Jolt Credit Union

Creative Ways to Fill Your Soul With Art and Culture

Posted by Bridget Staffileno, VP Community Affairs on Apr 20, 2020 2:05:55 PM

Arts and culture in the Great Lakes Bay Region is known for its vibrancy. Regardless of what sings to your soul, you can be sure you will find something right here in your own backyard.

Since we find ourselves in either lock down or on the front lines, art and culture in our region and around the globe has the power to unite us and to bring a little joy. And, you do not have far to look to be in awe at the creativity and collaboration that is happening. Theatre, music, painting, literature, festivals, and all other forms of art that illuminate our inner lives and enrich our emotional world are just a click away! In addition to the Facebook live events that are bringing art to you, below are some links that can take you to where your soul can grow.

0 Comments Click here to read/write comments

Topics: Great Lakes Bay Region, arts and culture

5 Ways to Boost Your Immunity During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Posted by Bethany Dutcher, VP Marketing on Apr 15, 2020 9:31:55 AM

1. Reduce stress

Stress hormones strain the immune system so it can’t do its best at protecting us from those nasty bacteria, says Dr. Tammy Born of the Born Clinic, Grand Rapids, Mich. Reduce the amount of stress in your life by practicing mindfulness, keeping in touch with friends and family through virtual means while social gatherings are restricted and by checking the news less often while the pandemic rages.

2. Get enough shut-eye

Adequate sleep helps keep your immune system strong and proficient at fighting off illness, according to WebMD. Aim for 7-9 hours a night to give your body the best fighting chance against foreign invaders.

0 Comments Click here to read/write comments

Topics: Stay Home, Stay Safe Order, immunity

How to Use Your Stimulus Check

Posted by GreenPath Financial Wellness on Apr 3, 2020 11:46:58 AM

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had a financial impact on millions of Americans. Thankfully, some relief is on the way.

Lawmakers recently passed a stimulus package to combat the economic impact of COVID-19. As part of the bill, people are expected to receive payments of up to $1,200 for each adult and $500 for every child.

If you are expecting a stimulus check, you may be unsure how to best use the money you receive. This will depend on your unique situation. But in general, here are five areas to prioritize:

#1: Start with the essentials

Prioritize your essentials (the stuff you can’t live without) first: things like medication,

food, utilities, and housing. Taking care of your immediate needs so you can stay

healthy is crucial!

Once you’ve taken care of yourself and your family’s immediate needs, you can

look at other areas to allocate the money.

#2: Emergency Savings

Consider putting at least part of the money toward emergency savings, whether it’s

an existing emergency fund or one you’re starting from scratch. Setting aside as

much as you can and knowing it’s available if you need it can provide you with peace

of mind.

0 Comments Click here to read/write comments

Fun Activities to do with Your Kids at Home

Posted by Melissa Pashak, Marketing Specialist on Mar 25, 2020 11:23:31 AM

It isn’t easy to be holed up at home with just your family for company. After just a few days, you may be thinking there isn’t enough coffee or chocolate in this world for a parent who’s stuck home with their kids for weeks at a time. As the parent, though, you have the unique opportunity to set the tone in your home and decide if these weeks will be a nightmare for everyone, or filled with precious memory-making and family-bonding activities.

0 Comments Click here to read/write comments

Topics: family, diy, everything is figureoutable, coronavirus COVID-19, staying healthy

5 Things to Do if Your Income is Interrupted

Posted by GreenPath Financial Wellness on Mar 24, 2020 11:10:58 AM

As COVID-19 spreads in the U.S., people all over the country are beginning to feel its financial ripple effect. For the first time since the 1960s, people potentially exposed to the coronavirus are being asked to quarantine themselves. Businesses, schools, childcare centers and other institutions are taking steps such as closing offices or transitioning to remote work to protect the health and safety of their employees and communities.

For most of us, and especially for the 32 million workers who do not have paid sick time, the idea of missing work because of an illness or a shutdown is financially daunting. What do you do if you are suddenly and unexpectedly unable to work and you have no income? These five steps will help you stay as financially healthy as possible if you experience an interruption or loss of income.

5 Things to Do If Your Income Is Interrupted

#1 — Assess Your Budget and Prioritize Your Expenses

You will want to know as much as you can about your budget and expenses. If you don’t have a budget, you can start planning for your monthly expenses by using this worksheet.

Identify and total up all income sources and assets such as savings that may be able to get you through until you can resume working or replace your income. Review your living expenses and eliminate the things you can live without. Reduce expenses in the “essentials” category as much as you can.

You may be able to save money by doing things like planning your meals to save money at the grocery store, or reducing your electric bill by cutting energy usage

You may also be able to save money on your debt by finding options to lower interest rates or reduce monthly payments

If you are feeling stressed by debt, exploring options such as debt management plans or working with a credit counselor could help you reduce monthly payments and reduce the overall cost of your debt

If you are concerned about the financial impact of an income loss and you are currently working, get ahead as much as you can by building up your emergency savings.

0 Comments Click here to read/write comments

Topics: income

COVID-19 Scams

Posted by Tiffany Watkins, VP Risk Management & Compliance on Mar 18, 2020 9:16:34 AM

Scammers and fraudsters are leveraging our fears over COVID-19 and looking for yet another opportunity to scam consumers and financial institutions. Remain diligent when receiving and responding to emails, text messages, and social media posts during this time. These bad actors prey on our emotions so be careful! As we are a giving community, please consider reaching out to family and friends for the names of reputable organizations to donate to.

0 Comments Click here to read/write comments

Topics: coronavirus COVID-19, scams

5 Tips to Stay Healthy

Posted by Bethany Dutcher, VP Marketing on Mar 17, 2020 9:03:13 AM

At Jolt Credit Union, your wellness and financial well-being are our top priority as we face the rapidly evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Here are five additional ways to help you stay healthy and avoid spreading germs.

Use Mobile Pay instead of cash
Cash can be touched by hundreds of people in a matter of hours and germs can linger on surfaces for days.
Pay at the pump.
You can avoid being close to people and other contacts. Use a Clorox wipe to disinfect the pump handle and make sure to wash your hands afterward.
Set up automatic bill payments.
Many people go to the store to pay their store credit cards or stop by the post office to mail their bills. By using online bill pay to make your payments, you can avoid the crowds and have a better chance of staying healthy Bonus: You will save time each month paying this bill once it is set up and you won’t be tempted to make purchases when you are in the store, giving your budget a little boost.

0 Comments Click here to read/write comments

Topics: coronavirus COVID-19, staying healthy

Why More People Are Opting to Watch the Big Game at Home

Posted by Bethany Dutcher, VP Marketing on Jan 31, 2020 9:52:18 AM

It’s time to decide where to watch the BIG game. While going to a sports bar has appeal, more people are choosing to stay home. In cities with NFL teams, as well as in cities without NFL teams, it’s been reported that Sunday sports bar foot traffic dropped by double digits.
Why the move from sports bars?

Increasingly, people are choosing to stay at home rather than going to their favorite spots to watch their games. The proliferation of options for online watching is at least one way to explain this trend.

Lots of fans, however, say it it just too expensive to hang out in a sports bar. The food tends to be costly and not worth the high price tag. Also, more people are trying to eat healthier food, a goal that’s easier to achieve at home.

0 Comments Click here to read/write comments

Topics: Super Bowl

Jolt's Book Review: Everything is Figureoutable

Posted by Bethany Dutcher, VP Marketing on Jan 22, 2020 1:11:52 PM

Dreaming up big goals is easy; it’s finding a way to achieve them that can sometimes feel impossible. Maybe you decided this is the year you double your contributions to your retirement account or finally pull yourself out of debt. Whatever your big dreams may be, Marie Forleo’s new book Everything is Figureoutable will show you how to make them happen.

Forleo describes her mom as a woman with the tenacity of a bulldog and the language of a truck driver. The author’s chief philosophy, and the primary principle of her book, is centered on the wise words her mom shared with her, “Nothing in life is that complicated. You can do whatever you set your mind to if you just roll up your sleeves, get in there, and do it. Everything is figureoutable.”

0 Comments Click here to read/write comments

Topics: book review, everything is figureoutable

11 Ways to Scale Back on Food Costs

Posted by Bethany Dutcher, VP Marketing on Jan 17, 2020 8:59:33 AM

1. Never shop before making a detailed menu for the week.
2. Use coupons whenever possible.
3. Cook with seasonal produce.
4. Use the generic brands for cleansers, shampoos and detergents instead of brand-name products.

0 Comments Click here to read/write comments

Topics: shopping on a budget, saving money, money mistakes, bargains, budget meal