Category: Personal Finances

Making the holidays a little brighter in your community

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In the hoopla surrounding the holidays, “it’s better to give than to receive” can sometimes take a seat on the back burner. While you’re trimming the tree or cozied up next to loved ones around the table, others may be experiencing a much different celebration season. Medical conditions, job loss, and other unforeseen circumstances can limit an individual or family’s ability to experience December festivities – and that’s where you can assist in spreading cheer.

This season, scope out opportunities in your local community for you and your family to lend a hand. At Peoples Bank & Trust, we suggest looking into some of these possibilities to add holiday magic into the lives of neighbors in need:

  1. Make food and dish it out – Cookies and casseroles can be great gifts this time of year. You can provide them for those who don’t have the means or are short on food, as well firefighters, police officers and other public servants.
  2. Pack stockings for the homeless – Pick out some cheap stockings and fill them with practical items. These can range from food and drink (granola bars, bottles of water, etc.) to gloves, socks and hygiene items.
  3. Donate old toys – Kids’ toys and games can get pricey in a hurry. Purge your kids’ surplus toys to donate to children who would love to receive toys of their own.
  4. Pay a visit to a local nursing home – The holidays can be tough times for the elderly living in nursing homes. A small visit or gift from a stranger could brighten their day, or even make their entire holiday.
  5. Donate to a food bank – Winter is a difficult season, and it’s far worse if you don’t have enough food. Food banks and food pantries can put your donation to good use, and may offer volunteer opportunities as well.
  6. Have family members make a donation in your name – Replace one thing on your wish list with a donation made in your name to the charity of your choosing. Help someone through the gift of giving.

Our community is only as strong as we make it, and Peoples Bank & Trust would love to see you and your family building it up to its full potential.

 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Equal Housing Lender

Member FDIC

 

Teaching Kids About Holiday Spending

teaching kids money

Between the gift wrap and the endless treats and the presents stuffed under the tree, the holiday season can create more fear than cheer when it comes to your budget. If you have little ones at home, this fear can multiply as you seek to offer them the happiest of holidays. Use this month as the perfect opportunity to teach them about tracking, spending, saving, and giving money with these pointers from Peoples Bank & Trust.

  • Create a budget: Squeeze the most magic out of the holidays by creating a battle plan. Explain the concept of budgets to your kids. Once they comprehend how the basics of a budget work, mentor them to create one of their own, allotting a dollar amount on gifts for each person on their holiday list. Help them track their spending through the season and find a fun reward when they manage to stay on track!
  • Get crafty with gifts: If you haven’t been accumulating gifts as they’re on sale throughout the year, your wallet may take a serious hit when prices spike during the holidays. Try your hand at a homemade gift, ranging from thoughtful cards to favorite family recipes. Many of these heartwarming DIY’s can be created with supplies lying around the home or purchased for cheap. Your kids benefit when they unleash their creativity and see the thoughtful effort of a gift crafted by hand.
  • Shop smarter: Don’t leave your kids in the dark with the money you plan to spend. When you head to the store, be upfront about how much you plan to spend on what purchases and why. With that knowledge in mind, they can help you spot sales as your cruise the aisles. Turn your shopping adventure into a game by challenging them to find the best deal or most creative alternative. Add an extra level and pay with cash to give them practice counting money and deducting coupons.
  • Give, give, give: It’s better to give than to receive, and the holidays are the perfect opportunity to show your kids this principle in action. Explain that other families may or may not be in the same financial boat as you. Enjoy the season with other community members by volunteering or donating to organizations like Toys for Tots, your local food pantry, or Operation Christmas Child to help children and families in need.

The most wonderful time of year can still be a frugal affair with a little planning. Peoples Bank and Trust is always here to help your family make the most of your financials to start strong in the New Year!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Equal Housing Lender

Member FDIC

 

Black Friday Shopping Tips

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Black Friday. This phrase conjures up images of awesome deals, 3 a.m. store openings and slightly crazy shoppers.

For those looking to get a jump on the holiday season, it’s a great opportunity to knock out some of your shopping while saving money. However, Black Friday is not for the faint of heart. It takes solid planning, execution and willpower to pull off.

Here are some tips you should put into action if you’re thinking of participating in the madness that is Black Friday this year.
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Holiday Shopping Tips

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Ah, the holidays! They are fast approaching, meaning so is the tradition of holiday shopping. While many may enjoy the thrill of going from store to store purchasing things for family members, you may find holiday shopping stressful. Stress from shopping can come both from a financial aspect as well as simply being in the chaos of other shoppers in stores.

However, we believe the holidays should be a joyous time, not a stressful one. We’ve put together a few holiday shopping tips to help you save more money, shop smarter and reduce the stress you feel during this time of year.
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Don’t be Spooked by Halloween Costs

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Halloween is almost here and your kids are getting excited to dress up, have some fun and get some candy! Although Halloween is a fun holiday, all of the costs that come along with Halloween can add up quickly. According to the National Retail Federation, the average American spends about $77 on decorations, candy and costumes each year.

Spending an extra $77 doesn’t seem like much, but it can make an impact on your monthly budget. Peoples Bank & Trust doesn’t want you to be scared by Halloween costs this year! Save some cash with these helpful tips:

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The EMV Card Switch: Common Questions about EMV Cards

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There is currently a monumental shift occurring in the type of credit cards millions of Americans use each day. EMV cards, a more secure alternative to current credit cards, are being switched to by banks across the country, including Peoples Bank & Trust.

But what exactly are EMV cards and how do they work? To provide more information to our customers, we’re conducting a two-part FAQ session. Read more about EMV cards below to gain a better understanding of this great new technology.

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Prepare Your Home for Fall with these Home Improvement Projects

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The fall season is a popular time of year for many folks as it brings cooler weather, cozy sweaters, football and, of course, the beautiful colors of fall foliage. But as the temperature continues to drop, now is a great time to make those final improvements to your home before the winter comes.

At Peoples Bank & Trust, we not only want to provide ways to save you money, but also make sure you can live comfortably. Here are a few fall home improvement ideas that you can make to save energy, save money and live comfortably for the rest of the fall and into the winter.

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Your Lifetime Financial Cheat Sheet

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Knowing how to organize your finances can be confusing at any stage in life. Peoples Bank & Trust knows that as your life continues to change, so do your financial needs. That is why we are offering you The Lifetime Financial Cheat Sheet! The Lifetime Financial Cheat Sheet can help you properly address your finances at any stage in life:

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Football and Finance: Money Lessons from the Gridiron

Football and financial management actually have a lot in common

Fall is on our doorstep, which for a lot of us means there is one thing on our minds: football! Friday night lights, Saturdays spent tailgating and Sundays watching our favorite pro teams are here once again.

If you stop and think about it, there are several parallels between football and your finances. Each requires you have the right focus, be prepared and not be afraid to lean on your teammates. Here are a few things from football that you can apply to your financial life.

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