​Managing debt can seem like it’s never ending, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Having a plan set in place will help you through this process, so take a look at a few tips to help make managing debt a bit easier. 

1. Create a Budget 
You must know who you owe and how much you owe. Once you have an idea of the amount of debt you have, you can create and set a budget. Track your expenses over one month to figure out how much money you have to work with and decide how to spend it. Determine your needs vs. wants and set aside a realistic budget to pay off debts. If you have extra money left in the budget, use it to pay off your debt faster. If you have trouble budgeting, try using a budget worksheet to get you started. 

2. Prioritize Which Debt to Pay Off First 
When deciding your strategy to pay off debts, you have a few options. If you have multiple credit cards, you may want to pay off the debt with the highest interest rate first. Then pay off the next and the next until all cards are paid off. Or maybe you want to start with the loan that has the smallest balance and work your way up. Whatever you choose, stick with your plan. 

This may also be a time to consider a debt consolidation plan. Combining multiple debts into one lump sum will keep you on track and pay off debts faster.  Plus, these plans often offer lower interest rates which helps save money! 

3. Pay More than the Minimum 
Of course, paying the full amount will save money in the long run by eliminating the need to pay extra interest each month. If you cannot pay the full amount, try paying more than the minimum. Making smaller payments throughout the month can help pay the balance down as much as possible. 

For a loan, keep in mind to pay extra on the principal and not the interest since interest is calculated on the remaining loan balance. If you’re planning to pay your mortgage off early, ensure there is no penalty for prepayment. 

4. Never Miss Payments 
Your payment history makes up 35% of your credit score, so it’s best to never miss a payment. If you are having trouble making payments on the scheduled date, contact your credit card company to inquire on moving your payment date. You can coordinate the new due date with your job's payment schedule, limiting missed payments and those pesky late fees and a potential decrease in credit score. If it’s helpful, set reminders or enroll in automatic bill pay to stay on track. 

5. Have an Emergency Fund
This sounds crazy, right? Saving for emergencies and paying off debt? While it might seem foolish, saving for emergencies is key to helping manage debt. Think about it this way, if you need a new alternator for your vehicle, is it best to charge it to your credit card - adding additional debt to your existing balance, or take the money from your emergency fund? 

Life happens, so having an emergency fund that can cover those expenses that happen out of nowhere, will help you in the long run. When budgeting, be sure to contribute to your emergency fund. Though the suggested amount for an emergency fund is 3-6 months worth of expenses, begin saving what you can and adjust as you begin to pay down other debts. 

6. Seek Help
You’re not alone when navigating through managing your finances. The experts at GreenPath Financial are available to help you gain control of your finances. They can provide help with creating your budget and sticking to it, prioritizing debts and answer any questions you may have. 

Depending on the amount of debt, this is not a process that will happen overnight. It’s a slow and steady race that will offer a great reward in the long run. It’s important to remember your goals, stick with them and try your best to stay on track! 

*Blog post shared from Genisys Credit Union*

​Remember when you got that first paycheck?  You couldn’t wait to see how much cash you received.  In fact, you probably had that amount memorized pretty quickly.

It is essential to know exactly how much you will be earning so you can manage your spending in line with your income. But there are other numbers that are important for you to know to avoid making financial mistakes. Here are a few that can help you establish a strong money foundation.

What Is Your REAL Checking Account Balance?
Too many people make the mistake of determining how much they can spend on a purchase by simply checking today’s balance on your mobile phone or online. There’s a problem with that approach. The balance you see in your account today probably doesn’t count all the expenses you have already authorized against your account. It’s easy to forget that cable or cell phone payment that you authorized to have automatically deducted from your account on the same day each month. What about that small debit card transaction for a coffee? Now that you’ve finished drinking the coffee, is the memory of the debit card transaction lost as well?

If you don’t keep track of your real balance using an old-fashioned checkbook, spreadsheet, or another method, you’re leaving yourself open to spending more than you think you have in your account. The result of the overspending can be overdraft charges that you don’t want.

What Is Your Available Credit Card Limit? 
When you open a credit card, you are approved to use the card to borrow up to a limit. The limit minus the amount you owe for your credit card use is referred to as your “available credit.”

Why is it important to know this? Obviously, it tells you how much more you can spend, especially in the event of an emergency.  When the unexpected happens, it’s convenient to have credit available to you if you don’t have enough funds in your savings account.

Perhaps more important, though, your available credit amount can affect your credit score. As your balance owed starts to be a more significant percent of your credit limit, your credit score starts to decline.  This ratio can be the sole difference between a so-so credit score and an excellent one. And that can impact not only your ability to get credit again; it can also determine how much you will pay for that credit and other things like car insurance.

To maintain an excellent credit score, try to keep your outstanding balance less than 35% of your credit limit. If that ratio starts to creep up, you can consider paying off some of your balance or requesting a limit increase to get the ratio back in line.

What Is Your Cash Flow?
Cash flow determines whether you have enough cash coming in to cover all the expenses you have going out. This number is vital to track on a monthly basis to determine if you need to make changes to your spending. Not following your income versus expenditures can lead to increasing debt and potential troubles down the road.

What Is Your Net Worth Trend?
Your net worth is worth knowing if you plan on building wealth over your lifetime.  It’s a simple calculation. Let’s stick solely to financial assets for now and skip trying to put a value on possessions.

What are your financial assets?  
How much do you have in your savings account?  You might want to leave your checking or debit account balances out of this calculation if you try to minimize the amount you keep in this account.
Do you have funds in a 401(k)?
Do you have other investments or savings-type accounts?
How much do you owe?  Do you have a car loan, a home loan, a credit card balance, or other debts?  

Now, subtract the amounts you owe from the financial assets you have? Chances are good this will be a negative balance because we didn’t put a value on things like the car you financed or the things you bought with credit. That’s okay, especially when you’re first starting out in adult life. What you want to look at is the trend.

When you compare to your previous month’s number, are you moving in the right direction? Is the difference between your financial assets and your outstanding debt starting to skew more in favor of the assets? That’s what you want to see. If you can keep a positive trend going, you will begin to see your wealth build over time. If the number is going in the other direction, you then have the first piece of information you need to determine if changes are required.

Know your numbers.  You may be thinking, “I wanted a paycheck, but I didn’t know math would be involved!” Don’t feel bad, many people resist thinking about numbers as they relate to money. But just by monitoring these numbers, you’ll be making good progress to a stable financial future.

*Blog Shared from Genisys Credit Union* 

Shape the Future of Sterling Heights 
What it means to you
In 2013, residents were afforded an opportunity to shape the future of the city of Sterling Heights through Safe Streets, a ballot proposal providing six years of dedicated funding for police and fire operations and neighborhood street improvements. By an overwhelming margin, voters approved Safe Streets, which has been a catalyst for transforming Sterling Heights since 2013. 

With the expiration of Safe Streets in 2019, the City is at a critical juncture. The City can either continue its amazing momentum or reverse the progress made to date. If approved, the Safe Streets Renewal affords the City with the revenue needed to preserve excellent police and fire services and continue with an aggressive program for improving our neighborhood streets. 

The Safe Streets Renewal is NOT a tax increase. It simply continues the dedicated millage for police and fire protection and neighborhood street improvements for an additional ten years. 

The Safe Streets Renewal will authorize the City to continue to levy a total of 2.45 mills for 10 years - 1.65 mills for Police and Fire Protection and 0.8 mills for Neighborhood Streets. 
​
The average homeowner currently pays $185 annually or $15 per month in city taxes due to the Safe Streets millage. This amount will not increase as a result of renewing the millage. 

FAQ's
Why is the Safe Streets Renewal needed?
For the past six years, the Safe Streets dedicated millage has funded police and fire protection and neighborhood street improvements. Without this dedicated funding source, the Police Department would have 45 fewer police officers and the Fire Department would have 20 fewer firefighters to serve and protect. Only a fraction of the 152 neighborhood streets reconstructed and repaired throughout Sterling Heights since 2013 would have received attention. Because Safe Streets expires this fiscal year, the City has two options: (a) Seek voter-approval for a Safe Streets Renewal that will authorize the City to continue to levy 2.45 mills for ten years for Police and Fire Protection (1.65 mills) and Neighborhood Streets (0.8 mills); or, (b) Effectuate devastating personnel reductions in the Police and Fire Departments and forego much-needed repairs to neighborhood streets. The City Council has opted to once again let the voters decide the future course for the City on this critical, quality-of-life decision. 

Why can't the City fund Police and Fire Protection and Neighborhood Street Improvements from current sources of revenue?
The system for funding municipalities and road projects in Michigan is broken and the Governor and Legislature cannot agree on how to fix this pervasive problem. For example, although Sterling Heights ranks highest in the state for certain categories of property valuation and assessments are rising annually at impressive rates, the City's resulting property tax revenues are largely capped by the annual rate of inflation under Michigan's Headlee Amendment. Maintaining outstanding Police and Fire protection services is very difficult when revenues grow 2% or less annually. 

Eighty percent (80%) of the cost to reconstruct and repair neighborhood streets over the past six years was funded by Safe Streets. Recent proposals to fix the roads in Michigan could actually decrease the already inadequate funding currently provided to Sterling Heights for neighborhood streets. Simply put, the state funding model for municipalities and road improvements has not fundamentally changed and the Safe Streets Renewal is necessary if the City is going to provide the level of public services and improvements expected by its residents. 

If approved by the voters, how much will the Safe Streets Renewal cost the average homeowner?
The average homeowner currently pays $185 per year in city taxes due to the Safe Streets millage. This equates to $15 per month or 51 cents per day. This amount will NOT increase as a result of the Safe Streets Renewal. 

The overall millage rate for Sterling Heights will remain among the lowest of all Macomb County cities and lower than 56% of cities in the State of Michigan. 

In fact, over the past 12 years property taxes for the average homeowner have only increased $26 annually. For that small annual increase, residents continue to benefit from exceptional public services from the Police Department, Fire Department and Department of Public Works, amazing new recreational amenities created under Recreating Recreation, and unprecedented efforts to reconstruct and repair major roads and neighborhood streets throughout Sterling Heights. 

And all of this is accomplished with the one of the lowest City employee to City resident ratios in the State of Michigan. The City ratio of 3.7 employees per 1,000 residents is the lowest among comparable communities and significantly lower than other smaller cities. Ann Arbor, for example, has 6.5 employees per 1,000 residents, while Warren has a 5:3 ratio. Sterling Heights has streamlined processes and employed best practices and is a leader for cost effective government. 

What is the impact if the Safe Streets Renewal fails?
Without the dedicated funding provided by the Safe Streets Renewal, the City will be forced to implement draconian cuts to staffing in the Police Department and Fire Department. The anticipated reduction of 45 police officers and 20 firefighters/paramedics will occur primarily through lay-offs since retirements will be minimal for the foreseeable future. The impact of these personnel reductions will be immediate and devastating to police and fire protection. The number of sworn police officers will decrease form 151 to 106. The City anticipates that the Police Department will change from a proactive to reactive policing agency. The Detective Bureau, Youth Bureau, Crime Suppression Unit, and Community Response Unit will be dramatically reduced in size or eliminated so personnel can be shifted to the Patrol Bureau. Community programs, including Community Outreach and Resident Engagement (CORE), Smart Moves, and High School Resource Officers, will be terminated. Bottom line, the City's ranking as one of the safest big cities in the United States will be in jeopardy when 30% of the sworn officers are eliminated. 

The loss of 20 firefighters/paramedics would be equally devastating to the lifesaving services delivered on a daily basis by the Fire Department. The City anticipates closing one of the five fire stations and specialized apparatus will not be manned at current levels. Depending on 911 call volume, it is projected that the Fire Department's response times will increase from three to ten minutes in some cases. 

For a city that has long-prided itself on the exceptional quality of its full-service Police and Fire Departments, the personnel reductions and the impact on the public safety must be seriously considered. There is no other long-term revenue source to fill the funding gap if the Safe Streets Renewal fails. 

The significant progress the City has made in improving neighborhood streets over the past six years us due in large measure to Safe Streets. The Safe Streets Renewal will provide approximately $3.5 million of critical funding per year to reconstruct and repair an additional 250 neighborhood streets. 

​Wait, isn't the State going to increase the gas tax to fix the roads?
While the Governor has proposed a plan to raise gas taxes to increase road funding, NONE of that funding will help fix neighborhood streets. In fact, the City will actually LOSE road funding under the proposed plan. The City must continue to provide its own resources for the repair and improvement of neighborhood streets and the Safe Streets millage provides over 80% of that funding. 

If the Safe Streets Renewal is approved, will other city departments benefit?
Not directly. However, by stabilizing Sterling Heights' financial condition, all city departments will be spared from budgetary cuts, which would compromise the delivery of quality public services. The Safe Streets Renewal eliminates the financial necessity to reduce services, and allows the City to maintain its focus on the continuous improvement of the overall quality of life for its residents and businesses. It is hard to deny the incredible transformation of Sterling Heights and it is important to stay on course with the Visioning 2030 strategic plan. 

Ballot Question
RENEWAL OF MILLAGE FOR POLICE AND FIRE PROTECTION AND LOCAL STREET IMPROVEMENTS
Shall the Sterling Heights Charter be amended to renew the authorization to levy a millage at a reduced rate of 2.45 mills for 10 years, from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2030, for the purpose of providing revenue for police and fire protection and local street improvements?
This renewed millage authorization shall be specifically dedicated as follows:
-1.65 mills for police and fire protection
-.80 mills for local street improvements
If authorized, the renewed millage will raise an estimated $11,025,000 in the first year if fully levied. 

General Election Info
-The General Election featuring the Safe Streets Renewal ballot proposal and the races for mayor and city council will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. 
-Residents may register to vote in person or by mail through October 21, 2019, or in person through Election Day, at the City Clerks Office. 
-To verify that you are registered to vote, find your precinct, and view your sample ballot, visit the city's website (www.sterling-heights.net).
-New this Election: All registered voters are eligible to receive a absentee ballot. The last day to apply for and receive a ballot by mail is Friday, November 1, 2019 at 5 p.m. The City Clerk's Office will also be open Saturday, November 2, 2019 to issue absentee ballots in person. 
-An absentee voter application is available on the city's website (www.sterling-heights.net) or call 586.446.2420. Your voted absentee ballot must be delivered to the City Clerk's Office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. 

Note: Remember to bring your valid ID to the polls. Those without proper ID will need to sign an affidavit of identity to receive a ballot. 

Dear Sterling Heights Resident:

In 2013, residents were afforded an opportunity to shape the future of the city of Sterling Heights through Safe Streets, a ballot proposal providing six years of dedicated funding for police and fire operations and neighborhood street improvements. By an overwhelming margin, voters approved Safe Streets, which has been a catalyst for transforming Sterling Heights since 2013. Through your support of Safe Streets, the City has accomplished the following:

-The reconstruction and repair of over 152 neighborhood streets
-The retention of 45 police officers and firefighter/paramedics, which has enabled the City to preserve its status as one of the safest large cities in the United States and successfully implement Advanced Life Support (ALS) transportation services
-Implementation of innovative community policing programs, including:

• Community Outreach and Resident Engagement (CORE) that dedicates a police officer to the residents and businesses in five distinct sectors of the City
• Smart Moves that educates over 1,500 students annually at all nineteen elementary schools in Sterling Heights on the danger of drugs and alcohol,k skills for handling peer pressure, conflict resolution and bullying, and avoiding internet threats
• School Resource Officers that are assigned and dedicated to student safety at Sterling Heights High School, Henry Ford II High School and Adlai Stevenson High School

But for the Safe Streets dedicated millage, none of these public improvements, enhanced services or innovative programs would have been implemented. While these accomplishments are notable, the underlying financial challenges that necessitated Safe Streets remain. While the increase in property values in Sterling Heights since 2013 is extremely impressive, the City's revenue growth is capped by the rate of inflation. This revenue limitation is not conductive to maintaining the excellent public services at levels our residents and businesses have come to expect. Additionally, the state of Michigan seems wholly incapable of effectuating meaningful reforms to the system for financing road improvements. Consequently, the City's Police and Fire Departments are reliant on the Safe Streets dedicated millage to maintain staffing at current levels. Likewise, approximately 80% of the City's neighborhood streets budget comes from the Safe Streets revenues. 

With the expiration of Safe Streets in 2019, the City is at a critical juncture. The City can either continue its amazing momentum or reverse the progress made to date. For its part, the City Council has elected to place a Safe Street Renewal before the cotes on the November 5th ballot. If approved, the Safe Streets Renewal affords the City with the revenue needed to preserve excellent police and fire services and continue with an aggressive program for improving our neighborhood streets. The Safe Streets Renewal is NOT a tax increase. It simply continues the dedicated millage for police, fire protection and neighborhood street improvements for an additional ten years.

This is your opportunity to shape the future of this great community. I hope you will take some time to read the information contained in this brochure and make an informed decision on the Safe Streets Renewal on November 5th. Your vote makes a difference. 

Respectfully yours, 
Michael C. Taylor, Mayor of City of Sterling Heights 

The 2020 Census and Confidentiality 
From: The Census Bureau

Your responses to the 2020 Census are safe, secure, and protected by federal law. Your answers can only be used to produce statistics - they cannot be used against you in any way. By law, all responses to U.S. Census Bureau household and business surveys are kept completely confidential. 
​
Respond to the 2020 Census to shape the future. 
Responding to the census helps communities get the funding they need and helps businesses make data-driven decisions that grow the economy. Census data impact our daily lives, informing important decisions about funding for services and infrastructure in your community, including health care, senior centers, jobs, political representation, roads, schools, and businesses. More than $675 billion in federal funding flows back to states and local communities each year based on census data. 

Your census responses are safe and secure. 
The Census Bureau is required by law to protect any personal information we collect and keep it strictly confidential. The Census Bureau can only use your answers to produce statistics. In fact, every Census Bureau employee takes an oath to protect your personal information for life. Your answers cannot be used for law enforcement purposed to to determine your personal eligibility for government benefits. 

By law, your responses cannot be used against you. 
By law, your census responses cannot be used against you by any government agency or court in any way - not by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), not by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), not by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and not by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The law requires the Census Bureau to keep your information confidential and use your responses only to produce statistics. 

There are no exceptions. 
The law requires the Census Bureau to keep everyone's information confidential. By law, your responses cannot be used against you by any government agency or court in any way. The Census Bureau will not share an individual's responses with immigration enforcement agencies, law enforcement agencies, or allow that information to be used to determine eligibility for government benefits. Title 13 makes it very clear that the data we collect can only be used for statistical purposes - we cannot allow it to be used for anything else, including law enforcement. 

It's your choice: you can respond securely online, by mail, or by phone.
You will have the option of responding online, by mail, or by phone. Households that don't respond in one of these ways will be visited by a census taker to collect the information in person. Regardless of how you respond, your personal information is protected by law. 

Your online responses are safe from hacking and other cyber-threats. 
The Census Bureau takes strong precautions to keep online responses secure. All data submitted online are encrypted to protect personal privacy, and our cyber-security program meets the highest and most recent standards for protecting personal information. Once the data are received, they are no longer online. From the moment the Census Bureau collects responses, our focus and legal obligation is to keep them safe. 

We are committed to confidentiality.
At the U.S. Census Bureau, we are absolutely committed to keeping your responses confidential. This commitment means it is safe to provide your answers and know that they will only be used to paint a statistical portrait of our nation and communities. 
Learn more about the Census Bureau's data protection and privacy program at www.census.gov/privacy

Hiring and Workers' Comp Costs
By: AccidentFund

The opportunity to hire new workers can be an exciting time for any company, offering the potential to add someone with new skills or fill a vacated position. But the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that workers with only one year of experience, who represent 25% of the workforce, make up 34% of lost-time claims and costs. 

It's critical for companies to use pre-screening tools and pre-employment testing to identify potential candidate liabilities or a likelihood for workers' compensations claims. 

When screening applicants, employers are encouraged to perform: 

• A work history check to verify references and employment history. 
• A criminal record check. Patterns of fraud or criminal activity could be a red flag. 
• A credit check. 
• A medical, alcohol, or substance abuse test. Most of these screenings can be done only after a contingent job offer has been made. 
• A workers' compensation background check. This can only be done after a contingent job offer has been made and is not available in all states. Check with your background screening company for availability or potential restrictions of such a check. 
  

Other evaluations to consider include:

• Aptitude, personality or integrity tests. These can indicate a candidate's fit within a company's culture and can detect those who may be inclined to lie or cheat. 
• Strength tests. While this is relatively new, this process can eliminate applicants who may be physically unable to perform necessary job duties. 

Pre-Employment Testing Available
AccidentFund is pleased to offer pre-employment testing to our policyholders through a partnership we have established with Psychometrics. While no hiring decision should be based on this testing alone, we believe that making smart hiring choices is critical to workplace safety. AccidentFund policyholders can purchase this service through Psychometrics at a reduced price or use another vendor of their choice. 

Be sure to visit our Hiring Safety Site for safety information and tips. AccidentFund policyholders can also log into our website for additional safety tools. 

If you're not a customer, click here for WorkSafe information or find an AccidentFund agent near you! 

*Blog shared from AccidentFund* 

A New Way to Scam: Electronic Payment Apps 
By: Genisys Credit Union

Applications like PayPal and Venmo offer the convenience of sending money electronically. Instead of the old "I'll pay you back," we can now say "I'll send it to you." The ability to pay your friend, coworker or family member immediately is awesome, right?

The problem is, these apps offer convenience, but with one convenience often times there's another huge inconvenience - scammers. Since your bank account and payment cars are linked to these electronic payment apps, this opens up a new way for scammers to get crafty in stealing your money and information. 

These scams can deplete your bank account, causing a huge hassle and unwanted stress. To protect yourself from the headache, here are a few things to note when utilizing those apps. 

Be Aware
We're all familiar with selling items online and with the addition of these electronic payment apps, it's made the process much easier. Now, we don't want to scare you into closing your accounts with these apps or to stop selling items online, but being aware of some of the scams can help keep your information safe.

Be aware when selling online of a scam where you, the seller, receives an email stating the payment has posted. We rarely think twice in these instances. We've listed a product, someone purchased the product, PayPal, for example, sends us an email notifying you of the purchase. While this is the norm for most online selling platforms, take that email with a grain of salt. Scammers set up fake emails that seem real, prompting you to send the goods to them for free since the payment was never sent. A good rule of thumb is to check your bank account to confirm the payment has been sent. Never send goods before double -checking!

Scams That Affect Buyers
It's important to note the few ways to send money in these apps. If you are sending money to someone you trust - family or friends, you would use the "Friends and Family" option. If you are selling your vintage band t-shirt to someone you don't know, it would be wise to select "Goods and services."

If you're in a situation where a seller requests you send a payment as Friends and Family, it's okay to reject the payment and inform the seller that you will only make the payment as a Goods and Service transaction. One reason a seller may request the payment come from Friends and Family is to avoid paying the transaction fee from the business, or Good and Service option. Since certain electronic payment apps offer no protection over transactions sent via the Friends and Family option, you could be setting yourself up to be scammed. If the seller decides to keep the goods, you cannot dispute the payment. It's important to familiarize yourself with the protection policies so you can avoid scams. 

If You're Unsure, Don't Click
Phishing scams happen all the time - a scammer sends an email attached with a link or attachment that contains malware or spam. By not clicking on these emails, we are keeping our finances safe as well as our personal information. But what about emails that come from PayPal or Venmo? You use the app regularly, so it may seem like no big deal when one of those companies emails and prompts you to provide your login information so that your "account doesn't deactivate."

It's worth noting, PayPal, Venmo or virtually any company will never ask for personal information via email. If you receive an email that contains links and you are not sure if it's real or not, simply hover over the link and the true destination will pop up. 

Monitor Statements Often
It's suggested to link only one credit card to your electronic payment apps. This makes it easier to monitor one statement so you can keep up with your purchases and dispute any you are unaware of. 

It's also worth mentioning to never save passwords on websites, no matter how secure they may seem or how easy it is to checkout when your information autofills. This is especially important if you often shop online on numerous sites. Again, with convenience comes a larger inconvenience. 

While technology is becoming more advanced, so are the scammers. Protect your accounts by taking precautions when using electronic payment apps. 
​
*Blog post shared from Genisys Credit Union*

The 2020 Census and How You Can Help
By: Ashley Edwards, Director of Marketing & Communications, SHRCCI

The once-a-decade population count affects your representation in government, determines how much funding your community receives, and provides data to help you plan for the future. Join us to spread the word about the importance of the 2020 Census and help ensure a complete and accurate count. 

Benefits of a Complete Count
A complete count of every person living in the United States has tremendous benefits for you and for your stakeholders. 
Census Data:

• Accurately determine how many representatives each state has in Congress and inform the redrawing of congressional district boundaries. 
• Are used as the basis for distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to states, counties, and communities to support resources such as schools, hospitals, and fire departments. 
• Inform business decisions, policy, community initiatives, and consumer advocacy. 

What it means to be a 2020 Census Partner
You can make a difference - no matter how much time you're able to commit. As trusted voices in the communities they serve, partners are critical to the success of the 2020 Census. These are some of the many ways you can get involved:

• Use U.S. Census Bureau tools, information, and messaging in creative ways to increase public participation; for example, share newsletter articles and co-branded products and post on social media. 
• Host a workshop to devise possible solutions to 2020 Census challenges in your community and generate commitments to tackle them.
• Provide information to stakeholders about the importance and benefits of participating in the 2020 Census; for example, invite Census Bureau officials to speak to your audience. 
• Encourage people in your community to work for the Census Bureau, and share this link with them: 2020census.gov/jobs.

Why become a 2020 Census Partner?
As a 2020 Census partner, you will:

• Become part of a powerful network of government, nonprofit, corporate, and community organizations with a diverse group of industry professionals. 
• Help ensure that your community is accurately represented. 
• Have personalized access to Census Bureau data tools and products, workshops to help you use data effectively, and one-on-one support from data trainers. 

Not only will you help ensure that the people you work with are accurately represented, but you will also be able to use Census Bureau resources to improve your community. 

Interested in partnering with the Census Bureau?
National organizations interested in partnering with the Census Bureau can contact the 2020 Census Partnership Program at census.partners@census.gov to share ideas about how we can work together to ensure a complete and accurate count. 

State and local organizations can reach out to their regional census center using the contact information below:
Chicago 
Phone: 312.579.1605
email: Chicago.rcc.partnership@2020census.gov.

For the latest updates on the 2020 Census, visit 2020census.gov. 

How Do I Save For a Mortgage Down Payment?
By: Genisys Credit Union

Saving to buy a home can seem like a daunting task, especially when you think you have to save 20% for the down payment. Let's face it, unless you live in an area with a low cost of living, coming up with that type of cash can be discouraging. 

But don't worry, if you're ready to start saving for your new home, but aren't sure where or how to start, you've got options!

Research Your Loan Options
There are many loan options that don't require a 20% down payment. If you're looking to go the route of government-backed loans, you might want to look at:
FHA Loan: This loan is aimed at helping first-time home buyers and requires as little as 3.5% down. 
VA Loan: These loans are strictly for current and former military members. They offer a 0% down payment and don't require mortgage insurance. 
USDA home loan: These loans are backed by the United States Department of Agriculture, also require zero down, but are only eligible in certain rural and suburban areas and have income limits.
Fannie Mae HomeReady loan: This loan, offered by Fannie Mae, also known as the Federal National Mortgage Association, is great for multi-generational households that takes into consideration the income of everyone living in the home. It offers a down payment of as little as 3% and reduced private mortgage insurance requirements. 
Freddie Mac Home Possible loan: This loan, offered by Freddie Mac, also known as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, offers a 3-5% down payment with reduced mortgage insurance requirements, flexible sources of funds and does not require that all borrowers live in the home. 

In addition to government-backed loans, you can take out a conventional loan. These range from 3-10 % down on the mortgage. Whichever product you choose, ensure you research your options thoroughly as some may take income, credit score and other factors into consideration.

Next Step - Make a Plan
Now that you're familiar with your loan options, and have a better idea of the amount you need saved, let's start saving! Having a plan to save for your down payment is critical, since saving can be easier said than done. 

Research the different savings accounts offered by your credit union to decide which is best for you. Savings accounts that keep your funds liquid but offer a good interest rate, like a High-Yield Money Market Account, may be a choice. And, if you're not a natural saver - most Americans aren't - setting up automatic savings can help you stay on track and remove any temptation!

It's important to set a realistic goal when saving. Every dollar counts, so remain consistent with depositing in your savings account. If it's $50 one month and $150 the next, the habit of saving will start to become second nature as you continue on your journey - and see your savings account grow. 

In order to remain on track with your savings goal, you may have to adjust your current budget. We know budgeting seems like a task, but if it will help you stay on track on saving for your dream home, why not take a stab at it? An easy way to find out where you can save additional dollars is to take note of your monthly expenses and see where you can tighten up in certain places. If you realize you are stopping for coffee daily or that you spent $100 on lunch the previous month, saving by brewing coffee at home or packing your lunch more often!

Saving on your wants, like buying that pumpkin-spiced coffee, is a no-brainer. But what about those existing loans and credit card bills? This is often an area that gets overlooked, but could end up saving you money. If you have multiple credit cards and loans at a variety of institutions, refinancing with a credit union could be an option as they often offer lower rates and terms. You may also save by consolidating credit card debt into one monthly payment. 

Saving for a down payment for your future home requires discipline, but once you're ready to make the next step, contact a mortgage consultant to get started. 

*Shared blog post from Genisys Credit Union*