Official Publication of North Georgia Credit Union.
From The President
July 2012
Saturday Drive-Thru Available at Hartwell
The Hartwell Branch Drive-Thru is now open on Saturdays
from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Are You Living Within Your
Means?
In today’s credit card culture, millions of Americans are living beyond their
means. This situation can develop slowly and can be difficult to identify until it
is a veritable house of cards on a blustery day.
Dear Members,
Summer is here, and we hope you are able to
get out and enjoy it. One of the great things
about summer is that it provides a break from
schedule and routine. But that can also be
a challenge when it comes to taking care of
your financial business. North Georgia Credit
Union is committed to helping you enjoy your
summer. We offer you many ways to access
your funds and pay your bills whenever you
need to and wherever you are. When you are
traveling, you can count on ATM access and
your debit card to provide the convenient
payment options you need.
We also can help you keep up with the things
you leave behind. Use mobile banking, home
banking and bill pay to keep up with your daily
financial business and check your balance
and account activity. Have your paycheck
automatically deposited with direct deposit, and
set up payroll deduction to pay your loan, even
when you won’t have time to think about it.
We can even help you fill all the free time
you’ll have this summer. See the information
in this newsletter about discounts to summer
attractions you can receive as a member of
North Georgia Credit Union.
We want you to have a spectacular summer.
Enjoy every minute, and we’ll help you take
care of business. We look forward to serving
you this summer.
Sincerely,
Brian Akin
President
Once people start down the slippery slope of accumulating debt, it is difficult
for them to pull themselves out of the pit. Don’t let it happen to you. Watch for
the following warning signs and, if necessary, reign in spending before you find
yourself in debt over your head:
1. You can only afford to make the minimum payment on your credit card(s).
2. Your expenses exceed your income.
3. You don’t have money on-hand to cover unexpected expenses (such as
car repairs or medical bills).
4. You are not able to save at least a small percentage of each paycheck.
5. You must use more than 36 percent of your gross monthly income to pay
your monthly debt.
6. You come close to running out of money at the end of
each month.
7. Your housing expenses exceed 30% of your gross salary.
8. You drive a very expensive luxury
car, but can’t afford to purchase
a house rather than rent an
apartment.
By committing to live within your
means, you can prevent a lifetime of financial disasters. And
chances are, in the future you’ll
be able to afford many of the
things on which you are tempted
to overspend in the present.
Holiday Closings
Independence Day
Wednesday, July 4
Labor Day
Monday, September 3
Columbus Day
Monday, October 8
NGCU Service
Awards
Congratulations to Brandy Floyd
who recently received a 5-Year
Service Award.
Eight Ways People
Waste Money
If you waste money on little things or things you
don’t need, you will have less to spend on what
matters to you. Avoid these common ways people
waste money:
Celebrate Your
With a North Georgia Credit
Union Checking Account
1. A daily cup of coffee from a coffee shop. The
Denver Post recently reported that drinking
coffee away from home daily costs nearly
$1,100 per year.
2. Eating lunch out. People who eat lunch out five
days a week spend roughly $2,500 annually.
3. Cigarettes. People who smoke a pack a day
spend about $2,000 a year on cigarettes.
4. Paying too much for insurance. Many people
who would opt to pay out of pocket for $500
worth of damage to their vehicle rather than
risk higher insurance premiums, choose a $250
deductible. That means they are paying too
much for their insurance. Consider a $1,000
deductible to lower your insurance costs.
5. Not taking advantage of matching funds.
If your employer offers matching funds for a
retirement fund, you are wasting money if you
don’t take full advantage of it.
6. Buying new. A car begins to depreciate the
minute you drive it off the lot. You can maximize
your investment by buying used.
7. Buying name brands. If you save just $25 a
week, that’s at least $100 a month you could
be using for something else! Products like pain
relievers, milk and margarine are exactly the
same as name brands.
8. Forgetting the hidden costs of car
ownership. When you choose your car, don’t
forget to check how
much it will cost to
insure your vehicle
and fill its tank.
Main Office
1067 Mize Road
P.O. Box 280
Toccoa, GA 30577
(706) 886-1441
Fax: (706) 886-3757
Lavonia Branch Office
11823 Augusta Rd., Suite 1
Lavonia, GA 30553
(706) 356-7001
Fax: (706) 356-7008
Don’t let your high-fee checking account hold
you prisoner. Declare your freedom with a FREE
checking account from North Georgia Credit Union.
Our free checking account offers something for
NOTHING:
• Free home banking when you choose
eStatements
• Free bill pay when you choose eStatements
• Free Visa® debit card
• Free Mobile banking
And NOTHING you don’t want:
• No monthly fee
• No per-check charges
• No minimum balance
• No-fee use of NGCU ATMs (Toccoa, Lavonia
and Hartwell offices and Stephens County
Hospital)
You’ll have plenty of reasons to celebrate when you
choose a checking account at North Georgia Credit
Union. For more information, call (706) 886-1441
(Main Office), (706) 356-7001 (Lavonia Branch), or
(706) 376-6961 (Hartwell Branch). You can also visit
our Web site: www.ngcu.org.
Six Flags
North Georgia Credit Union offers members discounted Six
Flags tickets. Tickets are available for only $35 each. $2 of
each ticket sale will be donated to our state’s Credit Union
Political Action Committee (CUPAC).
Biltmore House, Gardens, Winery and Antler Hill Village
NGCU members can also enjoy generous discounts on
daytime admission to Biltmore House, Gardens, Winery and
Antler Hill Village with a special Web page just for you. Visit
www.biltmore.com/ngcu. When prompted use promo code:
ngcu. For assistance, call (866) 851-4661.
Hartwell Branch Office
249 East Franklin Street
Hartwell, GA 30643
(706) 376-6961
Fax: (706) 376-3184
www.ngcu.org
Lobby Hours
(Toccoa, Lavonia & Hartwell)
Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Drive-Thru Hours
(Toccoa & Hartwell)
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Management Team
Brian Akin,
President/CEO
Laura Williams,
Vice President
Brooke Stowe,
Toccoa Branch Manager
Sharon Parten,
Hartwell Branch Manager
Bridget Ginn,
Lavonia Branch Manager
Robin Bridges,
Data Processing & Operations Manager
Sonya Long,
Lending and Collections Manager
Ephemia Smith,
Member Service Officer
Directors
Tony Thomas,
Chairman
Juanita Worley,
Vice-Chairman
Michael Herron,
Secretary
Keith Cheek,
Treasurer
James Norris,
Supervisory Committee Chairman
Deborah Gibby
Marvin Harrison
Federally Insured by NCUA