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01.27.12 Coy Wire – Ninja Prankster, with a Purpose

Posted under: Feature Post 2, Lifestyle Posted by: Will.i.x

In the latest issue of Ne[x]t Magazine, we sat down with Coy Wire. The former Stanford Cardinal and NFL pro talks about his football career, being a leader and overcoming obstacles.

i[x]: In high school, you were an excellent student and a great two sport athlete playing both football and wrestling and ended up going to college at Stanford, one of the top academic institutions in the country. Can you tell us how you were able to balance time between participating in sports in high school and college while also maintaining good grades?
CW: The immature mind hops from one thing to another. The ability to be completely focused on the task at hand has been one of my greatest traits. When I do something, “all or nothing” is usually my method. Focus is key, Daniel-San *Mr. Miyagi voice*

i[x]: Can you tell us what lead you to your decision to move all the way across the country from PA to Cal to play college football at Stanford?
CW: Education. My main aim was to play pro football, but I knew that I was only one injury away from having that dream shattered. I knew that whenever my playing days were over, more than the trophies, championships and accolades, the diploma that I would hold in my hand would be my most prized possession. I’m a nerdy jock.

i[x]: While at Stanford, you started off as a running back then ended up your career as linebacker. Can you tell us what it was like to be the starting running back one year and the next year you’re asked to move to an entirely different position? Was it difficult to transition and how did you feel about being asked to switch positions?
CW: The only constant in life is change, so we need to be like a chameleon and adapt to any circumstance. Through every transitional period in my life, I’ve tried to maintain an open mind and go with the flow. To resist change is destructive.

i[x]: After your senior year at Stanford, you were drafted in the 3rd round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Tell us what the feeling was like when you heard your name get called out at the draft.
CW: It was literally a dream come true…a dream I had been dreaming since I was 7 years old. Surreal…One of my most precious memories is running through the tunnel on opening day my rookie year. I had never been to an NFL game, so the first one I saw in person was one in which I was playing!

i[x]: Before joining the Falcons in 2008, you had to overcome a career-threatening neck injury you suffered with the Bills. Can you talk a little about overcoming that adversity and going on to continue your NFL career?
CW: That injury not only gave me a titanium plate and four screws in my neck, it gave me a valuable life lesson: We are all more powerful than we know. If you face adversity with the right state of mind, you will become a victor through that situation and not a victim. They say that the strongest steel is burned in the hottest coals. We will all be put through the fire, and at some point, we will all get burned. It may burn badly too! But like that steel, we will be refined, strengthened, and hardened because of the experience. We need to be thankful for our struggles because they make us unique…there’s no one in the world like you.

i[x]: As a member of the Falcons, you were named special teams captain in 2008. Tell us what it was like being a leader on an NFL team and any advice you may have about being a leader.
CW: I wasn’t a leader in the NFL for 9 years because I was the biggest, fastest, strongest or the superstar player. I did so by being a superstar teammate, friend and example. There are three musts for one to be a RESPECTED leader: 1. Be the hardest worker you know 2. Have integrity 3. Demonstrate good morals. If you have these traits, people will respect and follow you whether you think you’re a leader or not.

i[x]: On your website, coywire.com, you are proclaimed as a “Ninja Prankster” and have videos of you pranking teammates. Tell us a little about “Pranks with a Purpose” and why you enjoy pranks.
CW: I’ve always been a bit of a “Ninja Prankster.” I love to smile and laugh with people, so naturally I have a plethora of masks with which to scare my friends and family. I started capturing my pranks on video so that I could enjoy them later in life, but then I realized that everyone could enjoy them now. So, I decided to gather sponsors who would donate to the charity of my “victims’” choice every time the prank was viewed on YouTube. “Pranks with a Purpose” was born. What’s that behind you?

i[x]: What is your best prank story?
CW: Ha ha! The best one has always been the last one! You can see some of the videos on my website, so you tell me which one is best!

i[x]: Now that you aren’t playing football, what fills up your time?
CW: I decided to write a book. Then, I wrote the book. It’s called “Change Your Mind: 10 Methods to Achieve Your Wildest Dreams.” Along with writing, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed doing inspirational speaking and doing 1-on-1 sessions with my MindTraining clients…Think: Jedi mind training with a twist.

i[x]: i[x] is a program designed to teach Gen Y about being financially responsible. Why do you feel it’s important for our readers to make smart financial decisions? Any advice or financial habits you’d like to share?
CW: One thing that’s always stuck with me when it comes to money: I’m not concerned about the return ON my money, I’m concerned about the return OF my money.

i[x]: One pillar of the i[x] mission is to give back to the local community. Are there any charities or organizations you are involved with?
CW: Aside from helping various charities through Pranks with a Purpose, I have always had an affinity for Make A Wish.

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01.25.12 The Alternative Route to a Memorable Valentine’s

Posted under: Feature Post 3, Lifestyle Posted by: Will.i.x

Valentine’s can be one of the most expensive date nights of the year. It can also be one of the most unromantic times for daters who are hoping for a special evening but instead end up seated in a back corner of an overpacked restaurant next to a couple with a crying baby. Here are some tips to ease the planning stress and end up with a memorable evening that doesn’t have to break your wallet.

Dining for the ironic: WAFFLE HOUSE
Yes, it’s hard to believe but it’s true – many Waffle House locations offer a Valentine’s Day program. Bring your camera so you can brag to all your friends. HA! Its a great place to sit and talk and laugh and enjoy an all American meal, scattered, smothered and covered. Don’t forget to get reservations though. They do fill up. At Select Locations: www.wafflehouse.com

Just do dessert at CAFE INTERMEZZO
The largest beverage menu you’ve probably ever seen with over 100 coffees, teas and more. They also have the most mouth watering delectable desserts you’ve tasted. Very romantic, candlelit, classical music, hip atmosphere. You will feel you’ve been transported to a quaint cafe in Europe. Locations In Brookwood, Dunwoody, & Downtown. Vist the site: www.cafeintermezzo.com

Be early: DINE A DAY BEFORE
You can expect better service and a quieter evening if you pick another night to dine out. You can tell your sweetheart you are so excited about Valentine’s that you want to celebrate early. Also if you are a seasoned baby-sitter you know Valentine’s is a great time to make a little dough while helping out couples with kids.

Keep it simple: STAY HOME
Cook them their favorite meal or order in and light some candles. Or you could watch a romantic flick while eating chocolate fondue.

Plan ahead: TREASURE HUNT
Give your sweetheart a map with clues that only the two of you would get. The map can include some of your favorite locations or items that you can reminisce over. Hide clues along the way, limit clues to 4 or 5 making the hunt around 30 minutes. Make sure to hide a treasure ahead of time in a safe place. Treasure could be a box of chocolates and handmade card, or tickets to special event etc.

Enjoy nature: STARGAZING
This can be fun if you bundle up and drive a few miles out, away from the city lights. Don’t forget to bring a thermos of hot chocolate, flashlight, binoculars, constellation map/star chart and a blanket.

Bonus points: FLOWERS
Whole Foods and Harry’s have beautiful roses and other flowers that are very reasonably priced. Locations Around Atlanta: wholefoodsmarket.com/stores

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09.14.11 Georgia Colleges and Universities on Twitter

Posted under: Lifestyle, School Posted by: Will.i.x

Hey everyone! Since school is in full swing, I thought I’d drop you all a handy resource. So I compiled a list of colleges and universities in the state of Georgia who are on Twitter. Twitter is a great way for you to connect with the schools and get updates about what’s going on… Plus, lots of these schools are always giving away free stuff! If you have any to add to the list or your school is missing, please let me know! I hope you all can take advantage of the great tool that is Twitter!

Agnes Scott – @agnesscott
Albany State – @ASUFollowers
Andrew College – @AndrewCollege
Augusta State – @AugustaState
Brenau University – @BrenauU
Clayton State – @ClaytonStNews
Emory – @EmoryUniversity
Georgia College – @GeorgiaCollege
Georgia Tech -@georgiatech
Georgia Perimeter – @gpctweets
Georgia State – @GeorgiaStateU
Georgia Southern – @GeorgiaSouthern
Kennesaw State – @kennesawstate
Macon State – @maconstate
LaGrange – @LaGrangeCollege
Mercer – @MercerYou
Morehouse – @Morehouse
Savannah State -@savannahstate
SCAD – @SCADdotedu
Shorter – @shorteruniv
Spelman – @SpelmanCollege
UGA – @UGANews
Valdosta State – @valdostastate

Until next time…

Will.i.x

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08.18.11 The Social Media Takeover

Posted under: Job, Lifestyle Posted by: Jennifer

Since you’re looking at this blog, I already caught you indulging yourself in the virtual world. How can you not? The internet has so much to offer: every sort of deal, videos galore and just pure entertainment, but when does this entertainment become too much? Well when I started to get on Facebook and Twitter before I finished my homework or a job application, I knew I was at the beginning of a major problem.

The internet has become the gateway to practically anything and everything. No longer do we have to call someone to reschedule a doctor’s appointment or drive to a clothing store for that little black dress. Verbal communication is out the door and email, chat and messaging is in. Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Flickr have created introverts in all of us. Why confront the new kid at school in person, when you can glimpse at their Facebook profile and see their interests, photos with friends and relationship status right at the safety of your computer? This new way of life not only takes us away from those classic awkward introductions, but allows for further pre-judgment. Honestly, if I see that you have more than 3,000 friends on Facebook, I am going to question your value of friendship. If your Tumblr page only features pictures of famous people, I am probably going to question your grasp of reality. While these may seem like minor prejudices, a fellow classmate is not the only person who has access to your social media sites (even if you have adjusted it to privacy settings).

Your parents, coaches, employers and college admission counselors use these sites too! In fact, they judge your social media pages more than me! They have an agenda- to see how you carry yourself on the World-Wide Web. If your friends post profanity on your Facebook, they will take that into consideration as a reflection of you. Employers want someone that will represent the company justly, which means no crazy party pictures or notes/blog entries about a person you despise.

When it comes down to it, social media is a great tool for companies especially from the hiring stand-point, but you cannot deny the threat it has on us teenagers. We spend countless hours on the internet instead of doing homework and forming real-life relationships. Then we undermine other’s perception of our personal social media sites and say whatever we want, whenever we want. Now that school is starting up, the effects of being on the computer 24/7 are the most harmful. You don’t want to get grounded from the Homecoming dance or cut-off from allowances because of a failing grade or inappropriate comment. Limit your time online and spend more time studying and forming real-life relationships with people. After all, these are the years that truly count!

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07.06.11 Welcome Kemi

Posted under: Job, Lifestyle Posted by: Kemi

Hey guys! My name is Kemi. I am one of the new social media interns for i[x] at GOCU, so you’ll be hearing from me over the next couple weeks! Writing my first blog is a little intimidating, but I hope you guys find this info helpful!

It’s sweet summertime, your bored and looking for something to do. If your anything like me, you have your Twitter and Facebook pages open and you refresh, tweet and like basically everything to fill the void that was once school. With all this extra time, have you ever thought about getting a job? Everyone loves some extra money and those sunglasses and music aren’t going to buy themselves! So start looking! Visit you local shopping centers, apply online and use those amazing connections you have to find the job that’s right for you. Remember not to be discouraged if you don’t find the perfect job right away! Keep looking around and talking to everyone you know. Once you’ve found that job stick to it. Before you know it you’ll be making bank! And don’t forget that hard work is the key to success (and a bigger wallet)!

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07.01.11 About Gen Y from Gen Y

Posted under: Lifestyle, Money Management, Saving Posted by: Jennifer

Hi fellow i[x]ers! My name is Jennifer and I am just like you, a teenager in Georgia! I am spending part of my summer as one of the new social media interns at Georgia’s Own Credit Union. So here’s my first of many blogs to come. I know you’re lounging around trying to find “summer movies,” but read my blog first; you might rethink going to see Transformers: Dark of the Moon in 3D, instead of 2D.

The older generation, our parents (the “Baby Boomers”) and our grandparents (who are just old), refer to us young people as “Generation Y,” the generation which was born around the turn of the millennium or most remember as the Y2K Bug Scare. The boom of technological advances around our development has automatically dubbed us “tech-savvy.” I’m ok with this because I have to admit, I have the latest devices: a touch-screen phone, an iPad, a Smart TV and an awesome camera to top it all off. Only thing is, our generation is going to end up being the most in-debt if we keep on purchasing like the world is about to end. Thing is, life as we know it is not about to end. I am going to graduate from high school and college and will have to pay off those dreaded student loans. No longer can we have this laissez-faire attitude; our parents won’t be paying for us for the rest of our life. To discontinue the trend of young adults over-spending, let alone spending on unnecessary items like the new “white” iPhone 4 or a movie in 3D instead of 2D, we need to manage our money better. That means developing a budget, just like you have a budget for your homecoming dress (mine was $150). If your parents usually pay for you, start by thinking to yourself, “how much am I willing to spend if this is actually ‘my’ money.” If you mostly pay for yourself, start by planning for activities that are coming up that you could start saving for, such as, your school’s football games. The old people always tell us, “It’s the little things that count.” Well, I hate to admit it, but they’re correct on this one. If we can simply start budgeting and analyzing where our money is being spent, we’ll be much better off for the future and maybe even for a new Maserati.

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06.27.11 ATL Summer on the Cheap

Posted under: Lifestyle Posted by: Will.i.x

Summer in Atlanta offers an almost endless list of fun things to do. Summer movies, concerts, festivals; you name it. The problem is, paying for all these things can add up quickly. To help we’ve put together a list of cheap or free events you can mix into your summer fun.

Movies, movies, movies!

Summer in Atlanta offers a number of alternatives for catching a movie. Plus, many of these are outdoors and allow you to experience the city in unique ways. Check them out…

Screen on the Green – Piedmont Park
This series has been running for years and is a fantastic way to experience Piedmont Park. Movies run every Thursday in June. Check piedmontpark.org for details.
Movies in the Park – Atlantic Station
Movies are totally free and the series runs through September 29th. They’ll have movies like The King’s Speech, Inception, and Toy Story 3. Check atlanticstation.com for the full schedule.
Starlight Drive-In
At the Starlight Drive-In you still have to pay, but the movie is more of an experience. Check starlightdrivein.com for the list of movies and times.

Take me out to the ballgame

Everyone loves seeing the Braves in action but by the time you get to your seat with some popcorn and coke you might have dropped $75.

The good news is that the Braves are offering tickets to some games for just $5.00! View the schedule at atlantabraves.com and look for the Buck Belue 5 Buck Night. Also, be sure to take MARTA to save on parking and get some vehicles off the road.

Want to catch a ball game but can’t make it to Atlanta? Why not stop by and watch the Gwinnett Braves in their new stadium in Buford near the Mall of Georgia. This is a great chance to catch some of the up and coming stars in the Braves organization.

Head outdoors

If you are on a tight budget, why not get outside and experience nature? The warm weather gives you the perfect excuse to save some money and soak up the sun.

Tubing on the Chattahoochee River
From Helen to Atlanta there are all kinds of places to go tubing along the Chattahoochee. If you have your own tube, you can put in at any boat ramp. If you need to rent equipment, plan on spending around $10.
Summer festivals
All summer long there are festivals you can attend to get out and experience part of Atlanta. The arts, music, food – you name it, and there is a festival for it. Check accessatlanta.com for a full list.
Stone Mountain Lasershow
Bring a picnic, some friends (to split the $10 vehicle entrance fee) and spend an evening enjoying the Lasershow at Stone Mountain. The show is updated for 2011 and is now in Mountainvision. Whatever that is.

Do you have other ideas for cheap fun in Atlanta? Let us know!

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05.23.11 10 Biggest Money Wasters

Posted under: Lifestyle, Money Management Posted by: Will.i.x

Here is an interesting list put out by CNN Money about the 10 biggest money wasters. There are a few items on the list I wanted to point out:

1. ATM fees – It usually costs around $5 when you withdraw from an ATM that is not with your credit union or bank. As part of the Allpoint Network and CO-OP Network, Georgia’s Own has over 71,000 Surcharge-Free ATMs for added convenience and value.
2. Lottery Tickets – We all dream of hitting the jackpot one day, but did you know that consumers bought more than $70 billion in lottery tickets and there was only about $38 billion awarded in prizes??
3. Eating Out – Consumers spent an average of $28.47 on each restaurant meal in 2010 and averaged 82 restaurant trips a year totaling $2,341. Spending $7-$15 on lunch everyday adds up too! Check out my 10-2-Spend video to see how.
4. Daily Internet Deals – Don’t get caught up on every deal that you see online. It’s estimated that 20% of all daily deals purchased go unused. Advice: Ask yourself if you would even consider buying this if the deal wasn’t in front of you.

What are other money wasters you would add to the list?

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02.22.11 I Will Help Others

Posted under: Community Involvement, Lifestyle Posted by: Will.i.x

On my last post, I talked about the mission behind the new i[x] and focused on the first point (I Will Work Hard) in our three point mission:

1. I Will Work Hard
2. I Will Help Others
3. I Will Be Smart with My Money

Today, I want to look at the second pillar – I Will Help Others.

Life is about more than money and titles. You can work hard, make a lot of cash, but if you keep it all for yourself you’ll be unhappy. Well we wanted to give you all an avenue to be able to go out and help others, so we started the i[give] portion of i[x]. With i[give], we will be partnering with local non-profits each quarter throughout the year, to give our members the chance to serve and grow.

As I mentioned here, this quarter we are teaming with the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV) to help raise awareness about domestic violence by sponsoring a Cell Phone Drive. To help out and be a part of i[x], just bring your old phones with batteries to any Georgia’s Own branch.

The GCADV also wrote a guest article in the latest edition of Ne[x]t Magazine. The article focuses on technology and dating abuse and gives ways to protect yourself from being a victim. If you haven’t checked it out yet, be sure to grab your copy at any GOCU branch or you can find the pdf here. For more info on the GCADV check out gcadv.org.

If you have any organizations or local non-profits that you think should be featured in i[give], please share them in the comments.

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11.18.10 Win $50 – No Joke

Posted under: Lifestyle, Promotions Posted by: Will.i.x

If you aren’t a subscriber to the our monthly e-newsletter, you are on my bad side….j/k, but seriously. Well in the November e-newsletter we told you about how you could win a cool $50 – and I know you could use $50 since Christmas is around the corner and you need to buy your boyfriend/girlfriend that special gift (or maybe you just give them the $50). It is so easy to be entered into the drawing…all you need to do is interact with us on Facebook during the month of November. Every time you “Like” us, comment, share your thoughts or any other interaction, you will be entered. The more you interact, the more chances you have to win! See ya on the ‘book.

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