Get Ready to Make a U-Turn!

So remember the U-Turn Challenge we mentioned a few months ago? Well, First Tech Credit Union has picked the four participating households and they are ready to save!

Meet the competitors:

• Brad, Tina, Elisha and Kaylie , a young family from Seattle

• Erin, a teacher from Portland

• Willis and Adria, empty-nesters from Salem

• Danny and Julia, an engaged couple from Eugene

Each household has specific goals pertaining to improving their current financial situation, and they will be blogging about their successes and challenges as they learn new tips for financial wellness from their First Tech coaches.

If you want to make your own financial u-turn, just follow these teams throughout the challenge, and remember to check the Resources Section of the U-Turn site often. These tools with likely provide you with some very helpful tips to help makeover your own financial situation.

Visit the U-Turn Challenge site to check out the competitors' blogs and learn how to make your own financial u-turn!

In need of a financial U-Turn?

Then check out the U-Turn Challenge, presented by First Tech Credit Union.

Starting now through December 19, First Tech will be searching for households throughout the Pacific Northwest (Lane County, Portland Metro area, Salem and the Seattle Metro area) who are ready to turnaround their financial lives.















How does the U-Turn Challenge Work?

Selected households will compete against other households from Lane County, the Portland Metro area and the Seattle Metro area for a $10,000 grand prize. The prize goes to the household that achieves the most financial success in four pre-determined categories: debt reduction, savings increase, overall net worth increase, and overall level of participation. The First Tech-selected households will participate in the Challenge throughout 2009, documenting their financial successes and challenges via their own blogs at www.uturnchallenge.com.

The best part?

ALL participating households will be assigned a team of First Tech financial experts who will help them get on the road to a better financial life and potentially win the competition. The team will focus on every aspect of the households’ financial situation including budgeting, managing credit, home buying, paying for college, planning for retirement, insuring for the future, and much more.

Participating households must be willing to:

· Publicly discuss their financial situation

· Work closely with their First Tech financial team

· Provide monthly feedback on financial progress and results

· Have Internet access and be willing to blog regularly about their U-Turn Challenge experiences

· Be eligible for First Tech Credit Union membership. Membership qualifications can be found online at First Tech’s website

How to enter the First Tech U-Turn Challenge

Interested households can visit the U-Turn Challenge website at www.uturnchallenge.com. There, they can read the Challenge rules and regulations, fill out an online application and download the required release forms. Completed questionnaires and release forms must be addressed and mailed by

December 19, 2008 to:

U-Turn Challenge

PO Box 2100

Beaverton, OR

The public can follow the participating households’ journey in the U-Turn Challenge from February 2009 through December 2009 at www.uturnchallenge.com.

For more information about the First Tech U-Turn Challenge, visit www.uturnchallenge.com. All media inquiries should be directed to JulieAnna Little with R/West Public Relations at 503.223.5443 x114 or julieannal@r-west.com.

Check out this video for more info (and yes, that's R/West's own JulieAnna who, for the record, prefers being behind the scenes rather than in front of the camera and was forced to do this by her own team!)

Hello? Are you out there??

Two weeks ago we launched the Ciao.com Electronophile contest. What is it? Ciao.com is going to give away awesome prizes (like an iPod Touch, Sony Cybershot Camera and Nintendo DS) to three lucky electronophiles who can prove their extreme love for consumer tech at Ciao.com.
It's really easy to enter - just submit a video or text review on Ciao, reviewing your favorite gadget. It can be your beloved iPod or old Nintendo Gameboy. Any gadget you simply cannot live without.

Check out this video for more details and get thee to Ciao.com NOW to enter. Winners will be selected at the end of October.