Make Your House A Home

When you come home after a long day of work, you want to relax. Yet when you look around, it’s easy to spot all the areas that need touching up and parts that need repairs. It’s difficult to find both the time and the money for home improvements – or so we think. There is actually a great variety of projects that can be done on a small budget, in a short amount of time.

The entryway can be a source of stress. How do you make it nice not just for guests, but for those who live in the house and have to see it every day? To start out, get a boot tray that’s easy to clean – or create your own with a rimmed baking sheet – so that dirt won’t be tracked inside. A shelf with pegs is easy enough to add, allowing for organization of your jackets, hats, umbrellas, and more! You can also keep the Arizona essentials on top: sunglasses and sunscreen, so you’re prepared for every sunny day.

Reorganize your rooms with plastic bins. Don’t spend any more time digging through all the baking supplies and canned goods and cereal boxes to find that one jar of unopened peanut butter you’ve been craving. Have your kids sort their toys so that they can see which one they want through the clear plastic rather than having to pull out every single one to find their favorite teddy bear. Get your crafting supplies categorized with labels, allowing for your next project to be completed much more quickly.

Restoring parts of your home that seem like little details can make a big difference while still being inexpensive. Painting your front door is a great way to refresh the look of your house from the outside. Make sure to remove it from its hinges and clean it well before priming and painting it. Moving back inside, start in the bathroom, where almost everyone who visits will spend some time. Check around the sink, bathtub, and shower for caulk looking cracked or discolored; this can lead to mildew or water damage from leaks. Remove it, clean well, and replace it with a new caulk seal that can last up to 10 years. Another important part of your house is the trimwork, which can subtly change the whole feel of a place depending on the state it’s in. Paint or replace any scuffed, damaged, or missing moldings, end caps, or baseboards. You’re sure to feel a difference after completing these changes.

Home projects can add up quickly in time and money, turning a simple decision of where to start into an overwhelming obstacle. While there are plenty of undertakings that will require certified professionals, or a lot of effort and funding on your part, you can always start small. This feeling of accomplishment will make your efforts snowball, and soon your house will be turned into a home you can fully unwind in.

For the bigger projects, there are options such as refinancing your house. Take advantage of competitive rates now so you can breathe easy sooner!

This Time, It’s Personal

The tale of 2020 will be told for years to come. No one has been left untouched by stress and uncertainty and it seems like every day comes with news so wild, it can’t possibly be true. Yet through it all, we have come together as a community. We will survive to tell the tale. Now? It’s time to take back control and thrive.

In the midst of chaos, a hero rises. That hero… is you. SunWest, like a proper sidekick, is here to offer support. We’re not going to let 2020 crush your dreams. We’re here to reinforce them. With a 7.90% personal loan, you can take control and choose your path. Will you plan your dream staycation? Fund the wedding you’ve been awaiting once COVID is a distant memory? Consolidate your debts so you can focus on your future? You can even complete the home renovations you’ve had to put off for far too long.

Don’t let the stress of the past 12 months build up and knock you down. Your plans have already been paused most of the year. Apply now by going to any SunWest branch, calling our loan-by-phone team, or submitting your forms online. There’s no better way to show 2020 who’s boss than by totally owning the new year. You won’t be pancaked by the setbacks that tried to keep you down: this time, it’s personal.

A loan as flexible as an Olympic gymnast, requiring no collateral that would just slow it down, and with a fixed rate as steady as your resolve? There’s no better tool to assist you in being the architect of your future. Now’s your time to get back on track. Get up, brush that dirt off, and shine like you were meant to. Make 2021 your BEST. YEAR. YET.

Big Picture, Small Details

What is it about those seemingly insignificant details that still manages to get to us? While overall, your house may look fine, there can be areas that throw a wrench in the visuals. Maybe it’s something that everyone comments on, or something only you notice. Either way, it’s frustrating to think of how much fixing up these details can cost, leading you to putting it off. It turns out, you can refresh a lot of areas in your house by yourself, and for a much better price.

Let’s begin with switchplates – what’s the big deal, you ask? While small and often unnoticed by both residents and visitors, replacing the old with a new style can make a difference in the overall feel of your home. Replace plain plastic switchplates with wood, metal, or ceramic for a more visually appealing look. If you have kids’ rooms, there are even cartoon-patterned ones (you might even want a superhero or Disney switchplate for yourself)! Make it fun for the kids to help out by letting them choose their own new switchplates. With every option at your fingertips, your home can be uniquely you. Whether you prefer the little details like light switches and outlets to have a subtle charm or make a dramatic statement, you’re just a click away from a quick, inexpensive way to set your home apart.

Some consider it hard to express your personality through the fixed aspects of your house. If it’s not furniture or wall decor, how can it be fun? Yet choosing a new wallpaper or paint color for the walls can make a world of difference, and show your unique take on decorating. In the kitchen, a gathering place for everyday and special events, fashion the walls with a backsplash that not only looks great, but protects your walls against messy cooking mishaps. Add tiles that have a more interesting pattern or texture than plain old ceramic tiles. If you’re renting, you can stick on decals to add more personalized flair. Don’t limit your home to being boring and neutral, let some character shine through!

Take a look around your house and see what touches can be added to reflect your creativity. Maybe you add stepping stones to your front yard or plant a garden in the back. Organize with shelves in your garage or hooks in your room to be practical yet pretty. Check out our other ideas for inexpensive home projects. Soon your home will feel both comfortable and new again. And as a bonus, you’ll increase the value of your house with these minor updates! Who can resist benefits like that?

Taking Time to Expand Minds

It’s been a long summer for most parents, starting with school closing before the actual end of the school year. Keeping children occupied has been a struggle for many. They can’t see their friends in person, and they need to let out that social energy somehow. Teachers have held classes online, which is harder for some ages to pay attention to. In Arizona, outside fun is already limited thanks to the summer heat, but now kids can’t even go to public pools, malls, bowling, or any other air-conditioned gathering place. Being stuck at home has parents and children alike getting frustrated. But never fear – there are many ways you can keep your kids engaged and learning at home.

If you haven’t already, sit down with your children and make a schedule. Depending on how old they are, this might be easier or harder with their input, but it’s still good to involve them in the process. A daily or weekly schedule will help everyone in the house stay on track and have something to refer to so you can keep yourselves accountable. Make sure to include time for learning, chores, and relaxing.

There are plenty of inexpensive ways to stay entertained at home. You can find free online games from PBS Kids or Seussville. For older kids, there are options like learning how to cook or creating science experiments using things commonly found around the house. Zoos and other wildlife organizations are offering livestreams of a myriad of animals 24/7. Teens can learn a new language through apps like Duolingo, helping them prepare for their language class requirement in high school, or simply giving them more ways to communicate with the world.

While it’s too hot to start planting, you can plan a garden with the kids. Together, figure out what materials you need, from the proper dirt to the area you want to plant. Pick what you want to grow: will you start with seeds, potted plants, or kitchen scraps? Next, find out when’s the best time of year to plant in Arizona. Fall isn’t far away for an outdoor garden, and if you’re starting something like an indoor herb garden, you can likely begin right away. Caring for plants and watching them grow is a fun, simple responsibility for kids of all ages.

When everyone has had to stay at home with no break from each other, tensions can run high. Kids can get bored more often, feeling like there are less options in how to spend their time. Yet there are still plenty of activities that they can do on their own or you can all do together as a family. Whether it’s practicing a new skill, relaxing with movies or games, creating something new, or something you’ve never considered before, there’s no reason for idle days. Show your family just how much there is to explore in the world.

What’s the Scoop?

We have all had our lives upturned by the COVID-19 pandemic, but small businesses have been hit harder than most. The mom-and-pop stores that rely on local customers to sustain them, that participate in neighborhood events, that support the community supporting them, struggled to continue business-as-usual operations while following social distancing guidelines. Even if their products and services could be sold online, their customers were likely unable to make their usual purchases due to their own financial hardships. In response, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was created.

The PPP loans are intended to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. The Small Business Association will forgive the PPP loans if businesses follow the requirements in keeping their employees on the payroll and in how they use the money. Understandably, people flocked toward financial institutions to claim their loan so they could keep their company and staff afloat.

Unfortunately, the PPP loans process disappointed many small businesses when the program started. Nindi Wadhwa was one of these business owners seeking assistance. With his wife Carissa, he founded Scooptacular amid the housing crash 10 years ago. Nindi recalled, “Our vision was to be a beacon of hope to the community during that time. What also motivated me was to create a family-friendly place where I could take my kiddos on daddy dates.” While living in Laveen, they found there wasn’t much for families to do, and this was a great way to contribute to the neighborhood. They’ve grown a lot since then, becoming a staple in the small town, and anyone who walks in will feel at home.

Because Scooptacular relies heavily on their community, they needed to apply for a PPP loan to sustain their business. However, Scooptacular struggled to obtain a loan before the funding ran out. Yet Nindi and Carissa refused to give up, and were bolstered by the outpouring of support they received from their loyal customers. Once the next round of applications began, they applied again through SunWest, and “were finally able to secure funding through the PPP Program. After speaking with [SBA Arizona Deputy District Director] Shivani last week we reached out to SunWest Credit Union. I was amazed at how quickly they pulled it off. We filled out the application at 11:30 am. The very next morning we were approved.”

Our SunWest team was ready and willing to offer aid as soon as they could, and Nindi was extremely grateful. “I just wanted to give my kudos to Jay and Joseph for their help,” he said of their service. “I was able to call SunWest and speak to a human right away. They were awesome to work with.” Jay, our Direct Lending Manager, and Joe, our Director of Risk Management – and their dedicated teams – have been on fire assisting small business owners in successfully applying for the PPP loans. Scooptacular was no different.

We at SunWest view assisting local entrepreneurs like Nindi and Carissa to be not just our job, but our duty. Nindi’s gratitude hammered home just how important this work is. “Without you all, I don’t think we would have been able to pull this off. Thank you all for your help through this process,” he told us. As a financial institution that is from and for Arizona, SunWest Credit Union is proud to contribute stability to the community that, in turn, carries us forward through hard times like these.

Anyone who tastes the efforts of this family-run business is sure to be thrilled it has received the support it needed. Scooptacular is worth a trip whenever you’re in the Valley: “We make all of our ice cream in-house and have won blue ribbons from the national ice cream association!!! Currently we have our flagship store in Laveen. We also wholesale to several Valley restaurants like Lou Malnati’s Pizza and have a few dessert places that carry our ice cream! Tropical Sno Glendale, Tropical Sno Mesa and Scooptopia!” They have many unique flavors that are sure to delight adults and kids alike. Plus, you can enjoy your ice cream and stay safe by ordering online!

Not only was Nindi relieved to finally receive his PPP loan, he was also excited about our youth accounts. “My kids are 5, 10 and 12. We plan on coming in once the branches are open to have them open accounts!!!” he let us know. We can’t wait to be able to see and give prizes to our Pounce Accounts members again – but in the meantime, we still have fun, free, at-home activities to participate in!

From little kids to small business owners, SunWest is here for you when the big banks aren’t. Strengthening our community so we can all get through tough times together is our top priority. Nindi, Carissa, and their kids deserve to feel cared for during this time, and local Arizonan businesses deserve to survive. We will always believe that our members are more than just a number.

Creating A Sense of Community

Spending more of your time at home than you’re used to can be both boring and stressful. Whether or not you’re living alone, you probably miss friends and family you don’t get to meet up with like you used to. It can also be taxing to not be able to spend time at big events, malls, or even grocery stores in the same way as before. Luckily, there are a myriad of ways to spend your time without spending a lot of money.

You have likely already discovered the wonders of Netflix, but did you know there’s a Chrome extension called Netflix Party that allows you to sync up with friends so you can all watch at the same time? Watch or rewatch your favorite movies and shows together no matter where you are. While this doesn’t work with other streaming services, there is still an abundance of stories to get enveloped in no matter the site you choose. It may be tempting to subscribe to all of them, but instead save money by trying out their free trials and see which one or two have the most you’d like to watch.

Libraries have been offering more online options now that they have had to close their physical locations. Check out this list of ways to download and read free books for a great way to keep your mind active and maybe try some new genres you haven’t before. Rediscover other hobbies you may have gotten too busy for, but now have some time to attempt again. Sing some karaoke, start a podcast, learn an instrument. Cleaning up your home can feel productive – maybe redecorate some areas for fun! All of these cost little to nothing, depending on how seriously you get into them.

There are also a variety of video chatting options these days, that are of course being used more than ever. Check up on your friends. Set a day and time for a weekly family get-together. Make new friends by livestreaming on your Facebook or Instagram. Find apps that allow you to play with friends while video chatting. Have a game night with everyone in your household. Why not take this time of physical distancing to get closer to people emotionally?

Just because you’re getting tired of being at home, doesn’t mean you have to spend a wild amount of money to find entertaining activities. If none of the above activities have caught your attention, look up lists like these that will show you a world of possibilities. There are free classes for anything from exercising to playing guitar, free computer or physical games, free theater and music, and so much more. At a time when finances are becoming an issue for too many, save your money and connect with others, all in one go.

Down to the Bare Necessities

When a pandemic puts the whole world into crisis mode, there are few plans that won’t be affected. Work in particular has been a confusing situation for everyone. How do you handle your finances when you’re not sure what will come next? Whether you’ve been working from home or were laid off, now is the time to get your budget in order.

Saving on gas while you work at home? Put that money toward your essential bills, savings, or investment. If there’s a risk of income disruption, now is not the time to count your gas money as “extra” fun money. Planning for the long-term, now or in any other crisis, is extremely important since we can’t predict how long the situation might last.

Is your work on hold, or you’ve been laid off? There are many resources out there to help you make ends meet right now. You can also find budgeting tutorials and suggestions, such as the budgeting tips we have here. Even with necessities, however, you can reduce your spending. Use coupons on your groceries, reduce your utilities usage to cut down costs, check with your landlord on payment options.

After you have added in any financial assistance (unemployment benefits, tax return, etc.), if your income still doesn’t cover all your expenses, you need to take action. Ideally you would have had an emergency fund ready to be used in this time of need. If you hadn’t been able to build one up before the crisis, try selling unneeded items or getting a part-time job. Make sure to check the state rules if you’re collecting unemployment benefits, so that any side income doesn’t affect your eligibility.

No one is certain about how long this pandemic will last. If you are able to work from home or get a temporary job in the midst of this instability, take care of your finances. This applies even more if you have been laid off – you have the time now to go over your individual or family budget with a fine-tooth comb and make sure you stick to it. No matter the long-term financial impact, spending and saving wisely is the key to making it through.

Riding Out Rough Patches

There is a lot we cannot predict about the coming months. What is the economy going to be like? When will things go back to normal? Although we don’t have all the answers, we do have solutions for those finding themselves in a difficult financial situation. Here are some tried and true tips to help you navigate through this time.

A budget has always been a good place to start. Now, it’s more helpful than ever. If you’ve already been working on making and sticking to a budget, you’re likely in a better situation than many others. If you haven’t, start now. Prioritize what needs to be paid first, and estimate how much it will cost you, whether weekly or monthly or another time range is up to you. Eliminate nonessentials wherever you can. Top of the list should be what you need to survive – food, shelter, and utilities. Then come other expenses such as transportation, which might not be as necessary but can become very important at certain times. Lastly are the items that aren’t strictly essential, but might add to your quality of life, especially when you have to social distance. Maybe you still want to grab that coffee every day, or you’ll make it at home. You might want to add another streaming service so that your family has a greater variety of choices for movie nights, or perhaps you’ll be fine with the one you already have. These kinds of budget items can change with every individual.

Take advantage of refinancing programs for your house or car. If your credit is good and you’re going to have the same house or car for the foreseeable future, you could be saving money by refinancing your loans. Similarly, with insurance for your home, vehicle, health, and so on: make sure you’re neither overinsured nor underinsured. You want to be covered just enough at the best rate you can find. This can involve a lot of research, but is sure to be worth it in the end.

If you have any money left over from budgeting, put it into your savings. Many are dipping into their emergency funds these days, so you may feel like you should use it on backup supplies or put it toward other bills that could be waived instead. However, setting aside any extra money in your savings account is just as good a thing to do now as it has ever been. We don’t know what the future holds, and this way you will be more prepared.

These financial tips are advice for any rough patch, but are needed now more than ever. And during any time of stress, make sure to take care of your mind and body too. Exercise, eating healthy, and practicing mindful meditation can all keep you going through this unpredictable time so that you’re ready to embrace when the situation evens out again. Navigating through stormy seas isn’t something anyone wants to do, but if you build a sturdy ship, you’ll get back to shore safely.

Together, We Are Stronger

Hard times can happen to anyone, but this year it feels like they’re happening to everyone we know. Thanks to the far-reaching effects of the coronavirus, many businesses have had to lay off employees. Whether it’s temporary or permanent, help is needed now. If you’re out of work or struggling to make ends meet in any way, here are some resources to help you out.

The Arizona Department of Economic Security is a great place to start. They are the main resource to apply to so that you can get unemployment insurance, which is a temporary source of income for those who lost their jobs when it wasn’t their fault. Normally, you would need to be “actively seeking work”, but they have suspended that requirement during this emergency. They also have a variety of links, phone numbers, and advice you can go through for more help.

Another major site to go to right away is Arizona Together. Along with links to financial assistance and where you can apply for a job, they have assistance for mortgage and rental eviction. You can also find ways to take care of your food needs, utilities, childcare, mental health, and so much more. Take advantage of these resources for yourself and your family now, so that your lives can be a little more stable.

Arizona Together has links for businesses, volunteers, and donations. You can also go directly to the Arizona Department of Revenue for business, individual, and/or tax relief. They describe different kinds of assistance that could be useful to you. Governor Doug Ducey’s news release also talks about unemployment assistance in a brief, simple-to-understand way.

While some of these resources are only to help during this COVID-19 emergency, many are good to keep on hand for the future. Having quick access to places you can apply to for help is always nice – back-up plans are never a waste of time. But right now, this information could help you or someone you know to last through the current pandemic issues. No one should have to worry about if they’ll have a place to live or food to eat while trying to keep themselves healthy. If we make the time to take care of each other now, we can all get through this together.

Economic Impact Payments

Good news! The Internal Revenue Service has sent out the first wave of economic impact payments. The direct deposits are expected to hit accounts on April 15th for those who already filed taxes for 2019 and have their bank account information on file with the IRS. This is great news and welcome assistance for many, but you may still be left wondering, what do I need to do to access the payment? What’s the best use of this money?

First, it’s important to remember that most taxpayers will not need to take any extra steps to receive their payment. If you’re not sure how much you should be getting, here’s a simple breakdown. If you do still need to file, there are some great resources available, including free electronic filing if your adjusted gross income is $69,000 or less. As you likely have heard by now, the deadline to file your taxes this year has been moved from April 15 to July 15. Even though the deadline has been extended, the sooner you file, the sooner you are able to receive your economic impact payment.

Once you receive your payment, your first thought may be to spend it on things to keep you busy during quarantine. While it’s easy to get a little carried away with spending when it comes to a large sum of money, be sure to prioritize your highest needs: food and shelter.  If you need even more relief from your financial obligations, contact the utility company, your auto loan provider, cell phone provider, and other companies you owe money to and see what they can do to lower your bills or waive fees. Most organizations are working with customers during these difficult times so don’t be afraid to ask for assistance! For a more visual guide regarding ways to use your stimulus payment, check out this excellent chart provided by the National Credit Union Foundation.

Talking with your credit union or other lenders can also help you determine the programs available to you that would provide the most financial relief right now. Setting aside a little money in your savings is another way to help you manage and plan for future obligations. Lastly, if you know you owe the government money to pay your taxes, set aside some money to ensure you have enough to cover that payment. The less debt you have now, the easier it will be to manage your finances once things return to normal.

One thing to keep in mind is that your money is safe with SunWest so there is no need to hoard cash once you receive your stimulus payment. We also want to remind you to be on the lookout for scams as we are seeing a rise in COVID-19 related fraud.

We know you are being bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information as guidelines and resources are constantly changing or being updated. Here’s a summary of the basics you need to know about the economic impact payments, including how to designate a direct deposit account and the garnishment process. If we can help to clarify any of the above information, or if you have any questions, you can ask us in the comments or call your nearest branch.