Everyday Money

The holiday season is right around the corner, a time for festivities, cheer, and reunions with family and friends. But as we deck the halls or spin the dreidel, many of us will have something else on our mind: money. In fact, more than three in four Americans overspend during the holiday season, with the average household adding nearly $1,000 in debt. While it may seem like a fact of life, going into gift-purchase debt is not inevitable. In today’s post, we’ll offer four key tips to stress-free

Here are some ideas to enjoy the holiday this year – and on a budget! Buy in season.Sweet potatoes, squash, and pumpkin should be more affordable than many other fresh veggies during this time of the year, and they’re pretty much as autumn as you can get. Use what you already have.You may have some cans in the back of your cabinet that you totally forgot about or even some frozen vegetables way in the back of your freezer. Before

While 65 is the age to officially claim Medicare and Social Security benefits, many senior perks and discounts start much earlier as not all companies classify seniors in the same way! If you enroll in an AARP or Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) membership on your 50th birthday, you’ll have a head start cashing in on senior discounts. For all other discounts, the minimum age requirements vary based on the company or location and can range from 50 to

When things are going well, saving for an emergency can seem unimportant.  However, once an unexpected life event happens, having savings for it can feel extra significant. (We are talking about true emergencies here – like a pandemic, an unexpected visit to the emergency room or an emergency home/car repair. We are not discussing an unexpected sale on your favorite brand of shoes.)  Having a fund set aside for emergencies can turn a true crisis into more of an inconvenience,

Every week, month and year that you spend less than you earn, the more you can save — and in the end, the better your financial situation will be. Remember, every penny counts and adds up over time. 1. Use cold water for your laundry.There are a few reasons for this. First and foremost, cutting back on hot water can help decrease your energy bill by saving on the cost of heating the water.  Second, since cold water washing is

Cybersecurity is all about being cautious when engaging in online activities, protecting yourself, and reaching out for help when you encounter something suspicious. Here’s a deeper dive into the 10 cybersecurity best practices from the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) that they listed in their recent issue of Independent Banker Magazine.  1. Enable the strongest authentication tools offered by your bank. Popular authentication methods include biometrics, security keys and single-use codes. 2. Use unique passphrases as passwords and differentiate them across multiple platforms.

While many will splurge this Valentine’s Day (According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), Americans are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2025, with an average expenditure of $188.81 per person) why not look for simple and affordable ways to show your appreciation for your loved ones and celebrate in a way that doesn’t break the bank? Read on for 14 budget friendly (Wisconsin focused!) Valentine’s Day ideas to try this February 14th. Remember, in

While things may look and feel a bit different this year due to social distancing and spending more time at home, there are still plenty of ways to make Valentine’s Day special that show your appreciation for your loved ones. Although we may be limited to where we can go out, we learned in 2020 how to create fun ideas and special moments in our own way. Read on for ‘10 Budget Friendly (at home themed) Valentine’s Day Ideas to

As you get older, hopes and dreams for the future begin to expand – buying a car or house, starting a family, and eventually retiring. These dreams are exciting and are something to look forward to, but they also require saving money. A financial plan helps decide what your goals are and how to effectively save for them. This includes a budget, tracking expenses, and bills, and planning for your financial life stages. Stage One – Build a Financial Foundation This