Five Fall Financial Fitness Tips

Whoa, say that title ten times fast!  Fall is always a fun time of year; colors are changing, leaves are falling, and temps are beginning to drop.  Making the most of autumn while staying Financially Fit may be easier than you think! Check out this list of five money-saving tips we put together...

1.  Home-heating costs are not cheap, especially for us Minnesotans.  Before the Temperature cools way down, consider taking another look at how 'weatherproof' your home is.  It may cost you a bit up front, but it will save you a lot in heating and maintenance costs in the upcoming winter months!

2. Fresh foods are plentiful and inexpensive during this time of year.  You can still grab summer favorites like tomatoes, peppers, corn, and cucumbers AND add in fall favorites like butternut squash, grapes, and sweet potatoes for tasty, nutritious, and affordable meals.  And remember, as herbs and summer annuals start to seed, take a few minutes to collect seeds for next year. This can be an easy way to keep your garden going from year to year, without making it a huge investment!

3. Cooking with a crock pot rather than a stove can save you money in energy costs.  You can make a lot of yummy, healthy meals with a crock pot, and it will save you time too.  Simply throw ingredients in and let the crock pot do the work!

4. Fall is a great time of year to use nature for seasonal decorations.  While the goodies at home decor stores can be tempting, you can have a festive home for a lot less!  Gather acorns, twigs, leaves, or corn stalks for a fun Thanksgiving table, or snag leftover Halloween pumpkins to create a harvest scene!

5.  The Thanksgiving season triggers sales on all sorts of baking supplies – flour, sugar, chocolate chips, spices, nuts and more! Do an inventory of what you have to figure out what you're running low on. Then, stock up! *Tip: Be sure to check for coupons before you head to the store. This time of year you'll find coupons for the ‘staple’ baking items!

Bonus Tip:  If the cost of the Holidays is starting to stress you out, make sure to take some time to set a holiday budget and spending plan. If you haven’t done it yet, November is the best time to plan for spending in the month of December.  If you’re Financially Fit during the Holiday Season, you’re bound to enjoy it even more!

There are always ways you can have fun and enjoy the season while keeping your Financial Fitness in mind… Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, and Financial Fitness ideas!

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

Like - Follow - Pin - Connect - Link - Watch - Read

  

6 Tricks to Make Halloween a Treat

Did you know that in 2013, consumers will spend just under $7 billion on candy corn, costumes, and creepy décor? That’s some serious Halloween dedication! However, more of us must have Financial Fitness on the brain, because spending is down from 2012, when spending peaked at over $8 billion.

Let us help you enjoy the Halloween season, without breaking your budget in the process!  Below are 6 frugal (but festive) tricks to make your Halloween a Treat …

1. Do a Costume Swap

Find a neighbor, relative, or family friend, and swap some costumes for the kids! This will help them have a variety of choices to choose from, and save you from those outrageously-priced costumes.

2. Create Your Own Costume
If your little one has their mind set on what they’d like to dress up as, but you don’t want to drop the cash on ‘the perfect outfit’, create your own costume! Figure out what pieces the costume is made of, and see how you can make it yourself for a lot less.  Inexpensive and unique!

3. Don’t Overstock the Candy Bowl

You never know just how many visitors you’ll have, so don’t spend an arm and a leg filling buckets and buckets of candy to hand out. While buying in bulk can get you more bang for your buck, don’t go overboard!  Set a price you want to spend, and know that it’s OK if you run out – just make sure you switch the porch light off.

4. Think Ahead

When buying your candy supply, plan on buying it ahead of time.  No, we’re not talking clearance Easter candy – but don’t wait until the few days before Halloween; that’s when prices are highest.

5.  Shop Around

If you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin, do a little price comparison.  In some cases, a local pumpkin patch can offer reasonable prices (along with hay rides, free activities, and fun) – but sometimes a nearby supermarket may save you more.  Take the time to shop around and you’ll find the pumpkin and price you want.

6. D.I.Y.

If you want to really get into the spirit, look for ‘DIY’ (do it yourself) projects to make your own Halloween decorations!  Many projects use items you may already have around the house, and can be a fun way to spend an afternoon with friends and kids – head to Pinterest for loads of fun ideas!

Halloween fun doesn't have to be expensive! By spending a little time comparing prices and getting your creative juices flowing, you’ll be able to enjoy the Halloween season, without it taking a toll on your Financial Fitness!

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

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!  

Youth Week 2013!

Who’s ready for some fun? At St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, we are very excited to announce Youth Week 2013, coming to our St. Cloud and Sartell locations the week of April 21^st – 27^th! We would love to have you come and help us celebrate National Credit Union Youth Week at a number of fun events we’ll be hosting…

All week you can stop by to pick up a coloring sheet for our coloring contest and have your “I’m a Star Saver because…” photo taken.  Also during Youth Week, all youth ages 12 and under who open an account at SCFCU will receive a Star Saver bank and gift bag!

Other exciting events include:

Root Beer Floats!

Join us Monday, April 22^nd from 2:30-4:30pm to kick off Youth Week with a delicious treat!  Root Beer floats will be offered at both locations.

Tour the Credit Union!

RSVP to 320-258-2161 by Wednesday 4-24 to have your very own tour of SCFCU on Thursday, April 25^th.  Tour times are at 10:30am, 3:30pm, 4:00pm, and 4:30pm.  There are limited spots available, so call today!

Winner, Winner!

On Friday, April 26^th we’ll choose 3 winners from our coloring contest and 4 random winners of our Star Saver photos and announce them at 3:00pm on our Facebook page.  Each winner will receive $25!

Movie Showing!

On Saturday, April 27^th at 10:00am we’ll be showing Wreck it Ralph in our lower level Community Room at our St. Cloud location (3030 First St. South).  Bring a pillow and blanket, we’ll pop the popcorn! Please RSVP to 320-258-2161 by Friday, 4/26.

We’re so excited to celebrate the Youth in our community and encourage Star Saving!  If you have any questions or would like to RSVP for our fun activities, please call 320-258-2161, or visit our Youth Week page on our website!  We hope to see you all during Youth Week!

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.


Like - Follow - Pin - Connect - Link - Watch - Read

Help Your Credit Score Soar!

We recently posted a blog breaking down the basics of what a Credit Score is for better understanding.  As promised, below is a list we've compiled of ways you can boost your Credit Score and make it soar!

-Pay Your Bills on Time:
Late (aka: ‘delinquent’) payments have a huge negative impact on your overall score.  The more you’re on time with bills, the better your score will get.

-Don’t Open More Cards than Necessary:
Multiple new accounts can start to lower your account ‘age’ and in turn, drop your score as well.

-Be a Responsible Manager:
Having Credit Cards is good, as long as you are good about keeping track of them (limits, payments, etc.).  Having no cards at all can be a higher risk, so be on top of the ones you do have.

-Maintain a Low Balance:
A higher ‘outstanding debt’ can really affect your overall score – it can be lowered over 50 points just by maxing out a card!

-Keep an Eye on your Credit Report:
From time to time, outdated or inaccurate details can show up on your Credit Report – this too can really damage your Credit Score.  Check your Report often, and if/when you see an error file a claim to get it fixed.

-Be Active:
Just having a credit card isn't going to increase your Credit Score – you have to use the card to really establish a strong credit.  Even if it’s a card you only use on groceries, get it – and use it wisely!

Last, but certainly not least --
-Be Persistent:
Improving your Credit Score can take years of diligent spending and dedication to watching your finances – it may not be easy, but we can promise that it will be worth it.  Commit yourself to practicing Financial Fitness today!

Good Credit can be essential to living without financial stress.  If you’d like to talk with one of us, or get help pulling your free Credit Report, call or stop in – we’re here for you!  Our Member’s financial being is always our priority.  We are People Helping People.

Like - Follow - Pin - Connect - Link - Watch - Read

Spring Cleaning = Spring Saving

In the spirit of today being the first day of Spring (we know, it hardly feels like it) – we thought we’d blog accordingly!  Below is a list of 7 places to check for Spring savings when Spring cleaning …

1. Light bulbs
When you’re cleaning and dusting off those light fixtures, why not dust the light bulbs too?  A clean light bulb will give off more light, giving you more ‘bang for your buck’.  If you have to replace any bulbs, consider doing so with energy efficient ones. 

2. Fridge
When you’re throwing out moldy, stinky, rotten food and scrubbing the grime off the shelves, take a look at your temperature dial; is it set colder than it needs to be? Is something blocking it from getting an accurate read?  If you see fit, adjust the temperature so the fridge is kept at suitable setting.  Also, take the extra time to pull the fridge away from the wall and dust off the back coils – this helps the fridge run more efficiently and with less energy (which = less money spent).

3. Filters
Although it is hard for many of us Minnesotans to imagine turning on the Air Conditioner, during your spring cleaning, check out the AC filter.  If necessary, toss the old one and install a new one – an old, beat up, unclean filter makes your AC do more work than necessary, and a new one can save you anywhere from 5% to 15% on yourbill. A good rule of thumb is to change your air filter 2-4 times a year.

4. Dishwasher
For many of us, the Spring Cleaning list doesn't include our dishwasher, but we suggest adding it! Bottom line: a clean dishwasher uses less water.  How? During rinse and wash cycles, many dishwashers will overcompensate for the dirty area surrounding your dirty dishes.  First, clean your dishwasher (door, shelves, racks, etc.) with warm vinegar water and then run a wash cycle with lemonade powder as the soap.   Last, clean the seal around the door – this way your dishwasher won’t pump out extra heat due to leaks. Voila! 

5. Dryer
The dryer is pretty basic, and keeping lint filters clean seems like common sense, we know.  This Spring, also remember to have your dryer ducts clean and like the fridge, clean behind your dryer to keep things running efficiently.  If you’re really looking to save – boycott the dryer all together on warm, sunny days and use a clothesline!

6. Roof
When you’re cleaning all the leaves out of your gutters, take a second to check at the ventilation in your attic.  Clean ventilation can help reduce the build up of heat (which means less cost on running the AC) and is also better for the life of your shingles.

7. Sliding Doors
Hopefully we’ll be using these soon to step on the back patio, but in the mean time - keep the sliding track clean.  Dust and dirt can build up over the winter months and loosen the seal – clearing that out can assure you that your air conditioner isn't doing more work than it has to. 

We know that Spring Cleaning is hardly exciting for most of us, but our financial fitness goals seem to be applicable to all areas of life: the good, the bad, the clean, and the dirty. Happy Spring and Happy Cleaning!


Like - Follow - Pin - Connect - Link - Watch - Read

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.


Like - Follow - Pin - Connect - Link - Watch - Read

Meet Jessi

If you've been in the Lobby or Drive-Up of our St. Cloud location in the last 8+ years, chances are you've done a transaction or two with our very own Jessi. Isn't she great?  We wanted to take a moment (or in this case, a blog post) to allow you to get to know Jessi beyond her big smile and warm personality at the teller line.

Jessi has been an employee of St. Cloud Federal Credit Union for 8 ½ years and is happily working as a Senior Teller.  Her favorite part about working at SCFCU is getting to know our Members, whom she is committed to assuring are pleased with their visit.  Before life at the Credit Union, Jessi’s dream job was being the Head of Security for a Las Vegas Casino… we agree, she’s far too nice for that!

In her free time, you’ll often find Jessi at the gym, reading (whatever she can get her hands on), or browsing Pinterest.  Her favorite color is red, and she listens to almost any sort of music, but country, rock, and pop in particular.  Jessi’s favorite subject in school was History & Geography.  Being a history buff, it’s no wonder that Jessi’s favorite Holiday is the 4^th of July!  If she could travel anywhere for a week, she’d hop a plane to Italy, and probably in the summer months – since that is her favorite season.

If you haven’t seen Jessi running a local marathon, we’ll let you in on a secret- she’s a fitness guru!  If given the chance to spend time with any celebrity for a day, she'd choose Bob Harper, a trainer on reality TV show The Biggest Loser – talk about a workout!  If she could, Jessi would also like to be on game show The Amazing Race; we think she’d be perfect.

Jessi is a wonderful, bright, friendly employee here at SCFCU and we know we’re so lucky to have her.  Thanks for all you do for us and our Members, Jessi!

   

Bill Who? Bill What? BILL PAYER!

With St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, you have the opportunity to use our Bill Payer service, free of charge.  What is Bill Payer, you may ask?

Bill Payer is a safe and secure way to pay your bills online through your checking account at SCFCU.  It’s a great alternative to writing checks or logging onto several individual websites to pay your bills.

Bill Payer is easily accessible through our Online Banking section of our website.  Bill Payer allows you to designate several different ‘payees’; anything from heating and electric, to cable, to your daycare provider.  Most ‘common’ payees (which is about 85% of all payments) will be sent electronically, the other roughly 15% are sent out by check.  Depending on how your payment is sent, Bill Payer only needs a 3 to 6 day lead period to guarantee your payments arrive on time – which can help you avoid late fees!

When you use Bill Payer, your payment history is stored for approximately 18 months, allowing you to review your payments as needed.  Bill Payer also has a built-in security feature that sends you an email alert any time a new payee is created, when a payment is added, or when a payment is deleted – so you’re in the loop of everything that’s going on in your Bill Payer.

Member’s who have tried Bill Payer tell us all the time how much they love it, and that they can’t imagine going back and paying their bills any other way.

If you’re already using Bill Payer, check out our March promotion by clicking here. If you’d like to learn more about using Bill Payer or want to sign up – call or stop by, we’re happy to walk you through it and help get you started! Get #FinanciallyFit and take the stress out of paying bills!

Like - Follow - Pin - Connect - Link - Watch - Read

Reward Yourself!

Are you tired of driving around, wasting all that gas looking for just the right ATM so you don’t get charged those pesky fees? Sorry, we don’t know the feeling.  Why?  Reward Checking, of course!

When you use SCFCU Reward Checking, we reimburse your national ATM fees (up to $25) each month.  By enrolling in Reward Checking, not only will you get those darn fees back monthly, you will also automatically have our 24/7 Fraud Detection benefit with Triple-Bureau Credit Monitoring, as well as Fraud & I.D. Theft Recovery.

If you are interested in Reward Checking, call or stop by! We’re always here to help in any way we can.  For a full list of rewards and details,  click here.  Work toward Financial Fitness today... Reward yourself!

Like - Follow - Pin - Connect - Link - Watch - Read

America Saves Week: Money is like Cake ...

Money is like a cake. When you get that delicious dessert, it can be tempting to eat it all at once. But if you do, you’ll end up with a stomachache, that sugarcoated feeling on your teeth, and perhaps most importantly – no cake for later.  Similarly, if you spend all of your money, you’ll probably end up regretting your splurges – and wishing you had some funds sitting in the bank.

Often, savings strategies are obvious – you set a big piece of cake aside, and it’s there waiting for you. But sometimes, it’s the little things that make that cake disappear.  The following list features both kinds of savings strategies – big ones that work all at once, and little ones that add up over time. All of them can be put into action during America Saves Week, and every single one ensures that you can have your cake and eat it too.

1. Track Your Spending, and Make a Budget
Understanding where your money is going is the best way to start saving, which is why your first step is to make a budget. It might be that, once you make your budget and realize how much you’re spending in certain categories, you can immediately save $100 by making little trims here and there.

2. Negotiate Your Bills
Checking for over-servicing isn’t the only way to lower your regular bills. If you’re not paying a promotional rate for services like cable and Internet, you’re paying too much. Call your service provider, and ask if there is any way you can lower your bill. If they don’t automatically say yes, suggest that you’re going to find another provider. Be patient, nice, and firm, and you can get a better rate.

3. Vow to Reuse, Repair, and Repurpose Instead of Buying New
Every time you think about buying something new, ask yourself – do you really need it, or can you make do with something you already have or that you can borrow from a friend?

4. Get to Know Your Credit Card
Visit your credit card company’s website and read the fine print. Many credit cards offer free benefits that are not well publicized. These benefits may include extended warranties, free tickets, price drop protection, extra discounts, concierge services, and cash giveaways. Of course, you should not use a credit card at all if you carry a balance every month. If you can’t control your spending, consider switching over to a cash-only system.

5. Clean Out Your Pantry
Empty your cupboards, see what you have, and plan meals around the ingredients you want to use up. You’ll slash your next grocery bill, and you’ll help ensure that food doesn’t go stale.

6. Create a “Cheap Fun Club” With Friends
If you’re trying to save money, it can be disheartening when friends invite you to things that you don’t want to spend money on. Instead, be proactive, and invite your friends to share in frugal activities with you, such as potlucks, watching movies at home, and board game nights.

7. Sell Your Stuff
Taking the time to declutter your house and sell your extra stuff has multiple benefits. Not only can you make money getting rid of your old items, but you might also discover other useful things you had forgotten about.


How are you planning to save money for America Saves Week? For more information, visit http://www.americasaves.org/

#PeopleHelpingPeople

  

Help Make Miracles

At St. Cloud Federal Credit Union, we are always looking for ways to contribute to others and strengthen our sense of community.  Since January 10^th, we have been participating in the Chain of Hearts fundraiser for Gillette Children’s Hospital of St. Paul, MN.  There’s still time for you to join the cause!  Until February 28^th, you can purchase a paper link ($1) or paper heart ($2) at either of our Sartell or St. Cloud locations. 

All proceeds raised will benefit the children at Gillette’s and their clinics across the state, helping to relieve the financial burdens of children with disabilities and chronic conditions.  Since 1897, Gillette Children’s Hospitals have been on the forefront of medical treatment, education, and research for children with a variety of disabilities.  Gillette’s mission is to help patients realize the greatest possible independence, well-being, and enjoyment in life.

In 2012, Minnesota credit unions partnered with the Children’s Miracle Network were able to raise over $41,000 for Gillette Children’s Hospitals.  Each personalized heart or link purchased are displayed in our lobbies, a first hand example of our People Helping People mission. 

We strongly encourage all our members, community residents, and area businesses to contribute in any way they can.  Please show your love for Minnesota’s kids by stopping in, writing your name on a heart, and donating what you can to support Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.

For more information about Credit Unions 4 Kids, visit http://www.cu4kids.org/

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. . .