Living Greater

This April 24, I will join my fellow Greater Nevadans and hundreds of other participants to take the Polar Plunge in South Lake Tahoe. Together, we’ll brave a few minutes in freezing water to support Special Olympics Nevada and the incredible work it does to facilitate year-round sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

It’s been over a year since sports leagues in Nevada were shut down to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s an entire year of opportunities missed for the youth in our communities. Gloves sat in closets, cleats collected dust in garages and basketballs deflated while we waited for facilities to reopen and welcome us back.

From creating an emergency fund to paying off debt, here’s a game plan to use extra money to make a meaningful impact on your life.

In 2020, we witnessed and were a part of history in many ways, both good and bad. There were times that tested our resolve, our patience and even our ability to move forward.  With our members and clients in need, as Greater Nevadans, 2020 became our time to shine.  A time to show our members and our communities that we care about them and will do whatever we are able to help them Live Greater. And truly, a time to collaborate, celebrate and move forward together.

Tragically, we have all seen more boarded-up windows and “final sale” signs than we would like since the pandemic shuttered Nevada businesses’ doors back in March of 2020. Some of our favorite local places – restaurants, gyms, salons and others —have seen their final days come and go as a result. At Greater Nevada we’re working hard to do our part to prevent this from happening wherever and whenever possible.

The end of December usually is when we would share advice about what new year’s financial resolutions could help our members in the next 12 months. Traditionally, we’d talk about how to take control of your money, make better financial decisions, pay off credit card debt, and save for retirement and emergencies. However, 2020 has been anything but a traditional year, so our advice going into 2021 is different as well.
 

We’re surrounded by messages about things to be grateful for during the holiday season—our family and friends, physical surroundings, natural environment, skills and abilities, and more. Even so, sometimes it can be difficult to have an attitude of gratitude—especially in trying and challenging times. However, practicing gratitude has been proven to have many positive psychological benefits, can help you navigate uncertainty, and can even improve your finances.
 

University of Nevada Wolf Pack games have been a little different this year. There is no roar of the crowd coming from the stands, but that hasn't stopped the Wolf Pack Marching Band from keeping the spirit of the Pack strong.

If you’ve ever worried about not having cash on hand, then worry no more if you’re a Greater Nevada Credit Union (GNCU) member. Beginning December 10, 2020, GNCU’s new partnership with Zelle will give members a Greater way to send—and receive—money, right from your Personal eBranch.

In the face of the global pandemic, we at Greater Nevada had a number of choices to make regarding our annual meeting. Rather than altogether canceling or moving our annual meeting online this year, we took a different approach. By implementing new technology, ensuring protocols were followed, and working with event experts, we held our annual meeting and protected our team's safety. We're extremely proud that no new COVID cases were reported as a result of our event!