Purchase Fuel Wisely - Save up to 20%

 

1. Use the Right Grade of Gasoline / Don't Top Off: Most cars run fine on regular. Check your vehicle owner's manual to find out what's right for your car. Don't "top off" at the pump and make sure your fuel fill cap is on tight and working right. Regular grade fuel cost about 20-cents per gallon less than premium grade.

2. Look for the Best Price / Limit Purchases When Prices are High: Today's gasolines provide very similar engine performance (although some brands have different gasoline blends that provide other benefits), so choose stations in your area with the lowest prices. Fuel prices can vary 10% within a few blocks. Avoid filling the tank during high-price periods.

Alter Travel Practices - Save up to 30%

3. Use Carpooling / Public Transit / Non-Motorized Options: Ride the bus, carpool, bicycle or walk instead of driving alone. Sharing a ride to work with a friend or two effectively doubles your fuel economy for the trip and may allow you to use the diamond lane.Take Advantage of

4. Telecommuting / Telecommunications Technology: Many employers offer telecommuting as an option. Use the computer and telephone to replace vehicle trips for business, shopping and services when possible.

Drive More Efficiently - Save up to 20%

5. Don't Drive Aggressively / Drive at the Speed Limit: Avoid aggressive driving and aggressive starts. All vehicles lose fuel economy at speeds above 55 mph. Driving 65 instead of 75 mph reduces fuel cost 13%. Driving 55 would save 25%.
 
6. Reduce Air Conditioner Use / Close Windows: Using the air conditioner increases fuel cost from 13% up to 21%. If it's cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation instead of rolling down the windows or using the AC.

7. Eliminate Extra Wind Resistance and Weight: Using a loaded roof rack increases fuel consumption. Carry the load inside your vehicle if you can. Removing unnecessary weight is better still.

8. Minimize Vehicle Idling: Today's vehicles are designed to warm up fast. Avoid idling when you can; idling is 0 miles per gallon.

Improve the Efficiency of the Vehicle You Drive - save up to 50%

9. Maintain Vehicle Efficiency: Regular maintenance as prescribed by the vehicle owner's manual will help your vehicle achieve its best fuel economy. Some overlooked maintenance items, such as a dirty air filter and under-inflated tires, can increase your fuel cost up to 13%. When replacing your tires, replace them with the same make and model as the tires that were on your vehicle when it was new.
 
10. Drive or Purchase a Fuel-Efficient Vehicle: Drive your most fuel-efficient vehicle whenever possible. When purchasing, consider the most fuel efficient vehicle and save up to 50%. Consider a hybrid-electric, a diesel vehicle, or even a motorcycle. The next best option is to purchase the most fuel efficient vehicle within the class of vehicles you are considering.

Article found at http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/transportation/consumer_tips/index.html

According to the National Retail Federation’s 2011 Valentine’s Day Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, American spent nearly $16 billion in 2011 on Valentine’s Day! The average person spent $116.21 on gifts for their loved one. How much did they spend on each loved one?

• Couples on significant other or spouse - $68.98
• Family pets - $5.04
• Friends - $6.30
• Classmates and teachers - $4.97
• Co-workers - $3.41

And what did they buy?

• 36% bought flowers
• 16% bought jewelry
• 47% ate out
• 58% bought cards

In the spirit of the economic stability that we are all trying to achieve, here are a few ideas on ways to spend your $116.21 to really show your loved one you really care, the gift of financial stability:

• Make an extra payment to your beloved's credit card account. Take a photo of the check with your cell phone and send it to them with a loving text message: "This one's on me, honey!"

• As a new V-Day tradition, add $116.20 to the mortgage or car payment each year. Run some numbers and print out the amortization table showing how much faster you'll pay off your loan.

• Sweeten that retirement account. Secretly add $116.20 to Snookie's IRA. How much could that be worth in 30 years? More than $1,000. She'll be thrilled when she realizes what that really says about your love.

• Pay bills early. Surprise your one-and-only by paying a few of the March bills in advance (think small: car insurance, electricity, or water). Point out that this builds in some financial breathing room moving forward.

With PrimeTrust Financial’s RewardsPLUS debit card, you can earn points as you use your card. Then, you choose how to use your points: travel, electronics, home décor, gift cards, or gifts to others.

You can also get cash back! Points are offered for your customer loyalty – rewarding you for your relationship. Your debit card becomes an active part of your financial plan – for business or your personal life.

Check out the RewardsPLUS debit card!

Take advantage of this limited-time offer for PrimeTrust Financial members: Try any TurboTax® Online product for FREE and automatically be entered for a chance to win $15,000! You don’t pay unless you are 100% satisfied.

TurboTax brings you Total Assurance protection so you can feel 100% confident about your taxes:
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Let TurboTax guide you step by step like a GPS to get your taxes done right—and get your refund in as few as seven days. Learn more about TurboTax and the “This Way to $15K” Sweepstakes.

Just sign in to the TurboTax sweepstakes microsite with a valid email address at by February 21 and you could be on your way to $15K.2

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• Consider using non-toxic de-icing substances such as clean clay cat litter, sand, or fireplace/stove ash to prevent hazardous waste from chemicals. Chemical de-icers can be hazardous to your pets, your trees and shrubs, and the environment. Antifreeze that leak from car engines and chemical snow melters on driveways, roads, and runways can pollute surface waters and groundwater through the soil.

• Winterize your vehicle by checking your air filter and fluid levels, checking tires for tread wear and proper inflation, and checking the condition of your windshield wipers. Ensuring your vehicle is ready for weather changes will reduce damage, which prevents waste from broken parts, and will keep you safe on the road.

• If you have a wood-burning fireplace, save your ashes in a tin instead of throwing them away. Cold wood ashes can be mixed in your compost heap to create a valuable soil amendment that provides nutrients to your garden.

• Use electric snow removal products rather than gasoline-powered ones. While electric products consume energy, they do not emit greenhouse gases. As alternatives, use snow shovels, ice crackers, and brooms to clear snow from your sidewalk, porch, or driveway.

• If you have a manual thermostat or no thermostat at all, one way to save energy and money this winter is to install an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat. When installed and used with the four pre-programmed temperature settings for weekend and weekdays, you can save about $100 each year while staying comfortable. Before leaving for vacation, turn down your thermostat (or use a programmable one) so that you don't waste natural resources by generating unneeded heat. You can also buy outdoor and indoor lights with timers so that lights don't stay on all night.

• Close the recycling loop. Many articles of clothing, such as jackets, scarves, gloves, and boots, are now made from recycled materials. Most fleece products are made from recycled plastic soda bottles, and certain clothing and shoe manufacturers use recycled cotton scraps and rubber tires to make their products.

• Winter storms often cause power outages. Prevent waste by keeping rechargeable batteries rather than disposable ones stored throughout your house with your flashlights. If you do use disposable batteries, prevent hazardous waste by buying batteries with low mercury content.

• Recycle old newspapers by making rolled paper logs for your fireplace. Roll newspaper sheets around a broom stick until your log is the desired size, then soak your log thoroughly in water. Dry the log overnight and use like ordinary wood. Always follow proper safety precautions when burning anything around your home.

• To make sure your heating system (boiler, furnace or heat pump) is operating at its most efficient, it is a good idea to have a contractor perform a routine check-up and any necessary maintenance on the equipment before freezing weather drives up your energy bill.

• If your heating equipment more than ten years old, it may be time for a replacement to a more energy-efficient unit. While initially an expensive investment, replacing old equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment saves more energy and money in the long run.

The idea that you can bank with PrimeTrust Financial Federal Credit Union and go into a credit union in a different state with a different name and still do your banking with PrimeTrust Financial seems a little far fetched, but that is exactly what you can do with shared branching. Credit unions, unlike banks, are not-for-profit organizations which means they look for ways to work with other credit unions to offer their membership additional services and conveniences to benefit the member, like shared branching. 

 

Think about this… you are on vacation and everything is going well until you realize you need more money than you can withdrawal from an ATM or you forgot to pay your car loan. With shared branching it is no problem.  Call 1-800-919-2872 or get online at http://www.creditunion.net/ to find the nearest shared branch location nearest you and go! The best part, it’s free!  It doesn’t cost you an additional fee, and there are over 4,370 locations all over the United States.  Now that’s location, location, location!

There are three simple things you need to be able to use shared branching

1.) the name of your credit union – PrimeTrust Financial

2.) your driver’s license, they want to make sure it’s really you because they don’t know you like we do

3.) your account number, tells them where to find your money. 

With those three things you are free to travel the country and access your money no matter where you are.

It got it start in the Middle or Dark Ages when the Catholic Church approved of the act of “souling”. This is where beggars would go from house to house asking for food, usually barley or oat cakes, in exchange for prayers. The church said the prayers gave the person a little extra insurance to entrance into heaven once they died. Soul Cake Day isn’t common practice in England, but is still popular in Scotland and Ireland, and it’s believed this is where trick-or-treating developed.

Trick-or-treating didn’t become part of American culture until the 20^th century when magazines and newspapers introduced it to the population. It was in full swing by the 1940s due to children’s books and TV shows. In 1952, Walt Disney’s Donald Duck played in “Trick or Treat” and Halloween’s door-to-door candy begging was forever here to stay.

PrimeTrust Financial has a long, rich history of charity in the community, participating in such events as the Relay for Life and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, but one of the lesser known charitable contributions that PrimeTrust Financial makes is to needy families during the Christmas season. In the past PrimeTrust Financial has sponsored a cabin at the Youth Opportunity Center, shut-ins from LifeStream, and multiple families from Bridges Community Services, Inc. With your support PrimeTrust Financial will be doing it again this year. This year, we are offering Lowerys milk and dark chocolate bars for only $3 and bags of their delicious, gooey caramels for $6, with 100% of the proceeds going towards purchasing gifts for the families. What could be more guilt-free than tasting their supreme candies with all proceeds going to support people in need in our own community? Please help support families in need this holiday season by purchase a chocolate bar or caramels at your favorite branch.

Have a Budget

Before you go shopping for back-to-school clothes or supplies, determine how much money you have to spend. Make sure to include shoes and accessories in your budget. To help you stick to your budget, only bring cash when you shop (i.e. envelope budgeting system). This helps you to stay within your budget, and helps you teach your kids about money management.

Shop at Home First

Any item already on-hand is a freebie, so check the house for rulers and protractors, pencils and paper. Set aside a supply stash. One way to conquer the "where is it?" problem: designate a box or shelf as School Supply Central. This will serve you well throughout the year the year.

Have a Back-to-School Swap Party

Go through your house for last year's back-to-school supplies and clothes your children can't or won’t wear anymore. Invite friends and neighbors over for a back-to-school swap party.

The pencil box your child wanted last fall may still look brand new and she may not want it anymore but your neighbor's child does. Even pocket folders with slightly worn edges can be someone else's treasure. A swap party gives you the chance to recycle school supplies and clothes just sitting around your house while also keeping your money in your purse.

Hold Off Buying Trendy Stuff

Don’t buy trendy items like backpack, lunch boxes and pencil cases before school starts. Kids may love a version they find in July, but once they start school and see that their friends are all using another kind, they'll beg you to buy them something different-- and that only results in wasted money.

Use Cash Back Incentives

Using credit cards with cash back incentives gives you money back on every purchase. It's easy to be tempted to spend more because you're getting cash back, so be smart and still stay in your budget.

Online Coupons

Sign up for coupon sites like The StarPress’ Moms Like Me, and Gilt Groupe to grab up big savings on everything from school supplies to clothes and accessories. Gilt Groupe offers discounts on designer clothing, a big plus if you have teenagers with expensive taste.

Shop All Year for School Supplies

Keep an eye on school supplies all year to make the most of deep discounts. You know your kids will always need pencils and paper for school. A quick glance at the sales papers will help you stay ahead of the game and keep cost down.

Stockpile Clothes Seasons Ahead

Both retail stores and outlets need to move merchandise fast as one season comes to a close and another is about to begin. By thinking ahead, you can walk away with children clothes for a few dollars (and even find a few for yourself!).

Watch for sales and buy the size your child will be next year. Stockpiling clothes you've bought ahead of time will really maximize your savings.

These days, most of us live much of our lives on the Internet: it's how we apply for jobs, how we communicate with our friends and family, and how we do most of our shopping. As a result, criminals have become increasingly sneaky about their attempts to steal our personal information. As you interact with the web world, here are a few tricky scams to watch out for:

Gift Card Purchases
It seems like a great deal: Web sites that offer the ability to purchase gift cards at a discounted rate. We all want to save a few bucks at our favorite shops and restaurants. But there is often a catch when the gift cards arrive in the mail and they or fraudulent--or even worse, they never arrive at all. Scammers have learned that they can prey on your thriftiness by creating fake bargains, and then leaving you empty-handed. Although it might sound like a bargain, your best bet is to make sure that you are purchasing gift cards first-hand from a business or at trusted retailers like a drug store or book shop.

Buying Coupons
This scam is similar to the offer of fake gift cards. Trying to cash in on tough financial times, many phony Web sites offer to sell bulk coupons for unbelievable discounts. Once again, your credit card gets charged, and you're left with nothing to show for it. If you want to become a smart coupon user, you'd better grab the scissors and cut them out of your Sunday paper.

Paid Job Opportunities
Have you ever heard of a job offer that could help you get rich quick while you sit on your couch? We all have! Many shifty companies will now provide job offers you can't refuse--if you're willing to invest some money upfront in expensive curriculum or training materials. Don't fall for it! An employer should be paying you--not the other way around! If you are looking for job opportunities, make sure you are checking legitimate sources like official Web sites, newspapers, and local job boards.

Senior Financial Scams
Some of the most frustrating and saddening theft attempts are those carried out against senior citizens. Many companies will attempt deceitful phone solicitations or mail campaigns that take advantage of the elderly. Be wary of any organization that attempts to manipulate power of attorney, use caution when suspicious phone calls or mail are received, and check references of all hired help. Senior citizens should be able to make informed financial decisions with the assistance of financial professionals who are trained to recognize scams.

Debt Reduction Opportunities
If you find yourself buried in debt, the offer of debt consolidation might seem like the only way out. The problem is that many companies that recommend these services end up taking advantage of people. If you are working with a debt consolidation or debt reduction agency, make sure that you research their history and ask clear, detailed questions about all fees that might be incurred. You should never have to pay extra money to get out of debt!

If you want a place that can help you recognize and avoid these and other financial scams, it is smart to start with your local credit union staff members. They are trained to recognize deceptive practices and can help you make smart choices with your money. If you live, work, worship or go to school in Delaware County, then WGE Federal Credit Union can help keep your money safe. Call or visit us today for more information!

In today’s modern financial world, credit unions are faced with challenges perhaps like never before. These entities in the financial world continue to disappear – largely because of mergers or acquisitions. Due to changing demographics, changes in consumer or business needs, negative economic conditions, new competition, rising costs and risks, regulatory and/or income pressures, remaining credit unions are being forced to examine their operation and improve upon their service to the community. 

These challenges would be a difficult task on their own merit, but with the inequities facing credit unions compared to banks, it makes the tasks that much more difficult. Banks have the ability to increase capital operating levels by issuing stock. Although this is not always a magic solution, it nevertheless is a benefit credit unions do not enjoy. 

Credit unions must become more inventive in how they operate – including opening of new charters, extending the common business model to leverage other financial and non-financial, non-interest income sources, forming relationships with other credit unions and CUSOs to obtain business to business opportunities -- just a few of the options credit unions must consider.

Credit union’s challenge will be striking a balance between protecting the culture and traditions of customer service and improving their financial viability to remain a secure and solid option for years to come.

For most people, a home mortgage loan is the largest debt they will take on in their lifetime. Committing to a mortgage and buying a home can be very scary for a number of reasons. Below are the most common fears and concerns when starting the home loan process.

Fear #1: Lenders are intimidating
Some people feel uncomfortable sharing with a “stranger” how much money they have in savings, their income, and all the bills they are paying. It’s no secret that everyone has debt. Most lenders work on a commission basis, so they are happy to help you in the best way possible. If you still feel uncomfortable, just switch lenders.

Fear #2: Hidden fees
This was a big concern for so many that the government actually stepped in and fees are now regulated with the Good Faith Estimate (GFE). This estimate includes an itemized list of fees and costs and must be supplied within three business days of applying for the loan.

Fear #3: Credit report
Pulling your credit report multiple times will not reduce your credit score as some people believe. Multiple credit report inquiries is perfectly normal when you are shopping around for the best rate and terms for a home loan. Credit agencies understand this and it will not affect your over all FICO credit score.  

I hope dispelling this fears will put you on the right track for home loans. If you have any questions, or not sure where to start, you can visit our home mortgage section, or contact us anytime.