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  • July 28, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings

    No one can predict what the future has in store for us, but we can be better prepared for it. That’s where an emergency fund comes in. Setting aside funds allows you to cover those unexpected expenses such as a costly repair bill, unemployment or medical.  But where to start? Follow these tips to set some goals and start building your emergency fund.  Review Your Monthly Expenses  A great place to start is to take stock of your

  • July 21, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings

    Debt can seem intimidating at first, especially when you’re looking at all the different balances across various accounts and credit cards. Paying off your debt will allow you to increase your income and have a little extra room in your budget for other things. By following a few simple strategies, you can pay off your debt faster than you think.  Follow the tips we’ve provide below to pay off your debt faster.  Review the Amount of Debt You

  • July 12, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Retirement, Savings

    Even though it may seem far off into the future, it is never too early to start saving for retirement. If you have an idea of what you want your retirement to look like, it makes it much easier to plan for it and set goals in order to reach that vision. Here are some tips on how you can look ahead toward retirement savings.  Set Your Goals  After all your years of hard work, you’re looking forward to some rest and relaxation—but

  • June 30, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Family, Personal Finance, Savings

    Nerdwallet states, “A financial plan is a comprehensive picture of your current finances, your financial goals and any strategies you've set to achieve those goals. Good financial planning should include details about your cash flow, savings, debt, investments, insurance and any other elements of your financial life.” But where do you start? We’re here to help give you the basics of financial planning so you can begin bettering your financial future.  What

  • June 23, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, General, Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings

    Whether you’ve been looking for a while or have just decided to begin the hunt, buying a home is an exciting adventure! With rates so low, it’s the perfect time to become a new homeowner. But do you know some of the things you should be doing before stumbling upon your dream home? We’re here to explain our top four steps to home buying so you can enjoy the journey.  Know How Much You Can Afford  Even though you could get a loan for $300,000, this may

  • June 16, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Retirement, Savings

    At any age, you should be saving for retirement - yes, even when you’re 20. This can mean more than just putting a little money into your employer's 401(k) plan. It’s important to think about all the expenses you will have in the future and how you will afford them. Therefore, we wanted to share some information on how you should save for retirement based off your age. Read on to learn more!  Twenties  This age is becoming more in touch with finances

  • June 9, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings

    Being prepared for a financial crisis or hiccup can take time. Building up your emergency fund isn’t something you can do overnight, but working at it day by day or month by month is an easy way to become prepared without seeing a huge decrease in your funds. But how much is enough? We’re here to let you know!  How much should I save for an emergency fund?  How much you can save will depend on where you are at in life. You will have debts, monthly expenses,

  • May 25, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings, Seasonal

    Spring is the perfect season for fresh starts, personal growth and positive changes. This season, along with the loads of spring cleaning and organizing, consider making your finances a priority. A great first step is to read through this practical guide to saving money!  1. Prepare for the heat by making sure your cooling system runs efficiently.  Summer is on its way which means you’ll be cranking the AC before you know it. The best way to cool your

  • May 11, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings

    Becoming a homeowner for the first time is no easy task! You’ve probably heard horror stories from friends about overpaying or missing a crucial piece of information before committing to an offer. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for buying your first (or next) home so you feel confident in the home you choose to buy!  Before You Buy  Start Saving Early – the earlier you start saving, the better! Many first-time homeowners assume they just need to save for

  • May 4, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings

    It’s the question that every household asks. What can I do to cut my monthly costs? And it’s a great question! No one wants to spend unnecessary money when there are mouths to feed and basketball uniforms to pay for. While you can tighten the budget by setting strict guidelines for yourself, your experts here at Bank of Louisiana have a few more realistic ways to lower monthly bills.  Plan Meals Ahead of Time  At first glance, planning meals ahead of time may not