A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR ACCLAIM FEDERAL CREDIT UNION MEMBERS

THE
PERMANENT
PRESS

SECOND QUARTER
Spring 2021

The Financial Bridge Linking our Members to their Goals

Bruce Wiley

Bruce Wiley, Chairman of the Board

Tommy Riggins

Tommy Riggins, Vice-Chairman of the Board

Ed Thomas headshot

Ed Thomas, Board Director

Board Announcements

Acclaim FCU held its Annual Meeting of Members virtually on Friday, March 19, 2021.  An important occurrence during the Annual Meeting is the election of the Board of Directors. A Credit Union Board’s role is to provide leadership and oversight. They protect the mission of the credit union and ensure compliance with the legal and financial requirements.

Our Board members are comprised of member-volunteers who dedicate their time and expertise to the growth and sustainability of Acclaim Federal Credit Union.  This year, we had three members who were up for re-election. We are pleased to announce the re-election of Keith Taylor, Bruce Wiley, and Tommy Riggins.

We would like to highlight the following changes: Ed Thomas has stepped down from his position as Chairman, but will remain on the board as a Director. We want to take this opportunity to thank Ed for his time, commitment, and dedication as Chairman. Ed has been an Acclaim board member since 1987. We would like to congratulate Bruce Wiley as he has been elected as our new Chairman! Bruce has been a Board Member since 2003 and previously served as Vice Chair.  In addition, we would also like to congratulate Tommy Riggins as our new Vice Chair!  Tommy has been on our board since 2018.  We are grateful for these volunteers and their ongoing guidance and look forward to our future successes.

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bruce Wiley, Chairman of the Board – Board member since 2003

Tommy Riggins, Vice Chairman – Board member since 2018

Keith Taylor, Treasurer – Board member since 2000

David Dalton, Secretary – Board member since 2016

Ed Thomas, Director – Board member since 1987

Elysia Mason, Director – Board member since 2019

Lara Heberle, Director – Board member since 2016

Joanne Otto, Director – Board member since 2010

Carla Ugboro, Director – Board member since 2016

LEBAUER PC BRASSFIELD

Stop and take a look around your house. Are you delighted with everything in it? This is where you spend a good portion of your day, and where you and your family build happy memories. There’s no reason why it should be anything less than your dream home.

It can be expensive to hire a professional to redo some part of your home, and choosing a contractor can be a stressful process. Instead of shelling out tens of thousands for a contractor, why not consider these great home improvement ideas that you can do yourself!

The deck of your dreams

With warmer weather on the way, you might be thinking about turning your boring outside space into an outdoor living room! Whether you’re after a raised wood deck to give your guests someplace to sit or a classy brick patio for lounging by the grill, a usable outside space can make a big difference in how you enjoy your home. The charming visual addition to the outside of your home is a great way to add value, too.

While this is a big project, it’s big on rewards, too. Start by drawing up some plans – remembering that you’re basically building a series of wood boxes that are bolted together. Draw up a shopping list of things you need, and head over to Acclaim FCU to get the financing done. Then, head to your local home improvement store for lumber, bolts and a few new power tools.

Paint a room … or a whole house!

If you’re not feeling up to building much, you can make your house feel new again with a fresh coat of paint on the interior. Choose colors that complement your furniture and flooring, but choose slightly different shades for different parts of the house. Maybe you want to paint your kitchen and dining room in mellow earth shades to give it a sense of coziness, but you want to paint your bedroom a calming blue to help you sleep.

This can be a great project to get the kids involved in, too. Wall paint, sponges and scissors can let children paint fun and imaginative shapes on their walls. A sense of ownership over the design might encourage them to help keep it a little cleaner as well. You can get creative in main spaces, too! Try painting an accent wall to change the light effects in your living room! Aside from paint, brushes and rollers, make sure you get covers for furniture and floors and painter’s tape.

Fix up an entryway!

Your front door is the first thing people see when they come into your home. You want to make sure it says great things about you and your family. A little bit of time and effort can make this part of your house feel more welcoming while also saving you time and effort.

You can make relatively minor changes here. Metal house numbers, trim paint and a few planters can make your front stoop look much nicer. You can also make some serious investments. A new door can really liven up the front of your house. New weather stripping can make your front door more energy efficient to save on winter heating costs. Nice light fixtures can take a little time to install, but they can make your house both more charming and a little safer. Sketch out some ideas, then head to your home improvement store to figure out what you need to make your front door the talk of the neighborhood.

Add a splash of class with a tasteful backsplash

The section of wall above the sink can see a lot of water damage. Left uncovered, this can lead to mildew and even mold behind the sink. A backsplash is an attractive option for preventing that damage.

While these are typically done in tile, there’s nothing stopping you from looking at wood bead board, ceiling tile or wallpaper. You could even turn them into a functional addition to your organization system with chalkboard, whiteboard or magnetic film! Write up a recipe or meal plan to help keep your prep work organized in the kitchen, or write a fun morning greeting to your kids! There’s no limit to what a backsplash can do for your home. Head down to your local home improvement store to see what kind of material you want to use, and don’t forget to pick up adhesive to stick it all together!

Create a new outlook with new windows!

Installing new windows can seem like a daunting task, but they’ll pay for themselves. Energy efficient windows with new molding and stripping can significantly reduce your energy bills. Plus, having new windows and screens will make your home look well-cared-for when it comes time to sell.

Do some research on energy efficient two- and three-ply windows. Figure out which will both fit your budget and hold long-term value. Remember, though, that the general rule is you get what you pay for. Cheap windows won’t conserve much energy.

Refresh a tired kitchen or bathroom with new fixtures!

Your faucets and knobs see a lot of abuse. They get touched by grimy hands, splashed by soapy water and can build up calcium and rust even if you’re careful about washing them. Because they’re usually metallic, they tend to draw a lot of eyes. Dull, streaky fixtures can suck all the energy out of a kitchen or bathroom.

Replacing them, though, is pretty easy. In the bathroom, you can get sleek, modern fixtures that will save you sink space for storage. In the kitchen, consider getting a detachable head with a vegetable sprayer to make cleanups easier. Whatever you do here, you’ll end up with a nicer looking kitchen or bathroom.

Bring your stuff together with built-in storage!

If your house looks like most others, it’s chock-full on the inside with memorabilia and keepsakes. Tossed about the room, this can look cluttered and dingy. It makes it hard to clean and dust. Adding more furniture, though, can make a space feel cramped and tiny.

Instead, think about adding more built-in storage. Whether you just want to hang a shelf over an entryway, put some coat hooks by the door, or build a bookshelf into a living room wall, built-in storage is a great way to display your treasured memories without shrinking a room with too much stuff. Installing it requires lumber, mounting tools and a few other gadgets that DIY experts should have no trouble identifying.

When it comes to improving your home, Acclaim FCU is ready to be a partner every step of the way. Let us guide you through your options.  And from March 1, 2021 through May 31, 2021 take advantage of our special Home Improvement Loan at an incredibly low rate!

Let’s talk. You supply the ideas, Acclaim FCU can supply the funds to make your dreams a reality. Call or learn more by visiting our website.opens in a new window

Setting Yourself Up For Auto Loan Success

Here's what you need to know

When shopping for a new car, it’s always too easy to let your emotions do the shopping. After all, you’ve been fantasizing about that red convertible for how long?

For most people, a car is the most expensive purchase they’ll make aside from their house. So, keeping this sobering thought in mind is a solid step toward reining in those emotions.

Common sense dictates that you’ll want the lowest interest rate possible regardless of whether you’re buying a new or used car. After all, the ultimate goal should be to pay off your car with the least amount of money in the least amount of time.

Obtaining a great low interest-rate loan starts way before you hit the showroom. It begins at home with an assessment of both your financial situation and what you really need in a car.

The first thing to do is take a look at your credit report. You’ll want to have a good idea of where you stand before you talk to your credit union loan officer. The better your credit, the more financial program choices you’ll have. If your credit is borderline and you have some time before you need that new car, invest some time to clean up any possible problems.

Next, it’s important to figure out what you can afford before shopping around. One good rule of thumb is to spend no more than 10% of your total earnings toward your car expense. Another good rule to follow is to finance no more than 80% of the price of the car. If you finance more than 80%, you may find yourself owing more on the auto loan than you could get by selling the car or trading it in.

You’re only ready to start shopping for your car and auto loan once you’ve determined how much you can spend on it and how much of a down payment you can make. Using your head first instead of letting your emotions lead you, may not put you in that red convertible you’ve been dreaming of now, but the financial payoff from saving money might get you there a little later.

We’ve got some fantastic rates for you so go ahead and SPRING for it! To inquire about how we can put you in the driver’s seat for less, contact us today!  

Budget-friendly Meals Under $8

healthy egg salad wrap
Healthy-Easy Egg Salad Wrap

Egg salad doesn’t have to be time consuming, and it doesn’t have to be smothered in mayonnaise either. Replace the mayo with avocado and the bread with a whole wheat tortilla for a healthy and quick lunch or an easy dinner on a warm spring day. The best part about this recipe is that there’s no need to wash an extra dish. If you’re preparing a meal for just one or two, cut up the ingredients right over the tortilla! Super-simple!

Ingredients:

  • 1 whole-wheat tortilla (10 inches)
  • 1 slice provolone cheese
  • ½ avocado
  • 1 hard-boiled egg, shell removed
  • ½ cup spinach
  • mustard, garlic powder and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Lay tortilla flat and layer torn provolone so it covers the tortilla in one strip.
  2. Layer spinach over the cheese.
  3. Cut the egg and avocado into small pieces and place over the spinach.
  4. Add mustard, garlic powder and pepper to taste.
  5. Serve with fresh fruit or sliced veggies.

 

Servings: 1 (Double or quadruple the recipe for additional servings.)

Beware the Amazon Watch Raffle Scam

Don't fall victim to the latest scam
apple watch

Everyone admires Amazon’s scope and efficiency. Scammers are no exception. Recently, they’ve been piggybacking on Amazon’s reach and excellent name to pull off a scam that’s already taken in thousands of innocent victims. The scam – also known as the “fitness watch text” or the “Apple Watch raffle scam” – involves a congratulatory text message pop-up on consumers’ phones and the fraudulent promise of a big win.

Here’s all you need to know about the Amazon watch raffle scam:

How the scam plays out

In the Amazon watch raffle scam, the target receives a text message that appears to be from Amazon and tells them they’ve won an Apple Watch, or a similar prize, such as Airpods or a Garmin Fitness watch.

The text may look like this: “Amazon: Congratulations [your name], you came in 2nd in this week’s Amazon Apple Watch raffle! Click this link to arrange delivery: t3fzv.info/7047VldUlg.”

The text appears to be sent by Amazon, and the victim, thinking they’ve just landed a big one, will happily click on the embedded link. Unfortunately, this move will lead the victim to another page where they will be asked to provide their personal information to claim the prize. Alternatively, clicking on the link may download malware onto the victim’s device. In either scenario, there is no prize waiting at the end of the rainbow.

Red flags

For the informed consumer, it isn’t difficult to identify the signs of a scam.

First, it’s important to note that Amazon will never ask a consumer for their personal information, such as their Social Security number or account information, or for remote access to the consumer’s device.

Second, familiarize yourself with the red flags that can help you know when you’ve been targeted by an Amazon watch raffle scam or a similar ruse:

  • The text message includes an unusual link.
  • The text message promises an instant and/or large reward.
  • The text message urges you to act now. If the prize is authentic, there’d be no rush.
  • The text appears to be sent from Amazon, but you know you have never signed up to receive text messages from this company. In general, companies cannot send you unsolicited text messages.
  • The text appears to be sent from a suspicious-looking number, such as a number that ends in “5555.”

Second, familiarize yourself with the red flags that can help you know when you’ve been targeted by an Amazon watch raffle scam or a similar ruse:

  • The text message includes an unusual link.
  • The text message promises an instant and/or large reward.
  • The text message urges you to act now. If the prize is authentic, there’d be no rush.
  • The text appears to be sent from Amazon, but you know you have never signed up to receive text messages from this company. In general, companies cannot send you unsolicited text messages.
  • The text appears to be sent from a suspicious-looking number, such as a number that ends in “5555.”

Avoid the scam

Follow these precautions to protect yourself from becoming the next victim of the Amazon watch raffle scam.

  • Never click on a link sent in a message from an unverified number. This is likely an attempt to access your personal information, or to install malware on your device.
  • If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you’re still not sure, you can try calling the number to verify if it is legitimate.
  • Never respond to suspicious-looking text messages. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), it’s best not to even reply “STOP” or “NO” to messages that are likely fraudulent, as every interaction can encourage the scammer to target you further. Instead, block the number.
  • If you receive a text message that appears to be sent from Amazon, update the login credentials on your Amazon account. If you’ve already clicked on the link, you may want to do a security sweep on your device for viruses and malware.

If you’re still unsure whether a text message has actually been sent by Amazon, you can check out Amazon’s scam information page here to help you verify the authenticity of the message.

Stop the scam

Do your part to stop those scammers by reporting all scam attempts to the FTC and the BBB. You can also warn your friends and family about the circulating scam.

Stay safe!

CLOSINGS:

May 31, 2021 - Memorial Day
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Address: P.O. Box 29527
Greensboro, NC 27429
Telephone: 336.332.5302 
Toll-Free/Text: 888.794.1001 
Email: Admin@AcclaimFCU.org

Lost/Stolen Credit Card: 800.325.3678
Lost/Stolen Debit Card: 888.241.2510
Admin Fax: 336.332.4103
Loan Fax: 336.332.5965
Mbr Service Fax: 336.332.5965

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