Create a Summer Budget
Start by outlining your summer expenses, including travel, entertainment, outdoor activities, and any other plans you have on the calendar. Set realistic spending limits and track your expenses throughout the summer to stay on track. Creating a budget (and do your best to stick with it) will help you have a great summer without breaking the bank or going into excessive debt!
Plan Affordable Getaways
If you're planning summer trips, look for budget-friendly destinations and accommodations to stretch your travel dollars further. Consider camping trips, road trips to nearby attractions, or vacation rentals with friends or family to split costs. Booking things in advance and taking advantage of deals/discounts can help you save! There are lots of amazing places to travel to within Maine including Acadia National Park, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, and all the amazing beaches, parks, and lighthouses along the Maine coast!
Embrace Outdoor Dining and Cooking
Take advantage of the warmer weather by cooking delicious meals. Going for a picnic at a local park or beach, barbequing in the backyard, and hosting potluck dinners are fun and cost-effective alternatives to dining out. Visiting farmers' markets can be a fun way to buy fresh, seasonal ingredients for delicious and affordable summer meals.
Stay Cool While Saving Energy
As it gets hotter throughout the summer, it's tempting to crank up the air conditioning to stay cool. However, excessive energy usage can lead to high utility bills. Keep your home comfortable while saving energy by using fans, closing curtains during the hottest part of the day, and setting your thermostat to a reasonable temperature.
Another important part of financial wellness is protecting yourself and your loved ones from fraud and scams! These are some common things to look for to avoid fraud.
Offers and opportunities that are too good to be true…probably ARE too good to be true!
These offers are almost always a scam and typically come in the form of a product that’s being sold at a fraction of its market value, getting a large check in the mail unexpectedly, or even getting approved for a loan that you don’t remember applying for!
We will NEVER ask you to complete a transfer to secure your account.
If a caller asks you to complete an action to stop fraud, hang up the phone and call us directly. TruChoice will never ask you to withdraw money and deposit it in a Bitcoin ATM, or purchase gift cards to keep your funds safe.
Our fraud department will never send a text message asking to confirm if a transaction was authorized by you (to complete a dispute for unauthorized charges).
This is a common tactic used by scammers to bypass fraud detection and opening your card up for more unauthorized charges. Never confirm that a transaction was authorized if it was not completed by you. If you have any questions about this scam or any others, please do not hesitate to contact us; we are happy to help with any questions you have!