December 2021 Newsletter
Tap into cash, fast — with our credit card & Digital Banking Get a cash advance with your Fox credit card. There are no fees, it’s quick, and you could pay less interest than you would with a loan from a payday lender. When the unplanned happens, you can use these funds for things like:
We’ve got something better than frosting on a cookie Winter is here — which means the snow is starting to accumulate, the decorations are up, and the holidays are right around the corner. Whether you want to buy a new snowblower, outdo the neighbor’s light display or bake until your belly is full, we’ve got the ‘dough’ (money) to help! Take advantage of our Instant Cash Holiday Loan where you can borrow up to $10,000 (with rates as low as 6.90% APR* for up to 60 months). Apply online, learn more by visiting foxcu.org/personal-loans/, or call us at 920-993-9000. We‘d love to help you make a joyous season happen! *APR=Annual Percentage Rate. 6.90% APR requires a new or existing Fox checking account to qualify for special rate. Rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change or terminate at any time without notice. Estimated monthly payment example for $10,000 borrowed at 6.90% for 60 months is $197.10. Your actual payment may vary. Loans are subject to final credit approval and membership eligibility. APR can vary based on creditworthiness and term of loan. Applicable to new money only, cannot be used to pay existing Fox loans. Applicants typically receive approved funds within the same or one business day. Must be 18 years or older. Federally Insured by NCUA.
Spreading holiday cheer The holidays are upon us, which means it’s time to have some fun. Thankfully, there are plenty of holiday events going on in and around the Fox Valley — and all throughout eastern Wisconsin for that matter — that we can enjoy! So let’s get right down to it and check out all the fun ways we can celebrate the holidays here in the heart of the valley. visit foxcu.org/2021-holiday-events/.
• Unexpected expenses, such as auto and home repairs • Those moments you need cash in a hurry • To avoid overdrawing your checking account due to fluctuating income Already have our credit card? — you can start transferring money right away! Just log into Digital Banking, navigate to ‘Menu’, ‘Transactions’, ‘Funds Transfer’, and fill in the required information on-screen.
Branch hours for the holidays Christmas Eve: Friday, December 24 open until 1pm Christmas Day: Saturday, December 25 closed all day New Year’s Day: Saturday, January 1 closed all day
New Oshkosh branch opening early 2022
Don’t have our credit card? — conveniently apply in just a few minutes using our secure online application at foxcu.org. Available funds may be transferred. Funds transfer is considered a cash advance. There is no fee for a cash advance. Interest begins accruing as of the transaction date and calculated using the ‘average daily balance method (including new purchases)’. Rewards program does not apply to cash advances/transfers. Federally insured by NCUA.
Located at 1870 Oshkosh Avenue
You’ve warmed our hearts and the lives of others We’d like to extend a very warm and sincere thanks to our members and neighbors for helping to keep our community warm and fed again this winter. With your help, we collected 3,740 coats (and hundreds of other cold weather items) for Coats for Kids. We also managed to gather over 1,000 food items and over $260,000 for Stock the Shelves. And thanks to the Fox-sponsored NEW Top Dog photo contest, $234,000 was raised for local animal shelters and local kids! It warms our hearts to know that our members and the community are filled with so many giving hearts. Thank you for your generosity.
Alert! Alert! Alert! Want to know when your paycheck comes in without having to log in to your Digital Banking? Would you like to be notified if your balance has entered the danger zone? There’s an alert for that! By setting up account alerts, your money can send you reminders when you need to make a transfer or when that payment comes out, so you know you need to take action (or wait to take action until payday). There are different kinds of alerts for different uses. Some alerts notify you of balance changes, some notify you of activity within your account, and others notify you when certain types of transactions occur. If you’d like to learn more about the kinds of alerts and how to set them up, visit our instructional blog post at foxcu.org/alerts-how-to/. Federally insured by NCUA.
Team member favorite pick: Digital wallet
Live financial radio show: Credit and borrowing
“I am a huge fan of using my digital wallet on my phone to make purchases! I have had a few instances where I left my debit card at home but needed gas or was purchasing something at the store, and it was so nice to have the backup option to use my debit card on my phone.”
Monday, December 13 from 11:00am-Noon
Lauren Haucke Two Rivers Teller Supervisor So how do you add your Fox card(s) to your phone’s digital wallet? Learn here: foxcu.org/digital-wallet/. Phone data fees may apply. Federally Insured by NCUA.
FSAs and HSAs: What are they? Do I need one? An FSA is a Flexible Spending Account, which is a benefit offered by some employers. It is an account where you can contribute pre-tax money to be used to reimburse you for qualified out-of-pocket expenses related to medical and dental services. In general you must use all the funds by the end of the year or you lose them (some plans do have grace periods). If you have an FSA: this is your reminder to use your money before the end of the year! An HSA (or Health Savings Account) is very similar but in order to have an HSA account, you must have a High-Deductible Health Plan*. The other major difference is that your balance in an HSA account can carry over from year to year, so you don’t have to worry about losing unused funds. Contact us to open an HSA today! Other stipulations may apply. Set-up fee of $25. To find out if your insurance plan qualifies, please check with your insurance agent. Consult a tax professional. Fox does not provide tax advice. Federally Insured by NCUA.
Presented by Julia Klemme, Member Relationship Officer. Tune into 1150AM, 103.5FM, 106.3FM, or the WHBY app. Missed our past monthly live radio shows? Look for ‘Bringing it to you straight’ blogs at foxcu.org/blog to listen to them. Presentation is brought to you by Fox Communities Credit Union and is intended for educational purposes only and does not replace independent professional advice. Statements and opinions are those of the presenter individually. Fox Communities Credit Union deposit products are Federally Insured by NCUA. Equal Housing Lender.
10 ways to avoid scams 1. Maintain a healthy level of doubt that something is the truth 2. Be on alert if you’re feeling rushed to decide 3. Always guard your money and information 4. Do not assume the information you’re given is true, always verify 5. Consult with someone you trust before you take any action 6. Never pay someone who insists that you pay in gift cards, wired funds, or cryptocurrency 7. Do not cash checks for someone else
, 8. Block unwanted calls and text messages
9. If it sounds too good to be true, it’s too good to be true 10. Trust your instinct! If something feels “off,” don’t ignore it Learn more at consumer.ftc.gov/ articles/how-avoid-scam. Third-party site is not operated or under the control of Fox Communities Credit Union. Fox is not responsible for the content and does not represent those who enter into a transaction.
Free BALANCE webinar: 10 steps to financial success Learn about tips for financial control — like making a spending plan, goal setting, weighing insurance needs, and more to help you on the road to personal financial success. . Tuesday, December 7 from 12:30-1:30pm Thursday, December 16 from 7:30-8:30pm Register at foxcu.org/balance-financial-fitnessprogram/. Click ‘Visit Balance Webinar’, then ‘Free Webinar’. Presentations are intended for educational purposes only and do not replace independent professional advice. Statements and opinions are of the presenter individually and not necessarily the opinion or position of Fox. Fox is not an affiliate of BALANCE Financial Fitness. Third-party site isn’t operated or under the control of Fox. Fox isn’t responsible for the content and doesn’t represent those who enter into a transaction. Fox deposit products are federally insured by NCUA.
Auto loans: How important are rates and terms? “When making plans for an auto loan, payment is important (you do have to consider your budget), but don’t forget about equity! Remember that in the early part of owning your vehicle, it is losing value more quickly than it will later. In a long-term loan, you can reach a point where the value of your vehicle is less than what is owed. This can be a problem if you want to sell or trade your vehicle for any reason, or if you wind up in an accident. Remember that longer terms usually benefit the lender (they make more on interest). So if you can afford the payment on a shorter term, it will usually be to your benefit. If you have questions about your situation, remember I’m always happy to talk budgets and help you make the right decision for you!” Mike Pastorelli Auto Buying Specialist mpastorelli@foxcu.org or 920-993-3508