Buy Your Next Car from the Comfort of Your Own Life.

AutoNation Direct is the nation’s number one choice for people who want to buy a car without being there.  And at Tropical Financial Credit Union, we’ve made it the number one choice for our members.  Buy your next car from your living room, your office, the beach, the grocery store or the golf course.  And, get up-front, hassle-free member pricing and personal service like you’ve never seen.

AutoNation Direct’s innovative car-buying experts literally stand in for you.  They’ll shop, compare brands and incentives, evaluate your trade-in, coordinate your financing, prepare documents and ready the vehicle for your first drive, all before you even show up.  And with the nation’s largest inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles, they’ll provide you with any make, model and combination of options; all while you’re watching your favorite TV show.

You’ll receive up-front, market-based pricing, so there’s never a need to negotiate, and there are never any hidden costs.  You’ll also get a Guaranteed Offer on your trade-in either over the phone or online.  Best of all, the trade-in offer stands – they’ll buy your car for that price – whether you purchase a vehicle from them or not.  With AutoNation Direct, you’ll know exactly where you stand, from wherever you’re standing.

 

AutoNation Direct will pair you with a Personal Automotive Consultant who works directly for you, and earns the same amount no matter what you buy, what you pay, or what you trade.   They serve up an online shopping experience that’s simple, rich with every detail, and available whenever you are.  And they provide a 3-day, 150-mile, money-back guarantee on every car, new or pre-owned.

Getting started is as simple as calling 877-585-6330, or visiting TropicalFCU.AutoNationDirect.com.  You call the shots, then sit back and do what you do best. 

Do you remember where you were when you bought your last car?  Where will you be when you buy the next one?  We invite you to try AutoNation Direct.  The Auto Buying Alternative.

 

RETURN OF THE ROUTINES

Today was the first day of school for most of the schools in southeast Florida.  For parents, today marked the beginning of the school year schedules.  We have to get back on track with our bedtime routines, leaving for work just a little bit earlier every morning and watching for those school zones.  Packing lunches, laying out the uniforms and making sure our supply lists – every teacher has one- have been purchased.  

This is a happy, sad, bittersweet and melancholy time for us all.  Whether your kids are just starting school, making that transition from elementary to middle school , middle school to high school, or leaving home for college, it’s a new start and a new opportunity to form friendships and expand horizons.

The meet and greets have already taken place, the hair has been cut, the book bags purchased, the cool shoes have broken the bank, but we think we are as ready as we can be.  

This coming week we will:

·        Pledge time to the classroom

·        Set a time for the kids to call us when they get home

·        Discuss carpools and bus schedules, crossing streets, entering an empty house, etc. 

·        Review safety measures:

o   Going over the emergency only family code word

o   Emergency money

o   No names on the outside of the clothing

o   Discuss who to contact in case of an emergency

o   Discuss who is allowed over

o   Talking to strangers

o   Always walk with a friend or two

 
In Miami, The Children's Trust (for more info dial 211) will be conducting their FREE Annual Family EXPO at the Tamiami Fairgrounds.  They will be focusing on several different programs designed especially for children with Special Needs, as well as outreach and  after school programs, and will offer parenting and nutrition classes.  

As loving and caring parents, we also want to create memories for our children.   Reading to kids has always proven to be beneficial.    I recently came across a great book:  The Dr. Suess book titled, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!”   This is a book that can be read or given to anyone, at any age, and at any time of their life.  It is inspirational, easy –to-read and encouraging.  Parents are finding ways to support their children by asking their child’s teacher to write a little something to the child each year. Special friends and family can also make their contribution.  As the years go by, the child can see the encouragement, guidance and love as they grew.   It is a book that can be read to your babies and to your college grads.   A book of simple wisdom and inspiration that your children can cherish forever.

And as Dr. Suess says:  “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”

Meet you at the school supply store!

^Kat

FINANCES AND KIDS

Well its back-to-school time and the I wants and the, but Mom, I neeeedddd, and, I have to have xxxxx……are being heard throughout all of our homes.

As parents we all want our children to be liked, to be accepted and to do well in school.   But as the times are difficult we have to educate the kids on what we can afford and incorporate their ideas and strengths which can be a lesson in finances without them even knowing.

Luckily, most of our children are required to wear uniforms, which save us all a bundle!  So, we can splurge on backpacks and shoes.  If your child wants that special backpack, that only costs $$$$!!!! invite him or her to do some internet searching for the lowest price on that particular backpack…give them an incentive, the more you save me, the more I give you.  For example,   those really cool NIKE sneakers are at Sports Authority for $129, if your child puts his internet skills to work he may find them at $99 with no tax, and free shipping, offer him half of the difference, you both win!   You might even want to offer a percentage of the savings, that’ll get ‘em thinking!  

There are so many options available to us and with the internet at our fingertips we can teach while educating at the same time.   I am sure if one of mine wants some sort of electronic device, she will be able to quote the price, the store and the distance.    So use modern technology to your advantage and shop at your favorite stores, no interest for a certain timeframe and look for the store policies, some major stores will match any advertised price – simply print out the ad and have it ready when you are ready to buy, and they will match it. 

Some parents give weekly allowances and the kids are then set free to make their own choices, I don’t know about you, but in my home that could be dangerous.  But, congratulations to you if your kids are at that point in their life and use their senses. 

According to recent surveys, today’s high school seniors still lack basic money management skills.  CUNA Mutual offers age appropriate ideas for educating your children in finances.  No matter how old your children are now it’s essential to help them learn how to manage money wisely. Here are a few suggestions based on your child’s age starting as early as 5 years old:

Ages 5 to 10

• Begin giving your children a weekly allowance. 
• Let your children save for and buy something they really want. Savings habits are only reinforced with rewards, so saving must be tied to spending. Establish the difference between wants and needs - do they WANT it or do they NEED it?
• Provide opportunities to earn extra money by doing additional household jobs. 

Ages 11 to 14

• Include children on shopping trips to help teach them what things cost and smart-shopping techniques.  Let them help compare product qualities, prices, return policies, and warranties.
• Encourage odd jobs such as baby-sitting, yard work, or pet care. And encourage children to use their own money to buy beyond-the-basics clothing and accessories.

Ages 15 to 18

• Begin to discuss saving plans for upcoming goals, such as college and cars.
• Consider giving teens a seasonal clothing allowance, beyond their regular allowance.  After setting guidelines and limits let them make their own choices.
• Consider helping financially responsible teens get their own share draft/checking account. Tropical FCU offers the MyKindOf Checking account with a debit card specifically for teens and students!

Well my friends, you have your work cut out for you, happy shopping!

^Kat

FILL THAT TRUCK

The past few weeks have been so exciting as my youngest daughter prepares for her last year in high school!  At the same time I prepare myself for the onslaught of financial "extras" that will present themselves to make sure her final year is a memorable one.  Those extras will include dances, dresses for those dances, activity participation fees, parking sticker to park in the student lot, the personalization for the yearbook, the senior pictures, etc etc etc.  Whoever said attending a public school was free clearly never did any of the extras!

Part of going back to school also involves the standard school supplies that every student needs to have to be successful, no matter what grade. From pencils - to paper - to backpacks - to rulers and everything in between needs to be firmly planted on the shoulders of our children on that first day.  Buying all those supplies adds up and can create a financial burden for many families, especially those with multiple children attending school.

This weekend Tropical Financial Credit Union is teaming up with the Coral Springs Fire Department Local 3080, Hip-Hop artist Absoloot, and Y100's Froggy to fill a fire truck with school supplies to help out some local families with their first day back.

I invite you to stop by our Coral Springs branch at 1201 N. University Drive between 9am - 1pm and drop off a few supplies to help make the first day of school a special day for some local children. The firefighters will be cooking up hotdogs; Y100's Froggy of the Elvis Duran morning show will be there between 10am - noon with giveaways; there will be facepainting for the kids; children fingerprinting kits for the parents; and the music of local sensation Absoloot to keep us all upbeat and entertained.

Hope to see you there!
^Amy

JOIN US TOMORROW!!

 

TAX FREE WEEKEND!

Flipping the calendar this morning, I came face to face with the onslaught of activities already written in….two weeks of band camp, get the school lot parking sticker, school physical, add funds to school lunch account, etc.  it all adds up – it’s back to school time!  This year is a special time in our house – my youngest daughter starts her SENIOR year!

The good news is that on the first few days written in big red letters I see – TAX FREE WEEKEND!!  THIS Friday through Sunday parents and students head to shopping centers across the state to take advantage of buying back to school supplies and school clothes -  tax free!  BUT there are some things you should know before grabbing your credit cards and loading up the car to head out.

• First - know the basics – no tax on clothing under $75 and school supplies under $15…PLUS NEW THIS YEAR – you can a buy new computer as long as it’s under $750; even some computer accessories are tax exempt – BUT be careful - these are for personal use only, now’s not the time to load up your business with a bunch of new computers.

• Before heading out,  be on the lookout at your favorite stores; you might save more money by waiting if your favorite store is holding a big sale after the weekend.

• Make a list of what you REALLY need – how often have we walked out of a store with our arms full of supplies we never really needed….I still have a box of unused #2 pencils from last year, who knew high schoolers use mechanical pencils – the old kind are “lame.”

• Think ahead – this is a great weekend to buy clothes, shoes, and other supplies your kids will need in the coming months; not just their first day back.

• Get acquainted with the specifics – not EVERYTHING is tax free; for instance if you have a child that is into sports – don’t assume all their equipment will be covered because it’s not...trust me. 

For a complete list of what’s covered and what isn’t, check out the Florida Department of Revenue’s latest T.I.P. (Tax Information Publication).

Now you have it from a mom’s perspective – how do the students feel about this weekend? Check out Alysha’s blog on YoungFreeFlorida.com for her own strategy!

Have a great weekend and HAPPY SHOPPING!!

 ^Amy