FINANCIAL NEWS TO GROW ON GROW YOUR MONEY FASTER WITH A TFSA The TFSA is a great option for anything; emergency fund, new home, retirement or vacation. FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO The 2015 contribution limit is $ 5,500. Choose from a variety of investments including GICs, high interest savings and mutual funds. We can easily set up regular deposits to your TFSA. Use the government’s handy calculator to help you see just how far your tax-sheltered savings can go. Visit tfsa.gc.ca and click on the “Tax-Free Savings Account Calculator” in the right hand menu. COMMUNITY HUB You can use a TFSA to grow your savings faster by sheltering your investment earnings and withdrawals from income tax. A TFSA is a general-purpose savings option that allows you to easily meet lifetime income and savings needs. No tax means building your investments faster. Investing takes thought and consideration. Our advisors want to help. We are here to answer your questions and guide you towards your savings goals. Drop by our branch or call 519.524.8366 and talk to us today! WE’RE ON YOUR SIDE One of the biggest parts of being a community-centered credit union is our commitment to support our members and the communities we serve. Here are just a few of the initiatives we supported this past year. • Annual Goderich Children’s Festival • YMCA ”Strong Kids Program” • Habitat for Humanity The Women Build Program • Local OSPCA • Hockey for Hunter • Hometown Hockey Heroes • Canadian Blood Services • Outdoor Performance Stage TELL YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS As a member you’re already enjoying the many benefits of membership at Goderich Community Credit Union, so why not encourage your family and friends to do the same. • • • • • • • Goderich Junior “C” Sailors Community Living Volvo Motor Graders Reunion Huron Art and Heritage Open Door Event Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving GDCI Challenge Day GDCI and St. Anne’s Secondary School Scholarship Programs They will enjoy all the services they have come to expect from a full service financial institution, plus so much more. • Unmatched personalized service, we get to know our members by name •Equal Share in GCCU means you have a voice and a vote • Profit Sharing in the form of bonus rates on savings accounts • Expert Advice for all your financial needs • Better Rates on your investments and lending needs • Lower Fees on the products and services you use everyday • Commitment to give back to the community where you live and work WINTER 2014-2015 ASK THE ADVISOR WITH INVESTMENT MANAGER, SHANNON BOSCH Q. What is a RRIF? A.A Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) is a registered account that gives you a steady income in your retirement years. Typically this happens when you need a regular “paycheque” at retirement. Before, you were putting money into your RRSP to accumulate savings for retirement. Now, you withdraw that money from your RRIF as retirement income. Q. What do I need to know A. about a RRIF? • You can open a RRIF anytime, but no later than the end of the year you turn 71. • You open a RRIF by transferring money from your RRSP. Transfers from other registered plans like pension plans and DPSPs are allowed under certain circumstances. • You may hold multiple RRIFs. • You choose the types of investments to hold in a RRIF. Examples: GICs and mutual funds. • You must take out a minimum amount from your RRIF each year. This amount increases, as you get older. There is no maximum withdrawal limit. • RRIFs may be left to a spouse, named beneficiary or your estate. Learn more about how RRIFs work by dropping into our branch or calling me directly at 519.524.8366 today. The merits are immeasurable when it comes to membership at GCCU. So tell your family and friends to become a part of the co-operative banking movement too. Joining is easy! Simply drop by our branch or call us at 519.524.8366 to learn more or to become a member today. 2014 YEAR IN REVIEW ASSETS $64 million GREW BY 4.7% ASK THE EXPERT CAPITAL RESERVES 9.16% 1.30% 0.25% (REGULATORY MINIMUM 4.00%) WITH LOAN MANAGER, KIM MCDOUGALL PAID Q. What are the costs associated with buying a home? ON MEMBER CDN SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND A.Buying your first home or even your next home can be an overwhelming process. That’s why it is important to work with experts who understand the ins and outs of the home purchase process. To help you understand what you can expect here is a breakdown of the costs involved. ON US SAVINGS ACCOUNTS To view the full 2014 Annual Report go to gccu.on.ca under “About Us” section. Thank you to our members, staff, management, and board of directors for your unwavering dedication and commitment to our credit union and its success year after year. EMILY Please welcome our two new Member Service Representatives, Aynsley Cowperthwaite and Emily Bell who have joined our team. Be sure to introduce yourself on your next visit to the branch and these ladies will be happy to serve you. LAURA Join us in wishing Laura Frayne a happy anniversary as she celebrates FIVE YEARS with our credit union. WHAT GCCU MEANS TO ME As they say, “I never thought it would happen to me!” But, it did. My wallet and all its contents were pickpocketed on the Métro in Paris in September. After reporting to police, my wife and I returned to our hotel to cancel our credit and debit cards immediately. The financial phone numbers gave me the “our menu has changed” message and various delay times. But, my stress level dropped within seconds of being welcomed by Amanda’s friendly voice on the line at our Credit Union way back in Goderich! She had my debit card number immediately blocked and transferred funds to my wife’s card. It was so great to hear such a friendly, personal and competent voice! And this was achieved by phoning the GCCU’s number, 1-877-524-4740, directly, at no charge, from downtown Paris, France! I had all the relevant phone numbers with me, but this one was worth gold! Merci très beaucoup to the GCCU! Marty Bond This insurance protects you against losses arising from challenges to the ownership of your home such as fraud, forgery and title defects. The average cost is $400. ADJUSTMENTS A professional home inspection costs around $500 but could save you thousands in the long run. If the seller has prepaid for any expenses on the home such as property taxes or utilities, an adjustment may be required on closing, usually between $400 and $700. APPRAISAL HOME OWNERS INSURANCE HOME INSPECTION AYNSLEY OUR FAMILY TREE TITLE INSURANCE An appraisal may be required to determine the value of the home and takes place during the condition period of the home-buying process. Average cost $350. LEGAL FEES Lawyers are required to facilitate the all important paperwork between buyer and seller and cost for legal fees is approximately $1,500. LAND TRANSFER TAX Provincial Land Transfer Tax is estimated at up to 2% of the purchase price. The good news is first time homebuyers are eligible for a tax credit of up to $2,000. MORTGAGE INSURANCE Mortgage default insurance (up to 3.5% of the purchase price) is required when you put less than 20% down and is usually added directly to the mortgage itself. Coverage varies depending on your needs. Expect to spend on average about $1,000 to $2,000 annually. MOVING EXPENSES Don’t forget the big day! If you’re hiring movers or a truck, plan to spend anywhere from $200 - $1,500. Q.What if I want to make improvements to my new home? A. Often new homeowners want to have the option to make improvements or upgrades to their new home at the time of purchase. This is where our high ratio insurance provider, Genworth Canada, can offer you the flexibility you need with the “Purchase Plus Improvements Program.” You will need to supply a qualified quote of the planned improvements at the time of application and up to 95% of the cost can be added to the mortgage based on approval. HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GCCU GODERICH COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION STAFF, MANAGEMENT AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU AND YOURS A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON AND MAY THE NEW YEAR BE FILLED WITH HEALTH AND HAPPINESS FOR ALL! HOLIDAY HOURS Wednesday December 24th – Open until 3 p.m. Thursday, December 25th – CLOSED Friday, December 26th – CLOSED Saturday, December 27th – R egular hours (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon) Wednesday December 31st - Open until 3 p.m. Thursday, January 1st, 2015 - CLOSED P.O. Box 66 39 St. David Street Goderich, ON N7A 3Y5 T. 519.524.8366 F. 519.524.1329 www.gccu.on.ca Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon WE’D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK! CONTACT US BY EMAIL WITH YOUR COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS AT [email protected]. The information contained herein is general in nature and is provided with the understanding that it may not be relied upon as, nor considered to be, the rendering of tax, legal, accounting, or professional advice. Readers should consult their own subject matter experts for advice on the specific circumstances before taking any action.
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