Halloween: there's something scarier

Guest blogger Corey reveals what frightens him most this Halloween.

It’s Halloween again. And as usual things get a little scarier in October. But this year, I’m more afraid than usual. No, it’s not the oversized spider in my neighbor’s hedgerow nor the pop-up cemetery in the yard down the road.

This year, it’s politicians. If you really want to scare me, come to my door step dressed as an elected official being pursued by the national press. Where is the common sense in Washington!? I don’t care if you’re republican or democrat, all Americans should be concerned about what is going on.

Specifics? We allowed our government to provide some assistance money to broken businesses and then tell entire industries how to run their companies and who to fire. I thought they were politicians, not auto manufacturers nor bankers. The current healthcare system does not adequately provide for our veterans and they think we should give them the entire portfolio!? New generals are being fired and hired to bring resolution to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet the advice of General McChrystal is not valued!?

As an employee of a financial institution, I frequently hear about new legislation being proposed that would alter the way we do serve you (read Troy’s post about credit and debit card processes). The politicians think they know what is best for America, but they clearly don’t have all the facts. It is time to face the ghouls and goblins, get involved in politics, and give them a scare for a change. So instead of “Trick or Treat” have your kids shout “You Lie!” this year.  Are you afraid? 

Spooked about paying your bills online?

Scared to buy stamps because of escalating costs? Concerned that the bills you pay by mail will end up at the house on Sleepy Hollow Lane? Well look no further, we have a suggestion for you:

Why not give Payment Manager a try? Payment Manager is a FREE online bill payment service provided by South Carolina Federal Credit Union. It’s a safe, quick, and economical way to pay your bills online whenever, wherever you are. You can pay virtually anyone in the United States that you would normally pay by check or automatic debit.

Invariably the question of safety always arises when we talk with members about on-line bill payment. An earlier posting titled “How Secure is On-line Banking?” explained the safety elements behind online bill payment and how, in fact, it’s actually safer than receiving bills and mailing payments via the USPS.

In a future post we’ll talk about adding an electronic version of your bill i.e. combining online bill payment with setting up bills to be received electronically. Imagine that…receiving an electronic bill that contains the same information as a hard copy bill mailed to you. But more on that later.

Since it’s Halloween, that means Trick or Treat, but instead of candy, perhaps you’ll share your thoughts on how Payment Manager has helped you?

Adjusting Your Boo-dget !

To many of you out there, Halloween day may mean dressing up in a fun costume, eating way too much candy, or turning off all the lights in your house so trick or treaters won’t ring your door bell, haha! Well, to me, Halloween day has a different, special meaning…it is the exact day in 2007 that I found out I was expecting my son…or should I say, my lil’ pumpkin (really original, Leslita, haha).

Needless to say, Halloween was not on my mind that day. I was thinking about blue or pink, boy and girl names, diapers and formula, nursery décor, etc….once I got back in to reality mode, my husband and I started thinking about budget adjustments right away. One budget item that we tackled immediately was the fact that even though I got 12 weeks off from work (FMLA), I would not get paid for that whole time as my vacation time was very low. I would get paid for a few weeks, but the remainder of the 12 weeks would be unpaid.

I really wanted to spend the whole 12 weeks with my baby, but going unpaid for several weeks was a huge worry…what were we to do? We decided to cut back on eating out, I cut out my clothes shopping, my husband started volunteering to work Saturdays to get paid overtime, we cut down the cable, internet, and cell phone packages, we cut off our land line phone, and sold several books and cds on Half.com.

Thank goodness we saved up for my maternity leave, because after my maternity leave was up, I had to stay out for another month for gallbladder surgery….totally unexpected for us and our wallet!

Are you saving up for a rainy day or is your savings account balance spooktacularly scary?

Chao for now,

Leslita

Common Sense and Caution Required

Child safety is important year round, but Halloween is an especially important time for parents and children to pay special attention to their surroundings and not let their guard down….there are crazies out there!

Adult supervision- Accompany your kids if you don’t think they’re old enough to trick-or-treat on their own. If they’re old enough to trick-or-treat without an adult, tell your kids to stay in a group. 

Map out your Trick or Treat Path- Create a well populated route before your kids begin trick-or-treating, and make sure they stick to it. Kids should also avoid taking short-cuts through alleys and parking lots.

Do Not Enter! - Make sure your kids don’t go inside someone’s house. They can get their candy from the porch. Remind your kids should never accept a ride to go anywhere with strangers.

Visible Costume- Dress your kids in a bright flame retardant costume so others can see them. If their costume is dark, have your kids wear reflective strips or carry a glow stick or flashlight. 

Make-up Please! - Instead of masks, have your kids wear make-up so they can see better.

Inspector Mom and Dad- Parents should carefully inspect candy and toss anything that looks remotely suspicious.

Any other tips not listed or viewed you would like to share?

Is this really scary or what?

The government is yet trying its hand at setting pricing for MasterCard and VISA interchange fees. 'Trick or Treat'?

If you're not familiar with those fees, don't worry most consumers don't know about them because up until now they may not have mattered to you. Interchange fees are the fees the merchant pays to process a debit or credit card transaction. So, 'trick or treat'?

You decide ... A new bill being proposed in the Senate would limit these fees. The optimist is me believes that it may have been crafted with the goodwill of the consumer in mind. I'm sure that the lawmakers felt that consumers needed a 'treat' this Halloween, and reducing the limit of interchange fees MasterCard and VISA can charge a merchant to process your transaction would be better than a 'trick' like toilet-papering your house.

Right? Nope. It's downright scare-trickery. The loss of income earned on these transactions will limit how your credit union can offer debit and credit card products to you in the future.

With a mask on, one might not care whether the credit union's income is reduced or not; however, the question that should be asked is: what does this mean to the consumer when the costume comes off? More money in the pocket? Nope, again.

Even scarier ... this interchange fee is what allows the credit union to offer 'free' processing options for debit and credit cards at the merchant's point of sale. That's right. If interchange fees go away, then the life simplified, hassle-free use of your debit or credit card will change. The only group who wins with this legislation is the merchants. They pay less to process each transaction and you can be sure you will not be 'treated' to reduced prices either at the pump or with the clothes or food you buy.

If you've had enough of spooky legislation getting involved in free enterprise (which, by the way, makes 'free enterprise' an oxymoron these days) then please access this link and let your Senator know you object to this new bill.

Come on fellow ghosts and goblins, it's time to find out what really is behind the curtain. Tell me what you think. Is it just me, or does this stuff get scarier by the minute?

New day for me. It's now Tuesday and time to talk tough with Troy.

Halloween: sponging off a spirited neighbor

If you choose to celebrate Halloween, do you weigh the impact to your budget? On premise, Halloween is a simple holiday – people dress up, eat crazy amounts of sugar, maybe go to a party or two -- but active participation in the festivities also entails an outlay of cash. This occurs to me now, more than ever. So, in the spirit of awareness, I thought we might explore Halloween from an accountant’s perspective (Ooh, now that’s spooky!). Perhaps we’ll appreciate our neighbor a little more for investing in a fog machine, because we had neither to pay for nor figure out how to store the thing, but we get to enjoy it.

Here’s a sample breakdown of Halloween expenses for the middle-of-the-road Halloweener:

• Candy for trick or treaters ($15 – CVS online having 30% off sale; free shipping)
• Costume ($0 if you’re creative and can use what you have; $794 if you’re insane and buying the Darth Vader Supreme Edition costume.)
• Pumpkin(s) to carve (3 for $13 - Whole Foods)
• Carving kit ($9.99 -Target)
• Flameless tea lights, set of 10 ($9.99 - Bed, Bath & Beyond)
• The joy of handing out treats to small people (Priceless - available everywhere)

This year, my hubby and I will keep it low-key: no costumes, three bags of candy  for the kiddos who stop by before 9 p.m. (one chocolate, one fruity, one just plain sugary), followed by a party next door at the aforementioned neighbor’s house.

With the big day just a week away, those of you who are pro-Halloween have probably made your purchases. Maybe some practical, one-time buys have reappeared, sparing you from spending a bundle; maybe you went crazy reinventing yourself and your home because Oct. 31 is your #1 favorite day of the year. How will you celebrate the holiday without spending more than you should?

Decisions, decisions! What is a parent to do?

This week's Leslita blog is presented by Thetyka Husser, Community Relations Director for South Carolina Federal. Thanks Thetyka!

One of the biggest hurdles for working couples today trying to balance work and family is finding a good and affordable day care. My husband and I thought we had this all figured out in the beginning by agreeing to go with an in-home daycare (low weekly fees and a loving one-on-one care giver – sign me up, please!). After a year, we quickly found out that this was not the best decision for us with long commutes in traffic and juggling another person’s appointments around ours (What happened to our master plan???).

Faced with the dilemma of finding a center that was in our budget and fit into our daily commute, we soon entered into a world of frustration and uncertainty. The idea of accumulating what felt like another mortgage with weekly payments was ridiculous! But, what were we to do? We found ourselves in the same boat as many parents who need child care, with no choice but to make it work into our budget.

After countless referrals and site visits, we finally decided to go with a small Montessori school for our daughter. The atmosphere allows her to learn and grow independently, while confirming to mommy and daddy that she is capable of making decisions, creating order and developing self-control. The cost of choosing what is best for a newborn, and now a toddler, has caused us to bite the bullet and increase our day care budget by $200 a month.

As I release a big sigh, I am reminded that gone are the days of splurging on those only-a-dream, never- to- be-able-to-afford leather stiletto boots …. Oh, wait! They are finally on sale? Take an extra 30% off you say? That nostalgia only lasts a short while when I am greeted with a big goober smile and arms wide open every day, reminding me that the sacrifice is all worth it. I would bite the bullet again, no questions asked.

******

Have you faced a similar situation? We want to know, so send me a comment and share your story!

Chao for now,

Leslita

Maiden or Married?

This edition of 'Thursday talk back with Troy' is being hosted by my colleague, Sara E. Watercutter, Product Manager in the Marketing Department.

From Sara ...

Getting married is such an exciting time. “Two become one ... one journey ... one family ... one name. For many women the most outwardly expressed symbol of this unification (next to wearing wedding bands) is changing her last name. I had to ask myself:

• Do I buck tradition and keep my maiden name?
• Should my last name become my middle name?
• Should I hyphenate my middle, maiden, and/or new last name? Or some combination?
• If I do change my maiden name, what steps are involved.

As a firm believer in the value of tradition I have decided to use my first and middle names along with his last name. Later this month, I will officially become ... Sara Elizabeth Ginthner. Each and every time I sign for a debit card purchase, see my name on my driver's license, or introduce myself there will be that outward reminder of the lifelong commitment forging my life with his.

After making this choice, I have since come to understand that changing my name is going to be a little more overwhelming than originally thought. There are a lot of rules and processes that need to be followed and handled. My 'pre and post wedding' to-do list looks something like this:

1. Give my employer a head’s up so business cards and email address changes may be started.
2. Make your honeymoon reservations using your MAIDEN name so that your passport, driver’s license and plane tickets all match.
3. Get a new social security card – Do this before you attempt to change your name anywhere else.
4. Apply for a new drivers license –bring a copy of your marriage license and your new social security card to the DMV.
5. Change your Passport – You may either wait for renewal and fly internationally under you maiden name or apply to have it reissued.
6. Update car title,  insurances (auto/home/health/life), and financial account information. Note: getting married qualifies as a “major life event” and is a good time to reevaluate your health insurance policy.

*******

A special thank you to Sara for putting this posting together in the midst of such a hectic schedule. She included some personal insight as well as some good 'to-do' steps (for the before and after 'I do' part).

Now, it's your chance to comment. No changes here ... post your thoughts or additions to Sara’s list, because after all ... it is Thursday and time to talk back with Troy.

Glad to Be Here

This week's Wednesday Work-Life blog posting is presented by Corey Pace, Recruiter for South Carolina Federal. Thank you Corey!

Last Thursday, I visited my eye doctor with a minor contact emergency. As he was testing my vision, he asked me some basic small talk questions, including “How’s work?”

 “Great,” I responded, and I paused to think about how fortunate I am in 2009 to have a job that I truly enjoy…especially, after watching many loved ones and friends lose their jobs in the past year. My own father lost his job after 32 years at the same automotive company at the end of 2008, and finding employment was challenging for him. “I’m very glad to have a job,” I mentioned.

“It’s interesting that you said that,” he shared. “I like to consider myself an observer of sorts of human nature,” he confided, “and I would say that in this year alone, 95% of my patients say that exact same answer. People seem to be more content now with their jobs. I compare that to the first 3 years of my practice, and when I asked the same question, people usually responded with something negative about their work life that they wish was better.”

What do you think about my doctor’s observation? Do you feel more or less content now than you did 3 years ago?

Bridget, the guest blogger, shares her secret

Recently, I stumbled upon an amazing business secret that I just had to share with you…the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce! I know what you’re thinking, “The Chamber is no secret, where have you been, Bridget?” Well, maybe the use of the word secret is a little strong, but I wanted to take a minute to share my experience with the Chamber.

Most everyone has “heard” of the Chamber, however, how many of us really “know” the Chamber? Like many of you, when I hear someone speaking about being a Chamber member, I envision a bunch of gray-haired lawyers, CEO’s, and “big wigs” sitting around discussing their highly successful businesses. Wow, was I wrong!

My employer, South Carolina Federal Credit Union, is a member of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. Because of this, I am a member as well. The Chamber is made up of almost 2300 different businesses from the Charleston Region. That's 2300 different ways of doing things, 2300 different opinions, 2300 determined companies pulling together to make sure we make it through these difficult times together. This is a place where everyone’s voice is heard. This is the secret I have discovered.

My Chamber membership has provided me with sales training, insight on legislative issues, leadership training, information regarding the regional business climate, and networking. I am helping to rebuild the local economy through workshops, volunteering, and more.

So, whether you are a staffer, a CEO, or anything in-between, and you would like to share your voice, you now know where to come. The Chamber. If your company is a member, then so are you! If you company isn’t, don’t you think it’s time you were?

Switching up our playlist

There’s a certain radio station in town (that shall remain nameless), which plays the same 8-10 songs over and over again. The music is good but I get more than a little antsy with the station’s limited playlist. I keep thinking they should shake things up already and offer something new and different for a change.

Your Simple Cents bloggers have taken a note from said nameless radio station and passed the torch to some new voices this week. Variety is the spice of life, after all! We hope you get some energy from their fresh perspectives and enjoy talking with them. Please welcome our fellow credit union colleagues to the blogosphere. Bridget, Sara, Thetyka and Corey will take it from here!

So, if you could designate the next guest blogger(s) at South Carolina Federal, whose posts would you be most interested to read -- and why?

Free Family Fun!

If you're looking for a fun family weekend event, look no further ..."Disney’s A Christmas Carol" Train Tour is coming to Downtown Charleston! Visitors will get a 3D sneak peek of the movie as well as a behind-the-scenes look of the making of the movie.  The best part, is that it is FREE! Yes, FREE!

I personally love free family activities, not only because they are free, but because I never know how my son will act. Sometimes he loves it and sometimes he doesn't. If I pay $25 or somthing for an event and he ends up screaming or acting up, I feel like I lost $25 I could have used on diapers or put in his savings account!

What local activites are you planning to attend this fall?

Chao for now,

Leslita

 

Are you the 'U' in CommUnity?

My fellow bloggers and teammates have been sharing numerous opportunities for folks to get involved in community activities and events. These are large, corporate events that support wide-spread programs that benefit people all over the Lowcountry.

Today, I'd like to offer you a chance to look at commUnity involvement with a little different perspective. Having read my previous blogs on the Children's Miracle Network and the Backpack Buddies program you know first hand that I am an 'involved-kinda-guy' and, like you, get a good feeling at the end of the day when someone else has been helped. 

Aha, my question for you to consider is: "Are you the 'U' in CommUnity?

I know it sounds like some clever marketing slogan, but don't dismiss it just yet. What I'm asking is do you get involved in your local community? I mean are you involved in your kids PTA, or the Neighborhood Crime Watch program? Do you volunteer to help organize social activities within your block of the street? Have you taken your kids around the neighborhood with a trash bag and picked up liter?

The bottom line for me ... look for the little ways you can make a difference. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in helping the bigger-than-life cause that we forget our backyard. Challenge yourself to find a balance. Decide today that you want to host the next neighborhood "Hawaiian" block party. Don't let a small challenge like 'I don't live on a cul-de-sac' stop you. Host it in your driveway. Trust me the sound of music and smell of good, home-cooked food is a winning combination.

So, hey "U's" out there ... I want to hear how you get involved in your part of the community. It's Thursday and time for ya'll (there I said it) to talk back with Troy.

The lowcountry “shines” this weekend

As you can see from Kimberly’s and Crissy’s posts earlier this week, there’s a lot to like and do in the lowcountry this time of year. Another event you may not want to miss this coming weekend is ShineFest Charleston at Joe Riley Stadium.

Shinefest is a daylong music festival featuring a wide variety of musical talent. Performers include nationally recognized musicians Blues Traveler, the Wailers (remember Bob Marley and the Wailers?) to lowcountry bands Gaslight Street and the Blue Dogs. There’s certainly something for everyone at this years’ ShineFest.

What you may not know is that 100% of the proceeds from ShineFest go to the Charleston County School District and the Trip Page Endowment Scholarship at the Citadel.

Finally, if you were at the Young & Free South Carolina Battle of the Bands last Thursday at the Wild Wing Café in Mount Pleasant you saw the WhisperJets take the title of Last Band Standing. As the top-scoring act, the Whisperjets won the cash prize and a spot on the schedule at this Saturdays’ ShineFest.

A wide variety of music, a good location, and a great cause. Seems like just the right mix for another fun fall day in the lowcountry. Hope to see you there!

Things To Do Around Town

This is one of my favorite times of the year because the weather is usually cooler (emphasis on usually) and the holiday season is near!

Traveling down 26 I couldn’t help but notice a yellow bill-board with black lettering announcing the return of The Coastal Carolina Fair October 29th thru November 7th. Immediately, I started thinking about all the fun things to do around town this season.

Hubby and I plan on taking the kids to a pumpkin patch this season so I goggled “pumpkin patches in South Carolina” and found a site called Pumpkin Patches and More which lists several locations throughout the area.

In addition, Charleston Lowcounty.com and The Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau are two great resources that provide a ton of information on events around your area of town.

What do you like to do around town in the fall?

A ghoulishly good time at Boone Hall

Whether you live in the Lowcountry, the Midlands or somewhere in between, there are loads of great ways to take advantage of this season.  Whether it's football (and you already know how I feel about that), camping, hunting or oyster roasts that get you going, life in South Carolina at this time of year is an open book if you're simply willing to read it.  This week, we're writing about fun activities in our communities and if you've got the blahs, we've got some spice for your cidar.  

Okay, so, disclaimer: I looooove fall, in general, and Halloween, in particular, so any community offering that allows me to make the most of both -- being outside in the [relatively] cool, slightly mysterious air and partaking in holiday-oriented activities -- is my most favorite thing.  This weekend, for instance, I had a ghoulishly good time at Boone Hall in Mount Pleasant.

Boone Hall Plantation is the perfect place to spend a fall day.  First of all, it's gorgeous, with its majestic avenue of oaks.  You could spend an entire afternoon just photographing the place and your loved ones amidst all its glory.  When the sun goes down, however, you've got to make your way over to the property's decidedly spookier Fright Nights.  

Do you like being scared silly to the point that you waver between tears and laughter? Think it's just the best to have random things pop out at you from all directions (in a controlled environment, of course)? Adore a haunted house where you get a bit disoriented and paranoid that you may not find your way out? Oh yes, my fiends, blast "Thriller" in your car and get to Fright Nights as fast as you can!

It may get to the point where the folks at Boone Hall know me by name, so I should probably diversify my portfolio of Halloween hotspots.  Anyone else have a favorite place to indulge in all things Halloweeny?   

   

Credit Union Member Wins Priceless Escape

Paying for a 99 cent pack of chewing gum with your debit card sounds a bit silly…You should have at least that much in cash or change on hand, right? Well, from July 1 through Aug 31, a lot of our members were purchasing everything on their debit cards-yes, even 99 cent packs of gum. “Why?” you may ask.

Well, we partnered with MasterCard International Inc., for the Break in Your Jeans Sweepstakes. Every signature-based transaction counted as an entry, so the more you used your debit card as “credit,” the more chances you had to win. It was a national promotion, but our partnership guaranteed a South Carolina Federal Credit Union member would win a $100 gift card for a new pair of jeans and up to $15,000 to travel almost anywhere in the world with three companions. Pretty sweet deal, huh? Our member and winner, Shirley W. Jones, thought so too!

After calming down from the exciting news, Jones stated, “I always wished that my children and I could get away and go on a nice vacation with no worry and that wish has come true.” She plans to take her three children on a priceless escape to Las Vegas.

As the grand prize winner of the Break in Your Jeans Sweepstakes, Jones and her guests are entitled to a five-day, four-night trip to a destination of her choice, including airfare, accommodations, ground transportation and other activity expenses, such as meals, entertainment and spending money.

If you would have been the winner, what would your vacation selection have been?

Chao for now,

Leslita

Filling a Void…Atlanta Housewives Style!

Most people will agree that all the drama that goes on among Kandi, Sheree, NeNe, Kim, and Lisa is quite entertaining! Kandi is a Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter. Sheree used to own a clothing boutique, but closed the store to start a clothing line called "She by Sheree." NeNe donates her time to various charities and is an advocate against domestic violence. Kim is working on her country music career and has also decided to create her own line of wigs. Lisa has a lot going on. Here’s a quick summary: she owns her own real estate firm, a jewelry line, a baby clothing line, juggles an acting, modeling and writing career, and has decided to launch a clothing line called “Closet Freak.” Wow! Too much, right?

All 5 housewives have children and are either in a relationship or married. I applaud these ladies for trying to be successful female entrepreneurs, but it seems like all five lack something…its definitely not money! They seem to be trying to fill a void…searching for true happiness. Maybe what they are not lacking (money) is making them lack what they really need (happiness). If one of them is not moving from one business venture to another, the other is having relationship or family problems. Constant drama!

Maybe they like the constant drama because it keeps their minds off their true feelings of unhappiness with their life…

What’s your definition of true happiness?

Chao for now,

Leslita

Can you pass me that hammer?

Ordinarily if you love home improvement, it easily becomes a labor of love. However, if you aren’t that good at it, then it’s more like ... you better get some help. HGTV and DYI programs have totally changed my approach to 'do it yourself' projects around the house. Before finding these handy programs, I had a few rules that generally worked well for me.

1. Stay on the couch as long as you can.
2. Do not ever buy a tool that you can borrow.
3. Start projects that can be easily fixed by someone else.
4. Lastly, and most importantly, whatever the situation, you must never, I mean 'pinkie-swear' never ever, immediately attempt to do a project that your next-door neighbor has just completed – especially if his project went well.

If you choose to abandon Rule #4 because you think you know better, then every time your wife sees the next-door neighbor’s perfectly manicured lawn, encased in a quaint, white, picket fence, in front of that totally darling house ... you'll have to endure that 'nails-down-the-chalkboard' question, “Why can’t you be more like the guy next-door?”

Note to self … don’t even think of a retort like, “Then, why don’t you just marry the guy next-door.” Instead, replace that thought with rule #4.1 and say happily, “Yes, dear – next time husband will try harder.”

Do you have a project that you would never have attempted without some help? Have you had some tragic 'renovation reality?' Today I salute realty 'do it yourself' TV and how it has transformed the 'talk back boy' to Tool Time with Troy ... yay, it's Thursday ... you know the drill.

I’m Just Not That Into You!

“50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce, according to Jennifer Baker of the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology in Springfield, Missouri.”

With statistics like this there is no wonder the hottest reality show gossip people are talking about around the water cooler is Jon and Kate Plus 8 or soon to be Kate Plus 8. I am neither a fan nor follower of the show; however, with the amount of publicity the family has received the past couple of weeks over the Jon and Kate break-up it is hard not to have knowledge of the family’s turmoil.

Divorce becomes increasingly complicated when children are involved so I think it is important to be open and honest with them in helping with the transition. Divorce can create emotional scars in children so the question up for discussion is although the purpose of a reality show of this nature is to provide a window for viewers to peek into the lives of its participants, is it still appropriate when the effects may be negative for the children involved?

Do you know your financial reality?

You have to believe that most Americans are watching every penny they earn these days. My wife, the financial analyst, does just that in a complicated spreadsheet. But she thinks she’s identified a better tool that’s available, free of charge, to all members of our credit union. Best of all, it may help folks better understand their true financial reality.

Have you heard of FinanceWorks? It’s a personal financial management tool developed by the folks who gave us Quicken. It allows you to manage all your financial accounts in one place. You can track spending and manage to a budget (and we can all appreciate the importance of that!). Did I mention it’s FREE! All you have to do is log on to your iTeller account and click on the FinanceWorks icon. Because FinanceWorks pulls information from your credit union account as well as other sources, you’ll be impressed the first time you log on.

It’s funny how everyone has their own way of tracking their finances. Some folks keep track of everything in a notebook. Others use their check register. Still others keep it in their head. My wife, who thought she had the perfect tracking spreadsheet, has started using FinanceWorks. If she can be convinced, maybe it’s something to look into. This is one area where Kevin the service guy would encourage you to share your experiences with our other SimpleCents readers.

Life lessons in reality TV: The Biggest Loser

Reality TV programs are a lot like cupcakes: a delightful indulgence while they last but of zero value once they’re done. The Biggest Loser is one show that breaks the mold, however, by offering some takeaways that viewers can actually use. You might say I’m reaching but read on, because my reasons might surprise you. 

1.  Reality is not always what it seems. Success takes time. Staggering weight loss and the development of revamped eating habits is a slow process and the result of constant work. Those Last Chance Workouts add drama and aren’t what’s causing contestants to burn off the weight; they chip away at it during all their waking hours. 

2. Single-mindedness is essential in the successful pursuit of a goal. When facing a challenge that tempts you to pound desserts in exchange for a shot at control of the game, refocus your intention. Once you’re clear on what you want, stick to your plan at all costs. Any action that takes you off course is a no-no. 

3. If you want to achieve, get out of your own way. Don’t whine; just accept that the journey toward a goal is likely to be painful and scary at times. Jillian can scream all day long in peoples’ faces but their ability to dredge up inner strength -- whether by invoking a higher power, focusing on those who rely on them or calling upon their own confidence -- is really what determines whether they will win. 

So, when I argue that The Biggest Loser has social value, I’m going way beyond the obvious message about weight loss being achievable and rewarding. I think the show’s broader value is showing that self-discipline is key and in motivating people to take control of their own destinies. Are you picking up what I’m putting down?

Good Ole’ Home Remedies

When I was little, I remember my dad heating up a little bit of oil on the stove, placing it on a cotton ball, letting it cool off a bit, and then placing it in my ear when I had an ear ache. I remember my mom giving me warm chamomile or cinnamon tea when I had a stomach ache. I also remember my mom placing Rosa Mosqueta Oil (rose hip oil from Chile) on my cuts and scrapes so they wouldn’t scar. I’m sure everyone remembers mom rubbing Vicks on you for congestion or a cold. I used to dread that. I didn’t like the smell, yuck!

You don’t hear about home remedies being used that much anymore.  It seems as though today, children’s teething pains, headaches, stomach aches, etc, are all treated with over the counter or prescription drugs.

Some people say that our children today are being over medicated…When your child has an ache or pain, do you instantly reach for Tylenol or Motrin or a prescribed medication? Or do you try a natural home remedy first? I’m curious to know, so write me back and let me know!

Chao for now,

Leslita

How much does even a 'little' hunger hurt?

Can you imagine a child going hungry for a couple of hours? How about 12 ... 24 ... certainly not 72 hours?!!!! Yet, within the readership of this blog, there are children who are without food, or the means to eat from the time they leave school on Friday until Monday's lunch. It's even longer when there are holiday weekends involved.

Recently the credit union staff partnered with the Lowcountry Food Bank to help with a program called 'Backpack Buddies.' This program attacks the issue of weekend hunger for Lowcountry Children. On Friday afternoon a child is sent home with a backpack filled with nutritious snacks to help him or her through the weekend.

Eager to get started, the credit union adopted Midland Park Elementary for the 2009-2010 school year. Last week, twenty-four employees packed 400 bags of food for the Midland Park Elementary and will do so monthly through the school year. 

If you are as astonished as I was by the fact that we live in an area where hundreds of young children go hungry every weekend within a stone's throw from our comfortable homes, then please do more than just talk back with Troy; get involved. Use the answer to this question as your motivation ... "How much does even a 'little' hunger hurt?"

For more information about the Lowcountry Food Bank or the Backpack Buddies Program, visit www.lowcountryfoodbank.org or call 843-747-8146.