MEMBER OF THE QUARTER
A Quarterly Publication from allU.S. Credit Union
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Go Green
Pack on the Perks With an allU.S. Auto Loan
NewS you can use
Calendar of Financial Tips
SPRING 2019
Tips for Getting Your Finances Organized 1. Check your credit report. a. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to get your free report. It’s a good idea to pull one report from each of the three bureaus every four months. You should only enter your credit card information if you want to buy your score. Never pay for your credit report! b. Verify that all information is reporting correctly. Report inaccuracies and dispute incorrect items with one of the bureaus, and that bureau will contact the other two bureaus. 2. Pay off credit card debt. It is common to rack up credit card debt. Now is a great time to get those cards paid off or paid down. Here is a great place to start: Do a MoneyDesktop™check-up. MoneyDesktop is located at https://alluscu.com/online_banking.cfm. MoneyDesktopprovides you access to a personal financial management software program whereby online banking becomes a "hub" of financial activity. You can aggregate accounts from almost any financial institution, allowing you to track spending, create budgets and manage your debt for all of your accounts within the allU.S. online banking! Can you believe it is included and it is FREE? 3. Create a budget. If you don’t already have a budget, chances are you may not know where to start. allU.S. makes creating a budget and sticking to it easy and understandable. We have great tools to help you take a good look at your financial picture and stay on track. A budget will help you evaluate your financial health, get a snapshot of how much you should spend on various items in relation to your income, and create a budget that you can stick to.ORGANIZE YOUR BUDGET, which is the first step of setting up a concrete financial strategy for 2018. Studies show that people who make certain commitments related to their cash flow will feel more financially secure and may even begin to carry less debt. Review L Bee and the Money Tree to get some tips on getting your finances in tip-top shape in 2018. Now that you have the information to kick-start your finances in 2018, what are you waiting for? Follow these steps for a great start to 2018. Contact an allU.S. member services representative for more information.
eStatements: Cut the clutter and go green with FREE eStatements! No more piles of unopened envelopes on your kitchen counter. No more waiting a week or more to receive your statement. Signing up is easy, and you’ll save a few trees and expenses for the credit union (which helps us reward you better). Online statements are safe, secure and available for you to access at your convenience. Sign up for fast, convenient and secure eStatements at: https://alluscu.com/jazz_online_banking.cfm#lowersect.
Scheduled and Recurring Transfers: Use Jazz Advanced Banking to transfer payments from your checking to your loan or share account for FREE. You can also set up recurring transfers. If you need assistance with registering or setting up the payments and transfers, we can help. Give us a call at 831.540.4627.
ONLINE BILL PAY: There’s never been a better time to switch from paper invoices and checks to paying bills online. Help reduce the amount of waste in the local landfills, lower greenhouse gas emissions and, most of all, enjoy savings and greater convenience. Sign up today at https://alluscu.com/jazz_online_banking.cfm.
GO GREEN
Looking for an auto loan that comes fully loaded? Look no further than allU.S. Credit Union! We offer loads of budget-friendly benefits to help members save more. Get pre-approved now and enjoy: Rates as low as 2.49% APR Flexible terms No pre-payment penalties No application fees Plus, when you finance your new vehicle purchase with allU.S., up to 90% LTV, you'll receive FREE Depreciation Protection ($625 value) – allowing you to recover the equity in your vehicle if it is damaged beyond repair. Just call 831.789.8020, visit alluscu.com or stop by the branch to apply.
Refinance and Save!
If you’ve already purchased a vehicle from a dealer or other lender, you may still be able to save yourself a lot of money by refinancing your auto loans with allU.S. You’ve got nothing to lose except putting cash back in your pocket. No set-up fees or prepayment penalties 100% financing and flexible terms Discounts for automatic loan payments Visit https://alluscu.com/loans.cfm or call 831.789.8020 to see how much you can save.
Your busy lifestyle demands better ways to stay on top of your finances. Our Jazz Mobile Banking App makes it easy, and it’s FREE! Keep up to date anytime or anywhere, because with Jazz Mobile Banking, we're open 24/7. allU.S. Credit Union’s mobile banking app is fast and secure. No matter where you are, allU.S. is right there! With Jazz Mobile Banking, you can: View checks that have cleared your account Transfer money between your accounts Make loan and credit card payments Control the status of your debit/credit card if it is lost or stolen Apply for a loan Securely send an email message to the credit union Remote deposit your check Use bill pay and pay your bills hassle free Check your balances Send money using our Person-2-Person feature If you haven’t already downloaded the Jazz Mobile App, click to get started.
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It’s Tax Time and We Have Some Ideas for Our Members!
Well, it’s that time of year we all love to hate…tax time. According to the IRS, nearly 83% of tax returns filed result in a refund, with the average refund for 2018 expected to total $1,850, down from one year ago. In years past, it was fairly easy to estimate what your tax return would be, but the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed in 2017, enacted a number of broad changes. Given these changes, here’s what the experts say you should do now: DON’T BANK ON A REFUND: Adjust your expectations when it comes to tax refunds this year and don’t rely on anything big. HOLD OFF ON BIG PURCHASES: Definitely don’t start dreaming about a trip you can take with your expected tax return. In other words, “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” WHO CAN EXPECT A LOWER REFUND THIS YEAR: Those who did not adjust their withholding rates Those with large salaries in states with high taxes Those with work expenses they usually write off If you are one of the lucky ones who gets a refund, what will you do with the extra money? Of course, it is fun to blow through money and splurge on items you may not normally purchase; however, as a credit union, we care about your financial well-being. Therefore, we would like to offer up a few suggestions! Save What You Can! Build an emergency reserve and rainy day fund, or let your money earn more in a Base Share account or a CD. Pay Down Existing Debt That You Owe! Getting out of debt should be a top priority. But if you can’t pay off all items, pay down the debt with the highest interest first. Place a Down Payment towards an item you have been wanting or need, such as a new vehicle, large items for your home or other big-ticket items. Build Credit: Getting a secured credit card is a great option to help build credit. Getting a credit card can be a bit scary, but it’s easier when you secure the card. It works like this: Say you want to get a $500 limit on a credit card; you use the $500 you “saved” as a security deposit for the card, while still being able to use the credit card to make purchases. Have Some Fun: You can spend your tax refund responsibly while still having some fun! Set a small portion of your return aside and use it on the most important person, YOU! Treat yourself to something you don’t normally get to do or have. Lastly, having your refund deposited directly into your allU.S. account gives you immediate access to your money, but only if you give your tax preparer or online tax service the correct information. Double-check your routing and account numbers with us before you file your taxes. Using incorrect routing and account numbers will cause your tax return to be rejected, and the IRS or state will send a check via snail mail, which will delay your return. Now that you have these tips, you can be in control and enjoy your tax refund responsibly!
Online notifications in the form of emails and texts can help you stay informed about your account activity. You can set up multiple types of alerts and edit or remove them at any time. They’re completely customizable to your individual wants and needs. If you have questions or would like assistance with setting up alerts, click here or contact member services at the branch. We’re here for you and happy to lend a hand.
Email: Stay in the Know! Do we have your email address? We need a current email address to send you notices and product and service opportunities. Contact us today to update your personal information.
Reminder: Our New Bill Pay Service Features P2P Payments (Person-to-Person) allow you to exchange money with your friends and family with a few taps on your phone or strokes of the keyboard. A2A Payments (Account-to-Account) allow you to send or receive money from your other banking institutions. Both of these simple payment features are FREE. Contact the branch for additional program details.
Stay Informed With Email and Text Alerts
Annual Meeting Notice allU.S. Credit Union members and their families are invited to attend the allU.S. Annual Meeting at our branch located at 1410 N. Main St. May 21, 2019 4:30 p.m. In the Community Room
QUOTE OF THE QUARTER "Beware of the little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship." - Benjamin Franklin
NEWS you can USE
January and February are in the history books. It’s never too late to get some ideas to help keep your personal finances in order for March, April, May and June. March: Information in your credit report directly impacts your ability to obtain a credit card, buy a car or home, rent an apartment or get a job. If you haven’t checked your credit report in the past year, it’s time to take another look. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com for a free copy of your credit report. April: As you organize your documents in preparation for Tax Day, you may be dreaming about spending your tax refund on a trip or a new TV. Think twice! Make the most of your tax refund and get closer to a fit financial future by using your refund to pay down your credit card bills, set up an emergency fund, pay extra on your mortgage, service your car or fund your children’s education. May: It’s hard to believe, but that senior is going to graduate soon. Once commencement is done and over, it’s time for the graduation party! But no need to break the bank to send that grad off in style. Provide the new graduate with laundry essentials, college food staples, a magazine subscription or movie passes. June: Planning to travel this summer? Vacations don’t have to be expensive to be memorable and fun. Keep your costs down and stretch your travel dollars by booking your trip early, traveling light to avoid checked bag fees, slowing down to improve your gas mileage and renting a cabin or campsite rather than a hotel room.
MEMBER of the Quarter
At allU.S. Credit Union, our members matter. We asked some of our members why they love banking with us, and here’s what they had to say:
Mendoza Family: My husband and I have been members of the credit union since approximately 2009. Coming from larger banking institutions, it was odd to be greeted personally as though we were family every time we walked in. Many times, the tellers would pull up our account information before we could even provide them our account number. These friendly gestures have been what has made us continue to be members for so many years. allU.S. Credit Union, formerly the Monterey County Employee’s Credit Union, has helped us rebuild our credit after experiencing financial hardship during the housing crisis. They’ve been there for us when we’ve needed to get financing for auto loans, personal loans, and have watched us become homeowners again. While new staff have joined the credit union over the years, the quality of their character and genuine care and concern for their members is just the same. The Mendoza family thanks you for our partnership since 2009, and we look forward to many more to come! Virginia O.: I've been a member with the credit union for almost 15 years, and there is not a single thing I would change. The staff is amazing, and everyone is always friendly and wanting to help in any way possible. All in all this is a welcoming, friendly environment that I am glad to be a part of. Michelle C.: Always-friendly service. Very helpful when I've needed assistance with my account or payments. The accessibility to my account via online makes for easy use and is very straightforward.
I have been a member of allU.S. Credit Union since 1985. I love the staff. They are courteous, friendly and helpful and make me feel welcome every time I walk through the doors. Banking at allU.S. makes me feel like I am a part of their family, not like the larger banks that don’t even know your name. The staff works very closely with me to support my financial needs, whether it is a loan, online banking, savings advice and much more. The personal attention will always be remembered by my entire family. Everyone should bank at allU.S. Credit Union. I am a very happy customer!
Marilyn Roland
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Contact Us 1410 N. Main St. Salinas, CA 93906 (Adjacent to the new 21,000 sq. ft. El Gabilan Library OPENING SOON) 800.692.2228 • 831.540.4627 alluscu.com/contact.cfm alluscu.com Follow Us
