For more information, contact:
Tania Widish, (608) 243-5000×4701, tania.widish@summitcreditunion.com
Cheryl Van Tessier, APR, (608) 467-4408, ctessier@finessepr.net
March 14 is application deadline for $10,000 reality-based financial challenge
MADISON, Wisconsin — “When I began Project Money, my debt intimidated me. It was hard to set financial goals because my debt seemed overwhelming. Now, I’m only five months from being credit card free!” “We buy less. We eat better. We spend better time together — less time acquiring things and more time playing together.” “Project Money has completely changed my life for the better. I cannot imagine putting myself in the same financial situation I was in before.”
These are just some of the accolades from previous Project Money participants. It’s now your turn to throw your hat into the ring to compete in the next Summit Credit Union Project Money. Applications are now being accepted for the reality-based financial challenge until March 14, 2015, and can be found at: http://projectmoney.summitcreditunion.com/apply. You do not need to be a member of Summit Credit Union to apply.
From May through December, each participant will work one-on-one with a Summit financial coach to reduce their debt and increase their savings. Their ongoing progress and unique stories will be accessible on Summit’s web site, as well as in various media outlets, serving as a learning tool for the entire community.
“Summit’s Project Money was developed as a way to change the financial lives of our four contestants while inspiring thousands of others to follow along and make changes in their own lives,” said Kim Sponem, Summit Credit Union CEO/president, adding, “This public learning program provides real-life tips for people and is at the heart of what we do every day.”
“This has been such a great experience,” said Connie Samuels, 2014 Project Money contestant. “I am forever grateful for this opportunity and I am happy that I was able to share my story. It was exactly what I needed to propel me into the future and realign my passion and purpose.”
In Feb. 2016, a winner will be determined based on percent increase in savings, percent decrease in debt and participation in program events. The winner will receive a grand prize of $10,000, and runners up will each receive $2,500.
Each year since 2009, Summit Credit Union’s Project Money competition has given
four contestants (individuals or families), the opportunity to work with a financial coach to improve their finances. In 2014, the participants boosted their savings by $40,151 and decreased their debt by $34,916. In total over the past six years, Project Money participants have collectively increased their savings by $192,110 and decreased their debt by $256,485.
About Summit Credit Union:
Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone in Wisconsin. Summit holds $2.1 billion in assets and has more than 142,000 members with 30 locations throughout the Madison and Milwaukee areas. For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call 608-243-5000 or 1-800-236-5560.
