FoxEd Newsletter - October 2022

FoxEd Newsletter October - December 2022 Cold, calculated savings: Items to buy in winter With the holidays fast approaching, it’s easy to get bombarded with suggestions for items to buy. But what about items to buy AFTER the holidays? If you can wait a few weeks, you could land yourself some outrageous deals.

• Jewelry The period between December and Valentine’s Day is slow for the bling business. In fact, if you are planning on buying your significant other some adornment for Valentine’s Day, the prices in early January could be drastically different from what they will be a month later.

• Two wheels and a seat In cold weather parts of the country, folks don’t think of winter as the best time to ride with the wind in their face. As a result, they tend to not buy their new wheels then. Retailers know this and try to sell motorcycles and bicycles after the holidays.

• Phones and cameras Electronic trade shows happen in January and February, which means new models of some high-priced electronics are unveiled. If you can wait until after these shows are over, you can get a perfectly fine “old” model for a great bargain.

• Things for next winter Whether it’s holiday decorations or winter clothes, a “stock-up and stash” approach could save you a bundle after the holidays. Just be sure you have the room to stash and avoid paying for storage elsewhere.

• Video games Games have become a hugely popular holiday gift request for people of all ages. Retailers know this and hike up the prices. After the holidays, a lot of the price inflation levels out and the costs come down to perhaps the lowest level of the year.

• Big ticket items You can strike a good deal during these cold months if you are planning on buying a vehicle or if you are house hunting.

Financial education in schools According to a recent CNBC report, about 25% of high schoolers who graduate this year will have received a financial education course. This shift is due to states finally pushing bills that mandate financial education courses. In 2018, just 16% of graduating high schoolers had taken a financial education course. They say that by 2026, about 32% of graduating high schoolers will have taken a financial education course. That’s something to celebrate! The same report estimated that by 2030, that percentage should hit 100%.

We offer Educator Resources for those who want to bring financial education to learners of all ages. Guest speakers, classroom volunteers, and lesson plan resources are available. Visit foxcu.org/classroom-presentations for more information.

Financial education tips are provided by SavvyMoney. Services offered through SavvyMoney are separate and distinct from any business conducted with Fox Communities Credit Union and are not guaranteed by or obligations of the Credit Union. For more information visit foxcu.org/savvymoney

Free financial education resources

Whether you’re interested in creating a workable spending and savings plan, getting out of debt, or knowing your credit report, BALANCE can help.

• Pick up free money management information at any of our locations.

• View the BALANCE website by going to foxcu.org/balance-financial-fitness and tapping“Visit Balance Website.”

• Receive free budget/debt counseling by calling BALANCE at 888-456-2227.

You’re just a click away from a powerful resource for getting a handle on your debt.

With SavvyMoney Checkup, you will learn how to pay down debt, create a personalized budget, monitor your spending, and more.

Visit foxcu.org/savvymoney.

M3 Money Club features information and resources for children 12 and under. Train to be financially knowledgeable with games, podcasts, comics, and more.

Elements of Money helps teens make smart financial decisions on things like jobs, saving for college, and more.

Visit foxcu.org/youth-financial-literacy.

Fox Communities Credit Union (Fox) is not an affiliate of BALANCE, SavvyMoney, M3 Money Club, or Elements of Money. Third-party sites are not operated or under the control of Fox. Fox is not responsible for the content and does not represent those who enter into a transaction.

Fox deposit products are

Federally Insured by NCUA.

Ways for renters to reduce energy bills Owning a home means you can make all sorts of changes that will save you money on energy bills. Unfortunately, people who rent their homes don’t have that option. However, there are smaller money-saving measures that can reduce the cost of energy. Here are some proven ways to save energy (and money) as a renter.

• Upgrade your lighting Replacing standard bulbs with LED is the simplest and easiest way to reduce energy usage.

• Use the dishwasher, if you have one It may be counterintuitive, but newer dishwashers use less water than hand washing. So, if your dishwasher is relatively new, automatic washing could save you money (as long as you wait for the unit to be full).

• Wash you clothes in cold water If your clothes aren’t deeply stained, you can probably get the job done on the cold setting instead of warm or hot.

• Set the thermostat for maximum savings If you cannot convince your landlord to install a programmable thermostat, it’s still possible to make the most of the one you have. Setting the thermostat to a lower temperature in winter and a higher one in summer could save a ton on utility bills.

• Seal your leaking windows Your landlord may not want to install new windows, but that doesn’t stop you from sealing the existing ones. This simple upgrade requires only the most basic tools and supplies. Weatherstripping, caulk, and spray foam can seal the small leaks.

• Unplug unused devices/appliances Appliances and devices are using energy even when they are not in use.

Unplugging them could save you a lot of money and plugging them back in only takes a few seconds.

• Install a low-flow showerhead Replacing an old showerhead with a more efficient model takes only a few minutes, and the energy and water savings could be significant. Just make sure you keep the old showerhead to swap it back on moving day.

• Look for water leaks and other issues Even a tiny leak could send your water bills through the rented roof, so do a leak check and call the landlord.

Free financial education webinars and radio shows The goal of our webinars and radio shows is to help you build a stronger financial future for you and your family.

• Adjust the temp on the water heater You may not own the water heater, but you can still adjust the temperature.

Setting the water heater to a lower temperature could significantly reduce utility bills without impacting your comfort.

Please visit foxcu.org/calendar for a full listing of upcoming sessions. Registration is required for webinars.

• Talk to your landlord Your landlord may not be as reluctant as you think to embrace energy-saving upgrades. Those upgrades could increase the property's value and that will be a win for everyone.

Federally Insured by the NCUA.

Financial education tips are provided by BALANCE. Services offered through BALANCE are separate and distinct from any business conducted with Fox Communities Credit Union and are not guaranteed by or obligations of the Credit Union. For more information visit foxcu.org/balance-financial-fitness.

Find Us: foxcu.org/locations

from

Watch Us: vimeo.com/foxcu

Call Us: 920-993-9000

Financial education webinars are provided by BALANCE. Services offered through BALANCE are separate and distinct from any business conducted with Fox Communities Credit Union (Fox) and are not guaranteed by or obligations of the Credit Union. Radio shows are brought to you by Fox and are intended for educational purposes only and does not replace independent professional advice. Statements and opinions are those of the presenter individually. Fox Communities Credit Union deposit products are