Month: September 2017

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Blog Investment Services Personal Safety & Security

54 Ways to Save Money

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From an original article by America Saves

You might be surprised to learn how many people have little to no savings at all; perhaps you’re one of them. If so, you’re not alone. Approximately 62% of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings account – 21% don’t even have a savings account. Talk about living on the edge.

Opening a savings account or dropping nickels in the piggy bank are two ways to save money but there are so many more ways to save. Here are a few of our favorites:

  • Save for something specific – There’s a difference between saving money and saving money for your future. Put the money you save into a retirement account or an account just for college expenses.
  • Budget with cash and envelopes – Set aside a certain amount for spending. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
  • Save automatically – Setting up automatic savings is the easiest and most effective to save. Cash out of sight is cash out of mind.

We have 51 more ideas to share with you. For the complete list of money-saving tips, read the full article. 

Categories
Blog Business Fraud & Security

Protecting Your Identity

From an original article by American Bankers Association 

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. About every two seconds, an American falls victim to identity fraud. American Bankers Association (ABA) recommends the following tips to keep your information (and money) safe:

  • Don’t share your secrets – Never provide your social security number or account information to anyone who contacts you online or over the phone. Protect your PINs and passwords as well.
  • Shred sensitive papers – That includes bank statements, receipts, and unused credit card offers.
  • Use online banking – Keep an eye on your financial accounts for fraudulent transactions. Sign up for text or email alerts from your bank for certain types of transactions, such as online purchases of more than $500.
  • Monitor your credit report – Order a free copy of your credit report every four months.
  • Protect your computer – Add virus protection software and keep it up to date.

If you do fall victim, call your bank and credit card issuers immediately so they can close the accounts. Also, contact the fraud unit for the three credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your credit report. For more tips on protecting yourself or recovering from identity fraud, read the full article.

 

Categories
Blog Business

Creating a Budget

From an original article by America Saves

Money is the master of the disappearing act. Poof! Where did it go? Well, the easiest way to keep track of your money is to create a budget – keeping track of how much you’re spending and, just as important, how much you’re saving. There are a variety of ways to create a budget. The key is to pick the method that works for you and stick with it.

Here are a few steps you can take to manage your money effectively:

  • Keep track of what you spend – These days, there are free online tools that can help you track spending. If you’re old-school, no worries, a paper worksheet works well too.
  • Create your budget – Once you know where your money is going, it’s time to figure out where it should be going. Where can you cut back to pay down high-interest debts?
  • Stick to your budget – The easy part is done. Now you must stick to it! Whether you choose an online tool, a mobile app, or the tried-and-true pen and paper, putting an end to vanishing funds is essential to your financial health.

For more details on creating a budget, read the full article.