Eagle Eyes on Finances

Welcome to our new POECU blog! We’ve got insights, tips, impactful member stories, how- to’s, motivational moments & more.

How do you Credit Union? I Reset it!

(by Jody Brooks, 2/4/26)

If you’re anything like me, you just looked at the calendar and said, “Wait a second, does that say February?” Seriously, didn’t we just pop the champagne on New Year’s eve? Didn’t I just make my New Year’s resolution? I made it, already forgot it and left it behind in January. So, it may be too late to call it a New Year’s resolution, but it’s still early enough in the year to re-set my finances or at least freshen them up a little bit by taking stock of a few things.

Take a look at your checking and savings account balances. Seriously, take a look at a statement. Once upon a time, I used to balance all the way down to the penny but I haven’t done that in ages. Try this. Think about your account(s) and jot down a best guess of your current balance. Then look at your statement. (if you haven’t yet opted into estatements, you’ll have to do this the hard way and hunt for your envelope). Soooo, how close were you? If you’re surprised, I hope it was a pleasant surprise. If not, you have some work to do to re-set your finances but we can help with that.

Sometimes it’s a simple as reviewing those debit card purchases to see your spending patterns. Did you find recurring charges or app subscriptions you don’t even use? Cutting that cord isn’t painful. You didn’t even remember it so you’re not going to use it. You might be shocked at how much those quick stops for those on-the-go coffees, lunches, and snacks add up! Set a realistic savings goal. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy. Start with $10 per week. When it’s time to pop the cork on the champagne next New Year’s eve, you’ll have an extra $520 in your savings! Pretty cool, right?

If the DIY method doesn’t get you where you need to be, we got you. Come see us and we’ll sit with you and complete a FREE Financial Wellness Review to guide you though your Financial Re-Set. If re-setting calls for consolidating, we can put your debt on a diet to trim the fat. Oh hey, we just came full circle on that whole New Year’s Resolution Diet thing, didn’t we?

Can credit union be used as a verb? Absolutely!

(by Jody Brooks, 1/21/26)

If someone were to say, “I’m going to the credit union”, they’re talking about a place. They’re using it as a noun; a place to compete financial transactions in person. While that is true, it’s not quite complete. There’s so much more to it than that. When people ask me, “Jody, where do you do your banking?”, my answer is “nowhere” because you see, I don’t bank, I credit union. If they ask, “How do you bank?” Again I say “I credit union”. Sure, it sounds a bit unusual and it doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but it’s accurate and there’s no reason not to say it. A credit union is a place, but how you credit union is HOW YOU LIVE. We just need to re-define the word and change the narrative and POECU is up for the task.

So, how do I credit union? I OWN it (I’m more than just a customer), I DRIVE it (I see a new car in my immediate future), I ENJOY it (They’re the reason I can ride in my Mardi Gras krewe and throw all the good stuff!), and I RENOVATE it. (insurance only went so far when mother nature did a number on my house). And I’m not done because I’m still LIVING life and that means, I’m still credit unioning. So say it with me, “I credit union.” Maybe it will be next year’s pick for the new word added into the Mirriam-Webster’s dictionary. If six-seven made it in there, we should be a shoe in, right? You just watch, we’re starting something big over here!