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Page 6 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • July 30, 2014 Business It’s time for a financial tune up Canine cast Princess the Pomeranian has been cast in the new Starz series ‘Flesh and Bone.’ Princess, who is the pet of trainer Heidi Wise of Coddled Creatures, is due to appear in six episodes. The new TV show was created by ‘Breaking Bad’ producer Moira Walley-Beckett and is due to air in 2015. Many people began 2014 by making smart resolutions to get their finances in order. Now that more than half of the year is over, it is a good time for a progress assessment. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants sug- gests the following tips for evaluating financial situations and making any necessary corrections. Do away with debt. The average U.S. household credit card debt is just over $7,000, according to a Federal Reserve analysis. That is a sobering figure, especially when one considers the amount of interest households must pay each month on their outstanding balances. Those who have not succeeded at lowering their credit card balances and other debt so far this year should consider moving this goal to the top of their agenda. Those who only pay the minimum balance should make the largest payments they can to erase the balance sooner and free themselves from costly monthly interest charges. Make sure to target the account with the highest interest first. Here is some added incen- tive: Lowering outstanding debt can help raise one’s credit score, which may reduce the interest rate charged on future borrowings. Think about the future. Saving for retirement is a common consumer goal, but it is also one that is easy to put off. Do not wait until it is too late. The earlier one begins saving for the future, the more that money can grow over time. Many employers help out by offering auto- matic retirement savings plans that deduct an amount the employee determines from each paycheck. If an employer also matches the employee’s contributions, make it a high priority to set aside as much as possible to take advantage of the full match. Not taking advantage of this perk is liter- ally leaving retirement money on the table. Get back on budget. It is not too late to get back on track this year. A budget should track how much one earns and how that money is spent. Making a budget is easy and pro- vides valuable information on how those hard-earned dol- lars are being used. Those who are surprised at how much they spend on takeout, entertainment, or some other cat- egory may want to curtail spending in that area. A budget should also include a set amount for savings. Even if it is only a small amount at first, it is smart to work on building an emergency fund or a nest egg for a future home pur- chase or other long-term goal. Update or create a will. Speaking of emergencies, a mid- year financial review is a good time to update or create a will. Those who have children will want to name an execu- tor and a preferred guardian who can ensure the children’s (continued on page 27) ASB supplies lunch for Paterson Habitat for Humanity Kids Kamp The Paterson Habitat for Human- ity recemtly held its annual Kids Kamp. This event, geared toward children ages 5 to 12 years old, serves as an introduction to Habi- tat for Humanity, teaching children how to help their neighbors in ways that are practical and meaningful. The five hour program is filled with fun activities including a visit to a Habitat construction site, arts and crafts and a field trip the Pater- son Great Falls. Each camper also received a healthy lunch provided by Atlantic Stewardship Bank. “Atlantic Stewardship Bank is proud to support the efforts of Pat- erson Habitat for Humanity in the community,” said Gail Tilstra, ASB Senior Vice President of Human Resources. For more information regarding the Paterson Habitat for Humanity, please visit their website www.patersonhabitat.org. Kerri Schaefer, Paterson Habitat for Humanity Faith Relations Coordinator; Gail Tils- tra, Atlantic Stewardship Bank Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Judy Keyes, Atlantic Stewardship Bank Training Officer.