There are still inexpensive ways you can put on and enjoy some haunted Halloween fun! Decorations and costume expenses can add up quickly, but here are some candy-pinching ideas while still getting a taste of that dark chocolate for some spook-tacular fun.

Stay local while shopping for decorations, accessories, and costumes. Check out stores such as Fun Services Arizona, Phase II, or Easley’s Costumes and Fun Shop. You may even consider digging through Grandma’s closet for some truly hidden treasures! 

Putting together a unique Halloween costume can be easier than you think. Do some hunting at consignment stores such as Buffalo Exchange or Plato’s Closet. Usually during October, they invite their customers to bring in their old costume(s) and accessories to use toward the purchase of a new one for this year! 

Need costume ideas? Late celebrities, news anchors, movies, music, and TV spark some very popular trends for this year. Spirit Halloween, the seasonal Halloween retail chain, has predicted the following will be best sellers this year:

• Michael Jackson
• Jon and Kate Gosselin
• Sarah Palin
• Bernie Madoff
• Robert Pattinson (from Twilight)
• G.I. Joe
• Pop stars including Britney Spears & Rihanna
• Transformers
• High School Musical 3
• Star Wars and Star Trek

Do you know of any other stores or websites for your one-stop Halloween needs?  Feel free to leave a comment and let us know! 

Stephanie Nishioka is the Marketing Coordinator for Arizona Central Credit Union, where she has worked since March 2008. She is an Arizona native and currently resides in Surprise with her fiancé and Shiba Inu.

It seems like there is a holiday for every occasion. There’s “International Talk Like A Pirate Day,” “Square Root Day“ “No Pants Day.” And Thursday, Oct. 15, just happens to be International Credit Union Day. Here’s why you should be celebrating …

The history of credit unions began in 1844 with a group of weavers in Rochdale, England. From there, the idea of a financial cooperative spread to Germany, Canada and the United States. Today there are 52 credit unions in Arizona serving more than 1.6 million members. That’s about 25% of the state’s population.

Enough with the history lesson. What matters is that more than 160 years later, and especially in light of today’s “Great Recession,” credit unions are more viable than ever. Here’s why you should be banking with a credit union:

• Saving you money – Credit unions help their members save money by offering lower loan rates, better deposit rates and fewer fees than other banking institutions. In fact in 2008 alone, Arizona’s credit unions saved their members nearly $190 million in direct financial benefits, which equals a savings of $229 per member household.*
• Money to lend – Despite the ongoing “credit crunch,” Arizona’s credit unions have money to lend for vehicle loans, mortgages, home equity loans and more.
• Locally owned & operated – The money we lend and hold in deposits typically stays in Arizona, which helps fuel our local economies.
• Member owned – When you join a credit union, you’re also an owner. As financial cooperative, credit unions are dedicated to serving their members, most of whom live here in Arizona, not stockholders or other outside interests located in other parts of the country.
• Helping small businesses succeed – Small businesses continue to be the lifeblood of our economy. Many local credit unions offer a full-range of business financial services to help fuel their success.
• Personal Service – While quality of service can vary from institution to institution, credit unions consistently score higher than their banking counterparts. The American Customer Satisfaction Index for fourth quarter 2008 scored banks a 75 while credit unions towered with an 84.

Let’s face it, most of us have multiple banking relationships. We may use one institution for our checking account and another for our auto or home loan. Why not simplify your life, save some money, and help the local economy all at once? Make the switch to your local credit union. You’ll be glad you did, but please, leave your pants on when you visit your friendly neighborhood credit union branch. [Comment]

* Source: Datatrac, National Credit Union Administration and Credit Union National Association.

David Kexel is the Vice President of Marketing & Business Development for Arizona Central Credit Union, where he has worked since 1999. He has 12 years of experience in financial services marketing and has lived in Arizona for 21 years.

During this economic downturn, it can be a challenge to find fun activities to do that don’t require a lot of money. The newest trend, that doesn’t cost a lot, is taking your pet out on a date!

There are groups you join that have weekly or monthly “group dates” for your pet to get some playtime in with other animals. It’s also a great way for you to meet other pet owners. There is usually little or no cost to join these groups.

Where can I sign up for a pet date?

• Find My Dog a Date – If you are located in the Phoenix area, a local man named Michael D’Elena started a group called “Find My Dog a Date.” Visit the website and get connected to other dog owners and sign up for the emails, so you know when the next meeting will be held. Owners can find dog dates by zip code as well as type of dog by using age, weight, breed, temperament and preferred activities.
• Meet Up – Another website to try is called “Meet-Up.” This website offers you an array of groups that “meet up” in your city. You can choose from many different types of pet groups, including ones exclusively for a certain breed of animal, small or large animal, and much more.

Do you know of other great websites for pet dates? Let us know!

Karen Myers is the Marketing Specialist for Arizona Central Credit Union, where she has worked since July 2008. She moved to Phoenix from Boulder, Colorado last year.

NACA (Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America) is coming this weekend, Oct. 2-5, to the Phoenix Convention Center. This is a HUD-certified, non-profit counseling agency that is doing a nationwide tour called “Save the Dream” to help people work with their mortgage servicer to modify their loan.

NACA started in 1988 with the goal of providing and assisting with affordable homeownership. These community advocates offer their services free of charge and will aggressively seek help for people experiencing a hardship.

Many of the major loan servicers will be attending “Save the Dream” with the goal of offering same-day loan modifications. Similar events have already been held in Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis and Atlanta, and NACA claims they have helped thousands of homeowners permanently reduce their interest rates.

If you or someone you know is currently struggling with mortgage payments due to today’s economy, NACA may be able to help. If you are interested in attending “Save the Dream,” register at the NACA website – www.naca.com.

Kristi Miller is the Mortgage Loan Specialist for Arizona Central Credit Union, where she has worked since 2006. She’s an Arizona native.

The negative media coverage surrounding the economy, company layoffs, and dwindling 401(K) balances can make anyone start to feel down, but it’s important to remain positive. Keep a hold of your emotions to help you have more positive experiences.  

Emotional intelligence is often defined as the ability to monitor your feelings and emotions as well as the feelings and emotions of others and then to use this information to guide how you think and act. Research indicates that good emotional understanding can lead to increased social effectiveness. Characteristics of emotionally intelligent people include being better at perceiving, understanding, and managing emotions; being more open and agreeable; and having more positive social experiences. Are you interested in improving yours? Here are some tips for developing emotional intelligence:

1. Label your feelings rather than people or situations. Say, for example, “I feel hurt when you…” rather than “You are thoughtless and rude!”
2.  Take responsibility for how you feel. Analyze your own feelings and determine their source rather than your perceived motives of others.
3.  Validate other people’s feelings. Demonstrate empathy, understanding, and acceptance of how others feel even if it is different from yours.
4.  Avoid people who discredit you. This is not always possible, but it is possible to minimize your time with them.
5.  Get energized, not angry. Getting angry takes energy. Use what you may currently call anger to get energized or motivated.

Our belief systems cause us to feel the way we do, and even though many of us do not acknowledge it, how we respond to people and situations is a choice. When we are given the choice of feeling positive, neutral, or negative, nearly all of us would choose to feel positive. The good news is we can choose or change the beliefs that aren’t helping us feel the way we want to feel. So if you find yourself feeling negative, think about what beliefs are triggering these feelings. For example, if you believe that you always have to be right and you make a mistake, you will feel negative. The subconscious belief, “I always have to be right” is not empowering or rational. A more realistic belief is, “I will strive to be accurate, but when I make a mistake it’s not the end of the world.”

It is empowering to consciously choose how you want to feel. Analyze your beliefs periodically and make sure they are working for you, not against you.

Dave Kersey is the Training Manager for Arizona Central Credit Union, where he has worked since 2005. He’s from Indiana and moved to Arizona in 2000.

In today’s tight job market, it’s more important than ever to standout from other candidates. The face-to-face interview is your opportunity to shine. Here are some basic tips to follow when invited for an interview and some things to keep in mind to help you make a good first impression. Thinking through the details will reduce your stress level and help you feel more prepared.

• First and foremost, be early!  If you are unfamiliar with the area, drive by a day early to prevent the possibility of being late because you were lost.
• Dress to impress! Your personal appearance reflects your professionalism and how seriously you are taking this job opportunity.
• Smile, shake hands, use the interviewer’s name, and make eye contact.
• Be yourself! Your goal should be to represent your true self, in the best possible light of course. Pretending to be someone you are not won’t get you very far.  

These things may seem like “no-brainers”. It is normal to be a bit nervous, so be sure not to overlook the small details.

• Be aware of your language and how you articulate your words. Using slang (such as like, ya know, and kinda) can make you sound uneducated and unprofessional.  Take care not to use the same word repeatedly – for example; don’t begin every answer with “basically” or “well”.
• Stay away from negatives especially when talking about former employers or co-workers. For example, if you had a boss who was a micromanager, you might turn that around by explaining that you prefer a position with some independence.
• Provide honest and sincere answers with supporting examples that highlight your true life experiences.  Be specific! Stay away from generalities; interviewers want to know what you did, not what you would do in a given situation. Don’t force the interviewer to continually prompt you for specific answers – offer them up.
• Show confidence in your abilities. Know your strong points and be prepared to discuss them.
• Have reasonable career goals in mind and be ready to discuss your plans to achieve them.
• Take the time to think before you speak! Interviewers understand a moment of silence is helpful to collect your thoughts on an important topic or to recall details.
• Practice interviewing with someone you respect professionally and are comfortable taking constructive criticism from.
• Research the company – know their business so that you can discuss their products and/or services.
• Prepare a few questions to ask about the company or the position, but don’t drill the interviewer.

Ask about next steps in the employment process and when you might follow up.

• Reiterate your interest in the job, and always follow up by thanking the interviewer for the meeting. A quick phone call or an email is appreciated and will be remembered.

 Success factors that employers look for are: 

1. Positive attitude toward work
2. Interpersonal skills and teamwork
3. Communication skills (verbal and written)
4. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
5. Accountability and self-motivation
6. Leadership
7. Flexibility
8. Confidence

 Demonstrating your competence in these areas will help you rise above the competition!  

 Julie Ashurst is the Human Resources Recruiter for Arizona Central Credit Union, where she has worked since 2006. She moved to Arizona in 1983 and resides in Glendale with her family.

As we’ve seen from this summer’s town hall meetings and last night’s address from President Obama, healthcare is a hot-button issue that has our leaders trying to balance costs with quality care. In this economy, as companies look for ways to cut operating expenses, some businesses are opting to offer employees a high deductible health plan (HDHP). As a healthcare consumer, it’s important to know the details so you can maximize the benefits of these plans.

An HDHP typically offers a higher deductible in return for generally lower premiums. Since benefits will vary based on your policy, you should contact your insurance provider for the exact details of your plan.

If you are enrolled in an HDHP, you should be familiar with or at least heard of a Health Savings Account (HSA), but since they are a newer concept in healthcare, most of us aren’t comfortable with them yet. Understanding how your HSA works and what you can use the funds for is a major part of benefiting from this type of account.

While you are eligible to open an HSA when you are enrolled in an HDHP, keep in mind your HDHP is your medical insurance plan that you use when you go to your doctor or pharmacy. Your HSA is an account, like a checking or savings account, that you open at your financial institution and use for medical, dental, and vision expenses for you or dependants.

The benefits of using funds in your HSA to pay for eligible expenses are that the funds are tax exempt, they roll over year after year, and you are the owner of your HSA. You will keep the funds in your HSA should you cancel your insurance or leave your employer.

The U.S Treasury has a great FAQ page dedicated to answering many HSA-related questions.

What type of expenses can you use your HSA funds for?
An eligible expense is considered to be for the prevention or treatment of a physical or mental defect or illness. The lists below may include examples of when you can use your HSA funds, but you should always check with your tax adviser to make sure you are using your money correctly. Also remember to keep your receipts every time you use your HSA funds in case your account is ever audited.

• Chiropractor
• Contact lenses and solutions
• Dental treatment
• Doctor’s office visits
• Drugs, prescriptions
• Eyeglasses, and exams eye surgery (such as laser eye surgery)
• Operations/surgery (excluding unnecessary cosmetic surgery)
• Over-the-counter (OTC) medical expenses for items used solely to treat a medical condition (such as aspirin, pain relievers, decongestants, cough suppressant, etc.)
• Physical therapy
• Psychiatric care
• Special education (for learning disabilities)
• Stop-smoking programs (including nicotine gum or patches)

While the healthcare debate rages on, be sure you are getting the most from your healthcare coverage, especially if that coverage includes an HDHP and HSA.

For more information, visit the U.S. Treasure website or Arizona Central Credit Union’s Health Savings Account web page.

Tanya Gardea is the Human Resources Administrator for Arizona Central Credit Union, where she has worked since December 2006. She moved to Phoenix from El Paso,Texas and currently resides in Goodyear.

If you are in the market for new household appliances, you may want to hold out for the latest $300 million dollar stimulus package, “Cash for Refrigerators.” This federal program is giving consumers rebates for the purchase of high-efficiency appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.

Cash for Refrigerators is part of the broader $700 billion economic stimulus bill passed earlier this year. It’s similar to the recent popular “Cash for Clunkers” federal program, the only difference is this program does not require you to trade in your old appliances.

Cash for Refrigerators should be taking effect later this year and authorizes rebates of $50 to $200 with the purchase of high-efficiency household appliances. The Arizona Energy Office has been designated to administer the program, and will be in charge of giving away $6.2 million to Arizona consumers.

Only appliances covered by the Energy Star seal and meet energy-efficiency standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy will qualify. Details on how the rebates will be paid out and exactly what appliances will be eligible have not yet been decided.

The home appliance industry has had a significant decline in sales that began when the housing market also started its downward trend in 2006. Leading appliance companies have seen huge drops in sales, as much as 40% this year. Many have had to lay off hundreds of workers, so they welcome the program, hoping it will revive the struggling home appliance industry while saving energy at the same time. Experts say that $300 million in rebates could generate 5 to 10 times that amount in sales, which could make a significant impact.

The Cash for Refrigerators program will vary from state to state and details are still being worked out. The federal government has given state governments a due date of Oct. 15 to send their plans to Washington.

Karen Myers is the Marketing Specialist for Arizona Central Credit Union, where she has worked since July 2008. She moved to Phoenix from Boulder, Colorado last year.

Remember that dining establishment you used to go to years ago with your family? Not the place next to the movie theater or at the mall, the place that was hidden and only you knew about it. Remember those fun times and memories that you had there? Please go back soon or they may be just that, a distant memory on your taste buds.

During these tight economic times many consumers have turned to large budget chains and franchises for a perceived value that is pushed with a huge marketing campaign. This is hurting our local chefs and restaurateurs. This is also making our landscape bland and non-unique. Drive to any suburban neighborhood in Arizona. Doesn’t it all look the same? Is this really what you, the consumer wants? Anybody can make it next to a giant movie plex or in a high volume shopping center. Local restaurants can’t afford those spots, but does this make them any less good?

Look closely at the menu at one of these corporate food factories. Then look at another menu at a different chain restaurant, right next door. Aren’t they really selling you the same item with a different appearance? Is everything becoming the same? Listen to a server speak to you at one of these establishments. Isn’t it a little too scripted? It’s all built on getting you in and out as fast as possible and maximizing profits. Most people believe there is no such thing as customer service, and a lot of this has to do with their experiences dining out. I don’t want to hear “how about an ice cold smoothie” and “don’t forget to save room for dessert.” Don’t sell me on what I want. Let me look at the menu and I’ll decide.

Value. Freshness. Attentiveness. Menu items geared toward local taste buds. All reasons to eat at local establishments. Most places sympathize with the current state of the economy and are offering great deals made when you order it, not re-heating a meal that was mass-produced in New Jersey. So, the next time you go out, maybe bypass the hour-long wait at the flashy place you saw advertised on cable over and over again, last night and give a local place a try. Who knows? If it’s good you might go back.

Starting September 10 check out Dine4az.com, a new website created by Shamrock Foods that features links and promotions for Arizona restaurants. Also, check out Local First to find local restaurants near you.

Jon Stine is a Sales Representative for Shamrock Foods , where he has worked since 2007. He is an Arizona native and currently resides in Central Phoenix.

Thanks in part to the $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit, and in part to super-low mortgage rates, first-timers bought more than half the homes purchased so far in 2009. (Source: Home & Family Finance Resource Center.)

And don’t forget, the IRS defines first-time buyers as “taxpayers who have not owned another principal residence at any time during the three years prior to the date of purchase.” So, if you were a homeowner in a past life, you may still qualify for the credit.

Also, I don’t suggest making an offer on short sales at this time. If you’re not already in a contract for a short sale, I suggest not looking at them now. They can take up to 3 months just to get the approval from the bank, which puts you at mid-November, and then you’re in the middle of trying to close with millions of others by the end of the month with Thanksgiving interrupting everything.

Remember, the tax credit isn’t for those who tried to close by November 30; you have to be closed on or before November 30. There’s talk in Congress about extending the date, but don’t count on it. Check with your accountant or tax adviser to make sure you qualify for the credit, then call your realtor and start looking. There’s no time to loose!

Chris Campbell is a Realtor and Phoenix native serving the entire Phoenix metropolitan area. He also specializes in urban real estate and makes his home in downtown Phoenix. To contact Chris, please visit his website at www.PhoenixAZUrban.com.