Category: Personal Finances

old-couple

Common Retirement Mistakes to Avoid

Whether you’ve barely thought about retirement or are nearing the typical retirement age and want to know how to go through the transition properly, learning about the process is always a good idea. Learn from the mistakes of others and avoid these common mistakes: 

Putting Off Retirement Savings 

Don’t keep putting it off – the time to start saving for retirement is now. The earlier you start, the less stressed the retirement process will be. A CD or IRA is a good place to start!

Not Having a Plan 

There are so many things that factor into how much money you’ll need to save, including when and where you’re retiring. Plan these things out in advance, coming up with an amount you’ll need to retire comfortably, then take action steps towards saving that much. 

Not Taking Advantage of Your Company’s 401(k) Employer Match 

If your employer offers a 401(k), make sure you maximize the amount you contribute and utilize the employer match if that’s an option. This is extremely important and the money matched can really add up. 

Waiting to Pay Off Debt 

Don’t wait until the last minute to pay off your debt – get rid of that as soon as you can so you don’t have to save for retirement at the same time as you’re paying off your student loans. Experts often say you should focus on paying off debt before you worry about saving for anything, including a new vehicle, a house and even retirement. 

Looking Past Potential Health Costs 

You never know what the future holds, and you may end up in a situation where you must pay for unexpected medical bills. While we hope this isn’t the case, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when planning for retirement. 

Changing Jobs Frequently 

There are benefits to sticking around at a certain company for an extended period. For some companies, when you’re there for a set period (usually five years), you become fully vested which means ownership of the funds or stock that your employer “matches.” Consider this as you navigate the job world and consider hopping around from one to another. 

While this is just the tip of the retirement iceberg, these are all common mistakes that can be easily avoided. Make sure you are planning for retirement ahead of time so you can save yourself the trouble that comes with going into the process blind! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

credit score

Improving Your Credit Score 101

Just by glancing at a single number, lenders can determine how financially responsible you are and decide whether to lend you money or not. Your credit score determines other important things like interest rates as well, which is why it’s so important to make sure your score is good. If you don’t have the greatest credit score, here are some basic ways you can improve it.  

Check Your Credit Score Frequently 

Just like you should be checking your checking and savings account balances frequently to make sure you’re on track, you should also take a look at your credit score every so often. If your score goes down, you might be able to pinpoint the reason and make adjustments as needed. 

Always Pay on Time 

One of the biggest things that affects your credit score is whether you pay your credit card bill on time. Late payments can take a hit to your score, so do everything in your power to make sure that’s not an issue. There’s usually a way to schedule automatic payments so you don’t even have to worry about forgetting to do it yourself. 

Keep Those Old Accounts Open 

If you have credit accounts open that you don’t use, it may seem obvious that you’d close them. You’re actually more favorable to lenders if you have an older credit age. As always, everyone’s situation is different so speak to a financial advisor if you’re unsure what to do with open and unused accounts. 

Keep Your Credit Utilization Percentage Low 

The general rule of thumb is to aim for 30% credit utilization or less. One way to do this is to pay your balances in full every month or at least keep your outstanding balance at 30% or less of your limit. You could consider asking for a credit limit increase which would help your credit utilization as long as your balance doesn’t increase at the same time. 

Monitor Your Credit Using a Service 

Credit monitoring services are very helpful and lots of them are even free. These services monitor the changes in your credit report over time and can help you figure out what will improve it. One of the best parts about credit monitoring services is that they can help prevent fraud and identity theft by alerting you, for example, when a new account has been opened in your name. 

Now that you know the basics, it’s time to kickstart your journey towards improving your credit score. If you don’t have a credit card yet, we’re here to help with that. Contact Peoples Bank & Trust to get started! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

chart

Retirement Strategies for Your 20s

It may seem like a lifetime away, but retirement has a way of sneaking up on all of us. Something to remember when it comes to retirement is that the earlier you start saving, the better. Plus, you’re never too young to invest in your future. If you’re in your 20s, here are some helpful strategies you can implement to set yourself up for a successful retirement. 

Rid Yourself of Debt 

The first step in creating a retirement fund is to look at what you’re dealing with in terms of debt. If you can realistically pay off your student loan debt in less than 10 years, financial advisors often recommend that you focus on that before worrying as much about saving. 

401(k) Plans 

Investing money into an account specifically for retirement allows you to store up without paying taxes on gains until you reach retirement. If your employer offers a 401(k) plan, that’s a great place to start. 

Open an IRA 

On the same note, an IRA is a retirement account that has lower contribution limits than 401(k)s. This doesn’t have to go through your employer, either, so the amount you invest is more in your hands. If your company doesn’t provide a 401(k) match, the smartest route would be to max out on your IRA then put the remaining money into your 401(k). 

Create an Emergency Fund 

You may have a good amount of money stored in your savings account, but how much of that can be used in cases of emergency? Keep your life savings and your emergency fund accounts separate so you have a cushion if things go wrong. This will prevent you from needing to withdrawal from your retirement account or main savings account. Try to save three to six months worth of living expenses to be safe. 

Automate Your Savings 

If you have a hard time staying disciplined and remembering to contribute to your savings account each month, there’s a way to help with that. By making your savings automatic, you won’t even have to think about it since it will transfer for you. Set a savings goal for the year, figure out how much you’d need to save each month in order to make that happen and go from there! 

Keep an Eye on Your Account 

If you’re making saving for retirement a priority in your 20s, you’re in a good place already. Check back on your account frequently to see your savings grow and that will continue to motivate you throughout your 30s, 40s and beyond.  

Questions about retirement or unsure where to start? Our team is here to help! Contact Peoples Bank & Trust with any questions. 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

moving-boxes

How Much Does Moving Cost?

If one of your to-dos for 2022 is packing up your house and moving, you may be wondering how much that will end up costing you. While the amount varies greatly depending on how far, how much stuff you have and other factors, this blog will help you come up with an idea of what to expect. 

Average Moving Cost 

Local move: $1,250 

Long distance move: $4,890 

Factors Affecting the Cost 

The following factors are unique to your specific moving experience, meaning the price you pay varies: 

1. Fuel 

If you have a long-distance move, gas money is an expense to keep in mind. Not only do you have to drive any vehicles you have to the new home, but you also must pay a per-mile rate if you use a moving truck. 

2. Amount of Items 

The size of your moving truck will affect how much you pay for it, so if you have more things to move it will be more expensive. If you’re hiring a moving service, it’ll also take them longer to move the boxes out if there’s more stuff.  

3. Storage 

Sometimes moving gets a bit complicated and you need to store your belongings in a storage unit for a period of time. Storage rates vary as well depending on the place, how much you have to store and how long you store your items for. 

Cutting Costs 

Now that you know the general costs of moving, it’s time to discuss a few ways you can lower those costs to make your moving experience as cheap as possible: 

1. Reach Out for Help 

Ask your family members and friends to help with packing and moving if possible. There’s a good chance you’ll get plenty of help at no cost! 

2. De-Clutter and Sell Some Items 

One of the best ways to make the moving process both cheaper and easier is to go through your things as you pack and make a pile of items you no longer need. Take this extra stuff to a donation center and you’ll clear up lots of space in the moving truck. 

3. Find Free Moving Supplies 

Rather than going out to buy a bunch of boxes, seek out free supplies from grocery stores, office buildings, schools and other places that may have boxes to get rid of.

Do what you can to be prepared for the moving costs to come as well as to cut costs as much as possible. We wish you the best of luck on your new adventure this year and we hope the moving process goes smoothly! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

calculator

Make 2022 Your Best Financial Year Yet

If your new year’s resolution is to take control of your finances, you’re in the right place. We’re here to give you some ideas on how to make 2022 your best financial year yet. All it takes is some time, discipline and lots of motivation! 

Figure out your monthly income. 

The first step is to start from scratch, which means re-evaluating exactly how much money you have coming in each month. If you work a job that has a varying monthly income, estimate it to be on the lower end to be safe. 

Create a list of all monthly expenses. 

Write down every monthly expense you have, first starting with the expenses that are guaranteed such as rent/mortgage, car payments, insurance, etc. Then, estimate what you spend on varying expenses such as gas and food. 

Look back at your payment history. 

Now’s the time to look back at your banking history in previous months and find out what extra things you’ve been spending money on. This step is difficult because you begin to realize just how much you’re spending, but it’s worth it.  

Adjust your budget. 

Once you divide those items into categories, decide how much you want to spend from now on. Using a budgeting app is a great way to break your expenses down into specific categories and keep track of just how much you’re spending. Make it a goal to stick with your budget, tracking all of your expenses if necessary until it’s natural. 

Build up your emergency fund. 

You never know what 2022 is going to throw your way, so adding to your emergency fund is crucial. Set yourself up for a stress-free year by preparing for emergencies and unforeseen payments to come. If you don’t have an emergency fund quite yet, this is the year to start one! 

Do regular budget check-ins and adjust. 

Once you’ve completed the above steps, it’s important that you continue to do regular check-ins to make sure you’re following your budget. With time comes changes to your finances, so adjusting your budget every so often is also important.  

If you want to take your finances seriously this year, this is a great place to start. Once you begin incorporating the basics into your routine, you can start adding things like investments to the list so your finances can continue to grow. Questions? Feel free to contact Peoples Bank & Trust and we’d be happy to help! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

piggy bank

How Do I Raise Money-Smart Kids?

Whether you already have kids or are just preparing for the future, navigating the world of parenting may seem overwhelming. Don’t stress too much, as parenting is often a “learn from experience” kind of process. But, as a primary role model in your child’s life, it’s important to have important conversations early on so you can prepare them for life on their own.

Be a Positive Example

Don’t overlook this step because it’s one of the most important! Kids learn by example, especially the example of adults they spend a lot of time around. You can have a positive effect on your child’s financial future simply by managing your own money well. This means creating a budget and sticking to it, avoiding impulse purchases, saying “no” to their requests sometimes and providing a safe space for them to talk about money with you.

Have Financial Conversations Early

As previously mentioned, having conversations about money is crucial for your kids to take finances seriously. Be open about financial lessons you’ve learned at their age, check in to see how they’re doing financially and be someone they can lean on for guidance.

Let Them Make Purchases, Too

This is something you can even incorporate into the lives of your youngest kiddos. While your younger children might not have money of their own quite yet, you can still give them the money you’re paying with and let them make the transaction. For example, if you’re at a store and they’re being rewarded with a new toy, give them some cash and let them hand it to the cashier. This teaches them from a young age that new things come with a cost.

Help Them Open a Savings Account

When they’re younger, a piggy bank works just fine for saving purposes. Once they reach the age where
they have a part‐time job and want somewhere to put the money they make, consider opening a savings
account. The earlier they start saving, the better!

Use Age-Appropriate Chores for Allowance

Allowance is a wonderful way to raise money‐smart kids, but only when it’s done the right way. Give your kids an allowance for completing a task to teach them that work is rewarded. When they’re younger this can be as simple as cleaning their room, feeding the pets or picking up their toys. Once they get older, they can help with things like cleaning the bathroom, folding laundry, doing the dishes or helping cook meals.

Budget With Them

Budgeting is especially important once your child is old enough to be working and making their own purchases. Help them come up with a realistic budget and show them the best way to track their spending, whether that’s using pen and paper or an app on their phone.

Yes, parenting can be taxing and tricky, but above anything it’s incredibly rewarding. Join the generation of parents who want to raise their kids to be financially wise! Visit our website to learn more about the services we offer or to open your kid’s first saving account.

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.
Member FDIC
Equal Housing Lender

piggy bank

How much should you save every month?

With bills, insurance, monthly expenses, retirement and more, how is there anything left to save? And if there is any money left, what do you save for and how much should you be putting away? We’re here to help answer these questions! Here is how much you should save every month. 

50/30/20 Rule 

You may see a lot of recommendations for saving 20% of your income every month. According to the popular 50/30/20 rule, you should reserve 50% of your budget for essentials like food and rent, 30% for discretionary spending and at least 20% for savings. But it’s not always that simple sometimes. If you earn more money, then 20% makes sense for you. But if after calculating your budget and 20% just isn’t within reach, don’t get discouraged. Saving something is better than nothing – so try for 10-15% if possible. 

Automate your savings so you don’t have the choice to use that money if it goes straight to a checking account. If you get a bonus or raise, put that straight towards one of the below items. You were okay without that money and getting by so put it towards savings instead of into your pocket to spend. 

Retirement 

Saving for retirement should be started as soon as possible and is a lifetime goal. Saving younger means you’ll have less to save each month than if you start later. A general rule of thumb is to have one times your income saved by age 30, twice your income by 35, three times by 40, and so on. Try to save 10-15% of your salary for retirement. Increase by 1% in savings each year until you can get to a number close to that. 

Emergency Fund 

You may think you are okay and don’t have to worry about a large emergency. But if your furnace and a/c go out, you are out $10,000 in supplies and labor right there. You may not have that big of a cushion to fall on if you thought your emergency will only cost $1,000. Your emergency fund should be 3-6 months’ worth of expenses which includes your monthly expenses and salary so you would be covered if you were to lose your job. We know that seems like a lot but slowly work towards that over the years. 

Family 

Think about what you want to save for regarding family. Do you need a new car to fit your growing family, will you be helping your child pay for college, are you going to take a family vacation, or do you just need to save for the overall cost of having a child? Thinking about your future and the costs that you will incur regarding family should be added into a savings plan. 

These are some of the top things you will want to save for and how much you need to save for each! If you need to place your savings in a savings account, CD/IRA or checking account – we have you covered. 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

holding hands

A Married Couple’s Guide to Finances

Congratulations on your engagement and wedding! Whether you are recently engaged or have already tied the knot, talking about finances is extremely important in order to set you both up for success. Peoples Bank & Trust wants to offer a married couple’s guide to finances, so you can live happily ever after. 

How will bills be split? 

There are many day-to-day and monthly expenses that arise. You’ll want to talk about how these will be shared so both parties feel that a fair outcome has been decided. Talk about groceries, rent/mortgage, property taxes, property insurance, utilities, health insurance, life insurance, car payments, student loans, any repairs/renovations and so on. This can all add up so it’s important to go over your salaries after taxes and retirement savings so you can know who will pay what. 

Whose insurance will you use? 

You both potentially work at different companies with different insurance. Compare the prices, benefits and what’s included in both so you can come to the conclusion on which health insurance is best for you. 

Do you plan on having or already have children?  

Children throw even more costs into the mix. This will change your health insurance costs, add more monthly costs and more. You will also want to talk about saving for your child’s college, helping pay for a car and other big expenses. Sit down and discuss your goals financially for your children – then you can start them out on the right path financially!  

Will you have separate and/or joint accounts? 

It is completely okay to have separate accounts, but it may also be nice to have a joint checking account for bills or to save for child expenses. One partner may pay all of the bills each month so it’s easy to have a joint account where both of you have stashed cash so they can pull money from there. 

Have you updated your beneficiaries and created a will? 

Now that you are married, be sure to update your beneficiary information on your retirement plans, life insurance and any other areas that require you to do so. You will also want to think about creating a will if you haven’t done so already. This is especially important once children come into the mix. 

Has your insurance coverage been reviewed and updated yet? 

Be sure to update your insurance. You can also get deals when you combine your mortgage, car and life insurance together all on one plan. Look into that to see if that helps you save any money. While doing that, you’ll also want to look into life insurance. You are both responsible for your mortgage and if you plan on having kids, that’s another place you’ll need part of your partner’s income if something were to happen to one of you. You want to make sure you’re set up for success if the worst did come. 

We hope this guide gives you a good start to become financially sound in your marriage. The professionals here are happy to answer any other questions you may have regarding your finances as a newly married couple – just contact us! 

Peoples Bank & Trust Co. 

Member FDIC 

Equal Housing Lender 

car

6 Ways to Prepare for Big Purchases

Whether you’re planning your dream vacation or buying a new car, a big purchase needs a big budget, and you need to make sure you’re prepared for it! To help you achieve your goals, we’ve compiled a list of 6 ways to prepare for big purchases. Good luck!

1. Research Your Options

Research affordable options for the big purchase you have in mind. You can do this by keeping an eye out for discounts, holiday sales, comparing prices between retailors and considering buying used instead of new (used car, later model of computer, etc.).

2. Calculate Your Cost

This part is simple, add up how much this item or event will cost you and divide it by the number of months before you’ll need the money. That’s how you’ll know how much to save each month. Be sure to account for taxes and additional fees that might go along with it. For example, if you’re buying a car, you need to add up the price of the vehicle, license, registration and taxes as well.

3. Determine a Timeline

Once you’ve set your goal, you need to determine when you need to accomplish it by. Setting a specific date or time will motivate you to continue savings and provide you with a sense of urgency. Aim for a realistic timeline and remember to always save a little more than what you’re expecting this purchase to cost, in order to account for unexpected fees or changes.

4. Create a Separate Savings Account

Out of sight, out of mind. It’s so tempting to dip into untouched funds in your savings account when you need to buy something or want to treat yourself but keeping this separate from your regular checking and savings will help you resist the temptation.

Open a high-yield savings account with a bank such as ourselves and label the account with the name of your goal – for example, “Dream Vacation.” This will remind you why you’re saving the money and keep you from spending it on clothes or dinners. You can also set up automatic transfers from your checking into your savings account to make sure you stay on track.

5. Contribute Unexpected Funds

Whenever you collect money that you weren’t expecting, transfer it into your savings account. This could mean bonuses, overtime money, garage sale earnings, raises, monetary gifts, a tax refund or something else. Rather than spending it on a new gadget or dinner, put it into your savings and you’ll be thanking yourself later when you make your big purchase sooner than you expected.

6. Apply for a Loan

If you’re looking to purchase a home or a car, you may want to consider getting pre-approved for a loan so while you’re searching for the home or car of your dreams, you have an idea of what you can afford. To apply for a loan, work with a mortgage lender that can help you select the best home loan with an interest rate and other terms suited to your needs.

Whether you need to open a savings account for your big purchase or would like to get pre-approved for a home or auto loan, our team is here to help! Apply for a loan online or set up an appointment to discuss your options with us. We can help you get one step closer to achieving your big purchase!

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

NMLS# 407724

home

How to Increase Your Home’s Value

Buying a home is a major achievement—and investment! Mortgage payments help build up equity in your home over time, but there are changes and upgrades you can make to your home in order to increase its value, resulting in a bigger return on your investment.

Homeowners should look for simple, cost-effective ways to increase their home’s value, especially if they plan to sell in the future. Take a look at these 5 ways to increase your home’s value and get a stronger return on your investment.

1. Spice Up the Landscaping

Whether you heard it from a real estate agent or on HGTV, curb appeal matters! You want your home’s landscaping to leave a good first impression—on future homebuyers and neighbors alike. Ways to improve your home’s landscaping include:

  • A well-maintained lawn – this is one of the first things people see and is a well-rewarded investment.
  • Neat and tidy garden – keeping your garden tidy leaves buyers thinking it’s easy to maintain, which is always a plus.
  • Clean and lighted pathway – having a clean pathway that’s lined with pretty plants or LED lights leaves a great impression. Repair cracks and pressure wash it to remove built up dirt or grime.

2. Paint, paint, paint!

One of the most cost-effective and easiest upgrades to do to your home is to simply paint it! Adding a fresh coat of paint to each room of your house gives it a newer, refreshed look and ensures that there is no discoloration behind long-standing furniture or stains left by tiny hands. Peeling or outdated paint can be a turn-off and repainting saves the prospective buyer from having to do it themselves. Focus on painting areas like the bathroom and kitchen as those tend to have more wear. Painting the interior can result in a 107% return on investment (ROI).

3. Upgrade Your Bathroom

When searching for a home, buyers consider bathrooms as some of the most important rooms in the house. Bathroom upgrades are some of the most cost effective to upgrade and ensure you get a return on your investment. Some ways you can upgrade your bathroom include:

  • Repainting walls in a neutral, modern coat of paint or removing old wallpaper
  • Painting or refinishing cabinets (or replacing them if you have more room in your budget)
  • Installing matching modern hardware on drawers, cabinets and closets
  • Upgrading lighting, faucets, showerheads, or installing a new toilet
  • Cleaning everything – rid the bathroom of rust stains, scrub all the surfaces and re-caulk areas around the shower, bathtub and tile

Keep the design neutral and light so you can appeal to as many buyers as possible, colors like light blue or gray work well. If you’re looking to save money by doing the bathroom upgrades yourself, plan for a few days of work. For every $1 spent on bathroom renovations, you can make back $1.71 in home value.

4. Upgrade Your Kitchen

Many consider the kitchen to be the heart of the home. Upgrading a kitchen can make a big difference for some buyers. Depending on your budget, you will have to choose between minor or major kitchen upgrades. Below, we’ve listed some ways you can do both:

Minor Kitchen Upgrades

  • Replacing cabinet doors and hardware (but leaving the box of the cabinet)
  • Upgrading to quartz or granite countertops
  • Installing a set of new matching appliances
  • Repainting and adding backsplash throughout
  • Putting in new flooring if existing is outdated, damaged or worn

Major Kitchen Upgrades

  • Adding an island to the kitchen
  • Installing fully new or custom cabinetry throughout
  • Upgrading to more high-end, energy-efficient appliances
  • Replacing flooring with higher quality options and adding or upgrading trim
  • Adding undercabinet LED lighting

If you’re leaning toward making major improvements to your kitchen, we can help! Give us a call or contact us via our website to discuss your financing options for upgrading your home.

5. Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Upgrading your home’s efficiency can be more affordable than you think. Some of the most popular environmentally friendly ways to increase your home’s value include improving heating and cooling costs, adding energy-efficient lighting and appliances, upgrading windows, doors and siding. Even adding a smart thermostat makes it easier for a homeowner to control the home’s climate from anywhere and allow them to manage their energy costs more easily. Home tech investments can provide a strong selling point for your home and increase its overall comfort, convenience and functionality.

Some upgrades, such as installing solar panels, are more of an investment and you may need to consider financing options to make this upgrade happen.

How Do I Pay for Improvements?

There are several routes you can take when upgrading your home. For upgrades that need to be done professionally, or those you cannot pay for in cash, there are several financing options available.

  • Credit Card – This option may work for you if you are able to pay off the home improvements in a short amount of time.
  • Personal Loan – A personal loan is a great option if you don’t have enough equity built up for a home equity loan or HELOC. These loans don’t require you to put your home or other property up as collateral to get approved. The interest rate for a personal loan will be higher than a home equity loan, but lower than a credit card in many cases.
  • Home Equity Loan or HELOC – A home equity loan is similar to a personal loan in that you receive a lump sum of cash with a fixed interest rate and monthly payment. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) works like a credit card and comes with variable rates and a line of credit that you can borrow against.

If you’re ready to spruce up your home and increase its value, give us a call, apply for a loan or credit card on our website or schedule an appointment with our team to further discuss your options.

Peoples Bank & Trust Co.

Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender

NMLS# 407724