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.