Summer Fun - For Less {Part 2}

As you may have read, we have a compiled a list of 10 ways you can have fun this summer, without spending 'an arm and a leg' - and below is the second half of that list.  We always strive for Financial Fitness, so this Summer vacation, we encourage you to try some activities that will keep more money in your account and smiles on everyone’s face...

6. Keep Learning

Just because school is out doesn't mean learning needs to stop! Make a calendar with your youngsters and pick a different theme for what you want learn about that week.  Pick fun and interesting topics like stars and constellations, cloud formations, bugs and insects, the environment, animals, and more!

7. Go to the Library

Libraries are a jackpot for afternoons and days of fun, for free! Many local libraries not only offer an endless supply of summer reading, but you can also check out movies and audio tracks as well.  Ask at your local library for any summer activities for the kiddos or book clubs for adults.

8. Plan a game night

Gather a few neighborhood friends and families and host a game night!  Ask each family to bring a snack to share and a game of their choice and make an evening out of it!  You’ll get to know other families and maybe even learn a new game or two!

9. S’more fun

If it’s legal in your neighborhood, pick a night and have a bonfire and camp out!  Grab some hot dogs and s’more ingredients, maybe a game, and some music.  This can be a nice way to spend time with family and friends and enjoy the summer evenings. 

10. Volunteer

There are many places that would love to have extra help during the summer months.  You can volunteer at all kinds of places – an animal shelter, a food shelf, or a recycling center – even an afternoon of picking up littered trash can be a huge help.  You’ll feel better too!

There are hundreds of other ways you can have fun this Summer without spending heaps of money.  Be creative, try new things, and think outside the box!  Whatever you do, make the most of it and have fun – Financial Fitness doesn't have to mean sacrificing a good time!

Our mission is to educate, support, and encourage our Members to become Financially Fit.


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Meet Karen!

Have you ever been chased around by a wild donkey in the middle of South Dakota? We didn't think so.  However, one of our very own employees has!

Karen O'Hara has been with us as St. Cloud Federal Credit Union for over 7 years and is one of our prized Member Service Representatives.  Karen’s smiling face is recognizable by many of our Members when they visit us at the Credit Union.  Karen says her favorite part about being an SCFCU employee is ‘all the fun people’ she gets to work alongside; we couldn't be happier to have her.

When Karen isn't assisting our Members, you can often find her diving into a romance novel, watching a new movie, or surfing all that Pinterest has to offer.  If Karen flips on the TV, it’s usually to watch Smash, Vampire Diaries, and How I Met Your Mother.  Karen’s favorite subject in school was English and her favorite color is pink.  If she could travel anywhere in the world, Karen would choose to go to Ireland; her last name would be recognizable there, no doubt!

With her contagious laugh and positive attitude, Karen brightens everyone’s day.  She is always willing to help with projects and we know we’re very lucky to call her one of our own.  Thank you for all you do, Karen – we’re so happy you’re part of our SCFCU Family!


 We are People Helping People.

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Bill the IV

For the fourth time, there will be a newly designed $100 dollar bill.  The Federal Reserve estimates that this new $100 dollar bill will make its debut on October 8^th, 2013.  The fancy and ‘high-tech’ bill will be one-of-a-kind and has several security features.

This bill has over a decade’s worth of research put into it, including its safety and designs aspects.  The new $100 bill aims to eliminate counterfeits by having a 3-D security ribbon, blue in color, down the front of the bill.  The blue ribbon also ‘moves’ when you tilt your cash from side to side.  This bright feature is not just printed on to the bill, but is actually woven into its fibers.  This security ribbon is not the only thing that transforms, the bell and ‘100’ on the front of the bill also switche from a copper color to a green color when the bill is tilted back and forth.  The shift from gold to green can make this security bell seem as though it disappears into the bill.

When you hold your new $100 bill under light, you’ll also notice a second image of Benjamin Franklin.  This faint face appears to the right of the main portrait and can be seen from either side of the bill.  While you’re ‘looking into the light’, you’ll also see a thread that is embedded vertically to the left of Benjamin’s face.  This additional security thread has both the number ‘100’ and the letters ‘USA’ in an alternating pattern.  Like Benjamin’s second portrait, this can be seen from either side of the bill, and when lit by a UV light, glows a bright pink color.

One of the most notable visual changes on the new $100 bill is the gold ‘100’ running along the back side of the bill.  This helps set the new style apart from the old.  When your rub your fingers over the bill, you’ll feel that aspects of Benjamin’s portraits are embossed, or raised from the rest.  This feature on his left shoulder is another major distinguishing factor in U.S. currency.

As mentioned, this is the fourth time that our Benjamin Franklin featured bill has been revamped and redesigned.  The three prior changes were all made in the last 20 years alone.  These changes and updates are continually working to improve security technology and reduce the ability to counterfeit.  For even more features of the new $100 bill, visit http://www.newmoney.gov/uscurrency/redesigned100.htm!  

Going Green = More Green

As many of you know, April 22^nd is Earth Day!  In effort to create a better understanding of ways we can all contribute to ‘greener’ living, we've been focusing many of our posts around environmental practices and awareness.  Living with Mother Earth in mind is not only good for our conscience, but it can make our wallets feel a little better too! How? Below is a list of ways going green, can help you have more ‘green’… 

1. Aluminum = CHA-CHING

Collecting pop cans is one of the most common forms of recycling.  Did you know you can turn in those aluminum cans for change? In Central MN you can get anywhere from 60-70 cents per pound, which is about 35 cans.  Toss ‘em in a bin and bring ‘em in!

2. Ditch the Plastic

Each year a household can spend up to $700 dollars on buying bottled water.  Choosing to purchase a reasonably priced filter or tap system will not only save you a lot of money in water purchases, but can also help alleviate the amount of plastic thrown away each year (which can be up to 22 billion bottles!).

3. Bags, Bags, Bags

Each year over 380 billion bags are used in the U.S.; that’s over 1,200 bags per person.  Of that 380 billion, only 1-2% gets recycled.  Many residents and shoppers are not aware they can recycle plastic bag, but you can just as you would a pop-can, soup-can, or milk jug.  Another great alternative to plastic bags is bringing your own bag.  Many stores give up to 5 cents for each reusable bag, so you’re doing the environment and your wallet a favor.

4. Better Bulbs

Using an energy efficient light bulb uses around 10 times less energy to create the same amount of light.  Not only are they better for the environment, but they’ll also save you money on your electric bill.

While we’re all for saving money and being more financially fit, we’re always invested in the well-being of our Members and community, and that includes the environment we all live in.  Recycling benefits all of us and our future posterity! Spread the love, go green!

We are People Helping People.


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Life in the Spotlight: Meet Bryce!

Have you seen the Sartell Chamber of Commerce’s April photo caption contest?  If so, you’ve seen the friendly smile of one of SCFCU’s prized employees, Bryce!  We wanted to allow you all to get to know the man behind the photo just a little bit better… who knows, maybe it’ll inspire some ideas for your own caption entry!

Bryce has been a Member Services Representative at our Sartell location for 3 years now.  His favorite part about working at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union are his co-workers (thanks Bryce, we like having you around too)!  Before the life of spotlighted photographs and helping our Members, Bryce dreamed of being a State Trooper in Alaska, which is where he would go if he could vacation anywhere.

While you’ll find Bryce’s smiling face whenever you stop in our lobby, it may fade now and then around this time of year. Why? Well, St. Patrick’s Day (Bryce’s favorite holiday) has passed, Winter (as a true Minnesotan, his favorite season) is coming to an end, and snakes and spiders (the 2 pets Bryce would never have) start to creep and crawl around.  Luckily, Bryce has The Walking Dead and Sons of Anarchy (his favorite TV shows) along with his two sisters to cheer him up!  Bryce’s favorite color is green, he listens to Country and Rap music, and if he could hang out with any celebrity for a day, he’d choose Sheldon Cooper; bazinga!

Bryce is a friendly, cheerful, fun employee to have here at SCFCU and we couldn’t be happier that he is a part of our team.  Thanks for all you do Bryce, we’re lucky to have you!


 We are People Helping People.

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Credit Scores? Just Smile and Nod…

We often hear about the importance of a strong, well-kept Credit Score; but do you really understand what a Credit Score is?  Although the details are far from simple, we did our best to break it down and cover some main points to help you become more informed, so next time you’re asked about a Credit Score, you don’t have to just smile and nod…

What Exactly is It?
A Credit Score is a 3 digit number generated by mathematical algorithms taken from various pieces of information within your Credit Report.  Basically, this calculated number aims to predict your risk as an individual and analyze the chances of you becoming a “delinquent” on different credit obligations. 

Who Uses It?
Your Credit Score is often used by financial institutions and credit card companies to evaluate your eligibility for lending money.  Your score can help determine if you qualify for a loan, what your limits are, and the interest rate.  However, Credit Scores are not only for financial institutions.  A variety of organizations (cell phone companies, insurance companies, landlords, etc.) can use your Credit Score information for the same techniques.  Your Credit Score can be the difference between a low or high interest rate, qualification for an apartment rental, and much more.

Are they All the Same?
While there are all kinds of existing Credit Score models, the most common is the FICO.  According to myFICO.com, “90 percent of all financial institutions in the U.S. use FICO scores” when making decisions.  Your FICO score can be anywhere in the 300 – 850 range; a higher FICO score number indicates lower risk.  There are three different Credit Bureaus that gather your score: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – this means each consumer has three FICO scores.  Your FICO score is made up from your Credit Report’s data that is sorted into 5 main categories (see below).  Within this model, some factors are weighed more heavily – like debt and payment history.

What Makes up the Score?
On the right, you’ll see a model of what goes into your Credit Score.  Your Payment History (35%) includes account payment information, including delinquencies and public records.  Your Amounts Owed (30%) is how much you owe on each of your accounts.  The Length of Credit History (15%) is the amount of time between activity on accounts and how long they've been open.  Types of Credit Used (10%) is the variety of accounts you have (installment and revolving).  Lastly, New Credit (10%) includes credit inquiries you've made, recently opened accounts, and your pursuing of new credit.  It is important to note that personal and demographic information (age, marital status, race, income, address, employment, etc.) do not affect your score.

With a better understanding of your Credit Score you can practice better control of your score.  Stay tuned for future blogs about how to build good scores, what can hurt your score, and becoming financially fit. If you have any questions, call or stop by today! We are People Helping People.

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Six Tricks to Play it Safe

At St. Cloud Federal Credit Union the safety of our Members and our community is extremely important to us.  When online, always take extra caution, especially when providing vulnerable information, like card numbers, full names, addresses etc. (most often needed for online shopping).  Here are six tricks to play it safe online …

1. If it doesn’t look ‘legit’, it’s not -

Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether a particular website is legitimate or not, but if you’re questioning it – it’s better to err on the side of caution.  If you’re not sure, look for some ‘red flags’ like automatic pop-up windows, a strange address, or amateur design and layout.  If any of these occur – do yourself and your computer a favor, and exit the site!

2. Look for the ‘S’ -

Credit.com and Identity Theft 911 founder, Adam Levin, recommends you look for the ‘S’ in the “https” portion of the web address.  Not that all http addresses are bad news, but the ‘S’ stands for “secure”; better safe than sorry! 

3. Keep it Current -

Always update your anti-virus software when necessary! This is an extra shield for when you’re scouting out good deals and perusing the web. This also applies to your cell phone lock codes and passwords. 
Public Wi-Fi is great, but you never know who else is
 using it, and for not-so-good reasons.

4. Passwords are Key –

Don’t be afraid to change your passwords regularly (as long as you’ve got a method of remembering them) so that your accounts aren't easily accessible to outside sources.  Don’t stick to simple passwords or use any sort of private information within them.  Some methods we suggest are using both uppercase and lowercase letters, adding numbers and symbols, and avoid using full or popular words.

5. Use ID Theft Protection –

There are many services offered with various accounts (some for free!) that can help you protect your money and your identity.  Many experts suggest using a credit card or pay card because it tends to be easier to see and trace ‘erroneous charges’.  Keep an eye on your statements and don’t overlook anything that’s questionable.

6. Be Social Media Safe –

Just like cycling through passwords can keep accounts fresh and safe, so can avoiding questionable contacts.  If a Facebook post or Tweet looks fishy and out of the ordinary for a friend or business – avoid it.  We’re not saying you have to ‘unfriend’ or ‘unfollow’ that person or brand, but be aware that hackers can send things attempting to look as legitimate as possible. “BitDefender recommends treating messages from strangers as spam – just ignore them” (MSN Money).  Be as social as you want, but be safe while doing it!

Because we know time spent ‘surfing the web’ is always increasing, we always encourage awareness and safety on the internet. We are #PeopleHelpingPeople.


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A Penny for Your Thoughts

Have you heard? Canada did away with their penny as of Monday, February 4^th, 2013.  What are your thoughts on our little one cent friend? Do you like having a penny? Would you be OK with the decision to eliminate the small, copper, Lincoln-silhouetted coin?

Just for fun, we’ve gathereed a few facts about the U.S. penny:

1.  The Average penny lasts 25 years.

2.  The penny was the first coin minted in the United States.

3.  There are 11 different designs of the penny.

4.  The Lincoln penny was originally minted in 1909, which was Lincoln's 100^th birthday.

5.  Lincoln is the only coin-featured president that faces the right – all others face the left.

6.  The penny was the first U.S. coin to have the “IN GOD WE TRUST” motto on it.

7.  Every year the United States Mint produces over 13 billion pennies.

8.  The U.S. Mint collects one cent for each penny made- this profit goes toward helping pay the public debt.

9.  In 2009, four new backsides to the penny were designed and released in honor of Lincoln’s 200^th Birthday.  Each design depicts a different scene from his life.

10.  The penny costs more to make than it’s actually worth, but is the most profitable coin.

11.  Melting down pennies from before 1982 (due to their valuable copper) is illegal and could cost you $10,000 in fines or five years in prison.

12.  Just over 1,000 new pennies are minted every second.

13.  “E Pluribus Unum” (engraved on pennies) means “One out of many”.

14.  The penny weighs 2.5 grams.

15.  The average American home has roughly $93.75 worth of pennies collected in jars, lost under sofa cushions, of forgotten in old purses and pockets.

Recent polls show that 73% of Americans favor keeping the penny in circulation, do you?  It sure got us thinking. . .