savings

Going back to school comes with a handful of expenses, and school lunch is one of them. Although packing lunch for your kids each day might not sound appealing, it will save you big bucks and is easier than you think. We hope you’ll give these six wallet-friendly lunch ideas a try this school year!  1. Cheese Quesadilla: Not only is this lunch delicious, but it’s super cheap and easy to make. All you need Read More

Spring cleaning doesn’t just have to be about your house - sometimes your finances need a good dusting, too! We’ve put together some great and simple ways to clean up your finances and start fresh with your spending habits! 1. Clear Out the Paperwork Paperwork from your finances can pile up quickly. Now’s a great time to file through those old papers, make digital copies in a safe place and put them in the shredder. Not only will this declutter your office space, but it will Read More

Maybe you are already off to a good start when it comes to saving for retirement, but there may be some ways in which you can amp it up. If you could boost your retirement savings even by a little now, it can pay off big time later! Here’s how: Step Up the 401(k) Most companies offer a matching contribution of up to three percent to your 401(k). If you aren’t taking advantage of this now, make sure you do so immediately. Once you have established this for a year, consider ramping Read More

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. Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri 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, too. Stop buying extra items, like that latte or new pair of shoes, and begin being a super saver. Make a list of what Read More

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 Read More

Does it seem like your savings plan always becomes derailed? Starting too big or having unrealistic goals can prove faulty. Once you do have some money saved, it may be difficult to know what to do with all of it - leaving you wondering where to go from there. Luckily, we have compiled a list of simple saving guidelines to keep your finances on track. Stop spending money you don’t have. This may be one of the hardest rules to follow. Even though that check is coming on Friday or you’ve Read More

Now that we’ve welcomed a new year, we must also begin welcoming new saving habits. Setting reasonable resolutions isn’t always the easiest, which is why Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri wanted to offer some simple ideas to start. Begin promoting your financial positivity by picking one or two of these savings resolutions to implement for the rest of the year! Make extra mortgage payments Making your minimum payments on what you owe is completely fine. However, try stepping up Read More

One of the best things summer brings, aside from the beautiful weather, is time to enjoy with your family. Whether that’s planning a fun weekend adventure, or carving out a week to go exploring, your kids are sure to remember these getaways for decades to come. After years of trial and error, we’ve discovered some ideal destinations where you can stay in budget while enjoying all the perks of your family’s time away.   Wisconsin Dells, USA This midwestern hot spot Read More

Making your way through the drive through every morning before 7:30 may give you a refreshing start to your day, but at what cost? The ideology that coffee shops and other retailers capitalize on is the notion that these small expenditures add a little excitement to your day without a hefty bill. However, when you enjoy perks like these on a daily basis, they add up, and quick!   Financial author, David Bach, is the mastermind behind the Latte Factor. This helpful calculator enables shoppers Read More

If you’ve ever taken Psychology 101, you’ve probably heard the argument for nature v. nurture. In this multi-century discussion, psychologists have debated whether a person’s genetics or environment make a greater impact on their personal behavior. At Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri we’re excited to share our take on this timeless debate, and share how nature and nurture affect your spending habits. The financial traits which we see as more nature based are: None Are Read More