OnPoint Community Credit Union Shares Practical Steps To Reset Finances In January As Holiday Debt Lingers Into New Year (Photo) - 01/06/26

From No-Buy January to subscription audits, credit union offers realistic ways to cut spending and pay down balances

PORTLAND, Ore. – Americans racked up an average of $1,223 in holiday debt this year, according to LendingTree’s Holiday Debt Survey released on December 22. The survey also found 41% of Americans are still paying off holiday debt from 2024.

“January is an ideal time to take a clear-eyed look at your spending and build a plan that’s sustainable,” says Amber Kelly, Oregon City branch manager at OnPoint Community Credit Union. “Small changes — like reducing impulse buys and trimming recurring expenses — can free up cash quickly and help people make measurable progress on debt.”

To help people in Oregon and southwest Washington start 2026 on stronger financial footing, OnPoint recommends these practical post-holiday reset strategies:

• Try a “No-Buy January” reset. Instead of vague belt-tightening, commit to 30 days without non-essentials. This trend gained traction online in 2025 as a quick way to reset habits and free up cash for debt payoff.
• Do a digital detox. Unfollow shopping accounts on social media and avoid online shopping platforms and email promo lists. Research shows reducing exposure to ads can significantly lower impulse spending.
• Scrub your subscriptions. January is a great month to cancel or pause unused subscriptions (streaming, apps, meal kits). One popular challenge is to tally up all auto-renewals, then redirect those monthly savings toward debt repayment.
• Leverage consolidation tools — with a plan. Consider balance transfer credit cards or personal loans to lower interest rates — paired with a clear payoff timeline and monthly payment target to avoid extending the debt. Consumers who want additional guidance can also consider building a simple debt-payoff roadmap (listing balances, interest rates, and minimum payments) and setting up automatic payments to avoid missed due dates and late fees.
• Explore relief options through your bank or credit union. Many financial institutions offer short-term tools to help members manage post-holiday strain, such as payment deferrals, hardship programs, or financial counseling. OnPoint’s Winter Skip Pay program allows eligible members to skip a qualifying loan payment in January, and members can also access personalized financial counseling through the credit union’s GreenPath Financial Wellness partnership.

The start of a new year offers an opportunity to reassess financial habits and create a plan that supports long-term stability. By identifying opportunities to cut costs, using available tools responsibly, and partnering with a credit union that prioritizes member well-being, consumers can take practical steps toward paying down debt. Learn more about financial resources and support available through OnPoint.

About OnPoint Community Credit Union

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 633,000 members and with assets of $9.53 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and four Washington counties (Cowlitz, Clark, Lewis and Skamania). OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at OnPointCU.com.

New Year, New Growth: OnPoint Community Credit Union Expands To Ridgefield In Southwest Washington (Photo) - 01/05/26

Ridgefield location marks the eighth OnPoint branch in Clark County

PORTLAND, Ore. — OnPoint Community Credit Union announced today it will open its eighth branch in Clark County — its 59^th branch overall. The latest location will be in the Union Ridge Town Center at 420 N. 56th Place, Ste. 102 and is slated to open its doors on January 12. To celebrate, OnPoint will donate $5,000 to Neighbors Helping Neighbors Ridgefield and host a community grand opening event on February 21.

“Ridgefield is growing quickly with new businesses and development, and many of our members call it home,” said Rob Stuart, president and CEO, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “We want everyone in the community to feel welcome and have access to our services. As the region grows, we’re proud to grow alongside it and support financial well-being — one person at a time.”

Local Leadership, Local Connection

Long time Ridgefield resident and area vice president/branch manager Kristen Gillis will lead the new branch. Gillis has been with OnPoint since 2011 and most recently managed the Mill Plain Branch.

“I’ve spent nearly my whole life in Ridgefield, and I’m excited to bring OnPoint’s financial services and community support to my hometown,” Gillis said. “We look forward to building long-lasting relationships with new members, nonprofits, and small businesses.”

OnPoint’s donation to Neighbors Helping Neighbors Ridgefield is an example of building community-focused relationships. The nonprofit works to alleviate hunger by providing food, clothing, and household staples to needy residents of Ridgefield, La Center, Felida, and Salmon Creek.

"We’ve worked to give essential items to our neighbors in need for over 40 years, but getting support from local organizations like OnPoint is always critical,” said Judy Chipman, board treasurer, Neighbors Helping Neighbors Ridgefield. “We’re very grateful to OnPoint for this gift and for their commitment to partnering with organizations working to make our community stronger.”

The donation will help purchase food, maintain its building, and assist in starting a Saturday program to give working families access to the food bank. 

OnPoint will also team up with its members to make additional donations to two local nonprofits: Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation and Friends of the Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge. Each new member who opens a personal or business checking account at the Ridgefield branch between January 12 and April 12 can choose which of the two nonprofits receive a $50 donation from OnPoint.

Grand Opening Celebration

The Ridgefield community is invited to join OnPoint’s grand opening celebration on Saturday, February 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Guests can meet the branch team and explore the new space.

The Ridgefield Branch will provide a comprehensive suite of financial services, including:

• Full member account support
• New membership enrollment
• Personal and commercial loans
• Home and equity lending
• Financial planning
• ATM services
• Notarization

OnPoint also offers free, one-on-one financial counseling, debt management support, and education resources through its partnership with GreenPath Financial Wellness.

Ridgefield will be the first of OnPoint’s new branches on tap for 2026. Last year, the credit union announced an expansion of its Washington charter, allowing it to offer membership to people who live, work, worship, and/or attend school in Cowlitz and Lewis counties. The expansion builds on OnPoint’s current southwest Washington service area of Clark and Skamania counties.

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About OnPoint Community Credit Union

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 633,000 members and with assets of $9.53 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and four Washington counties (Cowlitz, Clark, Lewis and Skamania). OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at OnPointCU.com.