Tag Archives: financing

The Best Deal for Your Drive

Consumer Lending

Purchasing a new vehicle is an exciting milestone in your personal finances. Filled with countless decisions, finding the perfect price can at times feel like an uphill battle. Luckily Timberwood Bank is here to help you find the ideal drive while staying between the lines of your budget.

If you’re looking for a used vehicle:

There are four things to take into account when purchasing a car or truck that has been previously owned. In most instances, you can request a full history report on the car to help answer the following prompts.

  • Miles v. Year
    • While purchasing a car that is over four years old can be economical, it can often times come with high mileage as well. For the best return on investment, we recommend finding a car with a comfortable number of miles that is still equipped with the functionalities and safety features you desire from newer models.
  • History of Repairs
    • A full report of a used vehicle is a must! This important document will cover the car’s history and allow you to identify potential warning signs. If reported collisions appear frequently it may result in additional monthly maintenance fees. However, if the previous owner had a consistent service history, your vehicle should last you well into the future.
  • Budget Friendly
    • Used cars will typically have a lower price point than many new makes and models. This can be a valuable money-saver, however, it’s still paramount to find a cost-effective vehicle to fit your needs. We suggest working with dealers to find an option that meets your basic criteria and comes in under budget. By having some cushion with the cost, you can ensure there are funds still available, in the event of possible maintenance or repairs.

If you’re looking for a new vehicle:

There’s nothing like that new car smell. Purchasing a vehicle with no prior owners has its benefits. From new industry updates, upgraded entertainment options, and advanced safety options, there are a variety of things to focus on when selecting your new ride. However, we recommend taking the following points into account:

  • Safety and Technology Features
    • Things like a rearview camera and four-wheel drive can make a big impact on your personal safety. In addition to the ever-changing technological features, these advancements can help make you and your family feel more secure. We recommend making a list of the vehicle features that are important to you. Be sure to bring it along whenever you browse for potential matches.
  • Room to Grow
    • New vehicles have the potential for a long lifespan. When purchasing your next ride, be sure to plan for future milestones along the way. If you plan on growing your family or venturing across the states, keep those goals in mind when choosing the best vehicle for you.
  • Affordable Payment Options
    • Many dealers work with trusted local lenders, like Timberwood Bank to help their customers secure the financing they need for both new and used vehicles. When purchasing a car or truck, remember to select payment options that fit into your monthly budget, while still allowing room for flexible spending.

Whether you’re searching for a new pickup or a used hybrid, Timberwood Bank is excited to help make your car buying dreams a reality. Stop by today to speak with one of our experienced consumer lenders, and see what type of vehicle can fit into your monthly budget.

Low-Cost New Business Ideas

Business Financing

Creating a new business is an exciting journey filled with a constant flow of ups and downs. When deciding which industry to invest your time and money, consider these cost-effective options, courtesy of Timberwood Bank:

Virtual Assistant: Needing a basic set-up of only a desk, computer, and phone, this affordable opportunity allows you to work from home, and establish your own hours. Start slow with one or two clients, and work your way up to a full-time schedule.

Medical Reporter: Quick typing skills and a high accuracy is all you need in this quick start-up. Speak with area hospitals and gain contracts for their on-location reporting. The higher your words per minute, the better!

Pet Groomer: Keeping dogs squeaky clean may sound like a lot of fun, but it can be tough work! With minimal startup costs, you can start your own service straight from home. By focusing your business on smaller dog breeds, you can minimize your cost, and maximize the number of clients you can maintain!

Freelance Writer or Photographer: Put your skills to use in this nomadic and highly flexible field. With an increasingly high amount of online publications, many magazines are searching for additional content and imagery to accompany them. Search the web for opportunities, and begin to build your digital content portfolio.

Event Planner: If arranging holiday parties and birthday celebrations sounds like fun to you, this could be your ideal career! Get started planning events for families and friends, and begin building your network of clients at each function. Once people start to see what you can do, you can begin to build your client list, and slowly fill your calendar with events and your pocketbook with revenue.

Wherever your passions take you, Timberwood Bank will help you arrive safely! With our trusted business financing, we can help you and your budget stay on track. Stop by today to speak with one of our commercial lenders, and discover how to create your ideal cash flow.

Teaching Your Children to Save

Children Saving

Sharing the value of money with your children can be an insightful learning opportunity. By encouraging them to grow in their fiscal responsibility they can begin to comprehend how to properly use and save money. Try these simple lessons to begin teaching your littles ones the importance of finances.

  1. See the value of savings: Before they understand the concept of retirement, help them see the advantage of long term savings. Just as companies offer to match their employee’s savings plan contributions, offer to match your child’s investment in a purchase. If they save for half the amount, you’ll contribute the other half.
  2. Create a goal chart: Saving for a car, a college degree, or a home takes years of planning. Let your child see the value of long term savings by helping them visually track progress in their own investment. Choose a purchase such as a new tech device or a day trip to an amusement park. Based on their allowance and other sources of income, draw a column of boxes to represent the number of weeks of savings it will require, then draw an X or place a sticker in each box once they save the weekly amount.
  3. Open a savings account: An interest-bearing savings account can help your child track their money as it expands through simple deposits and compound interest. Open an account for your child early on to educate them on the concept of finances, and have them deposit a percentage of their allowance each month to see their own wealth grow.
  4. Demonstrate checking: When your child is comfortable with complex addition and subtraction, have them assist you as you track your deposits and purchases while balancing your checkbook. Show them a bank statement and explain the different components, identifying which numbers help you balance your checking account. Take this opportunity to explain the relationship between savings and checking accounts and give examples of why and when you would use each.
  5. Set an example: Your children look to you to set a precedent, so if you save, they save, and if you spend, they spend. Set up a savings jar at home for extra change and designate these additional funds to fun family events such as ice cream trips, movie nights, and more. Show them the power of savings one coin at a time!

Timberwood Bank wants to see you and your little ones succeed. Stop in today to learn about our children’s savings account options!

 

Home Buying in a Winter Wonderland

home

Begin the journey of purchasing your new home with Timberwood Bank! We’ll help guide you through the process of securing a new residence for you and your family. Stick with these easy do’s and don’ts and you’ll be on the path to success.

Do:

  • Secure a loan before a home: While the hunt for the first house is exciting, your final decision will depend on the mortgage you can secure. Your first step in the home buying search should take place with a loan officer who can assess whether you qualify for a mortgage, and if so, at what price. This provides a framework guiding the search so you don’t expend time and money on houses outside your means.
  • Take your time: The average homeowner occupies their house for nine years before relocating, so additional time spent thoroughly searching for homes can reap a decade of benefit. Track trends in the housing market to buy during the most cost-effective season. Weigh personal, important factors beyond price listing, such as neighborhood quality, length of commute, and potential for expansion and home improvement.
  • Consult the professionals: The listing agent represents the interests of the seller, not the buyer. As a first-time home buyer, you’ll need as much trusted, unbiased advice as you can garner. Ask friends and family to recommend their real estate agents so you receive counsel from a professional with a track-record of success.

Don’t:

  • Look at homes well over your budget: You set a budget for a reason. Stick to it! Paying more than you designated for a home can financially limit you to update and repair as needed. By spending within your originally determined limit, you’ll avoid heftier mortgages and continue to withhold extra funds for any household incidentals.
  • Empty savings into a down payment: Securing your mortgage requires a down payment. Putting down less than 20% requires you to buy mortgage insurance. To avoid this added expense, some home buyers drain their savings to cover the down payment upfront. Liquidating your account, however, leaves you without a safety net in the event of job loss or medical emergency. The expense of mortgage insurance is worth the financial cushion you can leave in your account, and you can always eliminate the insurance once you’ve paid off 20% and opt to refinance your mortgage.
  • Speed through the closing: The end is in sight, but don’t let the glow of the finish line obscure your view of the paperwork. Review documents with a fine-tooth comb, double check that nothing has been altered in your agreement, and ensure that it describes your understanding of the transaction to a “T”. A day or two of extra analyzing can save you years of headaches!

At Timberwood Bank, we offer a number of mortgage options to make securing your home as feasible as possible. To schedule your first meeting with one of our knowledgeable mortgage bankers, give us a call at (603) 372-2265.