Guest blogger Corey shares his "nice thing" thought today

In Monday's post, Beth blogs about intentionally making a difference by doing one "nice thing".   Corey Fink, who works with me here at South Carolina Federal Credit Union had an interesting example which I asked him to share:

Almost anytime I arrive at a store where there are shopping carts, inevitably one is near my vehicle or on my way in to the store. So I began the habit of taking them into the store. On occasion I’ll even intercept a person who just finished unloading and return their cart for them. My wife calls me considerate and polite. I just smile quietly, because my motives are more selfish than that.

This habit started when I came out to my truck one time and there was a cart touching the side panel. Like most people who care about their investment, I was not pleased. Rather than get mad at something I could not undo, I decided to start returning carts that were near my vehicle hoping to lessen the chance of a new dent or scratch.

Fast forward two years. I now see the appreciative looks on people’s faces, especially the shopping cart cowboy who has to round up all those renegade carts. My motive has changed (somewhat) from selfishness to kindness. I know I’m not exactly leaving a $20 bill in the cart, but it’s my nice thing, as small as it may be.

Even if it’s small like returning a cart that you didn’t use, what's your nice thing?

Are you ready for the recovery?

• Can you identify signs of the recovery?
• What is the relationship between consumer confidence and the stock market?
• What economic indicators should you be looking at?

Every day the mainstream media bombards us with a barrage of economic information. Frankly, it’s tough to make sense of all the information coming at us. As a result, many folks tend to tune it out…at their peril.

No one has a crystal ball to predict the future, but one guy, Greg Stidom, will be sharing a unique perspective on the state of the economy in March. Greg is a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Chartered Financial Consultant. He’ll be talking with folks just like yourself about the state of the economy, what to focus on…and what NOT to focus on. He’ll also be talking about real life, sensible, investment strategies for today.

Join Greg at the Orangeburg Branch of South Carolina Federal Credit Union on Tuesday, March 30th from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM. Registration is easy. For more information, please call 803-813-8300 (local from Orangeburg) or 800-845-0432.

With Greg's help you'll be sure you are ready for the recovery.

Fred’s new lease on life

Back in September, 2008, Fred was monitoring an “aortic aneurism”. It was Friday morning and he had just completed a series of medical tests when the unexpected news came from his doctor: He had five arteries each with >50% blockage. Five days later Fred was on the operating room table having quintuple bypass surgery.

Fred, who manages the sales finance team here at South Carolina Federal Credit Union, was born and raised in the south. He readily admits he enjoyed eating great southern cooking: chicken, biscuits, etc. But Fred was also very active. He enjoyed the outdoors, exercised regularly, and was an avid boater. The bypass surgery changed his life considerably. In discussions with Fred, he spoke highly of the recovery consultation he received from Roper cardio rehab specialists. His new heart healthy lifestyle can be distilled down to the following three points:

1. Cardio exercise is a must!

2. Eat heart healthy food.

3. Get regular checkups

How’s Fred doing today? In a word…GREAT! He’s lost weight with his new heart-healthy diet. Gone are the burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, and sausage biscuits. Fred heads to the gym religiously and does his cardio on the treadmill. He also sees his physician regularly.

Fred has a new lease on life. In talking with him it’s evident this Valentine’s Day will be extra special for Fred and his family. We want to thank him for sharing his story and reminding us of the importance of living a heart-healthy lifestyle!

Are You Connected?

As of December 2009, the number of unemployed persons is at 15.3 million and the unemployment rate at 10 percent. At the start of the recession in December 2007, the number of unemployed persons was 7.7 million, and the unemployment rate was 5.0 percent. The bottom line is the traditional approach most job seekers have taken in the past is no longer viable.

Traditional methods would steer you towards looking for job ads and faxing or e-mailing a resume to a company, completing an on-line application, or even posting a resume on-line…then cross your fingers and hope that you will get a call back.

One of my recruiters reviewed an article which concluded that 80% of people get their jobs by knowing someone. Eighty percent! Now don’t get me wrong, having a great resume is usually pretty crucial to earning an interview. The question is how do you get your resume noticed? If you reviewed my posting, How to Land a Great Job, Part 1: You Have 15 Seconds to Make a First Impression, you received some tips from an employer's perspective on how to make your resume stand out amongst the thousands; however, we cannot ignore that this is the era of social connectivity.

With the evolution of the internet over the past couple of years, you can play a more active role in landing that great job by exploring the networking tools available right at your finger tips!

There is a great on-line tool called LinkedIn, which works similarly to Facebook, but is designed for professionals. You make a profile, which is really a virtual resume of sorts, and invite current and past colleagues and classmates to be a connection. Also, don’t underestimate Facebook and MySpace. You might think of these websites as purely social-casual forums, but think of all of those people who may work for companies or even know people in your industry that may have some jobs coming available soon.

A final thought. Many companies are beginning to see the usefulness of these social-networking sites, and there is a huge trend in which recruiters are finding candidates for jobs through LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace. My tip? Keep it clean...make sure you are proud of the on-line face you present.

Are you connected?

A little hard work never hurt anyone

This week the credit union kicks off the search for our new 2010 Young & Free South Carolina Spokesperson. It got me thinking and reflecting back to some of the early jobs I had, lessons learned, and a solid understanding that a little hard work never hurt anyone.

Growing up in Vienna, Virginia, a small town in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., I began working in my early teens. My brother and I developed what turned out to be a thriving neighborhood lawn mowing business. About that time I learned ventriloquism and started entertaining at neighborhood birthday parties. My parents were supportive, but ensured school work was always the top priority.

While in high school I worked evenings cleaning offices at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). A gun-toting CIA security guy walked behind me as I vacuumed offices and emptied full ashtrays. Looking back, it seemed like everyone in those offices must have chain-smoked all day long! My other high school job was working at a lumber store, primarily to make $$$, but also to meet girls. The store owners hired the best looking high school girls as cashiers.

Fast forward to college. While at Virginia Tech I worked part-time during school in the cafeteria and then summers as a construction laborer. In fact, after a summer of backbreaking construction work, any thoughts about not going back to college in the fall were out the window. That hard work sure helped me crystallize my priorities!

What has all this taught me? First, a little hard work never hurt anyone. In fact, it helped me set definitive goals and become more financially independent. Second, it taught me how to be a more responsible individual. Third, all these jobs eventually helped me understand the importance of post-high school education.  Finally, having parents who instilled a strong work-ethic was a blessing.

That’s my perspective on work. Care to share yours?

Payment Manager makes donating easy and safe

Kimberly mentioned in her Monday blog post that South Carolina Federal Credit Union is accepting donations from members and the public to support relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Haiti. If you follow my blog posts you know I often talk about the many benefits and security of online banking and electronic bill payment (a.k.a. Payment Manager). If you’ve been thinking about making a donation, using South Carolina Federals’ Payment Manager makes it easy as 1-2-3:

1. Access your personal account via the Online Banking Login at scfederal.org. Need help logging in? Click the appropriate help link below the login or contact us.
2. Click on Payment Manager…and then Add a Biller.
3. Search for your desired charitable organization and designate how much you want to send. South Carolina Federal Suggestion: Select Company without an account number. Payment Manager will ask you for a phone number. Type in 843-769-7395. You’ll see it found Water Missions International (WMI). Click Add Bill and you’re all set to make your SAFE, SECURE donation to WMI using Payment Manager.

South Carolina Federal encourages folks to support relief efforts by donating to Water Missions International (WMI), a locally-based organization that already is working to provide water purification systems in Haiti. The credit union will also match your donation to WMI up to $5000. Click here for more information on the specific steps to have South Carolina Federal match your donation.

With Payment Manager, your donation will be routed immediately…securely…and there is no cost to mail your check or send a text message.

Never used Payment Manager before? This could be just the reason to give it a try. Why not share your donation experience today.

The Contact Center digs deep again

Back in December I wrote a post about Chase and an opportunity employees of the Contact Center at South Carolina Federal Credit Union had to really understand the impact of their donations to MUSC Children’s Hospital.

Meeting Chase and his mom, Whitney, reminded us that funds raised for the Children’s Miracle Network were helping to save the lives of children like Chase and others you’ll meet this week.

So when South Carolina Federal announced in early January that we were supporting MUSC’s Change Bandits Program to raise funds “to make miracles happen in the lives of area children”, the Contact Center, along with other South Carolina Federal employees, dug deep.

Want to know more about what your change supports at MUSC? Check out a post from Troy last summer. Or you can check out Chase’s News and Updates blog. In a post from January 4th Whitney thanks all those that have helped Chase and encourages readers to provide financial support:

If you think there is nothing you can do to help….you are wrong. Every dollar that goes to research is instrumental in funding these clinical trials. Clinical trials SAVE LIVES!!!

If you want to help, simply bring your loose change and cash to any of South Carolina Federal branches. You can make a difference in the lives of area children like Chase.

Is there a “typical” user of online banking?

Here at the credit union, you may be surprised at the wide range of folks who have embraced online banking, mobile banking, and electronic bill payment. It’s certainly a contrast to the picture painted by the mainstream media of Gen X’ers and young college students checking balances by mobile phone, or double-checking debit card balances online.

Take Mr. Brown in the photo to the right. He’s 70 and has been a South Carolina Federal Credit Union member for more than 20 years. He’s also been an avid user of online banking for two years. When I spoke with him last week, he shared that he uses online banking to view his eStatements, to transfer money, and to generally help him manage his funds more effectively.

Mr. Brown recognizes he’s not the typical person one thinks of when they picture a user of online banking. He has embraced the change to the new online world and encourages others to give it a try.

Since most of the folks reading this blog are already users of online banking, the question is: have you helped others embrace it? If so, perhaps you could share your story.

Note: Member name and photo used with permission.

Practicing What I Preach

Last week we talked about how to be an even SMARTer credit union member in 2010. Over the next few weeks, as tax time approaches, I’m committing to practice what I preach.

Historically my wife and I would spend January and February organizing our tax stuff to hand over to our tax preparer. Because of the relatively simple nature of our tax situation, the turnaround was pretty quick, and we were always confident in her knowledge of tax laws.  But it would still cost us at least $400.

Scratch all that in 2010. This year we’re going to save time and money and do it ourselves using Turbo Tax. Over the hustle and bustle of the holidays, did you notice that Turbo Tax is NOW available via Online Banking? It is…and it’s integrated into your Online Banking. In fact, it will auto-populate certain information right from your Online Banking account. Plus it’s safe and secure for the many reasons we’ve discussed in the past.

This year my wife and I plan to roll up our sleeves, organize our tax stuff, and follow the step-by-step instructions with Turbo Tax for Online Banking. Per Kimberly’s suggestionin her Monday post, my wife and I plan to begin preparing in early January even if we have to wait until the Jan 31st W-2 deadline.

So, stay tuned. I’ll provide an update in a couple weeks to let you know how it’s going. If you’ve already initiated usage of Turbo Tax for Online Banking, please share your observations with other readers.

P.S. Don’t tell my wife about all this, I’m going to surprise her. I think she’ll be thrilled we’re doing our taxes ourselves, don’t you?

The Credit Union has some SMART Members. Are you one of them?

Throughout the last year I’ve posted a number of blog messages about Online Banking. It’s become evident in 2009 that a lot of our members here at South Carolina Federal Credit Union agree that using Online Banking is SMART banking. As we look ahead to the New Year, a couple thoughts on why using Online Banking is SMART for 2010:

Secure: Probably the biggest misconception is that Online Banking is less secure. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Check out this blog post from July which confirms that Online Banking is secure.

Mobile: We live in a mobile society and in 2009 South Carolina Federal saw the use of Mobile Banking more than double. Members are using Mobile Banking to check balances, locate branches/ATM's, and even pay bills on-line!

Accurate: Want to know your balance? Want to see if a check cleared? A quick check of your Online Banking account will give you the accurate information you need.

Reliable: Do you like banking in your pajamas and fuzzy slippers? With Online Banking you can access your financial information 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Always available, always reliable.

Timely: Earlier this year I posted a blog about the advantages of paying bills online. I personally like the ability to schedule my bills to be paid at the times that work for ME!

If 2010 is the year you plan to gain better control of your finances and financial information, then do like so many SMART credit union members did in 2009 and check out Online Banking.

Still on the fence? Not sure it’s right for you? Perhaps some of our readers will share their perspective on how Online Banking works for them.

New names but familiar faces

For a host of celebrity personalities, singers, and famous writers, there comes a time when it seems necessary to change their name. Although we are not renegotiating any contracts with record labels, South Carolina Federal Credit Union strives to anticipate the needs of our membership and find new ways to simplify their lives. Beginning this week, South Carolina Federal will be adjusting the names of some services we offer. These changes have been made to reflect the most commonly used and searched terms . The services formerly known as...

• iTeller will be renamed Online Banking
• iTeller Mobile will be renamed Mobile Banking
• iTeller Business will be renamed Online Business Banking
• Teller Talk will be renamed Phone Banking

The names of Payment Manager, eStatements and eNotices will remain the same. Now that’s Life Simplified! It makes me want to party like its 1999!

Need a reason to change up your holiday card giving this year? Read on…

Last week I wrote a post K.I.S.S. for the Cause where I shared an idea for combining Visa Gift Cards from South Carolina Federal Credit Union with holiday cards from MUSC Children’s Hospital. Two days after posting that note I (and others) got an opportunity to really understand the impact of donations to MUSC Children’s Hospital.

Last Thursday morning Amy Gordon, Associate Director of Special Events with the MUSC Children's Hospital Fund, stopped by the credit union to thank a group of Contact Center folks for the money they raised in support of the Children’s Miracle Network.

From left to right: Whitney Ringler, Chase Ringler, Shawnda Bright,
Michelle Lemons, Jessica Williams

Amy was accompanied by another woman and a young boy. After Amy thanked the Contact Center for their fund raising efforts, she introduced Whitney who proceeded to tell her story. Whitney talked about how her son Chasewas diagnosed with cancer two years ago and the incredible support Chase and her family received from MUSC Children's Hospital. The details were nothing short of stunning and at the end of her talk there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. There was no doubt in ANYONE’s mind that funds raised from the Children’s Miracle Network and MUSC Children’s Hospital Holiday Cards were helping to save the lives of children like Chase.

As we approach the holiday season “homestretch” I’m sure many folks are doing last minute shopping and even struggling with the sending of holiday cards. Even though you may have wanted to write one of those lengthy family letters or compile a bunch of family pix into a custom card, it’s OK to change your plans.  Why not stop by a South Carolina Federal branch office and pick up a package or two of Children’s Hospital Holiday Cards. After meeting Chase and his mom I’m more confident than ever these will be some of the best dollars spent because they are truly saving lives.

Want to know more about Chase and his incredible story? Check out his site.

K.I.S.S. for the Cause!

In Kimberly’s post yesterday she expounded the virtues of the K.I.S.S principle when it comes to holiday gift shopping. No one subscribes to that philosophy more than my wife and I. In fact we discovered an interesting way to take care of holiday shopping for friends and family just by stopping into a South Carolina Federal Credit Union Branch.

Visa Gift Cards and MUSC Children’s Hospital Holiday Cards…the perfect match!

That’s right. South Carolina Federal now sells Visa Gift Cards in all branches. These Gift Cards are available in denominations from $5 to $1000, can be given to anyone as a gift, and are replaceable if lost or stolen.

Then ask those helpful folks in the credit union branch for a package of MUSC Children’s Hospital Holiday Cards. Each year patients, siblings and young friends of the Children's Hospital contribute their creative artwork for the holiday card program. All proceeds benefit the research and programs at the MUSC Children's Hospital.

While in the Branch you can write out your MUSC Holiday Cards, include Visa Gift Cards, address and stamp them, and the Branch Manager will mail them for you (please bring your own stamps). When you walk out of the branch you may be able to cross off a sizable portion of your holiday gift-giving list.  You'll feel even better knowing you’ve helped with important research at MUSC Children's Hospital.  Now isn't that the essence of LIFE SIMPLIFIED this holiday season?

Time for the Big Game…and some well-meaning community projects

Only one team will win the upcoming Clemson/Carolina grudge match and claim bragging rights for another year, but it’ll be a win-win for a number of South Carolina community organizations.

Just a few short months ago, we were blogging about the start of the college football season. Both Carolina and Clemson fans were staking out their positions. This coming Saturday, it’ll be time for both sides to finally put on their “A” game as they take the field in Columbia.

Behind all the bravado and trash-talking, it’s worth noting that a number of South Carolina community organizations will be beneficiaries of the Big Game:

• This year, the annual Clemson-USC Blood Drive celebrates a quarter century of giving. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and fans of the Tigers and Gamecocks will roll up their sleeves and donate an estimated 8000 units of blood.

• A group of Pelion, S.C. Middle School Students are using the spirit of friendly competition to pump up a local food pantry and raise funds for the school.  Students hope to collect more than 2000 food items.  In addition, money raised from this campaign will fund service learning projects throughout the year.

Listening to a local sports radio station, I heard even more rivalry stories that focused on community service projects tied to the Clemson/Carolina game.

There is no doubt that the Game this Saturday is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years. Regardless of the outcome, it’s good to see that a number of South Carolina community organizations will walk away winners.

Being thankful for gifts we didn't know we needed

Do you remember the song that says “Some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers”? Well, some of the Contact Center’s greatest gifts are introducing Members to products and services they need, but maybe didn’t know they needed.

Take for example a call about a loan received by Kristina, a Contact Center Representative here at South Carolina Federal Credit Union. As the conversation progressed and Kristina was answering questions, the Member was not sure if he would qualify for a loan due to delinquent accounts elsewhere. At this point, Kristina suggested that the member contact South Carolina Federal’s free BALANCE Financial Fitness Program as BALANCE offers confidential counseling on financial issues such as this.

In the end, the Member was happy he learned of a service that could possibly help him get a loan in the future.  He thanked Kristina for offering him the service he really needed... the ”gift” of BALANCE.

Have you received a “gift” that, perhaps, you didn’t know you needed?

On this week before Thanksgiving, Kevin the Service Guy wants to know.

Supporting our troops this Veterans Week

What would you be thinking if your son was being deployed to Afghanistan for the first time? Well, that’s what I asked my brother's wife, Treva, this past weekend. Treva’s son, Travis, is a United States Marine and he just left for combat post in Afghanistan last Wednesday for a tour expected to last nine months.

So what was Treva thinking as she saw her son depart? Fear and Pride. Treva was very candid about both. On one hand, she fears for Travis’ safety as the fighting in Afghanistan has escalated. On the other hand, Treva said she feels an immense amount of pride for what her son is doing. This is what he and his unit have trained for. She said they departed with confidence and determination that they could, and will, make a difference.

As we recognize our Veterans this week let’s also remember that we have many young Americans (like Travis) who are being deployed for the first time to active combat zones throughout the Middle East.  As long as we have American troops deployed in combat around the globe we must continue to show our support for them. There is no room for “war weariness”.  Let’s leave the politics to the politicians.

For Treva and the thousands of other mothers out there with sons and daughters deployed to a war zone, their primary concern is for the safety of their family members and the other men and women of their unit. This is something we all need to remember this Veterans week.

Will you be avoiding post-holiday sticker shock?

In her Monday post, Kimberly talked about her “heartless” approach to holiday shopping and how she sticks to a “realistic, defined budget”. In preparing today’s post on the upcoming holiday shopping season, I spoke with Contact Center and Branch employees here at South Carolina Federal Credit Union about suggestions they had for members as the shopping season prepares to ramp up. Their recommendations focused on one area: set a budget and track your spending to that budget.

The folks here at the credit union tell of great conversations with members who know where every dime is spent (using tools like iTeller, Teller Talk, and FinanceWorks). They also have experiences helping members who let their spending spiral out of control and face a rude awakening in January when those dreaded holiday bills arrive. These are the folks who either didn’t set a budget or neglected to track their spending throughout the holidays.

This is not the first thing you’ll read about effective budgeting for the upcoming holiday season. No doubt the mainstream media will inundate us in statistics showing how spending is increasing or decreasing as if this should somehow impact YOUR spending.

So, the question for today is: how do you avoid the hype and stick to your budget this holiday season? It would appear most try but many fail. Perhaps sharing your success strategy will help others so they don’t get unwanted sticker shock in January. Kevin the service guy wants to know.

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.

It’s time to talk Carolina vs. Clemson

September is just around the corner and, for many fans like myself, that means another college football season is upon us. There’s nothing quite like college football in the South, especially here in South Carolina!

A blog post I read recently noted that South Carolina is the 24th biggest state in the U.S., with only 4.4 million residents; however, on any given Saturday in the fall, 160,000 people can be found inside the football stadiums of our two biggest schools: University of South Carolina and Clemson.

After moving here a few years ago, I quickly realized you have to pick a side to root for. For me, this was relatively easy. See, I’m a Virginia Tech Hokie. Since Tech is an ACC leader, I hold a bit of distain for Clemson -- so I’m obligated to root for South Carolina. In the spirit of fairness, I must acknowledge that many of the Clemson fans I’ve talked to are convinced their school has the superior football program this year.

Probably this is opening up Pandora’s Box, but I thought our readers would like to share their perspective with the rest of us.

Leveraging CURewards points to craft the best travel deal

Earlier this month I posted an article about last minute travel deals. A colleague, Linda, had a slightly different perspective on that story and I wanted to share with you.

Linda travels a lot and was planning a vacation to Boston. She had been getting air fare alerts for the last 60 days watching the prices going up and down. The big decision for Linda was when to buy airline tickets (and hotel) vs use her CURewards points.

Linda was kind enough to white-board the math for me, but in the end it was a no brainer: She purchased the airline tickets online because she was able to lock in an extraordinarily low rate. However, the best price on a hotel was more than she expected so redeemed her CURewards points for four nights at an upscale Hyatt. She saved hundreds of dollars. It takes a bit more planning, but in this cost-conscious environment in which we live, a little planning can save you a lot of money. And you can save even more by effectively leveraging both on-line travel sites and your rewards points to craft the best deal.

So, what do you consider worthy of your CURewards? What type of purchase could compel you to part with them?

On thinking outside the box

Recently I stumbled on the inspiring account of a woman who baked and sold “mortgage apple cakes” to save her home from foreclosure. While the story itself is remarkable and touching, what really got my attention was the writer’s charge near the end of the article: “Always think outside the box people.”

I just loved that. It perfectly conveyed the moral of the story and was exactly the punchy, energizing advice I needed to get my morning started right.  It got me thinking about the things we do, day after day, without much conscious thought. To what extent are we robbing ourselves of opportunities, new experiences and surprising “wins” simply because we’re asleep at the wheel, doing things the usual way and settling for outcomes?

In her circumstances, Mortgage Apple Cake-Lady simply might have accepted her fate; instead, she got creative, took a chance and turned a bad situation around entirely. What could you look at a different way? Could you make some mortgage apple cakes out of your own troubles with money, health, relationships or other life circumstances?

How best to communicate important information?

Next week the credit union will be upgrading our iTeller system with some new screens designed to help users maneuver even more effectively through internet banking.

In discussing these upcoming enhancements within the credit union we were wrestling with the question of how best to communicate important information like this?

Is this age of saturated communications, what is the optimal vehicle, especially for changes related to technology products? Should we assume that members who use iTeller, and who receive eStatements want to primarily receive news

• Via email?
• Or from the scfederal.org site?
• Or from snail mail and newsletters?

What works best for you? Please share your thoughts.

Last minute travel deals before school starts

The last few weeks I’ve shared some of my family’s money savings techniques (dining out and clipping coupons). With the start of school just around the corner, you may be looking for deals on a last minute end-of-the-summer vacation. Here are some of my favorite places to search online for the best deals.

Hotwire and Priceline – A co-worker likes to do short weekend trips. This summer alone, he’s been to Jacksonville, Charlotte, Hilton Head, Austin, TX (wow…that was a long weekend) and New Orleans. He says he can do so many trips because he NEVER pays retail for hotels. In Jacksonville, he stayed at a four-star resort that has membership privileges at a local private beach club. Great family stay -- and he only spent $75 per night!

Better Bidding - Now, Hotwire and Priceline don’t tell you the exact hotel until you’ve gone through their bidding process and paid for your nights. Sites like Better Bidding reveal name and location information ahead of time. The site also offers bidding strategies to help you get the best price possible.

TravelZoo – If there is one email I look forward to every week, it is the Travelzoo Top 20 Deals. You can find deals for typical tourist spots in addition to some off-the-beaten-path destinations that shouldn’t be missed.  For example, the Jekyll Island Club Hotel for only $100 a night, 50% off their regular rate.

TripAdvisor – Want to know about the best hotels in a particular city or if that Hotwire deal you got is really worth it? Then, you absolutely need to visit TripAdvisor. Type in your destination and you get personal reviews of hotels, things to see and places to eat. This is definitely the travel site with the most user reviews and feedback.

Which sites have led you to some great experiences? We hope you’ll share!

Couponing Goes High Tech

Based on your comments and emails regarding last week’s blog post, “Clipping Coupons,” it seems that many coupon clippers have gone high tech. Krystle mentioned a site called southernsavers.com. Theresa McD noted that she gets store coupons via the store internet sites.

Our blog readers are apparently part of a wide trend. In Charleston’s Post & Courier, Jill Cataldo, the self-proclaimed Coupon Queen, writes a syndicated column and hosts the web site Super-Couponing.com with the tag line, “Changing the way you shop…forever.” According to a press release from Couponmom.com, “the amount of savings realized by members of CouponMom.com has exploded as an astounding $5 million dollars worth of coupons were printed from the site in May.” She goes on to say that site membership has seen a ten-fold increase in the last year.

Last week the MarketWatch site ran an extensive article highlighting the popularity of clipping coupons and the surge in online couponing with sites like CouponWinner.com.

After my post last week, my wife said that she NEVER buys something online without using some type of coupon she finds online. (I stand corrected!) She said she always Googles the store name, followed by the word “coupon,” before she checks out, and enters the coupon code in her purchase. Instant savings.

I guess there is much more to this coupon-phenom than just paper and scissors. Next week we tackle airline discounts using internet sites. So buckle up! In the meantime, if you have a favorite coupon site, please share it.

How secure is online banking?

As a manager with the Contact Center, I often have an opportunity to talk with members. Recently, a hot topic has been security related to online banking. We received candid feedback from blog readers about a recent post that talked about the security of eStatements. In subsequent emails and conversations, a number of members cited security concerns as a primary reason they do not use online banking or subscribe to electronic statements. “Hmmm,” I said, “let’s see what some expert publications have to say about online banking security.”

"Online access helps improve your financial security, rather than detracting from it.  Use online bill pay.  It's faster, safer and easier to track than putting checks in the mail." ~  US News & World Report, "Simple Savings Steps"

“If you're worried about online identity theft, relax. Paying bills online is actually safer than sending checks through the mail.” ~ Consumer Reports, “10 easy steps to the simple (financial) life”

“Go paperless...Even easier is to receive and pay bills online, which ensures that info can't be lifted from stolen mail.” ~ Money, “The Easy Way: Protect Your Identity”

OK, the experts argue that online bill payment and electronic statements are secure. So I wanted to see what the folks in our Information Technology group had to say. When I asked about how to ensure the security of transmitted bill payments and electronic statements, they cited the virtues of “secure socket layer” technology and “128-bit encryption.” Bottom line: security related to data transmission at South Carolina Federal is “solid” and “proven.” The evidence suggests managing your banking online is more secure than paying bills through the U.S. Postal Service and relying on paper statements. If you’re concerned about online banking security, perhaps this information helps.

Note: For more information regarding online banking security and to read more quotes like the ones above, check out www.ebillplace.com.

Stretching your imagination

Our SVP of Marketing, Beth Jaskiewicz, shared the following story with me which I wanted to pass along.

Every once in a while a new technology comes out that seems really cool… but you have serious doubts that it’s really for you. Maybe you think you’re too old, too settled in your habits. Based on Beth's recent “Kindle sighting” you might change your mind about trying new technology.

Beth was recently in a hospital atrium, waiting on her husband to have x-rays. Beth noticed that an elderly lady nearby (we’ll call her Martha) had two items with her: a wheelchair and a Kindle (sound like an odd combination?). Being curious about Kindles anyway, Beth asked Martha how she liked her Kindle. What a story!

Martha said she absolutely loves her Kindle! She demonstrated all the features, shared some of her favorite authors, explained to Beth how to get free books, and even had a clip-on light in case she needed it! Hmmm, you wonder: did Martha buy the Kindle herself?

Actually, Martha is a life-long reader and had a vast personal library of books. She recently downsized into an apartment which meant downsizing her library, giving most of her books to local charities. Knowing her love for reading, Martha’s children bought her a Kindle for her 85th birthday and added some extra cash to purchase Kindle books. Apparently, that’s all it took. Now Martha is not only an expert Kindle user, she’s a raving fan!

We're not selling Kindles here – just using this story to stretch your imagination. Makes you wonder if there are new technologies to be sampled that might change your world like the Kindle changed Martha’s?

What's holding you back?

The Post and Courier on Tuesday, July 7, had an article entitled, “U.S. Postal Service: Stamped out?,” which discussed how the recession and widespread use of the Internet have compelled the Postal Service to consider closing many post offices around the country, including some in the Lowcountry and Midlands. The article included a quote from a postal official who said, “Customers can now go online and get 80 percent of the services they can get at a post office.”

Coincidentally given the angle of this article, South Carolina Federal Credit Union members will receive their quarterly statements this week. Many of you have opted into eStatements and are reading your statements online through iTeller; however, a small number still insist on receiving paper statements through the U.S. Postal Service.

I wonder why some members wait for a statement by mail when they simply could go online and avoid the $1 fee in the process? eStatements are safe, secure and arrive sooner than paper ones.

Back in May, my colleague Troy Hall posted a blog entitled, “Is a $1 monthly fee worth it?” In that posting, he explained how the credit union actively aims to reduce costs by encouraging members to enroll in eStatements, a far less expensive delivery method that ultimately benefits the entire membership. More and more members have chosen eStatements for the security that online statements offer, not to mention the simplicity of checking your statements at your convenience.

So, here’s the question for those who haven’t yet signed up for eStatements: what’s holding you back? Kevin the service-guy wants to know.

A check register? Isn't that "so yesterday"?

Ring...ring...ring...hello. Thank you for calling the contact center. Your balance? I can help you with that. Who calls in for their balance? With Payment Manager internet banking, eStatements, and mobile banking you'd think the contact center would never receive such a call. But we do!

Back in the "old days"...before technology...most credit union members used a check register to track their balance. In fact, I can remember my mom taking me into a branch, helping me open my account, and painstakingly showing me how to track my balance with the check register.

Fast forward to 2009. Many members don't use a check register. Instead they go on-line, into a branch, or call the contact center. We're certainly always ready to help, but it makes you wonder: maybe the old check register still has a place in 2009? What do you think? Kevin the service -guy wants to know.

Are you a reader or a "commenter"?

 I listen to a lot of talk radio.  It's interesting when you hear some people calling a talk radio show announce themselves as a "first time callers" and then proceed to share their point.  In many cases they say, "I was a listener for 10 years and finally was compelled to call."

It's similar with a blog.  Many bloggers identify themselveses as readers, not "commenter's."  After my last blog post about dining out I can't tell you how many people approached me and wanted to share their own experiences.  Curious, I asked, "why not respond by commenting on the blog post?"   Surprisingly, a number of folks said they didn't know how to comment.  That's fair.   Not everyone is an experienced blogger who knows how to maneuver through and dialog within a blog post. 

For those who are new to commenting, it's as simple as 1, 2, 3: 

1. Move your cursor to the bottom of this posting where the sentence begins with "Posted by Kevin Kosco."  At the end of that sentence is a word:  "Comments". 
   To share your comment, just click on that word. 
2. Type in your name and email address.  For now, you can ignore the request for URL...and you don't have to check the "Remember personal information" box.  You are now ready to comment
3. Write your comment!!!  When you are finished, click "Post Comment" and you successfully will have posted your first blog comment.

Got 60 seconds?  Why not try it out right now?  I'm looking forward to seeing notes from both first time commenter's and experienced bloggers.   It's easy, right?  Kevin the Service Guy is looking forward to hearing from you! 

How to Land a Great Job, Part 2: Are you Connected?

One of my recruiters recently reviewed an article that really surprised me, 80% of people get their jobs by knowing someone. Eighty percent! Now don’t get me wrong, having a great resume is usually pretty crucial to earning an interview. The question is how do you get your resume noticed? If you reviewed my recent posting, How to Land a Great Job, Part 1: You Have 15 Seconds to Make a First Impression, you received some tips from an employer's perspective on how to make your resume stand out amongst the thousands, however, we cannot ignore that this is the era of social connectivity.

Traditional methods would steer you towards looking for job ads and faxing or e-mailing a resume to a company, completing an on-line application, or even posting a resume on-line…then cross your fingers and hope that you will get a call back.

You can be more involved in landing that great job by exploring the networking tools available right at your finger tips! There is a great little on-line tool called LinkedIn, which works similarly to Facebook, but is designed for professionals. You make a profile, which is really a virtual resume of sorts, and invite current and past colleagues and classmates to be a connection.

Also, don’t underestimate Facebook and MySpace. You might think of these websites as purely social-casual forums, but think of all of those people who may work for companies or even know people in your industry that may have some jobs coming available soon.

A final thought. Many companies are beginning to see the usefulness of these social-networking sites, and there is a huge trend in which recruiters are finding candidates for jobs through LinkedIn, Facebook, and MySpace. My tip? Keep it clean...make sure you are proud of the on-line face you present. So, tell me are you connected?

Can you dig your way to China?

As a little boy playing in the yard I can distinctly remember my grandfather telling me to stop digging that hole or I'll end up in China. Now, to a child that seems mystical, magical, and just a little bit like a challenge. Of course, I wouldn't know anything about a challenge ... or that really big hole in the backyard.

What strikes me when recalling that memory is my childlike perception that the world seemed like such a big place back then. Today, I see the world a little smaller and a lot more connected.

After a work colleague's recent trip to China, he shared with me the value of using his mobile phone to stay in touch with family and friends here in Charleston. He even joked about using his phone to transfer money via his home banking account because that priceless souvenir had almost caused him to overdraw his checking account.

Amazing that in one lifetime trading a shovel for a smart phone makes it possible to connect two opposite sides of the world. So, how do you like to connect with others ... e-mail, Facebook, twittering, blogging, face-to-face, mobile, Internet? Come on and give me a 'holler' ... it's time to talk back with Troy. 

Your Voice Matters

There was an interesting article in the paper recently which highlighted South Carolina Electric & Gas' program to solicit customers' energy-saving ideas.  Customers are asked to respond with ideas...which SCE&G will evaluate and report to the Public Service Commission.   I'm willing to bet their 650K customers will give them some "feedback."

With transparency being the buzzword of the year, it has become apparent saavy companies are actively soliciting feedback from customers.  Insurance company USAA, Southwest Airlines, and Dell Computer are examples of companies known for soliciting customer feedback and incorporating into their operation.

South Carolina Federal is no exception to this trend.  The credit union surveys members each month asking for input in an effort to improve member operations.  But you don't have to wait until you are asked.  Have feedback?  An idea for an improvement?  Perhaps you just want to say what's on your mind.  You can always send your information to ContactCenter@scfederal.org.  Kevin the service-guy is waiting to hear from you!

“BTW”….“LOL!”…. “BFF”…. “PLZ”….”BTWN”….

I was compelled to write this blog after a conversation a co-worker and I had regarding our daughters. I will refer to my co-worker as “Susan”.  Susan’s 15 year old daughter ran up a $300 cell phone bill because she was constantly texting her “BF”!

I found her story interesting because I had just pried my 3 year olds little fingers off of her daddy’s keyboard the night before when I realized she was no longer innocently “typing” on a Word document she had pulled up but on the internet looking at pictures of Hannah Montana! So I asked myself, how in the world can a 3 year old feel comfortable enough to think of her cyberspace destination, maneuver the mouse and then point and click with such precision? It hit me…so obvious but yet I never thought about it previously. Generation Y (millennials) and Generation Z are exposed to technology at an extremely early age! It is amazing how this type of exposure can influence a generation’s norms and preferences. I am a “Gen Xer” and the first time I laid a hand on a computer was in junior high (“LOL”)… but here my 3 year old was carefully selecting the links, pictures and icons she wanted to click on to reach her destination!

As a mom, of small children I feel like I need to stay in the know of the latest technology so I can be vigilant of my children’s activities.

Moms and businesses alike have adapted to these generations’ cultures or have at least attempted to understand the norms in order to stay vigilant of their children’s activities.

There is no coincidence that businesses are attempting to keep up with the changes of these technologically savvy generations. Give me your comments and take a look at this link,http://southcarolinafederal.typepad.com/simplecents/2009/04/whats-all-this-business-about-young-free-1.htmlto learn the latest South Carolina Federal is doing to stay connected with these bright groups. “CU”!

It's interesting how someone can impact your life...even paying bills online

Like many, I too resisted the invitation to pay bills on-line. "Why do it on-line when my current way of mailing checks in those little self-addressed bill envelopes served me so well for many years." Even though many folks around me (usually younger) we're saying how wonderful it was, I discounted it. Then a conversation with Gail changed my life!

Gail is a co-worker with a passion for education. One day she told me how she really loved the way the on-line bill payment worked, how easy it was, and how it really helped her plan better. I remember having lots of doubts but she was so enthusiastic, there had to be something to what she was saying. That evening I logged on, checked it out, set up a couple bills and paid them...and, as they say "it changed my life".

For me, paying bills on-line makes the process much easier (it really does!). It saves me time, and it gives me the confidence of having a 21st century organized approach to paying bills. If you're not already doing it, you probably have a number of preconceived notions just like I did. Perhaps you have your own fears or triumphs of paying bills on-line? Kevin the service-guy wants to know.

It's the weekend and I'm locked out...now what?

At one time or another, all of us have forgotten or mistyped a password. You know you’ve tried too many  times when you see the unmistakable message that says "this account has been locked out". Now what?

Don't panic. If you are locked out of your on-line iTeller account with South Carolina Federal Credit Union you have options. South Carolina Federal provides a handy link, “Forgot your password?”, under the password box in the log-in area. As long as you know your user ID and the answers to your security questions, you can change your password and actually unlock yourself. This is particularly handy on the weekends or late at night. 

Once you have changed the password, simply log-in again with your new password and your user ID and you’re in business! Just another way South Carolina Federal is working to live up to the promise of Life Simplified. Is it working for you?  Kevin the service-guy wants to know.

Hello? ... anybody there?

Last week I received a nice letter from a member 80 and wiser. Let's call her Ms. Linda. She has been part of the credit union for almost 50 years. Frequently Ms. Linda has questions and needs to call us. However, this was not a very convenient experience for her the first week in March. Ms. Linda was caught in what appeared like an endless circle on the automated telephone system.

Well, Ms. Linda and members like her, I hear you loud and clear. Even though the contact center agents are able to process over 60,000 calls a month under the current system, the credit union is upgrading its equipment and call-in experience before December 2009.

With the new installation, members like you and Ms. Linda will be able to gain quicker access to a live voice, and have less buttons to push for simple balance, deposit, or loan transactions.

By year-end these upgrades will help simplify your on-the-phone-line experience. Got other ideas? Take this time to post a comment and ... talk back with Troy

What's all this online stuff anyway?

If you've been a South Carolina Federal Credit Union online user for the last year, you've certainly seen a number of changes.  From mobile banking to online chat to an ability to update your account information on-line.  What's the deal?  Are we trying to keep you from visiting branches

Of course not.  We're just working to provide members with the online functionality they are asking for.  Is it for everyone.  Maybe not.  Some members will want to continue visiting our branches because they enjoy seeing the smiling faces of our team members. 

But for many, the online way is the the preferred way to do their "banking."

How about you?  I'd love to hear about your favorite way to take care of financial matters.

Do you prefer visiting branches or have you moved online?  Kevin the service-guy wants to know.