Get Financially Fit! | Ways to Save Money

Keep track of your spending. At least once a month, use credit card, checking, and other records to review what you've purchased. Then, ask yourself if it makes sense to reallocate some of this spending to an emergency savings account. America Saves shares with us 54 Ways to Save Money: http://ow.ly/sj972.

Save for a Rainy Day

What better day than a rainy day to think about SAVING for a rainy day? http://ow.ly/Zuk7k

America Saves Week 2016 | Daily Savings Focus: Save for Emergencies

Thursday, February 25: Save for Emergencies

An emergency savings fund consists of a small amount of money, usually in a savings account that you do not have easy access to. Saving for this fund starts with small, regularly scheduled contributions that build up over time.

Savings Tips from WESTconsin!
Here are three simple tips for building an emergency savings fund.

1. Automatic Savings | Designate a portion of your paycheck to be automatically transferred to your emergency savings fund. Ask your Member Services Representative about setting up an additional savings account titled "Emergency." Saving even $20 per month will help you to build almost 50% of a $500 emergency fund! WESTconsin Online allows you to set up automatic transfers! Click here for more information.
2. Unexpected Income | Place unexpected income (i.e. gifts of money, tax return, rebates) into your emergency savings fund.
3. Impulse Savings | Turn impulse buying into a positive savings behavior. Place money you would have spent on an impulse buy into your savings account instead.

Strategies for Building and Preserving Home Equity

Strategies for Building and Preserving Home Equity

Source:  http://www.americasaves.org/for-savers/set-a-goal-what-to-save-for/save-for-a-home/strategies-for-building-and-preserving-home-equity

Almost anyone can afford to own a home with proper preparation. Develop a savings plan to build up money for a down payment at purchase, for moving expenses, and for post-purchase emergency expenditures such as needed home repairs. Remember, the larger your down payment, the lower your home loan payment. America Saves can help you develop a plan with regular monthly deposits in a bank or credit union account. At the same time, reduce your credit card and other debts in order to increase your ability to afford a house. Lowering these debts will increase your credit score and your chances of getting a lower-interest loan. For information about credit and help with debt repayments, contact your local, nonprofit consumer credit counseling service or housing counseling agency.

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Saving on a Tight Budget

Saving on a Tight Budget

Source: http://www.americasaves.org/for-savers/make-a-plan-how-to-save-money/saving-on-a-tight-budget

How can those who currently aren’t saving afford to save money? And how can those saving only a little save more? Here are our top ten tips for saving money when budgets are tight.

Read Full Article -->  Save on a Tight Budget
 

5 Money-Management Musts for New Grads

by Center for Personal Finance editors

McLEAN, Va. (5/19/15)—This spring will bring a lot of "firsts" for many college grads including first jobs and first paychecks (USA Today May 4).

In the months after graduation, financial experts agree on five things every new grad should be doing with his or her money:

• Create a spending plan. Understanding how much money you have coming in as well as going out is the first step you must take in keeping a successful budget. Become familiar with the difference between your gross pay and net pay so you know what you'll actually have left to live off of after monthly financial commitments.
• Pay yourself first. Start saving in an emergency fund—even if you only can stick a minimal amount aside each paycheck, that amount will add up quickly.
• Develop a student loan repayment plan. Understand financial obligations and how long it will take you to pay off debt. Get up to speed on details about your loan and pay attention to interest rates. Visit your credit union for information about refinancing or other student loan repayment options.
• Understand company benefits. Once you get a job, make note of important dates such as deadlines for signing up for health insurance and when you'll be eligible to participate in your company's retirement plan. Also become familiar with your company's vacation policy, corporate discounts, public transportation benefits and the like.
• Start investing in a retirement plan. Whether you open an individual retirement account (IRA) at your credit union, or a 401(k) through the company you work for, start saving for retirement now. It probably seems like retirement is so far away that you don't need to worry about it yet, but now is when time is on your side and the benefits of compounding interest are highest. If your company offers to match your contributions to your 401(k), contribute at least the amount you need to in order to get the match. If you don't, it's like leaving free money on the table.

America Saves Week’s Daily Savings Focus: Save for Emergencies

Saturday, February 28: Save for Emergencies

An emergency savings fund consists of a small amount of money, usually in a savings account that you do not have easy access to. Saving for this fund starts with small, regularly scheduled contributions that build up over time.

Savings Tips from WESTconsin!
Here are three simple tips for building an emergency savings fund.

1. Automatic Savings | Designate a portion of your paycheck to be automatically transferred to your emergency savings fund. Ask your Member Services Representative about setting up an additional savings account titled "Emergency." Saving even $20 per month will help you to build almost 50% of a $500 emergency fund! WESTconsin Online allows you to set up automatic transfers! Click here for more information.
2. Unexpected Income | Place unexpected income (i.e. gifts of money, tax return, rebates) into your emergency savings fund.
3. Impulse Savings | Turn impulse buying into a positive savings behavior. Place money you would have spent on an impulse buy into your savings account instead.

5 Simple Steps to Save Successfully this America Saves Week

By Tammy Greynolds, America Saves Communications Coordinator

America Saves Week (February 23 – 28, 2015) is an annual opportunity for individuals to assess their savings and take financial action. America Saves’ mantra – and the focus for America Saves Week – is simple: Set a Goal. Make a Plan. Save Automatically. When you know what your current financial picture looks like, you can be more proactive in setting yourself up for future success.

Try these five simple steps during America Saves Week to help yourself save successfully: