The 1970s were crucial for the future of ESSA Bank and Trust.The decade began with the merger of the East Stroudsburg-based bank with two other local banks, resulting in a boosted $20 million in assets and multiple locations through the region. By the end of the decade, it would open its first branch office.The bank was growing, just a decade before federal deregulation would allow them flexibility in a suddenly more competitive market. And in 1977, ESSA brought in an East [...]
Source Business - poconorecord.com http://www.poconorecord.com/news/20161109/essa-celebrates-century-of-business-while-adapting-to-changing-markets?rssfeed=true
الأربعاء، 9 نوفمبر 2016
Own a Samsung Washing Machine? If It’s Being Recalled, You Could Get Money
If you bought a Samsung top-loading washing machine between March 2011 and this year, your model may be recalled. If so, you could be due for some extra cash toward a new washer.
This voluntary recall is in response to reports of excessive vibration that can cause the top of the washing machine to separate from the rest of the unit during the spin cycle – and potentially harm users.
How the Samsung Washing Machine Recall Works
Enter your model and serial number on Samsung’s recall webpage to find out if your machine is recalled.
If your machine’s on the list, you have three options:
1. Repair
Schedule a free, in-home repair to resolve the issue. In addition to repairing it, Samsung will add a year to the manufacturer’s warranty on your machine, no matter how old it is.
Samsung says to use the delicate cycle on bulky loads of laundry until your machine is repaired.
2. Rebate
Choose a rebate to use toward the purchase of a new washer — which doesn’t have to be made by Samsung.
Your rebate will depend on the age and model of your recalled washer, and it includes installation of the new machine and removal of the old one. If you choose another Samsung washing machine, you’ll get up to an extra $150.
Consumer Reports notes these machines sold for between $450 and $1,500 at major appliance retailers. Commenters on the site report being offered rebates of between $200 and $775 for their recalled machines.
3. Return
If you purchased your machine within 30 days of the recall announcement on Nov. 4, 2016, you can return it where you purchased it for a full refund.
Your Turn: Are you affected by the recall? Which remedy will you choose?
Lisa Rowan is a writer and producer at the Penny Hoarder who still uses quarters to do laundry.
The post Own a Samsung Washing Machine? If It’s Being Recalled, You Could Get Money appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
source The Penny Hoarder http://www.thepennyhoarder.com/samsung-washing-machine-recall/
Xerox is Hiring Tons of Reps Across the U.S. (The Benefits are Awesome!)
If you’re interested in working for Xerox, but missed out on its work-from-home positions, we’ve found more opportunities that might be a fit.
Xerox is hiring several customer care assistants for call centers across the U.S., including this seasonal position in Lexington, Kentucky. It promises Saturdays off and $13.75 an hour.
As a customer care assistant, you’ll support customers via phone or email, troubleshooting problems with existing services and recommending products to better serve their needs.
Requirements for Xerox’s Customer Service Jobs
You don’t need a degree to apply for this job, just a high school diploma or GED — plus stellar customer service skills and about six months’ in-person or over-the-phone customer service experience.
You’ll also need basic typing skills. Specific word-per-minute requirements vary depending on the client, but we’ve seen requirements around 25-30 WPM — which is doable as long as you’re not hunting and pecking.
Depending on your credentials, Xerox also has openings for a range of virtual jobs, including management, information security and recruiting.
Xerox Employee Benefits
Xerox’s full-time positions come with some great perks!
Several job listings note these employee benefits:
- Medical, dental and vision coverage
- Educational assistance
- Paid time off
- Company discounts at local restaurants and gyms, plus discounts on cell phone service, auto and travel, international theme parks and more
To apply: Find a position near you, and fill out your application online.
Want to be the first to know about other fun and interesting jobs like this? Like The Penny Hoarder Jobs on Facebook to stay in the loop!
Your Turn: Will you apply to work for Xerox?
Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, attempting humor wherever it’s allowed (and sometimes where it’s not).
The post Xerox is Hiring Tons of Reps Across the U.S. (The Benefits are Awesome!) appeared first on The Penny Hoarder.
source The Penny Hoarder http://www.thepennyhoarder.com/xerox-now-hiring-customer-service-jobs/
33 Writing Tweaks That Will Turn You into a Copywriting Master
Can I make a confession?
When I started writing, I was no Shakespeare. I wasn’t even a Hemingway.
In fact, I was downright awful.
Like many of you, I didn’t get any kind of degree in writing. I didn’t shine in high school English. I never entertained dreams of being a best-selling author.
And my first few posts online proved it.
But over time, I started realizing how important writing is in business. (Spoiler alert: it’s super important.)
So I studied, practiced a lot, and got better. I’m still no Shakespeare, but I’ve learned a lot about writing.
Writing isn’t a talent—it’s a skill. A skill you can develop, refine, and improve.
Becoming a great copywriter isn’t easy, but if you consistently work on your writing, your writing will get better and better.
Here are 33 (count them!) writing tweaks that will propel you to copywriting mastery.
1. Use you instead of we or us
Guess what? Your copy shouldn’t be about you. It should be about the customer.
Using you means the copy is talking directly to the customer. But using we and us turns you into another boring company.
Don’t fall victim to the “all about us” copywriting trap. Show your readers how they’ll benefit.
See how SumoMe’s home page features a huge you statement?
2. Qualify
You know you should sell benefits instead of features. But you can’t stop there—you have to emphasize that value. That’s why you need to qualify your value statements.
By making a list or a series of sections about benefits, you’ll communicate both quality and quantity. Your customers will be able to see a clearer picture of what you can do for them.
3. Ditch boring verbs
Remember in high school English class when your teacher told you to avoid the passive voice? That’s still true and extends to passive-sounding verbs, like the verb to be.
Why?
Because they tend to sound boring.
Which is more exciting: “Vacation is near” or “Get ready for vacation”?
I’m betting it’s the second one.
When it comes to your copy, don’t skimp on the verbs. Use strong, active verbs, and be direct.
4. Focus on your titles and headings…
Legendary marketer David Ogilvy is famous for saying,
On the average, five times as many people read the headline as read the body copy. When you have written your headline, you have spent eighty cents out of your dollar.
Take a lesson from the master, and create the best titles and headings possible. Whether you’re writing the main headline on a landing page or an email subject line, put some serious thought into it.
5. …but resist clickbait temptations
While clickbait titles can initially boost your conversion rate, they’ll hurt you in the long run. That’s because with clickbait, you’re over-selling and under-delivering.
Instead, craft titles relevant to your readers. Rely on that relevancy to sell the title. Promise only what you can actually deliver, and then deliver.
6. Practice writing fewer words
Even if you’re writing a 3,000-word blog post, you still need to be concise. Take Strunk’s advice, and “omit needless words.”
Next time you’re writing something, challenge yourself to express your idea with as few words as possible. Then, build on that skeleton.
7. Write shorter sentences
Short sentences are powerful.
While you shouldn’t try to make every sentence short, you should use them to break up the text. No one wants to read a sentence that’s two paragraphs long.
Short sentences catch your readers’ attention. They’re easier to digest, and they help readers move through the content easily.
8. Harness the power of single sentence paragraphs
A single sentence paragraph can do a lot.
(See what I did there?)
When you use a single sentence paragraph on its own, you draw attention to it. Your readers will know that’s an important point to remember.
If you want your readers to listen up and remember something, make that sentence into its own one-line paragraph.
9. Brainstorm unique CTAs
To be blunt, a “Buy now” button is boring. So is “Join.” And don’t even get me started on “Click here.”
Use your call to action to give your readers something different. A great CTA lets readers know what they’re getting, and it gives them a great reason to click on it.
Treehouse has a great CTA on its homepage:
10. Bold or italicize important statements
If there’s something you want your readers to remember, make it bold.
A survey by the Nielsen Norman Group revealed that 79% of users scanned every web page. Bold text makes that scanning process a lot easier.
11. Use the power of reason
People like to feel they have a good reason for what they do.
Next time you ask your readers to do something, give them a reason to. Using “because” is a good place to start.
(And no, you don’t have to use the word “because.” Just give your readers a reason to do what you want them to.)
12. Don’t be afraid of the word I
You might have been taught to not use I, me, or my in your writing. Well, throw that idea out of the window.
The more you sprinkle in references to yourself, the more you’ll be able to get personal and genuine with your readers. Your readers are craving it.
I do it all the time, and here’s what I’ve noticed.
When I write a blog post without referring to myself much, it tends to get ignored. All the engagement metrics I track go down. But when I do tell a story or share some insights into my life or business, engagement goes way up.
It just works. Trust me.
Be yourself, and refer to yourself.
Just remember: it’s not about going on an ego trip. It’s about being as honest and real as you can be in front of the people who matter—your readers.
13. Use personal stories
A personal story can turn a good article into a great one. If you’re writing about SEO and you tell readers how it helped you, they’ll be more likely to try it themselves.
Personal stories help build personal connections with your readers. They’ll see that you’re just like them, and they’ll be willing to listen to you.
14. Use other people’s stories
I love using real-life examples in my writing. When I include stories about how influencers have benefited from something, my readers understand how powerful it is.
Using others’ success stories lets your readers know you’re not full of hot air. If you know that something works, use stories to prove it.
15. Answer questions
I’m not talking about asking customers to send in questions. I’m talking about answering customers’ questions before they can even ask.
Great copywriting provides all the answers a customer needs. Your copy should tell the what, why, and how of your product. That means preemptively answering most anticipated questions in the copy itself.
16. Start strong
When it comes to writing articles or blog posts, you absolutely have to start with a strong statement. Tell your readers why they should keep reading.
I’m a big fan of using the first few sentences to relate to readers by addressing their concerns.
But you can also say directly what the post is about. Brian Dean from Backlinko does this a lot:
Doesn’t that make you want to read more? You immediately know why the article is going to be superb.
No matter what you do with the beginning of a post, make sure you connect with the reader right off the bat.
17. Read it aloud
I know, I know. You’re thinking, “Read my writing aloud? Yeah, right.”
But trust me—this works.
Reading your writing aloud will help you identify places where the writing doesn’t flow. If you trip over some words or stop to process the writing, you know it’s time to go back and fix those sections.
18. Make friends with a thesaurus
Ever notice you tend to use the same words over and over again? Or have you found yourself looking for the perfect word to use? You need a thesaurus.
Having a thesaurus is ideal for finding new words to introduce into your writing.
Now please, don’t use a thesaurus to try to find big, sophisticated-sounding words.
Simpler words are almost always better. But if you can’t think of a simpler word, maybe the thesaurus will help.
19. Speak your readers’ language
Take a look at past comments from readers. How do they write? Do you see any common phrases popping up?
Use this information to improve your writing. By literally using your readers’ language, you’ll make it easy for them to relate.
20. Use subheadings
Good writing needs visual contrast. That means no walls of text and no dense copy.
Using subheadings to create subsections helps the reader digest the information and understand it more easily. Make sure you state the main point of each section in the subheading.
21. Stuck? Try combining ideas
Fusing unrelated ideas creates a new twist on an old subject. It works so well because it grabs people’s attention. It makes you do a double-take.
For example, Gary Vaynerchuk posted an article with an eye-catching title:
You have no idea what he’s going for, right? It makes you want to read more because the combination is so unexpected.
22. Stay actionable
There’s nothing wrong with theory—in theory, that is.
When you write an article without giving one actionable tip within it, it’s hard to take that article seriously. Your readers have no way of knowing whether you’re sharing good information.
In each post, aim to include several actionable tips your readers can use today. Sprinkle them throughout the text so readers get new advice with each section.
23. Make friends with summaries
Summaries, conclusions, wrap-ups. Whatever you call them, there’s no denying they’re important.
Here’s the thing: If someone’s made it to the end of your article, they should be rewarded. One easy way to do that is to include a summary or a conclusion at the end.
You can write a list reminding your readers of the most important facts in the article. Readers will be more likely to remember that important stuff, and it’s also convenient for them. Win-win!
24. Use humor sparingly
I’m the last person on earth to say your writing shouldn’t be personable. But there’s a fine line between relating to your readers and trying too hard.
If you want to use humor, do so—but don’t overdo it. You shouldn’t be cracking a joke with every new paragraph. With humor, often less is more. So, be funny, but don’t be funny all the time.
25. Bookend important points
You were probably taught that you should start a paragraph by introducing the main idea (a.k.a. a topic sentence). I’ll go a step further and say you should talk about your main idea in the first and last sentences of a paragraph.
People will remember information better if they see it more than once. By talking about your main point both at the beginning and at the end of a paragraph or section, you’re making that idea stick in your readers’ heads.
26. Be brutal when editing
Rough drafts aren’t called rough drafts for nothing. You may have a great idea, but without editing, you won’t make your writing the best it can be.
There’s a saying in writing: “Kill your darlings.”
The point is not to become too emotionally attached to your writing. Don’t keep something because you think it sounds nice.
Be honest and unbiased. Cut out filler words, remove lazy phrases, and shorten any novel-length sentences.
Need help? Try the Hemingway app.
27. Use transitions
No one likes to be hit over the head with something.
If you’re going from one topic to another, use a transitional phrase or sentence to make the shift smooth.
One great method is to connect the current section with the next one. Ramit Sethi uses this approach often:
28. Avoid clichés
We all use clichés in everyday speech, but they’re a bad choice for writing.
That’s because using a cliché is a great way to say nothing at all. There is always a better choice (unless you’re making fun of a cliché, of course).
29. Include rhetorical questions
Do you want to be an awesome copywriter?
That’s an example of a rhetorical question. If you use rhetorical questions in a smart way, you can build a better connection with your readers and get them hyped for what’s next.
But if you go overboard, your readers will probably leave. Use rhetorical questions only when you want to emphasize a point or create hype.
30. Leverage lists
Lists are fantastic. They break down information into smaller chunks, and the format makes it a breeze to read.
If you’re packing a ton of information within a paragraph, consider making it into a list. Numbered lists work well for processes, and bullet points are ideal for everything else.
Here’s Pat Flynn using both:
31. Eliminate buzzwords
It’s tempting to use jargon because it’s so widespread. But the truth? Most of the time, it comes across as vague filler text.
You might want to write a post called:
“Creating a Streamlined Process for Creating a Dynamic Funnel,”
but it’s more direct to title it:
“How to Get More Customers Fast.”
There’s a time and place for buzzwords, but don’t go over the top with them.
32. Keep it focused
Writing about sales? You could go into all sorts of topics, from marketing to public speaking.
But it’s important to narrow that scope so you don’t lose readers by going on tangents.
Keep everything on topic. Don’t talk about another subject unless it’s relevant. If you do talk about something else, keep it short.
33. End with a bang
My absolute favorite way to end an article is to include a question that engages my readers.
I like interacting with my readers and getting them involved. Asking an open-ended question is a great method of doing that.
End your articles with questions that start a conversation, and respond to comments. You’ll create a strong community, and your readers will appreciate it.
Conclusion
You don’t need years of study to become a master copywriter.
But you do need to practice.
And you need to practice a lot.
Your writing will only get better if you take the time to refine it. Every day, make it your goal to write something, even if it’s not much. You might be surprised to see how quickly your wordsmithing improves.
What’s your biggest writing challenge?
Source Quick Sprout https://www.quicksprout.com/2016/11/09/33-writing-tweaks-that-will-turn-you-into-a-copywriting-master/
Why Save for Retirement If You Have Social Security?
Dana asks a great question:
My husband and I are in our early forties. Our house is paid off in the last year and we have no other debts. However, we do not have much saved for retirement.
This was something that has been worrying us. But then we took a look at a Social Security calculator and it estimated that my husband and I will receive about $2,000 a month each in SS benefits. That’s more than what we spend in a month by a noticeable margin and we commute every day.
I’m trying to understand why we should be so worried about saving for retirement. SS is guaranteed by the government and if the government starts defaulting it won’t matter how we’re invested. If SS takes care of our needs why save more?
Great question, Dana!
Dana makes a great case as to why it might make sense to not save for retirement and instead rely on Social Security to pay for one’s retirement expenses. While I do think that some of the numbers that retirement calculators pump out are enormously high, I also think that almost every American is well served by saving something for retirement.
Here’s why.
First of all, even though that estimate looks pretty good, it might not add up to as much as you think. While you will be eliminating some expenses, the truth is that many will stay in place and some others are going to grow. As you age, your average health care costs increase, for example, as does the cost of health insurance. Even if you’re as fit as a fiddle, that cost is going to go up and it’s going to fall to your shoulders after you retire.
Second, you might want to – or be forced to – retire early. It is very likely that the benefit estimate that Dana is working with in her example is an estimate of the monthly benefits she’ll receive if she starts receiving those benefits at age 67. What happens if she loses her job at 62 and can’t find a similar job at that age? What if it happens to her husband?
Furthermore, what if she actually wants to retire at 62 or at 60 or even earlier? In that case, she’ll have to fully fund living expenses out of pocket for the years until Social Security becomes available. If she chooses to start taking benefits early, then her benefits will be significantly reduced.
Third, a full Social Security plan doesn’t consider tax increases. If tax policy changes or tax rates go up, that means that you’re going to be paying a greater portion of your income in taxes. These changes could come in the form of increased income taxes, increased property taxes, increased sales taxes, and so on.
Like it or not, there’s a very good chance that our nation’s economic future involves higher taxes. Very few people want to give up the services we have now, the cost of those services is going to go up, and we’re already at a tax deficit nationally and in most states. Add all of that together and it’s a recipe for increased taxes.
Fourth, relying on a healthy Social Security income assumes that Social Security benefits won’t ever be cut – and that’s far from a guarantee. A big part of this plan is the assumption that there will never be any reduction in Social Security benefits going forward, which is very likely a mistake. The truth is that without some changes to the Social Security system, there will be funding problems in the future. What form will those changes take?
One likely change is a reduction in benefits – a 20% cut is often mentioned. Does Dana’s plan work if her benefits drop to $1,600 a month, especially given the other factors discussed here?
Another likely change is that benefits won’t start until an older age. You might not see benefits appearing until age 70 or age 72. This is due to the fact that people are simply living longer. The system is designed to pay out for five or so years, but as people get older and older, that length increases to ten or fifteen years, and that strains the system.
The point is this: you simply cannot predict the future. Believing that your entire retirement process is taken care of because of the availability of Social Security benefits at their current level means that you’re assuming that nothing will change to disrupt that plan over the next forty to fifty years. Well, fifty years ago, tax rates were far higher than they are now, for starters, and Social Security benefits paid out very differently.
So, how does that all affect you?
First of all, the big retirement numbers you often see – millions of dollars – is intended to include all of those contingencies. It includes protection against all of the things described above and more. It’s also insulated against bumps in the stock market (like the one we’re having today).
It’s also intended to include some retirement perks. It assumes that you’re going to keep your full current lifestyle and probably add a few perks like some additional travel.
The truth is that most people want a retirement somewhere in the middle. They’re not planning on an expensive retirement, but they also want some sort of protection against the events described above. It’s a balancing act.
That’s why the best retirement savings advice is based around moderation. It’s about not neglecting your current life, but not neglecting your future life, either.
Many people fall into the assumption that extracting even a few dollars a month from their paycheck is just far too painful to face. That just isn’t true. It’s a balancing act, and what you’re actually giving up right now when you save is your least important expenses. You’re giving up the completely forgettable and wasteful things in life, the things you barely remember. You give up the bag of chips from the convenience store or the celebrity gossip magazine, and it’s those dollars that you actually save for retirement.
What do you get with that savings? You take care of the hardest challenges I described above. You take some of the danger away from tax changes, from unexpected unemployment, and from other factors. Also, with every little bit of savings, you add a bit more flexibility to your retired life.
Without that additional savings, you’re not in a purely dangerous spot, but you do find yourself turning to having to work in your seventies to make ends meet if some of those changes occur.
What can you do, then?
It’s easy. Save what you can. Don’t save so much that it makes life miserable for you today. Just save enough so that the things you have to trim are forgettable. Save a few percent of your income. If your employer offers matching money in your 401(k), save enough to gobble up all of that matching money.
Where do you save it? A Roth IRA is a perfectly good place. So is your workplace 401(k). Don’t get stressed out about the details of it. It’s more important to save a dollar or two anywhere than to worry about the “perfect” place to put it.
If you find that it’s interfering with your life today in a noticeable way, cut back on your savings. The thing is, you’ll probably not even notice it. You’ll just subtly make different choices on some of the things that don’t matter. You’ll buy some store brand garbage bags. You’ll choose a slightly less expensive option for a gift. You’ll jump right in your car after gassing up instead of going inside for a goodie. You’ll buy LED light bulbs and swap out your normal ones as they burn out. Little, forgettable changes.
What do those forgettable changes get you? They get you an easier retirement, one with fewer risks and a bit more support and flexibility.
That’s a pretty good trade, and that’s why you should save a little, even with Social Security.
Good luck!
The post Why Save for Retirement If You Have Social Security? appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
Source The Simple Dollar http://www.thesimpledollar.com/why-save-for-retirement-if-you-have-social-security/
Tesco Bank online service resumes following fraud hit
Tesco Bank customers can now make online transactions after the bank announced “normal service” had resumed late last night.
Source Moneywise http://www.moneywise.co.uk/news/2016-11-09/tesco-bank-online-service-resumes-following-fraud-hit
Elderly care crisis looms as majority of savers fail to prepare
With an ageing population and increasing longevity, the UK population is set to face a crisis on how to pay for the elderly care that will be needed over the next decades.
Source Moneywise http://www.moneywise.co.uk/news/2016-11-09/elderly-care-crisis-looms-majority-savers-fail-to-prepare
Payday loans still being lent irresponsibly, says charity
People in financial difficulty are still being irresponsibly lent to and treated poorly, according to a new report by StepChange Debt Charity.
Nearly two years on from payday loan regulations being implemented by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the proportion of people coming to the charity with payday loan debts has fallen from its peak of 23% in 2013 to 16% this year.
Source Moneywise http://www.moneywise.co.uk/news/2016-11-09/payday-loans-still-being-lent-irresponsibly-says-charity
How to Choose a Teen Checking Account
For many teens, learning about algebra and geometry is more common then learning to manage one’s personal finances. Perhaps it’s an unfortunate oversight in our education system, or maybe it’s just not a priority when there are so many other subjects to be taught in school.
Whatever the reason, personal finance experts say one of the best ways for parents to start their child on the road toward financial responsibility is to open a teen checking account.
“Most banks and credit unions allow you to open an account when the child is 13,” says Carissa Uhlman, of Inceptia, a nonprofit that offers free, online money management courses for teenagers. “However that may not make the most sense in terms of where your child is at. It often makes more sense to wait until your child gets their first job or starts driving because that’s when they’ll start to have some kind of bills, or will need money for gas. And they’ll have the ability to get around, so they’ll be spending more money — to go to the movies, or at the mall.”
All of this spending and newfound mobility brings with it an educational opportunity for parents, in the form of instilling good financial habits in a child. Yet even at home, managing personal finances is not necessarily a popular topic.
According to a report from Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain, an organization dedicated to preparing young people to succeed in a global economy, 84% of teens report looking to their parents for information on how to manage money, but 34% of parents say their family’s approach to such matters is to not discuss finances with the children and “let kids be kids.”
“A lot of parents just think children understand how personal finances and checking accounts work because they’ve grown up watching their parents. But you’d be surprised. Teenagers often don’t understand that swiping a debit card is tied to money in an account,” says Uhlman. “Parents think their teens understand this stuff intrinsically because they watch their parents, but that’s just not the case.”
Here are some more tips from the experts when it comes to opening a teen checking account.
Keep in Mind That This Will Be a Joint Account
Because a teenager is a minor, an adult will need to be involved in opening the checking account and should be aware that it will be a joint account. In other words, the account will be shared and the adult involved will also bear the financial burden of any overcharges or fees incurred.
But the joint nature of the account also presents an opportunity for the parent to guide the teen financially while also remaining in control of what transpires, says Lori Askins, of New York-based BR Finance Solutions.
“The parent can set limits on the account,” says Askins. “Depending on where you bank, you can set withdrawal limits and transaction limits, and the parents can receive alerts through text messages and emails when a balance is low. There are constant updates, so that the parent knows everything that’s going on.”
Ask the Right Questions
There’s a variety of questions the adult should ask a bank before opening a teen checking account, experts say. For instance, it’s important to know whether an account comes with spending limits — and if not, whether limits can be assigned, such as putting a cap on how much the teen can withdraw from ATMs in a single day.
Another important question to ask is whether the adult is required to have an account with the bank. If you’re not a customer yourself, will any fees be incurred should you decide to close the teen’s account?
Finally, be sure to ask the bank what happens when your teenager reaches 18. In most cases, the checking account is converted to a standard account, which may bring mean new fees and requirements.
Look for a Technology Forward Bank
It’s a rare teenager that isn’t tied to a smartphone these days. Given the prevalence of technology in your child’s life, it only makes sense to choose a bank that recognizes that fact.
“Find a bank and an account that offers the ability to do a lot of things online,” stresses Uhlman. “Does the bank have a good app? Does it allow your teen to monitor their account online? For a lot of teens, that’s pretty much the way they’ll bank for life, so you’re likely to find your teen will be more engaged if they have those technology options.”
Choose a Bank With a Strong ATM Presence in Your Area
Finding an bank with plenty of nearby ATMs will save both you and your teen money in unnecessary out-of-network ATM fees. “Selecting a bank that has a good number of ATMs in your area will prevent your teen from being tempted to go out of network and be hit with those fees,” says Uhlman. Failing that, some online banks will reimburse you for a certain number of out-of-network ATM fees per month.
Finding the Right Bank For You and Your Teen
How will you ultimately know which bank and bank account is the best choice? That comes down to all of the advice already discussed, as well as a few additional considerations.
Askins says some parents prefer to use a bank they already have an account with, simply for ease and accessibility. Alternatively, some parents might want to choose a bank that offers accounts specifically tailored to teenagers.
For example, Capital One offers a ‘Money’ account, which was created with teens in mind. The account has no hidden fees or minimums and allows your teenager to earn interest. “This is great as your teenager is still in the learning process and you wouldn’t want to incur a monthly fee for not meeting a minimum balance every month,” says Askins.
Capital One provides a MasterCard debit card that can be used at numerous ATMs without fees, as well at stores, continues Askins. In addition, Capital One offers text alerts and a mobile app to track spending.
US Bank also offers a student account with no monthly maintenance fees and full access to online and mobile banking. And USAA’s Youth Spending account includes a variety of parental controls such as specifying whether a child can make transfers and deposits, setting spending limits that help a child learn about making money last, and creating account alerts that are triggered when limits are exceeded.
“This is the prime opportunity for you to teach your children basic money management, before they’re out on their own and make disastrous mistakes,” concludes Uhlman. “Allowing them to open an account as a teen, gives you an opportunity to monitor them and have discussions about money. And it allows them to make some small mistakes and rebound.”
Related Articles
- Why Your Teen Should Open a Checking Account
- Best Free Checking Account
- Four Reasons to Add Your Teen as an Authorized Credit Card User
The post How to Choose a Teen Checking Account appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
Source The Simple Dollar http://www.thesimpledollar.com/how-to-choose-a-teen-checking-account/
Trump victory dents world markets: what it means for your investments
Republican Donald Trump has won 278 electoral college votes to become the United States of America’s 45th President, beating Hilary Clinton, the Democratic candidate.
At the time of writing, the result has only just become clear, but once Ohio had been called for Mr Trump, at around 22:30 local time (03.30 GMT), a Republican victory seemed inevitable.
Source Moneywise http://www.moneywise.co.uk/news/2016-11-09/trump-victory-dents-world-markets-what-it-means-your-investments
Home Business Ideas for Creative Personalities
By Holly Reisem Hanna Before I began my blogging journey, my quest to earn a living left me feeling like a nomadic wanderer rather a woman on a career path. I’ve always enjoyed helping people, traveling, and writing, but I could never figure out a way to practically apply my passions to a career that […]
The post Home Business Ideas for Creative Personalities appeared first on The Work at Home Woman.
Source The Work at Home Woman http://www.theworkathomewoman.com/business-ideas-creative-personalities/
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