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Greetings!
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John Witherspoon along with Trusty Tree and Penny Pine Cone at the Skowhegan Holiday Stroll.
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The holiday season is upon us which means different things for different people. For many, it's a time to gather with friends and family, celebrate with feasts, fairs and pageantry. In central Maine, it's certainly when the cold weather starts to set in and our thoughts turn to our wood stoves, ice fishing, skiing and other winter recreation. We're fortunate to live in a place that provides plenty of open spaces for us to enjoy these sports in our backyard. If the biggest sport on your upcoming calendar is holiday shopping, be sure to check out our stories this month on keeping to a budget and protecting your financial information while shopping online.
It is also the season for giving thanks. I'd like to thank all of our customers for your support of the bank and our mission of making our communities a better place to live and work, as well as thank our employees for their dedication to the bank, our customers, and our communities.
Be sure to stop by any of our ten branch offices on Friday, December 24th for refreshments and holiday cheer. Our offices will then close at 1:00 p.m. for the Christmas holiday on the 24th and will remain closed through the 25th. We'll also be closed beginning at 3:00 p.m. on December 31st and all day on January 1st.
Happy holidays!
Sincerely,
John Witherspoon
President & CEO
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Holiday Budget or Bust: Tips for Holiday Spending
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Make, and stick to your holiday
shopping budget.
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Deals abound this time of year for everything from big-screen TVs to building blocks. But holiday shopping is never a deal if you start the new year off in debt. Here are a few tips to keep your spending in check:
1) Create a budget and stick to it. Set a dollar amount based on what you can afford this holiday season considering your current savings, income and other expenses. Be sure to include a $20 to $100 cushion for unexpected expenses and don't forget to include expenses like wrapping paper and postage.
2) Make a list. Write down the names of the people you plan to buy gifts for and how much you can afford to spend on each person.
3) Bake something. Bake some holiday cookies, or make homemade jam and wrap them nicely with a holiday bow. Handmade gifts are a special way to say 'Happy Holidays' without overspending. You can also add the recipe neatly written on a card. Be sure to include costs of ingredients and wrapping in your budget.
4) Use credit wisely. Your credit card balance shouldn't be a surprise when you open your statement in January. Take only the credit cards you need when holiday shopping and try to use the card with the lowest interest rate. If your buying is within your budget, you will have no problem paying for your holiday expenses.
5) Save your receipts. Keep track of your expenses and add them up weekly to be sure you're sticking to your budget. If you're getting close to your spending limit, reevaluate your list and bake more cookies!
6) Shop around. Start your holiday shopping early to give yourself time to comparison shop. Take time to do some research before you hit the stores by going online or looking at your local newspaper circulars to find the best deals.
You can also shop locally to save on driving time and fuel costs, plus you're helping to support local businesses. Check out the many craft fairs and boutiques in your downtowns and around Maine for one-of-a-kind gifts the people are sure to love - just make sure they are on your list and in your budget.
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Stay Safe While Shopping Online
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Shop safely online.
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The Monday after Thanksgiving, popularly known as Cybermonday, posted record sales this year in excess of $1 billion. Clearly, folks are shopping online for not only the holiday deals, but the convenience and variety as well. If you are among the millions using websites to browse and purchase gifts, be mindful of where you are shopping and only use legitimate retail sites. Below are seven guidelines to keep your accounts secure and protect your purchases during any time of year.
· If you're not sure, don't share. Anyone can set up a website these days so be sure you're familiar with the retailer's site before you give them any of your financial information. The Better Business Bureau has a list of about 70,000 safe websites.
· Is the site secure? Look for the 's' in https:// and a small padlock at the bottom of the screen before entering any payment information. These two items indicate that the site is hosted on a secure server that protects your information from hackers.
· Know the terms of your purchase. Is the product returnable and if so, who pays the shipping fees? How long will the product take to ship? What does shipping cost? Read the fine print. If it's not clear or you don't agree, make the purchase elsewhere. Most sites will have this information available before you make the final purchase.
· Print & Save. Be sure to print and save the transaction receipt, the order number, a customer service phone number, and any other information you can just in case there's a problem with your order.
· Check the privacy policy. Find out what they're doing with your personal information by reading the privacy policy. If it's too complicated to read or they don't have one, choose to do business with a more consumer-friendly website.
· TMI. Don't divulge too much information to anyone on the Internet. If a website is asking for your bank account number, social security number or driver's license number, don't share it, this could be a scam.
· Know your rights. If you suspect you are a victim of fraud, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission at: www.ftc.gov/complaint. You can also contact the Maine Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau, too.
Online shopping can be a breeze, but just as you'd keep your wallet out of reach of a pickpocket, use the tips above to safeguard yourself from Web thieves as well.
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| Skowhegan Savings, founded in 1869, is an independent mutual savings bank dedicated to strengthening the Maine families, businesses and communities it serves. Named as one of Maine's Best Places to Work in 2009 and 2010, Skowhegan Savings' team of friendly, committed employees takes pride in delivering personalized, competitive banking services with integrity and putting the needs of their customers first. An innovative and progressive approach to banking ensures their customers enjoy a banking experience that is quick, easy and convenient. Skowhegan Savings' ten Maine branches include two locations in Skowhegan, as well as locations in Belgrade, Bingham, Dexter, Fairfield, Jackman, Madison, Norridgewock, and Pittsfield. For more information, visit www.skowsavings.com or contact Customer Service at 800.303.9511. |
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Fonzo's Pizza
Buy any chicken or seafood basket,
get the second for 1/2 price!
Route 8, Smithfield Rd, Norridgewock, ME/634-2556
| www.fonzos.com
Expires January 31, 2011
To print the coupon, please click here.
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