Plastic cards are usually
easier and less expensive to use than travelers’ checks,
and are far safer than carrying lots of
cash, wherever you go.
 Increased forgery has forced many merchants,
especially those in tourist areas, to stop accepting travelers’ checks.
Some stores and restaurants are installing cash dispensing ATMs
to accommodate patrons. Traveling with your credit union ATM, debit,
and/or credit cards, and memorizing your PINs (NEVER write them
in your wallet) will give you 24/7 access to your money.
How do you know which ATMs will accept your credit union plastic
card? Just look on the back of your card at all those small logos.
Find an ATM machine with any one of those and your card is compatible.
Using an ATM in other countries for local currency is generally
far less expensive than going to an “Exchange Window,” not
to mention much faster than standing in line, and more convenient
than adjusting your vacation plans to their limited hours of operation.
Your withdrawal in Euro or Yen will be translated into US$ at a
more favorable exchange rate, and posted to your account back home.
Check “Float” Is
Floating Away
Have you noticed unusual things happening to your share drafts
(checks) over the last year or so? Have you handed one to a
clerk only to have it run through a machine, then given back
to you with numbers printed on the back? When you reconcile
your checkbook, does it seem like items are clearing in less
time than before?
In the coming months you may read or hear
about “
Check 21” which is the name of the government’s
efforts to enhance the check clearing process in the twentyfirst
century. Most of the proposed changes will be happening behind
the scenes
where  you will never notice them.
These changes,
and more, are parts of our government’s long standing
effort to make our national payment system run more efficiently.
Preparing, mailing, storing, reconciling and retrieving paper
is a significant overhead expense not only to government but
to businesses as well. Accounting studies claim it costs as
much as $45 to send someone a check, rather than an electronic
payment. Who ends up paying the costs? Eventually you, in higher
taxes and product prices.
Automation technology has become
less expensive as well as easier to use. Scanning your check
at the register eliminates steps to deposit it to the store’s
account. There are benefits to you, too. Errors are less likely
to occur, and you get your original back. Lower store overhead
usually means lower prices, or slower increases in prices,
on what you buy.
Save
or Borrow
What To Do About Changing
Interest Rates |
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Yes, interest rates will change, though they are less
predictable than the weather. No one really knows when,
how much or in which direction changes will be made.
So now is the time to act to capture the benefits of
your own interest rate predictions!
If you think interest
rates will be going up, now would be a good time to make
major purchases that require financing, like a new vehicle,
home improvements, or taking the family on a reunion
vacation or cruise. See your credit union loan officer
about the great rates that are available now.
If you
think interest rates will go lower or stay as low as
they are now, then now’s the time to focus
closely on your savings goals. In a low interest rate
environment, regular savings deposits are even more important
if you are to reach your goals for retirement, education,
or the wedding of your dreams. Visit with your credit
union representative to set up an appropriate direct
deposit or regular savings plan. |
Life
Made Easy... Bill Paying The Simple Way
 With all the hustle and bustle of your daily routine,
it is important to rid yourself of all the extra nuisances
you may have. Sitting down for an evening of bill paying
can be quite a headache. However, the Credit Union’s
Electronic Bill Payment service can help to alleviate
the added stress. After you sign up for this service,
paying your bills is simple – you just need to
schedule your payment on-line at www.northpennfcu.org
and the Credit Union will take care of the rest! To further
simplify the process, the Credit Union offers these additional
features:
Automatic Payments. You can schedule recurring payments
of the same amount to be paid automatically each month
for your mortgage or other set loans.
Payee Profiles. You can also establish payee profiles
to avoid entering the same contact information each month.
Therefore, even if the bill amount varies each month,
you will not have to waste time re-entering the same
information.
Affordable. You can have this service absolutely FREE
for the first two (2) months. Then you pay only $4.75
per month for the first 8 bills, and $0.40 for each bill
thereafter.
Convenient. You only need to schedule for the payment
of your bill five days prior to its due date. If you
have any questions or would like to sign up for the Electronic
Bill Payment service, please call or stop by the Credit
Union at your convenience. You could also print the form
off of our website and mail it to the Credit Union. Don’t
forget to simplify your life and sign up
today.
Graduate to the Credit
Union |
If there’s a graduate in your
life this season, give the gift that lasts forever:
an account with the Credit Union. Whether your  graduate
is heading to school or stepping out into the real
world, an account with the Credit Union will get them
off to a great start.
Savings/Share Account – Regular savings habits
that start at a young age generally last a lifetime.
Then, when it comes to making a large purchase or paying
college tuition, debt can be held to a minimum.
Share Checking Account – With no monthly fee
and no minimum balance, a Credit Union share checking
account offers money-saving convenience. Add an ATM
Check Card for easy access to funds at school or on
the road.
Vehicle Loans – Low rates and flexible repayment
plans make the Credit Union a simple alternative to
dealer (or parental) financing, especially when little
or no credit history exists.
Once your happy grad discovers the many benefits of
the Credit Union, they will thank you for your wisdom.
Call us today for more information on family eligibility
and opening an account. |
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