Monthly Archives: July 2022

Top Cybersecurity Practices for Your Cellphone

Top Cybersecurity Practices for Your Cellphone

We use our mobile devices for just about everything these days – work, social, personal, etc. If we do not proactively take steps to protect ourselves on our devices, we are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable to phishing, hackers, and compromised data. Take a minute to read up on some top cybersecurity tips as a reminder to make sure your cellphone is secure.  

Educate Yourself on Best Cybersecurity Practices 

Effectively educating yourself on the top cybersecurity practices frequently will ensure your privacy and safety on your device. When your phone is not secure data leakage is extremely common. We all use our mobile devices to browse the internet, apps, and most commonly email. Email phishing and spam attacks are huge and can be a huge breach of your data if you are not addressing them immediately. 

Secure Your Phone 

Accurately securing your phone is crucial to good cybersecurity. Having a password is key to ensuring your phone’s security. Creating a good password, whether that be a combination of numbers and letters, your fingerprint, facial recognition, or even eye recognition will boost strong security. It is very smart to also have your apps password protected to add another layer of security.  

If possible, incorporate a two-factor authentication. This is a great option for apps you use less frequently or that have a lot of personal data in them. When using two-factor authentication you will first enter a password. You then will receive a code via email or SMS to enter to get into your account.  

Avoid Public or Open Wi-Fi Networks  

I know we all have times where we are reliant on a good internet connection but try as much as possible to not connect to public or open Wi-Fi networks. Public and open networks bring many threats to your device as they are visible to anyone on that network. 

If you absolutely need internet, utilize your data plan, or install a VPN to keep your phone secure and hidden from open networks. This is a reminder if your home internet or hotspot isn’t password-protected, do it now!  

Update Your Applications and Device 

It is very important to frequently update your applications and device software. If you get a notification something needs an update, do it as soon as you possibly can. When you install an application, read through the user permissions to know what it needs access to. Only give permissions when you are running the app, not at all times. If there is an app you are not using, be sure to shut off those permissions or delete the app altogether. If you don’t intend to use the app for video or photo use but it asks for it, it may not be the best app to install.  

Our lives are on our mobile devices, so it is important we have good practices in place to combat cyber threats. Incorporate these tips or use them as a checklist to ensure your device and your data are secure. 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

On-Trend Home Renovations

On-Trend Home Renovations for 2022

Most homeowners would agree that home renovations and projects seem to be never-ending. For those who love to have a nicely decorated, modern, and aesthetically pleasing home, this blog is for you. Check out these renovation tips on trend this year! Whether you are looking to spruce up your forever home or get your home ready to sell, these tips are worth a read.  

Spice Up Your Walls 

An extremely easy and affordable way to change up the look of your space is to switch up your  

walls. Whether you re-paint a new color, create an accent wall with paint or wallpaper, or swap out your artwork, this is a super easy and fun tip. Spicing up your walls can be a great way to change up your home’s color palette with a bold color or a unique textured wallpaper.  

Kitchen Facelift  

Your kitchen is a space you use on a daily basis, so give it a facelift it deserves to be a fun, functional, and beautiful space you can enjoy. If your kitchen is feeling dull, here are some tips to bring it back to life without a spendy remodel.  

  • Paint your cabinets a bold color (dark green, blues, purple tones)  
  • Add a backsplash 
  • Switch out your accents with new knobs and handles (matte black and gold are super on-trend)  
  • Add in some new barstools or dining chairs 
  • Switch out your lighting for a bold chandelier (match to your fixtures) 
  • Clean off the countertops of appliances – add in pottery and functional storage  

Luxe Up Your Bathroom 

A bathroom refresh is always a good idea. To give your bathroom a luxe feel add in some matching bath towels and rugs to add a clean pop to the space. Replacing the mirror(s), faucet, shower head, light fixtures, and towel bars are a great way to modernize the space. Coordinate your bathroom accessories to add storage and act as gorgeous counter décor. Greenery or florals give a refreshed feeling to a bathroom almost as if you were at a spa.  

Beautify the Backyard 

Spring and summer are great times for those backyard projects. Renovating your backyard space to be a functional place to enjoy can be an ongoing project you do more and more to each year. Consider adding on a patio or a deck. Outdoor kitchens have become wildly popular. Whether you add the full kitchen or a small firepit and hosting area, if you enjoy spending time outdoors this will be well worth the cost and labor.  

The backyard is also a great space to enjoy your hobbies. Raised flower beds and gardens are always on-trend, they add so much color and liveliness to your yard. Your backyard is a great place for yard games or sports you enjoy such as a putting green or a multi-purpose court.  

Accentuate Your Fixtures 

As we have pointed out some key areas to renovate this year, you’ve probably noticed a common theme of swapping out the fixtures. This is an incredibly easy thing to do that makes the biggest difference. You can do this in just about every area of your home, from outlet covers to curtain rods, accentuate your space with your staple preference of fixtures. Keeping your preference of fixtures to match and work in unison will pull your rooms together and give you a base for your overall aesthetic.  

As you begin to choose your next home improvement project, consider these trendy tips to apply to your renovation. Tips and trends change over the years, but these top renovation tips for 2022 will keep your style and design modern and functional for years to come.  

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

How to Cut Social Spending

How to Cut Social Spending

We all enjoy eating out and spending time out with friends here and there, but it can add up! When looking for ways to be social, but cut back on your spending, it can feel like you’re not allowing yourself to fully indulge and have fun. Should you go out to eat or spend a night out on the town? Absolutely yes, socialization is something we all enjoy in our own way. Check out these tips to cut spending, but still, enjoy yourself here and there. 

Track Your Spending  

To stick to your budget and not overspend, it is important to track your spending and notice where you often have overspent. We all tend to overspend on wants and social activities. It is important to be realistic with yourself on how often you want to socially spend and what works with your lifestyle and financial situation. When trying to better your budget, it can feel very hard to cut down or cut things out as they may feel like a necessity. 

Eat-In  

It may seem like a given but opt for a night in rather than eating out. Eating in and spending time preparing the meal can be even more fun than going out! It also is free entertainment to be on your own time in your own space. Here are some ideas for eating in with family, friends, etc. to make it out of the ordinary and entertaining.  

  • Do a grill your own  
  • Appetizers only (great for large groups) 
  • Potluck style 
  • Hibachi  
  • Make your own pizza (have each person bring a topping or two) 
  • Order from a restaurant and eat in (can all share meals or appetizers to lower cost) 
  • Have a cocktail night (each person brings ingredients to craft their signature cocktail of choice) 
  • Dips and chips night (each person brings a different dip and dipper) 
  • Try a theme night where you pick a specific cuisine 
  • Restaurant-esc night, try to create your favorite meals or recipes from your favorite restaurant at home 
  • Charcuterie night (bring a cheese or item for the board)  

Entertainment 

Entertainment out is something we all enjoy doing and most often budget for. Whether you are a person who enjoys music, comedy, movies, concerts, games, etc. we have some fun ideas for you to try to save some money but not cut the fun. If you are looking for a last-minute thing to do or an idea to cut spending out but still enjoy yourself, here are some fun ideas to implement.  

  • Bonfire  
  • Yard game tournament 
  • Card game tournament 
  • Hire a local performer with a group of friends or family  
  • Search free concerts in your area 
  • Game night (optional – have each person bring their favorite game) 
  • Backyard movie on a projector  
  • Craft night (wreaths, holiday décor, pottery, gardening, clothing)  
  • Spa night  
  • Bring in a sales rep for your favorite brand and host a party (kitchen supplies, beauty, clothing, home décor, etc.)   

Social spending can take a toll on our budget and most definitely add up if we allow it to. Eating or spending time in doesn’t have to be any less fun. Incorporate these ideas the next time you try and make it easy by going out for a meal or entertainment. The more you incorporate these ideas, the more creative and fun they become.  

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

5 Tips to Try Before Digging into Your Savings

5 Tips to Try Before Digging into Your Savings

We have all been there when either an emergency comes up or money gets tight. It may feel like an easy solution to dip into your savings but don’t allow that to be your first solution as if you do it once, you’re more likely to make a habit of it. Allow your savings account to be untouched and have the opportunity to grow. Try these five tips before resorting to your savings, you can thank us later.  

Rework Your Budget  

The first thing you should do if you are feeling short on money is to look at your budget and see what that allows for you. If you find yourself looking to dip into your savings frequently, that is a major sign something may be off with the budget you have set for yourself. Take a deep dive into each of your categories and see what needs an adjustment to better fit your financial situation and lifestyle. Sometimes your budget can dramatically change from season to season and that is completely normal. Those small daily expenses over a period of a month can really add up and need to be accounted for.  

Adjust Your Subscriptions 

If you are short on money, a great way to save a good chunk quickly is to adjust your subscriptions for a few months. $10-$30 subscriptions add up over time, so maybe it is time to unsubscribe for a while to save up enough to cover your expense.  

Add a Side Hustle 

Side hustles are a great way to make cash fast. Whether you pick up a part-time job or a hobby to make some extra cash, consider giving a side hustle a shot before you dip into your savings. You may be surprised what a seasonal job or selling some things can do to your wallet.  

Try Cash Only  

When you are having a hard time sticking to your budget sometimes it’s helpful to identify where your problem areas are. Switching to an all-cash budget is a great way to challenge yourself to stick to your budget and see what you have leftover. Set up auto debit for your bills and savings contributions. Set how much money you will need for say a week or a month and stick to using only that to get by.  

Build an Emergency Fund 

If you don’t already have an emergency fund, now is the time to start one! Peoples Bank & Trust Co can get you started immediately with a savings account for you for your emergency fund. Emergency funds are crucial to have for instances where you may feel like you need to dip into your savings because they are made to help you out when the un-plannable and un-thinkable happen. These funds are to be used for an emergency, so after to re-work your budget and looking to every other option to overcome being short on money, then you go to your emergency fund.  

Before you think to dip into your savings, remember to try out these five tips to guarantee budget and savings success moving forward to avoid touching your savings. Allowing your saving to grow is extremely important, so if you treat them as untouchable, the less you will ever try and use them. As you navigate your budget, savings, and emergency fund Peoples Bank & Trust Co is here to help and get you set up with the accounts you need for success! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender