IN Chartiers Valley Winter 2017 | Page 15

INDUSTRY INSIGHT

SAVING MONEY

SPONSORED CONTENT

Spend less this Holiday Season !

Do you love the holidays but wish you could spend less money ? Yes , probably . Do you suffer through the stress that likely goes with this time of year ? There is a better way . Just take a deep breath , and follow the easy tips in this guide . 1 . Get free holiday shipping – Keep your eye on online shopping sites like Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Macy ’ s , Kohls . Every year at some point in December , they offer free holiday shipping if you spend a certain amount . The savings can really add up here and are worth taking advantage of . 2 . Give Group Gifts – An Ice Cream Maker or Blu-ray DVD player is a great gift that a whole family can enjoy . This cuts down on the stress of buying for multiple people in a family . 3 . Presentation is everything – Presentation can make a huge difference . You might only have a few presents under the tree , but when you wrap them and decorate them with some extras it makes them look extra special ! You don ’ t have to spend a lot of money – brown craft paper and a beautiful ribbon make a gorgeous present ! And involve the kids – brown craft paper can be embellished with Sharpie markers for a homemade extra touch . 4 . Wrap everything individually – If you bought a four-pack of lip gloss , open up the package and wrap each one individually . You just went from one present to four ! 5 . Know when the Sales are – If you can afford to wait , the best time to get deals on basic toys is two weeks before Christmas , when toys can be discounted up to 70 percent . 6 . Do Secret Santa Gift Exchanges – Agree amongst friends , family or work colleagues to throw your names into a hat and decide on a budget . That way , everyone gets a nice gift and nobody has to buy for more than one person . 7 . Give the Gift of Time – Sometimes the best gifts are free . Why not present someone with a voucher or IOU for a week ’ s pet sitting , walking the dog , baby sitting , gardening – the ideas are endless . Time is a precious thing and everyone needs more of it . 8 . Use Credit Card Rewards – If you have a rewards card that you have been using throughout the year to collect points , Christmas is a great time to cash the points in . 9 . Rethink your Christmas Card – Rather than spending money on buying and mailing Christmas cards , which can add up quickly – record a family greeting on
This Industry Insight was written by Wendy Kingsland . Wendy Kingsland is the CEO of Visionary FCU in Bridgeville . Prior to joining Visionary in 2011 , she was employed by Clearview FCU from 1991-2011 . Kingsland currently serves as Vice President of South West Communities Chamber of Commerce . She is active in the Pittsburgh Chapter of Credit Unions , serving as a board member since 1991 and currently serving as Treasurer . She also serves as a Director for the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association .
your phone and email it to friends and loved ones . It will be much more fun and really add a personal touch . 10 . Donate to your Favorite Charities – Spread the Christmas cheer by giving to those who are less fortunate . Consider donating to a charity . As well as money , they may accept household items , clothes , groceries , pet supplies , or you could volunteer your time .
Above all , relax and enjoy the holiday season . In the end , the holidays are all about enjoying friends and family . Staying focused on time with loved ones and other joys of the season can help you to keep stress in perspective .

Jingle Bucks , Jingle Bucks , Jingle All the Way to the Holiday !

Avoid the shopping rush and using a high rate credit card to get the job done . With the Jingle Bucks Loan Special you can enjoy a low rate loan and make the holidays bright for the ones you love .
Apply today !
Visit us at www . visionaryfcu . org to apply , or call us at 412-221-6660 .
* APR = Annual Percentage Rate . Loan rates listed are : “ as low as ” rates and your final rate may be higher depending on credit worthiness and debit to income ratio . Other rates and terms available . Any or all promotional rates and offers may change and / or end without notice . Approval is based on normal underwriting requirements and income verification . $ 5,000.00 maximum loan .

4.95 % APR *

up to 18 months
201 Beram Avenue Bridgeville , PA 15017 www . VisionaryFCU . org
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