Monthly Archives: December 2014

Whip Your Finances into Shape for a Better 2015

Get your finances organized for 2015 and beyond

 

Behind resolutions to improve health financial resolutions are the most popular goals Americans set for themselves at the beginning of every year. Unfortunately, over 80 percent of us who do set goals see them end in failure.

 

However, getting yourself financially organized doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. All it takes is commitment and the following list of ways to streamline your financial life. Take a look and then put them into action at the beginning of the upcoming year!  Continue reading

Start 2015 Off Right with these 6 Tips to Eliminate Credit Card Debt

Try these tips to reduce your debt in the New Year

Is there anything worse than owing someone money? Knowing that you have to repay that person or company can wear on your over time; debt is a huge source of financial stress for millions of people in the United States. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

 

If you’ve resolved to lower and/or eliminate your credit card debt in 2015, Raccoon Valley Bank can help! We’ve compiled a six-step plan for getting out of debt for a better life free of the weight of stress hanging over your head. Continue reading

Don’t Let Retailers Get the Best of You

Outsmart the marketing techniques retailers use to spend less this holiday season.

Break the psychological grip of retailers this holiday season!

Have you ever wondered what it is that makes you purchase certain items that you didn’t even know you needed? Why do we spend impulsively at times?

 

The truth is that retailers and their marketing and advertising gurus have done their research into what makes our brains tick. They’ve spent millions of dollars and hundreds of hours conducting and analyzing market research in order to sell us more stuff.

 

Because we want our customers to make the smartest financial decisions this holiday season, Raccoon Valley Bank has done a little research of our own to shed some light on the tactics you’ll see when you’re out shopping.   Continue reading

4 Ways to Take the Stress Out of Holiday Shopping this Year

Take stress out of your holiday shopping with these four tips

Why are the holidays too stressful? Between living your normal busy life, you also have to attend holiday parties, prepare for hosting family members or travel, and oh yeah, purchase the necessary gifts.

At Raccoon Valley Bank, we want to help you get through the holidays with less stress. We put together these tips for shopping smarter so you don’t have to “shop ‘til you drop” or lose your mind. Give them a read and then put them to good use!

Spread out your shopping

Don’t try to do all of your shopping at once if your budget can’t take it. Try to plan it around your paydays and any other times you know you’ll be receiving income or around recurring costs (rent, mortgage, utilities, etc.).

Conduct some research

Research isn’t just for graduate students and scientists. By comparing products and prices, you can find the best price so you’re not leaving money on the table. Product research can also help you determine if the item is high quality or likely to break soon after the holidays.

Watch for coupons and further discounts

You may have the tendency to put your gifts out of sight and out of mind once you’ve made your purchases. However, prices trend downward the further into December we get. Make your purchase, but don’t stop searching for coupons or further price reduction on those products.

Try your hand at online shopping

Online shopping has its merits: you can shop from your couch or office, see all the product specifications at once and compare prices quickly. A lot of online retailers and brick-and-mortar retailers offer great deals for online shoppers. If you can find a good deal that isn’t negated by high shipping costs, we say go for it.

There’s no need to shop til you drop. By being smarter about your shopping, you can get all your shopping done with less stress. Heck, you may even save some money along the way!

If Raccoon Valley Bank can help with your holiday shopping or finances, let us know. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Raccoon Valley Bank, member FDIC

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