SafeAmerica Credit Union

Family time

• By Kevin Alvarez

Free Webinar: Family Lessons About Money

Register Now

This free, one hour webinar about Financial Transformation is presented by GreenPath Financial Wellness

Join us for a lively discussion about tips, challenges, and resources needed in order to raise financially healthy kids. Be part of our audience for our live podcast, Real Stories: Journeys of Financial Wellness. Our panel will feature GreenPath clients who are inspiring their children to be financially resilient. We'll also chat with Professor Bernard Dillard. Come along with GreenPath Financial Wellness for an enlightening session on how we might support the next generation in their financial in their financial wellness journeys.

Who should attend

  • Parents who would like to learn from others' experiences about kids and money
  • Anyone who wishes to mentor a young person about money
  • Teens or young adults who wish to jump start family conversations about money

What You'll Learn

  • How to communicate with your kids about money
  • How to overcome family financial challenges
  • About resources to share with your family and community

Details

Date: Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Time: 10:00 am PST - 11:00 am PST

Register Now

• By Kevin Alvarez

Tips and Tricks for Your Summer Road Trip

A historic period of uncertainty, finally on its way out. With the reopening of the state of California upon us and the built up frustration from stay-at-home orders set back in March of 2020, many Americans are expected to travel up to 500 miles from their homes this summer via road trips as a way to help wash away the stagnant year we all never saw coming.

California families have been juggling a handful of “from home” routines, from distance learning to working from home and everything in between for nearly 16 months now. So with little ones out of school for their summer vacation and recent high school and college graduates (congratulations!), this summer season is going to be one we will all appreciate for years to come.

To help our members and community prepare for upcoming travel we came up with a list of things to prepare you for an easy-going road trip (or two or three).

The summer heat influences a handful of important components with your vehicle—air conditioner, tires, oil, battery, fuel, coolant and even your wiper blades. Keep this heat factor in mind while reading over this blog post.

Vehicle Road Trip Reminders

Check Your Fluids

According to AAA you should be checking your vehicle's fluids more often than the dealer's recommended amount, with consistent monitoring you will have a better idea of when your vehicle's fluids need to be topped off.

Oil - When was the last time you had an oil and oil filter change? New vehicles require an oil change every 5,000 miles or every 6 months, while “older” vehicles require an oil change every 3,000 or 3 months. Know the life of your oil and if it can endure a road trip at the distance you plan on covering. There are plenty of recommendations from each of the many auto makers out there. Make sure you are aware of your specific vehicle’s recommendations for an oil change service.

Brake Fluid – Do you remember the last time you changed your brakes, let alone the brake fluid? Brake fluid is used every time you press on your brake pedal and it is generally recommended to flush your brake fluids every 30,000 miles or 2 years.

Anti-Freeze/Coolant/Radiator Fluid – This summer is due to be a hot one. On top of staying hydrated, drivers need to make sure their vehicles coolant is topped off to prevent radiators from overheating and leaving you stranded.

Wiper Fluid/Blades – A windshield full of bugs is bound to happen and who knows what other muck gets on there. Go over your wipers and windshield to clear any debris that may be lurking on the base of your wiper blades as well as the wiper blades themselves. There are occurrences when debris clings to the blades themselves and scratches your windshield. This can also happen from old and worn wiper blades. The metal design which presses the blades down to your car could be exposed and leave “streaks” or scratches on your windshield. Due to excessive heat, you can prevent the rubber blade from melting onto your windshield by leaving them in the standing up maintenance/wash position.

Transmission Fluid – Do you know the status of your transmission? What about transmission fluid? If your vehicle has been jerking when you accelerate or leaving a burning smell, it may be best to get your vehicle looked at by a professional and maybe even using a different vehicle for your road trip.

Check Your Vehicle's Belts

  • Serpentine Belt
  • Drive Belt/ V Belt
  • Timing Belt
  • Accessory Belt

Timing-belt of alternator.

Check Your Vehicle's Hoses

  • Low Pressure Fuel hose
  • High Pressure Fuel hose
  • Radiator hose
  • Heater Hose
  • Power Steering hose
  • Hydraulic Hose
  • A/C Hose
  • Vacuum Hose

Check Your Tires and Tire Tread

Do you remember when you last changed your tires? Look over your wheels for any signs of tears or for any foreign objects such as screws that may compromise your wheel’s integrity. If it’s been a few years since your tires have been changed or even rotated them, then it wouldn’t hurt to check the tread life of all four of your vehicle’s tires.

You Can Easily Do This With A Penny

  • place a penny into a groove with the side of Abraham Lincoln’s portrait facing you
  • Rotate the penny so the top of Abe’s head is touching the surface of your tire
  • Based on how much of Abraham Lincoln’s head you are able to see, will determine if you should change your tires. If you are able to see his head, it is time to change your tires right away.

Inspecting tire tread using a penny.

Check Your Battery

Go over your battery’s connections to make sure they are clear of any debris or battery corrosion and ensure your battery is fastened securely to your vehicle. You can always visit an auto parts store for a free battery test to provide an accurate reading of your battery’s overall life.

Example of a corroded car battery.

Emergency Roadside Kit SuppliesTo make unexpected roadside situations easier to bear with, you should consider carrying the following items in your vehicle:

  • Emergency contact info
  • Insurance/registration information
  • Reliable tow company information
  • Spare tire that is inflated to its specified pound per square inch (psi)
  • Lug nut lock key
  • Lug nut wrench
  • Reliable Jack stand Kit(make sure to get one that is strong enough for your vehicle)
  • Car escape tools/Pocket knives (seat belt cutter/glass breaker)
  • Jumper cables
  • Basic assortment of tools to operate on your vehicle
  • Blankets
  • A change of clothes
  • Flashlight(s) with extra batteries
  • First Aid Kit
  • Water
  • Nonperishable foods
  • Can opener
  • Phone charging cable(s) AND wall plug
  • Safety vest and hazard reflective roadside triangles (set of 3). Place the first triangle 10 feet behind your vehicle, the second triangle 100 feet behind your vehicle and the final triangle, 300 feet from your vehicle. All reflective triangles should be on the side closest to oncoming traffic.

red triangle red emergency stop sign red emergency symbol.

There are many variables that need to work together efficiently in order have a car running smoothly and unless you managed to grab a new auto during the microchip/parts shortage this last year, best to take all preventative steps available to ensure a safe and memorable road trip.

Get out and explore this summer. A Personal Loan from SafeAmerica Credit Union can help make it happen – and the funds can be used for just about anything, including road trips!

We want to help you make memories. Act now to receive a free AAA membership with your new Personal Loan. AAA offers travel services, discounts and insurance, road-side assistance and more!

Free AAA Membership

Sources

  1. “Quick Tips For Checking Your Vehicle's Fluids,” AAA (blog), accessed July 7, 2021, https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/quick-tips-for-checking-vehicle-fluids
  2.  “Get Your Vehicle Check During AAA Car Care Month,” AAA (blog), October 9, 2013, accessed July 7, 2021, http://news.aaa-calif.com/news/get-a-vehicle-check-during-aaa-car-care-month
  3. "Tire Tread Depth" Firestone (blog), accessed July 7, 2021, https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/penny-tire-test/
  4. "How To Test A Car Battery At Home with (No Equipment)" (blog), October 23, 2018, accessed July 7, 2021,  https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/batteries/how-to-test-car-battery-at-home/
  5. "The Best Gear For A Roadside Emergency" (blog) May 18, 2021, accessed July 8, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-gear-for-a-roadside-emergency/
  6. "Know-How Notes: All About Hoses" (blog), accessed July 8 2021, https://knowhow.napaonline.com/know-notes-hoses/

• By Kevin Alvarez

SafeAmerica Credit Union 68th Anniversary

May 20, 2021 marks our 68th anniversary, from starting with ten Safeway Employees to now 35,800 members strong today! Those ten Safeway employees came together in 1953 with the goal to create a financial cooperative that would benefit their coworkers with savings and low interest loans. By May 20th 1953, the formal approval was given and the rest has been nothing but great history.

We would not be able to reach this great accomplishment without our members and employees from both past and present. We have learned, grown and will continue to evolve.

Thank you all for allowing us to serve and assist you in reaching all your financial goals. From home and auto loans, to checking and Visa cards as well as many other services we offer. We have done our best and will continue to be as resourcefully available to you as possible.

Thank you for 68 years
Here’s to many more
and
remember
You are safe with us

Learn more about our history by clicking here

• By Kevin Alvarez

Saving Money with an Auto Loan Refinance

We’re all looking for ways to save where we can. Refinancing your auto loan can be an appealing way to lower your auto loan costs. Now is a good time to re-evaluate your finances and find ways to save money. Given the current state of events, many lenders are offering great rates and specials on new auto loans (among other things). It’s the perfect time to see what’s available for you, and most importantly, what can save you money.

My neighbor said an auto refinance was a bad idea, is that true?

Can I save money on an auto loan refinance? What does it take to refinance an auto loan? Is it really beneficial for me?

There are many questions and things to consider but individual credit status is one of the most important deciding factors for getting an auto loan refinance. So to compare with someone else means you are assuming their credit status as your own.

According to Credit Karma, below are some things to consider when looking into easing your finances with an auto loan refinance:

What does an Auto Refinance do?

  • Refinancing means you pay off your current auto loan with a brand new auto loan
  • Based on your credit, it could immediately help free up some of your debt
  • Extending your term means paying more interest, but with lower monthly payments, providing the instant financial relief

What YOU should do

  • An auto refinance serves people differently and is beneficial when you need instant savings
  • Find rates that are lower than your existing auto loan
  • Be aware of your current credit score, any improvement means refinancing will cut your monthly payment
  • Be aware of vehicle criteria lenders may have
  • Know your term and what length works best for your budget
  • A tighter budget means longer terms to pay your loan, but in an affordable manner
  • Know how much you owe on your auto loan and your vehicle’s current market value
  • Be aware of any refinancing fees
  • Understand if your auto loan has any penalties for paying it off early
  • Make sure to have all necessary legal documents readily available
  • Be aware of both hard and soft inquiries when browsing around
  • If you must get multiple hard inquiries done, aim to do so in a span of 14 days. This may only count as a single hard inquiry and not as multiple.

As a member of SafeAmerica Credit Union, you can refinance your auto loan and take advantage of:

  1. Great Rates
  2. Flexible terms
  3. No payments for 60 days

Apply online below and try our payment calculators to see if an auto loan refinance can benefit you.

Learn More
Try Our Calculators

• By Kevin Alvarez

COVID-19 Credit Check Reminder

The year 2020 has been one for the books. Everyone has been feeling both the direct and indirect effects of the ongoing pandemic. With everything that’s going on, now is a good time to review and understand your good credit with our COVID-19 Credit Check Reminder.

Protecting your credit during COVID – 19

  • Reach out to your internet and phone providers for flexibility with payment options.
  • Reach out to your auto insurance provider for any possible flexibility. Learn more about our auto insurance coverage here.
  • Reach out to lenders for any possible flexibility with payment options. Learn more of our current payment options here.
  • Do your best to pay the minimum on your credit card bills every month.
  • Keep an eye on your credit score for any fraudulent activity.
  • Consider signing up to receive fraud alerts.
  • Reach out for financial assistance with a credit counselor.
  • Make a budget and do your best to stick with it.
  • If you speak with anyone online or via phone, make sure they are someone who could be trusted and working for a trusted company. Learn more on how to protect yourself from COVID-19 scams by clicking here

By keeping a close eye on what information the governor’s office and county officials release, we understand that we are closer to this being over more than before. We also understand that as humans we need to have our minds occupied with personal tasks and objectives to distract ourselves from the possibility of misjudgment stemming from the pandemic.

So let us preoccupy our minds with our COVID-19 credit check to learn some credit basics and position ourselves appropriately for what is next in our financial future.

What makes up your credit score?

35% is payment history
30% is credit utilization/capacity
15% is the length of credit
10% is search & acquisition for new credit
10% is the type of credit

Credit FYI's

  • A good credit score will ONLY benefit you.
  • Do your best to not miss any payments
  • The better your credit, the better rates you will get for car loans, mortgages, credit cards, personal loans, insurance costs and employment opportunities
  • When lenders check your credit they may use any one of the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion
  • Stabilizing your credit will set a foundation to grow
  • Make sure to identify, plan and act upon ways to improve your score
  • Hard credit checks are when lenders use your score to decide your rates
  • Soft credit checks do not impact your credit score since they are not for a line of credit
  • Your credit score is viewed/generated every time a lender requests the information
  • You can check your own score at annualcreditreport.com and it will fall under a soft credit check
  • Do not close credit cards. This keeps your credit utilization looking great. Meaning you have the resources and have paid them off

What is a credit report?

  • Shows amount of debt you have
  • Types of credit you have
  • The length of time you have had credit cards for
  • Hard credit checks stay on your report for a little over two years
  • A good credit utilization rate is below 30%
  • Lenders typically focus on history of on time payments and low credit utilization
  • Credit utilization is how much of your available credit balance you are using

What is a good way to improve credit?

Credit repair companies can only do what you can already do. You can also dispute any incorrect or outdated information.
There are multiple ways to go about improving your credit, but let’s focus on how to improve credit by making the most of credit utilization.
Most people can agree that if you are not using something, you should get rid of it. So when someone pays off their credit card, they may think of closing their credit account right away. However, when it comes to improving your credit, you should consider leaving some credit accounts open. This leaves you to have a bigger pool of credit at your disposal. This is where the importance of credit utilization comes into play. Having a pool of money but only using 30% of it shows lenders that you are responsible with your finances and not blowing through your credit limits.

An example:

You open a new credit card and your limit is $1,000.

What is the most you should spend, ideally?

Up to 30%

So that means…

You should only be spending (borrowing) a maximum of $300 until you pay it off.

Now when you go to pick out a new car and have your credit report checked, the lender will be able to see your credit history and see the card with $1,000 limit and only $300 borrowed, this shows the lender you are financially responsible by not spending your limit or maxing your credit card.

Learn more about:

Auto Insurance by clicking here

COVID-19 business updates by clicking here

COVID-19 Scams by clicking here

• By Kevin Alvarez

ScholarShare

In partnership with ScholarShare 529, SafeAmerica Credit Union is celebrating 529 Day!

Get $50 when you open a ScholarShare 529 account between 5/26 and 5/31.*

100% tax-free growth can mean more money for college.

You can use funds for important college needs such as required student fees, printer fees, textbooks, supplies, some room and board costs and required equipment could also qualify.

If you would like to learn more of the benefits of a Scholarshare 529 account and understand the flexible investment choices, you can visit ScholarShare529.com/529Day.

Attend an Online Webinar

For more information, sign up for an online webinar:
Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 11:00 a.m. (PST)
Click here to register.

*When you open a new ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan account with a $50 contribution (and sign up for recurring contributions of $25 or more per month for a minimum of 6 months) between May 26, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. and May 31, 2020, at 8:59 p.m. (PT), ScholarShare 529 will match $50 on or before January 31, 2021. Visit ScholarShare529.com/529Day for official Terms and Conditions. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Sponsored by ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan.

• By Kevin Alvarez

Kids and Shelter in Place

SafeAmerica Credit Union has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and the plan of action our local, state and federal leaders are/will be implementing.

While we do offer services that help provide a relief from finances, we wanted to provide comfort through activities and concepts for children of members who have been dealing with the ripples of COVID-19.

 

Below are some of the best practices we put together:

 

Hobbies

This is an opportunity…

to have children experiment with healthy brain stimulating activities that could develop into important future skills.

Some examples include:

  • Origami
  • Crochet
  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Marbles
  • Photography
  • Gardening - Currently popular due to the weather
  • Music – Instruments, singing and dancing
  • Camping - Pitch a tent in your backyard

Social Interaction

Reaching out to…

family and friends via FaceTime, Zoom or any other video call service will help remind your child they are not dealing with this alone. It will also continue to help children develop important social skills especially during Covid-19.

Understanding

We can all agree…

that COVID - 19 has been a stressful situation, our children also deal with stress and while it may have been “cool” or “fun” to not attend school at first, children may have seen their safe havens quickly turned colorless. Appropriately do not forget how the mind wonders and how curiosity works for children. Children love to be taken seriously and by having a unique role and recognized for achievements they will further develop confidence especially during a time that seems confusing to them.

Meal Preparation

Having your children…

involved with important activities presents the opportunity to understand the logic behind cooking as well as being able to positively reinforce them for meals they help make especially when adding the combination of kids and shelter in place.

  • Practice counting skills and fractions
  • Importance of following directions
  • Importance of use of ingredients
  • Meal appreciation
  • Communication skills
  • Healthy eating
  • Safety reminders

Quiet Time

Let’s face it…

if your little ones are quiet, it usually means there may be some mess to tidy up. Quiet time is simply unstructured time that makes children look for ways to entertain themselves and could also be tied in with hobbies.

Developing an outlet for creativity, teaching children to make their own choices and getting time to yourself are the ultimate goals here. Durations of quite time vary, depending on how interested your child may be, a good starting point is anywhere from 45 to 120 minutes.

Below are some suggestions:

  • Have containers with different types of toys that stimulate creativity
  • Use visual aids to keep track of time
  • Use books/audio books (Aesop’s Fables, The Phantom Tollbooth, Percy Jackson & the Olympians)
  • Use arts and crafts (Shape Threading, Bead Threading, Typography etc.)

Routine

Implementing…

a structured routine reduces stress and assures children they are in a loving and safe environment. We all need to remember our government officials have been easing up restrictions and sooner rather than later our routines will be just how they were before this whole situation started.

These six suggestions/concepts have plenty of worth and hopefully could provide a good rhythm during the remaining duration of shelter-in-place and as a precaution, should be ready for a possible extension of the shelter-in-place order

 

 

 

REMEMBER…

We will be able to see our distant loved ones soon.
We are all safe and will continue to be.
We are a community and we thrive as one.
We appreciate the efforts, hard work and dedication from our members, our SACU family as well as everyone on the front lines. Everyone is making a difference.

Thank
YOU.

 

*For more information on what SafeAmerica Credit Union is doing to keep you safe, click here

*To read our previous blog regarding safety tips and how scammers are using COVID-19, click here

Sources:

aacap.org

Greatergood.berkely.edu

sleeplady.com