The Bottom Line
Small business is important to Central Oregon, and to Mid Oregon. Find tips and resources for business, and information about Mid Oregon’s commercial services and business members.
You Can Make a Difference with School Supplies
You Can Make a Difference with School Supplies and help local kids off to a great start!
Mid Oregon Credit Union knows our members, and you, want every Central Oregon kid to get the start he or she needs to succeed in school. As a homegrown credit union founded right here in Central Oregon by local educators, we’re once again partnering with the Family Access Network and Central Oregon public school districts to collect and distribute school supplies with the Supplies 4 Schools program.
See a video about the Family Access Network (FAN) and Mid Oregon School Supply collaboration
Supplies 4 Schools Provides a Way for You to Help
Many kids in our community show up for school without the basic tools and supplies to be successful in class. To respond to that need, Mid Oregon created Supplies 4 Schools where collected supplies reach students through the Family Access Network and schools. For the past many years our members have always come through with overwhelming support for the program! In fact, the Family Access Network was able to provide more than 3,200 children with school supplies in 2015 as a result of Supplies 4 Schools and other community efforts.
Donation bins will be at your local Mid Oregon Credit Union branch anytime during the month of August. Just bring new, packaged school supplies, or you can also make a cash donation, which will be used to its fullest potential to make sure those backpacks are full come September!
Donations Stay in Your Community
When you support Supplies 4 Schools, your donations go to help the kids in your area. The Family Access Network works in schools in Deschutes and Crook County, in Jefferson County the donations go straight to your local schools for distribution. Supplies collected in our newer La Pine and Sisters branches will stay in those areas, too.
What’s Needed?
Here’s a quick list of the items that are most needed. When you’re out shopping at local retailers, be sure to grab a couple of these items on sale. Thanks for your support of this wonderful effort to help local kids!
High school back packs
Elementary school back packs
Ear buds
Basic & scientific calculators
Composition books
2″ and 3″ binders
Five-tab dividers
Other needed supplies:
College ruled paper
Calculators
1” and 2” three ring binders
Pocket folders
Colored pencils
Color markers (thick and thin)
Highlighters
Alarm clocks
Dry erase markers/pens
Compasses and protractors
Rulers
Glue and glue sticks
Tissue boxes
Remember, your cash donations are appreciated and will be applied to the supplies needed most. For more information about Supplies 4 Schools, please call 541-382-1795, or send an email to beheard@midoregon.com.
Credit Blues? Things You Can Do To Improve!
What can you do to improve your score?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), referencing credit blues, on their Consumer Information webpage on “Credit Scores”, provides this informative recap:
Credit scoring systems are complex and vary among creditors or insurance companies and for different types of credit or insurance. If one factor changes, your score may change — but improvement generally depends on how that factor relates to others the system considers. Only the business using the system knows what might improve your score under the particular model they use to evaluate your application.
FTC Credit Report & Credit Score Information
Nevertheless, scoring models usually consider the following types of information in your credit report to help compute your credit score:
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Have you paid your bills on time?
You can count on payment history to be a significant factor. If your credit report indicates that you have paid bills late, had an account referred to collections, or declared bankruptcy, it is likely to affect your score negatively.
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Are you maxed out?
Many scoring systems evaluate the amount of debt you have compared to your credit limits. If the amount you owe is close to your credit limit, it’s likely to have a negative effect on your score.
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How long have you had credit?
Generally, scoring systems consider your credit track record. An insufficient credit history may affect your score negatively, but factors like timely payments and low balances can offset that.
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Have you applied for new credit lately?
Many scoring systems consider whether you have applied for credit recently by looking at “inquiries” on your credit report. If you have applied for too many new accounts recently, it could have a negative effect on your score. Every inquiry isn’t counted: for example, inquiries by creditors who are monitoring your account or looking at credit reports to make “prescreened” credit offers are not considered liabilities.
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How many credit accounts do you have and what kinds of accounts are they?
Although it is generally considered a plus to have established credit accounts, too many credit card accounts may have a negative effect on your score. In addition, many scoring systems consider the type of credit accounts you have. For example, under some scoring models, loans from finance companies may have a negative effect on your credit score.
Scoring models may be based on more than the information in your credit report. When you are applying for a mortgage loan, for example, the system may consider the amount of your down payment, your total debt, and your income, among other things.
Here are the first 4 of 10 things you can do to improve your credit score.
- Pay your bills on time. If you have a history of paying your bills on time, you’ll have an easier time getting a mortgage loan, car loan, or credit cards. Even if you’ve had serious delinquencies in the past, a recent history (24 months) of on-time payments carries weight in credit decisions. Paying bills on time is easier if you use eBillPay to schedule known bill payments in advance.
- Keep credit card balances low. High outstanding debt can pull your score down.
- Check your credit report for accuracy. Inaccurate information on your credit report can be cleared up easily. Always contact the original creditor and the credit bureaus whenever you clear up an error so that the inaccurate information won’t reappear later.
- Pay down debt. Consolidating your credit card debt or spreading it over multiple cards will not improve your score in the long run. Improve your credit by slowly paying down the amount you owe us the most effective way.
These ideas won’t create a dramatic improvement in your credit score overnight, but over time, they will. Remember, it takes time to develop a strong profile. Once you’ve done it, you’ll find it easier to apply for credit and favorable interest rates.
Talk to us to find potential tips and solutions. We are only a short trip (visit one of our 7 Central Oregon branches), a quick email or a short phone call away.((541) 382-1795).
The rest of the things you can do to improve your credit score will be out soon. Watch out for it on our blog!
9 Cheap, Fun Things to Do in the Summer (Part 2)
If your budget says a big summer vacation is out of the question and our first five suggestions didn’t hit the spot, here are four more inexpensive options for immersive summer fun.
6. Plan a summer blowout
You’re likely not the only one looking for something to do, so why not throw a party? It could be as simple as a dinner party, or as raucous as a block party that you organize with your neighbors. Breakout the barbecue, the Slip ‘N Slide, and rent an outdoor projector for a movie night.
7. Treat your community like a vacation destination
Pretend you’re visiting your town for the first time. In Central Oregon, we know many thousands come here every year to vacation, but often are set in our habits and ways. Ask your friends on Facebook for their favorite restaurants, places to visit, and hidden gems. Call the library for local guide books and contact the chamber of commerce or tourism department for recommendations. Then plan a week of activities. You might see where you live in a whole new light.
8. Binge watch something
With temperatures in many places reaching all-time, plastic-melting highs, maybe you just want to stay indoors. A Netflix account is just $9 a month and HBO Now is $15. Watch every season of that show everyone is always talking about. If you want it to feel like more of an accomplishment, work your way through one of those lists of “the greatest movies of all time.” The new classic movie and art-house streaming service FilmStruck starts at $6.99 a month.
9. Join a summer reading program
Want to avoid screens? Join an adult summer reading program—most public libraries offer one—or join a book club. Visit our Central Oregon Library websites for details: Deschutes Public Library, Crook County Library, Jefferson County Library, Klamath County/Gilchrist, Fossil Public Library and Lake County/Christmas Valley. Like to do things solo? Google “summer reading challenge.” There are lots of creative lists to work through. The New York Public Library posts a popular summer reading list every year.
Still not enough to do? Pick up a copy of one of our local event calendars or visit one of our communities’ chambers of commerce or visitor centers. And have fun!