcu!

*Source - http://www.nasdaq.com/article/why-these-4-personal-finance-myths-perpetuate-money-problems-cm396086

Top Three Money Problems Americans Face

Did you know that 4 out of 5 American adults are faced with economic uncertainty at some point in their lives*?  That’s 4 out of 5 people that live and work where you live and work…maybe even including you and your family.  Money problems are not something to shy away from, but rather tackle head on.  Here are the top three money problems that American’s face:

• Problem #1 – I just can’t make ends meet every month comfortably.  As the number one money problem in America, if you worry about meeting your regular financial obligations (i.e..bills, mortgage, rent, ect.) you are not alone.  To start tackling this problem, make a list of all of your bills.  Prioritize by wants vs. needs, and you may be surprised of the things you could cut from your list of bills, at least until you get back on your feet. 
• Problem #2 – Thinking too short term.  While it is only natural to be thinking about this month’s expenses vs. saving for five years from now, it is important to incorporate some form of savings into your monthly budget.  No matter how small, getting in the habit of even putting away $10/month will add up and lead to a larger monthly allowance for savings as you get into a better financial place.
• Problem #3 – I have too much debt.  When asked what they would do with a free 10k, 41% said they would pay down debt.  A high dollar amount of debt is concerning to many Americans, but there are solutions.  Debt consolidation options and debt management tips and advice are only as far away as your local credit union!  Consolidating your debt into one more manageable payment and then being disciplined to stay on track with a new debt plan will get you out of the debt hole faster than you think!

The biggest point we can emphasize is don’t hide from your financial concerns, but rather come down to your local credit union for some free, unbiased, responsible advice and solution options!  We want to get you in the best financial situation possible!

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter @honorcu and let us know what you want to hear about next week using #askhonorcu! 

*Source - http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2014/09/20/wall-st-cheat-sheet-money-problems/15832929/

Three Financial Tips For College Freshmen

Now that most college students have been at it for a couple weeks now, they can start thinking about a bit more than getting through the first day jitters.  For all of you college freshmen out there, or if you have a student that is a college freshmen, it is not too early to start getting those finances in line!   Before you know it you will be donning the cap and gown on graduation day, and you will thank yourself then for thinking about a few of these things now:

1. Get organized!  This sounds like a no-brainer, but staying on top of the little things like avoiding parking fines and late fees for library books can really add up!  There is nothing worse than watching you bank account diminish because you were running late and had to park in the “Permit Only” zone crossing your fingers you would fly under the meter monitor’s radar.  Those fines can add up when they could have been a cushion in your savings!  Plus, with outstanding parking tickets or library fees, some colleges may put a hold on your account and not let you sign up for your next semester of classes!
2. Avoid ATM fees!  Wherever in the United States you are attending school, there is no excuse to pay those pesky ATM fees.  You may be thinking, “but my family credit union is a state away, what am I supposed to do?” The answer is simple…Benefits Checking!  Get up to $20 a month in ATM fees reimbursed by meeting a few simple requirements.  More details on www.honorcu.com.
3. Don’t get caught up in a gimmick!  You are going to start getting mail and offers for these seemingly fabulous credit cards and loan offers that will give you a free t-shirt or a even cash for signing up.  Don’t get fooled!  Often these offers are incredibly high interest rate cards targeted at students.  Stick with your local credit union options where you know all of the details and can still get some pretty cool perks with…check out Honor’s Visa rewards program for example!

We just can’t reiterate enough that it is never too early to start thinking of putting yourself in a great financial position.  We know you have a lot going on in that first semester away at school, but following a few of these simple guidelines can really add up. 

What other tips would you give a college freshmen?  Let us know by commenting on this post or by following us on Twitter @honorcu using #askhonorcu! 

Four "To-Do's" To Winterize Your Finances

Although we hesitate to say it out loud, it appears that summer is actually coming to an end.  Fall is here, and instead of continuing to live in a world of denial wishing for flip flops and beach days, you will have a much more relaxing winter if you follow these four financial* “to-do’s” this fall:

1. Prepare your vehicles or summer toys for winter – take care of the engines that will either get a lot of use this winter (new tires, tune up, ect.) and get the engines you won’t use until next summer winterized early.  Don’t wait until last minute when you may be forced to paying a little more for a rush or have fewer options.
2. Make your holiday shopping list now! I know this sounds a little crazy, but budgeting for the holiday season now will allow for less of a monthly burden than starting December 24^th.  Scope out the sales while you have plenty of time to hunt for the best prices.  You will also feel mentally more relaxed approaching the holidays with a plan. 
3. Clean out your summer closet – Make room for your warmer clothes by cleaning out the summer items that you won’t wear again.  Take them to a consignment shop to make a few bucks or donate them.  Not only will you have a better idea of what you actually need (vs. want) for your winter wardrobe, but you will also have room in your closet for the new items you find on sale (because you obviously will be bargain hunting for those new items, right?!).
4. Take a look at your flex spending account – don’t wait until the last two weeks of December when you have to use it or lose it.  Plan now what you can use, whether it’s a new pair of glasses for your kid that just started school or that dentist visit you’ve been putting off. 

What other ways are you preparing your finances for the colder months?  Let us know on Twitter @honorcu using #askhonorcu!

Listen to Honor's Kaylee chat with 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill about their fall finance tips!

*Source - http://www.mydollarplan.com/15-must-do-fall-finance-tips/

Four Ways To Keep With Your Finances & Still Be A Football Super Fan!

We know you have been waiting for this season for a long time, and football is finally back.  Obviously keeping up with your favorite team or your fantasy league should take first priority, so here are three ways that you can keep up with your finances without missing a second of the big game.

1. Mobile App -  If you haven’t downloaded Honor’s mobile app from the app store yet, you need to do it now.  Watch the game, keep tabs on all of your accounts, transfer funds, and so much more all while still not moving from your seat (either at the game or on the couch).
2. Mobile Deposit Capture – Why waste precious minutes that could be spent tailgating to run to the credit union and deposit your check when you can do it from your phone using Remote Deposit Capture?!  Take advantage of this FREE convenient tool and don’t miss a second of your tailgating experience or the big game.
3. Auto Pay – You are already stressed out enough about how your fantasy league is doing, let us worry about paying your bills on time. Enroll in auto pay through online bill pay and check this off your list.  You can trust that your bills will all be paid on time so you can focus on the important things, like the status of your team’s starting QB.
4. Benefits Checking – You’re at the big game and you need a little more cash to get just one more hot dog, and the concession only takes cash.  We’ve all been there.  If you have benefits checking, you can withdraw cash from the ATM at the stadium without worrying about that pesky ATM fee if you meet a few simple requirements.  You can find out more about benefits checking and the requirements on honor’s website.

Now back to football, which team are you rooting for this year?  Let us know on twitter @honorcu using #askhonorcu!

Listen to Honor's Scott and 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill talk about their football favorites and financial tips for football season in last week's Mason Jar Monday episode! 

Three Tips For Back To School Savings

Are your kids back in school this month?  If so, you might be still in the middle of making sure they are ready for another successful school year.  Did you know parents will spend almost $670 to get ONE CHILD ready for the school year, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey*?!  Here are three tips to help you spend less and still set your student off on the right foot for a great school year:

1. Clean out that closet!  Before you spend a dime at the store on new clothes for your growing child, make sure you know exactly what they have that still fits.  Have them try on everything and the things that don’t fit take to a clothing resale store or donate to charity.
2. Make a list and prioritize it.  Make the list and highlight the things that are “must-haves,” like the list of school supplies from the school.  From there, given what your pre-determined budget is you can better spend the remaining on the items that your child wants but doesn’t necessarily need.
3. Clip those coupons!  Paying attention to when and where the items on your shopping list are on sale can save you big time!  Pay extra attention to the coupons and ads that any other time of the year you may look right past for extra pennies that you can keep in your mason jar!
4. 
   

What other ways do you save on back to school shopping?  Let us know on twitter @honorcu using #askhonorcu

Listen to 97.5 Y-Country's Wild Bill and Honor's Scott talk about their tips for back to school savings!

*Source - http://www.bankrate.com/finance/personal-finance/6-tips-for-frugal-back-to-school-savings-1.aspx