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Blog
03.31.10 It’s Scholarship Time!! Posted under: Loans, Promotions Posted by: Will.i.x
Georgia’s Own will be awarding $15,000 in college scholarships to eight outstanding students. The scholarships are given to students who demonstrate good financial habits, a commitment to the community, and a commendable academic record. Our first place winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship. Our second and third place winners will receive a $3,000 and $2,000 scholarship, respectively. In addition, 5 runner-ups will win $1,000 each. The deadline to apply is July 1st. For more details and an application, click here.
2 Comments »03.29.10 i[x] Inside: Best Brothers Band Posted under: i[x] Inside Posted by: Will.i.x
I recently had a chance to sit down with the up and coming Best Brothers Band and was able to see them perform a show. They are an awesome band and you play in local venues around Atlanta. Check out their schedule at www.bestbrothersband.com.
No Comments »03.19.10 i[x] Inside: Applause Productions Posted under: i[x] Inside Posted by: Will.i.x
I had a chance to go out to Applause Productions one day and get an insiders look at the recording process. Thanks to Adrian Lawrence and the Best Brothers Band for letting us check them out.
No Comments »03.18.10 Apartment Hunting? Posted under: Lifestyle Posted by: Will.i.x
As we all know, yesterday was St. Patty’s Day and I hope everyone had a great day (hopefully no one got pinched too hard for not wearing your green!). In honor of all things green, I wanted to shed a little light on how to save up your “green” for that first apartment or place you are wanting to get.
Around this time of year, students are just getting back from spring break having spent all of the money they had saved since Christmas. The end of the school year is near and you are probably getting sick of living the dorm life. As a former student who lived in the dorms, I know what it feels like to want a place of your own. If you are planning on moving out of those dorms or just need a new place to live or maybe you are about to graduate high school and move away from the parents, now is the time to begin looking. You may be asking “How do I save up for a place?” or “How do I go about finding a great place?” There are several things you need to know before you decide to live on your own:
1. You are going to start having to pay monthly bills. Living with your parents or in the dorms, you probably haven’t had to deal with bills. There’s monthly rent, power bills, water and utilities and if you want to watch tv or be on the Internet, there are the cable/internet bills. And for most of these, there are start-up deposits. Also keep in mind that you may have to buy furniture. So keep an eye out for deals and thrift shops or ask around in your family or friends for unwanted pieces…I’m sure they have stuff lying around.
2. If #1 didn’t scare you off, then it’s on to the next part. Start saving up your money now! The more you can start saving now, the easier it will be when the time comes to begin paying up. The average total for most apartments plus all utilities is around $1000 for a one bedroom.
3. If you don’t mind having a roommate, then think about living with someone that you like. That way you can split all of the bills and rent is not as expensive per person. Average rent plus utilities for a 2 bedroom apartment is around $600 per person.
4. Visit various apartment communities. Just because you found a place with a good deal, doesn’t mean that there isn’t a better deal still out there. And you also want to consider location, safety and parking.
Hopefully these tips will help you find that special place. Happy Hunting!!
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.
03.16.10 Automobiles Posted under: Loans Posted by: Will.i.x
Did you know that the best time to buy a car is during the last two weeks in December or anytime between July and October? If you’re looking for a car right now, then it’s time to start planning for how you’re going to go about getting one.
The biggest decision deals with how you will pay for the car. You need to determine what you can afford, and based on that, decide new or used and what type. Most of us need to finance a car purchase. There are two common options for doing this; through the dealership or through your financial institution. Dealerships are convenient because you’re already there, but they can also be pushy, aggressive, non-competitive and add on lots of fees. Sometime the dealership makes more money on financing a car than the actual sale of the car itself! On the other hand, financial institutions usually have more competitive rates, personalized service and no add-on fees. The choice is yours and the time is now. Start planning and be prepared when summertime comes!
For information on Georgia’s Own Credit Union car loans for first time buyers, college grad buyers or ’green’ car purchases click here.
No Comments »03.12.10 Teller Talk Posted under: Teller Talk Posted by: Will.i.x
Check out our first installment of Teller Talk with Erica Whyte at the Georgia’s Own Campanile Branch:
03.11.10 Green Day with Georgia’s Own Posted under: Community Involvement Posted by: Will.i.x
Join us at our Alpharetta location on Monday, March 22nd for our first annual Green Day! Spring is finally here, and it’s a great time to think about ways we can all pitch in and help the environment. To get in the green spirit and kickoff a season of earth-friendliness, we’re hosting a fun-filled event at our Alpharetta location to celebrate, and we hope to see you there!
Eat a free lunch. Meet your friends and neighbors there, plus visit with Jeff Dauler of Q100 and other special guests! Win money by taking a spin in our cash machine, Thrashers tickets, autographed merchandise, CDs and more. Conserve and do your part for the planet by bringing in your sensitive documents to shred and be recycled for free!
No Comments »03.09.10 Kids and Credit Cards-How young is too young? Posted under: Credit Posted by: Will.i.x
Do you have an opinion on this? A lot of parents out there do. Good Morning America aired a segment on ABC this morning where they sat down with a group of parents and Mellody Hobson to discuss this hot topic.
The interesting finding? Of the parents polled, 71% said that they are opposed to giving their kids a credit card before the age of 18, but GMA financial contributor Mellody Hobson disagreed with these parents. Check the article out and decide where you stand on this issue.
Give us your feedback below on why or why not you agree and what age you think is credit card appropriate.
No Comments »03.04.10 Banned Words Posted under: Saving Posted by: Will.i.x
I’m 24 years old and a family and retirement seem light years away from being relevant. Planning for my financial future is something that sometimes, I don’t even take seriously because it seems so distant. I always find myself saying, “I should start a 401K” or “I ought to put more money into savings.” And a lot of times, the buck stops there. I let myself off the hook a little by realizing what I should do. But it’s time to put those shoulds and woulds to action.
Here’s the challenge for you and for myself: let’s ban “should,” “ought to,” and any other word that puts off what we know would be the smart thing to do financially. Avoid the words alltogether and replace them with “I’m working on” or “I’m going to” so that action becomes the focus of the statement instead of a good thought.
Little things I thought of that would make a big difference:
1. Commit to saving 10% of each paycheck-take it right off the top.
2. Pay MORE than the minimum payment.
3. Open a CD or Savings Certificate and let the money work for you for 6 months.
4. If you’ve got a loan, divide the monthly payment by 12 months and tack that on to each payment you make; that way at the end of one year, you will have made 13 monthly payments instead of 12. Over 6 years, you’ll be 6 months ahead on your payment.
Post your money saving tips below.
No Comments »03.02.10 Watch the Pennies Posted under: Saving Posted by: Will.i.x
“Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves.”
Do you agree or disagree with this old saying? On one hand, small expenses do add up to dollars after time. On the other hand, should we really sweat the small stuff? If we watch the big purchases, the pennies will take care of themselves by default.
What do you think? Weigh in with your opinion by leaving a comment below.
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