My favorite Friday of the month is HERE! Why the excitement? Well, I’m part of a Book Club (which as any woman will tell you, is code for “eating/gossiping/generally not discussing any book” – and tonight, this serious literary event is at my house. I chose a book that’s staged in the Alaskan wilderness, with a family of pretty hardcore survivalists. Although I don’t plan to swap my house for a sturdy tent any time soon, I did take a page from this book (figuratively!) when it comes to simplicity and simple happiness in life.

Here’s your food for thought on this grey, rainy day!

Friday was the annual Summertime Dollar Dog Marketplace here in Anchorage. Kids come to our Abbott branch and sell off homemade treats and crafts that they made, all while getting a healthy dose of financial education (and some hard-earned cash!). Here are some of my favorite photos from Friday. Let me know which one is your favorite in the comments, and we’ll see you this winter for the Holiday Marketplace!

Like so many of my fellow Alaskans, I’m an implant to our state. My hubby and I both hail from the Lower 48, and this week, we’re lucky to have family visiting from down there! Summer is a great time for guests in Alaska, because there are so many fun and affordable things to do. Can’t stretch your cash for an airplane tour or charter fishing trip? No problem! Go for a hike to Flat Top, the Matanuska Glacier, or any of the other AMAZING foot-accessible spots in our state. Good, cheap, fun.

Yesterday, we took my aunt-and-uncle-in-law to a “pick your own produce” farm in the Valley. Tons of sunshine, fresh air and great-looking greens made the trip an excellent, budget-friendly adventure. We went home with bags and bags of locally grown produce – which in turn saves us money on restaurant bills while relatives are in town!

Yesterday, team CU1 was at it again – volunteering to make our Alaskan community a better place to live! We helped distribute food from the mobile food pantry sponsored by the Food Bank of Alaska to the residents of Chickaloon Landing.

Chickaloon Landing is a Cook Inlet Housing Authority rental community for seniors or persons with disabilities. We arrived about 30 minutes prior to the “opening” of the pantry and had a chance to meet the residents waiting in the already-growing line. We chatted about the weather (it was a beautiful warm day), learned a bit about their life history, their families and some of the great things Chickaloon Landing does for their residents. Residents go on outings four times a week, have weekday lunches sponsored by the Salvation Army, and of course the monthly food pantry. Their excitement was evident – not only for the food pantry, but also for the chance to interact with new, smiling faces. At CU1, we’re pretty good at providing those!

Happy Fourth of July! While I’m busy burning hamburgers, bathing in sunshine and watching my kiddos chase each other around the yard today, I hope you’re enjoying America’s birthday in your own favorite way. July 4^th is possibly my favorite day of summer. It’s a great time to enjoy what matters most: good food, family and friendship – plus the celebration of the nation we’ve built together.

While I could go into a long list of things I’m grateful for today, I’ll keep it focused on thankfulness for financial freedom. While at times I may feel constrained by my monthly bills, debt load or income, we all have the freedom to make positive financial changes in our lives. For example – how cool is it that you have the power to pick and choose your financial institution, and that banks and credit unions want to earn your business? I love knowing that my credit union cares about my goals (and progress toward them), because this gives me the freedom to enjoy so many other areas of life.

I watched a pretty interesting re-run of “Undercover Boss” the other day (don’t judge), and a gas station worker on the show was talking about how he moved his family to America because

This weekend was the Mountain View Street Fair, which was started six years ago by Credit Union 1. I’ve been to every single one of them and have taken tons of pictures! As always, CU1 was out in full-force volunteering, painting faces, styling some crazy hair and manning the prize wheel. Saturday was so nice, and it was such a great event I just had to share some of my favorite photos. Be sure to let me know which one was your favorite in the comments! Enjoy! 

 

I visit the grocery store nearly every single day, and each day in the checkout line, I’m asked if I’d like to contribute to a charitable cause. Despite my frequent visits, I still feel caught off guard. Oh! A donation? I hadn’t really planned for that. I see the customers in front of me feeling surprised and unsure as well, and this often results in a “No, not today” response. However, there are lots of social and financial benefits to GIVING, so let’s change that habit!

First, most of the charitable causes that Alaskans fundraise for are local. This means the money stays in your area, benefits your friends and neighbors, and thereby benefits you. Healthier family structures and happier people mean a more productive community. WIN! By donating a few pennies toward positive community change, we’re saving money on the long-term effects (and costs) of distress amid our fellow Alaskans.

Charitable donations are also good for your tax return! I know, it’s June – so who wants to think about taxes? But each penny you put toward charity today could save you money with the IRS next April. Just something to think about. I mean, who doesn’t want a bigger tax return?

Some charitable causes hit closer to home than others. Personally, I find it easier to donate toward causes that

The summer solstice is almost here! If you’re like most Alaskans, you’ve been grocery shopping and mowing your lawn in the wee hours these days, all out of whack by the midnight sun. I’m so PRODUCTIVE this time of year! Who needs coffee with this much Vitamin D?!

Yeah, I still need coffee. But late at night, I feel amazing! My favorite part of solstice time is 

This past Monday, I was honored to be a part of an ongoing NeighborWorks project, Patriot Square. Patriot Square is a five-plex property in the Muldoon area that will provide stable housing for previously homeless veterans. The homeless aren’t always what we imagine them to be – they can easily be our friends, our coworkers, or in this case, those who selflessly served our country. I personally can’t imagine leaving the service only to struggle with finding something as basic as a roof over my head.

 

The building was recently purchased by NeighborWorks and was in need of a fresh coat of paint. They’ve been busy renovating the units, but the outside still needed a little TLC. When I arrived on Monday morning, I joined an army of other volunteers – some from Home Depot, some from the Office of Lisa Murkowski, and some from our very own Credit Union 1! I was stunned by the sheer number of volunteers and the positive energy radiating from the group. Very quickly the windows were being taped off, tarps were being laid on the ground, ladders were filling with people ready to paint, and the air compressors were droning away. We were ready! Some volunteers were up on a lift spraying the upper levels, some were on the ground using rollers to paint the lowers levels, some were doing detailed trim work and some were