Skip to Content
Online Banking Login Online Banking Login

Budgeting

Home Blog Budgeting

  • April 9, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings

    With rates continuing to be low, now is a great time to purchase a home! It may seem daunting at first, but it’s a great experience and can be fun if you are prepared. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or have purchased a home before, keep reading to see how much money you need to buy a home.  You may not need the full loan amount offered.  While you can get a loan for a large amount of money, you may not want to get that full amount. Think about all

  • March 25, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings

    We all make mistakes and experiencing financial hiccups is a normal part of life. With each month comes new financial temptations that can be difficult to turn from. The good news is you can learn from others’ mistakes to avoid making them yourself! Keep reading to learn some common money temptations most people run into as well as how you can avoid giving into them.  Temptation #1: Spending Unexpected Cash  Whether you received

  • March 18, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Family, General, Savings

    When it comes to teaching your kids important money lessons, the sooner the better! While young children can’t fully comprehend all that goes into finances, there are lots of fun activities that can help them better understand. Try these out next time you’re looking for a fun way to entertain your little ones!  Financial Board Games  A simple way to learn about finances and include the whole family is to purchase a money-related board game. If you have little kids,

  • March 11, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Business Banking, Community Banking, Personal Finance, Savings, Small Business

    With the flexibility and freedom of self-employment comes the tricky challenge of managing your finances properly. Whether you’re new to the freelancing field or already know your way around the ropes, a quick money refresher is always a good idea. Below are our top money management tips for the self-employed.  Have a Plan  Budgeting is just as important in your freelance business as it is in your personal life. This may be tricky with the inconsistencies in your income,

  • March 4, 2021

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

    Believe it or not, giving back and donating doesn’t have to cost you a penny. Maybe you’re torn between two New Year's Resolutions: to save more money or to give back to those less fortunate. Good news – you can do both! Make 2021 extra special and try some of these ways you can donate without breaking the bank.   1. Donate Blood/Plasma  This is a win-win when it comes to donating while saving money. Donating plasma is actually a

  • February 25, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings

    We may all think we know a thing or two about finances, but do we really know it all? There’s always more you can learn to better yourself and that includes money management skills. Today, we’ll give you five challenges to test your money management in order to whip your finances into shape!  1. No Spend Challenge  We know this sounds scary, but you can still buy groceries and pay your recurring bills. Try not spending money on any unnecessary items

  • February 11, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Family, Personal Finance, Savings

    When it comes to big families, there is extra love and enjoyment to go around. There also comes more money that needs to be spent. Managing finances with a larger family can be stressful and difficult depending on the expenses you have. We’re here to offer some helpful financial advice for big families, so you don’t have to feel tight on cash!  Own Less Vehicles  Reduce transportation costs as much as possible by limiting the number of

  • February 4, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Family, Personal Finance, Savings

    If you have a teenager who doesn’t quite understand how important good financial habits are, it’s time to teach them! Giving your child the building blocks on saving, budgeting and understanding debt will help make them into responsible adults. Here’s some financial literacy 101 for your teenager.  Bank Accounts  Explaining the different types of bank accounts to your child is crucial. Start by opening a savings account with them so they can understand

  • January 13, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings

    Creating a basic monthly budget is simple, but breaking it down into categories and deciding what you should and shouldn’t spend money on can get tricky. That’s where the idea of wants vs needs comes into play, and it’s one of the most important steps in budgeting. Struggling to figure out what the difference is? We’ll explain!  The Overall Difference Between Wants VS Needs  Financial needs include purchases that are required or absolutely

  • January 6, 2021

    Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings, Seasonal

    During 2021, we want everyone to focus on a few ways to enhance their life and habits. Financially, you are always able to make a change for the better and increase your savings. Bank of Louisiana offers helpful tips to break these five bad financial habits this year.  1. Impulse Buying  When you see an item you think you need to have and buy it instantly, that hurts your bank account. That item may be on sale somewhere else and that deal they are giving probably