Monthly Archives: December 2019
Three C’s that help determine mortgage loan approval
Georgia’s Own mortgage experts discuss the three basic C’s that help determine mortgage loan approval.
At Georgia’s Own Credit Union, we’re here to provide our members with an exceptional experience. While mortgage lending can be intimidating, we’ve broken it down into three things you should know.
- Creditworthiness – Contrary to popular opinion, this isn’t just a review of your FICO score. An assessment of your credit takes into account the details of all reported debts to determine a pattern of satisfactory payment history and your ability to support debt similar to what you’re requesting.
- Capacity – Capacity is how much you make, how much you have for a down payment and how much you’ll have when the transaction is done. The goal is to ensure that the home will not be a financial burden for you.
- Collatoral (Property) – This is the assessment of the home you want to buy which examines zoning, type, general condition, functionality, marketability and location because the home is the asset that secures the loan you’re seeking. The review also determines the value of the home.
Click here for more information about our mortgage products.
Getting the most out of your loan officer during the mortgage process
Georgia’s Own mortgage experts tell you what you should do to get the most out of your loan officer during the mortgage process.
At Georgia’s Own Credit Union, we’re here to provide our members with an exceptional experience and no one is more focused on doing that than your ally, your mortgage loan officer. So how do you get the most out of your loan officer?
Your loan officer is your personal subject matter expert. Their job is to help you find the best loan product and terms based on what you want to accomplish. During your initial conversation, your loan officer will conduct a free, basic review of your financial situation and provide you with a pre-qualification which tells you how much home you can afford. Once you’re ready to move forward, your loan officer will help you start your application and do a pre-approval, which is a more in depth version of the pre-qualification.
During the pre-approval process we will verify your income, debts and other aspects of your financial situation. We’ll ask questions such as: how long you plan to live in the home? Do you want to pay off the loan quickly or do you want a longer term if possible? Do you want to put down a large down payment or as little as possible.
Remember, this process is all about, so make the most of it! Your Georgia’s Own representative is ready to help you with your mortgage lending needs.
Click here for more information about our mortgage products.
The gift of giving: 10 ways to be charitable this holiday season
We all know the holidays are a time for giving. This year, why not celebrate the season by choosing a gift that really makes a difference?
Charitable gift-giving is one of the best ways to spread generosity, kindness, and good cheer this time of year. After all, it’s not the “getting” that’s important, it’s sharing our good fortune with friends and neighbors in need. Whether they’re here in our communities or around the world, everyone should know joy and hope this season.
Generosity is good for us. It’s said to raise levels of happiness and emotional well-being. It can also help make tax time a little less painful. As long as you itemize your deductions, a donation will help reduce your taxable income. If that’s your ultimate goal, however, be sure to consult with a tax advisor before you write a check.
Whether you make a donation for the tax benefit or because it warms your heart, there are lots of ways to be charitable. To help, we’ve rounded up a few ideas. Here are ten ways to give the gift of generosity this season:
Help when it’s needed most
The American Red Cross donors, volunteers, and employees work to prevent and relieve suffering during emergencies, collect life-saving blood, support America’s military families, and so much more! You can honor friends and family with a gift that helps those when they need it most.
Sponsor a family
Find an Adopt-A-Family program through the Salvation Army, local charities, religious organizations, or your workplace. If you feel like a family may be too big of a commitment to manage on your own, ask others to join the cause. The more people that participate, the greater joy your gift will bring.
Buy goods that do good
Consider buying from a retailer who donates a portion of their sales to a charity. For example, buy LUSH’s hand and body lotion, Charity Pot. You’ll be pleased to know that 100% of the price (minus the taxes) supports causes like human rights, animal protection, and environmental justice. Not only will your sister (mother, girlfriend, daughter) love her gift, she’ll appreciate the contribution to a cause that’s close to her heart. Here’s a list of companies and products that share the wealth with worthy causes and help make the world a better place.
Time is just as valuable
Charities are always willing to accept cash donations, but sometimes donating your time is even better. Consider volunteering at a soup kitchen. They need help with preparation, serving, cleanup, and whatever else it takes to feed those in need. Stock shelves at your local food pantry or help deliver meals on wheels. Sometimes a smiling face and a helping hand is worth more than money in the bank.
Donate your stocks or bonds
Donating a portion of your portfolio may get you a bigger bang for your buck. If a stock has increased in value since you bought it more than a year ago (and if you itemize deductions), you can take a charitable deduction for the stock’s fair market value on the day you donate it. You’ll also avoid capital-gains taxes on the appreciation. Check out the five things you should know about gifting stock here.
Gift your frequent flyer miles
Are you a frequent flyer? Maybe you’ve accumulated more than too many miles, or are in danger of losing miles that are getting ready to expire. Consider donating them to a charity like the Make-A-Wish® Foundation. Every mile you donate will help kids and their families travel to destinations around the world. It’s just one simple way you can help share the power of a wish.
Send care packages to our troops
Let our servicemen and women know they’re being remembered during the holidays by sending a care package. Treat the Troops and Any Soldier are organizations that coordinate ways to give to our deployed soldiers. It’s a great way to let them know how much we appreciate their service and their sacrifice.
Give a charity gift card
When you make a donation in someone else’s name, you’d like for it to be a charity that’s important to them. Now, you can honor them by donating to the cause they’re most passionate about. Give the gift of good at tisbest.org, and the recipient can choose from among 300 charities to allocate the money. It’s a win-win!
Buy gifts through Amazon Smile
Knock out that holiday list by shopping on the Amazon Smile website. You’ll find the same prices and products as Amazon.com, but they’ll donate 0.5% of the price to your favorite charity. It’s a simple way for you to support your favorite organization every time you shop.
Create a gift registry
If you don’t need another holiday tie or pair of slippers, create your own gift registry at MyRegistry.com. List your favorite charities and ask your family and friends to make a donation in your name. Not only is it a great way to support a cause, but it may also inspire some others to consider a charitable registry too.
There are many opportunities to donate to a charity or a cause that inspires you. It doesn’t need to be limited to the holidays, either. There are always people in need, so think about being generous throughout the year. When you donate goods, services, time, or talent, you not only impact others’ lives, you also bring more meaning to yours.
Keeping your cool: fun Atlanta winter activities for the whole family
Winter is here, and with it comes the age-old question: What can you do for fun? Going outside isn’t nearly as appealing as it was a few months ago, and you can only watch so many reruns before your eyes begin to glaze over. But don’t worry – we have some ideas on ways you can make this chilly season fun for the whole family.
Go See the Sights – and the Lights
Many people in your community have already gotten a head start on their outdoor Christmas decorations, and you can expect even more of your neighbors to follow suit. This is the perfect opportunity to create your own special tour of local neighborhoods to check out all of the amazing light displays in the area.
If you’re ready for some even more amazing demonstrations of holiday lighting, head over to Callaway Gardens to view their annual Fantasy in Lights display. The best part about this experience is that it is a driving tour, so even on the chilliest evenings, you can still take your time and enjoy upwards of eight million lights arranged especially for the holidays.
Break out the Skates
Are you looking for ways to get some of that pent-up energy out? You definitely won’t want to miss the chance to go ice skating – especially on the South’s largest ice skating rink. Atlantic Station’s “Skate the Station” is already in full swing, and you can stop by anytime to test your ice skating skills. They even have special extended hours throughout December, so you can make an evening out of racing friends or family to see who is truly the skating champion.
If you want to mix things up, you can also try The Rink at Park Tavern, located in Piedmont Park. This rink opened on Thanksgiving and will be available through January, so skate on over and see if it’s a good fit for your family. This venue also offers free skating for those who dress up in Steampunk attire after 8:00 pm, along with skating for only those who 16 years of age and older after 8:30 PM. Whether you are planning a date night or just want to change up your routine, the ice rink needs to be on your list of things to do.
Take in a Show
Everyone knows that one of the best Christmas classics is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. You’ve probably seen the movie a dozen times – but have you seen it performed live with puppets? The Center for Puppetry Arts is once again presenting its annual Rudolph puppet show, which is a faithful adaptation of the movie you know so well. Children of all ages will enjoy seeing these characters come to life, and there are also crafts and activities available after the show to enrich your experience.
Sometimes getting out in the winter can be difficult, especially when it involves finding everyone’s coats and mittens. But it’s easy to turn a night at home into a holiday experience all by itself. Find a new movie you haven’t seen or look for one of your favorite holiday specials, and sit down with the whole family to watch it together. This is also a great chance to break out the hot chocolate and the snacks you’ve been eyeing at the grocery store. When your movie is finished, take the time to ask your family what they loved most about it – and to tell them to think about what they want to watch for your next movie night!
Try Something New!
This winter season, make it a goal to mix up your routine. Take a pottery class, learn to sew, try your hand at painting on canvas – there are dozens of options available right in your own community. Don’t worry about becoming an expert in just a few short months. Instead, commit to finishing a project or class that will help you learn something you’ve never done before.
Taking on a totally new skill can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone! Ask some friends to join you and try out your new activity together. You might go on a bike tour of the city, or learn to cook your favorite meal. Whatever you do, just have one rule: Make it fun!
Winter is here – but that doesn’t mean you have to wait for summer to enjoy yourself again. In fact, we think winter can be just as fun as any other season. Use this cool weather to find new ways to enjoy yourself and stay warm out there!
Where to find uncommon, unique, and one-of-a-kind holiday gifts
Everyone wants to be a good gift-giver, but let’s face it; some people are just more talented than others. They have an innate ability to find the perfect, most thoughtful gift for every person on their list. Every. Single. Time.
We all know that the holidays should be more about spending time with friends and family and less about the gifts your giving. But, we also know that when you do find that just-right something, you’re secretly giving yourself a high-five inside. And, with the holidays right around the corner, the pressure is on!
Check out these local and online shops that just might have what you’ve been looking for. Unique, reasonably priced, stylish, trendy, practical, or otherwise perfect items that will take your gift-giving game to a new level:
Shop online
1. Uncommon Goods
Uncommon goods is an online marketplace that was specifically designed to connect creators with consumers who were looking for truly unique items. They offer creative designs by independent makers that serve a purpose, solve a problem, use interesting materials, or are otherwise, well, uncommon.
2. Town and Country Magazine: Oprah’s favorite things!
Oprah’s favorite things—her most loved products of 2019—have finally made it to the pages of Town and Country Magazine. As usual, it’s quite the list of ideas complete with links to online merchants (ahem, Amazon). From a motorized makeup brush to the Magic Hands truShiatsu Neck and Back Massager, these are gifts everyone will love.
3. Etsy
Etsy has the handmade, vintage, and independent products market covered. But, with its thousands of stores and millions of items to peruse, the holidays might be long gone before you get through them all. Here’s a cheat sheet of the best shops for functional, fun, pretty, thoughtful, and never-a-bad-choice gifts for every person on your list.
4. Inspire Uplift
From crazy to creative, you’ll wonder why it took so long for someone to come up with these problem-solving, laugh a little, but utterly genius products. It’s the little things, like the Magic Bun Maker or the Sleepy Cloud Travel Pillow that make life a little easier. Give a gift that’s fun, practical, and inspiring, and they’ll remember you all year long!
5. The Grommet
The Grommet is a fan favorite for sure. It’s the best online store for innovative new products that are anything but ordinary. Local makers and small businesses are where they hunt for the most distinctive finds. Visit their website and sort by recipient, hobby, occasion, and even personal values. If you love Shark Tank, you’ll be head over heels when you discover the Grommet.
6. Cloud 9 Living
Millennials will opt for an experience over a material gift any day so, if you have a certain one of those on your list, check out Clout 9 Living. With over 2,200 unforgettable adventures, you’ll easily find something for every interest, taste, and style–all within your budget. Food tours, bike tours, glamping, wine tasting, balloon rides, skydiving, and more. What’s not to love?
7. Minted
If you think that Minted.com is just for holiday cards, you’re in for a surprise. For those hard to shop for friends, parents, grandparents, and, well, everyone else who makes that list, check out these thoughtful gifts. We love the art gifts like the heart snapshot mix, the love you to the moon & back photo collage, and the reindeer ears print! You’ll capture the sweetness in a gift that lasts forever.
No time to ponder all the choices and make a decision? Text them a photo, and they’ll text back with three photo gift designs selected especially for you and styled with your photo—for FREE!
8. Mark and Graham
Town and Country called it “The mecca for monogram must-haves.” Mark and Graham is a space where customers can find beautifully crafted products that can be transformed into one-of-a-kind pieces with a monogram. For him, her, baby, teens, family, happy couple, pet, or host, their curated gift guides will inspire you.
Choose among hundreds of monogramming options to create the most perfect present that can be enjoyed for years to come. Whether it’s a wallet, money clip, toiletry bag, tech case, pajama set, credit card holder, tote, or any other accessory, it’s sure to be the perfect fit!
Shop local
If online shopping doesn’t bring you enough holiday cheer, here are a few local gift shops that will make you look like a gift-giving guru:
1. Sis + Moon’s Local Mercantile
24 Milton Avenue, Alpharetta, GA, 30009 / (404) 414-5765
Sis and Moon’s Local Mercantile is an eclectic shop in Downtown Alpharetta where “artists, makers, and beautiful-thing-lovers unite.” The shop features curated items from both new and vintage sources, including some of the owners’ original designs. Local makers and artisans contribute to the curious mix of furniture, art, jewelry, household items, and miscellaneous blend of rediscovered and reinvented items.
2. Doodlebugz
15 West Park Square, N.E., Marietta, GA 30060 / (770) 792-6734
Doodlebugz is a whimsy gift shop in Marietta Square. The quaint store is filled with unique treasures like inspirational art, jewelry, clothing, home décor, non-traditional gifts, and more. They work hard to find artists and items you can’t find in every gift store, and their inventory is always changing. If you’re looking for trendy, specialty items, you won’t be disappointed.
3. The Red Hound Gifts
211 Market Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009 / (678) 624-7733
The Red Hound specializes in helping their customers celebrate special occasions and holidays by offering beautiful home decor and gifts for babies, kids, hostesses, teachers, friends, and family. They’ve partnered with some talented local and regional artists, as well as national brands, to bring you one-of-a-kind pieces that you’re sure to love. Check out their Sid Dickens Blocks, Nora Fleming serving pieces, Caribbean driftwood candles, mahogany teakwood fragrance diffusers, hand-embroidered pillows, and gourmet foods.
4. All-Inspired Boutique
5950 State Bridge Road, Johns Creek, Georgia 30097 – (404) 502-2172
50 Canton Street Suite 104, Alpharetta, GA 30009
All Inspired is a Johns Creek boutique where sassy, spunky style meets grace and gratitude. Slow down for a while, take a deep breath, and enjoy a holiday-themed latte while you shop for the perfect gift. You’ll find something for everyone, whether it be a trendy tunic, the perfect pair of jeans, an inspirational sign or picture frame, or a piece of handcrafted jewelry. Even better, you’ll find that almost all of their jewelry, signs, and pottery are created by amazing artisans from right here in Georgia!
5. elle B gifts
3130 Mathis Airport Parkway, Suite 304, Suwanee GA 30024 / (770) 889-9992 and 50 Canton St, Alpharetta, GA 30009 / 470-361-2040
elle B Gifts offers unique and fun personalized gifts for guys and girls, friends, tweens, and babies, too. You’ll find specialty wine glasses, car decals, engraved jewelry, pilsner glasses, party tubs, college-themed items, home décor, leather-bound journals, personalized stationery, cozy blankets, and more! They also embroider items on site. Check them out at either of their two locations and knock out your holiday shopping in one stop!
Have a favorite local gift shop? Tell us about it below.
Avoid the sucker punch: six scams on the rise
Scams have been around for, well…forever. Whether it’s for information, money, or power, unsuspecting people have been duped time and time again.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, there have been more than 1.4 million reports of fraud in 2018. Twenty-five percent of those reports included a combined financial loss of $1.48 billion, a 38% increase over 2017.
How do scammers get away with cheating so many innocent people out of their money? Sometimes they don’t, but given the statistics, they score more often than you might think—a lot more. With advances in technology, the volume of personal information people are willing to divulge, and a little evil-minded creativity, scammers are getting smarter every day. If you’ve ever been a victim, you know how easy it is to fall prey, especially when you’re caught off guard.
Fraudsters concoct new ways of deceiving people daily, so it’s nearly impossible to cover them all. Here are six scams that have gained popularity and are making the rounds lately:
1. Facebook questions scam
Have you ever answered the random surveys on Facebook? Who was your first roommate in college? What was your first car? What’s your favorite food? How about “answer these 20 questions about yourself and then tag another person to do the same?” It may seem harmless, but you’re giving away a ton of private information that could jeopardize your account security. If scammers manage to get one or two of your questions and answers, they can easily reset the password to your social media accounts, bank account, Amazon account, Venmo or Paypal account, and more. In the meantime, keep scrolling when you see those question and answer posts.
2. The grandparent scam
Although this isn’t a new scam, reports of it have been on the rise lately.
A scammer has a child about the same age as the victim’s grandchild, call the grandparent in tears. “Hi Grandma, this is Johnny. Please don’t call my parents. I need you to bail me out of jail, and then I’ll explain.” Or it could be, “I got into a fight, and I’m at the hospital. I know I sound a little different, but that’s because my nose is broken…I have a terrible cold, or I’m really upset.” Whatever the excuse, they need money—and quick! A grandparent might offer a credit card number over the phone or wire cash with all intentions of getting the details later.
Seniors are especially vulnerable, so you need to impress upon them that any time a family member supposedly calls asking for money, they should be skeptical. How can they make sure it’s a real emergency? Hang up and call the grandchild back on their cell phone, call the courthouse if they’re asking for bail money, call the hospital if they need money to pay a bill, or call someone who can confirm their whereabouts. This scam is all about creating panic, so the victim simply reacts without trying to make sense of the situation.
3. Fortnite scam
With its 125 million players, Fortnite: Battle Royale might be the most popular video game in the world, but some of those players are there for a different kind of challenge.
V-bucks are the game’s currency, and oftentimes, scammers will offer players discounted or free V-bucks. The more V-bucks you have, the quicker you can elevate your game, and someone’s offering a deal? Heck, yeah! Just follow the simple instructions, and you’ll be advancing your “Battle Pass” standing in no time.
Most scammers will send you to a website where you share a code from your Fortnite account, which, in turn, will allow them access to your payment information. That third-party site will also lure you with tempting pop-up ads, too, which inevitably lead to downloaded malware. Stay focused on the game, play by the rules, and don’t share any personal information—it’s the only chance you have to be the last one standing!
4. Disaster relief scam
Sadly, in the wake of a disaster, fraudsters come out of the woodwork. They’ll create bogus charities, solicit donations from caring and genuinely concerned people who want to help, and then RUN!
Meanwhile, not only does the donor lose, but the cause it was intended for loses too. Take, for example, Hurricane Dorian, the category five storm that pummeled the Bahamas in September. The Tampa Bay Times reported that scammers posed as a popular television meteorologist and solicited donations that funded a phony Bahamas hurricane relief site.
How do you trust that you’re making a donation to a legitimate charity and that the money will benefit people in need? The most secure way is to do your research and verify the specific organization through Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, GuideStar, or the BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance. Never contribute by way of a social media platform. Instead, go directly to the charity’s website.
5. Airbnb scam
This Airbnb scam was active in 2017, but it seems to be rearing its ugly head again.
Most of us can agree that reserving an Airbnb is a relatively simple process. It can be significantly less expensive, more convenient, and just as comfy as a hotel room. It’s a fantastic alternative until you arrive at a house that’s already booked by someone else, or even worse, it doesn’t exist! How’s that for a dream vacation? Scammers are creating fake listings on the popular site and directing renters to a fraudulent third-party website to make their payment.
How do you avoid being caught up in this nightmare? You should never communicate outside of the Airbnb platform and never pay cash. Instead, use your verified bank account or credit card. Read the reviews and make sure they all sound like they’re describing the same place, and engage with the landlord through the Airbnb messaging system before you rent.
There’s also the reverse Google image verification. Once you find a place that looks like a viable option, make sure the images you see are the real deal. Right-click on an image, copy its URL and paste it in the search box at images.google.com. Hopefully, you’ll see the property that you expect.
6. Netflix scam
Netflix has 51 million paid subscribers around the world, which makes for a perfect place to phish for some chillin’ couch potatoes. Imagine this: You’re sitting down to watch the newest season of The Crown when you get an email that says your monthly payment couldn’t be processed and your account is scheduled to be suspended TODAY. The email looks official, but the logo is a little smaller than usual, and when you hoover over the “Click Here” link, you see ad oddly long URL.
If you clicked the link, you’d be directed to a page that looks like the Netflix website, where you can enter your credit card information. Submit it, and where does that information go? Straight into the scammer’s hands.
If you step back for a minute, you might notice that the name in the “To” line isn’t yours. The “From” line might include the word Netflix, but also a much longer URL. The subject line says “RE [Alert],” along with too much other random information. It’s a scam.
It may be quicker and easier to follow the link, but you run a significant risk of fraud for the few keystrokes you save. Instead, go to the company’s site, enter your username and password, and update your information within the safety of their system.
The Federal Trade Commission’s website includes an ongoing and cumulative list of scams and fraudulent activity. To file a complaint and open an investigation, click here.