GET FINANCIALLY FIT IN THE NEW YEAR

If you've resolved to improve your finances in 2020, reducing your credit card debt should be a top priority. In 2019, the typical household in Georgia carried an average balance of $6,569 in revolving credit card debt.¹ With the addition of interest rate charges and fees, rising balances can make it difficult to pay little more than the minimum due, costing you more and extending payment terms. 

Debt can be overwhelming but with focused planning, you can be on the path to financial freedom. The first step in taking control of your finances is to understand your income vs. expenses. Creating a customized budget using a budgeting calculator can help you define where you want your money to go and decide how much extra you can set aside for debt payments.

The next step is to start tackling your credit card debt. There are many strategies to paying off debt quickly but the “right one” is the one that you will stick with until the debt is paid. A few methods to consider include:

Avalanche Method – Paying off credit card balances in the order of highest interest rate to the lowest, while making minimum payments on other credit cards.

Snowball Method – Paying off the smallest credit card balance first, regardless of rate, while making minimum payments on other credit cards. 

Balance Transfer – Transfer your credit card balances to a different card with a lower interest rate. A lower interest rate will reduce added interest charges which may help you pay off the balance quicker. 

No matter what plan you follow, the sooner you deal with your debt, the faster it will be paid off, giving you the freedom to do more with your money. 

4 TAX BREAKS FOR HOMEOWNERS

Buying a home is a smart investment that gives you the flexibility to choose your community, enjoy greater privacy, build equity and enjoy tax benefits. When filing your taxes this year, consider these homeownership tax breaks that could save you money.

TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT MONEY

If you have children or grandchildren, you can enrich their lives in many ways. One of the most important things you can teach them is how to manage their money. Learning good financial habits early in life can be instrumental in helping them make positive decisions in the future. 

DON'T GET REELED IN BY A PHISHING SCAM 

Phishing is a scam where fraudsters send emails or websites posing as a legitimate company to entice victims in providing their personal and financial information. Avoid the bait by deleting emails with suspicious links that may have misspellings, poor grammar or that require your bank account, credit or debit card number information. Georgia United will never ask you for your account passwords or personal identification numbers. If you receive such a request, report it to our Member Care Center.

SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION

If you’re a high school senior graduating in 2020 and planning to attend college or a trade school in the fall, don’t forget to apply for Georgia United Foundation’s 26^th annual High School Scholarship Competition. A total of four scholarships will be awarded to our young members based on a one-minute video submission answering the question, “How will you use your education to help your community?" Videos and online applications will be accepted now through February 28, at 11:59 pm. Don’t miss out!  

HELP US CAN HUNGER

Approximately 1 in 7 people in Georgia struggle with hunger and turn to food banks for help.² Food insecurity is a year-round problem but donations tend to decline after the holidays.  Please join us February 3 – 28, for Georgia United Foundation's 7^th annual Can Hunger food drive, as we help restock the shelves of local food pantries.  Visit one of our 19-branch locations to drop off non-perishable items or make a monetary donation to help purchase food items in bulk to help our neighbors in need.

PROMOTIONS & EVENTS

• Open a new Georgia United credit card and enjoy a $0 balance transfer fee and low introductory rate.*

• Submit report cards and volunteer essays online by January 31, for the Pays for A's & Pay it Forward programs.

• Register for a complimentary Home Buying Seminar at a location near you. Seminars start February 11 and will be held throughout the year.  Both first-time buyers and experienced homeowners will learn the latest market trends from our mortgage professionals.

• Submit High School Scholarship video applications online by February 28.

• Donate to the Can Hunger food drive February 3-28, at all Georgia United branches.

UPCOMING HOLIDAY CLOSINGS

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday, January 20

 Presidents' Day

 Monday, February 17

  For a complete list of holiday closings, please visit our website. Don't forget you can bank from the comfort of your home with Online Banking or deposit a check using Georgia United's Mobile App, even when our branches are closed. 

 Stay Connected With Us! 

*Introductory 1.99% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is available on purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles. Balance transfers must occur within the first three billing cycles of account opening to qualify for the introductory rate. Balance transfers incur interest charges from the transaction date. After introductory period, your APR will be a variable rate and may change based on Prime Rate, as of 11/27/19, rates are 9.49% to 22.99% for the Platinum Visa Credit Card and 11.49% to 22.99% for the Cash Back Visa Signature Card. Qualified rates vary based on credit history and underwriting factors. Not all applicants will qualify. To avoid paying interest on purchases, you must pay the entire balance by the due date, including transferred balances under this promotion. For other fees that may apply, call 888.493.4328 or see our credit card disclosure. All credit union loan programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice.

[2] Source: Feeding America, Georgia

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