www.hhfcu.org • 845.561.5607 • Federally Insured By NCUA • Equal Housing Lender

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Spring into Action Our Guide to Getting You Outside

Spring 2019HHFCU Annual Meetingp.3

Let’s Get You There!

DIY Upgradesp.6

Meet Our Financial Partnerp. 7

Did you know?A HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT can help you with:

Go to: hhfcu.org/heloc19 for our low rates

SchoolRainy Days Renovations Travel

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BRANCH HOURSMON-WED 8:30AM - 5:00PMTHURS-FRI 8:30AM - 6:00PMSAT 9:00AM - 2:00PM

BRANCH LOCATIONSCENTRAL VALLEY273 Rt. 32 (24hr ATM)

GOSHEN117 Grand Street (24hr ATM)

MATAMORAS, PA111 Hulst Drive (24hr ATM)

MIDDLETOWN25 Rykowski Lane (24hr ATMs)161-5 Dolson Avenue (24hr Drive-Up ATM)357 E. Main Street (24hr ATM)

MONTGOMERY 17 Walnut Street (24hr Drive-Up ATM)

NEWBURGH 2 Corwin Court (24hr Drive-Up ATM)211 S Plank Road (24hr Drive-Up ATM)

PINE BUSH36 Boniface Drive (24hr ATM)

WASHINGTONVILLE131 East Main Street (24hr ATM)

NEW PALTZ234 Main Street, Suite 6B (24hr ATM)SUNY New Paltz Campus–Lower Level of Haggerty MON-FRI 10AM-3PM Closed Saturday & Sunday ATM Located in Student Union Bldg, during open building hrs

Want to talk to a Specialist?Call our Member Solution Center at 845.561.5607

HOURS:MON-WED 8:30AM - 5:00PMTHURS-FRI 8:30AM - 6:00PMSAT 9:00AM - 2:00PM

Need directions to a branch? Scan this with your phone’s camera.

BOARD OF DIRECTORSChairpersonPaul Zalanowski

SecretaryKenneth Affeldt

DirectorsGerard AmorosoSandra GerowNicholas GiglioMichael Mahar

SUPERVISORY COMMITTEEChairpersonCarolyn Evans

MembersJohn BoyleJohn Naumchik

Vice-ChairpersonThomas Houston

TreasurerWilliam Wiseman Jr.

Recording SecretarySonia Rodriguez

Robert Sassi

As we move into spring of 2019, we have even more great news to share with you. Over the past several months we have added services, simplified solutions, and enhanced experiences so you can feel confident that we are the best financial institution for you. We would like nothing more than for you to consider us your primary financial institution. We are excited to share these enhancements, which are available for you this spring season:

Debit & Credit Card Rewards: Several of our members were asking for a rewards program for their banking. We are extremely happy to be able to deliver on this request. We are launching our rewards program within the next few months, which you will be able to easily enroll in at no cost. After enrollment, you can start earning points on every purchase and then redeem your points for gift cards at popular national brand stores. Plus, we will offer double points at local merchants within our network to help support local businesses. This is an exciting program that is simple to use and rewards you for your loyalty with us. We would encourage you to visit our website for updates.

Digital Payments: Later this spring, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay will be available for our debit and credit card users. There are no fees to take advantage of this service and you can use your smart phone to make secure purchases in stores, in apps, and on the web without opening your wallet. We are excited to offer this convenient technology enhancement to you.

Heritage Investment & Retirement Services: We understand that all of our banking products and services may not meet your long-term savings and retirement goals, so we partnered with CUNA Mutual to offer Heritage Investment & Retirement Services, which offers a full suite of investment and retirement solutions for all of our members. We brought in a full-time financial advisor that is able to meet with you in your local Hudson Heritage branch and provide you trusted advice that could help build your financial security. We encourage you to meet with Brenda Botens, our financial advisor, for a no-cost, no-obligation financial review.

This is an exciting time for you to be a member with us and we have even more announcements we look forward to sharing with you in the coming months. Many of these developments are in response to member feedback, so we encourage you to reach out with your own suggestions when you’re in one of the branches or on the phone with one of our Member Solutions representatives.

We wish you a happy and fun-filled spring season.

Michael J. CirielloPresident/CEO, Hudson Heritage Federal Credit Union

President’s Message

www.hhfcu.org • 845.561.5607 • Federally Insured By NCUA • Equal Housing Lender 3

Please limit how much you bring to three (3) standard paper storage boxes.

ACCEPTABLE ITEMS: • Paper (white or colored) • File folders • Checkbooks

• Staples & paper clips • Small plastics including ID cards & credit cards

Please join us on May 22nd for the 79th annual members meeting of Hudson Heritage FCU. Light refreshments will be served. Non-members must be a guest of a member in good standing to attend.

Where: Homewood Suites by Hilton (Stewart Airport) 180 Breuing Road, New Windsor, NY 12553 When: Wednesday, May 22nd, 2019 @ 6:00PM

In a few months, you’ll be able to link your HHFCU VISA© debit or credit card(s) to My Heritage Rewards to start accumulating points that can be turned into rewards–for you! Rewards are in the form of e-gift cards or you can reward others by donating your points to a charitable cause. More information will be available soon. Please check out hhfcu.org/rewards regularly for updates.

HHFCU Announcements

The Mobile Minute

79th Annual Meeting

COMING SOON!

Be in the know of all the happenings at Hudson Heritage

Tips and Tricks to ease your online banking experience

Saturdays • 9am-1pmShred Days!

Here’s a list of the Shred Days HHFCU is hosting this year!

Homewood Suites, New Windsor, NY

Remote Check DepositTo deposit a check on your mobile device:1. In the navigation menu, tap Transactions > Deposit Check.2. On the Deposit Check page, select the account, and enter the

Amount. Follow the instructions on the screen. 3. On the Image Capture page, use your device to take a picture

of the front and back of the check, then tap Submit Deposit. Guides on the screen help you align the check for the image.

4. Tap Close. The check appears in the Deposited Checks tab in the Activity Center.

Tip: If the image of the check is blurry, you can tap Retake Front or Retake Back to take a new picture.

Rewards

Goshen April 13th

Washingtonville May 11th

Pine Bush June 1st

Dolson Ave, Middletown June 15th

Matamoras July 6th

Corwin Ct, Newburgh July 20th

Main St, New Paltz July 27th

Rykowski, Middletown Aug 17th

Montgomery Sept 21st

Heritage Plaza, Newburgh Oct 19th

Get Out! in the Hudson Valley

www.hhfcu.org • 845.561.5607 • Federally Insured By NCUA • Equal Housing Lender4

Affordable Ways to Book the Best Vacay Don’t spend tons when you can save lots!

Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Visit the latest exhibition debuted at the Museum at Bethel Woods this spring, titled “We Are Golden: Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock Festival and Aspirations for a Peaceful Future”, inspired by the legacy of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair. Learn more at BethelWoodsCenter.org.

Storm King Art Center.

Storm King Art Center The 500-acre outdoor sculpture park in the town of Cornwall, NY will open the first week in April. Take a guided tour of the park or rent bikes to experience all the large-scale art and beautiful landscape this Hudson Valley attraction has to offer! Learn more at StormKing.org.

Photo courtesy of Shawangunk Wine Trail.

Shawangunk Wine Trail Wake up those taste buds! Get ready for the Hudson Valley’s yummy wine and food-tasting event, “Wines & Bites!” May 18-19, 2019 on the Shawangunk Wine Trail. Also, known as “The Gunks”, this 80-mile trail features 15 wineries, distilleries, and attractions to explore and imbibe this season. Visit GunksWine.com for more details.

Going on a beautiful vacation doesn’t have to cost a fortune. There are neat ways to save hundreds or even thousands on vacation expenses. One idea is to travel off-season. The benefit is that it costs less for airfares, destinations, and some hotels during times when tourism isn’t so heavy. Another thing you can do is check out cities near your hometown. Some of those cities might cost less than the popular tourist cities, and they are just as fun. Here are additional ways to enjoy your vacation affordably.

Check Out the Airbnb RentalsAirbnb is another great option when saving money on your vacation. One thing you can do is negotiate the rates with the host. If you offer to stay longer than the usual time at the rental, you can mention this to the host when negotiating for a more affordable rate. If you’ve stayed at other Airbnb rentals and were a good guest, the host can look at your reviews from previous hosts. This might also help lower your rates per night.

Make Travel and Entertainment Apps Work for YouAnother way to shave costs off your vacation is to use travel and entertainment apps. Apps like Yelp and Gas Buddy can assist you in finding the cheapest gas and locating the most affordable and good restaurants in the city you’ll visit. There are also apps that help you compare airfare and hotel prices.

Consider Special Discounts at Attractions If you’re bringing kids or grandkids with you, there is a chance that you’ll visit some fun attractions. If you’re visiting a major city such as Orlando or Houston, purchase a CityPASS. This pass helps you save money because when you go to attractions in those areas, you present the pass and you’ll be able to save up to 50% on various attractions. Another option would be to visit the attractions’ websites for discount days.

www.hhfcu.org • 845.561.5607 • Federally Insured By NCUA • Equal Housing Lender 5

Creating a budget can be daunting to some, especially if finances are tight. And while it might seem initially scary to set limits on yourself and impose new rules, it does not have to be. If set up correctly, budgets can be freeing, believe it or not. They give you a better perspective on your spending habits, what to improve, and which areas of life you can allocate more money. And once you get into the habit of sticking to a budget, it gets easier and easier. Here are some ways to start:

Add Up Your Fixed CostsThe first step to creating a budget is by identifying your fixed costs. These are consistent payments that must be paid monthly and therefore are the most important. This might include rent, mortgage, bills such as phones, TVs and if you have a car, costs associated with that such as insurance.

This will give you the first figure of your budget and show you how much of your money goes to fixed amounts and where you can cut costs potentially.

Add Up Your Variable CostsVariables are costs such as groceries, food, drinks, and any other payments that are not necessarily monthly but do crop up. Variable costs are just that, they change. Sometimes you might spend lots of money on eating out one month, and start cooking at home the next month.

Start with the highest amount of variable costs for these categories and add that to the fixed cost budget you identified. This gives you the worst case scenario for the month. Think about when your variable costs are its lowest and add that to the fixed cost - that gives you the best case scenario.

Think About Your SavingsThe first two points give you a clear picture of what you are currently working with budget-wise and how much is actually left over by the end of it. The key is to always set aside some money for savings in case of emergencies or other issues. Understanding your fixed and variable costs helps you get an idea of what percentage of your money can be kept in a savings account for emergencies.

Add Up Your DebtFor many, the scariest part of budgeting is coming to terms with any debt you might have. Whether it is credit cards or other types of loans, debt is completely manageable. Once you add up your monthly payments along with your other expenses, you can better analyze where you can afford to cut corners.

Taking stock of your debt empowers you to manage it better and budgets can help you accomplish that.

Use Online BankingOnline banking is incredibly helpful for a number of different reasons. It gives you an organized way to see all your transactions to identify where money is spent and you can quickly and easily move money from your checking to savings account.

Take some time to explore online banking options, since many of them come with useful features for budgeting such as spend analyzers, rounding up change on purchases, and other great tools to help you stay on track with your budget.

5 Easy Ways To Start Creating a Budget

www.hhfcu.org • 845.561.5607 • Federally Insured By NCUA • Equal Housing Lender6

Making these improvements on your home can really put a strain on your budget. Make your money work for you by taking out a home equity line of credit. Reinvest in the things that matter most. Visit hhfcu.org/heloc19 for more details.

Making the Upgrade to Smart Home Technology

Creating FantasticCurb Appeal

Smart home technology is everywhere--and it offers a number of key advantages to many people. As you make decisions about what you want for your home, have you considered the benefits of smart home technology? Consider these key suggestions that could improve your life and make your home more comfortable than ever.

Curb appeal is one of the most important attributes of your home. If you’re planning to sell in the near future, you want to give potential buyers a great opinion of your home from the moment they pull up at the curb. If you aren’t, you still want to raise that important curb appeal and make your visitors feel welcome as they fall in love with your home. These strategies will make raising your curb appeal easy. It’s the perfect way to get outside, enjoy the spring, and see exactly how lovely your home can be.

Video DoorbellsVideo doorbells connect directly to your phone, allowing you to see exactly who’s at the door. If you aren’t home, you can let delivery people know where to leave packages; if you are, you can let your visitor know it will be just another minute before you can come to the door. With your video doorbell, you’ll always know who has come to visit.

Check Your GreenTake a look at your grass. If it’s brown and sparse even in the spring, it’s time to update it! Contact a lawn company or go the DIY route and spread some grass seed. You’ll be amazed by the difference when your lawn is lush and green through the spring and summer months.

Smart LocksTired of forgetting your keys and ending up locked out of the house? Smart locks take the hassle out of traditional key entry. With many locks, you can set specific pass codes for different individuals, set temporary permissions, and track who has come and gone within your home: the ideal solution for many individuals.

Smart AlarmsYou know the importance of keeping a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in your home. Smart alarms, however, take those familiar pieces of technology to the next level. With your smart alarm, you’ll get a notice on your phone when your alarm goes off--the perfect way to keep track of what’s going on at home even when you aren’t there.

Add a Pop of ColorSpring is an amazing time of year to add curb appeal to your home because it’s simpler than ever. Visit a local nursery and choose flowers that will add a pop of color. Perennials will be there for years to come! Tidy your flowerbeds or put in pretty beds around walkways or near the house. If you don’t have space for beds, consider putting pots on your porch or near your front door.

Smart ThermostatsWhen you aren’t home, you don’t want to waste energy heating and cooling your home. With a smart thermostat, you can set your thermostat to change at specific times of the day so that you can always enjoy the ideal temperature. Some models even allow you to change the temperature from your phone when you’re away!

Tidy Up the Front DoorTake a look at your front door. Has it become weather-beaten and old? Repaint your front door. Get creative and paint it a bright color that adds a hint of personality. Simply painting the door is a cost-effective upgrade that will have your home looking great--and you falling in love with it all over again.

www.hhfcu.org • 845.561.5607 • Federally Insured By NCUA • Equal Housing Lender 7

The methods used to scam the general public out of their money are becoming more elaborate than ever. Advanced technology makes these methods look legitimate and familiar to the unsuspecting eye. As a result, credit card and debit fraud continues to be on the rise. The use of technology in our daily lives won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, so it’s important to know what steps to take to keep your money safe. Read these five essential steps of how to recognize credit and debit card fraud and the essential steps to avoid becoming a victim!

Phishing. This is one of the most common ways for hackers to collect sensitive information from unsuspecting victims. They send requests for personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, under the guise of reputable companies. The email or phone calls can look professional and legitimate, leaving the average person unaware of criminal intentions. It is important to remember that a reputable company will never solicit private information like this through the form of a phone call, email, or text. Suspicious links, e-mail contacts you don’t recognize, typos, and poor grammar are all common signs of phishing and should make a user wary about sharing personal information.

Skimming. Skimming is when a thief duplicates your credit card number or copies your personal PIN to make future illegal transactions that don’t require a physical card. It happens most commonly at payment machine terminals such as ATMs, metro stations, and gas stations. Skimming goes as far as to make fake machines that fit perfectly over the original or they have tiny cameras ready to record your PIN input. As technology advances, they are hard to spot. Avoid being complacent by taking the extra moment to walk inside the store to pay for your gas. Also, inquire to your bank

about switching to a card with chip embedded technology which will make it hard for scammers to skim your data at all.

Pay With Your Phone. It’s obvious that we are all addicted to our phones. They contain our family photos, reminders for work meetings, GPS, and everything in between! Why not add your own personal wallet? Using your smart phone, you can make secure purchases in stores, in apps, and on the web without opening your wallet. Mobile payment is simpler and safer than using your physical card. Services like Apple Pay, or Android Pay to complete in store transactions. Stores use token technology, which means every time a transaction is completed, the payment information is changed and no sensitive information is actually stored and collected.

Stay Away from Public WiFi Networks. This is not to say that you can’t browse the internet at your favorite coffee shop or at the airport, but save your shopping and banking for at home. Public WiFi makes it easy for hackers to access an unprotected connection and retrieve your information quicker, right underneath your nose. Always use a private VPN to encrypt personal data and check to make sure that websites you provide with sensitive data are secured.

Stay vigilant. With the convenience of retrieving our documents electronically, it’s easier for us to have an “out of sight, out of mind,” attitude. But this is exactly what hackers count on! A common strategy hackers use is to take out several very small amounts of money to see if their actions or flagged or noticed. When no action is taken, it’s a green light to make more bolder transactions, which means an increased headache for you. Ask your bank to set an alert for transactions made over $100 or when a transaction is made without a physical card present. Thieves thrive off complacency, so review your statements on a regular basis and inquire about suspicious charges.

Sometimes it’s hard to decide who to invest your money with. At Heritage Investment & Retirement Services, we want to offer you the right financial products and services. Let us introduce our new CUNA Mutual investment partner! Brenda Botens is a financial advisor that can help you plan for various life events that involve your finances.

Personalization - Our financial advisor will meet with you to build a customized financial plan that is tailor-made to suit your needs

Dependability & Transparency - We will always look out for your best interests and make sure you’re comfortable with your financial plan every step of the way.

Goal Focused - Our financial advisor will review your personal financial goals and offer strategies to meet your needs.

Availability - Based in the Hudson Valley, our services are easily accessible. In addition, you will also have access to an over-the-phone client investment center.

From college savings to retirement, Brenda Botens has experience in building a detailed, custom financial plan that is based on your needs in life. Contact us today for a no-obligation, no cost consultation!

COMING SOON! Protect your money. Putting your HHFCU cards in a digital wallet just make sense. It gives you added security when you make every day purchases and lessen the chance of fraud. Visit hhfcu.org/mywallet for more details.

Brenda Botens – Our New Financial Advisor

Securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor CBSI is under contract with the financial institution to make securities available to members. Not NCUA/NCUSIF/FDIC insured, May Lose Value, No Financial Institution Guarantee. Not a deposit of any financial institution.

Avoid these Common Credit and Debit Card Scams

www.hhfcu.org • 845.561.5607 • Federally Insured By NCUA • Equal Housing Lender

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This publication does not constitute legal, accounting or other professional advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither the publisher nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. Websites not belonging to this organization are provided for information only. No endorsement is implied. Images may be from ©iStock. ©2019 Hudson Heritage Federal Credit Union

You have access to over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs across the US! Visit sum-atm.com -or- TEXT a Zip Code to 91989 to find nearby ATM & shared branch locations.

Need an ATM?Scan this with your phone’s camera to stay afloat on all current promotions.

Let’s Get Yo

u There!

Spring

2019

Our Peace of Mind Mortgage Rate Assurance program removes the risk of your mortgage loan’s interest rate increasing while you shop for your new home.

This allows you to shop for your home for 60 days and have 30 days to close your loan, for a total of 90 days of rate increase protection, all at no cost to you. Easy peasey.

Your dream home is waiting.Lock in your rate now.

Our Peace of Mind

RATE ASSURANCE

The rate is locked for 90 days from the “application” date. Extensions must be granted prior to the original lock expiration date to avoid additional fees. All other changes or cancellation may incur additional fees. Withdrawing the loan may cause the member to lose the lock fee and the locked rate.

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