Get ready folks – I have a serious question for you! How goes the battle with your 2015 resolutions? Are you making progress? Treading water?

On my short list of resolutions, I’m somewhere between treading water and sinking. Each January, I set out to develop an agenda of exciting ideas to achieve – but my dirty secret is that, most often, this list falls by the wayside before February.  If you’re in the same boat (don’t worry! I won’t tell!), we can both use some ideas to make the year ahead particularly impactful. Luckily, I’ve found four words to live by: “quit a costly habit!”

It’s a new year – which means new chances, opportunities and goals! If education is on your wish list for 2015, Credit Union 1 would love to help. For almost 30 years, we’ve awarded annual funds to CU1 members via our Bill Countryman Scholarship program. What a great way to enjoy your membership with us AND expand your horizons!

I remember the day I applied for my first loan. I had turned 18, and a credit card offer came in the mail. Since I was new to the world of junk mail, I of course opened and even READ it! The offer came with a credit limit I certainly could not afford as a college student – but I didn’t even consider that. There was a packet of adorable address labels in the envelope, plus I got to choose my own credit card design. SOLD!

Something has been missing from my holiday spirit this week. Our tree is up and decorated, there are lights strung all over the house, gifts wrapped and nativity arranged. I even swapped our normal air freshener for one that smells like Christmas. But something has been missing! I don’t feel filled to the brim with holiday cheer, and it’s been bumming me out.

Last night, I decided to start and finish my Christmas shopping in one fell swoop. For weeks I’ve been surfing the internet, searching out the perfect gift for each child and my dear hubby. I was feeling pretty good about it. Then I went shopping late at night, on an empty stomach, by myself, and I DON’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. Now my wallet is empty and my present-hiding closet is full – but I don’t feel very good about it.

This past Tuesday, “Giving Tuesday,” was a big day for Credit Union 1. In fact, I’d say it was one of the BIGGEST days I’ve witnessed here! Each and every employee at CU1 took part in spreading #CU1LUV across Alaska – and the results were phenomenal. We touched hundreds of Alaskans’ lives on Tuesday with goodwill and the One for All spirit. This combo is the essence of #CU1LUV. It’s what makes our credit union an extremely special place to be!

In case you’re not familiar, Giving Tuesday is a national day of “giving back” that caps off the post-Thanksgiving shopping craze of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In honor of this philanthropic holiday, Credit Union 1 hatched a huge plan. In each of our branch communities across the state, we took to the streets! Our employees found families in need of grocery money, folks who needed a smile and a warm coffee, individuals struggling through the holiday season – and we #CU1LUV’ed them.

Black Friday sales are upon us. Were you waiting in line early this morning? Did you score a deal on anything great? I slept in and missed out on the fun/chaos. For me, Black Friday means perusing online sales, filling an imaginary shopping cart and then likely never checking out. I have imaginary shopping carts all over the internet, and each one represents things I’d love to have (but won’t break my budget for). These carts satisfy some need for me to shop, without maxing out my credit cards!

Happy Alaska Philanthropy Day! I’m excited to celebrate today for a variety of reasons – not the least of which is that “philaaaaanthropy” is fun to say.

I can feel Black Friday approaching like a dark army of sales. Two weeks from today, I’ll be torn between running down store aisles with my arms waving wildly in the air OR hiding in my house until the wave of crazed shoppers has passed. Shall I shop? Shall I hide?

A few months ago, my husband and I bought a new vehicle. We’ve done this a few times before, so I’d like to think I know how to navigate such waters – but the truth is, every car buying experience is different! The dealer we dealt with this time was a bit pushy. He insisted on knowing what payment amount we were OK with, rather than disclose the best interest rates and term for our loan. His dodgy-ness made me wish I’d gone straight to my credit union for help – but as with everything in my whackily scheduled life, we’d found ourselves in his office after-hours on a weekend. In short, at the mercy of what the dealership could offer.