Costco Connection - January 2012

Update

Required documents for a mortgage application

To learn more about our complete suite of Costco services, click on the “Services” link at Costco.com or call toll-free 1-800-220-6000.

POWER USER OF THE MONTH

Think Costco
for services

MANY COSTCO MEMBERS use multiple Costco services. The Connection wants to hear from “power” users—members using more than five services—to learn what they think of Costco services.

Mike Parsa of Studio City, California, has been a Costco member since the early ’90s. He shops at the Van Nuys Costco and uses Costco Business Delivery regularly for his property management business.

Parsa currently uses seven services avail-
able for Costco members through third-party
providers, including credit-card processing,
business phone, online investing, payroll,
health insurance, checks, Web design and
identity protection. Here’s what he had to say:
“I’m a big fan of everything Costco.
Good services, great pricing: That’s the bot-
tom line. I know if it has Costco’s name on it,
it’s trusted. If there’s a problem, Costco will
handle it.”

PRACTICAL TIP

Be smart if you’re in an auto accident

YOU’D BE SURPRISED how often a mortgage application is delayed by incomplete documentation. To prepare you for a speedy mortgage process, Costco Mortgage Services has supplied the following checklist of typically required documents.

 Complete tax returns for past two years, including all pages and schedules

 W- 2 forms for past two years

 Most-recent pay stubs, covering two months and with year-to-date earnings

 Most-recent bank statements, covering two months and including all pages— even the blank pages (lender will likely be required to ask for an explanation of any irregular deposits)

 Most-recent statements for any other assets, covering at least two months

 Existing mortgage payment statement

 Copy of the declaration page of home-
owners’ insurance along with a paid receipt
 Legible copy of photo identification such
as a driver’s license or passport
 Copy of an original Social Security card
 Copy of purchase and sale agreement

For additional information about Costco Mortgage Services, visit Costco.com and search “Mortgage.”

THE SHOCK OF an auto accident
can leave a person feeling frantic
and confused, but your smart-
phone can be a huge help.
Consider these tips from
Ameriprise Auto & Home
Insurance.
• Assess your own condi-
tion. If you are uninjured and the
scene is safe, determine if there
are other injured persons and
use your smartphone to con-
tact 911/emergency services if necessary.

ABC DEF

5: 23

54 6

JKL GHI MNO

87 9 0#

123

TUV PQRS WXYZ

*

+

Call al

• Use your smartphone to record the
names, addresses, phone numbers and insur-
ance information of all parties. Also collect
contact information for any witnesses.

NEW SERVICE

QuickBooks Online does your payroll

2012 IS THE last year to qualify for the full
$44,000 in federal stimulus money that eligi-
ble health practitioners can earn for imple-
menting an electronic health records (EHR)
system. Documenting meaningful use with a
certified EHR system is required at least 90
days prior to the end of 2012.

To learn about the exclusive Costco member pricing on an EHR and practice-management solution that includes Allscripts’ My Way, call toll-free 1-877-347-6114, or visit Costco.com and search “EHR1.”

TIME SENSITIVE

EHR stimulus deadline near

IF YOU OPERATE a small business, you probably have heard of QuickBooks for business accounting. Now Costco members can save up to 25 percent when they buy QuickBooks Online with Payroll.

• Organize your business finances all in one place.

• Manage paychecks, W-2s and payroll liabilities, all calculated and prepared instantly, with guaranteed-accurate tax calculations.

• Get online access anytime and anywhere, using either a Web browser or the free iPhone app for on-the-go payroll.

• Process payroll for up to 10 employees with no additional monthly charge, and just $1.25 per month for each employee over 10.

• Reach world-class QuickBooks Online Payroll support via chat or phone.

A free 30-day trial of QuickBooks Online is available to Costco members. Go to Costco. com and search “QBUP,” or for more information call toll-free 1-800-624-0745.

All services are provided by third parties, may not be available in all areas and are subject to change without notice. Some restrictions apply. See “Services” at Costco.com for applicable terms and conditions.