Money Matters Blog

There is no doubt that many Americans have poor money habits. Do you think you may be one of them? No need to be embarrassed – chances are you were never taught financial literacy in school. However, there’s no time like the present to start learning! These are tried and true ways to say “goodbye” to bad money habits. 

It’s easy to overspend if you don’t really watch where your money is going. And if you aren’t taking...

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We all want to be able to help our children out when it comes to furthering their education. But how can you save for your children’s future on top of your own debt and bills to pay? In today’s blog, we want to give a couple quick and simple ways to begin building your baby’s college fund. It may be just a start, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

One option is a 529 college savings plan, also known as Qualified Tuition Programs (QTP)....

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February 17, 2020 was Random Act of Kindness Day. Since it was also Presidents' Day (a non-banking day), FMBT was closed to conduct all staff training. As part of a team building exercise, FMBT staff were sent out in teams throughout Marinette, Menominee, Peshtigo, and Crivitz. Equipped with a little bit of cash and a whole lot of heart, they were tasked with performing as many random acts of kindness as they could in a two hour period. This was a surprise for both our staff as well as...

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Financial responsibility starts in the home. If it’s not something you were taught as a child, it can be difficult to model it in the home as an adult. The good news is, it’s never too late to start! Here’s what you need to know to kick your household into gear. 

The more, the merrier! Many parents feel anxious to talk about finances with the entire household. However, each member of the household will benefit from having an open conversation...

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Whether retirement is around the corner or many years away, you likely have some questions about how to prepare yourself financially. Today, we will tackle some of the most common questions. 

IRA stands for Individual Retirement Account. The purpose of it is to provide a tax advantaged way for people save for retirement on their own. The two types of IRAs are Traditional and Roth. 

Traditional: With a Traditional IRA, contributions may be tax-deductible...

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It’s never too early to save for college. Some parents start college funds even before their kids are born. If you have yet to jump on the savings train, it’s not too late to get serious about saving while in high school. The average cost of in-state tuition is around $9,000 in Wisconsin and almost $13,000 in Michigan. Every dollar that you can save now will make a difference in the long run. 

If there’s any time to hit the books, it’s...

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Start the year out strong so you can finish the end of next year with a bang! These are some of our favorite savings resolutions that are great for novice savers or experts!

The first step you should take this year is to make steps to build up an emergency fund. Don’t let the unexpected set you painfully back in your budget and even from your ability to pay bills. Seventy eight percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck and cannot afford...

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College students face quite a learning curve in just about every way possible when they are living on their own for the first time. While most college students consider themselves to be tech-savvy, it doesn’t always mean that they know how to stay safe from cyber threats that evolve every day. When they enter college, students become part of the one of the most targeted groups for cybersecurity threats. Students, take these tips with you throughout your college career.

You don’t have to have extravagant wealth to take part in the season of giving. The definition of charitable is “relating to the assistance of those in need”. While a charitable gift of money can definitely be helpful, there are many other meaningful ways to give that leave a lasting impact on a family. These are some of our favorites. 

Time is a valuable commodity that few give freely. There are many organizations in the area that would love...

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Now that cooler weather is rolling in, it’s time to review your energy saving strategy. Farmers & Merchants Bank & Trust is here to offer you plenty of fantastic ideas to increase your savings this season.

Humidifiers offer health benefits as well as bigger savings! Humidity keeps your warm, forced air trapped in the living area in the house longer, thus satisfying your thermostat longer.

Even though it’s a little...

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