I’M A DEBIT CARD! I’M A DEBIT CARD! Well you may think I meant to say that I HAVE a debit card. But nope, I meant to say that I am one!

GTE Federal Credit Union’s U22 Account now has a Suite Caroline U22 card and if you have ever seen my website or my myspace then you will know what this card looks like. It has pretty colors and peace signs and flowers. Totally love it!! If you already have a U22 Account just tell your branch you want to get the new Suite Caroline card and they will handle it. Or you can call the awesome people at member services 888.871.2690 x 40401. Or if you don’t have a U22 Account, now is a great time to become a member of GTE Federal Credit Union so you can get the cool design! Check it out!!!

The U22 Account is for 12 to 22 year olds! Learn more about how you can become a member. Click Here

I went to my branch today and asked them to order mine and they said it would arrive in the mail in about a week!! Can’t wait hope you like it too!!

I had the best day today! I got to play a concert at the new GTE Federal Credit Union branch in St. Petersburg, FL. It is such a pretty new building!! It is across the street from Perkins Elementary School. I played a concert as a reward to some of the classes for their hard work on the FCAT. They could just walk across the street from the school, and GTE Federal Credit Union is right there! I got to tell them about the U22 checking account. Some of the kids were 12, so they were old enough to sign up for one. The kids even had signs asking me to sing some of my songs that they like. I played about 6 songs, and then I did a question and answer session. After that, I signed autographs and the funniest thing happened!! A mom asked me to sign her BABY! I’ve never been asked that before!! I signed on her onesie!! She was soooo sweet!!!! (Jennifer-My mom will send you a pic of that and maybe one of the concert too) The branch manager even had cake for all of us. It was so cool to see how GTE Federal Credit Union is more than a credit union to that community. The branch manager also invited some St. Petersburg officials and some parents and grandparents to attend the show. Everyone had a great time (especially me!) and I thank both GTE Federal Credit Union and Perkins Elementary School!! You really made me feel special!!

I to I. Peer to Peer. Good Advice for College Freshman.
This week, I decided to sit back and let the college seniors do the talking!

There’s no doubt it’s tough for incoming college freshmen to avoid the temptations of campus life – new quarters, new rules and the new found freedom of being away from home! It’s an exciting time in their lives that requires some restraint to avoid getting off to a very bad start.

The first temptation is the evil credit card. Sure it looks cool with your own design and your name gleaming on it. But be wary. While new reform limits credit card companies’ from issuing credit to 18-20 year olds, many freshman still have access to credit cards. They want, they buy and they owe with a plan to pay off balances when they graduate. What they may not realize is that carrying balances and paying the minimum monthly throughout these four years is both costly and affects their credit score. Plus, if you don’t land that job with the dream income right away, how will you pay the bills?

The second temptation will be peers. College students come from all walks of life. There are ‘haves’ with seemingly limitless spending and ‘have-somes’ which makes up the majority. [There are also ‘hads’ which are those who caved into the pressure and are deeply in debt].

Life costs money, it’s a cruel reality so budgeting is key.

Some tips from college seniors to incoming freshmen, “Be smart and get creative.”
• Buy your clothes at home, not at college. The prices are typically higher in college towns.
• Get in the habit of setting money aside for savings and major purchases so you don’t rely on a credit card.
• Go with the school meal plans. There are lots of choices and the cafeterias have the best prices in town.
• Go in on purchases with friends. This is great for dining out or buying necessities in bulk.
• Check out the fees at the ATMs and keep your usage at a minimum.
• Utilize online banking to avoid overdrawing your account. That $35 average overdraft fee can add up and it will show up on your financial record.
• Don’t hang out with big spenders. The pressure to spend is too much for many.
• Plan for the unexpected, because something will happen that costs you money, [you know… like a speeding ticket or going over your cell phone minutes].

Fortunately GTE-FCU’s U22 account offers free online bill pay, email balance alerts, and mobile phone account access, plus once-a-month forgiveness for a debit card overdraft, their free personal financial management program AND you can earn points on your debit card to get cool stuff!

Recently, I have been working on a play called Eurydice. It is the re-telling of an old Greek play of the same name. It’s a very interesting play about love, loss and adventure. I play Little Stone who is one of three stones that live in the Underworld. The stones are weird creatures that love to tease and play with Eurydice as she struggles to regain her memory and leave the Underworld. We’ve all been working really hard on this play and it has been a lot of fun to work on. Everyone should come check it out! It opens May 14th at 8pm, and runs every Thursday to Sunday through May 31st. It’s at the Shimberg Playhouse in Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. I hope everyone comes out to see it and if you do come remember to use your GTE Federal Credit Union U22 account to buy the tickets!