Georgia's Own remains committed to assisting members and small businesses during this time. Here's how.
03 / 11 / 2020
Georgia’s Own Credit Union recognized for community outreach
Georgia’s Own Credit Union was recognized by BadCredit.org for our initiatives during 2019’s 85 Acts of Kindness.
Our very own Adam Marlowe, Principal Market Development Officer, discussed our constant dedication to improving the community—an important philosophy of Georgia’s Own. From partnering with organizations, such as L.E.A.D and Action Ministries, to promoting financial wellness, Georgia’s Own consciously prioritizes giving back to our members and their communities.
Because of our efforts, we received the BadCredit.org Editor’s Choice Award for Community Commitment.
Click here to learn more about our endeavors during 85 Acts of Kindness.
07 / 11 / 2019
Creative ways for college students to make money
Juggling school and work can become frustrating for many students, but there are many creative ways to earn extra cash on your own timeline. After hitting the books all night and attending class, it can be discouraging to flip burgers in a hot kitchen. Here are 10 unique ways to get the cash you need without all the burgers and fries.
Watch Movie Previews: Sign up at InboxDollars. As soon as you sign up, you get $5. That’s pretty easy work. But, if you want to earn even more, just take a look at the site to see the variety of ways you can earn cash.
Share Your Opinion: Everyone’s got one…an opinion that is, so you might as well share. Complete online surveys at MyPoints for cash and get $5 just for signing up. The site rewards you in gift cards for completing polls, surveys, and so much more. Swagbucks is another site that rewards you for completing surveys and other small online tasks. Again, you get $5 just for signing up…that’s practically free money.
Exercise: Yes, exercise. Something you probably already do each day will get you paid. HealthyWage pays you to lose weight if you’re willing to bet on yourself. Complete a few short questions about your weight, age, etc., then bid and let the games begin. Become healthier and earn money doing it. You could win up to $10,000 depending on how much money you put on the table. Sounds like a win-win situation if you’re willing to do the work.
Pet Sit: Like pets? Enjoy some fun time with furry friends. It’s flexible and you choose your own schedule. Sign up to help pet owners with their cats or dogs at Rover, and earn up to $1,000 per month.
Offer Rideshare Services: Use your car to make money with Uber or Lyft…or both. Turn the app on or off whenever you like. You work when you want, and you get to meet new people and share stories (only with the passengers who are in a chatty mood).
uber.com | lyft.com
Work for hire: Got skills? Many companies outsource jobs to freelancers on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, and other freelancing websites. Choose the gigs you want to complete on a timeline decided by you and the client. Work when you want and gain the experience you need to pad your resume.
upwork.com | fiverr.com
Complete Tasks: Create an account at Amazon’s Mechanical Turk and choose a job. Make up to $500 by performing “human intelligence tasks” from home on your own schedule.
Deliver Packages: Become an Amazon Flex delivery driver. You’ll be delivering goods to consumers via Amazon.com, Prime Now, Amazon Fresh, and Amazon Restaurants. Amazon Flex pays between $18 and $25 per hour. The app allows you to set your own work schedule and work when you want.
Take pics: Have a great eye? You can take photos and sell them on an app called Foap. Get paid for snapping pictures!
Nanny: Babysitting has always been a great way to earn extra income. Find a great babysitting gig at Care.com and offer your time at a rate you choose.
07 / 11 / 2019
Q&A with Nicki Collen
Coach Nicki Collen of the Atlanta Dream basketball team has made an incredible impression on the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She started her career playing basketball at Purdue University. After college, she played professional basketball in Greece for a short period of time.
Her coaching career began as an assistant basketball coach at Colorado State. She eventually moved on to coach under Curt Miller with the Connecticut Sun. Collen helped the Sun turn around from a 14-20 finish in 2016 to a 21-13 record in 2017.
In 2017, Collen was announced as the head coach of the Atlanta Dream, taking over for Michael Cooper. Just a year later, in August of 2018, Collen was selected as the WNBA Coach of the Year. Read more about Coach Collen and her journey below!
What does your daily routine look like?
My daily routine starts at about 6:30 a.m. I shower then have breakfast, which typically consists of a protein pancake or smoothie and some athletic greens. I attend an 8:30 a.m. pre-practice staff meeting, followed by practice at 10:00 a.m. After practice, I handle office work and get in an afternoon workout, have dinner, and watch film work on my team and our opponents to plan the next day’s practice. I close out my day with some family time by watching Netflix or talking
with my family.
What is your fondest memory as a coach?
One of my fondest memories as a coach was beating Tennessee at Thompson Boling Arena when Pat Summit was still the coach and I was the assistant at Arkansas. It was Arkansas’s first-ever win at Tennessee.
Do you have a pre-game ritual?
For my pre-game ritual, I like to get a hard workout in before choosing my dress and shoes for the game. I also enjoy a very long shower. During the National Anthem, I pray for the health of my players and my ability to lead them in a positive way.
How do you channel your frustration during a game?
I focus on the next play. If I lose my cool, my team can feel it. I have to provide the calm to keep the team focused as the game goes along, though I’m not as cool as I appear on the sideline.
What was the most important game you’ve coached? Why?
The most important game I ever coached was my son’s soccer games when he was age four and just beginning to love playing sports. I was often dragging along his twin sister and a baby, but this was the start of his love for sports, competition, and having fun while doing so.
What are some ways you celebrate winning a game?
I don’t do much to celebrate after winning a game. Usually, I just grab food with my staff and/or family, but we are always preparing for our next opponent.
As a leader in women’s sports, does that push you to be more outspoken for women’s rights like equal pay?
Yes, I care deeply about women having a voice in today’s landscape of athletics and business. This is a unique time in history when women are standing up and they are being heard. I am extremely passionate about understanding the business of basketball, and more specifically, the WNBA.
What helps you recover after losing a game?
I am not a friendly human being when we lose. I channel our losses into watching game footage and finding ways to improve or prepare better for our next opponent. Typically, I am back to my normal self by the start of practice the following day after losing. Preparing for upcoming games gives me a great deal of peace.
What advice has any coach/mentor given you that you’ll always remember?
My husband, who coached for 35 years, shared with me that while coaching women’s sports, you have to understand the difference between allowing a molehill to become a mountain and turning a molehill into a mountain. Basically, there is a time to address things, and it’s not always immediately. Sometimes letting things blow over is better than addressing them and creating an even bigger issue. Knowing the difference is so important in coaching.
You started out wanting to be a tennis player. Do you still play tennis at all?
I do not play tennis, but I love to work out with weights, doing interval training, or walking. I will play some lax (lacrosse) with my kids.
Are your daughters interested in playing basketball?
My oldest daughter does not play basketball and has very little interest in the game. My youngest daughter plays tennis and lacrosse and is interested in giving basketball a try. She is very invested in my team and the WNBA in general.
Georgia’s Own and Ne[x]t Magazine are all about helping our members make smart financial decisions. Any tips or tricks you’d like to share with our readers?
Save, save, save! I have been lucky to never live on a hard budget, but having said that, I have saved money from every single paycheck I have ever made. Pay yourself. Utilize your 401k and company-match plans.
Just for fun—what’s something many people might not know about you?
I love peanut butter, coffee, roller coasters, shoes, fashion, and I am terrible at bowling. I say, I am 44 going on 14.
04 / 23 / 2019
Q&A with quarterback Matt Ryan
Quarterback Matt Ryan has a pretty impressive resume. He got his start playing football for William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia and went on to play for Boston College before being drafted by Atlanta in 2008. Ryan was named MVP in 2016, the same year he led Atlanta to the big championship game.
As part of our 85 Acts of Kindness for our 85th anniversary, Georgia’s Own gave 85 lucky members the opportunity to meet Matt Ryan, and Ne[x]t Magazine took the opportunity to ask him a few questions. Check it out below!
What’s your favorite thing about Atlanta?
My favorite thing about Atlanta is the local community. The people in this city have been so incredibly warm and welcoming—they truly are the epitome of southern charm and hospitality.
What do you do in your free time off the field?
I’m a proud, full-time dad of twin baby boys, Johnny and Marshall, so any chance I get, I love spending time with them and my wife, Sarah.
What’s the biggest lesson being a professional athlete has taught you?
The biggest lesson is learning from every experience. Being a professional athlete, you have your incredible highs and lows. No matter what you are going through, it is about just taking it day by day, learning from every moment, and preparing for the next.
What keeps you motivated day to day?
My biggest motivation is my family, especially my wife, Sarah, and twin boys, Johnny and Marshall.
What players influenced you as an athlete?
Brett Favre was definitely an influence—I was a huge fan of his growing up.
What’s your favorite memory from your time at Boston College?
My favorite memory at Boston College was in 2007 when we faced Virginia Tech. Through the first three quarters, we were falling behind, but in the last few moments of the game, everything clicked, and we ended up making a comeback from behind to win in the last few minutes of the game.
Who first started calling you Matty Ice?
It started in college by a couple buddies outside of football.
What kind of music are you listening to pre-game?
I love the early 2000s Atlanta rap era with T.I.
Do you have any pre-game/in-game rituals?
I always ride to the game with our other quarterback Matthew Schaub; it’s sort of our bonding time to talk about the game ahead.
What do you like to do after a good performance or win?
It’s great to celebrate a win, but you have to shift focus pretty quickly to prepare for the next game ahead.
Other than a home game, where do you like playing the most?
Green Bay is pretty special. I grew up watching Brett Favre at Lambeau and love being able to get out there myself.
What advice do you have for young athletes?
No matter what, prepare for the situation ahead. I live by the mantra, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail,” and I always try to teach younger athletes to really incorporate preparation into their game plan.
Did you have any jobs growing up? If so, what was the first or most interesting?
Like every kid growing up, I had a lemonade stand. But certainly, the most interesting job I’ve ever had is the one I have now.
What is the best (or worst) purchase you’ve ever made?
Did you see the three-piece sweater-vest suit I wore to the draft? That is certainly the worst.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
Make sure the team around you off the field is as solid as the play you want to have on the field. Your team’s guidance is invaluable.
Just for fun—what’s something many people might not know about you?
I don’t think many people would know that I’m a pretty good golfer!
12 / 28 / 2018
Atlanta Love Bomb: Q&A with Xavier Perry
Much like his signature Love Bomb design, Xavier Perry (and his infectious smile) is making his mark on Atlanta and adding a touch of positivity wherever he goes. Xavier, who is a recent graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in illustration, was selected to design a t-shirt as part of the Xfinity Art Series program. Ne[x]t Magazine spent a few minutes with Xavier to learn more about him and his work. See what Xavier had to say below.
How did you find out about the Xfinity Art Series? What did it mean to be chosen as one of the artists?
An Xfinity Art Series representative actually reached out to me about participating in the project. Xfinity selects a handful of local artists, who each gets to design a t-shirt for Atlanta’s MLB team. Each artist then gets to participate in a shirt signing at the Xfinity Rooftop at SunTrust Park during a game and another shirt signing at an Xfinity store. It was a great honor to be chosen for the series – collaborating with both corporations was a dream come true, because I’m originally from Atlanta.
What was the inspiration behind your t-shirt design?
I wanted to incorporate my signature design (Love Bomb), which symbolizes the rippling effect of spreading love and positivity throughout the community.
How did being selected as an artist for the Xfinity Art Series impact your career as a freelance artist?
Sharing Xfinity’s platform allowed me to reach a more diverse audience, and it also helped fuel my confidence.
When did you first spark a passion for art and wanting a career in the art industry? What keeps you motivated?
Becoming an artist was unexpected – art chose me. Art allowed for self-expression and it provided an opportunity to speak for others. My support system and community inspire me to keep going.
Where do you see yourself in 5 (or 10) years?
Because my art is for the people, I’d rather focus on the now. My audience may need another message in 5 – 10 years.
In 2017, you helped create “The Largest Toilet Paper Roll Sculpture” and set a Guinness World Record. What was that like?
The opportunity was given to me while working with ABV Gallery. We built a rocket ship using only toilet paper rolls, hot glue, and duct tape, and, once completed, it measured 24 feet tall and 12 feet wide. The experience taught me anything is possible with time and consistency. (Curious? Check out the project here.)
What is one of your all-time favorite projects?
My first Love Bomb mural is my favorite because it was my first community piece.
Georgia’s Own and Ne[x]t Magazine are all about helping our members make smart financial decisions. Any tips or tricks you’d like to share with our readers?
Budget your money with personal growth and responsibilities in mind – but don’t forget to enjoy life!
Just for fun – what’s something many people might not know about you?
I enjoy running, and sometimes jog as much as 7.2 miles.
Learn more about Xavier’s work on his website, and check out his Xfinity Rooftop shirt signing below.
05 / 01 / 2018
Alpharetta Shred Day Set for May 12, 2018
Join us on Saturday, May 12th 2018 for Shred Day at our Alpharetta branch from 9am – 12pm. We’ll have one truck available for you to securely dispose of your personal documents (up to 3 boxes/bags per vehicle) for free. Plus you and your family can enjoy refreshments, giveaways, and balloon art!