SUMMER 2016

Tips Before You Travel Vacation is your time to kick back, relax and enjoy life, right? Unfortunately, too often this attitude leads to out-of-control spending by those who aren’t careful. Thankfully, there are easy, relatively painless ways to cut vacation costs without sacrificing any of the fun. Here are a few tips to help you get started. Limit debit card purchases. When you use your debit card, certain types of merchants sometimes authorize more or less than the final transaction amount (e.g. car rental, hotel) and may affect your overall The Tolentino’s Story available balance. You may want to use a credit card for payment of Tess was recruited by Hendrick Medical hotel and car rental services if you have any concern about the Center, along with 6 other nurses from the temporary impact on the available balance of Philippines, in 1991. Upon beginning work with your checking account. her new employer, Tess was introduced to First Save on lodging by not staying at a brand- Abilene FCU through their partnership with the name hotel, try finding a less expensive Hendrick International Nurse Program. When alternative. In many areas, you can rent she moved to Abilene she did not know how to drive and had never had a bank account. She

private accommodations for short-term began with a checking account so that she could stays through websites such as Airbnb receive direct deposits and soon after that and HomeAway. Finding a place to stay received her first car loan for a Honda Civic. with kitchen facilities can help you avoid “FAFCU played a big role in making me strong too many pricey restaurant meals. and independent,” Tess states. Eating expenses can be one of the In 1994, she married her husband Jeff. costliest parts of a vacation. Having a few Jeff was originally from San Francisco and meals at nice restaurants for fun – after all, wanted the couple to move there; however, Tess it’s a vacation – doesn’t mean you need to knew Abilene was home for them. After getting do that three times a day to enjoy the trip. married, the credit union assisted the Tolentino’s in purchasing their first home, Bringing along snacks and beverages purchased sending money to family in the Philippines from a market at home is one way to cut your food costs. Stock up on when a financial need arose and helped to snacks that won’t spoil, such as microwavable popcorn, granola and start youth savings accounts for their two dried fruit. Instead of buying bottled water or other drinks, get a children, Gabriel and Samantha. re-useable water bottle with a purification filter. When Gabriel began driving, the Tolentino’s If you’re flying to your destination, plan to travel light – some knew exactly where to go to help them purchase airlines charge extra for carry-on bags. Even if you check your his first car, FAFCU! Tess says, “The credit union luggage, if a bag is over a certain weight, you can face an additional is not just a bank, it is like a second home and the staff is family.” The Tolentino’s favorite fee. With high fuel prices, you may save a lot by using public credit union products include the PAL line, transportation, walking or bicycling to get around once you’re at BillPay, Direct Deposit and the Christmas Club your vacation destination. Savings Account. Simple steps like these mentioned here can go a long way toward After working 23 years as the charge nurse making sure your sweet vacation memories don’t go sour when the on a telemetry unit, Tess is now the Clinical bills arrive months later. Documentation Integrity Coordinator. Jeff works as an Endoscopy Technician for Abilene Endoscopy Center. In their spare time this summer they will prepare for Gabriel to start college at ACU and watch their daughter, Samantha, dance with the Cooper Cougarrette Drill Team. Tess also loves to assemble flower arrangements and decorate her home. Want to tell us your story? Email [email protected]. Why does Retained Servicing Matter? At First Abilene FCU, we’re committed to providing service excellence in every aspect of the way we do business. That’s why we choose to provide retained servicing through our lending partner CU Members Mortgage. CU Members Mortgage retains servicing on 99% of the loans they make and that means you will always know who to call, where to send payments, and what to expect. Your loan won’t be sold year after year and you’ll continue to have the same great service as always for the life of your loan. Plus, CU Members Mortgage has an award winning servicing department to guide you through any questions you may have. Retained servicing is just one of the many offerings we extend to our members when they have a home loan through First Abilene. Call us today to learn more about our special rates and terms exclusively available for our members.

This is not an offer to extend consumer credit as defined by Section 1026.2 of Regulation Z. Home loans are provided by service providers with CU Members Mortgage a division of Colonial Savings, F.A. NMLS#401285.

The following documents will assist with your home loan application: r30 Days of Paystubs r2 Years of W-2’s, 1099’s, K-1’s rCopy of Driver’s License & (as applicable) Social Security Card rClosing Disclosure for Sale of Property r2 Months of Bank Statements (if applicable) (ALL PAGES) (Checking, Savings, rDivorce Decree/Child Support Ledger Retirement, as applicable) (if applicable) r2 Years Personal & Business Tax Returns rBankruptcy & Discharge papers (ALL PAGES and YTD Profit & Loss, (if applicable) as applicable) rMortgage Statement on current home if not being sold

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