We all know how important it is to budget and save in order to build wealth. However, it is difficult for many folks to not only create a budget, but to stick to it. Although budgeting and saving can be very difficult, the fact of the matter is that budgeting and saving can help you achieve financial freedom and alleviate financial stress for you and your family.
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Checking Account Management
Now that you have your checking account set up, it is time to make the most of your new account. Understanding and utilizing all of the services provided by your checking account can help you stay informed and become more successful with your finances.
Choosing a Checking Account
In today’s world, using a checking account is becoming more and more common. Its ease of use and accessibility make it a popular choice for making daily purchases and transactions. Although most checking accounts are simple to use, there are a variety of accounts to choose from.
Just Married: Financial Success Tips for Newlyweds
Summer is a busy time for weddings. If you were married recently, congratulations! While this is an exciting time for you and your new spouse, it is also a time to think about your future, especially when it comes to your finances. Iowa State Bank & Trust Company wants all newlyweds to have long-term success, and part of that success means being responsible with your money. In today’s blog, we’ll bring you some tips that will help you build a strong financial future.
Save for Emergencies
This piece of advice is among the most important tips for newly-married couples. There are always things that come up that you never think about happening, be it a car repair, an unexpected career change or a medical expense. When these things come up, an emergency fund is your best friend. The money you received as wedding gifts is a great place to start, and you should work toward saving so you’re covered for up to six months of regular monthly expenses.
Come Up with a Budget
As obvious as this may seem, it’s worth talking about how important it is to build a budget with your spouse. You’re now a two-income household, which brings a lot of possibilities, but you also have two sets of expenses to deal with, including student loans, car payments and a bigger grocery budget. Sit down with your spouse to figure out how much money you’re bringing home each month and what your regular expenses are so you know how much money you have left to spend (or save) each month.
Preparing for the Future
When you’re newly-married, saving is always a good idea. For many couples, the biggest decision of their lives comes when they want to become homeowners. If you’ve been saving for a while, you can afford a larger down payment, which helps you get a good interest rate and keeps you from paying more in the long run. It’s also important to think about building your credit score, which can be improved by paying bills on time, paying off debt and being responsible when opening credit accounts.
Iowa State Bank & Trust Company is here for all newly-married couples. We offer savings accounts to help you save responsibly and can help you find a good mortgage if you’re ready to buy a new home. Call us at (641) 472-3161 to learn more.
Saving Time on Managing Your Finances
You’re busy, and we understand that. Between work, your family and what feels like a million other things, sometimes effectively managing your finances doesn’t make it to the top of the priority list. But having organized finances makes managing your finances easier and helps you get into a routine. Iowa State Bank is here to offer you some tips that will make managing your finances easier.
Start Maintaining a Monthly Schedule
For the most part, the bills you receive every month come at a certain time and have a certain due date that doesn’t change drastically from month to month. By developing a monthly schedule that tells you when bills need to be paid, and how much you need to pay each month, you can find out where you can save for an unexpected expense.
Organize Your Documents
This strategy is really no different than what you used to do in school by dividing materials for different classes into different folders. If you know where everything is, you’re likely to have fewer problems managing your finances. Develop a system to help you organize your different monthly bills, like your credit card statements, student loans or mortgage paperwork, and store paperwork related to those materials in their proper place each month.
Technology is a Big Help
Whether it’s receiving e-statements so you have a copy of your bank statements in your email inbox or using our online banking and bill pay services, Iowa State Bank offers services to make banking easier. These services allow you to set up recurring payments for bills and to check your balance with a simple login to our secure system.
Iowa State Bank wants to make your banking experience simpler. We offer several online banking services to help make managing your finances easier. And if you use these tips, you can help make things easier for yourself, too. If you want more advice about organizing your finances, please contact us.
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