The deadline to file your 2021 tax returns or request an extension is coming up on April 18th. As you prepare, we wanted to offer a few tips to help you get through the season and understand what has changed since last year.

After a busy year of studying, working a part-time job, and participating in extracurriculars, Cori has learned a lot about budgeting and preparing for unexpected challenges. Winning the Essay Challenge last year equipped her with the financial skills necessary to launch a successful college career. She drafts budgets for rent and food, confidently makes payments at her university cashier's office, and saves for unexpected expenses—all using the lessons she learned as a high school senior in our scholarship program.

For months, each Orange County Housing Report has mentioned the insane pace of the current Hot Seller’s Market. This trend has not changed. As the spring market approaches on March 20th, demand continues to outpace inventory. We’re still in the middle of a massive inventory crisis.

We’re gearing up to award six promising high school seniors a total of $30,000 through our annual Essay Challenge scholarship program! Now through April 22nd, seniors in AK, AZ, CA, WA, and WY can earn $5,000 for college in the fall by submitting an essay answering this question: What does financial success mean to you?

Willingness is Joe Steger’s defining quality as a volunteer. He steps in when other team members are in tough spots. He stays late to lend a hand. He shows up to nearly every Nuvision outreach event—blood drives, Veterans Day lunches, member celebration events, and meal drop-offs. Joe, a third generation Alaskan and Nuvision team member since 2019, believes making a difference simply requires making the time.

This month has been full of celebrations and planning for future events with our community partners. We are so grateful for every opportunity to support those making a difference, from law enforcement officers to the grocery workers who meet our basic needs. Here are our community outreach highlights from February, along with a preview of what will be coming up in March.

This month, we hosted a housing market webinar to help our members navigate the changing market and understand trends as we continue in 2022. Steven Thomas—local economics expert, real estate executive, and Reports on Housing author—joined us to break down the data. The full recording can be found on our Facebook page. We’ve also highlighted some of the most important questions and answers in this article.

The construction of our Wasilla branch is continuing as planned! All the windows have been installed, and we are moving closer to completion. We’re so excited to see this facility finished. With extra space, more ATMs, and a modernized design, service will be quicker than ever. We’ll keep you updated as we get closer to the opening date.