Friday, December 28, 2018

Start Your NEW Business in 2019!

2019 is almost here and we are beyond excited! As we've said before, many people choose to make New Year's resolutions. Stop worrying about your doubts and make 2019 the year you start your new business! Worried about how you will get the financing for the start-up costs? Worry no more and call our SBA loan officers at the Lake of the Ozarks. First Bank of the Lake specializes in SBA loans or small business loans and we'd be happy to go over your financing options with you. Please feel free to give us a call at 573-348-2265 or stop by at 4558 Osage Beach Parkway, Suite 100 at the Osage Beach Premium Outlets entrance. Keep reading for tips for starting a business successfully and for more information on our SBA loans.


Tips for Starting a Business Successfully


  • Don't underestimate your competition.
  • Communicate with your potential customers the way THEY want to be communicated to, do your research. (For example: if you are targeting business professionals, you should look into setting up a Business LinkedIn page as LinkedIn is like Facebook but for business professionals.
  • Present your business as a solution for common problems people may have versus marketing yourself in a way to is too "sales focused."
  • Get involved in your community and show you care. (Not only can this better your community but it can also get your name out there more and allow you to make new business connections.)
  • Don't be afraid to start small and allow your business to grow over time.



SBA Loans at the Lake of the Ozarks


Q: What is an SBA loan?

A: SBA 7(a) loans are guaranteed in part by the Small Business Administration, an agency dedicating to supporting small businesses across the United States. The SBA guarantees a portion of the loan, but First Bank of the Lake provides the funding for the loan. Because they are specifically geared towards funding small businesses, SBA loans offer several unique benefits designed to give entrepreneurs a competitive edge.

Q: Why should I get an SBA loan?

A:

  • Long Term Financing - SBA loans offer long-term financing, which helps improve cash flow. In most cases, the loan is for a fixed term and will not have a balloon.
  • Low Down Payments - One of the uses of an SBA loan is to provide much-needed funding to businesses who are trying to get off the ground. Consequently, SBA loans often offer loan down payment options to make them affordable to their target market.
  • Several Different Loan Options - SBA loans are not "one-size-fits-all." In fact, there are several different types of these loans you can choose from. Your SBA lender at the Lake of the Ozarks will be able to help you determine which is best for your situation.
To make your dream business a reality, call the Lake of the Ozarks SBA Loan Officers at First Bank of the Lake. We can be reached at 573-348-2265.


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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 21, 2018

Stick to Your Financial New Year's Resolutions in 2019 with First Bank of the Lake!

2019 is on the horizon! Who's excited? We know we are here at First Bank of the Lake. Many times, as people make New Year's resolutions, they can tend to be financially related. For example, I will start an IRA at the Lake of the Ozarks in 2019 and contribute five percent of my paycheck to it every two weeks. Your community bank at the Lake of the Ozarks supports you making your financial resolutions. Keep reading to learn how we can help you stick to a few of these sample financial New Year's resolutions in 2019.



Sample: I will FINALLY get my bill paying organized and pay them on time.

How First Bank of the Lake Can Help: Our bank in Osage beach developed an online banking app that can help you pay your bills on time and track them more easily. Why waste a check and a stamp by having to mail in your bill payments every month when you pay them from the palm of your hand? Stick to your financial New Year's resolution in 2019 and make your bill paying more conveniently organized and pay your bill online with our new app.

Sample: I will put at least $25 into my savings account every month.

How First Bank of the Lake Can Help: Sometimes just putting away $2 into your savings can be tough if you feel like you are living paycheck to paycheck, but if 2019 is the year you've decided to change your ways and grow your savings, consider the Free Kasasa Saver® and Kasasa Cash Back® checking account at First Bank of the Lake. The Free Kasasa Saver® is saving simplified. Just connect it to your Kasasa Cash Back® checking to build your savings effortlessly. When you earn cash rewards in your Kasasa checking, those earnings transfer into your Kasasa Saver. That’s Kasasa at First Bank of the Lake — free accounts that reward you for banking locally. Learn more by visiting www.FirstBankLake.com or by giving us a call at (573) 348-2265.

Sample: I will pay off my student loans in 2019.

How First Bank of the Lake Can Help: As mentioned earlier, we can help you build your savings effortlessly and pay your bills on time with the Free Kasasa Saver® and the online banking app at First Bank of the Lake. Combine the two and develop the ultimate strategy for paying off your student loans in 2019. Just calculate your goal monthly payment and stick to it by using these helpful tools.


Stick to Your Financial New Year's Resolutions in 2019 with First Bank of the Lake!


We'd like to wish everyone Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We know how tough it can be to stick to financial New Year's resolutions sometimes, but we can help you. When you work with a local bank like us, you put your money to work growing the local economy. We share a common commitment to our community with our customers. If you are interested in any one of the banking products we mentioned earlier, please give us a call at 573-348-2265 or stop by and visit us at 4558 Osage Beach Parkway, Suite 100 in Osage Beach. We are located at the entrance to the Premium Outlets. You can also find more information on our website at www.FirstBankLake.com.

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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

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

New Year's Events at the Lake of the Ozarks

New Year's at the Lake of the Ozarks can be so much fun! There are so many events in this community to enjoy. Our bank in Osage Beach loves being a part of this community and we are passionate about helping local businesses grow. First Bank of the Lake is here to tell you about some of the New Year's events local businesses will be having for the public this year. To bank with your community bank at the Lake of the Ozarks call 573-348-2265.


New Year's Events at the Lake of the Ozarks


Source: www.funlake.com

Event: New Year's Eve Grand Ballroom Celebration at Tan-Tar-A Resort
When: December 31, 2018 @ 6:30 pm - 1:00 am
Where: Tan-Tar-A Resort Grand Ballroom
494 Tan Tar A Drive
Osage Beach Missouri 65065
Email: ttainfo@tan-tar-a.com
Website: http://www.tan-tar-a.com/newyearseve.aspx
Event Details: The New Year's Eve Grand Ballroom package at Tan-Tar-A includes:

  • One night deluxe accommodations
  • The Grand Ballroom Celebration for 2 adults
  • Open bar 
  • A magnificent dinner buffet featuring Prime Rib, complimenting entrees and sides, an array of smoked and traditional cocktail seafood, and a sweet ending table

Please note this event is for 21+ ages only.

Event: New Year's Eve Bottle Pop & Ball Drop
When: Dec 31, 2018 until 3 a.m.
Where: Horny Toad Entertainment Complex at Camden on the Lake
2359 Bittersweet Road
Lake Ozark Missouri 65049
Phone: 573-365-5620
Email: guestservices@camdenonthelake.com
Website: http://www.camdenonthelake.com
Event Details: Festivities will include a private party with live entertainment from Dave Baker Band in the Harbor Ballroom or DJ Lou Diesel.

Please note: Multiple room and party packages available, but book quickly as they fill up fast.

Event: New Year's Eve at Old Kinderhook
When: Dec 31, 2018 starting at 7:00 pm till 1:00 pm
Where: Old Kinderhook
678 Old Kinderhook Dr.
Camdenton Missouri 65020
Phone: 573-317-4314
Website: http://www.oldkinderhook.com
Event Details: This Ballroom Celebration at The Lodge at Old Kinderhook comes with 2 package options:

One package is $99/Person and it includes:

  • Dinner (Begins at 8:00 pm)
  • Live Music by James Clay & The Hired Guns
  • Champagne Toast at Midnight with Sweets Table at Midnight
  • Live Action Food Stations
  • Passed hors d'oeuvres
  • Cash Bar
  • Photo Booth

The other package is Don’t Drive, Stay the Night:
Price: New Year’s Eve Package $359.
It includes a room and 2 Tickets to the New Year’s Eve Party hosted in The Grand Ballroom.

Please note: There is a separate package that is on New Year's Day only. It's Brunch in the Trophy Room New Year's Day (9:00 am – 1:00 pm); $24/Person.

Happy Holidays from First Bank of the Lake!


There are many more New Year's events at the Lake of the Ozarks and www.FunLake.com is a good source for learning more about them. From our community bank at the Lake of the Ozarks to you and your family - we'd like to say Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


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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 7, 2018

Get to Know Our Team - Linda Allen

Happy Holidays everyone from First Bank of the Lake! We here at our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks are your community bank. Our staff values this community and we believe in truly good and kind customer service. Helping our customers with smiles on our faces is what we are all about. In the nature of valuing this community, we have got to know so many of our amazing customers, we feel it's only fair you get to know us too. Welcome to the Get to Know Our Team blog series. Each month we will be introducing you to a different team member. Keep reading to get to know our own, Linda Allen a little better. We had the pleasure of asking her a few questions, see her answers below.


Get to Know Our Team - Linda Allen


1. How did you get started in the banking industry? 

I started as a loan processor in 1978 and for ten years worked at a title company.   In 1993 I started working at First Bank Centre, now First Bank of the Lake, for 13 years . . . . after 10 years I had an opportunity to come back to First Bank of the Lake and it has been a great experience.    It was like I never left!

2.   What is your position at the bank?   What are some of your key responsibilities? 

I am Sr. Vice President and Loan Officer.   I process and approve consumer, residential, commercial and construction loans.

3.  What brought you to the Lake of the Ozarks? 

I was born and raised in Chicago just a few blocks from Wrigley Field.   After taking a family vacation to Missouri to visit friends, we ended up buying a farm.   It was soon after that I wanted to sell the tractor and buy a boat.   I am so very lucky to live and work at the Lake of the Ozarks!

4. Where did you attend school? 

I graduated from Lockport West.  I have taken many banking courses throughout the years and continue to attend training to keep up with all the new banking regulations.

5.  What do you enjoy the most about your job? 

I enjoy helping customers obtain their goal of home ownership, purchase a new vehicle or expand or purchase a new business.   I often run into bank customers who I did their first home loan . . . some still have that same home.   I am here to help if customers need a home loan, second home loan or just want to get preapproved so they can shop for their dream home.

6.  How do you enjoy spending your time when not at work? 

I am so very blessed to have a lot of family and friends that are all close; we enjoy boating and four wheeling and now we like cruising around in our little convertible roadster.

7.  When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I always wanted to do some type of office work.    When I was seven years old Santa brought me a toy typewriter . . . . and I am still typing away . . . .  only on a computer now!   

8.  What is your dream vacation destination? Why? 

The beach is my favorite vacation!   My husband’s Uncle Bill provided several family beach vacations that were some of the best times.   I try to get to the beach as often as I can with family or friends and try to do the same thing for my family.   Great memories!     9.  What is something few people know about you? I am a full time working Great Grandma!   My husband and I have a total of 15 grandchildren . . . 3 are great grandchildren.

10.  If you won the lottery, what would you do? 

With 15 grandchildren and 5 children with spouses, it would not take long to figure out what to do with my lottery winnings!



Stay tuned next month on all our social media channels listed below, to get to know the next team member. If you are tired of not receiving the great customer service you deserve from your current bank, check out our bank in Osage Beach. First Bank of the Lake is located by the entrance of the Osage Beach Premium Outlets.

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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, November 29, 2018

What Type of IRA is Best for Me?

Many people choose to retire to the Lake of the Ozarks. It can be such a beautiful place to live your retirement years at. What steps have you taken to ensure you will be financially comfortable when you retire? Our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to give you a rundown of the 2 different types of IRAs we offer to help you decide which option may work best for you. If you are interested in getting your retirement plan started, please visit First Bank of the Lake today to discuss your options.


Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) at First Bank of the Lake


Traditional IRAs*
You may contribute up to $5,500 ($6,500 if you're age 50 or older) as long as you and/or your spouse (if filing jointly) have sufficient taxable income. You may get a tax deduction when you contribute, but your money is eventually taxed as ordinary income when you take it out. If you take it out before it is allowed (age 59-1/2), you can also incur a penalty, in addition to the tax due. You can't contribute past age 70-1/2. At age 70-1/2 you have to start taking "required minimum distributions."

Roth IRAs*
You may contribute up to $5,500 ($6,500 if you're age 50 or older) as long as you and/or your spouse have sufficient taxable income, but there are income limits above which you can't contribute. You do not get a tax deduction when you contribute to a Roth IRA, but withdrawals can be taken out completely free from income taxes, as long as you don't withdraw from the earnings on the account before the age of 59-1/2. You can contribute at any age, and you are not required to take a minimum distribution from your own Roth IRA.

*Other conditions may apply, please consult your tax advisor.


Choose the IRA That Works Best For You


Whether you are an employer looking to provide a new benefit to your employees or you are an individual looking to either start your retirement plan or add to it, our bank is Osage Beach can help you. Visit us today or give us a call at 573-348-2265 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

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Bank from the Palm of Your Hand with First Bank of the Lake!

The holidays can be such a busy time of year, from Christmas shopping, preparing holiday meals, to getting your house ready for guests. That being said, life can just be busy in general. Free up some of your time by not having to drive to the bank everytime you want to make a deposit. First Bank of the Lake is excited to present our new online banking app. You can now bank from the palm of your hand with the best bank at the Lake of Ozarks. Keep reading to learn more about some of the awesome benefits you can have when you choose to use the First Bank of the Lake online banking app.

Benefits of the First Bank of the Lake Online Banking App


Deposit Checks
Say goodbye to having to drive to the bank everytime you want to deposit a check. Simply take a photo of and deposit it into your account with our new app. That is banking made easy!

Pay Bills
Why waste a check and a stamp by having to mail in your bill payments every month? Make your bill paying more convenient and pay your bill online with our new app.

Transfer Funds
Manage your money from the palm of your hand. Need some money in your checking for the holidays? Have you decided to dig into your savings a little bit? Have money transferred into your checking from your savings within minutes! You control your banking any time of the day.

Check Balances
Keep track of how much money you have without having to make a phone call or a drive into the bank. Know your balance at any time of the day by simply logging into your account with the First Bank of the Lake online banking app.

Track Expenses at Any Time
Tired of having to write down every transaction you make into your checkbook? Save your wrist and simply check on your spending from our online banking app.


Bank from the Palm of Your Hand with First Bank of the Lake!


Our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is proud to offer convenient banking services to the good people of the Lake area. We truly believe local banking makes a difference. When you work with a local bank, you put your money to work growing the local economy. We share a common commitment to our community with our customers. Also, when you work with a local bank, loan approvals and other key decisions are made locally by people who live in the community, have face-to-face relationships with our customers, and who understand local needs. We'd like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Please be aware that our hours may vary around the holiday season. Please call first if you are ever in question as to whether or not we may be open due to a holiday.


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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, November 16, 2018

Celebrate the Holidays at the Lake of the Ozarks!

The Lake of the Ozarks is such a great place to celebrate the holiday season at. The family fun events can really warm your heart around this time of year. While there are many festive holiday events at the Lake area, your bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to feature a few. If you are in need of a new bank in Osage Beach, call First Bank of the Lake at 573-348-2265.

Festive Holiday Events at the Lake of the Ozarks


Source: https://www.funlake.com

Event: St. Patrick's Festival of Lights
When: Nov 22, 2018 - Jan 02, 2019
Where: Shrine of St. Patrick | Mothers Shrine
176 Marian Drive
Laurie Missouri 65038
Phone: 573-374-6279
Email: mothersshrine@shrineofstpatrick.com
Website: http://www.mothersshrine.com
Hours of Operation: 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Event Details: The Festival of Lights at the Shrine of St. Patrick holds:

  • 4,000 strings of lights, 
  • Over 60 automatic timers and
  • More than 350 extension cords, 

The focus here is on the true meaning of Christmas, Jesus and His Mother, Mary.

Please note: The Gift Shop will be open to welcome guests. Hot Chocolate and Hot Cider will be served Thursday- Sunday evenings from 5 till 8 pm. Clean, warm restrooms are available.

Event: Christmas Village at Old Kinderhook
When: Nov 22, 2018 - Dec 23, 2018
Where: The Ice at Old Kinderhook
678 Old Kinderhook Dr.
Camdenton Missouri 65020
Phone: 573-317-3500
Email: info@oldkinderhook.com
Website: http://www.oldkinderhook.com/christmas-village-at-old-kinderhook.asp
Hours of Operation: Call for Hours

Event Details: This is the Lake of the Ozarks' only Christmas Village. This is a free family fun event for all ages.

Every weekend (Thursday – Sunday), November 22 – December 23, 2019.

Free Christmas Village Activities include:

  • Meet Mr. & Mrs. Clause and their Elves
  • Picture with Santa
  • Special Guest Appearances
  • Movies in the Hotel
  • Gingerbread House Making
  • Elf Storytelling
  • Write and Send a Letter to Santa 

More Low-Cost Christmas Village Activities:

  • Ice Skating with Santa and Elves
  • Ice Skating (General Session)
  • Carriage Rides
  • Breakfast with Santa 


Event: Osage Beach Holiday Lights in the Park
When: Nov 24, 2018 - Dec 31, 2018
Where: Osage Beach City Park
950 Hatchery Road
Osage Beach Missouri 65065
Phone: 573-302-2000 X297
Website: http://www.osagebeach.org
Hours of Operation: Wednesday – Sunday; 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Pricing: Free to the Public
Free Holiday Lights Drive-Thru Park. Over 100 Holiday themed light displays to enjoy at the Osage Beach City Park.

Please note: Open Wednesday – Sunday evenings from November 24th through Dec 31st.



First Bank of the Lake hopes everyone enjoys their holiday season! We are your community bank at the Lake of the Ozarks and we enjoy supporting this community any way we can. For more information on our local bank, visit www.FirstBankLake.com. When you bank with us you are supporting your own community.

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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, November 8, 2018

Money Saving Ideas for Christmas 2018

Christmas 2018 is coming up sooner than you may realize! Halloween is over and you may have noticed Christmas gets talked about quite more frequently now. So much can go into preparing for Christmas and your community bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to give you a few money saving ideas to help you while you prep. To save money in an account that helps you build your savings automatically, call First Bank of the Lake today at 573-348-2265 and ask us about savings options that can work for you and your family.


Money Saving Ideas for Christmas 2018


Don't be afraid to make your own Christmas decorations.
Do it yourself decorations can not only be unique and creative but also cost-efficient. You can save quite a bit of money simply by choosing to make your own tree decorations and Christmas decor. Do a quick online search for tutorials.

Make a Christmas gift shopping list.
Plan out what you will be buying and write it down. This can help prevent you from impulse buying and spending more money that you don't necessarily have to spend.

Take advantage of the sales!
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are your best friends around this holiday season. You can save an enormous amount of money by being patient and waiting for these huge sales before you do your Christmas gift shopping. Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday is the online sale on the Monday after Thanksgiving. You should also check around and see what department stores will be open on Thanksgiving with sales as many do that now.

Consider gift exchanges.
Rather than having to buy a gift for everyone in your party, a gift exchange can allow you to just buy one gift for whoever you draw at random. This can save you a lot of money as well.

Consider a pot luck.
Potlucks allow you to save money because this involves everyone bringing you a dish versus you having to spend money on several ingredients to cook several dishes.

Save Money for Christmas 2018 with First Bank of the Lake


Build savings automatically for special holiday occasions by having a savings account that builds your savings automatically. Enter the Free Kasasa Saver®. This product is saving simplified. Connect it to your Kasasa Cash® or Kasasa Cash Back® checking to build your savings effortlessly. When you earn cash rewards in your Kasasa checking, those earnings transfer into your Kasasa Saver. That’s Kasasa at First Bank of the Lake — free accounts that reward you for banking locally at your community bank in Osage Beach. Learn more by visiting our website at www.FirstBankLake.com.


Want More Awesome Finance Tips? Sign Up For Our Newsletter!


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, November 1, 2018

Budget Tips for Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving 2018 is upon us! Who doesn't love a good, old-fashioned, home-cooked Thanksgiving meal with friends and family? You can make unforgettable memories with your loved ones year after year. While this can be such a great holiday, expenses can start to add up after a while. Cooking a huge dinner for several people can be expensive. Your community bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to give you a few budget tips for cooking Thanksgiving dinner. To open a savings account at the Lake of the Ozarks and start building your Thanksgiving savings now, ask First Bank of the Lake about the Free Kasasa Saver.


Budget Tips for Cooking Thanksgiving Dinner


Consider hosting a potluck this year.
Potlucks are a great way to cut down on costs around the holidays. Not only does it save you from purchasing more ingredients to make more dishes but it also allows everyone to contribute. Some people actually like to cook and you could be starting an awesome tradition in your family by doing this.

Serve turkey breast instead of an entire turkey.
Take a look at how many people are planning to attend your Thanksgiving dinner party. Do you really think that the number of people can finish a whole turkey? If your answer is no, then bypass roasting an entire turkey and only prepare turkey breast. It can be cheaper and less wasteful.

Serve the basic appetizers.
While it can be tempting to make a bunch of appetizers, keep it simple and set out things like chips and dip or a veggie tray. These are typically affordable items and your party is about to pig out on an entire dinner. There is no need to get full on a bunch of appetizers.

Don't overdo it on the pie.
Yes, pie is delicious, but do you really need so many? Make enough for the number of people you have attending, but you don't need to make several. Save money and make just the right amount.


Save For Thanksgiving Dinner with First Bank of the Lake!


Our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks hopes everyone has a heartwarming Thanksgiving this year. While we still have a few weeks left before it starts, if you haven't already, you should start saving and budgeting your money for your Thanksgiving feast now. We can help you do that. Just stop by our bank in Osage Beach and ask about saving account options for you and your family. We are located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets. We are happy to assist you. You can also visit our website at www.FirstBankLake.com for more information.

Want More Awesome Finance Tips? Sign Up For Our Newsletter!


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, October 25, 2018

Money Saving Ideas for Fall 2018

It's fall 2018! This can be such a great time of year, between the pumpkin patches, leaves changing colors and pumpkin spice everything! It can be so tempting to spend so much money on a new fall wardrobe or fall decorations, but your community bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to give you a few money saving ideas for fall 2018! If you really want to save money this year, visit First Bank of the Lake and ask about the Free Kasasa Saver today. We are located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets.


Money Saving Ideas for Fall 2018


Meal prep, meal prep, meal prep!
Meal prepping is not only a great way to eat healthy but can also be great for cutting down on food costs. When you grocery shop this fall, go in with a plan! Find your favorite fall recipes ahead of time and make a list of the ingredients you will need. Then, you can start out by planning your meals for the month. There are several slow cooker recipes out there that allow you to freeze the ingredients all together in a bag, then just thaw and throw into the slow cooker and you have dinner made effortlessly. Who doesn't love a good, hot slow cooker meal, such as a soup or pot roast in the fall!?

Organize your closet.
With those colder temperatures arriving, it can be so tempting to go out and buy a new fall wardrobe, but you may be surprised what you can find in your own closet. Organize your clothes and pull out all your fall/winter clothes from last year. It can be very easy to forget about these items, but you can mix and match old items to create new outfits, thus saving money by not buying new clothes.

Fall sales are your friend.
While the fall holidays are exciting, such as Halloween and Thanksgiving, there's another couple of days that are also very nice - Black Friday and Cyber Monday!!! These two days are where you should focus on doing your fall shopping and Christmas shopping. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, although many stores have opened up the day of Thanksgiving with amazing sales. Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving and is for all you online shoppers! Many people have started to only shop online and bypassed the crowds on Black Friday. Either way, these are two huge money saving days!


Save Money This Fall with First Bank of the Lake


Build savings automatically with a great savings account at the Lake of the Ozarks! The Free Kasasa Saver® is saving simplified. Connect it to your Kasasa Cash® or Kasasa Cash Back® checking to build your savings effortlessly. When you earn cash rewards in your Kasasa checking, those earnings transfer into your Kasasa Saver. It's really that simple. Stop by First Bank of the Lake this fall and ask about savings options for you and your family. We are happy to help!


Want More Awesome Finance Tips? Sign Up For Our Newsletter!


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, October 19, 2018

Fun Ways to Teach Your Kids About Money

One of the most valuable lessons you can teach your kids is how to earn and save money. Allow your children to learn this lesson from you before someone else. Learning to save money doesn't have to be boring. Our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to give you a few fun ways to teach your kids about money. Start your child's first savings account in Osage Beach at First Bank of the Lake. Learn more at www.FirstBankLake.com.


Fun Ways to Teach Your Kids About Money


Pick out a piggy bank together.
Go to the store with your child and have fun picking out a colorful piggy bank together. This can be a great way to start showing your kid how to save money.

Point out things your child may want to start saving for now.
There may be things you child hasn't thought about yet that they should start saving for now. You can present these things to your child in a fun way. For example, they may want to start saving for things like:

  • First car
  • College
  • First laptop
  • TV
  • Smartphone
Tell them fun stories about how you used your first phone or car.


Teach them entrepreneurship early on.
Teach them responsibility by showing them how to look and apply for jobs. This is clearly a task for kids that are older. You can also inspire them by showing them articles on companies that were started by young people like Facebook for example.

Buy a toy cash register.
For those of you that have younger children, start teaching them about money at a younger age by buying a toy cash register. Have them be the cashier and you be the customer. They can practice counting money and giving you the right change after you make a make-believe purchase.



Buy monopoly.
Remember that saying, "do not pass go, do not collect $200?" That is from the classic board game monopoly. This is a great interactive game you can play with multiple people. Typically you can play with 2-8 players. This game can teach you to count money and purchase properties.


First Bank of the Lake Wishes You The Best of Luck in Teaching Your Kids About Money


We know that our children are our future. We wish you the very best when teaching your kids about money. At our bank in Osage Beach, we don't try to sell you a loan or service you don't need. And, we make all of our decisions right here at home - we use judgment and compassion when evaluating customer requests. Our goal is to find the right product or service to meet your financial needs.
We're sure we have the perfect account to meet your needs. Come into First Bank of the Lake and talk with our friendly Account Specialists today! You can also visit our website at www.FirstBankLake.com.


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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, October 12, 2018

Grocery Shopping on a Budget 💰

Money can be tight at times, between paying off bills and taking care of a family, it can be tough. First Bank of the Lake realizes this. Your community bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to give you a few tips for grocery shopping on a budget. Build your savings up automatically to make for an easier way to grocery shop with First Bank of the Lake. Stop by and visit with us about the Free Kasasa Saver®. We are located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets. You can also find out more about this wonderful savings account in Osage Beach by visiting our website at www.FirstBankLake.com.


 Grocery Shopping on a Budget


Tip#1
Don't shop on an empty stomach.
If you go grocery shopping without eating first, you may be more tempted to buy things out of hunger, rather than because of your need for those items. You may be tempted to spend more money than you need to. Save money grocery shopping by eating before you go.

Tip #2
Meal plan per week.
Plan out what meals you want to make each week. This way you can know what ingredients you need to buy and you can go in with a plan. This can help cut down on impulse buying and save you money on your grocery bill.

Tip #3
Make a grocery shopping list.
Go into the store with a plan. Making out your grocery shopping list before hand. This can not only save you money, but time as well.

Tip #4
Organize your pantry.
By organizing your pantry, you can take inventory of the food you currently have. You can also organize your refrigerator and cabinet space. This way you can go grocery shopping knowing what you have and avoid buying duplicate items.

Tip #5
Love your leftovers.
Cut back on wasting food and don't be afraid to eat your leftovers too. Teach yourself to like leftovers and save money by not going and buying more food when you could eat leftovers.


Save for Groceries with First Bank of the Lake


First Bank of the Lake is your community bank and we have been here for over 30 years. We understand local needs because we are locals, we are your neighbors. We enjoy finding solutions to our customers specific financial problems. We do not try to sell you a product you don't need. If you need a savings account that can help you build up your savings quickly, we have a solution for you. The Free Kasasa Saver® is saving simplified. Connect it to your Kasasa Cash® or Kasasa Cash Back® checking to build your savings effortlessly. That’s Kasasa at First Bank of the Lake — free accounts that reward you for banking locally.


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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, October 5, 2018

Store Credit Cards: Should I Get One or Not?

How often have you been asked by the cashier at the store, "Would you like to sign up for our store credit card?" Often times they will even throw in a discount for signing up. For example, "you can get 25% off your purchase today if you sign up for our card." While that discount can sound pretty tempting, is a store credit card really the best thing for you? Our bank at the Lake of the Ozarks is here to help you weigh the pros and cons of getting a store credit card. Did you know that you can get paid to shop when you choose First Bank of the Lake? Get paid when you use your debit card, it's that simple. For the details of this phenomenal product, call First Bank of the Lake today at 573-348-2265.


The Pros and Cons of Store Credit Cards

Pros


Build Your Credit History
Have you ever had a credit card or loan before? If your answer is no, then the odds are you don't have much of a credit score. A store credit card could help you start to build your credit history and they are usually pretty easy to apply for and get approved for.

Special Discounts
Typically, stores will offer great discounts if you sign up for their store credit cards and you may be able to accrue special reward points too, as you make more purchases.

Cons


Accrue Debt Easily
Store credit cards can make overshopping very tempting because you can have that sensation of "I can buy something without having the money right now." The reality is that you will have to pay that money back and your debt can just get bigger and bigger the more you shop.

Misunderstand the Terms of the Card
Don't forget to read the fine print. Typically, when you get a store credit card at the counter, the cashier isn't going to explain how it works and they will hand you a pamphlet with information. You may not have time to actually read it and end up missing out on something important like a high annual fee you must pay for example.


Get Paid to Shop with First Bank of the Lake


Get paid to go shopping with this free checking account that pays cash back on your debit card purchases. You’ll also get refunds on your ATM withdrawal fees. At First Bank of the Lake, we basically pay you to bank here. Open a free Kasasa Cash® checking account at the Lake of the Ozarks and get rewarded for doing simple banking activities, like using your debit card. Learn more by calling First Bank of the Lake at 573-348-2265 or visiting our website at www.FirstBankLake.com.


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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