Celebrate fitness this May
"The first wealth is health." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Financial fitness is important. But sometimes we get so wrapped up in our work life that we forget to focus on physical fitness as well.

Since 1983, the nation has observed National Physical Fitness and Sports Month during the month of May. It is an opportunity to draw attention to physical activity as an integral part of a healthy and productive life and celebrate participation in sports and physical activities, reports the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

Regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk of dying of coronary heart disease, the nation's leading cause of death, and decreases the risk for stroke, colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Health experts recommend that an average adult should get at least 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity on all or most days of the week. Examples of moderate activity can include brisk walking, cycling, swimming or doing home repairs or yard work. If it is difficult to find a chunk of time each day, strive for short segments of activity — at least 10 minutes at a time - that can add up to a half hour per day.

Instead of attempting to initiate an ambitious exercise program, work toward permanently incorporating more activity into your lifestyle. Choose an exercise that you like. Use the buddy system — exercising with a friend or family member can make it more enjoyable and more difficult to talk yourself out of.
Remember that increased activity doesn't have to be a high-impact sport. Try incorporating these exercise-inducing tips into your regular routine:

• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Park at the far end of a parking lot and walk to the office or store.
• Get up from your desk during the day to stretch and walk around.
• Take a brisk walk when you get the urge to snack.
• Increase your pace when working in the house or yard.
• Mow your own lawn.
• Carry your own groceries.

Exercise alone won't make you physically fit. Remember to eat a nutritious diet, get preventative screenings and avoid risky behaviors.

With a few changes to your lifestyle, you can maintain physical fitness— and set yourself up to better enjoy the financial fitness that we all strive for!

Start them young — The importance of youth financial education

A recent national survey revealed 34% of high school seniors said they were "not sure at all" or "not too sure" about their ability to manage their own finances. Sixty-six percent said they were "somewhat sure" or "very sure." All groups failed a test of financial literacy. The same survey found that the students learned most about managing their money from family at home (58%), personal experience (18%), a class at school (20%), friends (2%) and media (2%).

Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union recently joined credit unions around the country and supported National Credit Union Youth Week April 23 to 29, taking the opportunity to stress the importance of financial education for youngsters, enlightening children and parents alike.

This year's Youth Week theme, "My Money, My Credit Union— Where I Belong," aimed to help children understand the importance of saving and financial planning while explaining the credit union philosophy of "people helping people." In conjunction with Youth Week, HCFCU participated in the National Youth Savings Challenge as a real-life exercise in making money grow. The Savings Challenge, now in its third year, is a focal point for teaching the benefits of saving for goals.

Hawaii Council on Economic Education (HCEE) is a nonprofit educational organization that promotes and improves the teaching of economics in Hawaii's public and private schools and increases the economic and financial literacy of Hawaii's students and residents. This month, HCFCU will join forces with HCEE and sponsor a teacher training workshop at its new Branch & Administrative Offices at Kaloko.

HCFCU seeks out opportunities to educate our communities' youth about financial responsibility and planning. We encourage parents, grandparents, teachers and friends to take any opportunity to teach their youth about financial matters, too.

Stretch your vacation dollars

According to the Travel Industry Association of America, the summer months bring the highest volume of U.S. resident travel, with fall and spring running close behind. With a little planning beforehand and proper executing during your vacation, you can save a bundle. Consider these money-saving tips:

Surf the Web. Compare prices for transportation and lodging options, searching for special Internet-only offers and discounts.

Enroll in consumer advantage programs, such as frequent flyer, hotel rewards and preferred customer programs to maximize savings. Many of these have no membership fee.

Book lodging with amenities. Fifty-five percent of U.S. residents who travel stay in hotels, motels or bed-and-breakfasts. Choose lodging with free breakfasts, swimming pools and fitness centers to save money on food and recreation.

Pack food and snacks. Packing sandwiches, fruit and beverages rather than eating in a restaurant can save a family of four almost $50 per meal.

Research airline ticket options, being flexible with air travel plans when possible. Layover flights are often less expensive than non-stops. If there are several airports within an hour of your final destination, compare ticket prices. Staying over a Saturday night and purchasing your ticket in advance could reduce airfare by two-thirds.

Go out for lunch rather than dinner. Restaurants charge less for lunch than dinner so treat yourself to the best restaurants at noontime.

Take advantage of coupons. Whether it is for lodging, food or attractions, coupons save money. You can find them online, in local newspapers, at convenience stores and motel desks.

Give each child a set amount to spend. Giving children a pre-set spending limit for souvenirs will save in aggravation and in the pocketbook.

Give yourself a set amount to spend. Set your vacation budget and stick to it. You don't want to be paying off this year's vacation when it's time to be planning next year's fun. When possible, pay in advance or pay with cash/debit rather than credit. You'll enjoy the vacation more knowing that you won't be paying for it in the months to come.

Save at the pump — Gasoline saving tips

The price of gasoline may fluctuate a few cents downward now and then, but the reality is it will never be as low as it was in past decades.

You can reduce the amount of gas you use — and thus the amount of money you spend at the pump. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests four general guidelines to ensure you are getting the best gas mileage your car can deliver:

Drive more efficiently.
Keep your car in shape.
Plan and combine trips.
Choose a more efficient vehicle.

Drive More Efficiently
Aggressive driving, including speeding, rapid acceleration and braking, wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town. Observe the speed limit. While each vehicle reaches its optimal fuel economy at a different speed (or range of speeds), gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. As a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.21 per gallon for gas. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your miles-per-gallon by up to 2 percent. Avoid excessive idling, use cruise control and overdrive gears when appropriate.

Keep Your Car in Shape
Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4 percent. Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve your mileage by as much as 40 percent. Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. You can improve your gas mileage by around 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. You can improve your gas mileage by 1 to 2 percent by using the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil.

Plan and Combine Trips
Combining errands into one trip saves time and money. Trip planning ensures that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient. With a little planning, you can avoid retracing your route and reduce the distance you travel as well. You'll not only save fuel but also reduce wear and tear on your car. If you can stagger your work hours to avoid peak rush hours, you'll spend less time sitting in traffic and consume less fuel. If you own more than one vehicle, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage whenever possible. Consider telecommuting (working from home) if your employer permits it. If possible, take advantage of carpools and ride-share programs. You can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take turns driving with other commuters.

Choose a More Efficient Vehicle
Selecting which vehicle to purchase is the most important fuel economy decision you'll make. The difference between a car that gets 20 MPG and one that gets 30 MPG amounts to $550 per year (assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually and a fuel cost of $2.20). That's $2,200 extra in fuel costs in just four years.

Saving at the pump is good for your wallet — and for our 'aina. With just a small amount of conscious effort, you'll see results!

Econo-entertainment — Have fun for nearly nothing!

Summer is here. Kids are out of school. It's time for some good family entertainment. Following are some ideas that won't break the bank!

Plan a friendly potluck. It's less expensive and requires less work than planning a dinner party — and it's more interesting because you'll share tastes of your friends' favorite dishes. Extend the idea - have friends bring over a dish and a board game, and host a potluck game night. Or create a themed movie night by having friends bring over their favorite food and a movie from a particular genre.

Watch a movie — for free. Renting a movie costs less than taking a trip to the movie theater. You can save even more - spend absolutely nothing - by borrowing movies from the library or swapping movies with friends.

Enjoy nature. Go on a hike, hit the beach, go to the park and play ball, take a walk and use things you find in nature to make decorations. Take pictures of each nature activity, then put together a photo album.

Have each person in the family research something they've been curious about on the Internet for a free educational lesson, then share the knowledge over a picnic dinner in the backyard.

Take in a sporting event. It doesn't have to be the expensive professional kind! Check out your community's little league baseball games or youth soccer games. Even if your children aren't team members, the games can be very entertaining to watch.

Make a game out of entertainment budgeting itself. Assign each family member a week to plan an activity. Whoever spends the least amount of money wins a prize. You'll be amazed at your family's creativity, and you'll all have a healthy dose of family fun!