Teaching Kids Lifelong Money Lessons

Posted on January 29, 2016 by vcnbfamily

College Savings Pennies.jpg

We visit local elementary schools every spring for a project called “Teach Children To Save.” This is one of our favorite annual events because it gives us a chance to talk with youngsters and to help mold responsible financial citizens of the future.

It’s funny because these third graders have a pretty firm grasp on the difference between a need and a want as well as the importance of saving money. Inevitably several kids will raise their hands to tell us they are saving money for a car or college. Once we had a little boy tell us he’s saving for a wife “because they’re expensive.” We giggled but love the spirit behind his hard work.

On the other hand, we also talk with high school students and are surprised to learn how few are saving for anything. It’s a tough age, one where the expensive shoes are a necessity rather than a want and where there’s never enough money for all the socializing, gadgetry and new clothes they desire. It’s hard to talk to older kids about saving money but it’s still something that parents need to do.

The best approach is to start when they’re young and to continue the dialogue as they grow. Even little kids have opportunity to earn money with chores or an allowance. Lots of times there are monetary gifts for holidays too. Begin by teaching them they can have fun with their money while saving a little too.

We once met a teen whose parents set her up with a savings system when she was a toddler:

10%        Tithing
10%        Retirement
10%        Car, college, house (in that order)
70%        Anything she wants

She’s an adult now who was able to buy her first car and contribute to her higher education. She continues with this savings system and has a better head start to retirement than a lot of older adults. She said her parents did not shelter her as a child but talked to her about some household expenses and why they save money.

One financial expert that we read suggested enlisting help from the grandparents. Instead of shopping for things, the grandparents send the kids each a check on their birthday. It’s for $100 plus their age. Everyone understands that it’s for saving, not spending and it has become a fun annual tradition that gives a big boost to the child’s savings account.

Another way to make savings fun for kids is to give them a short term goal for something like a coveted toy. Create a savings chart that helps them follow their progress. Achieving short term progress will encourage them to dig into long term goals as well.

Finally, remember they are still kids. Make them work for it to appreciate the value of a dollar through chores or an after school job. Consider incenting your kids by matching their savings. This will give them a boost while instilling an important life lesson.

Stick With A Savings Goal in 2016

Posted on January 6, 2016 by vcnbfamily

It’s a sad truth that most Americans who make New Year’s resolutions fail to keep them for more than a month or even just a few days. This week we are looking at common resolutions that are great goals for any time of the year. So far we have covered sticking to a budget and living with healthy goals. Today we’re talking savings.

Our friends at NerdWallet.com wrote last year about how much the average American is stashing away. It turns out, it’s not enough.

While most experts recommend committing at least ten to fifteen percent of income to savings, the average American is saving less than five percent. Why is that rate so low? Well, part of the problem is that saving money can be difficult. For some the problem may be that they simply aren’t making enough money to live on and are struggling to get by today without saving for tomorrow. For some folks it just isn’t a priority. They would rather have a bigger house, premium cable, or just “live in the now” rather than have money for later.

For others, the inability to save money is a simple lack of discipline. If you’re the kind of person who wants to save money but never actually do because you forget and spend the money on something frivolous and think you’ll save extra next pay – we’re looking at you.

Don’t worry, this won’t be complicated. We have just one word for you: Automation.

Automation is a beautiful thing when it comes to building good habits and it’s especially helpful when committing to a savings plan. If your employer has a 401k or other type of retirement plan, set up automatic payroll contributions. The money is distributed to your 401k from your paycheck and it’s almost as though you never had the money in the first place.

If you want the money to collect in another type of savings account, say an Passbook Savings at VCNB (see how we snuck ourselves into the story?) you can set up automatic transfers for whatever amount you want, when you like. The best plan is probably to schedule the transfer on payday or the day after. That way, it’s done first thing and you aren’t tempted to spend rather than save.

One more thing: a lot of savers enjoy success making games out of saving money. For example, they stash every $5 bill they get or keep a change jar. There’s a great chart where you save an increasing amount for every week of the year. The plan is to save one dollar the first week of the year, two dollars the second week, three dollars the third week of the year. By the last week of the year, savers on this plan are saving $52. Those who follow the plan ease their way into saving regularly and accumulating over a thousand dollars in one year.

For many people, the key to sticking to a savings plan is automation. For others it’s making it easy and fun. Consider your personality and get started! Even if you can’t save fifteen percent of your income, save what you can today and work up to more.

We’re talking resolutions all week so check back tomorrow!

Resolving To Budget In 2016

Posted on January 4, 2016 by vcnbfamily

In 2013, Forbes Magazine reported that just eight percent of people will achieve their New Year’s resolutions. Eight percent. That number seems depressingly low. So we want to take a look at common New Year’s resolutions and things that you can do to insure you are part of that eight percent. This week we will feature a different resolution every day with some helpful tips and hints for sticking to it.

Since we’re a bank and we think money is pretty important we’re going to start with the dreaded “B Word.” That’s right. Today we’re talking Budgets.

People are often intimidated by the idea of a budget. The truth is, you work extremely hard for every penny you make. A budget is an easy way to know where your money is going and that it’s working for you.

One of the first steps to taming your finances is knowing where your money goes. Making a budget helps you to know where your money is going and will, if used correctly, help keep you on track. Budgets can be made with a spreadsheet on your computer, a mobile app or just a pen and paper.

Sadly, making the budget is the easy part. What trips folks up is sticking to their budget. And that’s what we’re here to talk about today. Anyone can make a budget but it’s an altogether different thing to stick to it for more than a few days, much less a month or year.

Here are some thoughts to help you stay on track and loyal to your budget in 2016.

Look at it daily – This may sound like a nuisance but it is vital that you keep your budget at the top of your mind so that you’re not tempted to go off script, spending money you don’t have. Hang a copy on your fridge, keep it in your handbag, your dayplanner or on your smartphone. Then take a moment every day to look at it and remind yourself why it’s important to stick to it.

Keep visual reminders – Is there a reason that budgeting is important to you right now? Maybe you are trying to pay off a mountain of credit card debt. Make a chart of your debt so you can see the balance decline each month. Are you saving for retirement or for a big family vacation? Place an image representing that goal somewhere you will see it every day. Study that image and imagine how following your budget will help you reach your goal!

Identify and eliminate weaknesses – Are you an Amazon impulse shopper? Are you a sucker for a Kohls sale or for a bargain at the grocery store? Stop and think about the places and things that trigger unplanned spending. Stop going to the mall every time you’re bored if you are an impulse shopper. Delete your credit card info from Amazon to slow down when buying all those “Lightening Deals.” If you horde food, take a detailed list to the grocery and don’t buy things that aren’t on the list.

Give yourself an allowance – A lot of parents give their kids an allowance to teach them how to handle money responsibly. Why not do the same for yourself? Give yourself a reasonable amount of money each week that you can use as “play money.” This play money will give you a little freedom to have some fun without damaging your budget. If you want morning coffee and lottery tickets and you blow your weekly allowance in two days, you will know it’s time to reconsider your spending habits.

Think before you spend – Remember when we told you to look at your budget daily? We also suggest you look at your budget every time you’re thinking about spending money. Whether it’s a trip to the grocery store or an online shopping spree at home, look at your budget and consider the repercussions before you buy. It may feel good to buy that Blu-ray today but where will the money come from? Is it worth taking the money from your grocery budget or your retirement savings just to watch a movie? Thinking about your money and your budget and how they work for you are half the battle. Having the strength to actually do what your budget says is the other half.

Set rewards goals– Following a budget sounds like an easy thing to do but it is actually sort of tough. That’s why it’s important to treat yourself once in a while. Is there something you especially enjoy? A manicure or bubble bath? Maybe an evening in front of the tv or at a favorite restaurant would make you happy. Reward yourself each week or month that you follow your budget!

A few final words –

Remember, a budget is a living organism with potential to change regularly. The cost of gas increases sometimes and your heating bill fluctuates with the weather. It’s important to adjust and recover as needed. If you spend too much today, that’s no reason to become discouraged. Just make the necessary adjustments to cover the cost of groceries and move forward.

It sounds cliché but budgeting really is mind over matter. Mental presence, awareness of goals and willpower go a long way toward helping you be true to your budget. Be strong and you can be among that eight percent!

Get 2,016 Bonus Points With Rewards Checking!

Posted on January 2, 2016 by vcnbfamily

2016 Points We wanted to ring in the New Year right with a new promotion for our Rewards Checking account. Now through February 29, folks who open a new Rewards Checking account online will receive 2016 UChoose® Rewards.

Rewards Checking rewards customers for using bank products including their debit card for purchases. Points can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, travel, experience tickets, merchandise and more! To read all about Rewards Checking including the ways you can earn points, account terms and more, click here to visit our website.

To qualify for the 2016 bonus, a $100.00 minimum deposit must be made into the eligible checking account, and a debit card must be activated and registered through UChooseRewards.com within 60 days of opening account to receive the bonus. Points will be awarded within 30 days of meeting criteria. Limit two bonuses per household.

Click here to read full offer details.

Visit us online to get started with opening your new Rewards Checking or other VCNB account!!!

Embracing the Rewards Banking Lifestyle

Posted on December 17, 2015 by vcnbfamily

In September we debuted a new product that seems to have taken on a life of its own. It has generated so much excitement that we have coined a new term: the Rewards Banking Lifestyle.

A Rewards Banking Lifestyle is the realization that every day choices can generate benefits for you in the form of UChoose® Rewards Points, redeemable for things you need and want. It’s when you think twice before using a different way to pay because your VCNB Rewards Checking Account gives you so many reasons to use VCNB products and cards.

If you are like the average American, you are already spending money. You’re paying the electric bill, buying groceries, filling your gas tank and buying shoes for your growing kids. What are you getting in return for spending your own money? Chances are you’re getting nothing except the satisfaction that your bills are paid and your family is fed.

When you are a VCNB Rewards customer, you have potential to earn rewards points for lots of your everyday banking habits. Rewards Checking customers earn points for dollars spent when they swipe their card for PIN and Signature purchases. They earn points for using Direct Deposit, Online Bill Pay, the Visa Platinum® Favor Card and other VCNB products. Essentially, customers who take advantage of our products will earn points each time they spend their money, pay a bill, get paid by direct deposit or pay a VCNB loan.

We recently talked about the amount of points an average customer might receive in a month. Click here to read that story.

Many of our customers like to receive cash back. Others enjoy receiving gift cards, travel experiences, event tickets and even merchandise. There is an extensive UChoose® Rewards Store that offers a variety of items.

Our employees began testing Rewards Checking a few months before we released it to the rest of our customers. We notice that many of them are taking full advantage of their point earning potential and looking for additional ways to earn more. In a lot of ways, they have pioneered the Rewards Banking Lifestyle.

A Rewards Checking Account, like all of our accounts, can be opened online or in any of our seventeen locations.

Click here for complete information on this account including fees and terms and conditions.

Earn More Points With Rewards Checking

Posted on December 11, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Holiday shopping is in full swing and a lot of our Rewards Checking customers are having fun watching their UChoose® Rewards Points balance rise. In case you didn’t know, there are a number of special point earning opportunities to be found on the UChoose website. In fact, many vendors have special offers, some of which do need to be activated. These points are in addition to the ones you already are earning just for swiping your debit card when you spend.

These offers require activation:

CVS Pharmacy – Earn two points per $1 at CVS Pharmacy on purchases of $50 or more (maximum 10,000 Points). Offer valid through 12/31/2015. Points are added to your account within 30 days of the date of purchase.

Kohls – Earn two points per $1 at Kohl’s on purchases of $25 or more (maximum 10,000 points). Offer valid through 12/31/2015. Points cannot be earned when purchasing gift cards. Points are added to your account within 30 days of the date of purchase.

Papa John’s – Earn five points per $1 at Papa John’s on purchases of $25 or more (maximum 10,000 points). Offer valid through 12/31/2015. Points cannot be earned when purchasing gift cards. Points are added to your account within 60 days of the date of purchase.

When you login to your UChoose account, click on “Earn Points” in the bar on the left. In the drop down menu that appears, click on “Activate” to see the list of current offers. Also, be sure to read the offer details so that you can take full advantage of the offer and don’t forget to click the “Activate” button while you’re at it.

There are also lots of offers that don’t require activation. You just automatically receive the points when you make a purchase. To find the complete list, click on “Earn Points” on the left side of the screen inside your Uchoose account and look for “All Offers” in the drop down menu.

Learn more about Rewards Checking by clicking here.

Protect Yourself Online

Posted on November 29, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Though the internet has many advantages, it can also make users vulnerable to fraud, identity theft and other scams. In fact, many of us are busy now purchasing gifts online and preparing for the holidays thanks to the convenience of our mobile devices and computers. That’s why it’s so scary when Symantec tells us that twelve adults become a victim of cybercrime every second. VCNB recommends the following tips to keep you safe online this holiday shopping season:

Keep your computers and mobile devices up to date. Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats. Turn on automatic updates so you receive the newest fixes as they become available.
Set strong passwords. A strong password is at least eight characters in length and includes a mix of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Watch out for phishing scams. Phishing scams use fraudulent emails and websites to trick users into disclosing private account or login information. Do not click on links or open any attachments or pop-up screens from sources you are not familiar with. Forward phishing emails to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at spam@uce.gov – and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the email.
Keep personal information personal. Hackers can use social media profiles to figure out your passwords and answer those security questions in the password reset tools. Lock down your privacy settings and avoid posting things like birthdays, addresses, mother’s maiden name, etc. Be wary of requests to connect from people you do not know.
Secure your internet connection. Always protect your home wireless network with a password. When connecting to public Wi-Fi networks, be cautious about what information you are sending over it.
Shop safely. Before shopping online, make sure the website uses secure technology. When you are at the checkout screen, verify that the web address begins with Also, check to see if a tiny locked padlock symbol appears on the page.
Read the site’s privacy policies. Though long and complex, privacy policies tell you how the site protects the personal information it collects. If you don’t see or understand a site’s privacy policy, consider doing business elsewhere.

Customer Perspective: Apple Pay™

Posted on November 17, 2015 by vcnbfamily

There has been a lot of buzz about Apple Pay™ here at VCNB since we became a participating bank. We thought you might like to hear some of the things our customers are saying.

Security is King
In this day and age where data and identity theft are on the rise, the security and privacy that come with Apple Pay are difficult to rival. Your card number is never stored on your device and when you pay, your card number is never sent to the merchant. Instead, Apple Pay assigns a unique number for each purchase so your payments truly stay private and secure. This means the merchant has no access to your information and there is no risk of your card being skimmed during the transaction.

Customers who use Apple Pay say they appreciate this advanced security!

Easy as Pie
It’s convenient and easy! Simply hold your phone near the reader and the machine recognizes how you want to pay. There’s no app to open or hoops to jump through.

Life in the Fast Lane
One customer argues that it’s a faster way to pay. In addition to processing as fast or faster than a typical card transaction, he said that it is quicker than pulling his wallet from his pocket and finding the right card. After all, an iPhone user typically has their phone at their fingertips! That means you can be checked out and on your way faster, leaving more time for what you really want to do.

To use Apple Pay, you need to have iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, or Apple Watch 5 or 6 running on iOS 8.1 or later for contactless and in-app payments. You can use iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 for in-app payments only. Apple allows up to eight cards on a device – not that you’ll need any more than your VCNB debit and credit cards! Click here to learn more about participating merchants and how to get started.

Think Outside The (Gift) Box

Posted on November 12, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Some of the best gifts don’t fit in a bag or a box. Consider giving loved ones experiences, home repairs or other things they will appreciate but that don’t come from the mall!

We’ve been talking a lot about Christmas lately. Holiday shopping with your VCNB Rewards Checking and Platinum Visa® card and how to save with a Christmas Club have been at the top of our minds. But the truth is, a lot of us here at VCNB have been discussing gift giving as well. More to the point, we are all worried and asking the same question. What on Earth are we going to buy our loved ones?

It’s a wonderful problem to have but it seems like everyone we know already owns too much stuff. So many parents complain because their kids have too many toys and nowhere to put more. Adults often don’t need or want very much either.

While we want to give our loved ones a special holiday, we often waste money on the wrong things.

Make no mistake: we don’t advocate skipping Christmas or gift giving. However, if you’re in the position that we just described, buying stuff for the sake of buying stuff, this may be a good time to reconsider your habits and think outside the (gift) box.

In the interest of keeping gifts useful and cutting down on clutter, consider giving experiences rather than things. A zoo or YMCA membership, sports or concert tickets, movie passes, a manicure or a spa day will make the recipient think fondly of you while they’re having fun.

Experience gifts are especially great for families. Rather than buy individual gifts for every person, consider sending the entire family out for an experience together. Other great family gifts might include board games, movies or a gift card for their favorite restaurant.

For young adults who are on their own for the first time, there’s an endless list of things they need or want for their apartment or new house. Consider buying them cookware, bedding, furniture or decorative items to help make their new living space feel more like home.

That elderly person who already has everything is often difficult to shop for. Instead of buying them a thing, give the gift of your time. Take them some home baked cookies with a gift card or voucher for you to take them out to lunch or have them over for a home cooked meal.

There is also a place for practical gifts that save the recipient time or money. Hire someone to deep clean their home, clear their gutters or replace their leaky kitchen faucet. Everyone appreciates a little help around the house!

Gift baskets can also be a practical gift that is presented in such a nice way that it doesn’t seem so practical. A gift basket of their favorite foods would be thoughtful and practical. Note cards, stationery and stamps would be helpful to a shut-in while a colander filled with ingredients for a nice pasta dinner may be welcomed by a busy family.

If all else fails, consider a gift in their name to their favorite charity. There are tons of good causes that would value your donation, no matter how big or small.

One other thing: we recently saw something on social media that sounded really interesting. For those who want to really trim down Christmas for their kids, buy your child something they need, something to wear, something to play with and something to read. It’s a way to still have fun and open some gifts without spending a lot or accumulating too much.

Tell us in the comments below: What are your favorite go to gifts for the most challenging people on your gift list?

Leverage holiday shopping to earn UChoose® Rewards Points

Posted on November 10, 2015 by vcnbfamily

Ready or not, here it comes. The holiday season is just about here. A lot of retailers are already decorated and getting started on early sales. We always feel a little guilty about discussing Christmas before Thanksgiving but we feel a duty to help our customers prepare for this very expensive season before it arrives. After all, if you wait until December to save money and plan for Christmas, it will be too late.

Today we’re talking about how our Rewards customers can leverage more points during the holiday season. Our customers who are earning UChoose® Rewards Points with their Platinum Visa® card or Rewards Checking can earn points redeemable for gift cards, cash back and items each time they swipe these cards.

Platinum Visa customers will earn one point for every dollar they spend while Rewards Checking customers will earn one point for every three dollars when they swipe their card. Since Christmas is such an expensive time of the year, this is a great time to watch those rewards points add up.

Think about all the money you spend during the holidays. Most folks spend far more than they think when they add up all the extra things they do and buy between Thanksgiving and New Years. All that money you spend on making the holiday merry and bright could add up to something nice for you after the holiday!

Our friends at Nerd Wallet did extensive research last year and determined the average cost of Christmas spending per American city. In Columbus, the average family of four was expected to spend an average of $842.76. That’s for presents, food, holiday cards, decorations – the whole Christmas shebang. Click here to read the whole study.

Contact your local office to apply for a VCNB Platinum Visa card.* Also, if you are interested in opening a new Rewards Checking account or converting an existing checking account to this type of account, you can open in-office or online. At this time, we are even offering a promotion that offers bonus points to get you started. Learn more here.

*Credit restrictions apply.

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