What is Black Friday?

Black Friday is an informal name for the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, which sees many stores offering big sales and price reductions. This now incredibly popular sales event also happens every year in the UK. This year it falls on Friday the 26th of November. It’s one of the biggest shopping events on the retail calendar and current shopping trends suggest that most of us will look for our Black Friday bargains online.

With a range of retailers set to reduce their prices on luxury items such as TVs, toys, laptops, and pretty much anything you can get your hands-on, it's the best time of the year to find a deal that’s perfect for you - and it’s a great chance to get Christmas presents sorted ahead of the big day.

Top 3 tips for the Black Friday sales

It’s hard to say where the best deals will be and what products to buy this Black Friday as it can vary every year. We can though offer you some top tips on what to look out for and how to stay ahead of the mayhem.

1. Research the products beforehand

It’s always great snapping up a bargain - but it’s not great if the product isn’t worth it. So, make sure you read the reviews online on that specific product and any other product from that company. If your item isn’t exclusive to one retailer, check the prices against other retailers.

2. Create a wish list

Some websites allow you to set one up, but you can also write it down. Having a list to refer to so you know which items you want is extremely helpful. It saves you time, instead of scrolling through item after item trying to find the best deal. It’s also a simple way to curb your spending.

3. Look for the early deals

In recent years, many retailers and outlets have launched deals a week or two before Black Friday. There may even be some who run promotions throughout the whole of November. If you’re really keen you can even jump online super early to try and get a head start on everyone else.

4. Do you NEED it?

Before you spend, ask yourself, do I need it? Can I afford it? If the answer is no to any of those questions, then DON’T buy. It's not a saving if you weren't going to buy it anyway.

5. Look out for scams

If it looks too good to be true it could be false! Be on the lookout for dodgy sellers and scams, as scammers tend to take advantage of unsuspecting people around this time of year. Here are a few ways to protect yourself:

• Keep a strong password - It may seem simple, but it is effective. According to the National Cyber Security Centre, a good way to create a strong and memorable password is to use three random words - with numbers and symbols. Use a different password that isn't the same as your account details

• Make sure the site you are using is real - Make sure you’re triple-checking everything is legit when using a website that you’re unfamiliar with. Look for things such as previous reviews and trust ratings. If you don’t think it checks out then don’t take a risk on that site before you hand out your financial information!

• Think about your payment - Consider how you would like to pay. Credit Cards are usually safer and more reliable than Debit Cards - you have more protection if something goes wrong. You can also use Google or Apple Pay where you don’t have to give the seller your information directly.

• When purchasing online expect to provide some method of payment, shipping address, telephone number, and email address, etc, however, if the seller requests other information don’t go through with the purchase.

This month, we are offering members the option to apply for a loan of up to £2,000 to help cover the cost of shopping the sales for Christmas bargains. To apply, simply log into the mobile app or click 'Log in' at the top of this page and click on the 'Personal Loan' application.

With Christmas being a notoriously expensive time of year, it's time to make sure your finances are in order while there's still time.

Christmas is just around the corner and, with the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic still being felt by many households, finding enough money to give your family the festive period of their dreams may be easier said than done.

However, with our budgeting advice, you can plan your Christmas spending in advance and ensure your money stretches as far as possible. Here are our top tips.

1. Be realistic

When all's said and done, Christmas isn't worth going broke for, so stick to what you can afford and don't be tempted to get into debt just to keep up appearances.

2. Make small sacrifices

Making small sacrifices in the run-up to December 25th is an easy way to help boost your Christmas coffers. For example, instead of buying lunch during the week while at work, prepare something at home to take with you and you'll be surprised at how much you can save.

3. It's never too soon to start shopping

Whatever the time of year, planning ahead is the key to saving money and this is particularly true around Christmas. Start by making a list of all the people you need to buy for and if you see something suitable at a reasonable - or reduced - price, buy it now.

4. More expensive doesn't mean better

Paying over the odds for branded food and drink or the most expensive available option doesn't mean it's going to taste better, so shop around for cheaper alternatives. The same applies to sundry items like wrapping paper, Christmas cards and decorations.

5. Limit who you buy presents for

There's no rule that says you have to buy presents for your colleagues, cousins or anyone else for that matter. Stick to only buying presents for immediate family and your wallet will be thanking you in no time - you could even put a price cap on the amount you spend per person.

6. Make your own gifts

Instead of buying all your presents, why not get creative and make some instead? This list of Xmas gifts you can make yourself has plenty of great ideas that will raise a smile and save a packet.

7. Do your research

One of the easiest ways to save money on Christmas presents is to shop around and compare prices from several retailers. And always remember to check if your presents are available cheaper online - in addition to the likes of Amazon, sites like Facebook Marketplace and eBay are full of bargains.

8. Plan journeys in advance

Discounted train tickets are available now for Christmas so if you need to travel around over the festive period, book yours asap before they sell out.

We can help with the cost of Christmas

At Plane Saver, our affordable Christmas Loans could help you cover the cost of your festivities without needing to turn to high-cost lenders. If you'd like to know more, click here to apply.

Now that the 2021 Autumn Budget has been announced, we take a look at the impact it could have on our members.

On Wednesday, October 27th, Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, unveiled his Budget for autumn 2021. So what did it include and what does it all mean for our members? We take a look.

Pay

From April 1st, 2022, the National Living Wage will rise from £8.91 an hour to £9.50, leaving those in full-time employment an extra £1,000 per year better off. The National Minimum Wage will also increase to £9.18 per hour for younger workers and £4.81 for apprentices.

Members of the armed forces, nurses, and teachers will also receive a pay rise when a pay freeze is lifted in April.

Universal Credit

The Universal Credit taper rate - the amount of Universal Credit (UC) withdrawn for every pound someone earns - will be cut from 63p to 55p by December 1st.

While this could be worth more than £2 billion to those claiming Universal Credit overall, it's worth noting that the £20 per week increase to UC payments that was introduced at the start of the coronavirus pandemic has now been withdrawn. Whether or not the reduction to the UC taper rate will fill that gap remains to be seen.

Affordable housing

Good news for first-time buyers - the government has committed £24 billion to a multi-year housing settlement, with £11.5 billion of funding going towards building new affordable homes.

Fuel duty

Good news for motorists too, as fuel duty has been frozen at 57.95p per litre, a move that is predicted to save drivers an average of £1,900 over the next five years. With pump prices at an eight-year high, it's hard to imagine anyone complaining.

Schools and education

Among a raft of new measures are:

• an extra £4.7 billion for schools by 2024/25
• nearly £2 billion of new funding to help colleges and schools recover from the pandemic
• the launch of a new Start for Life scheme to support families, perinatal mental health services, and parenting programmes
• a pay rise for childcare providers

Healthcare

An additional £44 billion has been made available to increase healthcare spending by May 2024. While the details are a little vague, extra investment in the NHS should make getting GP appointments easier and help hospitals deal with ever-lengthening waiting lists.

Transport

With the state of the UK's roads coming in for regular criticism, £2.6 billion has been committed for more than 50 local road upgrades and more than £5 billion has been put aside for road maintenance - enough to fill approximately one million more potholes per year.

What now?

While the Budget contains some good news for households, it is too soon to tell how much of an impact it will have on families. This is because the prices of many goods and services are still rising and, as a result, the Bank of England is expected to announce an increase to its key interest rate in November. If this happens, it will affect the amount the public sector receives after the pay freeze ends and could also negatively impact the increase to the National Living Wage.

Consequently, now is not the time to make drastic changes to your spending habits. Instead, we would recommend our members continue to be as careful as possible with their money while the financial impact of the pandemic is still evolving.

If you think you would benefit from one of our loans or savings accounts, you can find out more about our services here.

Credit Unions Throughout History

Established in 1948 to increase awareness of the work carried out by credit unions and the benefits they deliver, International Credit Union Day (ICU Day) takes place on October 21st. But what do we know about the foundation of the first credit union? And what do credit unions really do? Let's find out...

What is a credit union?

At its core, a credit union is a bank controlled by its members that offers them financial services including access to expert advice, loans, and savings accounts, while operating on a strictly not-for-profit basis. In excess of 1.3 million people in the UK are credit union members and there are more than 230 million credit union members worldwide. Credit unions also come in a huge variety of sizes, with some boasting hundreds of thousands of members and some having only a handful.

Whereas commercial banks have customers and tend to be publicly traded or privately owned, credit unions have members to whom they offer lower rates on loans, higher annual percentage yields on their savings, and lower fees.

Another difference between credit unions and commercial banks is that credit unions don't pay a fixed rate of interest on savings balances, meaning they can distribute their profits among their members as an annual dividend or as a rebate of loan interest already paid. Consequently, credit unions are known for prioritising people over profits.

When did the first credit union appear?

Founded in Slovakia to provide cheap loans to its members, the first credit union was established as long ago as 1845 and was originally called 'The Household Association'. Although this original iteration of the credit union only survived until 1851, this was long enough for it to have a lasting impact on financial services in Slovakia and it was quickly acknowledged as having rescued many Slovaks from poverty.

The success of The Household Association didn't go unnoticed and, in 1852, an economist by the name of Franz Hermann Schulze-Delitzsch set up two credit unions in Germany. After both proved overwhelmingly popular, Schulze-Delitzsch set about opening more and, by 1859, more than 200 credit unions had sprung up all across the country.

Not content with simply establishing credit unions, Schulze-Delitzsch then helped develop the legislation which ensured financially unstable Germans would always have access to them and, as a result, much-needed capital.

When he died in 1883, Schulze-Delitzsch was responsible for helping set up more than 3,500 credit union branches in Germany, and for exporting the idea to other countries in Europe. By 1888, credit unions had become commonplace in England, France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Russia, amongst others. And the rest, as they say, is history!

What about Plane Saver?

We first started out in 1993 and were originally known as British Airways (UK) Employees Credit Union. In 1997, we broadened our membership criteria and began welcoming employees of UK-based, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) registered airlines and their associated companies. In 2010, we extended our common bond further still to include those employed by, or associated with, other industries including transport, the armed forces, and engineering.

In 2015, we started ‘First Defence Finance’ to provide our services to the Ministry of Defence, and today we're one of the largest credit unions in the UK, with more than 16,000 members. To date, we've lent them more than £100 million!

We're here to help

At Plane Saver, we want to help all our members achieve financial stability. If you think one of our affordable loans or savings accounts is just what you need, click here to find out if you're eligible to join and start your application.

With autumn already upon us and winter just around the corner, now is the time to ensure your car is ready for the cold weather.

With rapidly falling temperatures, fewer daylight hours, and poorer weather, the arrival of winter usually brings with it an increase in breakdowns, so it's worth taking a few minutes to ensure your motor is prepared. Here are our top tips for getting your car through to spring.

Check your battery

Car batteries have a life expectancy of approximately five years, which is why most manufacturers recommend getting yours checked at least twice a year.

If you haven't had yours looked at for a while, do it before winter arrives - in addition to the risk posed by the cold weather, you'll most likely be using your lights and heater more than usual, putting more strain on the battery than it's accustomed to. And the last thing you want is to find yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere in freezing temperatures.

If your car has problems starting, get the battery checked as soon as possible and replaced if necessary. You could also teach yourself how to jump-start your car here.

Check your tyres

It's obviously important to keep your tyres in good condition all year round but, as they're responsible for both braking and steering, ensuring you have reliable tyres over the wet and icy winter months should be top of your to-do list.

Although the legal minimum depth of tread is 1.6mm, your tyres should have a minimum depth of 3mm over winter to improve their grip on potentially slippery surfaces. You could even swap your tyres for winter tyres, which improve braking, traction and grip at any temperature below 7℃.

Top up your antifreeze

Adding antifreeze to your engine coolant over winter is vital to protect your car's engine and it's also important to get the mix right - you're looking for a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze.

Once you've topped up, remember to keep checking it as the antifreeze will become diluted over time. If it becomes over-diluted, it runs the risk of freezing during particularly cold weather, causing the engine to overheat and leaving you with an untimely repair bill. And remember to keep spare antifreeze in your car at all times!

Take your car for a service

If your car needs servicing, it's a good idea to get it done before winter - cold weather can cause all sorts of problems but many of them can be prevented with a preemptive maintenance check. Some garages even offer discounted winter car checks.

What you're after here is a mechanic to take a look at your tyres, battery, wipers, brake pads, lights and oil.

Keep a winter kit in your car at all times

The only thing predictable about winter weather is how unpredictable it can be, so it's important to prepare for every eventuality.

Every car should have a winter kit that includes:

• a scraper
• de-icer
• a shovel
• a blanket
• a hi-visibility vest
• food and drink
• sat-nav and a map or atlas
• a torch
• spare batteries
• a mobile phone and phone charger
• snow grips in case you need to walk to safety
• screenwash
• antifreeze

In addition, it's also worth checking your oil before setting off anywhere and remembering to fill your tank up with petrol once you get down to a quarter tank of fuel in case of unexpected delays.

Clean your lights

With the nights drawing in, you need your car's lights, indicators, and rear reflectors to be as effective as possible, so carrying out regular maintenance on them is imperative. Make sure you don't have any blown bulbs or cracked lenses and remember to check your full-beam headlights and fog lights too.

Prepare for your journey in advance

Even if you're not travelling far, preparing in advance will help you arrive safely at your destination. Check the weather forecast and travel news and, if you have one, use a sat-nav device to find the safest route. If the forecast looks bad and your journey isn't essential, the safest option is to not travel - always drive according to the road and weather conditions.

It's also a good idea to allow yourself extra time so you can drive slowly when necessary.

Need a hand getting your car winter-ready?

At Plane Saver, our Personal Loans can help ensure you and your car have everything you need to make it safely through winter. Apply for yours here.

Summer may be coming to an end but you can still experience a last-minute holiday. We've taken a look at the latest travel rules and restrictions for some popular European destinations.

For many people across the UK, normality is returning and one of the pleasures that people have missed the most is the ability to holiday abroad for some sun, sea, and fun. But with travel restrictions to most countries easing, now is an excellent time to book a holiday and take advantage of what remains of summer.

We’ve decided to help you by listing some of the best European destinations to visit, along with the travel restrictions that remain in place. Here's what you need to know:

Key advice

If you decide to travel abroad, you'll be required to take Covid tests but please be aware that the rules vary depending on whether you're visiting a green, amber, or red list country.

In most cases, you will need to return a negative test or provide proof that you are fully vaccinated before entering another country, on arrival at your hotel, and before returning to the UK.

However, every country has its own rules, so remember to visit this Government website for a full list of requirements and up-to-date travel advice before travelling.

Travelling to France

You must be fully vaccinated to holiday in France. Fully vaccinated people can travel from the UK as long as they provide proof of their vaccination status and complete a 'sworn statement'.

The NHS Covid Pass can be used as evidence of vaccination status. Children aged 12 and over need to provide proof of a negative PCR test. You can find all the travel advice from the government here.

If you’re looking for the best locations and places to touch down in France, Planetware has got you covered - listing 21 beautiful, must-see destinations all over the country.

Travelling to Spain

Everyone aged 12 or over arriving in Spain from the UK must present either a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of travelling or proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days before travel.

The NHS Covid Pass can also be used as evidence of vaccination status. You must also complete a health control form no more than 48 hours before travelling.

There's lots to see and do in Spain, including buzzing cities, coastal beaches, and quaint mountain villages. In 2018, Culture Trip listed fifteen excellent cities and towns to visit in España; dive into its list here.

If Spain is the ideal destination for you, the weather forecast predicts temperatures in the low thirties for the foreseeable - so it’s looking very promising!

Travelling to Greece

If you're craving some excellent weather and perfect beaches, you can head to Greece so long as you complete a passenger locator form before travelling and, if you're aged 12 or over, provide one of the following:

● A negative PCR test, taken within 72 hours before arrival

● A negative lateral flow test, taken within 48 hours before arrival

● Proof of recovery from Covid (a positive PCR result dated 30-180 days before travel)

● Proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days before arrival. The NHS Covid Pass can be used as evidence of vaccination status

You may also have to take a rapid Covid test once you arrive in Greece and, if other passengers on your plane or ferry test positive, you may be required to self-isolate.

Full travel advice is available here.

As is typical for this time of year, the temperature for the coming weeks is steady at around 30°, so don't forget your sunscreen and towels!

Travelling to Malta

Those who like warm weather and great value for money could do a lot worse than taking a trip to Malta. If you're considering it, bear in mind that UK visitors aged 12 and over must be fully vaccinated and children aged 5-11 must show evidence of a negative PCR test carried out within 72 hours before arrival. The NHS Covid Pass is accepted as evidence of vaccination status.

You will also need to complete a passenger locator and public health declaration before you travel.

As for potential destinations, Malta's capital, Valletta, boasts a huge variety of sights and cultural attractions and temperatures as high as 31°.

There are more cities than just Valletta, of course. The Three Cities and Mdina offer plenty more to explore and do in this beautiful part of the world and Voyage Tips has put together a list of the country's must-see attractions and points of interest.

Travelling to Italy

If it's cappuccinos and the culture you’re after, there are not many better places than Italy!

To be allowed into the country, you'll need to complete an online digital form, prove you are fully vaccinated, and present a negative PCR or lateral flow test taken within 48 hours before arriving. The NHS Covid Pass is accepted as proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated under-18s won't have to quarantine if they are travelling with a fully vaccinated adult. You must also call the local Covid-19 hotline to inform them of your visit within 48 hours of arrival.

Unvaccinated travellers and those without proof of full vaccination and a negative test will need to isolate for five days.

With plenty of cities to choose from, Bazaar has pieced together some of the more low-key and under-the-radar cities and islands to explore.

Need some help with your last-minute holiday?

We are here to help! With a Plane Saver holiday loan, you could borrow from £500 to £10,000 and enjoy rates as low as 3.4% APR. Find out everything you need to know about our holiday loan here.

As we start to think about preparations for our next Annual General Meeting (AGM), the team here at Plane Saver would like to get your views on how we could host the event. Take our quick poll and let us know your thoughts.

We are delighted to confirm that PlaneSaver Credit Union has made it to the final stage of the Consumer Credit Awards 2021 in the ‘Best Credit Union South’ and 'Best Loan Provider (lending <£2.5k)' categories for the second year running!

If you haven't already voted, you can do so via the link below. Voting to determine the winners will now continue until 11:59 pm on 5^th September.

Plane Saver Credit Union, in partnership with credit unions across the UK, will now run the PrizeSaver Scheme originally set up by the Government in 2019 to promote a savings culture. Members of Plane Saver can continue to win a top prize of £5,000 a month and 20 smaller prizes of £20.

The scheme has encouraged members to save over £1m, with winners receiving over £100,000 across the 14 participating credit unions.

Commenting on the success of the scheme, Head of Operations at Plane Saver, Gurminder Bhagrath said ‘’We are delighted to be able to continue this product for our members. Having had over 60 winners, we are excited to see the scheme continue for the benefit of our members’’.

“It gives account holders the chance to win prizes every month in order to incentivise them getting into a savings habit,” says CEO of the Association of British Credit Unions, Robert Kelly. “Credit unions have a proven track record of helping people to save and to improve their financial resilience. Our sector has helped members to build up savings of over £1.7bn and encouraging saving is central to what we are all about. That’s why this saving scheme fits so neatly into the credit union mission.”

The PrizeSaver scheme is partly inspired by the 'Save to Win' scheme in the US, which has helped credit union members save $200million and has awarded $3.1million in prizes nationwide.

The 14 credit unions participating in the scheme are:

Plane Saver Credit Union

1st Alliance (Ayrshire) Credit Union

Central Liverpool Credit Union

Clockwise Credit Union

Commsave Credit Union

East Sussex Credit Union

Lewisham Plus Credit Union

London Capital Credit Union

Merthyr Tydfil Borough Credit Union

Notts & Lincs Credit Union

Riverside Credit Union

Serve and Protect CU

South Manchester Credit Union

Westcountry Savings and Loans

To open your Prize Saver with Plane saver, click HERE

Is it time to upgrade your run-around to something altogether more eye-catching, economical, and reliable? Car finance is designed to help you spread the cost of car ownership with a repayment plan to suit your situation. However, while it can make buying a used car affordable, weighing up the different finance options available can be difficult if you don't know the difference between your options or your APRs. Hire Purchase (HP) and Personal Contract Payment (PCP) are the most popular types of car finance but you can use a loan or your savings to purchase a car outright.

Let's take a look at the options in more detail. . .

What is Hire Purchase (HP)

A Hire Purchase (HP) finance agreement works by providing a loan that equals the total value of the car, minus the amount of your initial deposit. You pay back HP finance through monthly repayments at a fixed interest rate, over a pre-agreed term of one to seven years.

Typically, the deposits tend to be around 10% of the total value of the car, but this depends on your chosen dealer. The more deposit you pay upfront, the smaller your monthly repayments are likely to be. Once you have made all the repayments plus a final purchasing fee, you will own your car outright.

What is Personal Contract Payment (PCP)

With a Personal Contract Payment (PCP) car finance plan, you have more flexibility when it comes to what happens to the car at the end of the agreement. The amount you borrow is considerably less than the total value of the vehicle, minus your deposit - meaning that you pay less per month on a smaller car loan. You can reduce your PCP repayments by paying a larger deposit, and also by keeping your mileage low.

PCP effectively defers part of the repayment until the end of the agreement. With PCP car finance, you usually get three options:

• You can pay a larger final payment to own your car outright.
• You can choose to not pay the final payment and return your car.
• You can part-exchange it for a new one.

As you will have the opportunity to return your car at the end of the PCP term, it's especially important to look after it. As any damage affects the value of the car. You will be asked to agree to your forecasted annual mileage at the outset of your agreement - exceeding this is likely to come with extra fees. You may want to consider putting some money aside each month to cover the maintenance of the car.

Buying a car outright

There are many used car deals currently available on the market and with sites such as Autotrader and CarWow. It is relatively easy to find the right one for you. If you can purchase a car with cash you already have, then that is probably the best option. However, for some people who do not want to use their savings or do not have enough in their savings, taking out a personal loan can be a good option. As a member of Plane Saver Credit Union, you can apply to borrow anything from as little as £500 up to £25,000* so, if you need a deposit or to purchase a vehicle, get in touch and see how we could help.

* All loans are subject to status. Terms and conditions apply. Representative 12.7% APR. If you would like a personal loan quotation, please contact our lending team: loans@planesaver.co.uk

We go to the doctor for medical advice or a health check. Yet many of us never think of checking our finances. A financial health check is just as important as a medical check-up as it helps us to make good financial decisions and gives us access to choices, such as how you live (your lifestyle), where you go on holiday, the car you buy, etc. So what is a financial health check?

Well, this could be as simple as checking your credit rating. There are lots of credit agencies out there and it’s completely free. Use one to get your current credit score. Check it for any inaccuracies. Review it when you want to apply for credit, for example, a credit card or a loan. But remember, the more you apply for credit the lower your score gets, even when you have been refused or decide not to go ahead.

Use the tools in the Help Centre area of our website such as the Financial Health Check (link). This will give you a personalised action plan, help you sort out your money priorities now, and help plan for the future. There is a budget planner (link) too which may help you identify where you can make savings or determine how much “spare” cash you have at the end of the month.

If you are experiencing money issues then please don’t ignore them. Many people leave it too late before seeking our advice or help. This can then limit the chances of resolving their issues positively. If things are difficult get in touch with us (link). We have helped many members who have been impacted by Covid-19. Don’t just ignore things or leave them till it is too late. These issues will impact you for a long time, 6 - 10 years if left unresolved.

If we can’t help then there are others out there such as Citizens Advice who can provide debt guidance as well as advice on benefit entitlements.

Speaking of talking, come and join Valerie Walwyn-Tait, our CEO, on 23rd March at our “Let’s Talk Money” virtual event. This will be on Zoom – of course! If you have a question but have been too afraid to ask now is your time. You will be able to send in your questions in advance if you prefer. Valerie will be using her experience to talk about general money issues. Please email marketing@planesaver.co.uk to reserve your place.

2020's Christmas shopping period was probably one of the strangest many of us have experienced. Less of us were able to hit the high streets for our annual Christmas shop and more of us took advantage of the numerous deals online. But, with the dramatic increase of 'buy now pay later' or 'repay in three months' offers, what does this mean for our long term affordability?

You might think what's the harm in that right? Well imagine you make a large purchase or you fill your shopping cart to the brim then opt to repay over three months. Did you have to fill out an affordability calculator? Probably not. So how do they know you will be able to afford those payments over the next three months?

If you find yourself being tempted to spread the cost, make sure you do the maths before you hit that checkout button. Here are three steps to take before you proceed:

1. Set up a monthly budget planner and add in all your usual outgoings PLUS the cost of the buy now pay later repayments
2. Check how much money you would have leftover each month and evaluate it! Can you afford your day to day expenses?
3. If you have savings, consider using them to pay for your goods in full. Then amend your budget planner to see the difference!

You can download a FREE budget planner from the Money Advice Service - CLICK HERE.

Remember, you can save for next year with a Plane Saver account.

On Oct. 15, 2020, credit union members around the world will celebrate International Credit Union Day®, an annual event to commemorate the credit union movement’s impact and achievements. This year marks the 72nd anniversary.

Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives that provide an effective and viable alternative to for-profit financial institutions for more than 274 million members in 118 countries worldwide. More than 85,000 credit unions exist globally, providing a plethora of financial services for their members, recognized as a force for positive economic and social change. Plane Saver Credit Union was established in 1993 and now serves over 15,000 members.

Since 1948, International Credit Union Day has been celebrated annually on the third Thursday of October. Each year, the international event allows remembering credit unions’ proud history and promote awareness of and support for the credit union and financial cooperative difference. This year’s theme is “Inspiring Hope for a Global Community.”

Our CEO, Valerie Walwyn-Tait says ''It’s that time of year again and as we celebrate this year’s International Credit Union day, I wanted to take some time to reflect on what this year’s theme means to me. ‘Inspiring hope for a global community’ – this couldn’t be any more relevant to us today.

The year 2020 has been challenging and has had an impact on communities from every corner of the globe. As a credit union, we have worked hard as a team to support our members with the financial struggles this year has presented but, I recognise there is still much work to do. Raising the profile of Credit Unions has always been high on my list of priorities however, now more than ever, with the impact of the global pandemic, the impact on households, and diversity, equality, inclusivity high on everyone's agenda, even more people will need support from their Credit Union.

I hope this International Credit Union day brings hope and support to more people than ever.''

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, credit unions around the globe have continued to provide a high level of service to their members and demonstrated generosity to their local communities that have set them apart from other financial institutions. We are truly inspiring hope for a global credit union community. ICU Day 2020 is a celebration of the impact credit unions and other financial cooperatives have made—and continue to make for their members. It is also a chance to be thankful for the lives and communities that have been improved by our movement.

Issue #15 of Plane Talk is now available. In this month's issue you will find . . .

• an update from our CEO
• the benefits of being a member
• some recent member feedback
• our latest Lottery results

We hope you enjoy reading Plane Talk. If you want to share your story for the next issue, email us at info@planesaver.co.uk

Click here to read Plane Talk: August Plane Talk 2020

With just a matter of weeks until the highly anticipated start of the new school term, you might already be thinking about kitting out the kids. We have put together a short guide on the best deals* we have found on the wonderful world wide web.

ASDA

Let's face it, ASDA is a firm favourite for uniforms, and every year they seem to meet the demand for affordable yet durable school kit. Here you will find a selection of their Online Exclusives with prices starting from just £2.00: https://bit.ly/3fChVHU

TU by Sainsury's

Sainsbury’s have upped the stakes with their uniform supplies this year! You can even bag a pair of plimsolls for just £3.00. The shoe range also includes ToeZone which allows your little ones’ feet to move more comfortably. Take a look here: https://bit.ly/2XDWBeR

Matalan

Not expecting this one? Neither were we to be honest! We must give them some major credit for their multi packs which are reasonably priced. We also liked their collection of lunch bags and water bottles which we feel like we could potentially get away with buying for ourselves! Check it out: https://bit.ly/2DtEbGV

Next

Their prices may be slightly higher than the supermarkets however, the quality is good. You can get some of their shirt and polo packs from as little as £8.00! So if you’re open to spending that little bit more, why not see what they have here: https://bit.ly/2XBuahL They also offer next day delivery, so it’s a good choice for all you last-minute shoppers!

M&M Direct

This website reminds us a little of an outlet store. You might get lucky or you might not however, they do stock brands like Adidas, Ralph Lauren, and Kickers so definitely worth a try for things like trainers and bags. https://bit.ly/3kfMsPn

JD Sports

For everyone out there with kids who make demands for the brands! JD Sports is a solid favourite for trainers and everything you need for your favourite little sports champion. The prices are higher than the non-branded options but there is no denying the quality. You can find their back to school collection here https://bit.ly/3ibkLVU but they also have a summer sale on which might be worth your while.

*We checked these prices on 07/08/2020

We are delighted to announce that our very own CEO, Valerie Walwyn-Tait has been appointed to the Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL) Talent and Diversity Committee.

Valerie started life working as an office junior in a mill in Yorkshire. It wasn’t long before she knew that was not the life for her so she joined the Army aged 19 and left with her mum’s words, “you’ll be back in a week”. Her Mum was was wrong!

After serving in the Army, Valerie then went on to work in the social and charitable sectors and that's what she has done for the last 30 years.

We know Valerie will be an asset to this committee and we cannot wait to see what she achieves in this new appointment.

We are pleased to bring you our latest issue of Plane Talk. Here's what you can expect in this month's issue:

• Another chance to win £1000 when you vote for us
• Recent member feedback
• The latest Lottery results!

Click here to read Plane Talk: June Plane Talk 2020

After 10 weeks of voting in the Consumer Credit Awards, we’re delighted to announce that we’ve been named a finalist in the Consumer Credit Awards!

The Consumer Credit Awards are voted for by you, our members, which makes this finalist announcement extra special. So far, over 15,000 customers have had their say for more than 120 companies. Voting for finalists continues until the 11:59pm on 12^th July, and winners will be announced on the 27^th August.

If you haven’t voted yet, it’s quick and easy, only taking about 2 minutes. Please vote today and you’ll also be entered into a prize draw to win £1000! (T&Cs apply).

About the Consumer Credit Awards

Now in their fifth year, the Consumer Credit Awards, aim to find the UK’s best credit firms and their partners. Wholly voted for by customers, these awards aim to find the most customer-centric financial companies.

These awards are run by Smart Money People, the UK’s review and research website for financial services. Michael Fotis, founder of Smart Money People, said “At a time of significant turbulence for many consumers and credit firms alike, we’re delighted to see such a range of firms announced as finalists. All our finalists should be proud of the great customer feedback they’ve received.”

Categories include product-specific awards for loan providers, brokers, credit unions and financial support organisations. This is in addition to the much prized ‘top-level’ awards; ‘Customer Service Champion’, ‘Treating Customers Fairly Champion’ and ‘Firm of the Year’, amongst others.

Despite the Government’s announcement that we should begin to make plans for a return to work, most of our employees remain working remotely. The Governments advice remains, that remote working is the first option for those who can work effectively from home.

This change in the Governments position is its attempts to begin to ease lockdown and get the nation back to work. However, for employers, the announcement raised several new issues. The Government released a range of measures that need to be in place in the workplace before it is deemed fit for people to return to work during this pandemic. The new measures cut across both H&S and Employment Legislation, neither of which were written with a pandemic in mind.

Businesses now have to carry out a complete Risk Assessment of their premises and take action to mitigate those risks in order for their employees to be able to work safely from the office, for the foreseeable future. This is something I am currently working on with my board and my Senior Management team.

Many businesses who occupy expensive properties are now considering if the new world of work will require them to continue to require these sites as many have managed to move their entire businesses remotely. For many SME businesses, the cost of their properties are one of their largest outlays, so any opportunity to reduce this cost will be part of any businesses future financial planning.

Businesses are concerned, about how or if they should be returning staff to office working and about what to do about those employees who have very little work to do now that business has slumped or totally dried up. What is clear, is that no matter what the size of the business or the sector they are all experiencing many of the same issues relating to, employees, traditional working practices versus the new norms, reducing costs, utilising technology and what the new business model for a credit union will be post-COVID-19.

We are continuing to work on our own plans for return to work but as we do, I wonder, what will this new world of working look like?

Dear Members,

Following the latest Government announcements easing some of the previous lock down restrictions, I thought I would bring you an update on what we are doing here at Plane Saver CU.

Firstly, the announcement of groups of up to six people from different households being able to exercise outside, means we are now able to start considering how we might introduce some of our key workers back to the office. The team have been working remotely since the end of March and we have managed to maintain our member services with little or no disruption. The considerations for re-opening the office to our employees will not be taken lightly. Social distancing and hygiene measures will need to be put in place.

We are continuing to assess member requests for forbearance on loans and so far, we have helped 100s of members with affordable arrangements. We have also introduced the option for members to convert their account into a static saver meaning they can freeze their savings account until they are able to save once again.

Our Credit Union is strong and well established, which means we have money to lend to those that need it*. Many people may have cancelled their summer plans however we are aware that many of our members may require extra funding for their general outgoings. We have also had lots of requests for loans for home and garden improvements as we all prepare for a stay at home summer. Members can rest assured loans will be made available wherever possible. *The usual terms and conditions apply to borrowing.

I am working hard with our Board of Directors and Senior Management Team on improving our technology to improve the on line services for members. I am also looking at our business strategies to ensure our members are getting the best out of the Credit Union.

In other news, we have recently been nominated for a Consumer Credit Award in the ‘Best Credit Union (South)’ category and we have just been reissued our Fairbanking Mark for our personal loans.

Like many of you I am keen to get back to some sense of normal, but for now, I will keep on working with the team to ensure that PSCU continues to be one of the best Credit Unions in the UK.

Stay Safe,

Valerie Walwyn-Tait MSc

We are pleased to bring you our latest issue of Plane Talk. Here's what you can expect in this month's issue:

• Your chance to win £1000 when you vote for us
• Recent member feedback
• Lottery Prizes - March's Results!

Click here to read Plane Talk: May 2020 Plane Talk

During such testing times it didn't come as a surprise to us when we heard that some of the country's charities have been struggling. The demand for services and resources is increasing by the day. Our charitable partner, Friends of Plane Saver, recently selected five UK charities to each receive a £1000 donation to help them meet current demand for their services.

Trussell Trust:

“The donation will help support the 426 food banks in their network and to provide support food banks after the initial 3-6 months emergency as the impact of this crisis will be felt for some time. This will ensure food banks can continue to support people in crisis with emergency food and access to additional advice and support services to help get people back on their feet. The individuals and families who turn to food banks for help are overwhelmed by the warmth and compassion they receive and the dignity they are afforded.”

Shelter:

“Thank you so much to you and all at Plane Saver for your support of Shelter through you donation of £1,000. Your continued support truly does make an amazing difference to families struggling with bad housing and homelessness.”

Victory Services Club:

“Big thank you to Plane Saver for the most generous donation. You will also wish to know that during this crisis the Club has remained open, but only for key workers. Currently, we have fifty individuals who are staying with us and these are very largely drawn from military personnel who are augmenting the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the National Health Service, amongst others. The Club has a team of living-in staff who are looking after these fifty key workers; we have offered up to one hundred bedrooms. The service we are providing is extremely bespoke and is fully cognisant of the health advice in respect of social distancing and our dedicated housekeeping staff are delivering an enhanced cleaning programme. Your donation will assist greatly in our commitment to keeping the Club open to key workers during this difficult time and will also support the Club’s dedicated workforce. “

Red Cross Covid-19 Appeal:

Due to the increase in their demand, we have not been able to get a quote about our donation from the British Red Cross however, they did say ''In these uncertain times, small acts of kindness can make a huge difference. For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has supported people in the UK in times of crisis. The ongoing, ever-changing situation concerning the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is no exception. Our network of incredible staff and volunteers means we are uniquely placed to reach people in fearful, uncertain times. But it’s the generosity of our supporters that enables our work to happen quickly and efficiently. We rely on your support to keep us going. With your help, we’ll continue to provide vital humanitarian, individual support for the most vulnerable, and those who fall through the gaps.''

NHS Charities:

We decided the best way to do this was through Captain Tom’s Just Giving page (Captain Tom’s 100^th birthday walk for the NHS) not just because of his military achievements but also his amazing charitable achievement at 100 years of age is nothing short of amazing! A real inspiration.

Friends of Plane Saver is a private lottery for members of Plane Saver Credit Union. Friends of Plane Saver is overseen by a group of volunteer trustees who run the lottery on behalf of the members of Plane Saver Credit Union. Tickets cost just £1 with a maximum of 10 tickets per member and there are three monthly prizes to be won:

• 1st Prize £1000
• 2nd Prize £500
• 3rd Prize £250

Members can join the lottery by visiting the Friends of Plane Saver website.

We are pleased to bring you our latest issue of Plane Talk. Here's what you can expect in this month's issue:

• An update from our CEO, Valerie Walwyn-Tait
• Recent member feedback
• A different way to pay in.
• Lottery Prizes - March's Results!

Click here to read Plane Talk: April 2020 Plane Talk

Dear Members,

Following the announcement by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the Board of Directors and I took the decision to close our office in order to protect our employees and our members. We are continuing to review the COVID-19 updates and advice issued by the Government.

However, our message to our members is that Plane Saver Credit Union is very much operational, and we will be continuing to support our members with savings and loans in the same way we have done for the past 27 years.

During these uncertain times, understandably, lots of our members have questions about their account and what services we can continue to offer in this time of national crisis. In order to reassure you and to answer your questions and concerns we have created some FAQs as guidance for those who need it.

I ask that members continue to follow our updates and announcements on our Facebook page, Twitter page and our main website.

We would like to thank our members and working partners for their ongoing support.

Plane Saver Credit Union, First Defence Finance and our members are one family and we will get through this together.

Please stay safe,

Valerie Walwyn-Tait MSc

Chief Executive Officer

Dear members,

Following our recent announcement ceasing access for members and visitors to our office, I wanted to write to you today with some reassurances about the steps we are taking to ensure we are continuing provide you, our members, with the same service you have come to expect from us here at Plane Saver Credit Union.

What action are we taking?

• We are following the Government guidelines to reduce the risk and spread of the virus
• We are holding daily management meetings and keeping ourselves informed of changes
• We are implementing elements of our business continuity plan
• We are working to ensure members have access to their account online wherever possible

The aim of our contingency plan is to continue to provide you with our regular services whilst keeping our employees safe. I hope this gives you some reassurance that we can continue to provide our main services to our members in the event that any of our employees should need to work remotely.

How can we help you?

We understand that self-isolation and unpaid leave from work could be having a negative impact on you and your finances right now. If you have available savings with us, you can request a withdrawal via the online banking facility or via our app which you can download using the buttons below if you are already registered.

If you have a loan with us and you are worrying about being able to meet your regular repayments, please don’t bury your head in the sand. We are here to help you, so please contact us by email at: accounts@planesaver.co.uk and a member of the team will aim to respond to you within 48 hours.

What do we recommend for our members?

• Check our social media pages for more regular updates (links below)
• Register for online banking so you have access to your account (links below)

There is also up to date advice available on the NHS & GOV websites which you may find useful. With the needs of our members at the heart of who we are and what we do, my team and I will continue to do everything in our power to support our members in the days and weeks ahead. Please follow our updates on social media and on our website.

Stay safe,


Valerie Walwyn-Tait MSc
Chief Executive Officer
Plane Saver Credit Union

Following the recent updates on Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the possibility of emergency workplace evacuations, we have had to take preventative measures to help minimise the risk of infection within our offices and workforce in line with NHS guidance on best practices.

As of Monday 16th March 2020, and until further notice, members and visitors will not be able to visit or access our office. This is a protective precaution for the health and safety of our staff and our members.

Please continue to check our social media pages for updates.

For the most up to date government advice on Coronavirus, please visit: https://bit.ly/32AMWaq

We are pleased to bring you our latest issue of Plane Talk. Here's what you can expect in this month's issue:

• Our first Prize Saver winner gets £5000 in February's draw!
• Do you know your score?
• Recent member feedback
• Do you pay in direct from your wages yet?
• Lottery Prizes - February's Results!

Click here to read Plane Talk: March 2020 Plane Talk

We are pleased to bring you our December issue of Plane Talk. Here's what you can expect in this month's issue:

Here's what is featured in this issue:

- A Christmas Miracle

- Plane Saver gifts an iPad at Christmas

- Do your finances have a Christmas hangover?

- Lottery Prizes - December's Results!

Read the full issue here: https://planesavercu.co.uk/uploads/Plane-Talk-December-2019.pdf

If you have an overdraft with your bank, you will have likely received a communication today regarding the changes to your overdraft.

New overdraft rules have come into force today - Wednesday 18^th December.

What changes are being made and what does it mean for you?

The changes brought in by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) mean that your "available balance" or "available funds" in your current account can no longer include an overdraft.

This is to try and help consumers clearly see the difference between their own money and overdraft which is of course a form of credit.

As a result, hopefully consumers will not accidentally dip into their overdraft or if they are in their overdraft it is very clear to them.

The changes are part of a wide-ranging shake-up of overdrafts, which from April 6, 2020, will also see new pricing rules introduced.

HSBC & Nationwide have already their single overdraft rate of 39.9% APR to be introduced in March 2020, which could be as much as quadruple a customer’s existing rate.

You can read more about the rule changes here: https://metro.co.uk/2019/12/18/new-rules-overdraft-come-force-today-11924485/

Did you know that Plane Saver has an alternative to a bank overdrafts which is called Flexi Credit.

Flexi Credit is a revolving credit facility that offers members flexibility to access funds from £500 to £2,000, with the certainty of fixed monthly repayments.

It's an ideal way to help you get your finances back on track if you've overspent. You can withdraw up to a fixed limit of £2,000 and then as you make your monthly repayments, more money becomes available to withdraw.

Find out more here: https://planesavercu.co.uk/loans/flexicredit

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of the team at Plane Saver.

As the Festive season edges closer, here are our opening hours if you need to get in touch with our team:

Tues 24 Dec 8:30am - 1:00pm

Weds 25 Dec CLOSED

Thurs 26 Dec CLOSED

Fri 27 Dec 8:30am - 4:00pm

Mon 30 Dec 8:30am - 4:00pm

Tues 31 Dec 8:30am - 1:00pm

Weds 1 Jan 2020 CLOSED

Thurs 2 Jan OPEN AS NORMAL

We're here to help through the Christmas and New Year period so give us a call on 020 8607 5020 or email info@planesaver.co.uk.

We are pleased to bring you our November issue of Plane Talk. Here's what you can expect in this month's issue:

Here's what is featured in this issue:

- Plane Saver's AGM review

- Help with Christmas Expenses

- Our Christmas Opening Hours

- Lottery Prizes - November's & Super Draw Results!

Read the full issue here: https://planesavercu.co.uk/uploads/Plane-Talk-November.pdf

Our Annual Report for 2018/19 is now available!

The minutes from the 2017/18 Annual General Meeting are included in this year's Annual Report. Approval of these minutes will be requested at this years AGM.

Please click this link to view the Report

To mark International Credit Union Day, HM Treasury has teamed up with Plane Saver and 14 other credit unions across Britain to launch the new PrizeSaver pilot account.

The pilot will give our members who open an account the chance to win prizes every month and boost their savings. When you save with PrizeSaver, every £1 in your account (up to £200) is an entry into the next month’s prize draw.

Every month will see a top prize of £5,000 awarded to the winning saver, with a further 20 smaller prizes of £20 also awarded.

Accounts are available now, and you can start depositing ready for the first draw on 16^th December 2019.

Visit: www.planesavercu.co.uk/savings/prize-saver

The brand new savings pilot received national coverage and was reported on International Credit Union Day by outlets including The Sun, This is Money and Your Money.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP, said:

“We all know that saving for the future is important and I want to make it is as easy and attractive for people as possible.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with Plane Saver Credit Union, on International Credit Union Day, to launch the new PrizeSaver account pilot, giving people the chance to win up to £5,000 on their hard-earned savings.

Credit unions provide an invaluable service for people up and down the country and I’m pleased that together we can give more people the chance to win while they save.”

We are pleased to bring you our September issue of Plane Talk. Here's what you can expect in this month's issue:

- Friends of Plane Saver Donate to support credit unions affected by Hurricane Dorian

- Direct Debits available now

- Things to look out for...

- Lottery Prizes - Register online & you could win in October!

Read Plane Talk Issue 8 here: https://planesavercu.co.uk/uploads/Plane-Talk-Issue-8-September-19.pdf

NEWS RELEASE – For immediate release

Plane Saver Credit Union supports Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions with charitable donation.

Friends of Plane Saver, the charity that administers the members lottery for Plane Saver Credit Union has partnered with The Worldwide Foundation (the charity arm of World Council of Credit Unions).

To respond to natural disasters that are affecting credit unions and their members, Friends of Plane Saver has donated £3,000 as part of the Worldwide Foundation’s Project Storm Break initiative.

This donation is going to directly help with the recent devastation left by Hurricane Dorian.

The funds will provide both credit unions and their members in the Bahamas with emergency supplies. The donations will also help credit unions to start operating again so they can provide much needed cash and other financial services to their members.

“We’d like to thank all of our members who take part in the Friends of Plane Saver Lottery every month who make these donations possible. By continuing to contribute to Friends of Plane Saver, you have directly helped those who need emergency relief from Hurricane Dorian” Grantley Yearwood MBE, Chair, Friends of Plane Saver.

Project Storm Break is open to receive further financial donations, if you wish to donate, please visit their fundraising page.

For additional information please contact:

Jack Murphy, Marketing Officer

Phone: 020 8607 5020

Email: jackmurphy@planesaver.co.uk

Website: www.planesavercu.co.uk

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We are pleased to bring you a special edition issue of Plane Talk to celebrate British Airways Centenary.

As you may already know, Plane Saver was started by British Airways employees over 25 years ago!

This closely knit relationship is one we are very proud of here at Plane Saver and we would like to congratulate British Airways on the fantastic feat of 100 years in the sky.

Here's what you can expect in this month's issue:

- A delectable delivery to BA

- Congratulations from the Plane Saver Board

- A thank you from Friends of Plane Saver

- Upcoming Centenary Promotion

Read Plane Talk Issue 7 here:

https://planesavercu.co.uk/uploads/Plane-Talk-Centenary-Special.pdf

With the Summer holidays coming to a close, preparations for the new school year are in full swing!

We understand that the Summer holidays can be an expensive time, which is why from the 19th August 2019 you can secure up to £3,000 and enjoy our lowest rates* from 3.4% APR to a maximum rate of 9.9% APR.

Let us give you a helping hand for those much needed school supplies.

This promotional rate will be available from 19th August - 9th September 2019.

All Plane Saver members who save via payroll deduction are eligible to apply for this promotion.

*The promotional rate offered is based on your credit rating and affordability checks.

To benefit from this promotion, enter Promotional Code 'BACK2SCHOOL19' when applying for your loan.

If you're looking to buy school uniforms, children's shoes or clear existing debts after a summer of spending, we've got you covered with this promotion.

APPLY NOW or for more information about our loans, call our Member Services team on 020 8607 5020.

Representative Example:

Borrow: £3,000

Representative APR: 9.9%

Term: 36 months

Monthly Payment: £96.10

Total Interest Charged: £459.55

To benefit from this promotion, enter Promotional Code 'BACK2SCHOOL19' when applying for your loan.

APPLY NOW

Terms & Conditions Apply*

We are pleased to bring you our July issue of Plane Talk. Here's what you can expect in this month's issue:

- Fairest of them all

- Understanding Your Debt to Income Ratio

-13 Bridges Walk

- Lottery Prizes - Register online & you could win in August!

Read Plane Talk Issue 5 here: https://planesavercu.co.uk/uploads/PS_0907_PTNL_July19_P3.pdf

We are pleased to bring you our June issue of Plane Talk. Here's what you can expect in this month's issue:

- Hailing a Hero

- Setting your savings goal

- Prize-Linked Savings Scheme: Win cash prizes for saving

- Last days of our Summer sale - Apply Today

- Lottery Prizes - Register online & you could win in July!

Read Plane Talk Issue 5 here: https://planesavercu.co.uk/uploads/PS_Plane-Talk_June19_Issue5.pdf

Great News!

It was announced in Parliament on Thursday 27th June 2019 that Plane Saver Credit Union have been selected by HM Treasury to take part in a prize-linked savings pilot.

Starting soon, our members will be entered to win cash prizes for saving with us.

Please watch this space for all news on this exciting scheme for our members.

Full details can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prize-linked-savings-pilot-participants-announced

We are pleased to bring you our May issue of Plane Talk.

Here's what you can expect in this month's issue:

- Starting your Financial Plan

- Lottery Results

- New Connections for Plane Saver

- First Defence Finance Launched

Read Plane Talk Issue 4 here: https://planesavercu.co.uk/uploads/PS_Planetalk_May19.pdf

Plane Saver Credit Union, a member of the Joining Forces partnership, is delighted to announce the launch of First Defence Finance, a new brand targeting serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families.

As part of the Joining Forces Initiative, which was established in 2015 by the Ministry of Defence to address concerns about rising levels of debt among Armed Forces personnel, First Defence Finance will offer credit union services such as flexible savings and ethical loans to serving personnel, veterans and their family members.

The partnership comprises three credit unions¹, including Plane Saver Credit Union which has already helped 3,000 serving personnel save over £1 million and borrow £9 million since 2015. The Credit Union also launched a special Payday Payoff loan last year to help service personnel pay off high interest rate payday loans. As a Silver Covenant holder, the credit union also donated £5,000 to The Royal British Legion, in December to support of the charity’s life-changing work.

With the launch of First Defence Finance, the credit union aims to help even more members of the Armed Forces increase their financial resilience while making the cost of borrowing more affordable and accessible.

Valerie Walwyn, Plane Saver Credit Union’s Chief Executive Officer, who is also a veteran explained “As Armed Forces Personnel are a growing area of our membership, we thought it only right to represent this group through the launch of our own military brand”.

Ms Walwyn added “The First Defence Finance brand symbolises our ongoing commitment to serve members of the Armed Forces. It is our mission to help those who are financially excluded by simplifying savings and offering ethical loans. The Credit Union won the MoneyAge Ethical Lender of the Year award in 2018. The launch of this new brand allows us to expand our range of products designed specifically for military personnel”.

Noting that the credit union is committed to helping members of the Armed Forces feel more in control of their money, and therefore achieve financial security, Ms Walwyn said “First Defence Finance will be technology driven and a new website www.firstdefencefinance.co.uk will be introduced”.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Mr Jack Murphy

Marketing & Business Development Officer

Plane Saver Credit Union

jackmurphy@planesaver.co.uk

020 8607 5020

Notes to editor:

• The three credit unions that comprise the Joining Forces partnership are London Mutual Credit Union, Plane Saver Credit Union and Police Credit Union.
• Photo (Logo)

Caption: First Defence Finance launched by Plane Saver Credit Union

In this our third issue of Plane Talk, we are very excited to bring you the latest from Plane Saver Credit Union.

Here's what you can expect in this month's Plane Talk:

- Plane Saver reveals new brand

- Lottery Results

- How to give your child a head start in life

- Updated mobile app makes account management simple

Read Plane Talk Issue 3 here: https://planesavercu.co.uk/uploads/Plane-Talk-April-2019.pdf

Plane Saver CEO, Valerie Walwyn, recently helped Army & You magazine readers to answer their FAQ's about the benefits for Foreign & Commonwealth (F&C) soldiers of saving with a credit union.

In the article titled 'Saving to Soldier', she gives a clear savings path for F&C personnel so they can plan effectively to pay for their Indefinite Leave to Remain.

You can read the full story here: http://armyandyou.co.uk/saving-to-serve/

After the success of our first issue of this new format of newsletter, we are very excited to bring you the latest from Plane Saver Credit Union.

Here's what you can expect in this month's Plane Talk:

- Spring Cleaning your Plane Saver account to help your loved ones

- Lottery Results

- A dream comes true for one of our members

- A status update on our loans & membership progress for 2019

Read Plane Talk Issue 2 here: https://planesavercu.co.uk/uploads/PS_PlaneTalk_March19.pdf

Introducing our monthly news bulletin... Plane Talk.

We are very excited to share this year’s first issue of our brand new bulletin - Plane Talk.

Plane Talk is meant to embody the warmth and camaraderie of the credit union movement, while keeping you updated on topics of interest in a bite-size way. We are reintroducing our newsletter at an exciting time for the credit union.

Plane Saver is being recognised nationally for our work as an ethical lender, we are strengthening our global reach by reaffirming a partnership with one of the world’s largest credit unions and we are getting ready to roll out a range of innovative products and services all designed to make the lives of our members better.

While our previous newsletter Plane Talking has lurked below the radar for some time, we are back, soaring higher than ever and looking forward to taking you on this wonderful journey with us.

Previously, the newsletter was published on a quarterly basis, but to ensure that we keep you well informed of innovations in our sector and tips to help you achieve personal and financial goals, we will be moving to a monthly format.

In addition to these financial tips and news, Plane Talk will be your go-to for member features and our Friends of Plane Saver Lottery results!

To our new readers, welcome!

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with your feedback.

You can read Issue One of Plane Talk Now.

Happy New Year from Plane Saver Credit Union!

It’s officially the time of year when many people tend to make New Year’s resolutions such as quitting drinking or smoking, losing weight or even running a marathon!

Why not make a change this year and give yourself some financial goals in 2019.

After all, when it comes to your finances, it’s a marathon not a sprint and we’re here to help you get your finances in shape beginning this year.

Whether your goal is focusing on building your nest egg for rainy days, or clearing the debt you’ve accumulated over the years, your credit union can help you. Our team are ready to help you improve your financial security in 2019.

We’ve put together a selection of our member’s biggest goals and resolutions for 2019, and have shared how we can help with each of them:

1. Getting married or looking to pop the question

With the average wedding now costing £30,355*, and Christmas engagements becoming more and more popular. Our members are turning to us for help with their big day. You can either save to finance this special day or take out an affordable loans or why not do a bit of both! No matter how big or small your plans are, we will work with you to make your big day a huge success.

2. Clearing existing debt

If you had a challenging year in 2018, and needed to borrow from multiple lenders, we could help make your repayments simple and cheaper with our Debt Consolidation Loan. You can consolidate existing debts and take back control of your finances in 2019.

If you took out a payday loan and are still repaying, please contact us as we can offer an ethical alternative to payday loans. We can also pay off your payday loan directly to the provider and put you on an affordable loan.

3. Purchasing your first home

Coming up with the deposit payment is probably the biggest challenge faced when buying a new home. This is why we provide our Help-to-Buy loan at a preferential rate to help you purchase your home. These loans can be used to top up your deposit, so if you need to get a larger deposit for your dream home – this could be the right choice for you.

4. Finally start a savings habit

We know that life and unexpected costs can sometimes get in the way of saving as much as you would like, but why not get into the habit of saving more so that you can be prepared for those unexpected costs and for the more expensive things in life such as a dream holiday or a new car. Your saving contribution can come straight from your pay or via standing order so you won’t even miss it and you’ll be able to watch your nest egg grow.

5. Renovating your home

Whether you’re looking to extend in order to accommodate your growing family, or just sprucing your home up, we can help with that! We can lend up to £25,000 to help you achieve your goal. The good news is, if you renovate your home, you’re likely to see a change in your home valuation, so consider this as an investment!

6. Buying a new car

If your current car is costing you more than you’d like for repairs through wear and tear, it may be cheaper for you to sell it and put that money towards a new car. You can then use your savings to purchase a car that suits you and your family, alternatively we do offer loans to help with car purchases.

7. Save for your children’s future

Whether you’ve not yet managed to set-up a saving account for your children or perhaps you’ve recently had your first, why not start saving for their future now. With our Junior Saver account, you can save straight from your pay from just £5 per month.

8. Give yourself a treat of a holiday

With the average family holiday costing £2,417*, we appreciate that it can be a challenge to save the money you need to get away every year. If you were to start saving now, for next year, you would need to save £201 a month. If that’s your goal, and you need some help closer to booking, why not ask us to help with our Holiday Loan. The funds could be in your account, so you can focus on booking the holiday of your dreams.

No matter what your goals are, your credit union could help you with one of our savings or loan products. At Plane Saver, our goals for 2019 is to continue to help our members improve their finances to make sure they and their family have the life they desire.

We welcome our members to share how they progress with their goals throughout the year.

Let’s make 2019 a great year!

References:

Average Wedding Cost

Average Family Holiday

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of the team at Plane Saver.

As the Festive season edges closer, here are our opening hours:

Christmas Eve - 08:30am - 12:30pm

Christmas Day - CLOSED

Boxing Day - CLOSED

27th December - 08:30am - 16:00pm

28th December - 08:30am - 16:00pm

New Year's Eve - 08:30am - 12:30pm

New Year's Day - CLOSED

2nd January - BUSINESS AS USUAL

To commemorate our 25^th Anniversary, Friends of Plane Saver (the charity that administers the members lottery for PSCU) donated £10,000 to Dreamflight & The Royal British Legion. The donations of £5,000 each were presented at our Annual General Meeting which was held on Friday 7^th December at the Victory Services Club in Marble Arch.

Grantley Yearwood, Chair of Friends of Plane Saver, told us why they chose to contribute to these incredibly worthy organisations. Grantley said “we selected Dreamflight, as it is a charity that supports children who are seriously ill or disabled by giving them the opportunity of a lifetime trip to Disneyland. Dreamflight also help with medical and respite support.”

Grantley added, “PSCU’s work with Service Personnel and their families is well known. The Credit Union was recently awarded the Armed Forces Silver Covenant in recognition of its outstanding achievements.

It was therefore fitting that on the Centenary of World War 1, we contributed to The Royal British Legion in recognition of the contribution they make to our veterans and those currently serving. This donation is the very least we can do for those who have risked their lives for us all and continue to do so to this day.”

Lisa Bishop, Fundraising & Communications Manager at Dreamflight said “We are hugely grateful for the support from the Friends of Plane Saver for next year’s Dreamflight. We do not get any Government funding, so have to rely on our generous supporters/donors each year. As a small charity we are hugely grateful to the Directors and Members of the Plane Saver Credit Union for this fabulous donation”.

Antony Baines, Director of Operations for the Royal British Legion, said “The Royal British Legion answered over 180,000 calls for support and assistance from the Armed Forces Community last year, we provide direct services, supporting veterans and their families with housing and homelessness issues, financial difficulties, living independently at home, mental and physical difficulties and care in later life.

Without the generosity of our supporters we could not continue to provide the life changing support for our veterans and their families at their time of need and I would like to thank Plane Saver Credit Union on behalf of the Royal British Legion for the very generous donation during this momentous year commemorating the centenary of the end of The Great War. Donations are the life blood of The Royal British Legion, ensuring we continue to recognise and remember those that gave their lives in Service and support those in modern life. Again, our enormous thanks for your commitment and generous donation to our charity.”

Editors Notes

Dreamflight is a UK charity that changes young lives through taking children with a serious illness or disability, without their parents, on the holiday of a lifetime to Orlando, Florida.

Established in 1987 and operating annually since, Dreamflight believes that fun and joy are just as important as medical research and equipment - especially for children who perhaps can't wait long enough for the breakthrough they need or whose illnesses and treatments have brought pain, distress and disruption to their lives.

Find out more about Dreamflight here: https://www.dreamflight.org/

The Royal British Legion was founded by veterans after the First World War. A century on from the start of that conflict, we're still helping today's Service men and women, veterans, and their families in almost every aspect of daily life. We also champion Remembrance, safeguarding the memory of those who have given their lives for our freedom through Remembrance education and events.

Find out more about The Royal British Legion here: https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/

Plane Saver was founded in 1993 by a group of British Airways Engineers. Their vision was to establish an ethical alternative to other financial providers, providing a facility for members to save and borrow with repayments straight from their pay. Plane Saver now serves over 12,500 members and is one of the largest not-for-profit financial co-operatives in the UK. We provide a service to the employees some of the world’s leading Airlines and HM Armed Forces.

Find out more about Plane Saver Credit Union here: https://planesavercu.co.uk

Our Annual Report for 2017/18 is available to members on request.

To review the minutes from the 2016/17 Annual General Meeting, please click the link below. Approval of these minutes will be requested at this years AGM.

2016/17 AGM Minutes

Credit Union Offers Military personnel payday loan payoff facility

Military personnel with Wonga loans are being offered a ‘payday payoff’ loan facility from Plane Saver Credit Union* following the collapse of payday lender Wonga, who went into administration last week.

The facility has been provided to support serving military personnel,* who may be affected by the withdrawal of the payday lender from the marketplace. The credit union offer is significantly better than Wonga’s as interest rates will range between 3.4% - 26.8% and could save some individuals as much as £500.00 in interest payments.

Plane Saver CEO, Valerie Walwyn, who is also an Army Veteran says: When I heard about Wonga going into administration & the Archbishop of Canterbury’s concerns, my attention immediately went to our military personnel who may have previously taken out Wonga loans. We want to help them avoid any potential interest rates increases and are inviting anyone with a Wonga loan to get in touch, so we can look to repay their loan and offer them our favourable interest rate loan offer.

Ms Walwyn also added “We will also assist with consolidating any other payday or high interest rate loans. Over the years we have been developing products to assist military personnel and recently launched the Flexi Credit Facility to offer a cheaper and more flexible alternative to expensive payday loans, which runs alongside a savings account, in an aim to help combat excessive payday borrowing by our military members.”

Anyone who is a member of the Armed Services or working in the Airline Industry with a Wonga loan and is interested in this special offer should contact the credit union immediately. They can also visit: https://planesavercu.co.uk/loans/payday-payoff

*Terms and conditions apply

The Plane Saver Annual Report 2016-2017 is now available to view via: https://planesavercu.co.uk/fil...

Thanks for your valued support throughout the year.

We are very sorry to announce that our Terminal 5 Office in Heathrow will be permanently closing in January 2018.

This is due to our transition onto a more advanced online platform which will now offer our members an alternative method of accessing your accounts.

• New online account management: You can now access your account by creating one simple password. Here you'll be able to apply for a loan, request share withdrawals and view your live and available balances. Click here to request access.
• Mobile App: Once you have registered for our new online account management, you will then also have access to login via our new mobile app available for download on iOS and Google Play. Download today by clicking the relevant link below:

If you need any other assistance, we are continuing to operate at our office near Heathrow at: The Barn, Manor Lane, Harlington, Middlesex UB3 5EQ.

We are open Monday to Friday, 8.30am-4.00pm.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Many thanks,

The Plane Saver Team.

Plane Saver are currently seeking three volunteer trustees to oversee the Friends of Plane Saver lottery.

The role will involve:

• Selecting the lottery winner as part of the monthly draw
• Collectively agreeing the operational procedures of the Lottery
• Collectively shall meet at least once a quarter

If you are interested to be part of one of the UK’s largest credit unions and expand your experience within Financial Services or a community organisation we would like to hear from you.

To express your interest in becoming a Trustee please contact info@planesaver.co.uk of for more information please contact our team on 020 8607 5020.

Thanks for your support.

The Plane Saver Team

www.planesavercu.co.uk

Plane Saver is pleased to announce our 'Personal Loan' Product has been awarded a 5 star rating from the Fairbanking Foundation.

The Fairbanking Foundation is a not-for-profit, research-based charity created to encourage and assist providers of banking products to improve the financial well-being of their members. The 5 star Fairbanking Mark was awarded to our ‘Personal Loan’ Product, because of some of the following features:

• Our loans provide members with a budget planning tool to work out whether they can afford to repay the loan.
• Members can repay their loan early without a fee or charge.
• We encourage members to save simultaneously alongside any loan, creating a savings habit and providing an incentive to further saving when the loan is completed.
• If a member misses a payment they are encouraged to take action if finding payment difficult.

Valerie Walwyn, Plane Saver Credit Union CEO, says;
“It’s a great achievement for everyone involved at Plane Saver and a reflection of the hard work we do to ensure our members are provided first class lending products, tailored to suit their needs and improve their financial well-being.”

About The Fairbanking Foundation
The Fairbanking Foundation was established in 2008 to encourage and assist providers of banking products to improve the financial well-being of their customers by enabling them to manage their money better.
You can learn more about the Fairbanking Foundation via: fairbanking.org.uk/

Thanks for your support.

Thanks to all those members who attended our Annual General Meeting (2015/16) held last week. Here's a quick review of key matters arising for all those who were unable to. Dividends Announced

• 1% Dividend was agreed and has been paid on Regular, Christmas and Junior Savings Accounts.
• Projected dividends for the Cash ISA will be announced in April 2017 and the Platinum Saver in October 2017.
• No dividend will be paid on the Flexi Saver.

Loan Interest Rebate

• 5% rebate on loan interest paid by members in the last financial year (2015/16) was agreed with a view to reward those members who chose to borrow from Plane Saver rather than other financial providers.
• This rebate is now available for members to withdraw from the Flexi Saver.

Re-elections

• Ian Atkins, June Parsons and Sunni Coupe were re-elected to the Board of Directors.
• The Board of Directors also welcomed Roger Hardman who was co-opted onto the Board in late 2016. Roger is currently Head of Welfare at Armed Forces Charity SSAFA so brings a wealth of experience and insight with regard to our relationship with the Armed Forces.
• It was also an opportunity for the Board to introduce Dave Sharman, who was co-opted to the Board in early 2016. Dave moved to the UK in 2013 and has since worked at British Airways in a number of financial management roles, most recently leading BA's overseas finance department.

Finally a special mention to Grantley Yearwood, who stood down as Chairman of Plane Saver after a period of 10 years volunteering with the Credit Union.

On behalf of everyone associated with Plane Saver we would like to thank him for his hard work and dedication to the Credit Union over the years and wish him all the best for the future.

If you have any queries about any of the above items please contact our team via the details provided below.

Thanks for your support and enjoy the festive break.

From Wednesday 2nd November 2016, British Airways has become the first airline to join the UK Armed Forces Covenant and will be offering a 10 per cent discount to the armed forces.

Plane Saver joined the Covenant 21st April 2016 and received the Bronze Award for the part we have played in helping to tackle financial exclusion within the armed forces.

Payday loans may seem like the ideal quick fix but it can be more harm than good as they offer short term lending with very high interest rates but these companies have decreased by as much as 70 per cent after a crackdown from the financial watchdog.

Around 1.8 million loans were issued last year which is down from ten million from three years earlier.

Credit unions are responsible lenders, offer lower APR rates and check members affordability to help you stay away from uncontrollable debt.

For more information on our loans, visit: Loans Overview

It has been estimated that people that have not benefited from the 'Bank of Mum & Dad' could have to save around 121 years to raise a mortgage deposit for a property in their area.

At Plane Saver, we offer a Help-to Buy loan which can help top up your mortgage deposit faster.

Plane Saver has helped an MOD serviceman save £254 on their monthly loan repayments. You may also be able to save.