Halloween is my absolute FAVORITE holiday of the year! As my family will attest, I go all out decorating for the "spooktacular" day at the end of October. But, as my family will also confirm, I am CHEAP when it comes to spending money. So imagine my delight in finding this great list of creative and cheap DIY Halloween decor ideas to turn your home into the spookiest haunt on the block.

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(Woodbury, MN – September 11, 2019) Ideal Credit Union will host a no-cost QuickBooks 101 Business Workshop on Friday, September 27, 2019, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the credit union’s Woodbury office, 8499 Tamarack Road. Join Ideal’s Business Relationship Specialist Josh Anderson and guest instructor Randy Morris from Fiscal Foundations, LLC, to learn about the benefits of QuickBooks and how to get started.

(Woodbury, MN – September 4, 2019) – Knowing a healthy workplace is a happy workplace, Ideal Credit Union’s first-ever Wellbeing Champions Committee launched a five-week step challenge, designed to focus on the importance of daily exercise, while also encouraging many of the participants to walk with a greater purpose at the 10th Annual MN Brain Tumor 5K, which was held on May 19, 2019.

(Woodbury, MN – August 13, 2019) Ideal Credit Union recently hosted two sessions of its award-winning “Money Talks” financial literacy program in July, attracting 42 students from around the metro area. The unique peer-to-peer program, led and taught by high school-age Ideal CU Student Credit Union employees, teaches students the building blocks of personal finance: budgeting, savings and investments, credit, and money management tools. Students in attendance ranged in age from 16 to 22 years and came from a number of communities, including Rochester, Minneapolis, Blaine, Rosemount, Bayport, Mahtomedi, Inver Grove Heights, Oakdale, Maplewood, White Bear Lake, Stillwater, Hudson and more.

If you get a call from a grandchild claiming he or she is facing some kind of emergency, and then find yourself talking to someone claiming to be law enforcement telling you to wire money or use a prepaid debit card to send funds, don't do it! It might very well be a scam! Family emergency scams are especially nefarious since they take advantage of the natural affection a grandparent has for a grandchild. Here's how to identify an emergency scam and what to do if you've been victimized.

(Woodbury, MN – July 26, 2019) – Ideal Credit Union will give away $6,600 in cash prizes at this year’s Community Appreciation Events, 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 sixth annual summer celebration will be held over the course of two weeks. Attendees will enjoy food, fun, prizes and a chance to give back to our local communities.

It’s hard to believe, but 2019 is half over. Take a timeout from barbecues and beaches to give yourself a mid-year financial checkup. Use the seven steps below to guide you.

Heading out of town for vacation? Whatever your plans, here’s a list of things to take care of before you leave.

(Woodbury, MN – June 25, 2019) – The Ideal Credit Union Board of Directors has elected a new slate of officers following the successful Annual Meeting in April. Peter S. Olsen was named Chairman of the Board, succeeding Keith E. Hauge, who has served in that capacity since 2014. Robert E. Vance Jr., was elected Vice Chair, and Lisa M. Liddell will serve as Secretary. Olsen and Vance, both incumbents, were recently reelected to 3-year terms on the Ideal CU Board. Also elected to her first 3-year board term was Mary G. Westberg, who has served on the Supervisory Committee since 2017 and became committee chair in 2018.