Make Saving A Habit

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Jim Bedinger and Vivian Abraham attended the FOP Great Lakes Coalition meeting held in Indianapolis, IN, on October 3- 4, 2024.

Jim Bedinger and Vivian Abraham attended the FOP Great Lakes Coalition meeting held in Indianapolis, IN, on October 3- 4, 2024. ... See MoreSee Less

5 days ago
Today is National Thank a Police Officer Day! Wed like to take a moment to express our gratitude to the brave men and women who protect and serve. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to keeping us safe. #NationalThankAPoliceOfficerDay

Today is National Thank a Police Officer Day! We'd like to take a moment to express our gratitude to the brave men and women who protect and serve. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to keeping us s#nationalthankapoliceofficerdayerDay ... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago
Thank you for 30 years of service!! And counting …
Stay safe!

Thank you for 30 years of service!! And counting …
Stay safe!30 years and counting!

Denise Sledge has been a valuable part of the OCSO Communications team for three decades! Thank you for your dedicated service and for answering the call for so many years! We appreciate you!🌟👏
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1 month ago
Great work Officer Harris and K-9 Rocky! Thank you! Stay safe.

Great work Officer Harris and K-9 Rocky! Thank you! Stay safe.Great work Officer Harris & K9 Rocky and congratulations on being the District 5 Officer of the Month!!!
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Congratulations to Officer J. Harris and K9 Rocky of District 5, C Squad, who are being recognized as this month’s Officer of the Month.

Officer Harris recently completed a four-week K9 Handler course with his new partner, K9 Rocky. While attending K9 Handler school, Officer J. Harris and K9 Rocky conducted rigorous training to master working as a K9 Team. The curriculum is designed to equip handlers with the expertise needed for effective law enforcement. The curriculum focuses on narcotics detection, tracking, and evidence locating. Officer J. Harris and K9 Rocky have quickly become a unified team. Their combined efforts have led to the successful locating and apprehending of three suspects wanted in connection with felony incidents. Officer J. Harris and K9 Rocky have recovered not only two discarded firearms from fleeing suspects but also other discarded evidence pertinent to the crimes currently being investigated. Their work, including assisting with K9 callouts and routinely responding to 9-1-1 calls, has significantly contributed to maintaining public safety.

Thanks to Officer Harris and K9 Rocky for your hard work and dedication to protecting the Durham community. Excellent work!
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1 month ago
Great picture! Thank you, Deputy King and K9 Vito! Stay safe.

Great picture! Thank you, Deputy King and K9 Vito! Stay safe.Don’t mind us as we carry around "ruffly" 90 lbs. of K9 love.
Happy National Dog Day from Deputy King and K9 Vito!
#nationaldaydog🐾

📷 Nevada County Sheriff's Office
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1 month ago
We will Never Forget.

We will Never Forget.The Chicago Police Department offers our condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of Police Officer Austin Machitar of the San Diego Police Department who sadly lost his life in the line of duty on August 26, 2024. Officer Machitar's partner was also injured in the crash and is currently listed in critical condition. Our thoughts are with the officers and their families. ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Thank you, K-9 Haywire! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement with your handler, and stay safe!Image attachment

Thank you, K-9 Haywire! Enjoy your well-deserved retirement with your handler, and stay safe! ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Great job! Thank you! Stay safe.

Great job! Thank you! Stay safe.Earlier today, when a kitten in Staten Island fell through the grates of a storm drain, concerned residents reached out to your NYPD cops. NYPD Special Operations ESU officers responded, and with help from NYC Department of Environmental Protection, they successfully brought the cat back to safety so it could dry up in today’s warm sun. ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Welcome, K9 Raider and K9 Titan! Stay safe!

Welcome, K9 Raider and K9 Titan! Stay safe!Join us in welcoming K9 Raider and K9 Titan! 🐕

“The Gwinnett County Police Department is proud to introduce two new K9's into service. After completing their training in North Carolina, Raider and Titan will both begin work in the county. Titan will work with Cpl. Bartkowiak and Raider will work with Officer Copley. Both dogs are 2-year-old Belgian Malinois.”
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1 month ago
Congratulations! Thank you! Stay safe.Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

Congratulations! Thank you! Stay safe. ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Hello, K9 Diesel and Officer Ryan Coll! Thank you! Stay safe.

Hello, K9 Diesel and Officer Ryan Coll! Thank you! Stay safe.Meet K9 Diesel and Officer Ryan Coll of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department . Diesel is a half Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd and will be 4 on his next birthday. When he’s not working, Diesel LOVES spending time relaxing with his human siblings and mama at home. Photo by Erik Larson. ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Congratulations and thank you! Stay safe!

Congratulations and thank you! Stay safe!Congratulations to Officer Dalton Koch!

We are proud to announce that Officer Dalton Koch has been selected as the O'Fallon Police Department's Officer of the Month for July. This recognition is a testament to his dedication, hard work, and commitment to serving our community. Please join us in congratulating Officer Koch on this well-deserved honor! 👏👮‍♂️
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1 month ago
Congratulations and thank you! Stay safe.Image attachment

Congratulations and thank you! Stay safe. ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Welcome!! Thank you! Stay safe.

Welcome!! Thank you! Stay safe.We welcomed a new recruit class at the Lexington Police Department Training Academy this week! For the next 30+ weeks, the recruits will cover topics that will help them Set the Standard.

Please join us in welcoming Recruit Class 08-2024 and thank them for choosing to serve our community!
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1 month ago
Great job, K9 Milo!!!! Thank you!

Great job, K9 Milo!!!! Thank you!Good Boy K-9 Milo 💙👏
#thankyouforyourservice

"K9 Milo of the Colorado Springs Police K-9 Unit was off duty this past Friday but that didn't stop him, or his Handler, from assisting with the capture of a fugitive.

Thank you Milo for doing such a great job which meant that everyone went home safe!"

📷 Running 4 Heroes- K9s
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#heroes #policedog #k9 #k9officer #workingdog #malinois
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1 month ago
Thank you, Officer Horvath, for your many years of service!!!!
Stay safe!

Thank you, Officer Horvath, for your many years of service!!!!
Stay safe!Congratulations to Officer Jason Horvath on celebrating 20 years of dedicated service with the Wentzville Police Department!

With 26 years in law enforcement, Officer Horvath has been an integral part of our team. From his work as a K9 Officer, Detective and service in the Cyber Crime Unit and now serving as a School Resource Officer for over 11 years, his commitment to our community is unmatched. As the lead advisor for the WPD Explorer Program, he's made a significant impact on the youth in our community. He's also been recognized multiple times, earning Employee of the Quarter twice and receiving the Optimist Club Award for his outstanding contributions to youth in the community.

Thank you, Officer Horvath, for your dedication and service! We are proud to have you on our team.
#WentzvillePD
#WPDServiceAwards
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
#HEROES!!!!
Thank you! 💙💙💙💙

#heroes!!!!
Thank you! 💙💙💙💙🐶𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬🐶

Detectives from the Special Victims Section recently discovered six abandoned puppies on the side of the road. Covered in dirt and riddled with fleas, the puppies were quickly rescued!
Thanks to the swift action of our detectives and colleagues in the Criminal Investigations Division, the puppies have found loving homes. We’re proud of our team’s dedication and compassion!
... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Thank you! Stay safe!

Thank you! Stay safe!👏👏👏👏
Congratulations to Officer Michael Grund on achieving his one-stripe milestone, signifying 5 years of law enforcement service.

Officer Grund joined the Wausau Police Department in 2019 after graduating from the criminal justice academy at Northcentral Technical College in Wausau. Aside from his time with patrol, Officer Grund served as one of our Field Training Officers and is now a member of our Community Resource Unit, tasked with addressing neighborhood issues in our city. Thank you Officer Grund for choosing to serve our community and being a big part of our success as an organization!

*Background of Service Stripes: For every 5 years of law enforcement service, we present our staff with a gold service stripe to be worn on their long-sleeve uniform. Service stripes are small, but each stripe is significant and symbolizes a tremendous amount of positive impacts each officer has made in our community
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1 month ago
Congratulations! Thank you! Stay safe!Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment

Congratulations! Thank you! Stay safe! ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago
Congratulations! Thank you! Stay safe!

Congratulations! Thank you! Stay safe!CONGRATULATIONS to Officer Nicholet Gonzalez and Officer Madeleine King who graduated from Sauk Valley Police Academy BLE-5. ... See MoreSee Less

1 month ago

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Make Saving A Habit

It is possible for you to save money even if you feel as though you live paycheck to paycheck and your wages are totally committed to paying your bills.  Saving money is a matter of habit not finances.

If you allow yourself to believe that saving money is a habit and that habits are derived from your own mindset, you will overcome the main obstacle you face in beginning to accumulate a savings account.  If you continue to believe that your ability to save is only a product of the amount of your income, you are thinking like a victim and not like someone who makes your own choices and takes charge of your own financial destiny.

Remember that stress, particularly stress associated with your finances, is only created from what you do not understand or what you cannot control.  You can absolutely take steps to better understand and control your finances and become a saver.

There are multiple ways that you can begin effective saving habits regardless of your level of income and without necessarily needing to make more money.  They include, but are not limited to direct deposit, proper withholding alignment, contributions to employer sponsored saving plans, and Roth IRA’s.

The most basic form of saving is the establishment of a regular savings account at your local credit union or bank.  Credit Unions will typically provide you with an easier route to a savings account because they very rarely charge fees or impose limitations, whereas most banks will require minimum balances and/or restrict usage and charge fees if you do not meet those requirements.

One way to start a savings account is to set up a direct deposit into the account straight from your paycheck.  This simple step can many times mean the difference between being a saver and being a spender.  While some of us will tend to spend money we do not have, most of us will find a way to live within our means.  If your money is taken out of your check before you receive it, it is much easier not to spend it.  While you will still have access to it, the mere fact that the money is not sitting in your checking account ensures that you will need to take additional action to use those funds.  If you are not currently a saver or if you are convinced that you need every cent of your wages to pay bills and cover your spending needs, start small.  Take $10 out of your paycheck through a direct deposit to your new savings account and forget about it.  You might be surprised how easy it is and because you are setting your own savings goal, there is no need to feel any pressure to increase the amount or reach a certain savings level.  At this stage, it is important just to concentrate on the act of saving, no matter the amount you save.

If you find that you are struggling even to identify $10 of savings in each paycheck or if you are looking for ways to increase your savings, take a close look at your income tax withholdings.  If you are committed to saving, your money is always of more use to you in your own hands than that of the government.  Many people routinely overpay their taxes during the course of the year and look forward to a refund the following year.  While you could make an argument for the validity of this option as a forced savings plan, keep in mind that the government does not pay you interest while holding your money.  Properly aligning your withholdings with your real tax liability is yet another step toward taking charge of your finances.

Another key to making saving a habit is to contribute to your employer sponsored savings plans, whether they are of the 401(k), 403(b), or 457 varieties.  Doing so creates another avenue of saving that takes place before you receive your check.  This type of savings contribution uses pre-tax income so that when you begin contributing you receive the additional benefit of reducing your income tax liability.  In fact, of all of the ways in which you can save, this is the most advantageous regardless of the amount of your income or the size of your contribution.  Not only will you benefit from saving on a pre-tax basis, but many of these plans include provisions for employer contributions as well.  As you save and your employer contributes to your account, your savings will grow tax-free.  Because of this, this type of saving will also provide you with the most immediate and meaningful results.  It is an excellent way to build wealth in preparation for your retirement and the younger you are when you start to contribute, the more money you will have when you typically will need it the most.

An additional alternative is to open up a Roth IRA savings account.  IRA is an acronym for Individual Retirement Account, of which there are many different types.  The Roth IRA, however, is somewhat unique in that you use after-tax dollars to establish it and, therefore, you have greater access to the funds.  In other words, because you have already paid taxes on the dollars you invest in a Roth IRA, there are fewer restrictions in place should you decide that you need the funds for another purpose.  Roth IRA’s will typically produce a higher rate of return than a regular savings account and you can contribute to them in a variety of ways, including via direct deposit.

You can begin using any of the aforementioned savings methods without increasing your income.  By establishing your saving habit before your wages increase, you will be better prepared to save and save at a higher level when you do earn your next raise or promotion.  Should your wages increase, take the opportunity to save a few more dollars.  At this point, you will have already proven to yourself that it can be done.

It is always important to seek professional advice when you are making decisions about your finances. The savings options and methods mentioned here, however, are straight- forward and can almost always be accommodated by your primary financial institution.

The act of saving can be as simple or as complicated as you would like to make it and you can more easily talk yourself out of the need to save than you can convince yourself that it is important to do so.  Just remember that you will encounter less stress and generally find yourself in a better position overall when you are living your life with a plan.  If you choose to live your life with a plan, remember also that you will often discover brilliance in simplicity.

Scott Arney
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Union

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