Mark the date - April 8 - HCFCU's Annual Meeting

Our 69th annual Membership Meeting & Banquet is coming up. Mark the date on your calendar and make your reservations now. Entertainment will be provided by Simplisity, a musical group that popularized "Jawaiian," or the fusion of Hawaiian and urban R&B. With four CDs out, Simplisity has appeared in a number of venues, including Hot Hawaiian Nights and as opening act for Ziggy Marley.

Good times, great prizes and wonderful food are awaiting you. Reserve a spot today to ensure yourself a memorable evening!

House remodels that pay back

Are you planning house repairs or remodels this year? A house remodel project can enhance the livability and value of your home, but which ones will give you the biggest bang for your buck? Experts across the board agree that kitchen and bath remodels top the list. Second-story, bathroom and family room additions also are good bets for recouping costs when a home is sold.

People buying a house look first at kitchens and baths. Often, even minor improvements such as painting, refinishing surfaces and upgrading appliances can make a room much more livable for you - and yield higher dividends than a costly redesign. Adding rooms also tends to fare well at resale time: Bigger homes command higher prices. On the other end of the spectrum, adding swimming pools and home offices rarely increase a home's value enough to recoup costs at resale.

Visiting model homes is a good way to predict what amenities future buyers might be looking for and to acquire good ideas to enhance your own lifestyle. You also can tour open houses around your neighborhood for some remodel ideas and a chance to see how your home compares with others that a potential buyer might visit.

Following are tips to consider when planning your project:

• Make your budget and stick to it! Track it well and periodically compare your actual expenditures to what you have budgeted. "Small" extras, such as light fixtures or specialty knobs for drawers, can really add up if you're not careful.
• When choosing styles and colors, keep in mind that you might want to sell your house some day. Try to complement the overall style of your house, taking into account its architecture, color palette and building materials.
• Be careful not to price yourself out of your neighborhood. If it comes time to sell, it can be difficult to unload the nicest house on the block for what it's worth.
• The longer you stay in your house, the more likely you are to recoup your remodel costs. Of course, for some projects, time also can work against you. Kitchens and bathrooms are especially prone to looking dated when styles change, so chose your styles conservatively.
• With the high cost of utilities, adding energy efficient systems and appliances not only can lower your energy bills while you reside in your house, but they also will appeal to buyers.

No matter the size or shape, your home is your castle. You and your family probably spend more time in it than anywhere else. Repairs and remodels first and foremost should enhance your living experience, and, beyond that, enhance the value of your castle.

Car maintenance - A little goes a long way

The durability and reliability of the automobile has improved dramatically in the past decade. However, just as you need an annual checkup with your doctor, your car needs someone to periodically check its performance. Regular car maintenance can extend the life of your automobile for years.

Following are car care basics that can ensure longevity in your car's life:

Changing the Oil
One of the most beneficial things you can do to extend the life of your vehicle is change the motor oil regularly. The old rule of thumb of changing the oil every 3,000 miles may be excessive with today's advanced engines and improved lubricants. Under normal driving conditions, the oil-change schedule can be extended to 7,500 miles. Check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's definition of different types of driving conditions and the recommended schedule and type of oil for each condition.

Tires
Very few people enjoy the costly job of replacing tires. Regular tire rotation and inspection can give your tires a longer lease on life. Tire rotation is even more important on front-wheel drive vehicles, sport utility vehicles and light trucks, since these vehicles tend to wear tires unevenly, front to back. As a general rule, you should rotate tires between 6,000 and 7,500 miles. Consider rotating tires at the same time the oil is changed.

Belts, Hoses & Brakes
Modern rubber materials have made belts and hoses very durable and long-lasting, however, they do deteriorate slowly over time. Regular inspection allows you to replace them before they fail. Combine the inspection with another maintenance item such as the oil change. Similar to belts and hoses, brakes rarely fail suddenly but rather deteriorate with wear. Brake life depends on many factors, such as terrain, driving type and style, and even climate. There is no such thing as a regular brake replacement schedule, so it is smart to have your brakes inspected regularly. Brake inspection is most logically done in connection with tire rotation, since the wheels have to be removed to properly inspect brake pads and shoes. This also is an ideal time to check the brake fluid.

Gasoline Octane
Many drivers are under the false impression that premium-grade gasoline gives their car more power, better fuel economy or a longer life. The reality is that most vehicles are designed to run on regular unleaded fuel. Federal regulations require that all fuels sold in the United States contain detergents to prevent the build-up of deposits in the engine's combustion chamber. Premium fuel is needed by a handful of vehicles with high-performance engines. In most other cases, it is a waste of money.

One of the best things you can do to extend the life of your automobile is become familiar with your owner's manual. Manufacturer's recommendations on what to change and when vary based on your car's specifications.

Energy wasters/ energy savers: Take a look at your appliances

Hawaii's energy costs are among the highest in the nation. By being aware of the appliances in your home that use the most energy, you can moderate their use to help control your energy consumption and thus, the cost of your utilities.

According to Hawaiian Electric Company Inc.'s "Energy Tips and Choices, A Guide to an Energy-Efficient Home," the biggest energy users in Hawaii are conventional water heaters, refrigerator/ freezers, air conditioners and swimming pools. For the most part, small appliances and electronic equipment are economical to operate.

Most appliances manufactured before 1980 are less energy efficient. You can check yellow EnergyGuide labels, required by the government to be posted on all new refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers and air conditioners, when you buy new appliances to compare energy consumption. When purchasing new appliances, be sure to keep energy efficiency in mind. Though an energy-efficient appliance may cost you a few more dollars initially, your decision could affect your electric bill month after month for years to come.

In a typical household, a water heater accounts for 40 percent of energy consumption. A simple habit of washing laundry in cold water rather than warm or hot can help save energy. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees F. This should be hot enough to handle all your hot water needs.

Clean your clothes dryer's lint filter before every use and be sure you wash and dry full loads of clothing. Also, run your dishwasher only when it is full, and use the air-dry rather than heat-dry feature. Limit opening the refrigerator and freezer door to only as often and as long as necessary.

Whenever possible, use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners. If you do use an air conditioner, run it only when someone is home and use it in conjunction with a ceiling fan to better circulate the cool air.

Keep in mind that using your appliances efficiently and whenever possible, converting to energy efficient appliances, will reduce the amount of energy consumed. This is good for your checkbook and good for our environment!

The History of the Piggy Bank

Mention the word "bank" to children, and most will envision a piggy bank. These days, a piggy bank isn't even necessarily a pig. It might be a superhero or another type of animal, yet still, it is called a piggy bank.

The history of the piggy bank is somewhat uncertain, but the general consensus is that it derives its name from the material from which it was originally made - an orange clay called "pygg." Around the 15th century in England, people made all types of useful objects out of this clay, including dishes and jars to hold spare change. By the 18th century, the word "pygg" sounded the same as the word for the animal "pig," and somewhere along the way, a whimsical potter made a coin-collecting jar in the shape of a pig. The idea stuck. The old-style piggy banks had no hole in the bottom, so the pig had to be broken to get the money out.

Whether it is a traditional pig or a more unconventional shape, a piggy bank is a great way to encourage saving among children because it provides them a physical place to store their money. Counting the money can lead to saving more. The process allows children to experience the gratification of saving money at a very early age. It is recommended to look for a piggy bank with a hole in the bottom, however, or you may find yourself having to dig out the hammer to get to the change... and then the glue to make the bank right again!