4 Tips for Navigating Interest Rates and Loans in 2023 With the Federal Reserve continuing to raise interest rates to fight inflation, it can feel intimidating to navigate interest rates, loans and mortgages these days. The Fed raised rates for the 10th consecutive time following their meeting on May 3rd. However, the modest .25% hike suggests policymakers might be moving in a new direction for… Read More
6 Ways Your Teen Can Prepare for Financial Responsibility According to a Greenlight® study in 2021, 74% of teens don’t feel confident about their financial education. What’s more, only 13 states require high school students to take a personal-finance class to graduate. So, the chances of your teen learning basic money lessons, without your help, are meager. Since financial literacy is key to building… Read More
5 Recyclable Alternatives to Grocery Store Plastic Bags Although the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act was passed in Colorado in 2021, the new year caught some shoppers by surprise. Effective January 1, 2023, the new law now requires all stores in Colorado to charge customers 10 cents for every plastic or paper bag provided. The complete ban of single-use plastic bags statewide will take… Read More
Retail vs. Bank Credit Cards: Which Is Right for You? There are a lot of credit cards out there today. Name a demographic or spending category, and a credit card is probably designed just for people within that category. On top of that, there are different kinds of cards, including retail and bank cards. No wonder that the average American adult has three credit cards… Read More
What the $600 Tax Law Delay Means for Your 2022 Taxes In December, the Internal Revenue Service announced a delay of one year in reporting the new $600 IRS tax law. This tax law requires online sellers and gig workers who have received over $600 annually on payment platforms like Cash App, Venmo, or PayPal to report the income using a 1099-K tax form. Previously, these… Read More
Make A Big Impact by Shopping Small on Small Business Saturday Since 2010, the Saturday after Thanksgiving has been known as Small Business Saturday — the day when consumers are encouraged to shop locally and make purchases from the stores in their neighborhoods. Now, Small Business Saturday has catapulted into a mega-moneymaker for local business owners with consumers spending $23.3 billion in 2021. Here’s how shopping… Read More
Navigating Rising Airline Costs This Holiday Season As we hurl toward the holidays, many of us are looking to pin down holiday plans and book travel. But with skyrocketing airfare costs and inflation, how is it possible to save money this holiday season? While airline ticket prices are up 25% — surpassing inflation — there are still savvy ways to save on… Read More
Money Management Apps to Master Your Money FirstBank is no stranger to the Digital Age. We offer on-the-go banking access and try to make staying on top of your finances easy. You can check balances, review transactions, send money to friends and family, apply for loans, and more without ever stepping foot in a branch through FirstBank’s Mobile Banking app and online… Read More
Your Roadmap to a Better Budget Budgeting may not be the most glamorous task on your to-do list, but it certainly is one of the most important. That’s because budgets impact every part of your financial life, from how much you can save for a paradise vacation to your ability to pay off mounting debt. If you would like to budget… Read More
8 Side Gigs to Land Extra Cash Who couldn’t use some extra dough in today’s high-priced market? Whether you’re trying to outpace inflation, saving for a big purchase, or aiming to grow your emergency fund, finding creative ways to earn extra cash can help you expedite your financial goals. Fortunately, we’re highlighting eight ways to earn some extra cash using your skills,… Read More