Hi! I’m Ashley, Financial Education Coordinator for Credit Union 1! Check out my blog every Friday for fun tips and tricks to help you manage your finances.

Every once in a while, someone will ask me “What the heck is the big difference between a bank and a credit union?” Sometimes I’ll hear something about “Credit Union 1 - the bank” and I try really hard to keep my cool. No, I don’t blow steam from my ears when I hear this but now that I’m in “credit union land” I do tend to want to educate people on the difference between banks and credit unions. Here’s my soapbox for the day:

Credit unions are non-profit organizations and banks are money making machines. I’m definitely not writing this today to bash or degrade banks; I’m just telling you the truth. Banks aren’t evil monsters and have certainly done their share of helping people – but you can bet the farm that credit unions have helped more. After all, our mantra is “people helping people”… pretty clever huh? Think of credit unions as the food bank and banks are more like the grocery store. Both are there to help fight hunger, they’re just operating in different ways.

Hi! I’m Ashley, Financial Education Coordinator for Credit Union 1! Check out my blog every Friday for fun tips and tricks to help you manage your finances.

Ah, the holiday season is creeping up again! Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza or your very own version of winter cheer – shopping and its expense is certain to cross your mind. So before your celebration and gift giving get too near, let’s brainstorm ways to tighten the reins on overspending and cutting costs.

Put your priorities first. Get your budget figured out and decide how much you can afford to spend on gifts this year. I know your niece Jenny really wants that new pony, but I’m sure she’d rather you be able to eat too. No explanation is needed for why you can’t buy the prettiest, best pony in the world so try to keep your spirits up. Remember, you need to have a handle on your finances at all times of the year – if you wouldn’t buy it for them in July, don’t feel obligated to blow your budget for it now.

In difficult times, Bean’s Cafe and The Children’s Lunchbox are there feeding those in need.  On Friday October 19th, we ask that you join us at our annual fall fundraiser the 3^rd annual “The Pour” . This snazzy, fun-filled event and silent auction features select wines by La Bodega, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and handmade chocolates and is taking place at the Alaska Railroad Bill Sheffield Depot. Tickets are available online at www.beanscafe.org or by calling Laura Lyznicki at 433-8603.

Hi! I’m Ashley, Financial Education Coordinator for Credit Union 1! Check out my blog every Friday for fun tips and tricks to help you manage your finances.

Sometimes I think I’m too polite to speak up for my money. Or maybe it’s because I’m afraid of confrontation. Does being “polite” cost you money?

Once I noticed that while at the checkout counter that a coupon I had for $3 off an item wasn’t scanned. I didn’t want to correct the clerk because I thought that would be rude but I also wanted my $3 discount. Ultimately, the fear of looking like a mean customer took over and I let it slide. I know things like this don’t happen often, but a few dollars here and a few dollars there can add up quickly!

Hi! I’m Ashley, Financial Education Coordinator for Credit Union 1! Check out my blog every Friday for fun tips and tricks to help you manage your finances.

During a brainstorming session for a project, my coworkers and I started discussing ways to quit spending so much money. It was a pretty fun conversation so I’d love to share it with all of my faithful followers. Take the tips with a grain of salt and remember – it’s all in good fun here!

Tip #1

 Get a Create-a-Card that is embarrassing! Create-A-Cards are usually great conversation starters so what if you put a picture on there in which you don’t want to explain? For instance, I have this TERRIBLE picture of myself from when I was 12 years old and had just gotten glasses. I thought I looked like a supermodel at the time but now I look at it and I would never want to tell the cashier that it is me on there. That would be a good reason not to use my card therefore curbing my spending.