Reach your financial goals
 

HOW TO REACH YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS THIS YEAR

It’s a new year and the perfect time to set your goals for financial success. Here are four tips to help you get your finances in order.
 
  • Create a Budget - Knowing where your money goes is the first step to gain control of your finances. Creating a budget is easy with the right resources. Using a budget calculator is a quick way to determine how much you are spending and where you can make improvements. If you have a Georgia United checking account, use the free financial tools available in Online Banking or our Mobile App. In just a few clicks you can categorize your expenses, gain a better understanding of your spending patterns and quickly create a budget.    
  • Reduce Your Debt - Reducing your debt frees up your income so you can plan for a better future. If you are paying high interest rates on loans, consider refinancing your home, vehicle or student loans for a lower rate or more favorable terms. Taking out a personal loan to consolidate multiple debts may also be a good solution. There are a wide range of unexpected events that could leave you and your family scrambling to pay monthly bills. Adding a loan protection plan can help safeguard your family and credit score against these types of events, by ensuring loan payments can be made on time. 
  • Increase Your Savings - One of the most effective tools for preventing a financial disaster is an emergency fund, an amount of money that is set aside to cover unexpected expenses. Keep your funds in a separate savings account and plan to add to it on a regular basis, in an amount you can reasonably afford, until it reaches your goal value. Once you have an emergency fund, start saving for your short and long-term goals such as upcoming vacations, special purchases or for future retirement. Try our financial calculators to estimate how much your savings could grow over time based on interest rates and your contributions.
  • Develop Good Money Habits - Always pay your bills on time and keep your balances low. Automate payments when possible so that you never miss a payment due date. Utilize Online Banking to monitor your account for suspicious activity. Reviewing your credit reports from Equifax, Experian and Transunion can help you catch identity theft early. From now through April 2021, annualcreditreport.com is offering free weekly credit reports from all three reporting agencies. Lastly, be sure to visit our Learning Center frequently for articles, videos and webinars on a variety of financial topics because it's never too early or too late to learn money management skills.

 

Auto Loans


AUTO LOAN RATES AS LOW AS 2.45% APR*

If you're looking for a new or pre-owned vehicle, Georgia United offers competitive low-rate loans that could help you save money. There are no application fees, flexible payment terms and up to 100% financing. Applying is easy with our quick online application. 

Travel


A SMART FINANCIAL TIP FROM COACH KIRBY SMART

Start the year off right with a plan to improve your credit score. Coach Kirby Smart offers some practical tips that you can use today to start building or repairing your credit. Watch this short video to see why improving your credit score is a Smart thing to do. 

WATCH NOW

  

Avoid Tax Scams
 

TIPS TO AVOID TAX SCAMS 

Stay ahead of scammers this tax season with these helpful tips. The IRS does not use email, text messages or any social media to discuss personal tax issues involving bills or refunds. The IRS will not call you demanding immediate payment, asking for your credit or debit card numbers or requiring you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card. Additionally, the local police or other law-enforcement groups will not be called to have you arrested for not paying. For more information on tax scams, visit irs.gov and type 'scam' in the search box. 

 

Tax Refund
 

GET THE MOST FROM YOUR TAX REFUND

Get the most out of your tax refund this year with TurboTax. When it's time to file your taxes, TurboTax makes it easy by asking you simple questions then gives you the tax deductions and credits you’re eligible for based on your answers. From simple to complex taxes, TurboTax has you covered. 
 
Wireless Bill
 

SAVE MONEY ON YOUR WIRELESS BILL

As you budget for the new year, consider how much you currently pay for wireless service. As a Georgia United member, you could save money on your monthly wireless bill by switching to Tracfone. You have the option to keep your phone, number and network, with no contract or hidden fees.
 
Wish Tree Recap
 

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Thank you for making the Georgia United Foundation's 30th annual Wish Tree a success! A total of 1,455 gifts were delivered to deserving children in Georgia's foster care program thanks to your kindness and generosity. While 2020 was an especially challenging year, together we were able to grant the wishes of children who may have been forgotten during the holidays. 

 

Can Hunger
 

HELP CAN HUNGER

One in seven people struggles with hunger in Georgia. That's why each year, the Georgia United Foundation holds a canned food drive in February, when food pantries tend to run low after the holidays. You can participate in this worthy cause by making a donation to the Can Hunger fund online or at one of our drive-up branch locations. All donations collected will be used by local food banks to purchase bulk food items. 
 
Scholarships
 

$30K IN SCHOLARSHIPS

Graduating high school members who are planning to attend college or trade school in the fall, can apply for Georgia United Foundation's High School Scholarship Competition now through February 28. A total of $30,000 will be awarded in six scholarship opportunities. Consideration will be given to scholastic achievement, demonstrated leadership, community service and creativity. 
 
 

GEORGIA UNITED BOARD MEMBERS FOR RENEWAL IN 2021

Our Board of Directors are member-elected volunteers that act as member advocates regarding policies and operations within the credit union. This year, there are three board members eligible to renew their three-year terms on Georgia United’s Board of Directors.

  • Steve Geddes has been with the Department of Audits and Accounts at the State of Georgia for 19 years, currently serving as Director of Data Analytics and Process Improvement. Prior to working with the State, Mr. Geddes worked in telecommunications consulting, logistics and transportation, and in manufacturing. He was appointed to Georgia United Credit Union’s Board in 2020.

  • Reverend Mark Starr is Administrator of St. John Paul II Catholic Mission in Gainesville. Prior to being ordained, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, a Master of Arts in Philosophy from Mt. St. Mary’s University and a Master of Divinity from Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary. He was appointed to Georgia United Credit Union’s Board in 2020.

  • Frank Thach served as the Department Director of Finance Management for the Georgia Finance Commission. He joined State Employees Credit Union in 1985 and was appointed to the Audit Committee in 1988. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1990, elected as Vice-Chair in 1994 and was Chair of the Board from 2005 until the merger with Georgia United in 2011.

Nominating procedures: According to Georgia United's Bylaws, director nominations may also be made by petition. If you would like a copy of Georgia United's nominating and petition procedures, please contact Aubrey Whittier.

Save the date: The Annual Shareholders' Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 28, at 2 pm. Due to ongoing developments with COVID-19, an official announcement will be made in March 2021.

UPCOMING HOLIDAY CLOSINGS  

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 18, 2021

Presidents' Day
Monday, February 15, 2021

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. Visit our website for a full list of holiday closings. 

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate with rates as low as listed rate. All Credit Union loan programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change at any time without notice. All loans are subject to pricing adjustments based on the borrower’s credit worthiness and loan-to-value.

**Items transmitted using this service are not subject to the funds availability requirements of the Federal Reserve Board Regulation CC. Deposits accepted using this service will be available within five days. Georgia United may make such funds available sooner.