A Publication for CHROME Federal Credit Union Members • SUMMER 2022
Fire Up Your Savings Game!
In this issue of the CHROME newsletter, • Learn our tips and tricks in the grocery-savings game — and other ways to beat inflation! • Earn UNLIMITED 3% Cash Back on groceries and gas. It’s our way of paying you back when you need it most. • Learn more about CHROME’s convenient and financial wellness friendly Digital Banking tools. • Explore your Home Equity; you’ll be surprised at all the ways you can use it!
Plus: • Find out how using CHROME Digital Banking tools can boost your credit score and keep your account secure. • See how CHROME invested in the community with branch events and a special Character Meet & Greet!
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Savings at the Grocery Store
With prices rapidly rising on everyday items, perhaps your savings plan has gone by the wayside. These tips will help you find more money in your budget – starting with saving at the grocery store. # 1 Plan Before You Shop to Save on Groceries Know what you have to spend: Set a budget or a dollar limit for each trip to the store or each order, and keep a running tally as you shop so you come in on budget.
#2 Shop Around – Compare Prices from Different Stores You have tons of grocery shopping options. Looking closely at them and finding the mix that works for you can help you balance your personal preferences, the kinds of things you need, and the price you are willing to pay. You may find out that by splitting your grocery list up between several options gets you the best deals.
#3 Stick to Your List, Stick to Your List, Stick to Your List Sticking to your list is probably the most important thing you can do to save money on groceries and hit your grocery budget. Your list is your plan, man. When you buy something else, you are spending your money on something you didn’t plan for.
#4 Beat Your Budget: Find the Best Deals on the Things You Need You know what you need to buy because you made an awesome list. But how can you get the best deal on each of those items? Balance your total budget (how much you have overall to spend at the grocery store), with the best per-unit cost for each item. For example, if you only have $25 to spend, a years’ worth of toilet paper for $50 is not that helpful. But, if you can get a weeks’ worth of toilet paper for $1 less than normal, you just found $1.
#5 Stick to Your Plan at Home, Too: Use All of What You Buy Stretch those dollars even further by reducing or eliminating waste, so you can buy less often. And maximize your grocery purchases for the foods and supplies that meet your needs, and make your life easier, happier, and healthier. Keep going!
To read the full article that includes 20 more tips to put into action on your next trip for groceries, click here. Our partner GreenPath’s caring Financial Wellness Experts work with you to assess your specific situation to create a personalized plan to achieve your goals. As a trusted national nonprofit, GreenPath works with thousands of people each week to pay off debt, improve credit and lead a financially healthy life. This article is shared by our partners at GreenPath Financial Wellness, a trusted national non-profit.
Digital Banking
During uncertain financial times, turn to Digital Banking. Are you using Digital Banking? As a CHROME Member, you have many tools available to simplify life, especially in today’s financial landscape, when every dollar counts. As inflation impacts our wallets, we encourage you to use all the tools available to your financial advantage.
Digital Banking can improve your finances in a variety of ways: It lets you seamlessly manage your accounts, make loan payments, transfer funds, pay bills, apply for loans, and more — when it’s easiest for you. Digital Banking also offers an option to set up alerts. For example, a Low Balance Alert will help you avoid an overdraft situation.
Use automation to be disciplined with your savings strategy. Automated deposits, set up through payroll deduction or direct deposit, make saving painless. You can distribute your funds in several ways, such as a Rainy Day Fund that helps save for vacations and holiday shopping. There are also options to distribute funds to a money market account, HSA, college account, IRA and more. Setting up automated deposits can help our Members successfully save for the important events in their lives!
Prevent scammers from accessing your info. Watch for fraud and identity theft with 24/7 access to monitor transactions on your account. It pays to stay in touch with your money, and Digital Banking makes it easy to do.
Rest easy whenever you log in. Our systems offer the highest encryption levels possible, and our technology partners undergo an intense vetting process. Consider all the ways we keep your accounts safe.
Digital Banking offers many easy-to-use, convenient tools: • Monitor balances
• Establish account alerts
• Pay bills or send money
• Live Chat with a CHROME Care Rep
• View and schedule transactions
• Set up Text Alerts for debit & credit card purchases
Questions? We know life is challenging, and CHROME is here to help! Read more here, email us at care@chromefcu.org or call 724.228.2030 and select Option 1.
Unlimited 3% Cash Back On Gas & Groceries!*
Beat inflation using your CHROME Platinum Cash Back Credit Card for your gas and grocery purchases. Now through August 15, 2022, you’ll receive Unlimited 3% Cash Back! FEELING PAIN AT THE GAS PUMP & GROCERY STORE? With inflation and the rising price of gas and groceries, CHROME wants to assist by offering Unlimited 3% Cash Back on these items. It’s our way of putting a little back in your pocket when you need it most.
SAVE WITH A LOW RATE AND NO ANNUAL FEES. Rates are as low as 11.40% APR** (variable) on purchases and 3.99% APR** on balance transfers for 12 months. Enjoy the perks without the fees or high rates.
NO ACTIVATION IS REQUIRED! Already a cardholder? Simply use your CHROME Platinum Cash Back Credit Card on all gas and grocery purchases and receive Unlimited 3% Cash Back through August 15, 2022.*
WHEN YOU NEED MORE. Interested in a credit line increase? Apply here.
Interested in becoming a CHROME Platinum Cash Back Credit Cardholder? Apply here. *Limited Time Only. Valid on CHROME Platinum Cash Back Credit Card purchases from June 15, 2022 to August 15, 2022. Includes purchases of Gas and Grocery products only. Excludes all other purchases. See Terms and Conditions for more information about your rewards. 3% Unlimited Cash Back Gas & Grocery Program details, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. **APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rates are subject to change without notice.
The Power Is In Your Home
Homeowners have an excellent source for low-cost financing. With a Home Equity Line of Credit, you gain access to unlimited borrowing power. Your equity serves as collateral, and in exchange, you receive one of our lowest financing rates available! It can also pay for a variety of needs, with home renovations being one of the most common uses. But the funds are also perfect for college tuition, a wedding, or debt consolidation. It’s a highly versatile funding option — you can use the funds for anything!
Surprising uses: • Take a once-in-a-lifetime trip
• Start a business
• Purchase a vacation home
• Put in a swimming pool or build a garage
• Make an investment
• Consolidate bills
• Pay for college
• Pay off medical bills
• Fund a wedding
• Major dental work, like braces
Home values continue to increase, so you likely have more equity available. As home values rise, the more equity you have at your disposal, the more cash you can tap into. If you’re not sure about your home’s value, we can order an appraisal for a reasonable fee so you can get your largest borrowing amount available.
Call us at 724.228.2030 and select Option 1, or apply online. This low-cost funding solution is perfect for any purchase or project.
Keep leveraging your borrowing power! Learn more about the different financing options available by scheduling an appointment. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. We have rates ranging from 5.50% APR to 8.50% APR. This is a Variable rate. Variable rate is based on WSJ Prime Rate and member credit worthiness. For example: payment on a $10,000 balance at 5.50% APR would be $140.00 per month. Minimum monthly payment is $100. Other rates and terms are available. The rates disclosed are estimates. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Membership eligibility required. Eligibility for this offer based on credit history and proof of income. Credit may not be extended if, after you respond to this offer, you no longer meet the criteria used to select you for this offer. This offer can be withdrawn at anytime without prior notice.
Thanks For Your Support! CHROME believes in this community and recently supported these events:
May 27, 2022: Family Fun Night for the Greater Pittsburgh Food Truck Festival at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows. For the entire evening, CHROME sponsored a “Character Meet & Greet” Tent. Over 200 children stopped by to take pictures with their favorite characters and select a prize! Check out the pics on our Facebook page.
June 11, 2022: Community Shred Day. CHROME hosted a Community Shred Day at the Racetrack Road branch. Over 80 community Members stopped by to have their documents safely and securely shredded. Attendees also received insulated CHROME cooler bags and other swag goodies.
June 17, 2022: Blood Drive. CHROME hosted a Blood Drive with the American Red Cross at the Wexford branch. We salute the 22 blood donors who shared this life-giving donation.
June 13-17, 2022: Christopher’s Kitchen Fundraiser. CHROME hosted a collection for the non-profit Christopher’s Kitchen. We collected over 500 individually wrapped and packaged food items, bags of candy, and more! Thank you to everyone who dropped off donations!
We appreciate your involvement and continue to seek events that support our community and those who live in it. If you have a cause near to your heart, please share it with us!
HOLIDAY CLOSINGS Labor Day Monday, September 5, 2022
Racetrack 440 Racetrack Road Washington, PA 15301
724.228.2030 CHROMEFCU.ORG
Columbus Day & Indigenous People Day Monday, October 10, 2022
Washington 45 Griffith Avenue Washington, PA 15301
Wexford 2601 Wexford-Bayne Road Sewickley, PA 15143