Happy summer, neighbors! Between fireworks downtown and lazy afternoons at Cheaha, July has a way of flying by — and before we know it, backpacks and school-supply lists will be back. This issue is all about staying a step ahead: a simple plan for back-to-school costs, where our rates stack up this summer, free learning workbooks for the kids (and grown-ups), and a look at the season ahead across our nine counties. As always, we're here to help you find your way. — Your friends at Fort McClellan Credit Union
Figures as of early July 2026 · sources: AAA, Freddie Mac, Bankrate, NRF & the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council. Illustrative for this mockup.
Beat the back-to-school budget crunch
Classrooms across Calhoun County reopen in early August, and the National Retail Federation pegs the average family's K–12 back-to-school bill at several hundred dollars once supplies, clothes, shoes, and tech are tallied. Hitting all of that in one August paycheck is what turns an ordinary month into a stressful one.
The fix is boring but powerful: a sinking fund. Take your best guess at the total, divide by the weeks between now and the first bell, and move that small amount into a separate savings account automatically. By August, the money's already there — no scramble, no credit-card hangover.
Not sure what the total should be? Our free Budget Builder walks you through income, expenses, and goals in a few minutes, and our Smart Cents and Money Moves workbooks make great kitchen-table practice for the kids while you're at it.
Open the Budget Builder →- 🎆Fourth of July, downtown. Blues & BBQ Fest kicks off in Anniston on July 4, and Weaver hosts a county-wide Independence Day parade the same afternoon.
- 🎪Summer Dreamfest — July 17–18. A weekend of family fun in Anniston to close out the month.
- 🚴Beat the heat outdoors. The Coldwater Mountain trails and a cool morning up at Cheaha State Park are hard to top when the humidity climbs.
- 🎒Back to school, early August. Calhoun County classrooms reopen soon — watch for tax-free weekend on eligible school supplies.
Free learning for every age
A few member notes worth a minute of your time this month.
- 📚Teachers: free classroom kits. Our new Classroom & Adult Learning workbooks — from grades K–2 through an adult money toolkit — are free to request as printed class sets. Perfect for the fall.
- 🛡️Scam alert. We're seeing more "your account is locked" text messages. FMCU will never text you a link to verify your login — when in doubt, call us at (256) 237-2113.
- 🎖️Serving those who serve. National Guard and Army Reserve personnel in our trade area are eligible to join — a nod to the fort our name honors.
Cheaha Mountain — the highest natural point in Alabama at 2,413 feet — rises inside which of our member counties?
- A.Calhoun
- B.Cleburne
- C.Etowah
- D.Talladega
Answer: B — Cleburne County. Cheaha sits in the Talladega National Forest within Cleburne County, one of the nine counties in the FMCU family. Pack water if you're hiking Bald Rock this summer!
The Gamecocks are back. Jacksonville State opens its 2026 season on Aug. 29 at North Dakota State during college football's Week 0, then hosts Eastern Kentucky on Sept. 5 for the home opener at AmFirst Stadium — right up the road in Jacksonville.
Fall at 'Dega. Talladega Superspeedway — in our own Talladega County — roars back to life this autumn for NASCAR playoff weekend. Book early if you're going.
Sixty-Second Money Move
Open a separate, nicknamed savings account — call it "School 2026" — and set a small automatic transfer for every Friday. Money you never see in checking is money you won't miss, and by August the list is already paid for.
Here to help you find your way
Questions about a loan, a savings goal, or just where to start? Stop by any of our six branches or reach out anytime — we're your neighbors, and we're glad you're part of the family.