First Bank of the Lake: July 2018

Located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets!

4558 Osage Beach Parkway
Suite 100
Osage Beach, MO 65065

(573) 348-2265

Friday, July 20, 2018

How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget

Congratulations! You just got engaged and you couldn't be happier! One of the anxieties some people may experience leading up to the big day is the COST of the wedding. However, you don't have to "break the bank" in order to have a magical wedding day. There are cost-friendly options you can implement into your wedding to save you some money. For a great savings account at the Lake of the Ozarks, call First Bank of the Lake at 573-348-2265 today. Keep reading for a few wedding planning tips for when you are on a budget.

How to Plan a Wedding on a Budget

Be strategic when choosing a venue.

Consider having a home wedding or looking for venues outside the city limits. You can typically save on costs that way. A venue can be where you end up spending most of your money if you're not careful, but there are easy options for saving money here.

Save on catering costs and cook food yourself.

Catering for a wedding can be extremely expensive and you may have family members who would love to help you cook for your wedding anyway. This can be a memorable experience to have with your family and friends leading up to the big day.

Stock the bar yourself.

While you may have thought about providing an open bar, you can save a lot of money by just offering beer and wine and purchasing it yourself at discount liquor stores. Some venues will allow you to bring in your own alcohol, but if you are having a home wedding, problem solved!

Buy a dress on sale.

Ladies, is spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on a dress you are only going to wear once really worth it? Look for sales and dresses that don't require custom fitting. Buy an elegant dress without losing your life savings.

Rent tuxedos or suits.

Guys, save money and rent tuxedos or suits over purchasing them. You most likely will only wear them once anyway, so why not?

Save money on photos.

Rather than hiring a photographer for the whole wedding, just hire one for an hour or two to get the main shots of the wedding party and family, then use a site like Eversnap that allows you to experience your wedding from all different views. Guests can take photos and upload them to a site like this for you. You can also request that guests use a special wedding hashtag when posting photos they take to Instagram. When the day is done simply search hashtag on Instagram and see your amazing memories. For example, if your last names are Brown and Rice, try something like #BrownRiceWedding2018.

Save Money for Big Life Events with First Bank of the Lake

Whether you are saving for a wedding, a new baby, or sending your kids off to college, you community bank in Osage Beach can help you. We offer savings options that can suit you and your family's needs. We offer the Free Kasasa Saver®, which is savings simplified. Connect it to your Kasasa Cash® or Kasasa Cash Back® checking to build your savings effortlessly. Learn more 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, July 13, 2018

How to Prepare for BACK TO SCHOOL on a Budget

This summer is going by SO fast. Your kids will be going back to school before you know it. School supplies these days can be expensive and First Bank of the Lake knows that. In an effort to help you save money, check out the following tips on preparing for "back to school" time, on a budget. For a bank at the Lake of the Ozarks that values your business and basically pays you to bank here, call First Bank of the Lake at 573-348-2265 today.

How to Prepare for BACK TO SCHOOL on a Budget

Know your budget and don't go over.

Don't be tempted by the cute, yet overpriced backpacks and other school accessories. Set a budget in the beginning and stick by it.

Make a list and stick to it.

Know what your child absolutely has to have for school and make a list of those must-have supplies. Too often parents end up buying extra things that their children don't end up using in school. If you've found a list already at your local school supply store for child's class but are questioning whether or not it is truly accurate, don't be afraid to call the school and ask.

Check the WHOLE house for old school supplies.

Clean through your home and check for anything your kids could use as school supplies, pens, pencils, crayons, etc. There's no reason to spend more money than you have to.

Discounted items are your friend!

Check your local discount stores for school supplies or check online for cheaper deals. Name brand items are not a necessity. The important thing here is that your child has everything he or she needs and knowing that you don't have to "break the bank" to accomplish that.

Get MORE Cash Back on Those School Supplies with First Bank of the Lake

The Free Kasasa Cash Back® checking account at First Bank of the Lake makes up for all the times you ever had to pay a monthly service fee on your account. There are no monthly service fees, and this account pays you! Earn 4.00% cash back on your debit card purchases, up to $120 back per year ($10 per month).** You can purchase your school supplies, scissors, pencils, crayons, glue, erasers, etc. and get paid CASH BACK on those items. You’ll also get refunds on your ATM withdrawal fees, nationwide — so every ATM is your ATM, whether you’re here in Osage Beach or elsewhere. Come see us today at 4558 Osage Beach Parkway Suite 100 to open your account! We are located at the entrance to the Osage Beach Premium Outlets.

**Click Here For Our Kasasa Cash Back Disclaimer

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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, July 6, 2018

5 Tips for Planning a Beach Vacation on a Budget

Who's been dreaming of a beach vacation lately? We know we have! But, who has the money to be able to afford something like that? Our bank in Osage Beach knows a thing or two about saving money. First Bank of the Lake is delighted to share a few tips for planning a beach vacation on a budget. If you are interested in saving your cash with an experienced community bank, give us a call at 573-348-2265 today.

5 Tips for Planning a Beach Vacation on a Budget

Tip #1: Be strategic when choosing the beach you want to vacation too.

If you live close to a beach, then you are lucky! You could just drive to the beach and hang out for the day and come back, no flight or lodging costs for you. However, for those of us who don't live so close, it's a different story. According to FLIPKEY®, there are quite a few affordable beaches to travel to right off the panhandle of Florida. There are several cheaper lodging options to choose from there. No matter what beach you choose to vacation too, just research the local lodging and plane ticket costs before you get excited about the location.

Tip #2: Start saving NOW.

Give yourself as much as time as possible to save for that beach vacation. Every little bit helps. You may be surprised where you can save substantial amounts of money just by making small changes in your life. For example:

Avoid buying expensive coffee and make it at home
Temporarily avoid making the large lavish purchase until you get back from vacation, clothes shopping trips, entertainment products, etc.
Buy groceries, meal plan, and eat in instead of eating out

Tip #3: Avoid purchasing expensive souvenirs and take pictures instead.

Half the time those souvenirs people buy may not even be worth keeping. If you truly want to "capture the memory" and save money - make unforgettable memories with your family and take photos while you do.

Tip #4: Enjoy the FREE activities.

One of the best things about having a beach vacation is the BEACH. It's typically free to just lounge and lay out on the beautiful sandy beaches while listening to the waves roll in. Go seashell hunting, bring a football and play catch, bring your boogie board and go boogie boarding. There are several free activities to enjoy and keep you entertained without having to "break the bank."

Tip #5: Travel during the week.

You may be able to save money on your airplane ticket by choosing to fly during the week versus on a weekend. Check your airlines for the best rates.

Save for That Beach Vacation with First Bank of the Lake!

You can build your savings for that ultimate beach vacation automatically with the Kasasa Free Saver® at First Bank of the Lake. We don't believe in selling customers financial products they don't need. If you are looking to save in a quick and efficient way for an upcoming trip, the Kasasa Free Saver® is a great place to start. If you'd like to learn more about this fantastic product, give us a call today at 573-348-2265 or stop by and visit with us at 4558 Osage Beach Parkway, Suite 100. We are 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.