The Latte Factor: One Way to Get Your Finances on Track

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How often do you find yourself saying, “I can’t afford that!” Whether it’s about an unplanned expense or something that you want to buy. David Bach, author of The Latte Factor, says that’s usually just a lie we tell ourselves.

In his book, The Latte Factor, Bach lays out several key points that can be summed up as: Small amounts of money spent on a regular basis costs us far more than we can imagine.

The Latte Factor came about after a class Bach had taught some years ago. One of his students said she couldn’t afford to save, but she was drinking a latte at the time (and almost every day in his class). He ran the numbers and showed her that if she skipped the latte, she would save $5 a day. What does $5 a day mean to you? Let’s do the math. $5 a day is $150 per month. Would you like to save an extra $150 per month? What’s the value of $150 per month saved in 10 years from now? That’s $1,800 a year saved and $18,000 in 10 years from the Latte Factor alone. Over 25 years, five dollars a day will net you almost $50,000. It’s amazing how such a small difference each day can make a huge impact over time.

As you head into the new year, vow to stop saying “I can’t afford that!” and take a second look at your finances. You don’t have to starve yourself of enjoying everything that life has to offer. Instead, pick one thing you know you spend money on that you might be able to do without. Is it your morning latte, eating out for lunch every day, subscription service, etc.?

If you want to get serious about getting your finances in order this year, here are two recommendations:

  1. Buy The Latte Factor and read about how Zoey turned her morning latte into the words “I CAN afford this.” It’s a quick read and it’s really eye opening!
  2. Take a look at your current debt. Instead of making multiple payments on multiple loans, have you thought about consolidating those payments into one lower monthly payment? You may even get a lower interest rate that will minimize the amount of interest you’re paying.

Apply for a First Financial Consolidation Loan online, or contact us to see if we can help you get started in getting your finances in order this year.*

Happy New Year and Keep Thinking First!

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Actual rate will vary based on creditworthiness and loan term. Subject to credit approval. A First Financial Federal Credit Union membership is required to obtain a Personal Loan, and is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account/loan.

Online Shopping Tips for This Holiday Season

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Every year, the numbers speak for themselves – more and more people are shopping online for the holidays instead of in the store. If you’re still shopping and getting hit left and right with emails for online sales, coupons, and deals – keep reading to find out how to save money and shop safely without exposing yourself to online fraud.

  • If you’re using a home computer to order gifts online, first be sure you have the latest antivirus software installed prior to placing any orders.
  • Take time to compare products. To get the best deal, always compare products between different stores. Do some research online, check product comparison sites, and read online reviews before you click “add to cart.”
  • Check out the seller. Confirm that the seller you are deciding to purchase from is legitimate. Look for reviews about their reputation and customer service, and be sure you can contact the seller (or that you can pay via PayPal on their site) if you have a dispute.
  • Look for coupon codes. Search for the store’s name with terms like “coupons,” “discounts,” or “free shipping.” Or you can check for deals on their website or research available offers on a site such as retailmenot.com
  • Pay by credit card. Paying by credit card gives you added protections. Never mail cash or wire money to an online seller. If the seller asks you to pay this way, it is most likely a scam.
  • Use secure checkout. Before you enter your credit card information online, check that the website address starts with “https.” The “s” within any web address stands for secure. If you don’t see the “s,” don’t enter any personal or financial information. You should also see a lock icon where the secure website address is too.
  • Keep records of online transactions until you get your purchase, confirm you got what you ordered, and that you won’t have to return the item.

If you follow the above steps when buying online and purchase smart, this season of holiday shopping is bound to be a breeze!

Should you happen to encounter any scams while shopping online, you can report it to the FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/.

Happy Holiday shopping!

Article Source: S. Walker for Consumer.FTC.gov

Preparing for the Holidays Doesn’t Have to Be a Hassle

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The season of holiday shopping is here, and so is the inevitable financial stress — but you don’t have to panic. We’re here to help you conquer the chaos and take control of your finances, so you can give great gifts and feel great about what you spent too.

Budget the Day Away.

The first step for tackling the holiday shopping season is setting a budget. Your budget sets the tone of your whole shopping game plan — what gifts you can buy, which deals to look for, which payment type to use, and more.

Sure, you’ve probably heard the spiel about the importance of budgeting before. It can sound a bit intimidating or overwhelming at times — but it doesn’t have to be. Check out our budgeting guidebook or ask for budgeting help from one of our representatives to make this daunting task easier. The internet is also laden with websites and programs that can do the budgeting for you. Find what works best for you, then set up a spread sheet, scrawl it out in a notebook, or iron it out online. Find your budgeting flow.

Sit down with a nice hot cup of cocoa, wrap up in a cozy blanket, and budget away. Make a night of it and feel confident in your ability to get your finances together. You’ll thank yourself in the end.

Pick Your Weapons of Choice.

There are many ways to fund your holiday shopping. Figure out how much money you have available to spend immediately and what items you will need to buy through credit cards or fund with a holiday loan.

Our advice? Put down the high-interest rate credit cards and check out ours. Our credit cards* feature interest rates significantly lower than the national average; plus, our personal loans** can help you to fund your shopping and pay it off responsibly. We understand that our members have a lot of holiday cheer to spread, and we want to help you make it happen.

Start Your List, Check It Twice.

Santa isn’t the only one who should have a list. Get a pen and some paper (or save a note in your phone) and jot down everyone you want to give gifts to this season. Determine how much you can spend for each person first, then brainstorm gifts for each of your names. This is the fun part! Put on Santa’s hat and think of creative ways to show some love to your favorite people.

If you find yourself spreading your budget too thin, go back and adjust the names on your list and the spending amount. Remember, not every gift needs to cost money — don’t underestimate the joy that a homemade gift or a good deed can bring to the holiday season.

Choose Wisely.

You have your gift list, now you need to perfect it. Browse the internet to get an idea of the deals that will be happening near you, either in a store or online.

Compare deals you see for the same item across stores and websites — one company may be selling the item for significantly less than another. You deserve the best deal. Put in the work to find out which stores are promoting the best sales, and make sure the item is still in budget after you factor in taxes and shipping costs.

Finalize Your Plan of Attack.

While many companies offer deals throughout the months of November and December, some are specific to days like Black Friday or Cyber Monday. These two days can easily become chaotic if you don’t have a good game plan.

Research which deals are offered online and which require you to show up in person. Because of health and safety concerns this year, many stores will most likely be shifting to an online Black Friday experience, but you should still double check. Also research store hours for any place you might need to visit in person. Store hours may likely be adjusted for Black Friday and COVID-19 precautions, so keep a close eye on company websites for the latest updates.

Another shopping holiday to look out for is the lesser known but crucially important Small Business Saturday. It falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and it is more important than ever this year. With the pandemic still in effect, many small businesses are struggling. On Small Business Saturday, local businesses usually break out great deals and some even organize seasonal events for their customers. This day is a great way to give back to your community, so look into the local businesses nearest to you and see how you can support them.

Shop Responsibly.

Now that you have a budget, a list, and a plan of attack – you are all set to shop responsibly this holiday season. The holidays are a time for joy, so don’t let your finances stress you out. Instead of panic-spending and budget-breaking, take some time to prepare and research your options, like low-interest credit cards or a holiday personal loan. You’ll be happy you did, especially when those on your gift list and your wallet are thanking you.

*APR varies up to 18% for purchases, when you open your account based on your credit worthiness. The APR is 18% APR for balance transfers and cash advances. APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Subject to credit approval. Rates quoted assume excellent borrower credit history. Your actual APR may vary based on your state of residence, approved loan amount, applicable discounts and your credit history. No Annual Fee. Other fees that apply: Cash advance fee of $10 or 3% of the total cash advance amount—whichever is greater (no maximum), Balance transfer fee of $10 or 3% of the balance—whichever is greater (no maximum), Late Payment Fee of $29, $10 Card Replacement Fee, and Returned Payment Fee of $29. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a Visa® Credit Card and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties.

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Actual rate will vary based on creditworthiness and loan term. Subject to credit approval. Personal Loan repayment terms range from 12 to 60 months, and APRs range from 10.24% APR to 18% APR. Minimum loan amount is $500. Loan payment example: A $2,000 Personal Loan financed at 10.24% APR for 24 months, would have a monthly payment amount of $92.51. A First Financial Federal Credit Union membership is required to obtain a Personal Loan or Line of Credit, and is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account/loan. 

Delicious Homecooked Meals: It’s Easier and Cheaper Than You Think

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As the old slogan says, “Set it and forget it!” The days are getting shorter, and the nights are getting longer. Whether you’re running around with your kids, running around with your pets, or running because that is your chosen form of exercise – it feels like there are truly never enough hours in the day this time of year. Sure, your favorite local restaurant delivers – but there’s no beating a comforting homecooked meal. The average commercially prepared meal costs $13, while on the other hand – the average homecooked meal costs $4.

Now, it’s true that not everyone enjoys cooking or considers themselves skilled at it. However, you can make delicious, cheap, and easy meals with an Instant Pot or Slow Cooker! We’re all about making your life easier here at First Financial. We wanted to share some of our favorite easy, low cost recipes to help you out during the upcoming busy holiday season. With each recipe we’ll give you a way to dress it up, as well as how to cut some costs.

For the first two recipes, we’ll be using an Instant Pot. This handy kitchen device can do it all – from sautéing, pressure cooking, and everything in between. If you don’t have one, they are regularly on sale (especially now as we start to approach the upcoming holidays) and come in various sizes.

*Note: If this is your first time using an Instant Pot, be sure to read the device set-up instructions carefully and complete the water test first.

Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

Creamy, hearty, and comforting – this recipe is a new take on the classic chili. If you aren’t a huge bean fan, feel free to cut back on the specified amount or omit them completely. Serve this chili with tortilla chips for a delicious and easy Southwestern meal.

Ingredients for White Chicken Chili:

2 large chicken breasts

15 oz can black beans (drained and rinsed)

15 oz can white kidney beans (drained, not rinsed)

1 medium red onion, diced

15 oz can of corn (do not drain)

10 oz can of Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilis (keep the juice)

½ cup chicken broth

1 ½ tsp chili powder (use less if you want to cut down on spice)

2 tsp cumin

Ranch dressing packet

8 oz package of cream cheese cut into six pieces

Instructions:

1. Place all of your ingredients into your Instant Pot bowl in the following order: 2 chicken breasts (uncooked), your drained black and white beans, chopped onion, undrained corn, undrained Rotel tomatoes/green chilis, and ½ cup chicken broth.

2. Add the chili Powder and 1 tsp of cumin, as well as the ranch packet. Stir everything to combine. Be sure to lift the chicken breasts slightly so that some of the juices will get underneath the chicken.

3. Place your cut cream cheese dotted across the top of your chili. Then place the lid onto the Instant Pot and seal.

4. Cook the chili for 20 minutes on manual high pressure. Once the cooking is done, allow the Instant Pot to de-pressurize naturally for 10 more minutes. Then, completely release the pressure on your Instant Pot.

5. Remove the chicken breasts from the mixture and shred them. PRO TIP: You can easily shred cooked chicken by placing it in a bowl and using a hand mixer. Before putting the chicken back into the chili, stir the chili. Once everything is combined, return the chicken to the chili. You’re now ready to serve.

Tip: If you want even more spice, add a diced jalapeno to your chili mixture. For more spice, use more seeds.

Money Saving Tip: If you don’t use much cumin, buy a packet of taco seasoning instead. You’ll be ready for tacos and won’t have to spend money on a spice you rarely use.

Instant Pot Spaghetti

This is the ultimate easy Instant Pot recipe from the noodles to the sauce. Not only that, but this is a supremely versatile dish. You can add as many vegetables as you want, or take out any of the veggies listed in the ingredients too. You’ll want to serve this spaghetti with garlic bread (with cheese for a real crowd pleaser).

Ingredients:

1 lb. lean ground beef

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

1 tsp Italian seasoning

¼ tsp red pepper flakes (more or less depending on your spice tolerance)

1 lb. box of dry spaghetti noodles

24 oz jar of your favorite pasta sauce

5 mushrooms, diced

36 oz of water

1 can of crushed tomatoes

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Turn on the Instant Pot to the sauté setting and add the ground beef. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Add some salt and pepper to taste. Cook the meat until completely browned, breaking up any large chunks. Turn off your Instant Pot and once the meat is cooked, you may want to drain any excess grease.

2. Break your spaghetti in half and place it on top of your meat. Pour in the sauce, crushed tomatoes, water, red pepper flakes, and mushrooms. Make sure the pasta is completely submerged in the water.

3. Seal the Instant Pot and cook for 8 minutes on manual high pressure. When the time is up, manually release the pressure. Once the pressure is fully released and not steaming anymore, open the Instant Pot and stir everything together.

4. Serve immediately.

Tip: If you aren’t a big beef fan, you can easily substitute Italian sausage for the beef.

Money Saving Tip: Pasta is essentially universal, save yourself a couple of bucks and buy the store brand.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Stuffing

Even when it’s not Thanksgiving, there is something comforting about a home cooked meal that includes stuffing. The good thing is, it pairs just as well with chicken as it does with turkey. And with a recipe this easy, you can have it any time of the year! This recipe takes minimal effort and will make your home smell amazing besides.

*Note: For this recipe, you can use an Instant Pot or a traditional Crock Pot.

Ingredients:

14 oz bag dried seasoned stuffing mix

1 sweet onion, diced

2 stalks of celery, diced

2 (10 oz) cans cream of chicken and herb soup

½ cup chicken broth

1 tsp ground sage

2 garlic cloves, diced

1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Spray your Instant Pot or slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray.

2. Add the chicken broth and stuffing mix to the slow cooker and stir to combine.

3. Sprinkle the sage over the top.

4. Lay your chicken on top of your stuffing mix and season with salt, pepper, and garlic.

5. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours and 30 minutes if you’re using a crockpot, or pressure cook manually on high for 25 minutes in your Instant Pot.

6. Remove the chicken and shred, cube, or serve whole.

7. You’re ready to eat!

Tip: Sage is what will give this meal a holiday flavor, but if you aren’t a fan, you can substitute for rosemary instead. Just as tasty! If you are using an Instant Pot, you may need to add more broth – more than likely 1 cup instead of a ½ cup. You’ll want to make sure all the ingredients are submerged before pressure cooking, if not – add more chicken broth.

Money Saving Tip: Buy a large carton of chicken broth instead of smaller cans. It will go a long way and will keep for quite some time, plus you’ll be able to use it in multiple Instant Pot or Slow Cooker recipes.

There you have it! Three meal ideas that won’t break the bank and don’t require a Michelin-Star chef to prepare. When it comes to cooking at home, just get started. Not every meal may turn out perfect, but the money you save will be worth it. And you really can’t go wrong with the ease of use of an Instant Pot or Slow Cooker. Enjoy!

Holiday Shopping Hacks: Your Black Friday Survival Guide

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Judging from the massive marketing blitz and predictable purchasing frenzy, one could make the argument that Black Friday is a holiday all its own. The day after Thanksgiving is traditionally considered to be the official start of the holiday season.

Black Friday by the Numbers

With this yearly retail extravaganza just around the corner, you might be asking yourself, “What will an estimated 174 million Americans do on Black Friday this year?” Before you start googling, we’ll save you the research. They’ll spend the day—the entire weekend, actually—shopping. Wait. You knew that already? Fair enough. Did you know that the average Black Friday shopper is expected to spend more than $500? Even though we’re dealing in estimates and averages, that adds up to a lot of people and purchasing!

As online and mobile sales increase (especially this year), traditional Black Friday shoppers may be less than usual – but either way, there’s bound to be lots of shopping going on either in person or online. With millions of people frantically scouring stores for the best deals of the season and even more hunting for deals on their smartphones, a little strategy may help you keep the holiday shopping season merry and bright!

7 Tips for Having the Best Black Friday

While there are probably as many shopping hacks as there are shoppers, we’ve narrowed the suggestions down for you. Here are 7 ideas to help you survive Black Friday with your sanity and your budget intact:

Create a shopping strategy. Since most major retailers advertise their Black Friday specials ahead of time, it’s easy to plan ahead by scanning sales flyers and online promotions. Knowing exactly what you’re looking for will save hours of wandering and wondering.

Get in and get out. Most of the time, it pays to shop slowly and carefully—but not on Black Friday! If you’re going to score the best values at multiple stores, you need to grab the items you want, check out, and head to the next store. The midnight madness is no time for browsing.

Maximize your mobile experience. If you’re planning to take advantage of mobile deals or online specials, you can save time and frustration by downloading all the necessary apps in advance.

Prepare your profiles. How many times have you found a deal online, placed the item in your cart, and then had to waste time setting up a customer profile before checking out? Don’t miss out on limited-time-only deals. Create your profile on websites before it’s time to shop.

Look for the lock. Before you enter your personal details and credit card information on a website, make sure the web address starts with “https” and there’s a closed padlock icon next to address. These details indicate the site is secure. If the address starts with “http” or the padlock is open, see if you can find a deal somewhere else. You don’t want to add potential fraud and identity theft from an unsecure site to your holiday list this year.

Team up for double the fun. Finding amazing bargains is fun—but isn’t it better when you have someone to share in the excitement? If you’re going to engage in shopping shenanigans at 2:00 AM, you might as well do it with your favorite shopping buddy!

Shop early. Shop often. It would be logical to think that Black Friday is limited to—well, Friday. But in an attempt to boost sales, stores like Amazon and Best Buy often run early sales. And with the rising popularity of Cyber Monday, you’ll most likely also find money-saving specials all weekend long!

Hopefully, these ideas will help you save some money this winter holiday season and have a little more fun in the process. To avoid any last-minute budget crunches, talk to us about setting up a Holiday Club account.* Setting aside money throughout the year is a great way to avoid financial stress and focus on spending your time with loved ones and joining in on all the merry festivities!

*A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account. All Holiday Club Savings funds are deposited into a First Financial Checking or Base Savings Account. All personal memberships are part of the Rewards First program and a $5 per month non-participation fee is charged to the base savings account for memberships not meeting the minimum requirements of the program. Visit firstffcu.com to view full Rewards First program details, and to view the Tier Level Comparison Chart.

 

 

Why You Should Avoid Store Credit Cards This Holiday Season

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Can you believe it’s already November? Before you know it – the holidays will be upon us. As you start making those lists and checking them twice, think long and hard about opening a store credit card if you were planning to this holiday season.

A recent report from LendingTree® announced that 44% of consumers planned to open a store credit card this year. However, that same report said that 56% of those who have had store credit cards in the past have regretted opening and using them. Sure, the initial sign-up bonuses can be great – but if you carry a balance on one of these cards, the interest you pay with those high APRs can easily exceed what you saved with that initial discount.

While the salesperson may do a great job of talking about the perks and discounts you can get when you sign up for a store card, they almost never talk about the high interest rates you’ll have when you use it. In fact, the average APR for a new store credit card is 24.24%!

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of a store credit card:

  • Beware of deferred interest: While special financing deals really can save you big bucks, it’s crucial that you play by the rules – because what you don’t know can really cost you down the road.
  • Know your APR and fees before you apply: This is good advice with any credit card, but it’s particularly important with store cards because the interest rates are so high – and the pressure is often on to make a quick decision.
  • Anticipate deadlines, exceptions, and spending minimums:  Virtually every card has quirks and nuances. The more you know about them before you apply, the better.
  • Look for the other logo: Some store credit cards can only be used with one retailer or one group of retailers. Others can be used almost anywhere and will have a Visa or Mastercard logo on it. That’s an important distinction.
  • Resist the pressure: If you’re offered a store card and you aren’t sure what to do, say no and then read up on the card later. If the offer still sounds good to you and you know you won’t carry a balance, apply the next time you shop there.

Another idea: Bypass the store credit card and seek lower interest alternatives from First Financial. We offer personal loans to help you get through the holiday season, and low interest credit card options too.* While you won’t get 20% off your first purchase at your favorite store – you also won’t be counted in the 59% of those with buyer’s remorse who are paying off holiday debt well into the new year, after opening that store credit card. You’ll also enjoy a much lower interest rate, which equals lower monthly payments as well. Shop smarter this holiday season!

*APR varies up to 18% for purchases, when you open your account based on your credit worthiness. The APR is 18% APR for balance transfers and cash advances. APRs will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Subject to credit approval. Rates quoted assume excellent borrower credit history. Your actual APR may vary based on your state of residence, approved loan amount, applicable discounts and your credit history. No Annual Fee. Other fees that apply: Cash advance fee of $10 or 3% of the total cash advance amount—whichever is greater (no maximum), Balance transfer fee of $10 or 3% of the balance—whichever is greater (no maximum), Late Payment Fee of $29, $10 Card Replacement Fee, and Returned Payment Fee of $29. A First Financial membership is required to obtain a Visa® Credit Card and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties.