October 2016

We want you to have an enjoyable Halloween, so we’re sharing some updated safety tips from our friends at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:

Before Halloween

• Choose bright costumes, and have children carry flashlights or glow sticks so they are easily visible. (Hint: Add reflective tape to costumes and candy bags!)
• Plan a trick-or-treating route in familiar neighborhoods with well-lit streets.
• Make sure children know your cell phone number, their home telephone number, and address, in case you get separated. Consider giving them a cell phone so they can reach you easily.
• Teach children how to call 911 in an emergency.
• Teach children to say “NO!” in a loud voice if someone tries to get them to go somewhere, accept anything other than a treat, or leave with them. Tell them to try everything they can to escape, including yelling, hitting, and kicking.

On Halloween

Have a safe, fun, and happy Halloween!

• Make sure older children take friends and stay together while trick-or-treating.
• Never send younger children out alone; they should be with a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult.
• Always walk younger children to the door to receive treats.
• Don’t let children enter a home unless you are with them.
• Be sure children do not approach any vehicle, occupied or not, unless you are with them.

There are many credit cards to choose from, and the type you choose will be affected by a number of factors, including your personal and financial goals. We’d like to keep it simple, and give you a few factors to consider before deciding if a rewards card is right for you.

A rewards card is simply a card that gives you something back for using the card. Everything from airline miles to merchandise and even cash back can be yours for using your card. Every card’s rewards formula is different, so make sure you understand what your rewards options are before you decide. Many people have no plans (or desire) to earn or use rewards, and shouldn’t apply for this type of card. Keep it simple!

Other factors include your credit history and credit score, which may qualify (or disqualify) you for a particular card. A high credit score and clean credit history tend to allow you many more choices, including lower rates and costs for a rewards card, while the converse can limit your selection of cards. At First Source, we can analyze these factors for you, and see if you qualify for the card you want.

Finally, if you already own a credit card (or a number of cards), you should take a clear-eyed look at your payment history. If you tend to pay off your full balance every month, a rewards card with a variable interest rate will be a positive addition to your wallet. If you tend to carry balances forward and pay interest charges every month, a low-fixed-rate card without rewards may be more practical.

Consider your goals and plans, then make an appointment at your local branch to let us help you make your decision. We look forward to helping you make a smarter, more rewarding choice!

We were very proud to sponsor the Utica Zoo Master Plan unveiling reception, “Dream Big with the Utica Zoo”, where the Zoo’s exciting new improvements and future expansion plans were shared with the community. We also pledged major financial support for the new Education Animal Enrichment and Training Center. Who will join us in supporting this amazing gem of the Mohawk Valley? Give to the Utica Zoo here!