Volume 12 + September 2010

It’S fall. Jump In and JoIn the fun.

The CommunityAmerica Online Magazine

KicK the season off right.It’s cool, crisp air and colorful

foliage that can take your breath

away. It’s the anticipation of a new

school year and the excitement of

homecoming. It’s caramel apples,

pumpkin patches and end zone

dances. It’s fall—and it’s back in

a big way.

So dive in and let us help you

make this fall the coolest one ever.

Wish you could stay in touch more with friends

and family? Ever wonder what happened to an

old college classmate? Want to make new friends

that have similar interests as you? Then it’s time

for you to tap into a little social phenomenon

called Facebook.

And what about you social media old-timers?

Still searching for that killer app, or need help

figuring out just exactly who can see your

personal information? Whether you’ve been

on Facebook since day one or are just getting

started, here are some things you’ve got to know

to make the most of this popular Web site.

finding your way around.

win one of ten $50 amc gift cards! Like us on Facebook anytime between now and October 1, 2010, for your chance to win. Plus, get savings tips, event updates and more. Check out the CommunityAmerica Facebook page for all the details.

[ SaVIngS tIp ] CheAP treAtS

With halloween right around the corner, start planning now to purchase your trick-or-treat goodies. here are some easy ways to save money to ensure your budget doesn’t get tricked while still providing a fun experience for the ghouls and goblins that visit your house:

• Buy in bulk

• Give alternative treats (like safe, age-appropriate toys from the local Dollar Store)

• take advantage of the many candy coupons available

• Pass out less candy to each guest.

trick or tweet! Follow us on twitter @savinmavens.

gettIng StartedIt’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Fortunately, it’s even easier to get

started. Just head to Facebook.com and fill out the simple form

on the main page. Then follow the steps to connect with any

friends who might already be on Facebook and you’re well on

your way.

now you’re ready for the fun to really begIn: Upload a picture of yourself so your friends will recognize you.

Fill out your profile so friends can find you based on your

schools or interests.

Post your first Status Update, or comment on a friend’s Wall.

Create a photo album of your summer pictures to share

with friends.

Until you take steps to customize your security (see sidebar),

anyone can see your profile, so play it safe. If you wouldn’t want

your boss, your mom, your neighbor or your therapist to find out

about it, don’t put it on Facebook.

photoS and VIdeoSProve to the world that you have the cutest kids, take the best

vacations or really do live in a sitcom. Upload pictures and

videos, and then tag yourself and your friends so they can look

at what you’ve uploaded. You can even leave comments on

individual pictures or an entire album. Having a bad hair day?

Don’t worry, you can always untag yourself.

frIend lIStSNow that you’ve gotten so popular on Facebook, your News Feed

is constantly cluttered with friends vying for your attention.

What can you do? It’s time for you to organize your friends into

lists. Each list of friends is completely customizable, so you can

create one list of work friends, another for family members

and third for your book club. Now you’ll never feel the need to

“unfriend” a friend!

appSApps let you do all kinds of things. You can play games, listen

to music, send someone a special greeting or even sell your old

couch. And there are thousands of apps made just for Facebook.

So how do you sort through them all to find the ones that you’ll

like? Start by checking out what your friends have added.

Click on the “boxes” tab on their profile page. Or simply do a

keyword search for terms that interest you. There’s bound to be

a Facebook app made for you.

gloSSary of termScomment You can leave comments on a friend’s Wall, photos, videos and more.

friend request A way for friends to link their accounts together so that they can follow each other.

LiKe A way to show that you like a comment, post, Status Update or picture and more.

messages Private messages can be sent between you and any number of your friends.

news feed A live timeline of updates from the friends and organizations you follow.

ProfiLe Includes your profile picture, your Wall and personal info that you can customize.

status uPdate A place within your profile to share your thoughts and let others know what you’re doing, which then appears on your friends’ News Feeds.

tag A way of identifying who is in a photo or video.

waLL Part of your profile that displays your most recent Status Updates and activity. You and your friends can post pictures, videos and comments on the Wall.

prIVacyDo you have an annoying cousin that you want to hide stuff from? Take better control over who gets to see what. Click on the “Account” link in your profile and choose one of the preset privacy settings, or create customized privacy rules for specific friends.

everyone Allows all of the information you share on Facebook to be visible to anyone else using Facebook, regardless of whether or not you’re friends.

friends of friends Allows your friends and their friends to see your status, photos, posts, bio and favorite quotes, family and relationships, and photos and videos you’re tagged in. however, only your friends can see your birthday, email and IM addresses, or your phone numbers and addresses.

friends onLy restricts all of your information to viewing by your friends only.

custom Allows you to hide certain sections of your profile from certain people.

Say what you want about spring, summer and winter—Kansas city is absolutely at its best during autumn. the air is crisp, the leaves are falling, the football season has begun and Kc natives are

out in full force having fun before winter sets in. here are a few ways you can join the party with great food, festivals, fun and one of our personal favorite fall activities—football.

Uncle DoUgie’s Downhome chili

• 2 lbs ground beef

• 3 cups tomato juice

• 3 cups beef broth

• 3 cans black beans

• 1 1/2 large white onions, diced

• 6 cloves garlic

• 4 cups frozen sweet corn

• 3 jalapeños, seeded and diced

• ¼ cup chili powder

• 4 tbsp black pepper

• 3 tbsp salt

• 2 tbsp cumin

• 1 tsp cayenne pepper

• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 tbsp Tabasco sauce

• 1 pinch ground cinnamon

• 1 bag corn chips

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1 cup cheddar cheese

Over medium-high heat, brown ground beef with the onions and half of the chili powder in a large stock pot. Once beef is browned, drain out excess fat and add in tomato juice, beef broth, beans, corn, jalapeños, remaining chili powder and all spices. Reduce heat to medium-low, cook uncovered for approximately 1.5 hours or until mixture reaches desired thickness.

Serve piping hot, topped with corn chips, sour cream and cheddar cheese.

NOTE: For a milder chili, use only 2 jalapeños,½ tsp cayenne pepper, ½ tsp red pepper flakes and ½ tbsp Tabasco sauce.

can’t-miss fUn in yoUr favorite cowtown

KanSaS cIty renaISSance feStIVal• September 4 - October 17 (weekends only)• Adults: $18.95 (save $3 if you order online!)• Kids 9-12: $9.95 (save $1.50 if you order online!)• KCRenFest.com

plaza art faIr• September 25-27• FREE• CountryClubPlaza.com/Events/Plaza-Art-Fair

amerIcan royal barbecue• September 30 - October 3• $12.00• AmericanRoyal.com

weSton IrISh feStIVal• October 8-10• Adults: $10• Kids under 14: Free• WestonIrish.com

SpooKtacular at powell gardenS• October 15-16• Adults: $9.50• Kids under 12: $4.00• PowellGardens.org

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Say what you want about spring, summer and winter—Kansas city is absolutely at its best during autumn. the air is crisp, the leaves are falling, the football season has begun and Kc natives are

out in full force having fun before winter sets in. here are a few ways you can join the party with great food, festivals, fun and one of our personal favorite fall activities—football.

how to create a spooktacUlar hoUse-o-lantern

what you’ll need:

A few pieces of corrugated cardboard

Markers

Box cutters

Glue stick

Orange tissue paper

Masking tape

Lamp

InStructIonS:1.  Measure the inside of an appropriate window

and cut corrugated cardboard to fit tightly. 2.  Draw a face on the cardboard, then cut out the

pieces with a craft knife (a parent’s job).3.  On the interior side of the cardboard, use a

glue stick to cover the openings with orange tissue paper.

4.  Set the cardboard in the window and use painter’s or masking tape to hold it in place.

5.  Place a lamp near the window to light your house-o-lantern.

6.  Watch as the neighbors cower in fear at thesight of your creation.

the tailgate checklist: Don’t heaD to the staDiUm withoUt it

Grill

Burgers

Hot Dogs

Buns

Cheese slices

Condiments

Chips

Dip

Side dishes

Cooler

Ice

Beverages

Plates

Napkins

Forks/spoons/knives

Trash bags

Folding table

Camping chairs

Portable stereo

Tailgate games*

Football (no tailgate is completewithout a game of catch)

* Want to build your own ladder golf set for your next tailgate? See our how-to in the July 2008 issue of the INsider for instructions. You can find it at http://cacu.com/aboutus/INSiderMag.aspx.

For high school and college students, striking the right balance

between school and work can be a real learning experience.

But with just a little guidance from you, your kids can find a way

to build up the money in their accounts—and still have time to get

the job done in the classroom. here are some tips that can help.

Your daughter shouldn’t be stuck working overtime during finals week. So help her

find a boss who gets it. Before she applies for a job, help her prepare questions that

will reveal just how flexible the manager is willing to be with her schedule. A great

place for college kids to start is right on campus. Whether it’s the library, the gym, the

dining hall or the bookstore, there are plenty of opportunities for your student to find

part-time work. And some of them may provide much-needed discounts or even allow

her to study on the job during slow times.

If your son is working and attending school, he really has two jobs. Sure, nobody is

paying him to go to class—yet. But once he sets out in his career, all of the time he’s

putting in for his education now will eventually be paid for by his future employer.

So persuade him to give his schoolwork the same respect he gives his job. Ask

him to set a study schedule and encourage him to really stick to it. If he works hard

at both jobs, he’ll be making the most of his time now and for years to come.

Ack! Dealing with workplace stress is part of growing up. So it’s OK if your daughter

has to cope with being tired in class after getting unexpectedly called upon to cover

a late-night shift. But it’s not OK if this happens all the time. Encourage your child to

address issues with the boss early, before they blow up into full-fledged problems.

And if work is interfering too much with school, let her know that

she has your support in finding a new job.

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get a great deal on your new uSed car

do a realIty checK.Shopping for a car is exciting, but don’t forget that used or not, this is a major purchase. If you’ve already got one car payment in your household, it might be wise to wait until that’s closer to being paid off.

fIgure out your fInancIng.Apply for a loan before you ever set foot on the lot. Your friends here at CommunityAmerica Credit Union will be glad to help. You’ll not only know exactly how much car you can afford, you’ll have more negotiating power.

the beSt deal mIghtnot be at a dealerShIp.

Check the classifieds. A private seller that doesn’t have a sales job at stake or the overhead of running a dealership might be willing to give you a better price than you’d find on a used car lot.

what’S under the hood?For around $100, you can find out if the car you want is really as good as it looks. Have the car checked out by an independent mechanic. If the person or business that’s selling the car won’t allow it, that should really tell you something.

don’t forget, you’reIn the drIVer’S Seat.

At the end of the day, you want to be happy with the car you’re buying. Be prepared to walk away if you don’t like the deal that’s being offered, or if something seems fishy. Then when you find the car that’s right for you, you’ll be a lot more satisfied.

Whether you’re looking to buy some wheels for your kid or just want to save some

money over the price of a new car for yourself, buying a used car can be a good

option—especially if you’re smart about it. Here are five tips to help you get a

great deal without breaking your budget or driving home with a lemon.

STOP IGNORING THE ELEPHANT + TAME YOUR FINANCES + WIN UP TO $10,000

WARNING!It’s time to stop ignoring your fi nances.Visit cacu.com/fi nancialmakeover2011starting October 1 to get your application for Financial Makeover 2011.

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM MAY BE IN YOUR WALLET.

800.892.7957 cacu.com/� nancialmakeover2011