members circle

www.alliantcreditunion.org a newsletter for Alliant Credit Union members July 2012

contents
1 The ABCs of back-to-school

The ABCs of back-to-school shopping

Kids typically mourn the end of summer vacation. But, theres consolation: the thrill of getting cool, new back-to-school stuff. Back-to-school shopping is the second biggest shopping season of the year (behind the winter holidays). This year, parents expect to spend $603.63 for their kids clothes, electronics and supplies, according to the National Retail Federation. Thats actually down $2.77 from last year. Here are pointers to help you relax and get the best bang for your bucks. A) Start with a plan. If your kids school provides a list of items to buy, use that as your starting point and write down everything you think your child needs. Then, take an inventory to avoid buying items you already have. Next, develop an overall budget and prioritize the purchases to ensure you take care of your childs most pressing needs, such as a new backpack or sneakers. B) Keep your eye out for deals. Back-to-school sales are already starting. Many states help out by offering tax-free school shopping days in early August. Shop old school by checking your Sunday paper for store sales and coupons. This will help you find bargains and loss leader sales, in which office supply and department stores advertise items at below cost just to get you in the door. Now is also a good time to buy summer or winter items on clearance. Also, shop new school by searching for deals and coupons online and by downloading shopping apps to use on your smartphone. C) Involve your kids. Some shopping experts suggest leaving your kids, especially younger ones, at home when you do the bulk of your shopping. But, they suggest you do bring them along when its time to buy a few special items. You can then let them decide which option to buy. If you have older kids, youre in luck. They can add value by helping you to hunt for bargains online. Meanwhile, think of the shopping as a way to teach your children about money. As Cynthia Ewar, editor of the online magazine Organized Home, states: Once you have an idea of your childs true needs, establish a budget amount and create a learning experience. Yes, little Jenna will want the pricey licensed-character backpack and the lunchbox and the binder, no matter the cost. A bit of horse trading along the lines of, Well, our budget will let you buy the backpack only if we choose less expensive binders can make the limits clear and teach financial skills at the same time.
Sources: mint.com, frugaldad.com, scholastic.com, organizedhome.com, usatoday.com and marketwatch.com

shopping

Heres a chance for students to win a computer gift card

2 Happy Aviation Day

Student loans that really make the grade

DIVIDEND
August Savings Dividend DECLARED JUNE 21, 2012

The August 2012 Savings and IRA dividend, declared 06/21/2012, provides a Compounded Annual Percentage Yield of

0.80% APY

Dividends are paid on the last day of the month to accountholders who have maintained an average daily balance of $100 or more. Savings dividend is subject to change monthly.
August Checking Dividend DECLARED JUNE 21, 2012

Heres a chance for students to win a computer gift card

Alliant is pleased to announce our annual National Education Program for students between the ages of 5 and 17. We will award nine computer gift certificates (three in each age category) ranging from $250 to $1,000. The age categories are 5 to 9, 10 to 13, and 14 to 17. TO APPLY, applicants may use any media (such as an essay, drawing, video, PowerPoint or photograph) to describe what they want to be when they grow up and how a computer can enrich their education. TO QUALIFY, applicants must have an Alliant savings account in their own name. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: AUGUST 24, 2012 Visit our website, www.alliantcreditunion.org, for complete details, eligibility and to obtain an application.

The August 2012 High Rate Checking dividend, declared 06/21/2012, provides a Compounded Annual Percentage Yield of

0.75% APY

Checking dividends are paid on the last day of each month to accountholders who meet the requirements of the account. Checking dividend is subject to change monthly.

2 hats off to trailblazers of the air

Happy Aviation Day

Nearly 60% of Alliants 280,000 members are affiliated with the airline industry as an employee, employee family member or retiree. And they have a special reason to feel pride on August 19, Aviation Day, when across the country, government buildings display the U.S. flag and many airfields celebrate with spectacular air shows. President Franklin Roosevelt established Aviation Day in 1939, to coincide with the birthday of Orville Wright, then 68 years old. In 1903, Orville and his brother Wilbur defied gravity and flew the first authentic airplane. Thanks to the design of their bi-planes steering controls, Orville lifted off and soared for 12 seconds and 120 feet along the sands of Kitty Hawk, NC. It was about time! Mankind had been trying to fly like a bird since time immemorial. According to Greek mythology, Daedalus and his son fled capture by flying across the Mediterranean on wings created out of wax and feathers. Daedalus made it across. His son, however, plunged to his death because his wings melted when he flew too close to the sun. Aside from this legend, history is full of examples of real life people who lost their life or limbs by trying to fly with wings made of wood or feathers. Flying finally took off in 1783 in France. Thats when the Montgolfier brothers designed and flew the first hot air balloon. The balloon reached a height of 6,000 feet and traveled more than a mile. Its passengers were a rooster, a sheep and a duck. Dont worry no animals were hurt in the making of this trip. The balloon was tethered. Later that year, the brothers successfully flew another balloon with people onboard and no tether. More recently, Alliant members working with the airlines have made a big difference in making it easier for people to travel the globe for business or pleasure. Its difficult to imagine a world without aviation, observes pilot and writer Nick Engler. It changed the way we travel, how we distribute food and goods, how we respond to emergencies, how we interact with people in other countries, how we wage war and how we enjoy peace. Most importantly, it has changed how we view the world and ultimately, ourselves.
Sources: timeanddate.com, holidayinsights.com, flylcpa.com, ueet.nasa.gov and century-of-flight.net

Student loans that really make the grade

Alliant wants to help students go further in school and life. Thats why were offering our members student loans with extremely attractive rates and terms and the interest may be tax deductible. Alliant makes available three kinds of student loans: 1. K-12/College Student Loan, designed to help anyone in the family get an education. Available for college costs and qualifying K-12 programs. 2. Consolidation Student Loan, which combines student loan debt you have with other lenders into one convenient, affordable loan. Coming soon. 3. Traditional Student Loan, a deferred payment student loan with no loan payments due until the student is out of school. Its the perfect student loan for those who cant make payments right away. For additional information, stop by an Alliant Branch or go to our website, www.alliantcreditunion.org, where you can also apply online. Check with your financial advisor about potential tax savings.

office closings
Alliant will be closed in observance of the following holidays:

Labor Day Monday, September 3, 2012 Columbus Day Monday, October 8, 2012

dial direct: Alliant is there when you need us Member Contact Center Mortgage Hotline 800-328-1935 800-328-1935 24/7 personal assistance Press option 5, then option 1 tdd/tty 773-462-2300 MonFri, 8am5pm CT Self Service Telephone (SST) 800-482-5328 24/7 automated account access VISA Debit Card 800-328-1935 VISA Credit Cards 24/7 Member Service/ Account Info/Lost or Stolen: 866-444-8529 VISA Gift Card Purchase: 800-328-1935 Support Center: 866-466-2362 Auto/Home Insurance 888-380-9287 MonFri, 6am10pm CT Sat, 6am 8pm CT GreenPath Debt Solutions 877-337-3399 MonThur, 7am9pm CT Fri, 7am6pm CT Sat, 8am5pm CT
Alliant Headquarters 11545 W. Touhy Avenue Chicago, IL 60666

Alliant Retirement and Investment Services Financial Advisors are available to serve members in all states. Call 800-328-1935, option 9. NEW! Deposits/Payments PO Box 2387 Print-without shadow Des Plaines, IL 60017-2387 NEW! Credit Card Payments PO Box 1666 Des Plaines, IL 60017-1666 All Other Correspondence and IRA and HSA deposits PO Box 66945, Chicago, IL 60666-0945

For Alliant Branch locations, Alliant Online Banking, and product and service information, visit our website: www. alliantcreditunion.org
This newsletter is for members personal use only. Reproducing and/or selling the contents of this newsletter without prior written permission from Alliant Credit Union is prohibited. Copyright Alliant. Articles are prepared as an educational service for Alliant members. They should not be relied on as a substitute for individual financial or legal research. Articles in this newsletter are not intended to be used (and may not be relied on) for penalty avoidance.

Convenient 24/7/365 account access Online banking at www.alliantcreditunion.org Mobile banking app for Android iPad and iPhone Member Contact Center at 800-328-1935 Self Service Telephone at 800-482-5328 Over 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide
Android is a trademark of Google, Inc. iPhone and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.

PO Box 66945, 11545 W. Touhy Avenue Chicago, IL 60666-0945

www.alliantcreditunion.org
Federally insured by NCUA.
NEW264-R07/12