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.
Member Gives Record Donation to Kick Off Supplies 4 Schools!
Redmond resident provides 140 stuffed backpacks to help local students
Mid Oregon Credit Union kicked off our annual Supplies4Schools drive in a spectacular way: A record donation from a one member who dropped off more than 140 backpacks stuffed with school supplies at our Redmond branch.
“I am always amazed at the generosity of the people in this community,” said Mid Oregon Vice President of Marketing, Kyle Frick. “Every year our members surprise us with their commitment to helping children get a successful start at school.”
Passion for Kids Formed as School Employee
Our donor, Vikki Olds of Redmond, says that she spent most of the year purchasing school supplies and assembling the backpacks. Her husband Andre and son-in-law Cameron helped load a trailer with the backpacks for delivery to our Redmond branch on 17th Place, near Bi-Mart. Olds says that she began this project after years as a bus driver in La Pine, Ore.
“I would see kids without coats or socks or warm clothes,” she said. “I just couldn’t get it out of my mind. I felt bad to think of these kids not having what they needed for school. This is my way of tithing for the year.”
Although Olds shops the sales and finds good prices on all the supplies she purchases, she says she still spends a few thousand dollars on the effort. She fills high-quality backpacks for elementary and high school students with supplies that include a three-ring binder and paper, pens and pencils, zipper pouches, standard or scientific calculators, hygiene items, and other tools.
Can Others Step Up, Too?
Olds challenged other Central Oregon residents to match her donations in the nearby communities including Prineville, Madras, Sisters, and Bend.
“I know there are people out there who have the ability to give more,” she said.
The Supplies4Schools fundraiser and supply drive is underway during the month of August at all seven Mid Oregon Credit Union locations. All donations of cash and supplies stay in the community where they are collected. In most communities, Mid Oregon partners with the Family Access Network (FAN) to distribute the supplies to students through the in-school FAN Advocates. In Jefferson county, we distribute directly to the school districts.
Donations of Money Are Appreciated
It’s not too late to purchase school supplies for this effort! However, cash donations are appreciated, and no donation is too small. A lot of $5 and $10 donations add up to a significant amount of needed backpacks, ear-buds, binders and rulers!
Visit our branches, call us at (541) 382-1795 or go online to our Supplies4Schools post for more details.
6 Ways to Handle Unexpected Vet Bills
In Central Oregon, we love our animals. Because of local ranches, we have lots of livestock, and we even have our Alpacas and Llamas. And our smaller friends, such as dogs and cats, they seem to be everywhere with their owners, even grocery stores and restaurants. Many local businesses cater to animals along with their paying human customers. We thought sharing 6 ways to handle unexpected Vet bills would be a relevant topic.
Pet’s Medical Expenses Can Be Expensive
So, if you’re an animal lover with a few pets, you do your best to take care of your furry or feathered friends. Like you, they’ll need health check-ups and will get sick or injured at some time, requiring medical attention.
To make sure those expenses don’t become a financial burden, or are so costly that you can’t afford the treatment, here are six ways to help you prepare for and deal with them.
Six Ways to Meet The Need.
1. Negotiate an installment plan. If you’ve been a customer in good standing, your vet may be willing to accept payment in monthly installments.
2. Find animal welfare organizations or charities in your community. Some animal shelters offer veterinary loans and grant programs, and many veterinary schools run low-cost clinics.
Prepare in Advance
3. Create a savings account specifically for pet expenses. If you have many pets or one with a known medical condition, put aside a set amount each pay period in a separate account just for those expenses. Mid Oregon has a great tool to make this happen: Savers’ Club. Visit our Savings Account page and select the “Certificates” tab.
4. Pet insurance. There are quite a few pet insurance companies to choose from, like Figo Pet Insurance, Healthy Paws, and Trupanion. Many won’t cover pre-existing conditions, so choose an insurance company before your pet develops a chronic condition.
If You Need to Borrow…
5. Care Credit. Many vets accept this credit card which is specifically made for health care expenses, including your pet’s. It offers different financing options, some even foregoing interest charges for 24 months, as long as you make minimum monthly payments and pay the amount in full by the end of the promotional period. If you do not, interest is charged from the original purchase date.
6. Apply for a personal loan. If your pet’s treatment is going to be a major expense, then consider asking the credit union for a personal loan. The loans usually have a fixed rate and must be repaid in monthly installments within a set amount of time. We may be able to find a less-expensive loan option, so talk to us first.
Six Travel Hacks to Keep You Out of Harm’s Way
Traveling to new cities and countries is fun and exciting. Many times, we have been planning big trips for years, and have invested a lot of time and money in making it happen. That’s why Mid Oregon is providing these six travel hacks to keep you out of harm’s way.
To make sure you have a great time and only create happy memories of your adventure, keep these helpful tips in mind.
Keep important medical information on your phone
If you have a medical condition or severe allergies, consider using an app to display this information on your phone’s lock screen. You can use the Health App if you have an iPhone or Medical ID if you have an Android. This is especially helpful if you’re traveling alone.
Have a room reserved for your first day
Some people like to travel spontaneously, pulling into towns with no idea where they’ll stay. But what if there’s a special event going on and all the hotels are full? Prepare ahead of time and make sure you have somewhere to spend the night when you arrive. And don’t skimp too much – you’ll probably be tired the first day and not feel at your best, so choose a place that has good security and amenities.
Be willing to spend when you don’t feel safe
What if you did reserve a place to stay and your Airbnb rental or motel turns out to be in a neighborhood that doesn’t make you feel safe? Grab a cab and head to hotel or motel in a safer area for the night. The next day, look for something in your price range and stay there for the remainder of your stay. Saving a few dollars by lodging in an unsafe area is not worth the risk.
Be aware of your surroundings
Always be aware of your surroundings and keep your belongings close to you. Also, if you drink alcohol, drink responsibly. A drunk person is easy to rob or worse.
Hide cash in your shoe
If your wallet gets lost or is stolen, having a $50 or $100 in your shoe can be a lifesaver. Without a debit or credit card, you’ll have a difficult time getting food or even getting back to your hotel. The cash will help you get through the night until credit unions are open the following day.
Don’t keep all valuables in one place
Split up your cash, credit cards, and hotel keys so they’re not all in one wallet or purse. Put some in a pocket or money belt. That way, if you are robbed, you can hand over the wallet without losing everything.
Mid Oregon Credit Union has some additional resources to make your trip safer and more enjoyable. Our Travel Money Card or Prepaid Debit Cards can save you a lot of headaches while traveling. Check our website or visit one of our seven Central Oregon branches to learn more.