The Credit Union Perspective

By: John Normandeau, President/CEO
BestSource Credit Union

It's Tax Time...Are You Getting a Refund?

John Nomiandeau, CEO

Family Focus

SPONSORED BY
BEST SOURCE CREDIT UNION

The average federal tax return is approximately $2,500.
If you're like most people you have plans to spend that
money before it even hits your hands. Are you planning
a vacation, buying a flat screen TV or purchasing a new
spring wardrobe? We all have dreams of buying ourselves
something new with our refund, but is that really the best
use of that money?

Before spending your refund it's important to take a look at your entire financial picture.
Do you have credit card debt? If so, consider this... with $5,000 in credit card debt and
paying only the monthly minimum, you will incur $4,400 in interest and it will take you
nineteen years to pay off that debt. You could significantly reduce the interest you pay
and time it takes to pay off your debt by using your tax refund to pay down the debt.

If you don't have any credit card debt, do you have an emergency savings? It is recom-
mended that you have enough savings set aside to cover six months worth of expenses.
You never know what circumstances you might be faced with tomorrow and it's best to
be prepared. You can set up a special savings account or money market account for just
this purpose. The money will be there if you need it, but will also continue to work for
you earning interest.

Meer social worker Rachel Green created art therapy programs for residents

like Celia Roth, who shows off her artwork on display at Meer Apartments.

At BestSource Credit Union our mission is to improve our members' financial lives.
Stop by a branch or give us a call at 800.666.4500 to see how we can help you achieve
your goals. For more information, visit www.bestsourcecu.org.

[BEST SOURCE

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Financial Li—

CREDIT • UN ION

Meer resident Margaret Ludwig with her artwork

Keri Guten Cohen
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esidents of Meer Apartments
in West Bloomfield have been
busy creating masterpieces
as part of Meer's art therapy program.
On March 2, Meer held an art gallery
grand opening — complete with wine
and cheese — to show off their work.
Rachel Green, Meer social worker
and art program teacher, greeted the
artists and guests.
"I want to thank all of you for helping
me with my degree,' said Green, who
recently completed her master's in art
therapy through Wayne State University.
As part of her internship, she would
meet one-on-one with some residents
as well as with various groups, includ-
ing one for those with low-vision.
The benefits of art therapy include
enhanced socialization and quality of
life, improved cognitive functioning
and improved mood. For the low-
vision group, it also improved their
independence and creativity.
"I'm always surprised and
impressed by what they do:' Green
said. "Most surprising is their will-
ingness to try it, and also how well
the residents took to it. They told me
how much their lives improved. One
woman told me that just being part of
the classes was therapeutic. They gain
more confidence, self-esteem and a

Seniors celebrate
their creativity
through art.

sense of accomplishment."
Meer resident artist Henny Spector
said, "Rachel, you are thanking us, but
we're the ones who thank you; it was
wonderful and enlightening."
Celia Roth, another resident artist,
said,"I have found pride and joy in doing
artwork because of the encouragement
and direction of Rachel Green:'
Some of the resident artists have
created art throughout their lives,
while others had never picked up a
paintbrush before participating in
classes. Green leads several art therapy
programs in the building and helps
the residents to express themselves
through art.
Their masterpieces are currently
on display in the main hallway at
Meer, which is part of Jewish Senior
Life. Residents, staff and visitors are
encouraged to look at — and be
inspired by — the works of art cre-
ated by Meer's seniors.
"It is incredible to me that we have
such talent under one roof, and that
many of these gifted artists realized
their talent for the first time here at
Meer," said Melanie Gorman, Meer
program coordinator. rl