Getting Your Game On With Your Credit Union

Finally, it’s time- for FOOTBALL! The leaves are getting ready to turn, the air is just a bit cooler, and it’s almost back to school time. Families around the country are gearing up for their kids’ big games on the field, purchasing much needed uniforms and equipment. Although there’s a ton of excitement centering around high school sports, the fact is, kids’ sports are EXPENSIVE. But, the uniforms and gear don’t HAVE to cost more than season tickets to a professional sporting event. Check out these helpful hints on how to save money on your kids sports this year.

1)      Volunteer Your Time – If you volunteer to coach, manage the concession stand, or even wash the players’ uniforms, you could get a big break on sports fees. Check with your school district or the head coach and see if there’s anything like that available. If there isn’t, offer your time for whatever they might need in exchange for discounts. You never know if you don’t ask! Plus, it’s a great way to spend time with your kids or see them play when you might otherwise not be able to.

2)      Buy Second-Hand, & Negotiate– When it comes to uniforms, cleats, balls, bats, gloves, etc., buying used is your best option. Kids change their minds at the drop of a hat, so you don’t want to spend $100 on Johnny’s football cleats, and then have him quit two weeks later, rendering those pricey shoes useless.  And kids grow- FAST. Next year, that expensive uniform probably won’t fit Johnny anymore, seeing as how he grew 5 inches. You’re better off hitting up a garage sale, thrift store, or even eBay. While you’re shopping at the thrift shops, be sure to negotiate. If you’re buying an older kid’s uniform, shoes, and sports accessories from last year, ask for a price reduction.

3)      Carpool- Transportation to games and practices can be significantly costly if your child’s activity is far from home. A 30 minute round trip drive twice a week can quickly put a dent in your gas tank. Instead of driving your child by yourself every time, try organizing a carpooling system with other parents. You’ll save a bundle!

Don’t forget to follow Honor on Twitter @honorcu!  Tweet us and let us know what you want to hear us talk about on Mason Jar Monday next week using #askhonorcu!

The Back To School Budget

 

Back to school shopping is much more intense (and expensive) than it was years ago, when all you needed was a few notebooks, some #2 pencils, and a couple pairs of jeans that didn’t look like you were preparing for a flood.  Nowadays, teachers equip their new students with lists of supplies way in advance of the new school year (I’m talking July, sometimes even June!) that include a multitude of supplies. Many they will probably need and use. But many are questionable. So how do you determine the balance of what they need, and what you can afford? Here’s a few simple tips to stick to when you enter the jungle of back to school shopping.

1.       Take Stock & Re-Use.  Go through last year’s collection of supplies and see what you already have that can be used for the new school year. Your child only used half of their English notebook last year? Use that notebook! Are the highlighters and book covers still in good shape? Don’t buy more! Still have whole crayons and markers that aren’t dried out? Use those, too! If the old isn’t broken or used up or in bad shape, why buy new?

2.       Set A Budget & Make A List.   If you only have $100 to spend on school supplies this year (like me), then don’t spend more than that. Seems simple, but spending can easily and quickly get out of control, especially if you’re using plastic money and don’t see it dwindling in front of you. Bring in cash to the store, so you can visibly see your budget. It helps. Then, list specific items that you KNOW you need, and don’t put anything else on the list. If you have money left over in your budget, BONUS! Save it, or spend it on something else you or the kids would like to have for school.

3.       Skip New Clothes. Unless there is something your child just HAS to have (and it fits in your budget), buy as few NEW clothes for back to school as you can. Chances are they’ll be wearing their summer clothes for the first couple of months of school, anyways. After that, head to the thrift stores in your area! Kids go through so many growth spurts, it can be financially painful to spend $50 on a pair of jeans they’ll wear for a few months, then get rid of because they no longer fit. Thrift stores are a great alternative- super low prices on fairly nice, gently used items that fit your kids, and you won’t feel the financial pinch once they grow out of them! Win-win!

Back to school shopping can be fun and cheap, if you do it right. Follow these tips while at the store, and your wallet, your kids, and their teachers, will be happy!

Don’t forget to follow Honor on Twitter @honorcu!  Tweet us and let us know what you want to hear us talk about on Mason Jar Monday next week using #askhonorcu!

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! 

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!
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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