At FirstBank, we keep our finger on the financial world, so we can deliver the latest and greatest money-saving ideas. This week we’re offering some useful tips for saving money at the pump and qualifying for a home loan. Here’s what you need to know now:

• Save at the pump: Now that the price of oil is out of its historic slump, we can expect the price of gas to rise throughout the summer. CNBC Reporter Susie Poppick shares a trio of tips to beat the upcoming spike in fuel prices, including using online tools like GasBuddy to find the cheapest gas station near you and making a few simple maintenance tweaks. For example, keeping tires properly inflated increases gas mileage by more than 3 percent on average, while turning an engine improves mileage by 4 percent.
• Qualify for a home loan: Yes, your credit score is an important factor in qualifying for a home loan, but it’s not the only thing lenders consider.  MaryAlene LaPonsie of U.S. News & World Report lists out seven other factors lenders may consider when reviewing your application, including proof of income, employment history, debt-to-income ratio and housing history.