Tuesday, November 23, 2010

‘Tis the season for stress? Make your holiday budget one less stressor!

Holiday shopping seems to bring out two types of people; those that have been preparing for months and have already completed most of their shopping by mid-November, and those, like me, who procrastinate and are starting to realize that holidays are right around the corner and they haven’t even started shopping yet.

With only four weekends of holiday shopping left, staying within my budget is my biggest concern and my biggest stressor. Between holiday parties, shopping and trying to find time to decorate, the holidays can be stressful; why add to the list by worrying about your budget? It is easy to go over budget if you haven’t planned ahead, so take an afternoon and make a list of who you need to shop for and what you want to get them. One way I've tried to stay in budget is to set a dollar amount for each person, then shop for one person at a time and only bring the amount that I plan on spending. This can save you from buying too much and going over budget.

Another way to stay within budget is to give homemade gifts. These small thoughtful gifts often mean more to the recipient than a store bought gift. One year, I made everyone a blanket and a scarf and every year my friends still use them, which make it well worth the $20 I spent on fabric and yarn.


Jess H., Maine Credit Union League

Friday, November 19, 2010

Maine CUs take the hassle out of holidays!

The holidays. Time for food, friends, family, and for many, the travel it takes to get to see them! It is a long drive to get from southern Maine, to reach the final destination of my hometown of Caribou for Thanksgiving at my grandmother’s house, but is worth every mile! Beyond the comfort of being home, as a credit union member, I have the comfort of knowing that my credit union is with me wherever I go!

Credit union locations in Maine have grown to more than 190, including 133 shared branch locations, meaning that Maine CUs now have more than three times as many locations as any other financial institution in the state! For me, that means that if I need cash in Caribou, there is a credit union there for me, and, when I travel to Madawaska for Thanksgiving #2 with my husband’s family, several credit unions will still be in my reach! In a hectic time, taking the worry about finances off my holiday plate is something to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving!

-Diana D., Maine Credit Union League

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

A new port in the storm – Shared Branching Kiosks!

As the weather starts feeling more like winter, making that extra trip becomes less and less appealing. And what’s even worse? The thought of being stranded and needing cash when your branch is nowhere to be found. Enter Shared Branching! There are countless stories of how this convenient service turned an unlucky member to happy Shared Branch user.

And now, for many CU members, Shared Branching goes beyond the branch, and even a teller, thanks to the introduction of Shared Branching kiosks! This incredible new addition to Shared Branching allows members to conduct the same Shared Branching transactions that usually require an open branch and helpful teller, through a kiosk – similar to an ATM. Using the kiosk couldn’t be easier. Once you’ve set up your account to ensure your information stays safe, it only a moment to deposit a check, make a withdrawal, or transfer funds! I recently used a nearby kiosk to deposit a check and make a quick withdrawal, allowing me to complete an errand in couple of minutes, rather than having to spend a lunch break on it!

Here is what Amy Irish, Marketing Director for University Credit Union, which now offers several of these kiosks, has seen as members begin enjoying this new convenience:

“Credit Union members and Shared Branching users have been impressed with both the technology and the ease of use of the kiosks, from the simple on-screen directions for registering to the printed check image on the receipt after making a check deposit. Members have been excited that the kiosks accept both cash and checks, as well as hold various denominations for disbursement.

The major theme we have seen across all locations of the kiosks is convenience, as it provides members the opportunity to complete their transactions outside normal business hours. As three of our kiosks are located on University of Maine campuses, we have seen great support from the student demographic who like the convenient access to their funds without having to drive to a branch!”