Most people break their resolutions by June.
How to mess up
your budget in a hurry
A budget helps you control your money, instead of the other way
around. If your budget isn’t working for you, it may be due to one
or more of the mistakes below.
Lean,
Clean
& Green
1. Relentless optimism. Positivity is admirable, but most people will need
replacement tires, air conditioner repairs or medical expenses at some point.
E-Statements simplify your finances
Free, secure and eco-friendly —
E-Statements are PDF files that contain
all the same information as paper
statements. The only difference is they
are delivered securely through Virtual
Branch online banking instead of
through the mail.
E-Statement Benefits
• Free: No-cost, safe access to Virtual
Branch and E-Statements (up to 18
months of statements)
• Fraud deterrence: Eliminate the paper
trail and reduce your chance of mail
fraud or identity theft
• Immediate access: View, download and
print your statement the day it
becomes available
• Convenient, centralized storage: No
more disorganized stacks of clutter in
your home office
• Eco-friendly: E-Statements help reduce MWRD ECU’s carbon footprint as well
as paper and energy usage.
Go paperless today! Log in to Virtual
Branch, select Self-Service, then
Additional Services > E-Statements.
100 E. Erie St.
Chicago, IL 60611
2.Shoulder-shrug recordkeeping. If you have no idea how much your
morning lattes cost or how many times you visit the non-network $3-pervisit ATM, it is much easier to assume that you have funds in your account
to cover the mortgage and all the checks you’ve written.
3. Time flexibility. Seeing payment due dates as more of a suggestion will
result in your creditors tending to tack late fees onto your total balance.
4. Cash on hand. Who doesn’t love the feeling of a fat stack of bills in their
wallet? (Answer: People who know that money makes more money when
it’s safe in an interest-bearing account, far from everyday temptations.)
5. Aspirational spending. No, you’re not a CEO of a Fortune 500 Company,
but don’t you deserve to live like one? The latest electronics, luxury vacations
and 5-star restaurants are only budget busters when you haven’t saved up the
cost of the bill ahead of time.
Since we DON’T want you to blow your budget, please expect some rainy
days ahead, track your expenses, pay your bills on time, take advantage of
direct deposit for your paycheck, and set money aside for the special purchases
and events in your life! Need help setting up direct deposit or a new savings
account? We’re here to help members succeed.
The “Financial Tools and Resources” tab at MyCreditUnion.gov includes
a variety of helpful tools. And if you could use help with specific money
questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Contact any of our friendly representatives at
312-751-3111, or stop in and see us today!
As a MWRD ECU member, you have access to FREE financial education
and counseling. Accel counselors are available MonThurs 8 am-12 am, Fri 8 am-7 pm and Sat 9 am-1 pm
(EST). Simply call 1-877-33ACCEL (332-2235) or visit
www.accelservices.org.
NMLS# 433914
Rates are on the rise...
Lock in your low-cost financing
with us before they go up again!
INSIDE...
This is your year.
• How to Sabotage
Your Budget
• Lean, Clean & Green
• Banish Your Balance Blues
• Set-and-forget Savings
• Annual Meeting
Notice
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Credit Union
Holidays
Banish Your
Balance
Blues!
Lincoln’s Birthday
Friday, Feb. 12*
Presidents Day
Monday, Feb. 15
*Please note: since Friday, Feb. 12th is a payroll
day, we will be open regular hours on Thursday,
Feb. 11th at Stickney.
Remember, you have access to your accounts online at
www.mwrdecu.org or at 1-855-391-3788. PLUS,
access cash from thousands of surcharge-free ATMs.
To locate one near you, visit our website and select
ATM Locator under “Helpful Links”.
Annual MEETING
ANNOUNCEMENT
Please join the Board and
Staff for our Annual
Meeting on March 23,
2016. We’ll review the
events of 2015 and
discuss plans for 2016,
followed by a social
hour. Refreshments will be
served. Remember, you are a member/owner,
and you have a voice in the credit union. Hope
to see you there!
IT’S A NEW YEAR — LET’S MAKE A NEW PLAN!
If you owe money on high-interest credit card bills, our Visa Balance Transfer1
special is an exciting opportunity to lower your monthly costs! From
February 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016, the interest rate for all balances
from outside creditors transferred to your MWRD ECU Visa Platinum will be
just 2.99% APR* for 12 months.
Don’t pay 15%, 18% or even 29% for your holiday,
travel, electronics, medical or other bills. Transfer
your balance to your credit union credit card,
and you’ll pay less for every item in the long run
because your interest rate will be dramatically
lower! Complete a Balance Transfer Form at
www.mwrdecu.org or ask us for one today!
2
If you would like to be considered as a candidate
for the Board of Directors by the Nominating
Committee for the next election, please submit a
request and a brief statement of qualifications to
the Credit Union office or to any member of the
Credit Union’s Board of Directors.
.99%
APR*
Balance Transfers
for transfers
2/1/16 - 3/31/16
Don’t carry our card yet?
No reason to miss out on low-cost credit! Apply now and enjoy our low
introductory 2.90% APR* for every credit transaction in the next 12 months.
*APR=Annual Percentage Rate, subject to change. Not a promise to lend; standard credit qualifications and some restrictions apply.
1 Offer does not apply to balances at MWRD Employees’ Credit Union. 2.99% APR* is a limited time offer, valid only on balances transferred
February 1, 2016 through March 31, 2016, subject to change without notice. Balance transfers made up to credit card holder’s approved credit
limit. Balances on other credit accounts may not be paid in full if credit card holder does not have a sufficient credit limit. Credit Union is not
responsible for balance transfer payments that are lost or delayed in the mail. Card holder is responsible for all credit accounts until they are
confirmed paid in full by original lender. Rates after special 2.99% APR* period based on applicant’s credit score and range from 9.90% APR to
19.90% APR. Credit and cash advance limits vary accordingly. Missed or late payments will result in revocation of the special rate; credit card
holder will then pay the Penalty rate. Penalty rate is 24.9% APR. Complete Visa Platinum terms and conditions available at www.mwrdecu.org.
#
NMLS# 433914
www.mwrdecu.org
24 hr. Audio Response 312-751-5868
(Toll-free 1-855-391-3788)
Fax 312-751-6125
Main Office: 312-751-3111
100 E. Erie St. • Chicago, IL 60611
Hours:
M, T, Th, F 8:30am-4:00pm
W 8:30am-12:30pm
Stickney Office: 708-588-3885
6001 W. Pershing Rd. (Cafeteria Level)
Stickney, IL 60804
Hours:
T, F 7:30am-3:30pm
Spice up your NEXT Season with our Holiday Club
Holiday expenses can throw even the most careful budget off track.
Make it easier this year with our Holiday Club! Set aside just a little each
month through payroll deduction to quickly build a significant balance.
For example, save $50 each pay period starting now and you could have
over $900 by November! Complete the form below and return it by
mail, in person or via messenger service to get started right away!
Lost or Stolen Debit Card
Annual rate, compounded quarterly on the average daily balance and paid annually on October 31.
800-523-4175
q Yes! Let’s set up my Holiday Club account!
Lost or Stolen Visa Credit Card
Name _______________________________________________________________
800-325-3678
Phone (Days) ________________________________________________________
Providing your email allows you to receive communication, notices and promotions from the credit union. We do not
transmit account numbers or specific account information via email. We do not share your email address with outside
organizations, and you may opt out at any time.
#
Email _______________________________________________________________
Federally insured
by NCUA
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