Did you know that April is Financial Literacy Month? Don’t worry if you didn’t plan a party! As this month comes to a close, here are some simple ways to celebrate and grow your own financial literacy level all year long!
Set Goals
Make clear financial goals, and break each one down into several short-term (less than 1 year), medium-term (1 to 3 years) and long-term (5 years or more) goals.
Get in Balance
Balance your checkbook each month to ensure you don’t overdraw your account when conducting debit card transactions.
Analyze your energy
An inexpensive energy cost analyzer can help you cut energy use and your bills!
Move your loan to a credit union
With lower rates, moving your auto loans or mortgage to a credit union can save you money. And, with conveniences such as automatic payments, you can be sure to avoid late payment fees.
Spend less than you earn
Pay yourself first. Your credit union can help you with this by automatically withdrawing money from your checking account and putting it into savings or an investment account.
Be Accountable
Take advantage of your credit union’s Holiday Club Account. Beyond saving for the holidays, this can help you save for major purchases, or ensure that you have money set aside it you need it.
Establish an emergency fund
Keep the money safe by putting it into a low-risk, accessible account such as a savings account or money market account.
Know your score
Review your credit reports to make sure all information is accurate, and get it corrected if it is not. This is particularly important as you prepare to make a large purchase such as a car or home.
Get connected
Sign up for remote access with your credit union. It’s the easiest way to keep an eye on your account, and gain a better understanding of how you are spending your money.
Start these good habits now, and by the time next April comes around, you will be ready to celebrate in (good financial) style!
- Diana D., Maine Credit Union League
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 11, 2011
ATV Trails - A Great Ride
Maine offers spectacular trails for ATV riders. Most trails open between mid-and-late May, giving you time, if you hurry, to get a loan from your credit union to buy a machine!
The Department of Conservation’s Parks and Lands Bureau offers a great trail map, obtained by calling 287-4958. BPL’s maps are also available on-line here.
More information can be obtained at www.atvmaine.org, the statewide organization that does a superb job representing and leading Maine’s ATV clubs and riders. You should also contact your local ATV club for a more detailed map of trails in your area.
Over 4,000 miles of designated ATV trails are now available throughout the state. Several state-owned or leased abandoned rail beds provide exceptional experiences including the Aroostook Valley Trail, Bangor and Aroostook Trail, and the Jay to Farmington Trail, all owned by the Bureau of Parks and Lands.
Many of the roads on our Public Reserved Lands and Wildlife Management Areas are open to ATV use.
Wherever you ride, stick to the roads and trails that have ATV signs, and please be aware that you must have the permission of landowners to ride on private land.
The Down East Sunrise Trail, a scenic rail-trail that runs along the entire Downeast coastal area in Washington and Hancock Counties, would be a great choice for either a day-trip or multi-day trip. This trail connects several scenic conservation areas, intersects spectacular rivers (bring your fishing rod!), and runs close to two state scenic byways. There are plenty of great lodges and restaurants in the area, some accessible right from the trail,
The Bureau of Parks and Lands has an excellent map of this trail. And lots of photos and information about activities on this trail can be found at www.sunrisetrail.org.
The trail also connects to the Duck Lake trails that put you deep into the “Maine wilderness” of northern Washington County. Hit the trail!
- George Smith
Moderator for Wildfire*
*Maine’s Credit Unions partners with Wildfire, a program for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Department of Conservation’s Parks and Lands Bureau offers a great trail map, obtained by calling 287-4958. BPL’s maps are also available on-line here.
More information can be obtained at www.atvmaine.org, the statewide organization that does a superb job representing and leading Maine’s ATV clubs and riders. You should also contact your local ATV club for a more detailed map of trails in your area.
Over 4,000 miles of designated ATV trails are now available throughout the state. Several state-owned or leased abandoned rail beds provide exceptional experiences including the Aroostook Valley Trail, Bangor and Aroostook Trail, and the Jay to Farmington Trail, all owned by the Bureau of Parks and Lands.
Many of the roads on our Public Reserved Lands and Wildlife Management Areas are open to ATV use.
Wherever you ride, stick to the roads and trails that have ATV signs, and please be aware that you must have the permission of landowners to ride on private land.
The Down East Sunrise Trail, a scenic rail-trail that runs along the entire Downeast coastal area in Washington and Hancock Counties, would be a great choice for either a day-trip or multi-day trip. This trail connects several scenic conservation areas, intersects spectacular rivers (bring your fishing rod!), and runs close to two state scenic byways. There are plenty of great lodges and restaurants in the area, some accessible right from the trail,
The Bureau of Parks and Lands has an excellent map of this trail. And lots of photos and information about activities on this trail can be found at www.sunrisetrail.org.
The trail also connects to the Duck Lake trails that put you deep into the “Maine wilderness” of northern Washington County. Hit the trail!
- George Smith
Moderator for Wildfire*
*Maine’s Credit Unions partners with Wildfire, a program for outdoor enthusiasts.
Monday, April 4, 2011
There's More Wilderness to Discover!
Are there mountain lions in Maine? Where’s the one place in the state that you are guaranteed to see a moose and a bear?
Mountain lions, moose, and bears are only some of the dozens of Maine critters at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray. The park is right off the Gray exit of the Maine Turnpike.
The Wildlife Park opens on April 15 (weather permitting) and offers the best opportunity to see dozens of different members of the state’s animal kingdom in one place. All the information you need to plan your visit can be found here.
The park is managed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife where Lisa Kane is blessed with many volunteers who staff key positions at the park. Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park provide both volunteers and funds for this very special place that excites young and old.
You can see many of the animals in the “winter views” section of the park website that offers lots of videos and other information including admission fees, a map, a list of and interesting information about the animals, and a schedule of special events. You ought to put Saturday, May 4 on your schedule for the park’s “Bear Bonanza,” scheduled from 11 am to 2 pm.
This amazing place offers close-up looks at all of Maine’s top predators including coyotes and fishers, bobcats and their bigger cousins Canadian lynx, eagles, owls (including my favorite the tiny Saw-Whet), and hawks, and more from turtles to trout. You’ll even see a new Maine critter, the opposum, and be able to visit a great museum of the Maine Warden Service.
I can’t wait to take my two grandsons on their first park visit this summer. This is a “must see in Maine” for tourists and Mainers alike. And there’s a lot to like here!
For more travel and outdoor news, go to www.georgesmithmaine.com.
-George Smith
Moderator for Wildfire*
*Maine’s Credit Unions partners with Wildfire, a program for outdoor enthusiasts.
Mountain lions, moose, and bears are only some of the dozens of Maine critters at the Maine Wildlife Park in Gray. The park is right off the Gray exit of the Maine Turnpike.
The Wildlife Park opens on April 15 (weather permitting) and offers the best opportunity to see dozens of different members of the state’s animal kingdom in one place. All the information you need to plan your visit can be found here.
The park is managed by the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife where Lisa Kane is blessed with many volunteers who staff key positions at the park. Friends of the Maine Wildlife Park provide both volunteers and funds for this very special place that excites young and old.
You can see many of the animals in the “winter views” section of the park website that offers lots of videos and other information including admission fees, a map, a list of and interesting information about the animals, and a schedule of special events. You ought to put Saturday, May 4 on your schedule for the park’s “Bear Bonanza,” scheduled from 11 am to 2 pm.
This amazing place offers close-up looks at all of Maine’s top predators including coyotes and fishers, bobcats and their bigger cousins Canadian lynx, eagles, owls (including my favorite the tiny Saw-Whet), and hawks, and more from turtles to trout. You’ll even see a new Maine critter, the opposum, and be able to visit a great museum of the Maine Warden Service.
I can’t wait to take my two grandsons on their first park visit this summer. This is a “must see in Maine” for tourists and Mainers alike. And there’s a lot to like here!
For more travel and outdoor news, go to www.georgesmithmaine.com.
-George Smith
Moderator for Wildfire*
*Maine’s Credit Unions partners with Wildfire, a program for outdoor enthusiasts.
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