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The best way to secure your assets is to start early. It can be hard to think too far ahead, however your future-self will thank you. In your 20’s: Learn how to budget so you can stay in control of your money. Start saving for assets, whether a house, car or travel. In your 30’s: Consider having life and contents insurance. Set up an emergency fund. Consider investing in shares or property. Prepare a will. In your 40’s: Consolidate the good habits you have formed, and keep saving. Consider reviewing your superannuation. Start planning what you may need for your retirement. In your 50’s: Consider making those extra mortgage payments to bring it closer and reduce the interest you’re paying each month. In your 60’s: Transition to retirement. Eligible to receive the Age Pension. Take advantage of concessions. Plan to make sure your assets are secured in the future. View all our transaction and savings accounts. Our local team are here to help. If you need assistance, we’re a phone call away.

Knowing how to store your money and personal belongings safely and securely could help you avoid the common travel risks of petty theft, robbery, or ATM tampering. Prep before you leave: Opening a Savings Account with incentives to exchange points for accommodation or flights on your next trip. Having a credit or debit card handy may help add convenience to your trip, as it could eliminate the need for carrying large amounts of hard cash. Before departing, it is a good idea to notify your bank of your plans to travel abroad. Inform them of the dates you’ll be overseas and the specific dates you’ll be in each country if you plan to travel to multiple locations. In the case of emergencies, travel insurance while overseas could be worth the investment. Protect your valuables: Keep your money in multiple places. Do not leave your valuables unattended, and consider keeping your wallet or physical cash in your front pockets wherever possible. Only use reputable ATMs. Our local team are here to help. If you need assistance ahead of planning an overseas trip, we’re a phone call away.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), over half (55%) of all Australians aged 15 and over were exposed to a scam during 2020-21. At GMCU, we’re committed to keeping you and your money safe online. Which of the below are you doing to keep yourself safe? 1. Download the GMCU App Download the GMCU App and register using your Internet Banking login details. 2. Set up secure logins Set up your 4-9 digit PIN, pattern login, Touch ID (for Touch ID compatible iOS devices), or Face ID (for Face ID compatible devices). 3. Set up alerts Always use secure mail when using the GMCU App. Your mobile device is a way of accessing GMCU Internet Banking, so don’t keep your login information with your mobile device. Contact GMCU immediately if you’ve lost your mobile device or feel someone may know your login details. Ensure you log out of the app when you are finished. You can do this by tapping the padlock icon in the top right-hand corner. 4. Use new and private logins only Always ensure your GMCU App is up to date, consider setting up automatic updates on your phone. 5. Make sure your devices are secure Make sure you have passwords or biometric logins (like fingerprint, or Face ID) to your devices. And don't share passwords to your devices if you can avoid it. 6. Never send your credit card details online Never send your credit card details online, to anyone. 7. If you suspect something is fraudulent - act fast We use an Australian-based service to monitor unusual account activity 24/7. This monitoring helps us to detect and stop fraud quickly. If you receive a message asking you to return a call to us on 1300 705 750, please do so. If you receive an SMS text asking to confirm a transaction, please respond to it. 8. Understand more about scams and fraud Learn more about scams and fraud, and how to spot them (via Scamwatch from the Australian Government). Our local team are here to help. If you have any questions relating to scams or fraud, or perhaps you have concerns, please call us or visit your local branch.

You can make a big difference with small changes. The team at GMCU have landed on their top 10 tips to make your money work harder, with simpler ways to save money: 1. Try Online Grocery Shopping Supermarkets are designed to encourage spending. Buying only what you need is easier when you’re not walking down the aisles. 2. Limit Online Impulse Buys Consider setting a maximum online spend per pay week to ensure you don’t blow your budget. 3. Look for Coupons or Vouchers Next time you buy something online, take a minute to check the retailer’s website to see if they offer discounts for your first purchase or sign up for a newsletter. 4. Choose Efficient Heating Consider looking for a heater that has a five or six-star energy rating. 5. Try the Timer Setting the timer to turn on when you wake up in the morning and off during the warmest time of the day will help you use less power. 6. Keep Your Home Between 17 and 20° The higher your air conditioner’s thermostat is set, the more energy it will consume and the more it will cost. During winter, setting your thermostat between 17°C and 20°C is usually the most efficient and could save you money. 7. Close and Open Your Curtains at the Correct Times Closing your curtains when the sun goes down and opening them to let the light in is a great way to keep the warmth in without wasting money. 8. Shop Around for Better Utility Providers Many providers may offer new customers different sign-up incentives or lower rates, so comparing your internet and energy bills could save you hundreds of dollars. 9. Pay Yourself First Consider automating your savings by setting an automatic transfer every payday into a savings account. 10. Put Your Money to Work for You That extra interest incentive can be a great reason to avoid dipping into your savings so you can continue to watch it grow through the winter and beyond! Our local team are here to help. With Savings Accounts and Term Deposit options that will allow you to put your money to work. Talk to us today.

Despite the importance of savings, many Australians find it difficult to set money aside on a regular basis. Whether your financial goals are big or small, these Top 5 tips will see your savings balance increase so you can achieve your financial goals faster. 1. Set Yourself a Budget Consider the weekly activities you need money for, whether playing a sport or going to the gym, fuel, groceries, and other expenses. Make sure you set a budget that will allow for money output for these activities. 2. Track Your Expenses Checking your spending regularly ensures you’re on the right track towards your savings goals. 3. Consolidate Your Debt Debt consolidation can give you greater control over your financial situation, helping you confidently reach your savings goals. 4. Choose a Competitive Savings Account A good Savings account can help you earn a high level of interest on your savings, helping you meet your financial needs in a shorter time. 5. Automate Your Finances Automatic bank transfers help minimize the risk of forgotten payments and ensure all important expenses are covered before any extra personal spending. Our local team are here to help. With Savings Accounts and Term Deposit options that will allow you to put your money to work. Talk to us today.

As more cyber attacks and data breaches make the news, you may wonder how this could affect you. Personal information falling into the hands of scammers can make you a target of increasingly sophisticated and convincing scams. If scammers are armed with personal information, it makes it easier for them to find and target you with personalised scam attempts. You may be experiencing an increased number of scam calls or messages, some of which may include your personal information to sound more legitimate. Examples of Scams: A text from scammers claiming to be a streaming service or subscription asking you to click a link to update your card details. A message claiming you have unpaid tolls or fines, urging you to click a link to make payment. "Hi, Mum" messages from scammers impersonating family members. These start as a casual conversation, telling you they have broken or lost their phone and asking you to remove their old number from your phone. They will generally converse casually before asking for money to help pay a bill or other urgent expense. It can be tempting to follow your first instinct, click a link to check an overdue fine, or send money to help a family member in need, but it's important to take a moment to think about the situation. Instead of clicking a potentially harmful link to update your card details, you could log into your streaming service through the official website and review your details there. You could also simply call your family member on their usual phone number to verify whether they have lost their phone. Protect yourself and stay informed. If you have any concerns that you may have received a suspicious call or text, clicked on a suspicious link, or provided your personal information to a scammer, please contact your local branch as soon as possible. As another layer of protection, GMCU has an internal fraud department and an external card and NPP monitoring team that will assist with monitoring any suspicious transactions. Our local team are here to help. If you have any questions relating to scams or fraud, or perhaps you have concerns, please call us or visit your local branch.