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What do you do if your purse or wallet is lost or stolen? This is a question that usually is not asked until it happens. Keep reading to learn the steps you should take.

According to bigskinny.net, no official surveys have been done to determine how many wallets get stolen each year, but it’s believed that:

• Around 1,000 purses and wallets are stolen every two minutes in the U.S.
• If this is accurate, that means just under 300,000,000 wallets are stolen every YEAR in the U.S. alone!

Your wallet or purse has been lost or stolen, what do you do?? DON’T PANIC!! Keep your cool and follow these steps from LifeLock:

1. Call the issuer of your debit card – thieves can do A LOT of damage with your debit card in just a short amount of time. If you report your debit card missing within two business days, you’ll only be responsible for a maximum of $50 worth of unauthorized purchases and most banks won’t even charge you that.
2. Call the bank that issued your checkbook – if you still carry a checkbook. You’ll need to close your account completely and open a new one. Be sure to change all your automated payments and direct deposits as well so no service is interrupted.
3. Call your credit card companies – according to the Fair Credit Billing Act, you are not responsible for any fraudulent purchases on your credit card as long as you report your card stolen before a thief starts using it. If a thief does use it before you report it, you’ll only be responsible for a max of $50 of unauthorized buys.
4. Set up fraud alerts with the national credit bureaus – Call one of the three national credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax or TransUnion, to request they place a fraud alert on your credit report. Lenders and creditors are then required to take steps to verify your identity before opening new credit cards or loans in your name.
5. File a police report – If you’re a victim of identity theft, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and fill out an Identity Theft Affidavit. This affidavit allows you to fill out one form to report information to creditors and lenders regarding your case of identity theft. You might also need a police report to get a new driver’s license or social security card.
6. Replace your social security card – hopefully this isn’t an issue because you left your social security card at home! But if you didn’t, you’ll need to contact the social security administration who will probably not give you a new number, but will give you a new card.
7. Check your credit reports for unusual activity – you can order one copy of each of your three credit reports – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, at no charge, once a year. Visit www.annualcreditreport.com
8. Get a new driver’s license – Visit your local DMV for a new license. There will most likely be a fee.
9. Change the locks – If you kept a key to your home in your wallet, or purse, it’s time to change your locks. A thief now has your address from your driver’s license and a key to your house.
10. Make a list of what else was in your wallet – start replacing those cards you carried in your wallet like your health insurance cards. Then as needed, your library card, gym membership, grocery discount card, etc…

Tips and Tricks to save on the costumes, candy and decor.

Total Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $12.2 billion, exceeding last year’s record of $10.6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. A record number of people (73%) will participate in Halloween-related activities this year, up from 69% in 2022.

Whoa, that’s a spooky amount of money! Here are some ways to avoid this nightmare and save some money this Halloween.

Save on the costume:

• Get creative and make a DIY Halloween costume.  This can be easier than it sounds! We suggest looking to Pinterest for inspiration. (While you’re there, make sure to check out Bank Five Nine’s Pinterest page!)
• Trade or buy gently used. Go online to look for local costume swap events or shop Facebook Marketplace. 
• Check out a local thrift shop. You might be surprised at the kind of merchandise you find! Some Goodwill stores even create a separate section in their store for Halloween items during the fall season.  Since children (and adults) usually dress up as something different each year, recycled costumes can be easily found.
• Check out TJ Maxx online for some new costumes at a discounted price.
• Buy from the toy section, instead of the costume section.  Sometimes you can find “dress-up” costumes that are not branded for Halloween that are cheaper than the seasonal versions.

Save on the candy

If you live in a neighborhood that gets a lot of trick-or-treaters, the cost of candy can add up, and fast.

• Shop for generic brands.
• Shop in bulk! When buying in bulk, double check that the candy you are buying is individually wrapped.
• Hand out something other than candy. For example, online retailers like Oriental Trading or even local dollar stores sell Halloween toys in bulk.  Keep a look out for glow sticks, stickers, jumping spiders or spider rings.   
• Shop last minute. Retailers will be a lot more anxious to get rid of Halloween merchandise the closer the holiday gets.
• Use a pillowcase to collect candy versus using a pumpkin bucket. (Bonus: pillowcases hold more candy!)

Save on the décor

• Shop the dollar store: You can save a good amount of money by buying more of your accent decorations from the Dollar store. Some great Halloween items to buy at the dollar store include:
  • Black and orange paper plates
  • Cups and silverware
  • Halloween garland
  • Fake cobwebs
  • Fake Spiders
  • Candles
  • Balloons
  • Vases and candle holders
• Plan ahead and buy your decorations a year earlier or buy for the next year at the end of the season!  A large number of stores slash their prices the closer the holiday gets, and especially after the holiday is over.
• Pumpkin carving is fun and also a great way to turn that fun into decor for your porch!
• After you pick and carve your pumpkins, consider roasting the seeds. This makes a cheap and fun Halloween snack that is not just pure sugar. Click here for some seed recipes.

Little things that cost a lot. Everybody has those things we spend little amounts on regularly, maybe it’s lunch, coffee, manicures, golf, pizza, music, or movies.

It’s hard to imagine how it all might add up. And the reality is that each dollar spent today isn’t available for something else tomorrow. These little purchases may have a way of robbing us of the things we really want.

Most people haven’t stopped to consider whether that daily coffee is truly precious to our well-being, or if it’s just a habit. If it’s precious, it’s worth doing – at least part of the time. But is it worth giving up that convertible you could have otherwise purchased?

The presumption of these is that if you hadn’t spent the money, you would have saved it and earned an average of 8% on your investments. That’s probably high, but for example purposes, it’ll do.

Some spending habits to consider (CBS News):

This is an average of $34,000 over 10 years. How could you spend this wisely?

• Save for retirement
• Save for a down payment
• Pay off debt
• Enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle

How could you spend this on more fun stuff?

• 2019 BMW 2 Series or 2019 Infiniti Q50
• Charter a crewed yacht in the Caribbean for 1 week
• Rihanna’s purse collection
• 654 pairs of Chuck Taylor shoes

Bottled water costs about $1.35/bottle. If you drink 2 per day (even though you should drink more), that’s $985/year!

• If all the water you use at home costs as much as the average bottled water, it would cost you $9,000 (insert shocked face emoji here, are we right?!).

Where can you cut costs?

• Request a credit card rate reduction
  • If you pay your bill on time every month, call up your credit card company and request a rate reduction. Especially if you have a high balance. They may be willing to negotiate.
• Sell unused items
  • Dig through closets and attics for items you no longer use that may have value, then sell them on eBay or Craigslist.
• Energy Bills
  • Install CFL or LED light bulbs, could save you $40/year or more
  • Install a programmable thermostat, automatically changing the heating and cooling when you’re not at home or asleep so you can save.
  • Unplug unused electrical devices.
  • Lower the temperature on your hot water heater.
    • The hot water heater accounts for about 14% of energy costs.
• Reduce or eliminate your cable bill
• Cancel newspaper and magazine subscriptions you don’t have time to read
• Shop around for homeowners and auto insurance, or bundle them together
• Buy generic when you can
• Use public transportation or carpool to work
• Lower your cell phone bill
  • If you don’t use all your data, perhaps consider a less expensive plan without all the bells and whistles

Another thing to try is to record each and every purchase you make for a month or two by keeping a spreadsheet or using an app such as Mint or Personal Capital.

Chances are you’ll find there are ways you could cut back and save some extra money.

Groceries. Some people love going grocery shopping, others absolutely despise it. For most, it’s just a necessary part of our weekly routine. But how much we actually spend on groceries varies dramatically from one household to the next. According to a USDA report released in July of 2018, Americans spent between 12.4% and 33% of their household income on groceries per month. For a household that brings in $2,000 per month, that’s up to $660 just on groceries!

Interestingly, GO Banking Rates conducted a survey of 1,009 people and found:

• Women spend 11% more per month than male respondents
• 57% of women clip coupons compared to 41% of men
• People making more than $150,000 annually spent $450 per month, 66% more than the lowest wage earners
• People living in the Midwest had the second highest average grocery bill at $305, the South was #1 at $308
• According to average food prices on Numbeo, the Midwest and the South have the lowest grocery prices nationally and the highest rate of obesity according to the CDC

So groceries are an expense we can’t avoid completely, but an expense we actually have quite a bit of control over. By shopping smarter, there are ways to stretch your grocery dollars when you’re shopping, and even after you get your food home. We’ve compiled a list of tips from huffpost.com to hopefully help you save a couple bucks the next time you’re roaming the aisles. 

1. Plan meals and make a list.
   • Don’t shop on an empty stomach, it leads to impulse shopping, which leads to spending way more than you should.
   • Set aside a few minutes each week to plan meals based on coupons and deals offered in the store circular.
   • Try to incorporate ingredients into multiple meals so you don’t waste produce, dairy and other perishables.
2. Stick with seasonal produce.
   • Thanks to modern technology and speedy shipping, grocers can stock just about anything, any time of year. But it’s going to cost you to eat asparagus in fall or berries in winter.
   • Know your produce seasons and shop accordingly.
3.   Shop sales, but read the fine print.
   • If a sale says 5 for $10, don’t feel obligated to buy all 5. Check the store policy. Usually you will get the same discount even if you just buy a single quantity.
   • The same goes for limits. A sale on soda might say limit 6. This is a way to keep the item stocked for more customers, but it also triggers an impulse in shoppers to buy all 6. Only buy what you need.
4. Ask for a rain check. 
   • Say everyone does go soda crazy, meets the limit and next thing you know, they’re out of stock before you could get your bargain cola. That’s OK. Ask for a rain check. This is a voucher that entitles you to the sale price whenever the item is back in stock.
5. Avoid the cost of convenience.
   • Just about every time something is peeled, cut or individually packaged, the price goes up.
   • When you get home from the store, divvy a box of crackers into individual portions you can throw in lunchboxes. Or take a bag of carrots, peel and cut them into carrot sticks for an afternoon snack.
6. Take a chance on chicken.
   • Bone-in chicken is typically less expensive (it’s that convenience factor again)
   • A lot of people are intimidated by bones and opt for the much more expensive boneless chicken breast.
   • The closer the chicken is to its original form, the less you will pay. Learning how to break down a whole chicken will save you big money over time.
   • Boneless chicken breasts cost nearly $2 more per pound according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
7. Befriend your butcher.
   • Ask your butcher what time of day meat is typically marked down. This is meat discounted because it’s approaching its sell by date, but it should still be good if you cook it that night or freeze it for later.
   • Typically, a large cut of meat will be cheaper than the same amount cut into smaller pieces. But some butchers will be happy to cut it up into smaller pieces for free, especially if you’re buddies!
8. Read expiration dates. 
   • When stocking shelves, they push the older merchandise to the front and put the new items, with later expiration dates, to the back. Go for the back of shelves and read expiration dates to make sure you’re bringing home the freshest, longest-lasting products.
9. Read unit prices.
   • On the price tag, you will see a price per ounce (or other unit of measurement). This is the best way to compare prices between brands.
   • Product packaging can be misleading, so it’s very possible that the 12-oz bag of chips just looks bigger than the 16-oz. Read unit prices to find out which brand has the best deal.
10. Family size is not always the best size.
    • Read unit price. Sometimes if the regular size is on sale or if you have a coupon it is actually less than the family size.
    • Other times it’s the same exact price, and let’s face it, most of us would rather store a 2 lb. bag of flour in our pantry than find room for a 10 lb. sack.
11. Create less food waste.
    • One of the best ways to stretch grocery dollars is to waste less.
    • Many people know that after roast a chicken, you should hold onto the bones and trimmings to make chicken stock. Do the same with your vegetables. Veggie “waste” like carrot peels and broccoli stalks are actually a great way to flavor your broth. Keep a bag in the freezer and load it up till you’re ready to make soup.
12. Freeze more.
    • Practically anything can be frozen, if stored properly.
    • A vacuum sealer is a great investment piece if you want to get serious about freezing.
    • FoodSaver estimates you can save up to $2,700 a year when you buy items in bulk, on sale and prevent waste by freezing food in airtight packages.

The next time your fridge is getting low, consider one or more of the above tips. It will probably only take you a few extra minutes, but could save you big bucks in the end.

Whether your travels take you across the globe or across state lines, Bank Five Nine and the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) want to remind consumers to plan carefully to keep their money safe and summer vacations on track! 

Most financial experts advise limiting the use of cash and paying with a debit or credit card for major purchases. That’s because credit and debit cards come with additional protections, such as zero-liability for fraud-related charges, which can offer greater peace of mind while traveling.

Here are some additional travel tips for consideration before taking off for a much-anticipated vacation!

• Share your travel plans with your community bank to avoid account holds or transaction rejections when out-of-the-ordinary transactions are presented for processing or posted.
• Contact your bank to request a chip-enabled card particularly if your travel plans take you overseas where chip-enabled technology is quickly becoming a card acceptance requirement, for all card transactions.
• Carry at least two cards with you so you have a backup. Families or couples may get even greater back-up coverage if each person takes a different card.
• Set up transaction alerts for credit and debit cards. If you suspect your information has been compromised contact your bank and credit card provider as soon as possible.
• Bring a list of emergency phone numbers, but remember, 800-numbers can only be used in the United States and Canada. Be sure to get a number for your bank that you can call if you are out of the country.
• Inquire whether your credit card provides travel accident insurance and traveler’s assistance. Ask your community bank what special services are available.
• Know the limits on how much you can withdraw and save your receipts.
• Thoroughly check any ATMs that you use. Ensure the card reader does not look like it has been tampered with. When in doubt choose another terminal.
• Lock away valuables such as passports, backup credit cards, copies of financial information and extra cash in your hotel safe.
• Use social media with care. Posting your pictures or whereabouts during travel could leave you susceptible to home invaders.
• Don’t wait for your monthly statement. Upon returning from your vacation, review your purchases and ATM withdrawals with your bank and credit card companies.

Remember, in the event that something unfortunate does occur, contact us. We are ready to lend a helping hand.

For more information about what to do in the event of a lost or stolen card, visit https://usa.visa.com/support/consumer/lost-stolen-card.html or https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/consumers/get-support.html

Source: ICBA