EECU's Blog - Notes of Interest

EECU's Youth Members Win National Contest!

2012-01-23T15:23:00.002-05:00

EECU is pleased to announce that Braxten Boyd and Corenda Eggleston both of Hillsdale are two of the 12 winners in a national contest that promotes environmental awareness and thrift among children. Braxten and Corenda are members of EECU’s Johnny Appleseed Junior Ecology Club, a nationwide program sponsored by financial institutions interested in helping young people to learn more about ecology and smart money management.

Braxten and Corenda created drawings with a theme of recycling and conserving that will be featured in the Johnny Appleseed Club’s 2012 national calendar. Both drawings were chosen from hundreds of entries in the national contest.

“We’re very proud of Braxten and Corenda and all of our Johnny Appleseed Club members,” says Renée Allen, Operations and Marketing Director for EECU. “Through club activities, we are able to foster environmental awareness among youth in the community and also teach values in fiscal management that they need to become responsible adults.”

Braxten and Corenda were honored at EECU’s Hillsdale branch for their status in winning the contest, and they were both awarded a $50.00 check for their outstanding efforts.

EECU Awards Forward Thinking Grant

2012-01-18T14:49:00.002-05:00

EECU - A Community Credit Union is pleased to announce that their quarterly Forward Thinking Partnership Program grant has been awarded to the Jackson Civic Art Association. The organization received $1,500.00 to help fund their “Community Life Drawing” Program, which is an opportunity for the Jackson community to experience the time-honored tradition of the human figure as an art form. Life drawing enhances the quality of life through the artistic process, and serves to enrich the lives of post-secondary students/artists and the Jackson community as a whole.

“EECU’s Forward Thinking Partnership Program was developed in recognition of years of support from our local educational community,” said Renée Allen, Operations & Marketing Director of the credit union. “The program helps great educational ideas and projects become reality through financial assistance.” To qualify, projects or ideas must be educationally related and enrich the lives of students/participants. Funding examples include: classroom materials, special educational or enrichment programs, playground or recreational equipment, library or media materials, special speakers or assemblies, etc. Additionally, the project or idea must provide a benefit to a significant portion of EECU’s membership or potential membership and/or the communities in which they live.

For an application or to learn more about EECU’s Forward Thinking Partnership Program, contact our Business Development Department at 517.787.2060, ext. 3731 or e-mail liz@eecu.us. Completed
applications may be returned via e-mail or postal mail. Deadlines for consideration are the end of each fiscal quarter: March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.

We Love Giving Back to our Community!

2012-01-18T10:01:00.002-05:00

Nearly 50 employees from EECU – A Community Credit Union are proud to participate in raising funds and giving back to the community in which they live and serve by supporting several charitable organizations throughout 2011.

EECU staff enjoys the privilege of wearing blue jeans on Wednesdays and Fridays in exchange for $1 and $2 donations. EECU raised $9,800 in 2011, and donations were made to: American Stroke Association, Cascades Humane Society, the John George Home, United Way, and Juvenile Diabetes. Additionally, EECU supported American Cancer Society/Relay for Life, Junior Achievement, Child & Family Services, March of Dimes, Muscular Dystrophy, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Interfaith Shelter, Toys for Tots, Challenge Day, Jackson Legacy Scholarship Fund and the Jackson Friendly Home this past year. “EECU is proud to support such important and worthy causes,” said Kathy Spahr, EECU employee and fundraising coordinator.

Additionally, EECU members and staff raised over $2,600 for Operation Good Cheer in 2011. This amount was $500 more than the annual goal, attained via member and staff donations, jean day funds, employee luncheons/chili cook-offs, book sales, bake sales and more. Together, they were able to provide 16 children with gifts for the holiday season. Operation Good Cheer was started by a group of Ford Motor Company employees in 1971, and the organization celebrated 40 years of providing good
cheer to children in 2011. In the beginning, the group pooled their money and bought gifts for 66 children. Today, Operation Good Cheer has grown and delivers gifts to over 7,000 children, teens and adults with disabilities who are in foster care, residential treatment, and group homes.
Many thanks to the members and staff of EECU for their generosity and support in giving back to the Jackson community in 2011!

EECU ANNOUNCES 75th ANNIVERSARY GRAND PRIZE WINNERS!

2012-01-17T14:32:00.000-05:00

For 75 years, EECU has had the honor and privilege of serving the financial needs of their members and community. To reward valued members for their loyalty and support, EECU gave away $50,000 in cash prizes throughout 2011! The Credit Union is pleased to announce that they celebrated the ending of their 75th Anniversary promotion by giving away two $7,500.00 cash grand prizes on Friday, January 13th, signifying a total of 207 credit union winners since the beginning of the promotion in February 2011!

Lisa Hayes of Hillsdale, Michigan became eligible to win $7,500.00 due to her status as a current EECU member since 2009. Lee Jacobs of Jackson, Michigan, an EECU member for 14 years, became eligible to win the $7,500.00 drawing when he opened a new qualifying service during the promotion period. EECU would like to thank Lisa, Lee, and all other members who have participated in their year-long celebration and contest. Congratulations!

In addition to $50,000 in cash prizes, members were able to take advantage of Diamond Anniversary Specials on Term Share Accounts, Green Checking Accounts, VISA Platinum Credit Cards and New and Used Vehicle Loans throughout the year. To further celebrate their 75th Anniversary and reward their loyal members, EECU held a week-long Birthday Bash in July. Daily branch festivities included hot dog day, cake day, ice cream day, kid’s day, and prize day, where more than $600 in cash was given away in the member cash grab. Members could also take advantage of a variety of giveaways each day, as well as enter to win great prizes including: three $175 cash prizes at each branch ($2,100 total), Coleman grill from AAA, hp Office Jet 4500 printer from Rapid Refill, three $50 VISA Gift Cards from CO-OP Financial Services and CUNA Mutual Group, concert tickets from JTV, Cedar Point tickets from K-105.3 FM and many more!

“With today’s economy, it has been both exciting and rewarding to experience the wide range of member reactions when they learn that they won a weekly, monthly or year-end cash prize. We are pleased to be able to give back to our loyal members for their support and dedication over the past 75 years,” said Steve Cobb, President & CEO for EECU. “As always, we welcome anyone interested in joining EECU to stop by one of our convenient branch locations and experience the EECU difference!”

Tired of Being Hit by Bank Fees?

2012-01-03T08:44:00.002-05:00

Free Checking!

CHECK out our cool new features!

· When you open a Checking with Debit Card, you will receive one entry to win up to $200 in FREE debit card purchases a month for one year. You will receive a second entry when you use our new free switch service to open your checking.
· NEW Switch Service: EECU has now made it easier than ever for you to move your checking accounts to EECU with our New Switch Service!
· Cash Giveaway: Every member that switches from a bank, shreds their bank’s debit card, and opens an EECU savings, checking and debit card, will receive a $25 deposit to their savings account.
· Green Checking: Earn 2.00% APY with 15 signature-based debit card transactions per month when you sign up for online banking, bill pay, e-statements and direct deposit. New Green Checking members receive a free eco-friendly gift while supplies last.
· Do not need to be a new EECU member to qualify for promotion specials – New Checking and Debit Card ONLY!
· Member Referral Promotion: New and existing members both receive $25 when the new member opens a new savings, checking and debit card.

*All new checking accounts subject to Credit Union approval. To receive one entry
into the drawing, open a new checking account with debit card. Receive a second
entry by using our free switch service. Winner’s checking account must be active and
debit card activated at the time of the drawing. When the promotion ends, there will
be a random drawing held for one winner. Winner will receive up to $200 in FREE
debit card purchases a month for one year. Following each month end, EECU will
deposit up to $200 into winning member’s checking account. Member must make a
minimum of $200 in signature-based debit card transactions per month to receive the
full $200 each month. Winner may receive a 1099-INT tax form at year-end for tax
reporting purposes. **Free to Open. Free to maintain. No minimum balance or
minimum Debit Card transactions required. Excludes Business and Second Chance
Checking Accounts. $25 deposit made to your Savings Account upon approval of
services. ***While supplies last.

Top Ten New Years Resolutions Part 2

2011-12-15T12:43:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to our next installment of NYE Resolutions! Let's not waste any time and get to the next 6 New Years Eve resolutions.

5. Enjoy Life More

Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Or just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa.

6. Quit Drinking

While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. If you know someone who has decided to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available!

7. Get Out of Debt

Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.

8. Learn Something New

Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep.

9. Help Others

A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help.

10. Get Organized

On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life.

Top Ten New Years Resolutions Part 1

2011-12-13T12:25:00.001-05:00

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Let's see if your New Year resolutions make our top ten list?

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends

Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of comaraderie at a favorite

2. Fit in Fitness

The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.

3. Tame the Bulge

Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.

4. Quit Smoking

Do you know someone who is trying to stamp out their smoking habit? Tons of over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life!

Stay tuned for the next 6 NYE resolutions and see if yours made the list!

Pros and Cons of Day After Xmas Online Shopping!

2011-12-01T14:46:00.000-05:00

When it comes to determining whether to shop for online after-Christmas sales, it is important to consider the various advantages and disadvantages that online shopping presents. Therefore, it can help to know a few details about these so you can make the most informed decision possible.

Advantages of Shopping for online after-Christmas Sales

More convenient: online shopping is much more convenient than visiting retail stores since you can take care of all your shopping needs at once from the comfort of your home. You can also browse many different deals and discounts with a single click instead of visiting several stores in search of a few sale items.
Free shipping in many cases: many online retailers offer discounts on items over a certain dollar amount, which can help you save money on your purchases.
Handle all your shopping at once: shopping for online after-Christmas sales allows you to take care of all your post-holiday shopping needs at once, which is much faster and easier than visiting several retail stores for everything you need.
Online-only deals: many retailers offer you online-only deals, which can often save you more money than you would by visiting stores in person.

Disadvantages of Shopping for online after-Christmas Sales

Must wait for packages: one somewhat-frustrating aspect of shopping for online after-Christmas sales is that you must wait for your packages to arrive at your home. Depending on the shipping method you choose and the time of year you order, this can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
Shipping costs in some cases: depending on the online retailer and products you choose, you may have to pay for shipping costs, which can be almost as expensive as the items you order in some cases.
Returns can be more frustrating: returning items you purchase from online after-Christmas sales can be more of a hassle than simply returning items you purchase at a retail store, since you often must mail packages back to the retailer.

It is very important to consider both the pros and cons of shopping for online after-Christmas sales when deciding whether to do your post-holiday shopping in person or online. Both shopping methods offer distinct advantages and disadvantages; however, in most cases, the benefits you receive by shopping online outweigh the detriments greatly.

Black Friday And Cyber Monday Part 2

2011-11-28T14:43:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the next part of our Black Friday Cyber Monday discussion! If you have not read the first part, head here now and read what you missed! Now, lets visit something everyone is dealing with right now!

Let's talk Cyber Monday. First the pros:

No lines, no moody people and no bad drivers. That speaks for itself.

You can spend your free day Friday doing whatever you please, saving the shopping for a work day.

When shopping online, you may have a greater range of merchandise to shop from and you need not limit yourself to the retailers in your neighborhood malls.

Your merchandise will be shipped, saving you the hassle—and potential back pain—of lugging it around.

Some retailers offer online-only deals.

You can sometimes “stack” deals with online purchases, using a coupon for a promo code for savings on a product and another one for bucks off shipping. A place to start looking for such deals is Offers.com.

There are cons to Cyber Monday as well:

There is always some risk whenever shopping online that credit card or other personal information will be stolen. This risk is minimal these days, of course, but it’s there.

What you see isn’t always what you get online, so expect to deal with the hassle of returns.

Having items delivered is a great convenience, but the extra money you may have to pay for shipping can reduce the overall impact of the deals you find. (That said, many retailers offer shipping discounts, and even free shipping, during the holidays.)

Also, with shipping, you have to manage those deliveries if you need to sign for them or if there isn’t a safe place for the UPS or FedEx guy to leave them. This can be particularly tricky when allowing Santa to deliver items to your house. One year, a Santa present arrived on a doorstep unboxed and unwrapped. Oops.

There you have it: Some things to consider when deciding on which day to spend your holiday cash.

Black Friday And Cyber Monday Part 1

2011-11-24T14:30:00.000-05:00

To lug merchandise or have it shipped? This is something to consider when you decide if you’re going to score your biggest bargains on Black Friday or on Cyber Monday. I’ve tried both approaches several times in recent years and see pros and cons to both. While these shopping days are not mutually exclusive, of course, the assumption here is that you’re going to make a choice about which day to spend the bulk of your time, adrenaline and cash in search of the best bargains.

Let’s look first at the Black Friday pros:

As it’s a day off work for most, you’ll likely have more time and more flexibility. It’s a more social experience, even if you’re shopping alone. The people watching is almost worth going to these crazy deal days alone!

You can knock some things off your shopping list a couple of days earlier. That means you need not have shopping hanging over your head during the weekend’s family activities or big games. You get to actually put your hands on the merchandise that you’re buying. Not a big deal if it’s, say, a DVD, but could be if it’s, say, a piece of jewelry for your wife.

Some retailers are more aggressive with their offline deals than their online ones.

Now for some Black Friday cons:

Long lines, moody people and bad drivers. Need I say more? I don’t think so.

Inclement weather can make the aforementioned headaches even more painful.

You only have two hands, and making multiple trips to the car to drop off parts of your bounty gets old. Fast.

Thanks for reading another blog post from your credit union and have a happy holiday this weekend!

Holiday Club Accounts From EECU

2011-11-22T14:19:00.002-05:00

With the holidays approaching, we know that your budget can take a huge hit this time of year. From buying gifts to replacing old decorations, the costs can really add up! although 011 is coming to a close, it is never too late to start panning for the 2012 holiday season with the Holiday Club Account from EECU!

The EECU Holiday Club Account is open to all members for the purpose of saving money throughout the year to help with holiday expenses. You may open your Holiday Club Account at any time throughout the year, and you may make deposits and withdrawals at any time without penalty. What a great way to save for the end of the year and not have to worry about pulling together enough money!

Not only is the Holiday Account a great way to save, but it also features the same competitive dividend rate and requires the same minimum balance as our Savings Account. Dividends are paid on the daily balance and are compounded and credited monthly.

So what are you waiting for? Check out the Holiday Account today and start your saving! Thanks for reading another blog post from your credit union.

5 More Tips For Holiday Shopping

2011-11-10T11:53:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to our second submission of holiday tips that will save you even more than your money! Lets not waste any time and jump right into the tips!

6. Skip the extended warranty

Don’t expect to buy any appliance or electronic product without getting the pitch for an extended warranty. The salesperson may try to convince you this extra coverage is a cheap way to protect yourself against costly repairs.

Consumer experts disagree. They say these service contracts are generally a bad deal for the customer. Tod Marks, a senior editor at Consumer Reports, calls it “a sucker’s bet” because the odds are slim you will ever need that extra coverage. Marks says products rarely break within the extended-warranty window. And if they do, the repairs tend to cost about the same as the price paid for the extended warranty.

7. Use the right card

You may not have to consider an extended warranty if you use the right credit card to pay for that purchase. Most platinum and gold credit cards double the manufacturer’s warranty for up to an extra year. Check with your credit card companies to see if any of your cards provide an extended warranty benefit.

8. Be wary of instant store credit cards

You're at the register and the salesperson offers you a great deal – you can save 10 to 20 percent on that purchase by opening a store charge card on the spot. If you’re about to make a sizeable purchase, the instant savings can be mighty tempting. But consider this: most retail cards have an interest rate of 20 percent or more; some are as high as 28.99 percent.

“So if you end up carrying a balance, even for one month, you may easily wipe out that instant savings,” warns Gerri Detweiler, personal finance advisor with Credit.com. Agree to apply for the card and the store is going to check your credit report. That inquiry can affect your credit score. If you are approved and put a balance on that card, this will also affect your credit score.

9. Know return policies

You need to think about this as you make your buying decisions. Many chain stores give you 90 days to take back holiday purchases. But that return period can be much shorter. That’s especially true when you buy electronics. In some cases, you only have 14 days. So you’ve got to be careful. Also, once you open the box, you might have to pay a restocking fee of 15 percent or more to take it back. So the rule is simple: if you don’t want it, don’t open it.

10. Get a gift receipt

You can make those returns easier by giving a gift receipt with your present. A gift receipt doesn’t have the price on it, but the store will know exactly how much you paid for that item. Without a receipt, some stores will not allow a return. Others will only give a refund for the lowest price that item sold for during the holiday shopping season. You may have paid a lot more than that. A gift receipt removes those hassles.

We certainly hope you got enough tips to get your through the holiday shopping season alive! If you need more information, give us a shout about what you want to hear and we will get back to you. Thanks for checking out another blog post from your credit union!

5 Tips For Holiday Shopping

2011-11-08T11:36:00.000-05:00

With all the rushing around at this time of year, it takes a little extra effort to be a smart shopper. Your credit union here for you with 5 tips designed to help you find the good deals and stretch your holiday dollars.

1. Do your homework

A cheap price on lousy merchandise is no deal. You can find product evaluations at a number of sites, including Consumer Reports, Good Housekeeping and CNET (for electronics). You should also check customer reviews on Amazon.com and other shopping sites.

Then find out what’s a good price. Sites such as pricegrabber.com, pricespider.com, bing.com and nextag.com make this easy to do. Look for coupons that can bring down the price even more at sites such as couponcabin.com, couponmountain.com and retailmenot.com.

2. Keep looking because prices change

“We’re seeing a lot of fast price-cutting online by both big retailers and small,” says Daniel de Grandpre, Editor-in-Chief at dealnews.com. “It’s a lot of fun to watch and it’s certainly something you should take advantage of.” If you’re looking for super deals on toys, de Grandpre suggests you wait a bit longer. He says Wal-Mart, Amazon, ToysRUs and Target “kind of go to war on prices” between December 7th to 20th. That’s when discounts can reach 60 to 70 percent.

There are a number of ways to keep up with these ever-changing prices. Sign up for deal alerts at dealnews.com, dealalerter.com and pricegrabber.com. You can also “friend” your favorite stores on Facebook and monitor their Twitter feeds for special deals. Some retail sites now offer their own price alerts, so be sure to check for that.

3. Haggle for a better deal

Most people won’t do it. But if you have the nerve, give it a try. Surveys by Consumer Reports show that about half the people who haggle are successful. Those who negotiated the price of a TV saved an average of $165. Haggling over the price of a computer saved about $105. Even if you don’t get a better price, you may get something extra. The store may give you free delivery, free installation or bonus software. You’ve got nothing to lose by asking.

4. Look for free shipping

You can’t beat free shipping. But “free” doesn't mean the same thing at every site. You need to check the rules. Is it limited to certain items? Are you required to make a minimum purchase? Are there any other strings attached? Also, watch out for sites that lure you in with low prices on the merchandise and then clobber you with a huge shipping fee. The editors at Shop Smart magazine discovered that when one of their secret shoppers went looking for a garden tool. It was advertised for $19.99, a great price. But not after the shipping charges were added on at checkout. The final price came to $56.80, no deal at all.

5. Get a price guarantee

Let’s face it, we all wonder if we really got the lowest price when we go shopping the sales. See if the store has a low-price guarantee that entitles you to a refund if the item goes on sale after you buy it or if you find it somewhere else for less. Keep in mind: most price-matching policies do not apply to online offers or warehouse clubs.

Stay tuned later this week for 5 more tips for your holiday shopping needs! Thanks for reading another blog post from your credit union!

Go Green (and red) This Holiday Season

2011-11-03T12:48:00.001-04:00

Are you concerned that your holiday gift might leave an extra large carbon footprint this year? Well your credit union is here to tell you that purchasing holiday gifts does not have to harm the planet. Whether you are green or purchasing for someone who lives a green lifestyle, there are a variety of gifts on the market perfect for the eco-friendly. You can find these gifts online or at stores across the country. Let's take a quick dive in to the sea of ideas when it comes to green shopping and the holidays!

Animals

Don't just pamper the green friends in your life. Make sure you pamper the animals in an eco-friendly fashion as well. Purchase Shea butter shampoos and conditioner for your pets. These soaps are made with natural ingredients and leave your pets feeling soft and looking shiny. You can even purchase leashes and collars for your pets that are earth-friendly and made from recycled materials.

Music Enthusiast

You can find a green gift for any type of person, even the music lover. Of course you could go with an email gift certificate for iTunes or Amazon to purchase new tunes, or you could buy some recycled memorabilia. Purchase recycled coasters made from album covers. Companies design these coasters that are made completely from recycled materials and can be tailored to a music lover's taste.

Charitable

Find an earth-friendly charity to donate money to in your friend or family's name for the holidays. Choose a charity that supports your friend's beliefs, such as a charity that donates laptops to under privileged children or helps clean up parks. Gift donations often include a certificate you can give to the recipient.

Fashion

There's even a green gift for the lover of fashion. Purchase vegan shoes or shoes that support a charity for a econ-conscious fashion-loving friend. Shirts made from organic cotton and scarves from bamboo are also an option for fashion lovers. Look where the clothes are made when making the purchase. Buy clothes made in America or close to your home if possible. Make sure they're from a company with strong beliefs for going green.

If you go green this holiday season, be surer to share how you did it with us because we want to hear from you! Thanks for checking out another blog post from your credit union!

How To Save For The Holidays

2011-11-01T12:31:00.002-04:00

As the holiday season approaches, many people wonder how they are going to pay for all the gifts that they need to purchase. So many things can get in the way right when you are ready to go holiday shopping! With a little preparation, you can save for the holidays and afford to buy for everyone on your list.

First, you must develop a spending plan. Creating a holiday budget at the beginning of the year will let you know how much money you need to put away monthly in order to cover the cost of the holidays. start strong here and create a solid base! Next, start a holiday savings club. These clubs require that you put away money each month to save for the holiday season. As shopping season begins, you receive a check of your accumulated savings. Be sure to check in with you credit union.

Third, lets use a piggy bank or jug to collect change. Toss any spare change that you have lying around into the bank. Redeem the change at the start of the holiday season at a coin counter. although it might seem like that small amount of change you keep adding to your pile isn't much, stay strong and keep saving! Fourth, you should buy gifts throughout the year. To save money for the holidays, don't wait until the last minute and make all of your purchases at once. It might be a bit late for this strategy part, but it is never too late to start!

Finally, try and earn some extra cash and put it away to spend on the holidays. Sell some books on Amazon.com or hold auctions on eBay. Your earnings should be put away and not used until the holiday season arrives. when you put this strategy to the test, it will only be successful if you stick to the plan. If you are visually motivated, place a picture to look at every time you want to spend the money you saved. Bottom line, save your money and see the rewards at the end of the year!

Thanks for reading another blog post from your credit union!

Read more: How to Save for the Holidays | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2051085_save-holidays.html#ixzz1d2fSWflZ

WE’RE READY TO RECEIVE NEW MEMBERS!

2011-10-31T16:09:00.002-04:00

With thousands of consumers pledging to move their money to a credit union by November 5th as part of “Bank Transfer Day,” EECU – A Community Credit Union of Jackson, Michigan reports it is ready to accept new members now.

“Every day is a good day to join a credit union,” said Steve Cobb, Chief Executive Officer of EECU. Now is the time to become one of more than 92 million Americans nationwide who are already enjoying the advantages of credit union membership.”

Andrea McKay of Jackson is just one new EECU member who has closed her bank accounts and joined a credit union. “I banked with Bank of America for 12 years. Over the years, their fees just kept increasing. The last straw was when I noticed a $25 fee being withdrawn from my account every month that could not be satisfactorily explained by the bank. They really were not cooperative and I was fed up with fees. I’d heard really nice things about EECU from friends and family and I knew I wanted to join that credit union, so I moved all of my accounts to a place I can trust,” said McKay.

The timing of Bank Transfer Day could not have worked out better for EECU, because the credit union debuted their Certified Smart Choice “No Ifs, Ands or Buts FREE Checking with no-fee Debit Card” campaign October 1st. The promotion, which runs through year-end, encourages current EECU members who don’t have a Checking Account at the credit union – as well as those in the community who aren’t yet members – to make the switch and earn $25 cash. Certified Smart Choice Checking is free to open and maintain, and features the Extra Awards bonus points program for Debit Card purchases, that can be redeemed for free gift cards and travel rewards. Additionally, EECU Certified Smart Choice Checking provides free Online, Mobile and Text Banking, as well as free Bill Pay and e-Statements. Plus, by becoming a new member and/or opening a new Checking Account as a current member, it automatically qualifies them in EECU’s 75th Anniversary promotion, where they are giving away $50,000 in weekly, monthly and year-end cash prizes throughout 2011.

All EECU branches will have extended hours on November 5th with service oriented employees on-site to sign up new members, answer questions and open accounts. All branch lobbies will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with hourly VISA Gift Card drawings ranging from $25 to $100. Plus, when EECU members refer friends and family, both earn another $25 when the referred member becomes qualified and opens a new Savings and Checking Account with no-fee Debit Card. And when members refer a business, both get $100 when the business is approved for and opens a new Business Savings and Checking Account with Debit Card. EECU encourages members and those considering joining the credit union to visit www.eecu.us or ask a branch representative for all promotional details.

Bank Transfer Day was started by Kristen Christian, a Los Angeles art gallery owner unhappy with her bank. So far, more than 60,000 people have RSVP’d to attend Bank Transfer Day on Facebook alone.

Cobb said EECU has already witnessed an influx of new members “because of our new campaign and what has happened in the market stemming from Bank Transfer Day.” EECU reports nearly 100 Savings Accounts have been opened since September 29, representing a 35% increase over the same time period of one year ago.

EECU also offers their members the same convenient services as banks, including a nation-wide credit union network of more than 28,000 surcharge free ATMs, and participates in a “shared branch” network where physical branch locations are shared to provide members with more convenience and accessibility. EECU and other credit unions are able to offer these types of free services without fees because they are not for profit. Cobb said consumers that do make the switch will find that on just about any given day, on average, credit unions offer higher return on most savings, lower rates on most loans, and lower (or no) fees than other financial institutions charge. (See the national daily rate comparison at http://creditunion.coop/ratedex.php).

In fact, the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) estimates that, over the last year (12 months ending June ’11), the average credit union member saved $69 (and $132 per household) just by doing business at a credit union. And that’s on average; the more a consumer does with a credit union, the more the consumer saves.

LuAnn Bennett of Jackson also decided to move her accounts to EECU to avoid high bank fees and start saving. ‎"When my bank made the decision to charge for services that I expect to have free of charge, I decided to search for a better deal. I discovered a financial institution that I could trust in. I found EECU - A Community Credit Union. EECU has many services, friendly faces, and no frivolous service fees. Simply said, they do not charge me money to use my own money. EECU deserves my business," said Bennett.

“Credit unions are unique among financial institutions,” Cobb said. “Banks and other financial institutions exist to maximize profits to their shareholders; credit unions exist solely to maximize service to their members.” Cobb added that credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives, organized solely to meet the needs of their members, who govern the institution by electing from within the membership officers and directors (who establish the policies under which the credit union operates). The elected officials may also employ professional management to run the credit union day-by-day. Voting is one person, one vote, meaning every member has an equal voice regardless of the amount of savings or loans they have with the credit union.

To join a credit union, a person must meet eligibility requirements (called a “field of membership.”) Typical fields of membership include community, employee groups, associations, religious or fraternal affiliations and residential areas. “Not everybody can join any credit union -- but there is a credit union for everybody,” Cobb said. “Make your best decision based on your needs and that of your family,” Cobb added. “If you like saving money, and conducting your financial business at a place that focuses on your needs, join a credit union.”

Switch From a Bank to a Credit Union!

2011-10-28T13:53:00.004-04:00

EECU is encountering more and more people that are closing their bank accounts, and joining a credit union.

“I banked with Bank of America for 12 years. Over the years, their fees just kept increasing. The last straw was when I noticed a $25 fee being withdrawn from my account every month that could not be satisfactorily explained by the bank. They really were not cooperative and I was fed up with fees. I’d heard really nice things about EECU from friends and family and I knew I wanted to join that credit union, so I moved all of my accounts to a place I can trust!” - Andrea on why she switched. (pictured left, Tiffany, MSR for EECU, pictured right)

"When my bank made the decision to charge for services that I expect to have free of charge, I decided to search for a better deal. I discovered a financial institute that I could trust in. I found EECU - A Community Credit Union. EECU has many services friendly faces, and no frivolous service fees. Simply said, they do not charge me money to use my own money. EECU deserves my business!" - Luann on why she switched. (not pictured)

Credit Unions are for people. Banks are for profit. Isn't it time to switch?

Have You Heard About November 5th?

2011-10-28T13:33:00.005-04:00

Unless you have been living under a crazy large rock, you have heard about Bank Transfer Day on November 5th! Still not sure what I am talking about? Check out their facebook page here. If you have all your funds in a credit union, like EECU (the best CU on the planet), then share this information with others or if you don;t have it all in a CU, it might be time to make the switch!

Why was BTD started?

The Durbin Amendment is an add-on to the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Public Law No. 111-203), signed into law by President Barack Obama on July 21, 2010. The Act allows the Federal Reserve to regulate debit card interchange fees of banks with over $10 billion in assets. Over the summer, the Fed released the final rule on the matter by limiting debit card interchange fees to a maximum of 21¢ per transaction.

Who is behind BTD?

The event was created by Kristen Christian, a private citizen and small business owner with no affiliations to Anonymous or Occupy Wall Street. While she's now a proud member of Coast Hills Credit Union (based in Lompoc, CA) and Los Angeles Federal Credit Union, she's not a credit union employee. She's received no public or private donations for her efforts or costs associated with this movement. Every bit of work on BTD is a testament to her love for her community & neighbors. She genuinely believes we can pull ourselves out of this economic mess the big banks caused by investing in local not-for-profit credit unions.

The benefits of joining a credit union

Joining a credit union is simple and may be easier than you think. There are many ways to be part of a credit union. Each credit union has a "field of membership" that it serves, and membership is open to all consumers who fall within those parameters. Examples of "fields of membership" include:

Workplace
Geographic area
School
Place of worship
Fraternal organization

By signing up to become a member of a credit union, you will join other members as owners of your financial institution.

Credit unions offer a wide range of financial services to meet the needs of working families. Services that credit unions provide include:

Free Savings and Checking Accounts
Surcharge-Free ATMs
Automotive and Home Loans
Online Banking
Online Bill Pay
Investments
Financial Counseling
Deposits insured up to at least $250,000, following the passage of the Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
And much more!

How can I help?

Invite your friends
Post to your timeline
Post to your local occupation movement's FB page
Print fliers to post or distribute (available in the photo gallery)
Mention @BankTransferDay on Twitter

Bank Transfer Day encourages supporters to close their accounts just as they opened them-- independently, with respect and without signage. When asked why you're closing your account, feel free to be frank. Calmly communicating your reasons for closing your account.

Are you ready to join the Credit Union Movement and Revolution? Don't wait until November 5th...make the switch today and tell your friends!

3 Best Sites To Find Electronics Coupons

2011-10-25T13:26:00.000-04:00

So you still think coupons are a waste of time? Well, after this last post on coupons, we think you will get the picture!

1. RetailMeNot.com: This site takes a community-based approach to electronic coupons. Users supply feedback about whether or not a coupon code worked and if there were any strings attached to the offer. Under each coupon the site displays stats on the success rate. This makes it easy to tell which coupons are worth trying and which are not. Many of the coupon codes listed are also user-submitted. Unfortunately, many larger retailers have requested user submissions blocked for their sites.

2. CouponCabin.com: This site monitors more than 1,200 online stores and has a wide selection of electronic coupons. The staff updates the directory three times a day, so most of the coupons are current. Users can receive a weekly e-newsletter on Mondays to see the best deals for the coming week. In addition to electronic coupons, CouponCabin also offers printable coupons.

3. FatWallet.com: This site has over 800 merchant partners and features both coupons and a cash back opportunity. Like all coupon sites, Fatwallet.com earns commission from stores for the purchases its users make. Unlike other coupon sites, FatWallet.com will share part of that commission with you. For example, FatWallet.com makes a 3% commission on Orbitz.com sales. That’s $15 on a $500 trip. To reward customers, a portion of that commission is transferred into customer accounts and paid out as cash.

Groupon, LivingSocial Caught Inflating Deal Values

2011-10-20T14:00:00.001-04:00

As reported by Pcworld.com

--------------------------------------

Ever wonder how daily deal sites like Groupon and Living Social get such huge discounts? It might be because the non-sale price was inflated, making the discount look bigger by comparison.

Thumbtack.com looked into five deals on Groupon and five deals on LivingSocial for local services, such as home cleaning, tutoring, portrait photography, and wedding planning. For each deal, Thumbtack called the business in question and asked for its regular rate. In every instance on Groupon, and in three instances on LivingSocial, the quoted rate was lower than the regular price listed on those daily deal sites.

So for example, Groupon recently advertised a $150 home cleaning service for $49 -- a 67 percent discount. But when calling the merchant directly, the regular quoted price was only $80.

The actual businesses, rather than the daily deal sites, may be to blame. In the comments section at Business Insider, one business owner admitted to inflating prices, arguing that it's the only way to make deals worthwhile. Another commenter, claiming to be a former Groupon sales rep, also said businesses tend to inflate their prices when reporting to the company.

Brendan Lewis, a LivingSocial spokesman, said the company does not inflate prices, as stipulated in its contracts with local businesses. "If it happens, it happens, but it certainly isn't a practice of LivingSocial," he said.

Now, keep in mind that Thumbtack has a dog in this fight. The Website lists local services (like cleaning and tutoring) and allows users to request bids from service professionals. Daily deal sites like Groupon and LivingSocial are a threat to Thumbtack's business, so the company has every reason to wage a PR battle against them. Last week, the company argued that its own bidding service is a better deal than Groupon and LivingSocial.

But it doesn't hurt to take daily deal sites' discounts with a grain of salt. Don't use the difference between regular and sale price as the only indicator of whether a deal is good. Do some research to figure out what that service normally costs, or call the business. Common sense applies.

Of course, some deals are more straightforward, like buy one get one free, or $60 of merchandise for $30. In those cases, buy away.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/241928/groupon_livingsocial_caught_inflating_deal_values.html

You Guide To Smart shopping!

2011-10-18T11:59:00.000-04:00

It's a cruel world out there with advertising preys on the desirable teen audience with TV ads incorporating popular music, rapid-cut editing and youthful celebrities. Merchants know who to market to and that shopping can be a form of entertainment.

It's never too early to learn smart shopping techniques. Here are seven ways to make the best use of your spending dollars.

1. Clothing

Shop in outlet and discount stores are a great place to shop for timeless fashions and important wardrobe staples like underwear, jewelry, belts, socks, etc. Buy the basics at budget prices and save money for trendier items. If you have a flair for the unique, clothes from consignment and second-hand stores will make you stand out from the Old Navy and Gap wearing crowd.

2. Movies

Matinees and discount theaters allow you to avoid crowds and save big bucks. Matinees usually include shows before 6 p.m. and tend to cost about two-thirds of full-price tickets. Discount theaters allow you to see movies that really require big-screen viewing for $2 to $3. These theaters run movies after they've left first-run theaters and before they're released on DVD.

If you've saved money on tickets, it seems kind of futile to blow a bundle on snacks. Eat before you go to the movie to stave off munchies.

3. Concert Tickets

Rule number one: Avoid Ticketmaster and its infinite add-on fees. CraigsList and the Facebook group "Coupons for Parents" are great places to exchange coupon codes and buy tickets at reduced prices.

4. Free Entertainment

Thursday or Friday newspapers frequently feature ideas for free entertainment. Frugal websites, like Mr. Free Stuff, also post detailed lists of things to do for free.

5. Big Ticket Products

Kick the new-release habit and wait until the price drops for iPads or the newest smart phone. Be a smart shopper by researching an electronic product before you buy. ConsumerReports.org, the best website for reviews and price comparisons, offers a $5.95 deal for one month of access to all their consumer reviews. You may want to consider a one-year subscription for $26 if your family expects to buy larger-ticket items in the next 12 months. Alternately, check out consumer reviews on Amazon.com, or other product-aggregate websites.

6. Shop Online

It's easier to compare prices and quality by shopping online. Look for free shipping and online coupon codes to save additional money.

7. Coupons

Coupons aren't just for your mother. Search the Internet for printable coupons and coupons from such major merchants as Target, Kohls, the Gap and many more. Mobile coupons allow you to search for savings while shopping.

Tips for Using Coupon Codes

2011-10-13T16:04:00.000-04:00

The best idea when using coupon codes at clothing stores is having a strong game plan and sticking to it. The last thing you want to do is to overspend and break your budget! Your credit union is here for you with some important things to keep these things in mind when using coupon codes and finding coupons codes:

In many online stores you'll have to enter the code when you are 'in the shopping cart' not on the 'billing page', where you enter your credit card information.
To make your online coupon shopping experience easy, keep your coupon codes page open in one window while shopping in another window.
Codes sometimes expire faster than what is listed, nothing is guaranteed until it shows up in your shopping cart.
Check the discount and online coupon sites regularly and use their offers to shop early for birthday and holiday gifts.
Don't settle for just one discount or coupon code. Often you can combine offers when shopping online for teens - so look for the extra free shipping or 15% off.
Have a hard copy of your coupon when you go to the store to redeem.

We hope you are getting some big use out of the coupon code websites we published earlier this week. Make sure you shout out to us and let us know how you are doing when you use the codes!

Thanks for checking out another blog post from your credit union. Happy saving!

JACKSON CHAPTER OF CREDIT UNIONS

2011-10-13T14:00:00.003-04:00

The Jackson Chapter of Credit Unions is pleased to announce their on-going collaborative efforts to support local charities and provide training opportunities for credit union employees. “Each year, the Jackson Chapter of Credit Unions adopts one local charity to support in a variety of ways…Our relationship with the Jackson Friendly Home was so positive and rewarding in 2009 and 2010, that we voted unanimously to make them our charity of choice for 2011,” said Jackson Chapter of Credit Unions President, Steve Cobb. “However, our contributions to charitable organizations does not end with the Friendly Home…we are pleased to support a variety of local and national programs throughout the year, including the Jackson Percussion Concussion and Exchange City.”

In August, the Chapter hosted a community golf outing with all proceeds being awarded to the Jackson Friendly Home for a total of $2,250.00! The group also raises funds for the Home in a variety of other creative ways throughout the year, including: employee dress down days, bake sales, household donation drives and much more! Additionally, several times a year, volunteer staff from area credit unions plan a themed lunch, donate all of the food, decorations and table ware, and even cook and serve the nice ladies at the Home…sometimes even providing entertainment. The mission of the Jackson Friendly Home is to provide low income housing to women of limited means in a safe, healthy, home-like atmosphere. The Friendly Home is a 501©3 Charitable organization and donation receipts are available for income tax purposes. To learn more, visit http://www.jacksonfriendlyhome.com/.

Additionally, the Jackson Chapter of Credit Unions has supported the Jackson Interfaith Shelter in 2011 by helping to clean toys, hosting a supply drive and serving food. A “Bass Sponsor” (top sponsorship) donation of $2,000 was made to the Jackson Percussion Concussion FUNdraiser, a battle of local area high school

drumlines which benefits the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Plus, the credit unions are challenging each other to match their $2,000 sponsorship for a total of $4,000.

The Chapter also donated $500 to Exchange City, a remarkable miniature city that allows students to obtain hands-on business and financial experience while governing, managing and operating the city for a day. By sponsoring the “Exchange City Credit Union,” the Chapter is able to help reach Michigan students, parents, and teachers with the important message that a credit union is a primary and trusted source of financial services. Exchange City is the largest hands-on educational program in the world and has served over 1 million students nationwide since its inception in 1980.

In addition to charitable donations, the Jackson Chapter of Credit Unions partner to provide important training opportunities for credit union employees. On September 25th, more than 180 credit union employees from Jackson and Marshall gathered for three mock robbery scenarios with the help of the Jackson County Special Response Team. “We were really trying to stress the procedures, the process, how we handle a robbery and protect our employees as much as possible, as well as working with law enforcement to make sure we are responding appropriately,” said Chrissy Siders, Vice President of Risk Management at CP Federal Credit Union.

Additionally, more than 250 credit union employees from Jackson gathered October 10th for a half day of service and philanthropy training by Zingerman’s Community of Busineses (ZCoB). ZCoB, rooted in the Ann Arbor community, shares the “Zingerman’s Experience” through one of eight Zingerman’s businesses, ZingTrain, with forward-thinking organizations from around the world. They bring their experience in training and organizational change to help clients understand and apply the real-life systems, tools and techniques used at Zingerman’s, so they can make meaningful, bottom-line-enhancing changes in their own organizations. During the second half of the day, credit union staff volunteered at numerous United Way- affiliated organizations in Jackson County.

The Jackson Chapter of Credit Unions is a cooperative group of local credit unions that work together to promote the credit union difference. Participating credit unions are: Aeroquip Credit Union, American 1 Federal Credit Union, CP Federal Credit Union, EECU - A Community Credit Union, Jackson City County Credit

Union, Jackson Community Credit Union, Lenco Credit Union, and South Central Credit Union. For more information contact your local credit union or visit lovemycreditunion.org for information on joining a credit union in your area.

Coupons And Shopping

2011-10-11T15:54:00.002-04:00

Coupons aren't just for groceries these days! You have almost every industry taking advantage of the coupons craze that has continued to grow and flourish. As fashion is a place where saving can be a bit tricky, especially when you can't find something similar to a name brand, coupons have again come to the rescue but this time they can be found on the web! Here is a list of some popular retailers who have online coupons stores:

When you shop for clothing it is important to not only save as much as possible but also get the most for the money you spent. Finding online coupons that give you both those things are essential for watching your budget when you shop for clothes.

Stay tuned this week for the next installment of coupon tips and tricks!

Saving savvy parents who have teens that like to shop at popular stores for teens use discounts and coupons to shop online. It works like this: online stores offer coupon codes and special savings from a percentage off merchandise or buy one get one sales to free shipping all of the time. But, like the coupons you take into a store, offers only last a certain amount of time. This is why there are coupon sites posting updated online discount coupons and coupon codes you can use at check out. Here is a list of popular teen stores, each linked to a coupon site page where you will find updated discounts, coupons codes and free shipping offers for that store:

How does Groupon Work?

2011-10-07T16:30:00.003-04:00

Before you use Groupon, you need to know what is going on behind the scenes. In this weeks blog post, we are going to give you an inside look at the big giant known as Groupon! In the review below, you will see some interesting points as well as advantages and disadvantages to using Groupon as a business individual. Once you see the business side of things, you might have a bit better understanding of the service you use.

If you are running a business, you can meet Groupon at one point or another. You may wonder what is and what it can do to help. So it is always advisable to know not only the benefits but also disadvantages of a particular product. Groupon is basically a collective to buy the service. The fact that they offer discounts on various products and services. For many business owners, it is a win-win status of their consumers.

How Does Groupon…

How does Groupon is that, in return for discounts they offer their products and services, stay with the advertised brand. The more people who are interested in obtaining this collective remittances, the better your advertising efforts will be. On the client side, get quality products for a very good deal. This is one of the main benefits ranging from Groupon. You will get your company and your brand the attention it takes to succeed. Groupon has thousands of people in your email list and you can have a big screen on the line for people to come to you for your needs.

Although you can get a great advertisement for your brand, you can also look at significant expense. This is one of the drawbacks of Groupon. Look how Groupon discount provides consumers. There are up to 50% discount on the brand, you would not really be raking in the dough when you make a sale would you? With those odds, you win something like 25% when you can get a sale of 100% of your products through marketing campaigns where you make regular work to drive customers to your site. But you must factor in the long term profit to bring new customers and turn them into customers coming back.

An example of when a company uses Groupon and has not had a good experience with Posie bakery and cafe. Groupon campaigned late summer of 2010 and while the store owner to use the debate Gropon finally decided. Therefore, the restaurant has a loss and had to take $ 8,000 of personal savings to pay expenses. I think this problem could have been avoided if several stipulations be placed on the planning and Groupon own. Although this is an example of Groupon went wrong, its many success stories of companies using Groupon.

While Groupon can offer many new tracks, you should have a plan of action if it succeeds in this campaign. Many companies do, but if used without problems Groupon game plan could be hiding in the corner. Let’s group created works for companies in fixing the cost of operation, for example, a museum, or new companies need to advertise and spread the word.

Groupon takes 50% off coupons that you sell. For example if you sell 500 tickets at $ 10 each, you and Groupon each rake in $ 2,500 Provided that your offer discount coupon of 50%, which is about average, you can expect to receive only 25% of your normal value.

Another advantage you can get when you choose to partner with Groupon is that you can get some clients motivated. This is reflected also by increased sales for you, because yes, they need your product, and yes, they are willing to pay for it. Finally, you can cash a little more with Groupon! On the other hand, it could also work to your disadvantage, because most people who go to Groupon are people looking for offers. They may be willing to spend, but there is a limit to how much they cost. Groupon also unused, purchased 100% of the value of your home. For example, if a Groupon expires, then it would be your gain and consumers lose. Groupon also have a huge list of subscribers who receive e-mails of the case, even if subscribers do not buy your Groupon they still see your ad, which is good publicity.

Promotion of a product over the Internet is almost like working at the speed of light. People talk through forums and other sites where you can get the word out about your brand. In a sense, the brand will go viral Groupon when your partners and consumers to talk about your business through social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and others. The downside is, you get too many customers at any time. It may not be ready for a crowd of people coming through the door and before you know, the quality of customer service is already suffering. Groupon size goal is to acquire new customers and turn them into repeat customers. If you get inundated the countryside and can not be pleasing to customers as they can do more harm than good.

So what do you think about Groupon and the other side of the fence? Share your thoughts and feelings and let us know what you think! Thanks for checking out another blog post from your credit union!

Forward Thinking Grant

2011-10-06T14:34:00.003-04:00

EECU - A Community Credit Union is pleased to announce that their quarterly Forward Thinking Partnership Program grant has been awarded to Jackson High School. The school’s Art Department received $1,500.00 to help fund their Glass Art “Works” Program, which is an opportunity for students to experience and explore mosaic glass, copper foil, soldered glass and fusing glass. All Jackson High School students in grades 9-12, as well as the Jackson community will benefit from this project, as projects are completed for all grade levels and as community service projects.

“EECU’s Forward Thinking Partnership Program was developed in recognition of years of support from our local educational community,” said Renée Allen, Operations & Marketing Director of the credit union. “The program helps great educational ideas and projects become reality through financial assistance.” To qualify, projects or ideas must be educationally related and enrich the lives of students/participants. Funding examples include: classroom materials, special educational or enrichment programs, playground or recreational equipment, library or media materials, special speakers or assemblies, etc. Additionally, the project or idea must provide a benefit to a significant portion of EECU’s membership or potential membership and/or the communities in which they live.

For an application or to learn more about EECU’s Forward Thinking Partnership Program, contact our Business Development Department at 517.787.2060, ext. 3731 or e-mail liz@eecu.us. Completed
applications may be returned via e-mail or postal mail. Deadlines for consideration are the end of each fiscal quarter: March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.

Renee Mainstone (right), EECU Branch Manager, presents Jackson High School Art Teacher, Penni Davis (left), with a $1,500.00 sponsorship to help fund their Glass Art “Works” Program.

Free Checking!

2011-10-06T14:03:00.004-04:00

While banks and other financial institutions are adding additional fees for using theri checking and debit card services, EECU members are continuing to enjoy FREE Checking with a No-Fee Debit Card.*

If you don't have your checking account with EECU, you're probably wasting your hard earned money on unnecessary fees with every transaction you make. Switch to a Credit Union that believes in being FREE of surprises!

*Free to open. Free to maintain. No minimum balance or minimum Debit Card transactions required. Excludes Business and Second Chance Checking Accounts.

The Great Coupon Debate

2011-10-04T16:11:00.000-04:00

Coupons are not just for grocery shopping anymore... you can see the evidence anywhere you turn and even when you look at your mobile phone. With deals from big coupon giants like Groupon, many people have been taking up the coupon game and started saving...and that is where the debate lies. In this blog we are going to explore the pros and cons of using coupons and see what the score is at the end of the blog!

PROS

Savings on initial sale - I know this is an obvious pro, but it is always notable and never forgotten.
Influenced less by store's marketing campaign - Many of us can fall victim to the stores marketing plans and schemes, but with a coupon in hand, you have what you are going to by and won;t stray away from what you need to get.
Less prone to impulse buying - When you add coupons to the mix, the savings total is in your head and stays with you. Majority of the time, when you have that sales figure in your head, you won;t want to spend that cash you are saving!

CONS

If you are not going to use it, don't buy it - No matter how great the deal may appear. Money spent on junk food you shouldn't eat or shampoo that fries your hair is still a poor purchase, even though the coupon gremlin whispers in your ear otherwise.
You will have to give up store loyalty to get the best deals - This is a big deal for a large body of shoppers! Coupons can make individuals give up their loyalty to go get the best deal.
You feel the pressure of a 'sales date' at the store to use that coupon - Often just because you think the sale is running out, it may make you rush to go purchase an item, when in fact in just a short time another area store will have the same item on sale within a week or two and you can use your coupon then.

So you have seen some pros and cons of using coupons and the choice is yours which way you swing! Let us know your thoughts on coupons and get involved in the conversation. Thanks for checking out another blog post from your credit union!

Apartment Decorating On The Cheap!

2011-09-27T11:57:00.000-04:00

So you've just moved into your new apartment, and you're looking around at a boring, empty space with off-white carpet and off-white walls. You'd love to make it look fabulous, but you don't have a ton of money. What to do? Never fear, as your credit union is here for you and going to help you decorate that new apartment on the cheap!

1. Start with the walls

If your landlord will let you paint, you're in luck -- painting the walls is about the easiest and cheapest way to give an apartment some personality. Many landlords won't let you do this, however, but that doesn't mean you're stuck: Consider hanging fabric from the walls using corkboard and thumbtacks.

2. Next, the windows

Those basic mini-blinds may be cheap, but let's face it, they're not pretty. Curtains can make any room look more interesting, and they don't cost much. If you sew, the fabric store is your friend here, too -- just find a fabric you like and go to town. If you're not much of a seamstress (or seamster), you can find cheap curtains at Target, Wal-Mart and IKEA. Twin-sized sheets can be easily made into curtains, too.

3. Now, the art

Inexpensive plastic frames will give your posters a touch of class, and a mirror is a cheap way to make a room look brighter, bigger and more interesting. (Check out garage sales and estate sales to find cheap mirrors; for an even more creative effect, you can paint designs around the edges of the glass.) Other ideas: Frame old album covers; combine several postcards to make a collage you can hang; print some of your favorite photos and display them on a shelf.

4. On to the floors

Rugs are a great way to give a room some personality, and they don't have to cost a lot. IKEA and Target are great sources, and you can sometimes find a good deal on Craigslist. Also, consider asking carpet stores for their extra sample squares -- you can make your own rug this way for free.

5. Modify your lighting

Chinese lanterns can be found for less than $10, and they're an easy, attractive way to diffuse the light in a room. For bookshelves, consider spotlights that can be clamped on the edges of the shelves, or smaller lights that can be mounted on the bottom of the shelves, above the books.

6. Add some green

Houseplants can really brighten up a room. Cacti are about the easiest plants in the world to care for, and most of them are inexpensive. If you're not a cactus fan, consider a spider plant or "lucky bamboo" (which can be grown in water and isn't really bamboo at all).

Roommate Advice!

2011-09-22T12:09:00.000-04:00

Many people who don't want to rent an apartment alone aren't sure how to find a roommate they can live with. There are compelling reasons for wanting to live with a roommate. A roommate can provide companionship (you'll never come home to an empty apartment), convenience (you'll have someone to look out for your place, pets, and mail when you're away), and savings (you'll split the rent and utilities). However, if you're not careful, roommates can also create problems.

Fortunately, you can prevent problems by taking action before you even begin your apartment search. Here are some resources and smart tips to help you find a roommate you can live with:

First things first! Before you go about looking for the perfect roommate, you need to decide whether having a roommate is really what you want. There are solid reasons to live with roommates, but there are also strong arguments for living alone.

Many people who don't want to rent an apartment alone aren't sure how to find a roommate they can live with. In return for a little time and effort, you can make sure that sharing an apartment with another person turns out to be a positive and satisfying experience for both you and your roommate.

Once you've found a candidate or two, it's time to determine if any of these people would make a good roommate for you. Here's what you need to focus on so that you handle the screening process productively and successfully:

Before you sign a lease with a roommate, you've got to make sure you see eye-to-eye on financial issues. Most importantly, you must decide how much you'll each contribute to the rent and utilities, and how much you'll budget toward other apartment expenses, and then put it all in writing. You'll also want to consider issues such as renter's insurance.

Tune in next week when we go over some basic tips and strategies when doing a interview with possible roommates! Thanks for checking out another great blog post from your credit union!

Apartment Knowledge Is Power!

2011-09-20T12:05:00.000-04:00

Moving can be an exciting time, whether it is to a new residence in a city that you have just relocated to, or just moving in your old town. While the change can be enjoyable, it is good to be aware of the responsibilities and issues that can arise and be placed in your path.

Rules

It is wise to be forewarned on the rules and regulations that are in place in your new location, and making that inquiry will really help support harmony there. That knowledge will make your residence fun and more enjoyable.

Lease Agreement

There will be a lease agreement that will require your signature. Go through the document carefully and make sure you are clear on all points, including those that you are not happy about. Always be polite while talking to the Landlord on any issues and be prepared to be very fair and flexible with your requests for changes.

Inspection

Before you sign the lease agreement, you will want to make sure that you have thoroughly inspected the apartment and addressed any repairs that need to be taken care of before you move in. Depending upon your abilities and the state of the apartment, you could negotiate a lower rent in return for taking care of the repairs.

Repairs

While you are living in the apartment, you will want to make sure that you get permission from the landlord to make any repairs or improvements to the apartment. It is important for the landlord to have an accurate record of any changes and repairs to the property. This clarifies anything that the landlord will want to know for his own records and further develops a better relationship with your landlord.

Skipping Town…

Don’t leave the apartment unit without notifying the landlord first. Doing otherwise will definitely be subject to legal actions against you, usually allowing the landowner to pursue the tenant for rent money, especially if there is a stated clause for leaving notification in the leasing agreement.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Make sure that you are treating the apartment with respect. By keeping the apartment in good condition during your rental period, you are showing the landlord that you respect him and his property.

If you are aware of the path in front of you, the trip will not only be more enjoyable but you won’t have any surprises coming your way! Thanks for checking out another blog post from your credit union!

How to Find That Right Apartment Part Dos!

2011-09-16T15:35:00.003-04:00

Hello and welcome back to part dos of How to find that right apartment! If you have not read the first part, click here and get in the know ASAP! Without any delay, let's get into the next part and give you the tools to find that right apartment.

Next, you want to set up appointments to see the top 3 apartments in the area you have selected. All should be within your price range. When you visit each apartment, make sure to answer the following questions either by asking the landlord or observing for yourself when applicable:

-What is the monthly rent?

-What are the typical heating/electricity bills?

-How much is the security deposit?

-What is the policy for late rent?

-Is there parking included?

-Is the apartment in good shape?

-How far does the landlord live? Does he handle repairs or contract it out? Is there a maintenance crew on site?

-Ask current tenants how the landlord has treated them if they home during the tour.

-What type of cable/internet can be hooked up to the apartment?

-Can you put holes in the wall of the apartment for shelves or put up posters?

-What types of businesses are nearby?

-How far to public transportation or major roads/highways?

-Why are the previous tenants are leaving and how long did they rent there? The longer the better, although apartments turn over often.

-What are the neighbors like? Are they of similar age to you?

Once you have completed the tours of each the apartments, compare your notes for all of them. Often, one apartment will stand out as the best one for you. Remember that you can often negotiate on the rent amount, especially during difficult economic times. This is especially important if price is the only hang up for an apartment that you really like.

Finally, you decide on the apartment that is the best value for the best price, make sure to get everything that you negotiated with the staff in writing. This includes the security deposit, rent payment schedule and late policy, parking, and any other items discussed.

And now go enjoy your new apartment! Thanks for reading another blog post from your credit union!

You'll Get $25 to Pass the Word!

2011-09-15T15:54:00.013-04:00

Did you hear? You'll get $25 for everyone you refer as a new EECUmember who opens a Savings, Checking and ATM & Check Card! We'll also pay $25 to the new member when their new services have been opened! Visit http://www.eecu.us/ or stop by any branch for more details!

EECU Continues 75th Anniversary Celebration!

2011-09-14T09:24:00.002-04:00

For 75 years, EECU has had the honor and privilege of serving the financial needs of their members and community. To reward valued members for their loyalty and support, EECU will be giving away $50,000 in cash prizes all year long, and they are pleased to announce that they have given away more than $20,000 to date to more than 140 credit union winners since the promotion began in February! Additionally, EECU has recently announced the winners for the month of September. Roger Richardson of Hillsdale, Michigan and Teressa Delph of Jackson, Michigan each won $750.00. Because of his status as a current EECU member, Richardson, an EECU member since 1976, became eligible to win the drawing. Delph, a member for 36 years, became eligible to win the drawing when she opened a new qualifying service. EECU would like to thank Roger, Teressa and all others who have participated in the first 32 weeks of their year-long celebration and contest. Congratulations!

To further celebrate their 75th Anniversary and reward their loyal members, EECU held a week-long Birthday Bash in July. Daily branch festivities included hot dog day, cake day, ice cream day, kid’s day, and prize day, where more than $600 in cash was given away in the member cash grab. Members could also take advantage of a variety of giveaways each day, as well as enter to win great prizes including: three $175 cash prizes at each branch ($2,100 total), Coleman grill from AAA, hp Office Jet 4500 printer from Rapid Refill, three $50 VISA Gift Cards from CO-OP Financial Services and CUNA Mutual Group, concert tickets from JTV, Cedar Point tickets from K-105.3 FM and many more!

For official rules and details of the promotion, visit www.eecu.us or any EECU branch office to find out how you can get entered to win $75, $750 or even $7,500! Members can also take advantage of Diamond Anniversary Specials, including a Green Checking Account for as high as 1.50% APY* and New and Used Vehicle Loans for as low as 3.75%APR** up to 72 months PLUS no payments for 90 days!

“With today’s economy, it has been both exciting and rewarding to experience the wide range of member reactions when they learn that they have won a weekly or monthly cash prize. We are pleased to be able to give back to our loyal members for their support and dedication over the past 75 years,” said Renée Allen, Operations & Marketing Director for EECU. “As always, we welcome current and new members alike to stop by one of our convenient branch locations, experience the EECU difference, and get entered to win!”

To find out how you can join EECU, call 877.894.5033 or visit www.eecu.us.

*APY=Annul Percentage Yield. Rate effective as of 3/25/11 and is subject to change without notice. See rate and fee schedule for additional terms and conditions. No minimum balance required. Green Checking base rate is .30% APY. To receive the bonus dividend of an additional 1.20% APY, member must perform a minimum of 30 signature-based transactions per month and sign up for FREE Online Banking, Bill Pay, e-Statements and Direct Deposit services. **APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rate effective 6/1/11 and is subject to change without notice. Special offer requires an open, active Checking Account with ATM & Check Card. Valid on new loans and refinances from other financial institutions. Rate may not apply to every borrower. Other rates and terms available. Limited time offer. Federally insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.

PHOTO: EECU member, Teressa Delph (right), receives her $750 monthly drawing cash prize from Branch Representative, Renee Mainstone.

EECU is a Proud Supporter of Relay for Life!

2011-09-14T09:08:00.005-04:00

EECU – A Community Credit Union is a proud supporter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Several EECU employees and their families participated with a team of walkers in the annual Jackson Relay for Life event in August to raise funds for and support the program, which gives hope to finding a cure for cancer. Staff wore their custom-made EECU lavender and silver “Celebrate Life” t-shirts and raised over $2,900.00 for the event, exceeding their goal of $2,000.00. The group raised funds in a variety of creative ways throughout the summer, including: employee dress down days, bake sales, popcorn day, in- branch donations, selling Relay for Life luminaries and much more!

Since the American Cancer Society’s research program was started, more than $3.4 billion has been awarded to cancer researchers across the nation, including 44 who have gone on to win the Nobel Prize. Through Relay for Life, EECU is making it possible for this lifesaving research, and all of the education, advocacy, and service programs of the American Cancer Society to continue.

“We are so excited to be part of Relay for Life, as we are not only raising money to fund the mission of the American Cancer Society, but are also helping to raise awareness of this disease,” says EECU Relay for Life team organizer Sara Sandefur. “Everyone in our community, including our employees, members, and board will be touched by cancer in some way during their life. This event gives us a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.”

How to Find That Right Apartment Part Uno!

2011-09-13T15:26:00.000-04:00

We all know how to locate apartments (thanks to the glorious access to information Lord Google brings us), but that is only half the battle. How do you find the best deal on an apartment? Well, if you follow this systematic approach, you can locate the best and most affordable apartment real estate possible.

The first step to finding the best apartment at the best price is determining how much you can afford to spend on an apartment. If you do not already have a personal budget, create a quick spreadsheet and lay out all of your income and expenses. Determine how much per month you are willing to spend on apartment rent. Don't forget that there will also be utilities on top of that, which should be included in the budget.

Next, identify potential areas that you are interested in living. For each area, search for potential apartments within your price range. The easiest way to do this is find a apartment site that will give you the ability to search for apartments in your area. Find at least three apartments in each area and record the number of bedrooms, rent, and other comments for each.

At this point it is time to narrow down the area that you want to rent an apartment in. Hopefully, the research you did in the previous step has made this clear to you. If not, do more research into each area and weigh the pros and cons. Drive through each area and spend some time becoming familiar with the area. What type of restaurants, activities, parks, etc. are in the area? When you have completed this step, you will have selected a general area that you want to live in.

Stay tuned later this week so you can get the rest of the information and how to find that perfect apartment for you!

Apartment Hunting Basics For Students Part 2

2011-09-08T11:05:00.002-04:00

Welcome back to "Apartment Hunting Basics For Students Part 2". If you have not had a chance to read the first part, check it here and see what you missed! now let's move on and see what else we have in store for you.

Transit and Transportation

Try to find an apartment that is within walking distance of campus and close to public transportation, if necessary. If you have a car, make sure you know where you can park it before you arrive.

Comfort and safety

Choose an apartment that is safe, comfortable, and located in a quiet area. You should also ensure that security measures, like locks or an alarm system, are in place.

Inspect the apartment carefully

Before signing any lease, thoroughly look over the apartment. Make sure that all included appliances and plumbing fixtures are clean and in working order. Check for leakages or damages in the areas surrounding sinks and toilets. If you can, talk to current or former residents of the apartment complex regarding maintenance and other services.

Before you sign

Read the lease agreement carefully before signing. Of course, you can always ask your parents or someone with experience for help understanding the lease. Don’t forget to ask the landlord about the policy for repairs and to get this in writing. Once all the details are settled, you can sign the lease. Once all of the papers are signed and your belongings are moved in, you can enjoy the freedom and responsibilities that independent apartment living bring.

Thanks for reading another blog post from your credit union! If you have any questions or want to share your tips, give us a shout back!

Apartment Hunting Basics For Students Part 1

2011-09-06T10:55:00.000-04:00

As a college student, you will probably have plenty of things to worry about, like keeping up with your studies and making sure you have enough money to get by. Unfortunately, finding a place to live is another potential headache.

There are many factors to consider when looking for an apartment, such as location, lease terms, amenities, and affordability. Now we are not saying you shouldn't consider things like pools, gyms and popularity, but remember to prioritize!

Although finding a new place may be exhausting, these apartment hunting tips can make the process easier. So now i challenge you to go grab something to write with or just print this out, because your credit union is going to give you the tips you need to find the place that is right for you.

Start your search early

To ensure that you successfully find an apartment close to campus, you should begin your search months in advance. Use any of the following methods to help you find an apartment:

Contact the student housing office or go to their web site to learn about university-owned housing options.
Look at postings on bulletin boards around campus.
Explore the surrounding neighborhoods for “For Rent” signs.
Search for apartment listings online or in local newspapers.
Be cautious when using real estate agents or apartment locators, as they can charge high costs for their services.

Know what you are looking for and what you can afford

You should plan your budget to determine how much you will be able to spend on rent and utilities. Then decide which amenities you would like, such as air conditioning, a dishwasher, or a washer and dryer. Keep in mind that you may need to pay the first and last months’ rent in addition to your security deposit. Living with roommates is a good way to reduce expenses and enjoy the social aspects of student life.

Thanks for reading part 1 of "Apartment Hunting Basics for Students Part 1." We hope you come back later this week and get the info you need!

Green Fundraisers!

2011-09-02T14:50:00.003-04:00

Being environmentally friendly has become a way of life for many people over the last decade or so. More and more people are looking for ways to be environmentally responsible, from recycling to buying hybrid cars. It stands to reason that environmental awareness should extend to fundraising. Go green to raise green!

The hardest part about planning a green fundraiser is choosing what to do. There are so many easy and fun ways to help the environment while helping your cause, it's hard to know where to begin. One way to address this is by looking around your community to see what it needs. Is there a recycling program in place? If so, for which materials? Are environmentally friendly products readily available? Do the local vendors offer ways to contribute? Does your community seem open to environmental efforts?

The answers to these questions will help you start planning and decide on the best type of green fundraiser to host.

Do you have a green fundraiser idea? Send your ideas to amireles@ptpnewmedia.com and receive a free CU*SWAG shirt!

Happy brainstorming!

The 50/50 Raffle Fundraising Idea!

2011-08-31T14:44:00.000-04:00

We know you have heard almost every idea in the book when it comes to fundraising. From selling your second hand items to doing a bake sale, those ideas have been beaten to death. It is time you get the greatest plan known to man! Well, maybe not the greatest but we know it will draw a crowd and get you the money your organization or group needs. Many organizations that rely on fundraising efforts offer a 50/50 raffle at every meeting. Some companies have “fun teams” that are entirely funded by a 50/50 raffle and are able to offer excellent events. This is a wonderful way to provide events to members or employees that are self funded, but don’t have a compulsory payment to participate. The 50/50 raffle itself is incredibly simple.

You get a roll of raffle tickets from a local party supply shop. These are the style of tickets that have two sections that both share a unique serial number. You sell as many tickets to each person as they want, for a fixed fee. Typical fees are $1, $5, or $10 depending on nature of the organization. You give the participant one half of the ticket and place the other half in a bucket or box. At the end of the event you draw a ticket from the bucket and announce the winner. The prize is the half of the amount collected from ticket sales.

Typically participants have to be present at the time of the drawing to win. If nobody claims the prize when the number is drawn, simply draw another number until somebody wins.

That is all there is to it! Apply this strategy at your next event and see your group get the money you need! Thanks for reading another blog post from your credit union.

How To Fundraise With YouTube Part 2

2011-08-22T17:52:00.002-04:00

Hello and welcome back to part 2 of How To Fundraise With YouTube! If you have not checked out part 1, read it here!

Now let's get into the third reason why YouTube can help you raise money for your cause.

3. Creativity is KING

When you think about a great video, what does it have in it? I guarantee, if you answered that question and asked your friend the same thing, you both will have 2 different answers. This is a good thing because it shows you how we all have the ability to create something fun and different. when you are creating your YouTube video, you have the ability to create anything and everything to captivate your audience. In marketing, the term elevator pitch means a short summary used to quickly and simply define a product, service, or organization and its value. When you sell your cause in person, you only have yourself but imagine the power of props, lighting, friends, and even the power of video editing!

The ability to gain an even bigger audience and captivate them on Facebook is there for you to capitalize on, but it won;t come easy. Remember that hard work and dedication pays off. A good rule of thumb in the video world is ask yourself, "Would I watch this?" If you say yes, show it to a small group of friends and see what they say, as constructive criticism will help your video go from good to great!

Thanks for checking out another blog post from your credit union! If you have any questions or want to extra information on how YouTube can help you, give us a shout because we are here for you!

EECU Celebrates 75th Anniversary!

2011-08-19T10:18:00.004-04:00

EECU is celebrating 75 years of serving our members and our community! Thank you for your loyalty and support...here's to our members and the next 75 years!

How To Fundraise With YouTube Part 1

2011-08-16T17:32:00.000-04:00

When it comes to deciding what you want to sell or offer for a fundraiser, that's the easy part. Whether you are deciding on cookies or clothing, you have to have a hook. The "hook" is what will make you stand out from the others who are fundraising and what can drive the crowd to your area!

The hook can be anything from creating a catchy slogan and working it in your pitch, or wearing some funky clothes to create a memorable experience. Well, your credit union is here to give you an even better hook to pump up those fundraising dollars! And the answer is... YouTube!

You might be asking yourself, "How can YouTube help me earn more money?" Well, let's take a look at the three ways creating a YouTube video can bring in more money!

1. More exposure means more opportunity

Try this exercise and you will see why YouTube can be beneficial. Think of the amount of people you discussed your fundraiser with. Now out of those people, how much money did you generate? You are most likely connecting the dots and figuring out that the more people who hear about your fundraiser, the more money you can make. If you open your fundraiser out to the YouTube community, you will be surprised at the amount of opportunity it can bring.

Will just putting a YouTube video online bring in the big money by itself? Lets get into that next...

2. Easy to share on social sites where videos are dominant

The best thing about social sites like Facebook and Twitter is the users have the ability to re-share and re-tweet information they deem funny, useful, and even offensive. Although we are not concerned with the last one, the first two is where you can gain the most from. The idea here is to post your video that you created on to your social networking sites and gain the most exposure from them. Remember to share the information and add your own personality to the mix... nobody wants commercials on Facebook.

So we have created a captivating video, we have uploaded the video to YouTube and have shared it on Facebook. If you are thinking this is the end of the road and now you can sit back and relax, you are mistaken. Stay tuned for another great blog post from your credit union on the third step and wrap up of how YouTube can help you fundraise!

Creative Fundraising Ideas

2011-08-10T15:44:00.001-04:00

One of the most effective ways to raise money for your cause or group is by organizing and hosting fundraising events that are designed to attract a crowd and are FUN! The most successful fun fundraising ideas are those that engage and appeal to a large percentage of the community. By planning and presenting original and fun fundraising ideas, you can raise money and awareness for your organization in your local area. Here are ten of the best:

Carnivals

Everyone can get in on the action at these fun-filled events. Fortune-telling booths, cakewalks and food stands can all earn money for your cause while providing hours of fun for children and adults.

Pet pageants

For a small entry fee, local pet owners can enter their pets in a pet pageant. Don’t be afraid to make up your own categories; the “Furriest Pet” or the “Most Unusual Pet” categories may not be featured categories at the Westminster Dog Show, but they will certainly add to the entertainment value of this fundraising event.

Chili cook-offs

Many families have a favorite chili recipe. By organizing a friendly competition, you can help determine which chili really deserves bragging rights as the best overall. For the cost of a trophy, your organization can raise a sizable amount of money.

Haunted houses

Especially around Halloween, organizing a safe haunted house can provide a kid-friendly alternative to the scary adult versions. Organized properly, haunted houses are safe and enjoyable for everyone involved and can raise a significant amount of money for your organization.

Arts and crafts

An arts and crafts show can offer local artists the chance to show off their talents. By taking a commission on all works sold through the event, your organization can benefit as well.

Coffee and chocolate tastings. You can take your cue from the continued popularity of wine and cheese tasting events by holding a coffee and chocolate tasting at a local mall or shopping area. For a small donation, you can provide a cup of coffee and a selection of small chocolates to please even the pickiest palate.

Tailgate buffets

In association with local sports events, your organization can host a tailgate party and offer burgers and hot dogs in return for donations. This can be one of the most fun fundraising ideas and can generate interest in your organization along with sizable donations.

Celebrity sports events

Local celebrities may be willing to donate their time to participate in exhibition sports events on behalf of your cause. Properly publicized and supported, these events can rake in significant amounts of money for your organization.

Ghost walks

Nearly every community has its own ghost stories and reputed haunted houses. By arranging tours of these rumored-to-be-haunted areas complete with spooky sound effects and an eerie musical accompaniment, your organization can potentially rake in a scary amount of money.

Cookie decorating booths

In conjunction with local events, your organization can set up a cookie decorating booth. This is one of the least expensive fun fundraising ideas, since it requires only store-bought cookies and icing and can be an enjoyable activity for the whole family.

Fundraising With Facebook Part 1

2011-08-02T10:40:00.000-04:00

Fundraising is all about telling a story and connecting with the individual reading it. With roughly 1/10th of the world's population on Facebook, you can see how it is a great tool for you to share your story and mission. with a powerful tool like Facebook, you can see your story be passed along, commented on, and even interacted with! In this two part blog post, let's check out some ways Facebook can help you spread the word about your fundraiser!

Status Updates

Status updates are so easy. It’s the bread and butter of Facebook – telling your network what you’re up to. Are you a fan of osting updates regularly? If your answer is yes, that’s a good thing because as a fundraiser you should be posting an update fairly regularly, and it should "always" have your fundraiser information page or website attached to it.

Also, look out for opportunities to start conversations based on your friend’s status updates. Commenting on statuses has really taken off since Facebook launched it a few months ago.

The golden rule is don’t just post the URL all on its own. Link-baiting alone is kind of annoying and we’ve all seen it!

Post Photos

Having a great set of photos that illustrates your cause can help you greatly! Make sure you try and capture as much of your story on camera and regularly upload photos, tagging yourself and anyone else in them as necessary. Photos are very prominent on profiles now, so get to taking those pictures. Also, make sure your profile picture is reflecting what you are doing in your fundraiser!

Events

If you’re actually doing an official event, like a marathon for example, then search for it and see if it’s listed on Facebook. If it is, add yourself to it. If you’re doing your own thing and you want others to take part, then you can build your own event on Facebook and send it to your friends. Don’t build an event around just the "Facebook page" because that can be a bit annoying.

Thanks for checking out part 1 of "Facebook and Fundraising". Make sure you check back as we continue this conversation and give you more tips you need to pump up your fundraiser with Facebook!

Fundraising Ideas

2011-08-02T10:37:00.000-04:00

Most people believe that fundraising can be a difficult task as a teen. This can be seen as true when you don't have the same resources as adults. Well, throw that thinking out the window because this week we are going to give you the tips you need to really get your fundraiser going! So let's not waste any more time and get you on the path to getting some cash for your cause!

Dance-off

Organize an all-night dance-off by charging participants who want to join. All that you'll need is a large room, such as a school hall, and some music. You can assign a number to couples or even individuals and each are eliminated when they stop dancing. You can have a small prize, such as a trophy, for the last person or couple standing on the dance floor. This can even be a great way for people to meet others outside their circle of friends!

Pet Pageant

Host a pet pageant by inviting friends, neighbours and families willing to pay a small fee to show off their pets. If permitted, this can be done on school grounds, at your local park or on your street. If your budget allows, build a simple stage for the competition. You'll also need people to volunteer so you have a panel of people to judge such parts of the contest as the talent or fashion competition. Prizes can include a trophy for the pet owner and a bag of treats for the pets.

Service Sale

Think of a service that you can provide, such as painting, babysitting, mowing the lawn or grocery shopping and charge a fee for providing that service. Tell your neighbors, family members and friends about the service and post advertisements about it in such places as a church or on local community bulletin boards.

Talent Show

Organize a talent show. Ask students and teachers to sign up to join the show and show off their talents. Anyone can participate whether they sing, dance, juggle or play an instrument. Invite people to attend the concert and charge an entrance fee to collect funds.

Art Contest

Hosting an art contest is an event that can be held in your neighbourhood or school. This can be broken down into several categories, such as painting, sculpting or drawing. Artists pay a joining fee and you can then ask people to volunteer as judges, with prizes awarded for each winner in each category. Another twist to the event would be to hold an auction for the artwork.

Car Wash

Teens can easily organize a car wash right in their own driveways. They can put up banners and posters on their front lawn so people who drive by can see what is the purpose of the car wash. Organize the event by getting in touch with a gas station or auto shop that will be willing to share its space to host your fund raiser.

Now you have the tips to really succeed at the next fundraiser you host. Remember to have a game plan, stick to it, and most importantly HAVE FUN! If you have some tips for others when it comes to fundraising, give us a shout because we love hearing from you!

Audio Mix - time Management Techniques Part 2

2011-07-26T12:46:00.002-04:00

Welcome back to part 2 of Time Management Techniques! Have you heard part 1? If not, click here and get the beginning steps you need to start managing your time effectively. Once you have heard the first part, click play on the podcast below and listen to part 2 of Time Management Techniques from your Credit Union.

Podcast Powered By EECU

Time Management Applications

2011-07-22T15:51:00.002-04:00

Sometimes we have to have a little help when it comes to time management. The use of smart-phones and PC like mobile devices have helped (and sometimes hindered) time management. The wide variety of applications for users to download and assist them with their time management grows by the day and your credit union is here to help you. Let's check 5 top apps that can help someone organize and manage their time!

Things ($9.99) – Neither overly simplified or overwhelmingly complex, Things uses an email inbox approach to getting your to do list done. If you’re the type of person who can be trained to check your Things inbox as often as your email, you’ll be the king of productivity.
MindNode ($5.99) – Superb for brainstorming, project planning, or writing, MindNode helps you create mind maps of your thoughts. Create, organize, and edit your ideas and then export them as documents, PNG images, or text outlines. It imports documents from Dropbox as well.
ToodleDo ($1.99) – One of the top 30 paid iPad apps according to Apple, ToodleDo is a comprehensive to do list and task management app. Customizable, this app with a funny name allows you to keep it simple or add a boatload of productivity features. Note you’ll pay more for extra services, such as goal progress trackers and external file storage.
EasyTask Manager (Free) – This simple productivity app is Getting Things Done (GTD) compatible and allows syncing with multiple PCs.
Checklist Wrangler ($0.99) – If you’re a list maker and like to check it twice, then you’ll adore Buckaroo Software’s Checklist Wranger app. Whether you require daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly checklists, Wrangler has you covered. Create checklist templates for frequently used lists too.

Thanks for reading another blog post buy your credit union! Do you have any questions or tips when it comes to purchasing the best iphone

EECU's CEO on the Bart Hawley Show

2011-07-20T14:41:00.003-04:00

Enjoy watching our CEO, Steve Cobb, talking about our 75th Anniversary!

Online Time Management

2011-07-19T15:42:00.000-04:00

With the world at your fingertips, it seems that there is not enough time to explore the Internet, but you need Internet time management to get things done daily. You may not realize it, but time spent using the Internet is usually just wasted time, making you unproductive and resulting in delayed output or nothing done at all. So let's go over some great tips and tactics for you to use when trying to manage your online time.

Define Your Need

Ask yourself why you are using the Internet. If you are using it for work, like doing research, making reports, performing write ups or writing articles, then Internet use is essential. But, if you are in front of the computer just keeping yourself updated with the latest news on social networking or online gaming, then you might be wasting your time and should rethink your daily activities.

Focus on Your Need

Before sitting in front of your computer or laptop, make a schedule of your Internet time or better yet your daily activity schedule. With this schedule, you know how much time you need to use the Internet. Focusing on the things you need to do before doing them gives you the motivation to finish your tasks on time. This way you reduce the time wasted on Internet usage that is not necessary.

Limit Guilt Free Internet Use

Now you have decided to revamp your Internet usage to needs only, but it doesn't mean that you can't use the Internet for your own entertainment. Spare yourself some time out of the day to do it. Thirty minutes will do just for that. Buy a stopwatch or alarm clock if you need to. Divide your time from the different sites you like to browse. You don't even have to read the latest news; chances are, if its top news it will always be talked about everywhere and for sure you can catch that news from somebody.

Schedule Other Activities Offline

If you are getting ahead and not wasting time in front of the computer, it does not mean that you have an excuse to sit in front of the television. Stop wasting your time looking at other people's lives unfolding, but do start to make a name for yourself. If you have the resources, get yourself into a class that you like, cooking or the arts. If not, start a new hobby like running for causes or the like.

While the Internet is an essential tool for most people today, somehow there are still those who do not realize that they are wasting time using it. Managing Internet time usage is a great help to your lifestyle not just by helping you become more effective in your daily life but it can also improve your productivity as a whole. With Internet time management, you can make yourself be more focused on the important aspects of life.

Thanks for checking out another blog post by your credit union! Don't forget to join in on the conversation and let us know what you think! We might just send you something really awesome...

Time And Facebook Part 2

2011-07-14T11:08:00.002-04:00

Welcome back to part two of "Time And Facebook". If you haven't checked out Time And Facebook Part 1, read it and then hurry back to this blog!

Let's get started with our next tips and help you keep your head while keeping up with your profile!

Changing notifications settings on Facebook

Users have the choice of changing their notifications settings so that they don't receive constant e-mails regarding their profile updates. The way to go about it is to click on Settings in the top right of the homepage, then clicking on Notifications. There, you can uncheck all the extra options of various notifications that can be e-mailed/SMS. Removing those notifications will keep you from constantly checking your Facebook page after every notification you receive.

Avoiding third-party apps on Facebook

Facebook third-party applications are a surefire way to waste hours and hours of precious time. From Farmville, making bumper stickers, scribbling graffiti, to taking quizzes about anything and everything. The key to avoiding all the junk, is to stay firmly away from third-party apps and quizzes, and be determined about spending a specified time on Facebook.

Saving time on Facebook

These are some of the ways one can avoid wasting time on Facebook. It's highly recommended that one evaluates his/her goals and work on achieving them quickly without whiling away time on social media websites like Facebook. No doubt it's a great way to keep in touch, but it can also become a great way to waste time doing 'nothing." With a little practice, one can implement these time management techniques and hence become a much more efficient person than before.

Thanks for reading our take on how to save time when it comes to Facebook. You have the tips, now it is time to put them into motion. If you have any tips for us, let us know because we want to share it with others. Thanks for reading another blog post by your credit union.

Compliance Updates

2011-07-12T15:53:00.002-04:00

Important Regulation Change: Regulation CC
Changes to Funds Availability PolicyEffective July 21, 2011, a provision amending the Expedited Funds Availability Act (Reg CC) will change the next day funds availability amount from $100 to $200. Thismeans that starting on July 21st, when a hold that extends beyond the next business day is placed on a check, the first $200 of the deposit will be available on the first business day after the day of the deposit.

Notice of Changes in Temporary NCUA Insurance Coverage for Transaction Accounts
All funds in a "non-interest-bearing transaction account" are insured in full by the National Credit Union Administration through December 31, 2012. This temporary unlimited coverage is in addition to, and separate from, the coverage of at least $250,000 available to members under the NCUA's general share insurance rules. The term "non-interest-bearing transaction account" includes a traditional share draft (or demand deposit account) on which the insured Credit Union pays no interest or dividend. It does not include any transaction account that may earn interest or dividends, a negotiable order of withdrawal ("NOW") account, Money Market deposit account, and Interest on Lawyers Trust Account ("IOLTA"), even if share drafts may be drawn on the account. For more information about temporary NCUA insurance coverage of transaction accounts, visit www.ncua.gov.

If you have any questions about the regulation notices, please call 517.787.2060.

Time And Facebook Part 1

2011-07-12T10:37:00.000-04:00

Facebook has become increasingly popular, even more so with the motion picture hit The Social Network. But along with connectivity, it has the ability to suck precious time from our day.

Facebook is one of the most popular social media tools today that lets millions across the globe to connect and communicate with each other. Besides bringing long lost friends together, it has also created a niche in sharing online photos and videos, collective game-playing, commenting on and rating each other's work and updating one's status in the online world.

In the social frenzy that is thus created, one tends to forget something imperative on the way: time. The mere task of logging onto Facebook, going through the homepage, reading the newsfeed, browsing their recently uploaded albums and commenting heavily here and there are enough to keep a person busy for years.

So let's discuss some great tips on how to not lose your precious hours with Facebook.

Avoiding The Chat!

If one has to communicate with a specific friend, it's better not to sign in to chat. Sending a private message is the best way to communicate. When you begin to chat online, a lot of others might be online and can bring other conversations to arise. The main point here is to avoid the chat at all costs if you are looking to save time.
Timing your stay on Facebook

There are many services that offer to time one's stay on user-specified websites. They generate alerts and/or warnings when users exceed their time of visiting a website. People who don't want to waste too much time on Facebook can achieve the same effect by setting a reminder on their phone or an alarm. By having a alarm set, you can easily keep track of your time.

Stay tuned this week for the next tips on how to keep an eye on the time while on Facebook.
Have any tips that will help others keep their day productive and still plugged in to the social world? Share them with us and let others know your secrets!

Thanks for checking out another blog post by your credit union!

Time Management Part 2

2011-07-08T17:42:00.003-04:00

Hello and welcome back to our blog post continuing the discussion of time management! Let's jump into the next point!

We need to know when to do things and how to do it! Each important item from the list of priorities needs time on a regular basis. This is about balance in my life, relating my priorities to one another. This step is called planning.

Next, knowing has to lead to doing. Remember the NIKE slogan? All you need to follow is those three simple words... "Just Do it".

Now, here are a few final pieces of advice

1. Don’t let the merely urgent in your life crowd out the truly important.

There will always be emergencies, unforeseen intrusions into your plan. You can re-arrange you plan and schedule to accommodate some of them, but you may need help from a parent if your plan is constantly under “attack”. It may be that you have too much responsibility in areas over which you have too little control of the outcome, or it may be that your plan is unrealistic, considering the resources you have been given.

2. Self Discipline consists mainly in remembering WHAT you REALLY want.

There are times when we are tempted to “throw our plans out the window.” Sometimes that’s a good thing, indicating a flaw in the plan, but many times, decisions about how to spend time can become clear and simple if we will merely REMEMBER what we really want. Keep your eye on your goals, press toward them, set aside distractions.

Thanks for checking out another blog post from your credit union! If you have any tips or tricks that help you with time management, feel free to share them with us!

Time Management Part 2

2011-07-08T17:42:00.002-04:00

Hello and welcome back to our blog post continuing the discussion of time management! Let's jump into the next point!

Next, knowing has to lead to doing. Remember the NIKE slogan? All you need to follow is those three simple words... "Just Do it".

Now, here are a few final pieces of advice

1. Don’t let the merely urgent in your life crowd out the truly important.

2. Self Discipline consists mainly in remembering WHAT you REALLY want.

Thanks for checking out another blog post from your credit union! If you have any tips or tricks that help you with time management, feel free to share them with us!

Time Management Part 1

2011-07-08T17:41:00.003-04:00

When it comes to time, we have to remember some very important facts. One, I have the same amount of time as every other person on the planet. And two, no one has more time than I have.

This is correct in two ways. Looking at the big picture, we only have 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, 52 weeks per year. Looking at the small picture, all any of us really have is THIS MOMENT RIGHT NOW.

Management means using effectively the resources given. It does not mean the end of all fun and relaxation; on the contrary, it should free time for all the important areas of my life. Unmanaged time becomes confusing, chaotic, leads to the failure of goals and general anxiety.

Management of time ensures that my life stays in balance and I have time to accomplish the goals that are important to me.

Let's talk about how to effectively manage your time. First, you have to know yourself inside and out. Am I a morning person, or a night person? Do I concentrate best in silence or with background music or noise? Do I prefer to be in company, or alone? There are no right or wrong answers to the questions, but knowing my personal style allows me to plan to succeed. It’s self –defeating to plan for difficult or stressful events at times and by means that are also difficult or stressful for me! A successful plan uses my strengths, and is patient with my weaknesses.

Next, we have to know our plan. Making plans to achieve goals is key and when you do this, make sure to write it down!

Third, we have to know what to do. You must have goals and objectives. You must identify your relative importance: some things are necessary, some things important, some things I can “take or leave”, and some are “extras and fluff.” You need to know which are which. This is called setting priorities.

Check back with us later this week to get the second part of time management!

Do you have some time management advice for us? Shout back at us and let us know what you think!

Video Mix - Telephazer Updates His Technology

2011-07-06T15:55:00.002-04:00

Have you tried updating your technology but just can't find the right way to do it? Click play below and see how Telephazer handles the big task of updating his "Evil Genius" technology.

Audio Mix - time Management Techniques Part 1

2011-07-06T15:00:00.000-04:00

Are you still searching for that time management help, but just can't find it? Check out the podcast below and get the best info from your Credit Union!

Podcast Powered By EECU

Junior Achievement's Grand Prix '11

2011-07-01T13:40:00.002-04:00

EECU – A Community Credit Union is pleased to announce today that in addition to participating and racing in the Junior Achievement Grand Prix on June 3rd, they have also contributed funds to the organization to help provide young people in the community with the skills necessary to compete and succeed in the 21st Century.

Seven EECU employees sold 300 raffle tickets to raise $1,500.00 (including a $200.00 donation from the Credit Union) for JA’s “Race for Education” Grand Prix. In addition to raffle tickets, the group raised funds in a variety of other creative ways throughout May, including branch bake sales, popcorn day and much more! “EECU is proud to support such an important and worthy cause that helps to educate and inspire the youth in our community to value free enterprise and understand business and economics to improve the quality of their lives,” said Steve Cobb, EECU President and Chief Executive Officer.

Special News Report: Myspace Sells For 7 cents On The Dollar

2011-06-30T16:17:00.005-04:00

Only days after Google releases "Google+", News Corp decided to sell MySpace or My____ for a sum between $30 and $40 million. Read the article below and tells us what you think of the sale!

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(Wired.com) - Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

A day after Google went public with a tilt at Facebook, today’s dominant social network, News Corp has found a buyer for MySpace, the ruling online hangout of yesteryear. The selling price is said to be between $30 million and $40 million — at best about 7 cents on the dollar News Corp paid six years ago.

The news comes from The Wall Street Journal, like MySpace also a division of News Corp. No official word yet from either party.

When Rupert Murdoch’s media conglomerate bought MySpace for $580 million in 2005 it was the place to be online. As recently as 2008 it was still the top locale. But in April of that year Facebook surged and left MySpace in the dust. And according to the Law of the Digital Jungle — there can be only one über-dominant social network, search engine or word processor — that meant that the inexorable MySpace death spiral had begun.

For the hardy, well-heeled and focused, however, it isn’t game over in the social media space. The smartphone app-driven environment is invigorating niche networks for sharing based on limited circles (Path), media (Instagram) and proximity (Color).

It isn’t clear what Specific Media has in mind for MySpace, which remains a popular site for indie bands. It could lower its profile and exploit that strength to the exclusion of all other ambitions. Even with with a $40 million pricetag, this reformulated niche social network would be a cheaper startup than Color, which has yet to get much traction, and a much better known, albeit tarnished, brand. Heck, former Wired.com music tech writer and current Evolverfm.com editor Eliot Van Buskirk argued months ago MySpace should actually turn band pages into apps.

While MySpace may forever remain the worst digital investment ever made by News Corp, the experience didn’t deter Murdoch from making another big bet just this year with the launch of The Daily. The iPad-only publication has cost the company tens of millions of dollars and while News Corp does not break out subscribership or the financials for the division — one could argue they might if the news was good — an analysis in April by the Neiman Lab suggests a downward trajectory.

And then there is Google, which only Tuesday unveiled its own full-service social network, Google+. The search giant isn’t calling “+” a Facebook killer, but they don’t need to. The law of the digital jungle will sort it all out in due course.

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/06/news-corp-dumps-myspace/

Facebook And Your Security

2011-06-28T15:11:00.001-04:00

Facebook can be a great place to meet new and old friends, connect with family, and network to its 500+ million users. With great networking comes great responsibility and the responsible thing to do is always make sure you are safe and secure on Facebook.

You might have seen some various "bugs" going around your friends wall, but haven't looked into the issue too much. Well, let's look at some of the Facebook viruses out there and how to protect yourself.

MONEY TRANSFER SCAMS

Someone tells you, either via Facebook chat, message, or email, that they are stranded in a foreign country and need money. Coined the “Nigerian 419” virus because many victims claim to be alone in Nigeria, the virus hacks your personal information listed on your profile in order to make it seem like he or she is actually your friend and to make the plea more convincing.

How do you avoid the scam? According to the Federal Trade Commission’s website, money transfer scams are successful because money wired to another country can be picked up at multiple locations, making the hacker almost impossible to identify or trace. NEVER send money in the mail without contacting the person in a secure form outside of the social networking site. If this is not possible, PCWorld recommends asking a very personal question that is not listed on your profile and only the real person would know.

If you believe your account has the 419 Virus, follow these steps:

1.In the Search box on your Facebook, type in “Facebook Security”

2.Click on the page “Facebook Security”

3.Select the “Threats” tab

4.Under “Money Transfer Scams” click on the “contact us” highlighted link, which will take you to a form for the 419 Scam

5.Once completed, your account may be cancelled depending on the level of infiltration.

THE KOOBFACE WORM

Here is how it works. Either a post on your wall, a message in your inbox, or a message in Facebook chat from a “friend” that tells you to click on a link to check out a video or a photo. The messages are enticing, saying something like “I just saw this hilarious video of you dancing! Your face is so red. You have to check it out!” Then, once you click on the link, it takes you to a site that tells you in order to view the photo or video you have to update your software. So you install the update because you oh-so-desperately need to see how red your face is, and the Koobface virus is uploaded into your Facebook profile, sending messages and posting on your friends’ walls the exact same message you were tricked by. Now, how to avoid it... If you think about it, a friend—or at least a good friend—would never open a conversation with a borderline-mean comment about how ridiculous you look somewhere on the Internet, and would usually start the conversation with “How have you been,” or at least “Hey.” Furthermore, you will never need to update your software in order to watch a video on YouTube or to view a photo. NEVER update software from a redirected site on the Internet; instead, go to your browser’s website and update it from there. If you already have it then you will need it removed there are steps for this listed on eHow, but we have found that the program usually has a replicator hidden and will come back without the aid of third party software.

There are the advertisements where a friend posts a link to your wall that suggests you try a really great product or service that has “changed his or her life”. The most common scams are diet tricks such as Acai berry shakes and colon cleanses, and working online at home by posting links on Google.

Now let's check out some helpful tips that can help you in the event your facebook begins to act squirrelly.

1. Reset your password to something that is not obvious and change it from time to time.

2. Avoid links. Avoid Links. Avoid Links. If you want to dheck it out, go direct to the vendor.

3. Run your security updates and virus scans. I use Microsoft Security Essentials (Free) and Malwarebytes (Free from www.malwarebytes.org).

4. Actually look at the Facebook Security page for tips and hints.

5. Avoid clicking on any links that end in .exe.

Do you have some tips for us? Share them on here and you could get a special surprise from your credit union!

Audio Mix - Viruses And Phishing Part 2

2011-06-27T13:49:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to our 2 part series on Viruses and Phishing! Don't waste any time and click the play button below and get the info on 4 different ways you can combat the bugs on the net.

Podcast Powered By City CU

Special Video - What Is A Credit Union?

2011-06-24T11:05:00.000-04:00

It is no surprise, especially since the bank bail outs, that people have been familiarizing themselves with credit unions. Although big strides have been made, there are still millions of people who don't know why their finances are better off at credit unions and not banks. If you know the differences, then feel free to share the video with others and help them understand how they can experience a better financial life with credit unions!

What's a Credit Union?

Forward Thinking!

2011-06-23T15:29:00.003-04:00

EECU - A Community Credit Union is pleased to announce that their quarterly Forward Thinking Partnership Program grant has been awarded to Northwest High School. The school’s Athletic Department received $1,500.00 to help fund a new scoreboard for the football field, which replaces an outdated 35-year old scoreboard. All Northwest students, faculty, staff and the entire community will benefit from this project as they cheer on the Northwest Football Team this fall.

“EECU’s Forward Thinking Partnership Program was developed in recognition of years of support from our local educational community,” said Renée Allen, Operations & Marketing Director of the credit union. “The program helps great educational ideas and projects become reality through financial assistance.” To qualify, projects or ideas must be educationally related and enrich the lives of students/participants. Funding examples include: classroom materials, special educational or enrichment programs, playground or recreational equipment, library or media materials, special speakers or assemblies, etc. Additionally, the project or idea must provide a benefit to a significant portion of EECU’s membership or potential membership and/or the communities in which they live.

For an application or to learn more about EECU’s Forward Thinking Partnership Program, contact our Business Development Department at 517.787.2060, ext. 3731 or e-mail liz@eecu.us. Completed applications may be returned via e-mail or postal mail. Deadlines for consideration are the end of each fiscal quarter: March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.

Help! My Cell Phone Is Wet! Part 2

2011-06-22T11:21:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to part 2 of Help! My Cell Phone is Wet! Let's get into the next steps without delay and save your cell phone.

Let Your Phone Dry

The next step you must take to save a wet cell phone is to allow the phone to dry. A great method in providing an optimum drying environment is to set the phone on the vent found on the back of a television set or cable box. The low heat emitted will gently dry your cell phone. Another trick to help speed drying is to place the phone in a bowl of dry rice. This will help draw out the moisture. You can also try placing the phone in a plastic baggie with a few silica packs that come in purchases such as shoes and electronics. Silica, like rice, absorbs moisture.

The important part of the drying process is to place the phone uncovered, in a warm, dry place and allow the moisture to evaporate completely. Another alternative is to place the phone on an air conditioner. The cold air will not damage the phone and the air from an air conditioner is very dry allowing the water to evaporate quickly.

Drying should take approximately three days at which time you can check to make sure the phone is clean and dry. It is at this time that you can re attach the battery and check if the phone works. If it doesn't, wait a few more days and try again. If the phone still doesn't work, take it to your local dealer, they may be able to repair it. Be prepared; getting a cell phone wet will void your warranty and most cell phones are equipped with a water damage indicator so the dealer will know the phone has been H2O compromised.

Alternative Drying Methods

There is an alternative way to save a wet cell phone that includes an alcohol soak. Alcohol is hygroscopic which means that it attracts water. Soaking your phone in denatured alcohol, or a 95% alcohol solution (regular rubbing alcohol is about 75%), soaks up all the water in the phone. When the liquid is dumped out, only alcohol, which will evaporate, remains. Make sure that the alcohol you use is denatured with only methanol as the chemicals found in other types can be damaging. This kind of alcohol can be purchased at your local hardware store. The alcohol soak may work best for phones that have been damaged by salt water or other liquids such as coffee.

Battery Caution

When attempting to save a wet cell phone, make sure you do not heat the battery as it could leak or even explode. Lithium-ion batteries are especially sensitive. In addition, many cell phones have plastic parts that can melt. Above all, do not try to save a wet cell phone by placing it in a microwave. You will destroy the electronic components and possibly the microwave in the process.

The above steps will help to save a wet cell phone, but be prepared. Often the phone will survive but the battery will not and the purchase of a new one may be in order.

You have all the tips, now go and save your cell phone! Thanks for reading another blog post from your credit union!

Help! My Cell Phone Is Wet!

2011-06-20T11:12:00.003-04:00

Many people tend to do one thing when their phone takes a nice bath in a pool of water, throw it away. Before you go tossing your phone out the window and head to the store to buy a new one, think about your options!

Remove The Phone From The Water

The first step is to remove the phone from the water as soon as possible. The less time the phone spends submerged, the greater chance it has of being saved. The plastic covers that come with cell phones do provide some protection, but it takes a mere twenty seconds or less for water to get through these barriers and start causing damage to your phone.

Once you pull the phone from the water, remove the battery immediately. Cutting power is a crucial step when attempting to save a wet cell phone. There are many circuits inside cell phones that can survive getting wet, but only if they are not attached to a power source.

If your cell phone comes with a SIM card, remove it promptly. Do not heat the card, simply pat it dry with a soft towel, and put it aside until the rest of your phone is dry and back to working order. The good news is that SIM cards recover well from water damage. If for some reason, your phone doesn't survive the accident but the SIM card does, there are plenty of places that sell unlocked cell phones. Simply place your SIM chip into the new phone and go.

Salt Water Accident

If your phone was submerged in salt water, you must rinse it in fresh water before the drying process begins. Even after the phone is dry, crystals can form and continue to cause damage and erosion. The last thing you want is a phone that comes with its own salt dispensing machine!

Stay tuned for the next steps on how to bring your phone back from a watery grave!

Do you have some great information about what to do when a cellphone takes a swim? Shout out to us and let us know your tricks of the trade!

Credit Unions And iPhone Applications

2011-06-13T11:11:00.011-04:00

One hundred million. While most of us wishfully think we saw that number in our savings account, that number has nothing to do with savings. One hundred million has to do with spending, and this spending is on a Apple product known as the iPhone.

Many Credit Unions have adopted different iPhone applications for their members. Here are a few at a glance.

1. Credit Union Shared Branching Locator - By LocatorSearch, LLC.

Description

With access to over 6,300 locations nationwide, the CU Service Centers Shared Branching Network makes your hometown credit union one of the most convenient financial institutions in the world and with the Credit Union Shared Branching Locator app, it just got even more convenient.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-branch/id357607352?mt=8

2. Golden 1 Mobile App

Features

Any Golden 1 accounts you manage online.
Balances and history for your checking, savings, credit card, mortgages and home equity, or personal lines and loans.
Bill payment services, including payment, e-Bills and tracking.
EZPaySM Personal Payments.
Check images.
Fund transfers between your Golden 1 accounts.
Nearby ATM and branch locations.
Contact information for our Member Service Call Center.

3. ATM Locator - By CO-OP Financial Services

Description

Is your credit union part of CO-OP Network? Find a convenient CO-OP Network surcharge-free ATM location around the US. With over 28,000 ATMs, including 9,000 deposit-taking, you can find a CO-OP Network ATM near where you live, work and travel. CO-OP Network ATMs are found in prime locations including 7-Eleven, Walgreens, Publix, Costco and more.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/atm-locator/id357604351?mt=8

Credit vs. Debit

2011-06-09T13:34:00.002-04:00

The next time you swipe your EECU ATM & Check Card at a Point-of-Sale (POS) register, you will be asked if your prefer credit or debit. The following information will help you see why choosing credit may be to your advantage:

Credit - Sign & Save!
For added security, no PIN number is required - only a signature.
You may have the right to have disputed charges removed from your account.
Fund availability is based on your balance and overdraft sources.
With Advantage Checking, you may earn 2-3 more days in dividends because funds are not withdrawn until the charge is actually received by the Credit Union.

Debit - PIN & Pay!
Requires you to enter a PIN number.
No charge back rights on disputes.
Fund availability is based only on your daily withdrawal limit and overdraft sources.
The amount of the transaction is debited from your Checking Account at the time of purchase.
Choosing credit also means less merchant fees for your Credit Union, which translates into higher dividend rates and lower loan rates for all members.

So, the next time you're at the check out, consider choosing credit when using your EECU ATM & Check Card.

Audio Mix - Viruses And Phishing Part 1

2011-06-07T13:45:00.000-04:00

Have you experienced the pain of a computer virus? Maybe you have heard of financial institutions dealing with phishing? It is 2011, and computer viruses and phishing attacks are increasing as each day passes. So what is your plan of attack? Listen to the podcast below and get the information you need in our 2 part series.

Don't forget to shout out to us and leave a comment as we always want to hear from you!

Podcast Powered By City CU

Special Report: Nintendo Wii U

2011-06-07T12:59:00.001-04:00

Nintendo has just unveiled the Wii U, the gaming giant’s next-generation console. The much-anticipated console was unveiled at Nintendo’s E3 press conference in Los Angeles.

Nintendo Global President Satoru Iwata teased the audience before the announcement. He told the audience that Nintendo’s goal with its new console is to make a system that will appeal to both hardcore and casual gamers.

“The goal of innovation is to serve every player — then though each brings to video games an individual appetite, a personal passion and a distinct gaming history,” Iwata said.

Watch the video below and see some great Wii U highlights and amazing features!

The console’s controller utilizes a touchscreen that can play games on its own. Its augmented reality system allows for direct interaction between the touchscreen and the television. It has a 6.2-inch screen with two analog controllers, a gyroscope and a front-facing camera. The controller isn’t a portable gaming device though — it gets its images streamed wirelessly from the console.

Nintendo demonstrated the power of the Wii U controller in a series of videos. One demo showed a user throwing ninja stars from the controller directly onto the TV. Another one showed the controller on the ground and a user using it as a golfing green surface with the Wiimote.

The new console is the first Nintendo device to support HD graphics. Its controller features a 6.2-inch touch-screen that works as a second display showing the same images being played on TV. The screen can also provide gamers with additional information to give them an edge over competitors. It can run old Nintendo games, has motion-sensor capabilities and can be used in conjunction with Wii controllers, the company said. Additional hands not included!

Plays 10 adp graphics, can connect to HDMI
Will play proprietary high density discs and downloaded content
Hits stores between April 1 2012 and December 2012
No HD video on touchscreen, but the new console will deliver HD video on TV screen

PC Vs. Mac Debate

2011-06-02T14:56:00.000-04:00

The debate has been going on for years. Which is the better machine? While the answer might not be very clear, having many pros and cons on each side, CNN published an incredible article discussing the subject. Read what they have to say below and let us know what you think!

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Remember those Apple ads that cast the Mac as a 20-something, self-satisfied hipster while the PC was portrayed by an older, square-looking guy in a brown suit?

Well, those characterizations, unfair as they may be, appear to have some truth to them.

An unscientific survey by Hunch, a site that makes recommendations based on detailed user preferences, found that Mac users tend to be younger, more liberal, more fashion-conscious and more likely to live in cities than people who prefer PCs.

Of the 388,000 Hunch users who responded to a question about computer loyalty, 52% identified themselves as PC people as opposed to 25% who said they are Mac devotees. Hunch then cross-referenced those responses with answers to other questions to draw cultural distinctions between the rival Mac and PC camps.

The results suggest Mac users can be seen, depending on your perspective, as bolder and more creative -- or elitist and more pretentious.

The report found that 67% of Mac users have a college or advanced degree, as opposed to 54% of PC users. Mac loyalists are 80% more likely than PC users to be vegetarians, and, unlike PC fans, would rather ride a Vespa scooter than a Harley.

PC users' tastes trend towards casual clothes, tunafish sandwiches, white wine, Hollywood movies, USA Today and Pepsi. Mac users prefer designer or vintage duds, hummus, red wine, indie films, The New York Times and (we're not making this up) San Pellegrino Limonata.

Mac users also are more likely to describe themselves as computer-savvy and "early adopters." PC users tend to describe themselves as better at math and less likely to throw frequent parties.

"I fit the typical Mac user on every count. Guess I'm not as unique as I thought. Depressing," wrote one commenter on Hunch's blog.

Since Hunch's first survey of Mac vs. PC users in November 2009, Apple has ridden the success of such high-profile products as the iPad and iPhone 4 to become the world's most highly valued tech company. Despite that hot streak, Hunch found that slightly more people in its new report -- 52%, up from 50% a year and a half ago -- now identify themselves as PC users.

http://articles.cnn.com/2011-04-22/tech/mac.pc.users_1_mac-users-pc-fans-pc-people?_s=PM:TECH

EECU Marches for Babies!

2011-05-31T11:38:00.000-04:00

More than 10 employees and their families from EECU – A Community Credit Union participated in the annual Jackson March of Dimes “March for Babies” event on May 1 to raise funds for and support the program, which gives hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. Staff wore their custom-made EECU orange and silver “March for Babies” t-shirts and raised over $900.00 for the event, including a $150.00 donation from the credit union. The group raised funds in a variety of creative ways throughout April, including: employee dress down days, bake sales, popcorn day, online donations, donation jars in all EECU branches, selling March of Dimes decals and much more!

“EECU is proud to support such an important and worthy cause,” said Abbey Caples, EECU employee and coordinator of the March of Dimes effort. “The March of Dimes is such an amazing organization and event and their mission is to educate to avoid premature births and birth defects. I am so proud EECU was able to create a team and raise over $900.00 in one month.”

Green GPS Technology Anyone?

2011-05-31T11:00:00.001-04:00

Computer scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a global positioning system that not only calculates the shortest and fastest routes, it also projects the most fuel-efficient route.

Built to run on today's internet connected smartphones, the "Green GPS" links to the car's onboard computer using an inexpensive, off-the-shelf wireless adapter.

The car's onboard diagnostics system uploads information about engine performance and fuel efficiency to the phone, which uses the data to compute the greenest route.

In preliminary experiments, researchers were able to show that following the suggestion of Green GPS saves 13 percent more fuel over the fastest route and 6 percent over the shortest. The initial test was conducted on 16 cars of various types that collectively drove for 1,000 miles in Urbana-Champaign, a city of 170,000.

"Currently at least 30 percent of total energy in the United States is spent on cars," said Principal Investigator Tarek Abdelzaher, associate professor of computer science and researcher in the Coordinated Science Laboratory. "By saving even five percent of that cost, we can save the same amount of total energy spent on the nation's entire information technology infrastructure."

The Green GPS units will be installed on up to 200 fleet vehicles used by the Urbana-Champaign campus, including full-size vans that often carry 1,000 pounds or more in tools and equipment.

Abdelzaher hopes that by collaborating with IBM, the University's Green GPS research will eventually be tested in heavily urban areas with greater stop-and-go traffic.

2011 Scholarship Winners Announced

2011-05-26T16:49:00.001-04:00

EECU – A Community Credit Union is pleased to announce that their 2011 EECU College Scholarships have been awarded to Kelsey Carney, a graduating senior from Northwest High School, and Charlie Briner, a graduate of Jonesville High School.

The winners are selected based on their excellence in academics and outstanding community service, and each student is rewarded with a $1,000 scholarship to a college or university of their choice. Kelsey will be attending Western Michigan University where she plans to study Pre-Early Childhood Education, and Charlie will be studying at Michigan Technological University where he will pursue a degree in Engineering.

This year’s scholarships were awarded in memory of William (Bill) Shushok, a former long-time EECU Board Member who sadly passed away recently. Bill served many dedicated years on the Board of Directors and will be missed by all at EECU.

EECU’s Board of Directors, management, and staff have faith in the youth of tomorrow. In that regard, the EECU College Scholarships were developed to help two deserving area high school graduates realize their career goals. EECU congratulates all applicants for their high academic scores, leadership and accomplishments throughout their high school career.

The ULTIMATE Guide To Grocery Shopping

2011-05-26T16:34:00.000-04:00

Is the supermarket a place where you listen to elevator music while dragging your feet through aisle after aisle in boredom? Or is it a chance to fill your cart with choices and maybe get handed a free sample while you shop?

Despite the music, supermarket shopping can be interesting. Before you grab a shopping cart and head for the aisles, check out these tips for smart and healthy supermarket shopping.

THOUGHTS ON HOW, WHERE, AND WHEN YOU SHOP

Don't shop when you're hungry. If your stomach is grumbling when you enter the store, you'll be a goner when you see all those tasty treats. Eat a healthy snack or meal before you go to the supermarket.

Pick the best supermarket for you. If you have a choice on where to shop, think about the kinds of things that you want the store to have. A salad bar? A vegetarian or organic section? An awesome seafood department or bakery? Double coupons? Choose the things that make it convenient and easy for you to eat right. Once you've found a store you like, you may want to stick with it. Knowing where to find the things you want will help you get out the store faster.

Shop during off-peak times. Did you ever get stuck behind a slowpoke pushing the cart in front of you because the store's so crowded? Try to avoid stores when they're likely to be busiest — after work hours (weekdays between 5 and 7 PM) and weekend mornings, for example. The best time to shop is very early in the morning, weekend evenings, or on a popular TV night.

KNOW YOUR LABEL LANGUAGE!

A big part of smart shopping is selecting healthy foods. Food labels, also called Nutrition Facts labels, are printed on all packaged foods and are posted near produce, meats, poultry, and fish. These labels let you compare different foods to see how they differ in fat, calories, protein, and other ingredients. For example, you can compare the serving sizes of two cereals you like, see how much fat is in frozen pizza, or find out how many carbohydrates are in a bag of cookies. You also can check to see if a food contains important vitamins and minerals.

Smart shoppers are especially careful about the health claims on food packaging. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration decides whether manufacturers can call their foods "healthy" or "low fat." However, it's up to shoppers to put these claims in perspective for their own nutritional needs and eating habits. For example, "reduced fat" cookies might not actually be low in fat. They're just required to have less fat than the regular version of a particular cookie — and that original version may be much higher in fat than other cookies.

Here are just a few of the terms you might see while you shop:

Healthy: the food is low in fat (especially saturated fat or trans fat, which have been linked to heart disease) and has limited amounts of cholesterol and sodium.

Free (for example, sugar free): the food contains only tiny amounts of fat, saturated fat, sodium, sugar, cholesterol, or calories per serving.

Good source: one serving provides 10% to 19% of your total daily needs for a specific nutrient.Low sodium: one serving has 140 milligrams of sodium or less.

Low cholesterol: one serving has 20 milligrams of cholesterol or less and 2 grams or less of saturated fat.Low fat: one serving contains 3 grams of fat or less.

Reduced (for example, reduced fat): one serving has 25% less fat, saturated fat, sodium, sugar, cholesterol, or calories per serving than the regular version of the food.

Light (or lite): one serving has 50% less fat or one third fewer calories than the regular version of the food.

GET THE MOST FROM YOUR BUCK

By planning to make recipes and keeping a grocery list, you've already helped guarantee that you'll use the foods you buy.

More tips to help you get the right nutrition and avoid wasting food:

Buy enough food to last until your next shopping trip. If you have healthy foods on hand, you'll be less likely to reach for unhealthy ones. Obviously, foods like fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat are perishable and will spoil quickly so you can't buy these as far in advance as other foods.

Wash and cut up some fruits and veggies right away. This way, they'll be less likely to sit in the back of the fridge and turn to mush while you reach for the cookies and ice cream. Keep them in small containers or bags in the front of the fridge where you can easily grab a healthy snack.

Cook in advance. You might not feel like cooking after a busy day, and it's tempting to cruise the drive-thru window. To avoid this problem, cook some meals in advance. When you have time at home, cook a meal and put it in the fridge. If you're making a favorite dish, prepare a double amount of the recipe and freeze the extra portion. This way, when you're tired and hungry, you just need to pop a plate of food in the microwave — and your groceries won't go to waste!

Do things that will help you enjoy food shopping, such as picking a new and interesting ingredient or spice to try each week. Food shopping is something you'll do for the rest of your life, and it will quickly become second nature to you.

The Breakfast Story

2011-05-24T15:40:00.000-04:00

While growing up, I can't even try and put a figure on the amount of times I was told to eat a big breakfast. My parents were very conscientious about it because I was a small child. “You need the energy,” my mother would say. Well breakfast can be a very important meal, but only when it is beneficial for our bodies. In this weeks blog post, we are going to explore the benefits of a healthy breakfast and negative results of an unhealthy breakfast.

Healthy meals equal positive effects

While any breakfast may be better than no breakfast, there are some foods you might want to avoid because they're high in sugars, sodium, saturated fats and calories. Cut back on sugary cereals (over 5.0 grams per serving), high-calorie pastries, and meats like bacon and sausage that are high in saturated fat and sodium. Breakfast should include protein and plenty of fiber; the combination will help satisfy your hunger and will keep you feeling full until lunch time. The protein can come from low-fat meat, eggs, nuts or dairy products. High-fiber foods include fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

A healthy breakfast doesn't need to be extravagant or take a long time to prepare. Try something simple like a hard boiled egg, whole grain toast and 100% fruit juice. And there's nothing wrong with a bowl of whole-grain cereal with berries and low-fat milk.

If you really don't like to eat breakfast, you can split it up into two smaller meals. Eat a hard boiled egg at home, and an hour or two later, take a break from work and snack on an apple and a handful of healthy nuts like pecans or walnuts.

Negative Effects

Heavy meals have been known to produce a strain on the digestive system, which in turn drains your energy reserves. (Ever wondered why you feel exhausted after a big dinner and dessert?) Ironically, people eat because they need energy, but the process of digestion itself is anything but energizing to your body.

When you sleep at night, you’re giving your digestive system a break, and food from the day is getting a chance to move through your system to be eliminated the next morning. If you insist on having a big greasy breakfast of sausage, bacon, eggs, pancakes and hashbrowns as soon as you hop out of bed, you’re guaranteeing that you’re going to be needing an afternoon siesta. These common breakfast items are all difficult for your body to digest, and they will sit in your system for hours, using up all that energy you needed for other things, to break down those foods.

The word “breakfast” is no mistake. We all know that fasting helps the body to cleanse and detox itself. Most of us do not fast enough. We eat until late hours of the night, give our system a mere 6-8 hour break, then tax it again first thing in the morning by breaking our fast with a big heavy meal. We would be healthier if we learned to give our bodies more rest, and to truly fast from evening til late the next morning.

The Nintendo Wii And Fitness Part 2

2011-05-20T13:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to part 2 of The Nintendo Wii and Fitness. Let's not waste any time and get to the next three amazing fitness video games!

3. Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010

With Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010 you get a better fitness game than the 2009 version. The game developers have learned much since 2009.

With this game you can get in shape with Jillian as your personal trainer. She is very direct and you can plan your routines with her for the coming 6 months.

The game includes both cardio training and strength training with exercises such as jumping jacks, running, hip twists, pelvic thrusts, back kick, boat pose, push ups and more.

The game has been more enhanced to use the balance board than the 2009 version. All movements are more accurate and the exercises are more tougher.

All in all, this game is much better tahn the 2009 version.

Take a look at the video review to the right for more info. Also, if you like the game then use the link underneath the video to purchase it through Amazon.com.

4. Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games

This is a game that looks very interesting and fun. I was a big fan of sonic when I was 10 or so.

Now, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games is a game where you can compete in real Olympic winter events. In 2010 it's going to be Vancover that has the Winter Olympics and you can with this game enjoy it from your living room.

The game offers traditional competition and you can play single player, multiplayer, co op, and festival mode.

You can choose among many different characters from both the games of Sonic and Mario.

The game has support for The Wii balance board and you can buy the gear and upgrades for the different competitions.

Take a look at the video to the right to get a feeling how the game is. Purchase it through Amazon.com underneath.

5. The Biggest Loser

This is a very popular wii fit game and a very popular program. I'm talking about the biggest loser video game for wii.

With the game you get over 88 different exercise to help you reach your ideal weight quickly. What makes this game interesting is that you can customize your workout exstensively with a daily calendar. With it you also get 50 healthy recipes from the biggest loser cookbook.

The game will allow you to chose a 4, 8, or 12 week program were you can compete with contestants from the previous seasons of the biggest loser.

You can also compete with a friend to get that extra motivation to follow through with your workouts.

The workouts that you can get are everything from lower body, core, cardio workouts, and yoga.

This game is very high quality and can really help you to lose weight and the same time having fun.

Check out the video review to the right for more info. Also, you can purchase it through Amazon.com underneath the video.

The innovation that video game developers have taped into is incredible. The ability to merge fitness and fun is a great way to help individuals enjoy the benefit of exercise and avoid the negative thinking that surrounds the traditional world of exercise.

Do you have any favorite Wii games you love to play that involve exercise? Shout out to us and let us know what you use! Thanks for reading another blog post, by your credit union!

Audio Mix - The 20 Minute Workout!

2011-05-19T16:41:00.000-04:00

Looking for some time in your day to workout but can't seem to find it? Well check out the podcast below and see how easy a 20 minute break, with the right moves and tips, can help you become healthier and stress free!

Podcast Powered By EECU

EECU Announces Youth Winners!

2011-05-19T15:36:00.001-04:00

During the month of April, EECU – A Community Credit Union celebrated Financial Literacy Month and participated in National Credit Union Youth Week April 18-23 with special promotions and events, including games, drawings, prizes, refreshments and fun for youth of all ages. The theme was “Money Rocks at My Credit Union,” and they ended youth week with a visit from AAA, who gave out free bicycle helmets and safety tips.

EECU is pleased to announce the winners of their grand prize drawings. Eligibility for the drawings included current and new youth members attending the youth day events at each branch location, and making a deposit to their EECU Johnny Appleseed, Cha Ching or Edge youth account. All prizes were compliments of EECU and the following members each won a unique age-appropriate prize, centered around the Money Rocks music theme. Bryann Dishaw, age 10, Johnny Appleseed Karaoke Machine; Holli Slamka, age 13, Cha Ching Sony Micro Music System; and Dylan Trudell, age 18, Edge iPod Touch. Additionally, EECU youth members had the opportunity to guess the amount of coin in the jar at each of EECU’s four offices. The winner was determined by the person who guessed the closest to the correct amount, and the winner, Breanna Binkley, age 10, won a jar of coin valued at approximately $58.

According to EECU Youth Event Coordinator, Liz Hoffius, “EECU’s youth programs are all absolutely FREE and are designed to help educate youth about the importance of saving money and developing good spending habits. They provide the tools necessary to take the first step toward financial independence and properly manage personal finances for a lifetime.” EECU would like to thank the grand prize winners and all other members who participated in April’s youth promotion. Congratulations!

Special Report: Barefoot Running... Is It Safe?

2011-05-11T14:06:00.000-04:00

As a previous cross country runner, I was always curious about barefoot running. Through the years, I experimented with it, but never stuck with "barefoot movement". In the YouTube video below, a Boston News Team and a Hardvard Study group take agreat look into the barefoot movement and provide some great answers and things to think about.

Watch the video below and join in on the conversation! Make sure you share you story if you have ever tried barefoot running and let us know what kind of feet it was. :)

Special Video: Save Your Debit Card And Get Involved Today!

2011-05-09T12:41:00.003-04:00

Do you know the latest scoop on interchange? If you are looking for a straight forward explanation, what can happen if this legislation passes, and how it will affect your credit union then you have come to the right place!

Watch the video below and get involved today by contacting your congressman/congresswoman and tell them three things:

1. Stop the rule of interchange from going into effect

2. Study the impact

3. Start over

The Nintendo Wii And Fitness Part 1

2011-05-07T13:00:00.000-04:00

The Nintendo Wii has not just become a gaming syste, but a household name. With the widely accepted use of the gaming system from young to old, the ability to get a great exercise out of the available games is very easy. If you are trying to find the right game for you to shed some pounds of work on your endurace, you have come to the right place. In this weeks blog, we are going to list the top 5 Nintendo Wii fitness games that you must have!

1. EA Sports Active 2

This game offers 75 exercises compared to the 35 that the first version offered. There are many new types of activities in the second version as well. How about bike riding, basketball drills, and shooting soccer balls in a goal.

The game has pre-made circuits that targets your upper body, lower body as well as cardio.
With EA Sports Active 2 you have your own virtual personal trainer that guides you towards the goal you have set for yourself. You will receive feedback while you are working out and after each workout session. The second version of the game is compatible with the wii fit balance board which makes it even more fun.

2. Wii Fit Plus

The wii fit has gotten a upgrade and it's named wii fit plus. The game is a huge improvement since the first release of the wii fit. The customization ability is much bigger with lots of new exercises to choose from.

You will be able to create a personal workout routine that suits you best. The regular wii fit was much about offering something for everyone, but now the bar has been raised a bit and you can create workouts that are tougher.

Simply select the time you have available for workouts and then the program will automatically make a workout schedule for you.

The wii fit plus comes with 6 new yoga and strength exercises as well as a lot of new balance exercises.

It's best to view the preview video to the right to get a sense at how the game is. You can also purchase it through amazon.com by clicking on the link under the video.

Also, wii fit plus has the feature that it allows you to weigh your pet.

Stay tuned for more great fitness Nintendo Wii games for you to check out! Thanks for reading another blog post, from your credit union!

Audio Mix - How To Reduce Stress

2011-05-05T16:39:00.001-04:00

Is stress getting you down? Do you wish you could find a way to reduce it and stay healthy? Well look no further because in this weeks podcast we have some great advice for you! Listen below and get informed!

Podcast Powered By EECU

Stay Fit While You Work!

2011-05-04T17:57:00.003-04:00

It's hard to find time to exercise, especially for those of us who work in an office. Exercising at work may seem impossible, but it's one option for staying fit and keeping your energy up. Now if you have a job where you get exercise.... you are a lucky dog! In all seriousness, it does take some creativity, but there are opportunities to exercise at work if you pay attention. All it takes is a little planning and some inspiration to squeeze in a little movement all day long.

The Basics

You probably know a few tricks for staying active at work. Taking the stairs when you can, parking further away from the door and walking around the office when you can are good places to start. Beyond that, there are a few other options to keep you moving:

Sit on an exercise ball instead of a chair. This will strengthen your abs and back and you'll work on your posture without even trying.
Set an alarm to go off every hour to remind you to stand up and move around. Even if you just swing your arms or take a deep breath, you'll feel more alert.
Use the restroom on another floor and take the stairs
Use a pedometer and keep track of how many steps you take. Aim for 6,000 to 10,000 steps a day.
Get a headset for your phone so you can move around while you talk

Exercise Equipment

If you have your own office, consider keeping a resistance band, ankle weights and even a couple of sets of dumbbells in your desk drawer. You can squeeze in some quick upper body exercises while you're on the phone. If you work in a cubicle or don't want people to see you exercising at your desk, all you really need is a chair and a couple of large, full water bottles you can use for any dumbbell exercise. If you work at a retail or fast food place, wearing arm weights or ankle weights can be a great option!

The most important thing to remember is be creative and have fun! The more fun you have while working out, the less stress and more healthy you will become!

Video Mix - Interview With TSA About Target Markets

2011-05-02T14:40:00.002-04:00

Dr. Malcom Goldblum, a national sensation, had a great show last night with TSA employee Patrick Downer. check out the video below and see what you missed the other night!

Also, feel free to join in on the conversation and tell us what you think about starting your own business!

EECU Awards Forward Thinking Grant

2011-04-29T16:46:00.002-04:00

EECU - A Community Credit Union is pleased to announce that their quarterly Forward Thinking Partnership Program grant has been awarded to the “Break the Grey” program of Jackson. “Break the Grey” (named after the desire to break the cycle of hopelessness, indecision and uncertainty) is a community-wide program delivered to area students via school assemblies by a cutting-edge team led by Bill Ballenger. The message is an in-depth discussion regarding the many widespread challenges and consequences facing young people today such as drugs, alcohol, casual sex and suicide. On the final night of the program, “Break the Grey” hosts a free concert open to students at all schools in Jackson County. The school assemblies and concert are free to the schools and community, and are set-up as professional venues complete with drama teams, state-of-the-art sound, lighting and staging to maximize the impact of the positive message.

“Break the Grey” received $1,500.00 from EECU to help fund the program in Jackson County. All area students and anyone from the community are welcome to attend the events and will benefit from the grant.

For an application or to learn more about EECU’s Forward Thinking Partnership Program, contact our Business Development Department at 517.787.2060, ext. 3731 or e-mail liz@eecu.us. Completed applications may be returned via e-mail or postal mail. Deadlines for consideration are the end of each fiscal quarter: March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31.

Reaching Your Target Market Part 2

2011-04-27T13:42:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to the second part of "Reaching Your Target Market". Let's get right into those next five tips and get you making some more money!

Tip #6: Local media works!

Newspapers and local television stations love human relations stories and, with a little PR work, can offer A LOT of exposure for free. The trick is putting an angle on one's business that seems unique or generous. Holding a fundraiser for a local food bank can put food into the mouths of hungry people while getting a little local exposure.

Tip #7: Become an active member of a relevant forum

Forums can bring in a huge number of visits. Becoming an active member of a forum can be very effective because it gives you access to a defined group of people with particular interests, and people can get to know the person behind the business. It's important to become a genuine member and to avoid spamming the forum (many don't allow any links at all, so you need to read the rules), but if done properly this can be a great thing to do.

Tip #8: Almighty Google AdWords

Google adwords is another advertising method that allows you to target users- by location and the words they're using in search. The google keywords tool can help you come up with effective keywords for your ad campaign. If your preferred keywords are too expensive due to lots of competition, you can get creative and think of other terms that your target market might be searching for.

Tip #9: Donate products to a charity or local group

Of course, donating to charity is a good thing to do anyway, but it can also be a good way to get your name out there to an interested audience and generate some good will towards your business. Charities and schools often auction off prizes in order to raise funds, so this can be a great way to contribute. This is rather random, but I still remember the name of the cleaning business that sponsored my little league team!

Tip #10: Advertise on a beneficial blog

Sponsoring a giveaway or paying for an ad on a blog can be a good strategy. It's important to do your research on the blog, including the amount of traffic it receives/number of followers, and to think about whether it is read by your target market. I'd encourage sellers to think about blogs that are not necessarily etsy-related...if you sell wedding jewellery, a wedding blog would be a great idea!

There you have it! 5 more ways for you to keep your business healthy this summer and for many years afterward!

Do you have some tips to share? Feel free to join in on the conversation and let us know what you think!

Reaching Your Target Market Part 1

2011-04-25T13:23:00.004-04:00

Summer time is approaching and I bet you are starting to think about how to get some extra coin in your pocket? Well, that little business venture that you decided to start is looking pretty good right now, but there is only one small problem: You don't know how to reach your target market.

Well you have come to the right place because in this week's blog post, we are going to give you some great tips on how to reach your target market and make the most out of your product/service. Here are the first five of ten tips for you to utilize when you are getting that business going!

Tip #1: Narrow your target audience

Let's say theoretically you want to start a cleaning service. Since your cleaning service is currently both residential and commercial, your target currently includes everyone in your local area. So your first decision is how to limit yourself geographically. I suggest that you focus your energies on only one section of your city and then expand your selected zone as finances, organizational skills and available manpower. Choose a specific section of the city and focus your efforts there.

Tip #2: Attend functions

By attending functions that are related to your business, will draw people that fall into your groupings. The events may be home shows, boat shows, yard and garden shows or some other community events. Volunteer your services as a guest speaker or to supply your helpful hands to make sure that the event runs smoothly. Find a place at these events that you can leave some of your business cards and brochures if you have one.

Tip #3: Contact trade journals

Contact any trade journals that are widely read in your geographic area and take out an ad in an upcoming issue. This will get your name in front of people that will need your services. To draw in leads and potential customers you might consider offering a small discount in the ad if the customer mentions seeing the ad in the journal. This will allow you to track the effectiveness of your advertising.

Tip #4: Get Personal

Though many will remark that getting too personal with a company is not their idea of a strong business relationship, this is certainly not the case. Most individuals enjoy the attention and added sense of respect that a personal approach to business affords. Resorting to the marketing strategies of the "old days" could prove to be quite effective in today's economy. Getting out and shaking a few hands can land a number of very lucrative business relationships. If for no other reason, most consumers will be intrigued at the novelty of a small business offering their hand in friendship.

Tip #5: Think BIG

If one has the budget to rent a Segway and give out coupons, flyers, or free samples of a product, or buy wholesale products, one should. Consumers appreciate a whole-hearted attempt to win their loyalty. In today's society of mega corporations, it can be very refreshing to find a business that appreciates a customer's business. Though grandiose efforts are not totally necessary to express appreciation to new customers, a large campaign can reach a great deal of individuals.

Stay tuned for more great tips about reaching your target market from you Credit Union!

EECU Receives Five Star Rating!

2011-04-21T11:23:00.001-04:00

EECU has had the honor and privilege of serving the financial needs of their members and community for 75 years, and has recently announced receiving a five-star rating from Bauer Financial, Inc. The five-star rating is the highest that can be received by a financial institution.

Bauer Financial is an independent research company that analyzes and rates financial institutions nationwide."We view ourselves as responsible stewards of our members’ money and we continue to lend," said Steve Cobb, President and Chief Executive Officer for EECU." The five-star rating continues to reinforce our financial strength, and EECU is pleased to remind our members and community that we are strong, secure and ready to fulfill their needs for the next 75 years.”

For more information on Bauer Financial, please visit www.bauerfinancial.com.

Audio Mix - How To Start A Social MEdia Biz Part 2

2011-04-20T14:00:00.000-04:00

Hello EECU blog readers! Here is part two of the series "Starting A Social Media Biz"! Enjoy and feel free to share you thoughts and join in on the conversation!

Podcast Powered By EECU

Young Innovators

2011-04-20T09:47:00.002-04:00

The idea is simple... create something nobody has done before or if they have, do it better. Well, maybe the idea isn't so simple but one thing is for sure, innovation isn't just for the experienced anymore. In todays blog post, I want to share with you 3 very young innovators who took a simple idea and grew it into a successful business.

Side note: In the attempt to not offend, I am giving a warning that I am skipping Mark Zuckerberg. We all know what he created!

Andrew Gower - Runescape - RuneScape is a massively-multiplayer online game (MMOG), set in a fantasy world of warring races, ravaged landscapes and sinister powers. Having chosen an adventurer, players are free to find their role within it: to live by the sword and face hundreds of enemies, to further the storyline in RuneScape's quests, or to train in any of a number of skills.

Blake Ross & David Hyatt - Mozilla - Mozilla is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote openness, innovation and opportunity on the Web. Creators of Firefox.

Ashley Qualls - What Ever Life - What Ever Life is a great social site full of web layouts, contests, and more. This site has anything and everything you need if you are looking to get into design.

So what are your thoughts on there young entrepreneurs? Share your thoughts and let us know if you are venturing into uncharted waters! Thanks for checking out another blog post by your credit union!

Monster Video: The Success Behind Job Interviews!

2011-04-15T13:00:00.001-04:00

Do you have a job interview coming up? Before you go in and wow the office, make sure you have the right clothes for the job! check out the video below and get the tips you need to succeed at your next job.

Make sure you shout back to us and let us know how the tips worked for you!

Net Worth: What Is It And How Do You Calculate?

2011-04-13T16:39:00.001-04:00

Have you ever heard people talking about their net worth? Net worth is something that millions of people calculate every year, but why? Is calculating it easy? We will get into the why a bit later but calculating your net worth really isn’t all that hard. It just takes a bit of time, some scratch paper, and a calculator.

First, make a list of all of your assets. This includes savings, your current checking and savings account balances, any bonds you might have, the total value of any stock holdings you might have, your home, and your automobiles. I usually don’t include any physical assets less valuable than a car, but you can do this if you wish.

I usually make a list that says ASSETS in big letters at the top. Underneath that, on the left, I list what the asset is and on the far right, I list the value of that asset so that the decimal points of all of the assets line up. This makes the calculation of your total value much easier.

Once you’ve listed every asset you can think of, write TOTAL in big letters over on the left, then add up the numbers. Once you have this total, you’ve got the total value of your assets.

Now, make a list of all of your debts. You should list all of your credit card balances, personal loans, student loans, auto loans, home loans, and so forth. Much like with the assets list, I recommend a big header that says DEBTS, with each debt listed below that on the left side and the amount of the debt over on the right, with the decimals lined up for easy figuring.

Once you’ve listed all of your debts, write TOTAL in big letters on the left, then add up all of the debt numbers. This total is the total amount of all of your debts.

Once you have these two numbers, the net worth calculation is simple. Take your total assets and subtract from that your total debt. The resulting number is your net worth.

What does a negative net worth mean? Some people panic when they calculate their net worth and discover that it is negative. This is usually the result of a young earner with a substantial amount of student loans and also a loan on a rapidly depreciating automobile. Why is your net worth negative? You simply haven’t earned enough money yet to overcome the weight of the debt. Don’t worry, it will come.

How can I make it bigger? Every time you make one of those debts smaller or one of those assets larger, your net worth will increase. So, you can increase your net worth by paying off your debts, saving and investing money, and reducing your spending.

On the other hand, your net worth goes down when you spend money on “small” things, such as clothes, food, and even interest on loans. Whenever you buy something frivolous, your net worth goes down.

I find it useful to calculate my net worth every month. My goal each month is to increase my net worth over the previous month, which means my expenses for the month was less than my income. I use the excess to pay down debts or increase personal savings.

The usefulness of the net worth formula might not be beneficial now, but later down the road it can help you budget for buying a home, vehicle, or any big purchase.

Video Mix - Cruise Shaft At It Again!

2011-04-12T09:48:00.000-04:00

STC and Izzy are at it again...

Looking For Extra Cash?

2011-04-07T09:57:00.003-04:00

Are you looking to make some extra cash this summer? Below are six great entrepreneurial enterprises for teens to choose from that can help bring in the "dough-re-mi” during the dog days of summer.

With any of these endeavors, be sure to keep in mind:

Safety first.
Make sure anything you want to do is legal.
Do your homework – learn about the “business.”
Get the word out – Flyers are a great way to advertise, but be sure to put them in door handles and not in mailboxes; it’s against United States Postal Service regulations.
Think in terms of serving your customer, giving “100%,” and doing it with a smile and pleasant demeanor.

Affixing Mailbox and House Numbers

This is a win-win business venture for both teen and community. A home without a visible number posted on either the house or mailbox can delay deliveries and visitors, cause automobile accidents or even worse – delay emergency responders when every second literally counts. Someone’s survival may depend on it.

Distribute flyers describing the merits of this service to homes that are missing their identifying numbers or those with numbers not clearly visible. Numbers can be purchased at your local hardware store and are relatively inexpensive – ranging from about $1 to $6 per number – depending upon size and make (i.e., vinyl, brass, satin nickel). A hammer and screw gun would help to secure metal number plates. Charge for the materials and set a reasonable fee for your labor.

Vacation Home/Pet Care Service

Summertime is vacation time for many families. This is a terrific opportunity to put them at ease about their home and pets while they’re away, and for you to earn some cash.

Advertise in your neighborhood. Services provided can include:

Pet care/sitting
Watering plants
Taking in mail and newspapers
Cutting the grass
Taking out the trash or recyclables
Checking outside perimeter, doors, rooms and windows

Prepare a fee schedule with charges listed for each service. First establish a reasonable hourly wage for yourself; i.e., $6 to$8, calculate how long each service would take, and then charge accordingly.

Car Wash Service

Why would anyone drive to a car wash when they could have someone come to them and do a great job for less money? That someone could be you. Be sure also to promote the fact that machine washes may be harsher than the manual cleaning you’ll be doing with mild detergent.

Check out some local car washes for prices and services provided. Charge a little less and you should be in business. When you do an exemplary job, repeat customers can keep you busy all summer.

Materials you may need include portable vacuum, bucket, sponges, chamois towels, mild detergent, and paper towels or clean soft towels.

Tailor-Made Enterprises

“You have to love what you’re doing, because then it won’t seem like work to you and you will bring the necessary energy to profit from it.”
--Billionaire real estate developer Donald Trump

Just about everyone has their own special skills and talents; something they love to do. Convert and customize that gift into a business. If you excel at and love Math, consider tutoring children in your community. If you adore kids and art, start a face-painting business. With a little imagination, research and fortitude, success will surely follow.

Whatever business endeavor is pursued this summer, keep in mind “studies show that people who dabble in business as teens are more successful as adults."
--Entrepreneur.com

With some hard work and a battle plan, you can get your business up and running! Do you have some business that made you some extra cash last summer and want to share your secret? SHout out on here and join in on the conversation!

Audio Mix - How To Start A Social Media Biz Part 1

2011-04-06T16:34:00.000-04:00

Looking to start a business around social media? Nobody said it is easy but with the right planning and tips, you could be on your way to starting something great! Listen to the podcast below and get the tips you need to succeed!

Podcast Powered By EECU

EECU Marches for Babies

2011-04-05T09:54:00.005-04:00

EECU has created a team for March of Dimes. This event takes place May 1st at Ella Sharp Park from 1:00 to 4:00, and the distance is four miles. We would love for you to join our team! Don't think you can make it, or would rather just donate? That's great, too!! Please just click our team name which is the title of this article. When you walk in March for Babies, you give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies. Thank you for your support!

5 Tips for Teen Entrepreneurs

2011-04-05T09:46:00.000-04:00

It's hard to find jobs in today's tough economy. Impossible no, but can be quite difficult. If you need to earn money over the summer or after school, why not become your own boss? The benefits of making your own hours and having creative control is only the beginning to starting your own business.

Here are 5 tips on starting your own business:

1. Identify a need. Think about the kinds of services that might do well in your area. If you live in a suburb and your neighbors commute long distances to work, they may need dog walking help. Pet sitting is another good line of business during the summer or over the holidays when people travel. If there are lots of senior citizens in your area, a computer help business might do well.

Keep your ears open for opportunities. If you have your license and you hear your mom's friend talking about how her kids need to be picked up at the same time from different places, suggest she hire you to help. You also can offer to pick up anything from groceries to dry cleaning, or clean anything from windows to cars.

2. Set a price for services. Once you know what you want to do, figure out how much to charge. Search online to see what others charge for the service you plan to provide. Teens often have an advantage: Less experience means you may be able to charge less, making your business more competitive.

3. Advertise. Print flyers describing the services your business offers. List your rates and your phone number or email address. (Check with your parents before you do this, of course!) Drop off a flyer at every house in your neighborhood. Give some to parents to take to work. Ask local stores or coffee shops if you can post a flyer on their community notice board (if you do this, make a bunch of tabs along the bottom with the service you offer and a phone number, so people can tear one off instead of taking the entire flyer).

You also might be able to use sites like CraigsList to advertise your services — as well as look for customers who might need you. If you do look for opportunities online, though, keep a parent involved in what you're doing.

4. Organize your work. Once you have clients, you'll need to keep track of them. You don't want to forget to walk someone's dog because you were feeding someone else's fish. Buy a calendar and write down every job you do each day and the time you'll do it. Keeping a calendar also reminds you of how many times you provided a service so you can bill your clients. A parent, teacher, or school counselor can help you get started on business planning. Who knows, your business may grow so fast that you'll have to hire friends to help!

5. CYB: Cover Your Business. If you drive for work, you'll want to be sure you have insurance — especially if you'll be driving other people's cars or transporting their kids. You'll also need to look into any coverage you might need for taking care of other people's property or pets. Ask a parent, school counselor, or teacher for advice.

With a little preparation, running your own business can bring great rewards, in both money and experience.

EECU Celebrates National Credit Union Youth Week!

2011-04-01T10:43:00.014-04:00

Money Rock$ at my Credit Union!

Celebrate National Credit Union Youth Week - April 17-23, 2011.

Hillsdale Branch • Monday, April 18th • 3-5p.m.

Spring Arbor Branch • Tuesday, April 19th • 3-5p.m.

Michigan Center Branch • Thursday, April 21st • 3-5 p.m.

Jackson Branch • Friday, April 22nd • 3-5 p.m.

Johnny Appleseed Members Enter to Win a Karaoke Machine with any deposit!

Cha Ching Members Enter to Win a Micro-Music System with any deposit!

Edge Members Enter to Win an iPod Touch with any deposit!

Free refreshments & giveaways!

Kids use Jackson branch coin counter for FREE for the whole month of April!

Spin the wheel & earn a prize with any deposit!

Guess closest to the dollar amount and win a jar of coin!

Earn "2 for 1" reward card stamps with any deposit for the whole month of April!

On Saturday, April 23, AAA will be at our Jackson branch from 10-12pm. hosting a Bicylcle Safety Event. EECU youth members will recieve a free bicycle helmet* and safety tips!

*While supplies last.

Youth member must be present to be eligible for contest prizes & giveaways!

For more information, call 517.787.2060 today!

Unusual Jobs Part 2

2011-04-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

Unusual Job #6: Independent Duty Corpsman

Dedicated to providing health care services to military personnel, IDCs are recruits trained to administer treatment to victims of injury and sickness. They're not exactly physicians; however, they're often the only available medical personnel. Touro University International offers specially-tailored online programs designed to provide IDCs with health care credentials. These programs aren't the same as medical residencies, but if you ever need IDC services, you'll have no problem calling them "Doc."

Unusual Job #7: Wrinkle Chaser

This profession has nothing to do with beauty products or the elderly. Wrinkle chasers are in charge of removing, you guessed it, wrinkles, from shoes using specialty irons. Chasers can be assigned to a whole shoe or just a small part, such as the heel, and are in high demand at such companies as Shoemakers, England and Dr. Martens. After all, somebody's got to make sure those Manolos are as smooth as the person wearing them.

Unusual Job #8: Knowledge Facilitator

Knowledge facilitators examine what employees need to know and the best ways to distribute that information. Online business students should prick up their ears. Corporate knowledge facilitators are using e learning to make businesses more streamlined. "Training is no longer a discrete, formal event," states Dr. David Shoemaker, vice president of learning solutions for eCornell. "The ability to deliver knowledge in increasingly granular bits enables learning to be integrated seamlessly into the work flow."

Unusual Job #9: Snake Milker

You've heard the phrase: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." In this case, what doesn't kill you may prove to be a life-saving substance. Snake venom is at once a bodily poison and the primary ingredient in serums that cure snakebites. In areas where poisonous snakes are commonplace, animal care specialists employed to extract venom by "milking" the reptile's fangs are crucial.

Unusual Job #10: Laughter Therapist

If laughter truly is the best medicine, then Dr. Steven Wilson, certified a psychologist and Laughter Leader/Joyologist is the doctor for you. Built on the philosophy that giggles, chuckles and belly laughs do a body good, laughter therapists such as Wilson work with clients to help incorporate a smile into patients' daily lives. So how exactly does it work? "We don't use jokes, we don't use comedy," Wilson reports. "You're really going inside yourself to connect with the joyful, zestful, exuberant laughter we all had as babies... We not only show people laughter exercises that allow people to lighten up and release that laughter, but we teach how to prevent hardening of the attitudes." Regular doses of laughter are proven to alleviate stress, boost the body's immune system, and reduce the signs of aging. Here's one therapy session you don't have to take seriously.

So what do you think about these professions? While some might be a bit "odd", other seem so simple that I do wonder why people don't see laughter specialists more often. Tell us what you think about these professions and share you thoughts! Thanks for checking out another blog post by your credit union.