Smart financial advice from local experts. Dollars & #ense 10 Savings Resolutions to Make This Year Start 2020 out strong so you can finish the year with a bang! These are some of our favorite savings resolutions! 1. Start with the emergency fund. Don't let the unexpected set you back in your budget or hinder your abilty to pay bills. 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford to have a setback. Start saving for the unexpected now. 2. Pay a little extra on your mortgage. Paying even one additional month's payment on a mortgage makes a big difference in the long run. You may be able to cut years off the mortgage by doing so 3. Say no to every splurge. Impulse purchases aie good for no one except the store! If you hadn't gone to the store and seen that item that day, you would have caried on with your life just fine. If it's something you neally want, work it into next month's budget. 4. Skip the gym membership. With online workouts so easily accessible, there's no need for a gym mem- bership. Walking outside or ai the mall is another good way to get your steps in. 5. Stop the phone surfing. We've all succumbed to the trap of online shopping. If there are certain websites that give the urge to spend, cut them out of your life until you feel you won't be tempted. 6. Revamp your closet. Ditch the clothes that you never wear and leave your closet filed with only the items you love. Keep neutral items that can be mixed and matched. It will keep your wardrobe feeling fresh and lessen the need to add new items. 7. Click unsubscribe. Spam emalls can be annoying. but ones from your favorite retailer can also hurt your budget by tempting you to buy something you don't need. If this is a problem area for you, unsubscribe from the retailer's email list. 8. Eat in. Eating in doesn't have to be boring. Learn a new recipe or look up a copycat one from your favorite restaurant. Invite guests over to share with you. Dining in doesn'i mean you can't have a social life. 9. Buy second hand. Imagine you made a resolution to not buy any item new this year. While that may sound extreme, perhaps you can designate one area of spending - maybe clothes, home décor, or movies - to only be secondhand. 10. Commit to your retirement. You are one year closer to retirement than you were last year. Even if you aren't abie to put a lot towards retirement ihis year, starting the habit of saving each month will set you up for future success. We hope that you are able to find these resolutions helpful and pick one (or more!) for yourself to stick with for the year. To leam more about retirement and savings accounts, contact us at Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust -E TARMERS & IlMERCHANTS BANK & TRUST O FDIC Marinette Branch 2811 Roosevelt Rd. Crivitz Branch 114 S. Hwy 141 715-854-7445 Downtown Marinette 1644 Ludington St. 715.735-6617 715-732-4411 www.fmmarinette.com Smart financial advice from local experts. Dollars & #ense 10 Savings Resolutions to Make This Year Start 2020 out strong so you can finish the year with a bang! These are some of our favorite savings resolutions! 1. Start with the emergency fund. Don't let the unexpected set you back in your budget or hinder your abilty to pay bills. 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford to have a setback. Start saving for the unexpected now. 2. Pay a little extra on your mortgage. Paying even one additional month's payment on a mortgage makes a big difference in the long run. You may be able to cut years off the mortgage by doing so 3. Say no to every splurge. Impulse purchases aie good for no one except the store! If you hadn't gone to the store and seen that item that day, you would have caried on with your life just fine. If it's something you neally want, work it into next month's budget. 4. Skip the gym membership. With online workouts so easily accessible, there's no need for a gym mem- bership. Walking outside or ai the mall is another good way to get your steps in. 5. Stop the phone surfing. We've all succumbed to the trap of online shopping. If there are certain websites that give the urge to spend, cut them out of your life until you feel you won't be tempted. 6. Revamp your closet. Ditch the clothes that you never wear and leave your closet filed with only the items you love. Keep neutral items that can be mixed and matched. It will keep your wardrobe feeling fresh and lessen the need to add new items. 7. Click unsubscribe. Spam emalls can be annoying. but ones from your favorite retailer can also hurt your budget by tempting you to buy something you don't need. If this is a problem area for you, unsubscribe from the retailer's email list. 8. Eat in. Eating in doesn't have to be boring. Learn a new recipe or look up a copycat one from your favorite restaurant. Invite guests over to share with you. Dining in doesn'i mean you can't have a social life. 9. Buy second hand. Imagine you made a resolution to not buy any item new this year. While that may sound extreme, perhaps you can designate one area of spending - maybe clothes, home décor, or movies - to only be secondhand. 10. Commit to your retirement. You are one year closer to retirement than you were last year. Even if you aren't abie to put a lot towards retirement ihis year, starting the habit of saving each month will set you up for future success. We hope that you are able to find these resolutions helpful and pick one (or more!) for yourself to stick with for the year. To leam more about retirement and savings accounts, contact us at Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust -E TARMERS & IlMERCHANTS BANK & TRUST O FDIC Marinette Branch 2811 Roosevelt Rd. Crivitz Branch 114 S. Hwy 141 715-854-7445 Downtown Marinette 1644 Ludington St. 715.735-6617 715-732-4411 www.fmmarinette.com