EPEFCU

Protect Yourself this Holiday Season!

Black Friday officially kicked off this year’s shopping season, but with all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays it’s easy for us to become a little careless when it comes to protecting our personal information. This time of year, identity thieves are ready to steal our information if we aren’t careful. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), identity theft affects ten million American victims each year, costing individuals and businesses $52 billion. That number is expected to increase as identity thieves become more sophisticated and as the technique is further embraced by large criminal organizations. Make sure that you’re protecting your credit and your privacy with a few simple tips.

Today has officially been dubbed Cyber Monday, and if you’re planning to do a little holiday shopping today make certain that you are using only secure websites. These sites will display a padlock image on your browsers status bar and will read, “https” rather than “http,” according to the Better Business Bureau. After making any purchases online, make sure to check the charges against your bank statement. Many credit cards offer consumers protection against any unauthorized activity, such as the Visa Credit Card offered by El Paso Employees FCU.

Also, be aware of any phishing scams. Phishing usually involves fraudulent emails made to look as if they are being sent to you from a financial institution for instance. They will usually ask that you update your account information via email. Avoid falling victim to these scams by never giving out any personal information through an email request. If you do receive such an email, contact the company immediately.

Identity thieves can not only be found online however, they may be lurking around your local shopping mall waiting for you to make a mistake. While shopping this holiday season, be aware of people around you. Before punching in your pin number at the check out counter, make sure the person behind you can’t see what you are entering. Hold onto your wallet and your purse and wear it securely on your body rather than leaving it in the shopping cart as you browse the store. Also, limit the amount of cards you carry with you and make sure to remove your social security card from your wallet or purse. This document should never be carried with you, if your purse or wallet is stolen, identity thieves can severely damage your credit score with access to your social security number. As with online purchases, make certain you check your bank and credit card statements for any unfamiliar purchases.

Another way your identity may be compromised this holiday season is through scams such as those linked to charities. Identity thieves are counting on your giving holiday spirit to steal your personal information. If you plan on donating this season, try to avoid offering any information over the phone. Telephone solicitations are a common way for identity thieves to steal your private information. Instead, consider making your donation in person at a local chapter, church, or food bank.

According to identitygaurd.com, in the 12 days leading up to Christmas nearly a quarter of a million Americans will lose something that Santa won't be able to replace – their identity. Prevent yourself from becoming a victim this holiday season by being proactive about securing your personal information. By understanding what steps you can take to protect yourself from identity thieves, you’ll give yourself peace of mind knowing that your information is safe from prying eyes.

 

 

Were these suggestions helpful? How else do you protect your identy during the holiday season? Let us know! We'd be honored to read your comments!

Ride On Our Float!

We had a fantastic time this past Thursday at the 74^th annual Sun Bowl Parade! Our float won the top award known as the Sweepstakes Award, it was judged the most beautiful float in the parade! The theme for this year’s parade was “Build a Dream.” Our float was constructed to resemble a living room. A mother and her children sat by the fireplace anxiously awaiting for their father and husband, a brave solider, to come home while Santa, Mrs. Clause and their sleigh filled with presents spread holiday cheer and good will.

We would like to thank all of the volunteers that participated, including the two soldiers who rode along with our float, PFC Dionne Williams and PFC Jose Pena in honor of those who will not be able to come home and spend the holidays with their families this year.

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone we are preparing for our next parade during the Celebration of Lights on December 11^th which will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the San Jacinto Plaza. As you may know, El Paso Employees FCU is the new sponsor of the annual tree lighting festivities. For the first time, the festivities will include a fireworks and laser light display. We will also be entering a float in the parade. Riding on the float yesterday was incredibly exciting and we can’t wait to do it again. We are thrilled to announce that we have one available spot on our float for one lucky member of our community! If you’d like to dance along side us on the parade route, all you have to do is leave a comment on our Facebook page telling us why you'd like to be on-board our float. Please leave your comment before December 8^th and we will announce the lucky person who will come on-board with our staff on December 9^th. Good luck! Please remember that you must be 18 years or older to ride.

 

 

 

To view the rest of our pictures from the Sun Bowl Parade, visit our Facebook page!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is just a few days away and El Paso Employees FCU would like to start off the week by giving thanks to all of the wonderful and loyal members that make us who we are. Without your support, we could not exist. EPEFCU recently opened up an extension of their help desk across multiple multi- media channels and we would like to give thanks to all of our Facebook fans, Twitter followers and readers of our Blog, we are grateful for you as well! Your support and your feedback is greatly appreciated. From all of us at El Paso Employees FCU, we wish you and your family a magnificent Thanksgiving this holiday season!

Looking for something to do this holiday? Why not come out and join us at the parade! This year El Paso Employees will be entering a float in the Thanksgiving parade and we invite all of you to come out and see us!

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Create a Scrumptious Thanksgiving Feast without the High Cost

The countdown for the Thanksgiving holiday has begun and most families will be celebrating with a traditional Thanksgiving feast. If you’re in charge of preparing this year's meal, you might be worried about the high costs of cooking such an extravagant dinner. Preparing a delectable Thanksgiving banquet however doesn’t have to cost you a fortune.

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the 24^th annual informal price survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table indicates that the average cost of a Thanksgiving feast for 10 was $42.91 in 2009. The AFBF survey shopping list included turkey, bread stuffing, sweet potatoes, rolls with butter, peas, cranberries, a relish tray of carrots and celery, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and beverages of coffee and milk, all in quantities sufficient to serve a family of 10. Farm Bureau volunteer shoppers are asked to look for the best possible prices when purchasing these items. By shopping smart and following these tips, you too can keep the cost of your Thanksgiving Dinner down.

As with every purchase, it’s important to create a budget, so before you head out to start crossing items off your shopping list, you’ll need to calculate how much cash you’ll be able to set aside for your Thanksgiving dinner. Once your budget has been determined it’s important to know how many people you’ll be expecting so that you can begin to create a menu.

Start shopping early, many supermarkets offer special deals in the weeks leading up to the holiday. For instance, some offer free Turkeys when you spend more than a certain amount on grocery items. Office Depot is currently offering their customers a $10 Butterball coupon with a qualifying delivery order of $125 or more and Albertson’s is currently offering a free frozen turkey (up to 15 pounds) with a $100 purchase.

Do your research. When it comes to finding the best deals, shop around. You many not be much of a coupon clipper but if you’re looking to save money, now is the best time to start saving the weekly ad’s you’ll find in your local newspaper. Some supermarkets may even price match. While you may find great deals in 10 different grocery stores, you may be able to cut your shopping time in half by taking all of those coupons into the one store that is willing to match their competitor’s prices.

B.Y.O.P. When it comes to dessert, making a pie from scratch costs significantly less than purchasing a pre-made one, but if making desserts is not your specialty, consider asking each of your guests to bring over their favorite pie. This way, not only will you save time by not having to worry about dinner and desert, you’ll save money too.

Keep it simple. While Thanksgiving day dinner is an important meal that so many of us look forward to, keeping with the basics will not only help keep your cost down, but save you the stress of having to prepare even more food. Stay with the staples, such as turkey, potatoes, and stuffing. They are traditional favorites your guests are sure to love!

 

 

Were these tips helpful? How do you keep your food costs down when preparing for your Thanksgiving feast? Share with us! We’d be happy to read your comments.

Did the holidays sneak up on you this year? Start saving early next year with a Christmas Club account from EPEFCU. Open one now through January 31^st and start saving for next year today!

Winter Check-Up

Winter is just around the corner and soon we’ll be turning up our heaters and chopping wood for our fireplaces. Okay, so maybe we won’t exactly be chopping our own wood, but before you rush out to buy your favorite s’mores ingredients, conducting a pre winter check-up could help you minimize fire hazards in your home. According to the Home Safety Council, more home fires are started by heating equipment than any other cause during the winter months. Stay warm and safe this winter season by following these simple tips.

Before you turn up the heat, make sure to have your furnace inspected in order to make certain that the furnace controls and emergency shutoffs are in proper working condition. Most furnace manufactures recommend conducting yearly annual inspections. Also, be sure to remove all flammable material from the area surrounding your furnace.

If you’re using a space heater to warm any part of your home this winter, make certain that it is placed at least three feet away from any flammable objects. Space heaters should have plenty of room around them and should be kept far away from objects such as furniture or curtains. You should never leave a space heater on while it is unattended; if you leave the room or plan to fall asleep, make sure to turn off your heater.

If you plan to heat your home with a wood burning fireplace this winter, have your chimney or flue inspected annually and cleaned if necessary. Also, make certain to use a glass or metal cover at the entrance of the fireplace, doing so will prevent sparks from escaping. Never use charcoal inside your fireplace. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, burning charcoal indoors may produce toxic amounts of carbon monoxide. Also, do not place any flammable items on or near your fireplace’s mantel in order to prevent a fire.

A smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector should be installed on every level of your home. Each of them should be tested once a month and their batteries replaced on a yearly bases.

As the winter months grow colder, we may be tempted to do all we can to heat our homes, but products such as a range or an oven should never be used to warm up your home. Ovens typically produce carbon monoxide, and these levels increase each time the oven door is opened.

In addition to preparing the inside of you home, the outdoors requires some preparations as well. Don’t forget to insulate water lines so as to keep your water supply from freezing. If you own any pets that you are unable to bring indoors during the extreme cold, make certain that they have proper shelter and access to fresh, unfrozen water.

We want you to stay warm and safe this winter. Follow this winter checklist to keep you and your family safe this holiday season.

 

 

Were these suggestions helpful? What else do you do to prepare your home for the winter weather? Let us know! We’d be honored to read your comments.

Holiday Tavel for Less

It’s no secret that the holidays are peak travel times. So if you’re making plans to hop on a plane to Grandma’s this year, the earlier you start planning your trip, the further your dollars will go.

According to SmartTravel.com, fares steadily dropped in 100 of the most popular cities for Thanksgiving travel at the end of September, a trend that resembles last fall’s, when the best Thanksgiving airfare sales could be found at the beginning of October. Take advantage of sites that allow you to compare prices from various airlines. When prices drop you will be alerted via email so that you can choose a flight based on the best available option. Before making your final purchase from sites such as Expedia or Kayak however, always check the airline’s website first. Airlines will sometimes offer a better deal when you purchase directly from them online.

You will also find great deals on lodging through websites that allow you to bid for your room. Often times you can name your price and get a four star room at a price that you feel comfortable paying.

When searching for the best airfare deal, don’t rule out alternate airports. Secondary, smaller airports are usually cheaper to fly even after you factor in the cost of having to pay for transportation to your final destination. You’ll also find that during this time of year the smaller, out of the way airports are less crowded than the major airports, further eliminating the stress of traveling during this time of year.

Shopping online can not only reduce the stress that comes from dealing with holiday crowds, it can also save you money when it comes to delivering packages. Rather than checking in gifts for relatives at the airport, ship them directly to the intended recipient. Many websites will gift-wrap packages and include a greeting card for you at no extra cost.

When planning your getaway, avoid peak flying days, such as the day before and after the holiday. Also, consider flying the day of the holiday. The airports will most likely be quieter as most people will have already reached their destination and you’ll enjoy better ticket prices. Save money by booking connecting flights. While a connecting flight may not always be the easiest or most preferred way to fly, it is the cheapest; as long as you don’t mind the extra time it will take you to reach your destination.

If you’re wishing for a smooth trip this season, be prepared for the unexpected, plan for unforeseen delays by signing up for real-time flight status updates that can be delivered straight to your phone. Furthermore, make certain to pack extra snacks and batteries.

 

Remember, when traveling during the holiday season, the key to a stress free trip is to plan ahead and start early. This includes saving for Christmas gifts early in the year. At EPEFCU you can open up a Christmas Club Account which lets you save early for Christmas expenses. Were these suggestions helpful? What other tips would you offer for those trying to save money while traveling this season? Let us know! We’d be honored to read your comments!

Deck Your Halls for Less

The holidays have arrived and for many it means a slew of festive décor will soon fill your homes. Your home can look like that picture perfect living room in this month’s Home and Garden, and it doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. We’ve put together some smart holiday shopping tips and ideas to make decorating easy on your wallet.

As with any other shopping trip, before heading out, sit down and create a budget. This should include the amount you feel comfortable spending on holiday décor. Remember that this budget does not include any items you will need to purchase for gifts. Once you have created a budget, store the allotted amount in an envelope and use only this cash to make your purchases. By setting aside the money in an envelope, you won’t be tempted to go over budget once you’re out shopping. By using a debit or credit card however, it’s a little easier to convince yourself that even going $20 over budget is okay.

Before heading to the craft store, fire up your computer and try to cross off some of the items on your holiday check list by purchasing them online. Websites such as save-on-crafts.com and factorydirectcraft.com offer an array of festive adornments at a significantly lower price than the local retail stores.

Also, check to see if retailers offer online coupons that you might be able to print out and use in-stores. Hobby Lobby for example offers a weekly coupon. This week’s coupon was worth 40% and could be used on any item at regular price. Simply print out the coupon and enjoy your savings.

Bring out your creative side. With do-it-yourself crafts, not only will you save money, you’ll also get to spend some quality family time. For a chic centerpiece, walk outside and collect the best looking pine cones you can find. Next, lightly spray-paint the pine cones in shimmering colors, such as gold or silver and cranberry red. Display your artwork in a glass bowl. Making natural decorations is an inexpensive yet tasteful way to decorate your home.

Shop smart by purchasing your festive décor off season. During the holiday’s you can expect to pay a fortune for decorative items. However, come December 26^th most retail stores are going to be looking to unload all of their unsold items. Take advantage of the slash in prices and stock up on big ticket items you can store away for next year. You may be able to find outdoor decorations marked down by nearly 75% after the holidays.

Don’t exclude discount stores such as Big Lots or even Dollar Stores for basic items such as Christmas lights and wrapping paper or gift bags. Chances are you’ll find the same festive patterns and lights you’d find at large retailers for much less.

The nearest retail store is not the only place to find holiday ornaments. Make a trip to your attic or your grandmother’s home to rummage through old holiday decorations. Heirloom ornaments or old greeting cards can add warmth, tradition, and a greater sense of meaning to any room in your home this holiday season.

 

 

How do you celebrate the holiday season without breaking your budget? Share your secrets with us! We’d be honored to read your comments!

 

Stay Warm this Winter without the High Price

The holidays have officially begun, and with November underway we’ve noticed a change in the weather here in the Sun City. It won’t be long before we’re switching off our air conditioners and turning on our heaters. According to the Energy Information Administration, households heating primarily with natural gas will spend an average of $27 more this winter, that’s a 4% increase compared to last year. Approximately 52% of households in the U.S rely on natural gas as their primary heating fuel.

It’s easy to keep your heating bill under control this winter season. Perhaps the most obvious solution is to turn down your thermostat. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you can save as much as 5% on heating costs, according to the Consumer Energy Center.

If you plan to leave your home for hours at a time, turn off your thermostat completely and take advantage of the sunlight during the day by opening up your windows to allow the natural light to heat your home. Once the sun has set, make certain to close your curtains or blinds to keep the heat inside your home.  

Replacing your windows could also save you money when it comes to your winter heating bills. If you’re looking to invest in new windows, look for the energy efficient kind that will help you keep more money in your pocket in the long run.

The government is currently offering a 30% tax credit if you purchase an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home. This includes energy efficient windows, doors, and skylights. The offer ends December 31^st of this year however, so if you’re planning on replacing your windows soon, it may be wise to invest in energy efficient windows before the years end.

Make the most out of your kitchen this winter by putting your recipes to use. Using the oven and stove to cook or bake can help keep your living space warmer. Your stove however should never be used as a space heater. Doing so may produce toxic levels of carbon monoxide.

Make certain heat stays inside your home by fixing the leaks around areas such as doors and windows. Not certain if your home contains leaks? Light a candle and hold it up to areas that are likely to have a draft. Blocking those drafts is an easy fix and can be done in one day. Pay a visit to your local hardware store. Look into purchasing door sweeps and caulking to patch up those drafty areas around windows and doors. If your home has a fireplace, make certain that the flue is closed properly to ensure that heat is not escaping your home.

Reduce your water heater temperature. The Consumer Energy Center recommends setting your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to shave off up to 11% on your heating bill.

Insulating certain areas in your home could also have an impact on your home heating costs. In older homes, insulating places such as an attic or a basement is a simple and cost effective solution.

 

How do you keep warm during the winter months without running up your home heating bill? Let us know! We’d love to read your comments.