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Understanding Credit - July 9

Understanding Credit

Your Score in a Changing World

Learn More

BrightStar Seminars

This presentation covers the basics of how one’s credit score is compiled, who looks at your scores, what the credit bureaus look for, how to fix certain mistakes and other miscellaneous facts concerning loans and how to get the best rates.  The presenter will discuss how a person without any previous credit history can start building credit without going into debt. 
  • When:
    Thu, July 9, 2020

  • Where:
    Online Event

  • The seminar starts from 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT

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Man is checking his credit report online - Image

Understanding Credit - July 7

Understanding Credit

Your Score in a Changing World

Learn More

BrightStar Seminars

This presentation covers the basics of how one’s credit score is compiled, who looks at your scores, what the credit bureaus look for, how to fix certain mistakes and other miscellaneous facts concerning loans and how to get the best rates.  The presenter will discuss how a person without any previous credit history can start building credit without going into debt. 
  • When:
    Tue, July 7, 2020
  • Where:
    Online Event

  • The seminar starts from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT
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Money-Saving Pandemic Tips

Money-Saving Pandemic Tips

Find ways to cut back

Think about the money you spend weekly on lattes, take-out meals, Amazon buys, etc. Cut some or all of those things back and put that extra cash in your saving’s account during this time. It may not seem like a lot up front, but $30-$50 a week adds up. You’ll be surprised how much your savings can jump up with those small, frequent deposits.

Pay down your outstanding debts

Many people are taking advantage of credit card payment deferrals, which is great your income has been halted or reduced tremendously. But if you are still able to make payments, definitely do so, even if in small amounts. Working on paying down your credit card bills and outstanding debts will free up your expenses, and ultimately put more money in your pocket, which can then be added to your saving’s fund.

Utilize that budget!

Get serious about laying out all your expenses each paycheck with a budget. That way you’ll not only know where your money is going, but you’ll see how much you’re allotting for spending and saving. Budgets help you get a better handle on your money and prevent you from overspending.

Have multiple streams of income

If you’re surviving off of a reduced stream of income or stimulus payments, just think about the additional money you could add to your saving’s fund by creating another stream. Dig deep into those talents and hobbies of yours and see if there are any you could get paid for.

Thoughtful investor in suit making notes

How to Weather a Bear Market - June 11

How to Weather a Bear Market

When the market dips, what do you do? How do you react? Without a plan, reacting based on your instincts could hurt your long-term financial goals. Learn steps you can take now to prepare to weather the next bear market.

Participants will learn the answers to the questions, including:

  • What is a bear market?
  • How does behavioral finance affect decision-making?
  • How do overreaction and bad decisions compromise long-term financial goals?
  • How do I weather a bear market?

BrightStar Investment Services Logo
  • When:
    June 11, 2020

  • Time:
    11:00 am EDT

  • When:
    June 11, 2020

  • Time:
    2:00 pm EDT

     

Space is limited, please make your reservations today.

Give me a call at (954) 497-4182 with any questions about the virtual seminar, or contact me by email at jim.mcgary@cunamutual.com.  I look forward to seeing you virtually.

This workshop is educational only and is not investment advice. If you need advice regarding your financial goals and investment needs, contact a financial advisor. There are distinct differences between annuities and certificates of deposit. Most certificates of deposit are short-term investments. Some of the products featured in this workshop are annuities and are sold by prospectus. Annuities are long-term insurance products designed for retirement purposes.

Many registered annuities offer four main features: (1) a selection of investment options, (2) tax-deferred earnings accumulation, (3) guaranteed lifetime payout options, and (4) death benefit options. Before investing, you should consider the annuity’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The prospectus contains this and other information. Please read it carefully. To obtain a prospectus, contact your advisor, log onto membersproducts.com or call 888.888.3940.

CUNA Mutual Group is the marketing name for CUNA Mutual Holding Company, a mutual insurance holding company, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Annuities are issued by CMFG Life Insurance Company (CMFG Life) and MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (MEMBERS Life) and distributed by their affiliate, CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, IA, 50677. CMFG Life and MEMBERS Life are stock insurance companies. MEMBERS® is a registered trademark of CMFG Life. Investment and insurance products are not federally insured, may involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by any depository or lending institution. All contracts and forms may vary by state, and may not be available in all states or through all broker/dealers.

*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.

Related Seminars


Portrait Of Senior Couple In Park

Social Security and Your Retirement - May 11

Social Security and Your Retirement

During the virtual seminar, you’ll find out more about your Social Security benefits and discuss the role they play when setting a clear direction for your financial future.

Participants will learn the answers to your Social Security questions, including:

• What are the rules for starting your Social Security benefits?

• How do spouses coordinate their benefits?

• Are there different routes to take that could potentially increase your benefits?

• How do you decide where Social Security fits within your retirement plans?

BrightStar Investment Services Logo
  • When:
    May 11, 2020

  • Time:
    10:00 am EST

  • When:
    May 11, 2020

  • Time:
    12:00 pm EST

     

Space is limited, please make your reservations today.

Give me a call at (954) 497-4182 with any questions about the virtual seminar, or contact me by email at jim.mcgary@cunamutual.com.  I look forward to seeing you virtually.

This workshop is educational only and is not investment advice. If you need advice regarding your financial goals and investment needs, contact a financial advisor. There are distinct differences between annuities and certificates of deposit. Most certificates of deposit are short-term investments. Some of the products featured in this workshop are annuities and are sold by prospectus. Annuities are long-term insurance products designed for retirement purposes.

Many registered annuities offer four main features: (1) a selection of investment options, (2) tax-deferred earnings accumulation, (3) guaranteed lifetime payout options, and (4) death benefit options. Before investing, you should consider the annuity’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The prospectus contains this and other information. Please read it carefully. To obtain a prospectus, contact your advisor, log onto membersproducts.com or call 888.888.3940.

CUNA Mutual Group is the marketing name for CUNA Mutual Holding Company, a mutual insurance holding company, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Annuities are issued by CMFG Life Insurance Company (CMFG Life) and MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (MEMBERS Life) and distributed by their affiliate, CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, IA, 50677. CMFG Life and MEMBERS Life are stock insurance companies. MEMBERS® is a registered trademark of CMFG Life. Investment and insurance products are not federally insured, may involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by any depository or lending institution. All contracts and forms may vary by state, and may not be available in all states or through all broker/dealers.

*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.

Related Seminars


credit card fishing

An Increased Amount of Phishing Fraud

Beware of criminals pretending to be WHO

Many financial organizations have reported an increasing amount of phishing events due to COVID-19. Now more than ever, your information is being sought after by fraudsters.

What is phishing? Phishing events are when a fraudster attempts to steal a person’s data, mainly login credentials and card information. Once they obtain this information, they will use it to process fraudulent card transactions or ATM withdrawals.

Examples of recent Phishing Attacks:

  • Information is obtained from social media to make the attack even more believable.
  • Cardholders receive a phone call or email from the fraudster asking them to log in to their account or for their card number.
  • While on the phone, the fraudster may ask for your card information and then perform a transaction they know will generate a fraud alert. Once completed, they will ask for the case number over the phone so that the card can be permanently blocked, but instead, the fraudster will validate the activity as valid a transaction so they can continue to use the card.

BrightStar will never contact a cardholder and ask for the following:

  • Account Number/Card Number
  • CVV
  • PIN
  • Passwords
  • Social Security Number
  • Online Banking Credentials

If you think a fraudster is trying to take advantage of you, delete the email or end the call and dial BrightStar’s number directly to confirm that it is a legitimate representative.

Related Fraud Alerts


Smiling Senior Couple Sitting On Sofa At Home Together

The Return of Conservative Investing - April 20

The Return of Conservative Investing

Brightstar Credit Union and the BrightStar Investment Services Advisor, Mr. Jim McGary, invite you to our first Virtual Educational Seminar. Market volatility. Low interest rates. Retirement risks. All of these headwinds are making it tougher than ever to know where to invest your retirement savings. In this virtual seminar, you’ll learn how conservative investments like certificates of deposit (CDs) and annuities can help get your financial plan back on track.

Participants will learn:

• How can conservative investments help you face today’s economic risks?

• What are the differences between CDs and annuities?

• What are the different types of annuities?

• How do you decide which conservative investment is right for you?

BrightStar Investment Services Logo
  • When:
    April 20, 2020
  • Time:
    10:00 am EST

  • When:
    April 20, 2020
  • Time:
    1:00 pm EST

     

Space is limited, please make your reservations today.

Give me a call at (954) 497-4182 with any questions about the virtual seminar, or contact me by email at jim.mcgary@cunamutual.com.  I look forward to seeing you virtually.

This workshop is educational only and is not investment advice. If you need advice regarding your financial goals and investment needs, contact a financial advisor. There are distinct differences between annuities and certificates of deposit. Most certificates of deposit are short-term investments. Some of the products featured in this workshop are annuities and are sold by prospectus. Annuities are long-term insurance products designed for retirement purposes.

Many registered annuities offer four main features: (1) a selection of investment options, (2) tax-deferred earnings accumulation, (3) guaranteed lifetime payout options, and (4) death benefit options. Before investing, you should consider the annuity’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. The prospectus contains this and other information. Please read it carefully. To obtain a prospectus, contact your advisor, log onto membersproducts.com or call 888.888.3940.

CUNA Mutual Group is the marketing name for CUNA Mutual Holding Company, a mutual insurance holding company, its subsidiaries and affiliates. Annuities are issued by CMFG Life Insurance Company (CMFG Life) and MEMBERS Life Insurance Company (MEMBERS Life) and distributed by their affiliate, CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, 2000 Heritage Way, Waverly, IA, 50677. CMFG Life and MEMBERS Life are stock insurance companies. MEMBERS® is a registered trademark of CMFG Life. Investment and insurance products are not federally insured, may involve investment risk, may lose value and are not obligations of or guaranteed by any depository or lending institution. All contracts and forms may vary by state, and may not be available in all states or through all broker/dealers.

*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.

Related Seminars


Beware of criminals pretending to be WHO

Beware of criminals pretending to be WHO

Criminals are disguising themselves as WHO to steal money or sensitive information. If you are contacted by a person or organization that appears to be from WHO, verify their authenticity before responding.

Read More

Related Fraud Alerts


How to Avoid Coronavirus Phishing Scams

How to Avoid Coronavirus Phishing Scams

Watch out for a surge in emails from cybercriminals pitching COVID-19 health information and fake cures.

Read More

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Coronavirus Opens Doors to Scams

Coronavirus Opens Doors to Scams

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been a windfall for fraudsters as they exploit the global thirst for knowledge on the virus. Fraudsters have launched Coronavirusthemed phishing attacks to deliver malware – typically credential-stealing banking Trojans. The phishing emails purport to be from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Fraudsters have also created fake websites to exploit Johns Hopkins University’s interactive Coronavirus dashboard to spread malware. Credit unions should warn employees and members.

Read More

Related Fraud Alerts