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Mortgage Loan: How Much Can I Afford?

Are you thinking about buying a home but unsure of how much mortgage you can afford? You're not alone! Buying your first home can be a daunting process - there are so many factors to consider, and understanding your own financial situation is key. Let's explore the different aspects of mortgages that will influence the amount of money you'll be able to get approved for – from understanding credit scores and debt-to-income ratios to calculating closing costs.

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Build Your Business with Social Media

There's a lot of chatter today about the growth in social media. With well over two billion users worldwide, it's easy to understand why. What's not as easy to understand for some business owners is how to put social media to work for their companies. Here are some ways you can use social media to help your business:

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Get Your Business Blooming This Spring

Spring, the season of growth and revitalization, is in the air! And what better way to celebrate than to take a fresh perspective on ways to grow your business? Here are some simple steps you can take to get your business blooming:

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6 Ways to Spring Clean Your Credit

Spring is a great time for a fresh start and cleanup but not just for your home or yard. It's also a great time to clean up something very important in your financial house – your credit. Whether you're looking to establish credit, give some TLC to one that could use some improvement, or already have great credit, there are some important steps you can take to ensure your credit is the best it can be.

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Spring Clean Your Life

Tips to help you grow this spring- It's spring, the time to get out your cleaners and yard tools, and start cleaning up your home. It's also a great time to polish up something that's even more valuable than your home – your life. Here are some small chores that can go a long way in helping you grow this spring:

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Tips for Early Spring Gardening

It happens every year. One day it's blustery, bleak, and cold, and the next it's warm and sunny. It's time to plan and prepare your lawn and garden. Gardening can be a fun and relaxing activity for most of the year, but it is important to get an early start to help your yard to recover from its recent hibernation.

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Go Green and Save Your Business Money

Earning the attention and respect of your customers and prospects. Saving money. Making a difference. They are all effective ways to build a successful business – and a stronger bottom line. One way to accomplish all those goals is to go green. Here are some easy ways you can save on energy expenses – and do your part to save the planet:

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5 Ways to Keep Your Money Safe

Life is unpredictable. Our financial lives can be, too. From soaring inflation to rising interest rates to volatile markets, it can sometimes feel like we don't have control of our money, especially your hard-earned savings. Rest assured, though, there are some steps you can take to safeguard it.

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What Kind of Interest Rate Can I Get

Interest rates are changing every day. Borrowers can consider several mortgage products and choose the one that fits their budget, with expert advice from a qualified mortgage lender.

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Spring Break: It's Not Just for Kids

Plan a spring getaway to one of America's top vacation destinations... It's another sure sign that spring is coming. It's not longer days, warmer temperatures, or even the sweet sounds of birds singing. It's Spring Break, the time of year when college kids leave behind the demands of schoolwork to go have some fun in the sun.

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5 Smart Things to Do with Your Tax Return

What's not to love about receiving money? It's why millions and millions of people play the lottery each year. And while most won't be lucky enough to win the jackpot, they may very well receive money in a far more common way — getting a tax refund.

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6 Ways to Safeguard Your Business from Risk

Running your own business comes with its share of rewards. But as experienced business owners know, with reward comes risk. From data breaches to competitive pressures, every business must contend with a variety of threats and challenges. The most successful businesses, however, understand the importance of planning for and managing them. Here are some ways to manage risks in your business: Business planning. When you started your business, you may have developed a business plan. Your business

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Inexpensive Ways to Market Your Business

Whether you're looking to get a new business off the ground or take an established one to the next level, marketing can bring you where you need to go. It can help you reach new prospects, stay top-of-mind with your customers, and differentiate your business from your competitors. And most importantly, it can help you accomplish something that every business owner sets out to do — make money.

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Secrets of Successful Savers

Why save? It may be to realize the plans we have for our lives — to own a home or pay for our child's education in the future. Or maybe it's to gain greater control of the unplanned things of today, such as emergency medical expenses or car or home repairs.

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Health Savings Accounts: One Way Some Consumers Can Prepare for Medical Bills

You know about tax-preferred IRAs for your retirement savings, but what about a similar account to help pay for certain medical expenses? It's called a Health Savings Account (HSA). Whether you already have an HSA or you're interested in learning more, here are some basic points. If you are enrolled in only one health insurance plan and it has a high deductible, you probably are eligible to open an HSA. The deductible is the dollar amount you have to pay before the insurance starts picking up c

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Cold Hard Tips for Warm Winter Dressing

Baby, it's cold outside. And while hibernating inside by a warm fireplace or hot stove may sound like the perfect way to avoid the cold, it's simply not practical. The reality is we all have to venture out at some point. Rest assured, though, that with some winter wardrobe basics, you can stay warm and toasty, and even enjoy the many outdoor activities of the season.

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Make Every Dollar Count — Tips for Smart Shoppers

Who doesn't want to get the best deal for their dollar — especially during these tough economic times? There's no shortage of sale ads from merchants who want your business: they're using preferred customer specials, early bird sales, midnight madness events, coupon savings days, and pre- AND post-holiday sales. Just how do you decide if their deals are real?

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Tips for the New Year

It's that time of year — the time to ring out the old and ring in the new, to ditch bad habits and replace them with good ones. We can't guarantee you'll lose weight, or become a better human being, but we can give you some suggestions to help you whip your finances into shape. Here are some tips for the New Year.

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Keeping New Year's Resolutions

The New Year is an ideal time to make positive changes in your life. Set yourself up for success by following these proven tips for keeping your resolutions.

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To Temp or Not to Temp?

It's an all-too-familiar scenario in today's competitive job market. You've scoured the employment websites, participated in endless job interviews, and reached out to your professional and personal networks. Yet despite all your hard work, you've been unable to find work.

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Why Workplace Mentoring Works

There's a special feeling of pride and fulfillment that comes with helping others. And while most of us would love the opportunity to volunteer our time, busy work schedules and family responsibilities can make finding the time to give back difficult. There is, however, a unique way for you to give back while you're at work; you could become a workplace mentor.

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7 Ways to Refresh Your Business

Time flies when you're running a business. One moment, you're wrapping up your books and planning for the holiday season, and the next you're in a fresh new year with new possibilities and challenges. The start of a year is actually a great time to reflect on your plans and goals for your business and lay the groundwork to achieve them. Here are some tips to help you pave the way for success.

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Holiday Cards Make Good Business Sense

The holiday season is upon us, which means that it's a good time for businesses to think about Christmas cards. If you've never sent business holiday cards, or don't make a point of sending them out every year, here are five reasons why you should start:

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Celebrate Small Businesses This Holiday Season and All Year Long

It's the annual season of giving and thanks. It's also time to celebrate another annual tradition – Small Business Saturday. Created by American Express® during the recession of 2010 and held every Saturday following Thanksgiving, Small Business Saturday encourages consumers to support local businesses during the holiday season.

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7 Things to Do By Year End

The year 2022 is almost in the books. Many of us use this time to take stock of the past year and make our resolutions to be our best for the New Year. To help get 2023 off to a great start, there are some important things you may want to do this year, including:

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Litte Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

You don't have to be a great detective to figure out that the holiday season is the time for giving. Retailers, from jewelry stores to auto manufacturers, have made that painfully clear as they flood the airwaves and cyberspace with images of beautiful diamond bracelets and luxury cars with giant red bows. And while many of us would love to indulge and shower those we love with beautiful and expensive gifts, it's simply not financially possible.

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Avoiding Holiday Blues

The holiday season is in full frenzy. And while television commercials, magazines, and greeting cards like to highlight the joy and peace of this time of year, the holidays can be a very difficult and stressful time for some. With the financial pressures of gift giving and the loss of loved ones, it's not uncommon to feel sadness, depression, and stress.

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Bring Customers Right to You During the Holiday Season

Ready, set, start your shopping carts! The holiday shopping season has begun. If you own a business, it's a great opportunity to bring customers to your physical or even virtual door, especially with Small Business Saturday. This annual event, celebrated the Saturday following Thanksgiving, is designed to encourage consumers to support small businesses and recognize all they do for their local communities.

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10 Habits of Successful People

How do you define success? Some will say it's having the love of a good family. Others will say it's making money. And still others might say it's following your passion in life. The truth is, you could ask 100 different people and get 100 different answers. You can, however, find common qualities that successful people share. Here are ten:

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The Importance of a Job Description

Employees deserve to know what is expected of them and how they will be evaluated. A clear and up-to-date job description addresses this expectation while providing a basis for employee performance reviews, salary increases and career development. A job description also forces management to define goals and expectations that are company wide, and determine how to implement them through the employee channel. Using job descriptions is part of good management. Read on to learn about

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5 Ways to Alleviate Financial Stress

It's a funny thing about money; we don't really talk about it, even though it's frequently on our minds. It's especially true when we experience financial difficulties, like a job loss or an unexpected expense. When such things happen, money is at the forefront of our minds, but we keep the worry inside, which leads to financial stress. And that like any other type of stress, can keep you up at night and take a toll on your health and wellbeing.

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Can You Spot a Phishing Scam?

Can You Spot a Phishing Scam? Every day, thousands of people fall victim to fraudulent emails, texts and calls from scammers pretending to be their bank. And in this time of expanded use of online and mobile banking, the problem is only growing worse. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission’s report on fraud estimates that American consumers lost a staggering $5.8 billion to phishing scams and other fraud in 2021—an increase of more than 70 percent over 2020.

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Tips for Overcoming Common Financial Fears

Worried about money? If so, you're not alone. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), 87% of Americans reported feeling stressed about the rising cost of food, energy, groceries, and more since the pandemic.

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5 Creative Ways to Attract Talent to Your Company

Looking to find the right talent for your business? You're in good company. Today, companies of all sizes – from a range of industries – are grappling with a pressing business challenge: the labor shortage. Yes, with employment low, it's become increasingly difficult for companies to attract, hire, and retain the talent they need to carry out their business objectives.

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Fall Into Home Improvement

Cool nights. Beautiful foliage. The return of football. The fall season sure is a great time to be outdoors. It's also a great time to make improvements to one of your greatest assets — your home.

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Halloween Safety

Halloween can bring joy and excitement to children, it can bring worries to parents about their children's safety. Here are some simple tips to ensure your child enjoys the treats of the season — and stays safe.

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5 Ways to Get More Out of Your Paycheck

Let's face it, it's expensive out there. The cost of groceries, gas, utilities, rent and so many other things has risen sharply over the past year. And now more than ever before, you may be thinking that it's time for a big raise.

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Managing Money Together

In relationships, communication is key. That's especially true when it comes to one of the biggest challenges for couples – managing money. For many, money is a taboo subject, which is probably why it's among the leading causes of divorce.

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The Business of Blogging

Finding cost-effective ways to reach customers and prospects is critical to growing your business. An increasingly popular way business owners are accomplishing that today is by blogging. A blog can help you —

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Wanna Get Away- with Less Expensive Airfare?

Planning to take off this winter season? Whether you're thinking about visiting loved ones, relaxing on a tropical island, or hitting the mountains for skiing, it's important to shop around for the best travel deals, especially airfare.

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Helping Students Prepare for College Life

The time has finally come — the day when your child will leave home for college. It's the culmination of all your years of sacrifice, hard work, and preparation. And while it's exciting to think about this new phase in your child's life, it's not uncommon to become emotional and worried about the prospect of your child living without you. Here are some easy ways to prepare your child (and you) for the big moment:

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Healthy Ways to Get Kids Moving

There's no question, technology has changed the way we live. It's allowed us to streamline activities and gain more time. But for many children today, it's given them more time for unhealthy habits, such as sitting in front of the television or computer for hours on end when they should be exercising. Not a healthy habit since it may take them away from the 60 minutes of exercise experts say kids need each day.

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4 Myths About Mortgages

From the list of terms to the array of loan choices, the mortgage process can seem overwhelming and complicated. It also doesn't help that there are a lot of misconceptions about mortgages. Here are four of the most common ones:

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National Anti-Boredom Month

"I'm bored; there's nothing to do." It's that dreaded phrase that every parent will hear at one point or another during summer vacation. The painful truth is, with the structure of the school day gone, many kids and parents can struggle with how to fill the extra time. In the spirit of National Anti-Boredom Month in July, here are some tips to brighten summer days and turn family boredom into family bonding:

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Hot Tips for a Great Day at the Beach

Warm sand. Cool breezes. Refreshing water. With so much to offer, it's no wonder why folks love to spend summer days relaxing at the beach. A day at the beach is a great way to connect with your family and friends, take in the wonders of nature, and unplug from your electronics. But before you put your toes in the sand, be sure to prepare with these helpful tips to help you make the most of your beach getaway.

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5 Smart Ways to Leave Work on Vacation

Vacation. It's one of the most coveted and valuable employee benefits. Even the happiest and most satisfied worker can appreciate the importance of taking some time away from pressing deadlines and early alarm clock warnings. And while technology has made it easier to learn more about great summer vacation getaways and values, it's also made leaving work behind even harder.

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Taking Care of Your Medical Debt

From unexpected illnesses or injuries to regular trips to the doctor, medical bills and copays happen. And depending on the care you require or the type of insurance you have, they can really add up – and put a drain on your budget.

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5 Important Questions to Ask When Selling Your Business

Building a business is hard work. So, it's natural that there may come a time when you want to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of your labor by selling your business. Unfortunately, selling a business isn't easy, either. But like anything that's hard in life, planning can help make things a lot easier.

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Get on the Road to Safer Cycling

With opportunities to get great cardiovascular exercise, spend time in the outdoors, and enjoy quality time with friends and loved ones, there's a lot to love about bicycling. In fact, it has become so popular in America that you can pretty much spot all kinds of cyclists wherever you go — from parents pulling toddlers in bike carriages, to couples taking romantic rides in parks on tandem bicycles, to packs of enthusiasts riding on country roads.

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fixed-rate-mortgage

Premier Community Bank offers fixed-rate home mortgage loans to help you buy the home of your dreams. We have a variety of loan programs to choose from, and our experienced lenders will work with you to find the best loan for your needs.

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Disposing of Old Computers

Getting rid of your old computer? You can ensure its hard drive doesn't become a treasure chest for identity thieves. Use a program that overwrites or wipes the hard drive many times. Or remove the hard drive, and physically destroy it.

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7 Ways to Manage Rising Fuel Costs

Managing costs is critical to managing your company's cash flow and longevity. But with today's soaring costs, including rising energy costs, that's become increasingly challenging.

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Tips for Starting a Business in 2022

Thinking about turning a talent or idea you have into a business? There's actually never been a better time to start a business than right now. Yes, now, even with COVID-19 still looming. In fact, according to the Census Bureau, the number of businesses created has been higher than ever since the pandemic.

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Resolve to Fulfill Those Resolutions

They are an end-of-year tradition. We arrive at them when we look back and take stock of our accomplishments and challenges of the past year and look ahead to the coming new year with a sense of hope, renewal, and promise. They are our New Year's resolutions.

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7 Steps to Prepare Your Finances for the Unexpected

The road of life is filled with many unexpected twists and turns. And though it would be great to know exactly when you might encounter a road bump like a market downturn, unexpected job loss, or health issue. it's not always possible. What is possible, though, is financially preparing for the unexpected. Here are seven steps that can help you:

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Holiday Budget for Your Business

The holiday season can be a glorious time of the year. A time to spend time with our loved ones, take some time off, and give back to others. But as all of us know, it can be an expensive time of year, especially for businesses that seek to show customer and employee appreciation and capitalize on selling opportunities. So how can you prepare for the added costs without draining your business finances?

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Get the Skinny on Healthy Holiday Eating

Eat, drink, and be merry. It's what so many of us do during the holiday season. Unfortunately, many of us suffer a consequence of doing so — weight gain. Even the healthiest and most disciplined of people can find themselves eating unhealthy foods and putting on a few extra pounds during the holiday season. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to ensure that doesn't happen to you.

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Shed Business Debt

business owners know all too well, there's often no way around having debt. Fortunately, though, there are some healthy ways you can shed that excess debt for your business and pump up that bottom line: These methods include: Talking to your lender

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Loans and Credit Scores: How they Work Together

Loans and Credit Scores: How they Work Together For better or for worse, loans and credit scores always go hand in hand. Negative connotations are most often associated with this pair, but there are several positives to understand as well. Let’s take a look at this relationship to learn why it always endures.

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How to Pay for College on Your Own

How to Pay for College on Your Own - But there's one very important thing you might not know yet: How the heck you will pay for it.Let's face it, college isn't cheap. According to U.S. News and World Report, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2020-2021 school year was $11,171 for state public colleges and $41,411 for private institutions.

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7 Cost-effective Ways to Keep Your Employees on the Job

7 Cost-effective Ways to Keep Your Employees on the Job Finding and retaining quality employees has always been a challenge for small business owners. In the COVID-19 world, however, the challenge is greater than ever before. With expanded unemployment benefits that allow some to make more money staying at home than working and many working parents opting to stay at home with their children, there's a serious labor shortage. And those that have managed to get help must answer a pressing question: How can they retain the employees they do have on limited budgets?

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Appraisals and Home Equity Loans

Appraisals and Home Equity Loans Yes, you can get a home equity loan without an appraisal—but there are several things you should consider. First, the amount of the loan needs to be under $50,000. Next, expect a third party to conduct a drive-by look-see of your property.

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Difference Between Loan and Mortgage

What’s the Difference between a Loan and a Mortgage? There are several different types of loans available today. Customers sometimes ask us to explain the difference between each type, and we are always happy to help them find the right product for their unique situation.

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