It’s Time to Spring Clean Your Finances

Posted on April 5, 2023 by VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

Temperatures are beginning to rise and flowers are starting to bloom — spring is here! This season is also the perfect time to declutter your finances, just like you would your home. The change in season presents an excellent opportunity to take a closer look at your financial situation, get organized, and make some necessary variations to improve your financial health. Here are our tips on how to spring clean your finances.

Review your budget

The first step to decluttering your finances is to review your budget. Take a look at your monthly expenses (using our fillable PDF worksheet as a guide) and identify areas where you can cut back. You might be surprised at how much money you can save by canceling subscriptions you no longer use or reducing your spending on non-essential items. This is also a good time to shop around for better deals and discounts on insurance and other utilities.

Consolidate your accounts

If you have multiple bank accounts or credit cards, it can be challenging to keep track of all your transactions. Consolidating your accounts can help you stay organized and simplify your financial life. Consider transferring balances to a single credit card or merging your bank accounts into one. If you’re looking to consolidate credit cards or debt, consider one of our four credit card options that offer low rates and extra benefits.*

Check your credit report

Your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial health, and it’s essential to check your credit report regularly to ensure that it’s accurate. You can request a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once a year. Review your report carefully and dispute any errors that you find.

Is your credit score on the low side? We’re here to help! Read our blog post on ways to improve your credit score.

Develop a savings strategy

The first step in developing a savings strategy is to set specific financial goals and determine how much you need to save each month to achieve them. Next, automate your savings by setting up a direct deposit from your paycheck or scheduling recurring transfers from your checking account to your savings account. You can also consider using a budgeting app or tool to help you track your expenses and identify areas where you can cut back to free up more money to save.

The benefits of spring cleaning

By decluttering your finances, you can enjoy immediate financial benefits. Here are some benefits you can expect to see:

Reduced Stress: Financial stress is a common problem that many people face, and it can have a significant impact on your mental health. By decluttering your finances and getting organized, you can reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
Increased Savings: When you reduce your expenses and sell unwanted items, you’ll have more money to save or invest. Even small changes in your spending habits can add up over time and help you achieve your financial goals.
Improved Credit Score: A clean credit report can improve your credit score, making it easier to qualify for loans, credit cards, and other financial products. By reviewing your credit report regularly and disputing any errors, you can ensure that your credit score accurately reflects your creditworthiness.
Better Financial Habits: Decluttering your finances can help you develop better financial habits – such as budgeting, saving, and investing. By making small changes to your financial habits now, you can achieve long-term financial success.

Spring cleaning your finances is a simple but effective way to improve your financial health. By taking our recommended steps, you can enjoy immediate financial benefits and develop better money habits for the future. Our representatives at First Financial are here to help keep your finances on track. Call us at 732.312.1500 or stop by any of our local branches.

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*APR varies up to 18% when you open your account based on your credit worthiness. These APRs are for purchases and will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Subject to credit approval. Rates quoted assume excellent borrower credit history. Your actual APR may vary based on your state of residence, approved loan amount, applicable discounts and your credit history. No Annual Fees. Other fees that apply: Balance Transfer and Cash Advance Fees of 3% or $10, whichever is greater; Late Payment Fee of $29, $10 Card Replacement Fee, and Returned Payment Fee of $29. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a Visa Credit Card and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. See firstffcu.com for current rates.

Save Money By Taking Your Spring Cleaning to the Next Level

Posted on April 4, 2019 by VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

Springtime is here, and that means it’s time for that beloved annual tradition — spring cleaning. In surveys conducted by the American Cleaning Institute, responses indicate that as many as 91% of Americans and 96% of Millennials engage in spring cleaning, so it seems safe to say we’re all in this together.

As you open the windows and begin your routine of washing, sweeping, dusting, and decluttering, the goal is to spruce up your home’s interior while eliminating things you no longer need. When done correctly, spring cleaning can actually make you happier and healthier. So, it makes sense to be as thorough as possible. This year, while you’re busy cleaning your fixtures and furniture, it might be a good idea to update some common household items to more energy-efficient options. A more efficient home is an investment that can save you money all year long, and we’re pretty sure lower utility bills will boost your mood as well!

Simple Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient This Spring

Energy Saving Power Switch: By completely cutting off all power when an electronic device isn’t in use, these plug-in adapters reduce the costly effects of “vampire energy.” While the term sounds scarier than it should, vampire energy refers to the power that still flows to a device even when it is turned off. These handy switches can be purchased online or in your local hardware store for $10 or less. And with prices that low, your return on investment can be quite substantial.

Low Flow Showerhead: According to a research project conducted by the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the average American shower lasts for just over 8 minutes and uses approximately 17 gallons of water. The average flow rate works out to be roughly 2.1 gallons per minute (gpm). By switching to a low flow shower head that reduces usage to 1.25 gpm, you can save an average of $32 per year per person. For a couple, that means about $64 in savings each year — especially impressive considering that most low flow showerheads can be purchased for $10-15.

Smart Thermostat: The Internet has revolutionized the way we communicate, shop, and even do our banking. Now, thanks to smart products like the Nest Thermostat, it appears that it has also changed the way we save on energy-related expenses. While the initial price of a Nest will set you back approximately $250, the average annual home energy savings of $150 per year means you’ll recoup your investment in less than two years. After that, the savings will continue to add up.

Energy Audits: Not sure where to begin? An energy audit can help! Depending on your location, energy audits can cost anywhere from $250 to $600. And while that might seem like a lot to pay up front, the potential savings can make it worth the investment. During a professional energy audit, efficiency experts utilize specialized tools to identify areas where your home may be using excessive energy, which in turn – can help you pinpoint which improvements will make the biggest difference. To find an energy auditor and prepare for an upcoming audit, check out these helpful tips.

Throughout this article, we’ve talked about a few relatively low cost ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency. But maybe you’re thinking a little bigger this spring. If you need a little more incentive to make big ticket improvements like installing new windows, updating your HVAC system, or adding solar panels, federal tax incentives may provide just the push you’re looking for. Usually available in the form of rebates, these incentives are designed to encourage homeowners to update their home systems to be more energy efficient and sustainable. If you’ve been thinking about making some major energy saving upgrades around your house, don’t forget to see if the upgrades qualify for valuable government incentives. When it comes to saving energy and saving money, every little bit helps!

Keep or Shred: Spring Cleaning for Financial Documents

Posted on May 9, 2017 by VP of Marketing and Business Development Jessica

Along with spring cleaning our closets and homes, it’s also important to take a look at that pile of papers gathering dust in the kitchen drawer or your home office. Are you holding onto financial documents that can be shredded, or should you continue to (carefully) keep those records on hand? Here are four types of financial documents and tips for whether to keep them or shred them.

Credit Card Statements: ATM or deposit receipts can be tossed after the transaction is recorded, but credit card statements should be kept until a payment is made and appears on the next statement. Receipts for anything purchased on your credit card should also be kept until the statement arrives so you can confirm you were charged the appropriate amount.

Student Loans: When you originally took out your student loan you were given a master promissory note. This document shows how you promised to pay your loan and any accrued interest and it should be kept securely until your loan is completely paid off.

Mortgage/Lease: Because many mortgage lenders now allow for electronic payments, most documents associated with your home will be available anytime on their webpage. However, if you have paper copies of your closing documents – you may want to file these away for safe keeping anyway, and to have a hard copy on hand. If you are leasing your residence, transaction histories may not be available online, so hold onto your lease and any record of rent payments made. That way if there is a dispute with your landlord, you will have the necessary detailed documents handy.

Car and Health Insurance: Many insurance companies will send policies via email or will allow you to create an account on their website and access your secure documents at your convenience. If this is the case, there is no need to keep any paper copies that are mailed to you. If there isn’t an electronic copy, file away your policy information until the next year when the new plan information arrives. Life insurance policies are an exception and should be filed away forever.

Article Source: Wendy Bignon for CUInsight.com