Budget

If you or someone you know has a pet, you understand there are lots of factors that go into purchasing one. How do you know if getting a furry friend is the right decision for you? Keep reading to learn about the one-time pet costs you might not have thought about.  Initial Adoption Cost  The most obvious payment you’ll make when purchasing a pet is the cost of actually adopting one. What you’ll spend for adoption completely depends on the breed,...
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Are your kids ready to start earning money for themselves? As a parent, it can be worrisome trying to find a good first-time work environment for your son or daughter. Good news! There are many great ways for your kids to make some extra cash - even your youngest kids! 1. Babysitting Once your kid is old enough, he or she might be interested in taking care of younger kids. Sometimes the best way for someone to “practice” babysitting is by having them watch their siblings or relatives...
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Parenting isn’t easy, and we are here to help you in whatever ways we can. Keep reading to learn about these 5 simple and important things to teach your kids about money! 1. The Importance of Saving The easiest way to encourage your kids to save money is by getting them a piggy bank. Some kids are fascinated by the piggy banks that automatically count your change, and other kids would enjoy a lovely glass pig to keep their money in. Go to the store and let them pick out a piggy bank they...
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Research shows that money is the number one cause of stress among Americans. Balancing your expenses and managing your spending habits can be tricky, but we’ve come up with six great tips to help keep that stress away. 1. Track What You’re Spending Keeping track of what you spend money on is a great way to analyze your spending habits and make changes. Sometimes you don’t realize what spending problems you have until you see your payments on paper. Keep a paper or digital...
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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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While it’s not a good idea to go after any “get rich quick” schemes, there are some ways that you can quickly get more money than you have had on a typical month. The secret is to be cautious with your spending. This is obviously easier said than done, but it’s a way to “make” money without having to spend money. Follow your favorite one or challenge yourself to all five! Sell Your Skills Do you have a hobby that people would be willing to pay you for? Are...
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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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