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Budgeting 101: Personal Budget Categories When it comes to creating a personal budget, it can feel like there are a million financial categories to consider. In order to create a successful budget, everything should be accounted for, from large expenses like your mortgage and car payment to smaller expenses like your gym membership and Netflix subscription. A list of recommended personal budget categories is a great place to start when creating a budget. Here are two ways you can get the most out of the list: Go through the list and check off each category that applies to you, then add those categories/items to your personal budget spreadsheet. Create a comprehensive list of everything you spend each month, then go through the categories list to see if there is anything you might have forgotten and need to add to you personal budget spreadsheet. Recommended Budgeting Categories Consider including these categories when you create your own budget: Housing Mortgage or rent Property taxes Household repairs HOA fees Transportation Car payment Car warranty Gas Tires Maintenance and oil changes Parking fees Repairs Registration and DMV Fees Food Groceries Restaurants Pet food Utilities Electricity Water Garbage Phones Cable Internet Clothing Adults’ clothing Adults’ shoes Children’s clothing Children’s shoes Medical/Healthcare Primary care Dental care Specialty care (dermatologists, orthodontics, optometrists, etc.) Urgent care Medications Medical devices Insurance Health insurance Homeowner’s or renter’s insurance Home warranty or protection plan Auto insurance Life insurance Disability insurance Household Items/Supplies Toiletries Laundry detergent Dishwasher detergent Cleaning supplies Tools Personal Gym memberships Haircuts Salon services Cosmetics (like makeup or services like laser hair removal) Babysitter Subscriptions Debt Personal loans Student loans Credit cards Retirement Financial planning Investing Education Children’s college Your college School supplies Books Savings Emergency fund Big purchases like a new mattress or laptop Other savings Gifts/Donations Birthday Anniversary Wedding Christmas Special occasion Charities Entertainment Alcohol and/or bars Games Movies Concerts Vacations Subscriptions (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc.) Get Professional Personal Finance Advice Give First Bank’s free MyMoney tool in online and mobile banking a try to get started on your budget or to calculate your net worth. If you need guidance from a professional when creating your budget, find a First Bank near you. You can also learn more about different types of banking services, personal budgeting, saving money, investing and more using First Bank’s online Financial 2 min read

Read These Articles on Personal Financing Knowing your finances is the first step to properly managing them and to ensuring you are in good financial standing. But how do you get started? Reading personal financing articles can be a huge help when it comes to understanding financial management. That is why First Bank offers a Financial Education Center full of articles with advice on everything from buying your first home to making your first investment. Personal Financing Articles Check out the following articles on managing your personal finances: Articles on Buying a Home Simplifying the Homebuying Process: This infographic offers tips and tricks on how to make the homebuying process as easy as possible. Should I Buy an Older Home?: This article weighs the pros and cons of buying an older home. How to Shop Bank-Owned Homes: This article provides insight into buying a bank-owned home and how to get the process started. The Right Age to Buy a House: Is it in your 20s, your 30s, or is age only a number? Saving Money 10 Easy Ways to Save On Home Energy Costs: Learn 10 quick and easy ways to cut down your energy bill and save money each month. Planning the Right Mix for Retirement: This article offers help with choosing the retirement savings plans that work best for you. 10 “Life Hacks” That Will Save You Money: The little things can add up! Use these life hacks to cut costs and get the most out of your purchases. How to Get Help Paying for College: Check out this list of student aid programs that can help you pay for college. Investing 5 Tips for Safely Managing Your Finances Online: Keep your finances safe and secure with these tips on online security. 5 Things You Need to Know Before You Become a Landlord: Take these considerations in mind before diving headfirst into property management. When browsing personal financing articles, remember that your financial situation is unique. You should always discuss your financial and investment opportunities with an experienced banking professional before making significant financial decisions. First Bank* is a local community bank with banking professionals who can help you make sound decisions. Contact your local branch for personal financing advice today. 2 min read

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5 Steps to Kick off Your Spring Cleaning It may be hard to believe, but spring is just around the corner. We’re here to guide you through the spring cleaning process one step at a time. 3 min read

Long-Term Installment Loans First Bank offers long-term installment loans and other types of lending that help small businesses cover expenses. The government-backed Small Business Association (SBA) helps business owners acquire long-term loans to help them grow, expand their services, or recover from disaster. Connect with our experts at First Bank today and find out how long-term installment loans could help your business thrive and grow. Benefits of Borrowing Long Term Long-term installment loans offer several key benefits for small business owners: Predictable, Steady Payments Long-term loans are usually repaid in steady monthly installments. But weekly or bi-weekly payments may be required, depending on the loan terms and conditions. Fixed Rates Another benefit of long-term loans are the stability of fixed rates. A fixed rate gives you more time to gradually pay back what you borrowed for costly repairs, construction, equipment, or inventory. Lower Interest Rates Many long term installment loans, because of the length of commitment, have lower rates than other types of business financing. Working with our network of lenders, the experts at First Bank will work with you to find the best choice for your business needs. Other Long-Term Installment Loan Factors Before taking out a long-term installment loan, there are a few factors to consider. What’s true of any loan is that interest will accrue throughout its lifespan. This can take years to pay off and could become a debt burden in the long run if a detailed budget is not in place. If you have existing debts, taking on a long-term loan may be risky. However, First Bank’s wide network of lending partners will provide the best available loan terms to help your business succeed. Long-Term Loans with First Bank Whether you need a long-term installment loan or something for the short term, First Bank can help you find the financing you need for your business. Find a First Bank near your and start growing your business today. ———— Source: SBA.gov: www.sba.gov/starting-business/business-financials/borrowing-money-your-business Loans Subject To Approval 2 min read

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