Spring Cleaning for your Finances

Spring time is here, and, as we emerge from our winter hibernation and start the annual ritual of spring cleaning around the house, it’s the perfect time to do the same with your finances. Warmer weather motivates people to get things done, and Magyar Bank wants to help encourage you to add financial organization to your spring cleaning list. Take this opportunity to look closely at your savings and spending habits. By putting just a little work into it now, it will make the rest of the year easier for you to plan. Here are six tips to get you started: 

• Review your budget. A lot can change in a year. If you’ve been promoted, had a child, or became a new homeowner or renter, be sure to update your budget. Determine what expenses demand the most money and identify areas where you can realistically cut back. Develop a strategy for spending and saving – and stick to it.

• Evaluate and pay down debt. Take a look at how much you owe and what you are paying in interest. Begin paying off existing debt, whether that’s by chipping away at loans with the highest interest rates or eliminating smaller debt first.

• Set up automatic bill pay. By signing up for automatic bill pay, you’ll never have to worry about a missed payment impacting your credit score. You can set it so that money is withdrawn from your checking account on the same day each month.

• Sign up for e-statements, paperless billing and text alerts. Converting to paperless billing will help keep your house—physical and financial—more clean and organized, and will help protect you from fraud.

• Check your credit report. Every year, you are guaranteed one free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus. Take advantage of these free reports and check them for any possible errors. Mistakes can drag down your score and prevent you from getting a loan, or cause you to pay a higher than necessary interest rate. 

• Manage your money on the go. Utilize the Magyar Bank mobile app to check your balance, pay your bills, transfer funds, deposit a check and send money to friends from wherever you are.

And, while you're at it. start cleaning up old documents in your house and have them safely destroyed.  Magyar Bank is holding its annual Shred Days this spring, it’s a Free service for the entire community. Check out the dates when you can come by and shred your Stuff, visit our website.