Page 25 - April 2017 Newsletter

Rescue your budget with no-interest, no-cost credit
According to a survey by Bankrate.com, 76 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck. Further, 63 percent can’t afford an unexpected $500 expense.
people, creating a budget is a hassle and it doesn’t get done. Without a budget, it is much more difficult to save for retirement, maximize your investment returns and
When I mention those statistics to people, very few are surprised. The sit- uation has led to bad credit habits and predatory lenders. The reality is that if you need to fix the refrigerator or the
FOP
Benefits Plan
keep unnecessary expenses under control.
With all the challenges we face today — from healthcare and taxes to an uncertain economy — you have to be proactive about getting your finan- cial affairs in order and securing your retirement. Zebit is one of the best companies I have come
TOM TUOHY
washer breaks down, or one of the kids needs a tablet
or laptop for school, how else are you going to buy it? If you use a credit card, you are facing 16 percent interest or more. Store credit will set you back an average of 24 per- cent. You certainly don’t want to resort to a payday loan company, which can double or triple your original pur- chase price before you pay off the loan.
Whether you are in that 76 percent or not, if you cannot or do not want to pay cash, you don’t have many other op- tions in the general credit market that don’t threaten your financial wellness.
Zebit was created to provide a superior alternative to high-cost and often confusing credit options. Zebit’s pay- ment system provides credit to working Americans at zero percent interest, without fees, penalties or credit checks. If you are smart with your money, it can be much better than paying cash, which is better invested.
Initially launched as an exclusive offering of up to $1,000 in no-interest, no-cost credit for active and retired military personnel, Zebit now has made a commitment to the police, and in particular, the members of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 Benefits Plan. All current Lodge 7 police officers, retirees and their families are now offered up to $2,500 in no-interest, no-cost credit through Zebit.
The credit can be used to make purchases from the Zebit Market or directly from retailers that accept Zebit as a checkout option. Within the Zebit Market alone, cus- tomers can finance millions of quality brand-name prod- ucts over time, without paying interest. Currently, the Zebit Market contains products from Apple, Dell, Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, Canon, Garmin, HP, LG Electron- ics, Black & Decker, KitchenAid, GE, Whirlpool, Cuisinart, Hoover, Coleman, Ray-Ban, Armani, Nike and many other companies. All of the products are sold at competitive re- tail prices, never above MSRP.
Another benefit available is eCertificates. You can pur- chase these certificates on the same no-interest, no-cost installment credit terms and use them at restaurants and stores, for travel or as gift cards. You can even use them on Groupon.
Zebit has additional complimentary financial wellness benefits such as the Instant Budget app. Just enter a few fields of information and you will get a personalized bud- get in a couple of minutes. If you are like me, and most
across to help with that task.
Visit your FOP Benefits Plan website and sign in to
Zebit to take a look around the marketplace and explore the other Zebit benefits. You will be glad you did.
Benefits Plan and Zebit registration are free for FOP members and family. Visit fopbenefitsplan.com or call 866-729-5454 for assistance with registering. d
Tom Tuohy is the founder of Tuohy Law Offices and the FOP Benefits Plan. He has been a police lawyer for 34 years. His father was a CPD detective, and his grandfather was CPD Chief of Major Investigations. You can reach him at 312-559-8400.
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