Teen Cents

Teen Cents - Take Charge of Your Money

Some of the most valuable (and hardest) lessons you'll learn won't come from a text book they'll come from experience. Plan and take charge of your money with a Teen ¢ents savings account. The financial skills you learn with Teen ¢ents will stay with you for the rest of your life!

Get Ahead... money lessons that make music.
Complete a lesson, get a perfect score, and receive a $10.00 iTunes gift card. New Get Ahead Money Lesson available every January, April, July & October. Take this quarter's Get Ahead Money Lesson.

Teen Scene...money matters for young adults.

Tell us what you think by taking the Teen Scene Poll. You'll be entered into drawings to win cool prizes such as movie or concert tickets. A Teen Scene Poll will be available every month.

Teens ¢ents eMails...contests in a click.

A link is provided in the emails we send so you can complete the Get Ahead Money Lessons and the Teen Scene Poll in a click. Winners are notified by email, so keep an eye on your inbox. Teen ¢ents contests are online only contest. Members opting-out from receiving Teen ¢ents emails will not be eligible to enter these contests.

Direct Deposit...payday just got better.

Whether it's at the local pizzeria or mall you're going to want your boss to pay you through Direct Deposit. You no longer have to make a trip to work to pick up a paper check because your money goes straight to your account the morning of your payday. Simply give your boss our routing number, 222079424, and your savings account #. Need some of that money? Go to an ATM or visit a branch; see Accessing your Account below for details.

Accessing your Account...it's all about convenience.

• FREE Online Banking & eStatements - Access your account information online. Enroll in FREE Online Banking & eStatements today!
• ATM Access - 43,000 surcharge free Allpoint ATMs available. Add 800.976.4917 to your cell's contacts to find locations wherever you are!
• Branches - Make deposits and withdrawals at 4,976 CU Service Centers. Add 800.976.4917 to your cell's contacts to find locations wherever you are!

Investments...earn more $$$ with your savings.

Transfer or deposit your money into other accounts at the Credit Union to earn more interest on your money. There are three options to consider:

• Share Certificates - Earns more interest than the savings account and the minimum deposit is only $500.00; terms range from 3 months to 60 months.
• MMA (Money Market Account) - Earns more interest than the savings account, but has a higher average daily balance requirement.
• ESA (Education Savings Account) - Earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis, and distributions are tax-free if the money is used to pay qualified education expenses.

FREE $$$ Workshop...money management skills you need.

Would you like to learn more about money management and how to make it work for you? Buffalo Metropolitan is providing you with the hands on experience through Money & Me. Money & Me teaches a range of must-know topics:

• Budgets: how to make them, how to keep them
• Responsible checking account habits
• Credit: the good, the bad, the ugly
• Saving and shopping for a big purchase
• Planning and investing for the future

Workshops offered in the summer; details in the spring.

Scholarships...free $$$ for college.

Are you wondering how you are going to pay for college? Buffalo Metropolitan offers members who are high school seniors an opportunity to win a scholarship for the upcoming 2013 scholastic year! You must be a member of the Credit Union in good standing to be eligible for the scholarship programs.

Download the scholarship application and return it to the Credit Union no later than 01/18/13. This application will be used for all three scholarships!

Scholarships will be awarded in the amounts of $1,000.00, $750.00 and $500.00 and may be used at a two or four year accredited educational institution. In early spring, applications will be judged against other submissions statewide; one applicant from Buffalo Metropolitan Federal Credit Union will be guaranteed a $750.00 scholarship. Winners will be notified in April.

Checking Accounts...a better way to pay.

Opening a Teen ¢ents savings account is the first step towards financial responsibility. Next, you will more than likely open a checking account with a Visa Debit card.

A checking account allows you to pay monthly bills, but that's not the only advantage. You can also get a Visa Debit card that works like a check, only better. A Visa Debit card allows you to pay for purchases at a merchant (store, restaurant, theatre, etc), over the phone, or online. At the merchant, tell the cashier credit, and then swipe and sign.

Buffalo Metropolitan's checking account has no opening deposit, no minimum balance requirement, no monthly usage fees, and much more! A parent/guardian must be a joint member on your checking account, meaning you share ownership, so you'll want to discuss opening a checking account with someone at home.

The most basic and important aspect of checking account management is ensuring that there is enough money in your account to cover your transactions. That's where Buffalo Metropolitan comes in. When you open your checking account, a Credit Union Representative will go through everything you need to know to keep your checking account up to date.

The Buffalo Metropolitan Federal Credit Union has two high school members who are applicants in the Get Carducated contest. These two members have an opportunity to win a $5,000 Scholarship.

The Get Carducated contest is offered by credit unions, including Buffalo Metropolitan, and the video with the most views wins! View both you tube videos and then share it on facebook:

Teen ¢ents is for teenagers 14-18 years of age. Questions? Call 716.847.6960 or email us.