Budget

It’s finally house hunting season and you could not be more excited to get the ball rolling on your big purchase! Before you hit the road or the search bar, take these 7 tips into consideration. 1. Know Your Limits Before signing the papers or falling in love with the first home you see be realistic about what is in your budget. We recommend spending no more than 25 percent of your monthly income on the mortgage. When you know what this number is, be sure to stick with homes in that price...
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While budgeting for a fluctuating income can be difficult, The Middlefield Banking Co. is here to help offer a few strategies to lessen the madness. Finding a process to help soften the blow of the months where revenue drops is a perfect solution. Check out the following rules you should follow when living on an inconsistent income. Know Your Baseline Always having an idea of your lowest point for income will help you prepare for the months where fewer dollars come through the door. You’ll...
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It’s that time of year when you’re likely to see ‘for sale’ signs on every block. Maybe you already have your eye on one and go out of your way to drive past it on your way home from work. Before you leap into purchasing a home, be sure to take these four steps before signing the bottom line. 1. Understand Your Monthly Expenses Alarmingly, many Americans don’t have a true understanding about what money they have coming out each month. This can be a dangerous territory...
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Being busy doesn’t mean you have to abandon your budget. Thanks to technology, there are endless ways to enhance your savings techniques. The Middlefield Banking Company compiled a list of the latest and greatest budgeting apps of 2019! Mint Mint is a well-known app, and it’s free! The app automatically updates and categorizes transactions, creating a picture of spending in real time. This budget tracker is personalized for you, as you can create budgets, see bills, receive alerts...
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Buying a home may be a common practice for the average American, but it is not a simple one. This is especially true if you are new to the game and have yet to learn the ins and outs of the process. No need to worry, we have plenty of experience from our years in the home buying business and are willing to share the best-kept secrets on the market! 1. Start Today If buying a new home seems far into your future, that means you are in the perfect position to prepare. Often, many have dreams of...
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As you begin to write your to-do list of cleaning your home this spring, it’s time to add another section to your list: finances. You wouldn’t believe how helpful it is to do a deep cleaning of your finances every spring. It can contribute to increased feelings of determination and confidence in all areas of your life. Here are the 4 best cleaning moves to add to your list! Review Your Debt Unfortunately, too many people try to turn away from realizing their total amount of debt....
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Over the years, we put away money for important events such as a baby, college tuition, a new car or house. Those tangible items make it worth the amount we set aside. However, retirement is a harder concept to grasp, as it is far off into the future. For this reason, we wanted to help shed some light on how much is actually enough when saving for retirement. How much do I save at my age? Trying to figure out how much to save at any age can be tough, especially when saving for other items....
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Enjoy the winter wonderland happening outside with your family! Don’t stay cooped up in the house all day - find something fun to do. Create quality time with those close to you with a few of the below ideas from The Middlefield Banking Company. Build a Snowman Frosty isn’t going to build himself. Get the kids outside and moving with this fun idea. See who can build a bigger snowman or have a competition to find out who the best fort builder is. Then, have a snowball fight! Encourage...
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With winter at full force, heating bills will begin to skyrocket. The typical family spends an average of $2,200 per year on utilities, according to the Energy Department. To cut costs and crush your saving goals, The Middlefield Banking Company offers some simple ways to save on your energy bill. Wash Clothes On Cold About 90% of the energy the washing machine uses goes towards heating the water. Not only will your clothes still get clean when washing them in cold water, but they’ll...
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