Chances are you’ve already set up a household budget, and our team at Richard Banks & Associates thinks that is great! When finances are tight, a budget can be the saving grace that helps get you by month to month. Since you’ve established that budget, have you taken the time to re-evaluate it and ensure that your money is being spent the best way possible? It’s important to evaluate your budget on a monthly basis to make sure that it reflects your most recent financial situations. Read on →

School will be starting before you know it, and with the new school year comes more educational opportunities for your kids. Since they will be learning new things, our team at Richard Banks & Associates, P.C. felt that perhaps now is the time to help instill healthy money habits! To help you do just that, we’ve come up with a list of helpful ideas. 1. Get them a piggy bank. The first step to having a healthy relationship with money is knowing how to save. Read on →

Let’s face it, we could all stand to make some extra cash from time to time. That’s why our team at Richard Banks & Associates has come up with this list of side job ideas that could prove very profitable for you, especially this summer. These side job ideas are a great way to put some extra cash in your pocket, supplement your income, or get you started toward building up $1,000 in savings. Read on →

At Richard Banks & Associates, P.C., we know that becoming unemployed is something that most everyone fears and nearly no one is prepared for. After all, 63 percent of Americans don’t even have enough money in the bank to cover a $500 emergency, let alone go without a regular paycheck. The United States’ unemployment rate has reached a new low at 4.3 percent, but that still means that nearly 14 million Americans continue to struggle. Read on →

Saving money is difficult to begin with, but can be even more trying when you’re living on a minimum salary. Our team at Richard Banks & Associates, P.C. understands your financial struggles and the desire to be financially secure, and wants you to know that it is possible to save money while working for only minimum wage! Those working full time at the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour are making only $15,080 a year before taxes. Read on →

Summer is officially here, and the heat is in full blast already! Just because the temperatures are rising, doesn’t mean that your expenses must as well, so our team at Richard Banks & Associates has compiled a list of summer savings your family can utilize! 1. Turn up the air conditioning. Yes, we know that summer in Tennessee can be stifling, but the savings can add up by raising the temperature on your thermostat by even one degree! Read on →

The college graduation season has once again returned and with students across the country ready to embark on their next journey, our team at Richard Banks & Associates, P.C. thought it wise to share some valuable money tips! It’s a well-known fact that more than half of Americans don’t even have $1,000 in their savings account, and in order for this most recent batch of college grads to get started off on the right foot, we’d suggest referring back to our recent blog that deals with saving $1,000 in just six months. Read on →

When people decide to start their own business, failing is typically one of the furthest thoughts from their mind, despite the fact that our team at Richard Banks & Associates, P.C. knows there are many reasons as to how it can happen. Did you know that according to the SBA Office of Advocacy, two-thirds of business with employees make it at least two years and only half survive at least five years? Read on →

In difficult financial times, coming up with enough money to cover your expenses is hard enough, so thinking about building up your savings account when bankruptcy might be on the radar seems especially unrealistic. Our team at Richard Banks & Associates understands and appreciates that quandary, but also knows just how important building up your savings account to that $1,000 point can be. Did you know that recent studies have shown that 69 percent of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts? Read on →

Springtime is here and for most, including us at Richard Banks & Associates, that means it’s time for spring-cleaning! Instead of just focusing on the deep-clean your home will be receiving, why not look at some ways to tidy up your finances, as well? If you’re attempting to clean up your finances from a rather messy situation, you must first begin by setting a goal. Decide what you’re hoping to achieve in the near and distant future and then establish the steps needed to reach your immediate goals. Read on →