Monthly Archives: March 2020

Online Safety Tips for Retirees

computer

Online safety is a much bigger problem than most people realize. It’s estimated that seniors lose a total of about $30 billion every year because of online scams. We want to prevent that from happening, and we bet you do, too. We’ve put together some of the easiest ways for seniors to be safe online.

Be careful when making online purchases. Hackers and scammers can make their websites look pretty realistic and trustworthy on the outside. Here are some ways to know when not to enter your personal information.

  • Look for reviews if buying a product.
  • Make sure the website is secure.
  • If possible, only shop on websites you or others have used in the past.

Keep tabs on all of your accounts. Be sure not to let your accounts, on social media or elsewhere, go left unvisited for too long. The following points will help you know how to keep your personal accounts protected.

  • Use strong and secure passwords, as well as different passwords for each account.
  • Give a trusted family member or friend access to your accounts in case of emergency.

Think about what you’re posting. Just because your account is private doesn’t mean everything you post in there is safe from the world’s eyes. There are still ways for hackers to access your account or for others to copy and share your posts.

  • Don’t post pictures or information you wouldn’t want the public to know about.
  • If you need to share important but private information, consider doing so in person or over a phone call if possible.

Don’t trust all emails and messages. Although many email providers have an automatic spam filter, some make it to your inbox. When it comes to social media, messages from strangers can be dangerous.

  • Ignore the “You’re a winner!” or “Free prize!” messages.
  • Verify with friends before sending any money in case their account was hacked.
  • Don’t trust direct messages unless you can verify who the person is and why they’d be reaching out to you.

Be careful what you choose to download. Hackers will often create free downloadable documents that are actually viruses. Here are some steps to make sure your device doesn’t get hacked.

  • Know and trust your source before downloading anything.
  • Have a protective security software installed on your device.
  • Verify with a professional that it’s a trusted source.

Technology is a wonderful thing, but it definitely comes with dangers. Be sure to follow these practical online safety tips and continue protecting your personal information!

Farm Service Agency (FSA) Farm Loan FAQs

farmers

Have you ever considered a farm loan, but weren’t sure what it involved? Good news – we’ve got the answers! Keep reading to learn more. 

  • What is a FSA Direct farm loan used for?

A farm loan is for farmers or ranchers who want to purchase, sustain or expand your family farm but aren’t able to get credit elsewhere in order to do so. Some of the possibilities include purchasing livestock, equipment, feed, land or more buildings. 

  • What’s the difference between a direct loan and a guaranteed loan?

Direct loans use government money and are serviced by FSA. Credit counseling and supervision are also provided by FSA to help applicants with evaluation. On the other hand, guaranteed loans are funded and serviced by Timberwood Bank. FSA guarantees up to 90% of the loan against loss typically.

  • What are the different types of loans?

There are many different types of loans that you need to decide between before applying. These include farm ownership loans, operating loans, emergency loans and conservation loans. For more information on what each of these loans includes and which loan you should apply for, contact your local FSA office or Timberwood Bank.

  • What’s a business plan, and what does it include?

A detailed business plan is submitted when applying to get an FSA loan. This plan shows your goals and plans for the future, and that you’ve put serious thought into them. Some things your business plan would describe includes your vision for your farm/ranch, your assets, your marketing plan and the planning of your expenses.

  • What happens after my application is submitted?

Your application will be reviewed and soon after you’ll be informed of any information you missed and need to include. On the FSA Direct loans FSA will work directly with you to work towards a loan approval.  On a FSA guaranteed loan FSA will work with the bank to get any additional information needed to approve the guarantee for the bank’s loan.

There’s a lot that goes into applying for a farm loan, but we’re here to answer any questions you may have. For a detailed explanation of the FSA loans, application process, and much more, read through this booklet.

Renovate Your Home Without Breaking the Budget

renovation

Are you ready to mix things up in the design of your home, but not ready to burn through your precious money to do so? We know some tips and tricks that will allow you to revamp the look of your home without going overboard on price. Keep reading to find out how!

Improve the Lighting

The lights in a room can drastically affect a room’s tone. Swapping out those harsh, flickering lights for softer, warmer lights will give your room a more comforting feel. Another lighting trick is to hang mirrors in rooms that need to be brightened up. Mirrors make a room look bigger and increase the light throughout the room.

Removable Wallpaper

Although wallpaper might’ve had a bad reputation in the past, the new, improved and modern versions of removable wallpaper make changing your space affordable and simple. The best part is that it goes on easily and comes off with no damage to the walls, allowing you to change up a room at the snap of your fingers. Click here to check out one brand of removable wallpaper and see if it’s just what your house needs.

New Cabinet Handles or Faucets

Updating the handles on your cabinets or the faucet of your sink can make a world of a difference. New and modern handles have the ability to completely change the look of your kitchen or bathroom, and they aren’t a big investment. Replacing your old kitchen faucet with a sleek, contemporary one can give your kitchen a whole new look.

Rearrange, Don’t Repurchase

You don’t have to buy all new furniture in order to make your living space more attractive. Search the Internet for furniture setups that fit your room, and try rearranging your furniture to match. Sometimes something as simple as changing an item’s location could improve the look of a room.

Paint the Front Door

Upgrade the outside of your home by putting some primer and a few coats of exterior paint on your front door. You could choose a bold color that would catch a passerby’s eye, like red, or go for a modern look like black. It’s also a simple fix to add a door knocker or update the handle. Research suggests that updating your front door can increase a home’s value as much as $8,000!

We hope these money-saving renovation tips will allow you to give your house an upgrade without burning through your wallet. More questions about renovation on a budget? Give us a call and we’d be happy to help.

5 Ways Your Kids Can Earn Money

kids

Are your kids ready to start earning money for themselves? As a parent, it can be worrisome trying to find a good first-time work environment for your son or daughter. Good news! There are many great ways for your kids to make some extra cash – even your youngest kids!

1. Babysitting

Once your kid is old enough, he or she might be interested in taking care of younger kids. Sometimes the best way for someone to “practice” babysitting is by having them watch their siblings or relatives for a short amount of time. Once they get comfortable and responsible enough, they could start making money from it. Babysitting is a great and enjoyable way for reliable kids to make some money.

2. Lemonade Stand

If your son or daughter is much too young to be working on their own and only want to make money for fun, a lemonade stand could be a nice summer activity to keep them occupied. Selling lemonade might not leave them with big bucks, but it’s a great way to introduce your child to what a job might be like, how to interact with customers and the basics of money management. 

3. Mowing Lawns

There are always people out there looking for others to mow their lawn. This is perfect for your independent and outdoorsy child who’s looking for a summer job. Your kid could mow lawns on their own, and if they really enjoy it, they could upgrade their equipment from a push mower to a riding mower. This is a job that can be started when they are young and continue upgrading throughout high school.

4. Run Errands

The lives of adults can become pretty hectic, leaving little time for trips to the grocery store. An easy and enjoyable job for one of your 16+ kids could be running errands for others. Although not many people are actively looking for someone to run errands for them, it’s something many adults would be on board with if someone asked. If someone you know lives an extremely busy life, have your son or daughter reach out and ask them if they can do anything to help.

5. Coaching

If your teen enjoys sports and is looking for a way to make some money, coaching might be the job for them. Lots of little league or YMCA teams need coaches for young kids’ soccer, baseball or football teams. This also teaches your teenager great leadership skills!

Having a job at an early age will provide your child with many valuable life lessons like communication, responsibility and hard work. Open a savings account for your child, so they can store their hard-earned cash!