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This Week @ South Metro Federal Credit Union

Short, timely articles based on a real-world weekly theme.

Buying a Car

A car purchase is a high-stakes deal for just about anyone. This week, we'll cover strategies for finding the best car and successfully negotiating the best overall price.

A “Slow” Approach to Car Buying

Turn the tables in your favor by taking a deliberate approach to car buying.

Researching Your Options

Information is king when making car-buying decisions.

Financing a Car Purchase

If your income and credit score qualify, banks, credit unions, and other lenders will lend you money to buy just about any car. But just because you can afford a purchase doesn’t mean you should.

Negotiating Your Purchase

There are three steps to effectively negotiating the purchase of your car: setting a target price, negotiating the price with the dealership, and avoiding high profit dealer extras that give back the gains your negotiating skills rightfully earned.

Avoiding Surprises

One common way for dealers to increase their profit (and your cost) is to install add-on equipment to the car without your consent, charge extra fees, and try to sell you an extended warranty. These extras are typically either optional or negotiable.

Common Mistakes When Buying a Car

Learn from the mistakes of others so it doesn't happen to you.

New themes are posted every Sunday.

Miss last week? Scroll down to catch up.

Last Week @ MoneyEdu

Dealing With the Loss of a Job

This week addresses the feelings and emotions that come with losing a job and provides actionable steps to take when a job loss happens.

How to Navigate The Experience of Being Unemployed

Introduction to "Dealing With Loss of a Job" Week.

The Emotional Stages of a Job Loss

How a job loss affects us psychologically -- and why the power of these effects might surprise you.

Highly Effective Strategies for Job Seekers

How to immediately jumpstart your job search.

How to Budget When You're Newly Unemployed

A review of some smart budgeting tips to follow in the wake of a job loss.

The Emotional Side of Job Loss

Losing a job can be devastating - here's how to respond.

Keeping Engaged When Unemployed

How to stay busy and focused during a difficult transitional period.

About South Metro Federal Credit Union

Our suite of Financial Education Services (FES) is founded on providing a thorough education and consistent guidance with a confidential personal representative. With this relationship in place, we’ll work with you to determine your broad goals and set tactics for direct outcomes that build credit and help manage debt. We’ll empower you with the mindset, tools and products it takes to make an impact on your financial health.

A photo of Alyssa Walford.

Have a question?

Alyssa Walford
952-358-9738
fes@southmet.com

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