Did you turn off your lights for Earth Hour? For one hour on Saturday, the World Wildlife Fund asked people around the world to reduce their electricity use. At home my husband and I unplugged and turned off everything we could, including my scanner in my home office, which I didn't even know was on. It really made me aware of how much incidental electricity I use every day. It was really easy to participate, too.
Cities around the world, including Chicago, participted and turned off the lights on major landmarks and tall buildings.
And it appears that it made a difference. I read on thedailygreen.com that local utility Comm Ed reported that Chicago saved an estimated 420 tons of carbon dioxide by turning off the lights.
Next year, I'm hoping to get the credit union involved in Earth Hour in some way. We are closed on Saturday evenings, so we are already powered down for the most part at that time. However, perhaps we can celebrate Earth Hour a little earlier on Saturday - before closing time? Of course, we have to consider security so we'll have to plan carefully, but there must be something we can do even if it's a small step. Let us know if you have any suggestions!
Meanwhile, it's great to see the conversation that the WWF started. Here's looking foward to next year.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
What Does Your Credit Report Say about You?
There are few of us who have not experienced some really stressful financial times throughout our lives. The excessive credit card spending, medical bills or the loss of a job has put many of us in difficult financial situations.
Many times we are able are able to overcome these situations and recover from the financial problems that we find ourselves in. But there are also times for some of us that we are so far in debt that we cannot seem to get a head. The inability to pay our bills in timely manner has eventually left a mark on our credit score.
Put simply, a credit report is our financial report card – the history of our debt and spending and our track record when it comes to making on time payments. Lenders look at our credit report to determine if we are credit worthy and should be given a loan and at what interest rate that loan can be given at. Over the long run a good credit score can save you thousands. Do you know your score?
Our credit report is held by the three largest credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax; all three gather information regarding our financial health including amount of debt that we hold, any history of late payments, and any incidence of loan default. These factors together account for our credit score – a numerical value that is attached to our credit standing and is pivotal in our financial success.
A few years ago I started getting my yearly free credit report to help protect myself from identity theft and to keep an eye on my credit score. Annually checking the information on my credit report helps me manage any inaccuracies or changes to the information, and also lets me know of any suspicious activity. As an Illinois resident, you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report per year from the three credit reporting agencies. Click here for more information.
Knowing as we do that our credit score plays such a significant role in our lives we should all take the time to understand our credit and how our credit score is established. On Saturday, April 5th, Hawthorne is having a FREE credit reporting seminar at our Bolingbrook Brach from 10 am to 11 am. Click here for details.
Many times we are able are able to overcome these situations and recover from the financial problems that we find ourselves in. But there are also times for some of us that we are so far in debt that we cannot seem to get a head. The inability to pay our bills in timely manner has eventually left a mark on our credit score.
Put simply, a credit report is our financial report card – the history of our debt and spending and our track record when it comes to making on time payments. Lenders look at our credit report to determine if we are credit worthy and should be given a loan and at what interest rate that loan can be given at. Over the long run a good credit score can save you thousands. Do you know your score?
Our credit report is held by the three largest credit bureaus – Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax; all three gather information regarding our financial health including amount of debt that we hold, any history of late payments, and any incidence of loan default. These factors together account for our credit score – a numerical value that is attached to our credit standing and is pivotal in our financial success.
A few years ago I started getting my yearly free credit report to help protect myself from identity theft and to keep an eye on my credit score. Annually checking the information on my credit report helps me manage any inaccuracies or changes to the information, and also lets me know of any suspicious activity. As an Illinois resident, you are entitled to one free copy of your credit report per year from the three credit reporting agencies. Click here for more information.
Knowing as we do that our credit score plays such a significant role in our lives we should all take the time to understand our credit and how our credit score is established. On Saturday, April 5th, Hawthorne is having a FREE credit reporting seminar at our Bolingbrook Brach from 10 am to 11 am. Click here for details.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
What will you do with your tax rebate check?
President Bush has now signed the multibillion-dollar economic rescue package that will mean $300 to $1,200 rebates for many American households, depending on their tax bracket and claimed dependents.
While the refunds will probably not arrive for a few months, the unexpected check from Uncle Sam could be your ticket to jumpstart your savings or pay down your debt.
What will I do with my rebate check? Already the wheels in my mind are turning – that’s a nice chunk of change. And it’s my civic duty to spend it, right? Maybe, but look at it another way – if you use it to reduce your debt it could help the economy in the long run better. With less financial burden on each individual we’ll be freed up to make bigger spending plans in the future. For example, the $200 credit card payment I might eliminate can be put into a savings account and spent later on a family vacation or a down payment on a new hybrid vehicle.
An Associated Press poll found that only 19 percent of those surveyed said they planned to spend their rebate checks. Forty-five percent said they would pay bills, while 32 percent said they planned to invest the money.
Consider using the unexpected income to pay off debt or increase your savings. Click here to learn the best way to handle a financial windfall, and visit www.FeedthePig.org for more money-saving tips.
While the refunds will probably not arrive for a few months, the unexpected check from Uncle Sam could be your ticket to jumpstart your savings or pay down your debt.
What will I do with my rebate check? Already the wheels in my mind are turning – that’s a nice chunk of change. And it’s my civic duty to spend it, right? Maybe, but look at it another way – if you use it to reduce your debt it could help the economy in the long run better. With less financial burden on each individual we’ll be freed up to make bigger spending plans in the future. For example, the $200 credit card payment I might eliminate can be put into a savings account and spent later on a family vacation or a down payment on a new hybrid vehicle.
An Associated Press poll found that only 19 percent of those surveyed said they planned to spend their rebate checks. Forty-five percent said they would pay bills, while 32 percent said they planned to invest the money.
Consider using the unexpected income to pay off debt or increase your savings. Click here to learn the best way to handle a financial windfall, and visit www.FeedthePig.org for more money-saving tips.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
IRS Warns of Rebate Scams to Steal Personal Information
I am sure that most of you are patiently waiting for a decision to be made on the economy stimulus package. The refunds could vary from three to twelve hundred dollars depending on your income level and how many dependents you have.
But, believe it or not this tax rebate has encouraged identity thieves to make more attempts at obtaining your personal information. The IRS is now warning everyone to beware of rebate scams to steal your personal information.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Even before Congress passes an economic stimulus package, identity thieves are using promises of tax rebates to trick people into revealing financial and personal data, the Internal Revenue Service warned Wednesday.
Under one scheme, the IRS said, people are receiving phone calls telling them they can only receive a rebate if they provide bank account information for a direct deposit.
The tax agency stressed that it does not collect information by telephone and that no legislation has been enacted that would allow it to provide advance payments to taxpayers or that specifies the details of those payments.
The House last week, as part of an economic stimulus package, approved tax rebates of $600 and $1,200 respectively for most individuals and couples, with another $300 per child. The Senate is now considering a slightly different version.
The IRS also repeated past warnings of e-mails, supposedly coming from the agency, where people are asked to enter personal information on a form needed to obtain a tax refund.
A new scam, it said, involves an e-mail notification that a person's tax return will be audited with instructions to click on links to complete forms with personal and account information.
Businesses and accountants are also getting e-mails with instructions to download information on tax law changes. Clicking on these links could download "malware" onto the recipient's computer that gives the scammer remote access to the computer hard drive.
In another telephone scam, a caller claims to be an IRS employee who says the taxpayer has not cashed a refund check and asks the person to verify his or her bank account number.
On Tuesday, at a Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing for Douglas Shulman, the nominee to be IRS commissioner, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., expressed concern that taxpayers would be victimized by tax preparers and lenders who charge high interest rates for short-term advances on their stimulus rebates.
The IRS advised people not to click on any link from an e-mail purporting to come from the tax agency. People receiving questionable e-mails can contact the IRS through phishing@irs.gov.
By Jim Abrams, Associated Press Writer
But, believe it or not this tax rebate has encouraged identity thieves to make more attempts at obtaining your personal information. The IRS is now warning everyone to beware of rebate scams to steal your personal information.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Even before Congress passes an economic stimulus package, identity thieves are using promises of tax rebates to trick people into revealing financial and personal data, the Internal Revenue Service warned Wednesday.
Under one scheme, the IRS said, people are receiving phone calls telling them they can only receive a rebate if they provide bank account information for a direct deposit.
The tax agency stressed that it does not collect information by telephone and that no legislation has been enacted that would allow it to provide advance payments to taxpayers or that specifies the details of those payments.
The House last week, as part of an economic stimulus package, approved tax rebates of $600 and $1,200 respectively for most individuals and couples, with another $300 per child. The Senate is now considering a slightly different version.
The IRS also repeated past warnings of e-mails, supposedly coming from the agency, where people are asked to enter personal information on a form needed to obtain a tax refund.
A new scam, it said, involves an e-mail notification that a person's tax return will be audited with instructions to click on links to complete forms with personal and account information.
Businesses and accountants are also getting e-mails with instructions to download information on tax law changes. Clicking on these links could download "malware" onto the recipient's computer that gives the scammer remote access to the computer hard drive.
In another telephone scam, a caller claims to be an IRS employee who says the taxpayer has not cashed a refund check and asks the person to verify his or her bank account number.
On Tuesday, at a Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing for Douglas Shulman, the nominee to be IRS commissioner, Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., expressed concern that taxpayers would be victimized by tax preparers and lenders who charge high interest rates for short-term advances on their stimulus rebates.
The IRS advised people not to click on any link from an e-mail purporting to come from the tax agency. People receiving questionable e-mails can contact the IRS through phishing@irs.gov.
By Jim Abrams, Associated Press Writer
Monday, January 28, 2008
Illinois partners with Pennsylvania ‘iBelong’ campaign
Hawthorne Credit Union is a member-owned, not-for-profit, financial cooperative serving the financial needs of our members.
As a cooperative organization, Hawthorne exist solely to meet our members’ financial needs, not to make a profit off of them. In fact, after expenses are paid and reserves are set aside, credit unions return their "profits" to members in the form of lower loans rates, higher savings rates, and free. On the other hand, for-profit financial institutions primarily exist to generate profits for a relatively small group of stockholders at the expense of their customers.
The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) will partner with the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association's (PCUA) "iBelong" media campaign to increase credit union awareness in Illinois.
The Illinois Statewide Image Awareness Task Force has met since last year to develop a program to increase credit union awareness among Illinois consumers. After reviewing several state campaigns, the task force chose iBelong.
"Pennsylvania developed a top notch campaign that we believe will play well here in Illinois," said ICUL Chairman Carl Sorgatz. "Between the research and all the elements that have been created, we feel this is an initiative our credit unions will get excited about and support."
The task force hopes to eliminate misconceptions about credit unions; increase consumer interest in doing business with credit unions; enhance credit union image among lawmakers; and complement and lay the foundation for individual credit union marketing.
"We can begin to change the way Illinois consumers think about credit unions," said John Bratsakis, ICUL vice chairman and task force chairman.
As a cooperative organization, Hawthorne exist solely to meet our members’ financial needs, not to make a profit off of them. In fact, after expenses are paid and reserves are set aside, credit unions return their "profits" to members in the form of lower loans rates, higher savings rates, and free. On the other hand, for-profit financial institutions primarily exist to generate profits for a relatively small group of stockholders at the expense of their customers.
The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) will partner with the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association's (PCUA) "iBelong" media campaign to increase credit union awareness in Illinois.
The Illinois Statewide Image Awareness Task Force has met since last year to develop a program to increase credit union awareness among Illinois consumers. After reviewing several state campaigns, the task force chose iBelong.
"Pennsylvania developed a top notch campaign that we believe will play well here in Illinois," said ICUL Chairman Carl Sorgatz. "Between the research and all the elements that have been created, we feel this is an initiative our credit unions will get excited about and support."
The task force hopes to eliminate misconceptions about credit unions; increase consumer interest in doing business with credit unions; enhance credit union image among lawmakers; and complement and lay the foundation for individual credit union marketing.
"We can begin to change the way Illinois consumers think about credit unions," said John Bratsakis, ICUL vice chairman and task force chairman.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Shredding: What to shred, what to keep
Hawthorne's Shred It Days get rolling again in a couple weeks - on Sat. Feb 2, we'll hold our first of 8 Shred It Days this year. They'll be held the first Saturday of every month (except July, when we're cooking up a special event, to be announced later.) For a full list of our events this year, visit eHawthorne.org. You can bring up to 3 boxes of materials to shred - don't forget your old credit cards - they can be shredded too!
Many members have asked us how to decide how long they should keep documents and what to keep and what to shred. Here's a guideline from the Consumer Reports Money Adviser, January issue and the Credit Union National Association (cuna.org):
Many members have asked us how to decide how long they should keep documents and what to keep and what to shred. Here's a guideline from the Consumer Reports Money Adviser, January issue and the Credit Union National Association (cuna.org):
YONKERS, N.Y. (1/8/08)—If getting rid of clutter and unnecessary paperwork
is tops on your list of things to do this month, make sure you know what you
can--and can't--shred, and when it's safe to do it (Consumer Reports Money
Adviser January).
Bills. Keep receipts for large purchases, and shred the rest after payment clears your credit union, and after the return or refund period expires.
Credit card receipts. Keep them for one year in case you need to return defective goods, then shred them.
Credit card statements. If they contain tax-related expenses, keep the statements for seven years in case you're audited by the Internal Revenue Service. Otherwise, keep them for one year and then shred them.
Credit union monthly statements. Keep monthly statements that contain tax-related expenses for seven years. Otherwise, keep them for one year and then shred them.
Investment account statements. Keep year-end statements for seven years, but you can shred monthly or quarterly statements as new ones arrive.
Retirement statements. Keep year-end statements for your 401(k), individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and Keogh plans until you retire or close the account, and keep Form 8606 if you've made nondeductible IRA contributions. Shred quarterly statements after you receive your annual summary and verify that everything is correct.
Pay check stubs. Shred the stubs after you receive your annual W-2 and verify that the information is accurate. Keep the last paycheck stub of the year.
Tax records. Keep a copy of all 1040 tax forms permanently. Remember: The IRS has three years to audit your return, but if you underreport your gross income by 25% or more, the IRS has six years to challenge it. And if you file a fraudulent
return or don't file one at all, the IRS can go after you at any time.
One final tip: Cut down on the amount of paper that flows into your home. Register with the Direct Marketing Association at the-dma.org, and opt out of preapproved credit card applications at optoutprescreen.com; you'll see a dramatic decrease in the number of preapproved credit card offers and other direct mail pieces that fill your mailbox.Also, sign up for estatements! That reduced the number of monthly statements you'll need to shred!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
New Year’s Resolutions that can help
Your wallet might be looking a little empty after the holiday season and I know that some of you are probably a little stressed about the balance in your bank account. Don’t be afraid to admit if you’re avoiding the mailbox because you know that pretty soon that big credit card statement will arrive.
My holiday shopping this year was a little less painful than usual because of my trusted Hawthorne Christmas Savings Account. I emptied it out already to help cover the bills that have already arrived, but on New Years Day I started getting an early start on my 2008 holiday shopping by depositing $50 into the account.
My Christmas club account is a savings account at Hawthorne that I can deposit money in to throughout year to effortlessly build up a nice gift fund. In November the money automatically gets deposited in to my savings account and I can go shopping without having to worry about paying for everything.
The holidays at my house are usually very stressful with too much going on and out-of-town house guests. However, each year I am trying to find new ways to alleviate some of the tension.
How, you might ask?
You can reward yourself financially by making some of your New Year's resolutions geared toward handling your finances or debt better. You can do it, trust me. This year one of my resolutions is to work on better organization and management of our finances.
Here's a list of seven strategies taken from the Consumer Credit Counseling Service that may help you. Good luck and Happy New Year!
1. Balance your checkbook each time you receive a paycheck so you don't spend more than the amount you make.
2. Have a filing cabinet or a secured box, handy? Well, you will need one to store financial statements. Make separate files for bank statements, tax documents, credit card bills, medical information, mortgage statements and other important records.
3. Create a monthly budget to determine your monthly income and recurring expenses. Focus on items such as rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, food, transportation costs, tuition savings, entertainment and personal grooming.
4. Ok, so once you've set up the budget; prioritize the expenses and spending based on your needs and wants. If you have any funds left after the monthly expenses are paid, split them between paying down your debt, for instance pay high-interest credit card bills and loans, and stash the money away in savings.
5. Create a varied savings plan. Make regular deposits in an interest-bearing account and don't pass up your employee-sponsored benefits like retirement and flexible spending accounts.
6. Stay aware of debt trouble. Problems can occur when you start falling behind on bills like mortgage, rent, or utilities or start using credit to buy items that you should buy with cash.
7. If situations like these occur, don't suffer in silence. Call your creditor and let them know you are having problems. It's possible that you just may be able to reach an agreement with your next payment or negotiate a lower interest rate.
You may also want to consider a Debt Management Program. If you have over $5,000 in debt then a debt management program may be for you. Hawthorne’s Balance Financial Fitness debt management program can help.
My holiday shopping this year was a little less painful than usual because of my trusted Hawthorne Christmas Savings Account. I emptied it out already to help cover the bills that have already arrived, but on New Years Day I started getting an early start on my 2008 holiday shopping by depositing $50 into the account.
My Christmas club account is a savings account at Hawthorne that I can deposit money in to throughout year to effortlessly build up a nice gift fund. In November the money automatically gets deposited in to my savings account and I can go shopping without having to worry about paying for everything.
The holidays at my house are usually very stressful with too much going on and out-of-town house guests. However, each year I am trying to find new ways to alleviate some of the tension.
How, you might ask?
You can reward yourself financially by making some of your New Year's resolutions geared toward handling your finances or debt better. You can do it, trust me. This year one of my resolutions is to work on better organization and management of our finances.
Here's a list of seven strategies taken from the Consumer Credit Counseling Service that may help you. Good luck and Happy New Year!
1. Balance your checkbook each time you receive a paycheck so you don't spend more than the amount you make.
2. Have a filing cabinet or a secured box, handy? Well, you will need one to store financial statements. Make separate files for bank statements, tax documents, credit card bills, medical information, mortgage statements and other important records.
3. Create a monthly budget to determine your monthly income and recurring expenses. Focus on items such as rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, food, transportation costs, tuition savings, entertainment and personal grooming.
4. Ok, so once you've set up the budget; prioritize the expenses and spending based on your needs and wants. If you have any funds left after the monthly expenses are paid, split them between paying down your debt, for instance pay high-interest credit card bills and loans, and stash the money away in savings.
5. Create a varied savings plan. Make regular deposits in an interest-bearing account and don't pass up your employee-sponsored benefits like retirement and flexible spending accounts.
6. Stay aware of debt trouble. Problems can occur when you start falling behind on bills like mortgage, rent, or utilities or start using credit to buy items that you should buy with cash.
7. If situations like these occur, don't suffer in silence. Call your creditor and let them know you are having problems. It's possible that you just may be able to reach an agreement with your next payment or negotiate a lower interest rate.
You may also want to consider a Debt Management Program. If you have over $5,000 in debt then a debt management program may be for you. Hawthorne’s Balance Financial Fitness debt management program can help.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Don’t Let Your Holiday Debt Last Longer than it needs to:
With holiday spending over, our debt recovery time may just be starting. Our credit card bills will start arriving in the mail soon. Recent stats by the National Retail Federation show that the 2007 holiday season got off to a record start with “Black Friday” sales by US shoppers rising 8.3% to a record $10.3 billion. Figures for the following “Cyber Monday” shopping holiday, the Monday following Thanksgiving, also showed a healthy increase with a new one-day record of over $700 million in total purchases.
It is too bad that most of the record consumer spending was paid through the use of credit cards. Most consumers, including me, don’t hesitate to place $300 in goods on a credit card but certainly would think twice if they were forced to purchase the same amount of goods solely with cash? Because of this it is no surprise that the average credit card debt per US household is expected to rise again in 2008 as it has every year since the early 1990’s.
What will this increased spending mean for the New Year? According to John Silva, chief economist for Wachovia, “(Consumers) will still be spending money (in 2008) but it will be on credit card interest and minimum payments, not on apparel or eating out.”
So what’s the average consumer with thousands of dollars in credit card debt to do in 2008? Consider these five suggestions to get your debt under control in the New Year:
1. Reduce your card interest rate - Hawthorne members can now qualify for great rates and Reward points when they transfer balances between February 1 and March 31, 2008.
Visa Platinum Reward Cardholders receive 2,500 bonus points on balance transfers .**
Visa Platinum Savers credit card - 3.99% APR* for 9 months on balance transfers.
Visa Classic credit card – 6.99% APR* for 9 months on balance transfers.
Click here for more information.
2. Stop Using the Cards - seems simple enough? Stop using the cards now and stop accumulating more debt on top of the debt you couldn’t afford in the first place.
3. Pay more then the minimum – For example if you have $5,000 in credit card debt with a 16% interest rate and a minimum monthly payment of $110. Did you know that just paying the minimum means it takes 25 years to pay off your debt and that $5000 debt will end up costing you $12,000 in total? This total includes an extra $7,000 that you will have to pay in interest. A good alternative would be to DOUBLE your minimum payment to $210 and pay off the card in 28 months, which will save you about $6,100 in interest.
4. Consider a Debt Management Program - If you have over $5,000 in debt then a debt management program may be for you. Hawthorne’s Balance Financial Fitness debt management program can help.
*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. **Minimum balance transfer of $1,000.00. Also offering 1 bonus point per dollar of balance transfer up to a maximum of $10,000.00.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Bright Idea, Big Dilemma
The day came earlier than I expected - my first energy efficient light bulb burned out. You know the kind everyone is encouraging you to swap out -the curly bulbs that use less energy and are supposed to burn longer (in fact, they use a third less energy and last ten times longer).
It's said that if every U.S. household replaced just one incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb, the amount of energy saved could light 2.5 million homes for a year. That's fantastic, I'm all over that!
Unfortunately, those bulbs shouldn't be thrown away because they contain mercury, which is harmful to the environment. Yet the city recycling centers aren't set up to take them. For some reason one of mine burned out sooner than it was supposed to. Now I'm faced with the dilemma of what to do with it.
I found out that the Environmental Protection Agency schedules drop off dates throughout the year, but the next ones will be scheduled in 2008. I will start a little collection of bulbs until I hear of a collection date.
Also, behind the Naperville Fire Station Fire Station #4, 1971 Brookdale Road, there is a drop off facility that is open Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., excluding holidays. If you have questions about the City’s household hazardous waste collection program, please call the Department of Public Works at (630) 420-4190, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
If you live in Carpentersville, Dundee, Elgin, Gilberts, Hampshire, and South Elgin residents
Residents with Carpentersville, Dundee, Elgin, Gilberts, Hampshire and South Elgin mailing addresses may call the HHW Hotline at 1-800-449-7587 to schedule a free pickup from your home. This service is operated by Curbside, Inc., and is sponsored by Kane County, the City of Elgin, and the Villages of Carpentersville and South Elgin.
These bulbs are so popular now, I'm sure the demand will increase next year for suitable drop off locations for disposing of the bulbs and it will get easier to dispose of them. Meanwhile, I know it's tempting to throw them away instead of bothering with proper disposal but hold onto your bulbs!
It's said that if every U.S. household replaced just one incandescent bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb, the amount of energy saved could light 2.5 million homes for a year. That's fantastic, I'm all over that!
Unfortunately, those bulbs shouldn't be thrown away because they contain mercury, which is harmful to the environment. Yet the city recycling centers aren't set up to take them. For some reason one of mine burned out sooner than it was supposed to. Now I'm faced with the dilemma of what to do with it.
I found out that the Environmental Protection Agency schedules drop off dates throughout the year, but the next ones will be scheduled in 2008. I will start a little collection of bulbs until I hear of a collection date.
Also, behind the Naperville Fire Station Fire Station #4, 1971 Brookdale Road, there is a drop off facility that is open Saturdays and Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., excluding holidays. If you have questions about the City’s household hazardous waste collection program, please call the Department of Public Works at (630) 420-4190, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.
If you live in Carpentersville, Dundee, Elgin, Gilberts, Hampshire, and South Elgin residents
Residents with Carpentersville, Dundee, Elgin, Gilberts, Hampshire and South Elgin mailing addresses may call the HHW Hotline at 1-800-449-7587 to schedule a free pickup from your home. This service is operated by Curbside, Inc., and is sponsored by Kane County, the City of Elgin, and the Villages of Carpentersville and South Elgin.
These bulbs are so popular now, I'm sure the demand will increase next year for suitable drop off locations for disposing of the bulbs and it will get easier to dispose of them. Meanwhile, I know it's tempting to throw them away instead of bothering with proper disposal but hold onto your bulbs!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Save Gas, Cut Carbon Emissions, Burn Calories
Here's a way you can do all three - it's simple too. This tip is from The Daily Green. Check it out.
"When you are picking up food, doing your banking or even filling a prescription,
park your vehicle and walk inside instead of using the drive-through. It will
cut down on unnecessary fuel use as well as carbon emissions.
Every time you use a drive-through, you burn about 18 cents worth of gas idling your car. According to Quick Service Restaurant Magazine, the average drive-through wait time once the order is taken is three minutes. Add the minute or two that it takes to place the order, and that means one billion car-minutes spent idling
each year in front of Burger King restaurants alone! Estimates for total fuel
costs for idling in front of every drive-through in America are in the hundreds
of millions of dollars.
Parking your car and getting out also allows an opportunity to stretch your legs. Given the obesity epidemic in this country, any chance to get your body moving is also nothing to scoff at. Getting out also gives you the chance to throw away garbage, so you will be less tempted to toss litter out your window later on."
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The best little deal in banking
Credit unions offer sweet deals on credit cards and auto loans, the best CD rates in the business and heaps of personalized services. And yes, you too can join one.
By Carolyn Bigda, Money Magazine writer-reporter
(Money Magazine) -- If you belonged to a credit union in the past, it was probably because a volunteer at work or church approached you to let you know about the good deal you could get on a car loan.
Credit unions still offer car loans, they're still tied to affiliation groups, and they still have friendly members looking to let you know about a good deal. But today these not-for-profits are in a pitched battle with big retail banks for all your banking business.
That's good news for you. You'll find credit unions with networks of free ATMs and terrific credit-card deals as well as rates on loans and savings products that the megabanks can't match. A recent study by Informa Research Services found that a higher percentage of credit union members liked their institutions than did bank customers.
And you don't need to belong to a church or work for a company that has a credit union to find one you can join. Not convinced? See if these five reasons change your mind:
Savings: How to earn real money
While large national banks were reluctant to pass on Federal Reserve rate hikes of previous years, credit unions tracked the Fed to offer higher-than-average yields, says Kyle Selberg, CEO of BankingMyWay.com, which follows bank and credit yields.
And when rates dropped in September, credit unions gave up little ground. These days you can still find phenomenal deals on CDs. For example, the Space Age Federal Credit Union in Denver offers a 16-month CD that pays 7 percent through the end of the year (on Jan. 1 the rate converts to 5 percent for the remainder of your CD's term).
And savings-account rates at some credit unions are competitive with those of major online banks. Recently, traditional savings accounts at the American Airlines Federal Credit Union, based in Texas, yielded 4.59 percent, slightly higher than rates at HSBC Direct.
Best deal on a six-month CD: Sabine Federal Credit Union (Orange County, Texas): 5.43 percent
National bank average: 3.45 percent
Credit cards: low rates, low fees, low penalties
Today the average bank credit card charges 13.69 percent, according to Bankrate.com. At credit unions it's 12.16 percent, reports the National Association of Federal Credit Unions.
A 2005 report from the Woodstock Institute, a nonprofit economic development group, found no credit unions practicing "universal default," a much criticized policy in which your lender raises your interest rate if you default on another lender's loan.
Some credit unions won't penalize you with higher rates even when you're late on their own card's bill. If they do, you'll rarely pay more than 18 percent, compared with upwards of 30 percent at major banks.
Auto loans: They're the best-known credit union deals for a reason
You're also more likely to qualify for those low rates, even if your credit history isn't polished or you're a recent graduate just building a credit profile. "We understand that real life happens, so we'll take a look at the whole picture," says Nancy Sieller, loan manager at Torrington Municipal and Teachers Federal Credit Union in Torrington, Conn. "We want to work with you."
Home loans: Financing you aren't likely to get from a bank
Maybe you or your kid wants to buy a home with little or no money down. Well, good luck getting that kind of loan from a bank in the wake of the subprime mortgage collapse.
Some of the largest credit unions, though, now offer what's called the Home Loan Payment Relief (HLPR) mortgage. It finances 97 percent or more of the cost of a home and is available to home buyers with limited income and, increasingly, to those looking to refinance out of an adjustable-rate mortgage.
If you're putting the standard 20 percent down, you'll get an interest rate that's as good as you'd find at a bank, and borrowers may also save on extraneous fees.
Perks: Take a class, get a deal on kids' savings
Many credit unions extend their services far beyond basic banking. You might find free personal-finance classes for your teen or complimentary retirement and credit counseling programs.
The McGraw-Hill Employees Federal Credit Union in New York City and New Jersey, for example, provides furlough loans to members who lose jobs and lets them defer payments for up to three months.
Some credit unions, including Achieve Financial Credit Union in Connecticut, will comb through a credit report with you and suggest how to improve your score.
And many offer kids' financial literacy tools and special savings rates: Youth CDs, for instance, often carry the same yields as their adult version but require lower minimum balances and give kids the opportunity to make additional deposits during the CD's term.
Your big questions answered
Question: Can I really join a credit union?
Answer: Thanks to 1998 legislation loosening membership restrictions, chances are better than ever that you can. Now you just have to figure out where you're eligible.
Step 1 Ask your mom and dad (and your grandparents...). If someone in your family is a member, you often qualify to join as well.
Step 2 Find out if your employer, trade group, alma mater or church is affiliated with a credit union. If you're a pharmacist in Pennsylvania, for example, you can join the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union.
Step 3 Still nothing? Time to check out the online databases: Go to the credit union locators at ncua.gov and creditunion.coop. Based on information such as your location, religion and ethnic background, you'll get a list of credit unions you might be able to join. Click on each credit union's Web site to learn the specifics.
Question: Should I ditch my bank?
Answer: It's worth considering if the credit union is a member of a large, free, nationwide ATM network such as the Co-op Network, which includes 25,000 ATMs (vs. 17,000 for Bank of America), and it has online banking too.
But many credit unions still can't match the big banks when it comes to the breadth of financial products or their services (like late branch hours). Combining your credit union membership with a checking account at a regular bank will probably offer you the best of both worlds.
By Carolyn Bigda, Money Magazine writer-reporter
(Money Magazine) -- If you belonged to a credit union in the past, it was probably because a volunteer at work or church approached you to let you know about the good deal you could get on a car loan.
Credit unions still offer car loans, they're still tied to affiliation groups, and they still have friendly members looking to let you know about a good deal. But today these not-for-profits are in a pitched battle with big retail banks for all your banking business.
That's good news for you. You'll find credit unions with networks of free ATMs and terrific credit-card deals as well as rates on loans and savings products that the megabanks can't match. A recent study by Informa Research Services found that a higher percentage of credit union members liked their institutions than did bank customers.
And you don't need to belong to a church or work for a company that has a credit union to find one you can join. Not convinced? See if these five reasons change your mind:
Savings: How to earn real money
While large national banks were reluctant to pass on Federal Reserve rate hikes of previous years, credit unions tracked the Fed to offer higher-than-average yields, says Kyle Selberg, CEO of BankingMyWay.com, which follows bank and credit yields.
And when rates dropped in September, credit unions gave up little ground. These days you can still find phenomenal deals on CDs. For example, the Space Age Federal Credit Union in Denver offers a 16-month CD that pays 7 percent through the end of the year (on Jan. 1 the rate converts to 5 percent for the remainder of your CD's term).
And savings-account rates at some credit unions are competitive with those of major online banks. Recently, traditional savings accounts at the American Airlines Federal Credit Union, based in Texas, yielded 4.59 percent, slightly higher than rates at HSBC Direct.
Best deal on a six-month CD: Sabine Federal Credit Union (Orange County, Texas): 5.43 percent
National bank average: 3.45 percent
Credit cards: low rates, low fees, low penalties
Today the average bank credit card charges 13.69 percent, according to Bankrate.com. At credit unions it's 12.16 percent, reports the National Association of Federal Credit Unions.
A 2005 report from the Woodstock Institute, a nonprofit economic development group, found no credit unions practicing "universal default," a much criticized policy in which your lender raises your interest rate if you default on another lender's loan.
Some credit unions won't penalize you with higher rates even when you're late on their own card's bill. If they do, you'll rarely pay more than 18 percent, compared with upwards of 30 percent at major banks.
Auto loans: They're the best-known credit union deals for a reason
You're also more likely to qualify for those low rates, even if your credit history isn't polished or you're a recent graduate just building a credit profile. "We understand that real life happens, so we'll take a look at the whole picture," says Nancy Sieller, loan manager at Torrington Municipal and Teachers Federal Credit Union in Torrington, Conn. "We want to work with you."
Home loans: Financing you aren't likely to get from a bank
Maybe you or your kid wants to buy a home with little or no money down. Well, good luck getting that kind of loan from a bank in the wake of the subprime mortgage collapse.
Some of the largest credit unions, though, now offer what's called the Home Loan Payment Relief (HLPR) mortgage. It finances 97 percent or more of the cost of a home and is available to home buyers with limited income and, increasingly, to those looking to refinance out of an adjustable-rate mortgage.
If you're putting the standard 20 percent down, you'll get an interest rate that's as good as you'd find at a bank, and borrowers may also save on extraneous fees.
Perks: Take a class, get a deal on kids' savings
Many credit unions extend their services far beyond basic banking. You might find free personal-finance classes for your teen or complimentary retirement and credit counseling programs.
The McGraw-Hill Employees Federal Credit Union in New York City and New Jersey, for example, provides furlough loans to members who lose jobs and lets them defer payments for up to three months.
Some credit unions, including Achieve Financial Credit Union in Connecticut, will comb through a credit report with you and suggest how to improve your score.
And many offer kids' financial literacy tools and special savings rates: Youth CDs, for instance, often carry the same yields as their adult version but require lower minimum balances and give kids the opportunity to make additional deposits during the CD's term.
Your big questions answered
Question: Can I really join a credit union?
Answer: Thanks to 1998 legislation loosening membership restrictions, chances are better than ever that you can. Now you just have to figure out where you're eligible.
Step 1 Ask your mom and dad (and your grandparents...). If someone in your family is a member, you often qualify to join as well.
Step 2 Find out if your employer, trade group, alma mater or church is affiliated with a credit union. If you're a pharmacist in Pennsylvania, for example, you can join the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union.
Step 3 Still nothing? Time to check out the online databases: Go to the credit union locators at ncua.gov and creditunion.coop. Based on information such as your location, religion and ethnic background, you'll get a list of credit unions you might be able to join. Click on each credit union's Web site to learn the specifics.
Question: Should I ditch my bank?
Answer: It's worth considering if the credit union is a member of a large, free, nationwide ATM network such as the Co-op Network, which includes 25,000 ATMs (vs. 17,000 for Bank of America), and it has online banking too.
But many credit unions still can't match the big banks when it comes to the breadth of financial products or their services (like late branch hours). Combining your credit union membership with a checking account at a regular bank will probably offer you the best of both worlds.
Holiday Online Shopping Safety Tips
Holiday Online Shopping Safety Tips
Online holiday shopping offers numerous conveniences over driving in heavy traffic, tromping though snow, lack of parking, and last-minute crowds. You can do all of your holiday shopping sitting in the comfort of your own home but, you need to be on your guard. Online shopping can have a few extra pitfalls, and there are always a few con artists out there waiting to separate you from your Christmas gift money.
Tis the season to shop online... and by following the tips below, your holiday will be a happy one.
- Evaluate the Seller - Purchase gifts through well-known online retailers that disclose full contact information. Just because an online store has a nifty website doesn't mean it has good business practices.
- Always ensure that online financial transactions are secure by checking the bottom right corner of the browser window. A little yellow lock will appear on secure sites.
- Check your bank statements regularly and investigate suspicious charges.
- Do not give out personal or financial information in response to unsolicited email. Do not click links in any email when conducting financial transactions.
- If you think you’ve been phished, immediately visit www.consumer.gov/idtheft.
- Record the Transaction - you have submitted your credit card and shipping information, you will likely land on a "Thank You" page. This page usually contains a transaction receipt and transaction number. Print this page for your records.In some cases, you will also receive a receipt by email. Again, printing the email and saving it is wise in case you have computer problems in the future.
- Always donate to charities directly, even after receiving emails requesting donations.
- When participating in online auctions such as ebay, check the seller’s references and feedback ratings. If purchasing a high-value item, consider using an online escrow service.
- Do not user your primary email address when shopping since you may inadvertently be signed up for excessive newsletters or marketing emails. Use a disposable account.
- Do not venture online without securing your PC. A good firewall is essential, and antivirus, anti-spyware and spam protection are also critical. Keep up with security update downloads.
Also, to save money, don’t forget to always check for a coupon or promotional code before checking out. Visiting CurrentCodes.com and getting a coupon only takes a few seconds and could save you anything from free shipping to 15% off or more.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Cruisin' Your Way to Lower Gas Bills
Here's a tip from The Daily Green on how to reduce your gas bills by using cruise control - and saving money on speeding tickets by slowing down . . . sensible advice!
"Worried about sky high gas prices? Did you know that by keeping your car
at a steady speed, cruise control helps save gas. It can also help save you
money in tickets, since you can stay “under the radar,” by avoiding the creeping
increase in speed that tends to plague drivers on long, boring hauls.
Whenever you hit the accelerator, you burn a lot of gas. Braking wears out
the pads, and forces you to use more gas to speed back up. Your vehicle’s
systems perform most efficiently at a constant rate.
Although fuel economy can vary significantly with model and conditions, the optimal range of efficiency is generally between 25 and 55 mph, according to the EPA. On the open road, try not to exceed 55, and try to stay steady at the speed limit on city streets. You’ll get there. "
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Take a Bite Out Of School Lunch Costs
Every day when I make my daughter's lunch I carry on a tradition that started with my mom. She’d make my sandwich for school every day. And every day she’d take a bite out of my sandwich. For many years I didn’t even question it. It seemed so normal.
Then the kids started asking. “Who took a bite of your sandwich?” they’d ask.
“My mom,” I’d say. “You mean your mom doesn’t take a bite out of your sandwich?” I’d ask.
“No!” they’d laugh. I always felt a little sorry for them, assuming their mothers must not love them the way mine loves me. So now I carry on the same tradition…
“Geez mom do you have to take a bite out of my sandwich again?”
“Yes,” I said, mouth full. She caught me in the act … again.
But if you’ve taken a good look at the school lunch menu, you might understand why I take the time each day to maker her lunch. I've seen corndogs, nachos and pretzels with cheese on the menu. Excuse me but isn't that carnival food? The average calories per meal is between 700-800. I'm not a nutritionist, but that seems like a lot to me.
A friend of mine who recently started making her kids lunches had similar sentiments after making herself familiar with the school lunch menu. She was horrified and vowed to start making lunches in brown bags the old fashioned way.
Still, I have to give credit to the school lunch provider Sodexho. Making lunch for kids raised on McDonalds can't be easy. These kids grew up in a time when, until recently, the best tasting food made the biggest profit and few companies (or consumers, for that matter!) really cared about how healthy the product was. Taste came first at the sacrifice of health. Things are getting better. Still, lunchmakers like Sodexho (and me) compete for my daughter’s choice of lunch. My goal: nutrition. Their goal is to make a profit for their company and for the school district. If the food doesn't appeal to the kids they lose.
And I must admit this year’s school lunch menus are looking healthier.
Still, I make her lunch as often as I can – I think that whatever I send her is a little healthier than what they’re offering.
Plus it saves me money! I figure the cost of my homemade lunch at around $1, as compared to around $3. And then I get to take a bite out of her sandwich.
Then the kids started asking. “Who took a bite of your sandwich?” they’d ask.
“My mom,” I’d say. “You mean your mom doesn’t take a bite out of your sandwich?” I’d ask.
“No!” they’d laugh. I always felt a little sorry for them, assuming their mothers must not love them the way mine loves me. So now I carry on the same tradition…
“Geez mom do you have to take a bite out of my sandwich again?”
“Yes,” I said, mouth full. She caught me in the act … again.
But if you’ve taken a good look at the school lunch menu, you might understand why I take the time each day to maker her lunch. I've seen corndogs, nachos and pretzels with cheese on the menu. Excuse me but isn't that carnival food? The average calories per meal is between 700-800. I'm not a nutritionist, but that seems like a lot to me.
A friend of mine who recently started making her kids lunches had similar sentiments after making herself familiar with the school lunch menu. She was horrified and vowed to start making lunches in brown bags the old fashioned way.
Still, I have to give credit to the school lunch provider Sodexho. Making lunch for kids raised on McDonalds can't be easy. These kids grew up in a time when, until recently, the best tasting food made the biggest profit and few companies (or consumers, for that matter!) really cared about how healthy the product was. Taste came first at the sacrifice of health. Things are getting better. Still, lunchmakers like Sodexho (and me) compete for my daughter’s choice of lunch. My goal: nutrition. Their goal is to make a profit for their company and for the school district. If the food doesn't appeal to the kids they lose.
And I must admit this year’s school lunch menus are looking healthier.
Still, I make her lunch as often as I can – I think that whatever I send her is a little healthier than what they’re offering.
Plus it saves me money! I figure the cost of my homemade lunch at around $1, as compared to around $3. And then I get to take a bite out of her sandwich.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Beware - New Credit Card Phone Scam
We recieved an alert from our contacts at other credit unions that a new, very tricky scam is being conducted by phone. The bottom line to remember is that a ligitimate financial institution will never call to ask for your account information, because they already have it! Never give account information to anyone who contacts you.
This scam is pretty slick since they provide YOU with all theinformation, except the one piece they want. The scam works like this:
Person calling says, "This is (name), andI'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My badge numberis 12460. Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, andI'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a marketing company based in Arizona ?"
When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is acompany we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, justunder the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"You say "yes".
The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1-800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then givesyou a 6 digit number. "Do you need me to read it again?"Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card." He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers." There are 7 numbers; thefirst 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers'that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card.
The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have you rcard. Do you have any other questions?" After you say, "No," the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.
You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you theCard number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchaseof $497.99 was charged to our card . Long story - short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISAaccount. VISA is reissuing us a new number.
What the scammers want is the3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything onthe card as they already know the information since they issued the card! Ifyou give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving acredit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges forpurchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or moredifficult to actually file a fraud report. What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a callfrom a "Jason Richardson of Master Card" with a word-for-word repeat of theVISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a policereport, as instructed by VISA.
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