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04 foresters facesWhatliesahead?We talk to Foresters FinanceDirector Paul Osborn aboutthe uncertain financialclimate and the economicsituation that memberscan expect in 2011QAre we out of the woods yet,in terms of the recession?Definitely not! There may bemore of a feel-good factor inA the financial services sector thanthere was a year ago, but these arestill difficult times. In the UK we may nothave the problems of some other Europeancountries, but the Government has takensome strong decisions to reduce the budgetdeficit, and we can expect some toughmeasures this year, including the VAT riseand further increases in energy prices.QWhat are your predictionsfor the year ahead?I think we’ll see the economicuncertainty continuing, withA interest rates staying low, but withunemployment rising as a result of the publicsector cuts and their knock-on effect onservice providers. People still in jobs shouldcount themselves fortunate. The propertymarket will probably fall slightly in most areas,as bank lending criteria become stricter.QHow are Foresters memberslikely to be affected?Like many people in the UK,they’re likely to find their moneyA being squeezed. With an uncertainfinancial situation, these are times thatcall for caution – it’s important to try to saveIn 2011 we’ll be looking even more attailoring our products to suit membersfor the future, and avoid building up toomuch debt.QHow has Foresters beendoing over the past year?We’re actually in a strongerposition financially than weA were a year ago, having sold morepolicies in 2010 than in 2009, anddue to the good performance of the equitymarkets. People aren’t always aware ofwhat mutual societies are, or the benefitsthey can offer, but it’s very obvious whenwe’re able to pay good bonuses becauseour profits go to our members rather thanto shareholders. With Profit Funds like oursare often attractive when times are difficultbecause of the smoothing process, wherewe take out some of the fluctuations in themarket. Our aim is to provide our memberswith good consistent returns over the longterm of the investment.”QWhat does the Society haveplanned for the year aheadto help its members?We know that we’re operatingA in an incredibly competitive market,so in 2011 we’ll be looking even more attailoring our products to suit our members.With the removal of Child Trust Funds, forexample, we’ve been asked to get involvedwith the development of the new JuniorISA. We’ll be looking at our whole productrange, to match it to what our memberstell us that they want. We’ll be aiming toreduce the risk of investments, while stillproviding good returns, and we’ll be tryingto reduce our cost base further. Finally, we’llbe shouting more about the benevolent andsocial aspects of what we do, for examplethe advice, grants and social activitiesthat branches can provide. They’re whatmake us more than just a financial servicescompany – they’re what make us different.Steven Stringer Photography
FORESTERS FRIENDS 05Five steps to stayingonlineThese days, having access to the internet means that you have vast amounts of information atyour fingertips. And with a few simple precautions, surfing the web is something you can enjoysecurely. We ask Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online, for his top safety tips:Antivirus softwareThis detects and deletes computerviruses (programs that canreproduce themselves and infectcomputers), and is a must. You can check ifyour computer already has it by clicking ‘start’>‘settings’ > ‘control panel’ > ‘security centre’and making sure that ‘virus protection’ says‘on’. If you don’t have it, there are many free andcommercial packages available online.Check your firewallA firewall is part of a computer systemthat is designed to block unauthorised access overthe internet. Most computers these days have thembuilt in, but to make sure that yours has, again go to the ‘controlpanel’ and see if one is listed. Free firewalls are available online ifyou don’t already have one.Fight the spywareSpyware is software that can sometimes installitself on your computer without your knowledge,and then collect sensitive bits of information, likeyour passwords or credit card number, from your keyboard.The manufacturer of your antivirus software should say whetherits product detects spyware, and there are programs you candownload for free if it doesn’t.Enable updatesWhen applications on your computer, such asMicrosoft Office or Adobe, prompt you, let themdownload their latest version. These have usuallybeen adapted to remove any vulnerability to viruses that they mighthave had before. Antivirus software manufacturers in particularare always adapting their products as new viruses come along. Itshouldn’t cost you any more to update the applications you alreadyhave, as long as your subscriptions are up to date.LOG ONto our new Facebook page atwww.facebook.com/forestersfriendlyto keep up with all our latest news!Protect your IDChoose strong passwords thatuse a mix of words, letters,numbers and punctuation. Anduse different passwords for different sites tomake it harder for identity thieves to steal yourpersonal details. If you’re shopping online,make sure there’s either the ‘lock’ iconon the status bar, or that it says ‘https’, eg,‘https://forms.forestersfriendlysociety.co.uk’.These are secure areas where it’s safe toinput your personal details. Keep a recordof what you pay for and always check youronline purchases off against your statements.For more impartial advice, visit:www.getsafeonline.orgwww.which.co.uk/technology/software/guides/choosing-the-best-security-softwareGet snapping!Upload your favourite winter photos onto the ForestersFriends Photography Club and the best 10 will win pairsof tickets to the Country Living Spring Fair in March!The show takes place between 23rd and 27th March2011 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.The deadline to upload your photos is Monday 28thFebruary – just visit www.forestersfriends.co.uk, clickon Groups and then Photography Club. Simply join thegroup to upload your winning snapshot!If you’re not one of the lucky 10 winners, you canstill take advantage of our reader offer of discountedtickets for the event, at the price of £11.50 instead of £16.Just call 0844 848 0160 by 1pm on the day beforeyou wish to visit andquote CLSPRING2.
Page 1: ForesterTheStraightforward financia
Page 7 and 8: ETHICAL INVESTMENTS 07Images: Maste
Page 9 and 10: TIME FOR A SPRING CLEAN 09on how to
Page 11 and 12: MiscellanyAll about you - for youWi
Page 13 and 14: Area newswales & the bordersThe win
Page 15 and 16: Area newseast anglia southeast midl
Page 17 and 18: Area newsNorthyorkshireFine diningC
Page 19 and 20: RecipesHigh Court grand draw raffle
Page 21 and 22: Member portraitsMagic momentsfrom h
Page 23 and 24: Heritage 23FamilyaffairsResearching
Page 25 and 26: guide to our sAVINGs 25Tax Exempt S
Page 27 and 28: protectioN 27Last year, morethan 70
Page 29 and 30: fundraising 29Images: GettyTop fund

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