KTVQ Interview with Sharon Welborn | New Credit Card Changes
Sharon Welborn, Branch Manager of our Billings, Montana office, made the evening news last night. I’ve included the full story below as well as a link to the video broadcast. Enjoy! Continue reading “KTVQ Interview with Sharon Welborn | New Credit Card Changes” »
Gambling with Your Financial Future and Losing
Lottery and our Financial Future
We saw an interesting poll from Bankrate.com that asked how people envision themselves getting financially ahead, particularly in a difficult economy.
Not surprisingly, “Saving and Investing” was the number one answer, at 36%, followed by “Additional Education or Job Training” at 23%. Running your own business (which is actually the most common profession of millionaires in this country) was fifth at just 6%. Continue reading “Gambling with Your Financial Future and Losing” »
Combating Poor Spending Behaviors | Impulse Spending
We ALL face challenges when it comes to our spending behaviors. In this country, there is a seemingly endless list of “things” that sound fun, interesting, or enjoyable, or that fit the “got-to-have-it-now” mold.
We typically lump these items into the Impulse expenditures. They might come in the form of large purchases like cars, ATVs and vacations, or they can be more mundane things we spend money on, like clothing, restaurant meals, toys for the kids, or even a new cell phone. Continue reading “Combating Poor Spending Behaviors | Impulse Spending” »
Focusing Your Financial Energies
In these unsettled economic times, we offer the following suggestions for your household finances:
- 1. Continue to make payments to your creditors if you’re in the process of paying off debt. Having fewer of the proverbial creditors “knocking on your door” means less of a likelihood of additional and unexpected fees and/or interest rate hikes. Continue reading “Focusing Your Financial Energies” »
Winter Blues? Start Planning Your Summer Vacation Now!
This morning on the way to work, I noticed the skies were darker than usual and the air had a bit more of a bite to it.
Everything had that gloomy winter tinge and it occurred to me that all of the fun the Holidays brought have now come screeching to a halt.
No more turkeys in the oven or jolly St. Nicks at the Mall, gone are the candy canes and gift exchanges. Yep, this is the part of winter I have come to dread.
I started imaging a blissful Summer vacation, somewhere in a warm paradise, miles away from anywhere and far away from my dreary morning commute.
I have ideas on where I want to go and what I would like to do. I just haven’t really planned for it yet.
What a better way to beat the winter blues?
Take this time to prepare and save for your vacation. Not only will you be ahead of the game financially, you will also find ways to squeeze in as much as possible into your trip. Continue reading “Winter Blues? Start Planning Your Summer Vacation Now!” »
Back to Basics: The Cash Only Method
If you’re like a lot of people, the thought of writing each expenditure down or filling out a complex budget planner seems overwhelming and something akin to water boarding. If you are one of those people that hate writing down and tracking your spending, these tips are for you: Continue reading “Back to Basics: The Cash Only Method” »
Holiday Shopping Tips
Saving for the Holidays
The Holidays are a time for family gatherings, gift buying, and great food, which are all great in moderation. Fitness clubs have the highest memberships in the month of January, and credit card companies love the purchases made on their cards during the holidays. This year, enjoy knowing that you have the tools necessary to pay cash for Christmas gifts, food, and travel. Here are a few tips to budgeting a “cash only” Holiday Season.
- Begin saving now for Christmas shopping and Holiday activities. Starting in July would be ideal, but now is better than later.
- Create a list of people you would like to give gifts to and assign each person a dollar amount.
Improve Your Health and Your Wallet
How Healthy is Your Wallet?
Health Challenges and financial distress have caused many of us to take a look at both our good and bad habits. Here are a few realistic tips to help the body and the wallet.
Convenience Store Smoking:
We all know the health and financial reasons to quit smoking, but if you’re like a lot of smokers, you may not have the motivation to quit yet. There is, however, something you can do right now that will save the body and the wallet. When it’s time to purchase cigarettes, keep this in mind:
Wise Usage of Credit, Credit Cards and Your Money: 8 Tips
Here are 8 tips that will help you use your credit wisely. Following these principals should help increase your credit score and standing.
- Make all payments on time. Don’t wait until the last minute to send a payment.
- Pay off the entire balance every month. You’ll never be charged interest this way. Continue reading “Wise Usage of Credit, Credit Cards and Your Money: 8 Tips” »