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October 5, 2001

Saving Solutions
20 ideas that can save you money

1. Great trucks, great cars, great FB rebate
Get ready to meet the “New Mayor of Truckville.” And don’t be surprised when he offers you $500!

Dodge’s redesigned truck for 2002 is now on dealer lots. Promoted as the “New Mayor of Truckville,” this Ram is something special. And also special is the $500 savings Dodge offers Texas Farm Bureau members on most vehicles in their lineup.

There are, however, a few rules you need to follow to receive this special incentive.

For instance, only those persons who have been a Farm Bureau member for a minimum of 30 calendar days from the date they joined their local Farm Bureau are eligible.

Also, your spouse and children under 25 who live with you are eligible. However, if your child uses the “College Graduate Rebate,” they may not combine it with the Farm Bureau rebate.

You can purchase a Dodge out of state, but you must take a Texas rebate certificate with you. You can get these at your local county Farm Bureau office or any Texas Dodge dealer.

Finally, in order to receive a rebate, you must take your current membership card (membership numbers are four digits) with you when you make the purchase (your automobile insurance policy is not your membership number).
You can also obtain a completed rebate certificate from your local County Farm Bureau office to take to the dealership.

Now, about the “Mayor of Truckville.” And he’s one smooth character.
The truck is bigger and bolder on the outside, with the new Quad Cab offering forward-hinged doors that open up wide...to nearly 85 degrees. The rear windows now fully lower into the door panel, and both inside and outside handles are much longer. But the inside is where the big changes are.

This new Ram is all about power. The newly-designed 3.7-liter Magnum V6 delivers 20 percent more peak power than the previous 3.9-liter V6, while the 4.7-liter Magnum V8 replaces the 5.2-liter V8 with outstanding peak power and torque, faster acceleration and better fuel economy.

The new four-wheel disc brakes are the largest in Ram history. The system features a larger master cylinder, new rear disc brakes, and a redesigned, faster actuation system. Electronic Brake Apportioning makes more effective use of the rear brakes when lightly loaded to improve balance of front-to-rear braking effort. It even adapts to variations in vehicle loading and road surface.
And when you put your foot down, you may find new, available power-adjustable pedals that give multiple Ram drivers finger-tip ease to find the right position between steering wheel, seat and brake pedals.

So whether you’re in the market for a new car, truck, SUV or mini-van, check out the Dodge offerings...and take $500 off your final negotiated price with your Farm Bureau rebate!

For more information on the TFB/Dodge rebate call 254/751-2489.

Vehicles available for FB rebate
• Ram Pickup (all models and engines)
• Ram Chassis Cab (all models and engines)
• Dakota Pickup (all models, excluding four- cylinder engines)
• Durango (all models and engines)
• Ram Passenger Wagon
• Neon
• Stratus Coupe
• Stratus Sedan
• Intrepid
• Caravan
• Grand Caravan (excluding EX models)

2. Drive a great bargain...
You can buy a pre-owned vehicle from Farm Bureau Fleet Sales. And your Farm Bureau membership gives you a $300 discount on selected vehicles.
Be sure to compare Fleet Sales prices with others before you buy.

Come see our cars at 5800 Franklin Avenue in Waco. Or, search our entire inventory on the internet at www.txfb.org. You’ll be glad you did!

For more information call: Allen Cordell, 254/741-4753; Sabra Ives, 254/741-4761; or Delwin Peacock, 254/741-4762.

3. Great Buys at Grainger
From now until the end of the year, your Texas Farm Bureau membership card is your ticket to additional savings on a variety of products from Grainger Industrial Supply.

Farm Bureau members already enjoy a 10 percent discount on most of the 200,000 items—such as motors, pumps, water heaters, vacuums, HVAC units, battery chargers, compressors, chain hoists, and generators—offered in Grainger’s catalog. But through the end of December, a special “TFB members only” discount entitles you to a whopping 60 percent off the manufacturers’ list price of durable Armstrong tools and 35 percent off the suggested price for K-D tools!

For more than a century, Armstrong has crafted quality industrial tools right here in the U.S.A. And they’re backed by a lifetime warranty.

But that’s not all! Through year’s end, instead of the usual 15 percent TFB discount off the book price for Allen Hex keys, you get to take 60 percent off the manufacturer’s list price!

With your account number 85-288-117-6, you can call, fax or use the internet to place your order at any of Grainger’s more than 30 Texas branches.
Access www.grainger.com to view up to 600,000 items from over 750 manufacturers. Need a fix? Call Grainger’s toll-free parts line: 1/800-323-0620.

For more information, call 1/800-473-3473. Or visit www.txfb.org, and click on “Discount/Member Services,” to view Grainger’s monthly specials for Texas Farm Bureau members.

4. Proud to be a TFB member...
Okay, there’s no money to be saved here. But where else can you get your very own official Texas Farm Bureau gate sign with your name on it (maximum of 20 characters)? Imprinted signs are $3 each plus shipping. Blank signs are $2.50 each plus shipping.

Contact your county Farm Bureau for more information.

5. You’ve got connections...
If you’re looking for a convenient one-plus long distance service, look no farther.

Farm Bureau Connection, offered exclusively to TFB members, is one of the most competitive services around. It has a low monthly fee (just $1.50) and offers you savings without the hassle of complicated calling circles. Best of all, there is no minimum billing, no surprises, no contracts and no commitments.

As a Farm Bureau member, you can expect one of the lowest rates in the business—interstate, just 5.9 cents per minute; and just 9.9 cents per minute for intrastate calls. Calling cards are 13.9 cents per minute with no surcharges.
FB Connection charges are based on six second increments. And with Farm Bureau Connection, forget minimum call lengths—you pay for only what you use. If you talk for one minute and six seconds, you pay for one minute and six seconds—not two minutes.

The economical flat rate is available to Farm Bureau members 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There are no peak-time premiums.

If you live in an area where Farm Bureau Connection does not currently have access lines, due to the high access fees charged by cooperative and community telephone companies, you can still take advantage of savings via the “800” Long Distance Around service. Rates are now better than any offered in most of these areas.

So why wait? Call 1-800-537-8298, or your participating county Farm Bureau office, today.

6. Farm Bureau Bank Products are a Grand Slam!
Farm Bureau Bank was created by FB members, for FB members.

Money Market Savings Account–Fixed introductory rate, no monthly service fees, your initial order of checks is free.
Credit Cards–Earn up to 2% cash back; low variable rate and no annual fee; introductory balance transfer rate.
Vehicle Loans–New vehicle loan or refinance.

For more details, visit www.farmbureaubank.com or call toll-free at 1-800-492-FARM.

7. Paint the town red...
Get ready to paint the town red, green, yellow, blue...any color you choose, and do it at bargain prices with Sherwin-Williams offer for Farm Bureau members, which allows a 20 percent discount for TFB members on anything in the store: paint, wallpaper, paint guns, brushes, you name it. Sorry guys...there is one exception...no sale items will be discounted.

Still, this is a program with no ifs, ands or buts. So if your house or barn needs a new coat of paint, simply show your Texas Farm Bureau membership card. If your membership is current, you will receive the 20 percent discount at any of the 189 Sherwin-Williams stores in Texas.

Visit the Sherwin-Williams store nearest you.

8. High prescription costs got you down?
Rising costs of health care con-tinue to concern both rural and urban members of Farm Bureau. So check this program to see if you can join members who saved over $300,000 last year through the Scott & White Prescription Discount program.

The program is designed to save you 10 to 50 percent off of regular retail prices at any of the participating 3,500 chain or independent pharmacies in Texas.

How easy is it to use?

Simply show your membership card at the same time you give your prescription to the pharmacist. He or she will take it from there.
There’s even better news. Scott & White also offers home delivery through their mail order pharmacy. Called Scott & White Express, the prescription service offers even greater savings...and you don’t have to go to town!

For more information on the Scott & White Prescription Service or to enroll in Scott & White Express, call 1/800-728-7947 or your local county Farm Bureau office.

9. Quality...the price is right!
TASCO has been ingrained in the memories of longtime Farm Bureau members for years. Although Waco-based, TASCO Distributing, Ltd., was recently acquired by Am-Pac, Farm Bureau members are still offered name brand tires and batteries at great prices.

Why is this a saving solution for FB members? Here’s a few good reasons:

1) Member discounts at participating Authorized Texas Farm Bureau dealers on a complete line of Sigma Tires, Kelly Light Truck and Suremark batteries.

2) Free prorated Road Hazard on all Sigma brand passenger tires at no extra cost.

3) Free prorated Road Hazard on all Sigma, Kelly and Guardian light trucks at no extra cost.

4) Free roadside assistance program, 30-day test drive, 100,000 pro-rated mileage warranty and free replacement during the first 50 percent of tread wear for manufacturing defects on Sigma Paramount Passenger tires.

5) Up to two year free replacement on Suremark Batteries at no extra charge.

6) Two-year prorated Field Hazard on all Front farm tires (Kelly, Firestone, BFG and Michelin) at no extra charge.

7) One year free replacement for unrepairable Field Hazard on all rear farm tires at no extra charge.

Sold? Just present your Farm Bureau membership card to any authorized FB tire and battery dealer.

10. Keeping cattle made easy...
Got cows? Whether you have one or a hundred, fellow TFB members are offering a cattle management software package just for you.

Called CattleMax, three editions are available according to needs. The Basic Edition is designed for commercial operations that focus on calf production.

The Commercial Edition is for like-operations that maintain added performance measures. And the seedstock edition is designed for purebred cattle operations with their special needs. A small herd option is available for herds of 50 or fewer active cows.

TFB members can receive a a 10 percent discount on CattleMax management software. Call toll-free, 877/454-COWS or visit their web site at www.Cattlemax.com/txfb.

11. Halt! Who goes there?
We’ve all seen them. You know, the Wild West posters that say: "WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE."

Well that’s a bit radical for our purposes. But you might like to know that many county Farm Bureaus offer a $1,000 award for information leading to the arrest and conviction for trespass, theft or mischief on property that was posted.

Call your county Farm Bureau to see if this service is available in your county.

12. Go to the movies...cheap!
We can’t do anything about the high cost of popcorn and cokes when you get there, but Farm Bureau does allow you to get into certain theaters at bargain prices.

For example: Pay only $5 per ticket at AMC Theaters. And you can get an even better deal at Hollywood Theaters and Starplex Cinemas—only $4.50 each. Now this saving solution takes a little effort on your part, but it’s well worth it. See the convenient ticket order form, fill out the appropriate spaces and send it to Mary Lois Pierce at Texas Farm Bureau, P.O. Box 2689, Waco, TX 76702-2689. Be sure to include a cashier check or money order, and a self-addressed envelope. Your order will not be processed without it!

For more information contact Mary Lois Pierce at 1/800-224-7858.

13. Great looks, better price...
Make a spectacle of yourself with Coast to Coast, and get quality eyecare products at sub-stantial savings!

This unique program is offered to TFB members through a network of preferred providers with over 1,500 located in the Lone Star State. You can expect to receive 10 to 60 percent off conventional retail prices on lens and frames. And, discounts on eye exams are available from select providers.

There are other benefits as well. Going to the beach? You can order non-prescription sunglasses including Vuarnet, Serengeti, Guess and others at up to 50 percent off (call 1/800-736-9587 for details). How about contact lens? The program is supplemented by a mail-order discount program which offers replacement contact lens (written prescription required...again at up to 50 percent off (call 1/800-878-3901).

To receive your TFB discount on lenses and frames you must call Coast to Coast at 1/800-488-7872. At the time of the call, CTC will provide you with information on how to receive your discount and the location of the provider nearest you.

14. Help pay for college...
Hey, college-bound students. Give some relief to ol’ mom and dad by applying for one of the numerous Farm Bureau scholarships.

Did you know that county Farm Bureaus across the state offer over $100,000 in scholarships annually? Additionally, scholarships are available at the state level...and their are some terrific contests you can enter and additional activities to enjoy as well! Call your county Farm Bureau for more information.

15. Tax savings, anyone?
Come April 15, everyone starts thinking of taxes. But proper tax management throughout the year can make a lot of difference—especially if you’re a cash strapped farmer or small businessmen that’s unable to rely on a steady check. Agri-Plan/Biz Plan draws upon a little-known tax provision—IRS Code Section 105 and Revenue Ruling 71-588—that allows qualifying self-employed businessmen a 100 percent deduction for family health care expenses. To qualify you must be self-employed, have a spouse with assets in the business (even on a part-time basis) and have fewer than three employees. Family health insurance premiums, as well as non-insured medical, dental and vision care expenses, are 100 percent deductible.

Agri-Plan/Biz Plan has assisted family farmers and small businessmen since 1986. For a small annual fee, the company performs the documentation and maintenance necessary for proper use of the Section 105 plan and backs their work with an audit guarantee. TFB members receive an additional $10 discount on the low AgriPlan/BizPlan fee. For more information call 1/800-422-4661 and press 7.

16. Never too safe...
Buy a child’s car seat for only $20. That’s right, you can help ensure your child’s safety by ordering a Cosco child car seat for just 20 bucks—two thirds off the usual retail price. And Farm Bureau pays the difference, including shipping charges.

Car accidents are the leading cause of death for children under the age of five. But most deaths and injuries could be prevented if infants were protected by safety seats.

When your kids outgrow the forward-facing child safety seat, you can order a booster seat for only $15, using the same procedure. Again, Farm Bureau’s there for you, to pick up the difference.

To take advantage of this saving solution call your county Farm Bureau office.

17. Say what?
Do you frequently have to ask people to repeat themselves? Do you hear but not always understand conversations? Does your wife or husband say you play the TV too loud? Do you think people mumble when they speak to you? Is it getting harder and harder to talk on the phone? A yes answer to any of these questions could be an indication a hearing problem exists.

Beltone, an industry leader, has agreed to offer Farm Bureau members the following: A) Annual electronic hearing evaluations for your family; B) Free electronic testing by a Beltone specialist; C) A 20 percent discount of the dispenser’s regular list price on hearing aid purchases; D) a two-year warranty; E) Over 70 models and hundreds of customized hearing aids to choose from.

For the Beltone Hearing Aid Center nearest you, call 1/800-BELTONE (235-8663).

18. A new service for travelers...
Whether you’re interested in a trip to Jamaica, ballooning or barging in Europe, mountain climbing in Colorado, or sightseeing along the Amazon River, a new member service announced by Texas Farm Bureau may book travel arrangements for you at a tremendous savings. TFB’s Travel Plus program, operated through Waco’s All About Travel, Inc., gives members access to approximately 6,000 suppliers to thousands of destinations around the cruise world-cruises, land packages, foreign and domestic tours and specialized tours.

Most important, Waco’s All About Travel, Inc., has been in business for 18 years at the same location in Waco.

Special rates have been negotiated with various sources at rates offered exclusively to Texas Farm Bureau members.

As an example of the savings, the Travel Plus special group rates for Carnival’s Holiday 7-Day cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico for March 9 and March 16, 2002 are: inside cabins 4A cruise-only rate is $560 and outside cabins 6A cruise-only rate $660, as opposed to Carnival’s published rate of $1,449 and $1,599 respectively (port charges are $175.01 extra)-for a savings of over 60 percent. Similarly, Travel Plus’s special March 23 (from San Juan) inside cabins 4A cruise-only rate is $610 and outside cabins 6A cruise-only rate $710-still less than half the published rate.

For more information on this exciting new program, call the Travel Plus toll-free number: 1-800-211-7550.

19. Free ads...via the Internet!
Need a unique venue to sell that junk you have piled in the garage? Or are you in the market for some hard to find item?

Then try advertising on the world wide web with Farm Bureau’s on-line service, TexasSalebarn. Your paid membership allows you to place free classified word ads on our special sale page. Best of all...IT’S FREE! For information see www.TexasSalebarn.com.

20. Think ahead for fun!
Sure it’s about to turn to winter and summer fun is the furthest thing from your mind. But spring will be here before you know it and we want you to be aware: YOU CAN RECEIVE SUBSTANTIAL DISCOUNTS ON TEXAS’ AMUSEMENT PARKS WITH YOUR FB MEMBERSHIP!

Roller coasters at Six Flags in Arlington, Houston and San Antonio... Water fun at Hurricane Harbor and Schlitterbahn... And Shamu at Sea World. Another saving solution for Farm Bureau members!

Watch TFB publications next spring for details and ticket prices.