Remodel Today and Enjoy Your Improvements for Years to Come.

Posted on May 7, 2013 by

Remodeling SamplesIf you’re like many Unison Credit Union members, you really like your home and your neighborhood but wish your house had many features you’d look for in a newer structure. Maybe you’d like a laundry on the main floor, a master suite with walk-in shower and maybe better energy efficiency.

You don’t have to move! You can remodel your way into the home you’ll be able to stay in and enjoy for decades. Many remodeling homeowners build in “aging-in-place” features that enable a more convenient future for residents of all ages.

Your aging-in-place home modifications should address these features:

* Accessibility. Improving accessibility includes making doorways wider, widening hallways, lowering countertop heights for sinks and kitchen cabinets, installing grab bars and placing light switches and electrical outlets at accessible heights.

* Adaptability. Adaptability features are changes you can make quickly to accommodate the needs of seniors or disabled individuals without having to completely redesign the home or use different materials for essential fixtures. For example, consider installing grab bars on bathroom walls and movable cabinets under a sink so someone in a wheelchair can use the space.

* Universal design. Universal design features are usually built into a home when the first blueprints or architectural plans are drawn and also can be added to future upgrades. These features include appliances, fixtures and floor plans that are easy for all people to use, flexible enough so that they can be adapted for special needs, sturdy and reliable and functional with a minimum of effort and understanding of the mechanisms involved.

Working with a contractor who knows basic universal design principles can ensure that your remodeling project helps achieve your goal—a warm and inviting home whose unique and helpful features will continue to accommodate you over time.

And, Unison can help!

If you own your home and have built up equity in it, we can talk with you about affordable home loans that will get your remodeling ideas in motion. Call us today!

Don’t wait until you decide to sell your house to modernize. Remodel today and enjoy your improvements for years to come. We’d like nothing better than to help you stay right here in the community you call home!

Source: Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)
Copyright 2013 Credit Union National Association Inc. Information subject to change without notice. For use with members of a single credit union. All other rights reserved.
Posted in New | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Reality Store

Posted on May 1, 2013 by

reality signLooking for a little dose of reality? The junior class at Kaukauna High School certainly was when they attended the 7th annual “Reality Store”.

Unison’s Financial Education Coordinator (and guest blogger today), Laura Weber, worked behind the scenes with KHS guidance counselor Michelle Feucht prepping the “store” and the students. Laura explains more about this awesome event:

Each spring Unison sponsors and assists with the Kaukauna High School Reality Store. It is a simulation game in which students are assigned a career, marital status and family size. They are given a mock checkbook with the monthly income entered for their specific career. Students then visit booths, manned by community members, where they pay their monthly bills. At each booth, students make decisions concerning a standard of living they’ll assume. For example, at the housing booth (manned by a realtor), students decide if they want to pay for a one-bedroom efficiency apartment or a five-bedroom home.

There are a total of 16 booths each student must visit ranging from Uncle Sam, to the veterinarian, to daycare. If students find they are running out of money, they have the option to visit the S.O.S. booth to pick up a part-time job, trade in an expensive car or even downsize their home.

Over forty volunteers from the community, including five staff members from Unison Credit Union, work with students to help with making smart decisions and completely thinking through purchases. Most volunteers will tell you they walk away with just as much learned from the experience as the students do.

The Reality Store is a great way to bring our teenage students together with professionals in the community. Students look forward to the opportunity to learn more about how career choice and lifestyle expectations affect the “reality” of what life will be like when they are older.

Posted in New | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Protecting Your Identity

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

ShredFestThere are moments when our day gets a little crazy and we wish we could be someone else. Thieves or imposters take that one step further and obtain key pieces of personal information to use for their own personal gain. Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States.

Unfortunately, identity theft is not just a financial crime and adults are not the only targets. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), some of the most common types of identity theft include: 

  • Financial
  • Child
  • Smart Phone Security
  • Governmental
  • Medical
  • Social Network

Identity theft can ruin a person’s financial status, credit and reputation. The process to resolve the matter can be a major headache. Fortunately, there are basic steps you can take to help prevent this from happening to you. Prevention starts with managing your personal info carefully and sensibly.

Shred your receipts, credit card offers, bank statements, returned checks and any other sensitive information. Your trash is their treasure. Look for a durable shredder capable of cross-cut shredding for documents, credit cards and CD’s. Small, basic ones start at about $25.

Keep track of your credit card billing cycles. Identity thieves can start by changing your billing address. Make sure you are receiving your bill every month.

 File away – in a safe and secure place – account numbers, expiration dates and telephone numbers.

Create “strong” passwords or PIN numbers. Include special characters, numbers and capital letters. SplashData, a company who makes password management applications, released its annual “Worst Passwords” list compiled from common passwords that are posted by hackers. The top 10 are:

  • password
  • 123456
  • 12345678
  • abc123
  • qwerty
  • monkey
  • letmein
  • dragon
  • 111111
  • baseball

To help you in your efforts to secure personal information, Unison will be hosting a Shred Fest on Saturday, May 11, 2013. Bring your unwanted and outdated documents to Unison’s drive-thru Shred Fest. A professional document shredding company will be on hand to securely dispose of your documents.

Save the Date!

Drive – Thru Shred Fest

May 11, 9:00 am – Noon

Unison Credit Union, Crooks Ave. location

Posted in New | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Home Improvement Projects: It’s Not Just About Being “Handy”

Posted on April 16, 2013 by

CuteHouseMaybe you need a new garage, deck, roof or front porch. Or you just want to add some curb appeal and color with landscaping, new shutters or a fresh coat of paint. When it comes to home improvements, Unison Credit Union has the best financing options in the form of home equity or fixed rate loans. But should you do projects yourself or hire a pro?

Consider these factors:

• Time. Many homeowners have a limited amount of free time to spend working on their projects. The average kitchen remodel that would normally take a contractor a few days could end up taking months on your own!

• Materials. Who will measure, order and inspect on arrival? Do you have a vehicle suitable to pick up forgotten materials and to dump trash?

• Tools. Certain jobs need certain tools. Will you have to buy or rent them? Do you know how to use them properly to complete your project?

• Skills. Home remodeling is not something that can be learned off of a DIY web page. It takes certain skills and a high level of construction knowledge. Consider having a contractor come to your home to go over your project with you before it is started. They will be able to help you determine if it is something you can handle on your own or if you should bring in a professional.

• Safety. Doing projects at extreme heights, using tools you aren’t comfortable with, creating dust and introducing toxic fumes with new materials can become a concern.

• Liabilities. Be careful who you hire. Make sure they are a licensed and insured contractor. If someone gets hurt on your property, you could get sued. If a worker causes a fire or major damage, it may invalidate your homeowner policy.

• Savings. Do the math. Factor in the cost of your time versus the cost of hiring a contractor.

• Resale. Many buyers in today’s market are getting detailed home inspections that put home improvement projects under the microscope. Make sure yours are up to code and compliant with any local ordinances.  

Whatever route you decide to take for your home improvement projects, come to Unison for your financing! Give us a call at 920.766.6000 or stop in to speak with an FSR to get that project started!

Copyright 2010 Credit Union National Association Inc. Information subject to change without notice. For use with members of a single credit union. All other rights reserved.
Posted in New | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Paying for College the Smart Way

Posted on April 9, 2013 by

UThe majority of parents and students agree that higher education is an investment in the future. But given today’s economic realities, students are footing a larger percentage of the college bill than previously.

As more Americans pursue their dream of higher education, many students are looking for ways to fund the gap between financial aid and college expenses. That’s why Unison Credit Union has partnered with Sallie Mae® to offer you the Smart Option Student Loan®.

The loan offers three in-school repayment options and allows students to borrow up to 100 percent of school certified education costs (minimum $1,000). The options are designed to help you pay off your loan faster and save money compared to a conventional private loan. The loan also offers competitive interest rates and there are no origination or disbursement fees for students attending degree-granting institutions. Plus, applying with a creditworthy cosigner may lower the interest rate – and gives a better chance of approval.

Investing in higher education continues to be one of the best decisions you can make– and we want to help make it happen. Together, we can do this. Find resources for navigating the college application process, learn more about the Smart Option Student Loan®, and apply online at unisoncu.org.

Unison Credit Union, Sallie Mae® and you. Together we can do this!

SALLIE MAE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY OR DISCONTINUE PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND BENEFITS AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. CHECK THE SALLIE MAE WEBSITE (www.salliemae.com) TO OBTAIN THE MOST UP-TO-DATE PRODUCT INFORMATION.
Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loans are made by Sallie Mae Bank® or a lender partner.
©2011 Sallie Mae, Inc. All rights reserved MKT2098

Unison Credit Union is compensated for the referral of Smart Option Student Loan customers.

Posted in New | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spring Into Our Upcoming Events!

Posted on April 3, 2013 by

spring pigThe temperatures may not be warming up, but we are here at Unison! The Unison family is gearing up for an action-packed spring season of sponsoring, hosting and participating in area events! Cooking, couponing and a contest – join us at the following events to help “spruce up” your spring and your finances.

Taste of the Times Cooking Extravaganza
April 6 & 7
Little Chute High School
Unison is once again a proud sponsor of the Taste of the Times Cooking Extravaganza! Visit us during the expo at our Mustang Money branch in the commons of Little Chute High School. We will be handing out our famous Unison employee favorites recipe cards! Call the Times-Villager office at 920-759-2000 for ticket information.

Money Smart Week® Wisconsin
April 22 – 27
This week was designed to help consumers better manage finances and provide awareness of financial education programs on topics such as budgeting and using credit wisely. A list of the week’s events around the Fox Valley can be found at www.moneysmartweek.org or in our March 18 blog post.

Curious About Couponing Workshop
Monday, April 22, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Unison Credit Union, Crooks Avenue location
Want to learn more about saving money with coupons? Attend this FREE workshop and become a coupon clipping pro! Get tips from “The Bargain Sleuth” on couponing at greenbayconsumer.com.

National Credit Union Youth Week
April 22 – 27
All Unison Credit Union locations
‘Stache your Cash! Members 17 years and under can stash their cash for a chance to win $100. Each deposit of $25 or more into their Unison savings account is an entry into a drawing for one of two (2) $100 Visa® Gift Cards.

Pig to Pig Walk
May 4
Piggly Wiggly, Kaukauna
Unison is a proud sponsor of the 15th Annual Pig to Pig Walk. The walk starts at 8:30 a.m. at the Kaukauna store and ends at the Little Chute Piggly Wiggly. Proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more information contact Jane Schaefer at jschaefer@larryspw.com.

Drive-Thru Shred Fest
May 11, 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Unison Credit Union, Crooks Avenue location
Bring your unwanted and outdated documents to Unison’s drive-thru Shred Fest! A professional document shredding company will be on hand to securely dispose of your documents, free of charge.  

Posted in New | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Going Green” to Save Your Green!

Posted on March 26, 2013 by

Go GreenWe can still “go green” while we are waiting (patiently) for the white stuff to melt. There are simple ideas and small changes you can make to save energy, reduce waste and save some “green” in your wallet.

The typical family will spend an over $2,500 every year just on utilities such as water, heat/air conditioning and electricity. Much of that money is spent on wasted energy. Replace traditional light bulbs with energy-saving ones that last longer and burn less energy. Turn down your thermostat in the winter and back up in the summer or invest in a programmable thermostat. Save water by making sure your dishwasher and washing machine are full with a dirty load before running them. Also, if you only sing one song in the shower versus two you could save over 14 gallons of water! 

Earth Day is Monday, April 22. Between now and Earth Day try one, two or all of the “green” tips below or visit http://www.earthday.org/ for additional resources.

  • Reduce paper and take advantage of free e-statements, e-notices and online banking. Learn more about these services on Unison’s website or ask an FSR about signing up today!
  • Choose products with less packaging. Save money, as well as room in a landfill.
  • Cut back on driving for errands and shopping. Make a list before heading out!
  • Lower the temperature on your water heater.
  • Unplug chargers and small appliances when not in use.
  • Repurpose something – an empty glass jar can hold leftovers or bulk items.

Save energy, save resources and save money!

Posted in New | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Financial Education

Posted on March 18, 2013 by

smart pig bankToday Unison blog readers, I get to talk about someone else here at Unison! (Insert flashing applause sign here) Laura Weber is Unison’s Financial Education Coordinator. What does that mean? Well, in keeping with our philosophy “people helping people”, one of the ways we help our members and our community is through financial education. Laura was brought on staff to fulfill the growing needs of this area. She is doing a fantastic job reaching out to our area communities and teaching us to be financially smart!

Twenty years ago, Unison started the Classroom Credit Union program. Classroom Credit Union is a series of three classroom visits covering lessons on savings, checking and loans. It is wrapped up by a tour of the credit union and a small “graduation” ceremony for the students. Laura is currently teaching in 19 second grade classrooms in the Kaukauna, Little Chute and Wrightstown Elementary schools!

Laura also teaches various financial education topics to middle and high school classes in the Wrightstown, Kaukauna and Little Chute school districts; as well as oversees the education efforts within our student-run branches inside of Kaukauna and Little Chute High Schools.

Along with teaching students the importance of positive financial habits, Laura represents Unison on various community outreach committees; including the Fox Cities Money Smart Week planning committee. Money Smart Week in Wisconsin is April 22-27 and is a joint effort by organizations across the state to hold events, workshops and presentations that offer financial education. Events are held for all age groups and focus on helping people learn to better manage their personal finances.

Below you will find a list of fun and educational events happening throughout the week at Unison and around the Fox Cities. We hope you plan to attend!

Monday, April 22

6:00pm-8:00

Unison Credit Union

1616 Crooks Ave, Kaukauna

 The Bargain Sleuth, Jennifer Jacobson-Carew – Curious About Couponing?

Want to learn more about couponing? Attend this FREE workshop and become a money saving expert!

 
Tuesday, April 23

11:30am-1:00

Fox Valley Technical College

1825 Bluemound Dr, Appleton

Room E130 ABCD, entrance 10

 Rachel Cruze, “Myths Women Believe About Money”

Rachel Cruze, daughter of financial guru Dave Ramsey, will speak at this spectacular luncheon event for women. Registration required, $15 per ticket. Purchase your ticket at:

http://rachelcruzelunch.eventbrite.com/

 
Tuesday, April 23

6:30pm-8:00

Holiday Inn

150 S Nicolet Rd, Appleton

 

 Rachel Cruze, “Money and Not So Common Sense”

Rachel Cruze, daughter of financial guru Dave Ramsey, will speak at this FREE event. Registration required, register at:

http://rachelcruzeevening.eventbrite.com/#
Saturday, April 27

10:00am-11:00

Check with your local library for participation

 

 The Big Read

This is a read-aloud event for families and children. Children will receive a free book! The event is FREE and no registration is required.
Posted in New | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Credit Unions Help Students When They Need It Most

Posted on March 8, 2013 by

graduation capWhile many banks and other lenders have stopped offering private student loans to focus on bigger, more profitable loan types, members still can depend on Unison Credit Union to help students of all ages pay for school. Credit unions have lower loan rates and provide more products and services for students, according to CBS Money Watch.
While students should first exhaust all sources of free money for school—grants and scholarships—and federal student loans, a private loan can help fulfill any remaining financial need. A Sallie Mae® Smart Option Student Loan from Unison offers competitive interest rates, payment flexibility and several re-payment and discount options. Low rates are just the beginning at Unison! We also offer no-fee checking and debit cards, low-rate credit cards and low-rate auto loans and mortgages. Added to that mix is personal service and financial education to help all of our college-age students manage their money wisely.

Are you a high school senior, a parent of one or know a graduating senior going to college who could use some FREE MONEY (yep, f-r-e-e $$)? The Unison Credit Union John Aman Memorial Scholarship awards $1,000 to up to three (3) individuals who best mirror the credit union philosophy of “people helping people”. Information and applications are available at any of our locations or on our website http://www.unisoncu.org/member-benefits/member-opportunities/scholarships.aspx

Application are due by March 23, 2013!

Copyright 2013 Credit Union National Association Inc. Information subject to change without notice. For use with members of a single credit union. All other rights reserved.

Posted in New | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment