Everyday Money

Each month you settle down to pay bills. You pay your mortgage. You pay the electric company. You pay the trash collector and others. But do you pay yourself? One of the most basic tenets of sound investing involves the simple habit of “paying yourself first,” in other words, making the first payment of each month into your savings account. Americans’ saving patterns vary widely. And too often, short-term economic trends can interrupt long-term savings programs. For example, the U.S.

Budget friendly activities to do in Wisconsin After the long and cold Midwest winters, there is no doubt that the summertime is something we all look forward to in Wisconsin. The weather is finally warm and there are a lot of fun budget friendly things to do! Keep reading to hear some of our favorites! Farmers MarketThese are fun places to walk around, try samples, and maybe make a local purchase.  A good idea is to give yourself a budget

Few things are more uncomfortable than mixing personal relationships and money. Fortunately, there are fixes. By approaching difficult money matters head-on and with a little forethought, you can avoid repeating similar scenarios in the future by reading through our financial problem solutions. Here are some specific questions related to awkward money situations and suggested responses.  Q: A friend asks, “How much did you pay for that purse?” or “What kind of deal did you get on your new car?” You’d rather

The Basics of a CD Have you ever overheard someone chatting about how CDs are looking like a solid investment again? No, they were not talking about the new Taylor Swift CD – although that doesn’t sound like a bad investment either – they’re talking about Certificates of Deposit. Don’t worry if you were out of sync though, you’re not alone, and this blog is for you! What is a Certificate of Deposit (CD) and how does it work? A

How to Write A Check If a check is not correctly filled out, it cannot be deposited into your personal checking account. Read the below for a quick how to! Even in this day in age where everything is digital, checks are still common! Here are some top times you may need to still write a check: 1)  Date Write the date you are writing out the check in the top right corner. Make sure you enter the complete month, day and

Many people make their resolutions for self-improvement in the new year. While the most popular resolutions tend to focus on physical health, the start of a new year is also a perfect time to prioritize your financial wellness. Ready to get started? Read on. 1. Make a Budget and Stick to it. Budgeting is one of most effective ways to manage your money. Creating and monitoring a budget allows you to track your expenses, adapt to changes, and achieve your financial

Have a financial question? Ask us! We will compile the financial questions we receive, big and small, into a blog to be posted on Fridays. Feel your question is silly? No question is silly, but no worries, you’ll remain anonymous. Email your questions to marketing@bankfivenine.com with #moneyminute as the Subject or message us on Facebook! There are so many credit cards out there. How do I choose the right one? There are a lot of credit cards available to you. It is

What is credit? Why does it matter? And how do you find out if yours is good or needs improvement? These are all really good questions to ask as your credit helps different companies determine whether or not they will lend to you. Poor credit may affect everything from credit cards, car loans and apartment rentals, to school loans, and buying your own home. Your credit-worthiness is determined by your credit score; a 3 digit number calculated by five different

With so many different bank accounts available, it’s hard to know which one is best for your particular needs. Here, we’re going to discuss money market accounts and whether they might be a good fit for you. Let’s start at the beginning. A money market is essentially a savings account with a couple extra perks. It will typically pay a higher interest rate than the average savings account, and you have the ability to write checks from it. So, not

Good credit is the key to a solid financial future, which is why tips to build good credit are critically important. When establishing financial fitness goals, it’s easier to build a credit score than to repair a bad one. Having a good credit history is key to any financial plan. Credit scores take into consideration years of past behavior, so it’s important to establish a history of responsible credit practices and build your score by maintaining good habits. Here are