New Hampshire Bankers Association Promotes America Saves Week

In recognition of America Saves Week (Feb. 23-28), the New Hampshire Bankers Association (NHBA) announced today that it will offer consumer tips to help bank customers evaluate and strengthen their saving strategy.

“Saving is an important component of an individual’s financial plan, allowing one to pay for unexpected expenses, planned large purchases, or other future goals,” said Christiana Thornton, President and CEO of the NHBA. “New Hampshire’s banks take advantage of America Saves Week to promote to consumers the value of saving, as well as strategies for success.”

America Saves Week is coordinated by America Saves and the American Savings Education Council. Started in 2007, the week is an annual opportunity for organizations, like the NHBA, to promote good savings behavior and a chance for individuals to assess their own saving status.

“Our goal is to help our customers achieve financial security in anyway we can,” added Thornton. “A little added attention paid to savings this week is one more way to educate consumers and have a positive impact on their financial future.”

The NHBA offered the following tips for America Saves Week:

• Set a goal. The first step is to establish a realistic savings goal. Consider your expenses, make a budget and determine how much you can put away each month.
• Track your spending. Hold yourself to the budget you’ve set by tracking your expenses. Consider using websites that segment your spending so you can easily see in what areas, if any, you are going over budget, and then adjust accordingly.
• Pay yourself first. Arrange to have a specific amount transferred to your savings account every pay period. If you wait till the end of the month to see what’s left over, you are less likely to save.
• Consult a banker. Stop in to your hometown New Hampshire bank and speak with a banker about which package of products and services would best suit your saving needs.
• Consider investments. For long-term goals, such as saving for a home or retirement, look into bonds, mutual funds, real estate and stocks.
• Set up automatic bill pay. Although 97 percent of Americans pay their bills on time, some consumers find themselves paying late fees. Set up automatic bill pay so you’re never paying more than you have to.

For more information regarding America Saves Week, or for information about New Hampshire banks, please visit NHBankers.com.

Submitted text and courtesy graphic.