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Summer is the season of go, go, go, so it’s no surprise that it is also the time of year we find ourselves looking to buy a car that will get us on our way to our next adventure (or just up the road for groceries). As exciting as buying a new car can be, the cost of a new car may be too high for your needs and budget. Used cars however, can be a great bargain for savvy shoppers.

Oftentimes still covered by a factory warranty and eligible for lower insurance rates, a used car provides great value and still can get you wherever you need to go this summer. Nevertheless, prospective buyers should proceed with caution in order to keep an affordable option from becoming an expensive one. Luckily, using a few simple guide-lines, you can confidently get on the road with a reliable vehicle at a fair price!

Beware of buying online Online advertisements for used cars can often be misleading, as they may disclose only selected information or use deceptive jargon. Remember, a picture and short description of a car

on a website is not enough information to go on when making your buying decision. Any car you find online should be close enough to where you live that you can give the car a thorough test drive and perform an in-person inspection and assessment. Also, find out if you are able to take the car to a professional mechanic to inspect it for mechanical soundness.

Do Your Homework A quick internet search of the make and model will help you to understand the general weaknesses of any car type, as well as typical repair costs and reasonable price points. The history of a used car can also be researched easily via its vehicle identification number (VIN) and a vehicle history report (one good option is obtaining a Carfax® report).

It’s also important to ask the seller questions about the car’s history. These can include:

• Is the car certified by the manufacturer?

• What are the age and mileage limits on the warranty?

• What, if any, maintenance has been done on the vehicle?

• Does the car have a clean title?

Shop for the Best Deal Taking your time to shop and compare prices is the only way to know for sure that you are getting the best deal possible. This is true not only for the car you will drive, but also for the way you choose to finance your purchase. In fact, many individuals make the mistake of financing their car through a dealership, which may seem convenient but could prove to be more expensive than alternative options.

When the time comes to make a decision about financing your vehicle, remember MCU is there to help! We offer:

• Up to 125% financing

• Low interest rates

• Flexible terms

To learn more about how an MCU Auto loan can you get on the road with your new-to-you vehicle, go to nymcu.org today!

The Smart Shopper’s Guide for Used Car Buying

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Important Notice of Change of FeeEffective June 30, 2014 (with regard to the combined balance in your MCU accounts as of the end of June, 2014), the Minimum Balance Charge will be changed to $10.00. As a result of this change, the Minimum Balance Charge section of MCU’s Schedule of Dividends, Service Charges, and Fees will be amended to read as follows:

Minimum Balance Charge: At the end of any calendar month in which you do not have a minimum combined balance of $500.00 in one or a combination of your MCU deposit accounts (under the same root account number), your share account will be assessed a minimum combined balance charge of $10.00.

This minimum balance charge will be waived for the following reasons:

• If you have a secured loan or an outstanding balance on a secured VISA Card® and/or Home Equity line of credit with the Credit Union and maintain at least $5.00 in combined balances.

• If you have an unsecured loan (excluding Overdraft Line of Credit accounts) or an outstanding balance on an unsecured VISA Card line of credit with the Credit Union and maintain at least $250.00 in combined balances.

• If you are 62 years of age or older, or 21 years of age or younger. (In the case of a joint account, eligibility will be based on the age of the primary account holder.)

• If your Regular Share Account has been open less than one full year.

• If you opened your Regular Share Account under the Young Executive program and the primary accountholder is under the age of 25.

It seems every day we see another newspaper or television ad for a “dream vacation” that sounds too good to be true. Usually the special offer comes with a caveat, such as sitting through a lengthy presenta-tion, or being able to travel only on a specific day of the week. There is one “Vacation Club” out there, however, that can help you save for any vacation, to any destination, with no strings attached: A Vacation Club Account with MCU!

Here is how the MCU Vacation Club Account can help you save for your next dream vacation:

• Open your MCU Vacation Club Account with as little as a $5 deposit.

• Add to the account like any other savings account, through direct deposit or automatic payroll deduction, and watch your account balance grow.

• During the first week of May, the money you have accumulated in your Vacation Club Account will automatically be deposited into your FasTrack Checking Account or Share Account for you to access.

• If you would prefer to save for an even bigger vacation in the future, you can rollover your funds right back into your Vacation Club Account.

To open your MCU Vacation Club Account today, visit www.nymcu.org, stop by your local MCU branch, or call 212-693-4900, and make your dream vacation a reality! Federally insured by NCUA

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The “Vacation Club” that helps you Save!