Moms & Money |

Spring Cleaning: Tips to get your vehicle ready for Spring!

March 29, 2017 By: admin

When you hear the words “spring cleaning,” your mind probably immediately starts making a to-do list in your head:

clean the windows
scrub the baseboards
clean out closets
weed the flower bed
do a spring check-up on your car…

Whoa. Wait! Spring check-up on your car? What does that mean?

If you’re like us, you probably haven’t thought about taking the time to do a spring check-up on your car. Who has time for that, right? Actually, we don’t have the time NOT to do a spring check-up on your vehicle. Taking the time to check a few simple things will actually save you time and money in the long-run!

Our sponsors at Les Jacobs Ford want to save you time and money and offer a few simple spring cleaning tips that should help you do just that! We found the information pretty helpful and we hope you will too!

Clean your vehicle upside down and inside out. Upside down? Yes! That’s right! The winter months can be hard on your car and often times you can’t see all the places the “yuck” is hiding. The salt used to keep streets safe along with other road grim can do a number on the outside and inside of our car. Take a spin through the car wash and make sure you select the option to clean the undercarriage as well.
Wax on. Wax off. While you are cleaning, the spring is a good time to wax your vehicle as well. While you will get the best results if you have it done professionally, there are some great at-home waxing options as well.
Time for a check-up. When you get your car serviced this spring, here are a few additional things that you should check. You will want to request that your technician check these items and give you the full report. If you don’t ask, these items may not be checked.
- Strength of your anti-freeze
- Freon levels (It would also be a good time to ask the technician to check you air conditioner. You don’t want to wait until our first 80 degree day to discover your AC is out!)
- The salt used on the roads in the winter is also hard on your brakes, so it is a good idea to have those breaks checked as well.
- The extreme temperate changes are hard on your batteries. As you all know, we have had some extreme temperature changes in SWMO this season. You will want to take the time to have the battery condition and strength checked as well.

Have a question about an item on the list or need Darrin and his crew to take a look at something? They would be happy to help! You can give them a call at 1.888.259.3009.

Do you Ibotta? You really gotta!

January 9, 2017 By: admin

So moms… It is January 9. How’s it going with those New Year’s Resolutions?

If your New Year’s Resolution was to save money, we have a super easy idea that just may help. At my house, it seems like we spend a TON of money at the grocery store. About 9 months ago, my friend told me about the Ibotta app. I downloaded it and decided to give it a try.

This app has been around for awhile and I think a lot of people are familiar with it. I just wanted to wait to see if I really used it before recommending to you all and guess what–I really like it!

I was skeptical at first, but after using the app (pretty sparingly) for less than a year, I have received nearly $200 worth of gift-cards to places I already shop.

Iobatta is a grocery savings app. You can save anywhere from as little as 25 cents to $2-$3 per item. Now that doesn’t sound like too much, but it really starts to add up. Plus, it is super easy and painless to use. That was an important factor for me! If it was a pain to use while shopping, count me out!

Not only can you save money on name brand items that you are probably already buying, one of my favorite features is you can save money on “any brand” of food. For example, we buy a lot of milk! Since I downloaded Ibotta, I hardly ever pay full price!

I would recommend opening your Ibotta app while you are shopping and scanning the bar code of the item you plan to purchase BEFORE paying. That has worked better for me because sometimes the discount does require that you purchase a certain size of item or purchase more than one of the product to receive the discount.

For example, last week you could save on macaroni and cheese, but you had to purchase three boxes. My kids love mac and cheese, so I knew that was a good buy for me because we already use it and it wouldn’t go bad!

Ibotta does not work like a typical coupon. You don’t get cash back right away. You use the app and compile at least $20-$25 in money back, then you opt to “withdraw cash.” You have several gift-card options (Walmart and Target are both on the list!) and you receive a gift-card code in your inbox!

If you try the app and it seems a little more time-consuming than you would like, I would encourage you to keep trying! Once you get the hang of it, it is easy and may just help you keep your New Year’s Resolution of saving more money right on track!

Moms & Money: Buying a new home? Questions you should be asking your lender.

August 31, 2016 By: admin

Thinking of buying new home? We’ve sat down with Niki Null at Freedom Bank to make sure you are ready for that next step. Whether you are a first time home buyer or a seasoned veteran at buying homes, Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri has you covered. The market is ever-changing so it’s good to always get the latest news and updates when it comes to real-estate.

Questions every home buyer (you!) should ask their Mortgage Lender:

1. I’m looking for a new home. How much house can I afford?

The general rule of thumb is that you can afford a home that is valued around 2 times your annual gross income, however, there are several things to consider when shopping for a home mortgage. Some of those items include your down payment amount, your other monthly obligations, and the cost of your new home’s taxes and insurance.

2. How much of a down payment do I need? Can I buy a home without a down payment?

Most conventional home loans require a down payment of 20% of the purchase price, but don’t get discouraged. There are several types of government backed loan programs, such as FHA, Rural Development, and VA loans available that can assist you in purchasing your home. In some cases, you can purchase a home with little or no money down other than closing costs. I encourage you to check with your lender for more information and what programs are available in your area.

3. How much should I anticipate my closing costs to be?

Closing costs can vary from lender to lender so it is always a wise decision to visit with several lenders in your area so you can compare and choose the right loan and lender for you. For example, on a $150,000 mortgage, closing costs can range from $3000 to $7000, therefore, it is recommended for a potential buyer to do their homework.

4. What if my credit isn’t the greatest, can I still get approved for a mortgage?

Understanding how lenders use and report to the credit bureaus can be overwhelming. Your credit rating can affect your daily life in many ways such as the interest rate you pay on a loan or credit card to the cost of your car insurance. Paying your bills on time and minimizing you debt are the best things to do to help obtain and maintain a favorable credit rating. To help manage and understand your credit report I recommend visiting consumerfinance.gov/owning-a-home. It is a government sponsored website to help guide consumers through the home buying process.

5. Is now a good time to buy? How are the interest rates?

Rates are still very low and now is a great time to buy!

6. Once I get approved for my mortgage what are my next steps?

Just because the mortgage has been approved, it doesn’t mean the hard work is over. I recommend staying in close contact with both your lender and your real estate agent. During the processing of your loan, there will be numerous items that you may be required to provide to the lender and several steps to the overall process. Work as quickly as possible to deliver any requested documents so as not to delay your closing. In addition, continue to maintain your good credit rating and do not add any additional debt as it could void your loan approval. Quitting or changing jobs is not recommended while your loan is in process.

7. How long am I locked in with my approved interest rate?

The term of a rate lock can vary from lender to lender. Once again, I recommend staying in close communication with your lender as they will have an idea of how long their loan processing normally takes and can offer you various options.

The home buying process has evolved dramatically over the past few years for both consumers and lenders. The federal government has implemented additional steps and modified the disclosure process so as to keep the consumer better informed during the process and allowing them to compare lenders and loans much easier than before. There are also several good websites that provide more in depth information and also have worksheets to help you determine how much home you can afford. I recommend visiting www.consumer/finance.gov/owning-a-home for information on the home buying process and www.freecreditreport.com to view your credit report and ensure there is no inaccurate information. Best of luck as you journey into the rewarding world of home ownership.

Niki Null is a Loan Officer with Freedom Bank. She began her banking career with Boatmen’s Bank in 1992 as a part time teller while attending what is now known as Missouri State University in Springfield. She and her family have lived and worked in Barry County since 2008 when they relocated from the Joplin, Missouri area to Golden, Missouri to be closer to the beauty of Table Rock Lake. She and her husband Jared have two children, Jade a college student and Gage who is a junior at Cassville High School. Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends on Table Rock Lake and enjoying the beauty that Barry County offers.

For more information or to set up an appointment to start your home buying experience Click here to visit their website or call or stop by the Freedom Bank branch closest to you! Cassville branch: 417.846.1719, Golden branch: 417.271.3814, Seligman branch: 417.662.7000, Shell Knob branch: 417.858.3136 and Willard branch: 417.742.1776.

Moms & Money: Sponsor Spotlight on Freedom Bank

April 20, 2016 By: admin

If you are like us, you have noticed Freedom Bank branches popping up all over SWMO! You may be wondering who they are and what they are all about. Well, we can help!

We recently had the chance to sit down and chat with our sponsors at Freedom Bank and we were impressed! A local company with staff that cares about our community! We hope you enjoy learning more about them as much as we did!

We have noticed Freedom Bank branches popping up all over SWMO! When was the bank established and where are your branches located? Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri opened their doors for business on November 19, 1999 in Cassville, MO. The first bank building was a trailer designed to be a temporary bank while the permanent building was being built which opened its doors in October of 2000. There were 7 employees to start & now today we have over 60 employees along with 5 branches which are located in Cassville, Seligman, Willard, Shell Knob & Golden.

Do you have plans to continue to expand across our region? Southwest Missouri continues to experience growth in commerce as well as population. Freedom Bank will likely continue to expand in the region into different towns and communities.

What makes a locally owned bank unique? I think banking at a locally owned bank customers receive faster customer service. Loan approvals and other key decisions are made locally by people who live in the community, have face-to-face relationships with their customers, and understand local needs. Because of this personal knowledge, our bank is often able to approve small business and other loans that big banks might reject.

What products and services do you offer your customers? Can a customer stop by any location and take advantage of everything you offer? We offer a wide variety of products & services such as several checking, savings, CD’s, money markets & IRA’s accounts to choose from. Yes, any one of our branches can assist customers with any of these products & more!

Do you offer free checking accounts? If so, does it have additional benefits? We do have checking accounts that allow customers the ability to waive service charges. For example, we have a new Freedom eChecking & eSavings that rewards customers for using their debit card & for having direct deposit. Any of our experienced Personal Bankers will be happy to help you decide what will work best for your lifestyle or click here to learn more about checking options that are available.

What sets Freedom Bank apart from the other banking options in our area? Our associates are what set us apart. They are professional, responsive and qualified to assist customers regarding their banking needs. They take the extra steps to help the customers meet their financial objectives.

What advice would you give somebody who might have had a bad experience with their current bank? Don’t give up!! I would let them know that all banks are not the same. You might want to give a locally owned bank a try and see the difference. Here at Freedom Bank we strive for excellent customer service because we know that’s why we are here in the first place…our customers. They are number one!

Sound like something that might be the right fit for you and your family? Click here to visit their website or call or stop by the Freedom Bank branch closest to you! Cassville branch: 417.846.1719, Golden branch: 417.271.3814, Seligman branch: 417.662.7000, Shell Knob branch: 417.858.3136 and Willard branch: 417.742.1776.

Christmas in July: Start planning now and enjoy this Holiday season

July 24, 2015 By: admin

Ok, not to send panic across SWMO, but get ready ladies, Christmas is 154 days from today. EEK! That is only 22 weekends and 10 paychecks (if paid bi-weekly) from now!

This may seem like light-years from now (we are just trying to make it to the weekend, right?), but if you are anything like us, the holiday season can be an expensive and hectic time of year. This year, we have decided to start prepping for Christmas now! No, we don’t recommend baking Christmas cookies this weekend or hauling the boxes (and boxes!) of Christmas décor out of the attic, but you can start checking names off of your list and putting away some cash.

Make your Christmas list now. Every year I tell myself I WILLL NOT wait until Thanksgiving to start making my Christmas list. We all have those on our list we will no doubt buy for–kids, parents, grandparents and teachers, just to name a few. Throughout the year, you are constantly hearing your kids (or spouse) say I would really like to have _________. Stop and write it down. Right then. Don’t wait. I am a paper and pencil list makin’ kind of girl, but using the notes section of your phone is a great option too.

Gift cards. At our house, gift cards are always the first to get “frozen” during the white elephant gift exchange. I can already count on the fact I will be asked to bring a “girl gift” and “guy gift” to two of our family gatherings. If I make those gift card purchases now, my monthly budget will barely notice rather than waiting until the night before the gift exchange when I am already strapped for cash for the month. There are user friendly sites that offer gift cards at a reduced rate. For example, Kelli has had luck using www.giftcardrescue.com. Our sponsors at Commerce Bank offer a great gift card option as well with their Commerce Bank Visa gift cards. Not only can the card recipient pick out exactly what they want, the card is accepted anywhere Visa is accepted, and is a safer option than cash. If the card is stolen or misplaced, the unspent amount may be replaced. You may purchase the card online by clicking here or stop by your local Commerce Bank branch.

Social media. I admit it. I spend way too much time on social media. Make sure you are following your favorite stores and keep an eye out for discounts, promotions and coupons. You will be the first to know about great deals and you can snag up Christmas gifts at the best possible prices.

Commerce Bank mySpending Card. We can all agree, setting a budget and sticking to it is always a good idea when it comes to Christmas spending. The Commerce Bank mySpending card™ will allow you to do just that. The mySpending card is a reloadable prepaid Visa card that you can use anywhere a Visa card is accepted (including online!) and at your local Commerce Bank ATM. If you start contributing to the mySpending card on a monthly basis now, you will have a nice savings when it comes time to do the majority of your shopping. You can purchase the card online by clicking here or stop by your local Commerce Bank branch.

New traditions. I love Christmas, but it is exhausting (have you seen the movie 4 Christmases? That is me with 2 small children.). However, the older I get the more I appreciate the craziness of the season. If you don’t already have traditions in place, I would encourage you to start thinking of something you would like to do now and make plans before the busy season sneaks up on you. For example, my mom and I always take time for an overnight shopping trip to Branson. Our goal is to finish all of our shopping. That rarely happens, but we always get to spend at least 24, kid-free, hours together giggling, treating ourselves to yummy food, sprinting around town shopping and drinking too much coffee. We also stay the night with family on Christmas eve. My grown brothers and husband stay up way too late playing silly video games and after a couple hours of sleep wake everyone up to open presents then we head to my grandma’s to have breakfast with my entire family. I am learning to grab an extra large cup of coffee and embrace this season. I would encourage you to do the same.

We hope this December is filled with late nights on the couch watching Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate with your family rather than last minute online shopping and stressing about January’s credit card bill.

Merry Christmas in July, mommas!