Tag Archives: financial goals

Top Five Savings Hacks

We all could stand to save a little more money. Whether it’s for an upcoming purchase, a rainy day fund or an emergency fund, saving money is a skill that benefits you throughout your life. It’s not easy to save, but Timberwood Bank has some hacks that you can implement right away to start developing better habits.

Set a Budget

In order to know how much you can save, you need to know exactly how much you’re spending. Sit down and develop a monthly budget to track your necessary expenses versus your monthly income. Any remaining income can be put right into your savings account.

Give Yourself a Goal

It’s easier to put money away when you know what you’re saving for. Whether you’re saving for a vacation, a car or a down payment for a house, you’ll find more success with your saving efforts if you set a monthly goal.

Learn to Say No

Saving money means cutting back on unnecessary expenses so you can limit your spending. That means saying no to going out for dinner with friends, skipping that trip to the movies and spending more time at home where you can save money.

Stick to Cash

Instead of using your debit card to make every purchase, take out cash at the beginning of each week or pay period within your budgeted amount. Once you’ve gotten the cash, leave your debit card at home. You’ll be surprised how much more careful you are as you think about whether you really need to spend the cash.

Use Technology To Your Advantage

It’s easier now to save than ever before thanks to technological advances. Keep track of your account balances using Timberwood Bank’s online banking, or download a budgeting app to your smartphone to keep yourself honest as you save.

If you don’t have good saving habits right now, don’t worry. Everyone has to start somewhere and it’s never too late to start saving. If you want more help with managing your finances more effectively, please contact Timberwood Bank and our staff will be happy to help!

10 Things Successful People Do

success

Ever wonder how Mark Zuckerberg or Richard Branson got where they are today? Success doesn’t come easy, but it grows where it is watered. At Timberwood Bank, we want to help you climb into success with these simple tactics! Learn how to begin your journey to the top with these 10 key actions:

  1. Have maker time. No matter how many meetings there are in a day, schedule time each and every day to create, produce, and whittle down your to-do list. Not only will you get more done, but you’ll get more completed within your structured time!
  2. Prioritize your tasks. Sometimes that to-do list can be a mile long. Start your day with one main priority, and three sub tasks. Once these core items have been completed you can move on to the other smaller agendas you have for the day.
  3. Keep your values. Whether it’s making it home for dinner, or keeping on top of an evening health regiment, realize there are other values outside of work that need your attention too. Designate your time at work to do the most you can, so once the clock hits five, you know you’re scheduled to be somewhere else.
  4. Strategize your meetings. Do you need to be in every one of your meetings? Perhaps not! Speak with meeting organizers to determine if your input is truly needed and if so, could that be communicated through email instead? Time is precious, so make the most of yours!
  5. Say no. No is a powerful word. While you may not be able to say “no” to a supervisor’s request, when being asked to participate in additional projects, be selective and only join the workload you can handle appropriately.
  6. Know when to delegate. You can’t do everything yourself. Invest time in your peers and ensure that if you need a task completed, they are up to the challenge. A great leader utilizers their team’s strengths and weaknesses, so be sure you’re putting the best person on each task.
  7. Create a daily routine. Everything from your morning breakfast choices, the various times you check your emails, to your scheduled breaks, you need to have a routine, and stick to it!
  8. Treat failure as a lesson. There’s a learning experience in every failure. By taking this simple mindset to heart, you can embrace the good that comes with every thwarted attempt. This insight helps not only grow your current project, but also broadens your mind to potential possibilities for future endeavors.
  9. Choose a mentor. The day you stop learning is the day you stop growing. One of the most effective things successful people do is to continue to learn. By never boasting a full cup, you can continue to add valuable knowledge to your repertoire and learn from someone who’s navigated many experiences you’ll soon face.
  10. Wake up early. The early bird gets the worm! Whether you start work at 4:00am, 8:00am, or 8:00pm arrive early to collect your thoughts before your co-workers swarm in. During rush hour you’ll also notice an easier drive if you leave an extra half hour or hour early.

Save $3,500 this Year by Removing These 6 Things

money management and savings

Saving money is no easy task! Only after dedication and determination, can you look successfully into your account to see the difference saving can make. At Timberwood Bank, we’re excited to help you achieve your financial goals, and we can’t wait to get started! If you’re looking to tuck some funds away for an emergency savings, or vacation fund, these six tips can help you accumulate $3,500 in savings over the course of the next year.

  1. $720: Cut the cable – at $60+ each month this common expense eat up your budget in a hurry!
  2. $1400: Brew your own java – instead of grabbing a latte on your way to work make your own cup of joe and save that extra $4/day.
  3. $600: Plan Your Meals – instead of playing by ear each night for dinner, make a dedicated meal plan each week and stick to it. This will help cut costs on eating out and unused groceries. Remove one dining out meal each month and see the difference this can make!
  4. $468: Workout at home – the average gym membership runs $39/month which over the course of the year can add up quick. Try online workout videos and create a routine which uses various household items.
  5. $312: Pack your lunch – With most quick lunches running about $10/each, sneaking away for lunch could be costing you! Try packing a lunch from home to avoid these expensive dining options. Changing just three lunches each month could save you more than three-hundred dollars!

Learn how to open up your ideal savings account at Timberwood Bank to get started on your savings dreams today!

Say “I Do” to Post-Honeymoon Finances

Post Honeymoon Finances

After tying the knot, finances can be a tricky subject, but they are an absolutely necessary discussion. As Dave Ramsey says, “If you can talk about money, you can talk about anything.” Getting your finances put together takes some decision making, but here are some basic guidelines to get you started courtesy of Timberwood Bank.

Be transparent with one another.

Begin the conversation with sharing each of your individual financial states, and the goals you have for where you want to be in the coming years. Once everything is out on the table you are able to dissect the differences between your finances and discover any areas that perhaps you differ on. If one of you has debt and the other does not, then you are able to build a plan to first eliminate your now joint debt. By being open with one another you can communicate more efficiently and work toward the goals you each share.

Evaluate your account setup.

In today’s world the words “joint checking” don’t always apply. While most common among married spouses with children, a joint checking account can provide a larger sum for paying expenses and saving toward goals. Additionally, spouses today are also utilizing a combination of joint and separate accounts to maintain relative independence and have access to personal spending funds. Some couples choose to select separate accounts for all their financial means, paying bills fifty-fifty or perhaps every other. Whichever account scenario you choose, ensure that you and your spouse are on the same page, establishing ground rules and acceptable spending habits.

Make a plan and stick to it.

At least once a month set aside time in your day to discuss finances with your spouse. This helps alleviate any financial tension should any money situations arise. By openly discussing successes and failures in your household finances on a regular basis you maintain a level of security in seeing where you finances stand in conjuncture with your goals each and every month. To be successful with your finances, you and your spouse must create and maintain a household budget. When creating your monthly budget remember to factor in costs for any loan installments, debt repayment, monthly expenses, and joint or separate savings. By evaluating your budget during your monthly finance discussions you can track you progress and adjust the budget if needed to better reach your joint financial goals.

By utilizing these simple tips you will begin the path to financial security and grow in your monetary capabilities. As Ramsey says, “Marriage is a partnership, and couples can’t win with money unless they’re doing the budget as a team.”

Daily Inspiration: Miracle on Ice

Miracle On Ice

Sometimes there are stories so inspiring they give you chills, make you want to go out and accomplish something spectacular simply because you now know the impossible can occur. In the financial realm of 2016 we believe anything is possible, and if you dream it, we want to help you achieve it.  So today if you’re a little short on motivation, enjoy this tale of the incredible feat by the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, known as the Miracle on Ice.

In the summer of 1979 U.S. hockey coach Herb Brooks held auditions for the 1980 U.S. Winter Olympic Hockey Team. With a final roster of 20 young men, averaging an age of 21, the U.S. had its youngest team in history. Brooks decided to retain only one player from the prior Olympic team, Buzz Schnieder. Brooks knew that the U.S. was to be considered an underdog, and during the exhibition games he insisted the players learn a more European style of play to build strength and cohesiveness. In their final exhibition game on February 9, the U.S. played their future opponent, the Soviet Union National Team. They lost in an agonizing defeat of 10-3.

Once the Olympic Games began, the Soviet team paved their way to the top, scoring large leads against the majority of their opponents. During their first game, the U.S. team tied Sweden with a 2-2 game, pushing both teams forward. After several close games, the U.S. found themselves in the semi-finals playing against the Soviet Union National Team, which had defeated them less than two weeks prior.

In the first period of the game, the Soviets managed to sink a puck and gain the first lead. The U.S. managed to gain a goal, keeping toe-to-toe with the Soviets after another goal, eventually ending the period in a 2-2 tie with a last second goal by the U.S. In the second period the Soviets again took the lead gaining one culminating goal. After only eight minutes in the final period, the U.S. found its momentum. Through an incredible power play the U.S. earned a goal, and then another only minutes later. The Soviets began to panic, yet Brooks kept his players calm. He continued to keep the U.S. on offense making several other attempts on goal, repeating to his players, “Play your game! Play your game!”

As the seconds of the final period counted down, the sportscaster for ABC, Al Michaels joined in, famously saying, “Do you believe in miracles?! YES!!!!” When the final buzzer rang the field house was filled with exclamations from the U.S. fans as the players stormed the ice, cementing the moment as one of the best sports moments in the 20th Century.

After the game, sports anchor Jim McKay shared a comparison of the game as a group of Canadian college football players defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Against all odds and predictions, the 1980 U.S. Winter Olympic hockey became a real life David and Goliath, knocking down the Soviet Union National Team and making hockey history. The U.S. later went on to defeat Finland in the finals to gain the gold medal.

Anything is possible if you plan and work to achieve your goals. We are happy to share this incredible tale to inspire you to reach for the stars. Share you financial aspirations with us, and we will work to help you do what perhaps you never thought was possible.