5 New Year’s resolutions to keep in your wallet!

Another year has come and gone, and now it’s time to make your New Year’s resolutions. With Occupy Wall Street and Bank Transfer Day bringing finances to the forefront, maybe one of the most important resolutions is to stay on top of your finances. Most people either try to tackle their resolutions and quit, or they forget about their New Year’s resolutions by February. The biggest reason for this is because we set our goal too high or too broad.

Here are five tips to help you control your finances in 2012, based on a recent article on Moneyland.com.

1. Use cash for small purchases. Make 2012 the year you try to pay for small things, like a cup of coffee, with cash. Or maybe you make a rule to spend only cash on items totaling less than $10. Studies have shown people are more aware when they pay with cash, so you may find yourself spending less.

2. Pay off one debt. Whether it is a credit card, car loan, or a student loan; choose one to pay off this year. Tackling one debt at a time will seem more manageable then trying to eliminate all your debt at once. The satisfaction you will get from completely paying off that one thing might push you to eliminate one more, and even if it doesn’t, that is one less debt you have to pay off next year. Just make sure you don’t replace the debt you are paying off by creating another one.

3. Make saving automatic. Everyone needs to have an emergency account, but saving money for unforeseen events is difficult. Try taking as little as $15 from each paycheck and putting it into a separate savings account. Odds are you won’t even miss it if you have the money automatically deducted from your account. It can be as simple as sacrificing one lunch or dinner out a week.

4. Look into a credit union if your accounts are somewhere else. If there is one thing that came from Bank of America’s proposed $5 monthly fee, it is that everyone needs to look at the fees their financial institutions are charging and what you are getting from it. Take some time to really look into any charges on your account, things like overdraft protection and out of network ATM fees can really add up. Also take the time to weigh what features you really want out of your account; is online and mobile banking more important to you than brick and mortal locations, or do you prefer a vast ATM network.

5. Keep track of your money. Many credit unions offer text alerts. These alerts let you know when you have a low balance so you don’t end up getting an overdraft fee, or they let you know if there is a transaction over a certain amount.

Keeping track of what you are spending can not only save you money, but it can also help protect you against fraud by letting you know if your account has been compromised. Happy new year!

Want to go fee-free in 2012? SURF into the New Year!

If you’ve used an ATM from another financial institution, you probably received a holiday gift you didn’t ask for – climbing ATM fees! Luckily, many Maine Credit Unions are part of the SURF ATM Network. That means you have access to more surcharge-free ATMs across Maine than just about anyone. Credit union members can save at least an average of $300 a year on surcharge fees when using the SURF network - one of the largest ATM networks in the state! With the SURF network, ‘no fees’ means just that—not only will you see no fees at your ATM, there are no hidden fees anywhere else! In addition, a number of SURF ATM locations give thousands of Maine credit union members the ability to not only access cash but to also make deposits, surcharge-free.

Finding one of the over 200 surcharge-free ATMs in Maine is much easier than keeping your New Year’s resolutions! An iPhone app allows you to find surcharge-free ATMs in Maine from your current location! Headed on vacation? Find out where to get fee-free cash wherever you are! The iPhone app is free, and lists all SURF ATMs, contact info, and mapping instructions. Visit the iTunes app store and download it today!

Click here for a complete listing of the SURF ATM locations in Maine!

Credit Union Share the Spirit of Stress-Free Holidays!

The spirit of the season can be felt at Maine’s Credit Unions! Whether it be a festively decorated lobby or the warm wishes of a member service representative, carrying on the traditions that matter are an important part of the credit union movement.

Along with the gift of great service, Maine Credit Unions also offer the gift of convenience. Share Branching is a great way to make sure you have your shopping money as easily and quickly as possible, with the ability to deposit a check or take out cash at many locations throughout the state. The remedy to the fee-laden ATMs often “conveniently” located in malls? The SURF ATM Network, where you can find fee-free ATMs wherever your shopping adventures take you.

At credit unions, you also have the peace of mind of knowing your money is safe, secure, and federally insured. Because at this hectic time of year, our plates are full enough with not only the results of our cookie swap, but with the busy schedules of the season!

Happy Holidays from Maine’s Credit Unions!

Custom Checks Help End Hunger!

The next time you are in need of checks, ask your credit union about the Maine Scene check. This design is a custom check offered to Maine Credit Unions, and is available at the same low price as other checks, with the added benefit of having $.50 per order donated to The Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign For Ending Hunger! Visit your credit union to stock up today, while benefiting this wonderful cause!

Savings Bonds are now Saving Paper!

Planning to buy a savings bond? Paper savings bonds will no longer be sold at financial institutions, including credit unions, after December 31, 2011. But they’re not going away - electronic savings bonds can be purchased online through TreasuryDirect. You can open a free TreasuryDirect account today at www. treasurydirect.gov.

Already have paper savings bonds? No worries, existing paper bonds are still valid and will earn interest for 30 years from the issue date or until redeemed.

As always, your credit union is a great resource for any financial questions you may have. Give them a call, or stop by your local branch!

Stressed by Holiday Spending? Join the Club!

The “Christmas Club” that is! Credit unions have been offering this simple way of saving for decades, but the idea has never been more relevant.

A Christmas Club is a short-term savings account that usually pays out the full account balance to its account holders once each year, right before Christmas. Christmas Club accounts also typically pay depositors monthly interest.

It is a simple, stress free way to save for the holidays, and make the most of your yuletide budget. However, remember that opening the account doesn’t mean you are immune to overspending. Before opening account, decide how much you want to spend on each gift recipient, and set a clear budget. Additionally, when opening a club account, be sure to read all of the information given so you are aware of the details on how Christmas Club money can be disbursed.

Many Maine Credit Unions offer Christmas Club Accounts. Find the one that’s right for you!

Ending Hunger Walking Tour Crosses Finish Line for the 10th Time!

On Wednesday, November 30, the Tenth Annual Maine Credit Unions’ Ending Hunger Walking Tour came to a successful conclusion with a special ceremony at Maine Savings FCU at 11:00 a.m. Brenda Davis, Executive Director of Cross Roads Ministries and Food Pantry, completed her month-long journey to a record-setting 75 communities by receiving a special conclusion contribution from the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger.

This year’s Tour visited the most communities, and covered the most miles in its history. The Walk encompassed a record of more than 1,500 miles, with approximately 700 of that on foot, and visited a record-setting 75 communities from Kittery to Madawaska. The Tour visited every Maine county for the sixth consecutive year. At each of the 84 credit union branches Davis visited, she received a contribution from the Campaign as a way to support her cause. This year, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger also made a $110 donation to a food pantry in each of the 75 communities that Davis visited. In all, The Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger contributed nearly $30,000 to help end hunger through the Tour.


Young & Free Maine Spokester Seth Poplaski joined Brenda Davis in crossing the finish line at the conclusion of the Ending Hunger Walking Tour

Bangor FCU Uses Shared Branching Competition Winnings to Share Turkeys with Mainers in Need

More Mainers have come to benefit from Maine Credit Unions’ “Share It and Save” Competition, during which credit unions throughout the state directed members to a microsite, ShareItAndSave.org, where they could share their own financial tip. Each month, the member who shared the most unique tip was awarded $250! The campaign included a credit union competition, in which the credit union who had the highest percentage of members share tips won $2,500 to present charity of their choice. Bangor FCU of Bangor, Maine came out on top, with their members contributing 17% of the tips and 0.6% of their membership participating. The credit union chose to use their winnings to purchase 250 turkeys for a turkey drive held by a local radio station, WBZN Z107.3 FM, and challenged other businesses to match what the credit union purchased.

This donation was instrumental in making the drive the station’s most successful one ever. Held from November 15 - 17, this was the 13th "Free the Z" event. Morning personality and Program Director Arlen "Kid" Jameson lived in the Brewer Hannaford Parking Lot during that time, with the goal of collecting 2,011 turkeys which would be given to Manna Ministries for distribution to clients and redistribution to food pantries throughout Eastern and Central Maine. This year, WBZN exceeded their goal, collecting 3,134 turkeys.

Shared Branching can also help you during the busy holiday season, whether you need cash unexpectedly, or need to make a deposit away from home to add to your gift giving fund! Click here to find a location wherever your shopping adventures lead you!