Checkpoint Magazine - Holiday 2021

You Make Every Day Feel Like a Holiday!

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In the Spotlight: AnMed Mobile Mammography: Powered by Spero Financial

T H I S

Creative Giving Ideas For Giving Tuesday

I S S U E

5 Uncommon (but effective!) Ways to Save for the Holidays

Have a Grinch-Free Holiday: How to Protect Your Finances This Season

LOCATIONS Anderson 1720 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 1434 Pearman Dairy Road Anderson, SC 29625 100 Hanna Crossing Anderson, SC 29621

Columbia 1025 Pulaski Street Columbia, SC 29201

Corporate Office & Support Center 420 E. Park Avenue, Ste. 100 Greenville, SC 29601

Easley 118 Brushy Creek Road Easley, SC 29642

Five Forks 117 Batesville Road, Ste. 200

24/7/365 SERVICE

Simpsonville, SC 29681

Member Solutions Center Greenville: 864.232.5553 Nationwide: 800.922.0446

Mills Avenue 300 Mills Avenue Greenville, SC 29605

Spartanburg

MONEYLINKSM Online at www.spero.financial

MONEYLINKSM Audio Response Greenville: 864.232.3645 Nationwide: 800.633.4364

To locate an ATM near you, visit www.spero.financial

130 North Town Drive Spartanburg, SC 29303

FIND US ONLINE

Taylors 3237 Wade Hampton Boulevard Taylors, SC 29687

Verdae

/MySperoFi @MySperoFi @MySperoFi

601 Verdae Boulevard Greenville, SC 29607

www.spero.financial

IN THIS

ISSUE: 3 4

Letter from the President

Community & Events

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In the Spotlight: ANMED MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY: POWERED BY SPERO FINANCIAL

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Feature: CREATIVE GIVING IDEAS FOR GIVING TUESDAY

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What We Read: THE FIVE LANGUAGES OF APPRECIATION IN THE WORKPLACE

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Money Management: 5 UNCOMMON (BUT EFFECTIVE!) WAYS TO SAVE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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Family Finance: HAVE A GRINCH-FREE HOLIDAY: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FINANCES THIS SEASON

Insured by NCUA

Spero Financial is a proud member of the Credit Union Service Center Network. co-opcreditunions.org Copyright ©2021 by Spero Financial and The Brand Leader. All foreign and U.S. rights reserved.

Contents of this publication, including images, may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher.

Published for Spero Financial by The Brand Leader.

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C R E D I T

C A R D

C O N T E S T

Win $1,000 off your Spero Credit Card balance!

From now through December 31, for every purchase you make with your Spero Credit Card*, you’ll receive one (1) entry into a drawing for up to $1,000 off your credit card balance.

Talk to us to learn more!

www.spero.financial/holidaygiveaway *Visit spero.financial/holidaygiveaway for official contest rules, or speak with a credit union employee for more details. Promotion valid November 1, 2021-December 31, 2021 on personal credit cards.

Dear Members, Once again, we’re staring down the end of another year, and to say I’m humbled would be an understatement. For everything that our community has been through the past couple of years, there is still so much to celebrate, and we at Spero are grateful for each and every one our members. Thank you, too, to those of you who tuned into our Annual Meeting in October. While we had hoped to see you face-to-face again, it was our priority to keep you as safe as possible! Until next year!

Letter from the President

During the meeting, we shared an exciting new service channel for our members; namely, the addition of our new TellerLink machines, launched just in time for the holidays. TellerLink provides you with a face-to-face virtual connection with a Spero teller and also offers 24/7 ATM self-service with enhanced features like check and cash deposit — for that holiday saving you’re sure to be working on!

Speaking of the holiday season, in this issue, we have a few articles dedicated to best practices for holiday spending to help you end 2021 in a great financial state, so that you can make 2022 your best year yet. I also encourage you to check out our piece on protecting yourself from holiday fraud, as we go into the busiest shopping season of the year. And be sure to explore some great ideas on “giving back,” just in time for Giving Tuesday on November 30.

Brian McKay PRESIDENT

In fact, in honor of Giving Tuesday, I am thrilled to announce we will be bringing back Operation Holiday Hope this year! This is a simple way our organization can sprinkle a little holiday cheer on local families that need it most. Beginning November 30, we will ask members, staff, and community members to nominate a family in need. Four local families will be selected and provided a $250 VISA® Gift Card! Follow us on social media for all the details coming in late November.

This year, like last, has had its ups and downs, but one thing has remained constant — our appreciation for you, and our gratitude that you’re part of the Spero family. On behalf of Team Spero, we wish you all the joy and HOPE this time of year brings!

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CO M U N IT Y

It's the perfect time to celebrate our community together!

08.05 & 09.09 | Habitat Builds

09.29 | Carolinas Clay Classic

10.02 | More than Pink Walk

IN THE COMMUNITY There’s nothing more important to the Spero family than playing an integral part in our communities, and we are thrilled to once again be out and about seeing smiling faces! Take a look at some of what we’ve been up to around town.

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E V E NTS

Coming Up O R G A N I Z AT I O N H I G H L I G H T S We’ve had a lot going on lately, from our Annual Meeting to our Family Day in August — and even the first anniversary of the

Holiday Budget & Brews Finance Workshop

Five Forks branch! These milestones are important to us and the work we’re doing, and we’re excited to share them with you!

N OV E M B E R 1 6 | 6 :30 P M B R E W E RY 85, 6 W H I T L E E C O U R T, G R E E N V I L L E , S C 29607 Want to take some of the bite out of creating your holiday budget? Work on it with a sip or two along the way!

Join us at Brewery 85 on November 16 at 6:30PM for Holiday Budget & Brews — we’ll have beer, coffee and snacks to help you keep your energy

Family Day | 08.28

levels high as we share budgeting tips for the busy holiday season!

Closed for the Holidays: Five Forks 1st Anniversary | 09.30

Nov 11

VETERANS DAY

Nov 25

THANKSGIVING DAY

Dec 24

CHRISTMAS EVE/ CHRISTMAS DAY OBSERVANCE

Dec 31 Annual Meeting | 10.19

NEW YEAR'S EVE (Early Closure at 2pm)

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In the Spotlight 1 IN EVERY 8 WOMEN WILL DEVELOP INVASIVE BREAST CANCER AT SOME POINT IN HER LIFE, and it is expected that more than 330,000 women will be diagnosed with some form of breast cancer in 2021 alone, according to BreastCancer.org. While these are concerning statistics, there are many organizations and institutions dedicated to one of the most important aspects of the fight against breast cancer — early detection.

The American Cancer Society confirms this, showing that for women who identify breast cancer early, if it is in a localized stage, the result is a fiveyear, 99 percent survival rate. For this reason, Spero Financial is proud to sponsor one of those organizations leading the charge on early detection in the local community.

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AnMed Mobile M The mobile unit — a giant pink-and-blue bus — is a function of the mammography unit at AnMed Health. It provides quick mammograms for women all across Anderson, with results from AnMed physicians in a one-day turnaround.

It even provides low- or no-cost services for those in need, ensuring that all women have access to what can be a life-saving diagnostic tool.

I N T HE S P OT L IGH T

Mammography: Powered by Spero Financial “A lot of patients that we see are underprivileged or don’t

“Most of us have either been personally touched by

have insurance, and we help those patients by bringing

breast cancer or know of someone who has, and that

the service to them,” said Kim Stevens, Radiology Manager

commonality ties us together as a community,” said Brian

at AnMed Health.

McKay, President and CEO of Spero Financial. “There is no question in our minds that the Mobile Mammography

William Kenley, CEO of AnMed Health, agrees. “We realize

unit, and our relationship with AnMed Health, is one of

that we serve a very broad community. Everyone can’t get

the most valuable joint efforts to us here at Spero, and we

to our sites, the bus allows us to take that cutting-edge

are honored to be a part of such an important initiative in

technology to the people that need it.”

our local area.”

Spero Financial’s relationship with the Mobile

As any doctor would tell you, early detection saves

Mammography unit goes back many years, as a joint effort

lives, so we encourage our female members to have

initially began under Anderson Federal Credit Union. In the

mammograms often, and to encourage the women in their

beginning, the Mobile would be stationed at the Anderson

lives to do the same.

location, allowing credit union employees and members alike to take advantage of its services. But it took a more

To see the upcoming calendar for the AnMed Mobile

personal turn when one visit did exactly what it was

Mammography unit, powered by Spero Financial, visit

intended, and identified a cluster in a Spero (then AFCU)

the calendar at AnmedHealth.org/about/events#mobile-

team member. Fortunately, the result was benign, but the

mammography. In fact, visit our North Main branch on

situation was eye-opening, and solidified the need for these

November 8 or our Park Avenue location on November 9, as

mammography services and how impactful they can be.

the Mobile will be on-site!

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K A S A S A

C A S H

B A C K

The Gift That Keeps on Giving With your free Kasasa Cash Back checking account, you earn 3% cash back (up to $9)* on your debit card purchases this holiday season — and every month throughout the year — by meeting three qualifiers each month.

Make 12 Debit Card transactions; and Enroll in and agree to receive E-Statements; and Receive 1 direct deposit or perform an ACH transaction So, what are you waiting for? Use your debit card and give yourself the gift that keeps on giving!

www.spero.financial/kasasa-cash-back Insured by NCUA. Membership required. Qualifying accounts earn 3.00% cash back on all debit card purchases that post and settle during each Monthly Qualification Cycle that your account qualifies, up to a total of $9.00. The Monthly Qualification Cycle begins at 12:01am on the last day of the month and ends at midnight of the second to last day of the following month. “Kasasa Cash Back” is a trademark of Kasasa Ltd., registered in the U.S.A.

Creative

Giving Ideas For Giving Tuesday

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fter the Thanksgiving Day turkey, the time with family, shopping sales over the weekend, and hitting online sales on Monday, what

could possibly be left to kick off the holiday season? Well, Giving Tuesday, for one — a time where you can remember those less fortunate and support non-profit organizations, in direct contrast to the overwhelming pressure to spend and buy more over the next month.

A holiday that began in 2012, Giving Tuesday began as a pushback against the materialism of Black Friday and then, Cyber Monday. Today, now seen as a national holiday for giving, Giving Tuesday falls on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, and although it is relatively new, it is no small-time deal; in 2019, giving on the holiday reached around $511 million.

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If you are considering getting involved this year, there are a few things you can do to determine who you’d like to donate your money to for Giving Tuesday.

Decison 10

1. D E T E R M I N E W H O TO G I V E TO

2. C H E C K T H E I R S TAT S

First, you’ll need to determine what cause or what entity

Before you write a check, you may want

you’d like to donate to, which is no small feat, since there

to check out the organization you’re

are over 1.5 million non-profit organizations across the

considering giving to, to ensure they are

United States. As a way to narrow it down, consider causes

using their money in a way you want to

that are close to your heart. You may decide to give toward

support. While there are a number of

housing, healthcare, poverty issues, religious causes, the

ways to determine if a charity is on the

arts, or many other areas. If you’re still having a hard time,

up-and-up, as shown in the Overhead

consider if there is anyone you’d like to give in honor of — a

Myth site, sites like Charity Navigator can

grandparent or far-away friend, perhaps — and give to a

be helpful in determining a quick score to

cause they might identify with.

allow you to “give with confidence.”

F E AT U RE

Ideas

A Few Creative Ideas Giving a cash donation or clicking a “donate” button online can be gratifying, but there are a number of ways to get creative on Giving Tuesday. Here are a few ideas you can use to do something different on this day of giving.

•

GIVE SOMEWHERE NEW Find a non-profit organization that you weren’t familiar with before, or a brand-new one that is trying to get off the ground. If you’ve done your homework and have a good feeling about your gift, giving to somewhere new can be a great way to get excited about the gift.

•

G I V E F O R T H E LO N G T E R M One-time donations are great and much-needed, but there are ways to give that can make a larger impact for the organization you wish to support. Consider making your donation a monthly, recurring one — one that the organization can budget and plan on, which makes a huge difference to their future plans. Or, give to a building campaign or an endowment, which has lasting effects far beyond the initial gift that will leave a true legacy.

3. K E E P R E C O R D S & R E C E I P T S Whenever and however you give — in person, a mail-in check, or online — make sure you keep records of your gift for tax purposes. Ask for a receipt, but at the very least you’ll want to know their name, their tax ID number, address, and keep a record for how much you gave, and when.

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REMEMBER THE SMALL THINGS If you don’t want to give to a specific organization, or can’t narrow it down, you can still get in the spirit of giving with smaller motions. Pay for coffee for the person behind you in the line at the coffee shop, or take donuts by the police or fire station.

Whatever your gift looks like, giving is the real reason for the holiday season, and it’s not something you’ll want to miss out on.

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During this joyful season, we’re reminded that the continued trust and loyalty of our members are gifts we’re grateful for all year long.

Wishing you all the joy and hope this time of year brings!

- The Spero Team

What We Read The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace

by Gary Chapman and Paul White

SY N O P S I S Developed by the author of The Five Love Languages, The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace is a foundational look at the five types of appreciation that people gravitate toward, and how you can communicate and interact with each to develop strong, working relationships. Because it also addresses shifts and challenges that can happen when trying to implement more appreciative gestures (like employees being “too busy,” or defining how much personal touch is “too much”), it provides a holistic look at what it really takes to show your employees that you value them, and what it really means to be appreciated.

WHY READ IT Many companies show appreciation as a secondary motion as a way to do “just enough” to keep their employees engaged and working. But what happens when you make appreciation a core tenet of what your company is all about? You end up with authentic relationships, engaged employees, and a positive and affirming workplace culture. Through this book, organization leadership can have easy, understandable paths to showing each employee how

T H E F I N A L WO R D For anyone leading teams, this book is a must have in helping leaders engage employees and build a thriving, fulfilled workforce.

much they are valued.

A S P E C I A L TA K E AWAY As an added bonus, each book comes with a code to take a free Motivating by Appreciation assessment, which will help the reader determine what their language of appreciation is. One idea: buy a copy of the book for each member of your team, and have them share their own language. Not only will they learn more about themselves, but you’ll be able to start seeing the makeup of your own team, and how to best show them the love!

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Uncommon ( but effective !)

Ways to Save for the Holidays The best way to avoid falling into the holiday spending trap is to plan for it, but if you haven’t been saving all year, don’t panic. We’re here to help with a few last-minute tips and tricks to help you save up and stretch your holiday budget.

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M O N E Y MA NAGE ME NT

Move the Holiday This may sound unconventional, but it could save you a bundle.

Nothing says you have to celebrate on the designated day. If you can, consider moving the day you celebrate closer to January 1.

Shopping for Christmas gifts (as well as wrapping paper and other supplies) after December 25th is one of the best ways to take advantage of all the post-Christmas sales. Bonus: If you work in a needed service profession, you can typically make at least timeand-a-half by volunteering to work the holidays.

Go on a Money Diet It’s never too late to trim spending in order to boost your holiday savings account. Choose a month in the fall and commit to zero extras. No eating out or entertainment budget, no toys or gadgets, no late-night online shopping. Just pay your household bills and buy groceries and see how quickly the savings pile up. Many households can easily add $300-$500 to their holiday budget by doing a money detox for one month.

Make a Little More Saving for the holidays isn’t only about trimming your spending. You can also save more by making a little more. Maybe it’s the cooler weather — but people tend to do more home renovation projects or deep cleanings during this season. The fall is a fantastic time to offer your skills for hire, find a side-hustle, or pick up extra hours at work. It’s also the perfect time to clean out your garage, attic, closets, or basement and hold a yard sale or put larger items on an online sales platform.

Give Identical Gifts

Whatever you

Take a page from the playbook of top CEOs and entrepreneurs and

do to make this

simplify, simplify, simplify. A lot of people overspend during the holidays because they try too hard to make each present unique,

holiday season

costing them not only the price of the gift but also the extra time and

the biggest &

gas money they spend searching for the perfect item. Instead, for those on your list who aren’t immediate family, consider choosing a standard, useful gift and personalizing with a note or a monogram.

Shop Cyber Monday

brightest yet, we encourage you to keep your

Shoppers can find good deals on Black Friday, if they’re willing

future in mind &

to cut family time short the day after Thanksgiving and brave the

remember what

crowds. Cyber Monday, Black Friday’s online counterpart, is much more convenient and less stressful. Find amazing deals on all kinds of electronics, tools, household goods, clothing, and more.

the holidays are really all about.

Right from the comfort of your own living room.

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Have a Grinch-Free Holiday Sometime between October and lasting through December, there are large increases in shopping, with the largest surge of holiday purchases happening somewhere around the end of November and the first week of December.

This increase in activity — both online and in local stores — offers thieves some cover, and means a spike in identity theft, credit card fraud, and other types of fraud are more likely.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to ensure that your shopping practices — no matter where or how you decide to spend

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your holiday budget — are more secure.

1. WATC H YO U R CA R D S. If you’re using credit or debit cards for most of your shopping, make sure you know where they are at all times. In addition, double check ATMs or card scanners for “skimmers,” expertly-placed covers that scan your card

H OW TO P R OT E C T YO U R FINANCES THIS SEASON

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as you insert it, pulling all the data off and remotely storing it somewhere else.

2. K E E P YO U R R E C E I P T S. It's a good practice to keep your receipts for anything you purchase. This will help significantly when asking for a refund or making a return.

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FA MILY F INA NC E

3. C H E C K YO U R AC C O U N T S O F T E N .

While many financial institutions will shut down a credit or debit card if they see something suspicious, increased activity during the holidays makes it harder to determine what’s out of the ordinary for even the best account watchers. If you do notice an unauthorized charge that doesn’t belong, take action immediately

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to prevent losing access to your funds for a long period of time, or leaving your account open for someone else to keep charging to.

4. WATC H F O R C O PYCAT S. More and more online vendors are requiring you to create an account or give them at least some information, but know that it’s not common practice for anyone to ask for that information via email. This practice of sending an email with links that either request information or download viruses is one of the most common ways that online hackers can gain access to your personal information, known as “phishing”. Make sure you’re on the company’s real site, and don’t click on links from emails unless you know where it came from and where it’s directing you. This goes double for shipping invoices that send you a link to track your shipment; generally, it’s better to go directly to the

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website and get your order tracking information, rather than trusting that email link.

5. P R AC T I C E G O O D C O M P U T E R U S E .

When it comes to shopping online, there are a lot of things you can do to ensure you’re operating in the safest way possible. Additionally, you’ll want to add two other rules of engagement to your shopping repertoire — not using public wi-fi, and adding some sort of virus scanner or protection (yes, even to your phone). These two things are simple but

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can prevent a myriad of problems caused by outside — but local — hackers.

6. WATC H F O R S U S P I C I O U S P R O M OT I O N S. If you see an offer — whether it’s a pop-up online, a Facebook ad or a sign near the mall — if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Before you give anyone any information, do your due diligence and find out if it’s a real deal or a real steal.

PO Box 10708 Greenville, SC 29603 www.spero.financial