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.
Choosing a College That’s Right for You
College. For most teenagers, it is the biggest decision of their lives. Choosing a college to attend is a process often riddled with stress, confusion, or both.
Choosing a College Can Be Fun
Mitch Warren, director of the Office of Admissions at Purdue University, understands why students worry, but he believes choosing a college doesn’t have to be traumatic. “It should be about finding the best place that matches your academic goals, needs, and desires,” he says. “This can be an incredibly fun process.”
Yet, choosing a college based on rankings is easy. Amorphous, subjective “fit” is a target that’s hard to identify let alone hit.
Many Different Colleges Can Work
Christine Groves Cheney, a college admissions consultant in Washington, D.C., has worked with many families buckling under the pressure to identify that single best school. She, like Warren, tries to change their mindset.
“The college admissions process has become unduly stressful for students and families. It does not have to be,” Cheney says. “There is a college for every student. And most students would be happy at many different colleges.”
Where To Find Options
Even without the pressure to get into the school, students still have to choose a school. College admissions consultant Valerie Blair likes Collegexpress.com, a site with lists, articles, and search capabilities for colleges, grad schools, and scholarships. The College Board is another popular option for prospective students.
Teens today can research and apply to colleges entirely online. Many colleges and universities have dedicated Facebook pages for prospective students and another for their parents. However, most advisers still recommend visiting several campuses in person before making a final decision.
That can seem like a lot of travel if you save it all for senior year.
Visiting Different Schools
Charlotte Romero, who has one son in college and one headed there, says her family incorporated informal college visits into vacations. It was a good way to get familiar with different kinds of campuses, and the exposure helped her sons narrow their options when the time came. Blair also recommends visiting local schools, even if they aren’t on the short list, to help students decide if that’s the kind of atmosphere they would like even if it’s not exactly the school they want to attend.
Central Oregon has two great colleges close at hand:
Central Oregon Community College (COCC) | Facebook page
Oregon State University Cascades Campus (OSU Cascades) | Facebook Page
Enjoy this special time in your kids’ lives and let Mid Oregon Credit Union help. Stop by or call today at (541) 382-1795 to find out more about our accounts for students, vast ATM network, and digital financial tools.
Free Family Saturdays at the High Desert Museum-2015
Free admission to the High Desert Museum, courtesy of Mid Oregon Credit Union, is scheduled for two Saturdays, January 24 and February 21, 2015. The “Free Family Saturday” complimentary admission program supports the educational mission of Mid Oregon Credit Union by providing the community with the opportunity to explore wildlife and living history right in Central Oregon’s backyard. The museum is located five minutes south from Bend on Highway 97. The Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including the Rimrock Café and Silver Sage Trading Store.
“Every year we look forward to meeting and greeting all the families who come out for the Free Family Saturdays at the High Desert Museum,” said Kyle Frick, Mid Oregon Credit Union VP of Marketing and Community Relations. “No matter what the weather, we see young and old alike who are smiling, energized, and ready to enjoy this amazing Central Oregon resource!”
NOTE: Parking is limited – a free shuttle is offered from the Morning Star Christian School parking lot to the Museum and back all day. Children requiring car seats are not allowed to ride the shuttle.
For more information about exhibits, wildlife encounters, living history performances, music, and tours, visit the Museum’s website at www.highdesertmuseum.org.
Keep Financial Resolutions This Year.
Bust the Mid-Winter Blues and Keep Financial Resolutions This Year.
I always spend part of the last day of the year trying to come up with a great New Year’s resolution. While I know most of them won’t be kept for a full 12 months, I like to state some kind of goal for myself. If nothing else, it makes me sit and think about my life for a few minutes. But making them doesn’t necessarily mean I will keep financial resolutions this year.
One of my favorite resolutions was one I made a few years ago to get in touch with old friends. This was a fun one and I probably contacted about five close friends I hadn’t talked to in years. It made me feel good and it was great hearing about their lives, jobs, kids, etc… I can’t say I’m still in touch, but I did what I set out to.
Changed Last Year
Last year, I decided, after a few financial hiccups, to really and truly get my finances in order. I started by laying out a budget for myself and signing up with Mint. This is a great, free online tool that tracks all your spending automatically so you can see exactly where your money goes. It was a real eye-opener and very helpful.
I learned a lot about better ways to manage my money, which had far-reaching effects: less stress, fewer calories consumed (I didn’t eat out as much), a great vacation, bigger savings and retirement accounts, and a less cluttered closet. All items in the WIN column.
Tips For a Great Next Year
I’d like to share a few valuable tips with you to help make 2015 a great financial year for you.
Get started:
- Write down everything you spend during a 1-week time period – everything. This will let you see exactly where your money is going.
- Cut the frequency at which you dine out in half – stay home and enjoy a simple home-cooked meal.
- Put your credit cards on ice in the freezer – it will force you to use cash to pay for things meaning you can only buy what you can afford.
Get serious:
- Transfer all your credit card balances to one card with the lowest interest rate.
- Stop going to the ATM every day – small withdrawals can add up fast.
- Shop around for the best home and car insurance deals – your plans should be reviewed every 6 – 12 months. Consider raising your deductibles to reduce your annual payment.
- Refinance your mortgage if there’s a lower interest rate available. Consider a 15- year instead of a 30. This can save you thousands over the life of your loan.
Get physical:
- Ride your bike or walk to save gas money.
- Cut your own grass and wash and iron your own shirts.
- Exercise at home or outside to save money on a gym membership.
Get creative:
- Plan meals ahead of time so you can shop once and use what you buy more efficiently.
- Clip coupons and use them! This is serious business and can save you hundreds of dollars each year.
- Stop buying donuts or coffee on the way to work, a candy bar at 2:00, drinks after work. Bring breakfast bars, make coffee at home or carry snacks with you to prevent unnecessary spending.
These are lots of ways to cut corners, trim budgets, shave interest rates and pinch pennies. Look for things that you can really live with so you’ll stick with them for 12 months, not just 12 days.
Need some help getting started? Check with Mid Oregon Credit Union for free financial workshops on the topics you need. Mid Oregon’s Financial Services Representatives can also offer suggestions to members on ways to trim your financial costs. Mid Oregon has affordable options on credit cards, mortgages and other financial products you use, including in-house insurance options from Cascade Insurance Center. Check midoregon.com or visit a branch for more details.