Brewer Springnews

BREWER FCU Quarterly News

Member Appreciation Day Every spring/fall we like to celebrate with our members and give them something back for their loyalty to Brewer FCU. We have a BBQ and some give-a-ways for anyone who wishes to stop by and grab a bite and visit with us on these special occasions!

Annual Meeting Brewer FCU’s 55th Annual Meeting is on April 17th at Jeff’s Catering, beginning with social time from 5:30-6:00pm, with meeting & election of officers starting at 6:00pm, followed by a buffet style meal.

If you are interested in attending, please RSVP by April 15th by calling 989-7240 or email info@brewerfcu.org.

SPRING 2015

President’s Corner We here at Brewer FCU are happy that spring has finally sprung, and we can begin our warm weather festivities! As most of you are aware, Brewer FCU is a financial institution that not only wants to deliver the best member service, but the highest quality technology to provide for a better experience as well.

Over the course of the year, we have raised above and beyond our competitors with our mobile app that lets you bank right from your home! Now you can check balances, transfer money, use mobile deposit, and even send money from your couch, lawn chair, or camp! And speaking of new technology, we hope you all enjoy the new website layout, for we wanted to provide our members with not only great service, but a very professional and ‘easy on the eyes’ website.

Brewer FCU had a wonderful time sponsoring the 2015 Maine High School Basketball Tournament as corporate sponsors of the MPA. We are thrilled to have such talented and upstanding students represent our Penobscot County area and can’t wait to share our photos and digital magazine with them, their family and friends. Check out our Facebook page for any sneak preview photos and please like/share them! For this year, we have lots of new and exciting engagements prepared for everyone in the Penobscot County, member or not. We’ve got large cash prize give-a-ways, a giant Easter Bunny, yard sales, fundraisers, new sponsorships and not to mention celebrating our 55th year this April!

We want to assure you of our close monitoring of credit and debit card breaches; our member’s privacy and personal information is vital to us. You are our number one priority and we will alert any members that have been affected by these events. Be sure to keep a close watch on your accounts via home banking, Brewer FCU’s mobile app, or monthly statements.

As you can see we have been very busy and are continuing to grow to create a better experience for our members all around. Please be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to keep up with special promos, contests & news! We are always looking to hear feedback from our members.

Sincerely,

Rick Kaul President/CEO

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Employee Anniversaries Full-Time David ........................................10 years Lucille ........................................9 years Kayla ..........................................3 years

Upcoming Events Appreciation Day Friday, May 22nd Bangor Chapter of Credit Unions’ Annual CMN Auction Thursday, June 4th Annual Yard Sale Friday, July 31st

It’s Spring: Time For A Financial Goal Checkup After a record breaking winter, it’s wonderful that spring has sprung! We’re sure you are anxious to get outside and enjoy the fresh air and warmer weather. But, before you do, take a moment to make sure your long term financial goals are on track. There is still a little bit of time left to make 2014 IRA contributions and potentially reduce your 2014 income tax liability. Contributions can be made up to April 15th or when you file your tax return, whichever comes first. For 2014, individuals are allowed to contribute up to $5500 to either a Roth IRA or an IRA. Individuals over 50 years of age are allowed to make additional “catch up contributions” of $1000, for total contribution of $6500 for 2014. Those contribution limits are the same for 2015, and while there is plenty of time to make 2015 IRA contributions, doing so earlier may increase your investment results as the money will be put to “work” that much sooner.

This is also a good time to complete a life insurance checkup. Do you know what your life insurance need is? Do you have enough coverage to fill that need and cover your loved ones in the event you die unexpectedly? While it’s not fun to think about our own mortality, it’s even worse to think we didn’t adequately plan for our loved ones.

We can help you complete a life insurance needs analysis and explore many of the life insurance options available to you.

Have you changed employment, but left a 401k behind? It may make sense to consolidate retirement accounts in to an IRA or Individual Retirement Account.

Working with investment professionals and consolidating accounts can be a great way to make sure all your money is working towards the common goal of retirement and making the most of your hard earned money that you’ve saved. Also if you’re thinking of retiring, take the time to meet with us to explore your options. We may have tools and resources that you’re not familiar with that could assist in making that transition.

As a credit union member you’re eligible for an Initial Complimentary Consultation to discuss these or any other investment related concerns you have, give us a call to schedule an appointment at 989-6082.

Thomas W. Duff Branch Manager, Duff & Associates

Annual Yard Sale It might not seem like it lately, but summer is coming, which means so is our annual yard sale. Please feel free to drop off donations at our 77 North Main Street or 229 Dirigo Drive locations for this year’s event scheduled for Friday, July 31st.

Holiday Closings Memorial Day

Monday, May 25, 2015

Independence Day

Saturday, July 4, 2015

Joel M. West Financial Advisor, Duff & Associates

Duff & Associates, an independent firm, 470 N Main St, Brewer ME, 207-989-6082. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, an independent broker/dealer, and are not insured by credit union insurance, the NCUA or any other government agency, are not deposits or obligations of the credit union, are not guaranteed by the credit union, and are subject to risks, including the possible loss of principal. Investing involves risk and investors may incur a profit or a loss. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. RJFS does not provide tax advice. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation.

Ending Hunger in Maine Credit unions began raising money to end hunger in Maine in 1990. Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised a total of over $5.9 million.

In 2014, 58 Maine credit unions and 8 Maine credit union chapters raised a record-setting $552,000.

Participation in the Campaign and funds raised has increased over the 25 years of its existence.

The Campaign has raised $100,000 or more for 18 consecutive years; surpassed the $200,000 mark the past 12 years; exceeded $300,000 for the past 8 years in a row; exceeded $400,000 raised for the past four years; and, in 2014, topped the $500,000 mark raised in a single year for a second year in a row!

Thank you for your continued support!

Seven Spring Cleaning Ideas That Can Make You Money When you think about spring cleaning, sponge mops and vacuum cleaners usually come to mind. But this can be a great time of year to tidy up money matters, too. Have you considered these ways to smarten up your household finances, not just your home?

1. Mop up credit card debt. You’ll save money on interest if you shrink your balances before rates start rising. Take a look at the front of your credit card statement, where it shows the monthly payment amount required to zero out your balance in three years. Could you increase that amount and pay your debt off sooner?

2. Repair your withholding. A big tax refund from Uncle Sam is a sign that you’re not in charge of your money. Go to www.irs.gov and use the IRS Withholding Calculator to figure how many allowances to claim.

Then download a new Form W-4, complete it, and submit it to your employer. When the additional funds start plumping up your paycheck, funnel them into an interest-bearing account.

3. Sweep away unneeded accounts. Are little-used checking or savings accounts charging you a fee? Combining your funds in one of our member-friendly accounts could reward you with a lot more value. We can also help you save while paying off higher-cost loans and credit cards.

4. Spruce up your smoke and fire safety. Replace the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors if you didn’t do it at the start of Daylight Savings Time. Also, make sure the fire extinguisher near your stove isn’t past its expiration date. If you need to buy more protection, it’s money well spent— and might earn you an insurance discount.

5. Donate good used clothing and toys to a charity.

If you itemize deductions, your charitable contribution will be rewarded next April 15. Even without a financial benefit, you’ll reduce clutter in your closet.

6. Clean out bottle and cans. Consider beginning a communitywide bottle drive to benefit a local library or animal shelter.

7. Hold a yard sale. You may earn more than you expect on stuff you no longer want— just one more way to clean up while you’re cleaning out.

Box Tops Do you clip those Box Tops or Labels for Education from the items that you use, but never seem to make it to the school to donate them?

Here at Brewer FCU, we have the perfect solution.

Bring your Box Tops or Labels for Education to one of our branches and let us donate them to one of the area schools for you.

Young & Free Maine When a young person begins to enter adulthood, it may feel like dangerous territory. Young adults often acquire more responsibilities, face the challenge of balancing work and life, and have to navigate the wild world of money and personal finance. If pinching pennies doesn’t seem to cut it anymore, it’s time to check out YoungFreeMaine.com, where financial mumbo-jumbo gets translated into plain English. Browse through blogs, fun videos, and social media about money, life, and all things Young & Free!

Office Hours and Locations

Bouncing Back from Winter Wear and Tear

Mailing Address

Blizzards, ice, gale winds, subzero temperatures, flooding – thank goodness winter is over!

77 North Main Street · Brewer 229 Dirigo Drive · Brewer

PO Box 189 · Brewer, ME 04412

Lobby & Drive-Through

Mon.–Wed. 8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m Thur.–Fri. 8:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.

Email Address

info@brewerfcu.org

Phone & Fax Numbers

This may be the time when unwelcome surprises come to light.

Frost heaves hammer suspensions. Ice dams melt and roofs leak. House paint peels. Gravel plowed off the driveway piles up on the lawn. The hardworking furnace breathes its last.

iTalk Audio Response System

If things in your neck of the woods are a little worse for wear, we may be able to help. Generally speaking, our rates on credit cards and personal loans are better than most banks, and we’re glad to assist our members at a time like this.

Our Services

If you need to pave the driveway, paint the house, replace the furnace, buy a new set of shocks, or make another repair or investment to recover from winter, just talk to us. We’ll help you bounce back with a “spring” in your step.

Phone (207) 989-7240 77 No. Main Street · Fax: 989-3440 229 Dirigo Drive · Fax: 989-5985 Phone 1-855-835-5281, 207-989-4947 or 207-385-2734 ACH Originations Bill Payer Business Loans Club Accounts Consumer Loans CO-OP Shared Branch Copy of Share Draft Corporate Drafts Direct Deposit (ACH) E-Statements and E-Alerts free4ME Checking GAP Coverage Gift Cards Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) Instant Issue Member Privilege Merchant Card Processing Mobile Banking Mobile BillPay Money Markets Money Orders Mortgage Loans Night Deposit Online Banking Payroll Deduction Person-to-Person (P2P) Remote Capture Route 66 Extended Warranty Roth IRA SBA Loans Share (Savings) Accounts Share Certificates Share Draft (Checking) Accounts Shared Branching Statement Copy Stop Payments Sweep Accounts Traveler’s Cards U.S. Savings Bonds – Redeem only Visa® Check Card (Debit) Visa® Credit Cards Wire Transfers Youth Accounts For rates on our Shares, Money Manager, Share Certificates and IRA Share Certificates, please give us a call or go to our website brewerfcu.org.

Federally Insured by NCUA

From high school grad to financial grown-up If past performance holds true, Maine’s high school graduation rate this June will be among the top 15 in the country, with nearly 7 out of every 8 students who entered ninth grade in 2011 graduating on schedule. If your son or daughter will be among them, congratulations!

We think it’s especially important that every new graduate be on track to become a financial adult. In our experience, a parent’s support at this stage can make a huge difference in a teen’s future ability to cope with challenges. For example, you might consider discussing these five habits of healthy money behavior with your soon-to-be-graduate: 1. Know how much money you have. Using Mobile Banking or Online Banking, keep tabs on your checking account balance every day. Review individual transactions, too, to make sure your financial data hasn’t been hacked.

2. Don’t spend more than you’ve got. Overspending a checking account may lead to expensive fees, while spending too much with a credit card can add up to debt that takes a long time to repay.

3. Live on a budget. If you’re going on to college, keep your financial aid, savings, and part-time wages in a savings account. Figure out in advance how much money you’ll need every week, and have that amount automatically transferred to a checking ac count. This is excellent practice for living on a paycheck later.

4. Keep your accounts secure. Password-protect your laptop and phone so no one else can access stored data. Always use hard-to-crack passwords. And even though you may not have much of a credit history yet, guard against ID theft by reviewing a free credit report every four months (www.annualcreditreport.com).

5. Learn from mistakes. The best way for a parent to send this message is to talk about your own financial struggles when you were younger. Stories of what you did, and what you learned, can deliver powerful lessons your graduate won’t soon forget.

No matter where these young grads go, they can take a credit union account with them. With checking and share savings accounts, credit cards, and hundreds of fee-free ATMs, we’ll try to help them graduate with honors to the rank of financial grown-ups.