Still Shopping?

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and even the newer Cyber Tuesday have all passed and some of us can sit back drinking eggnog knowing our holiday shopping is done.  But for others who avoided the insanity, or for those who simply are the procrastinators, fear not – there are still deals to be had! The trick is knowing the best time to buy for WHAT you’re looking for. Savings.com recently released a handy calendar giving you the best dates to buy particular items for 2012 – definitely worth a look!

In the meantime, now is the perfect time to start saving for NEXT year…I know it seems a bit premature, but the sooner you start saving the more your budget will thank you.  Just this week WSVN Channel 7 news visited us to share the TFCU Holiday Club account with their viewers for their Money Monday special report.

The beauty of the Holiday Club Account is that you don’t have to do anything more than determine how much you want to save, and when you want it saved.  Tropical does the rest.  You don’t even have to worry about making sure the money is available when you need it in November and December.  In October, the account automatically moves the cash from the Holiday Club account to your Checking or Savings account (whichever you prefer).   The funds are available to you at any time in the year! 

Check out what I learned about how one of our members uses the Holiday Club Account.  This member has transformed the Holiday Club Account into an art.  This is what they told me:

“I put money aside each paycheck.  By the time May comes around, I have enough saved up to pay for my kids summer camp fees.  In June and July, I am able save more which I use for back to school expenses like uniforms and school supplies.  Then from August-December I save for Christmas.  I use the amount set aside as my budget for the holiday shopping.  I have done this for the past five years.  I started because I got tired of these big expenses “creeping” up on me each year.  I found myself scrambling to get all of these expenses taken care of, knowing fully that I was spending mindlessly all year long.  Now I don’t even notice the money taken from each paycheck, we learned to manage without it and we are OH SO thankful that when we need the money, voila!  There it is!”

As you can see, this member has perfected the art of saving and is using the Holiday Club account to pay for all of the “big” expenses.  Imagine how you could save a little bit each paycheck and then get a BIG payoff!   All you have to worry about now, is which stores and websites have the best deals and when you need to go there! Even if you hadn’t made use of one this year, don’t despair – there’s ALWAYS time to get started, but the first step is to get into a branch or go online and open your account TODAY!

 

My favorite advice? Use your TFCU Visa to pay for all your purchases and then pay the credit card right off with your Holiday Club savings, that way you get the credit card points and still don’t overspend! Best of both worlds!

^Amy

Hit The Reset Button: Say Thank You

Michael McCullough, a professor of psychology at the University of Miami says that counting your blessings and giving thanks can make you happier.  He further states that “it makes you happier and can change your attitude about life, like an emotional reset button.”

Scientists have also determined that gratitude works to reduce stress.  There are a lot of theories about brain chemistry, hormones, and neurotransmitters.  The bottom line is that it works!  Saying thank you is the way we acknowledge another person’s kindness.  The reset button slows us down, gives us the opportunity to enjoy the thoughtfulness and consideration of others.  It also gives us the opportunity to make someone feel noticed and feel happy.

Thanksgiving is a day for reflection on all of the things that we are thankful for.  Professor McCullough and his colleagues must be right.  Once we get into the Thanksgiving mood, we tend to be happier, nicer, more polite, more forgiving, and more accepting.  This euphoria carries through the entire holiday season.  Makes you wonder if our Ho-Ho-Ho’s are directly related to our Thanksgiving!

There is a focus on Thanksgiving as our day to give thanks, but in reality, we have reasons to be thankful every day.  Gratitude and giving thanks helps us focus on the positive things in our lives and positive thoughts produce positive outcomes.  Even in adversity, we can find ways to be positive and be thankful.  Recently ^Kat wrote a blog about her sister beating cancer.  Instead of focusing on the negative, family and friends rallied together to create a positive environment that helped bring about her sister’s recovery.  I am sure that everyone can relate to a similar story in their lives.  Having friends and family to help us get through the tough times is truly something to be thankful for.

The eastern seaboard along with 6 other countries was devastated by Hurricane Sandy.  This massive storm was the largest Atlantic hurricane on record with a diameter spanning 1,100 miles.  But even in the wake of the storm we saw individuals and communities coming together to help those affected by the storm. 

We Floridians know all to well how it feels to have been in the path of destruction.  We also know how marvelous it is to pitch in and help others, and although we don’t do it for the “thank you”, those that are receiving the assistance need to say thank you—because saying thank you makes them happier, it makes them feel better…it pushes their emotional reset button!

This year let’s focus on Thanksgiving as more than just football, parades, and a great meal.  This year on Thanksgiving, let’s express our gratitude for the kindness shown by friends and family.   Let’s push the reset button as many times as we can and then let’s remember to press it as often as we can throughout the year!  So let me be the first to say "Thank You" to all our members for being a part of the Tropical Financial family - Happy Thanksgiving to all!

^Steve

Black Friday Survival Guide

As Thanksgiving approaches, the focus shifts from pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns and costumes to turkey, pumpkin pie, and family.  These are all happy thoughts and they make you feel warm and fuzzy.  But while the turkey tryptophan is beginning to take hold making you sleepy, you grab the nearest energy drink to get prepared for the impending mayhem known as “Black Friday.”

Back in the “good ole’ days” Black Friday madness began in the wee hours (meaning around 6am) Friday morning, but as more and more savvy shoppers have joined in the ritual the stores have begun opening earlier and earlier to the point where some never even close on Thanksgiving.  That makes it all the more important to be prepared as you plot your course for the day.  Steve and I got together and put together a list that we have found to be helpful in our own preparations:

1)      Make A ListCreate your list with a budget and STICK TO IT.  If you’ve been saving throughout the year with the Tropical Financial Holiday Club account, make sure to withdraw the money before Friday so you’re ready! If you haven’t, now is as good a time as any to start saving for next year to avoid putting unplanned purchases on credit cards and spending more than you intended.

2)      Check Your MailboxAs your mailbox fills with all those exciting offers, pay attention to the ones that match your shopping list.

3)      Go MobileMore and more apps are being created specifically to help you map out your Black Friday shopping experience, some with special promotions; do a search in your app store and read the reviews before choosing the one that works for you

4)      Cash Is KingOnce you have your list and have allocated how much you’re spending, when you take cash you aren’t tempted to spend more than you budgeted. BUT if you are taking cash, make sure you are keeping it in a safe place, like a fanny pack that sits around your waist and access is in front of you. I know they aren’t the most fashionable, but let’s face it Black Friday is a day of functionality, not fashion.

5)      Be ComfortableWear loose fitting clothes, along with your most comfortable shoes.  But please, do everyone a favor and leave the pajama pants at home, they may be comfortable, but ya gotta draw the line somewhere.

6)      Don’t Shop & DriveIf you’re lucky enough to have a friend/spouse who refuses to go shopping, but is willing to drive and drop you off you can avoid the stress of finding a parking spot.  Parking is often the first step in the stress for the day and if you can avoid that one, the rest of the day is oh so much easier. I’ve even known those who will take a cab, especially if their plan is stay at a mall all day; in the end it just might be worth it.

7)      SMILE SMILE SMILEBlack Friday IS one of the most stressful shopping days of the year, BUT it also can be a lot of fun. Remember to smile and breathe – the calmer you are the more enjoyable the experience will be, plus smiles can be contagious and you might just be helpful to another by sharing a smile.

8)      Block The NoiseA good friend of mine once told me she clips on her iPod before heading into a store, playing classical and holiday music. It blocks out the noise of the store and keeps her smiling through the day (see #6) – I think that’s brilliant and this year I will be giving it a try.

9)      Don’t Go HungryBlack Friday shopping is hard work – and requires plenty of energy to get you through the day. Smart shoppers make sure to pack a few protein bars, trail mix, raisins, or some other small snack that packs energy. Try to avoid too much to drink with it, nothing worse than needing a bathroom break while standing in line for that 52” TV you’ve been waiting 3 hours for!

10)   Stay Home

Yup, you heard me, skip Black Friday altogether and wait for the second biggest shopping day: Cyber Monday – where you can do all your shopping from the comfort of your home AND where pajamas are perfectly accepted attire.

^Steve and Amy

Help Feed South Florida

Imagine a time when you’ve been hungry, REALLY hungry.  Now imagine if you or someone you loved felt that every day.  We think of our country as being one of the richest nations in the world, yet there are still US citizens that feel the pain of hunger every day.  The fact is that 49 Million Americans are at risk of hunger*.  The good news is that we can help.

Right here there is an organization called, Feeding South Florida.  Their mission is simple: Feed South Florida’s hungry in order to improve their lives.  They do it by distributing food through a network of not-for-profit organizations, educating the public about the issue, and engaging the community in the fight to end hunger.  One of the biggest differences between this and other organizations is that it is local. All collections go to the aid of people living in West Palm, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties…our neighbors.  At Tropical Financial Credit Union we have been collecting food over the past several weeks to donate to this organization in time for the holidays.

If you would like to help, you can drop off your donation to any TFCU branch between now and Monday, November 19^th.

Recommended Food Donations:
      ● Canned meats (tuna, chicken)                    ● Rice & Beans (dry or canned)
     ● Canned Fruits & Vegetables                       ● Canned Soups & Meals
     ● Pasta Meals (ravioli, mac n' cheese)         ● Plastic jars of peanut butter & jelly

To give you an idea of how far this organization can make your donations go, for every dollar donated, Feeding South Florida can distribute 7 pounds of food and grocery item and out of each dollar, 98.4 cents goes directly to feed the hungry. 

So as we gather our families together this Thanksgiving, in addition for giving thanks for what you have, please consider helping us help others in our community have something to be thankful for - going without hunger instead of without food.

^Amy

*2009 USDA

Thank A Soldier

When I was a kid I used to marvel at the big display case over the fireplace at my dad’s house. It’s where he displayed all his medals from his army days. I’m very proud of my dad – he fought in World War 2 and was honored with numerous medals, including the Silver Medal awarded directly from General George S. Patton for bravery.  He was always a living “Captain America” to me.  One thing my dad used to tell me all the time was that freedom was never really free. There are brave men and women in this country who continue to put their lives on the line in support of this great country and the principles we believe in. On Sunday, November 11^th we will be honoring those great men and women.

Veteran’s Day was first recognized for the cession of fighting during World War 1 – on the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918.  The date officially became a holiday in 1938, this year it will be recognized as a federal holiday on Monday, November 12^th so all the branches of Tropical Financial will be closed.  Even though there were several years that the date changed, it has always had the same significance: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

At Tropical Financial Credit Union, employees get together around this time of year and donate time and resources to Forgotten Soldiers, an organization whose purpose is to send care packages and letters of encouragement to our deployed soldiers.  It takes only a few minutes to write a letter and anyone can do it, so I encourage everyone reading this to take a few extra minutes and thank a soldier.

My father passed away four years ago, but in his honor I have been writing letters to active duty soldiers to let them know what they are doing for our great nation will not be forgotten. 

^Amy 

An October Oreo

A few weeks ago, one of our bloggers, Kat, used a term I hadn’t heard before to describe being in the middle of caring for children and caring for aging parents – Oreo.  Ironically shortly after posting that blog I got a huge dose of exactly what it meant to be inside the Oreo.

My mom, who recently moved to SE Florida to be closer to our family, had a series of falls that triggered a hospital stay and a requirement for her to move into an assisted living facility.  In the course of four days I had to research, visit and choose a place for my mom AND move her in.  It has been one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to do. My son even flew down from Michigan to help because it was so overwhelming.  Together we had to pare down her 74 years of belongings to fit into one small bedroom.  I knew she wasn’t going to be happy, but for the first time in my life I had to be a parent to my mom to keep her safe. 

My mom has always been a very responsible person – she has plans for after she passes, making sure that her family doesn’t have to worry about planning a funeral or paying for final expenses.  But what she didn’t consider is what would happen if she could no longer care for herself.

The costs for long-term care facilities, like assisted living or skilled-nursing homes, can be extremely expensive going way beyond what would be covered by medical insurance or Medicare.  What is needed is something to fill the gap, like Long Term Care insurance.  Many people don’t see the value in purchasing Long-term care insurance, until it is too late. However, over 42% of people will need some form of care at age 65¹.  That is a big number.  The need for Long-term care planning is real. The best thing we can do is educate ourselves on the risks and the options available.  At Tropical Financial we partner with CUNA Mutual Group to offer guidance on this widely misunderstood topic. November is Long-Term Care Awareness month, so that is even more reason to look into this important topic today. 

Looking back a few years, when my mom took care of her final arrangements, I wish someone had told us about looking into Long Term Care insurance.  Maybe then being inside the “Oreo” would be much more comforting…like an Oreo should be.

^Amy

¹ Source:  American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, 2012-2013 LTCI Sourcebook, www.aaltci.org

Elect To Be In Control Of Your Finances

The clock is ticking its way to election day and you've probably noticed a steady stream of voters at area polling places casting early ballots.  Once the media attention shifts away from hurricane Sandy and back to politics, there will be no escaping the ads and commentary right through to the final tallies.  For so many of us, elections foster a sense of pride. They are empowering and a true sign of democracy in action.  Yet it's not uncommon for those feelings to give way to a feeling of futility, begging unanswerable questions like, does my vote really matter? It can leave you feeling insignificant and powerless, vulnerable to the will of others who you perceive to have more power or greater influence than you.

Take heart. You are powerful and influential. You are a member of the credit union. You have control over your finances and access to the best rates, plans and programs available.  As a member your vote is counted as a single vote in every election, not lumped into a geographic area where a representative of the plurality casts a vote. No, I'm not sure what that means, either. But it sounds like my single vote doesn't hold much weight. That's how we elect a president in the United States - by an electoral college. But that's not how you, a member of a credit union, elect your board of directors. At a credit union, it's one person, one vote. It doesn't matter if you have $20 dollars in your account and use just one service. You get one vote. It doesn't matter if you have $200 million dollars and use every service available. You get one vote. It's an even playing field where membership has its privileges, not where the privileged have membership.

By becoming a credit union member, you have cast your vote to take control of your finances, have a say in how your money works for the good of the members. Bank board members are elected by share holders, not the regular guy with a savings account and an ATM card. Not by the working Mom with a car loan trying to make a nice life for her family. 

Feel empowered and know that you matter. When you go to cast your ballot in this year's election, do so with pride that you have already made a good choice for you and your financial future. And although your national vote will be a small voice among the masses, you took the opportunity to have a say, to participate, because that's what credit union members do, they have their say.

^TFCU