It’s not a secret that COVID-19 has impacted the lives of many Americans, including some of our neighbors in the Arvest Bank footprint. Some of those impacts have been financial in nature, causing challenges for a host of families and individuals. Some have lost jobs,...
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Like most things this year, your holiday shopping might look different this time around. With more shoppers than ever opting to avoid crowds and buy from the comfort of home, retail analysts predict a large surge in online sales. It’s a good idea to prepare for a few...
read moreIt’s the most wonderful time of the year! And the most expensive. This season, you might find yourself hosting your family for holiday meals – and grocery bills add up fast. Luckily, there are ways to save money at the grocery store. First, when making your menu, rely...
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As year-end comes about, there are time-sensitive decisions to make and tax incentives to capitalize on. With a year that has had as much volatility as 2020, nimbleness may be the order of the day. Such volatility makes portfolio management and portfolio tax planning...
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Do you help look after an aging parent, or care for an ill or elderly relative? If you do, you are part of one of the largest unpaid workforces in America. Keeping up with ongoing care for a loved one can affect your personal well-being. The National Alliance for...
read moreThe holidays are all about being thankful for what you have – and giving to those less fortunate. This Thanksgiving, if you’re looking for ways to give back, but want to make sure your charitable giving is budget-friendly, we’ve got some tips for you. Giving back...
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If you ask people what they regret most about their financial past, they often say they wish they had gotten serious about money sooner — much sooner. When you’re young and you aren’t paying the bills yet, it can be hard to understand how your earning, spending and...
read moreBank fees can be scary, but if you keep track of your spending, they lose their fear factor. There are several different types of bank fees you should look out for. ATM fees, overdraft fees, and fees on insufficient funds…. just to name a few. To avoid bank fees...
read moreYoung professionals are learning about the “real world” – which means it’s their first time budgeting! If you budget your money well, your early twenties can be less stressful. To make a budget, first start off with your after-tax income. Then divide it between three...
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With many major retailers announcing changes to their Black Friday operating hours, Cyber Monday online shopping sales are poised to be the highest since its formation 15 years ago. Stay healthy by shopping from home while getting top deals with these tips from...
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Some have dubbed 2020 the year of “black swans,” a reference to statistician and philosopher Nassim Nicolas Taleb’s theory about events that exist outside of mathematical models because they are so extreme. In his 2007 book, The Black Swan, Professor Taleb looked at...
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Fraud can be frightening. There are those who lurk in the shadows online who want nothing more than to take advantage of your account information and identity. To help you from getting tricked into fraud, here are some practical tips to help you stay a step ahead....
read moreMost of us look back on our college years with fond memories. Among the things we take with us are – our degree, a few favorite t-shirts, and student loans! If your plan is to pay off your loans early, here are some tips to help: Begin repayment during the six-month...
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Summer is over and the end of the year is quickly approaching. Fall is a great time for a cleanup, but that cleanup doesn’t just involve your yard. It’s also a great time to get your finances tidy before the busy holiday season starts and tax season is...
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Working less to accomplish more isn’t easy. It often requires thinking creatively to find more effective ways of doing things. Luckily, there is technology available at your fingertips to help you bank smarter, allowing you to get more out of your money, in less time....
read moreThere’s a long list of advice I wish I could give my younger self, especially when it comes to saving money. The first thing I would tell myself is that with my first job to put a minimum of 10-percent per paycheck into a savings account. The weeks will go by, and...
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Everyone needs a plan for retirement. The biggest opportunities and the best tax breaks come with employer-sponsored qualified retirement plans. Studies show that giving employees access to a qualified plan: Helps attract and retain skilled employees. Boosts employee...
read moreThe money you save for a “rainy day” can be “depleted” in only ONE of life’s storms. So, how do you recover? Deep breath… Assess your bills and income – and rework your budget to live very modestly for at least a year. Jumpstart your savings by moving in with family...
read moreIf you’ve always wanted to fix up your backyard and make it your own private oasis, now is the perfect time to get to work. Let’s say you want a pool, but don’t want to cough up the cash for it. Consider a stock tank pool! These are inexpensive DIY above-ground pools...
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Some say “money can’t buy happiness”, but are they right? A recent study in the scientific journal Emotion did link an increase in assets to increased happiness, but science doesn’t have a definitive answer for us yet. It might have more to do with how money is used...
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