Budget

Extreme amounts of debt can weigh heavy on your shoulders. It has been found that extreme amounts of debt are linked to higher rates of suicide and depression. This is why it’s so important to have an understanding of good debt vs. bad debt and how you can go about paying back your debt efficiently.  Don’t Let it Define Your Life You, of course, want to have your debt paid off as soon as possible. However, letting it define the value of your life is counterintuitive to being...
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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...
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The new year is full of hope and imagination for the future. It can be challenging for anyone to stick with these goals, especially financial ones. We’re happy to tell you that there is a way to make these goals a reality by sticking to these wise practices. Be Realistic In order to make your goals a reality, you should set realistic goals. While a beach house on Maui would definitely be an attractive prospect to most people, it’s not in the cards for everyone. Maybe something like...
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Don’t let the winter freeze your bank account! Lower temperatures often mean higher bills, but with some simple moves you can keep a cool head about your finances this winter. 1. Open Your Home to Sunshine The winter is often a little more gray and dreary. Take advantage of every sunny day you can. Open up the curtains and let the natural light warm your home. Take a moment to bask in the warmth of the sun and get a good dose of vitamin D while you’re at it.  2. Switch the...
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With just a little work, you can map out your financial goals for the upcoming year. With money, it can seem overwhelming or tricky to know where to begin. Luckily, The Middlefield Banking Co. is here to help! We’ve come up with some of our favorite ways you can create your money goal for 2020. Figure Out Your Finances The first step you should take is to calculate how much income you take in each month after expenses. You may feel that you have a good estimate, but once you start racking...
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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...
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The holidays set back many Americans into debt every year. Last year, the average incurred per person was around $1,000. It’s never too early to start deciding what your holiday budget will be so that you aren’t fretting over overwhelming debt in the new year. If you haven’t set up a budget before, the holidays are a perfect place to start.  1. Start with what you have.  Every budget should begin by calculating what you have. This means having an exact tally on what...
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Fall into the season without falling into debt! You can have a cozy autumn vibe without breaking the bank. The pictures that you look fondly on in magazines doesn’t have to be a “someday” home goal if you follow these simple tips.  1. Nature’s Touch It’s a beautiful time of year. Take it indoors! The simplest touches of nature can bring the best parts of fall into your home. Keep an eye out for twigs, leaves and even acorns. Twigs can be put in tall vases...
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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...
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Now that the heat is finally getting less intense, it’s time to switch up your energy-saving strategy. The Middlefield Banking Co. offers plenty of fantastic solutions for you to increase your savings this season when the air begins to get cooler and cooler. Buy A Humidifier Humidifiers offer health benefits as well as bigger savings! Humidity keeps your warm, forced air trapped in the living area in the house longer, thus satisfying your thermostat longer. Switch Out The Air Filters Even...
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