Monthly Archives: November 2015

Black Friday Savings Tips

black friday blog

Before the turkey’s had time to settle, will you be preparing for battle Black-Friday style?

Black Friday – the U.S. holiday retail affair held the day after Thanksgiving – saw 140 million Americans push through store doors in 2014 in hopes of snagging spectacularly discounted goods. While the sales are plentiful, so are the opportunities to destroy your budget in a shopping fever dream. Before you whip out your wallet, Raccoon Valley Bank wants you to take these money-saving tips to heart:

Choose quality over quantity: Sure, you get a thrill out of comparing what you saved to what you spent. However, if you invest in crummy products slashed down day-of, you’ll end up spending more in the end when they inevitably break down. If a price-per-item looks too good to be true, it probably is. Pull out your smartphone and do a quick search for consumer reviews before you throw it in the cart in victory.

Make a list, check it twice: “Mom would love that ring, it’s so her! Grandpa has had his eye on a new fishing reel for a while, better throw that in the cart, too. The BFF said she’s wanted new boots, I could help her out there with prices like this. That LED Snowman is too cool, I can’t pass that up! I’ve heard Parks and Rec is pretty good, and with a price like that, somebody’s bound to want it…” You started out so strong, purchasing for those that really should be on your giving list. Don’t cave mid-way through by buying gifts not on your list for people that didn’t make the cut either!

Set a hard limit: Don’t let yourself be dazzled by the price cuts and frenzied atmosphere. Head into the stores with a maximum budget, and fuse yourself to it. If you walk in with a wishy-washy idea of what you want to spend, you’ll blow way past it without much thought or emotional anguish – until you get the bill next month.

Choose security over fashion: The crowds are jostling, emotions are high, and pickpocketing takes no more effort than a head-on collision in aisle three and a quick “oh, sorry!” If you choose to carry a purse, make sure it closes securely with zippers or a latch, and opt for a style that slings over the body rather than at your side so it’s close at hand and less difficult to snatch and run. Know exactly where your credit card and cash are located so you can quickly and discreetly double check they’re where you left them rather than frantically scrambling in line.

While it’s exciting, no shopping spree is worth the post-purchase regret. Plan smarter with credit & debit card options from Raccoon Valley Bank, and charge into the crowds with confidence and security!

 

Raccoon Valley Bank, Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC

 

Volunteering During the Holidays

volunteering

The holidays are a time for tradition. Maybe it’s opening a gift the night before Christmas, decorating the tree to the tune of a favorite album, or an annual all-day cookie-baking extravaganza. As you brush off traditions this upcoming holiday season, add another to your rotation: volunteering.

 

Job loss, medical complications, and unforeseen circumstances can make the holiday season a time of stress rather than celebration this year for nearly 47 million Americans living in poverty. In the spirit of giving, joyfully do your part to spread holiday cheer for those that may not otherwise experience it. Raccoon Valley Bank suggests you and your loved ones check out some of these community-building activities over the next month:

 

  1. Make food and dish it out- cookies and casseroles can be great gifts this time of year. You can provide them for those who don’t have the means or are short on food, as well firefighters, police officers and other public servants.
  2. Pack stockings for the homeless- pick out some cheap stockings and fill them with practical items. These can range from food and drink (granola bars, bottles of water, etc.) to gloves, socks and hygiene items.
  3. Donate old toys- kids’ toys and games can get pricey in a hurry. Purge your kids’ toys to donate to kids who aren’t as fortunate.
  4. Pay a visit to a local nursing home- the holidays can be tough times for elderly people living in nursing homes. A small visit or gift from a stranger could brighten their day, or even make their entire week.
  5. “Adopt” a family- there are many ways you can support families in our community. A food pantry would be a good place to start to find out about families in need and support them throughout the winter, the toughest time for families in need.
  6. Donate to a food bank- winter, especially in our area, is a difficult part of the year; it is far worse if you don’t have enough food. Food banks and food pantries could put your donation to good use.
  7. Have family members make a donation in your name- replace one thing on your Christmas list with the wish that in lieu of a present, a donation is made in your name to the charity of your choice.

 

Make a difference in the lives of your neighbors and your community this holiday by lending a hand when and where you can. Sharing your resources will help you share a memory with your loved ones as you create a new family tradition that makes the holidays a little brighter for all.

 

Raccoon Valley Bank, Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC

 

How to save on your Thanksgiving Meal

Thanksgiving blog

The living room still needs to be vacuumed, your kids haven’t cleaned their room, and decorations are still sitting sadly in the box rather than on the table. Face it: Thanksgiving is a stressful food fest. Despite your best planning, it’s an annual last-minute scramble to get the event on its feet.

At Raccoon Valley Bank, we want to help take some of the stress out of the Big Meal with these money-saving food hacks. Your family and blood pressure will thank you.

Spread the wealth: Many hands make light work – and full wallets. If you’re playing “Hostess with the Mostest,” feel free to supply that centerpiece turkey. However, ask your guests to bring a side dish or dessert. Not only does this free up time that you or loved ones would have spent slaving away in the kitchen, but it lets everyone do one thing really well rather than creating an entire sub-par spread alone. If you have a competitive family, stoke the friendly fire by making members vote on the Dish of the Year, and add the recipe to an on-going family favorites recipe list.

Strategize your spending: Pull out your scissors and start clipping coupons sooner rather than later. The week before Thanksgiving is packed with last-minute sales on smaller items like canned goods and bread, but that draw for smaller sales means big-ticket items have been marked up in price. Pre-order your turkey at the beginning of the month, or buy it two weeks in advance and stash it in your freezer, and load your shopping cart with all the trimmings when they go on sale. (But remember the thawing rule of thumb: one day for every five pounds of turkey!)

Go generic: With so many flavors and sights and aromas filling your table, Aunt Ethel won’t notice if you use store-brand cream of mushroom soup in the green bean casserole. Go easy on yourself (and your wallet) if you don’t buy name brand ingredients for the annual feast. They taste similar to off-brands at a fraction of the cost.

Make from scratch: You pay more for pre-packaged or assembled foods not because of the ingredients, but the convenience. Carve an extra twenty minutes into your cook time to save major money in the end when you make a couple Thanksgiving staples at home. Try your hand at making piecrusts, breadcrumbs, and chicken stock from scratch. If you have little ones running around the family gathering, this is the perfect memory-making chance to help them blow off steam while putting them to good use.

Thanksgiving is a crazy-busy affair. Amidst the hustle and bustle, we’ll make it easy for you to check your spending with our online banking when you find a spare minute. Take a deep breath – and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Raccoon Valley Bank, Equal Housing Lender, Member of the FDIC

Christmas Budget Timeline

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Sing it if you know it: “On the eighth week ‘til Christmas, my true love gave to me a plan to spend responsibly!”

Not part of your family’s holiday songbook? It should be. The most wonderful time of year can also be the most stressful if you charge into the month without a financial budget to guide your spending. We’ve broken down an eight-week timeline so you can spread your holiday cheer a little farther this year, courtesy of your friends at Raccoon Valley Bank:

Eight Weeks Before: Start talking about your holiday plan. What makes sense for everyone’s budgets? Is it time to start a new tradition? Planning this far out means you have time to get creative with gifts rather than scrambling – and burning cash – last minute.

Seven Weeks Before: Sit down with your calendar and figure out what parties you’ll most likely attend and how much you plan to spend on them total. Finalize your holiday spending budget (decorations, gift wrap, party favors, etc.) and stick to it.

Six Weeks Before: Travel costs skyrocket as the Big Day approaches, so book hotels and map your route now. Revise your gift list, and keep your eye open for ways to earn a little extra cash if you need help fulfilling that list.

Five Weeks Before: Start stocking and storing grocery store sales now to avoid last-minute price hikes. Look at your original list from Week Eight, and if you’ve dropped any plans – parties, trips, gifts, etc. – reallocate funds to other holiday ventures or back into your wallet.

Four Weeks Before: Save yourself time in line by wrapping and shipping packages and Christmas cards now. As you make purchases, keep track of them to a “t” on a running tally sheet to keep yourself in check, and avoid credit card purchase if you can help it – the temptation to overspend is just too great otherwise.

Three Weeks Before: If you have to use a credit card, pick the one that carries the lowest interest and stick to that card only. Double check your holiday budget, and if you’ve overspent in some categories, deduct from others now when you still have a chance.

Two Weeks Before: It’s the holiday season – soak it all up! Check the newspaper for local community activities, concerts, and events that are usually discounted if not free. Then reduce, reuse, and recycle by wrapping gifts with that newspaper (if you don’t already have paper you bought on sale at the end of last holiday season.)

One Week Before: Finalize your holiday meal plan and complete your shopping now rather than during the insane hustle and bustle day-before. Triple check your planning list to make all gifts have been purchased.

The Week Of: Relax – you’ve earned it.

Following this holiday to-do list can help you avoid the stress of the season. For financial planning help heading into the New Year and beyond, give us a call – we’d love to help!

Raccoon Valley Bank, Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC

 

 

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