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.
Tips for Parents on Raising Privacy-Savvy Kids
In today’s world, digitally connected families must think about safety and security both online and offline. Every child is taught basic safety and security, like not talking to strangers and looking both ways before crossing the street. Raising privacy-savvy kids and teaching young people easy-to-learn life lessons for online safety and privacy begins with parents leading the way.
The first step is to teach children how to STOP. THINK. CONNECT.: take safety measures, think about the consequences of your actions and connect knowing you have taken steps to safeguard yourself and your family when online.
Share with Care- What you Post Can Last a Lifetime:
Help your children understand that any information they share online can easily be copied and is almost impossible to take back. Teach them to consider who might see a post and how it might be perceived in the future.
Personal Information is Like Money. Value It. Protect It:
Information about your kids, such as the games they like to play and what they search for online, has value ‒ just like money. Talk to your kids about the value of their information and how to be selective with the information they provide to apps and websites.
Post Only About Others as You Would Like to Have Them Post About You:
Remind children and family members about the golden rule and that it applies online as well. What they do online can positively or negatively impact other people.
Own Your Online Presence:
Start the conversation about the public nature of the Internet early. Learn about and teach your kids how to use privacy and security settings on their favorite online games, apps and platforms.
Remain Positively Engaged:
Pay attention to and know the online environments your children use. In the real world, there are good and bad neighborhoods, and the online world is no different. Help them to identify safe and trusted websites and apps. Encourage them to be cautious about clicking on, downloading, posting and uploading content.
Stay Current. Keep Pace With New Ways to Stay Safe Online:
Keep up with new technology and ways to manage privacy. Visit staysafeonline.org or other trusted websites for the latest information about ways to stay safe online. Talk about what you discovered with your family, and engage them on a regular basis to share what they know about privacy.
Created by the National Cyber Security Alliance
Made possible in whole by a grant from the Digital Trust Foundation.
STOPTHINKCONNECT.ORG
https://staysafeonline.org/about-us/overview/
Visit the Mid Oregon Credit Union Security & Fraud Center, for more information and tips.
The Payday Lending Trap
You’re in a financial bind and need some quick cash. You’ve seen payday loan stores all over town and think “Maybe I should try that…”
The Payday Lending Trap
Don’t fall into that trap! Getting a loan with a payday lender could send you down a deep hole that may take years to get out of.
Here’s how payday lenders catch and hold consumers:
To receive cash, you write a check to them for the amount plus the finance charge, which the lender will cash the next time you get a paycheck. They’ll tell you finance charges range from $15 to $50 per $100, but won’t tell you exactly what the interest rate (or APR) will be. Interest rates can run from 390 to 780%, and if your state does not cap the maximum cost, the rates can be even higher!
Running the Math
Here’s the math to figure out what you’d end up paying by borrowing $400 from a payday lending store. There’s a finance charge of $50 and a 14-day term:
• Divide the finance charge by the amount you’re borrowing. $50/$400 = .125.
• Multiply the answer by the number of days in a year. .125 x 365 = 45.625.
• Divide the answer by the number of days in the term. 45.625/ 14 = 3.2589.
• Move the decimal point to the right two places. This is your APR. 325.89%
At the end of your 14-day term, you have to pay them $450. But if you can’t pay it off entirely, you’ll have to roll the balance over, pay another $50 fee, as well as interest charges. At the end of your second term, your balance is almost $600, and if you can’t pay that off entirely, you roll it over again. See how quickly your $400 loan can cost you thousands of dollars?
Alternatives?
So what are some alternatives?
* Ask your employer for an advance on your next paycheck.
* Consider asking family members or friends for a short-term loan.
* If you were a military servicemember, you may be eligible for short-term lending or emergency relief assistance. Contact Military OneSource at 800-342-9647, or visit www.militaryonesource.mil for information.
* A personal loan through Mid Oregon Credit Union. We offer loans with low, interest rates, flexible repayment term lengths and no application fees.
* Open a low-cost or no-cost, low-interest credit card through Mid Oregon Credit Union and use it only for emergencies. No fee is charged by the credit union for cash advances, and there is no balance transfer fee.
No one wants to find themselves in a financial emergency, but there are much better options than turning to a payday lender. To find out more about payday lending and learn about safer ways to get quick cash, visit the Consumer Federation of America webpage www.paydayloaninfo.org/consumer-help.
If you’d like help getting control of your spending, see us at Mid Oregon. We’re committed to helping our members gain financial well-being and offer one-on-one financial advise as well as additional resources to help you get control of your finances. Contact us through through email, phone ((541) 382-1795) or visit one of our seven branches for more information.
9 Ways to Save on Back-to-School Shopping
School starts in some Central Oregon school districts very soon. During August, Mid Oregon Credit Union hosts a supply drive called “Supplies 4 Schools“, in all 7 of our branches. Supplies are distributed through FAN in Deschutes and Crook Counties, and to the schools in Jefferson County, Mid Oregon members have always been very generous helping kids be ready for school.
Perhaps you are able to afford to buy supplies for your children, but savings money is still important. Getting kids ready for school is a major expense. According to the National Retail Federation, the average American household spends $688 on back-to-school shopping — 64% of it is spent on clothing and electronics.
9 Ways to Save on Back-to-School Shopping
Here are a 9 ways to save this fall and throughout the year. At the bottom of this post are links to Central Oregon school districts’ recommended supply lists.
1. Create a checklist of items and stick to it.
Before you begin shopping, empty your kids’ backpacks to see what was left over from the previous year. Mark them off your checklist and then buy only the items still remaining.
2. Consider shopping without the kids.
They’re more likely to fall for the strategically placed items stores want you to buy. Backpacks and notepads with your kids’ favorite superhero or Disney character can be 30% or more expensive than generic kinds. If your children insist they need Dory backpacks, buy stickers and have them decorate their less expensive gear themselves.
3. Comparison shop online before going into stores.
You’ll save on time and gas money.
4. Give your kids a clothing budget and a list of necessities.
You decide what items they must have, then with the remainder of the budgeted money, let them choose what they want.
5. Set up e-mail alerts for sales.
Websites like Dealnews.com, Bensbargains.com, and thekrazycouponlady.com will let you know when coupons or great deals are available for specific items.
6. Buy school supplies in bulk.
Although you’ll have a large initial expense, in the long run the supplies will be cheaper and you’ll have them on hand for several months.
7. Follow your favorite stores and brands on social media.
You’ll be one of the first to find out when they’re offering deals and special promotions.
8. Go to Garage and Yard sales for clothing.
Websites like Garagesalestracker.com, yardsalesearch.com, and Craigslist.org are great online resources for finding bargains in your area.
9. Wait until late August or September to buy your school supplies.
That’s when the prices drop significantly. You can even buy for the following year.
Central Oregon School District Recommended Supplies:
Some districts and schools have not yet published lists of school supplies needed. Read this post for the FAN recommended school supplies most needed. Check their websites for more details.
- Bend-La Pine School District
- Black Butte School District
- Culver School District.
- Crook County School District
- Fossil School District
- Gilchrist School (Klamath County School District)
- Jefferson County School District (School Supply List)
- Mitchell School District
- North Lake School District
- Redmond School District– Including Redmond Proficiency Academy (School Supply List Page)
- Sisters School District (Back to School Information Page)
- Spray School District (School Supply List)