Plug drainage leaks in your finances

How to boost your financial wellness

woman holding pipe wrench

By Jocelyn Wood, RCB Bank

Money continues to be one of the top causes of stress for Americans, according to a survey released by the American Psychological Association. Researchers found that 72 percent of Americans polled reported feeling stressed about money. Financial stress also had a negative impact on their lives.

Right now, choose to simplify your money matters and boost your financial wellness.Where to begin? Start by plugging your spending leaks.

At first it’s only a little drip of cash.

Spent on morning java, lunch out or the latest and greatest must-have new gadget. Before long it is a full blown crack in your wallet, draining your savings account.

The damage can be severe, such as costing more than $15,000 in credit card debt for the average American household, according to a recent study by NerdWallet.

“It’s not easy sticking to a budget,” said Brenda Romesburg, single mom who decided to simplify her finances. “But having money in my savings for emergencies, or for when I want to take the kids to the park, to the movies or on a vacation, is absolutely worth the sacrifice.”

When Romesburg made the decision to reduce her spending, she started by going over her bills and looking for areas to make cuts.

“I changed my cell phone data plan from 8GB to 3GB,” she said. “That was a $30 savings per month ($360 a year). I can live without the internet for a few hours until I get home to my Wi-Fi.”She also called her cable company and asked about options to lower her bill.

“So I had to give up some channels,” she said, “but I’m saving an additional $20 a month ($240 a year). I found new channels to watch and now I don’t even miss the ones I had to let go.”

When it comes to spending, Romesburg asks herself daily, “Do I really need to buy this; do I have to have that?”

“I reduced eating out,” she said. “Cooking at home saves me at least $150 a month ($1,800 a year!). Sometimes it is hard sticking to my menu and only buying what is on the grocery list, but it really works. Saving money makes me feel good and puts me in control of my finances.”

Saving money doesn’t require drastic changes to your lifestyle.

Small changes on how you spend your hard-earned money add up. Take time to review your expenses and make adjustments that will not only boost your financial wellness but also your personal health and happiness.

Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the author and meant for generic illustration purposes only.  RCB Bank, member FDIC.
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Your financial footprint leaves a trace

Feet with scale showing FICO score

By Jocelyn Wood, RCB Bank

Do you know your credit score? A good score matters if you want to want to qualify for lower loan interest rates. It may also improve your chances for lower fees on insurance premiums, like home and auto for example.

It’s important to understand a credit report and a credit score are two different things.

Your credit report is a compilation of credit-related information.

  • Identifying information like name, address, birthdate, Social Security Number.
  • Credit accounts, payment history, current and past loans, etc.
  • Credit inquiries – who has accessed your report within the last couple years.
  • Public records & collections – overdue debt from collection agencies, wage garnishment, liens, foreclosures, etc.

The information in your report provides a story of how well you manage your credit and debt and influences a lender’s decision to loan you money?

Your credit score is a matrix of your credit report – a 3-digit number, ranging from 300-850.

FICO® Scores are most widely used.

I asked Lender Jake Dwyer, AVP at RCB Bank, what is the easiest way to maintain a good financial footprint?

“The biggest influence on your credit score is payment history,” Dwyer said. “A record of ongoing, on-time payments will help your credit. Basically, pay your bills on time and keep your credit card balances low.”

Your credit score is generally calculated based on five factors, revealed in your credit report:

  • Payment history
  • Amounts owed on credit and debt
  • Length of credit history
  • New credit
  • Types of credit used

“Lenders want to know you can afford to make your monthly payments,” Dwyer said. “Owing too much debt, carrying high balances on your credit cards and having too many credit accounts opened at one time are high risk factors. We want to see a long history of you responsibly managing a variety of credit, like student loan, credit card and mortgage.”

He also mentioned your credit score reflects your risk at the time it was pulled. It can change depending on your credit behavior.

“The best way to repair your credit is to pay off your debts,” said Dwyer. “Pay your credit card bill in full each month. Don’t spend what you can’t pay. Lenders want to see responsible money management and self-control.”

The first step to improving your credit is to know what is in your credit report.

Request a copy of your credit report at annualcreditreport.com. Federal law allows you one free report annually from each credit reporting agency: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Ask your lender for tips on how to improve your score, or give Jake Dwyer a call at 918.259.1342.

Source: Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), myfico.com. FICO® Score does not factor in income, length of employment, alimony or child support payment and other things that lenders may consider when determining loan qualification. Having little payment history or only new credit can result in a lower FICO® Score. It is not always from missed payments or maxed-out credit cards. Talk to your lender for details. Learn more about FICO® Score at myfico.com
Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of Jake Dwyer, AVP, Loans, NMLS #1413664, and meant for generic illustration purposes only. RCB Bank NMLS #798151. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.
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