Welcome to RealityCheck, an Elevations Credit Union sponsored consumer information resource! Please check back often, we will continue to add new information.
Looking for Remar's Privacy seminar handout or how to opt out of marketing databases? You'll find it in the Privacy Rights section. Then check out the many other Privacy Rights resources.
August 2008
Is Now the Right Time to Buy a Car?
It Depends!
As average gas prices climb over $4 per gallon, lots of us are feeling the pain at the pump. As the price of a fill-up climbs toward $70 and beyond, the thought of trading for a more fuel-efficient vehicle is appealing. In addition, the news is full of stories about slow sales and economic pressures on auto manufacturers and dealers. Maybe, you think, now could be a good time to get a good deal on a new or used vehicle. Yes or no? The answer depends on your individual financial situation and needs in a vehicle. This report offers some questions to ask yourself and tips for savvy shopping.
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) have created interactive tools to help you understand deposit insurance. NCUA provides the Share Insurance Estimator and FDIC provides the Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE).
BBB Warns Drivers to Be Wary of Gas-Saving Gadgets and Additives
These tips from the Better Business Bureau describe reliable ways to improve fuel economy.
Choosing A Credit Card: The Deal is in the Disclosures
This fact sheet from the FTC explains credit card terms, how the balance is computed, and protections for card holders.
Leave me alone. Your privacy online—and offline
This publication from Consumer Action describes why it is important to be careful about who has access to your personal information both online and offline.
Breaking News
Automotive leasing options reduced by Big Three U.S. manufacturers
4 out of 5 small pickups earn marginal or poor ratings for side impact protection
Financial troubles aren't affecting Elevations CU
Reach Elevations CU directly at our Web address: RealityCheck.coop
You've been waiting for RealityCheck!
RealityCheck is an interactive website that gives you real-time, hard-hitting consumer information on topics, products and services that affect your life and financial well-being.
RealityCheck, designed just for Elevations Credit Union, has one agenda—helping you make wise decisions by giving you sound, unbiased, balanced information rather than hype or infomercial. RealityCheck covers lots more than the credit union sells, too.
The menu buttons at the left list the major categories RealityCheck covers. As time goes on, we'll continue to expand and update RealityCheck to cover an ever-growing range of consumer and financial issues. If you have ideas for topics you'd like covered, let us know by e-mail.
Why are we doing this? Elevations Credit Union is a member cooperative. Our members' best interest always comes first. Remar Sutton is our spokesman and partner in creating RealityCheck. If you've heard Remar talk about the auto industry or privacy issues, you know he's not shy on the subject of consumer rights. In monthly RealityCheck Reports and other information, Remar's job is to be your advocate and not the advocate of any product or service.
From now on, you can count on this website for a fact-based reality check on consumer issues important to your and your family's well-being.