Christmas tunes with heart!

Now you can own a copy of A DVD/CD package featuring Christmas In Maine 25th Anniversary Concert Live from the Gracie. The 90-minute show features a variety of artists, including several Grammy Award winners, singing holiday classics and new favorites. A significant portion of the sales will benefit the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger. It will soon be available in credit unions throughout the state! You can also order a copy by visiting www.mainecul.org.

You can also watch the concert in prime time on WCSH 6 and WLBZ 2 on Saturday, December 8, from 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., and on the stations of the Maine Public Broad¬casting Network (MPBN) on Sunday, December 9, at 7:00 p.m. The show that airs on WCSH 6/WLBZ 2 will be the edited 60-minute version, while MPBN will air the 90-minute, unedited version. MPBN is also planning multiple airings of the concert throughout the month of December.

Click here for a sneak peak!

Countdown to Holiday Savings

It’s December, and the countdown to the holiday shopping deadline is on! If you’ve already wrapped up your holiday shopping, congratulations! If you’re like many of us however, your holiday to do list is still waiting for a burst of productivity. When under the pressure of a ticking clock, it can be easy to let your plan, and budget, go out the window. Here are some ways to keep your spending in check, and your holiday happy!

• Make a list. Make a list of everyone you want to give a gift to. Make sure to write down any extra holiday gifts that may be outside your circle of family and friends, such as for an office gift swap, or a donation to a family in need.
• Make a projection. How much money would you like to allocate for each person? Add it up. How much is this going to cost you overall? If the number is too high or scary you might have to…
• Make revisions. After seeing how much these gifts are truly going to cost, it might be time to think of alternatives gifts. Maybe homemade cookies are a more realistic gift than matching sweaters for 10 of your closet friends.
• Make a budget. And shop with it in hand to avoid going off course when something shiny catches your eye. Still tempted to splurge?
• Go credit card free. Consider going cash only! Got? Going cash only is a great way to keep you on track, and gives you a better idea of what you are spending.

Best wishes for a happy (and budget conscious) holiday!

Holiday Skip-a-Pay can really save the day!

The holidays are just around the corner, and if you haven’t prepared your budget for holiday parties and gift giving you may be feeling the pressure.  Looking into your local credit union may help.  Many credit unions offer Holiday Loans and Skip-a-Pay plans.  

A holiday loan is a short term loan to help out with seasonal expenses including gifts, decorations, and even heating oil.   These loans typically come with a low interest rate and can help keep you from using a credit card with a high interest rate.   A Skip-a-Pay program allows you to skip or defer a loan payment for one month; this can really free up some money for the holidays. 

The best way to avoid having to worry about your holiday finances is to start a Club account.  These accounts allow you to make small monthly or weekly deposits throughout the year and in most cases the money is automatically transferred into your checking account at the beginning of October.  Stop by your local credit union and ask how they can help you with your holiday spending.  To find a credit union near you visit www.mainecreditunions.org.

Walk On!

As we take a moment to give thanks this week, food pantries throughout Maine have one person to be extremely thankful for. Brenda Davis, Executive Director of Cross Roads Ministries and Food Pantry, has been spending the month of November completing the Eleventh Annual Maine Credit Unions’ Ending Hunger Walking Tour.

The Walk is an effort on the part of Maine’s credit unions and Davis to build awareness about the problem of hunger in Maine during the month of November, which has been designated as Ending Hunger month. The Walk officially began on Friday, October 26 at Maine State CU in Augusta, and will conclude with a ceremony at Changing Seasons FCU in Hampden on Friday, November 30.

Upon its completion, The Walk will have encompassed more than 1,500 miles, with approximately 700 of that on foot. Brenda will have visited a record-setting 77 communities from Kittery to Madawaska. At each of the 84 credit union branches Davis visits, she picks up a contribution from the Campaign as a way to support her cause. This year, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has made a $111 donation to a food pantry in each of the 77 communities that Davis visits. The Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger will contribute nearly $30,000 to help end hunger through the Tour.

Thanks Brenda, for another wonderful walk!

There’s more to consider when traveling this time of year

The holidays are here, and that means it is time for traveling and visiting family. Whether you are driving a few towns over, or flying across the country, there are a few things you should remember to do. Traveling during the holidays can be hectic, so it is important to keep important documents, such as your license and any debit or credit cards with you at all times as well as the number to your financial institution in case your cards are lost or stolen. If you plan on making large purchases out of state, you should let your credit union know to expect out of state charges for the dates you will be there. Simple safety precautions, such as never leaving your bag or purse unattended, can keep your money and possessions safe while you are traveling this holiday season.

Should you need to access your account on your trip, many credit unions are a part of the Shared Branching network, where you can access nearly 5,000 credit union branches nationwide, with more than 150 locations in Maine. You just need your license, your home credit union name and your account number. You can easily access your account, make deposits, withdrawals, and even make a loan payment just like you were at your local branch. Look for a shared branching location near you here!

Give Thanks to CU Benefits!

The feeling of Thanksgiving is something that can last all November long. And while we are grateful for our family, friends and health, credit unions also give benefits that we can be truly thankful for all 365 days a year!

• With over 150 branches, Maine’s credit unions have more locations than any single bank in Maine!

• Maine’s SURF ATMs comprise the largest surcharge-free ATM network in Maine

• When you belong to one of Maine's Credit Unions, you are not just a “customer”- you are an owner! As a member/owner, what you say matters, as each member has an equal vote in electing a volunteer, unpaid board of directors.

• Credit unions have lower fees, resulting in member savings that totaled $10.5 million for Maine CU members in 2011, according to a recent survey.

• 95% of Maine’s Credit Unions offer free checking accounts, and 90% offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance!

Find more reasons to be thankful for credit unions by joining one today!

Young & Free Maine Spotlights Ending Hunger Advocate Danielle Carr in "On the Road"

With November designated as Ending Hunger Month, Young & Free Maine’s On the Road program shines its spotlight on a young person working to end hunger in Maine. This month, Young & Free Maine Spokester Kylie Keene interviews Danielle Carr, whose volunteering at the Good Shepherd Food-Bank proved to be a life-changing experience – and the beginning of a career there. Now on staff as a hunger study coordinator, Danielle helps research and fight hunger across Maine. “In a month that’s all about giving thanks for what we have, this 24-year-old gives to those who have not,” Keene explained. “She hopes others her age will do their part to help those in need.”

Kylie’s interview with Danielle can be seen at the “Young & Free on the Road” section of youngfreemaine.com. There, visitors can also follow Kylie, as the site maps out where she is headed each month, and features the best, brightest, funniest, quirkiest, most artistic and inspiring 18-25 year olds in her “On the Road” spotlights. This webpage also provides an opportunity for consumers to recommend an innovative member of Gen Y for her to feature there. Learn more about Carr, nominate a young person to spotlight, and see who will be featured next at http://youngfreemaine.com/road.

Happy Credit Union Week!

From October 14 – 20, 2012, the 624,000 Maine residents who belong to a credit union will join the 196 million credit union members belonging to over 51,000 credit unions in 100 countries worldwide to celebrate International Credit Union Week. For 64 years, credit unions have set aside the third Thursday in October to celebrate International Credit Union Day. This special occasion gives credit unions an opportunity to remember their proud history, while promoting understanding and support for the credit union difference.

Looking at all of the choices available in the financial services industry, the credit union difference is clear: no matter where you are, credit unions are 100% focused on meeting and exceeding members’ financial services needs. With credit unions, every member is an owner with an equal vote in the election of the credit union's volunteer board of directors. There are no stockholders at credit unions, and earnings are returned to members in the form of lower rates on loans and higher rates on savings, or invested back into the credit union to provide more of the services that members need and want.

Whether a Maine credit union is providing a loan to help a member make their home more energy efficient, giving financial counseling to a member whose company closed its doors, or simply offering a better deal on a used car loan, credit unions are supporting and serving their members and the community as a whole. Locally or internationally, during International Credit Union Week or at any time of the year- a Maine credit union is where you know your money will be local, safe, and great service is guaranteed.

Becoming a credit union member couldn’t be easier! There is a credit union for everyone- use these tips to find the Maine credit union that’s right for you:

• Visit www.mainecreditunions.org, or call the Maine Credit Union League’s Member Services toll-free at 800-442-6715
• Talk to your neighbors. Some credit unions have a “community” field of membership, serving a region defined by geography
• rather than by employment or some other association. Ask friends in your community if they know a credit union you may join.
• Ask family members. See if anyone in your family is a member of a credit union, in your community or out of state. Ask them about their experiences.
• Ask your boss. Your company may sponsor a credit union or may be a sponsor group that has access to a credit union. Many employers will directly deposit your paycheck to the credit union.

Become a member today, and discover the value of becoming an owner of your financial institution.

Maine’s Credit Unions Celebrate National Co-op Month By Helping to “Fuel” Ending Hunger Efforts!

On Monday, October 1, at the Good Shepherd Food-Bank in Auburn, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, in partnership with Good Shepherd Food-Bank, celebrated the seventh anniversary of Maine’s first “Food Mobile,” by contributing $7,500 to ensure the continued success of this important tool in ending hunger in Maine. Since its inception in 2005, the Food Mobile program has distributed 2,693,000 lbs of food throughout the state. The event also kicked off National Co-op Month, which takes place each October.

The event also served as an opportunity to prepare for upcoming Ending Hunger initiatives, and to share ideas on how to raise even more funds in the year ahead. Additionally, Ending Hunger Representatives volunteered at the food-bank, and were addressed by a Brenda Swan, a representative from Servant’s Heart Food Pantry, who shared how the Food Mobile has benefited her community.

Since 1990 the Maine Credit Unions' Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised over $4.3 million to help end hunger in Maine including $447,000 in 2011. 100% of all money raised stays in Maine and goes directly to the cause of ending hunger.

Tired of checking account fees? Check out a credit union!

Checking account fees have reached an all time high in the past year.  A new survey published by Bankrate.com shows that only 39% of major banks in the U.S. offer checking accounts with no fees, that’s down from 45% in 2011. Many of these banks will ‘waive’ the fees if you have a minimum balance, in some cases the minimum balance can be thousands of dollars.

Here are the key findings from the Bankrate 2012 Checking Survey:

• The average monthly maintenance fee for a non-interest checking account is now at a record high of $5.48. That’s a 25 percent jump from last year.
• Overdraft fees are also at a record high. The average NSF or nonsufficient funds fee is $31.26, up from $30.83 last year. 
• The cost to get cash from an out-of-network ATM is up dramatically. Expect to pay an average fee of $2.50 to the owner of the ATM, a new record and up 4 percent from last year. Plus your bank will charge you another $1.57 on average, an increase of 11 percent. 

And while it may seem like free checking accounts are a thing of the past, many credit unions still offer free or low fee checking accounts.  More than 70 percent of large credit unions still offer free checking according to another survey published earlier this year by Bankrate.  95% of Maine’s Credit Unions offer free checking accounts, and 90% offer free checking accounts with no minimum balance!  Look for a credit union near you and see how you can eliminate account fees.  And if you are in the 18-25 crowd try a free4ME checking account, a fee free account that has all the perks you want and need!

Flip the switch to green savings!

While the hint of falling leaves we’ve been seeing in recent days may be pretty, they also mean that the brisk fall air will continue to cool down. And as the days get colder, it’s time to work harder on ways to save on your electricity bill!

Here’s some easy ways to save:

• Clean out the lint trap in your dryer to prevent your dryer from working overtime
• Buy a programmable thermostat
• Unplug electronics when not in use
• Switch to high efficiency light bulbs
• Wash clothes in cold water

Did you know that many credit unions offer loans that can help you make your home more energy efficient? Going into a local credit union and asking how they can help is a simple step that can mean big savings for your household! Need a credit union? Find one here!

MAINE CREDIT UNIONS HONOR 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 WITH DONATION TO LOCAL HEROES

‘People Remembering & Helping People’ was the theme for the Eleventh Anniversary 9/11 tribute by Maine’s credit unions to the five Red Cross Chapters of Maine.  At the ceremony, Maine’s credit unions honored and remembered the victims of 9/11 and their families.  Also receiving recognition were the organizations that work each day to protect the health and safety of Maine people, as checks were also presented to the Emergency Food Relief Fund of each Red Cross Chapter.  In addition, as part of the continued effort of Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, a donation was made to a food pantry located in each chapter.  Since 2001, through the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger, Maine’s credit unions have contributed over $70,220.00 the Emergency Food Relief Funds of Maine’s Red Cross Chapters in memory of 9/11. 

 

 The five Red Cross Chapters in Maine who received donations are the: Southern Maine Chapter, United Valley Chapter, Mid Coast Chapter, Pine Tree Chapter, and Pine Tree-Aroostook Chapter.

The five food pantries in Maine who received donations are the: Wayside Soup Kitchen of Portland, Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Food Pantry of Brunswick, St. Mary’s Food Pantry of Lewiston, MANNA Food Pantry of Bangor, and Catholic Charities of Maine of Caribou.

The tribute included brief remarks from credit union and Red Cross representatives, and monetary contributions totaling $6,110.00. Since 1990, the Maine Credit Unions’ Campaign for Ending Hunger has raised over $4.3 million to help end hunger in Maine. 

It’s a Fair Time for Students!

For Maine’s Credit Unions, the Back to School Season is a cause for celebration! From welcoming students back to school, to fun events to introduce them to their new town, credit unions can be seen on campuses throughout the state! You’ll also see Maine’s Young & Free Spokester, Kylie Keene, who will be greeting students with fun giveaways and information on how a Maine credit union can make the college experience even better, with the free4ME account, and great services like Shared Branching!
Here are just some of the upcoming events planned to kick off the new school year!

September 6
USM HuskyFest
USM Campus

September 7-8
6th Annual Hill ‘n the Ville Music Festival
Waterville

September 11
UMaine Back to School Welcome
Orono

September 12
Central Maine Community College Welcome
Auburn

Wishing you a Happy Back to School Season!

Coaching Kids To Stretch A Buck Makes A Memorable Lesson

Make smart shopping a family affair! Studies indicate that parents who encourage their children to participate in the shopping process provide their children with an opportunity to gain valuable experience in how money works and are more likely to develop strong money management skills.

Here are some ideas to involve your kids as you develop – and stick to – a family budget!

1. Coach your kids on the concept of budgeting. Explain that spending too much now means there may not be enough later for something else they want.
2. Set a budget that encourages them to plan. Provide each child a set amount for needs and help them stick to that budget.
3. Help them inventory what they already have before going on a shopping trip.
4. Ask them to make a list of what they really need vs. want.
5. Hold a yard sale of outgrown or unneeded items to raise money for their next shopping trip. While you’ll probably want to oversee the sale, encourage your kids to get involved in the pricing, set-up, and selling. They’ll value the profits more, having worked for them.
6. Find fun ways to avoid paying full retail price. Start with charity and consignment shops. If you do need to buy new, peruse sale flyers and search for online coupons first. Above all, stick to your shopping list.
7. Consider sharing with the less fortunate. Thinking about those truly in need helps put shopping “must haves” into perspective.

Click here for other tools and resouces to help kids start out on the best financial foot!

There's More End of Summer Fun in Maine

Summer is almost over so make the best of it by attending local fairs, festivals and farmers markets!  There are several events happening this weekend throughout the state, from the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds, to The American Folk Festival in Bangor, and the Acton Fair in Southern Maine. You can find additional events near you here.

Or if fried fair food isn’t what you are looking for check out your local farmers market.  This is a great way to support local farmers and pick up some fresh fruits and vegetables.  This is a great opportunity to try an ingredient you have never used before and create a new and exciting dish.  If you have small children take them along and use this as an opportunity to teach them about where their food comes from; plus they may be more inclined to eat their vegetables if they helped pick them out.  Click here to find a market near you.

Don’t forget that many fairs and farmers markets only accept cash.  Look for a SURF ATM along the way and you won’t have to worry about those pesky surcharge-fees.  Find a SURF ATM here or download the SURF locator app from iTunes so you always have the ability to SURF on the go!