Bundle Up for 100 Bucks!

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1 A Publication For Members 1st of NJ Federal Credit Union MoneyTalk It s HERE! Remote Mobile Deposits Deposit Checks Remotely, 24/7, Using our Free Mobile App! Using your favorite mobile device, make a deposit anytime, anywhere. Download our free app then tap the app, snap a photo of the check, and make your deposit. It s fast, secure and free! Make instant mobile deposits with any remote device, for maximum convenience. WINTER 2015 Bundle Up for 100 Bucks! Is Your Bank Leaving You Cold? Warm Up With Our Bundle of Services. You work hard for your money. You also need 24/7 access and convenience. Most of all, you deserve friendly, caring service. At Members 1st, we understand your financial needs. Our products are designed with you in mind to help you save time and money. Our attention to detail, along with great member care, will also leave you feeling warm and cozy. Switch, Save & Earn $100!* We ll pay YOU to enroll in Free Checking with Direct Deposit, Free Online & Mobile Banking, Bill Pay, and estatements. A Bundle of Services, A Bundle of Bucks! Make the switch to Members 1st and save! You ll love the benefits of a free Checking Account and convenient Visa Debit Card. Bundled with Direct Deposit, Online Banking, Bill Pay, and estatements, you ll have all the tools you need to manage your money with ease. It s the perfect time to switch. Now through March 31, 2015, we ll pay you $100 just for making the move! Simply enroll in our bundle of services to qualify: Free Checking with Debit Card Direct Deposit ($500 monthly) Free Online & Mobile Banking Free Bill Pay Free estatements See Page 3 for more details! *$100 credited 30 days after new checking account opened with direct deposit (minimum $500 monthly). Must enroll in Bill Pay and estatements to qualify. Some restrictions apply. Offer good through March 31, See credit union for complete details.

2 President s Message We Have the 24/7 Convenience You Need and Integrity You Appreciate At Members 1st, our focus is on providing the services you need. As your financial cooperative, we re here to help you save time and money and achieve unique financial goals. You Asked, and We Listened. You wanted more convenience new and better ways to access your money. We delivered! We ve added many new 24/7 services, including enhanced Bill Pay options, Popmoney, account-to-account transfers, and easy Mobile Deposits. We re Good Stewards of Your Money. While we move quickly to add the services you require, we re prudent with how we make our decisions. It s your money after all and we pay due diligence to ensure you receive the best possible products at a realistic cost. Because you are part-owner of the credit union, all of the decisions we make are in your best interest. We also pride ourselves in the integrity of our values. Make the Switch and Save. Through March 31, 2015, we re offering a $100 incentive when you open a Checking Account with us, along with direct deposit and a variety of electronic services. Our goal is to have all of our members fully participating in our services, which enables us to stay healthy and prosperous, and of course, offer new and expanded services for you. Sincerely, Eileen Crean Eileen Crean President/CEO We Make Buying A Home Easy At Members 1st, we re here to help with one of the largest financial decisions you ll ever make buying a home. We offer a variety of products and services to help with your dream of homeownership. Plus, our caring experts will provide the guidance you can trust. Tips for the Homebuyer 3 Stop into Members 1st for your free consultation. We ll help you to determine a loan amount suitable for your budget. We can also look at neighborhoods that meet your needs and lifestyle. 3 Once we determine your loan amount, we can help increase your bargaining power with a preapproved loan, making your offer more attractive to the seller. 3 Next, consider the features of the loan you re considering. Features include the amount of your mortgage; the loan s maturity, or how long you have to repay; your interest rate; and repayment options, like Direct Deposit or Online Banking. 3 It s also essential to compare closing costs. Costs can include an application fee, appraisal, and title search. At Members 1st, we make getting a mortgage affordable by keeping your costs down. When you re ready to start shopping, stop and see us first. We ll review your budget and help you get preapproved. Or apply online anytime at our Mortgage Center: SAVE With Your Home s Equity Home Equity Loans Fixed rates as low as 4.00% APR* Borrow up to $150,000 Terms up to 15 years Finance Just About Anything This winter, tap into a low-cost home equity loan as an affordable way to pay for home improvements. Most projects are for your comfort and enjoyment. BUT, many can pay you back if you sell your home. The #1 Home Upgrade Payback? A New Furnace! It s also the perfect purchase for this time of year. See our complete listing of Home Upgrade Paybacks at Aside from home improvements, you can tap into your home s equity for college expenses, a dream vacation or a new car, to pay off other bills or even as an investment opportunity. We can help you choose the best option, whether it s a low Fixed Rate Home Equity Loan or a flexible Line-of-Credit. Apply online at call us, or stop by the branch nearest you. *APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rates effective 1/01/2015 and subject to change without notice. APR may vary based on creditworthiness, loan amount, and security offered. For home equity products, the combined Loan-to-Value (LTV) rates shown are for qualified borrowers. Rates are subject to credit score, age of collateral, and term. Contact the credit union for the complete details 2

3 Affordable TruStage Insurance We Have You Covered At Any Life Stage Enjoy having peace of mind protection the credit union way with TruStage Insurance. You can take advantage of affordable coverage for all of your needs protect your home, auto, and your most precious asset your family. Don t cut corners when it comes to coverage. We offer special rates and insurance for any need. Savings on any coverage you select: n Homeowners comprehensive coverage for your home n Auto carefully selected providers to protect your auto against theft or damage n Life protect your loved ones with financial relief in case of death n AD&D gain security in case of disability or accidental death n Long-term care know your future needs will be taken care of without burdening your family Cost-effective and Convenient Pay for your coverage with direct deposit and enjoy this peace of mind coverage at reduced costs. Available, too, is a 24/7 claims department for advice and service when you need it most. Call for your free, no-obligation quote. Or scan the code to view all of our TruStage Insurance products. Bundle Up for 100 Bucks! FREE Checking: Free Debit Card No monthly fees Free Online Banking Easy Account-to-Account Transfers Overdraft Protection BUNDLED with Direct Deposit: Receive your pay automatically Distribute funds into a variety of accounts Never worry about a lost or stolen check AND Mobile Banking: NEW FREE APP for your smartphone Check balances and make transfers View account history Pay bills and use NEW Popmoney ADD Bill Pay: Make payments to virtually anyone Save time and money no stamps, envelopes, or checks Receive bills electronically (E-bills) Transfer money between your accounts at Members 1st and other institutions NEW Popmoney send money to family, friends, or anyone you know WITH estatements: Safe and secure Receive your info quickly No paper waste It s The Perfect Time To Switch. Now through March 31, 2015, we ll pay you $100 just for making the move! Age 2, 22, or 102 (Or Somewhere in Between) We re Here for Every Need! No matter where you are in life, Members 1st is here to serve you. Stop in or take a look at our website for specific tips. Are you recently married or divorced? Are you moving or buying a new home? Are you looking to change jobs or retire? We re here to help with all of your life s challenges! See us for the services to meet your wide-ranging needs. Or to learn more, visit org/22848/front/22848/html. 3

4 Taxes Done Right, Guaranteed With TurboTax and Members 1st of NJ FCU, it s easy to do your own taxes. TurboTax coaches you every step of the way to the biggest refund you deserve, automatically double checking as you go. Members 1st of NJ FCU members can now prepare, print and e-file simple federal tax returns FREE with TurboTax Federal Free Edition. Start TurboTax for FREE today! Three Tax Time Tips* 1. Open an IRA before the April 15, 2015 deadline. Qualified individuals can deduct their contribution on their 2014 tax return. 2. Use your home equity loan or home equity line of credit for improvements and other purchases. Many homeowners can deduct the interest they pay on a home equity loan. If you qualify, the deduction will be claimed on Schedule A (under itemized deductions). 3. Sign up for direct deposit to have your refund safely deposited into your credit union account. Your money will arrive safely and quickly. Learn more from our friends at the IRS: Tips. Also take advantage of our discounted TurboTax benefits. *Please check with your tax advisor about your eligibility for any tax deductions Intuit Inc. All rights reserved. State filing charges apply. Limited time offer for TurboTax Terms, conditions, features, availability, pricing, fees, service and support options subject to change without notice. Intuit, TurboTax and TurboTax Online, among others, are registered trademarks and/or service marks of Intuit Inc. in the United States and other countries. Other parties trademarks or service marks are the property of their respective owners. Holiday Credit Card Bills Got You Down? Transfer those high-rate balances from the holidays to a Members 1st Visa at a low 9.50% APR*. You ll save with this low rate, and there s never any balance transfer fee. Data Breaches: What You Need to Know With so many merchant data breaches in the news, we want you to know that Members 1st is ready to help if your personal or financial data is ever compromised. We take service to our members seriously and will do everything we can to ensure that action is taken to help you avoid becoming a victim of identity or account theft. We also adhere to the strong data security standards established by Congress and federal regulators. While data breaches can happen anywhere, we re ready with a plan designed to ensure the safety and confidentiality of your sensitive data. Unfortunately, we realize merchants and retailers aren t subject to these same strict requirements. Many follow their own data security standards, but the recent rash of data breaches shows that more needs to be done. When it comes to protecting your personal information, every measure counts. When your debit or credit card data is breached at a retailer, the cost of card replacement or account reimbursement to you is typically paid not by the merchant where the breach occurred, but by us. In the event of any breach affecting your accounts, we will always do what we can to make you whole. In the meantime, credit unions around the country are leading the effort to get Congress to pass legislation ensuring merchants and retailers meet a national standard for protecting your financial data they collect when you make a purchase. We hope you will support us in this effort. While we can t control what happens at merchants and retailers, we ll do everything in our power to assist you and your family if a breach occurs when using your debit or credit card. If you have questions, please contact us. And know that we ALWAYS take your account security seriously. 1% Rebate on Purchases Our new 1% rebate is even more reason to use our card. Track your rebates with every monthly statement. Annually, on April 15th, your cash rebate will be deposited into your account. Savings All the Way No annual fee No balance transfer fee No cash advance fee Apply Today! Scan the QR code to apply or go online at *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rate shown is for qualified borrowers. Your rate may vary based on your credit history. See credit union for complete credit card and balance transfer details. 4

5 Become a Winter Road Warrior! New Vehicle Loans Rates as low as 2.00 % APR* Used Vehicle Loans Rates as low as 2.00 % APR* Need a reliable vehicle to feel more confident this winter? We can help you to purchase a new or used vehicle at a great low rate. See us before you shop for that SUV or 4WD vehicle. You can trade-in or trade-up for a vehicle for dependable driving all winter long! Savings and Easy Preapprovals We always have the best deal for a new or used car loan for added savings. Our convenient terms also make it easy to repay. 100% financing and fast preapprovals will enable you to get your vehicle quickly. More Benefits of Financing With Us: GAP Insurance safeguards your investment should your vehicle become damaged beyond repair or is stolen. Extended warranties eliminate unexpected expenses with bumper-to-bumper extended warranties and mechanical breakdown insurance. Member s Choice Borrower Security payment protection that preserves your family s standard of living if a covered life event unexpectedly happens. Your loan will be paid in case of death, disability, or involuntary unemployment. *APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rates effective 1/01/2015 and subject to change without notice. APR may vary based on creditworthiness, loan amount, and security offered. Rate shown is for qualified borrowers. All rates subject to credit score, age of collateral, and term. Contact the credit union for the complete details. Finally, An Auto Lease with MORE VERSATILITY Driving Sense If you prefer leasing to purchasing a vehicle, you ll LOVE the advantages of Driving Sense. It s similar to a lease but with more versatility and savings. Compare the Advantages of Driving Sense : 4 100% financing 4 Vehicle is titled in your name 4 Versatile mileage options: 12,000, 15,000, or 18,000 annually 4 No upfront first or last payment required 4 No penalties for early payoff 4 Sell, trade, refinance, or return the vehicle at loan maturity If leasing appeals to you, see us today about Driving Sense. You ll appreciate the options you won t find with a traditional dealer lease Bulletin BOARD Free Workshops Members 1st of NJ Federal Credit Union will be offering a series of workshops at the credit union: March 4, 2015 Last Call for Taxes March 11, 2015 Savvy Social Security March 25, 2015 Estate Planning Essentials April 1, 2015 Worry Free Retirement Planning Presenters: Jim Turpin, RIA American Prosperity Group Jean Cordasco, CPA cordasco Financial Place: Members 1st of NJ FCU, 37 W. Landis Ave., Vineland, NJ Time: 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM RSVP: [email protected] or Light refreshments will be served. Christmas Club Accounts You can use the money you save in this account for shopping, booking a winter getaway or handling all of your seasonal expenses. Make deposits into this account throughout the year when it s convenient for you with payroll deduction. Money will automatically be deposited from your paycheck to this account. Plus, you earn an APY of.05% on $500 or more. No minimum opening deposit amount No monthly service charge You choose the amount you want to save each week Withdraw your money at anytime Accounts are federally insured by the NCUSIF* Open a Holiday Club Account today! Just stop by or give us a call. *The NCUSIF is the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund. It is a federally insured program governed by the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration). 5

6 Lifelong Money Management Tips It s never too late to get your financial records organized. Here are some tips to help you sort through them all. Keep a home file that includes: n Information on credit and debit cards and checking and savings accounts n Copies of insurance policies, warranties, guarantees, and contracts n Information on home mortgages, land, and other property n Information on motor vehicles and driver s licenses n Copies of birth, marriage, death, divorce, and citizenship papers n Copy of will, last instructions, and safe deposit box keys n Tax records for the last six years n Records of pension plans, education, medical, and employment n Current household inventory Keep a safe deposit box that includes: n Birth, death, marriage, divorce, adoption, and citizenship papers n Property deeds n Motor vehicle titles n Stock and bond certificates n U.S. savings bonds n Important contracts n Military discharge and veteran papers n Patents and copyrights n Important disks or CDs n Photos of your home inventory The Five Forces of Portfolio Demise! I make the assumption that everyone reading this article, at one time in their life, had the goal of a financially secure retirement in their future. Furthermore, once fully retired, that their nest egg would be secure enough to withstand any threat and simultaneously grow to out-pace inflation while providing an income for you and your spouse for the rest of your lives. I believe these thoughts to be universal to all Americans. What is not universal, however, is the commitment to make regular, systematic additions to one s retirement account, whether through a qualified plan with their employer or as non-qualified retirement plan supplement outside of your workplace. A secure and satisfying retirement is a privilege not a right! Yet, so many people feel, as survey after survey reveals, that they are either saving adequately to accomplish their goal or that somehow everything will just be OK when they get to retirement. These people are in La La Land. In 1967, the US government created the CPI, Consumer Price Index. In other words, in 1967 a dollar was declared a dollar and the government would track the devaluation of that dollar, when measured by certain key components. I am unhappy to report, that the 1967 US dollar based on the CPI, today, only purchases 17 cents of stuff! This exceeds a 4.3% inflation rate over the last 40 years. Using the same inflation rate figure of 4.3%, for another 40 years will bring down the 17 cent dollar of today, to only 3 pennies in the year 2048! This brings us to the subject at hand, the title of this article. If you have been lucky enough to provide yourself and your spouse and children with a comfortable lifestyle while growing your retirement portfolio, is it NOW safe from, The Five Forces of Portfolio Demise? Let me list them for you: Liability Risk, The cost of Health Care, The potential cost of Long-Term-Care, and Taxes at Death & Losses in the stock market. Any one of these negative forces can wipeout your portfolio! Number 4, taxes at death, doesn t look so bad, until you learn the numbers. Assuming you are worth $3,000,000 or more and $1,000,000 of the $3,000,000 is your IRA and you live in NJ, the state and federal government combined will take nearly 75% of the account value for their general treasury, leaving your kids with only 25%. You can see that item number 4 represents a chilling reminder of the confiscatory tax nature of our government, at the expense of diligent, forward thinking, fiscally responsible Americans. It reminds me of the local tax assessor. You and your neighbor live in the same type of house, built at the same time by the same builder. However, your neighbor lets their home get run-down and leaves it falling apart, where you keep-up and maintain your property, both structure and grounds. Without fail, you will be rewarded for your efforts by paying higher taxes, penalized by the taxing authority for doing such a fine job! Your financial road to success is paved with the same backward thinking. The penalty of wealth states make more and they tax you more, accumulate more and you also have to face the Five Forces of Portfolio Demise! For if you accumulate nothing, there is nothing to protect! The more you have, the more you can be sued for if there is an altercation involving either you or your property. Just stay a few days in a hospital and you will get a crash course in the costs of health care. Call your local nursing home for the price per day for a stay in our area and you will find a cost range of up to about $500 a day or $182,000 a year! We ve already discussed taxes at death and what about losses in the market when you can least afford them, when you are no longer adding to the portfolio, rather, withdrawing an income for life! I am pleased to report that strategies do exist to insulate retirees from all of these negative forces including providing an income for the life of the retiree and his or her spouse. To find out how this can be accomplished costs nothing more than an investment of your time. If you find the subjects of income for life and protection for your portfolio, coupled with the potential for growth, exciting and necessary, especially in these economic times, it s time to sit down with an advisor and get started. Jim Turpin is a Registered Representative offering Securities and Advisory Services through UNITED PLANNERS FINANCIAL SERVICES, Member FINRA, SIPC APG and United Planners are not affiliated. OSJ Office: 901 Route 23 South Pompton Plains, NJ , This APG office is independently owned & operated. By Jim Turpin 6

7 Wild About Saving National Credit Union Youth Month: April 2015 Join us for our Youth Savings awareness month in April! We ll be featuring fun activities for kids of all ages. Plus, we ll have financial literacy tools just for kids along with tips on how to manage money. We believe it s important for children to learn how to handle money wisely. We also feel it s our responsibility to offer the resources so they can learn more about credit, saving for college, applying for loans, as well as other financial goals. Check out our Googolplex site chock-full of information and activities for kids of all ages: Kids and Budgeting Financial education can start at any age in fact, the earlier, the better! Teaching your children to become financially responsible adults is one step towards inspiring solid values and ensuring future success. Budgeting - Together with your child, list everything your child spends money on. This list can include fun items, like video games, coloring books, trading cards, candy, and other treats. It should also include necessities such as school supplies. Next, ask your child what he or she wants to save for every month. Show your child how to decide what type of spending is necessary and what spending can be reduced or eliminated. Saving - It s true by saving, your child will earn interest on their deposits, which turns into free money. Teach your children to save for small things first. Show how regular deposits accumulate. Earning - How does your child receive that money to save? Suggest to your child ways to earn money. Chores can include helping out neighbors or other family members. By teaching your child to earn and save, you re encouraging financial independence. Your child will also find it rewarding to work and achieve life goals. IRA Rollover Rule Change An IRA rollover occurs when you withdraw money from an IRA account you own, receive a check from your IRA custodian and put the funds into another IRA, or even back into the same IRA within 60 days. Typically, you have to pay income tax when you take money out of an IRA, but no tax is imposed on rollovers that comply with IRS rules. On January 1, 2015, the IRS adopted a new rule that allows taxpayers to do one rollover per year, no matter how many IRAs the person has. This rule only applies to distributions where the IRA holder receives a check from the IRA custodian. It does not apply to transfers that go directly from one IRA custodian to another. There is no limit on the number of those transfers. If you want to transfer funds from one IRA to another, you should instruct your IRA custodian to directly transfer it to the new IRA, without you actually receiving the money. For further information on this change, you may contact your tax advisor or refer to IRS Publication 590. Get Your Kids On The Right Track To Youth Savings Financial literacy starts early. You can help by teaching your kids the importance of saving and budgeting. For example, putting away a little money each month can add up to big rewards later in life. The first step? Bring your child in to open a savings account. We can show him or her how to plan for regular deposits and share our educational online games and activities. The Next Step: Checking Once your child reaches the age of about 16, it s a good time to introduce him or her to our Youth Checking Account. The account has low fees and offers convenient access, with features to help your teen manage their money. Your child will also learn that as he or she participates in our services, they too, become part-owners of the credit union. Youth Checking will benefit your teen: No Monthly Service Charge No Minimum Balance VISA Check Card & ATM Cards Options Pre-Paid VISA Check & ATM Cards Options Free Virtual Branch Online Banking Free Mobile Banking Cell Phone & Tablet App No Joint Account Holder Needed (If 18 years old and employed) Need a Student Loan? We ve got you covered with a variety of options. Learn more at cu-scholar-loan. 7

8 PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID BOYERTOWN, PA Permit No West Landis Avenue Vineland, NJ MoneyTalk A Publication For Members 1st of NJ Federal Credit Union In This Issue n Save With Your Home s Equity n Affordable TruStage Insurance n Bundle Up for 100 Bucks! n Holiday Credit Card Bills Got You Down? n Become a Winter Road Warrior! n National Credit Union Youth Month: April 2015 n PLUS Much More! Vineland Office 37 West Landis Avenue Vineland, NJ Phone: FAX: Bridgeton Office 654 Shiloh Pike (Rt. 49) Bridgeton, NJ Phone: Fax: Woodstown Office 9 North Main Street Woodstown, NJ Phone: Fax: Office Hours: Monday - Wednesday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Thursday - Friday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Office Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Office Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Touch Tone Teller (TTT)*: Holiday Closings President s Day Monday, February 16, 2015 The Vineland office will be open for business; Bridgeton and Woodstown offices will be closed. Memorial Day Monday, May 25, 2015 Independence Day Saturday, July 4, 2015 Make fast and secure deposits with Direct Deposit and Payroll Deduction. Ask for the details! The Member-Friendly Financial Network