Beware: foreclosure rescue schemes

The escalating number of California homeowners in distress and seeking help with their mortgage has unfortunately led to a sharp rise in loan modification scams. In recent months, the California Department of Real Estate has issued several consumer alerts, warning of companies that promise to provide loan modification help, charge consumers thousands of dollars for that help and then fail to provide it. Full story

Don’t leave your child’s future up to chance

In February, California lawmakers voted to slash $8.4 billion from the $58.1 billion budget for public education. According to SFGate.com, the cut means “lowering per-pupil spending from $8,784 to $8,404 over the next two years.” (Read the entire article, Budget takes $8.4 billion from K-12 classes.)

Now, two propositions are on the ballot for a special election on May 19: 1) Prop. 1A, which increases size of state “rainy day” fund from 5 to 12.5 percent of the General Fund; 2) Prop. 1B, requires supplemental payments to local school districts and community colleges to address recent budget cuts in annual payments that begin in 2011–12. Prop. 1B would provide $9.3 billion to California schools.

The propositions are a move to close the state’s $42-billion dollar gap, which, obviously, has affected the state’s public education system. According to an April 22 L.A Times article:

“Educators say Proposition 1B is crucial for the state’s schools, which have weathered years of funding cuts. This year alone, more than 30,000 teachers, nurses, administrators and others received preliminary layoff warnings. Their fate–and that of the state’s 6.2 million pupils–will rest, in part, on the ballot measure.”

While our children’s fate may depend largely on this ballot measure, there’s something you can do today. Take Grow Your Green’s ‘Save 4 Your School’ challenge to make sure your child’s school can keep the important programs–music and sports– that they need. In fact, Tech CU may even match your donation, up to $1,000!

Because, as most educators agree, extracurricular programs such as music and sports help kids stay focused, develop character, learn about team work, excel in academics, and succeed in life. And they’re counting on you to save these programs. Take the Grow Your Green’s ‘Save 4 Your School’ challenge today!

Save and WIN money for your child’s school

Teach your children the meaning of saving—and giving back.

Do you know a student or teacher who has been affected by our state’s budget cuts? Perhaps their school lost funding for a sports or music program or, even worse, the school lost teachers due to staff cuts and layoffs.

Well, here at Technology Credit Union, we want to support our community and help kids keep the educational programs they need by encouraging our members to save money through our Savings Challenge accounts that will be donated to their favorite school. That’s why we launched the Save 4 Your School savings challenge back in May. Participating is as easy as 1-2-3, and, for our part, Tech CU will make a donation match to the account that has saved the most, up to $1,000!

Here’s how it works:

1)      Open a Save 4 Your School savings challenge account.

2)      Register online at Tech CU’s Grow Your Green community
for the Save 4 Your School program.
(Make sure you indicate in the profile that your savings are for a school or educational program.)

3)     The deadline to qualify for Tech CU’s Save 4 Your School donation match is Sept. 30, 2009.

Get started now—this promotion ends Sept. 30!

For more information on how to save for your school, visit Save 4 Your School Savings Challenge. You can also stop by one of our 10 conveniently located Financial Centers or call (800) 553-0880 to learn more.

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