5 Tips for the First Time Car Buyer

Congratulations! You’ve just graduated college. You landed a great entry level position making a salary of $33k. You live in an apartment with a friend from college. Life is good. You look outside your window and your beat-up old car with nearly 200,000 miles stares back at you. Driving to work every day is risky business as you anticipate the breakdown of your beloved first car from Mom and Dad. Now is the time to think about your first large purchase – a new vehicle. Whether you’re starting a new job or starting a new college class – car buying can be tricky. Before traveling down the road of car buying, safeguard yourself using these tips and tricks!


1. Get pre-qualified.
Now that you’re on your own, more expenses will occur. Know how much you can afford before purchasing a vehicle. Representatives at your local Credit Union can assist you with getting pre-qualified. This gives you an advantage because you know what vehicle you can afford and decreases the chance of overspending on a vehicle. The bigger the down payment the better! Why? This decreases your monthly payment and allows you to budget accordingly. If you do not have enough credit established, you may need a co-signer. A co-signer can be anyone with a good credit score, but typically your parents or other family will be able to sign on the loan. The average car loan is generally five to six years; the longer the loan period, the more you will pay in interest.


2. Prepare yourself and do your homework.
Before walking into a dealership, make sure you are prepared and have an idea of what you can afford and what type of vehicle you need. Do not rely on a salesman to educate you about their business. A salesman wants to make money, not save you money. Vehicles that are reliable, have great gas mileage, and fit into your budget seem like the obvious choice. The internet has an unlimited amount of resources available at your fingertips! Plan ahead before purchasing and take into account your current financial situation. Don’t forget to add in car insurance! Anticipate expenses that will accompany your new vehicle purchase such as: monthly car payment, insurance, gas, and any maintenance fees.


3. Take someone with you.
Just like you wouldn’t jump out of an airplane for the first time solo, it’s wise to take someone with car buying smarts along for your first vehicle purchase. An experienced car buyer can help you avoid the traps first time car buyers fall into.


4. New or used?
Getting pre-qualified will help you determine whether or not you can afford to purchase a new vehicle. A car or truck with some mileage is not a bad decision, especially when purchasing your first vehicle. If you are interested in purchasing a used vehicle, it is wise to take the car or truck to a mechanic for a second opinion. Do your due diligence and make sure you are getting the best deal for your money.


5. Have fun!
Buying a car or truck for the first time may seem like a stressful scenario, but it is an exciting opportunity to learn about an important process and come out with a sweet ride in the end! Do not forget to take your potential new vehicle for a spin! Get behind the wheel and make sure you like the way it drives. There are hundreds and hundreds of vehicles out there, pick the one that’s right for you and won’t break the bank.

Credit Unions Rock - Here's Why

Credit Unions Rock – Here’s Why:

I’ve been a member of U.S. Eagle Federal Credit Union since I was just a little Coyote Kid. Back when I joined at the ripe age of ten years old, I had absolutely no idea just how much Credit Unions rocked. Now that I am an adult, I know how Credit Unions, in particular U.S. Eagle, can help me and you achieve our financial goals.

5 reasons why you shouldn’t join a credit union:

1. If you do not like saving money, RUN.
2. If you do not like working with a local business that maintains a heavy community footprint, RUN.
3. If you do not like walking into your financial institution where friendly faces greet you, RUN.
4. If you like high interest rates and low returns on investments (dividends), RUN.
5. Lastly, if you do not like having a say in the way your money is handled, RUN.

It’s a pretty simple concept – Credit Unions really do rock.

Typically, a savings account and checking account at almost every Credit Union is free. That’s right – free. Once you open a savings account, you’re now officially a member. I like to think of Credit Unions as clubs. You’re a member of a club where your voice is heard and you decide how things go – you’re the boss. Depending on where you are employed or what organizations you are involved in will determine whether or not you can join a Credit Union. Fortunately at U.S. Eagle, everyone can join! Oh, and did I mention our savings accounts and checking accounts are free?

One of my absolute favorite things about U.S. Eagle is our huge community footprint. I have worked here for nearly a year and I am still discovering different organizations we support. The best part? Employees have the opportunity to contribute their time to charitable organizations. For example, U.S. Eagle has signups for employees to volunteer their time at Rio Grande Food Project, Casa Esperanza, and Meals on Wheels. We also have a whole committee dedicated to community involvement called, “Community Involvement Committee”. The purpose of this committee is to plan different fundraising events, discover organizations to sponsor, and assist with community service related projects.

I can think of some pretty important relationships I have made throughout my young life. One relationship that I have found essential is a good relationship with the individual who handles my money. When I started working at U.S. Eagle, I visited different branches to acclimate myself to the company. Staff that had helped with my finances at some point throughout my U.S. Eagle membership still remembered me! U.S. Eagle employees do their best to help you succeed financially. You will always find a friendly face more than willing to assist you.

Credit Unions are not-for-profit. This means that we do not operate with the intention of bringing in the dough. We return what profit we do make to our members through low interest rates on loans and credit cards, and higher returns on your investments. Score!

Guess what? We have some good news! Once you’re a member at U.S. Eagle you call the shots. How?

1. Volunteer and be elected to our Board of Directors
2. Attend our Annual Meeting and have your voice heard

Our Board of Directors work on a volunteer-basis. They are not compensated for their time and dedication to the Credit Union. They have monthly meetings where they discuss the state of the Credit Union and how we as a Credit Union can exceed our members expectations.  Once a year, we hold an Annual Meeting and invite all our members. This meeting is intended to address the questions and concerns of our members.

So why hasn’t everyone joined a Credit Union? Good question. Maybe people like paying fees and watching the banks profit. Plus, a lot of people don’t know just how great a Credit Union can be. Truth is that we aren’t just great, we rock.