FFB | Smart Banking Solutions | First Financial Bank

Smart Banking Solutions Video Series
<	Balancing Your Finances Episode 11 - August 2010 Reports about consumers who have had their credit ratings or even their lives wrecked by identity theft are very popular in the news media. While these incidents thankfully are rare, they also are very real.
	Protect Yourself Against Identity Theft Episode 10 - July 2010 Reports about consumers who have had their credit ratings or even their lives wrecked by identity theft are very popular in the news media. While these incidents thankfully are rare, they also are very real.
	Take control of your finances with on-the-go banking Episode 9 - June 2010 From managing a successful career to organizing a hectic family schedule, most people are busier than ever before. As we continue to see signs of a reenergized economy, many of us are looking for ways to balance our busy lives with fast and easy ways to take control of our finances.
	Find mortgage solutions that fit your lifestyle Episode 8 - May 2010 Home sales are picking up in the Midwest and across the country. Whether you are looking to upsize, downsize or buy your first home, making the decision to invest in a home can be an exciting and sometimes overwhelming experience.
	Take Charge of Your Retirement Planning Episode 7 - April With hopes of spending more time with family or a dream of traveling the world, many wonder if they can still make their retirement plans a reality. The financial impact of the recent recession will redefine the way many of us prepare for and build our retirement savings.
	Rebuild Your Savings for the Future Episode 6 - March Many Americans are regaining their footing as they work through challenges presented by the weak economy in the last few years. Periods of unemployment, underperforming investments and unanticipated expenses have contributed to substantially smaller nest eggs for many individuals and families.
	Sensible Holiday Spending Episode 5 - October The holidays are just around the corner and there’s no better time than now to establish your holiday spending plan. Not sure where to start? Take advantage of some of the services your bank has to offer to help make this year’s shopping experience an enjoyable one.
	Simple Ways to Manage Your Money Online Episode 4 - August The Internet has made our lives easier in many ways, including the way we manage our finances. Online banking provides security, convenience, and can even save you money.
	Smart Credit Solutions Episode 3 - July Smart borrowing can help you accomplish your goals, build your credit history, and is often part of a good financial planning process.
	Smart Ways to Grow Your Savings Episode 2 - June Whether it’s buying a car or a house, planning for a renovation or taking the family on a much-needed vacation, a solid savings plan will help you get there.
	Getting the Most from Your Bank Episode 1 - May President and CEO, Claude E. Davis discusses how you can earn more with all the extras at First Financial Bank.

Balancing Your Finances

More of us seek balance in our work and family lives and the pressure of an out-of-kilter financial life can add a lot of stress. As the economy begins to turn around, it’s important we take time to review, balance and organize (or reorganize) our financial lives. Here are a few steps to consider:

Plan and Prepare for Major Expenses or Purchases. For example, the time to decide how you’ll finance a new car should take place well before you desperately need one. If you’re currently making regular payments on a major purchase – a car, an appliance, a home improvement project – you already know how important it is to budget for the expense. When you’ve finished off those payments, don’t look at the extra cash flow as found money. Use it to prepare yourself and your family for the next big expenditure, planned or not.

Get Tips From the Pros. There are many different options and decisions to be made in taking control of your personal finances. Working with a First Financial banker can help you find the choices that will keep you on the path to success. That means identifying the right savings product, but also understanding the life cycle of some major expenses and evaluating options: Is it more cost effective to pay down one loan or to save money and build a reserve? Is it a better investment to pay for repairs or to purchase something new? Your banker can help you develop a plan and take control of your financial future.

Track Your Progress). Financial balance is not a set-it-and-forget exercise. Getting started, take a look at the value of what you’ve saved and what you owe. This is your baseline net worth. Then, once or twice a year, revisit those numbers to see how you’re progressing. Remember, there will be momentary fluctuations for all of us but our focus should be on the long-term trend.

Achieving balance in your financial life can prepare you for success now and into the future. Those are the long-term benefits. In the short term, it also can be a great way to cut the level of stress in your life. And that’s balance we all can use.

Learn more by contacting First Financial at 877.322.9530 or visiting a location near you today.