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.
The Duck Race Goes On!
COVID-19 and State of Oregon distancing rules have limited or postponed many worthy fundraisers this year. With limits to large crowds, it may have meant there would be no Great Drake Park Duck Race this year. But thanks to the perseverance and ingenuity of local Rotary race leadership, the Duck Race Goes On!
Mid Oregon, along with fellow credit unions Community First, SELCO, and OnPoint, have joined to again be the Duck Race Title Sponsors under the umbrella of “Credit Unions Working Together“, a collaborative effort.
The 2020 Duck Race Will Be A Raffle
To Purchase Tickets, Click Above
There will not be a duck race this year in Drake Park due to uncertainty about large gatherings. Rotary will be holding a Raffle drawing from the tickets purchased from www.theduckrace.com. The 2020 Great Drake Park Rotary Duck Race Raffle will be held and the winners announced on Sunday, September 13th.
Non-Profit Beneficiaries Impact All of Central Oregon
This is the 31st year of the Duck Race, and to date have raised nearly $2 million for local non-profits. Through the efforts of the 4 Bend Rotary Clubs, plus “Credit Unions Working Together” and other sponsors, this collaboration makes a significant difference locally. The past 4 years ticket sales have been near or over $100,000 each year.
This year the proceeds of the Raffle will benefit the following local non-profits: Volunteers in Medicine, Mountain Star Family Relief Nursery, Boys and Girls Club of Bend, Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, J Bar J, The Gift of Literacy and the Family Access Network.
Don’t Forget- Prizes To Be Awarded!
Supporting the seven non-profits above with donations is worthwhile in itself. But remember, 10 lucky winners will receive prizes valued at over $10,000!
The Grand Prize this year will be $5000 cash! In addition, there will be weekly drawings for $100 gift cards to local restaurants for people who have purchased tickets. Restaurant gift cards awarded will include those from Drake, Ariana, Zydeco, Trattoria Sbandati, Pine Tavern and more. In addition to the $5,000 cash Grand Prize, other prizes awarded will be:
- Saxons 1/2 Carat Signature Diamond Earrings- Value $1,250
- Traeger Pro Series- Value $1,100
- Big Mountain Helicopter Tour- Value $800
- 12 Month Membership at BodyBright- Value $719.40
- Old Mill Bucks- Value $500
- 2 Nights Camp Sherman Cabin- Value $500
- DD Ranch Gift Certificate- Value $500
- Amazon Gift Card- Value $400
- Red Carpet Car Wash One Year Pass- Value $395
How to Get Raffle Tickets
Help us to help the non-profits by purchasing Duck Race tickets, online. Unable to sell tickets in person, it is easy to go online to purchase single tickets for $5, or increase your chances to win with a 5 pack for $25, 10 pack for $50 or 20 pack for $100.
Purchasers must be 18 years of age or older, and must be physically in the State of Oregon at the time of ticket purchase.
Look for the Mid Oregon Credit Union van around town this summer, all “ducked out”. Help our non-profits by investing in a Duck…or five. Thank you for your support!
Personal Finance Hacks for Students
Personal Finance Hacks for Students
College years are the time when many people establish financial habits that will carry them for the rest of their lives. Some of these habits can be started by using what you might call personal finance hacks.
Pay attention to these items to get off on the right financial foot:
• Spending plan: Know how much money you have available for college expenses. Create a workable monthly spending plan that balances income, loans, and gifts with anticipated expenses.
• Records: Use an app to track expenses or monitor expenses online. Tracking expenses will help you see where your money is going and adjust your spending as needed. Also, remember to review your financial statements every month.
• Credit cards: Commit to paying credit card bills in full and on time each month. Using credit wisely teaches you how to live within your means while creating a positive credit record that could help when buying a car, renting an apartment, obtaining insurance, and even landing a job.
• Organization: Keep all financial records, bills, and account statements in one location. This will help you pay bills on time, avoid late fees, and keep an unblemished credit score.
• Personal information: Learn about the different forms of identity theft, the kinds of personal information you need to protect, and how to protect information—even, and especially, from friends and roommates. Learn the pitfalls of careless use of social media.
Apps make personal finance easy
There are many apps to help you manage your money. Your credit union might have its own money-management app. *Mid Oregon hint: We do! Our app has some robust tools to help you manage your credit score, savings goals and more. Included are some excellent articles about personal finance topics.
Here is an example of the type of information you will find inside our online banking, in the “Credit Savvy” tool:
3 Ways To Save Money As A College Student
Or, there are others that might help as well:
• Mint
• Dollarbird
• YNAB (You Need a Budget)
• Toshl Finance
3 Ways To Save Money As A College Student
By Jean Chatzky*
Here’s how to get an A+ in savings
When we think of saving money at college, a few key things come to mind, including scholarships, loans and 529 plans. But what about saving money in smaller ways? College is already expensive, so why rack up the debt if you don’t have to? Smart students know that saving money while studying is not only doable, it’s an A+ move. Here’s how, with 3 ways to save money as a college student.
New Books? No Way! Rent, or Buy Used
One of biggest expenses for college students is the cost of textbooks — but it doesn’t have to be. “If you’re going to buy a book, buy used. And make sure you shop around and compare prices at both your campus bookstore and online shops,” says Robert Farrington, founder of TheCollegeInvestor.com. You should also consider renting your textbooks. Amazon, BigWords.com or BookRenter.com all offer the ability to rent books for the duration of the semester. After all, are you really going to use your Biology 101 textbook once the class is over? Don’t spend money on something that’s just going to collect dust in your dorm room (or your parents’ basement).
Make the most of your meals
It’s no secret that college cafeteria food is subpar — and expensive. Tori Canonge, the blogger behind Chase The Write Dream, says you don’t always have to opt for the highest-tier meal plan. “Chances are you’ll go out to eat with friends a lot or skip meals to go to class, so you aren’t really using your full meal plan.” If you are eating out a lot, make sure to bring your student ID with you everywhere you go. Most local restaurants in college towns will offer a discount to those who show valid ID (and bigger chains like Chipotle and Pizza Hut will give you discounts as well).
You may also want to consider investing in a Keurig or Nespresso machine to put in your dorm room. Expect an initial expense of $100 to $200 for either machine, but you’ll save in the long run. We all know how much money we spend on our Starbucks lattes on the daily, especially when we stop at the student union to get some work done.
Take advantage of discounts and free entertainment
Instead of spending money on expensive event tickets, be on the lookout for free, campus-sponsored concerts and parties. Your campus might have movie premieres or art showings that are free to attend, and they might even have free food on offer. If you decide to hang out off-campus, remember to always have your student ID with you says Farrington. “Before you commit to anything, always ask ‘do you have a student discount?’” Movie theaters, restaurants and even some bus and train stations may offer a benefit for the college set.
Also, did you know that your status as a student means you’re eligible for discounted entertainment with companies like Spotify, Amazon and Apple? Students have access to Spotify Premium for only $4.99 a month, which is half of the normal fee. You can also get Amazon Prime for free for six months, and save as much as $300 on a brand new MacBook — plus you’ll get a free pair of Beats headphones with your purchase.
* Mid Oregon Credit Union offers free unlimited credit score access through our online banking “Credit Savvy” resource. Visit Mid Oregon’s Digital Banking Features page to learn more.