Stop Spending Money….And Start Spending Time

Every year, it seems more people are spending much more money on gifts, holiday décor, holiday meals, and the like. Even if you’re normally perfectly sensible about money, the holiday season can send us all into a spending frenzy! But it doesn’t have to be that way- Christmas can be just as special without all the spending of money.

Here are some tips to make your season merry and bright, without handing over cash!

1. Spend time instead- Make all homemade ornaments and decorations & decorate with the kids, have a home-based wine and dine with friends, or just relax at home with Christmas movies and snacks!
2. Have a potluck Christmas dinner- Invite friends and family over for a big feast, but have each person bring a traditional Christmas dish. You never know how many yummy family recipes are out there until you have a good ol' fashioned potluck!
3. Buy experiences for people instead of traditional presents-  Buy gift cards for experiences like movie theaters, children’s museums, snow mountain passes, indoor sports, etc. Making memories through fun experiences can be much more valuable than another pair of socks any day!

Don’t let the holidays deplete your savings account- Buy or make meaningful, inexpensive gifts as presents, and remember- Time spent together, enjoying each other’s company is the best kind of spending!

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

Holiday Spending: How To Keep It Under Control

Have you blown your Holiday budget this year, or are you holding onto your cash with an iron fist? The holidays are definitely a time to take into consideration what you can realistically afford for children, friends, and family. Sure, Sally may really want that $50 Christmas Barbie, and Joey may have been dreaming about that insanely expensive Star Wars collectible. But can "Santa" buy those items for them without going broke, or worse, into debt? Whatever your stance on spending around the holidays, it’s safe to say most families are thinking about how to afford them. Here are some things to consider when getting ready to shop:

1.  Setting a budget and sticking to it- Many times, people will just blindly go to the stores without a set budget in mind. This is dangerous, as 9 times out of 10 you will end up spending much more than you anticipated.
2. Write down what you want to buy for everyone on your list- If Dad wants a new pocket knife, Mom has been dreaming about this new necklace she saw on TV, and the kids have been wishing for specific toys, write it all down. You won't forget what everyone really wants, and you may even find something very similar for a more affordable price once you start looking and are thinking about those specific items!
3. Do not deviate from your list-This way, everyone gets what they desire, and you won't end up buying a bunch of other items they really don't care about to go with what they actually want. AND you won't be tempted to buy for yourself and spend money you probably don't have!
4. Don’t be swayed by “good deals” near the checkout line! PS- usually, they really aren't good deals, anyways. Companies put items near the checkout line to help sway you and tempt you into spending when you don't need to. Do you really need that $8 nail polish? That chocolate bar looks tasty, but will it taste as good as $5 feels in your pocket? Think before you grab these little temptations off the checkout shelf.

 If you know that you need a little extra help to get your shopping done, a holiday loan or a special credit card rate might be good options. Honor Credit Union has a couple solutions:
 

1. A holiday loan with 12 month financing can help spread your purchases out throughout the year
2. Or take advantage of a discounted credit card rate for all Honor Credit Union Visa purchases made throughout the holiday season

If one of these sounds interesting to you, let us help you shop for the holidays smarter! Check out Honorcu.com or stop into your local branch for details

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

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!