Monthly Archives: June 2020

computer

Online Safety: Family Edition

Today, having both Internet access and safety seems nearly impossible. While technology can be enriching and educational, it has its downsides. How can you protect your family from the dangers of the Internet while also allowing them access? Keep reading for some of our online safety tips for families. 

Be Careful What Information You’re Sharing 

Many hackers and identity thieves feed off oversharing. Be careful which websites you’re entering personal information into – don’t trust just any website. Oversharing is also dangerous on social networks, so be sure to make your kids aware of the information that shouldn’t ever be shared, like driver’s licenses, usernames or passwords, addresses, social security numbers, etc. 

Be Careful Using Public Wi-Fi 

Connecting to a public Wi-Fi network can seem harmless and convenient, but that’s not always true. Using public Wi-Fi in places like restaurants and malls is an easy way for hackers and cybercriminals to hack your information. Remember to use a VPN when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network. 

Keep an Eye on Your Social Media Networks 

Random messages from unknown users have become more common as social media becomes more popular. Although it seems obvious to ignore spam messages, delete them and move on, kids might not know to do that. Teach your kids to never respond to an unknown person’s message online, and emphasize how dangerous it is to respond to strangers. The smartest move is to get your kids into the habit of coming to you when they receive a strange message so you can double check the user’s profile. 

Educate Your Children 

Most of the time, the reason kids fall into the trap of hackers is because they’re uneducated. Give your kids a mini lesson about what cybersecurity is, why it’s so important and how they can protect themselves. Remind them that if anything seems unusual, they should talk to you so you can make sure the situation is safe. 

Manage Your Passwords 

Most Internet users have the same couple of passwords for all their accounts, making the hacking process even easier. There are safe password management systems allowing you to use a different password for all of your accounts, while only having to remember one password for the system.  

Backup Your Data 

Cybercriminals that hack into your computer can lock you out of your own important files and information. Keep your files backed up regularly so in that situation, you know your files aren’t lost. 

Although there are many ways your cybersecurity can be compromised, there are multiple ways to protect yourself and your family. We hope you protect your information with these top tips! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

toys

5 Games That Will Help Your Kids Learn About Savings

Teaching your kids about saving money can be quite the undertaking. Luckily, there are games and fun ways to help your children engage with this learning process. Check out these 5 games that will help your kids learn more about saving. 

1. Monopoly 

Not only is Monopoly a fun family game, but it’s also a great game to teach kids about money. The game can get lengthy, but it teaches some valuable lessons. Not only do you learn how to save your money, but you also learn about making good purchasing decisions and investing. There are other fun versions of Monopoly that can cater to your child’s interests, such as Star Wars Monopoly, Pokémon Monopoly, Disney Monopoly and many more. 

2. Online Games 

There are countless online games made for the purpose of teaching kids about money. Simply search “money games for kids” in a Google search and you’ll find a bunch of options. You can find a game that fits your child’s age, interests and the topic that you want to teach them. Two examples of popular online money games include Change Maker, where the user practices counting money, and Financial Football for those big sports fans. 

3. MySims 

MySims is a popular video game where you become a character who is placed in a real world setting. Players have many roles in this game, like building new places and attracting residents to their town, but they also use a form of currency called Simoleons. As the player, you’re responsible for managing your Simoleons well and spending them wisely. This game teaches young kids the importance of saving and the consequences of impulse buying. 

4. The Game of Life 

Another very popular and common board game is The Game of Life. Players go through important stages of life, deciding things like if they want to go to college, what career path to take, when to buy a home and much more. Along with these decisions, players start with a certain amount of paper money and make purchasing decisions that affect the outcome of their role in the game.  

5. Pretend Bank 

Sometimes the simplest at-home games are the most fun for kids. Try creating fake money by cutting up paper or using money from board games you already have at home. Your kids can pretend to be the banker or the customer, either having to count and collect money or make decisions on how to spend it. There are lots of additions that can be made to this simple game, like making a fake grocery store of play food or a fake toy store. With these, kids are able to decide how much to buy, how often to buy it and decide if they really need it or not. 

There are limitless options when it comes to games involving money. Teaching your kids these money saving skills while they’re young prepares them for the lifelong money choices they’ll make in the future! Open a savings account for your child when you feel they are ready for real money decisions.

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

dog

How Much Does a Pet Really Cost?

If you or someone you know has a pet, you understand there are lots of factors that go into purchasing one. How do you know if getting a furry friend is the right decision for you? Keep reading to learn about the one-time pet costs you might not have thought about. 

Initial Adoption Cost 

The most obvious payment you’ll make when purchasing a pet is the cost of actually adopting one. What you’ll spend for adoption completely depends on the breed, size, gender and type of pet you go with as well as the place you get your pet from. Buying from a breeder can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,500. If you’re looking to save some money, consider adopting from a shelter as the average rescue pet costs only $70 to $300. The type of pet you are interested in completely changes the cost, so if you’re on a tight budget but you really want a pet, go with something more wallet-friendly at first like a fish or a hamster. 

Food 

You’ll start by purchasing one bag or container of food, but the money racks up over a year. For starters, an average big bag of dog food costs anywhere from $20 to $50 depending on the brand. Over the course of the year, though, the cost of food can reach $200 or $300 total. A fish, on the other hand, only eats a couple dollars’ worth of food per year. 

Medical Costs 

There are various forms of medical attention your pet will need, especially dogs and cats. They’ll need to go to the vet for vaccinations, which can cost anywhere from $50-$300. Secondly, to protect against heartworm, ticks and other things, you’ll spend about $50-$100 for prevention. Getting your pet spayed or neutered costs $50 to $300, and a microchip is about $50. Some pets don’t require much medical attention at all, such as a hermit crab. 

Startup Items 

The items to get your pet journey started could include things like toys, crates, leashes, a bed, tags, bowls, a collar, brushes, training pads and pet shampoo & conditioner. Just to give you an idea of some of these expenses, a dog bed or crate could cost $20 to $100 depending on the brand. No matter what kind of pet you get, you can’t escape the startup expense. Fish and crabs need a tank, hamsters need a crate, birds need a cage… the list goes on. Some startup items are definitely cheaper for some pets than others! 

If you’ve been looking into getting a dog, be sure to consider all of the price factors that come along with owning one. If you have always wanted to own a pet but don’t have the money for the dog you’ve always dreamed of, the good news is that there are cheaper pets out there. Whatever you decide, do what’s best for your bank account and live within your means. Not sure if you’re financially ready for a pet? Contact us – we’d love to help! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

money

Our Complete Guide to Saving Money

Saving money isn’t a one-step process – there are tons of tips and tricks out there to help. We’ve narrowed it down to some of the most practical but impactful changes you can make to maximize your money saving. 

Plan Out Your Grocery Trips 

Going to the grocery store without a plan can be a dangerous game to play, and most people spend way more than needed at those registers. Start by planning out your meals for the week and only purchasing what you need for those meals. You’ll be doing your wallet and your body a favor!  

Cut Down on Those Subscriptions & Memberships 

Netflix now has over 150 million people subscribed to their service, so this step most likely applies to almost everyone. Some subscriptions are fine to have, but there are many unnecessary and unused memberships out there. They might seem relatively cheap per month, but once you add up all of the subscriptions and all the months of use, you’d be surprised how much money you could have saved without them. 

Set Up Automated Savings 

If you haven’t set up your bank account to automatically transfer money to your savings yet, it’s time to start. It might be weird and frustrating at first, but soon enough you won’t even notice the money you’re missing, and your future self will thank you! 

Sell What You Don’t Need 

Go through everything you own and sell the things you don’t need anymore. The random items you have laying around can add up, and odds are you won’t even notice that they’re gone. This is a great way to invest in your emergency fund, too! 

Skip the Restaurants & Coffee Shops 

You’d be surprised how much of a difference preparing things at home instead of going out can make. For example, most people spend around $2-$5 at a coffee shop, while making coffee at home only costs about 16 cents per cup. Start skipping overpriced food and drinks and start making some homemade goods! 

Save Some Energy 

Not only is saving energy good for the environment, but it’s great for someone looking to save money, too. Your electric bill can make a big difference in how much you pay per month. Take a few practical energy-saving steps, like taking shorter showers and shutting off unused lights, to see a big drop in your bill. 

Taking some practical and simple steps towards saving money will produce big results. There’s no better time to start saving than now, so open a savings account with us and give these tips a try! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender