Author Archives: Heartland Banks Blogger

Top Cybersecurity Tips for Traveling

Whether traveling for fun or for work, you are hopefully busy enjoying the sites. However, it can be easy to get caught up in the adventure that you forget to stay on top of your personal cybersecurity protection. While you begin packing your bag, don’t forget this list of top cybersecurity tips!

Update all of your devices.

You’ve probably made sure your devices are charged, your toiletry bag is refilled and you have new reading material for your voyage. But before walking out the door for your trip, you need to update every device you have. These periodic updates that you see from the manufacturer do more than produce slight layout changes. They protect your device by patching holes and fixing bugs in the software. If not done, your wall of protection has weak points that can be taken advantage of.

Watch out for wandering eyes.

In addition to keeping an eye out for anyone who may physically take your device or other items, watch out for lurkers. They may be looking over your shoulder or at your laptop from behind you. They’ll be looking out for any information that can tell them how to enter into your device.

Always lock devices.

If you don’t have a passcode on your devices, you will want to get one. Don’t make it easier for criminals!

Remove auto-connect features.

Sometimes, it can be great to know that most public places nowadays have free Wi-Fi. Especially when traveling internationally, you may rely on this to send a simple text message to family back home. However, for your own security, it’s most important that you disable the auto-connect feature on your Wi-Fi. You want to set up your device so that it only connects to networks that you consciously choose.

Turn off Bluetooth.

Similar to Wi-Fi auto-connect, Bluetooth should be turned off unless you are choosing to use it. The reason for this is that criminals will use this as an opportunity to connect themselves to your phone and crack into it remotely. If you’re like most people, you have a lot of PII (Personally Identifiable Information) on your phone. This can be used to take your identity.

Statistics on Cybercrime

You are 20 times more likely to be robbed on your computer than on the street.
14.4 million people were victims of identity theft in 2018.
It is estimated that 33 billion records will be stolen in 2023.
The US government spent $15 billion towards cybersecurity in 2019.

With these tips in mind, we hope you have a safe and fun travel experience!

10 Saving Resolutions to Make This Year

Start the year out strong so you can finish the end of the year with a bang! These are some of our favorite savings resolutions that are great for novice savers or experts!

1. Start with an emergency fund.

The first step you should take this year is to make steps to build up an emergency fund. Don’t let the unexpected set you painfully back in your budget and even from your ability to pay bills. Seventy eight percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford to have a setback. Start saving for the unexpected now.

2. Pay a little extra on your mortgage.

Paying even one additional month’s payment on a mortgage can make a great difference in the long run. You may be able to cut years off the mortgage by doing so.

3. Say no to every splurge.

Those impulse purchases are good for no one except the store. Imagine if you hadn’t gone to the store that day or walked down an aisle with different items. You wouldn’t have thought you needed it or spent the money. You would have carried on with your life just fine. If it’s something you really want, work it into next month’s budget.

4. Skip the gym membership.

With the online workout community easily accessible, there’s not a strong reason for a gym membership unless you’re a heavy weightlifter. Find helpful videos to follow online or take a walk outside.

5. Stop the phone surfing.

We’ve all succumbed to the trap of online shopping. This is another way of splurging. If there are certain websites or social platforms that leave you feeling with the urge to spend, cut them out of your life until you feel you won’t be tempted.

6. Revamp your closet.

Ditch the clothes that you never wear and have your closet filled with the items you love. Keep neutral items that can be made into many different outfits. It will keep your wardrobe feeling fresh and new without the need to add new items to the collection.

7. Click unsubscribe.

Those spam emails can be annoying, but ones from your favorite retailer can often cause you to have a second look at the latest sale going on. This is another way of tempting you to buy something you don’t actually need, AKA a splurge. If this is a tempting area for you, go ahead and unsubscribe from the retailer’s email list.

8. Eat in.

Dining out is never the most cost-effective choice. Eating in doesn’t have to be boring. Learn some new recipes or even look up some copycat ones from your favorite restaurant. Invite some guests over to share with you. Saying no to dining out doesn’t mean you can’t have a social life.

9. Buy second hand.

While it may sound extreme, perhaps you can designate a certain area of spending to only be for thrift shops. Maybe it’s clothes, home decor or movies. Whatever it is, you can likely find it second hand.

10. Commit to your retirement account.

You are one year closer to retirement than you were last year. Even if you aren’t able to put a lot towards retirement this year, starting the habit of saving each month will set you up for future success and relief.

We hope that you are able to find these resolutions helpful and pick one for yourself to stick with for the year. To learn more about retirement and savings accounts, contact us at Heartland Bank.

Kick Off The New Year With These Savings Tips

Wow – we can’t believe it’s already 2020! The new year will bring children, weddings, new business opportunities and more. With that being said, we want to make sure you can continue to prosper financially. Here are our favorite savings tips to help you kick off the new year!

Start saving for retirement.

Yes, it’s far away and you can’t really see the benefits right now, however, starting to save for retirement now will be crucial in how much money you’re able to spend in the following years. The closer you get to retirement, the more you’ll have to put away if you haven’t started saving in earlier years. Making sure you find other ways to help your retirement fund grow will also be in your best interest. If your employer will match up to 3% of your 401(k) contributions, be sure to take advantage of that! If there is an opportunity to get good interest rates on a savings or checking account, stash some money there as well as in a CD or IRA.

Make a plan to pay off your debt.

Having an accumulation of different debts can become overwhelming and stressful. For the new year, think of a game plan to break down those debts and start to pay them off. Whether its credit card debt or student loans, there are always ways to come up with a doable plan to implement over the next few years. Start budgeting and begin to pay off debts in order from smallest to largest.

Start an emergency fund.

We understand that you may have some money built up in a savings or checking account, but when an emergency hits, you don’t want to have to take money out of those accounts. By having your own account for a rainy day, you will know exactly how much money you have saved up for potential expenditures.

Really start to budget.

It’s one thing to not drink a morning coffee from your favorite shop, but it’s another to actually have a list for a budget of all the things you need to stick to. It’s really easy to get off track and start eating out a few more times during the month or pay for something you really don’t need. Making a real budget and sticking to it will be the #1 thing that brings you financial success this year!

We hope you decide to implement all 4 of these savings tips into your new year. By starting to save for retirement, pay off debt, build an emergency fund and budget, your financial finesse is sure to flourish! Store your newly saved cash in a savings or checking account with us today!

Cybersecurity Safety Tips for Your Business

Don’t let living your dream of owning your own business end because of cybercrime. Stay on top of the latest defenses when it comes to cybercrime by implementing even one of these tips for your business.

Never Assume You Are 100% Secure

Unfortunately, you can never be fully protected against a cyber threat. The minute you sit back and think that you are invulnerable is the best time for a cybercriminal to strike. There will always be a new potential threat. There may even be an employee mistake or a broken piece of data. It’s important to always be looking for ways to improve security.

Amp Up Authentication

Every point of digital access to the internal working of your company should be blocked by outsiders with authentication. Authentication is a way of signing into a device with a code only authorized users have access to. Many companies are switching to Multi-Factor Authentication, which requires users to confirm their identity twice, often through the device and then a phone. This is simply an added layer of protection.

Hire a Hacker

Not all hackers are ill-intentioned. Many work legally to help businesses discover the risks of penetrability. They will be able to evaluate areas that can use strengthening.

Email Education

The weakest point of business cyber defense is often employees. Even if the worker is well-intentioned, they can still make defense mistakes. One common area of cybercrime is email. It’s an easy way for the perpetrator to access your company internally. This is why it’s important to not only have spam filters but ensure that all employees go through email education so they know what a suspicious email looks like.

Be Aware of Personal Device Risks

Many businesses allow workers to bring in their personal devices and use them to conduct business. This can be dangerous, as there is likely not the same security software on their personal devices that you have for your business. This is another way for cybercriminals to get into your business’s information.

Get on the Cloud

Keep your important business information on the Cloud, in order to avoid it getting taken from you forever. It’s currently the most used technology for small businesses. You can utilize it for managing finances, storing, sharing and accessing information from anywhere.

These are just some of the basics of business cybersecurity. They are all fairly inexpensive and can likely save you from a headache of trouble if you were to get hacked. For more information on cybersecurity tips or business accounts, give us a call!

How To Build Your Child’s College Fund

We all want to be able to help our children out when it comes to furthering their education, however, with your own debt and bills to pay, how can you save for your children’s future? In today’s blog, we want to give a couple quick and simple ways to begin building your child’s college fund. It can be just a start, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

529 Plans

One option is a 529 college savings plan, also known as Qualified Tuition Programs (QTP). The Simple Dollar states, “Here’s how they work: You typically invest after-tax money into the plan, and you’re then allowed to withdraw the funds (and any investment gains) tax-free for use toward qualified education expenses, such as college tuition and books.”

Family Contributions

Instead of having grandma and grandpa buy toys and clothes for 18 birthdays, have them give some money to go towards a college fund! You could have them give cash to put in a savings account. Your child will be very grateful later in life to know that some of their presents were money put into a college fund.

Savings Account

Opening a simple savings account for your child’s future is also a possibility. This way, you know that any money in that account is strictly for college, and not in a place where they can pull out money for other reasons. You, your child and family can continue to add to this savings account over the years. Once it’s time for college, you will have hopefully compiled enough over the years to give your kid a nice jumpstart on tuition.

Traditional or Roth IRA

Even though an IRA is typically used for retirement, they are also a very practical option for education expenses! If you’re under 59½, you can still take money out to pay for qualified higher education expenses, such as tuition, fees and books, without paying the 10% penalty that would normally apply, if you’ve had and contributed to the account for at least five years. The expenses can be for you, a spouse, child or grandchild.

Scholarships

While you can’t apply for scholarships when they are a baby, be sure to keep an eye on your options as they grow up. There are plenty of different places to apply for scholarships, not just through the school. Many people out there have set up funds to be in memory of a loved one and other instances like that. Doing a quick Google search for potential scholarships will show you other sites offering scholarships as well!

Hopefully these suggestions get your mind thinking about your child’s future. There are so many options to safely store those savings and help them grow throughout the years. If you’re interested in setting up an account with us, contact us today!

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!

Have You Thought About These Holiday Saving Hacks?

It’s the holidays! As they come closer, you’ll want to be preparing your budget for the food and presents you’re buying. But, be careful not to overspend! Here are our top sanity-saving holiday hacks to follow.

Be Frugal Online

Use cashback apps like Ibotta and Ebates when you shop online for the holidays to save money and earn bonuses. There are also ways to earn free gift cards online when you take surveys, such as using a program like Swagbucks.

Simplify Your Giving

Don’t go all out and buy new clothes for everyone. Think of simple and sweet gifts, like a dessert platter full of your family member’s favorite sweet treats. You can also decide to do no gifts and just play a family giving game like White Elephant.

Use An App

You can use apps like ShopSavvy to do your comparison shopping. Just scan the item’s barcode with your phone, and the app will tell you if you can find that item for less at another store. You can also use your phone to download a budget app, as this will help you keep your spending for the holiday meals and gifts in check.

Save On Shipping

Chris Hogan, a personal finance expert, states, “The U.S. Postal Service offers flat-rate boxes in different sizes, so pack as much as you can into a box (within weight limits) and save on shipping. Or take advantage of free shipping offers when you buy online.”

Invest in Experiences

Instead of spending money on gifts and family get-togethers, talk about doing a trip or finding something fun close to home to experience. There are plenty of great adventures you can find for you and your family to do – without spending extra money on presents and meals.

Survive this holiday season with these tips and tricks! Staying within your budget means you need to keep a handle on your expenses, even during these times. Our savings accounts are great places to store some of that cash, so you don’t go spending it all at once!

Tips to Keep Your Cash Safe Online & In Stores

The holidays have hit, which means criminals are out and about looking to steal whatever information they can. Retail fraud attempts increased by 30% during the holidays in 2017. Being extra aware this season will help you keep your money safe, online and in stores, by using some of these simple tips!

Use Your Chip Card

Cards have upgraded to now have an EMV chip included in them. This offers an extra layer of security, as the card generates a one-time code for the transaction. If your card information is stolen, a thief can’t use that specific code to buy anything else so it prevents further losses.

Watch Your Surroundings

It’s very important during the holidays to think about protecting yourself, and not just your finances. Be alert when walking to your vehicle and don’t let strangers help you hold your bags, purse, phone or wallet. Make sure when you shop that you put your bags in your trunk and lock the car. This helps you lessen the chance of someone breaking in to steal your items if they can’t see them.

Update Your Computer

You will be doing plenty of online shopping, which means you’re entering your information over and over on different sites. It’s important to make sure you’re installing all updates, so your computer has less of a chance at getting a virus or malware. Keep your system operating smoothly by adding anti-virus software and setting all updates to be automatic.

Turn On Alerts

Many cards and accounts have alerts that will text and email you if a certain spending cap is hit. Set this up, so you can be notified of any purchases you didn’t make. Then you can cancel your card before it’s too late!

Check Your Statements

You can easily check your statements to make sure there is no unwanted activity, as well as look at your online account to see if any strange purchases have been made. You can also check your credit report, so you can report anything suspicious right away.

Avoid Pop-Ups

There will be plenty of crazy deals around this time popping up on blogs and sites. Don’t respond, click on the links or call the phone numbers. It’s better to be safe than sorry during these times. You can, however, click the links on trusted sources that garner the ‘s’ in ‘https://’ on a URL.

Lighten Your Wallet

Take out extra cash and cards – anything that you truly don’t need. This will keep your funds safer while you shop. Thieves are very good at taking anything they see as an opportunity, especially when shoppers are distracted trying to find the best prices in the store.

With these great tips, you’ll be able to keep your money safe in stores and online this holiday season. We also offer safe and secure online and mobile banking – here you’ll be able to check your finances to be sure everything is as it should be!