Financial Advice by Herring Bank

"I'll just rent since we might PCS in a few years."

You just got your orders.

You immediately start scrolling through rental listings because you figure you'll only be at this duty station for three or four years.

You convince yourself that buying a house is only for people putting down permanent roots.

So, you prepare to hand over your entire Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to a landlord every single month.

Stop throwing away your housing allowance.

If you have military benefits, you have access to one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available: the VA Loan.

It allows you to buy a home with $0 down and no Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).

When it's time to PCS again, you have a house you can sell or turn into a rental property.

Stop paying a landlord's mortgage. Let your benefits work for you.

Explore your options: https://www.herringbank.com/mortgage/

That "estimated payment" is lying to you.

You are scrolling through listings, and you see a house with a monthly payment that looks perfect.

But before you call the agent, check the fine print.

Most real estate apps only show you the Principal and Interest.

They often leave out the Taxes and Insurance which can add
hundreds of dollars to your actual bill.

Don't shop with half the numbers.

Use the Herring Bank Mortgage Calculator.

It lets you factor in property taxes, hazard insurance, and even HOA fees so you can see the real monthly cost before you fall in love with the house.

Know your true number. Then go shopping.

Run the math: https://www.herringbank.com/mortgage/mortgage-calculators/mortgage-payment-calculator/

You paid everyone else in December. 🎁
Now it’s time to pay yourself.

It’s Friday.

The holidays are officially in the rearview mirror.

You spent the last month buying gifts, hosting dinners, and traveling. Now that "normal life" is back, it’s time to switch your focus back to your bank account.

If you got paid today, do one thing before the weekend starts: Log in and set up an Automatic Transfer to your savings.

Start with just $25 per paycheck.

You won't miss it from your checking account, but by the time summer vacation rolls around, you'll have a nice cushion waiting for you.

Automate your 2026 savings: https://www.herringbank.com/personal-banking/online-banking/

The "Holiday Hangover" is here. 🤕

The decorations are down.

The guests are gone.

But the bills are just starting to arrive.

Did you rely a little too heavily on the credit card this year? We get it. But don't let high interest rates eat up your paycheck in 2026.

If you are carrying a balance on multiple high-interest store cards, stop paying them separately.

Consolidate that holiday debt into one Personal Loan with Herring Bank.

You’ll get a fixed rate and a single monthly payment that actually pays down the principal..

Start lowering your interest payments: https://www.herringbank.com/personal-banking/personal-loans/

Don't drag that $14.99 fee into the New Year.

Tomorrow is the last day of the year. It’s the perfect time to cut the dead weight.

We all have those "zombie subscriptions"

The streaming service you watched once or the app trial you forgot to cancel. If you don't catch them now, you'll be paying for them again in January.

Take 5 minutes today.

Scroll through your transaction history.

Cancel the ones you don't need before the next billing cycle hits.

Start your 2026 budget on your terms.

Audit your spending instantly: https://www.herringbank.com/personal-banking/online-banking/

The delivery truck can’t help you now.
It’s Friday the 19th. The shipping windows have closed.

If you click "buy" today, it won't be under the tree on the 25th.

You have to go get it yourself.

This is your chance to skip the tracking numbers and support the local shops in our community. They have the unique gifts big retailers don't, and you can take them home today without worrying about a "delayed package" notification.

Grab your Debit Card and hit the local streets this weekend.

Power your local shopping:

https://www.herringbank.com/personal-banking/personal-checking-account/

You’re shopping for those last few gifts.
Do you know your exact spending limit?

You are about to head to the store. Don't let that last thoughtful gift turn into an expensive overdraft fee just because you were a few dollars off.

That fee is money that should be under the tree, not lost to a mistake.

Take 10 seconds right now.

Open the Mobile App and check your balance before you go shopping. Stop guessing, protect your account, and keep your budget for the gifts.

Check your balance instantly: https://www.herringbank.com/personal-banking/online-banking/

While everyone is shopping, You can get ahead. 🤫

The housing market is quiet right now, but that is your strategic advantage.

While everyone else is distracted by Christmas, you can spend this downtime preparing your move for January.

Don't wait until the New Year when bidding wars return. Use this quiet period to:

1. Secure Your Pre-Approval:
Get the complex part of the process done now.

2. Make Strategic Offers:
Put in an offer this month so you are already in underwriting while the January buyers are still scrolling Zillow.

By the time the competition arrives in January, you will already be ahead of the curve, ready to close.

Get Pre-Approved and be ready to move in January:
https://www.herringbank.com/mortgage/

The holiday party season is here. 🎉

Headed to a party this weekend? Do you have cash for valet, tips, and tolls?

Relying on cash is smart for tipping, parking, and those small, quick transactions.

Don't pay an expensive out-of-network ATM fee while you're rushing to an event.

It saves you money and eliminates a stressful last-minute stop.

Find a fee-free ATM on your route:

https://www.herringbank.com/personal-banking/online-banking/

Christmas is 2 weeks away.

Are you ready?

Are you protected?

You're moving fast to get those last few gifts delivered in time. That urgency makes it easy to cause an expensive overdraft fee!

The best defense is an alarm bell on your account.

Log in and set a Low Balance Text Alert.

Learn how to set a low balance alert here:
https://www.herringbank.com/about-herring-bank/customer-support/how-to-setup-text-alerts/

Give the "summer you" a gift this Christmas.

You likely have funds set aside right now for a big, future expense, maybe next semester's tuition, that big family vacation in July, or a summer home project.

That money is just sitting in your checking account, earning almost nothing for the next six months.

Why let those funds hibernate?

A Certificate of Deposit (CD) is the smart way to maximize those idle funds.

By locking in a fixed rate for a term like 6, 9, or 12 months, you ensure your money is working hard while you're busy enjoying the holidays.

Don't let your summer money lose value while it waits.

Put it to work now and earn more for your future goals.

Talk to an expert about longer-term CD options:
https://www.herringbank.com/personal-banking/