By Jocelyn Wood, RCB Bank

I challenge you not to accept your financial life as it is. This coming year, aim to get ahead — start an emergency fund, build your retirement savings, pay off your debt or take control of whatever money situation is causing you stress.

The key to getting ahead is to get started. Here are some tips to help you make a financial change.

Invest in you

To build your wealth, start paying yourself first. When you receive money, before you spend a penny, put some of it in your savings account or retirement fund. Set up automatic deposits and watch your savings grow with little effort.

Changing your saving habits may require changing your spending habit, but the payoff – not worrying about paying your bills, taking a trip you’ve been dreaming of and retiring on your terms – is worth it.

Stop throwing money away

Paying late fees is like pulling money out of your wallet and throwing it into the wind. Start paying down debt, beginning with the highest interest debt. Pay your bills on time. If need be, call the company and see if you can adjust your due date. Never hurts to ask and it could save you from paying late fees.

Try the 50/30/20 budget plan

Harvard bankruptcy expert Elizabeth Warren suggests splitting your monthly income into three categories:

1. Fixed expenses – survival needs – should total no more than 50 percent of your income.
2. Non-essentials – wants like TV, morning coffee, hair appointments – should total no more than 30 percent.
3. Savings – emergency fund, retirement – should be 20 percent or more.

Match your spending

Have a hard time sticking to a budget? Try this. Before you spend money on something you want, first put the same amount of money in a savings jar.  You will be able to see exactly how much money you are spending, or how much you could be saving or using to pay off your debt. If you cannot afford to match your spending, you cannot afford whatever it is you want to purchase.

Live within your means

Rich people stay rich by living like they are broke. It is a matter of what you value more, instant gratification or freedom from debt and having money when you really need it.

You work hard for your money. Do not waste it on things you do not really need.

50/30/20 Plan: Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Warren Tyagi. All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan. Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of the author and meant for generic illustration purposes only. RCB Bank, member FDIC.

By Jocelyn Wood, RCB Bank

Do you know your credit score? A good score matters if you want to want to qualify for lower loan interest rates. It may also improve your chances for lower fees on insurance premiums, like home and auto for example.

It’s important to understand a credit report and a credit score are two different things.

Your credit report is a compilation of credit-related information.

• Identifying information like name, address, birthdate, Social Security Number.
• Credit accounts, payment history, current and past loans, etc.
• Credit inquiries – who has accessed your report within the last couple years.
• Public records & collections – overdue debt from collection agencies, wage garnishment, liens, foreclosures, etc.

The information in your report provides a story of how well you manage your credit and debt and influences a lender’s decision to loan you money?

Your credit score is a matrix of your credit report – a 3-digit number, ranging from 300-850.

FICO^® Scores are most widely used.

I asked Lender Jake Dwyer, AVP at RCB Bank, what is the easiest way to maintain a good financial footprint?

“The biggest influence on your credit score is payment history,” Dwyer said. “A record of ongoing, on-time payments will help your credit. Basically, pay your bills on time and keep your credit card balances low.”

Your credit score is generally calculated based on five factors, revealed in your credit report:

• Payment history
• Amounts owed on credit and debt
• Length of credit history
• New credit
• Types of credit used

“Lenders want to know you can afford to make your monthly payments,” Dwyer said. “Owing too much debt, carrying high balances on your credit cards and having too many credit accounts opened at one time are high risk factors. We want to see a long history of you responsibly managing a variety of credit, like student loan, credit card and mortgage.”

He also mentioned your credit score reflects your risk at the time it was pulled. It can change depending on your credit behavior.

“The best way to repair your credit is to pay off your debts,” said Dwyer. “Pay your credit card bill in full each month. Don’t spend what you can’t pay. Lenders want to see responsible money management and self-control.”

The first step to improving your credit is to know what is in your credit report.

Request a copy of your credit report at annualcreditreport.com. Federal law allows you one free report annually from each credit reporting agency: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Ask your lender for tips on how to improve your score, or give Jake Dwyer a call at 918.259.1342.

Source: Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), myfico.com. FICO® Score does not factor in income, length of employment, alimony or child support payment and other things that lenders may consider when determining loan qualification. Having little payment history or only new credit can result in a lower FICO® Score. It is not always from missed payments or maxed-out credit cards. Talk to your lender for details. Learn more about FICO® Score at myfico.com

Opinions expressed above are the personal opinions of Jake Dwyer, AVP, Loans, NMLS #1413664, and meant for generic illustration purposes only. RCB Bank NMLS #798151. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender.