Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Planning To Buy A Used Car?

Buying a used car is a great option if you’re looking to save a few dollars, but it can be a tricky process. The car you select may have some hidden problems that you might not notice when you test-drive. Though the minor problems can be easily fixed, but these cars can also have major problems that may make you consider another car sooner than you expected!

The following points can help you to make more informed decision when purchasing a used car:

  • Check car history: Even though no one can give you a guarantee that the car is perfect, it is worth the money that you will spend. The history report can help you find out problems the used car might have in the past, such as reported accidents, damage, rental use, etc.
  • Inspect for common problems: Make notes about the VIN number, price, mileage, car’s features, what you like and what you don't like in every car you check. These notes will greatly help you in selecting as well as in the final deal negotiation.
  • Check the car body: Take a walk around the car and look at the overall appearance of car. Look from all sides and check if the car sits at level or not. Often if the car is driven with a full load, the rear springs sag over time. And over the time, the wheel alignment may change, as the suspension parts wear out, which means tires will wear faster.
  • Check the windshield: Check for cracks, scratches and other damages. These damages, if large enough, can cause the vehicle to fail the safety inspection and also the replacement may prove to be heavy on your pockets.
  • Check the interiors: The condition of the vehicle interior is a good indicator of how well the car was taken care of. Mark any defects that you find like scratches, tears in the seat fabric, broken door handles, loose sun visors, etc. Be alert if you notice excessive use of the air freshener as these could be used to hide a bad odor. A bad odor in a car could be very hard to get rid of for a long time.

For more details, visit us at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. We provide cheap and secured used car loans throughout central Texas. You can visit us at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542 or call us at 254-690-2274.

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GCTFCU Blog | Car Financing: New Car Vs Used Car
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Car Financing: New Car Vs Used Car

Buying a car is not easy for most people and requires a heavy investment. Thus some important points like budget, type of car, after sales service and maintenance cost should be taken into consideration when making a car purchase.

Used cars

If you don’t want to invest a lot of money you can choose to get a used car financed. Credit unions have various programs to adjust to your need of financing and offer low interest rates. When you have qualified for a used car loan, you will need to fill a form and your financier will check your credit rating. Based upon this, they will decide the amount that you can borrow and give you different options of the monthly repayments that you can choose according to your preference. After you have finalized the car you want to buy, its details will be sent to the financier who will pay the amount to the seller. It is advisable to have your financing plan ready with you before going to the showroom to make the purchase. Your negotiating skills also come handy while purchasing an old car, as the better your skills higher the chances that you pay less for the car.

New cars

Purchasing a new car is a very huge investment and involves a lot of money. However, most lenders offer a longer repayment time for new car loans as they perform better and stay in good condition. New car loans are often secured against the car itself and the interest rates are also lower than those for used car loans.

The auto industry is rapidly growing and there are a number of car loan plans that are coming out every day. Thus, it is very important that you make a very careful decision regarding which one do you want to buy, new car or a used one, after having considered the pros and cons of each one.

If you want to apply for affordable new and used car loans, you can visit us at Greater Central Teas Federal Credit Union. We offer amazing plans for auto loans to all our customers. For more details, you can call us at(254) 690-2274. You can also visit our office at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542.

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GCTFCU Blog | Tips To Choose Suitable Secured Loan
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Tips To Choose Suitable Secured Loan

A secured loan is a type of loan in which the borrower pledges an asset as collateral for the loan. The loan amount depends upon the value of collateral. A major benefit of secured loan is its affordability in terms of low interest rate.

The choice of a suitable secured loan depends upon a variety of factors. Here are some tips to help you choose suitable secured loan:

1. Loan Amount: The foremost considerable factor is to choose the right loan amount. It is imperative as the loan amount has major impact on rate of interest, EMI, etc. For choosing right loan amount, consider the actual need and the funds available with you. However, make it a point to choose a loan amount that you actually need. Borrowing higher loan amount can have an impact on your financial situation in the future.

2. Collateral: The choice of collateral is important for ensuring loan approval. The value of collateral should be either equal to or higher than desired loan amount. Ask the credit union about allowed collateral and required collateral value.

3.  Loan Tenure & EMI: The choice of loan tenure and EMI are inter-dependent. Longer loan tenure results in lower EMI and vice versa. So, when choosing the right loan tenure, focus on choosing the right EMI. Here are some steps that may help you in choosing right EMI:
  • Consider your monthly income including total monthly salary and income from other sources.
  • Calculate monthly expenses by adding bills, general expenditure, etc.
  • Add monthly savings to the monthly expenses to calculate total monthly expenditure.
  • Subtract total monthly expenditure from total monthly salary.
  • The resulting value can be used as maximum affordable EMI.
4. Rate Of Interest: Rate of interest is governed by type of loan, loan amount, loan tenure, etc. So, consider the variables to check suitable rate of interest.

A great option is to contact the credit union staff for professional assistance in deciding suitable secured loan. The professional team analyzes the financial situation to suggest suitable loan parameters.

Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers affordable secured loan to its members. Members can apply for a secured loan online or by visiting the credit union. For more details on tips to choose suitable secured loan, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX - 76542. You can also call at (254) 690 – 2274.

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GCTFCU Blog | For A Cheaper Auto Loan, Try A Credit Union
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

For A Cheaper Auto Loan, Try A Credit Union

If you are looking to buy a new or old car and have exhausted almost every financing option, then credit unions can come to your rescue. Credit unions are the financial institutions set up by a group of people who pool their resources to provide loans and financial assistance to the members. Since they are non-profit organizations, you get expect competitive interest rates and quicker loan approval. These features have made credit unions an attractive option to consider for an auto loan

Benefits of choosing a credit union for auto loan-

  1. More chances of getting loan approved – Although credit unions do check your credit history, they are quite flexible in making a few adjustments in the loan terms. This can come as a breather for a number of people who have not been able to secure a loan from other financial institutions. The loans are usually approved quickly and even the documentation work is minimal. Being a member of these credit unions can add up to these privileges.
  2. Low interest rates –The loans provided by the credit unions are offered at much lower interest rates than any other financial institution. Knowing that, you can have considerable amount of savings on your loan payment. 
  3. Personalized service - Since credit unions are non-profit organizations and strive to provide the best experience to their clients, they offer flexible repayment options on your auto loan, depending on your circumstances. You can even discuss your concerns regarding the loan with the representatives at the credit union. This can help ease a lot of pressure and other issues regarding the loan.
  4. Non sales approach – Credit unions usually follow a non-sales approach and do not try to sell any other financial products to you. Rather, they strive to provide better services to their customers.
  5. Better educational resources – Credit unions also provide you the necessary information related to the financing options and also help in assessing the real value of your car. They work for your best interest and assist you in making the right decision about the auto loan.

Credit unions are a great option for auto loans as the process is very easy and stress free. The staff assists you in all aspects of loan application process. For more information about auto loans, visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union. You can call at (254) 690 – 2274 or visit our office at 3305 E Elms Road, Killeen, TX 76542.

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GCTFCU Blog | How to Save Money?
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

How to Save Money?

Learning how to save money is one of the key components of financial literacy. It allows you to make the most out of your financial resources while encouraging you to take well-informed financial decisions. 

Let us explore some effective ways to build up your savings and a good credit score. 

  • Learn to Distinguish Between Wants & Needs - Be clear on your financial priorities and divide your income wisely. To make it more effective, learn to distinguish between wants and needs. Your needs include housing, transportation, electricity, insurance, gas, clothes, food, water, health and other household items. These are the recurring expenses and are essential for survival. Things that you buy for leisure, entertainment, fun like travel, expensive clothing, dining out, automatic subscriptions, memberships, etc. are considered as wants. To save money, keep your focus on the needs rather than overspending on the wants. Keep track of your monthly expenses; do not stress yourself and save a comfortable amount of your income. 
  • First Pay all the Debts - The first and foremost priority should be paying off all the debts while making small contributions to build up savings. Once you've paid off your debt, it will be more comfortable and convenient to save significant amount of your income.
  • Find Ways to Save on the Monthly Expenses - Find ways to save on recurring monthly expenses such as: investing in energy-efficient appliances. Managing lifestyle priorities also help in saving on monthly expenses.
  • Wise Savings & Investment Options - Explore various savings and investment options that have potential of higher returns, good interest rates, minimum risks and reliability.  
Insured by the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund (NCUSIF), Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union, Killeen offers a broad array of financial services. With various types of saving accounts like Share Account, Money Market Accounts, Christmas Club, Vacation Club, Certificates of Deposits and Individual Retirement Account and investment & lending options including New and Pre-Owned Vehicle Loans, Secured & Unsecured loans, Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union strives to cater different financial needs and interests of our members.

Visit Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union at 3305 E Elms Rd, Killeen, TX - 76542. You can also contact us by filling up the contact form available at www.gctfcu.net or call us: (254) 690 – 2274.
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