8/2/2019 Twenty4ever, March 2012 Newsletter

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DIVIDEND

April Savings Dividend

ECLARED FEBRUARY 16, 2012

he April 2012 Savingsnd IRA dividend, declared2/16/12, provides a Compounded

Annual Percentage Yield o

0.95%APY

ividends are paid on the

ast day o the month to

ccountholders who have

maintained an average daily

alance o $100 or more.

avings dividend is subject to

hange monthly.

April Checking Dividend

DECLARED FEBRUARY 16, 2012

The April 2012 High RateChecking dividend, declared02/16/12, provides a Compounded

Annual Percentage Yield o

0.90%APYChecking dividends are paid on

he last day o each month to

accountholders who meet the

equirements o the account.

Checking dividend is subject to

change monthly.

People say there are only three things you can dowith money spend it, loan it or own it. Sure,spending money can be exhilarating. But, spendingmoney can become even more un when youcareully plan or it in advance (so it will buymore). Nevertheless, most Americans young andold routinely waste 20% to 30% o their moneybecause o poor spending habits, according to theInstitute o Consumer Financial Education. Youdont have to be among them. Here are some guide-lines to help you orge a positive nancial uture.

1. Manage your expenses so they dont exceedyour income. In short, dont overspend in a waythat will ultimately destroy your hopes and erodeyour ability to live a good lie.

2. When spending money, think o your uture aswell as your present. When possible, think saverather than spend. Buy what you need rst (suchas ood and clothes) rather than secondary wants.

Avoid budget-breaking vanity purchases, such aspricey cars or technical toys that will put you tooar in the red.

3. Begin saving early to take advantage o com-pound interest. Remember that money begets moremoney when you sock it away in interest-bearingsavings accounts or a 401(k).

4. Avoid collecting credit cards and carelessly usingthem or borrowing. Develop a good borrowingprole and, preerably, use credit cards only i youcan pay them o in ull each month.

5. Always honor your debts and other fnancial

obligations. Promptly paying your bills earns youa good credit score, which paves your way to getloans at better rates and helps you when you getscreened or jobs or mortgages. Be prudent andavoid becoming too credit overextended (so thatyoure primarily working to pay o debts with nomoney let aside or yoursel). Whenever possible,pay yoursel rst by saving 20% o what you earn.

6. Project your income and expenses or the next12 months and track variances. The majority oAmericans today are not living on a personal budgetand the consequences can be dire. By ollowing abudget, youre more likely to meet your expenses,save regularly, reach your nancial goals and

avoid the torment o nancial stress.7. Focus on the relationship between the risk andprojected return o investments. In other words,increase your nancial odds by weighing the costand benet o nancial opportunities.

8. Maintain organized records or tax and generalfnancial planning purposes. Avoid having to go onan Easter-egg type hunt or your nancial recordsby keeping them all led together, at your ngertips.

9. Develop a plan and a purpose or your invest-ing. Be clear about your need or nancialsecurity, your personal values and yourcherished long-term goals. Then, commit

yoursel to spend and save in alignmentwith them.

10. Acquire a fnancial education so youllbe in a position to make intelligent fnancial

decisions. Financial education is rarely taughtin schools, so youll have to take responsibilityto learn it yoursel through books, the Internet,seminars, classes and advice rom nancial pros.Then, youll know best how to handle your moneyso you can achieve and maintain your nancialwell-being.

contents

The 10 personal fnancecommandments

Ten tips on writing an eectivejob cover letter

Job hunters who becomelaughing stocks

Earn a college scholarship!

The 10 personal nance commandments

Sources: Institute o Consumer Financial Education, thecincinnatiherald.com andpersonal-budget-planning-saving-money.com

ww.alliantcreditunion.org a newsletter or Alliant Credit Union young adult members March 20

twenty4ever

8/2/2019 Twenty4ever, March 2012 Newsletter

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Job hunters who become laughing stocksIn todays highly competitive job market, its crucial or an applicant to stand out romthe pack and get noticed in a positive way, so he or she will score an interview andthen a job.

However, sometimes an applicants eorts can be so misguided and over-the-top that theybecome not only noticed but ineective and ridiculed. Here is an example:

In February 2012, a college junior seeking a summer internship at a big Wall Street bankwrote a pitch that went viral and has become the cover letter mocked around the world.

I am unequivocally the most unfagging hard worker I know and I can perorm basicoce unctions with terriying eciency, the job seeker says. He goes on to brag abouthis ability to bench press double his body weight, do 35 pull ups and place out o themost dicult nancial classes. Just so recruiters wouldnt get the wrong ideaabout him, he closed his letter by remarking I am not a braggart orconceited. I just want to outline my useulness. Egos can be a hugeliability, and I try not to have one.

Aside rom provoking laughter rom Wall Street to MainStreet, his letter has been criticized or grammaticalgoos, punctuation errors, non-sequesters andallacies o logic. Plus, he committed another

serious boo-boo: his letter, addressed to one rm,stresses his desire to work or a competing rm.

Whats the lesson here? To get a job, its importantto put your best oot orward, but not to go overboard withconceit or exaggeration. In your cover letter and resume,highlight your strengths and experience and back them up withspecic and relevant accomplishments. Be sure to demonstratehow your skills and talents will benet the employer.

2 dollars or scholars

Well-written cover letters engage employers andstimulate them to learn more about you by closelyreading your resume and inviting you in or aninterview. Here are some quick tips.

1. Tell them why youre writing (what position

you seek).2. Tell them how your experience and

background fts.

3. Cite specifc examples that demonstrateyou have what it takes to do the job.

4. Use the same phrases and descriptions theemployer uses.

5. Write to individuals, not the HR Department.(Call and get the name o the recruiter and thehiring manager you would report to, thenpersonalize your letters to them.)

6. Demonstrate your enthusiasm or the job.

7. Keep your letter brie (three paragraphs,

one page max) and triple check to makesure you dont have typos, misspellings orgrammatical errors.

8. Project the image o being a confdentproessional.

9. Avoid clichs (I give 110%, Im a people-person, etc). Get real and use words thatsound like you.

10. Follow up with a phone call two weeks atersending your material.

Ten tips on writing an effectivejob cover letter

Sources: orbes.com, nytimes.com, digitaljournal.com, escapetyranny.com, dealbreaker.com,wikipedia.com and fnance.yahoo.com

This summer, Alliant will again award fve $2,000 scholarships through our annual Members Scholarship Program. To qualiy, you musbe an Alliant member in good standing and be applying to or enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program at a our-year college,

university or vocational/technical institution with a minimum o 12-credit hours during the 2012 all semester. For complete details and to obtaan application, visit our website, www.alliantpromos.org/scholarship2012.

Application and required paperwork must be received or postmarked by Friday, June 15, 2012. Winners will be notifed by July 30, 2012.

The Program is made and conducted by Alliant Credit Union headquartered in Chicago, IL. You must be an Alliant member in good standing with a savings account in your name to apAlliant employees, board o directors, scholarship committee and amily members o the same household are not eligible. All entries must be received/postmarked by 06/15/2012. Acceptano scholarship constitutes authorization to use winners likeness and name without compensation. Odds o winning are dependent upon total number o entries received. Winners are resposible or any tax liability. Program is subject to all ederal, state and local laws. Void where prohibited. All terms and conditions o Alliant products apply. Contact Alliant or visit our websiwww.alliantpromos.org/scholarship2012, or ull details.

Earn a college scholarship!

fce closings

iant will be closed in observance

the ollowing holidays:

emorial DayMonday, May 28, 2012

dependence DayWednesday, July 4, 2012

onvenient 24/7/365 accountccessOnline banking at

www.alliantcreditunion.org

Mobile banking app for

Android and iPhone

Member Contact Center at

800-328-1935

Self Service Telephone at

800-482-5328

Over 80,000 surcharge-free

ATMs nationwide

liant Headquarters545 W. Touhy Avenue

hicago, IL 60666

Alliant Member Contact Center800-328-1935

24/7 personal assistancetdd/tty 773-462-2300

Self Service Telephone (SST)800-482-532824/7 automated account access

VISA Debit Card800-328-1935

VISA Credit Cards24/7 Member Service/Account Ino/Lost or Stolen:866-444-8529

VISA Gift CardPurchase: 800-328-1935Support Center: 866-466-2362

Mortgage Hotline800-328-1935, option 5, option 1

MonFri, 8am5pm CT

Auto/Home Insurance888-380-9287MonFri, 6am10pm CTSat, 6am 8pm CT

GreenPath Debt Solutions877-337-3399MonThu, 7am9pm CTFri, 7am6pm CTSat, 8am5pm CT

Alliant Retirement andInvestment ServicesFinancial Advisors are available toserve members in AZ, CA, CO, FL,

HI, IL, NJ, NY, TX, VA, WA, WI.Call 800-328-1935, option 9.

Deposits/PaymentsPO Box 2387

Des Plaines, IL 60017-2387

Credit Card PaymentsPO Box 1666Des Plaines, IL 60017-1666

All Other Correspondenceincluding IRA and HSA depositsAttn: IRA/HSA Dept.PO Box 66945Chicago, IL 60666-0945

This newsletter is or members personal use only.Reproducing and/or selling the contents o thisnewsletter without prior written permission romAlliant Credit Union is prohibited. Copyright Alliant.Articles are prepared as an educational service orAlliant members. They should not be relied on as asubstitute or individual fnancial or legal research.Articles in this newsletter are not intended to be used(and may not be relied on) or penalty avoidance.

For Alliant Service Center

locations, Alliant Online Banking,

and product and service

information, visit our web site:

www.alliantcreditunion.org

dial direct: Alliant is there when you need us

PO Box 66945, Chicago, IL 60666-0945

www.alliantcreditunion.o

Your savings federally insured to aand backed by the full faith and

United States Governm

National Credit Union Admin

a U.S. Government Age

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