Monthly Archives: November 2019

4 Ways to Make Adulting Less Difficult Financially

Even if you don’t want to admit it, you’re an adult. Some parts of adulthood are fun and exciting, while others are not. Part of being an adult is to become financially independent and embrace some of the less adventurous tasks. We’re here today to help give you four simple ways you can make adulting less difficult when it comes to finances.

Create a Budget

You’ve heard this before and you’ll hear it again, but it really is important. Nowadays, there are so many apps out there to make budgeting a breeze. Mint, Acorns, Pocket Guard, Albert and Wally are all great options.

Pick a Meal Plan

Going to the grocery store randomly and not having a set budget and list can hurt you financially. It’s really easy to miss that money slipping away as you walk down the aisles throwing items in your cart. A meal plan helps you decide what you’re going to eat to keep things healthy, as well as figuring out exactly how much you need for the week so you don’t spend too much on extra food or snacks.

Tackle Debt

Having debt is no joke as an adult. Start chipping away right now at your credit card debt. By having missed payments or too much debt, your credit can start to slip. This will impact you immensely when it comes to getting a home loan or a higher limit on your card. Figuring out a plan of action for each month’s payment is your first order of action. Take note of all debt and start finding the perfect plan to pay it all off.

Start Saving

You need to save for a wedding, house, car, kids, retirement and so on. That’s a lot to think of all at once and how will you ever do that AND pay the bills each month? Take it step-by-step to know what’s most important. Start by saving a little for your retirement and finding accounts that help add money to the pile.

We offer different accounts to help you store your savings and continue to grow your finances to be the responsible adult you are. Check them out!

How to Create a Family Budget

As your family grows, so will your budget – but where do you even begin when trying to make one? With all the demands of taking care of your family, it may be hard to find time to make a budget…and stick to it. However, you’ll be ecstatic once you start seeing your hard work pay off. Take a look at how you can begin creating your family budget with these starting points.

Put Everything On The Table

You’ll want to list your income and expenses – don’t leave anything out (even that latte you buy three times a week). Make sure your income is reliable, so if you do get money from a side job you do every once in a while, don’t list it, as you never know when you’ll have that cash. Some of your monthly expenses are fixed—mortgage/rent and property taxes—while others may vary, such as electricity, water and groceries. List all the fixed expenses and the amount of the expense. For your variable expenses, write the maximum amount you plan to spend in that category or the amount you expect your bill to be.

See Where The Money Disappears To

When you’re making your budget, where does all of this money go? Can you find ways to cut your expenses, such as buying groceries at a different store or carpooling to cut down on gas? Put all of your money into categories, such as utilities and discretionary spending. Your discretionary spending will account for more than you think. Movie tickets, dining out and that coffee every morning add up fast!

Pick A Goal

Know why you’re making this budget, and don’t just say, “to save more.” By having an actual, detailed goal, you’ll be more motivated to stick to the budget. Maybe you want to pay off your student loans or credit card debt, or your goal is to take a trip! No matter what, having a set goal will make the budgeting process a success.

Track Your Spending

As you begin to start working on your budget, sticking to it and adjusting as you go, it’s important to take detailed notes of your spending. It’s very easy to miss little expenses here and there, especially when you’re so busy running around after your children. By tracking your spending and getting in the habit of doing it every day, you’ll be able to narrow down your budget and make it become more realistic. There are plenty of apps out there to help you easily track your spending, instead of doing it by hand.

Become a frugal family with these top tips! They are a great way to start a simple budget and inch your way towards creating a helpful document that will aid you in saving. Place your savings into an account with us, so you can keep building up your finances!

5 Hacks For Holiday Saving

The holidays are upon us and that means more money will be spent! However, be careful not to go too far outside of your budget. Heartland Bank has compiled our favorite holiday savings hacks to help you keep more money in your pocket this season.

Avoid Extras

When buying food for the holidays or gifts for others, it can be really easy to treat yourself and get something too. Stop buying extra items, like that latte or new pair of shoes, and begin being a super saver. Make a list of what you need when you go shopping and stick to it! Work on self-control each week when going to work to be sure you aren’t stopping for coffee or going shopping during your lunch break.

Change Traditions

Instead of the tradition of giving everyone gifts in your family or being the one to make the entire meal, change it up! Start a secret Santa tradition, so you only have to buy one gift. Make your holiday meals more of a potluck, so others can bring food. This will save you from having to spend money on an entire meal for lots of people.

You can also use this tip for your activities too. Go sledding, bake cookies together or watch a movie at home while sipping hot chocolate. You’re still enjoying the holidays with friends and family, but not losing money on pricey activities.

Make a Shopping List (And Check It Twice)

Don’t be naughty and stray from your list. Making a list is more valuable than you think. Keep your eye on the prize of what you need exactly, so you aren’t walking aimlessly down the aisles filling your cart. From the moment you walk in the store, potential gifts pull at your senses and vie for your attention and dollars. Your list will help keep that in check!

Get Crafty

Instead of buying all your gifts, make one! Your little niece will love the tie blanket or quilt you made her. There are also tons of jar recipes that you can make for people of any age. You could create a hot chocolate mix, cake in a cup and so on. Here’s an example!

Use Technology

Time and time again, technology continues to impress us! There are so many budgeting apps and spending trackers out there to help you with your finances. It may take a month to get into the swing of things, but if you stick with it, your savings will be sure to skyrocket!

Happy Holidays! Enjoy them a little more by knowing you’re keeping cash in the bank. Now that you’re working on your finances, be sure to check out our accounts. They are the next step to financial success!