February 2009
Your Wheels, Your Way -
Smart Choices for Car Buyers
In a tough economy you have to weigh
every big purchase carefully, especially
when making a big investment, like
buying a new or used car. A little
education goes a long way in determining
what makes a best buy. Here are a few
tips for getting the wheels you want at a
price you can afford:
Set a Limit and Stick With It
Be sensible about how much car you
need and see what your budget can bear.
For example, if $300 a month is your
limit, don’t budge when you go to make
a deal. Be aware of what features you
actually need for your type of driving
and find a car that fits that need.
Get Peace of Mind at a Used Car Price
Buying a used car doesn’t have to be a
gamble. You can buy a used car that is a
certified pre-owned vehicle that has the
original warranty and has been inspected
and repaired before resale. Or you can
opt for an extended warranty or service
contract that could provide the same
peace of mind as a new car purchase.
Check with us for low cost mechanical
breakdown coverage.
Think About Total Ownership Costs
The monthly payment is only part of
what you’ll pay for your car. Consider
the cost of insurance, maintenance and
gas when making your choice. Add up
these other costs before buying to avoid
unexpected expenses.
Look Outside the Dealership
There are alternatives to buying a car
from a dealership that can save you
money, such as PowerBuy, our Discount
Auto Service. When you’re ready to
purchase a vehicle, contact a PowerBuy
representative at 305.258.1000,
954.538.4400 or 800.548.5465 with a
description of the new or used car you
want. PowerBuy will locate the car,
negotiate a great price, arrange your lowrate, 100% financing with Power Financial
Credit Union and, in most cases, deliver
the car to your door.
Get the wheels you want, your way.
Power Financial Credit Union has the
services and financing to help you get
the best ride for your budget.
Trade in Your Auto Loan!
Is your auto loan with another lender?
Refinance it with us and get…
• up to $200 cash back!
• a great rate
• flexible terms
*Visit www.powerfi.org for details.
Coming to a PC Near You…
A New Look to Our Web Site!
We appreciate the emails members send us about our web
site and we are redesigning the site with you in mind. It will
have a fresh, contemporary new look and be more userfriendly and simpler to navigate. Be on the lookout for the
new www.powerfi.org, coming soon to a computer near you.
Get plugged into the latest news from Power Financial Credit Union
Be Your Own Accountant —
TurboTax Online Offers Free, Easy Tax Preparation
Did you know you could file your taxes for free in the convenience of your own home?
You don’t have to pay someone to do what TurboTax does at no charge!
TurboTax Federal Free Edition is for people who have simple tax returns and don’t need
much tax guidance, regardless of income level. You can use this software to get the tax
credits you’re eligible for and receive the biggest refund possible. Guaranteed.
TurboTax even offers free online help with tips like these:
•
Gather your tax information including social
security numbers, W-2 forms and interest income
statements before you start completing your
return. TurboTax provides a handy checklist.
•
Use the free edition of TurboTax if you do not
need to itemize your return.
•
Make sure to report the correct amount you
received on your stimulus check rebate or
your refund could be delayed or rejected. The IRS
reports failure to claim the earned-income credit
as its No. 6 top taxpayer mistake and incorrectly
claiming the credit as No. 7.*
Keep Your Good Name
The FTC estimates
that as many as 9
million Americans
have their identities
stolen each year.*
Youth identity theft
is the fastest growing form of identity theft. A
Power Financial Credit Union member actually
received four credit card applications for his
4-week old son!
At Power Financial Credit Union, we want to
help you protect yourself from becoming an
unwilling victim of identity theft. That’s why
we partner with LifeLock, one of the leading
providers of identity theft prevention services,
having developed the nation’s first proactive
identity theft solution.
•
Double check all of the numbers that you
enter to ensure a speedy refund.
•
If you bought a hybrid car in 2008, the Hybrid Car Credit could add as much as
$3,000 to your refund.
•
Date and sign your return before submitting it to the IRS or else your return will
not be filed.
Take advantage of free TurboTax service or choose
other programs that may better suit your tax
preparation needs. Visit www.powerfi.org and click
on the TurboTax icon for more information.
*Source: moneycentral.msn.com
Should anyone attempt to use your credit
report to get new credit, change your address
or expand credit lines, you will first be alerted
for approval. LifeLock enables you to block
your credit so only you can use it. Additionally,
LifeLock cuts down on junk mail you receive.
You only get solicitations from companies you
currently do business with!
This valuable service through LifeLock is
available at a special discounted price for our
members. Get a FREE 30 day trial and then 10%
off when you enroll using the promotion code
POWERFI. Your Power Financial Credit Union
discount offers LifeLock for just $22.50 per
year for children and $99 per year for adults.
To enroll, simply click on Identity and Account
Protection in the left menu of our home page.
*Source: www.ftc.gov
Locations
Blue Lagoon Branch
5820 Blue Lagoon Drive
Miami, FL 33126
Homestead Branch
12171 Moody Drive
Homestead, FL 33032
Florida City Branch
33004 South Dixie Highway
Florida City, FL 33034
Juno Beach Branch
12575 U.S. Highway 1
Juno Beach, FL 33408
Hialeah Branch
6450 West 21 Court
Hialeah, FL 33016
Kendall Branch
Palms at Town & Country Mall
8228 Mills Drive
Miami, FL 33183
www.powerfi.org
North Shore Branch
Medical Center
1100 NW 95th St.
Miami, FL 33150
Sheridan Branch
2020 NW 150 Ave.
Pembroke Pines, FL 33028
Contact Center
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Toll-free: 800.548.5465
Broward: 954.538.4400
Miami-Dade: 305.258.1000
Shared Services
Drive-Thru