IN SIDER Volume 4 + january 2008
The CommunityAmerica Magazine CHANGE IS GOOD.  Change your spending habits | change your outlook | change your life
The year rolLs on and so does the INsider. This issue has lots of easy ways to break out of your winter doldrums and send Old Man Winter packing. From ways to save for what you really want, to throwing a big party for the big game, to making the kinds of resolutions that stick, the INsider is just what you need to help you get over your bad case of the winter blahs.
VIEWPOINTS
[ SOCKY SAVESALOT ]
Years ago, Albert Einstein defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome.” The same can be said when it comes to personal savings and investment programs. If you pay your bills and spend the rest, there will never be anything left for saving. We at CommunityAmerica are dedicated to helping our members build financial success, and we are greatly concerned about the current lack of personal saving in the United States. In the early 1980s, the average American saved approximately 11% of their disposable income. Today, that rate has fallen to less than 1%, and we would like that to change. The financial welfare and security of our members is of primary importance to us, and we want our members to live well regardless of their stage in life. But something has got to change in the savings habits of the average American if that objective is to be realized. We want to encourage each and every one of our members to rethink their spending habits. The time to develop a personal savings or investment program is now. Why do we care? Because we’re your credit union. Banks are in business to make money. We are in business to make you money!!!
Hey kids, looking to reward yourselves? Start thinking inside the sock. From a Wii to a PS3, we all have something we really want. And that’s why your good old fuzzy friend Socky is here. I’m going to give you a plan to save enough money to pay for the things you’ve always wanted.
November October
First, decide what it is you really want, like a new bike, or an MP3 player, and
September
write it here:
August July Then, find out how much you’ll need to
June
save to get it. Write that amount on the
May
“Final Goal” line. Take that number, divide it by 12 and write that amount into each of the lines that has a dollar sign.
that much each month and color in the year you’ll finally have reached your goal!
April March
Over the next year, continue to save chart to track your progress. In one
Sincerely, DICK BAUMGARTNER
December
February January
Chief Financial Officer CommunityAmerica Credit Union
The Sarge Says:
My resolution? For you to be scam free. sweepstakes never ask for money, because all that winners ever owe legally are taxes. This tax is never paid through anyone else or by anyone else. This is true in every country, including the good old U. S. of A. If you believe you are in possession of a counterfeit check, don’t deposit it, report it! Your accounts will stay safe and my crack team of Anti-Scammers will mobilize and erase the threat. By any means necessary. If you are at all concerned about this issue, you can contact us at any time here at the credit union or make a report with the National Fraud Information Center at fraud.org. You can also check out fakecheck.org for lots of tips and info about these kinds of scams. This year, Operation: No Scam is in full effect. I’m ready and prepared to go to battle. Make sure you are too.
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Hello, all you scammers out there. I’m talking to you, counterfeit check maker. That’s right, one of the biggest scams out there right now are fake checks written on your all-too-real name. Now, the old Sarge knows a thing or two about names, ranks and serial numbers – so he’s mad as heck about this latest fraud. Every day, financial institutions around the world are finding that their official checks and cashier’s checks are being counterfeited. Many of these checks are being used to scam victims into sending large amounts of money to other financial institutions or to individuals, including foreign locations, as part of the wave of lottery scams engulfing consumers. If you get targeted, remember: There is no legitimate reason for someone who is giving you money to ask you to wire or send money back. Legitimate lotteries or
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BUDGET STRETCH
There are lots of ways to make a dollar go further. Do your clothes shopping at discount stores instead of department stores and say, “Sorry, designer labels, we’re going old school this year.” Substitute regular coffee for expensive lattes and cappucinos. In just six months, that $2 you save each day would give you 50% of your $500 emergency fund. And shop around before you fill up the tank. Unless you’re on E, it makes sense to drive a little farther for fuel that’s even a little bit cheaper. It doesn’t seem like much, but even two-eighths of a cent is still two-eighths of a cent.
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I N SIDER + J ANUARY 2 0 0 8
DEBT PRESS
2
Take a look at your debt situation and consider a consolidation loan. By trading lots of different pockets of debt with high interest rates for one pile with a much lower rate, you can not only improve your cash flow, but also your ability to pay off the debt. And be sure to take a look at your mortgage. Refinancing can save you a lot of money and help you pay off credit cards, too.
LUNCHBOX LIFT
We know it’s fun to go out and meet your friends for good food and gossip. But if an average night out for you and a friend or significant other costs $100, that’s quite a bite off the bottom line. So commit to eating out one time a month less. If staying home for dinner saves you $50 each time, that puts $600 back in your pocket come New Year’s Eve. Now, don’t leave it in your pocket to be spent on toilet paper and toothpaste; stick it in your savings account.
LOOSE CHANGE CURL
Don’t just let it fill up your pockets and your couch cushions, start saving that loose change. Open an account devoted to it and start socking it away. Saving just 50¢ a day will get you almost $200 in a year. When it’s jangling in your pocket, change doesn’t seem like real money. But when you’ve got two C-notes’ worth, it becomes real in a hurry.
PRE-PURCHASE MEDITATION
It’s always fun to look at the advertisements and dream about big TVs, huge leather couches and crazy awesome home theater systems. But, as you know, those things cost money. Big money. So before you go out and make a big ticket purchase, stop, drop and meditate. Saving money requires sacrifice, so give yourself a 24-hour cooling off period to relax the craving. Then you can decide whether that new gadget is something you really need, or something you really need to sacrifice in the name of savings.
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Y S! ED! A W H N TE A A A It’s G L N B the I R UA Y G A TE 100% R SP WIN IT SLICES! E H It’s the CommunityAmerica T De-Icer, and it’s available NOW! It’ll help keep you warm in those dreary days of January and February. It’ll provide a pick-me-up after the holiday hubbub has died down.
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Here are some useful tips for getting through the winter! If you’re jealous of bears that hibernate through the worst of winter –
HEAD FOR THE PALM TREES!
Sometimes all it takes is a little change of scenery to help boost your morale. Unfortunately, that change of scenery can be pretty costly. From hotels to rental cars to meals, vacations might help rejuvenate your brain, but they can definitely deplete your wallet. Here are just a few ways you can enjoy your vacation without breaking the bank.
Do a little grocery shopping. If your hotel room has a kitchen, you’ll be able to save lots of money simply by eating breakfast and lunch there.
Avoid the cheesy t-shirts. Remember that shirt that said “Mom and Dad went to Barbados and all I got was this crummy T-shirt”? Exactly.
Invite friends. Splitting your hotel bill with others can save you lots of cash. Plus, it’ll provide you with someone who can rub sunblock on your back. Safety first!
Sick of gray skies, blistering cold and dark evening hours? Then –
THROW A BIG SHINDIG!
Every year you go to a Super Bowl party where you end up bored and slightly annoyed. So this year, why not host your own party? And since it’s your party, you can make it just the way you want it. Here are a few tips to make it cool. lay the big game before they do. Why not have a little pre-Super Bowl fun by P playing your very own game? Fire up your PS3 or Xbox and see which team has what it takes to be the champs. reate a second viewing area. It’s hard to enjoy yourself when you can’t spread C out. Why not turn your basement or extra bedroom into a second staging area?
Recheck your guest list. Just because they might not be diehard football fans doesn’t mean they won’t have fun. There are the ads, the food and the added entertainment of them screaming, “Home run!” at the TV. ake some mouthwatering munchies. This is where you can really set your M party apart from the others. Below is a game-changing recipe that is sure to score a touchdown with your guests!
Tom’s Buffalo Chicken Dip WHAT YOU NEED 8 oz cream cheese, softened 10 oz can chunk white chicken, drained ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
4
½ cup ranch salad dressing 2 cups shredded ColbyMonterery Jack cheese Tortilla chips
HOW IT’S MADE 1. Spread cream cheese into an ungreased shallow 1-qt. baking dish. 2. Alternate layers of chicken, buffalo wing sauce and ranch dressing, then top the whole thing with shredded cheese. 3. Bake uncovered at 350˚ for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is melted. 4. Serve with tortilla chips.
ANNUAL M EE
TING
Because two credit unions are stronger than one. November 1st was a big day in the history of CommunityAmerica Credit Union. Not only was it the first day of November, it was the day that we officially merged with Midwest United Credit Union. That means it was the first day that two great KC credit unions came together to serve even more members even better. Our combined strength will provide you with more. More locations, more products, more services and more getting your needs met the way you need them met. We’re trying to make this transition as easy and seamless as possible, but there are bound to be a few questions already. Here are some answers.
What will the merged credit union be called? CommunityAmerica Credit Union.
Can I start using any branch today? For now, Midwest United members should continue to use the Midwest United branches and contact center and CommunityAmerica members should continue to use the CommunityAmerica branches and contact center. Everyone will have full access to all branches beginning April 28, 2008.
The offic ial date is Thursda y, June 2 6, 2008, at Comm unityAm erica Ballpark . Last ye a r ’s event was a sm ashing s u c cess and this year ’s plans a re alread shaping y up. It’s g oing to b so you d e b ig, on’t wan t to miss Mark yo it . ur calen dars tod ay!
Will any branches be closed? No branches will be closed. In fact, as a combined credit union we’ll have 26 branches with many additional ones planned for the near future.
How will my accounts be affected? Our goal is to complete this integration in a manner that keeps all of our members’ interests first and foremost. You will receive updates on how the merger process affects you as these details become available.
What if I have accounts at both credit unions? You will be contacted as the integration proceeds regarding the consolidation of your accounts.
HIP ND OWNERS PATION DIVIDE t PARTICI ey and we’re abor’su
Hopefully, some of these answers are the ones you’re looking for. If not, go to cacu.com for the answers to more frequently asked questions.
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Better get read y for your close You’re about -up. to become a V IP. At CommunityA merica, we wa nt to make you feel like a star. Sign up for a Free
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* For new checking accounts only, defined as new checking relationship with credit union opened between 1-15-08 and 4-15-08. Individuals with existing CommunityAmerica checking account in household, or who have closed one of our checking accounts within previous three months, do not qualify. Available on the Free, Interest or Premier Checking for personal accounts only. Limits: one per person, one per account, not valid with any other offers. Upon opening of checking account and funding with a minimum of $100, member will receive a $50 deposit into their share savings account. Receipt of additional $25 will be posted within 30 days after the receipt of the first payroll direct deposit. We may report to the IRS the value of any premium, and a 1099 will be issued at year-end. Any applicable taxes are the responsibility of the applicant. Annual Percentage Yield on Premier Checking is 0.60%. APY on Interest Checking is 0.40%. This credit union federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. ** No purchase necessary. Entries must be received or postmarked by midnight April 15, 2008. Void where prohibited. Employees and credit union volunteers, and their families, are not eligible. Winners will be notified by phone. One entry per household. See branch or www.cacu.com for official rules.
COMMUNITYAMERICA LOCATIONS in kc metro Northland
Johnson County
Jackson County
64th Street 6390 N Cosby Avenue Kansas City, MO 64151
Englewood Hy-Vee 207 NE Englewood Road Kansas City, MO 64118
Blue Valley 6280 W 135th Street Overland Park, KS 66223
Blue Springs Hy-vee 601 W Highway 40 Blue Springs, MO 64014
112th Street 11125 Ambassador Drive Kansas City, MO 64153
Liberty Hy-Vee 1332 Kansas Street Liberty, MO 64068
Nall 5601 W 95th Street Overland Park, KS 66207
Noland Road 3622 S Noland Road Independence, MO 64055
Antioch Annex 5400 NE Antioch Kansas City, MO 64118
North Oak 9310 N Oak Trafficway Kansas City, MO 64155
Olathe 13590 S Black Bob Road Olathe, KS 66062
23rd Street Hy-Vee 1525 E 23rd Street Independence, MO 64055
Bresette’s Sun Fresh Marketplace 7613 NW Prairie View Road Kansas City, MO 64151
Shoal Creek 8450 NE Flintlock Road Kansas City, MO 64157
Prairie Village Hy-Vee 7620 State Line Road Prairie Village, KS 66208
40 Hwy & Noland Hy-VeE 4545 S Noland Road Independence, MO 64014
WHITE OAK 7932 N Oak Trafficway Kansas City, MO 64118
Ridgeview Hy-Vee 18101 W 119th Street Olathe, KS 66061
Chouteau Crossing 4357 NE Chouteau Trafficway Kansas City, MO 64117
Coming Soon!
HIDDEN VALLEY Hidden Valley Road & MO 291 Independence, MO 64055
Shawnee 16110 W 65th Street Shawnee, KS 66217
TOPEKA LOCATIONS
ST. LOUIS LOCATION
TOPEKA 1129 S Kansas Avenue Topeka, KS 66612
Trans air 10895 Lambert International Boulevard Bridgeton, MO 63044
Coming Soon!
TOPEKA HY-VEE 2951 SW Wanamaker Road Topeka, KS 66604
800.892.7957 cacu.com