Blog

How Much Money Should I Spend on Holiday Gifts?

12/01/2021

The holiday season is a popular time to spend money, especially when you're buying extra food, decorations, and gifts for all the festivities you have planned. In 2020 alone, Americans spent roughly $188.2 billion online buying gifts. This was a record high for online sales, not counting all of the transactions done in store. 

What is an HSA & How Does it Work?

11/01/2021

When you get a bill after going to the hospital for a routine or unexpected visit, do you find yourself subconsciously holding your breath while you look for the total cost out of pocket? You’re not alone.

How to Protect Yourself from Online Scammers

10/01/2021

Here at Availa Bank, we take cybersecurity seriously. We know that it can feel nearly impossible to stay safe online, especially when it seems like new scams are discovered every single day. Don't worry, we can help!

How to Start an Emergency Fund Before an Emergency Strikes

09/01/2021

You would do everything in your power to keep your family safe from natural disasters, intruders, disease, and any number of unplanned events. But many of these unplanned events can come with a hefty price tag. Are you prepared when disaster strikes?

How to Save Money on Vacation (And Still Have a Great Time)

08/01/2021

As summer starts to wind down and kids head back to school, you may be planning one last family vacation to end the season. After the year we’ve had, lots of people are eager to get back out on the road and make some memories. If you’re like most people, it may seem a bit harder to plan your family vacation this year, not only because you have to do extra research to find a place that will allow tourists, but also because you may not have enough time off to follow safe travel guidelines or are struggling with a smaller budget.

Don’t worry, we can help! It’s easier than it sounds to stay on a budget while on vacation (and still have fun). We’ve compiled a list of quick and easy money saving tips you can follow to avoid stressing when you’re supposed to be having fun.

Everything You Need to Know About Student Loans: From Terms to Types and More

07/06/2021

Even though it’s still the middle of summer, for many students it’s time to start thinking about getting ready to go to college. As a college student, there are so many new things you will experience in the next year, like living in a dorm, picking your class schedule, joining extracurricular clubs, and more. This is an exciting time in your life, and at times it may seem like it’s flying by.

This is why it’s so important to think about your finances now, while you’re in the preparation stage. You don’t want to have to think about budgeting and loan options while you’re juggling a new job, class load, and social circle. 

What is a Credit Score? And Other Common Credit Questions

06/01/2021

At some point in your life, you have probably heard the term credit score. You may have seen commercials talking about how important it is. Maybe your parents mentioned it when you were going to college. Maybe it’s the reason you signed up for your first credit card.

For a lot of people, thinking about credit scores can make you feel like you’re back in school, trying to learn how to do taxes and balance a checkbook. It can be confusing and complicated to manage your credit in today’s world. Countless myths and bad advice surround credit scores, making it hard to tell what’s real and what’s fake. I’m here to help you get rid of the mystery so you can master your credit score.

What is the Best Way to Get Rid of Your Debt?

05/03/2021

I am in debt.

How many of you can relate to that statement? Did reading it send a little chill down your spine as you remembered all the different payments you currently have to make each month? You’re not alone. In 2020, the average household debt in the United States was $148,298 dollars, with a total of $14.56 trillion across the nation.

Benefits of a No-Budget Plan vs. A Time-Based Budget Plan

04/01/2021

In last month’s blog, we talked about a couple different kinds of budgets you can utilize for your personal finances. As you know, the overall concept of budgeting never really changes, but there are plenty of plans out there and each one is a little bit different. It’s good to be aware of the different options so you can find the one that works best for you. However, just because you know about the plans doesn’t make it easier to pick one.

How to Choose the Right Budget Strategy

03/01/2021

Whether you’re just starting to budget or have been at it a long time, it’s important to find a plan that works well for you. Much of budgeting is psychological, so it can help to have visual reminders of your spending and saving. Some people enjoy tracking their every cent and like to create spreadsheets and other valuable documents that help show that. Some people like to organize their budget into general categories and have automation take over the rest. It’s all about how you learn and function best. Even if you’ve been budgeting a long time, you may not be doing it as effectively as you could if you were using a different plan. It's good to check in every once in a while to see if you’re truly hitting your financial goals.