First Federal Bank Blog

The 52-week money challenge is a savings plan that gained popularity through social media around 2013. The concept is simple: You start by saving $1 in the first week, then increase your savings by $1 each subsequent week. AOL.com shows how your savings will grow by the end of the year:

Winter is here. Colder weather has arrived, at least for Florida. This is not the time of year you think of tending to your outdoor plants, or placing new ones in the yard. That doesn’t mean you can’t garden. Just shift your focus from outdoors to in:

Have you ever thought about packing up and moving to be closer to the people who mean the most to you? Maybe you’re tired of long drives to see your family or wish your kids could spend more time with their grandparents. Clearly, a lot of other people feel the same way.

When it comes to workouts, certain buzzwords tend to get a lot of attention. In recent years, HIIT has been all the rage. You may have tried the approach, or have probably at least heard of it. But what it is all about? And is it the best exercise approach for you? USA Today explores this popular workout:

Parenting approaches shift over generations. The way you were raised may not be the way you choose to raise your own children. Societal beliefs and norms also evolve over time. Once recent trend has been for families to spend more time together. Newsweek explains this approach to parenting:

When planning a move, a newly built home might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But with more brand-new homes on the market and builders focusing on smaller, more affordable options, this type of home may just be the key to crossing the homebuying finish line.

If you will be entering the new year as a retired person, or plan to enter that new phase of your life in 2025, there are some things you should think about now to ensure you get off to the best possible start. Kipingler.com has some important tips to help you plan to get the most from your retirement in the coming year and beyond:

Are you making any health-related resolutions for the new year? There are many benefits to the popular practice tai chi, and they go beyond the physical. Learn more about this ancient practice and how it can help you, with advice from USA Today:

Today’s mortgage rates and home prices may have you second-guessing whether it's still a good idea to buy a home right now. While market factors are definitely important, there’s also a bigger picture to consider: the long-term benefits of homeownership.

The closer you come to your retirement years, the more you want the assurance that you have planned appropriately. Will you have enough set aside when the time comes? What are the best ways to build your retirement savings? The answer depends on a number of factors, including how close you are to retirement, and what your personal goals are. ...