‘Tis the season to be jolly! And unfortunately, ‘tis also the season for scammers to go after your hard-earned dollars. Keep your money safe by reading up on the most common scams taking place this time of year and practicing caution.

(Woodbury, MN –November 20, 2018) – Ideal Credit Union’s yearly $1,000 Holiday Debit Card Giveaway is back for another four weeks this holiday season. Ideal CU has held this popular holiday promotion since 2012 and has given away $24,000 to 24 lucky members. To qualify, members with an Ideal CU personal checking account simply use their Ideal CU Debit Mastercard® or My Rewards™ Gold or Platinum Debit Card for purchases and earn a chance to win one of Ideal CU's four weekly $1,000 random drawings. Members earn 100 bonus entries into the weekly drawing when they make 25 or more purchases a week.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be fun – but they can also put you at risk. Here are 5 scams to look out for as you brave the frenzied crowds while trying to snag the best deals after Thanksgiving.

Keep your home warm and safe this winter by following this comprehensive to-do list before the real cold sets in.

(Woodbury, MN – October 31, 2018) Shannon Butler, Vice President of Digital Innovation for Ideal Credit Union, has been named a CUNA Rock Star for 2018. Butler was recognized as being a versatile and visionary leader who has ambitious goals for the credit union and knows she cannot do it alone. “The people inside these walls are everything,” Butler stated. “I like to focus on making their jobs just a little more awesome.”

We still have a landline at my house. Why? My hubby and I have asked ourselves that question many times, especially when the bill comes every month and the majority of calls we get are robocalls. Everyone in my household has a cell phone, so why not cut the wire? Here are a few of the main reasons people like me hang on to their landlines — and why some of those reasons may not actually matter.

(Woodbury, MN – October 15, 2018) Ideal Credit Union has launched a new digital banking platform intuitively designed to enhance security and offer new and expanded features and functionality, including personalization, customizable notifications, touch ID and face recognition and much more. Ideal CU partnered with Alkami Technology based in Plano, Texas, to provide its more than 52,000 members with an innovative, omni-channel digital banking experience that is seamless, consistent and user-friendly across all devices.

What happens when you and your partner have different approaches toward money? How do you bring up this loaded topic without it spiraling into a heated argument? Read on for the ultimate guide to discussing finances with your partner.

(Woodbury, MN – September 20, 2018) 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 local communities, including Champlin, Hugo, Mahtomedi, Little Canada, St. Paul, Maplewood, Oakdale, South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, West St. Paul, Cottage Grove, Hastings, Stillwater, Lakeland and more.

As we transition from summer to fall, now is the perfect time to carve out a few hours one weekend to give your entire closet a thorough cleaning. They say that the Pareto Principle holds true with wardrobes: Most of us wear 20% of our clothing, 80% of the time. Why waste valuable space on the other 80% of your wardrobe that you rarely wear?