Friday, December 29, 2017

5 Tips for Paying Off Your Debt in 2018

Most of us in our adult lives have some sort of debt, whether it be credit card debt, student loans, mortgage debt, etc. Having a ton of debt and feeling like you are never going to be able to pay it off is no good. All you need is a plan of action! Why not make paying off your debt a goal in 2018? Our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to give you 5 tips for paying off your debt in 2018.




5 Tips for Paying Off Your Debt in 2018


Debt Paying Tip # 1
Sell things that you can afford to go without.
It is quite possible that you have things lying around the house that you don’t even use, which can bring in a substantial amount of money in for you. For example, consider selling your old cell phones or that older laptop you don’t use anymore. You could also try selling old DVD’s you never watch or clothes you never wear. Why keep these things around anymore if you don’t use them? 


Debt Paying Tip # 2
Don't spend your tax refund on items you don't need, use it to help pay off your debt!
While it’s tempting to use your tax refund for frivolous items, it can be better used to help pay off some of the debt you have.


Debt Paying Tip # 3
Pay your monthly balances on time.
Avoid late fees by paying your balances on time. You don’t want to add more to the debt you currently have.



Debt Paying Tip # 4
Avoid frivolous expenditures.
How often do you go out for coffee or out to eat? How often do you buy a brand new wardrobe just because you felt like it? Are those things absolutely necessary? Save your money by not spending it on frivolous expenditures and use it to help pay off your debt.


Debt Paying Tip # 5
Consider getting a 2nd job or working more hours.
While getting a 2nd job or working more hours may not sound like much fun, it can be a great way to help get your debt paid off quicker so you don’t have to worry about it anymore.

Need a Bank You Can Trust with Your Money That's Being Used to Pay Off Your Debt?


First Bank of the Lake has you covered. We are a local bank and trusting your money to a local business helps grow your community. We work in the best interest of our customers, not the other way around. We don't try to sell you on something you don't need. Our bank in Osage Beach will evaluate your request and make banking product suggestions with compassion. Stop by and visit us or call our phone number listed below for more information.



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First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.


Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065






(573) 348-2265

Friday, December 22, 2017

Holiday Shopping Tips

The holiday season is here again! Christmas is next week and for all of you last minute shoppers, now is your time to shine. Shopping for Christmas presents can be stressful. You may be struggling with what gifts to buy. You may have people in your family who are difficult to buy for or you may just be getting stressed out due to the short amount of time left. Don't worry, our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to give you some helpful holiday shopping tips.




Holiday Shopping Tips


Holiday Shopping Tip # 1


Make a list.


Even though it's the last minute, you can still be organized. Make a list of the gifts you know you need to buy and stick to your list. Don't forget the non family members you need buy for, such as your babysitter, co-workers, or close friends.



Holiday Shopping Tip # 2


Don't underestimate gift cards.


Gift cards can be a great choice for those people in your family who are hard to buy for. Just figure out the stores they really like and purchase a gift card to one of those stores. Not only do gift cards allow your family members to buy what they want, but they are very easy to pack and wrap.





Holiday Shopping Tip # 3


Save your receipts!


It can be a good idea to save your receipts. For example, if you buy one of your family members a sweater and it doesn't fit, they can take it back and exchange it for one that does.



Holiday Shopping Tip # 4


When in doubt, be creative.


If you are questioning what gift to buy for one of your loved ones, just be creative. It's the thought that counts. Think about some of the best gifts you have received in the past, perhaps it was a handwritten list of reasons you are the best mom or a scrapbook filled with memories of one of the best family vacations you ever took. Those types of gifts can really warm your heart.



Merry Christmas from First Bank of the Lake


The best bank at the Lake of the Ozarks knows how stressful holiday shopping can be, so we hope these tips help you with your last minute holiday shopping. If you are hoping to start saving your money back up after the holidays and need a bank you can trust with your hard earned cash, give us a call. At First Bank of the Lake, we don't try to sell you a service you don't need. We make all of our decisions right here at home. We use judgment and compassion when evaluating our customer requests. For more information on our services, visit our website at www.FirstBankLake.com or call us at 573-348-2265. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!



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First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.


Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065






(573) 348-2265

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Finding Affordable Health Care

Finding affordable health care at the Lake of the Ozarks can be very challenging and stressful at times. If you don't have a job that pays for your health benefits, which can be very hard to find in this area, then this article is for you. Our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks found this great article that describes tips you can use to help find more affordable health care.




Finding Affordable Health Care


Finding affordable health care services is a challenge for the majority of Americans. Deductibles and out-of-pocket costs continue to increase, and many individuals simply cannot afford a health plan. Consumers are now looking to shop for their needed medical services based on value, which includes both quality and cost. Consumer choice and price transparency create incentives at all levels and motivate the entire system to provide better care for less money.


Bundled Cash Pricing

A relatively new concept of posting bundled cash prices online for procedures and imaging has taken the healthcare system by storm. This trend in the health care transparency movement towards providing a fair and reasonable price that is publicly posted is significantly changing how consumers view and purchase healthcare. Time magazine, Business Insider and other national publications have featured stories on these types of providers. More and more providers are willing to quote a bundled cash price over the phone to patients who ask. Employers are also starting to incorporate this type of pricing model into their health plan by incentivizing participants with lowering or eliminating out-of-pocket costs.  




Direct Primary Care & Telemedicine

Two new options—direct primary care (DPC) and telemedicine—in the primary care space are changing the way consumers interact with primary care.

DPC* physicians do not take insurance or third-party payments, but instead charge a low, monthly fee to patients. This covers all or most primary care services, including clinical, laboratory, consultative services, care coordination and comprehensive care management. DPC physicians work only for the patient and generally offer same-day or next-day appointments; the ability to text, video chat and email the physician; urgent care services; and often medications at wholesale prices. Some employers are also adding DPC as a benefit of their health plan to incentivize wellness and value-based healthcare purchasing decisions. 

Telemedicine is another new option that gives patients the option to have an “appointment” with a physician via telephone or video conference for minor health services. Telemedicine is low cost, convenient and efficient for the diagnosis and treatment of minor conditions. 


Online Shopping Tools

Individuals can leverage the benefits of technology by accessing online shopping tools to evaluate and compare prices for medical services. The Free Market Medical Association (www.fmma.org) offers an online search tool that allows patients to search by type of provider, procedure name or even by CPT code. PriceMDs (www.pricemds.com) allows users to search and book appointments with doctors, dentists, hospitals and surgery centers worldwide. Medibid (www.medibid.com) is an online tool that allows providers to competitively ‘bid’ on performing medical services. Healthcare Bluebook (www.healthcarebluebook.com) offers a public site for users to search for medical procedures or services, and results provide a fair market price for that zip code. Patients can use that information to compare or negotiate pricing at their local facilities.  


Transparency in the Medical Marketplace 

Remember, high-quality healthcare does not need to come at a high price. In the costly world of healthcare, higher prices are not a good indicator of quality due to how services are reimbursed by third-party insurance companies and Medicare. Lower prices in healthcare often represent a provider’s ability to compete based on efficiency and positive outcomes.   

Healthcare services can and should be viewed just like any other purchase—based on value, which includes both quality and price. Fortunately, the time of cost and quality being hidden from consumers is over. The information is now available to those who seek it! 


Need a Bank You Can Trust With Your Money So You Can Pay for Your Health Insurance?


First Bank of the Lake hopes you found this article helpful. If you are in need of a bank at the Lake of the Ozarks you can trust with your money, call 573-348-2265. Good luck on finding the best affordable health care you deserve!



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First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.


Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065






(573) 348-2265

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Get to Know Gwen Sullens, the Newest Member of our Lending Team

It’s an exciting time here at First Bank of the Lake with the expansion of our loan services and the addition of a well-known and highly respected lender at the Lake, Gwen Sullens, to our team. Gwen has been in the banking business at Lake of the Ozarks for over 29 years and specializes in all areas of lending.  She is a lifelong resident of Lake of the Ozarks and this is where Gwen and her husband Greg have raised their two daughters, Jennifer and Jada. Keep reading to learn more about Gwen Sullens joining our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks.




“I’m happy to be a part of the First Bank of the Lake family.  I believe in spoiling the customer, which builds strong and lasting relationships” said Gwen.  These are the basic aspects that build strong relationships and trust, which is essential to helping residents, businesses and other aspects of our community to strive.  “I’m so proud to bring another well respected professional to our First Bank of the Lake team, Gwen came highly recommended and her name and reputation precede her!” said President, Mike Anderson. 

Gwen will be joining another well-known name in Lake Area lending, Linda Allen.  Linda said, “I am so excited to have Gwen join our family.  Her knowledge and experience in the lending business will add greatly to our team.”  With Gwen and Linda heading the Lake area lending team, backed with the full support of a SBA division, the bank is well positioned to make small business loans as well.  First Bank of the Lake can assist from homes and condos, residential loans, all types of consumer loans, to commercial and business loans and lines of credit. Covering our community with quality programs to meet all needs and then backed with simply some of the best known lenders in our community is our way of showing that First Bank of the Lake continues to put our community first.

Gwen has been a huge supporter of the local community over the years.  She has been active in the Lake of the Ozarks Arts Council, Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, a volunteer in Eldon School activities, and held a position on the Eldon PTA. She has also volunteered in many areas within the community and her church and is currently a member of the Lake Area Blues Society.




Come by and see Gwen, Linda and the rest of the First Bank of the Lake family. We are ready to help you with your financial needs on a first name basis with all the programs that larger banks have to offer and more. Experience that is always there, First Bank of the Lake, your bank that cares.

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First Bank of the Lake - Striving For Excellence
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.


Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway

Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065






(573) 348-2265