One Simple Rule to Follow with Every Paycheck
You juggle many day-to-day tasks for your family; don’t let your finances get lost in the shuffle. By thinking ahead and making time to plan and set goals, you can save for future needs and wants.
Pay yourself first.
Before you save for the nice-to-haves, save for the hope-you-don’t-haves by building an emergency fund at least six month’s salary in cash for unexpected expenses like car repairs or medical bills, or to tide you over if you lose your job.
Aim to save 10-15%
Put aside what you can each paycheck and gradually increase it as you get more comfortable—aiming for 10 to 15 percent into savings before you spend it on bills or groceries.
Meet with a Financial Coach
Change the way you think about your financial future.
Emergency Fund is Funded?
Here are some additional ways to pay for you and your family’s future.
Saving for Your Child's Education
A little saving now can pay off big-time later. Want to start a college fund for your kids? Consider opening an education savings account (ESA) or 529 plan, a tax-advantaged plan designed to encourage saving for college. You can make annual non-deductible contributions on behalf of a child until they reach the age of 18.
Get Ready for Retirement
If your retirement account isn’t where you’d like it to be, it’s not too late to catch up. Set up an automatic deduction with your employer for your 401(k) plan or other retirement account, or set up an automatic deduction for every paycheck. Learn how PenAir can help you save for the future on your own terms with Retirement Central.
Relax on a Vacation!
Don’t feel guilty about saving for this nice-to-have — studies have shown that spending money on experiences provides more happiness than spending money on things. To help you save, consider prioritizing your disposable income.
For example, when you’re tempted to buy something you don’t need, put that amount into your vacation fund. To stay motivated, keep a photo of the place you’d like to visit in an easy-to-see place, such as in your wallet. You might open a separate account just for vacation savings and contribute a fixed amount each month—it adds up! PenAir offers a Round It program, in which your debit card transactions are rounded up to the next dollar and the extra funds are transferred nightly into a Round It Savings Account. This account is ideal for saving for something special.
Saving Accounts.
Remember, it’s never too late to start saving and even small contributions add up. Find a PenAir savings account that’s your perfect fit.
Next Steps
There are many resources available from PenAir to help you take steps to securing your financial future. Here are just a few: