A Publication for CHROME Federal Credit Union Members • FALL 2022
From Our Table to Yours
In this issue of the CHROME newsletter: • Quick tips to reduce your heating bill. • A culture grown from community service. • Join our next financial wellness webinar to learn more about your Money Personality. • Earn 3% Cash Back this holiday season.
Plus: • Take the first steps to living more cyber securely. • See how we’re invested in this community with our latest sponsorships and events.
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Make a Plan to Save 30% or More on Your Heating Bills.
There is nothing better than finding areas to save money. If your utility bills in winter put a crunch on your budget, check out these tips to reduce energy usage. #1: Turn down the thermostat. You can save as much as 10 percent a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back seven to 10 degrees for eight hours a day from its normal setting. Those eight hours could be while you are away at work or school, when sunlight is warming your house, or when you’re asleep under a pile of cozy blankets. For every two degrees, you can save an average of three percent on your energy bill.
#2: Seal up your house to keep cold air out and warm air in. Caulking and weatherstripping help seal your house up, keeping the warm air in. These are affordable DIY ways to improve energy efficiency and can save you about 7.5 percent on your energy bill! About $240 can cover weather stripping all your windows and doors. Additionally, minimize the air that escapes by closing the damper on your fireplace when it’s not in use, and use bath and kitchen fans sparingly. This can save another 10 percent on your energy bill.
#3: Change your furnace filters regularly. Your furnace or heating system is responsible for about half your energy bill. Changing the filters every three months means your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard, saving you energy and money in the long run. A clean filter costs about $20 and can lower energy use by as much as 15 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. That means another 7.5 percent savings on your monthly bills.
#4 Get a pro to test your energy efficiency. Many utility companies offer free energy audits, which can help you figure out how much energy your home uses and take steps to increase efficiency. Start by contacting your utility company or find an auditor near you. According to Energy.gov, an energy audit can show you ways to save five to 30 percent on your utility bills.
#5: Get free heat from the sun. Warm sunshine can heat your home for free! Open curtains on south- and west-facing windows during the day to warm your interior rooms and surfaces. Then close your curtains at night to help keep the heat from escaping. This could help save another one or two percent on your energy bill in colder months. If you are having trouble keeping up with higher winter utility bills, ask your utility company about a payment plan. Many companies offer a year-round plan that spreads costs out over all 12 months.
Our partner, GreenPath’s caring Financial Wellness Experts, can work with you to assess your specific situation to create a personalized plan to achieve your goals. As a trusted national non-profit, 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.
Our Employees Believe In Serving Their Communities! Our staff is an amazing group of people. They’re dedicated to the peoplehelping-people philosophy of credit unions and work daily to improve our members’ financial well-being. When we look for new team members, we want those who take this unique approach to life. Our team fulfills our mission. Caring is a core value for the CHROME team, and we support our employees’ involvement in their charitable efforts. This support includes offering each employee an additional 16 PTO hours (personal time off) to use for their personal volunteer efforts. This allows employees to focus on their personal charities and programs while also supporting company-sponsored volunteer initiatives.
Recipients of the Dora Maxwell Award: CrossState Credit Union Association recently recognized CHROME as the honoree of the 2022 Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award. This award recognizes credit unions that excel in community relationships and external activities that serve the community. Multiple programs helped us to qualify — such as our microloan program established with BluePrints and “CHROME 24 Day Lunches,” which supported locally owned restaurants during the pandemic. It also considered the hundreds of volunteer hours logged by our employees — with 100% of our team logging hours with local non-profits! We’re proud of this incredible accomplishment, knowing that every employee you meet is equally passionate about volunteering.
We’re currently hiring if you’re ready for a more fulfilling career.
Do you have a passion for serving others? Learn more about our career opportunities here.
CHROME Federal Credit Union is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
What Is Your Money Personality?
Your money personality affects your attitudes, behavior, and financial choices you make - as well as the consequences of those choices. Your money personality also affects your feelings about money, such as shame, guilt, and fear. Do you want to learn how to better understand why you spend money the way you do? If so, join us for this informative webinar to learn how your money personality shapes your approach to earning, saving, spending, philanthropy, and investing.
Register now for this informative webinar from our partners at GreenPath.
Wednesday, November 9 @ 3:00 pm EST - 3:45 pm EST Register Here Who Should Attend? Anyone who wants to better understand themselves, and how their money personality is impacting their financial decisions.
What You Will Learn: • How to Find Your Money Personality • How Your Money Personality Shapes Financial Decisions • How to Use Your Money Personality to Your Advantage
If you can’t attend live, please still register, and the recorded webinar will be sent to you after the event. Presented by: Your Money Guide Program Manager Dusti Young & Partner Experience Manager Jessie Garrison This webinar is presented by our partners at GreenPath Financial Wellness, a trusted national non-profit.
Spread More Holiday Cheer! UNLIMITED 3% Cash Back On All Credit Card Purchases!*
Get more for your money when using your CHROME Platinum Cash Back Credit Card this holiday season. From November 15, 2022 through January 15, 2023, you’ll receive Unlimited 3% Cash Back! BUSY SHOPPING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON? Let your money work harder for you with Unlimited 3% Cash Back on all credit card purchases this holiday season. While you’re on the go shopping, dining, or planning family gatherings, we can help you spread more holiday cheer!
SAVE WITH A LOW RATE AND NO ANNUAL FEES. Rates are as low as 12.90% 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 and receive Unlimited 3% Cash Back from November 15, 2022 through January 15, 2023.*
WHEN YOU NEED MORE. Interested in a larger line? Apply today.
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 November 15, 2022 through January 15, 2023. Includes all retail transactions. See Terms and Conditions for more information about your rewards. 3% Cash Back on Holiday Purchases Program details, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. **APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Rates are subject to change without notice.
Keep Your Data Safe
We rely on our electronic devices for daily life, and while we enjoy their power and convenience, they create a fertile breeding ground for fraudsters. Improving your data security begins with understanding how vast and valuable your data is. The data encryption company, Virtru.com, notes that improving data privacy starts with a fundamental respect for your data. It suggests asking three questions when crafting your own data security strategy: • Who can access my personal and professional data? • How can I improve my data privacy? • What are the most impactful changes I can make? As you answer these questions, you can begin to develop a personal data security plan. Also, shape a plan that involves your entire family; when you’re working together, you can prepare for a safer online life.
There are sensible steps to follow. Much of our online safety starts with us — and taking extra precautions regarding our online life. We’ve compiled some key safety tips you can implement in your normal life: Lock all devices. Locking your computer or phone with a basic password is the first line of defense in preventing cybercrime. Some apps, such as “find my phone” or “find my device,” can assist by enabling you to turn off your device to prevent uninvited access. Craft strong passwords. Experts recommend that passwords be at least 16 characters long and to change them every 90 days. To improve your data security, consider using a password management app. Update all devices with the latest antivirus software. This software, such as Bitdefender or Norton, will monitor potential threats on your computer or phone. Also, make sure devices are kept up-to-date with the latest operating systems as part of your routine maintenance. Avoid public Wi-Fi. Instead, shop or bank from home, as your home settings offer greater security and privacy. If you use public Wi-Fi, update your device settings as soon as the transaction is complete. Choose only secure websites. Look for the padlock or “https” in a company’s URL, and beware of fake websites that mimic well-known retailers using a similar name. If uncomfortable or suspicious, end the transaction. Monitor your finances. View your credit report frequently, enroll in online banking alerts, use debit and credit card controls, and don’t forget to vet the people and companies you do business with.
At CHROME, we’ve got your back, and data security is always top of mind so you can rest easier. CHROME Federal Credit Union will never ask for login information, one-time passwords, full card numbers, or PIN numbers. If you receive a call or text requesting this information, do not respond. Please contact us at 724.228.2030, select option 1, or message us through your online banking account to report it. Sources: NerdWallet, Inc. https://www.virtru.com/blog/data-privacy-day-tips
It’s All About You!
CHROME believes in our community and recently supported these events:
“Fun With Budgeting” — A Range Resources and Dress for Success hosted event.
September 29, 2022: “Power of Her.” CHROME employees were invited to host a breakout session during the “Power of Her” event hosted by Range Resources and Dress for Success Pittsburgh. The event hosted 100 junior and senior students from Washington County schools for a day of interactive empowerment and workforce development, addressing topics such as confidence building, interviewing, budgeting, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and career exploration.
October 13, 2022: “All for Her: Educate, Motivate, Inspire.” CHROME had a financial
literacy section at the “All for Her” event at Tanger Outlets. The Observer-Reporter and Washington Health System host this annual free event. It provides an evening of shopping, informational booths, a panel of women trailblazers, and a style show by Dress for Success.
October 20, 2022: International Credit Union Day. CHROME joined over 56,000 credit
unions around the world to celebrate International Credit Union (ICU) Day®, featuring the theme, “Empower Your Financial Future with a Credit Union.” This day highlights the many ways that credit unions across the world help members improve their financial health and well-being.
Credit unions were built on the principle of “people helping people.” If you have a cause near to your heart, please share it with us!
BRANCH CLOSINGS Federal Holiday Schedule Veterans Day
Christmas Day (observed)
Thanksgiving Day
New Year’s Eve
Friday, November 11, 2022
Monday, December 26, 2022
Thursday, November 24, 2022
Saturday, December 31, 2022
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