Author Archives: TimberwoodBanks Blogger

5 Fun Money Challenges to Try

Finding different ways to save can be tough, however, we want to encourage you to stay on track and jumpstart your finances. With these fun money challenges, you can push yourself to become the savvy saver we know you can be!

52 Week Face Off

Instead of changing your spending habits overnight, try this challenge. Over the course of the year, you’ll end up with a grand slam total of $1,378. Start by putting one dollar in a jar the Monday of week number one. Increase it by a dollar each consecutive week to watch your savings grow. This means week two will get two dollars, then up to fifty-two on the last week.

Spare Change Stash

Those extra coins and dollar bills can add up in a hurry if you let them. Have your hubby or gal add to the stash as well to increase the amount saved. You can let this fund go towards a trip or that new couch you’ve been wanting. Challenging yourself to add to it every day, whether it’s a few leftover pennies or a couple dollar bills, will keep you engaged in your game.

No Spend Ordinance

Designate a “No Spend Day.” Every week, plan out your expenses so you will not spend a dime on Tuesdays – or whatever day you choose. You can also begin to track your expenses, as mentioned below, and cut out the luxuries. By only spending money on the necessities, you will have a greater appreciation for the little things… and a larger wallet!

Tracking Tangent

Track every single expense you make, even if it just costs a quarter. Try starting out with thirty days and lengthen the amount of days you track as time goes on. When you see what you spend money on, you’ll notice what items you can do without. Categorizing necessities against wants is a big step in deciding what you will continue to put cash towards.

Dine-In Deluxe

Eating out can put a dent in your wallet – and fast! Challenge yourself to eat at home for 30 days. You can find healthier recipes to test out and try new foods you may have not tried before. Look up different money saving recipes online to further your riches. Dining in can be a great way to spend quality time with your kids or loved one.

These money challenges have been tried and tested to help all types of savers. Put some of these ideas into action to grow your account. Once you have some cash to stash away, our savings accounts can help you have an accessible, safe place to put your new-found funds. Stop on in today to discuss your options!

Ways You Can Teach Your Kindergartner About Finances

Finding ways to make money fun can be difficult when working with your little one. However, starting money management off right when they’re small is a must! Use these tips and tricks to teach your kid to be a successful money master.

Utilize Clear Jars

Use a clear jar to allow your child to see their money grow. Just talking about how their dollar from yesterday is two dollars today doesn’t click for them. Let them put money into a place where they can continuously see it grow larger and it will maintain their interest in the saving lesson. Show excitement when they add to it because if mommy or daddy is enthusiastic, they will be too!

Start an Allowance

Help your child learn that time is money. Unloading the dishwasher could be worth a dollar while folding all the laundry could be worth two. If one job takes longer than the other, show that with the amount they obtain. Increasing the amount as they age can also show them how you grow with the jobs you get because of your new level of education. Help them see that money is earned, not just given.

Make It Visual

Your youngster will not understand the concept of saving by simply discussing it. Their short attention span calls for some innovation. Make a chart for chores to help them stay on task by coloring in a square next to the chore when it is complete. Different colors can help classify the item as more money or higher importance.

Teach Them to Give

Generosity is also an important lesson to teach at an early age. Have your child pick a cause they are excited about – pet shelters, for example, are a great choice! Your child can see where and what their money is going to. Helping others is a great quality to establish for the future. If they don’t know where to donate to, give them options such as the donation plate at church or a local food shelter. You can also find a place to volunteer their time if money isn’t an option.

Introduce a Side Job

If your kid wants a LEGO set, and they want it now, show them additional chores to do as a side job. Giving them extra ways they can make money here and there can teach them to have a high work ethic. Sometimes you need to work a little more to get the money you need. Setting up a “For Hire” board can help your kindergartner pick up some extra cash by sorting dirty laundry, emptying trash cans or picking up their toys before mom or dad mows the lawn.

These ideas will help aid you in teaching your kids that money doesn’t grow on trees. If you’re looking for other financial lessons and ways your child can learn about saving, stop on in. We’d love to set up a savings account for your youngster!

7 Ways You Can Give To Charity Without Breaking Your Budget

Generosity is a great quality to have, especially if you have children watching your every move. Lead by example when it comes to your friends or family by giving back – even if you don’t have the funds to do so! Timberwood Bank offers a few ways you can be charitable without breaking your budget.

Closet Clean Out

Look through your closet and find the items you haven’t worn for 8 months or more. Chances are you won’t be wearing that again, so give it to a good cause instead of hoarding it in your dresser. Donate your used clothes to Goodwill, the Salvation Army or another second hand store. Some stores even offer you money back for your items!

Share Skills

Your skills are worth more than you know. Teach a class to veterans about your online marketing job, so they can learn about how to work on the Web. Host a cooking class if you’re a chef to share your money saving recipes with others – and the list goes on and on!

Lend Your Dog

Your pet can be used to help others in distress and give affection. College campuses, nursing homes, children hospitals and veteran hospitals all have times where owners can bring their animals to give love to those who need it. Look into what places near you offer this type of program.

Get Snippy

Donate your luscious locks to a good cause such as Locks of Love and Wigs for Kids. Grow out your hair so you can help bring a smile to those less fortunate.

Donate Blood

Give blood to help those with their surgery or unexpected life events. Plasma and platelets are also an option for you to donate, as they help cancer and organ transplant treatments centers. Be sure to be an organ donor as well, so you can save up to eight lives!

Ask Your Company

Talk with your boss about sponsoring a youth sports team or giving to a local cause. Companies are always looking for ways they can support the community, so bringing a special case to them is another option you can utilize to give back.

Support Small Businesses

Shop at your local small businesses to keep their shops open. Supporting those around you is a great way to give back, along with gaining unique items for your home.

Don’t worry if your bank account isn’t able to help others. These ideas are fun and simple ways you can give back without hurting your savings. What are some other unique ways you’re charitable within your community?

How to Save for A House Down Payment

If you’re looking to buy a house, having a larger down payment will offer you a lot less financial stress in the long run. However, in order to put a larger sum of money down, you will need to take the right steps to save. Follow these 5 steps and you will be on your way to being a first-time home owner!

Step 1: Figure out how much you will need to save – If possible, secure a number or range on the amount you can responsibly spend on a house. You can plan to sit down with a mortgage lender or use a home buying calculator to help figure out how much you can afford. With the use of a calculator, be sure to remember that it will not take in account every aspect of your financials.

Step 2: Find the best ways to save – After you know an estimated range of how much you need to save, the next step is to figure out what expenses you can cut down – maybe skip vacations for year. The money you would spend on vacation can make a huge contribution toward a down payment. Next, take a look at your monthly expenses and see what you can reduce or eliminate; put that extra money into a down payment savings account. Lastly, work more. This may be easier said than done, but when there is opportunity to work an extra shift or add on hours, do it. Working more will be worth it when you are able to find your dream home!

Step 3: Transfer a fixed amount into a savings account each month – In addition to saving that extra money, set up a savings account specific for your house down payment. Then, with each paycheck you receive, have a certain amount automatically taken out each time and deposited into that savings account. That way it will remove any temptation to spend the money on other purchases. Before you know it, you will have enough money for a down payment.

Step 4: Leave room for flexibility in your savings – With all of this saving, it is equally important to leave room for flexibility. There will be other demands on your finances such as: car repairs, uncovered medical expenses or even loss of a job. You will need to be ready when and if these happen to occur – it is also helpful to create an emergency fund!

Step 5: Reduce your high interest rate debt – If you have high interest rates on your credit cards, it can painfully limit your ability to save. For this last step, do yourself a favor and pay off those high interest credit cards. Begin with your highest card and once that is paid off, close it and proceed to the next card. Lastly, transfer your credit card balances to the card with the lowest interest rate.

The process of buying a house can be very long and probably will require a big hunk of your savings. However, creating a larger sum for your down payment will sure be rewarding when you become a first-time home owner! Follow these 5 steps, and we can ensure much less stress in the long run.

Money Management for Middle Schoolers

It is never too early to start teaching your children about money management. Research has shown that there has been a decrease in understanding finances and how to manage money in America’s youth. Teaching your children how to manage their money leads them to becoming financially responsible adults. Below are 5 money management tips you can use to teach financial literacy in your home.

Use Cash – Whether you’re grocery shopping or at the movie theater with your children, it is probably much more convenient to pull out your debit or credit card and swipe it. But, as you’re swiping your card, your kids are watching you. Using the plastic card does not allow them to actually see the exchange of money for your purchases. Instead, use cash. The kids will be able to see the transaction take place, and visualize the exchange of cash for goods and services. It will also teach the lesson of handing over hard-earned cash.
Utilize a Piggy Bank System – Or better yet, a clear jar. Using a system like this allows them to see how much money they save over a period of time. It may be a long standing tradition –but it can give them inspiration to keep adding to it in order to reach their savings goal!
Distinguish the Difference Between Needs vs. Wants – Do you want it or do you really need it? It’s essential to teach the difference between needs vs. wants. Knowing the difference between needs vs. wants is essential when teaching good money management skills. This will help kids develop a foundation for appropriately managing their money, along with learning to appreciate saving money for items they want.
Don’t Give Allowances – Instead of giving your kids money just for breathing, give them commissions. Base it on whatever chores they do around the house, such as taking out the trash, cleaning their room, dusting or putting the dishes away. The idea here is to help understand that money is earned — not just given to them!
Use a Money App – With the use of technology increasing every day, your kids probably have a phone, tablet or some electronic device. Whichever one it may be, consider downloading a budgeting app for them. Save! The Game can help kids easily identify their spending habits in addition to organizing their finances accordingly.

Teaching your kids money management can be one of the most valuable life lessons they can learn — start sooner rather than later! You can start by setting an example. Demonstrate good money management because it’s most likely that they will absorb what is going on around them. And with these helpful tips, we hope your kids learn the basics in order to be successful in the future!

Effective Old School Savings Tips

It’s not surprising to hear that your grandparents and parents were frugal when it comes to money. However, that leads us to ask, “How did they get so good at saving?” We’ve gone and found some of the best old school savings methods that are still guaranteed to help you with your funds. Enjoy!

Patience Is Your Pal

Nowadays, it seems like everyone spends money right away on things they may not need. Taking a few days to think about what you want to buy is a great way to build your patience and cut down on impulse buying. Impulse buying can add up to $5,400 a year by just making a couple unplanned purchases each week. They may seem small, but if you don’t stick to your list, those purchases can add up quickly!

Limit Credit Cards

Yes, 25% off on your purchase makes for a great shopping day, but that store credit card only adds to your amount of bills to pay in the future. Work on limiting your credit cards and focusing on paying off your debt and bills for the ones you have left. This will help you begin to be the savvy saver you know you are. A couple credit cards are good to have, as they help you with needed purchases and building credit – just be sure to not go overboard!

Get a Money Saving Hobby

In the good ol’ days, there weren’t cell phones and video games to entrance us. Your grandparents had to find other ways to entertain themselves. These involved hobbies to help pass time. A good hobby to get into is one where it doesn’t cost you money, or will save you money down the road. Try canning food, as this will give you food for the winter when the price of fruit goes up or certain items are no longer on the shelves. You can also learn to sew – that way, your clothes are still functional and you don’t have to buy new ones every time there is a tear.

Cook At Home

Dining out takes a hefty amount from your account. Cooking from scratch is a great way to prepare multiple meals for a family while on a budget. Make a casserole or utilize that crock pot. Not only will dinner be ready, but you’ll have lots of leftovers to bring to work for lunch the next day or two. According to CNBC’s Jonathan Blumberg, if you go out to eat every workday and spend, on average, $10 per meal, it comes out to $2,500 a year. This is why utilizing your cooking skills can help you go a long way financially.

These old ways of saving are a few of the best to stay on track financially. If you’re looking to find better ways to save and take care of your funds, Timberwood Bank is happy to help! Give us a call or stop in today, so we can help you succeed financially.

Best Practices for Protecting Your Data

Over the years, cyber hacking has been on the rise – nearly doubling from 2016 to 2017. Out of all of those attacks, 93% of all breaches in 2017 could have been avoided with simple cyber hygiene practices according to Online Trust Alliance. That’s why we’ve decided to give you some updates on the latest cyber security practices!

Don’t Click It

Hackers are getting sneakier as to where they place their bugs. You may know not to trust a strange email from someone you don’t know, but what happens when you get an email from your university or a trusted place of business? Hackers have the ability to make their emails look more like something you could trust from a local business compared to the strange phishing emails you may be used to looking out for. Be extra cautious when reading through emails – and don’t click any links or download files if you weren’t expecting that in an email.

Turn On Two-Factor

Two-factor authentication gives you a second layer of protection if your data does get hacked. Many programs and devices offer this authentication choice, so use it whenever possible. This significantly increases your chances of staying safe from a cyber-security hack.

Restrict Oversharing

By putting too much information on your sites, a hacker can use that data to hack into an account through your security questions. If you post about your adorable dog, Fido, chances are that dog’s name is in your password or security question. Also try to avoid posting your address, phone number, full name and so forth, as all of that can be used against you.

Generate Multiple Emails

We’ve all heard not to have the same password for everything – and we know many of you are still guilty of that. However, you may have not heard about having different emails for separate reasons. A good rule of thumb is to create three separate emails: one for strictly banking, another for emails to friends and family and one for all your stores and shopping coupons. This will help block hackers from getting into all your different accounts and finding personal data.

Install Ad Blockers

On any web browsers you use, be sure to install ad blockers or turn on your pop-up blockers. This will help save you from trying to X out of something and getting a virus that came up when you were searching online. Having any potential ads blocked will help keep your computer clean and your data safe!

We hope these new practices help protect your data from potential hackers. If you have any questions about your information being safe with us – no need to worry! We’re proud of our security practices and hope you will be able to say the same after making a few improvements.

Jumpstarting Your Child’s Tuition Savings: How Much to Save

You only want the best for your child – but how much is the best? Figuring out the amount of money to begin putting away for your child’s tuition can be tough. Yes, they will be able to contribute, but it doesn’t hurt to help your baby get the educational future they deserve. That’s why Timberwood Bank offers some insight on what funds you should begin putting towards your child’s education today!

Get the 411 on the 529

Also known as Qualified Tuition Programs, 529 college plans are a great option to help begin saving for your little one’s future. You’re allowed to withdraw the funds tax-free for education expenses when you invest after-tax money into the plan. Know that each state is different when it comes to 529 plans, however, it’s a great vehicle to put future college money into.

Start Early

According to the College Board, an in-state public college academic year can average at $9,410. This means you’ll want to start saving as soon as possible. Babies and children cost a lot of money, so finding funds to put away for college can be tricky. It may even be best to start saving for your child before they’re born. That way, you don’t have additional child expenses to worry about while putting tuition money away! Starting at $100-200 a month can be a simple start – then you can build as you go!

Utilize LEAF

LEAF is a way for friends and family to give money to your child for their education. When you get a card from them with money on it, you can redeem the gift by entering the number on the card – then transfer it to their 529 plan! This will help cover any type of college expense they may have in the coming years.

Automate It

Get into the routine of having a certain amount pulled out of your check to go straight to tuition. This will help you stick to your monthly savings goal instead of trying to put different amounts here and there into an account. Automating your money will help you begin to get used to living on a certain budget while continuing your deposits to the college fund.

Know What Comes First

When you decide to save for college tuition, remember that other bills won’t stop coming in. Make sure your monthly savings goal isn’t outrageous. You know your income, so you know what budget is best. By knowing your home loans, debt and other payments come first, then you can decide what a good amount is to put away for your child’s future.

We hope these ideas put you on the right path to furthering your child’s future success. If you’re looking to open a savings account to save for your baby’s education, give us a call! We’d be happy to discuss our different options with you.

So You’ve Bought Your First Home: Savings 101

Congratulations! You’ve taken a big step in your financial future by purchasing your first home. As a new homeowner, you may be worried about the chunk of change you just spent, and your bank account may be looking a little slim right now. Luckily, Timberwood Bank is here with a few simple saving solutions to help your funds increase.

Slow Your Spending

As you have just made a big dent in your savings, now is the time to slow down on your purchasing behavior. Be sure to be aware of your spending habits. Don’t go shop for an extra pair of shoes or dine out multiple times a week, as that can add up in a hurry!

Revamp Your Emergency Fund

A bigger house means bigger emergency expenses. Put a little extra money here and there into your emergency fund to save up for problems such as needing a new roof, replacing a broken appliance or common plumbing issues. Being prepared means your bank account will take less of a hit since you have your emergency fund to fall back on.

Stretch Your Grocery Dollars

Eating out can cost you a fortune! According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average household spends an average of $3,008 per year on dining out. Instead, find discount grocery stores such as ALDI in order to meet your budget. Setting a budget and only buying items you truly need will help stretch your money. Finding recipes for casseroles, soups and other large portion meals will help save money by creating leftovers for you to bring as lunch every day to work.

Don’t Buy New Furniture

Even though you’re excited and want to decorate your new home to the extreme, try to wait. Slowing down and taking the time to find second hand stores, garage sales and so on will help save you hundreds to thousands of dollars on furniture. It’s easy to do a little digging and find store-quality items.

Clean Out the Closet

As you’re already packing to move into your new home, now is the time to get rid of items you no longer need. Facebook Marketplace, Ebay and other online platforms allow you to easily sell items to others all over the world! Not only are you freeing up space in your new home, you’re making a few extra bucks along the way!

Being a homeowner is an exciting new journey, but keeping up with your finances can be a little hectic. These tips will help you put a few more dollars in your bank account while enjoying the joys of your new home!

How to Adult: Financial Starters

It’s been said that youth is wasted on the young, but let’s not let that be true of those of you who are fresh into the adult world. We get it, many adults feel underprepared and overwhelmed at the amount of responsibilities that snowball after college or high school. Don’t fret! The fact that you are even taking the time to read this says that you are going to be okay. We have compiled a list of basic adult financial musts that will help you navigate this new terrain.

Build a Basic Budget

Many who have been in the adult world for years still do not have this down. Training yourself to say no to the short lived pleasures will translate to accomplishing your goals faster in the financial world and in other aspects of your life. You may finally be out of school and making a consistent income. This is exciting and scary as you see that the longer you are in adult world, the more expenses you have. This is why keeping a budget is crucial.

There are many different ways to budget, but one of the simplified ways is to break down your take home (net) pay and divide it by percentages. Dedicate 50 percent towards your living expenses such as rent, insurance and food. Allocate 20 percent towards savings and 30 percent towards good ole’ guilt free fun. This will help to ensure you are covering all of your bases no matter what your salary increases to.

Protect Yourself

While there are many new expenses being thrown at you, one crucial payment you can’t forget to make is that of insurance. Making sure you have quality auto, home and life insurance will help to provide cushion from a setback that could put you in the whole for years to come.

Automate it!

We already mentioned allotting room for savings in your budget and the easiest way to do this is to take the decision making out of the equation. Make savings automatically come out of your paycheck, and not only will you start building up an emergency savings, which is a crucial first step, but you will quickly accumulate savings for fun things like vacations or a down payment on a house. You’ll be surprised how fast it adds up!

Educate Yourself

Just because you’re out of the schoolhouse doesn’t mean you should stop learning about the less exciting topics like finance. Take time to read influential financial books, talk to a trusted banking partner, or to a friend or family member whose financial habits you admire. Do you really have a grasp on what credit means and how to best use it? Simply ask and seek for answers, and no, we don’t mean just Googling your questions. The financial world doesn’t have to be intimidating, just start digging in!

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