With inflation driving up costs on pretty much everything imaginable, monthly budgets have really taken a hit. With higher costs come increased stress as households struggle to rebalance their budgets and reassess what costs are truly necessary each month. And while we all need to stay entertained in our free-time, recreation and entertainment is usually the first item to go when it comes to cutting costs. However, there are plenty of ways to trim your entertainment budget that don’t include fully cutting it out!

Below, we’ve listed eight of our favorite ways to save on entertainment costs and get your budget back on track.

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We’ve all heard about the benefits of recycling. It’s good for the environment, it helps to reuse plastics that don’t naturally decompose on their own, and it makes us feel good. But how much do you really know about the practice itself? This Earth day, take the opportunity to brush up on good recycling habits to help the planet. We’ve compiled our favorite recycling tips and tricks below.

Best Plastic Practices

We’ve all heard that plastic products are some of the worst things to happen to our planet. But did you know why? While products made of wood, cardboard, or paper can decompose in landfills over time or be reused for other projects, that’s not really the case with plastic products. A plastic shopping bag, for example, can take up to 20 years to break down, while a plastic water bottle can take up to 450 years or more!

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High debt can be a beast, taking huge bites out of a household budget and destroying any chance of financial wellness. To make matters worse, being in high debt can mean being stuck in a desperate cycle that never ends, as payback is often accompanied by high interest rates that make it hard to get ahead. Unfortunately, scammers know this well, so they target victims with debt relief scams to get at their money.

Here’s what you need to know about debt relief scams and how to avoid them. 

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Coordinator Kristen L. shares her knowledge about credit and credit scores with a class at Starkweather.

Students at Starkweather Academy are preparing for life outside of the classroom. Starkweather Academy provides an alternative/adult education program within the Plymouth-Canton Community School District. Students at Starkweather have the opportunity to complete their high school education with smaller class sizes, acquire “English as a Second Language” help if needed, or get support in preparing for the GED exam.

In addition to Starkweather’s focused curriculum, Community Financial offers many financial education presentations to help students with their finances. Education Partnership Coordinator, Kristen L., is frequently at Starkweather Academy preparing students for their financial future. She leads engaging presentations on budgeting skills, credit, investing, car buying, fraud, and interviewing skills. She also conducts “Food and Finance” trivia, where students answer financial education questions during their lunch for prizes.

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Did you know that April is Financial Literacy Month? While it’s a good idea to keep your financial education up to date all year long, now is the perfect time to take a step back and reassess your finances and the techniques you use to stay financially literate. Whether you’re looking to brush up on your own knowledge, or learn tips for teaching money-smart choices to your children, there’s always something new to learn. Below, you will find a handful of our favorite financial resources to help build your knowledge during this year’s Financial Literacy Month!

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As we continue into 2022, many of us here at Community Financial have already started our New Year’s Resolutions. As you may know, the majority of resolutions have already been discarded by this time of year. However, sticking to your goals of healthy eating, exercise, and mindfulness can be so much easier when you share the practice with others!  

Courtesy of Community Financial’s Innovation Committee, a group made up of team members across all departments, we are happy to share our New Year, New You Recipes and Connections initiative! Throughout March and April, our team members have been collaborating to keep our bodies and minds working at full speed. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the top comments, recipes, and more so you too can practice healthy habits this spring.

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