Member News

Tanya Verzoni, Director of Financial Education, posts a blog each month that discusses financial tips and information that you can really use. Click the link below to see her latest entry about the importance of teaching kids the importance of saving money. 

Click here to read more!

We are now carrying a full line of Garmin GPS products, both hand held and wrist. These units are blue tooth compatible to sync with a cell phone, some have heart rate monitoring, music storage, rider to rider messaging, multi-sport features, turn by turn navigation, topo maps loaded, and more.  These units can be used for many different activities such as cycling, running, hiking, snow shoeing, kayaking, etc.

We are pleased to announce that we are now stocking a full line of adult and children’s snowshoes and poles.  The lines we carry are MSR, Crescent Moon, and Garneau.  Please stop by to check it out.  Just in time for the holidays!

There’s never been a better time to be a Credit Union member….and here is why…

As we gear up to celebrate the credit union difference and to recognize the contributions that credit unions make every day in the lives of their members and their communities worldwide, we also want to celebrate you—our members.

Beginning in 1948, credit unions have come together annually on the third Thursday in October to commemorate the credit union movement’s history and achievements. This year, we celebrate 70 years of International Credit Union Day and the theme chosen “Find Your Platinum Lining,” combines the traditional gift of platinum for 70th anniversaries, a play on the sayings “every cloud has a silver lining” and a celebration of the platinum lining differences and impact credit union and other financial cooperatives have made and continue to make for their members.

Read More here!

Do you think living a frugal life would make you feel deprived? Wait, before you think that I am going to suggest that you use rainwater to hand wash your laundry and live entirely off the grid spending only $1.00 per day……let me assure you that you don’t have to go to such extremes to make a significant dent in your expenses.

After meeting with several of our members over the past year, I found that when assisting them with their household budgets, that they would benefit from the ways I have learned to live more frugally. Here are a few principles that may help your family as well. Feel free to evaluate these tips by yourself or discuss them as a family:

Choose your splurge category: When I evaluate and make suggestions about a member’s budgeting expenses, I ask specific questions to determine what they really don’t want to live without.  Perhaps their main social activity is dining out, or it’s having an extensive wardrobe, or it could just be that getting a coffee at a local coffee shop is their “can’t live” without daily routine. Individually these spending categories could fit into your budget, but you may realize your budget cannot support them all. Pick one category that you don’t want to live without and reduce or eliminate your spending on the others.

Eat simply and healthy:  There are thousands, possibly millions, of web pages that offer recipes using few (3 to 5) ingredients or less. Try searching some of these pages for inspiration on how to make meals for less. Also, encourage everyone in your household to eat what is in the refrigerator, cupboard, or pantry first before going grocery shopping again. Buying seasonal produce, shopping sales and using store reward programs can also save you money on groceries.

Prioritize experiences over “stuff”: To live a more decluttered and frugal life, my husband and I started organizing our home by selling or getting rid of stuff that we no longer need or value. It’s a liberating experience! We live by the following mantra, “If we will not use it frequently and it doesn’t bring us happiness, it doesn’t come into our house.” Instead of collecting “stuff,” collect memories! Plan low-cost activities with your family and snap a few photos as a keepsake. A fun afternoon activity can give you more long-term happiness than any “have to have” item that typically ends up at a future yard sale anyway.

Spend time with frugal people: If you have family or friends that like to live the “high roller” lifestyle, it can be detrimental to your budget as you strive to “keep up with the Joneses.” Consider having an honest conversation with family and friends who suggest expensive dining restaurants, sporting events or shopping trips and let them know that though you love spending time with them, you need to keep your financial goals in mind, too. Perhaps you could offer less expensive ideas that fit within your budget.

Set aside a few “guilt-free” dollars:  Once you have a handle on your budget (and be sure to call me if you need help), it’s important that you identify a specific amount of money slated just for you, as well as the other members in your household, and label those funds as “guilt-free” dollars. This can be as little as $2.00 per week to spend on a treat, snack or some other guilty pleasure. It gives you and other family members the flexibility to choose how the money is spent without guilt because those specific dollars are not allocated to other household expenses. Here’s the kicker though…once that designated amount is spent for the week, you’re done spending until the next week. Period! It’s tough at first, but it gets easier, I promise!

Living frugally is not a bad thing, it’s just about balance. If you need a little helping getting your budget in balance, please email me at tverzoni@newdimensionsfcu.com, or call me at (207) 313-5924. I’d be glad to help!

Until next time ~

Tanya

NDFCU is proud to announce a new resource for your next vehicle purchase.

Groove car is now available on our website to assist you with getting all the facts about your next car–all in a one-stop shopping venue. Check it out here!

https://newdimensionsfcu.groovecar.com/

Financial health is our priority! At New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, we provide important financial education for you that will help lower your blood pressure when it comes to your personal finances. 

Take our Financial Health Quiz to determine if you could use NDFCU’s help in getting your finances “healthy.”

We are excited to announce that Capitol Computers is changing its name to Unlimited Technology, effective September 1, 2018.

You will continue to receive the same great service and dedication to excellence you’ve come to rely on, now as Unlimited Technology. As part of our continued commitment to providing end to end security services to our clients, we will be adding to the services we already offer, including Cyber Security and Exero services.

Unlimited Technology was started in 1989 and has become a fully integrated solutions provider. Our owners and top managers have over 90 years of expertise in the security and technology industries. We have multiple offices throughout the country, and acquired Capitol Computers in 2015, which now serves as our Maine office.

We look forward to continuing to manage your technology needs so you can manage your business.

And don’t allow fear to rule your finances! If you’re delinquent in your mortgage payments — or expect to be — the best thing to do is to contact your mortgage servicer right away.

While it can be stressful to contact your lender, early communication puts you in a positive light. Foreclosure is very costly for a lender, and they would generally prefer to help you get back on track to keep your home. When contacting your lender be honest. Describe your situation and know how much money you have available to make payments – do not agree to a payment that is not feasible with your current budget. As you work with your lender, you’ll find that there are several options to consider that will make it easier to bring your loan current:

Reinstatement – This is a lump sum payment that brings your account current by paying everything you owe including missed payments and fees.

Forbearance – The lender agrees to a lower payment or no payment for a short period of time in return for higher payments thereafter or an extended loan term.

Repayment Plan – Under a written agreement, you pay more than the minimum monthly payment (over a short time period) to bring the account up to date.

Loan Modification – A permanent change to one or more of the terms of the loan including the interest rate, type of mortgage, or extending the time to pay the mortgage balance.

As a member of New Dimensions Federal Credit Union, you can take advantage of the GreenPath Financial Wellness program, a free financial education, and counseling program.  GreenPath counselors are available Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (EST), Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To use this new service, simply call (877) 337-3399, visit www.greenpathref.com, or you may contact Tanya Verzoni, NDFCU’s Director of Financial Education at (207) 872-2771 during normal business hours.  At New Dimensions, it is our goal and mission to assist while you successfully navigate your financial journey.

Treasure Chest II is proud to announce that we have been recognized by the Center For Sexual Pleasure & Health (CSPH) for completion of their Community Sexual Health Resource courses.

We now have 2 retail associates certified to advise customers on a wide variety of subjects concerning sexual health, and wellbeing including:  Pleasure-Focused Anatomy, Safer Sex, and Sexual Difficulties along with several other subjects concerning sexual health.  Stop on by and check out what we have to offer.