Showing posts with label Fairmont FCU. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fairmont FCU. Show all posts

Friday, May 25, 2018

The Origin of Mother’s & Father’s Day

Mother's Day History

We have a lot to be proud of in our state of West Virginia. One of our greatest accomplishments in the history of both Taylor and Marion counties, is the origin of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day in Grafton and Fairmont respectively. And while Mother’s Day has come and gone this year and Father’s Day will be celebrated soon, we thought taking a quick look at the history of these holidays will give a better appreciation for why we take a day to celebrate our parents.

Mother’s Day Started as a Memorial Service
On the first anniversary of her mother’s death, Miss Anna Jarvis reflected on all of her mother’s accomplishments. Her Mother, Mrs. Anna Reeves Jarvis, focused her efforts heavily on “Mother’s Work” in churches, gave talks on the “Mothers of the Bible,” and held a “Mother’s Friendship Day” service at the end of the Civil War. It was very apparent that Mrs. Anna Reeves Jarvis saw the beauty and importance of motherhood, and her daughter wanted to find a special way to remember her mother. It was decided that they would have a “Mothers’ Day” at the Andrews Church on the second Sunday in May annually.

And Then Turned Into Something More
Word began to spread about the heartfelt and touching ceremony that Miss Anna Jarvis had created in remembrance of her mother. Though she credits her mother as the “real creator” of the holiday through her service in the church, it was Miss Anna Jarvis who had the idea to extend the service from Grafton to the world. She spent many years making contacts with all the right people to make this happen.

Father's Day History

Father’s Day Started in a Similar Fashion
In 1908, Grace Golden Clayton was mourning the loss of her own father. He, along with 361 other miners, perished in the Monongah Mining Disaster, the worst coal mining disaster in American history. 250 of those men were fathers, and over a 1,000 children had to grow up without them in their lives. With Mother’s Day celebrated in nearby Grafton, Fairmont hosted the first observance of Father’s Day in July 5, 1908.

The event itself was not widely celebrated outside of the community, it took over 60 years and several attempts from different groups and politicians around North America to be established by law as an official holiday alongside Mother’s Day.

What started as a memory of a strong and passionate woman, or fathers lost to a disaster, has now become a worldwide celebration of mothers and fathers everywhere. All stemming from the love a child for their parents, and from right here in West Virginia. We at Fairmont Federal Credit Union wish you and all the mothers and fathers in your life a happy Mother’s and Father’s Day!




Sources:
http://www.theholidayspot.com/fathersday/history.htm

Friday, April 20, 2018

Save it for a Rainy Day!

How to Quickly Build Up Your Rainy Day Fund


Money grows on the tree of patience - Proverb.

Rainy Day Fund

Everyone has that one, special container that’s kept in a private place in their home. It holds a few extra dollars that you didn’t spend while you were buying your weekly groceries. It contains a pile of spare change you collected when you were recently cleaned out your car. That’s right; it’s your rainy day fund.

Every rainy day fund naturally means that there’s going to come a day when you’re going to spend that precious, carefully stored money. How did you always envision spending that money? Maybe it’s buying a sleek new laptop. Perhaps there’s a trip you’ve always dreamed of taking, and this saved money will turn that dream into a reality. You might have even had your eye on a brand new car.

But then, the unexpected occurs; your current car needs to be fixed, a repair is needed on your home, a larger-than-planned bill needs to be paid. Soon that rainy day fund is quickly depleted, and you’re saying goodbye to that trip to Florida with kids, or that new car.

But never fear, there are plenty of ways to quickly restore that precious fund so you can spend the money how you want to spend it! Here are a few of our favorite ways that you can be saving money for your next rainy day:

Understand its Purpose
Having a specific definition of what this money will be used for is the best way to ensure you are working towards that goal. Maybe you want to refurnish the basement for the kids to use. What will the costs be to do that? Now picture the outcome and how happy everyone will be. Having a vague outline of how you will spend that money will only encourage your to be more frugal and less impulsive with your purchases.

Be Honest With Yourself
It’s time for some self-exploration—think about your current spending habits and have an honest conversation with yourself on how they can be changed. Make the commitment to yourself to alter how you save; it will let you reach your goal quickly.

Spend Extra Income Wisely
It’s tempting to treat yourself to a night on the town, or splurge on an expensive purchase, but think before you splurge.  If extra income comes your way, put it in your rainy day fund right away, before the temptation to spend it kicks in.

Image result for saving money

While going on vacation, getting a massage, or buying that golf membership is a fun way to spend that extra money saved, sometimes practicality and responsibility have to take over. That rainy day fund would make a big difference in a Savings Club Account at Fairmont Federal Credit Union. You can save up for something specific, such as auto expenses, home insurance and,  yes, even that dream vacation very easily with an account like this. Not only is there no minimum balance required, but you can earn dividends with regular savings, make unlimited deposits and withdrawals, and you don’t have to follow a payment schedule. It doesn’t get much better than that.

For more information on our Savings Club Accounts and how they can help you save for your rainy day fund, trust your friends and experts at Fairmont FCU. Visit our website for more information on how your rainy day fund container can become an electronic banking account instead.

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Develop A Winning Budget Strategy On Any Income

It happens every year. As the snow melts, people everywhere turn their collective attention to basketball tournament brackets in hopes of winning big in the office pool, or pulling for WVU & FSU. But what if you could extend that rush of winning to last all year?

With a little planning, you can prioritize your budget to score big by creating your own budget bracket! To do that, it’s important to identify your “Fixed Expenses” and “Flexible Expenses.”

Budget BracketingFixed Expenses

Fixed expenses are those payments that you make each month that you have little-to-no control over. Examples of these payments include: Rent or mortgage,
health insurance, car insurance, student loans, etc. These can be adjusted when you sign up or switch services, but otherwise these payments do not change and must be paid.

Flexible Expenses

These are the things that you spend money on monthly that you can be changed. It’s important to understand Need vs. Want in this situation. There are things that you need to survive (groceries) and then there’s things that you want but can live without (fun money). Why aren’t the Needs in the Fixed Expenses category? Because you can adjust what kind of groceries you pick up, how often you eat out at restaurants, etc. But hobbies and a social life can also be as important.

Bracket Time

To create a bracket, you will first need to determine your monthly income: how much do you make each month? The next step is to subtract all your Fixed Expenses from that total. What remains is what you will be working with for the bracket.

Then sit down and write out as many monthly flexible expenses as you can think of, and aim to have at least 16. Flexible Expenses examples include: groceries, hobbies, going out, internet, new clothes, gas for your car, cellphone, savings, etc. Place them randomly into a selection bracket, and run through each section. Is “cellphone service” more important than “new clothes?” How about “groceries” over “happy hour?”

The winner doesn’t necessarily get the rest of your monthly income, but those who make it further in your bracket are your priorities - the things in your life that matter most. Start with the winner and determine your spend towards that each month, then work backwards from there. Usually the important things like food and internet will be at the top, and the things that are not as important filter to the bottom. It should be the same for budgeting.  

It gives you some perspective on where your money goes each month, and it can also give you a cap on how much you want to spend. If you give yourself a budget and follow it, you can limit yourself from overspending on things that may not be an actual priority for you. Having some money left over to go into your account is also a good idea for any unexpected payments or emergencies.

March Madness doesn’t need to end with March, and you can do this exercise year round. And you’re not alone if you’re looking to save big. Fairmont Federal Credit Union is courtside with you. Visit us at  www.fairmontfcu.com, call 304-363-5320 or stop in the nearest branch location today!

Sources:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-1020-make-budget-worksheet.pdf
https://www.mycreditunion.gov/tools-resources/Pages/Personal-Budgeting-Worksheet.aspx

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Learning to Love Budgeting

Love Budgeting

Most people cringe when they hear the word “budgeting.” But when it boils down to it, budgeting is just a plan for your money. Budgeting means you’ll be spending with purpose before the month begins, and it won’t limit your spending freedom, but give you more. Budgeting is all about being intentional about where your money goes, and will give you a clear plan and picture about where your money is going.

  1. Budget to zero: This means that before the month even begins, you’re making a plan and giving every dollar a name. It doesn’t mean you have zero dollars in your bank account, just that your income minus all your expenses will equal zero.
  2. Budget together: If you’re married, you and your spouse should sit down and make sure you’re on the same page about your budget. Remember, since you’re a single unit, it’s not your money or my money, but our money.
  3. Every month is different: Some months you’ll need to save for school supplies, and others you’ll have to save up for a vacation you’ve been wanting to take. Make sure you’re adjusting your budget accordingly to accommodate for these changes.
  4. Start with important categories first: Giving and saving should be at the top of your list, along with food, shelter, utilities, basic clothing and transportation. Once those necessities are taken care of, you can fill the rest of the categories in your budget.
  5. Pay off your debt: If you have debt, paying it off needs to be a top priority. You can use the debt snowball method and Baby Steps to get rid of debt as fast as you can, and stop letting it rob you of your income and budgeting plan.
  6. Trim things out: If you’re on a tight budget, you can start to cut certain things out, such as your cable or dining out. You can also shop at discount clothing stores, and budget out meals before you go grocery shopping.
  7. Cut up your credit cards: If you have a credit card, and are really committed to sticking to your budget, you need to ditch the credit cards. Having no credit card debt will mean no more minimum payments you need to make each month.
  8. Make a schedule: Set specific dates to pay bills, and buy your groceries on a set day every week, or twice a month. When you know what to expect and when to expect it, you take a lot of stress and potential pitfalls out of the picture.

Let Fairmont FCU help! Use online banking and schedule your payments to pay your bills on specific dates and to set-up savings goals.  You can also open club accounts for specific items like insurance, auto expenses, education, etc and the best part is the club account is tied to your membership ID/account number making it easy to transfer funds or set-up automatic transfers to each designated club. For details or to apply online visit www.fairmontfcu.com, stop in any full service office or call 304.363.5320, option 1.  #WeAreFFCU #wvcreditunionscare #onceamemberalwaysamember

Thursday, January 11, 2018

How to Declutter Your Life in 2018

What do you like to do in your down time? Perhaps you enjoy settling in on the sofa and reading a good book. Maybe you prefer to go on a walk or take a bike ride in your neighborhood. Whatever your favorite method of relaxation is, one answer we don’t hear a lot of is cleaning or organizing the house. Let’s face it—there’s a bunch of other things we’d rather be doing in our spare time than scrubbing our bathrooms or cleaning the kitchens. But you have to admit it, once you actually do, doesn’t it feel amazing?

There’s really no better time than now to de-clutter your life; after all, a new year means a new you.  Having a closet in your home full of mystery contents or a drawer with too many miscellaneous items is so last year. This is 2018; this is going to be your year where your life has minimal chaos and excessive order.

Financial Report

It sounds a lot scarier than it is; after all, we’re always afraid of some potential, hidden problem we’re going to find. But getting your finances in better shape, particularly with tax season right around the corner, is going to be the most therapeutic and beneficial way to get a fresh start in 2018.

Here are a few things we consider to be helpful to declutter your financial life in 2018:

Pay Bills Immediately
Never receive a bill, set it aside, and pay it later. Not only are you adding extra steps to your process, but you are just adding more paper to an already growing list of bills. Instead, open your mail as you are in your home office, and pay your bills immediately with a computer in front of you. Better yet—set up automatic online payments as you work on that computer.

ShreddingBuy a Shredder
Bills like credit card statements and bank statements don’t need to be saved; often your bank will easily be able to access that information online for you. We recommend you go for a cross-cut shredder to help declutter your files.  

Ditch Paper Receipts
There’s an app we are loving right now that will easily declutter your life in 2018. Foreceipt Receipt Tracker is a great way to take pictures of your receipts and organize them digitally, set budgets, and track your spending. It’s an easy way to both store the information you need while significantly cutting down on paper.

Organizing your storage, re-evaluating your financials, or cleaning out your closet doesn’t have to mean that book that you’ve been reading gets abandoned. Decluttering your life and sorting out your bills means bringing a renewed balance between your professional life and your personal life. For more information on how to start the new year right by better financial organizational tips, contact your friends and experts at Fairmont Federal Credit Union.  Call 304-363-5320 or visit one of our locations today.

Friday, November 10, 2017

Operation CU Cares: Honoring and Celebrating our Veterans

Fairmont Veterans' Day

Veteran’s Day is a time to remember and honor those who served in our military. Giving up their safety, security, and precious moments with their family, our veterans demonstrate the level of humility and bravery it takes to serve and protect our country. For Fairmont Federal Credit Union, honoring our military veterans is incredibly important to us.

This past October, FFCU participated in National Freedom Day. Recognized on October 12th, Freedom Day USA is America’s largest military thank you event. On this day each year, businesses show their thanks by providing free gifts, services, or offers to active military members, veterans and their immediate family. The idea behind National Freedom Day is “day of free, for a lifetime of freedom.”

FFCU was incredibly proud to decorate all of our offices in red, white, and blue balloons as well as offer active military members, veterans and their families special credit union items.

Additionally, FFCU employees donated items like food and toiletries to create and send care packages to one of their fellow employee’s husband's active military unit.

Vets Day


Veteran's Day 1


This November, FFCU plans to continue its commitment to honoring our military family by recognizing our own. We were honored to provide a restaurant gift card to each of them. FFCU is proud to employ and be connected to so many incredible active military members and veterans. Let us present:

Corporal Stephen Quisenberry
USMC
Feb 1, 1993 – Feb 1, 1997


Paul Cross
YN2 E-5
1983-1987 at SACLANT (Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic Fleet
1988 about USS IWO JIMA (LPH-2)


Travis Snuffer


SMSgt Michael L Vanhorn
(Senior Master Sergeant)
USAF Reserves
1988-Current
Husband Of Sandy Vanhorn


Tony Nuzum
Army/ E5 Artillery Unit
Served In Germany & Vietnam
1968-1971
Honorable Discharge in 1974
Husband of Susan Nuzum


Lashawn M Elison
E4 3rd class
USS Sacramento AOE-1
USS Shreveport LPD – 12
Seabee Base Gulfpot MS
Served 8 years
Husband Of Alisha Bogan


Alec Burkel
Nellis Airforce Base, Las Vegas 4 years
F35 Mechanic
57th Aircraft Maintenenance Squadron
Aircraft Armament Journeyman 2W151
Husband of Jessica Burkel


Ian Toothman
Son of Teresa Toothman


E3 Lance Corporal
Jamey Travelstead
Marine Corp. Infantry Division
0311 Infantry Man
Stationed at Camp Lejuene
Son of Marianne Rowe

Not Pictured:
Eric Hudson – Husband Of Katie Husband
William Dickey – Husband of Cindy Dickey


Veteran’s Day is Saturday, November 11th. In honor of this, FFCU will be closed. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank each and every service member for their dedication and sacrifice. We also want to do our part. We are here to serve your family’s financial needs. Visit us today to learn more about credit union membership.

#WeAreFFCU #wvcreditunionscare

Friday, September 15, 2017

Back-to-Basics for Back-to-School

Fairmont Federal Back-to-School

It’s back-to-school time here in West Virginia. For many families it can be time of great stress adjusting to a new routine. Getting your children off to a great start comes with some pre-planning to ensure that they are ready to dive into the new adventures that the upcoming school year holds.
  • Adjust bedtimes accordingly – A great school day starts with a good night’s rest. While the summer months often mean later bedtimes, the school day starts bright and early, which means you should adjust your child’s sleeping routine to accommodate an earlier start.
  • Morning routine – Getting the hang of the morning routine often takes a couple of weeks. Set your expectations for the details that need to be accomplished before your child heads out the door. This might include wake-up times, morning chores, breakfast, grooming habits, and when they need to be at the bus stop.
  • Pack a healthy lunch – The food you feed your child is the fuel that helps their bodies function. Take your child to the grocery store and let them help you pick out healthy choices for their afternoon meals. In order to accommodate a busy morning, consider packing lunches the night prior. Additionally, there is no reason your child can’t pack their own lunch (with your guidance). Helping them make good choices early will set them up for a lifetime of good eating habits.
  • Choose healthy snacks – In addition to lunch choices, it is important to have healthy snacks ready for your children when they get home from school. Fresh fruits, veggies, cheese or other small snacks are great options to tie them over between lunch and dinner.
  • Study spaces – Create a space for your child to do their homework that is conducive to learning. In addition to being comfortable, it should be well lit have plenty of flat surfaces for writing, and within view of a parent who can monitor their working habits. Get them in the habit of going to this place after their snack so that they can get work done early and while their mind is skill focused on school.
  • Create a family schedule – Fall schedules are packed with activities. Create a calendar so everyone knows what is on tap for the week ahead.
At Fairmont Federal Credit Union, we are here to serve your family’s financial needs. Visit us today to learn more about credit union membership.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

How to Have a Worry Free Vacation

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As summer begins, thoughts turn to the kids being out of school, warm weather and getting away for a vacation.. Preparing for a fun getaway adventure requires careful planning and preparation to ensure you enjoy happy memories for years to come.
Before you leave home
  • Cover your bases – Make copies of all credit cards, travelers checks, identification and medical information that you will be bringing with you on your travels. Keep one copy with you and leave the other at home.
  • Bring limited cash – Contact credit/debit card companies- So they are aware of your travel dates and possible purchases outside of your normal routine. You may even want to stash some extra cash in case of inconveniences or you lose your wallet.
  • Give limited info on luggage – Don’t put your address on your luggage tags. Instead write your phone number as a method of contact.
  • Check your home before you leave – Secure all windows and doors and arm your alarm system before you head out of town. Set automatic timers for your lights and turn on a radio to create the illusion that someone is home. Additionally, consider adjusting your thermostat and water heater for vacation settings.
  • Don’t post on Social Media -  Post your vacation pictures when you return home. Announcing your plans on social networks can alert unwanted visitors to your home.
On your trip
  • Use room safe – Only take the cash and credit cards you need for the day. Put your other spending money in your room safe. Additionally, do not leave any valuables such as computers, wallets or jewelry out in the open.
  • Know where you are going – Before you venture out, ask the hotel staff if there are any areas you should avoid.
  • Keep valuables hidden in car – Never leave souvenirs, wallets or other items that might catch the eye out in the open in your automobile. Lock them in the trunk or put them in the glove box.
  • Use small denominations – Don’t display large amounts of money when making a purchase and keep the dominations to $50 or less.
At Fairmont Federal Credit Union, we offer our members a variety of credit and debit card options, many which offer rewards benefits. Contact us to find the right option for your needs. 

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Giving Graduates the Financial Tools for Their Future

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With graduation comes the promise of new beginnings, big and small. Students are planning summer trips, planning graduation parties and getting ready to go off to college. Funding this new road often requires graduates and their families to become creative with their finances. While scholarships, grants and funds from a summer job might help to ease some of the burden, often graduates need to apply for student loans to cover the remaining balance.
 
Types of Loans
While financial aid is generally lumped into the all-inclusive description “student loans,” there are actually several different options. For the most part they are divided into federal and private loans. Federal loans typically have lower interest rates and offer several repayment options; however, there is a limit to the amount of money that can be borrowed depending upon the grade level the student is in school. 
 
Many times after scholarships, grants and federal loans, students still have a deficit which requires them to apply for private loans to cover the balance. Private loans come from individual lenders and require a credit check for approval. These loans have a variety of different interest rates and limited repayment options.
 
Payment Process 
Once college graduation occurs, loan providers typically provide a six-month grace period before repayment starts. It is important to get organized during this period to ensure you are prepared to start payments. If you have several different loans, talk to your loan service providers about specific repayment options and determine the best plan for your financial picture. Additionally, consider setting-up auto payments so that you don’t have to keep track of multiple payments. Some private lenders might also lower your interest rate if you choose this option.
 
Loan Forgiveness
Depending upon your career choice, you might have a federal loan forgiveness built into your employment. This means that all or some of your loan might be canceled if you stay with the employer for a certain period of time. Volunteering for organizations such as the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, working as a non-profit attorney, or starting a career as a teacher or medical professional are some examples of post-college paths that might offer this benefit.
 
If you are a recent graduate, contact the professionals at Fairmont Federal Credit Union to discuss your student loan options.