What is Personal Finance?

Are you ready to get a handle on your finances and prepare for your future? The first step is understanding personal finance.

According to Investopedia, “Personal finance defines all financial decisions and activities of an individual or household, including budgeting, insurance, mortgage planning, savings and retirement planning.” Understanding these terms can help you better control your funds and prepare for future financial success.

Important Personal Finance Terms

Budgeting — Establishing a budget is an important part of managing your personal finances. A budget helps you keep track of your spending patterns and plan how you are going to spend your income each month. Start by calculating your total monthly income, then use MyMoney to track all of your expenses each month. This will help you see where your money is going, where you can save and where you can spend a little extra each month.

Insurance — Purchasing insurance is another large part of managing your personal finances. According to Investopedia, by purchasing insurance — like health insurance, life insurance and car insurance and homeowner’s insurance — you are protecting yourself from risk and ensuring the security of your material standing.

Savings — Whether you’re in your 20s and just starting to learn about personal finances, or are in your 30s and looking to better manage your funds, one thing is certain, you should be saving for the future. It is important to establish an emergency savings fund to cover any financial hardships and a retirement savings plan to help you in the future.

Articles on Personal Finance

For more information on personal finances, check out these articles from First Bank’s Financial Education Center:

Source:

Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/personalfinance.asp#ixzz40uIYOSwU

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High Yield Savings Accounts in South Carolina It’s no secret that travel can make you happier, but did you know that it can also improve your social skills, help you accomplish goals, make you more patient, and improve the quality of your relationships? If you want to travel but aren’t sure how you’re going to pay for it, consider a high-yield savings account with First Bank in South Carolina. A high-yield savings account can help you save up money for a weekend getaway, and earn interest while doing it. Save for a Vacation with our High-Yield Savings Account Do you want to go on a vacation, but aren’t sure where you would go? Here are five popular cities to travel to: New York – What would a trip to New York be without seeing the Statue of Liberty, making your way to the top of the Empire State Building, walking through Central Park, or visiting Times Square? Philly – Don’t miss your chance to visit art museums, historical monuments, and places like the Liberty Bell, the Franklin Institute, the Eastern State Penitentiary, and the Reading Terminal Market. Washington, DC – Take a weekend to travel to our nation’s capital and learn more about U.S. history at the Smithsonian, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Museum of Natural History. Chicago – Visit Willis Tower, catch a game at Wrigley Field, or take classic picture by The Bean (Cloud Gate) in Millennium Park. Dallas – If you end up visiting Texas, make sure you spend a day at the Houston Space center and Houston Museum of Natural Science. Don’t forget to spend some time eating great Texan cuisine, like the famous barbecue. Visit First Bank Today A First Bank high-yield savings account can help you save money to get to any of these destinations. Stop by your local South Carolina branch to open an account today. ———- Sources: Travel Triangle: https://traveltriangle.com/blog/traveling-makes-you-happy/ 2 min read

The Benefits of Checking Accounts with Online Access Out of all the factors that tend to influence our decisions regarding financial management, levels of convenience tend to play a heavier role than others. For that reason, online tools, such as access to checking accounts online, have increased in popularity since they were first introduced. First Bank offers online personal banking, including access to checking accounts* to fit your wants and needs. How Do Access My Checking Account Online? In the past, checking accounts didn’t come with many extra benefits or features. They were simply used to deposit and withdraw your money. However, that is now changing thanks to online banking. Access to your checking account online can come in two forms: Through an established bank with a physical presence Through online-only banks with no physical branches Benefits of Checking Accounts with Online Access Flexible access — Convenient banking services can’t be emphasized enough. Online banking means access to services 24/7 from any location and on any web-enabled device. First Bank checking accounts offer online and mobile app** access with all checking accounts. Tracking and monitoring — Keep track of how much you’re spending and saving easily. Set alerts to stay on top of all activities related to your account. Streamlined financial management — View your account transactions online Transfer funds between accounts Monitor your budget Pay bills online Deposit checks remotely from any web-enabled device While online banks usually have fewer fees, they also tend to have more basic account offerings. If you do decide to open an account with an online bank, it’s also important to consider these two questions. How good is their customer service? Is a call-center your only option? Or can you speak with someone in-person? Having the option of speaking with a representative in-person can be a real advantage, especially if an issue is particularly complex. Is your account really secure? Security issues in online banking aren’t generally from the secure bank sites, but from the clients themselves. Clients have to be extra cautious when it comes to their web browsers or phone apps. If they aren’t properly password-protected or encrypted, they could potentially be hacked or infected by malware. Still, check the bank’s online privacy and fraud policy for your own peace 3 min read

Financial Institution: Definition and What to Look For The definition of a financial institution typically describes an establishment that completes and facilitates monetary transactions, such as loans, mortgages, and deposits. Financial institutions are a place where consumers can effectively manage earnings and develop financial footing. Consumers can make an informed choice when choosing a bank to keep their money by knowing the core features of financial institutions. What to Look for in a Financial Institution Financial institutions facilitate some of life’s biggest events. When choosing a place to keep your money, it is important to make sure the bank meets certain criteria. Here are some key features to look for when you select a bank: Online Banking — The convenience of being able to access your bank accounts from anywhere isn’t something you should overlook. Look for a bank that offers online banking, as well as mobile banking and tablet banking. High Yield Accounts — High yield checking and savings accounts are a great way to get more for your money. If earning interest is important to you, choose a bank that offers high yield options and competitive rates. Accessible ATMs — When you’re on the go you need to have access to cash as you need it. That is why choosing a bank with accessible ATMs and reasonable ATM fees is important. Great Customer Service — When you have a question about your account, you want to speak with a bank representative that is friendly and helpful. A great bank will have friendly representatives ready to help you in any way possible. Reasonable Fees — Some banks charge multiple fees — such as ATM fees, withdrawal fees, and monthly maintenance fees — just for using their services. Check to see if the fees your bank charges sound reasonable, or if they provide ways to avoid fees altogether. FDIC Insurance — You work hard to earn your money, so you want to make sure it is safe at the bank you choose. Look for banks that are members of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC will insure the money in your deposit accounts up to a certain amount. These Features and More From First Bank* First Bank strives to provide you with these key features and 3 min read

Best Bank for Checking Account – South Carolina With options like First Bank, you shouldn’t have to feel uncertain about whether or not you’re making the right choices with your hard earned cash. Make the switch to First Bank and you’ll see why we are the best bank for a checking account in South Carolina and North Carolina. Checking Account Options at First Bank First Bank wants you to be able to answer the question, “What is the best bank for a checking account in South Carolina?” with confidence. That is why we offer five checking account options for individuals who are looking to get the most out of their money and bank. Each of our checking accounts comes with free online and mobile banking,* online bill pay, and free eStatements or paper statements. Our individual checking account options include: Our basic Everywhere Checking account Our Everywhere Plus that has all the benefits of Everywhere Checking, plus the chance to accrue interest Our Everywhere Premium account that has all the basics of Everywhere Plus, plus additional complimentary services A Campus Checking account designed for college students A Senior Checking account specifically for seniors over 55 Visit a First Bank Today First Bank’s dedication to its customers doesn’t end with our checking accounts. We offer more personal banking options, such as savings accounts and credit cards, as well as banking business banking options, a variety of mortgage products, wealth management options, and insurance. Visit a First Bank location in South Carolina today. *While First Bank does not charge for mobile banking, check with your mobile service provider for web access fees. iPhone®, and iPod Touch® are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc. Android™ is a trademark of Google Inc. Compatibility notice: The First Bank mobile app is not currently compatible with iOS7, the new operating system for iPhone, iPad® and iPod Touch®. We are aware of the issue and are working on an update to address it. We apologize for any inconvenience. ——— Sources: Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/checkingaccount.asp Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/interest.asp 2 min read

What is Personal Finance?

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Important Personal Finance Terms

Articles on Personal Finance

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