Newsletter Articles

Article 1:
Get your FREE music download

For each 10-20 minute Guides to Independence online money course you complete on our Web site, you'll earn one free music download from the eMusic® library of more than 2.5 million songs.

eMusic® is the #1 retailer of independent music and the perfect compliment to Guides because it offers music beyond the commercial mainstream. Students can listen to indie songs in every genre, including hip-hop, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk, electronic, world, and reggae. It’s independent music for independent thinkers. Visit www.emusic.com.

Designed for teenagers, the courses are quick, interactive, and fun. The college narrators will show you how to buy a car, use a credit card, reach your financial goals, and more, based on lessons they learned.

Then, at the end of each course, eligible users can sign on and receive a certificate with a free eMusic® download, which can be redeemed immediately!

We believe that learning about money and credit is the way to financial independence. We want you to be smart about your money because your financial success is music to our ears.

Take advantage of this great opportunity, go to [CU Web address here], click on Guides to Independence, and choose a course.

Article 2:
My credit union...where I belong

Do you know how credit unions are different from banks? How credit unions serve you, the member? Why credit unions began and succeeded?

Learn credit union history without going to school with “My credit union...where I belong,” one of the interactive courses in the Guides series.

This online program is for high school students who may — or may not — be members of a credit union. It features three college students, Mac, Jess, and Aisha, discussing the history of credit unions and how credit unions help members like you save money.

Plus, find out which came first, credit unions or potato chips? Visit Guides to Independence on the [CREDIT UNION NAME Web site at WEB ADDRESS].

Get a free eMusic® download when you complete the course. Independent music for independent thinkers on Guides to Independence.

eMusic® is the #1 retailer of independent music and the perfect compliment to Guides because it offers music beyond the commercial mainstream. Students can listen to indie songs in every genre, including hip-hop, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk, electronic, world, and reggae. It’s independent music for independent thinkers. Visit www.emusic.com.

Article 3:
Teens: How would you like the keys to a new car?

Freedom, independence, control. You want it? You’ve gotta earn it. Want your own checking account? You need to show that you know the rules. Just like driving a car. No license? No car.

How do you show you’re ready for the keys to financial independence? Guides to Independence on the [CREDIT UNION NAME Web site at WEB ADDRESS].

Guides to Independence allows teens like you to prove your ability to “learn the rules” through a series of interactive online courses.

Never had a checking account? Try "How to Start a Checking Account" and "How to Balance a Checking Account." These courses take only about 15 minutes each to complete. They have lots of fun quizzes, simulations, and interactions that will show you how to safely and accurately manage your own checking account.

At the end of each course, you can print a certificate of completion to bring back to your credit union for an [ENTER INCENTIVE HERE].

Get a free eMusic® download when you complete the course.

eMusic® is the #1 retailer of independent music and the perfect compliment to Guides because it offers music beyond the commercial mainstream. Students can listen to indie songs in every genre, including hip-hop, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk, electronic, world, and reggae. It’s independent music for independent thinkers. Visit www.emusic.com.

For more information, contact [INSERT CREDIT UNION INFORMATION].

Article 4:
Send your teenagers to our Web site for a little education...and some music

Would you turn over the keys to your brand new car to a teenager without a driver’s license? Of course not. A driver’s license is evidence of learning the rules, practicing safety, and passing an exam.

Guides to Independence is the opportunity to do the same with financial services.

Guides is a series of interactive online courses now available on the [CREDIT UNION NAME Web site at WEB ADDRESS].

These courses take approximately 15 minutes to complete and have lots of quizzes, simulations, and interactions to teach your teen how to safely and accurately manage a checking account.

Get a free eMusic® download when you complete the course. Independent music for independent thinkers on Guides to Independence.

eMusic® is the #1 retailer of independent music and the perfect compliment to Guides because it offers music beyond the commercial mainstream. Students can listen to indie songs in every genre, including hip-hop, blues, rock, jazz, country, folk, electronic, world, and reggae. It’s independent music for independent thinkers. Visit www.emusic.com.

Users can print a certificate of completion at the end of the each course. Bring the certificates for [ENTER NAME OF COURSE HERE] into the credit union for a (ENTER INCENTIVE HERE).

For more information, contact [INSERT CREDIT UNION INFORMATION].

Article 5:
Let them learn from their mistakes – except when it comes to money

Any teen stepping out into the real world can be expected to make a few mistakes. Learning from those mistakes is what helps them succeed later in life.

However, financial mistakes can provide a lesson that may be too costly to overcome. To help teens learn about finances without putting their own money at risk, we have Guides to Independence™ on our Web site. These online, interactive tutorials are filled with simulations, games and activities to help teens learn about managing their own money.

Using these cyber tools is a great way to help any teen learn about money without having to enroll in the school of hard knocks. To learn more, visit Guides to Independence.

Article 6:
Watch them take their first financial steps

If a teen understands money management, they’ll know how to stand on their own two feet. Guides to Independence ™ can help teens take the big step toward becoming more independent.

Guides to Independence is a series of online, interactive tutorials available on our Web site. Filled with simulations, games and activities, they provide hands-on interactive tutorials on managing a checking account, using a credit card, buying a car and more.

As an added bonus, students can earn up to five free eMusic® downloads with the completion of each course! Help every day become Independence Day for your teenager – introduce them to Guides to Independence.

Article 7:
Heading off to college? Don’t forget to pack your money smarts

At last! Out of the house and on your own. Living your life and making your own decisions.

Of course, not all of those decisions will be as easy as choosing pizza toppings at 2 a.m.

How will you make your spending money last all week?
How will you manage your credit card debt?
How will you keep track of your debit card use?
How will you save enough for concert tickets next month and that spring break trip you’re planning and your own car after graduation?

Lucky for you, the information you need to make the most of your money and credit is painlessly available through [INSERT CU NAME POSSESSIVE] Guides to IndependenceTM—money smarts without a lecture from your parents.

Guides courses are quick and easy—you can’t fail. Each of these 16 online mini-courses—17 when “Credit Card Basics” goes live in August—give you solid financial tips in 15 minutes or less.

Best of all, you get FREE MUSIC for finishing courses. Each certificate of completion that arrives via e-mail contains a download code for two or more songs from eMusic®, the #1 retailer of new and classic indie music. Try getting that out of your freshman English class.

Armed with the knowledge in Guides, you’ll be ready for whatever college life throws at you. Just go to [INSERT GUIDES URL ON CU WEB SITE] and pick a course to get started.

"Dear Guides to Independence" letter series

Letter 1:
“Dear Clare” Shopping column

Dear Clare:

I have to purchase my own school clothes and supplies. Any advice on how to get good deals and save money?

Shiloh

Dear Shiloh,

Shopping is more fun when you get the most for your money. You can learn how to be a great shopper by logging on to Guides to Independence at [address here] and select 101: How to Shop for Everyday Savings. In just 15 minutes, you'll learn how to distinguish between wants and needs, identify the type of shopper you are, prioritize purchases and weigh options.

See you at the mall!

Clare

P.S. Remember, you can download a free eMusic® tune when you complete the course. Independent music for independent thinkers on Guides to Independence.

[Use Clare's picture with this letter! Download her graphic here.]

Letter 2:
“Dear Aisha” Check Card column

Dear Aisha,

I am having a hard time remembering to record my ATM withdrawals. Any suggestions?

Forgetful Chris

Chris, you gotta start some good habits now or you may be paying lots of overdraft fees in the future. One trick that works for me is to wrap my receipts with a rubber band around my check card. (You may call it a debit or ATM card.) When I get home I enter the amounts in my check register. Learn more about your check card online at [address here] and select Guides to Independence 303: How to Use a Check Card.

Remember to write it down!

Aisha

P.S. Remember, you can download a free eMusic® tune when you complete the course. Independent music for independent thinkers on Guides to Independence.

[Use Aisha’s picture with this letter! Download her graphic here.]

Letter 3:
“Dear Mac” Car Buying column

Dear Mac,

I am about to buy my first used car. I’m not sure where to start—what do you suggest?

Jim

Hi Jim,

I understand where you’re coming from—buying a used car for the first time is overwhelming. Got 15 minutes? I’ll walk you through how to start your car buying process online. Log on to Guides to Independence at [your address here] and select 102: How to Buy a Used Car. We’ll decide on what type of car you should get and I’ll even show you how to negotiate a deal.

Mac

P.S. Remember, you can download a free eMusic® tune when you complete the course. Independent music for independent thinkers on Guides to Independence.

[Use Mac’s picture with this letter! Download his graphic here.]

Letter 4:
“Dear Jess” How to Get a Loan column

Dear Jess,

What’s the difference between financing at the car dealership and getting a loan? Also, I’ve never gotten a loan before—how do I know what I need to do and what I can afford?

Help!
Julie

Hey Julie,

Those are great questions. It’s best to shop around for a better interest rate and see what fits in with your budget. Most times you’d be better off getting a loan with your credit union. I’ll walk you through the entire process online. Just visit Guides to Independence at [address here] and select 401: How to Get a Loan. In just 15 minutes you’ll learn how to shop for loan options, apply for a loan, and maintain a good credit rating.

See you there!

Jess

P.S. Remember, you can download a free eMusic® tune when you complete the course. Independent music for independent thinkers on Guides to Independence.

[Use Jess’s picture with this letter! Download her graphic here.]

Letter 5:
“Dear Reggie” Saving and Investing Short-term column

Dear Reggie,

I just got my very first paycheck and I’d like to save some of it. What is the difference between a regular savings account and a CD?

Maya

Great question Maya!

I’ve got just the thing for you. Hop online for about 15 minutes and I’ll show you different saving options and how a short-term investment works. Depending on what your goal is, you might find that a short-term investment is your best bet! Just go to Guides to Independence at [address here] and choose 202: How to Save and Invest Short-Term.

Reggie

P.S. Remember, you can download a free eMusic® tune when you complete the course. Independent music for independent thinkers on Guides to Independence.

[Use Reggie’s picture with this letter! Download his graphic here.]

Letter 6:
“Dear Hector” Saving and Investing Short-term column

Dear Hector,

I just got my very first paycheck and I’d like to save some of it. What is the difference between a regular savings account and a CD?

Maya

Great question Maya!

I’ve got just the thing for you. Hop online for about 15 minutes and I’ll show you different saving options and how a short-term investment works. Depending on what your goal is, you might find that a short-term investment is your best bet! Just go to Guides to Independence at [address here] and choose 202: How to Save and Invest Short-Term.

Hector

P.S. Remember, you can download a free eMusic® tune when you complete the course. Independent music for independent thinkers on Guides to Independence.

[Use Hector’s picture with this letter! Download his graphic here.]

Return to Guides Home Page

If you have questions, or would like more information, send us an e-mail or call Darlene Brightbill at 800-356-9655, ext. 4344.



Copyright © 2012 Credit Union National Association