Checkpoint Magazine - Spring 2021

At Home & Abroad:

Tips for All Your Fun Adventures I N

Spotlight: Homes of Hope

T H I S

The Best Used Car for Your Summer Road Trip

I S S U E

How to Lower Your Phone Bill

4 Fitness Apps That Are Good for Your Body And Wallet

LOCATIONS Anderson

1720 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 1434 Pearman Dairy Road Anderson, SC 29625 100 Hanna Crossing Anderson, SC 29621

Columbia

1025 Pulaski Street Columbia, SC 29201

Corporate Office & Support Center

420 E. Park Avenue, Ste. 100 Greenville, SC 29601

Easley

118 Brushy Creek Road Easley, SC 29642

Five Forks

117 Batesville Road, Ste. 200 Simpsonville, SC 29681

Member Solutions Center Greenville: 864.232.5553 Nationwide: 800.922.0446

Mills Avenue

300 Mills Avenue Greenville, SC 29605

Spartanburg

130 North Town Drive Spartanburg, SC 29303

Taylors

3237 Wade Hampton Boulevard Taylors, SC 29687

Verdae

601 Verdae Boulevard Greenville, SC 29607

24/7/365 SERVICE MONEYLINKSM Online

at www.spero.financial

MONEYLINKSM Audio Response Greenville: 864.232.3645 Nationwide: 800.633.4364

Visit our website www.spero.financial to locate an ATM near you!

FIND US ONLINE /MySperoFi @MySperoFi @MySperoFi www.spero.financial

IN THIS

ISSUE:

3 4 5 6 9 13 14 16

Letter from the President Community Partner Spotlight: HOMES OF HOPE Calendar/Events Member Spotlights: ANJOSIA ELLERBE AND OZ POT TERY Feature: B EST USED CARS FOR YOUR SUMMER ROAD TRIP What We Read: THE HOME EDIT Money Management: H OW TO LOWER YOUR PHONE BILL Health and Wellness: 4 FITNESS APPS THAT ARE GOOD FOR BODY AND WALLET

Insured by NCUA Spero Financial is a proud member of the Credit Union Service Center Network. co-opcreditunions.org Copyright ©2021 by Spero Financial and The Brand Leader. All foreign and U.S. rights reserved.

Contents of this publication, including images, may not be reproduced without written consent from the publisher.

Published for Spero Financial by The Brand Leader.

1

Dear Members, I don’t know about you, but each year I anticipate the arrival of warmer weather — not only because I love to spend time outdoors but also because the transition to spring is a good reminder of a new season full of growth and opportunity. There’s an excitement in the air around this time of year. That’s why, in this issue of Checkpoint, we are focusing on two aspects of spring — the comforts of home and the adventure of travel.

It may seem odd to focus on both staying home and traveling, but in a way, they work together — complementing each other, as you must have one to truly appreciate the other. If you’re like me, you and your family

Letter from the President

have spent more time at home than ever before these past several months, which makes us anticipate the thrill of exploring a new place in the coming months all that much more. But by the same flip of the coin, I know that once that thrill has faded, I always look forward to returning home to sleep in my own bed… As they say, “there’s no place like home.”

The best part is that no matter how you decide to spend these warmer months — at home or exploring new places (when you feel safe to do so) — Spero is right there with you. How, you wonder?

If you're planning to stay at home and give your house a little TLC, we can help you get the most out of your home’s equity, giving you access to funds to transform your home into your own oasis. If organizing or decluttering is more of what you had in-mind, check out The Home Edit book review (pg.13) for practical ways to make your home clutter-free.

Are you planning a cross-country sightseeing trip in the coming months?

Remember that you have access to a nationwide network of surcharge-

Brian McKay PRESIDENT

free ATMs (over 30,000 that is) as a Spero member. Simply text your zip code to 91989 to find an ATM near you. And don’t miss our article on Best Used Cars (pg.9) if you need a new set of wheels for the trip.

As I close, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that April is Financial Literacy Month — something that is at the heart of our mission at Spero. Because we believe that financial literacy is one of the most important aspects of a person’s life, we’ll be highlighting a variety of financial tips throughout April on our social media channels (@MySperoFi). I’m also excited to announce that Spero Financial has joined forces with Homes of Hope as their Financial Wellness Champion (pg.4).

No matter where you are in your financial journey, know that we’re happy to have you as part of the Spero family and look forward to continuing to help you soar financially. Thank you for your membership!

Together, we’re reaching new heights!

3 3

In the Spotlight Homes of Hope When a local family lost their home and child in a fire in 1998, they felt they had nowhere to turn.

Then they approached Tim Revis (founder of Homes of Hope), who owned a modular home business in the area, and asked if he could help them. At the time he couldn’t. But the story doesn’t end there.

Tim couldn’t shake not being able to help this family in need, so much so that in that same year, he founded an organization called Homes of Hope. His dream was to provide families in poverty with a housing option they could afford and be proud to call home. At the same time, another idea developed: to restore men’s lives through sobriety and job training as they acquired life-changing skills in constructing some of the homes. The two missions fit together seamlessly, and Homes of Hope was born.

Today, more than 22 years later, Homes of Hope has grown into the largest non-profit developer of single-family affordable homes in South Carolina. Based in Greenville, the organization has developed 264 homes in Greenville alone, with another 140 in the pipeline, and employs nine men in their Workforce Development Program. This program helps men overcoming addictions pursue revolutionary change through discipleship, life skills, and construction-related job training. Overall, Homes of Hope has housed and served 921 clients (including 421 children)

and has graduated 315 men from the one-year residential job training program.

Homes of Hope has one additional program that is worthy to note: financial wellness. Knowing the importance of achieving economic mobility and stability, Homes of Hope offers classes in financial wellness to all of their clients — including courses in budgeting, banking, and building assets. Spero Financial is a proud supporter of these efforts and is the Homes of Hope 2021 Financial Wellness Champion, contributing sponsorship dollars to fund the financial wellness classes.

“The vision for Homes of Hope is generational change throughout SC,” said Don Oglesby, president and CEO of Homes of Hope. “This means that the people we serve in housing, economic and workforce development have been connected to resources that allow them to now build and develop their own success stories, which in turn changes the lives of their children and grandchildren, for generations.”

For more information about Homes of Hope, or how you can be involved in their work in the community, visit their website at HomesOfHope.org.

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CAL EN DA R/E V E NTS

Spring has sprung,

and there’s a lot of fun in bloom.

Join us as we spread some sunshine in the coming months!

March 05 | E M P L O Y E E A P P R E C I A T I O N D AY Our team members and member representatives are financial first responders, and we are so thankful for them! Over the last year we’ve seen their amazing talents in action, as well as their unbelievable commitment to our members. In March, we hosted a week-long celebration showcasing our appreciation for all they do to make our organization and members soar!

April | F I N A N C I A L

LITERACY MONTH

Holiday Closings May31 M E M O R I A L D AY

Not only does it mark the beginning of warmer weather, but April is Financial Literacy Month! As part of our celebrations, we’ll be sharing financial tips and tricks you don’t want to miss on our social media pages (@MySperoFi)! Plus, join us on Facebook and Instagram each Thursday for Trivia. You may be the lucky winner of a $50 gift card!

May 02-08 | S M A L L

BUSINESS WEEK

This past year has been tough for many, especially small businesses! More than ever, they need our support, and Spero Financial prides itself on being a supporter of our local business owners! Turn to page 7 to learn about one of our own small business members.

May 03-07 | T E A C H E R A P P R E C I A T I O N W E E K Where would we be without our teachers? They deserve the world! If you have a special instructor that means the world to you, why not let them know? Beginning May 3 (the start of Teacher Appreciation Week), head over to Spero’s Facebook page (facebook.com/MySperoFi) to nominate a local teacher you feel should be recognized for his/her dedication and what makes him/her so invaluable!

If selected, the nominated teacher will win a spa package for some much-deserved R&R.

5

HONORING OUR TEACHERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES

Teacher Spotlight Anjosia Ellerbe With spring comes warm

To honor a Spero member that has made

weather and the bloom of

her career about teaching others, we are

flowers, but it also brings

spotlighting Anjosia Ellerbe.

an opportunity to recognize the people in our lives who make them better. In this issue, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week and Small Business Week, we’re excited to recognize

Growing up in Greenville, Anjosia attended J.L. Mann High School and earned degrees from both Columbia College and Southern Wesleyan University (Masters of Education & MBA).

Anjosia completed the Program of Alternative Certification for Teachers (PACE Program), which became the catalyst for receiving her certification to teach in the public school system.

Over her 14-year tenure, she has taught business, marketing, and technology.

two Spero members that

“I love teaching marketing,” she says. “There are so

we just wouldn’t be the

many things to learn that you can apply to everyday life.”

same without.

When asked what she likes to learn, her response “new technologies” — and teaching others to do the same. Today, you can find Anjosia serving as the Instructional Technology Specialist at Wade Hampton High School, where she teaches teachers on various technologies.

If she’s not teaching, she’s enjoying a good book, baking for her family, or dancing!

6

Small Business Spotlight Oz Pottery

When Jeff Goodman moved to Greenville 28 years ago, he began taking pottery classes at the Art Museum downtown. He loved it so much, he decided that, once he retired, it would become his new pastime and one that he hoped to share with others.

And that, he did!

Today, Jeff is the Owner of Oz Pottery, where he not only creates what he calls “functional, affordable pottery,” but teaches beginner to intermediate pottery classes to others in his small studio on Paris Mountain. What started as a small aspiration has now become Jeff’s hoped reality - turning his dream hobby into a business — even in retirement — with the help of Spero Financial’s business banking solutions. As a member for almost 30 years, Jeff loves his relationship with the credit union.

Spero has a personal service that never goes out of style, but an eye on technology to stay current.

– Jeff Goodman

To find out more about what is going on at Oz Pottery, or to purchase your next piece of art, visit Jeff’s site at OzPottery.com. Be sure to let them know if you have a custom order as well, and add something beautiful to your home!

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The Best Used Car for Your Summer Road Trip

I

f you’re looking to upgrade your vehicle, get something a little nicer, or even just have a great car for summer travels, you may want to consider buying a used car.

But leveling up doesn’t have to break the bank — there are a ton of options at all price levels, with some great cars even falling under $10,000.

To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best used cars around in price ranges of under $10,000, and under $15,000, with all the automobiles on this list scoring pretty high (between an 8 and 9, typically) on the US News & World Reports’ ranking system for best used cars.

At Spero, no matter what you decide to drive this summer, we’re here to help you get your next set of wheels. Whether you need a used car loan or to find out how much car you can afford, contact us to explore the many ways we can support you and your family as you make financial plans that will take you to the next stage of your life.

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Best under $10,000

01 02 03 04 05 C H E V Y S PA R K

N I S SA N L E A F

KIA FORTE

H Y U N DA I E L A N T R A

F O R D F I E S TA

10

201 6 C H E V Y S PA R K Tiny but powerful, the Spark is a smaller four-seater powered by a 98-horsepower engine. So while it may not have the biggest boost on speed or power, it’s a solid car for a solid price.

2014 N I S SA N L E A F If you’re looking for an electric vehicle under $10,000, check out the 2014 Nissan Leaf, a battery-electric hatchback that’s been around for a while. Seating five, the Leaf has quite a few perks — including a rear-facing camera, USB port and Bluetooth — and as an electric vehicle, a low fuel bill is an obvious benefit.

2014 K I A F O R T E In 2014, Kia redesigned one of their popular models — the Kia Forte. With three engine options available — at 143-, 173-, or 201-horsepower — and standard tech options that include Bluetooth, USB ports and satellite radio, the Forte is a solid car that checks all the boxes.

2014 H Y U N DA I E L A N T R A With an above-average reliability rating, this five-seat auto is a great option in the compact car arena. Available as a hatchback, sedan or two-door coupe, the Hyundai Elantra was revamped in 2014, and now includes USB ports as well as telescoping steering wheel, and a great amount of trunk space.

2014 F O R D F I E S TA The 2014 Ford Fiesta makes our best under $10K list as a great subcompact car. A sporty choice with a base engine of 120-horsepower, the Fiesta is a great pick for a flexible ride, allowing opportunities to upgrade engine power, tech options and more.

THE B EST US ED CAR FO R YO UR S UMM ER ROA D T RIP

Best under $15,000 2 014 M A Z DA CX-5 This super light-weight vehicle competes with other small SUVs like the Toyota RAV-4 and the Honda CR-V, but it’s price point, along with higher safety ratings as well as great customer reviews, make the CX-5 one worth considering.

2 01 5 N I S SA N R O G U E Another compact SUV in the lineup, the 2015 Nissan Rogue is a contender with high-quality materials and plenty of tech features like a rearview camera and Bluetooth connectivity.

2 01 7 TOYOTA YA R I S If you’re looking for a great compact car with all the bells and whistles, you need to check out the 2017 Toyota Yaris, the perfect driving partner for tooling about town. With a ton of tech options — including a touch-screen system, rearview cameras and automatic braking — this car ranks consistently with top safety and reliability ratings.

2 01 5 B U I C K V E R A N O For those drivers looking for a used car with an upscale feel, take a look at the 2015 Buick Verano. While it’s technically a compact car, it has all the upscale features you want, including heated leather seats, heated steering and collision warning.

2 01 2 AU D I A 4 The perfect balance of comfort and quality, the 2012 Audi A4 is definitely one vehicle you’ll want on your short list. With a super-comfortable interior that includes standard features like a sunroof and climate control, the A4 is a first-class ride that doesn’t break the bank.

01 02 03 04 05 M A Z DA CX-5

N I S SA N R O G U E

TOYOTA YA R I S

BUICK VERANO

AU D I A 4

11

What We Read The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin

SYNOPSIS

In their book focused on decluttering and organizing, Shearer and Teplin, both professional organizers with a Nashvillebased business called — what else — The Home Edit, take a down-to-earth approach to incredible organization. With gorgeous, colorful photography, room-by-room to-do lists, and celebrity inspiration stories, The Home Edit is one book that any homeowner should have on the shelf.

WHY READ IT

We all have spaces that can get cluttered, messy, or out of date, and that can have an impression on how we interact with those spaces in our own homes. But what if every space in your home not only looked great, but had function, as well?

THE FINAL WORD

That is the goal of The Home Edit — to balance form and

If you’re wanting some

function in your favorite spaces in your home.

practical tips to renovating and updating your home

A S P E C I A L TA K E AWAY

— or even if you just want

Even though The Home Edit is about completely transforming

to know how a certain

spaces, the authors know that not everyone can jump in with

celebrity organizes their

two feet. That’s why each section is intentionally designed for

kitchen pantry — The

different levels of “edit ready” and inspiration. Take your tips

Home Edit is for you.

for a mudroom in easy format or medium, based on your time

Chock-full of great ideas,

commitment, and get inspiration from detailed lists of how-

gorgeous photography, and

tos, or a celebrity example (“Christina Applegate’s mudroom

realistic ideas on how to

looks like that?”)

implement design into your home, this book is a great

No matter where you’re starting from, how much time you

resource for everyone from

want to commit to, or where you get inspiration from, you’re

the new homeowner to the

sure to find something that sticks with you in this book.

seasoned decorator.

13

How to Lower Your Phone Bill

Whether we’re at home, at work, or on the move, cell phones keep us connected with the world. But if you have a mobile phone, there’s one thing you probably don’t love: your monthly cell phone bill. If you’re wondering how to lower your cell phone bill, we have nine simple tips that can help you save money every single month.

01

ONE

Sign up for auto-pay

Depending on your mobile provider, auto-pay

savings can range from $5 to 15 per line per month.

When you consider that this arrangement also keeps you from missing due dates and incurring late fees, the savings can be even more substantial.

02

TWO

Ask about discounts

If you work for a company that offers employee

discounts for specific mobile phone carriers, you

may be able to lower your bill just by verifying your employment. Similarly, many of the major carriers offer discounts to university alumni or military and veterans’ families.

THREE

03

Don’t pay for what you don’t use

Unlimited talk, text, and data plans sound nice,

but if you never approach the limits, you may be

spending more than you need to for your cell phone plan. To determine whether your plan fits your needs, contact your cell phone carrier and ask them how to view your average monthly usage.

FOUR

04

Take Advantage of WiFi

If your cell phone plan doesn’t include unlimited data, data overages can make your monthly bill

spike unexpectedly. If you want to avoid those fees or slower speeds, use WiFi whenever possible to help you reduce your cellular data usage, which can keep you from going over your monthly limit.

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HOW TO LOWER YO UR PH ONE BILL

FIVE

Skip the insurance

05

On the surface, phone insurance sounds like a safe bet.

If you're not currently under a contract with your cell phone provider, switching carriers can be an excellent way to lower your monthly bill.

But when you consider that most carrier protection

plans cost $100-200 annually whether you use them or not and require a deductible of $50-300 for each claim, the financial benefits might not be as good as they sound. You can also check out Spero’s Protect+ package, which covers replacement/repair coverage for up to four phones on a plan.

SIX

Go with a prepaid plan

06

Tired of being locked into long-term contracts with high monthly rates? Consider switching to a prepaid plan

through carriers like Cricket Wireless or Boost Mobile. If you’re already with a major carrier like AT&T or Verizon, those companies offer prepaid plans as well.

SEVEN

Keep your phone

07

With new models of iPhones and Android phones being released every year, it can be tempting to upgrade — even if you’re in the middle of a two-year contract. If you want to lower your bill, consider sticking with your current phone even after you’ve paid it off.

EIGHT

Switch carriers

08

If you’re not currently under a contract with your cell phone provider, switching carriers can be an

excellent way to lower your monthly bill. Most carriers run promotions specifically designed to attract new customers, and those deals can result in big savings.

NINE

Ask for fees to be waived

09

If you’re thinking about upgrading your phone or

switching carriers, you might be able to save money by asking them to waive the fees traditionally assessed

for those changes. While they’re under no obligation to drop those charges, many carriers will waive them as a courtesy — but you have to ask.

15

4

Fitness Apps That Are Good for Your Body and Wallet

W

ith many of us spending a lot more time in our house during this past year, finding interesting ways to workout at home

may have been a challenge.

Fortunately, the tech world has stepped up to meet the demand for home-based workouts. In many cases, the apps, products, and programs are a great way to save money compared to a monthly gym membership ­— plus, you can enjoy your workout from the comfort of home. So, save that $50 or $100 a month for the local fitness club, and check out our top picks for at-home fitness that won’t break the bank.

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4 FITN ES S AP P S THAT AR E GO O D FO R YO UR B O DY A ND WA LLE T

BEST YOGA APP

Yoga Glo For those with eyes on the mat, Yoga Glo offers a wide array of yoga, pilates, and meditation courses for every level — from beginners to experts. The filter option allows you to narrow down which virtual class to take (by time, skill level, type of class, and more), and a scheduling option allows you to plan your workouts ahead of time. The best part? All of this is included for a mere $18 per month.

BEST FOR CARDIO/HIIT

Beach Body When it comes to getting your heart rate up, there may be no better option than Beach Body on Demand — a subscription program that includes access to a wide variety of classes and courses, including the popular P90X and Insanity programs. While the program includes classes of all types — including nutrition, barre, dance, and more — their high-energy cardio and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) classes are what puts them on this list. For everything mentioned, you’ll pay just $59.85 a quarter, or $99 a year if you pay annually.

BEST FOR HIKING

Relive While you don’t really need an app to hike, there are benefits to tracking things like distance, altitude, and speed if hiking is your main game. The Relive app, on the other hand, adds a different dimension to your hiking experience (or cycling, or walking) by allowing you to take photos along the way, which are then incorporated into review videos of each adventure. The app has a free level, allowing photos, videos, and hike data, but if you want to boost your experience with 3D interactive replay, HD videos, and music, go with the Plus version for only $6.99 a month.

B E S T F O R G E T T I N G S TA R T E D

Couch25K If you’re not really active but want to be, a great place to start is with the C25K app (which stands for Couch to 5K). Designed to get an inactive body to 5K capability within a matter of weeks, the program has been adapted by a number of entities who have put out a wide variety of versions. Fortunately, it’s easy to get started — depending on which app store you use and which app you purchase, it can be free to a few dollars to purchase outright.

At Spero, we pride ourselves on helping you strengthen your financial health.

After all, we consider it just as important as your physical health! We offer many ways to support you and your family as you make financial plans and establish budgets to get both physically and fiscally fit.

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PO Box 10708 Greenville, SC 29603 www.spero.financial