Personal Finances

You’ve made the decision that you are tired of renting and ready to step into the world of home ownership. Good for you! You may be wondering what your next steps should be in order to be financially prepared for this major investment. Here are some creative ways to ramp up your savings for this exciting adventure! 1. Consider a Move Now Is the place you’re living now truly the most cost effective for your budget? Consider moving to a temporary location that can significantly trim Read More

Congratulations, after your roaring twenties, you have made it to the thriving thirties. Unfortunately, with another candle added to the cake comes another responsibility. People in their thirties have a very high amount of expenses from a house payment to the cost of little ones, which is why we wanted to offer the following solutions to saving. Automate Savings You have hopefully already begun a savings account for the other financial goals in your life. If not, no worries! You’ve likely Read More

Are you about to begin the hunt for your future home? We understand that the home buying process can become overwhelming, which is why we’d like to offer you a little insight. Start your home buying journey off right by completing this checklist! Strengthen your credit. A 620 FICO score means you can get a mortgage, but that doesn’t mean you’ll want to. According to recent data from myFICO.com, someone with the minimum credit score can expect to pay over $82,000 more Read More

Staying on top of your finances can prove challenging, especially when bills, debt, daily expenses and saving come into play. Finding your way to financial freedom takes time which is why Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri has compiled a few steps you can take to improve your finances. Coupon Like Crazy Some people always pay full price for items. Nowadays, there should be no reason to empty your wallet to that extreme. You can go old school and buy extra newspapers when the coupons are good. Read More

Finding ways to make money fun can be difficult when working with your little one. However, starting money management off right when they’re small is a must! Use these tips and tricks to teach your child to be a successful money master. Utilize Clear Jars Use a clear jar to allow your child to see their money grow. Just talking about how their dollar from yesterday is two dollars today doesn’t click for them. Let them put money into a place where they can continuously see it grow Read More

You only want the best for your child - but how much is the best? Figuring out the amount of money to begin putting away for your child’s tuition can be tough. Yes, they will be able to contribute, but it doesn’t hurt to help your baby get the educational future they deserve. That’s why Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri offers some insight on what funds you should begin putting towards your child’s education today! Start Early According to the College Board, an in-state Read More

If you’re similar to 10 percent of the active American workforce, you are self-employed. Those who enjoy going into business for themselves find a great degree of freedom and empowerment. You have more value for your work, no uniforms, get to choose your customers, not to mention unlimited vacation days. However, these benefits can be quickly overshadowed by the effects of poor money management. In order to make your dream successful, there are certain key habits and skills you should have Read More

Savvy savers are full of great ideas and qualities, so those of us who aren’t the best at keeping our finances in check are always left wondering how they do it. Thankfully, Exchange Bank of Northeast Missouri offers a bucket list with some of the expert saver’s top priorities you can strive to meet! Pay off your credit card debt. As the average American has $16,000 worth of credit card debt, focusing on paying off yours can be a big financial undertaking. There are different methods Read More

Warm, sunny weather calls for a glass of ice cold lemonade. Now that the kids are out of school and looking for activities to entertain them, it is the perfect chance to teach them a little about finances. Here are a few quick tips to help teach your children how to be fiscally responsible. Have them buy the materials. When deciding to have a lemonade stand, it is important that your children know the value of money. By having them calculate the cost of the lemonade, sugar, cups, sign, sunscreen Read More

Who doesn’t want a healthy financial life? Yet, the number of people who actually have one is decreasing. Americans’ total credit card debt grew by 8 percent in 2017, with an overall 12.96 trillion in debt. While there are many underlying factors, one component that can be limited in your budget is emotions. You may feel helpless when it comes to taking control of your finances, but one of the biggest hindrances is your emotional state. The good news is, where you are at doesn’t Read More