Author Archives: PBTC Blogger

How to Save When Eating Out

How to Save When Eating Out  

Eating out is sometimes more than just giving our body the nutrients it needs, it can be fun, different than the norm, and be a social outing. We all need to eat to live, but for those who live to eat out, here are some tips to lower your bill but still enjoy that meal out here and there.  

Change Your Drink Order 

As much as we all love a good fountain soda here and there, the extra money spent on coffees, tea, and soda adds up. Most of the time, water is free so if your goal is to save extra, try out water instead. A tip is to carry a water enhancer with you to add flavor or to order your water with a lemon for a citrus flavor. We all love a good cup of coffee or tea but remember you are there for the food. Specialty coffees over time add up to be just as much as a light meal.  

Lunch Over Supper  

This is probably a given, but we all know restaurants that have both a lunch and supper menu. Supper tends to be a much larger and more pricey meal. Lunch tends to be a lot cheaper, and you also get some extras like soup or a salad to fill you up.  

Opt for an Appetizer and Share  

If you are ordering off the main menu, scratch the appetizer for additional savings. If you are looking to save, sometimes splitting one or two appetizers with your lunch date can be more cost-effective than the main dish. Also peek at the side options, if you are looking for something light opt for a few sides for a low bill.  

Go Out During the Week Over the Weekend 

Restaurants tend to have some deals or specials they run during the week rather than on the weekend when more people tend to eat out. Earlier in the week may be your best bet for a steal as most places are looking to fill their booths. Some even have nights where the kids eat free.  

Go During Happy Hour 

Happy hour is a lot of fun and can be the best time to catch a bite or meet up with a friend and get the biggest bang for your buck. Many restaurants will have their happy hour menu set on their website. Whether you eat some appetizers (a great option for a large group) during happy hour to get your fix or start with something light to hold you over, try out a happy hour instead of going during mealtime.  

Prioritize Your Meal Plans 

If you are someone who enjoys eating out, it can be very hard to avoid it at all costs. Most people tend to really enjoy it here and there. The better you can make plans in advance and do your research, the more you will save on those one-off meals when you are truly in a rush.  

Summer is right around the corner, and we tend to get busier and busier with activities and often take the easy way out for meals. Save a little extra this summer and put some thought into your eating-out routine. Try out these seven tips and tricks to avoid blowing your budget on food this summer! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

How to Teach a Teen to Save

How to Teach a Teen to Save 

Teaching a teen to save can sometimes be a struggle as they do not necessarily understand the benefit. Whether your teen is years away from getting a job or heading off to college, teaching them the benefit of saving now and how to effectively do so will hopefully help them avoid learning tough lessons later in life. Enjoy these tips on how to effectively teach a teen to save!  

Make Saving an Expectation 

Learning about saving is one thing, but implementing it as soon as possible is the key to their financial success and habits moving forward. If your child is under 18 and living under your roof, you still make the rules and have the opportunity to show them good savings skills.  

Your child may be very involved in schooling or extra-curricular, so having much of an income could be a struggle. Creating your own saving rules to give them an opportunity to choose how they spend and save their money is great practice. Some parents have found success making a rule that a percentage of their earned income (chores, gifts, etc.) go into their savings that they do not touch.  

Incentivize Your Kids to Save 

We all feel more open to meeting a goal when there is an incentive involved, and this can be a great tool to use as building their savings is a reward in itself. As you create and implement your savings rules, consider what you are willing to do to incentivize them to stay on track. Here are some incentive ideas:  

  • Match what they save each month. 
  • Match a percentage of what they save each month. 
  • Track their savings over time and match when they hit a goal.  
  • Give them chores to earn more to save.  

Introduce a Budget  

Teens can often have a lot of wants and feel restrained as they do not have much of their own to spend. This is a great opportunity to allow them to earn their wants but also prioritize their savings. Introduce a budget and give them a chance to be in control of their spending. This allows them to allocate what they feel is reasonable to spend on wants, but also see that if they spend it all they have nothing to set aside to save.  

Push them to track their weekly spending. If your child earns an allowance or money through household chores – this is not all for wants to encourage them to determine their budget based on income, expenses, and what they allocate to save. They will also learn to budget for the fun stuff or wants they have coming up, rather than spending it all at that time.  

Push Your Teen to Earn Their Spending Money  

We all can agree that kids most definitely cost us money, but you are in control of how easy it is for them to obtain it from you. Incorporate ways for them to earn money to spend. When teens are given money freely, they often do not see the benefit of saving in the short and long term. As they begin to save and earn their spending money, they will see the reward when things come up they want in the future and will feel much more in control.  

Let Them See Your Saving Habits  

Your kids tend to learn habits from their parents as they grow up, so it is important for them to see your savings habits. Sometimes it is beneficial for them to see how you save with real-life examples, whether that be from your budget, retirement account, savings, etc.  

Get your teen excited about saving with these helpful tips! Peoples Bank & Trust is here to help you throughout this process to get them the checking or savings account they need to be successful. Start teaching your teen the benefits of saving today so they make it a priority throughout their own lives.  

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

What is a Zero Based Budget

What Is A Zero-Based Budget?  

Summer can bring fun and spendy opportunities. Whether you need additional savings or a good challenge to get your budget back in check, it may be time to push yourself with a zero-based budget. What is a zero-based budget? If you need a good budgeting hack, check out this blog for all you need to know about a zero-based budget and how to get it going for you.  

What is Zero-Based Budgeting?  

The name is very fitting for a zero-based budget as it is as simple as your income minus your expenses equal zero. Easy as that! The takeaway of a zero-based budget is to teach you that every dollar has its purpose and is accounted for. A zero-based budget is a great challenge for someone who mindlessly spends on wants here and there. This is a great way to notice the amount you spend on coffees or extra meals out.  

Why You Should Try a Zero-Based Budget  

There are many wonderful benefits to a zero-based budget. Compared to other budgeting methods, a zero-based budget is one of the most customizable. Some people do not have a set income, preference to put towards their savings, or idea of month-to-month expenses. A zero-based budget allows you to have a preference to customize each month how you would like, but still allows you a simple structure to follow. Every dollar is working for you, and it forces you to see it like that instead of looking at it as here and there expenses on unnecessary items.  

How to Create Your Zero-Based Budget 

Check out the step-by-step guide below to create your zero-based budget.  

1. List out your monthly income – any money you bring in during the month would be added to the income list to get your total.  

2. List out your expenses – any expense you incur during the month will be added to your list of expenses. Expenses will include set expenses, what you are setting aside for your savings, essentials, any extras you spend money on during that month, and any month-specific holidays or activities. It is also a safe idea to create a miscellaneous category as you get started for unexpected problems.  

3. Subtract your total expenses from your total income to reach zero – you may not get it totally correct the first time. If you have leftover money, put it to work! Whether you put more into your savings or more towards any debt, that is absolutely great. 

There are wonderful benefits to incorporating a budgeting method to follow. A zero-based budget forces you to put every dollar to work. This is great for someone who has variable expenses and irregular income. This could be a great budget method for someone who is in school, a freelancer, someone with many jobs or an extra side hustle. Give a zero-based budget a shot this summer to get your budget in check! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

Most Common Money Mistakes to Avoid This Summer

Most Common Money Mistakes to Avoid This Summer  

We all tend to want to relax, let loose, and have a little extra fun in the summer months. Don’t let that summer fun lead to overspending or big money mistakes. Maintain your budget by reading up on the 12 most common money mistakes to avoid this summer.  

1. Not Setting Your Summer Budget 

A huge mistake we all tend to make during the summertime is not adequately planning out activities – especially the pricey ones and setting an accurate budget for them. Overspending on activities is a huge factor that may take you over budget. We know fun tends to happen out of the blue in the summer, so be prepared for that and do as much planning prior.  

2. Not Budgeting for Gifts  

Summer is the prime time for celebrations such as reunions, weddings, graduations, etc. You’ll thank yourself later if you start budgeting for those gifts now rather than later. Keep your celebration expenditures within your budget.  

3. Keeping Your Home Too Cool 

Your air conditioner is probably the most expensive item on your energy bill. When you are gone or the weather is cool, don’t run it! Saving energy here and there will help lower the bill for some additional savings and keep you from a hefty bill.  

4. Keeping the Blinds Open During the Daytime 

We all love the summer sunshine, but during the summer it’s worth it to keep those blinds closed. If you are running your AC and have your blinds open during the day, you are heating your house up and your bill is likely to soar.  

5. Spending Too Much on Summer Activities for the Kids 

Whether it be for a babysitter or day-to-day activities, map out your plan for summer. All parents want to keep the kids occupied and allow them to have tons of fun this summer. Map out your plan for childcare and make sure it meshes well with activities for them, so you aren’t paying for both every day. Look into day camps or babysitters that also help with your kid’s friends, that way you can get the biggest bang for your buck. 

6. Buying Out-of-Season Produce 

We all tend to want fresh produce during the summer as it is refreshing and a great treat. Make sure you check the prices, especially on out-of-season produce to avoid overspending on produce that may not be the best. Check out the farmers’ market to grab produce for less. 

7. Choosing Vacation Over Staycation 

A vacation may be a huge chunk of your summer budget and it may take even more if you haven’t booked the details yet. Rather than rushing to plan, push for a staycation to take a break but vacation close to home.  

8. Not Waiting for End-of-Season Sales  

Summer purchases in season can be spendy. Look to purchase towards the end of the season to save hundreds on those big-ticket items when you upgrade the grill, patio furniture, pool accessories, etc.  

9. Not Canceling Subscriptions and Memberships 

Cancel those subscriptions and memberships you can live without during the summer. Get rid of your gym membership and exercise for free outdoors! Challenge yourself to go a few months without streaming subscriptions or narrow down to keeping just one.  

10. Not Taking Advantage of Lower-Priced Activities 

There is a lot going on in the summer, so before you spend your summer savings on activities, do your research for lower-priced or free activities to enjoy and layer those with outdoor activities. Take advantage of outdoor carnivals, festivals, water activities, sports, parks, and recreational activities.  

11. Overspending Too Much on Summer Fun 

For some activities, rather than purchasing a day ticket, you can get a summer membership or a month-long membership to enjoy the fun longer and get some sort of deal. Take advantage of these opportunities that have a set cost to budget for. 

12. Not Making a Meal Plan  

Meal planning is huge in the summertime. Go to the store with a list and meal options in mind to work seamlessly with the week you have ahead. It is great to plan for snacks on the go as well to avoid mindlessly spending money on food out.  

Take some time to plan out your summer expectations, events, and budget to save yourself from making one of these money mistakes. Make your summer fun and financially efficient with these tips! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

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 

home staging tips

Staging Tips for Selling Your Home

Staging your home can just be another hectic task on your plate to get your house sold. Here are a few tips on how you can stage your house to sell easily and on a budget.  

Curb Appeal to Make a First Impression   

A good curb appeal will stand out to your buyers immediately. Good landscaping and outside projects can take time. If you’re in a rush to get your exterior ready to go, the first thing to focus on would be removing dirt from the siding, roof and gutters. A good pressure washer can clean the dirt right off, and while you’re at it, you can clean off your porch and walkways. If you have outdoor furniture, sometimes a good pressure wash can make them look refreshed and new.   

Another curb appeal tip is to clean up your edging for a clean look. Doing this around any landscaping or flowerbeds will up their appearance. Once your edging is sharply complete, consider laying some additional mulch or rock to give a fuller look. Adding some florals and greenery can give color and fill in empty flower beds or pots.   

Cook Up a Good-Looking Kitchen   

The key to quickly staging your home on a budget and on short notice is not to take on too many projects, but to minimalize and declutter. A kitchen can look much more attractive if the small appliances are put away. The more you can start packing away for the new place and get off the counter, the better. A few small replacements you can make are replacing the rusty or dripping faucet. This can add so much to the look of your sink and make your kitchen overall look much cleaner. Changing the hardware on your cabinets can also add to a better look for your kitchen. The backsplash is huge in today’s kitchen design styles, and it can be added very easily. There are many DIY options available that you can simply peel and stick. When staging your kitchen, consider it a refreshed facelift, not a completely new look.   

Functional Furniture Placement   

Furniture placement is a huge factor in how buyers view the home and the overall space. You may have to remove some furniture to give a more open feel to move around. You do not always have to have furniture pushed against a wall – pull the furniture out to fill the space for a homier look. This will also make the room appear larger. Minimal accessories on your coffee table can give a clean and sleek look. A few blankets and throw pillows are always an easy addition to spruce up what you already have, just be sure they flow with the furniture and match. Adding a lamp in a darker corner to add brightness can help add to the space. If you have wall hangings up, make sure they are appropriately sized for that wall and that they are straight.   

Accessorize With Accents  

When it comes to accessorizing your home, the key takeaways are to depersonalize and declutter. Potential buyers want to envision themselves in your home, so depersonalizing your décor can best allow them to do that. This may entail removing family photos, certificates or awards, or personal items. There are several stores that offer cheap generic art that could fill the space and make it easy to pack away personal items. As for replacing personal items, add some neutral pots with greenery, books or even some inexpensive accents such as candles, bookends or decorative beads to fill those bare spaces. The more minimal your counters, shelves and tables can be, the more refreshed they will look to your buyer. The rule of thumb is you should decorate in threes rather than in a pair to look a little more relaxed and unsymmetrical.  

Sell With the Smell   

Everyone wants to walk into a good-smelling house. Oftentimes these aromas can affect the way your buyers feel and think as they walk through your home. It can be hard for us to notice what may come off as an odor in our house to someone else. Remove the dog bed or kitty litter well in advance to diminish the smell of a pet. Put your overflow of shoes away. The old plants you may have can be stored away temporarily. To overcome odors, add plugin air fresheners and diffusers to give off a gentle, yet clean scent. You can light candles to give off warmth and a homey aroma. Some scents to consider would be something smelling like a baked good or vanilla. Some sellers even go as far as making cookies before the showing for an aroma of freshly baked cookies. Through the rest of your house, you can absolutely utilize fresh flowers to fill a surface and add a nice floral scent through the space.   

Some Extras to Add  

1. Home Office  

Adding an office is always smart to show there is room for one, especially in the world we live in with a lot of people having the option to work remotely. If you have the furniture and could set up a room for an office, it would be a great way to show diversity amongst rooms. If you do not have a full room, renovate a nook to work as a functional office and fill that space up efficiently.   

2. Organizational Units for Closets  

Another extra to add would be some budget-friendly storage options to tidy up closets but accent the storage you have in a more luxurious way. We all desire storage, so the key is to show it off.   

3. Plush Bathrooms  

Consider adding a clean shower curtain and plush towels and rugs for your bathrooms to create a spa feeling. While you are touching up your bathrooms, be sure to address any hard water stains and dirty grout.   

4. Luxe Bedrooms   

Lastly, make your bedrooms feel luxurious with plush pillows and clean linens. Everyone wants a comfortable bedroom they can unwind in. Give this feeling to potential buyers by tidying up yours for a simple, yet luxe look so they can envision making it their own.   

What You NEED to Remove   

1. Remove Your Pet   

One of the big things to remove would be any pets. We like to think we all have a sweet spot for a furry friend, but when showing your home, buyers do not want to be greeted by your pet, especially if they are allergic, do not like pets or are turned off by their odor.   

2. Remove Pet Items  

As mentioned above, removing your pets would also include all their things such as a crate, food bowls and toys almost as if they do not reside with you. Eliminating the sense you’re a pet owner can give the impression of a clean and well-kept home. The last thing you want your potential buyers to notice is dog hair all over and a pet odor in their potential new home.  

3. Remove Clutter and Personal Items  

Staging your home can be the extra push you need to get your home sold. Cleaning up the clutter and the personal items can allow potential buyers to envision the space as their own. Sometimes, you can even work a deal with a buyer and get rid of some furniture, solely because it fits your space so perfectly. The great part about staging your home is that it forces you to start packing up and maybe even declutter your things before the big move.  

Now that you’ve read all about the tips to stage your home, start decluttering and depersonalizing today to sell with confidence!  

  

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

summer energy savings

Summer Energy Savings Tips

As the weather warms up, it is smart to think about how you can save money and energy this summer. Here are some tips on how to cut cooling costs but retain comfort in your home!   

Windows   

Windows – you’ve got to love them this time of year but if your goal is to save some money and energy this spring, here are some tips you may consider. First, be sure to check your window seals to ensure they are working efficiently for you. If you need to replace your windows, spring is the best time to get it done so you aren’t spending a fortune on AC all summer trying to cool down your home. As the weather is cooler, open those windows and shut off the thermostat – fresh air is the best and it is a very energy-efficient way to keep a comfortable temperature. As the weather warms up, you may consider adding window treatments or coverings such as drapes, curtains or a light shade to prevent heat gain during the day through your windows.   

Fans & Ventilation   

Having fans in your home can be a great way to cool down, but not necessarily cool your home. The big tip with fans is to shut them completely off when you are done using them. Once spring hits, be sure you have changed your fan’s direction to counterclockwise for optimum cooling. Leaving fans running throughout the day in hopes of cooling down your home will only raise your energy bill. Another tip when to turn on your fan is if you are trying to remove humidity or heat, such as when you are cooking and when using the shower. You may even consider ventilation in your laundry room if that gets hot. With all three of these options, be sure to check the fans are vented outside.   

Thermostat  

Have you heard of thermostat scheduling? Find what is most comfortable temperature-wise for your household during the day and when sleeping at night. Keeping your thermostat at the same temperature day and night could cost you quite a bit. The U.S. Department of Energy says the lower the difference between your indoor and outdoor temperature, the higher your energy savings.   

Like almost every other aspect of our daily lives, there are options to control your thermostat on your mobile device. This technology is fantastic for adjusting your temperature controls throughout the day as needed, especially if you’re out of town! Be sure to check over your air conditioner sooner rather than later and have regular maintenance scheduled. The worst-case scenario is mid-July you’ve got a broken air conditioner and a huge bill on the way to fix/replace it. A big tip for your room air-conditioning thermostat is to avoid placing objects that give off the heat too close. These objects could be a lamp, TV, fridge, etc. that give off significant heat when in use that can cause your air conditioner to run much longer than needed.   

Appliances & Lighting   

This may seem like an obvious tip, but more times than not the lights you’re using get overlooked. There are great options on the market for more efficient lighting that give off much less heat. The sun is out the most in the spring and summertime, so find ways to keep the lights off and operate solely on natural lighting. As for appliances when you are running, say your dishwasher or doing laundry, consider doing those in the evening when it cools off. Also, consider doing full loads as needed rather than smaller loads to stay caught up. The less you can run your large appliances, the more affordable your bills will be and your house may just be a bit cooler during the day.   

There are many great benefits to warmer weather, but it can get toasty! Incorporate these tips into your routine now so you can efficiently save some energy and money but still be comfortable.  

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender