Blog

Working from home is now the new norm for many of us, which means interacting with colleagues and conducting business a little differently. The rising popularity of online meetings has seen businesses using platforms such as Zoom, Go To Meeting and Skype for video and audio conferencing, collaboration, chat, and webinars across mobile devices, desktops, telephones, and room systems. In this blog, we’ll look at some online meeting tips for you to get the most out of your virtual meetings. Before you begin a meeting Consider your environment and background. Tidy up your area to remove anything that’s distracting or inappropriate for your meetings. You want to present professionally and as someone who can be trusted to do good work. See if your virtual meeting tools provide virtual backgrounds to help you disguise even the most cluttered environments. A quiet space is ideal for a meeting to clearly hear what is being said and to avoid distractions. Barking dogs and slamming doors are annoying in person and via online meetings! A key Online meeting tip is to mute yourself as necessary. Familiarise yourself with this feature before you begin. You also need to consider the lighting in your space so the meeting’s participants can see you clearly. Position yourself so that most of the light is coming from in front of you (behind your monitor or digital device if using an app). If you have a window behind you, shut the blinds. Otherwise, the natural light will cause you to be backlit. Take note of where your camera is pointing and adjust accordingly if it is too low or high. Only your barber or hairdresser wants to stare at the top of your head. Your camera should be at eye level, with your face and torso visible. Testing your video and audio first is also a good idea to avoid wasting time during your meeting. During your meeting When speaking, try and look directly at the camera to mimic eye contact with the other meeting attendees. This takes a bit of getting used to since it is easier to look at the other participant’s faces. It’s important to see people’s reactions and facial expressions by looking at the screen, but alternating that with looking at the camera makes the audience feel like you’re really talking to them. Don’t get too close to the camera. Your meeting participants will hear you from an arm’s length away. Position yourself so the camera is seeing you from the chest or waist up, instead of just seeing your face. This is more natural for the viewer, as this is what you see in an in-person meeting. Correct positioning is especially beneficial if you tend to gesture a lot. Keeping people engaged is especially important in an online meeting. A virtual meeting best practice tip is to use any engagement tools on offer. There’s screen sharing, annotating shared content, sending out a quick poll, asking for feedback in chat, splitting your attendees up into video breakout rooms or you could even send attendees to a website and have them fill out a pre-prepared Google Document (Google Docs are just like a Word document, only they're stored in your google account and can be shared with people to work on) Do whatever it takes to keep your attendees actively engaged. After your meeting If you recorded your meeting, share it with meeting invitees who couldn’t attend so they don’t miss out. Send out an email with any actionable items for the participants and schedule another online meeting if necessary. As the host, you can always ask for feedback on the meeting content, length of time, visual and audio clarity so you can improve for next time. Horizon Bank is here to help. If you’re looking for more tips on how to successfully work from home, check out our working from home article here.  Horizon Bank has a branch network spanning the NSW South Coast and Illawarra. Horizon Bank branch locations: Albion Park, Bega, Bermagui, Berry, Merimbula, Moruya, Nowra, Thirroul, Ulladulla & Wollongong. The content in this article has been prepared by Horizon Bank for general information only and it is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek your own legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice where appropriate, and consider the relevant General Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any products or services offered by Horizon Bank and/or its affiliated partners. We do not recommend any third party products or services referred to in this article unless otherwise stated and we are not liable in relation to them. Any links to third party websites are for your information and we do not endorse any content on those sites. Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank.

Most of us now find ourselves working from home amidst the Coronavirus outbreak, and for some it will be the first time. Read our article for working from home tips for success. Create your space and stay organised A dedicated space to work at with a comfortable chair is likely to keep you productive throughout the day. Set up a home office in a study or other available space in your home and keep all of your work documents and other work related files within easy reach. Stand up desks are great to give you a break from sitting (and if you have the room!) Gather your resources Working from home will be a success if you have everything you need to use like you would on a normal day. This includes work colleague and industry contacts, passwords and logins, as well as resources and materials you would normally access. Stick to routine Get up at the same time as you normally would to go to work. It’s important to bring some normalcy as you’re adjusting to working from home. Having breakfast and getting dressed will make you feel ready to start the day. Be sure to schedule in daily tasks at the same time as you would complete them in the office. Stay connected Chat with work colleagues regularly to stay up to date with what they’re working on and to keep updated with how the business is going overall. Working remotely means no Monday morning catchups to hear about everybody’s weekend, or people stopping by your desk for a chat as they pass by. These interactions are greatly minimised when working from home which can lead to feeling isolated and ‘on the outer’. Remain relevant Looking for motivation to keep up productivity? Without being in regular contact with your team or boss, people can easily forget what you’re up to and what projects you’re working on. Stay relevant by continuing to work hard and deliver on results to show that you are adaptable and committed to working hard even while adjusting to working from home. Be prompt in your email replies and ask how others are going with their work. Stay Focused With distractions such as kids, pets and partners interrupting the flow of your work, it can be easy to lose focus when working from home for long periods. It often requires us to re-evaluate our priorities, and practice greater discipline and focus. Now is the time to be able to set boundaries which will be easier if you clearly communicate this to your partner. Remember health and safety practices Keep up your productivity by eating regular healthy meals and getting up for a walk or stretch every 45 minutes or so. It’s important to keep breaks up, especially because we may work for longer periods of time. Keep phone and social media time to a minimum to avoid distractions. If you’re using a laptop you might find it hard to switch off at the end of the day. Another working from home tip to help you switch from office mode back to home mode, is to use strategies such as moving your workstation to the end of the dining table, putting it away or covering it up at the end of the day to signal when you are and aren't working to the other members of your household. It’s important to keep in touch with your essential services for any changes to your banking or finances. Our branches remain open and we’re here to support our members. Get in touch with us today if we can be of assistance. The content in this article has been prepared by Horizon Bank for general information only and it is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek your own legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice where appropriate, and consider the relevant General Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any products or services offered by Horizon Bank and/or its affiliated partners. We do not recommend any third party products or services referred to in this article unless otherwise stated and we are not liable in relation to them. Any links to third party websites are for your information and we do not endorse any content on those sites. Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank.

In this blog, we’ll compare the different ways you can take money overseas. Organising your money should be the first thing on your travel checklist. We’ll look at the pros and cons to give you the best information to takeaway with you, and to help make an informed decision on taking and accessing money overseas when travelling. Cash It is always useful to have a small amount of foreign cash on hand, for small purchases such as water, public transport tickets, little souvenirs and so on. Depending on where you go, some small retailers and market stalls may only accept cash. Unfortunately cash can be a safety risk so ensure it is secured on you at all times because if stolen, there’s no way to get it back as it cannot be traced. Be as prepared as you can and do your research ahead of time so you're taking the best travel money type with you. To compare travel money, you can use our foreign exchange rate calculator to keep an eye on rate fluctuations, so you get the most out of your Australian dollar when you’re converting money. Ordering foreign cash from us is easy and hassle-free. Order before midday to have major currencies (US Dollars, British Pounds, Euro and New Zealand Dollars) delivered to your branch the next day. Credit Cards Credit cards are a convenient option for taking overseas as there is no need to open a new separate account and they’re good for accessing money in emergencies. They can however be a risk for scammers and card skimming so you need to keep an eye on where you are swiping or inserting your card. Where possible, avoid swipe machines. Inserting your card to read a chip is much safer. Conversion fees may apply and could be a flat fee or percentage of your purchase. Travellers Cheques Are great because they never expire and they can be replaced if lost or stolen. They’re also less risky than cash as you need ID and a matching signature to cash them. However, with the rise of debit cards and travel money cards, travellers cheques are no longer widely accepted and are expensive to purchase. Travel Money Cards These cards are pre-loaded so you can easily stick to a budget and limit your spending. Complete a travel currency comparison to get the best value on exchange rates then load your card before you go. Check for fees on using the card in an ATM and the fee to payout the remainder on your card. Most issuers come with an app so you can top up your card using your mobile phone while you're away. Visa Debit Cards With a Horizon Visa debit card you’ll be spending your own money, so you can keep track of your purchases through our mobile banking app and internet banking as you would here in Australia. Visa is accepted worldwide so you won’t have trouble making purchases. Keep in mind that a currency conversion fee may apply to overseas debit card transactions and ATM withdrawals. *Tip avoid suspect ATMs by only using ATMs that are attached to a bank where possible. Want to know more about ordering foreign cash or find out about any fees associated with international transactions? Contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you with your query. Are you planning a trip and looking for a quote on travel insurance? Get in touch with the friendly team at Horizon today for a quick obligation free quote. Horizon Bank has a branch network spanning the NSW South Coast and Illawarra. Horizon Bank branch locations: Albion Park, Bega, Bermagui, Berry, Merimbula, Moruya, Nowra, Thirroul, Ulladulla & Wollongong. The content in this article has been prepared by Horizon Bank for general information only and it is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek your own legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice where appropriate, and consider the relevant General Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any products or services offered by Horizon Bank and/or its affiliated partners. We do not recommend any third party products or services referred to in this article unless otherwise stated and we are not liable in relation to them. Any links to third party websites are for your information and we do not endorse any content on those sites. Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank.

In this blog we’ll look at a few of the common mistakes people make while organising a holiday and travelling overseas. We’ll discuss some solutions to these common money mistakes to make your travel plans easy and hassle free. Mistake 1: Waiting until you arrive at your destination to work out a spending budget Not having a holiday spending budget pre-planned before you leave is a mistake you can avoid with some careful pre-planning. The last thing you want to do is to be spending your first day at your destination working out how much money you have to spend each day. Planning your spending budget should start before you plan your trip. This is a great money travel tip as it will give you enough time to save and keep an eye on foreign exchange rates. The best thing to do is to set yourself an amount for each day of your trip, allowing for meals, transport, entertainment, tours and souvenirs. Mistake 2: Not planning for the type of money option you will use while travelling Arriving at your destination and not knowing what s accepted or used will make it difficult to eat out, buy tickets and get around. Do your holiday money research ahead of time by asking your travel agent what form of payment is most widely accepted in the country you’re visiting. You can also send an enquiry to the hotel you’re staying at. The staff there are locals who can help with your query. It’s always best to have two types of money options on you. For example, you may opt to have a certain amount in foreign cash and the rest on a travel money card. Mistake 3: Researching your destination when you arrive Visiting a different country is an exciting new experience. To get the most out of your trip, you should research the destination well in advance. Understanding local customs will not only help you deep dive into a new culture, but it will also mean you won’t offend anyone. For example, providing a tip at restaurants, cafes and to service people is expected in some countries. Researching this ahead of time is a good idea, as you will know how much is appropriate and you can account for it in your holiday money spending budget. Another great travel money tip is to understand what the right price is for common items such as bottled water, small meals, transport and souvenirs. Do your research before you go by reading online blogs or asking people who’ve been to the country you’re visiting before. This way, you’ll be well informed about the right price for things, and won’t feel like you’ve paid more for something you shouldn’t have. Mistake 4: Forgetting About Travel Insurance Don’t forget to organise travel insurance with the appropriate level of cover well before you take off. Don’t let lost luggage or cancelled flights ruin your holiday! Getting a quote online or over the phone from us is easy and only takes a few minutes. There may be different levels of cover to choose from ranging from the experienced multi-trip traveler to a basic level of cover covering unexpected overseas hospital and medical costs. Are you planning on travelling overseas and need some extra help with getting your trip organised? Get in touch with the friendly team at Horizon today and let us help you with your travel insurance and foreign cash. Horizon Bank has a branch network spanning the NSW South Coast and Illawarra. Horizon Bank branch locations: Albion Park, Bega, Bermagui, Berry, Merimbula, Moruya, Nowra, Thirroul, Ulladulla & Wollongong. The content in this article has been prepared by Horizon Bank for general information only and it is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek your own legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice where appropriate, and consider the relevant General Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any products or services offered by Horizon Bank and/or its affiliated partners. We do not recommend any third party products or services referred to in this article unless otherwise stated and we are not liable in relation to them. Any links to third party websites are for your information and we do not endorse any content on those sites. Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank.

Not all credit cards were created equal. When thinking about applying for a credit card there are many things to consider. This includes the benefits of having a credit card and how you can make the most of this type of credit facility. In this article we’ll also discuss the potential benefits and disadvantages of upping your limit. Safer than Cash Credit cards can be seen as a safer way to access money. If you accidentally lose your wallet or purse a credit card can be cancelled by calling us. Or you can lock your card in our app while you search for your card so no transactions can be made. Build Your Credit Rating If you’ve never applied for a loan, having a credit card can help you build up a credit report and credit score. This then provides information to lenders if you apply for other products like car loans or a home loan. Emergency Line of Credit Life can sometimes be unpredictable. A credit card allows for an additional line or access to credit you may not have sitting in your savings account. You can avoid the stress of emergencies by keeping a credit card for those situations where you find you need money quickly. Consolidating Your Debt If you have multiple credit cards, it may be worth speaking to a lender about consolidating them. Our credit card has a low introductory 5 month rate and no annual fee. This can save you money on interest charges and with a regular repayment schedule, help you reduce debt faster. Credit card limits Once you’ve got the hang of using your credit card, you may be tempted to increase your limit. We’ll compare the potential pros and cons of having an increased limit so you can make an informed choice about what is best for you. Potential benefits of increasing your credit card limit An instant benefit of increasing your credit card limit is that you’ll have access to more funds once approved. Our credit card has an interest-free period of up to 55 days, which can be a useful tool to help you maximise your cash flow. This only works if you repay the full balance on time every month to avoid interest. Increasing your limit for a purpose such as overseas travel or to purchase a major appliance can come in handy if you don’t have the time to save for those things. Be wary of uncontrolled spending; it’s important to know your own limits and manage your expenses. Paying for day-to-day expenses on your credit card and paying your full balance on time every month will mean that funds you’ve set aside to cover these purchases can be instead working for you in a savings account.  Possible risks of raising your limit An increased credit card limit may also increase your temptation to spend money. It may be better to keep a lower credit limit, that way you have a control in place to not overspend whilst still having the advantage of a borrowing safety net. Your monthly interest payments will also increase with a higher limit. You would need to factor this into your budgeting to ensure you can afford the extra costs. Your ability to get credit elsewhere may be impacted as an increased limit may appear on your credit report and reduce the amount of credit that can be lent to you in future. Your credit card limits (not credit balances) and existing debts are taken into consideration when a lender decides how much they would consider offering to you as a loan. A higher limit means they may offer you less than you were hoping or even decline your application altogether. For example if you only owe $500 but have a $10,000 limit on your credit card the lender will note the $10,000 limit as your debt, not the $500 owing. Important bits to takeaway It is important to understand your current financial situation before taking out a credit card or contacting your card issuer about your credit limit. This includes anticipating your likely future spending patterns based on current and past behaviours and situations that have affected you. A useful online resource such as our budget planner calculator can help you work out how much money you’ll have available each month to make credit card repayments. Thinking of applying for a credit card or want to know more about how to use one effectively? Get in touch with us today, we’re here to help. Horizon Bank has a branch network spanning the NSW South Coast and Illawarra. Horizon Bank branch locations: Albion Park, Bega, Bermagui, Berry, Merimbula, Moruya, Nowra, Thirroul, Ulladulla & Wollongong. The content in this article has been prepared by Horizon Bank for general information only and it is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek your own legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice where appropriate, and consider the relevant General Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any products or services offered by Horizon Bank and/or its affiliated partners. We do not recommend any third party products or services referred to in this article unless otherwise stated and we are not liable in relation to them. Any links to third party websites are for your information and we do not endorse any content on those sites. Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank.

With pre-planning and research, you can ensure you are on the right track to set yourself up for success when buying a home. Follow our easy home buying guide below to get an idea of how you can break into the property market. Determine How Much You Can Afford Using our home loan repayment calculator is the first step in understanding how loan repayments work and gives you an idea of how much you can afford to borrow. Determining affordability is about knowing your financial limits. Don’t over commit, and use foresight to think about possible future outcomes like a growing family, changes in employment and the cost of living. Save for a deposit Saving as much as you can for a house deposit before buying a home is ideal. The more you save, the less you have to borrow – therefore paying less in interest over time. Check out our blog article on saving for a house deposit. Understand your home loan options Home Loans come with many features so it is important to understand which mortgage will suit your needs. At a high level, there are fixed rate loans and variable rate loans, where you can pay off the principle and interest or interest only. Offset accounts and redraw facilities are great for saving on interest and helping you budget. Ask one of our lenders about which type of home loan would best suit your needs or you can check out our Home Loan Comparison table. Get Home Loan Pre-approval Getting pre-approved with Horizon is easy and worthwhile, as it lasts 3 months which gives you plenty of time to research the property market and make an offer on properties you know you can realistically afford. Consolidating or minimising debt will not only improve your overall financial wellbeing but also make you a strong candidate for pre-approval. To learn more about lending and home loan pre-approval with us, check out our page on the loan pre-approval process. Research suburb profiles The suburb you purchase in can affect things like ability to rent and resale value. Research suburb profiles online for the demographic of people living in that suburb, average incomes, house prices, rental yield and auction clearance rates. All of this information will help you determine the best area to buy in. You can always ask real estate agents for any available information at open houses. Find a Home in Your Price Range It’s important to buy something you can actually afford. This is why having home loan pre approval is an important first step before visiting open homes or display villages. You can then research house listings online or in the newspaper and make a note of open houses to visit. Take a trusted friend or relative as a second pair of eyes when inspecting properties so you don’t miss anything. Be sure to factor into your budget associated home buying costs such as stamp duty, solicitors fees, building and inspection reports and insurances. Let us get you on the path to home buying success. Get in touch with the friendly team at Horizon today and let us help you on your journey. Horizon Bank has a branch network spanning the NSW South Coast and Illawarra. Horizon Bank branch locations: Albion Park, Bega, Bermagui, Berry, Merimbula, Moruya, Nowra, Thirroul, Ulladulla & Wollongong.   The content in this article has been prepared by Horizon Bank for general information only and it is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek your own legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice where appropriate, and consider the relevant General Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any products or services offered by Horizon Bank and/or its affiliated partners. We do not recommend any third party products or services referred to in this article unless otherwise stated and we are not liable in relation to them. Any links to third party websites are for your information and we do not endorse any content on those sites. Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank.

Whether you are moving out of home for the first time or a seasoned mover, it helps to think about the move in three stages: before, during and after. Read on as we talk through those three stages, and provide tips for a stress free move. Before - Make a plan Your moving out process will revolve around when you get your keys and how much time you can afford to take off work. After buying an established home, you will receive your keys after settlement. If you have just built a home and gone through a builder, you will be eligible to get your keys after your last progress payment has cleared. The following are a few moving out tips to consider 1. Whether you will need to hire removalists or enlist the help of family and friends. 2. Whether you need to hire utes, trucks and/or trailers. 3. When to start packing and items needed. E.g. packing tape, boxes and bubble wrap 4. Whether you can move out over a few days rather than all on one day. For example, it may work better to move all boxed items over during the week and living with minimal items in your current home. Then organise a day for heavy furniture and appliances. Hold a moving out sale Moving home provides a great opportunity for a clean out and even the chance to make a bit of cash. Sell unwanted items online well before your move date so you don’t have to take them with you. Anything that cannot be sold needs to find a new home or be thrown out. Take the time to really think about what you use, and what you can really get rid of. This goes for clothes, documents and files, shoes, garage items and homewares/decorations. Organise your utility suppliers Don’t leave yourself stranded with no electricity or gas. Before moving home, ensure you have compared providers ahead of time and settled on a plan to begin for your move in date. If using your current providers ensure you advise them of where you are moving to, and when your first day in your new home will be. Organise an essentials box The essentials box will save you from asking “where’s this?” and “where’s that?” over and over during the day. It should include things like new house keys, garage remotes, batteries, scissors, tape, a few cleaning products, plastic cups and paper plates, tea bags a kettle and non-perishable snack items to have within easy reach. Be covered for the unexpected Your home and contents insurance policy should start from the day you move into your new home. Or, from your handover day as set by your builder. Horizon offers competitive home and contents insurance through CGU. Contact us to get a quote, or read more about home and contents insurance. On the day Organise your man power If enlisting the help of family members and friends, give everyone a task and be clear about what goes where in your new home. Try and put like items together in the appropriate room, rather than dumping everything in one spot and moving it all again later. Pack mindfully Clearly labelling boxes and bags will save confusion and frustration when you’re looking for something. Think about what you’ll need to access straight away on your first day/night and have these items within easy reach. When transporting items to your new home, avoid several trips by taking the time to pack your car to make the most of the space you have available. Think of it like a game of tetris! Make time to give your old home a clean Leave your old home in good shape for its new owners by giving it a good clean. Enlisting help from family and friends will keep the cost of moving house down and will save time so you can get back to enjoying your new home! Pay attention particularly to floors, windowsills, mirrors and the insides of cupboards. After you have moved in Don’t forget to change your address with your employer, banks and Service NSW just to name a few. Download our moving out checklist for tips and a list of where to change your details. If you’re moving house in the future get in touch with us and let us help you on your journey. Horizon Bank has a branch network spanning the NSW South Coast and Illawarra. Horizon Bank branch locations: Albion Park, Bega, Bermagui, Berry, Merimbula, Moruya, Nowra, Thirroul, Ulladulla & Wollongong. The content in this article has been prepared by Horizon Bank for general information only and it is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek your own legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice where appropriate, and consider the relevant General Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any products or services offered by Horizon Bank and/or its affiliated partners. We do not recommend any third party products or services referred to in this article unless otherwise stated and we are not liable in relation to them. Any links to third party websites are for your information and we do not endorse any content on those sites. Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank.

In this blog we’ll look at proactive ways you can begin to implement a savings plan, which will be beneficial for you and your family’s long term financial management. In particular, we’ll discuss debt consolidation, choosing the right insurance cover, tips for living off one income and making smart choices for retirement. Consolidate your debt An important step in organising personal finance is to consolidate debt. If you have multiple credit cards and personal loans, consolidate these into one. You are likely to be better off paying one combined loan, with a single interest rate, rather than many loans with different interest rates. Debt consolidation makes managing your money easier, as you won’t be juggling multiple payments each month. It will give you a better understanding of what money is coming out of your accounts, allowing you to better prioritise your spending. Check out our blog on how to make debt consolidation work for you. Have the right insurance in place A good personal finance practice is having the right insurance in place, as well as the appropriate level of cover. You don’t want to risk being under insured. You can use the CGU insurance calculator to check that you are insuring your assets for the correct amount. Ensuring your home and contents and car insurance policies are up to date is another good practice to keep in the habit of. Your current insurer is likely to email you or send you a copy of your policy when it is due for renewal. Use this time to compare policies online for the best value. Protect the assets you have to avoid being out of pocket in case of an incident or accident. Fill out our online form to get a quote for insurance through us. Securing your information Having all of your important documents in one place is great for financial management and crucial to be able to access them in an emergency. Important documents include insurance policies, wills, birth certificates, passports, as well as investment and super documentation. Keeping a hard copy in a home safe or safety deposit box is a good idea, you can always keep digital copies on an external hard drive or in a cloud based program, such as Google Drive. Live on one income where possible A good savings plan will teach you to regularly put money away in case of emergency or when there are changes happening within your family. Good examples of this are when someone is off work due to illness or injury or if you are starting a family. Practice living on one income and put some or all of the rest of your earnings into a savings account. You can use our budget calculator to show what a budget might look like with only one income, which can help to identify which expenses you need to cut back on. Don’t forget about retirement It’s never too early to begin thinking about retirement. Future financial management planning includes considering your transition to retirement and any associated costs with downsizing, accessing or consolidating super and wealth management. Making an appointment with a trusted financial planner is a good idea at any age. Proactively setting up you and your family’s future doesn’t have to be hard. It’s all about having a plan in place with the relevant insurances and a good savings mindset in action. Need some extra help with putting a plan together to protect your assets and finances? Get in touch with the friendly team at Horizon Bank today and let us help you on your journey. Horizon Bank has a branch network spanning the NSW South Coast and Illawarra. Horizon Bank branch locations: Albion Park, Bega, Bermagui, Berry, Merimbula, Moruya, Nowra, Thirroul, Ulladulla & Wollongong. The content in this article has been prepared by Horizon Bank for general information only and it is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek your own legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice where appropriate, and consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and General Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any products or services offered by Horizon Bank and/or its affiliated partners. We do not recommend any third party products or services referred to in this article unless otherwise stated and we are not liable in relation to them. Any links to third party websites are for your information and we do not endorse any content on those sites. Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank.

Looking to entertain the kids this upcoming Christmas season, but worried about overspending on school holiday activities? We’ve put together some budget-friendly Christmas activities for kids that the whole family can enjoy. Make your own Christmas Decorations Encourage kids creativity by getting them to make their own Christmas ornaments. Buying a few inexpensive baubles that can be painted, decorated or filled with things is a great way to start off. You could even make this a special tradition each year and you’ll have many meaningful ornaments to hang in the years to come.  This is a great way to save money, as these decorations double as gifts for grandparents! Another great Christmas activity at home is to give your kids a Christmas themed colouring book. Encourage them to fill out the pages and then use them as decorations on your fridge. Baking Christmas Treats Making homemade biscuits and other sweets with the kids is a great way to get them learning about making things in the kitchen, and is an inexpensive gift for neighbors, teachers and friends. Get your kids to decorate a batch to take to day care or school to share with their friends if permitted. Visit Santa for free Save money on Santa photos this year by researching where the man in red will be. Instead of heading to the shopping centre to see Santa, find out where you can visit him and take your own pictures for free.  Small businesses, charity fundraisers or schools are a few places that get visits from Santa. Open a Christmas Club Buy a Christmas themed money box for your kids to put their coins in throughout the year, then take them to your local branch to open their own Christmas Club account for the following Christmas. By teaching them good saving habits, they’ll be excited when they can use that money to buy a gift. Take a trip around the neighborhood There are some pretty spectacular displays around your kids are sure to enjoy. You can’t go wrong with a cup of hot chocolate and a trip in the car to see Christmas lights.  Playing Christmas music while you drive around only adds to the Christmas cheer. Volunteer your time Help spread joy this season, save money and instill great values by volunteering in your community.  Local churches, homeless shelters and community centres can help you find a way to give back this year.  Putting together Christmas hampers or helping serve food with your children is a great way for them to learn that Christmas is about giving. Carols by Candlelight Many local councils and community groups such as the Lion’s Club will put on carols, or some other family-friendly event over the Christmas period for families to enjoy. Pack a blanket and some snacks, grab some friends and make an evening of it. Are you looking to get on top of your finances for next Christmas? Let our team at Horizon get you on the path to savings success. Get in touch with us today and let us help you on your journey. Horizon Bank has a branch network spanning the NSW South Coast and Illawarra. Horizon Bank branch locations: Albion Park, Bega, Bermagui, Berry, Merimbula, Moruya, Nowra, Thirroul, Ulladulla & Wollongong. The content in this article has been prepared by Horizon Bank for general information only and it is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek your own legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice where appropriate, and consider the relevant General Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any products or services offered by Horizon Bank and/or its affiliated partners. We do not recommend any third party products or services referred to in this article unless otherwise stated and we are not liable in relation to them. Any links to third party websites are for your information and we do not endorse any content on those sites. Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank.

Consolidate your debts and get ahead. What are personal loans used for? Typically they help to buy white goods and furniture or they’re used for travel. However, did you know that many people also use personal loans for debt consolidation? That is, combining many debts into a single loan making it easier for you to control your repayments and get on top of your debt. Why consider debt consolidation? Paying off multiple credit cards or personal loans can feel overwhelming and somewhat stressful. You’re likely paying these loans off at different (and sometimes quite high) interest rates with many repayments coming out at different times during the month. Different loans can also often come with varying setup and ongoing administration fees. All of these added costs make budgeting and saving difficult leaving you with an unclear outlook for your long-term financial goals. How does debt consolidation work? Instead of having a few loans or credit cards to pay off, you can combine what you owe into one personal loan with a single interest rate. Your debt is still there, but this will enable you to better manage your money and give you a better idea of when you will pay your debt off, as you’ll have just one loan term to think of rather than many. You’ll also save money because a personal loan generally has a lower interest rate than credit cards. You’ll then only have to make one repayment rather than several, and you can always choose a weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayment option. Tip* weekly repayments will save you money in the long run too. You can do a debt consolidation loan comparison by comparing our personal loans. Things to think about Consider the size of your debt after combining your loans and be realistic about how much you can afford to repay and how often. Talk to us about your options, to ensure one single larger loan won’t become a burden. Keep in mind that setting up your repayment frequency to match your pay schedule, is a great way to make sure paying off your debt is a priority before spending elsewhere. If you don’t think you’re disciplined enough, we can organise automatic payments for you which takes the hassle out of your hands. Ready to consolidate your debts? Get in touch about a Horizon personal loan today. Horizon Bank has a branch network spanning the NSW South Coast and Illawarra. Horizon Bank branch locations: Albion Park, Bega, Bermagui, Berry, Merimbula, Moruya, Nowra, Thirroul, Ulladulla & Wollongong. The content in this article has been prepared by Horizon Bank for general information only and it is not intended to be professional advice. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should seek your own legal, accounting, financial or other professional advice where appropriate, and consider the relevant General Terms and Conditions before deciding whether to acquire any products or services offered by Horizon Bank and/or its affiliated partners. We do not recommend any third party products or services referred to in this article unless otherwise stated and we are not liable in relation to them. Any links to third party websites are for your information and we do not endorse any content on those sites. Horizon Credit Union Ltd ABN 66 087 650 173 AFSL and Australian Credit Licence Number 240573 trading as Horizon Bank.