We Asked Employees Their Tips and Tricks For Saving Money..... This is What They Have to hare:

Looking for ways to SAVE MONEY??? 

We asked employees their tips and tricks...this is what they have to share:

"I shop at Aldi! The produce is excellent and so cheap! We are staying in our budget, spending less than we ever have at the grocery store, and eating healthier than we ever have before. Win-win-win! I try to avoid going to the store. I use as much as I can of what is already in my cupboard/closets before going out and buying more. Then I buy what is on sale when I need it."

"I shop the clearance aisles. I generally don’t buy clothes unless they’re 50-75% off. A good trick for kids is to buy at the end of the season for the following year. The Children’s Place will have their t-shirts on clearance for $1.99 and then they generally have 25%-30% off coupon plus an additional 5% off for using their store card. This brings the price of a brand new shirt down to less than $1.50! That’s less than what it would cost at a used clothing store."

"I share my kids’ clothes with friends and family. Kids outgrow clothes very quickly and generally they’re in excellent condition. I have a network of people who pass clothing to me and I continue passing clothes along the line. This takes some organization, but it’s amazing how old nuisance clothes can be an amazing help to the other families. This is a HUGE money saver!"

"I use my credit card! I buy most things using my credit card and write each purchase down in my check book register, just like as if I were using my debit card. When the statement comes at the end of the month, I have all of the money sitting in my checking account and pay the bill in full. Once I reach 10,000 points on my credit card, I get a $100 statement credit. That is FREE money! I don’t pay interest on the balance on the credit card and you don’t have to pay taxes on the statement credit. I call it taking advantage of the credit card companies and not letting them take advantage of me! This also lets money sit longer in my checking account accruing interest, so I am making money on both sides of the equation."

"I am a super planner. I plan my bills/shopping/entertainment/groceries out in advance to make sure I am saving as much as I can. I keep what I need in checking and the rest goes to savings—I have specific sub savings to organize my funds for future bills, vacations, and long term. Out of sight, out of mind! When I run out in checking, I try my best to wait until my next paycheck."

"I have another savings elsewhere that comes out the day after I get paid- out of sight, out of mind! I also did our WINcentive account for us and both kids and club savings accounts here.. And one other thing I did was start saving for both my kids when I found out I was pregnant with them and continue to put money in each of their accounts with my payroll checks. This way when we have big expenses- vehicles, insurance, college or whatever- we have funds tucked away. The other thing, it pushes my kids to put money in their savings- what’s not to like about that!"

"My money saving tip is.... Shop at ALDI!! I love that place and it's amazing the price difference there really is between other grocery stores! If you haven't been there... Check it out!"

"Use the Club Savings accounts to save for specific, individual goals or sporadic expenses. It makes it easier to see your progress for each goal. If all your savings is lumped into one savings account, it seems like your balance is high, but you’re actually falling short of your needs for each individual expense."

The Face (and Voice) of Financial Fitness!

Hi! I’m Financially Fit Phoebe - (my friends call me Phoebs). You might recognize my name from our fun and upbeat radio ads, and now you can put a face to the name and voice! I work with the folks at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union to educate, support, and encourage our Members to become Financially Fit.

I wanted to take a minute (in this case, a blog) to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about me!  As I said, my name is Phoebe, and I’ve been on the team at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union for just a couple months now, and I absolutely love it!  The people here are always so friendly and truly do have a passion for helping their Members.  I grew up in Minnesota and just graduated from college a few years back. 

When I first finished college, I wasn't so great at budgeting my money and saving for my future.  When I realized that by getting my finances in shape, my overall well-being would benefit too – I've had Financial Fitness on the brain!  I got myself into shape, and have never been happier.  I have a monthly budget set up, I contribute to my savings regularly, and I’m working on paying off all my loans to be debt-free.  From experience, I know it’s easier said than done – but with the support, patience, and help the folks at SCFCU give – you can become more Financially Fit too!

I’ll be posting blogs from time to time, so be sure to look for my signature.  I’m really excited to hang around at St. Cloud Federal Credit Union and help not just the Members, but the Employees too!  I know that together we can take the steps toward Financial Fitness, and make your financial dreams a reality!

xo,

~Phoebe

Start Saving Now, Thank Yourself Later!

For some of us, retirement might be next month, for others next year, and for others – it may seem a life time away.  Regardless of your age and retirement plan, it’s never too early to start saving.  No matter how old you are, where you work, or what your retirement goals are, there are ways you can start saving… today!

In Your 20’s:

• Starting early is the best way to save for your Retirement.  Consider starting to save where you work by taking advantage of any programs offered to you, such as a 401(k).  If your budget allows, try to contribute so that your employer matches your contribution – it’ll give you a 100% return on your ‘matched’ investment, which you won’t find many places.  If you don’t have the option of saving through work, consider seeing a financial advisor or looking into a Roth IRA.
• Create a do-able budget, and do your best to stick to it! At a young age, it can be hard to manage money with the stress of student loans, first time car purchases, and expenses of living on your own.  Finding a balance between being financially responsible and having fun.  Do your best to outline your expenses and determine how much you can save each month.

In Your 30’s:

• Review your budgeting by reassessing wants and needs– do you still need all those cable options? Can you cut the land-line  Are you spending too much on eating out? Can you get a better rate by refinancing a loan?  Looking at where you’re spending can help you see where you can cut costs.
• If your salary begins to increase, consider also gradually increasing the amount of each paycheck that you put away toward your retirement.  It may be a difficult adjustment at first, but if you ease into it, you’ll be glad you decided to start saving more of your income.

In Your 40’s:

• Now is a good time to review what you have saved for retirement so far, and how much more you need to save to reach your goals.  Even if it seems disheartening, try to calculate of how much money you need to be comfortable in retirement.
• Reassess any debts you have, and work toward getting them paid off as soon as possible! This will help with not only your finances, but your overall well-being.

In Your 50’s:

• Review all of your accounts to learn ‘where you sit’ in savings and with your retirement fund.  If needed, make changes to plans to assure you’re on track with your retirement plan.
• Consider ‘Catching Up’: After you turn 50, you can make “catch-up contributions” (an extra amount, beyond standard limits), or payments to tax-deferred retirement plans.  To learn more, click here.
• Begin to look at how much you may receive from Social Security to determine what age you should apply for these benefits.

In Your 60’s:

• Waiting to retire can sometimes add up to an increased Social Security payout.  Revisit your retirement plan and map out when you should start to receive social security benefits, and what your retirement goals are.
• Look over spending habits, and find ways you can reduce spending if possible.  This will help assure that you will be ready to live within your means during retirement.

Saving and planning for your retirement now, can ease the stress and financial burden later in life, and can help with your overall Financial Fitness!  It may be hard to save now, but someday you’ll be glad you did.

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

Summer Fun - For Less! {Part 1}

Uh-oh, it’s the 3^rd day of Summer break and you've already heard the dreaded words: “I’m bored.” During Summer, it can be easy to slip into lazy habits, and redundant routines.  But don't worry- having fun and doing activities doesn't always have to cost money!  Because of our Financial Fitness goals, we've compiled a list of 10 things you can do this Summer without ruining your budget - below are the first 5...

1. Head to the Beach

There’s nothing like sand, sun, and waves to make for a great summer afternoon!  Find a nearby lake or pond, and go for a dip! Make a day of it and pack a picnic – the sun and water will be a refreshing way to enjoy the summer atmosphere.

2. Wash the Car

Unwind the hose, grab some sponges, and have fun!  Washing the car is another way for kids to cool off on a sunny day and still help out with chores – plus, your car will look great!

3. Check out Neighborhood Parks

The great thing about summer is being able to spend time outside.  You can play, relax, and maybe even get in on some fun events held at parks near you. Check  your local calendar for details!

4. Have a Lemonade Stand

When you come across a good deal on lemonade at the grocery store (or maybe the nearby dollar store), pick some up and make a lemonade stand! A lemonade stand can be a great way for kids to spend the afternoon, and learn about money too!

5. Visit Town Festivals

During the summer months, many small town communities host their own home-town festivals and offer local (and often live) music, food, art, and festivities!  Put on your walking shoes and see what all the excitement is about.

As you can see, having a good time doesn't always mean spending a lot of money!  Having fun and seeing new things can be low-cost, and even free.  Stay tuned for 5 more Summer activities that will keep you Financially Fit in Part 2!



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


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