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

Savings Tips For Youngsters

23. July 2021 Administrator Blog (0)
Youngsters are known to be strong believers of living in the moment! However, when it comes to finances, it is advisable to encourage them to plan ahead and keep a portion of their earnings as savings. This helps in securing their future and opens up opportunities for making investments early in life.

Here are some pro-saving tips for youngsters:

  • Make A Budget: The first step towards saving is to create a budget and stick to it. The purpose of creating a budget is to be watchful of income and expenses. It helps create a limit on the amount spent and to create savings for bill payments, entertainment, etc.
  • Practice Delayed Gratification: Youngsters need to work on self-control as far as expenses are concerned in order to save. Encourage them to save for a commodity or service instead of buying it on credit.
  • Keep A Tab On Expenses: Educate youngsters on financial management through personal finance books, online mediums and financial experts. This will help them understand how daily expenses can add up into huge amounts and their impact on savings goals. It will also help to minimize recurring monthly expenses.
  • Prepare An Emergency Fund: Teach them the importance of starting an emergency fund. Irrespective of how much they earn (from pocket money, summer jobs, part time jobs, etc.), encourage them to put away a certain amount as an emergency fund. They can make use of a money market account, certificates of deposit or a high-interest savings account for doing so.
  • Adopt Frugal Habits: Set an example for them by spending wisely by limiting expenses on housing, food, transportation, shopping and entertainment. Look for cheaper options wherever possible and tell them the amount you end up saving.
  • Avoid Lifestyle Inflation: Help them avoid falling into the trap of getting the latest gadgets and devices, cars, expensive designer wear and so on. Teach them to hang onto what they have for as long as they can, provided there is no depreciation in quality and utility.
  • Open A Savings Account: Encourage them to deposit a portion of what they earn into their savings account. It instills a sense of discipline every month and lays the foundation for healthy saving habits.
It is easier to develop a habit at a younger age, so encourage youngsters to start saving. Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union offers an array of savings accounts to assist savings. To know more about savings accounts in Killeen, visit 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  - 76542 or call at (254) 690 – 2274.
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GCTFCU Blog | Choosing Used Car Loan Term
Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union,
3305 E Elms Road
Killeen, TX 76542
Telephone: 254-690-2274
www.gctfcu.net

Choosing Used Car Loan Term

26. February 2013 Administrator (0)

Buying a car is a major step for any buyer, and before taking the plunge into bringing a set of wheels home, it is important to have a clear understanding of how car loans work, and what is the best option for you. The length of a car loan is a critical decision, since it bears an effect on the next few years of your life, making it important to know what you are signing up for. Car loan terms can range from as less as 1 year to as long as 6 years.

There is no one perfect term that is ideal for all buyers, since the length of the car loan depends largely on one’s monthly income, and how much they can afford to pay towards the car loan each month. The car loan term is also influenced by the condition of the car, its price, the amount of down payment the buyer is willing to pay, and several other factors. So the question is, if you are buying a used car, what is the ideal term that you should settle on for your car loan?

Let us take a look at both sides of the coin-

  • Short term auto loan- A short term loan, which is usually considered to be less than three years, can be a good way to save money in the long run, since this shall mean lower interest rates, as well as a lower total payment towards interest. Another advantage of getting a short term  used car loan is that you own the asset faster than you do with a long auto loan. However, the disadvantage of such a loan is the higher monthly payments, which put you at a risk of falling behind on payments.
  • Long term auto loan- Loans that last up to around 72 months are considered to be long term auto loans, and are often the preferred option among buyers who wish to have lower monthly payments, even if this means making these payments for a longer period. Even though you will end up paying more towards interest with a long term loan, it will be easier on your pocket on a monthly/ weekly basis, which is a major advantage for those with low monthly incomes.

Whichever loan term you choose to go with for your auto loan, you can always pay it off before the period, albeit with an early termination fee. In addition to this, you can also refinance your car if you come across a more favorable loan.

We, at Greater Central Texas Federal Credit Union provide low interest loans for both new and old cars. For more information, you can visit us at 3305 E. Elms Rd., Killeen, TX  76542 or call (254) 690-2274.

 

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