Applicant #9: Brittney Jones

Brittney Jones is a 20-year-old from Lucan.

Brittney's video application:

Brittney online:

+ Twitter
+ Facebook
+ Facebook group

Brittney's current situation:

Hey Ontario!! My name is Brittney Jones and I live in Lucan Ontario. I’m twenty years old and going in to my third year at Western for Business. I love my degree almost as much as I love Young and Free Ontario and I want to be your first spokesperson!

Brittney's blog post:

I’ve been thinking about what I should write my blog about for a while; I wanted it to be perfect. After I rewrote it a couple of times, I decided this whole process is supposed to be about no scripts, just me being me. So here it is, no cue cards, just me.

Entering into my first year at university I never thought I could have any greater experiences than in high school. After all, aren’t those supposed to be the best years of your life? Who am I kidding, university has been the ride of my life but, I also learned a little there too. I learned to really think and not just about the technical aspects of a textbook. I’ve learned that you are shaped by everyone who has entered your life. And this is kind of where I happened to stumble upon the credit union.

At the time I had the stereotype in my head that this was my grandparents credit union, what could this $50 membership fee possibly do for me? Turns out, I learned a lot about the credit union and found its values were well aligned with mine. At the credit union you’re more than just another debit card that makes deposits and takes out loans. You’re an owner, and a recognized face as soon as you walk in the door. When you’re there you can’t help but be swept up by its values that are so well aligned with the foundation us millenia’s are built on, a concern for the environment and the community.

I know what you’re thinking, I’m part of a generation that’s built on technology, aren’t credit unions a little behind the times? You may be surprised to know that Credit Unions were the ones that actually had the first full service ATM network, first debit card service, and the first fully functioning Internet banking.

Yeah, doesn’t sound so much like your grandma’s credit union anymore. The way I see it, the credit union was pretty much made to thrive in generation Y.

I’ve learned a lot from my business background but a re-occurring topic is always investments. And I’m not talking about GIC’s and RRSP’s and the rest of the letters in the financial world- LMNOP. I’m talking about the best investment you can make after getting your first pay cheque (and no, I’m not talking about investing in your wardrobe or putting that new lift kit on your truck). I’m talking about building up a stash of cash. Creating an emergency fund is important for reaching your goals and staying on course during life. Kind of like when you learn that your credit card really wasn’t such a good idea to use last night when you ran out of cash. And you know what, we work hard at our jobs and it shouldn’t just be wasted away in a bank account that’s charging you left right and centre to get at your hard earned dough. However, this doesn’t mean you should hide it under your mattress with the rest of your valuables, I’ve got a better solution for you! Open up a young and free account!! Your money will work a lot harder for you so that you don’t really have to.

And just how much harder will it work? Well let’s say that by the time you have gotten out cash for lunch at school and then again for going out on the weekend, you’ve stopped by the ATM a few times now. That’s where the Y&F account begins to step in and could bring you in $100 a year in savings from bank charges. Think about where that money could take you! Yeah, it could take you straight to the mall for a new pair of shoes, or a few lattes at Starbucks, or this year I might take mine straight to Bayfest! “Cause I gotta feeling, woohoooo, that tonight’s gonna be a good night!!”

United Communities Credit Union and Libro Financial Group has got it right helping with the financial health of our generation because while we might not have huge financial influence in the world like the baby boomers, generation Y is just as big as the boomers. Some day soon they’re going to have to move aside to make room for us on the financial playing field and we’ll remember those who cared to pay attention to us in the beginning, those who set us up for a lifetime of financial success.

We can learn a lot from the generations before us but, I think we have a huge advantage over our parents from when they were in their 20’s because for one we’ve got the young and free account and two we have access to social media which can do a lot more for us than keep us occupied in class. It can help us engage and work towards a lifetime of financial fitness through discussion and tips relevant to us.

And that’s exactly what I want to do. Be here for you to share the latest tips and give you the financial fitness you deserve. And maybe even keep you up to date on the concert.

Until next time,

xoxo Brittney

Reference: www.cucentral.com