Ten Steps to Spring Clean Your Finances.

"When it comes to spring cleaning, you probably haul the junk out of your garage, scrub your fridge, and wash the rugs and drapes. But don’t forget about your personal finances. Just after tax season is the perfect time to perform an annual evaluation and tidying up of your budget, bank accounts, debts, and investments."

Terrific Helpful Hints from TIME Business & Money - article by Martha C. White (not sure if she is related to the Flour - LOL)

But even 10 Steps can seem overwhelming.  CPCU can help you figure out your personal debt reduction and help you create a plan to improve your credit score.

For the FULL article click here: http://business.time.com/2013/04/29/10-steps-to-spring-clean-your-finances/#ixzz2RrYhkFEv

TEXT MESSAGING SCAMS!  BEWARE!

CPCU does NOT TEXT our members with Account Information nor about upcoming Account Closures.  Please do not click on the link or call the phone number included in these suspicious texts should you receive one.  Feel free to contact your local branch if you are concerned about any TEXT messages you may receive pretending to be from CPCU.

FROM wiseGEEK.COM:

"Avoiding getting trapped by a text message scam is possible by following some simple advice. First, people should always remember that financial institutions do not ask for personal information in emails or text messages. Second, they should always check the apparent sender identity — many times, the false text messages are directed at a wide range of people who live in the region of a financial institution, and many consumers receive a notice of account closing from a bank at which the receiver has never had an account. Third, individuals should never contact a financial institution using a link or phone number in an SMS message or email; instead, they should find the contact information published on the bankcard or in the phone book. Fourth, news sources and cell phone carriers are often quick to publish reports of scams when they hit, so keeping an eye out can help people recognize scams and ignore such messages."

For the full article go to:  http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-text-message-scam.htm
CPCU is committed to protecting your accounts and your personal information.

The Financial Rules of Cohabitation

by Andrea Murad

Published April 25, 2013

FOXBusiness

Moving in with a significant other is a big step: both emotionally and financially.

While experts say couples living together should have the same discussions about living arrangements as married couples, they advise unmarried individuals co-habiting take extra financial protections.

Before moving in together, couples should determine if they have shared lifestyles, calculate a budget and agree on who pays from what expenses, says Anna Behnam, an advisor for Ameriprise Financial. Leave emotion out of the decision-making process. “Have a black and white discussion for how you’re going to manage your assets and expenses.”

It’s also important for couples to have an exit plan in case the relationship sours, recommends Randy Kessler, founding partner of Kessler & Solomiany. “You are an individual, even in a relationship.” Agree on the terms of cohabitation and have legal agreements about anything owned together, like houses or cars: any name not on the asset means that person doesn’t have a legal right to it.

For complete article click here: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2013/04/25/financial-rules-cohabitation/#ixzz2RZz16GOn

Oh No Not my Hoopty! Cash for Clunkers!

If you need more information about the government's "Cash for Clunkers" please go to the OFFICIAL U.S. Transportation Department's website about the program. Click here for www.cars.gov

If you took advantage of this program recently click here to find out how Carolina Postal Credit Union can help you save even more money!

If you are thinking about giving up your hoopty...uh...clunker to purchase a new car - be sure and get pre-qualified at your Credit Union first! Members of Carolina Postal Credit Union should click here to apply for an auto loan.

If you have fond memories of your Clunker/Hoopty - please share them by clicking here!

Credit Cards? Nah Credit UNION Cards are the Way to Go!

(June 2009) The New York Times recently published a guest opinion column by two Harvard doctoral students in economics.

Ryan Bubb & Alex Kaufman studied Credit Union Credit Card programs and concluded that they adhere to most if not all standards that the recently-passed Credit Card Act will implement:

"INDUSTRY representatives would have you believe that the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act enacted last month spells the end of the credit card as we know it. President Obama’s proposal last week to create a Consumer Financial Protection Agency to enforce the law has increased the industry’s concerns.

But the example of cards issued by credit unions puts the lie to these claims. Credit unions largely conform to the new rules already, while profitably maintaining the basic features that users know and love."

For the full, informative article please click here! Thank you, Bubb & Kaufman!