Mutual One Bank Content

Source: USAGov

Understand how the Administration for Community Living helps seniors

The Administration for Community Living was created to help older adults and those with disabilities live and thrive in the communities of their choosing.

LongTermCare.gov helps many people prepare for life in their older years. Get informed on what insurance will or will not cover and help prepare for needs or expenses you may not be aware of.

Contact the Eldercare Locator by phone at 1-800-677-1116 and find public services in your community to assist in areas like:

• Support services like getting help from a caregiver
• Housing for older adults
• Elder rights when it comes to abuse and legal matters
• Transportation for older adults to help maintain independence

Get active for your health and community

Activity as a senior is just as important as activity in any other age group, so be sure to get exercise in your regimen daily. Beyond physical exercise, there are other ways to stay active in your community.

• Become an AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer. This program is open to individuals 55 and older. You can choose from many different organizations to be a part of to service your community while gaining new skills and building valuable relationships.
• If you’re interested in working, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a joint community service and work-based job training program for older Americans. Participants in this program gain a wide variety of experience in many different public and private facilities like hospitals, schools and senior centers. Participants must meet qualifications to enroll.

USAGov helps you navigate government information and services no matter your age.

Source: USAGov

In times of financial uncertainty, careful budgeting can be critical to keep your money in order. In this article, we offer practical tips for creating and maintaining a budget that suits your household’s needs.

What is a budget?
A budget is a plan that helps you manage your money. It shows how much money goes in and out of your pocket each month, and helps you identify areas where you can save money.

Why should you have a budget?

• Helps you take control of your money: A budget provides a clear picture of where your money goes, which allows you to make informed decisions about how to spend it.
• Helps you save money: A budget identifies areas where you can spend less, so you can use some of your money to achieve bigger financial goals, such as paying off debt or saving more.
• Helps you reduce stress: Finances are a common source of stress. Using a budget can reduce it by helping you feel more in control of your money.

How to create a budget

• Understand your income and expenses: The first step in creating a budget is identifying how much you earn and spend each month, as well as any extra income and expenses. Know how to track these numbers with help from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
• Set clear financial goals: Whether it’s saving for your children’s education, buying a home, or planning for retirement, setting financial goals helps you stay focused and motivated. Use helpful tips from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to set and achieve your financial goals.
• Prioritize your expenses: Not all expenses are equally important. Prioritize spending on your basic needs, such as housing, food, and healthcare. Evaluate which expenses, such as eating out or subscriptions, you can reduce. Learn how to prioritize your expenses.
• Plan for the unexpected: An essential part of any budget involves considering unexpected expenses. These might include medical emergencies or home repairs. Explore Department of Labor’s practical tools to develop a savings plan and build an emergency fund.
• Monitor your spending habits: Use tools like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s bill calendar to keep track of when you make payments and how much you pay for each item. This will help you avoid late fees and improve your credit.
• Review and adjust your budget regularly: The state of the economy and your personal finances can change from time to time. It’s important to periodically review your budget and make adjustments as necessary. Handle unexpected financial changes with help from MyMoney.gov.
• Seek help when you need it: If you find yourself overwhelmed by debt or simply need guidance to better manage your money, don’t hesitate to seek help from experts. Take control of your financial situation with trusted experts like the FTC.

Creating and maintaining a budget may seem like a complicated task. With the right resources and planning, you can achieve a greater financial peace of mind. Take advantage of trusted support and start building a more secure financial future for you and your family today.

For more information and resources from government agencies, explore USA.gov/money.

Getting ready to download your bank’s mobile banking app? Make sure it’s legit!

Recently, scammers impersonating financial institutions have developed fake apps containing malware that, once installed and permissions accepted, request access to a user’s personal and financial information. These apps are primarily targeted at Android™ users and can be found on third-party websites, alternative app stores, or through links in phishing messages.

If you are downloading MutualOne Bank’s Mobile Banking app, please note it can only be found in two places:

• The official Google Play™ Store – Download on Google Play
• The official App Store® – Download on the App Store

MutulaOne Bank will never ask you to download our Mobile Banking app over text, through a third-party website, or an app store other than the Google Play Store or App Store.

To protect yourself from falling victim to fake apps, make sure to:

• Only install apps from the official Google Play Store or App Store.
• Don’t accept accessibility services or Short Message Service (SMS) access unless you are certain the app is trustworthy.
• Never enter sensitive information into pop-ups.
• Make sure you stay up to date with regular software updates on your device.
• Use an app-based authentication instead of SMS when possible, as SMS codes can be intercepted.
• Watch for strange behavior on your device, as unfamiliar apps, battery drainage, or screen overlays can be a sign your device is infected.

If you have any questions about our Mobile Banking app or have received a message from MutualOne Bank that raises questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Client Services at (508) 820-4010.

The Apple logo and the App Store are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc.
The Google Play logo and Google Play are trademarks of Google LLC.

Source: Federal Trade Commission

Are you the parent of a fur baby? Then you know how tough it is when your cat, dog, or other adorable pet is sick, in pain, or injured. You’d do anything for them. Scammers are using that feeling to steal your hard-earned money.

Here’s how the scam works. You get a call or text from someone who says they’re a staff member at the local SPCA or another animal shelter. They tell you that your pet was hit by a car, and you need to pay $500 right away to save them. Conveniently, they tell you exactly how to pay.

If you’re at home with your pet, you’ll know right away that it’s a scam. If you aren’t at home and you’re worried, here are some steps to help stop the scammers in their tracks.

• Call the shelter yourself. Look up the phone number of the shelter the person says they’re calling from. Call them yourself to see if Boots, Rascal, or Thor is there.
• Listen to how they tell you to pay. Scammers will insist you can only pay with cash, a gift card, a wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a payment app. Those are ways that get scammers the money quickly…and make it hard for you to get it back.
• Report the scam. If you encounter this, a different version of a pet scam (like fake pet ads), or any other kind of scam, fraud, or bad practice, tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

And if you wound up sending money to a scammer, here’s what to do next.