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
You Paid Off Your Home: What’s Next? Paying off a home is a monumental financial and life achievement — but it’s not the end of the road for homeowners. While you may not have to worry about mortgage payments or losing your home for financial reasons, there are still factors to think about to ensure your home is working as hard for… Read More
6 Ways to Fight Inflation and Rising Costs with A Look Back At the 1960s As FirstBank celebrates 60 years of “banking for good,” we’re looking back at our inception date, 1963. In the same year, Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, and President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. While the culture has changed drastically, rising costs and inflation have made 1963 feel worlds… Read More
Love Don’t Cost a Thing: Plan a Romantic Valentine’s Day Without Breaking the Bank Americans spend an estimated 117.4 billion dollars per year on dating, but that number is coming down as high inflation takes its toll on love. With the cost of food, cocktails, gas, and personal care services skyrocketing, around 40% of people on dating apps are changing their dating habits or pressing pause on their search… Read More
How to Host Thanksgiving on a Budget While many of us are looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends, this year’s holiday feast could be more expensive than ever. Experts predict that your Thanksgiving meal will cost 13.5% more than last year, with a staggering 73% increase in the price per pound of turkey. The price of butter is also up 32% compared to 2021. Despite… Read More
The Top Financial Takeaways from the COVID Pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic offers us some valuable insights in making our finances more resilient. A few trends have emerged in saving, spending, and investment habits during this time, and today, we’re passing on some of the best lessons we’ve learned.… Read More
Find Your Financial Freedom This Fourth of July with These Four Tips If you feel a dollar short and constantly bogged down by debt, you’re not alone. According to reported data, consumer debt reached a record $14.88 trillion last year. In the spirit of Independence Day, we’re here to offer four tips to get you on the path to financial freedom. 1. Eliminate unproductive debt Not all… Read More
Financial Self-Care Checklist for Challenging Times Challenging times can inspire us to strengthen community ties and support recovery efforts, together. They can also inspire people to evaluate their lives and take better care of themselves — 80 percent of Americans say they intend to incorporate self-care into their daily routines more regularly after COVID-19. Given the pandemic’s economic impact, it’s not… Read More
7 Simple Ways to Save Big on Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and lovebirds everywhere will be opening their hearts – and their wallets – for their special someone. In fact, it’s estimated that this year people will spend a record $27.4 billion in the U.S. on cupid’s special day. And while that’s definitely an astounding figure, there’s no need… Read More
Cold And Flu Hacks To Get You Back On Your Feet ASAP While many believe there are only four seasons, there is a very real fifth season that runs from mid-Fall to Spring. No, I’m not talking about Football, which is arguably the best season. I’m talking about the cold and flu season. You can bathe yourself in hand sanitizer, Clorox all surfaces, and live inside a bubble,… Read More