10 “Life Hacks” That Will Save You Money

When you’re living a budget-conscious lifestyle, you often focus on the big costs such as power bills, gas, and groceries.

However, there are also many small things you can do to help yourself cut costs and get the most out of your purchases.

We’ve compiled a handy list of these “life hacks” below. Some of these solutions may only lead to small savings, but as any financially savvy person will tell you, it’s the “little savings” that add up to help you reach your greater goals.

Don’t throw away your old, scratched CDs and DVDs. There’s an easy way to fix them and all it takes is a banana. That’s right; the fruit you bought for lunch this week can also be rubbed on a disk to repair minor damages. You can extend the life of the product and you won’t need to worry about skips during your favorite movie anymore.
Have you compared flights online and watched the rates climb every time you log on? Many websites that see you return more than once will raise their prices. To prevent this from happening, use the “incognito mode” on your internet browser.
If you need to freshen up your home on the cheap, don’t buy expensive air fresheners. Instead, simply tie dryer sheets to the front of an enclosed fan and enjoy the sweet scents.
Get the most out of your little products. You can extend the life of batteries, hosiery, and candles by storing them in the freezer.
Enjoy food products longer by keeping your refrigerator organized the right way. For example, milk shouldn’t be kept on the door because the temperature often fluctuates.
Stop wasting coffee and create a “cup clock” for the office kitchen. It helps your coworkers know when to pour themselves a cup and when to brew a new pot.
Save time and energy by cooking two bowls in the microwave at once. Use a glass to raise one bowl and they will both cook evenly.
Naturally clean your bathroom by using a lemon half to erase water stains. You’ll save on cleaning chemicals and your shower will smell great.
Use a vinegar solution to make your berries last longer.
If you get paint on your clothes, don’t fret! Instead of throwing the shirt away, use some olive oil and scrub out the stain.

Do you know any other great money-saving tips or life hacks? Share your ideas on our Facebook page!

Share:

You may be interested in...

Lock It Up: Protect Your Login Info These days an increasing number of people are online creating accounts for shopping, streaming services, or to stay connected with other people. Of course, with all those accounts on various websites, who wants to create a different username and password every time? Well, it turns out the extra effort is worth it. Having different logins for your online shopping or subscription accounts can reduce your risk of fraud. Here’s why: if you use the same username and password across multiple sites and one of them is compromised, access to the other sites is automatically at risk. Fraudsters will then use the stolen credentials on those other sites to see if they can gain access and attempt various forms of fraud or other data mining activity. Please note: First Bank has several protective measures in place to ensure that your information is secure and that your account is safe from this type of fraud. But your other online accounts may not be so well guarded. Here are some tips to help you make each of your log-ins stronger and more secure: Use different login information. Not surprisingly, this is the best thing you can do to keep fraudsters out of your retail or subscription accounts. This means you will need to resist using your favorite username or password over and over again because it is the easiest to remember. Create strong/unique usernames and passwords. When using different usernames and passwords, use information that is not easily identifiable, but something you can remember. The more complex, the less likely it is to be guessed. One more tip: use numbers, capital letters, and special characters throughout your username or password, not just at the beginning or end. Enable two-factor/multi-factor authentication where available. By enabling this feature, a user is provided a second form of identification to verify a log in attempt. Think of it as a second layer of protection against potential attackers. This can be as simple as receiving a code via text or email, or clicking a link to confirm a log in from an unfamiliar device. Keep second factor information confidential. Never give out your second factor code to anyone – even if they say they are from a favorite 3 min read

a wolf in sheep's clothing works at a scam

Can You Spot a Scam? Can you spot a scam? Most people are confident that they can tell the difference between fact and fiction, but the truth is that it isn’t always easy to fend off fraud. Want to test your knowledge? Click through the scenario below and think about whether it’s a helpful notice from your bank or if it might be a scam. Read on to find out the answer! Is this your bank... or is it fraud? 1) Your phone rings. Caller ID shows the number as your local bank. 2) You pick up the phone. The caller addresses you by name and seems to be familiar with your bank account number, address, and transaction history. 3) They warn you of possible fraud on your account. The caller asks if you're familiar with several recent transactions and reassures you that they'll help you protect your account. 4) They ask you to confirm your identity. Before the caller can help, they ask you to verify your identity by sharing the last 4 digits of your debit card or a one-time passcode. So... what do you think? Is the person on the phone a cunning fraudster or an honest banker? How to fight fraud and find red flags In the scenario above, the call is probably a scam. But the caller’s familiarity with your personal details may cause you to drop your guard long enough for them to retrieve your Secure Access Code (SAC) or a one-time code texted to your phone. They may use that code to change the password of your bank account, letting them in and locking you out, or to add your card to their digital wallet, which lets them use your card to make unauthorized purchases. It’s important to know that First Bank will never ask you for information like a one-time passcode if we’re the ones reaching out to you. Here are some other common red flags to look out for… Keep an eye out for these common tricks: Unexpected calls or messages, even if they look official. If you get any kind of communication claiming to be from First Bank — or another trusted source — stop and think about whether it might be fraud before responding. Caller ID and emails are easily faked. Pressure to act fast. Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to keep you from calmly thinking things through. They may claim that your account is at risk or that you owe money on a debt. Remember that legitimate businesses are unlikely to rush you. Requests for sensitive information. While we may send you a one-time code to verify your identity after you call us, remember that a First Bank employee will never reach out to you and then ask for your one-time passcode, PIN, or password. ` Being told not to contact your bank. Fraudsters may say that your local branch is under investigation for misconduct or that your usual banker isn’t available. Don’t be afraid to hang up and call a trusted number to confirm whether there’s really a problem. Unusual payment methods. If you’re ever asked to pay with a gift card, wire money to a specific account, or use a payment app, stop and call your local bank. Cryptocurrency and large cash withdrawals are also common. Scammers prefer payments like these because they’re hard to trace, and it’s often impossible to recover stolen funds. Learn more about financial fraud If you suspect a scam, here’s what to do. Need to make a quick decision in the heat of the moment? Remember these important fraud protection tips: ✅ Always double-check the details ✅ Stop and think through the situation ✅ Keep your private information secure ✅ Talk to someone you trust — like your local bank ✅ Only make payments through familiar platforms ✅ Don’t be afraid to trust your intuition And remember — fraudsters don’t only go after regular folks. They target business accountholders, too. Keep an eye out for invoices from unfamiliar vendors, urgent payment requests, unusual payroll changes, and spoofed emails. Some business accounts, like First Bank’s Business Elite, offer built-in treasury tools and fraud protection. 5 min read

Earn More with Interest-Bearing Checking Accounts An interest-bearing checking account offers the interest accumulation of savings accounts with the withdrawal and check-writing ease of checking accounts. This best-of-both-worlds combination allows bank customers to accrue some interest on their balance while only needing to meet some minimum requirements. First Bank’s Interest-Bearing Checking Accounts The money in your checking account is yours and earning interest on it matters. At First Bank, we offer three types of checking accounts (two personal and one business) that accrue interest when the minimum balance is maintained. Each is uniquely designed to meet the needs of our many different customers. Interest-Bearing Personal Checking Accounts Everywhere Plus. Our Everywhere Plus account comes with free online and mobile banking, free online bill pay, and free paper or electronic statements. Everywhere Plus customers also have a credit card rewards program for eligible card. Everywhere Premium. The Everywhere Premium account includes all the basics of the Everywhere Plus level while also granting unlimited out-of-network ATM transactions with no First Bank fees, free member checks or 50% off other check designs, and four free official checks per statement cycle. Interest-Bearing Checking Account for Businesses With our Business Interest account, business owners enjoy: 250 free transactions per month Cash or coin deposits of up to $10,000 every month at no charge Rewards benefits with an eligible credit card Free 24-hour telephone banking Online and mobile banking Contact your local branch and get started with an interest-bearing checking account today. Is an Interest-Bearing Account Right for Me? According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, interest-earning checking accounts are typically good for people who: Carry large account balances Spend less than they earn Keep a stockpile of cash or funds Are retired and want a higher-interest product than most of today’s investment accounts Pay attention to their finances and can meet the criteria needed to open an interest-earning checking account For a related article, visit: High Interest Checking Accounts – North Carolina While First Bank does not charge for mobile banking, your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. The First Bank Digital Banking Apps are available for select mobile and tablet devices. There is no charge from First Bank, but message and data rates may apply. Must enroll in First Bank Online Banking and download the First 3 min read

You’re Getting Married! Keep These 8 Things in Mind Getting married is not a small feat for many reasons – among them, marriage represents a new stage in your financial life. We asked three First Bank team members about what financial issues soon-to-be newlyweds need to discuss. 3 min read

10 “Life Hacks” That Will Save You Money

Ready to talk to an expert?

Ready to talk to an expert?

You may be interested in...