Everyone has their own version of a dream vacation. For me, it was a five day trip to California wine country. But, for some people, it never becomes a reality. Read on for six ways to make that dream vacation come true.

(Woodbury, MN – July 30, 2018) – Ideal Credit Union will give away $6,600 in cash prizes at this year’s Community Celebration, including a $1,000 daily grand prize for adults age 18 and over, and $100 a day for youth age 17 and under. Ideal’s fifth annual summer celebration will be held over the course of two weeks, starting August 7-16, 2018. Attendees will enjoy food, fun, prizes, a special visit from kid’s club mascot Bucky Bear, and a chance to give back to our local communities.

(Woodbury, MN – July 18, 2018) Faith Tholkes, Vice President of Mortgage Operations at Ideal Credit Union, has once again been named a “Super Mortgage Professional” for 2018 by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and Twin Cities Business, marking the third time she has been recognized as a leader in the industry. Tholkes was nominated for the award by clients who view her as a mortgage professional who demonstrates exceptional ability and service.

You’re convinced: You really want that designer handbag. Or maybe you just know that gigantic entertainment center will transform your weekends. So you swipe your card and the dream item becomes yours. And you’re thrilled! That is, until buyer’s remorse hits. You can’t help wondering: Was it really worth the price? Before you say “yes” to a large purchase, ask yourself these 7 questions.

(Woodbury, MN – July 5, 2018) Ideal Credit Union has been named one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Top Workplaces recognizes the most progressive companies in Minnesota based on employee opinions measuring engagement, organizational health and satisfaction. The rankings in the Star Tribune Top 150 Workplaces are based on survey information collected by Energage, an independent company specializing in employee engagement and retention. Ideal was ranked 38th on the midsize company list.

(Woodbury, MN – June 27, 2018) Joshua (Josh) Anderson has rejoined the Ideal Credit Union team as its new Business Relationship Specialist. Anderson previously served as Branch Manager of the credit union’s Hugo office, where he was responsible for developing growth strategies to ensure the branch’s success. Anderson first started at Ideal in 2011. He left in 2017 for a brief time and recently returned to take on this new role. He has 7 years of experience in the financial services industry.

(Woodbury, MN – June 5, 2018) – Ideal Credit Union member Stephanie Smidt and her family had been raising money to bring their baby daughter home from China when she was randomly selected as the winner of September’s $1,000 “Use & Win” Debit Card Giveaway. The Smidts were just nine days away from boarding a plane to pick up the newest addition to their family when they got the news. “Thank you so much Ideal CU for helping us bring our daughter home!!! This money is such a blessing to our family!”

Activities don't have to go by the wayside if your family is on a budget! Consider these 10 budget ideas to spend more time outside with your family this summer:

(Woodbury, MN – May 2, 2018) – Ideal Credit Union has been named “Best Credit Union in the East Metro” for the second year in a row by readers of the Stillwater Gazette newspaper. Ideal became the first credit union to operate in the community in its 164 years of existence when its Stillwater branch opened for business in December of 2016. Ideal has had a strong presence in the east metro for 92 years.

(Woodbury, MN – April 30, 2018) Ideal Credit Union has announced the following personnel changes that have taken place over the past few months. Kari Olson has been promoted to Director of Mortgage Lending Operations. Olson joined the Ideal team in 1992 and has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. In her role she will be responsible for monitoring and managing processing, underwriting, servicing and compliance functions of the credit union’s real estate lending area.