EPEFCU

Coupon-Clipping…is it worth it?

You’ve seen them, we all have. You know the type—you’re in line at the grocery store and somehow you manage to get stuck behind the person who clips coupons, for everything. Have you ever wondered how much money they really save? Well so have we, which is why we decided to do a little investigating of our own and find out once and for all if savvy, coupon-clipping shopping is worth it.

When shopping for savings it’s important to avoid clipping coupons for products you wouldn’t normally use, regardless of what you think you’ll be saving. Don’t let coupons entice you to buy things you don’t really need. Create a shopping list before heading out to the store and look for coupons for only those items.

And so began the hunt for coupons. We opted for the easy…er…smart route, and browsed for coupons online rather than wait for this week’s grocery mailers to arrive. Through our investigation we stumbled upon Printable-Coupons.Blogspot.com and found coupons for products people actually need ($1.50 off three Caffeine Free Diet Coke 12 Packs!) Now, a lot of these coupons require that you register with your name, email address, etc. however once that’s complete you’ll be able to print your coupon and voila, instant savings! We’ll definitely be back for more.

During our search, we also came across the website TheCouponClippers.com. This site lets you perform a search of the items on your list, then lets you order coupons for each of those items. On this site you do have to pay for each coupon (10-15 cents per coupon) but the savings makes it worth it in the long run.  

Coupons.com is another site worth bookmarking. This site is perhaps the easiest and the fastest to use. They offer a wide range of discounts on grocery store items you buy everyday. The site is easy to navigate, so finding what you need is a breeze! You can also enter your zip code for area-specific bargains.

Just remember, like with anything else it’s important to be cautious about giving away too much personal information. If you’re required to register on a website so that you can receive email offers, then your email address is the only information you should be giving away. Also, make sure that you periodically check the site’s privacy policy as it may change from day to day.

Coupon-clipping requires some legwork, but the savings are well worth the time spent searching for them. Still, some stores refuse to take online coupons or cap the number that customers can use, while manufacturers often limit the number of coupons you can print for a certain item, so make sure to check with the store of your choice before making any purchases.

 

Have you ever shopped using coupns? How much did you save and was it worth your time? Share your stories with us! We'd be honored to read your comments!

Buying Life Insurance 101

So you’ve graduated from college, landed your first grown-up job and married the love of your life. Life couldn’t be better, so why ruin it with morbid thoughts about mortality?

As unpleasant as the idea of planning for your own death might seem, there are plenty of reasons to look into buying life insurance. If you (or your spouse) are the main source of income for your family, have or are planning to have children and currently share a substantial amount of debt and/or a mortgage payment, life insurance will be a good cushion to put into place sooner rather than later.

As you grow older and your life continues to change, you’ll want to start thinking about purchasing a life insurance policy. But all these changes can be a little (or a lot) overwhelming, so we’ve done some research for you and put together a short list of basic do’s and don’ts  when purchasing life insurance.

There are two types of policies, term and permanent. Term insurance provides death protection for a stated time period, or term. It provides a death benefit if you die within a set number of years and typically nothing if you live beyond that term. Permanent insurance, otherwise known as whole life insurance, provides life insurance coverage for as long as you live.

According to consumer reports, permanent policies can cost at least 10 times more than term policies. A $1 million policy for a middle age male for instance might cost an average of $160 a month for a term policy. If however you’re looking into the same amount of coverage on a whole life policy, you’re looking at a monthly premium of approximately $750 a month. Keep in mind however that the premium is fixed on a whole life policy and you’ll be able to borrow against it should the need arise.

According to Forbes, some insurance agents recommend coverage that will replace the equivalent of 15 times your annual income.

In order to help you decide which type of insurance you should opt for, take advantage of online calculators. The goal is to figure out how much money will be needed to cover your spouse’s expenses until retirement as well as support your children through adulthood.

After you’ve decided how much insurance you’ll need and which policy best fits those needs, it’s time to get yourself into shape. There are several life improvement changes you can make today in order to reduce the cost of your monthly premium. For example, kick the smoking habit once and for all, work towards loosing weight and lowering your cholesterol and blood pressure.

Lastly, do your homework! Whichever type of policy you decide to purchase, it should be done through an insurance company with an “A” rating or higher from an independent rating agency. Also, make sure to compare quotes from different companies.

But don’t just take our word for it. Remember to consult a professional before making your purchase if you’re still unsure about your choices. Setting a plan into place for your loved ones will give you peace of mind knowing that they will be taken care of once you’ve passed away.

 

 

Was this article helpful? Let us know! We'd be honored to read your comments!

Investing for Beginners

Many investor newbies hear the phrase “stock market” and shudder, but the truth is investing isn’t nearly as scary as you might think it is. The stock market isn’t just for bigwigs. You too could start investing, and you should. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when starting out.

1. Examine your budget closely.

Do you have money to spare? Money invested into any account should be money you can afford to lose. Keep in mind that money invested into stocks should never replace your 401(k) or IRA. If after close inspection you find that you do in fact have some wiggle room in your budget to invest, decide on how much money you can afford to put into the market.

2. Stick with what you know.

One of the biggest hurdles facing first time investors is knowing which stocks to put their money into, according to MSN, investors should stick with what they know. Let’s say you absolutely love dogs, and are constantly looking for the healthiest foods for Fido. Chances are you know more about dog food than the average person. Make money buying the brands you know best by using the knowledge you already have to make an intelligent investment.

3. Start by playing it safe.

Buy stock from large franchise companies that you know will do well, such as McDonalds or Apple. Companies with a strong global brand are harder to compete with, making them a safer choice for first time investors. When investing with safe firms such as these, you can feel pretty secure in your choices without being too risky.

4. Do your homework.

Doing some research before delving into the market will help prepare you for what’s ahead. Some websites, such as WeSeed.com, let you create a portfolio using fake money. You’ll be able to test your skills before investing with the real thing. Also, remember that everyone’s financial situation is different and you should always consult with a financial advisor first.

EPEFCU Donates to the Candlelighters of El Paso

As a local organization, El Paso Employees FCU is constantly looking for ways to support its community. The Celebration of Lights brought with it an opportunity for the credit union to partner up with the city of El Paso and help improve a renowned El Paso tradition.

As the traditional festivities turned 75, EPEFCU ensured that its anniversary would be celebrated with an all new fireworks and laser light show, and a majestic float carrying Mr. and Mrs. Claus during the night’s parade.

To commemorate the event, EPEFCU created a limited edition ornament which was sold at each of the credit union’s eight locations as well as the Candlelighters of El Paso offices. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised were then donated to an organization that also recognizes the importance of being able to help the members of its community.

Candlelighters queen and spokesperson, Jeanne Osborne, was present to accept the $795.00 check for the organization that has done so much for both her and her family. Osborne was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia but is doing well. She recently celebrated her 5^th birthday and is and animal lover who has big dreams of one day becoming a veterinarian.  

 

To view more of the days pictures, visit our Facebook page!

Speak up and let your voice be heard!

 
In the midst of the 20^th century’s Great Depression, 10 city employees in El Paso came together to join the credit union movement. In November of 1936, each of the founding members gave just five dollars and hoped they’d be able to provide better financial opportunities to those who had been underserved. Today, EPEFCU continues to serve as a financial foundation to over 40,000 of its members and it has extended its services to anyone who lives, works or worships in El Paso County.

This year marks the beginning of our 75^th anniversary and we’re transforming our organization in order to meet the needs of this ever-changing, technology based world. Technology affects nearly every aspect of our lives, especially the face and the pace of business and it has inspired new strategies and revolutionized our research-and-development process. Some of our innovation initiatives include mobile banking, online account opening, and soon, eChecking accounts.

Our future generation consists of young adults who have grown up with personal computers, cell phones and the internet and are now taking their place in a world where the only constant is rapid change. According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, young adults between the ages of 18-29 are more likely than older adults to say technology makes life easier and brings family and friends closer together.

 In today’s globally competitive market, banks everywhere are creating new ways to make banking easier and faster. Your Voice, Your CU is a team of carefully chosen peers between the ages of 18-35. El Paso Employees FCU wants to know what the future of our credit union wants from their financial institution, and what better way to find out then to ask them directly? EPEFCU is learning to adapt to today’s technology and with your help, we can ensure that these changes will be successful.

There is still time to let your voice be heard! If you’re a member at El Paso Employees FCU between the ages of 18-35 we want to hear from you! Your Voice, Your CU is an ongoing project created by El Paso Employees FCU. We are looking for members to join our elite team to speak up and influence the way your credit union does business. 

Our team will meet every other month and compensation for your time will be given. We are looking for interested and opinionated individuals between the ages of 18-35. If you're interested in becoming a part of this influential panel, email yourvoice@epefcu.org or call Elisa Terrazas at 915.599.6854 or Claudia Fernandez at 915.599.6837 to schedule an interview before positions are filled!