RRSPs - MORE THAN INVESTMENTS? YOU BET.

If all you think about come January and February when you look at
your finances is that last minute RRSP contribution (or ignoring 
it yet again), here are a few things to chew on:

• RRSP contributions trigger tax savings (deferrals). For 
example; contribute $1,000 - get about 30% or $300 back in your 
pocket. What are you waiting for?

• RRSP advice should include a Tax-Free Savings Plan strategy and
contribution plan. You need both, especially with your pension.

• RRSP season is a good time to sit down, tally up your Net Worth
and plan for the year ahead. That way you don't get caught 
scrambling for a contribution next year.

• It's also a good time to discuss finding the balance point 
between paying down high interest debt as opposed to investing. 
If your advisor isn't helping you manage the entire picture 
(because they only make money on investments), you're missing a 
very important half of your financial well-being.

Discover more equity growth when you see RRSPs in a new way. It 
starts with Net Worth.
http://www.firecreditunion.ca/sc/bucketcoach/FSCU_BucketCoach_NetWorth.pdf

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COACHING VERSUS BANKING

This is the first edition of what we hope will be a useful 
financial bulletin for you and the family. We'll keep it short - 
and link you to ideas that you can explore. We'll try to avoid 
all the long-winded jargon. And that's only one difference 
between Fire Services Credit Union and banking. The more 
important difference is Coaching, our approach to providing 
service and advice. We believe the job of your FSCU Coach is to 
help you perform better financially. Without sales bias, without 
investment commissions, without trying to sell you products you 
don't need. We hope it's worth learning more. WELCOME TO COACH.

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HOW TO USE TAX-FREE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS

You have a pension. That will cover a portion of your 
post-retirement lifestyle, but not all. That leaves you three 
options for topping up (outside of real estate and businesses):

(1) Invest inside an RRSP.
(2) Invest inside a Tax-Free Savings Account.
(3) Just invest.

We like (1) and (2) best because the blend provides one of the 
few tax strategies available to you. Your RRSP contributions 
deliver tax relief now, but the balance is taxable when you use 
it. Your TSFA on the other hand grows tax-free - so you can 
remove the money down the road without tax implications. Put them
both together with your pension and you have a tax-reduction 
strategy for life.

Talk to a Fire Services Credit Union Coach today about setting up
your RRSP/TFSA strategy.
memberservices@firecreditunion.ca

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EARN UP TO $50 FOR EVERY REFERRAL

Many of you already refer friends, colleagues and family members 
to Fire Services Credit Union. Now you can get rewarded for doing
so: Up to $50 for everyone you refer who becomes a member. It's 
easy, there are very few rules that you can read online, and it's
simply our way to say thanks for being members and friends too.
http://www.firecreditunion.ca/promotions/2012-01-10-ambassador/

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BANKING TO GO TRIAL OFFER

We're creating a new service idea called Banking to Go. What it 
means is that you can connect with your Fire Services Credit 
Union Coach from anywhere by Skype. You can ask questions, get 
help moving money, solve problems - face-to-face, no matter where
you are as long as you have your laptop. That means no more trips
to the branch if you so choose.

We're trying it out as a Pilot project this February. If you'd 
like to help us perfect it, connect with Christine Chapman and 
we'll sign you up.
christine@firecreditunion.ca

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Everything you need to know about getting your household finances
in shape is in The Bucket Coach, a book of financial advice 
created specifically for Fire Fighters and their families. If you
don't have your FREE copy of The Bucket Coach, contact your 
branch today and we'll get it to you.
http://www.firecreditunion.ca/adviceandinformation/thebucketcoach/

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Contact us today - and we'll start working on your financial 
well-being together. Call 416-440-1294 or 1-866-833-3285.
http://www.firecreditunion.ca/

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Fire Services Credit Union
1997 Avenue Road | Toronto, Ontario M5M 4A3, Canada