Money Management

"Serving the Saratoga
Community since 1945"

Your savings federally insured to
at least $100,000 and backed
by the full faith and credit
of the United States Government
(NCUA)
National Credit Union
Administration,
a U.S. Government Agency

Personal Finance Resource Center

Easy Access to Consumer Information - You're just a click away from online answers to your financial questions. Visit our Home & Family Finance Resource Center to calculate what your car payment could be with a new loan or just browse through the "Leisure & Travel" section to plan your next trip. Buying a home? Check out "Money Guides" for a home buying section that walks you through the entire process. You can search for the latest information on any topic.

Coming Topics in the Resource Center

Starting in February:

	Financial Fitness Challenge: Send us your best money saving strategies for a chance to win Visa gift cards all throughout 2008.
	When It's Time to Get Rid of Your Old Car (featured week of Feb. 4) If you've recently visited the auto repair shop more times than you'd like, it might be time to kiss your old car goodbye-and say hello to one you actually can enjoy.
	Buying Foreclosed Houses Not a Slam-Dunk Deal (featured week of Feb. 11) Getting a good deal on a foreclosed home is a possibility, but you have to take caution.
	HDTV: How One Reporter Bought the Big Picture (featured week of Feb. 18) Consumers face myriad choices when buying HDTVs. One reporter tells about his complex-and expensive-buying decision.
	Find a Reliable Pest Contractor (featured week of Feb. 25) So you have critters in your house. Find someone who can eliminate them once and for all.
	Video: Getting Tax Records Organized This video clip tells how to get your records organized for tax season.

Future Articles

In the March Issue (beginning March 3.):

	Will A Hybrid Car Save You Money? A hybrid vehicle might save you money at the pump, but take a closer look to research total savings.
	Sell, Scrap, or Give: Useful Advice for Your Useless Stuff Imagine how peaceful your living arrangements could be if you cleared out everything you don't need. We'll help you sell, donate, or scrap your unwanted goods.
	Learn About Full-Body Screenings A full-body scan may put your mind at ease, but read on to find out if one is right for you.
	Payday Borrowing Pokes a Hole in Your Pocket One payday loan can mean a lifetime of hard knocks.
	Short-Term Disability Insurance a Safety Net for Ill, Injured Workers Short-term disability insurance can help fill the gap between when you first become disabled and the day private or government long-term disability benefits begin.

Members Financial Network

Steps to Better Money Management
TAKE A 5‑MINUTE FINANCIAL
CHECKUP ON THE INTERNET!

Now help with money management is as close as your computer. Using the information on MEMBERS Financial Network at the link above and your own input, you can evaluate your financial position in minutes.

One of the things you'll find is a 5‑minute financial checkup that can give you a quick picture of how you're doing. There's an online Money Management Workbook that provides a step‑by‑step evaluation of your financial picture ‑ with guidelines, checklists, information and references. There are also 12 financial calculators built into the system.

The workbook covers five important topics:

	Five Steps to Taking Control of Your Money
	Five Steps to Taking Charge of Your Debt
	Five Steps to Evaluating Your Insurance Coverage
	Five Steps to Planning Your Retirement
	Five Steps to Planning for Your Child's College Education

You can take advantage of this valuable resource at no cost or obligation, and it could point out some critical strengths and weaknesses in your overall planning. So take five!

Representatives are registered, securities are sold, and investment advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member NASD/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free (866) 512-6109. Nondeposit investment and insurance products are not federally insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the financial institution. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution, through the financial services program, to make securities available to members. CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., is a registered broker/dealer in all fifty states of the United States of America. The Representative may also be a credit union employee that accepts deposits on behalf of the financial institution.

America's Credit Unions - Where people are worth more than money.

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Keep Your Eye on the Stock Market.

You can get all the financial facts, figures and forecasts you need to keep pace with the markets and stay on top of your investments. CUNA Brokerage, made available by Saratoga's Community FCU, offers complete online brokerage services so you can make informed investment decisions. Whether you want to research stocks, watch the market, get real time quotes or place a trade — CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (member NASD/SIPC) has the tools you need.