Democracy’s Cup overflows

Nearly a month removed from the recent election, it should be noted that voters can make a difference if they show up in force. Political talk can make many people’s eyes gloss over. It seems the next campaign starts immediately following the election. Haven’t we been hearing about the ’08 presidential election since the second week in November ’04 when the dust settled?

Either way, voter turnout is important and should be encouraged. East Haven and North Haven were recently recognized as winners of the state’s Democracy Cup for having the highest voter turnout in their respective size categories. East Haven pulled in 64% of its registered voters and North Haven slightly less than 58%. (For consideration, the statewide average was 37%).

Both of these towns saw incumbents lose their seats at the top of the local government. Does this prove that people will come to the polls when they have a desire for change? Maybe. Did these newly elected officials have groundbreaking ideas, solid campaign strategies, a good marketing machine at work, or an opponent (or a regime) facing ethical issues? The answer is likely a combination of all of the above.

Since we have many members in these two lauded towns, perhaps a few would like to weigh in on what drew these crowds to the polls (a certain issue?). Or why they weren’t drawn into these political frays?

Bargain Hunters Unite

It’s official. The holiday season is here. How do you know? Maybe the music on the radio, maybe the chill in the air. It could be the decorations popping up on lawns in the neighborhood.

Retailers know because last Friday many worked off some of their Thanksgiving meal by foregoing sleep and heading out the stores. Yes, at 4 a.m. many traded a warm bed for the soothing glow of a 37” high-def television on sale at great reduced price, of course.

$10.3 billion worth of merchandise, according to ShopperTrak RCT Copr., which shows an 8.3 percent rise over the same day last year. Black Friday kicked off the spending season right, despite an unstable economy, and this positive weekend was closed out by Cyber Monday.

Cyber Monday, which featured great online shopping opportunities, logged $733 million from bargain hunters, according to comScore, setting a new single day online spending record. Never before had consumers exceeded $700 million, and experts think this could be broken again as the season progresses.

ComScore also noted that 60 percent of the money spent online on Monday came from work computers. (Sure, you claimed to be on Amazon.com doing research for an important presentation, but we now know the truth!)

Did you slip out in the early morning light to scoop up some savings or stay in bed instead? How about a little online shopping in the office Monday morning? (Don’t worry, we won’t tell the boss)

If you had a $1,000,000…

Earlier this week, a man from Georgia tried to make a special deposit in a bank in South Carolina. The teller was suspicious and rightfully so, as the man was trying to pass off a $1 million bill.

Never seen or heard of a $1 million bill?  Neither has the U.S. Treasury, since such a denomination does not exist! (Side note to potential forgers, do your homework).

Needless to say, the man’s transaction was denied and he is now facing criminal charges. (Second side note to potential forgers, it’s illegal and easy to get caught).

Imagine there was a $1 million bill and you had one. What would you do with it?

Hello world!

Welcome to Connex Credit Union’s blog. 
On a World Wide Web full of sites and blogs and information, we’re glad you stopped by. Going forward, our blog will be here with a few goals in mind. First, to help improve the financial lives of our members and nonmembers alike.  How? By reading the personal stories of employees and others who dealt with the day-to-day struggles (and triumphs) associated with money.

Second, to foster a sense of community among our members, our staff and residents of New Haven, Hartford and Middlesex counties (and beyond, of course). We want our members and our neighbors to have a place to post about local events and causes.

So, welcome. Hope we see you again soon.