Here’s an easy way to get $50 and a Great Checking Account!

Get $50 by signing up for a North County Credit Union VISA® Debit Card and e-statements when you open a new checking account with us. Plus, we’ll give you your first order of checks free of charge. Hurry, this offer ends July 31, 2010.*

Stop by, call, or see our website.

*Requires North County Credit Union Membership. Free first order of 175 checks is North County Credit Union’s duplicate, corporate image checks. No substitute allowed. $50 cash incentive is deposited into your checking account with us 30 days after account opening and e-statement registration. Applicant must meet ChexSystems review. Early account closing fee may apply. Offer not valid for existing North County Credit Union checking account holders. Offer valid for new checking account applications submitted between July 1 – 31, 2010 only.

Changing Jobs? Retiring?
Don't Leave your Retirement Plan Dollars Up in the Air

A Message from the MEMBERS Financial Services Program

If you're changing jobs or retiring, you're in the midst of an enormous change. You should seriously be considering what to do with your money in your employer's pension plan, 401(k), 403(b)/TSA or 457 plan. After all, it's probably one of your biggest assets. The wrong move could cost you thousands and greatly affect the quality of your retirement years.

Generally, there are four options for your retirement plan:

1. Leave it in your former employer plan
2. Transfer it to your new employer plan
3. Roll it over to a traditional IRA
4. Cash out and pay taxes and possibly penalties.

Each decision has its pros and cons. Need help deciding what option is best for you? Contact Wendy Cundari, the MEMBERS Financial Services Program Representative serving the members of North County Credit Union at (858) 487-1880 Ext. 3201 for a no-cost, no-obligation Retirement Assets Consultation. The quality of your retirement years depends on it.

Representatives are registered, securities are sold, and investment advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, Iowa 50677, toll-free (866) 512-6109. Nondeposit investment and insurance products are not federally insured, involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by the financial institution. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution, through the financial services program, to make securities available to members.

New Online Loan Payment Service

In addition to our traditional services to make your North County Credit Union loan payments, now you can quickly and simply make your payment by transferring funds from another financial institution to us online. Just select and complete our "Loan Payment (from a Checking Account at another Financial Institution)" form found on our "Online Services" webpage.

Our Current “Directions” Newsletter

Make sure you read our quarter newsletter, "Directions." Each issue highlights special promotions and provides helpful information to manage your finances. And don't forget to share our quarterly newsletter with family and friends. You must have Adobe's Acrobat Reader in order to view.

Third Quarter 2010
Second Quarter 2010
First Quarter 2010
Fourth Quarter 2009

Look for these articles on our Web site's online magazine, "The Home & Family Finance Resource Center."

In the July issue:

• Appliance Rebates: Save Now and Later (featured April 1)
  If you've been thinking about replacing your appliances with newer, more energy-efficient models, now is the time to think about buying thanks to appliance rebate programs.
• Financial Fitness Challenge: Have Lots of Fun for Little Money
  Having fun, and frequently, is an important part of keeping balance in your life. Find out how to maintain the "play" side of the "work hard, play hard" equation without wrecking your budget.
• Encore: When Lightning Strikes (featured week of July 5)
  More than 100,000 thunderstorms occur in the U.S. each year, with lightning striking more than 30 million points on the ground. Are you prepared if lightning strikes your home?
• Preserve Your Family’s Paper Trail: Replace and Safeguard Personal Records (featured week of July 12)
  Where is your birth certificate? Learn how to replace common types of personal records and where to store them to keep them safe and secure.
• Why You May Want a Small Euro Car (featured week of July 19)
  Where high gas mileage meets low price is the sweet spot for new “small” vehicles. Read on to learn more about three Euro cars that might change your buying plans.
• Your Tax Bracket Tells Just Part of the Story (featured week of July 26)
  We use the phrase “tax bracket” to express how much of your last taxed dollar is taxed. Your effective tax rate is different from your tax bracket percentage.

In August

• New Rules for Gift Cards
  New rules to restrict fees and expiration dates on gift cards will go into effect Aug 22. Learn how the changes will help protect you from hidden costs and surprise fees.
• Foodies Beware—Dining Under False Pretenses
  That extra virgin olive oil, Hawaiian coffee, sheep’s milk cheese, and organic produce could well be generic quality or less, all dressed up with top-shelf packaging, placement, and—of course—pricing.
• Toyota Recall: Possible Good Side Effects
  Recent auto recalls may affect future requirements to set auto standards. For now, there are ways to check up on your vehicle if you are having recurring problems and—in some cases—get them fixed for free.
• Lured In to Trade School: Hard Lessons and Mountains of Debt
  If you’re going back to school, beware of false promises, high tuition, and excessive borrowing that can saddle you with debt and derail your dreams.
• Multiple Generations Come Together to Save Costs, Gain Quality of Life
  Multiple generations are coming together to share the demands of everyday living. Along the way, they’re learning that it can be good for both their quality of life and their wallets.