December 2011

Welcome to wealthE-NEWS, brought to you by United Educators Credit Union. Thank you very much for your interest in this service! Our goal through this monthly newsletter is to keep you updated on consumer tips and money management information, as well as credit union news and announcements.

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MONEY MANAGEMENT

• Know Your Priorities to Make Holidays Special
• Holiday Shopping Alert
• Did You Know?
• December Tip of the Month

WHAT'S NEW CU?

• 2nd Annual Holiday Mitten & Hat Drive
• Unwrap Cash for the Holidays
• 2012 United Educators Foundation Scholarships
• Randi's a Grand Prize Finalist in Photo Contest...She Needs Your Help to Win
• Hurry! Use Visa® Card and Enter to Win Tickets to Super Bowl XLVI
• Holiday Hours

MONEY MANAGEMENT

Know Your Priorities to Make Holidays Special

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or the solstice, the holiday season can be stressful - with financial stress often playing a large role.

Figure out what makes the holidays special for you and your family and allocate most of your spending to those things. Maybe there are other, less important things you can scale back or skip.

For instance, if you love hosting a lavish holiday dinner but are ho-hum about festive holiday clothing, don't buy that new outfit. Budget more for your dinner instead. The key is to set priorities and identify the important things.

And remember that handmade or homemade goodies, charitable gifts, or the gift of time can mean much more to recipients than presents. Here are a few ideas:

• Give loved ones a framed photograph of a place or event that is special to both of you.
• Make a charitable contribution in someone else's name. Give to a fund that person believes in.
• Offer to help with a project around the house, take a friend to lunch, or just go for a walk together.
• Give baked goods or pre-made dinners to family or friends.
• Offer to pet sit or baby-sit free of charge.

The holidays tend to bring people together. "So if you have a bad relationship it's a great gift to mend it and make amends," says Rob Severson, a financing coach in Deep Haven, Minn. "You'll be a lot happier if you don't wait and it will probably mean a lot more than a box of candy."

The holidays are about being focused on others, which actually makes it easier to budget. The less self-centered you are, the less likely you are to have financial issues from spending every nickel on yourself.

Generally the holidays require some gift buying. To help get ahead on next year's shopping, set up a holiday account at UECU today. Call us at 800-229-CU4U.

Copyright 2011 Credit Union National Association Inc. Information subject to change without notice. For use with members of a single credit union. All other rights reserved.

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Holiday Shopping Alert

With all the different ways you can shop for holiday gifts, it's important to be aware of potential scams. Criminals are working hard to get their hands on your money and financial information. To help reduce the risk, CUNA Mutual Group has provided some information on a list of potential scams along with tips for a safer and smarter holiday shopping season.

Many of you may be using your mobile device and computers for holiday shopping and so will the cyber scammers. Mobile device is the top threat this year based on the increase of mobile malware (malicious software) and malicious apps. We wanted to make you aware of all the potential threats in order to safeguard your funds and personal information.

Here are some potential holiday scam and tips to be aware of:

• Be cautious when looking for free mobile apps - may be an attempt to steal information.
• Watch for malicious screensavers, ring tones and e-cards.
• Watch for purchase offers of fake anti-virus software - this scam may trick you into purchasing software.
• Secure your computer - at minimum, have anti-virus, anti-spyware and a firewall.
• Remember to turn off your computer when you're done shopping.
• Watch for social media scams - phony Facebook and Twitter sites or other online promotions and contests.
• Beware of scammers advertising popular holiday items.
• Check out the seller of items - research before you buy.
• Don't fall for the mystery shopping scam asking you to shop for $XX dollars (ex: $100).
• Online coupon scams may ask you for personal or financial information using email.
• Holiday phishing scams - Don't fall for emails, text messages or phone calls asking for personal or financial information.
• Monitor credit, debit and account numbers used for your holiday shopping to help identify any unauthorized usage.
• If any offer or item sounds too good to be true, it's probably a scam.

If you come across any scams while you're shopping this season, make sure to report them to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.org  or call toll-free 1-877-FTC-Help (1-877-382-4357).

@CUNA Mutual Group, 2011.

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Did You Know?

The IRS is looking to return $153.3 Million in undelivered tax refund checks. In all 99,123 taxpayers are due refund checks this year that could not be delivered because of mailing address errors. The average refund check is $1,547. If you believe your refund check may have been returned to the IRS, use the "Where's My Refund" tool on www.irs.gov .

You can put an end to the lost, stolen or undelivered tax refund checks by choosing direct deposit when you file either paper or electronic returns. You can receive funds directly into your credit union account, split a tax return into two or three financial accounts or even buy a savings bond. Choosing to e-file is highly recommended by the IRS because it eliminates the risk of lost or stolen paper returns, and reduces errors on tax returns which speeds up refunds. Click here to visit our Tax Resources web page that has federal and state tax information along with instructions on to direct deposit your tax return into your UECU account.

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December TIP OF THE MONTH:

The Near Year is a Time for Hats and Horns - and Resolutions

Your credit union offers low-rate options for all your financial needs. One study pegs the member benefit at about $240 a year per household, or $10.9 billion* a year for all members.

Keep more of your money in the New Year. Talk to us about switching all of your accounts to the credit union, where you'll pay lower fees and lower interest rates to borrow, and earn more on savings.

That calls for hats and horns!

* Source: CUNA Economics & Statistics

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2nd Annual Holiday Mitten & Hat Drive
December 1 - 31, 2011

United Educators Credit Union is holding its second annual Holiday Mitten & Hat Drive. Share the warmth this holiday season and donate new mittens & hats through the month of December to benefit local elementary schools around the metro area.

Tis the time for giving this season. Drop off or mail your donation to any credit union branch office. Click here for our branch office locations.

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Unwrap Some Extra Cash for the Holidays!

There's still time to take advantage of a low-rate loan from UECU this holiday season. You could upgrade your vehicle for the winter months ahead, start the New Year off right by consolidating debt, or purchase that special holiday gift. We have a variety of holiday funding options including our low rate signature loans and Visa Credit Card. Or, save money every month by refinancing an auto loan or consolidate credit card debt with our Visa® balance transfer program.

With the holidays only weeks away, speak with one of our experienced loan officers who will help you find a solution for your unique needs and budget. Click here to contact us today!

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2012 United Educators Scholarships Program

Over $18,000 Available

Applications for the United Educators Foundation Scholarship Awards program are now available. The Foundation will grant three $1,000 Student Awards, one $2,000 Educator Award, and one $1,500 Education Major Award. The deadline for these awards is Friday, February 10, 2012. Click here for more information and application details.

MN Family Involvement Council (FIC) Scholarships
The FIC is offering $12,000 in college scholarships to Minnesota credit union members who are continuing their education. Any credit union member attending a college or university, graduate or law school, 2-4 year program or community or technical college in the fall of 2012/spring 2013 is eligible.

Applications for the FIC awards are available online at http://mnfic.org/scholar.htm . The deadline to apply for the FIC awards is February 1, 2012.

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Vote for Randi in Youth Photo Contest

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Visa® Super Bowl XLVI Sweepstakes

When you use your UECU Visa® Platinum Credit Card or Visa Debt Card between now and December 27, 2011, you'll be automatically entered for a chance to go to Super Bowl XLVI for you and 10 friends. The more you use your card, the more chances you have to win!

The Grand Prize includes:

• Trip for winner and 10 friends
• Airfare to Indianapolis
• 5 days, 4 nights hotel accommodations
• Transportation to and from the event
• $100 prepaid Visa cards for the winner and his or her guests

For more information, visit visa.com/NFL .

NO PURCHASE OR OBLIGATION NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN VISA SUPER BOWL XLVI SWEEPSTAKES. Non-Purchase Entries and Purchase Entries have an Equal Chance of Winning. Open to legal U.S. residents, 18 or older as of 9/8/11. For details on Non-Purchase Entries, see Official Rules [on reverse/below/on enclosed insert] or at visa.com/NFL. PIN-based and ATM transactions are not eligible. Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends 12/27/11. Sponsored solely by Visa U.S.A. Inc.

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Holiday Hours

Please note the credit union's holiday hours:

• In Observance of Christmas - Closed All Day
  Monday, December 26th
• In Observance of New Years Day - Closed All Day
  Monday, January 2nd

Click here to access the UECU Holiday Calendar.

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