Many life events are directly related to (or cause) financial events which occur at the same time. Preparing for the financial aspects of these events can help to reduce the stress which often accompanies major changes. Here are some major financial events you may encounter.

Remodeling your home or making major repairs. Home equity loans have become a major source of funds used when making improvements to homes. The application process is usually easy and inexpensive with funds available when needed. This helps avoid paying interest on funds you don’t need. Home equity loans usually have attractive interest rates and the interest is tax-deductible. If you are considering a major home improvement, you may want to investigate this source of funds. Arvest is offering a consumer loan special through July 31, 2013, with 2.49 percent APR. Visit arvest.com/249 for details.

Buying a home. Buying your first or new home can be one of the largest financial transactions of your life. Investigating the mortgage options when you start looking at homes can help you focus on a home you can afford and help keep you focused on the home selection and purchase negotiation parts of the process. You may want to talk to a lender to request a pre-qualification letter or at least learn what the current rates are and how much your monthly payments would be for different size mortgages.

Changing jobs. It is seldom easy to change employers. New responsibilities, new co-workers and a new environment can be stressful. In addition, you will probably get a distribution from your old employer’s retirement plan. Once you get that distribution, you have important decisions to make. You must move the funds into another qualified plan or IRA within 60 days to avoid paying taxes on the distribution. You must also make investment decisions. A retirement plan distribution is often the largest single sum an individual ever has to invest at one time. Sometimes, a new employer’s plan can accept transfers as well. If changing jobs is in your near-term future, then investigate your options early to make the transition less stressful.

Retirement. After a career, venturing into retirement brings many changes. Along with Social Security benefits, your existing assets must pay for a major portion of your living expenses. Your living expenses will probably fall somewhat, perhaps by 20 to 30 percent. You will probably want to modify your investment strategies to be more conservative. While you are young and still accumulating assets, it can be easier to absorb a fall in the value of your portfolio because you have time to recoup your losses.  During retirement, a significant setback in your portfolio can be troubling. You may want to consider a more conservative asset allocation with more of your funds in cash and shorter-term fixed income investments.

Funding a child’s college education. The cost of a four-year college education is expensive. Annual college costs at private out-of-state institutions can run over $30,000.  Even state sponsored schools can be at least half that amount. Paying those college bills can be tough if you do not start saving early. Make time your ally by establishing a regular savings program and taking advantage of some of the new tax-advantaged programs like Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (education IRAs) and Section 529 Plans.

You can’t plan for every major event in life, but it’s wise to plan for the events you can project.

The views of this article are for general information use only. Please contact and speak with a subject expert or your banker when specific advice is needed.

We are excited to announce to Arvest customers in Berryville, Ark., we recently remodeled our branch inside the Berryville WalMart Supercenter. The new layout draws customers out of the busy retail traffic.

BERRYVILLE, Ark. — Arvest Bank is pleased to celebrate the reopening the location inside the Berryville WalMart Supercenter after an extensive remodeling to make the branch more comfortable for customers to use within the busy retail center.

The popular Arvest Bank site, which was under remodeling construction for 18 days, celebrates its reopening today with a reception and ribbon cutting ceremony with the Berryville Chamber of Commerce.

“The new layout includes a more inviting teller line that allows our customers to walk into more of a lobby setting out of the busy retail traffic,” said Stefanee Sanders, Branch Manager for the location. “And our customers should really enjoy the television screens with messages about current promotions, weather forecasts, stock movements and trivia facts displayed along one wall.”

Other improvements include recessing the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) into the lobby area allowing customers easier access to the ATM.

If you're beginning to consider retirement, then you should be seriously thinking about how to ensure your financial life in those golden years will be as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Here are a few tips.

Make the most of your remaining paychecks to save for retirement. How much money you'll need to set aside for retirement — which for many people could last 30 years or more — will depend on a variety of factors. Among them: When do you expect to quit working? Will you continue to earn some income part-time? How much money do you have in savings and pensions? And, what kinds of expenses will you incur for housing and health care?

Because the future is uncertain, it makes sense, while you're still working, to put as much money as possible — 10 to 20 percent of your annual income, if not more — into savings for your golden years. Also make use of employer-sponsored retirement plans (especially if you'll receive matching contributions) and tax-advantaged individual retirement accounts (IRAs).

Try to reduce or eliminate debt. "Another way to save more money now for a more enjoyable retirement later is to cut back on unnecessary expenses," especially if you will need to go into debt to pay for them, said Luke W. Reynolds, Chief of the FDIC's Community Affairs Outreach Section. He said to try to pay off most or all of your credit card balances and other loans to cut down on interest charges and avoid being burdened with repayment during your retirement years.

Develop a plan to stretch your money through a long retirement. "The idea is to determine where your money will come from during retirement, so you won't have to live in fear of running out of money," said Susan Boenau, Chief of the FDIC's Consumer Affairs Section.

For example, consult with the Social Security Administration* or your accountant to learn how much Social Security and pension income you'd get each month if you "retire early" — any time between 62 and your "normal" retirement age — and how much more you would receive if you hold off on retirement. The penalty for starting to collect Social Security payments early can be substantial.

Discuss with a financial advisor how and when to withdraw money from your tax-deferred retirement accounts, such as employer-sponsored retirement plans and traditional IRAs. Also periodically review your retirement portfolio — your mix among stocks, mutual funds, CDs (certificates of deposit), bonds and so on — to be sure it's well-diversified. And as you get closer to retirement, consider a more conservative investment strategy than in the past so you can avoid losses to principal that could mean having to postpone retirement or struggle financially.

If you do not already have a financial advisor, your local financial institution most likely offers personalized investment services and can work with you based upon your retirement objectives and time frame.

The views of this article are for general information use only. Please contact and speak with a subject expert or your banker when specific advice is needed. Links marked with * go to a third-party site not operated or endorsed by Arvest Bank, an FDIC-insured institution.

Chaddie Platt and Priscilla Kumpe can’t imagine starting a day without some form of canine affection. The owners of Dog Party USA poured their affection for dogs into researching and developing the concept for the award-winning boarding and daycare facility in Springdale, Ark. They say one of the best rewards is seeing affection returned by “clients” as they are dropped off for a time of play and interaction. Wet kisses and wagging tails are applause to the mother-daughter co-owners.

Platt spent a year researching dog daycares and boarding systems before she and her mother,  Kumpe, opened Dog Party USA* more than seven years ago at 912 South Maestri Road, Springdale. The result is a state-of-the-art facility with five indoor play areas, two acres of fenced yard for outdoor play, and the best in climate-control technology and contamination prevention. Trained supervisors oversee each of the playgroups, which are divided according to size and temperament.

“There is not another facility in the area with the amount of outdoor and indoor space for play that we have or the number of trained staff on hand each day to supervise dogs while they play,” Platt said. “Plus, we are the only facility in the area that belongs to the International Boarding and Pet Services Association* and subscribes to training from national experts.”

The business also offers dog grooming services and training classes for obedience and Canine Good Citizen* certification. Want to celebrate? They offer birthday parties, puppy showers and “bark-mitzvahs.”

“We invite the public in on a regular basis for events they can attend with their dogs,” Platt said.

Everything they’ve poured into the business seems to be yielding rewards. Dog Party USA has been voted best boarding facility in the area every year since it opened. Those votes came in a variety of publications including Celebrate Arkansas magazine’s very best places to board your pets, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Northwest Arkansas best of the best and Northwest Arkansas CitiScapes magazine’s best of listing.

Just as they strive to provide everything their canine clients need during a stay at Dog Party USA, Kumpe and Platt said they get what they need to help run the business side from Arvest Bank.

“We switched to Arvest Bank a few years ago and they have been very helpful,” Platt said. “Paula Wilson at the downtown Springdale branch always makes sure we have everything we need.”

The views of this article are for general information use only. Please contact and speak with a subject expert or your banker when specific advice is needed. Find articles like this and much more in the online Arvest Biz Center. Links marked with * go to a third-party site not operated or endorsed by Arvest Bank, an FDIC-insured institution.

This is the second part of a two-part series about establishing financial security. Part one discussed what financial security is, why it’s important and establishing financial goals. You can read part one here.

We have established what financial security is and why it’s important. Now we need to dive into the nuts and bolts to actually achieving that security.

Monitor and control your spending
While this task may sound ominous, it does not have to be.  Consider breaking it into pieces. 

First, you need to know how much you have coming in each month. While you may be earning interest and dividends on savings accounts or investments, let’s just focus on income from your job. Every pay period (weekly, semi-monthly or monthly), you earn a certain amount. However, the check you receive is reduced by taxes that are withheld, your share of employee benefits (primarily health insurance), amounts you contribute to your company’s retirement plan and any other deductions you may have. The amount you have left is your monthly disposable income. That is how much you have to pay your bills and hopefully there will be some left over you can save.

Next, break your expenses into those that are fixed and those you can control. Fixed expenses include rent, parking, other insurance (probably renter’s and auto insurance), utilities and recurring medical costs.  You probably have some level of control over most of your other expenses.

Finally, subtract your fixed expenses from your disposable income. That is how much you have to cover your other living expenses and any other spending. To not overspend your income, just make sure you manage your other living expenses and other spending to have something left over each month. 

Build net worth
Accumulating net worth takes time and discipline. Here are three ideas that can help:

1. Contribute to your employer’s retirement plan. If you are eligible for a 401(k) plan, be sure to participate and contribute something. Most plans have some type of employer matching provision where the company contributes money equal to all or some portion of what you contribute. Be sure to understand how your plan works and, if you can, contribute enough so you get the maximum contribution from your employer.
2. Set up an automatic savings plan. Many employers will automatically deduct a certain amount and send it directly into a savings account at your financial institution. Choose an amount you are comfortable with and let it happen automatically each pay period. If your employer does not offer this, set up a plan with your financial institution so they move that amount from your checking account to your savings account each month.
3. Save what you do not spend. After you have paid your bills each month, move what is left over to your savings account. You will probably want to keep some funds in your checking account to cover unexpected expenses, but by moving excess funds to your savings account, you will be accumulating assets and probably earning more interest than if you left your excess funds in your checking account.

Establish good financial habits
Here is a list of 13 things to help put you on the road to financial security.

1. Make sure your financial information and records are organized. For information on what records to toss and when check out this article.
2. Use direct deposit for your paycheck.
3. Participate in your employer’s retirement plan and contribute as much as you can.
4. Set up an automatic savings program.
5. Prepare a household spending worksheet.
6. Periodically prepare a personal balance sheet.
7. Use as few credit cards as possible.
8. Reconcile your checking account monthly.
9. Review all your bills and statements as soon as you receive them.
10. Make credit card payments promptly and pay more than the minimum.
11. Be sensitive to fees and interest rates.
12. Build a good credit record. Read about how to do so here.
13. Learn more about handling your finances by reading personal finance columns in newspapers and personal finance magazines.

The views of this article are for general information use only. Please contact and speak with a subject expert when specific advice is needed.