Eagle Eyes on Finances

Welcome to our new POECU blog! We’ve got insights, tips, impactful member stories, how- to’s, motivational moments & more.

How do you Credit Union? During tax season, I procrastinate and then I treat myself! (3/27/26)

(by Jody Brooks, 3/27/26)

Did you complete your taxes yet, or are you a procrastinator just like me? Fellow procrastinators, we are in pretty good company. According to the IRS, approximately 18-25% wait until April 1st to file (with another 1 in 5 of those waiting until the final day!). Even though we can’t actually do your taxes for you, we can take a little bit of the sting out of it for you with a special 20% discount with Turbo Tax. As a smart, savvy POECU Member, you automatically are a member of the “Love My Credit Union Rewards Program”. https://rewards.lovemycreditunion.org/ Get your Turbo Tax discount, and see what other discounts are available to you.

If you filed earlier in the year, kudos to you! If you got a refund, is it burning a hole in your pocket? You’re probably thinking that I’m going to tell you to use it to pay off debt or something totally un-fun like that, right? Well, then prepare to be surprised. Yes, of course, paying off debt and saving for the future are important, but so is treating yourself well and investing in your happiness. You’re not going to find many financial blogs that tell you that. If you’re sitting on big credit card debt with a higher interest rate than you’re comfortable with, then sure go ahead and pay down some of it, because in the big picture of life, it is going to keep more money in your pocket. But let’s be real for a moment, that extra savings on interest is not going to turn into a satisfying amount of cash right now…in the moment.

That’s why you should carve out some of it for something FUN first. Pick something that gives you happiness and fills your soul. Give yourself up to 25% and treat yourself! Whether it’s a vacation getaway, a refreshing spa day, tickets to a special sporting event or concert, the latest tech gadget or that designer handbag that you’ve passed in the store window for months. It’s ok to do it and treat yourself a little. You deserve it!

How do you Credit Union? I Reset It! (2/4/26)

(by Jody Brooks, 2/4/26)

If you’re anything like me, you just looked at the calendar and said, “Wait a second, does that say February?” Seriously, didn’t we just pop the champagne on New Year’s eve? Didn’t I just make my New Year’s resolution? I made it, already forgot it and left it behind in January. So, it may be too late to call it a New Year’s resolution, but it’s still early enough in the year to re-set my finances or at least freshen them up a little bit by taking stock of a few things.

Take a look at your checking and savings account balances. Seriously, take a look at a statement. Once upon a time, I used to balance all the way down to the penny but I haven’t done that in ages. Try this. Think about your account(s) and jot down a best guess of your current balance. Then look at your statement. (if you haven’t yet opted into estatements, you’ll have to do this the hard way and hunt for your envelope). Soooo, how close were you? If you’re surprised, I hope it was a pleasant surprise. If not, you have some work to do to re-set your finances but we can help with that.

Sometimes it’s a simple as reviewing those debit card purchases to see your spending patterns. Did you find recurring charges or app subscriptions you don’t even use? Cutting that cord isn’t painful. You didn’t even remember it so you’re not going to use it. You might be shocked at how much those quick stops for those on-the-go coffees, lunches, and snacks add up! Set a realistic savings goal. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy. Start with $10 per week. When it’s time to pop the cork on the champagne next New Year’s eve, you’ll have an extra $520 in your savings! Pretty cool, right?

If the DIY method doesn’t get you where you need to be, we got you. Come see us and we’ll sit with you and complete a FREE Financial Wellness Review to guide you though your Financial Re-Set. If re-setting calls for consolidating, we can put your debt on a diet to trim the fat. Oh hey, we just came full circle on that whole New Year’s Resolution Diet thing, didn’t we?

Can credit union be used as a verb? Absolutely! (1/21/26)

(by Jody Brooks, 1/21/26)

If someone were to say, “I’m going to the credit union”, they’re talking about a place. They’re using it as a noun; a place to compete financial transactions in person. While that is true, it’s not quite complete. There’s so much more to it than that. When people ask me, “Jody, where do you do your banking?”, my answer is “nowhere” because you see, I don’t bank, I credit union. If they ask, “How do you bank?” Again I say “I credit union”. Sure, it sounds a bit unusual and it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but it’s accurate and there’s no reason not to say it. A credit union is a place, but how you credit union is HOW YOU LIVE. We just need to re-define the word and change the narrative and POECU is up for the task.

So, how do I credit union? I OWN it (I’m more than just a customer), I DRIVE it (I see a new car in my immediate future), I ENJOY it (They’re the reason I can ride in my Mardi Gras krewe and throw all the good stuff!), and I RENOVATE it. (insurance only went so far when mother nature did a number on my house). And I’m not done because I’m still LIVING life and that means, I’m still credit unioning. So say it with me, “I credit union.” Maybe it will be next year’s pick for the new word added into the Mirriam-Webster’s dictionary. If six-seven made it in there, we should be a shoe in, right? You just watch, we’re starting something big over here!