Personal Finance
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Money Advice from the Movies
July 19, 2017
Categories: Budgeting, Business Banking, Community Banking, Personal Finance, Retirement, Savings
Occasionally, even the best movies hold fantastic financial advice. We love these classic films and their timeless tales. At Bank of Louisiana we’re excited to share their hidden financial advice, and help you make the most of your money-management, (while cluing you into some great movies to watch along the way!) “You… you said… what’d you say a minute ago? They had to wait to save their money before they even ought to think of a decent home? Wait? Wait
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How to Save $1,000,000 for Retirement
June 7, 2017
Categories: Personal Finance, Retirement, Savings
Retirement, 401(k), stocks and bonds, the subject matter of saving for the long term isn’t often as appealing as saving for the short term. Perhaps that’s why nearly three-quarters of Americans are underestimating how much they’ll need for retirement. The United States is on the brink, if not already in, a retirement crisis. However, at Bank of Louisiana we believe retirement saving can still be easily accomplished, there are just a few steps to get started: The first thing
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Why Checking Your Credit Score Matters
May 24, 2017
Categories: Personal Finance
Across television ads, online banners, and even chit-chat among relatives, the phrase, “Check your credit score,” seems to be popping up everywhere. If something so important needs constant reminders, why does it have such a key importance in your personal finances? Well, the truth is that it doesn’t, your financial actions do. A credit score is comprised of five different measures which indicate how you as an individual are perceived in terms of repayment and risk.
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The Latte Factor 101
May 10, 2017
Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings
Making your way thru the drive through every morning before 7:30 may give you a refreshing start to your day, but at what cost? The ideology that coffee shops and other retailers capitalize on is the notion that these small expenditures add a little excitement to your day without a hefty bill. However, when you enjoy perks like these on a daily basis, they add up, and quick! Financial author, David Bach, is the mastermind behind the Latte Factor. This helpful calculator enables shoppers
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Avoid These 4 Common Phishing Scams
April 26, 2017
Categories: Cyber Security, General, Personal Finance
Phishing as defined by Merriam-Webster is “A scam by which an e-mail user is duped into revealing personal or confidential information which the scammer can use illicitly.” Scams like these happen each and every day, and many times, the victims don’t even realize they’re participating in them. Bank of Louisiana wants to help you avoid these common tactics many cyber criminals use to lure you in. If you hear or recognize any of the following prompts, hang up the phone or delete
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Red Flags to Look for on Your Credit Score
April 19, 2017
Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings
Everyone and their brother seem to be sharing the importance of checking your credit score, but once you have the information, how do you actually know what it means? At Bank of Louisiana, we want you to not only have the information about your personal finances but be able to understand and act upon it as well. If you see any of the following red flags while viewing your report, you may want to look into the appropriate remedies as quickly as possible. Missed or Late Payments Your
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Three Things to Look for in a Starter Home
April 12, 2017
Categories: Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings
If you’re in the market for your first home, congratulations! Becoming a homeowner is an exciting step on your financial journey. At Bank of Louisiana, our dedicated mortgage lenders are here to help you find the best financing option for your new home. After speaking with a mortgage lender to help determine your family’s ideal price point, it’s time to start viewing potential homes. During this process you’re bound to find a home you’ll fall in love with,
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Basketball Quotes to Inspire Your Money Management
March 8, 2017
Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings
“Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up!” Jim Valvano’s powerful words continually remind us to strive for success and continue working towards our financial goals. Whether your next opponent is saving for retirement, creating an emergency fund, or learning how to develop a budget, our experienced line-up of financial providers are here to offer the best exercises and advice: “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m
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10 Ways to Increase Your Home’s Value
March 1, 2017
Categories: Mortgage, Personal Finance, Savings
Just like purchasing your home, selling it is a journey all its own. Whether you’re aiming to sell your home in one year or five, you can make a number of small changes that offer a big return on your home’s value. Try these key improvements and see the effect on your next home assessment. 1. An eye-catching entrance. As the gateway into your home, your front door will set the tone for what’s within. Update your doorbell, paint the front door,
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Saving Until Spring: Rejuvenating and Renovating Your Home
February 22, 2017
Categories: Budgeting, Personal Finance, Savings
Spring is just around the corner, and so is realty season! Before you place your home on the market, see how you can add great value to your house with only $1,000 in key updates! To help you first save the funds necessary for these exciting renovations, Bank of Louisiana recommends the following steps: Cut Dining Out ($200/mo) Instead of venturing to a neighborhood restaurant once or twice a week, reserve those dollars for your home’s equity, and use these affordable recipes
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