Archive for Summer

KICK OFF A SAFE AND HEALTHY SUMMER

girl eating watermelonMemorial Day is the traditional start of summer in the U.S., and for many of us that means time spent outdoors, swimming, picnics and travel. Here are some tips to help keep your family healthy, happy and far from the ER this summer.

Not Looking Forward To Swimsuit Season?

If you’re wanting to lose weight, according to Lisa Lillien of the Hungry Girl website, don’t go overboard with crash diets. Instead, “make a few healthy tweaks to your eating habits.” Spend some weekend time prepping proteins and veggies, for instance. Then, when you want a freshly cooked meal, just throw the ingredients in a pan.
 
And have smart snacks around: jerky, protein bars, packs of nuts, fresh fruit. Eating more often might seem counter intuitive, but it can save us from making poor decisions at mealtime.
And on the topic of food: At picnics, make sure salads with mayonnaise stay in the shade. If they’re brought directly from refrigerator to table, help yourself. But don’t let them sit more than 15 minutes in the hot sun or you’re courting problems.

Water Inside

Hydration is always important, but with hotter weather, it’s even more important. Drinking lots of water is great for overall body function, and it keeps you from feeling unnecessarily hungry. Eight 8-ounce glasses of plain water every day will maintain moisture balance, but if you’re a big fan of caffeine, you should triple that amount.
 
Bonus: staying hydrated gives your skin a healthy glow.

Water Outside

We all remember being told “You’ll drown if you go into the water right after eating.” That’s too strong, but Sue Leahy, president of the American Safety and Health Institute, says that when we’re digesting food, “There’s less blood flow in your body and this takes away from strength. So if you really had to use your strength for undertow, you might have a problem.” Best bet is to wait half an hour after you eat, just like mom said.
 
Children pose different problems. The National Safety Council says more than one in five drowning victims are 14 or under. Be sure to find age-appropriate swim lessons for your child, and don’t rely on lifeguards; never leave your child unattended.

Be Good to Your Skin

No one wants to look like a peeling tomato, but it’s not about appearances: just one blistering sunburn doubles your risk of melanoma. And it isn’t enough to just apply sunscreen – you have to apply the right kind (SPF 15 or higher) and frequently (every two hours). Studies show that most people don’t apply nearly as much protection as they should. That means a teaspoon for the face, and for the body, about enough to fill a shot glass.
 
If you forgot your sunscreen, or didn’t use enough, apply cooling botanicals generously, preferably at the first sight of a pink glow. The damage is done, but this will reduce peeling and inflammation.

Be Good To Your Eyes

At work or at play, when outdoors, wear sunglasses that block at least 99% of ultraviolet A and B. Sunglasses can help prevent cataracts, as well as wrinkles.

Watch For Heat Stroke

This is a big problem for outdoor workers who can’t take a break, and for older people who are in apartments with no air conditioning. But it can happen to anyone.
“The first sign is cramping in the legs,” says Sue Leahy. “Cool off and drink fluids until it goes away. Cramping – especially in the leg – is a sign the body is losing salt and electrolytes, and you should heed it.”

Get Debugged

Bugs love summer, too – all that exposed flesh. But they can transmit Lyme disease, West Nile, Zika and other illnesses. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend using insect repellants containing DEET (10% to 30%), except on children younger than 2 months.

Move It But Don’t Lose It

The summer months are mobile ones, and not just in SRVs and station wagons. If your child travels by bicycle, skateboard or scooter, he or she needs to wear a helmet that meets CPSC safety standards. So do you, since children learn best by observing adults. Set the example. Never let children ride near moving traffic.
Children who are too young to have a driver’s license shouldn’t be allowed on riding lawnmowers or off-road vehicles. Children are involved in about 30 percent of all ATV-related deaths and ER injuries.

Fireworks

The Fourth of July is one of the biggest events of the summer, but emergency rooms brace for the upsurge in injuries every year. Fireworks can cause severe burns, blindness, scars or worse. Even sparklers, which you might think are safe, can reach temperatures over 1000 degrees. And they can start fires. The National Safety Council says that in a recent year, fireworks caused an estimated 15,500 reported fires, including 1,100 structure fires. Families should attend community fireworks displays run by professionals rather than using fireworks at home.

Need a little help to make this the best summer ever? Learn more about our Vacation Loan Special!

 
SOURCES:

6 Ways To Save On Your Summer Vacation

beach

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com (http://ow.ly/ZTc030dvgXF)

Vacation Time!

The ocean is calling – and so is the open road. Your dream vacation awaits! But first, you need to work out the financial details. How are you going to pay for your getaway? How much can you realistically spend? Where is the money for your vacation going to come from?

Ideally, a plump vacation fund that’s fed throughout the year is the way to go. Unfortunately, though, we often don’t think about how to pay for vacation until it’s a few weeks away. To make things even worse, according to LearnVest, an alarming 74% of Americans go into debt to pay for a vacation.

Don’t become part of that statistic! Be proactive in planning your vacation by saving up for it in advance. Forgo some luxuries in the months or weeks leading up to your vacation and save the extra cash for your getaway. Consider running a yard sale featuring all of your forgotten treasures and use the profits to fund your trip. Skip your weekly dinner out for a while and put the money in your vacation budget.

Now it’s time to plan your vacation! When you’ve got the money saved up, create a realistic vacation budget. These six vacation saving tips will help you plan the perfect getaway while staying well within your budget.

1.) Timing is everything
 
Be a savvy shopper. There is an ideal window for buying everything, and booking airline flights is no exception. Flight prices generally fluctuate until departure day, but experts say the sweet spot is 54 days before your travel date. If you don’t want to be busy checking prices all day, sign up for emails from a savings alert site. Let them know which dates and locations you’re interested in, and they’ll let you know when a flight goes on sale so you can book your discounted tickets before they’re sold out.
 
2.) Clear your cache
 
Hotel and airline sites use cookies to determine what you’re shopping for. They’ll see which days you’re searching and raise their prices accordingly. Beat the system by clearing your cache before every new search so they can’t read into your browser history. You might see as much as a 50% drop in prices when searching with an empty cache!
 
3.) Sweet-talk your way to savings
 
Just because your hotel room is pre-booked, it doesn’t mean you can’t save. Don’t be shy about asking for an upgrade at check-in. About 78% of hotel guests who request an upgrade at the front desk actually receive one. Some face-to-face schmoozing can go a long way!
 
Also, by 6 p.m., most hotels know which rooms will be filled for the night. If you check in later in the day, you’ll have a better chance at getting the keys to the room with the incredible view – even with your economy-class price tag.
 
4.) Never pay full price
 
You can score a deluxe vacation without the deluxe price tag – all it takes is a little research. Check sites like coupondivas.com, entertainment.com and Groupon.com for amazing deals and deep discounts for local eateries and entertainment centers. You can also find cheaper tickets to nearby amusement parks by looking for sellers on Craigslist. Also, if you’re traveling with kids, don’t forget to look up restaurants with “Kids Eat Free” promotions.
 
5.) Freebie fun

Challenge yourself to enjoy one day of your vacation without spending any money at all. Search local sites and blogs for write-ups about fantastic free things to do nearby. You might find a charming family farm, a gorgeous waterway, a fun splash pad for the kids or a scenic hiking trail. Or, just spend the day at the closest beach!

Don’t eat out on this day either. Many hotels include a continental breakfast – take full advantage. For lunch, you can picnic on sandwiches. Dinner can be something effortless and delicious that you brought from home or pick up at a local supermarket. Consider packing a travel grill or panini maker for easy meals. You can heat up some hot dogs or burger patties, or bring some baguettes and an assortment of sliced cheeses for fresh paninis. Round off the meal with some pre-sliced veggies.

You’ll be surprised at how much fun you can have without spending a penny!

6.) Save your mega event for the last day

The taste of dessert is what lingers after the meal is through. End your vacation on a sweet note by saving your most exciting event for your last day away.

If you’re unsure of how you’re going to fund your getaway, call, click or stop by 705 FCU to ask about taking out a personal loan or opening a vacation club savings account. We want to help you make your dream vacation come true!

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PARDON THE PROGRESS! There will be a crane at the credit union to help continue the building process. This will impact access to the drive thru during the day on Friday, September 22, 2023. We apologize for the temporary inconvenience. Questions or concerns? Give us a call!