Guides To Independence

Newsletter Articles

• Get your FREE music download
• My credit union...where I belong
• Teens: How would you like the keys to a new car?
• Send your teenagers to our Web site for a little education...and some music
• Dear Guides to Independence

Get your FREE music download

For each 10-20 minute Guides to Independence online money course you complete on our Web site, you'll earn one free music download from the eMusic^® library of more than 1.4 million songs.

Designed for teenagers and young adults, the courses are quick, interactive, and fun. Our young narrators will show you how to buy a car, use a credit card, reach your financial goals, and other useful information.

Then, at the end of each course, eligible users can sign on and receive a certificate with a free eMusic^® download, which can be redeemed immediately!

We believe that learning about money and credit is the way to financial independence. We want you to be smart about your money because your financial success is music to our ears.

Take advantage of this great opportunity, go to [CU Web address here], click on Guides to Independence, and choose a course.

Keep coming back, because we'll be adding courses throughout the year.

My credit union...where I belong

Do you know how credit unions are different from banks? How credit unions serve you, the member? Why credit unions began and succeeded?

Learn credit union history without going to school with the newest course in the Guides to Independence series: My credit union...where I belong.

This online program is for high school students who may — or may not — be members of a credit union. It features three college students, Mac, Jess, and Aisha, discussing the history of credit unions and how credit unions help members like you save money.

Plus, find out which came first, credit unions or potato chips? Visit Guides to Independence on the CREDIT UNION NAME Web site at WEB ADDRESS.

Teens: How would you like the keys to a new car?

Freedom, independence, control. You want it? You’ve gotta earn it. Want your own checking account? You need to show that you know the rules. Just like driving a car. No license? No car.

How do you show you’re ready for the keys to financial independence? Guides to Independence on the CREDIT UNION NAME Web site at WEB ADDRESS.

Guides to Independence allows teens like you to prove your ability to “learn the rules” through a series of interactive online courses.

Never had a checking account? Try "How to Start a Checking Account" and "How to Balance a Checking Account." These courses take only about 15 minutes each to complete. They have lots of fun quizzes, simulations, and interactions that will show you how to safely and accurately manage your own checking account.

At the end of each course, you can print a certificate of completion to bring back to your credit union for an ENTER INCENTIVE HERE.

For more information, contact INSERT CREDIT UNION INFORMATION.

Send your teenagers to our Web site for a little education...and some music

Would you turn over the keys to your brand new car to a teenager without a driver’s license? Of course not. A driver’s license is evidence of learning the rules, practicing safety, and passing an exam.

Guides to Independence is the opportunity to do the same with financial services.

Guides is a series of interactive online courses now available on the CREDIT UNION NAME Web site at WEB ADDRESS.

These courses take approximately 15 minutes to complete and have lots of quizzes, simulations, and interactions to teach your teen how to safely and accurately manage a checking account.

OPTIONAL

Users can print a certificate of completion at the end of the each course. Bring the certificates for [ENTER NAME OF COURSE HERE] into the credit union for a (ENTER INCENTIVE HERE).

For more information, contact INSERT CREDIT UNION INFORMATION.

"Dear Guides to Independence" letter series

• Clare Shopping column
• Aisha Check Card column
• Mac Car Buying column
• Jess How to Get a Loan column
• Hector Saving and Investing column
• Hector Paying for School column

“Dear Clare” Shopping column

Dear Clare:

I have to purchase my own school clothes and supplies. Any advice on how to get good deals and save money?

Shiloh

Dear Shiloh,

Shopping is more fun when you get the most for your money. You can learn how to be a great shopper by logging on to Guides to Independence at [address here] and select 101: How to Shop for Everyday Savings. In just 15 minutes, you'll learn how to distinguish between wants and needs, identify the type of shopper you are, prioritize purchases and weigh options.

See you at the mall!

Clare

[Use Clare's picture with this letter! Download her graphic here.]

“Dear Aisha” Check Card column

Dear Aisha,

I am having a hard time remembering to record my ATM withdrawals. Any suggestions?

Forgetful Chris

Chris, you gotta start some good habits now or you may be paying lots of overdraft fees in the future. One trick that works for me is to wrap my receipts with a rubber band around my check card. (You may call it a debit or ATM card.) When I get home I enter the amounts in my check register. Learn more about your check card online at [address here] and select Guides to Independence 303: How to Use a Check Card.

Remember to write it down!

Aisha

[Use Aisha’s picture with this letter! Download her graphic here.]

“Dear Mac” Car Buying column

Dear Mac,

I am about to buy my first used car. I’m not sure where to start—what do you suggest?

Jim

Hi Jim,

I understand where you’re coming from—buying a used car for the first time is overwhelming. Got 15 minutes? I’ll walk you through how to start your car buying process online. Log on to Guides to Independence at [your address here] and select 102: How to Buy a Used Car. We’ll decide on what type of car you should get and I’ll even show you how to negotiate a deal.

Mac

[Use Mac’s picture with this letter! Download his graphic here.]

“Dear Jess” How to Get a Loan column

Dear Jess,

What’s the difference between financing at the car dealership and getting a loan? Also, I’ve never gotten a loan before—how do I know what I need to do and what I can afford?

Help!
Julie

Hey Julie,

Those are great questions. It’s best to shop around for a better interest rate and see what fits in with your budget. Most times you’d be better off getting a loan with your credit union. I’ll walk you through the entire process online. Just visit Guides to Independence at [address here] and select 401: How to Get a Loan. In just 15 minutes you’ll learn how to shop for loan options, apply for a loan, and maintain a good credit rating.

See you there!

Jess

[Use Jess’s picture with this letter! Download her graphic here.]

“Dear Hector” Saving and Investing Short-term column

Dear Hector,

I just got my very first paycheck and I’d like to save some of it. What is the difference between a regular savings account and a CD?

Maya

Great question Maya!

I’ve got just the thing for you. Hop online for about 15 minutes and I’ll show you different saving options and how a short-term investment works. Depending on what your goal is, you might find that a short-term investment is your best bet! Just go to Guides to Independence at [address here] and choose 202: How to Save and Invest Short-Term.

Hector
[Use Hector’s picture with this letter! Download his graphic here.]

"Dear Hector" Paying for School column

Dear Hector,

I’m a sophomore in high school. I know I want to study economics, but I don’t know what college I can afford. Is the application process really hard?

Carjon

Hi Carjon,

Planning for your college education takes time, but it isn’t really difficult. The hardest part is deciding what’s important to you about your school. Want to be out of state or not? Need a dorm or off-campus housing? Require placement assistance? Sports programs?

Log on to Guides to Independence at [your address here] and select 404: How to Pay for School. First, you’ll prioritize your wants. Then I’ll show you how to select a school based on your interests and ability to pay. You’ll learn strategies for finding and applying for scholarships and financial aid.

It takes about 15 minutes to complete the “How to Pay for School” course and you’ll receive a free eMUSIC download code when you’re done. Nice, huh? You can listen to a tune while you study to keep those grades up!

Hector
[Use Hector’s picture with this letter! Download his graphic here.]

For questions, call 800-356-9655, ext. 4091.