Banks Near Austin TX 78704
Sherri Grocke
Are your finances getting a little saggy? Did you end the holidays over budget? While you might be working to get your body in shape in the new year, it's also a great time to get fit financially. Here are some ways to raise your financial heart rate.
New Beginnings
January is a great time to organize and regroup, review your financial security, check your credit report, and learn how to protect your identity. Dreaming of starting a new business? Talk to us about a small business loan. If you're banking elsewhere and think it's too much trouble to switch to banking at Guaranty Bank & Trust, we have ClickSwitch to make it easy for you.
Reach for the Stars
Whether you have visions of traveling abroad or need to start a college fund for your child, take some time to think about short-term and long-term goals to help motivate you and your family members. Turn the goals into a plan by setting up automatic withdrawals from checking to savings accounts.
The "B" Word
Playing a game of Whack-a-mole with your bills? Budgets get out of sync from time to time and should be reviewed regularly. To start, be realistic about how you're spending your money. Use an app on your phone or talk to one of our staff members about ways to manage the money coming into your accounts. Being more conscious of your choices will help you feel empowered to have better control over your finances.
Stop Wasting Away
Did you know roughly 40% of the food bought in the U.S. is never eaten? Better planning will help you reduce waste, and you can stash that extra cash in a savings account.
TAXES
If the thought of filing your taxes makes you break out into a sweat, we have some tips to help make this yearly task go more smoothly. While you can wait until the deadline to file, preparing your return as soon as you have all your documents will let you know whether you are receiving a refund or need to plan to pay any amount outstanding.
Prep
Take a few minutes to review last year's return to assess areas where you needed more time to gather information such as documentation for deductible items. Also, this is a good time to check and possibly decrease or increase the amount you are having withheld.
Receipts
During the prep process, you may determine that you need a better system to keep track of expenses and receipts during the year, so consider using a smartphone app such as Expensify or Shoebox.
Filing
If you own a business, had major life changes, bought or sold property, or have a lot of investments, you might need to hire a tax pro to prepare your taxes. Otherwise, there are a number of online programs to help you file quickly and efficiently.
Refunds
If you're getting a refund, don't view this as winning the lottery. Refunds should be part of your financial planning, so use them wisely. Open a savings account to prepare for holiday spending at the end of the year. Whether you're working at your first job or near retirement, opening an individual retirement account (IRA) is a smart way to invest in your future. Prepare for a healthy rainy day by depositing part or all of your refund into a Health Savings Account (HSA).
