Smart Savings, First National Bank

Although it may be hard to believe now, the holidays are right around the corner, which means busy shopping centers, cheerful times with friends and family and, often times, a large shopping and gift list. By planning ahead and saving now, you can lessen the impact the holidays will have on your checking account. Well according to First National Bank, here are some great ideas to help you stay on track with holiday spending. 

• 1.Review Last Year’s Spending: By auditing your spend from the previous year, you can challenge yourself and set a lower budget goal. Open a First National savings account to use only for the holidays, start setting money aside now and continually monitor your savings’ progress towards your goal.
• 2.Start Shopping Now: Make your gift list and start the search. Shopping a few months ahead will help you avoid seasonal price increases and will give you more time to shop sale and clearance items in order to find that perfect gift. Additionally, if you are doing your shopping online, ordering early will help you avoid expensive rush shipping charges.
• 3.Buy Groceries Gradually: By planning your menu and buying food items that won’t spoil in advance, you can save later. Stock up on flour and sugar now for your baked goods, and watch for sales on ham or turkey that can be frozen now and then used for your holiday dinner.
• 4.Stock Up on Gift Wrap: You don’t need to use holiday-specific wrapping paper for your gifts. Watch for wrapping paper or gift bags with plain colors or simple patterns to go on clearance. Save tissue paper throughout the year and use last year’s holiday cards to make your own gift tags.
• 5.Book Your Travel Early: If you are planning a holiday vacation or visiting loved ones in another city, book your travel early, as prices will typically increase the closer it gets to the peak season. Comparison shop using travel sites to find the best deal.
• 6.Volunteer: As the holidays draw closer, save on entertainment expenses and spend time with your family volunteering for a local charity. This will help you celebrate the season of giving, without spending any money, by giving back to others and enjoying each other’s company.

The holidays are right around the corner, which means busy shopping centers, cheerful times with friends and family and, often times, a large shopping and gift list. By planning ahead and saving now, you can lessen the impact the holidays will have on your checking account.

• 1.Review Last Year’s Spending: By auditing your spend from the previous year, you can challenge yourself and set a lower budget goal. Open a First National savings account to use only for the holidays, start setting money aside now and continually monitor your savings’ progress towards your goal.
• 2.Start Shopping Now: Make your gift list and start the search. Shopping a few months ahead will help you avoid seasonal price increases and will give you more time to shop sale and clearance items in order to find that perfect gift. Additionally, if you are doing your shopping online, ordering early will help you avoid expensive rush shipping charges.
• 3.Buy Groceries Gradually: By planning your menu and buying food items that won’t spoil in advance, you can save later. Stock up on flour and sugar now for your baked goods, and watch for sales on ham or turkey that can be frozen now and then used for your holiday dinner.
• 4.Stock Up on Gift Wrap: You don’t need to use holiday-specific wrapping paper for your gifts. Watch for wrapping paper or gift bags with plain colors or simple patterns to go on clearance. Save tissue paper throughout the year and use last year’s holiday cards to make your own gift tags.
• 5.Book Your Travel Early: If you are planning a holiday vacation or visiting loved ones in another city, book your travel early, as prices will typically increase the closer it gets to the peak season. Comparison shop using travel sites to find the best deal.
• 6.Volunteer: As the holidays draw closer, save on entertainment expenses and spend time with your family volunteering for a local charity. This will help you celebrate the season of giving, without spending any money, by giving back to others and enjoying each other’s company.
  

First Time Homebuyer Considerations

Buying your first home is a decision that can stick with you a lifetime. Not only is it a financial investment, it is also a lifestyle change. You should consider the following financial and lifestyle factors before buying your first home. According to First National Bank here are a few items you just may want to consider. 

Financial Factors Current income and expenses: Before committing yourself to a mortgage payment for the next 30 years, you should evaluate your current financial situation. Detail a list of your current income sources, as well as all expenses. Determine how much money you feel comfortable with allotting for a mortgage payment. This will also help you determine what price range you can afford. You should also consider expenses that come along with purchasing a home, such as earnest money, a down payment and closing costs.

• Tax advantages: New homes come with the possibility of tax advantages. Those possible advantages include deductions for mortgage interest, local property taxes and home equity interest (if you borrow against your home). Plus today's laws allow for savings on capital gains if you sell. As with any tax related issue it is best to discuss this with your tax advisor for all the little details. But if your rent payment is lower than a mortgage payment and you are comfortable living where you are, you can invest those funds and possibly receive the same monetary advantages.
• Maintenance and repair costs: If you are purchasing an existing home, it may involve maintenance and repair costs, both in the short-term and long-term. Ensure that you have a savings plan ready to handle any kinds of unexpected expenses that will be required to continue safely and comfortably living in your new home.

Lifestyle Factors:

• Home and yard upkeep: Maintaining the inside and outside of a new home may be a pro or a con, depending on your situation. If you enjoy landscaping, home maintenance, and decorating, owning your own home gives you the flexibility to make a house your home. If you lack the time, skills, or money to keep up with everything a house entails, you may want to consider continuing to rent.
• Future relocation plans: Consider how long you plan to live in an area. If your job requires frequent relocation or you are planning on moving to a new area within the next few years, renting may make more sense than buying, and having to quickly sell a home in a tough housing market.

Whatever choice you decide is best for you and your family, First National is here to help you through the entire home-buying process. Through the mortgage pre-approval to closing on your new home, First National Bank's mortgage loan officers will guide you along the way. For more information on our variety of mortgage products that will fit your needs, contact us today at 877.687.5626 or visit firstnational.com/mortgage

First Time Home Buyer Grant!

 Great news! First National Bank is now offering grant programs geared towards first time home buyers. This great product focuses on the first time homebuyer that does not have a down payment, is unable to receive a gift or for those who cannot or do not qualify for the additional NIFA HBA loan payment.  With this program first time homebuyers will be eligible to receive up to $7,500 to use towards their down payment and/or closing cost.

Borrows are required to take a homebuyer education class. The great thing is class can be taken online or in person, either option will take about 8 hours to complete and cost you $99.

The grant is a five year forgivable loan, which means payments are not due during the five years, and after the five years the money that is owed would be forgiven.  The grants are approved by a 3^rd party and it can take up to 45 days to close on the buyer’s new home with this grant, once the accepted contract has been received by the First National Bank Mortgage Officer.

There are a few requirements that the borrows will have to meet which are as followed:

Buyers have to make below 80% of the Area Market Median Income: For the Metro area, the maximum household income is as follows:

1-2 Person                  3+ Person

$58,000                       $66,800

If you are looking for a Mortgage Office, I would suggest you contact Nick Zwiebel with First National. Nick offices in my building, located at 16909 Lakeside Plaza #119 and is more than happy to answer any questions for you.   If you or someone you know may benefit from this grant program please contact me. I would love to help you build the foundation to your dreams.

Please contact Nick with any questions you may have in regards to the Grant Program. Nick can be reached at  Phone: 402-602-5363|Cell: 402-301-7098| Email: nzwiebel@fnni.com or you can visit his website here |  https://nzwiebel-firstnational1lo.mortgagewebcenter.com/