Attend the Mayor’s Youth Awards, hosted by the Post Falls Mayor’s Youth Commission to see which youth residing in Post Falls are recognized for their outstanding involvement in the community. Being recognized for a variety of things from heroism to community service, these youth are an integral part of the Post Falls community.
Event information:
Thursday, May 17
6 p.m.
Q’emiln Park Pavilion
12201 West Parkway Drive, Post Falls, Idaho
By: Marya
During the summer between my junior and senior years of college, I had the opportunity to do an internship in Washington, D.C. I got to see the Lincoln Memorial, tour the Capitol, and learn to navigate one of the most advanced public transportation systems in the United States. If you’re considering an internship, I strongly encourage you to pursue one.
And that’s all I have to say about that. Because, although there are many benefits to interning in Washington, D.C., this blog is not about that. It’s about shared branching.
Say, what?!
I’ve been a credit union member since I was knee high to a grasshopper. So when I was preparing to leave for my internship in a far-off land, it didn’t occur to me to sign up for an account at a national bank. Instead, I walked into my local credit union branch and asked them what to do.
My favorite teller told me all about shared branching. Through the shared branching network, I could access my account all over the country, including Washington, D.C. I just had to walk into a credit union that was part of the network, give them my ID and member number, and I could deposit, withdrawal, or transfer money to my heart’s content. And the best part…it’s free!
I spent the vast majority of that summer using shared branching for the withdrawal option (Hey! This was an unpaid internship). It was so reassuring to know that I was still conducting transactions with MY credit union, the one I had been a member of for years.
When I was a teller here at STCU, we conducted shared branching transactions for “guest members” all the time. And those members’ credit unions reciprocate that service for our members. A quick tip for STCU members: Be sure to say that you are a member of Spokane Teachers Credit Union (the shared branching system does not recognize the acronym, STCU).
So the next time you spend Christmas with your grandma in Kalamazoo, feel free to drop by the Grand Valley Co-op Credit Union to deposit all of your loot. Or if your family heads down to watch the 49ers in action in San Francisco, stop by Redwood Credit Union to withdrawal some cash for your big foam finger purchase.
On top of all those brick-and-mortar locations, shared branching boasts a network of nationwide ATMs. If you’re lucky (and old!) enough to have a debit card, you can use ATMs for free all over the country. As an added bonus for all you Slurpee lovers, any Vcom unit located inside a 7-Eleven can be used for shared branching surcharge free.
To find nationwide and international shared branching locations, visit http://www.cuswirl.com/ or call (888) CU-SWIRL. I promise that you’ll find shared branching to be convenient, handy, and free. Thank goodness for the co-op spirit. Aren’t credit unions great?
By: Robyn
I come from a musical family.
When I was young I sang in a children’s performing group and in high school I was in jazz choir. My brother is the front man in a rock band. My dad plays guitar like B.B. King. And my mom… well, she likes musical theater, so I guess that counts, too. Music is just something that runs through our blood.
This was me at age five when I sang with Sunshine Generation.
Needless to say, my bank account regularly sees a lot of music-related withdrawals: a Maroon 5 CD here, a set of guitar strings there, an iTunes gift card every other week. Those things add up.
So, if you’re anything like me, you know the importance of finding affordable (and legal) ways to listen, download, and buy great music. Here’s how I do it:
I never buy full-priced CDs.
Some people think that CDs are a thing of the past, kind of like vinyl and 8-tracks. Personally, I could never make it through a road trip without a full stack of my favorite disks. But at $14.99 a pop, splurging on a new CD isn’t something I do often. Fortunately, there are ways around that.
Check out your local library. If you have a library card, you have access to tons of free music. You can find anything from Lady Gaga to Yo-Yo Ma, and with locations all over the Inland Northwest, you’re never far from the music you love.
Shop for used music. You can take home three CDs for the price of a brand new one by shopping at local stores that sell used. You can also find them online at sites like Amazon and Half.com.
Share music with your friends. Does your best friend have the new Rascal Flatts CD that you’ve just been dying to hear? Why not let him borrow your One Republic CD in exchange? You could even start a monthly music exchange with a group of friends. It’s a great way to learn about new music and explore different genres.
I listen to a lot of internet radio.
In a world of ingenious technological advancements, one of my favorite (and completely free) ways to satisfy my ever growing music craving is on the internet. I’ve discovered a whole list of new artists and songs that I never new existed.
My three favorite internet music sites:
Pandora Radio
Not only is this website completely free, it’s also super easy to pick and choose what you want to listen to. You can create any station based on your favorite artist, song, or composer and Pandora will automatically generate a personalized playlist with the music you love and more just like it.
Last.fm
Last.fm is community-based, meaning it keeps track of information like the artists and songs you play most often. Based on these records, Last.fm introduces you to similar music that other Last.fm users are listening to.
Spotify
On Spotify, you can search for any artist, album, or song and play it instantly. You can create personalized playlists, share music with friends or tune in to any artist station and listen all night long. You also have the option to combine the music you already have on your computer with what you find on Spotify to create one mega playlist of the music you love.
I take advantage of free iTunes downloads.
Not everything on iTunes has a price tag. If you take the time to look around you’re sure to discover a lot of really cool games, videos and music for free. Searching for free music directly from the iTunes store is just one way to find these musical treasures.
One time, I got on a plane only to realize that I had left my magazine in the airport terminal. Naturally, I was bummed. But instead of moping I read the in-flight magazine and discovered that the airline was celebrating its 40th anniversary by giving customers 40 free iTunes downloads. They had created a playlist of really cool music covering a range of music and artists, including some of my favorites, like The Band Perry and Other Lives.
Every Tuesday, Starbucks introduces a new “Pick of the Week” card giving its customers a promo code for one free iTunes download. Past featured artists have included Adele, Brandi Carlile, Eddie Vedder, The Boxer Rebellion and Miles Davis. Every time I stop in for my favorite caramel macchiato I pick up one of these cards and enjoy some awesome new tunes.
Music is a part of life. For me it’s a BIG part. But if doesn’t have to be an expensive one. Go ahead; buy that new Usher track or go to that sold-out concert at the Gorge. With all the money you’ll be saving on music now, you deserve to splurge a little.
By: Marya
I’m embarrassed to tell you that my cell phone is a little outdated. Oh, who am I kidding? My cell phone is archaic. Old fashioned. Comical.
In fact, at a recent conference, a speaker asked if anyone owned “one of those old school flip phones.” I am not exaggerating when I tell you that, of the 100 plus people in the room, I was the only person who raised my hand.
I’m due for an upgrade this month, and I’m facing a real dilemma. Should I, or should I not, get a smartphone?
Truthfully, I don’t really want a smart phone. I don’t need to check-in on Foursquare whenever I go to Target. I don’t want to turn into one of those people who Facebook message you while you’re at dinner… with them! And I can’t think of any time I needed to check my email outside of work.
But I am a little tired of the funny looks I get when someone sees me talking on my teeny tiny phone. I’m tired of not being able to get picture messages and group texts (although frankly, I’m not even sure what that last thing is). And that Siri character seems nice. I bet we could be friends.
Me, the cheapskate, posing for a picture in San Francisco before attending a 49ers game.
The real problem here though, the reason for all this back and forth, is the moolah. The dough. The greenbacks. I’m a bit of a cheapskate, and this cheapskate really, really, really doesn’t want to buy a smartphone and then have to pay for a data plan every month! And yes, I was whining while I typed that last sentence.
So over the course of the next few weeks, I have to answer some tough questions.
Is it really so important that I have the latest and greatest gadget? No. The logical part of me knows that I just need a phone to make and take calls.
Am I tired of being the only 28 year old on earth that doesn’t use Instagram? Yes. Those pictures turn out amazing!
Is this about peer pressure? Duh! I wish I could say I’m above it. Even though I shouldn’t, I still care about what people think.
Would I enjoy the handiness and accessibility? A little bit. And I know that, like most users, once I got it I wouldn’t be able to imagine life without it.
But I have to decide if I’m willing to sacrifice something else to get a smartphone, because that thirty dollar a month data plan has to come from somewhere. So that means less money goes to retirement. Or vacation. Or designer purses (maybe I’m not so cheap after all).
I have a lot to think about over these next few weeks. Too bad I can’t ask Siri for help…
It’s official, mark your calendar. STCU is offering not one, not two, but three My Life, My Money – Money Camps this summer.
Summer 2012 Money Camps
Tuesday, June 19
9 a.m. to noon
ITT Technical Institute
13518 E. Indiana Ave.
Spokane Valley, WA 99216
Friday, June 22
9 a.m. to noon
Spokane County Library – Moran Prairie
6004 S. Regal St.
Spokane, WA 99223
Friday, August 24
9 a.m. to noon
Kroc Center
1765 W. Golf Course Rd.
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
By: Keith
Here I am -- posing for a picture before a ride.
I am an avid mountain biker. Lucky for me, living in the Inland Northwest provides me with countless miles of trails and back-country roads to explore.
Over the past several years I have discovered, first-hand, two truths in mountain biking.
It seems that the more you enjoy a sport the more you want to buy better and more expensive equipment. Mountain biking is no different.
Latest innovations include adjustable air suspension for front and rear wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, carbon fiber frames and even electronic derailers (mechanism that shifts the gears.) Some mountain bikes can cost over $9000! Whoa! You can buy a reliable car for the same price.
Don’t get me wrong. You do not need to spend that much money to have fun. In many cases an $800 bike can get you to the same places. However, technology available today allows riders to ascend to the top of the mountain faster and descend to the bottom faster and with more control.
Recently, a few parts broke on my own bike causing a large expense.
On a ride with a good friend of mine.
I began contemplating a new bike instead of a repairing my old one. A new bike would be far more expensive choice, but it would allow me to upgrade many features that my current bike doesn’t have.
I did not need a new bike. But I wanted one. Life is full of difficult decisions.
I could have afforded to buy a new bike but I had not budgeted for the expense. To spend around $2500 without having planned for it may have left me vulnerable to other sudden expenses.
What if my car broke down? What if my water heater went out? I decided that I would fix my current model instead of buy a new one.
All of this thinking and budgeting caused me to come up with plan. I started a new bike savings account.
Since I love to ride so much and couldn’t bear the thought of being without a bike to ride.
So every month, $100 of my paycheck is transferred into a separate account so that over the next couple of years I will have enough to buy a new bike.
Now I can ride knowing that if my bike breaks again I will be able to handle financial obstacles that get in my way.
Calling all high school students!
Get a taste of the real world – complete with a mock occupation, salary, student loan, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments.
Designed for students ages 15-18, this hands-on simulation will put you in the shoes of your parents and help you realize how much your choices may cost you financially.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
To register for this free class, visit www.stcuteens.org. Registration is open to the first 30 students.
We hope to see you there!
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner it’s easy to get caught up by romantic festivities. However, while this Hallmark holiday suggests you spoil that special someone in your life, I’m here to tell you that it can be done without breaking the bank.
Are you guilty of falling into the common Valentine’s Day spending habit?
Those are the conservative prices.
Purchasing flowers from a floral shop, chocolate from a specialty chocolate store, and dinner at an up-scale restaurant may leave your wallet even lighter.
In order to spoil your valentine without spending all your savings, consider adding a little extra thought and creativity to make this holiday a special one.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Day date:
Scavenger hunt:
Valentine’s Day box:
Make a blanket:
It is possible to spoil your sweetie without breaking the bank. Although it may take a little extra time and a little extra thought, it will save you a whole lot of money!
kids Newspaper is now accepting entries for the this year’s Principal on Parade.
If your entry is selected, in addition to a $1,000 donation to the school of the winning principal, you and the principal will ride in the annual St. Patricks Day Parade held in Spokane on Saturday, March 17 at noon.
Click here to nominate your principal (sorry high school students – your principals don’t qualify for entry).
All nominations are due by Tuesday, February 14.
Check out this video of last years winner, Mary Weber, of Grant Elementary School.
Principals on Parade is sponsored by Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and STCU.
As young adults, there is no shame in dreaming about your future. For most teens, that future involves graduating from high school, getting a job, and leaving home to stand on your own two feet.
If this scenario appeals to you, then you should consider attending one of STCU’s My Life, My Money spring events. Don’t let another season pass without taking control of your future with these STCU events:
My Life, My Money Live workshop for ages 15 to 18 provides the opportunity for students to examine what their future may look like. With the aid of a potential life profile, students will learn how much it costs to be an adult.
My Life, My Money Camp, for students 11-14, provides the tools for making the most of your money while participating in a camp-like atmosphere. Register for one of the following dates to attend this free of charge Money Camp.
Let STCU help you learn to save, in order to pave the way to a successful future.
