Purchasing a new car is an exciting and tumultuous experience. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed as you go through the process of choosing your new vehicle and applying for a loan that won’t leave you in the red as you pay it off. Thankfully, there are a few easily-avoided pitfalls that can save you money and stress.
4 Common Auto Loan Mistakes
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education
401(k) Strategies As You Age
Some of the most common financial advice you can receive regarding preparing for retirement is to contributing to a 401(k) plan, and usually, thanks to your employer, putting a portion of your earnings toward that plan every paycheck is easy. But where your money is being invested and at what age you’re investing it matters, so it’s important to...
Topics: Retirement, Financial Education
Smart Spending in the Holiday Season
The holiday season is fast approaching, a fact alone that may already have alarm bells ringing in your head. With its arrival comes the return of holiday shopping, and if you have an expansive list of people to buy for, it may very well mean another sizable debt that takes months to pay down. However, it doesn’t necessarily have to be that way. By...
Topics: Financial Education
Methods to Decrease Costs Within Your Business
For as much as you focus on increasing revenue to maximize your profits, you should put an equal amount of attention on reducing your operating costs. Unchecked overhead can quickly add up and undermine the sales you’ve worked hard to make. Take time to evaluate your business costs, particularly in these areas, to determine how you can reduce them.
Topics: Business Banking, Small Business
Health Savings Accounts: Choosing the Right One
Health Savings Accounts have a wealth of benefits. They can help you save on taxes, aid in bolstering your retirement fund and earn tax-free interest on your savings. Thanks to this trifecta of benefits, Forbes contributor John Goodman claims that no other savings vehicle can top an HSA. However, different HSAs are tailored to different needs. In...
Topics: Financial Education
How to Appeal a Denied Health Insurance Claim
Dealing with insurance red tape adds complications no one wants when facing a health issue. To receive a denial on your insurance claim, even after you’re feeling better, can be exceptionally frustrating. To help avoid unwanted stress on your finances and your peace of mind, consider the following methods to appeal a denied health insurance claim.
Topics: Financial Education
The Cost of Hiring a New Employee
Whether your business is growing or a departure has left a vacancy, you need to hire a new employee. While the benefit of having that person join your company is valuable, the cost of hiring them — beyond their actual salary — can add up. To ensure you’re budgeting accurately for your next round of hiring, keep all of these overlooked costs in...
Topics: Small Business
How to Reduce Food Waste
According to National Geographic contributors Samantha Cohen and Eric Estroff, Americans throw out an average of $165 billion of food every year. Not only is excess food waste a problem for people’s wallets, it also has a detrimental effect on the environment. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can reduce the amount of food that you...
Topics: Financial Education
Is Now the Right Time to Buy a Hybrid?
Are you looking to cut down your gasoline budget? Modern hybrids offer excellent fuel efficiency alongside space, style and luxurious amenities. However, it’s important to understand a few key differences between traditional vehicles and their electrified counterparts. Here’s a look at five factors to consider before you sign on the dotted line...
Topics: Personal Banking, Financial Education
Opening a Business Credit File
If you hope to secure loans for your business and build a trustworthy reputation, it’s wise to establish business credit history separately from your personal credit. One of the most important steps you can take toward this is opening a business credit file.
Topics: Business Banking
The content on this site is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered accounting, legal, tax, or financial advice. First Federal Bank recommends that customers conduct their own research and consult with professional legal and financial advisors before making any financial decisions. Links to third-party websites may be provided for your convenience; however, First Federal Bank does not guarantee the reliability, accuracy, or safety of the information, products, or services offered on these external sites. We are not liable for any damages resulting from the use of these links, and we do not investigate, verify, or endorse the content or opinions expressed on any third-party sites.