You want your home to be as comfortable, efficient and as beautiful as it can be. However, deciding which home improvement projects or upgrades to invest in can be confusing. The following home upgrades will help you save money in the long run. Focus on the Front Curb appeal is important to your...

Tax season is upon us. While everyone’s financial situation is different, there are some basic guidelines to get you started. File Electronically This is the quickest way to get your tax refund. There are many online platforms that make filing your taxes safe and easy. You’ll need your account...

Practices that reduce your spending and save you money The steps mentioned below are designed to help you create a financial plan and provide access to helpful resources during these times. Create a Budget Making and sticking to a budget is key to handling money and financial planning during tough...

With ongoing supply chain constrictions, international conflicts, and the resulting inflationary prices and potentially rising interest rates, it is an understatement to call the economic environment uncertain. As a result, it’s prudent to consider expanded investment options and seek wealth...

Easy Financial Education Exercises For Your Kids Putting your children on the path to making good financial decisions is one of the best ways to set them up for success later in life. It is never too early, or too late, to teach them the value of money and how to save for a rainy day. Below are some...

Grow Your Savings By Separating Accounts Whether you’re great at managing your money or bad at it, chances are that you have room for improvement. Accelerate your savings goals while staying on top of routine expenses when you establish two different accounts for your spending and savings. Unique...

Increase Your Savings With These Simple Tips If you have a limited income, it can seem difficult to put aside money. However, by reducing certain expenses and changing your purchasing habits, you can save money over time. Cook at Home Eating out can cost you a decent amount of money. As such...

Use This Powerful Financial Tool with Care Do automatic payments make sense for your finances? Setting up regular withdrawals for your bills and subscriptions can make life significantly more convenient, but it can also come with some downsides. Keep these pros and cons in mind as you consider...

Spending Money Now to Benefit Your Future No matter what your plans are for your life, you don’t want money to get in the way of achieving your goals. As such, you may want to consider investing your money during each stage of your life to make your aspirations are more attainable. Going to School...

Setup an Emergency Savings Account Online The coronavirus has impacted all of us and we are working closely with our customers to adjust during these uncertain times. One best practice customers may want to consider is setting up an emergency savings account. This emergency savings account can be...

Does a Home’s Value Go Up With a Bathroom Renovation? Deciding what home improvement projects to invest in can be tricky. You don’t want to pour money into a renovation or remodel that won’t pay off when you go to sell. If you’re eager to increase your home’s value, consider starting in a small, but...

Deposit Your Next Check With Your Phone Making a deposit with your phone is an easy process and will save you a trip to the bank. But, if you have never done this before it may be a bit intimidating. At Illinois Bank & Trust, a division of HTLF Bank, we want to make this process as easy as possible for you - it's as simple as...