Country Minute - Summer 2013

Summer 2013 News and notes on living the good life...

CountryMinute

The ABC’s of understanding your FICO score– When you apply for a loan these days, GreenStone and most lenders evaluate your credit risk by obtaining a Credit Bureau Report that includes your FICO score. The higher your number, the better the odds you will make your loan payments on time.

Here are the ABC’s of understanding your FICO score: A: Always know your score!

Your credit score is designed to move up and down, as you take on more credit or pay down balances. With increasing threats from identity theft

and fraud, changes in your credit bureau score can also alert you to potential threats. Many independent services are available (for a fee) that will alert you to a change in your credit bureau score. In general, www.MyFico.com is regarded as the leading site for monitoring your credit. If you only want to check your credit annually, you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. To order, visit www.annualcreditreport.com, or call 877-322-8228.

Camping Memories for a Lifetime For many, camping is a favorite family tradition. Whether this summer marks your first or your 100th camping trip, here are a few ideas to help ensure the time together is talked about for years to come.

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B: Balances on accounts can lower your overall score The total amount of credit you have outstanding, number of accounts, balances on accounts and how much credit you have will impact your credit score. Also, the longer your credit history is, the easier it is to accurately identify payment patterns. Be careful not to add too many new accounts over a short period of time.

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Summer Ailment Remedies If you are worried about what physical harm can happen to you at the lake, the park or even in your own backyard this summer, rest assured there are quick and easy remedies for ailments caused from being outdoors.

The nice summer weather not only brings people outside, it also brings out lots and lots of insects. Instead of scratching at any bites you might experience, apply a drop or two of peppermint oil. This will cool the affected area as well as increase circulation to speed up the healing process. You can also use toothpaste containing peppermint oil.

sheets of paper towel in white vinegar and apply the sheets directly to the burned areas.

Sometimes even the best sunscreens cannot stop our bodies from experiencing sunburn. To help ease this pain and inflammation, just soak a few

Sources: Organic Authority: www.organicauthority.com Reader’s Digest: www.rd.com

Finally, if you happen to come in contact with poison ivy, be sure to first and foremost wash the oil from the plant off your skin. Then grind up one cup of oatmeal into a powder, add it to a bath of cool water and hop in.

This will greatly help reduce irritation.

FROM THE PRO:

BASS FISHING 101 As a professional angler, I have been asked countless times how I got into the sport of competitive fishing. The fact that my family has a long track record when it comes to bass fishing surely helped point me in this direction, but the truth is I am passionate about fishing! At a young age I would fish for anything that bit.

The great thing about fishing is that it does not take much to get started.

While it is a nice luxury, a person does not need top of the line equipment, or an expensive boat to go fishing. I know from my years of experience working

Candid Comment...

in an outdoor retailer in Kalamazoo, Michigan, that you can get all the gear you need for no more than $50.

There is no need to spend a lot on a fishing rod; the best way to start is a combo style rig with both a rod and reel. The rest of your gear should be pretty basic as well: a few hooks, bobbers, sinkers and worms, and you are ready to go! Being a professional bass angler, I would recommend getting a few specialized bass lures as well. Your local fishing retailer should have a few experts to help you with set up, should you need it.

After you get all your gear, the most important part to getting started fishing is simple: get out on the water and do it! With any luck you will be hooked!

GreenStone FCS, "We would like to say that if it weren't for GreenStone, this deal would probably not have been made. I received information about your company from a friend. He advised me about a mutual friend we have that used GreenStone to secure a loan during hard times. Word of mouth advertising, even in this day and age of the internet, appears to still be alive and well.”

— Mark and Jackie Garnsey Rockford, Michigan

Have something to share?

Submit your "Candid Comment" to: marketing@greenstonefcs.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR GreenStone is a proud sponsor of Jonathon VanDam, Bassmaster Elite Series Pro angler and Michigan native.

You can learn more about Jonathon by visiting: http://www.bassmaster. com/anglers/jonathon-vandam.

...FICO Score continued

Recipe Corner

C: Credit scores can save, or COST you real money Credit scores can affect your interest rates, insurance premiums and ability to qualify for a credit card. A low credit score can make it more difficult to qualify for certain types of credit. Did you know that your auto insurance premiums can be affected by your FICO score? Insurance providers believe that low credit scores can be accurate predictors of future payment and poor driving.

Boosting credit scores: You cannot raise your score overnight, but your recent activity is important.

Even six months of good behavior will have an impact. An even faster method of improving your score is to pay down balances. As a general rule, never use more than 50 percent of your limit on any card.

Maintaining a good FICO score means better rates and access to credit.

Know the ABC’s of your FICO score and start saving real money!

Spicy Salmon Kabobs Ingredients Prepare grill for medium heat. Mix oregano, sesame seeds, cumin, salt and red pepper flakes in a small bowl to combine; set spice mixture aside.

Beginning and ending with salmon, thread salmon and folded lemon slices onto eight pairs of parallel skewers to make eight kabobs. Brush with oil, and season with prepared spice mixture.

Grill, turning occasionally, until fish is opaque throughout, 5–8 minutes.

Source: www.bonappetit.com

• Keep them entertained: As adults, we may wish to utilize the camping experience for some much need rest and relaxation.

But, if we are with younger campers, they will be looking for activity every minute their eyes are open. Be ready for a craft, like a stick vase, or organize a simple scavenger hunt looking for a pine cone, bird feather, tree leaf, etc.

• Enjoy, and use the fire: We cook every day, but how often do we

2 teaspoons sesame seeds 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1½ pounds skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 lemons, sliced thinly into rounds 2 tablespoons olive oil Special Equipment 16 bamboo skewers soaked in water for 1 hour

TechTIP

...Camping continued

• Do not forget the snacks: Take along ingredients to make something yummy onsite, like the all-time favorites: s’mores and campfire popcorn. Or, get the kids involved before you leave to make trail mix.

2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano

get to utilize a campfire? Planning a few meals that can be prepared over the fire will get the kids excited and offer the opportunity to make something you otherwise would not.

• Start a new tradition: Tell campfire stories, but rather than taking the chance of causing nightmares with ghostly stories, try “remember when.” Go around the campfire and tell a favorite family memory — maybe from a former camping trip, or when something funny happened. You could also make up a story by everyone taking turns adding details on to a pretend story.

• Have fun: Most importantly, leave the stress and timelines at home and just have fun!

Every home should have a backup strategy to protect you from losing your important electronic information.

Data backups should be performed on a routine basis with the frequency most dependent on the use and importance of the work on your computer.

Remember to also back up before performing a software upgrade!

Some computer programs have backup functionality available within the program. Otherwise, a simple option is to make a copy of important computer folders on a USB memory stick and store in a fire and water proof safe or structure, or use cloud storage. You may also wish to purchase a software/service to automate the back up process for you.

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CountryMinute Inside this issue: - ABC’s of FICO Score - Camping Memories - Bass Fishing 101

- Summer Ailment Remedies - Tech Tip - Member Notes

Greenstone member notes Customers who receive the Country Minute do not receive GreenStone’s agricultural member publication, Partners.

Therefore, the following is a snippet of news and feature stories found in the most recent issue of Partners. More information and complete articles can be viewed at www.

GreenStoneFCS.com by selecting “Publications” found under the “News and Media” drop down.

GreenStone’s Story: Member Savings There is not a special genie lamp nor a magic wand involved… Find out how, in 2012 alone, GreenStone helped more than 4,000 customers save an estimated $12 million annually by lowering their interest rates through loan conversions.

CEO Comments Dave Armstrong breaks it down: GreenStone is keeping pace with its members and has had a good start to the year; but remember, we all need to be prepared for

the inevitable; take comfort knowing GreenStone has been successfully riding the industry’s ups and downs for more than 97 years, and we are not done yet!

Welcome Interns GreenStone has welcomed six student interns for the summer, providing each with an opportunity to sharpen their skills in their respective career field.

Directors’ Perspective We asked three GreenStone board directors to tell us what you, our members, ask them

www.greenstonefcs.com

most often. Their answers included: How are you doing as a newer director; what are interest rates going to do; why is GreenStone politically involved; what are board meetings like; what’s new?

Pause for Applause A new section in the publication that will highlight members, employees and many other items deserving of recognition. Do you have an acknowledgement to share? Submit your “Pause for Applause” to marketing@greenstonefcs.com.