The big day ‘Graduation’ has come and the reality of the next step is in full view. Your mind is filled with all sorts of thoughts and questions on just what that next step is.  In today’s society and economy, your financial well-being should top the list of ‘next steps’. Being in control of your finances is one of the most important aspects of being successful and being able to live up to the saying “On to bigger and better things.” Here are a five money lessons that every new graduate needs and should know… Read Full Article.

Article provided by Adam Levin - former Director New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs; founder of Credit.com and Identity Theft 911; posted on HuffingtonPost.com, 4/26/13.

• Explain the problem clearly: Let them know when and where the problem occurred, who you dealt with, and what exactly happened. Include a copy of any supporting documents, such as a receipt or contract.
• Keep it short and focused: The longer the letter is, the less inclined whoever is on the receiving end will be to read it. Leave out information that is not directly relevant to the problem.
• Ask for a specific solution: Make it easy for the company to rectify the issue by letting them know what will make you happy. Be sure that the request is reasonable and related to what your actual loss is.
• Provide contact information and set a deadline: Let them know the best way to reach you, and ask them to respond by a certain date.

Remember, be respectful and factual – you’re not going to get anywhere by being rude or stretching the truth. Good luck!

Apple is ideally positioned to respond because we believe in the power of education.

Join. Open an Apple FCU eXtras Student Savings account for each child in your family. As soon as your children can write, have them fill out deposit/withdrawal slips. Guide teenagers through using a Check Card and tracking their FREE eXtras Checking through NetBranch Online Banking.

Share. Include your kids in your household finance discussions. Show them how you budget income and expenses. As their skills improve, give them challenges, like sticking to a vacation spending budget.

Coach. Remind your children to ask for help when they need it. And turn to Apple FCU when you want help. Our tradition of service to the education community has us poised to deliver advice and specialized products for youth.

For product details, visit AppleFCU.org/Students or call 703-788-4800.

They have too many student loans listed for me
Student loans are often listed as separate loans for each semester of school instead of as one big loan.

I must be a victim of ID theft because someone else’s name and is on my report
Errors in information gathering commonly result in someone else’s data being mistakenly being listed on your credit report. This is just a mistake, not ID theft. You can always dispute this info off your reports at the website of the particular credit bureau.

I paid that collections account, it shouldn’t be on my report anymore
Collections agencies aren’t required to remove a collections account from your credit reports once you have paid it if the information is still timely. All they are required to is list that the account has been satisfied.

All these inquiries count against my score
Keep in mind that the only inquiries that are ever factored into your credit score are ones that happened in the past year and that were for the purpose of you applying for credit, financing, or some other type of financial contract.

Have questions or want to review your credit report (get one for FREE at AnnualCreditReport.com) with an expert? Apple’s FREE BALANCE programs makes available counselors who will be happy to guide you.  Call 888-456-2227 or visit AppleFCU.org/BALANCE to chat online.

Consider Downsizing
Large, heavy vehicles can burn up to three times as much fuel as small car; so if it’s time for a trade-in, consider a vehicle that is built to get good gas mileage. If you are truly ready to reduce fuel consumption, go for a hybrid car. Since they run on a combination of gasoline and electricity, they are economically (and ecologically) sound choices.

Maintain Your Vehicle
Preemptive maintenance not only makes for a safer, more secure ride, but keeping all your vehicle’s parts in tiptop shape will extend fuel usage over time. Keep your air filter clean, tires pumped with the right amount of air, the clutch adjusted, and make sure your engine is filled with enough clean oil. Also, since most cars, trucks, and SUVs are built for regular unleaded, don’t upgrade to pricy premium unless necessary.

Drive Smart
Before taking off, look for unnecessary, heavy objects you may be carrying both on the exterior and interior of the vehicle. Carting around such items as a tool kit, stereo equipment, and ski or bike racks affect gas mileage. If you don’t need immediate access to the items, store them elsewhere.

Chart your course carefully. Choose the route with the flattest terrain and fewest stops, and if at all possible, avoid traffic jams and stop and go driving. Have a navigation system? Use it to find the quickest path and to avoid wasting gas by getting lost. There are also map apps for your mobile device like Waze or Google Maps that will integrate local traffic and suggest alternate routes to save you time.

Other ways to save gas include (when safe and appropriate), turning the car off rather than idling, traveling the right speed for each gear, and not revving the engine or warming up newer vehicles. Use cruise control on the open road, coast down hills and accelerate slowly when leaving stoplights. Think twice before turning on the AC too – that blast of cool air means a much quicker visit to the pump. Instead, roll the windows down while driving at low to moderate speeds. (However, the faster you go, the greater the drag – so keep them up when traveling at high speeds.)

Drive Less
Reduce unnecessary trips by combining errands, and bike, walk or use public transportation whenever possible. If you have neighbors who work in the same general direction as your place of employment, arrange for car pools to share the cost of gas. (After all, you are not the only one who is affected by the rising price of fuel.)

Want more budget-friendly ideas? Call BALANCE at 888-456-2227 – at no cost to you. Your call will remain confidential.

Renters insurance is like homeowners insurance for renters. If your property is destroyed, you get money to replace it. Even if the value of your personal property only totals a few hundred dollars, renters insurance could be beneficial. It may only cost you $200 to replace your futon, but your personal liability is virtually limitless. A friend could trip on your rug and sue you for $100,000. If you have renters insurance, your insurance company will cover at least some of your costs.

Another benefit of renters insurance is that you do not have to worry about collecting money from someone who causes damage to your property. Let’s say your apartment flooded after your upstairs neighbor left the shower on all day. Legally, he is responsible for your losses, but that does not mean he will be willing to pay you. If you have renters insurance, you can just file a claim with your insurance company. Perhaps the best part of renters insurance? It is dirt cheap, usually costing no more than a few hundred dollars a year.

Looking for financial advice? Apple FCU has partnered with BALANCE to provide you with FREE and CONFIDENTIAL financial education and counseling. Their certified counselors can answer your questions, review your credit report and help you create a budget. Call 888-456-2227 or visit AppleFCU.org/BALANCE for more information.

Want a FREE Quote for Renters Insurance from Apple Financial Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Apple FCU? Click here and select ‘Homeowners’ from the drop-down.

AutoSMART is an easy-to-use website with great information and resources designed to make your shopping experience simple, convenient and fast. With just a few click of your mouse, you can:

• Research new and used vehicles
• Estimate the value of your trade-in
• Search the inventory at local dealerships
• Order a vehicle history report
• And much more!

Ready to get started? Make Apple’s FREE AutoSMART Resource Center your first move.

In SNL’s latest survey, Apple ranked 10^th among credit unions offering low rates on ‘platinum’ credit cards; Apple had an average rate of 5.74%. In addition, Apple ranked seventh lowest in a separate survey on rewards credit cards, with an average of 6.74%.

On the heels of this report, Apple is excited to launch a new MyRewards Visa Credit Card within the coming weeks. The MyRewards Card offers 3X points for gas purchases, 2x points for grocery purchases and 1x points for everything else. Reward points may be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, travel, merchandise or charitable donations. Visit AppleFCU.org for more details as they become available.  To view Apple’s current Visa offering, check out AppleFCU.org/Visa.

To read the complete SNL Financial article, please visit: VirginiaBusiness.com.

So, can anyone become a member? The simple answer, yes, anybody can join a credit union. The not-so-simple answer is not everyone can join all types of credit unions. There are various types of credit unions – each one provides service to a group of people that share a common bond.

To better understand, it will help to know the most common types of credit unions.

The common types are:

Local Credit Unions: These are also referred to as ‘community credit unions’ or ‘community charters’. To join a local credit union, you have to live within a specific area (city, county, etc.). In some cases you may be eligible if you just work or worship in the community the credit union serves.

Group Credit Unions: These typically serve specific small community groups (churches, etc.). You’ll find specific membership requirements of these groups before you join.

Employer Credit Unions: Like group credit unions, employer credit unions serve a specific profession, company or industry. You’ll have to be part of one of the specific groups to join this type of credit union.

Federal Credit Unions: These are national credit unions with very few restrictions to become a member. Usually, they require a member to be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen to join.

Multiple Bond Credit Unions: This type of credit union offers membership to many different organizations and can offer membership to people that fit into more than one type of credit union listed above.

Given this, Apple FCU is a Multiple Bond Credit Union, offering membership to many different organizations, AND- since November 1, 2011, Apple is also a Community Charter Credit Union, serving people who live, work, worship, volunteer or attend school in specific cities/counties listed below.

So, with all this information, you might still be wondering how you’ll know if you can join. Just click here for a complete listing of our member groups. You’ll find that if you’ve gone to school in NoVA, you’re likely eligible!

Interested in learning more about the benefits of belonging to a credit union? Check this out!

What would you do with an extra $50? Well, if you open a new Apple FCU Checking account and FREE Visa® Check Card by November 30, 2012, you’ll GET $50!* Then you have all the time in the world to decide how you’ll spend it .

All you have to do after opening a new account (be sure to mention promo code CHECK50) is use that FREE Check Card for a minimum $25 non-PIN based purchase (as in, when you swipe your card, choose ‘credit’ not ‘debit), and the $50 will be deposited into your account (within the next 60 days).

So all you have to do is open a FREE account, get all the awesome benefits of said account and use the card – yea, it’s that easy.  What are the benefits of an Apple FCU Checking Account?

• Access to more than 53,000 Surcharge-FREE ATMs nationwide
• Unlimited, FREE Apple ATM withdrawals
• FREE Mobile & Text Banking
• FREE Android, iPad and iPhone Apps
• FREE Direct Deposit
• (and a personal favorite) Design your own card FOR FREE with Xpress Yourself HERE.

Compare all Apple FCU Checking accounts at AppleFCU.org/Checking to decide which will be the best fit for you!

But act fast – this offer ends Friday, November 30! For complete details, go HERE!