Category Archives: Money Smart

Set Better Goals For the New Year

Posted on by
Reply

Welcome to January. This is the month that most New Year’s Resolutions setting Americans will give up on their goals. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Hear us out.

First, you have to stop calling them resolutions and think of them as goals. More than half of all Americans will resolve to do something and it’s typically something big. We say we will lose weight or save money this year. We say we will stop smoking or get a promotion at work. What we don’t say is how we are going to accomplish these big resolutions.

If there’s something you really want to do, you need two things. The first is passion. If you are not passionate about your resolution the day you make it, you won’t be excited to keep going in six months and probably not even in two weeks.

The other thing you need is to break that resolution down into a SMART Goal. What’s a SMART Goal? We’re glad you asked! This is actually an acronym that you can use to guide your goal setting and make goals that are actually productive. It stands for:

Specific

Measureable

Achievable

Relevant

Time-bound

Specific. You have to make your goal as clear and specific as possible so that you can train your focus on what you really hope to achieve. What do you want to accomplish? Why is your goal important? Who will you need to involve to accomplish your goal? Where will it happen? What resources do you need at your fingertips and what limitations do you need to overcome? If you want to become an early riser in 2022, you need to know why it’s important to start getting up earlier and how you can do it. “I will become an early riser by going to bed one hour earlier than normal, by committing to not hitting snooze and by asking someone in my household to hold me accountable when I don’t get out of bed on time. My reward will be free time to do something I want to do in the morning.”

Measurable. It’s easier to stay motivated when you can track or measure your progress. It helps you set deadlines, stay focused and feel encouraged when you’re closing in on a milestone. If you’re failing to show progress, this isn’t a cue to get discouraged. Instead it’s a nudge to try tweaking your strategy. Measurability is crucial when it comes to things like losing weight. Instead of just saying you will lose fifty pounds, break the goal down into measureable chunks. You might say that you will lose five pounds per month for ten months. A weekly or monthly weigh-in will help you stay on track.

Achievable. You must set realistic goals. Big, lofty goals are fun to say out loud but it’s discouraging to reach for and fail at unattainable goals. Consider your restraints and limitations as you dream of the opportunities. Remember, as you work toward your goal, you still have to live in the world you wake up in.  We all want a big, fat emergency fund to help us through a rainy day. However, we may not have a lot of extra income to save and may need to look for reasonable spending cuts or ways to earn money on the side. “I will open a savings account with the goal of saving $1,200 in 2022. I will save $100 each month by cutting expenses and reducing discretionary spending.”

Relevant. Before setting a goal you need to be sure that it’s relevant to your life and that the timing is right. Is it worth your time? Is it something you want or even need to work on to have a better life?

Time-bound. A deadline is the ultimate inspiration so it’s important to have a target date or a series of target dates. Set achievable milestone dates as well to make your goal more measureable and the process more rewarding. If your goal is to spend more time with family, you need to prioritize getting it on the calendar.  “I will build better relationships with my parents by calling them twice a week and with my kids by planning a weekly outing for the entire family. I will do this for three months and then reevaluate to plan my next steps.”

You don’t need all the answers when you set your goals but you do need to give yourself a framework for getting started and checking in with yourself along the way. It’s that accountability, consistency and constant assessment of how you’re doing that will make all the difference!

VCNB Can Make Your Life Easier

Posted on by
Reply

Christmas is here and, if you’re like many of us, it just feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day. We can’t help with your child’s homework, your gift giving stress or your crazy work schedule but we can help with your bills and banking needs. In fact, there are a few ways we can make your life easier.

Balance Check –It’s important to always know how much money you have. Did your paycheck get direct deposited on time? Did the phone company cash your check? Check your balance instantly with our Online Banking and Mobile App. It’s safe and quick to sign in with your password or with your fingerprint on a mobile device.

Paying Bills – Use Online Bill Pay to pay your bills, set up payment reminders and even receive your bills electronically. You can log in to pay bills individually or set them up on autopay to insure they are paid on time, every time. Want to learn more? Log in to your Online Banking and click the Bill Pay tab.

Zelle® – Send money to people you trust using Zelle. It’s available in your Online Banking and Mobile App and you can send and receive money to individuals using just their mobile phone number or email address. That means you can pay the babysitter or even send a last minute cash gift to someone. If your coworkers agree to split the cost of a gift for the boss, you can send them all a request for payment. It’s a free, fast and safe way to avoid the ATM.

Gift Cards – If you need a quick gift, VCNB is waiving fees for gift cards now through December 31, 2021. Stock up for the holidays at any of our sixteen local branches! 

Credit Cards – Have a VCNB Visa® Favor Platinum card? Pay your bill and check your balance online. It’s quick and easy to log in and maintain your account!

Earn Rewards – If you are spending with your VCNB Visa® Platinum card or with a VCNB Rewards Checking debit card, you can sign up to earn UChoose® Rewards points for your regular purchases. Register your cards with UChoose to earn one point for every $3 spent with your Rewards Checking debit card and one point for every $1 spent with your Visa Platinum credit card. Those points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, gift cards and more! Rewards Checking customers can even earn cash back. While you’re spending for others, be sure to reward yourself!

ATM Deposits – Sometimes you need to make a deposit but simply can’t make it to the bank during our hours. VCNB ATMs use the latest in technology to deposit checks and cash. Need cash back from that check you deposited? No worries! Just follow the instructions on the screen to receive immediate credit for up to $500 per day. The remainder of the balance will be processed and credit will be given next business day if deposited before 2 p.m. and on the second business day if deposited after 2 p.m.

Go Mobile – Downloading VCNB Mobile is like carrying a bank branch in your pocket. Deposit a check, transfer funds, open accounts and more using our mobile app any time of the day or night.

Life can be hard and, while we love the holidays, they can make life more complicated. Take the complications and the stress out of managing your banking with help from VCNB! Have questions? Our Customer Service Team and the staff at all of our branches are here to help!

Give Gifts That Aren’t Things

Posted on by
Reply

What’s on your gift list? If you’re still scrambling to find gifts for people who already own too much stuff, you’re not alone. One recent study revealed that more than twenty percent of Americans will go into debt for Christmas this year while more than $15 billion dollars will be spent on unwanted gifts. Why go into debt for stuff no one really wants when you can give your loved ones experiences they will love?

Plus, you can support small businesses and non-profits in your own community while skipping lines and avoiding shipping mishaps. Read on for some inspiration for all ages!

SPECIAL RESTAURANT – It’s not unusual to give a gift card but it seems more thoughtful when it’s for a really special place. Whether it be their favorite or one they ordinarily wouldn’t treat themselves to, give them an experience they will enjoy.

MUSEUM MEMBERSHIP – Museums can provide hours of entertainment and education. Ohio has a host of memberships geared toward kids, history buffs, art lovers and more. With changing exhibitions and programs, a membership is a great way to say Merry Christmas!

ZOO PASSES – The zoo is fun for all ages but zoo passes make an especially great gift for families with kids. It gives them somewhere to go, an opportunity to learn and lots to talk about later!

CONCERT TICKETS – Who doesn’t like live music? Give them tickets for a musical experience they won’t forget.

MASSAGE – Whether it be an in-home experience or a massage at a business, most people could use some help relaxing.

COOKING CLASS – Have someone on your list who loves to cook? Maybe you’re shopping for a young adult who wants to learn basic skills. A cooking class is a great way for them to hone their skills and be more confident in the kitchen.

ARTS AND CRAFTS GIFT CARD– Does your friend have an artistic streak? Maybe they would enjoy classes for painting or stained glass art. Perhaps they would like spend a morning painting a bowl in one of those places where decorate your own pottery.

MUSIC LESSONS – If you know a budding musician, they might appreciate some one-on-one time with a pro. You often can find lessons at local music stores or even with individuals with a side hustle teaching private lessons.

SUBSCRIPTIONS – A magazine subscription or book-of-the-month membership would delight a reader. If you have a bigger budget, a Masterclass membership would provide access to online lessons provided by experts on everything from writing and cooking to design and history.

WEEKEND GETAWAY – A cabin in the woods sounds like an amazing retreat from this busy season. Many small towns across Ohio and in the region offer cute inns and Ohio’s cities have some fantastic boutique hotels. Give your loved one a break from the everyday and send them somewhere special.

WINE TASTING – Ohio has a number of wineries that offer tastings and even dinner packages. They will think of you as they watch the sunset over a glass with someone special.

SPORTS TICKETS – Your favorite sports enthusiast would love you even more if you sent them to a game!

PERSONAL CARE – A mani/pedi or hair salon gift certificate would encourage your loved one to enjoy some pampering!

SERVICES – Most of us have a long list of chores that need done around the house. It can be particularly difficult to keep up for those of us who are older, who work a lot, who have small children, or who have a health issue. Instead of a trinket, give them the gift of checking something off their list. This could mean hiring someone to deep clean their home, detail their car, or provide a helping hand with small repairs around the house. Who among us wouldn’t benefit from an oil change and a car wash!

MEAL KIT SUBSCRIPTION – Imagine opening a box to find all the ingredients you need for a tasty dinner without going to the store. If you have a larger budget, this is a nice way to make someone’s life a little easier, at least at dinner time.

YOUR TIME – It may sound cliché but it’s true. There’s nothing better than the gift of your time when it comes to the people who love you. Invite them over for a home cooked meal or a game night. Pick them up and take them out for coffee and a walk or help them run errands. In this busy, overly connected online world, there’s nothing better than spending time with a loved one.

FAMILY GIFTS – Here’s one more idea. Many of us struggle to buy individual gifts for extended families or friends with families. It can be expensive and difficult to know what to buy everyone. Consider a gift that the family can use together. Maybe it’s this year’s hot new board game and a gift card for the local pizza joint. You might do a gift basket with supplies for a perfect family movie night or supplies for a great meal everyone can make together!  

Get creative with your gifts this Christmas and provide your loved ones with an experience or service they will love!

VCNB Cards Work With Your Digital Wallet

Posted on by
Reply

If you carry a smartphone, you likely have access to a digital wallet, an app provided by your smartphone maker. The concept is simple and it’s designed to make payments safe and easy for you. If you are a VCNB customer, we partner with Apple Pay®, Google Pay® and Samsung Pay® for your convenience.

Here’s how it works:

Sign into the wallet app on your phone and follow the instructions to start adding cards. Each company offers slightly different services and perks but the basic concept is the same. You can load your qualifying credit, debit, gift and membership cards to your wallet app. When it’s time to check out, look for the logo that corresponds to your app to tap and pay at the register or to safely pay online as well.

Each transaction is covered by the fraud protection provided by the bank that issues your card. In other words, your purchases made with a VCNB debit or credit card in your digital wallet are covered by our first-in-class fraud protection just the same as if you swiped your card or typed in your number online. However, by using your digital wallet there’s an added layer of protection provided by your phone such as your password, fingerprint or iris scan.

Each provider offers different perks. For example, Samsung Pay allows you to store your Covid vaccine record to keep it safe and accessible. Apple Pay can be used with an iPhone or Apple Watch while Google Pay touts ways to link accounts and track spending patterns.

Want more information? Find the app on your phone or you can click the name of each provider to visit their site.

 Apple Pay

 Samsung Pay

Google Pay

Want to learn more about other mobile products at VCNB? Read more here!

Simplify Your Finances With Online Bill Pay

Posted on by
Reply

Here at VCNB we are taking time this fall to be thankful for all the great ways technology has made banking easier for our customers. Here’s a peek at just one of several. Want to know about other popular technology products that we offer our customers? Click here! 

Paying bills is a task that no one enjoys. That’s why Online Bill Pay is so handy. Whether you wish to automate your payments or log in and pay them individually, it’s a quick and useful tool for making sure your bills are paid on time, every time and without the cost of stamps and checks.

Whether you are paying a national cell phone provider or your family doctor, setting up a biller is simple. Some payments will be sent to the payee electronically while others will require that a check be mailed but there’s no worry – we’ll take care of that part.

Once you have set up a biller, it’s easy to pay them as needed or to set up a recurring payment. Some bills that are the same amount every month such as a car payment or mortgage can be scheduled to pay the same day each month. This streamlines your budget and bill paying activities and gives you the peace of mind that your bill is paid when you schedule it.

If your biller offers e-bills you can sign up to receive your bill electronically. Also, sign up for reminders so you don’t forget to log in and pay those commitments on time.

This is a free service to VCNB customers as long as you use the service at least once a month. It’s straightforward and easy to use and manage. It’s just another way that VCNB is putting technology to work for you! Log in to your Online Banking or VCNB Mobile to get started today!

Can You Spot a Phishing Scam?

Posted on by
Reply
Check out these phishing red flags and read on for more about these dangerous scams.

 Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online banking, the problem is only growing worse. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on fraud estimates that American consumers lost a staggering $3.3 billion to these phishing schemes and other fraud in 2020—that’s nearly double what was lost in 2019.

It’s time to put scammers in their place.

Online scams aren’t so scary when you know what to look for. And at VCNB, we’re committed to helping you spot them as an extra layer of protection for your account. We’ve joined with the American Bankers Association and banks across the country in a nationwide effort to fight phishing—one scam at a time.

We want every bank customer to become a pro at spotting a phishing scam—and stop bank impostors in their tracks. It starts with these four words: Banks Never Ask That. Because when you know what sounds suspicious, you’ll be less likely to be fooled.

These top 3 phishing scams are full of red flags:

• Text Message: If you receive a text message from someone claiming to be your bank asking you to sign in, or offer up your personal information, it’s a scam. Banks never ask that.

• Email: Watch out for emails that ask you to click a suspicious link or provide personal information. The sender may claim to be someone from your bank, but it’s a scam. Banks never ask that.

• Phone Call: Would your bank ever call you to verify your account number. No! Banks never ask that. If you’re ever in doubt that the caller is legitimate, just hang up and call the bank directly at a number you trust.

You’ve probably seen some of these scams before. But that doesn’t stop a scammer from trying. For more tips on how to keep phishing criminals at bay, including videos, an interactive quiz and more, visit http://www.BanksNeverAskThat.com. And be sure to share the webpage with your friends and family.

What’s Your Scam Score? Take five minutes to become a scamspotter pro by taking the #BanksNeverAskThat quiz at BanksNeverAskThat.com. Share your score on Facebook to encourage your friends and family to test their scam savviness, too. The more scamspotters out there, the harder it is for phishing criminals to catch their next victim.

Six Ways To Save On Groceries Today

Posted on by
Reply

It’s a necessary purchase and one of the most expensive line items in most household budgets. What is it?

Food.

Everyone has to eat and it can be costly but there are some ways to eat healthy and for less simply by making a few adjustments to eat with the seasons.

  • Eat what’s in season. It typically costs less, isn’t shipped as far and tastes better. For example, melons, berries, cucumbers, zucchini, sweet corn, green beans, tomatoes, cherries and a host of other fruits and vegetables are in season during the summer. In the fall, look for pears, apples, broccoli, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, peppers and eggplant. Each season offers different bounty and new opportunities to switch up your diet.
  • Go for fresh. Those prepackaged salads are quick and look good but can go from attractive to limp or slimy quickly. Fresh romaine, head lettuce and spinach make a great salad and will last longer. Pre-cut veggies and melons are convenient but cost far more per pound that cutting melon or celery for yourself.
  • Go for frozen. Frozen fruits and veggies are typically picked when ripe and then flash frozen. That means frozen produce is a good substitute for fresh. However, beware the frozen prepared meals which often are packed with sodium and sugar and cost more for their convenience.
  • Eat (and take care of) what you have. How many times have you loaded up your cart with tons of fresh produce only for it to rot in the fridge? Make sure you’re either eating what you buy or learn what can be frozen for later. For example, grapes are an amazing treat when frozen. Even odds and ends of leftover vegetables make a great base for soups or omelets. Fruits go well in smoothies or baked goods.
  • Go meatless. Meatless Monday has long been a popular concept and summer is a great time to try that out. With an abundance of fresh from the garden produce, there’s a world of recipes and meal combinations to entertain your taste buds.
  • Preserve it for later. Learn what kind of produce freezes well. Then you can snatch up deals while the selection is abundant and enjoy the season’s bounty when the price is higher again later.
  • Shop local. By shopping farmers markets or farm stands, you’re getting seasonal foods and supporting a business in your community.

How do you cut grocery costs and still eat healthy? Tell us in the comments. We would love to hear from you!

Four Ways VCNB Makes Money Easy

Posted on by
Reply
Give yourself a break this summer and learn how easy money management can be with VCNB.

The kids may be getting a break from school, but you still have to work and the bills need to be paid. Luckily, VCNB has some tools you can use to ease the burden of managing your money and even give you a break from worry.

Online Bill Pay

Simplify your financial life by paying your bills online – either by scheduling them on demand or by scheduling recurring payments. This way you’re sure not to miss a payment and can save your bill paying time for a little R&R!

Mobile App                                                                                                                     

VCNB Mobile enables you to check on your accounts and to bank from almost anywhere. From the beach, from the top of a Ferris wheel or from your couch on a much needed staycation, VCNB Mobile allows customers to transfer funds, pay bills, open accounts and more. The security of this app is top notch to allow for banking without worry.

Cash On The Go

VCNB belongs to the MoneyPass® network of ATMs. With 32,000 ATMS nationwide, VCNB customers can usually find an ATM not far from wherever they are in the country. Traveling for leisure or for work? Just tooling around town? Check out www.moneypass.com to find an ATM near you!

Earning Rewards

Summer can be an expensive time as you may be traveling, buying back to school clothes or entertaining more than normal. Earn points for your purchases every time you use your VCNB Rewards Checking account or your Visa® Platinum card. These UChoose® Rewards can be used to pay for travel, event tickets, gift cards, merchandise and more! Customers with VCNB Rewards Checking can even earn cash back for their regular spending when they register their debit card with UChoose!

Have questions about these and other bank products? Talk to your banker or find more details at https://www.VCNBfamily.com!

Teens Gain Money Management Skills With Student Checking

Posted on by
Reply

If you have a teenager in the house that means you have a child who is a few short years from being out on their own. What skills do you want them to have when they go off to school or to start a new career?

Chances are that good money management skills are on that list.

Whether they have a part time job or just an allowance, odds are your teens have some money to manage. Before they are expected to manage large sums, it’s best they learn to manage small amounts too!

That’s why VCNB offers a Student Checking account. This account is designed to help teens learn how to manage money, keep a debit card safe and learn some financial independence.

Here are some things to know.

This account is for teens ages 14 to 17 and requires that a parent or guardian be a joint owner of the account. There is no minimum balance requirement or fees for electronic statements. The account comes with a free standard debit card.

Like all VCNB accounts, Student Checking gives the account holder access to account alerts, online and mobile banking so that your teen can learn to successfully keep track of and spend their money. They can also access over 32,000 surcharge-free ATMS nationwide through the MoneyPass® network.

Learn more about our banking options for teens and to get started by opening a new Student Checking account online.