It is that time of year again! Shoes That Fit is back and bigger than ever. In 2009, First National Bank has the honor of being the Shoes That Fit sponsor in both Ames and Ankeny! Shoes That Fit is a national non-profit organization helping children in need by providing shoes and clothes so that they can attend school in comfort and with dignity.

How do I get involved?
1. Stop into any First National Bank branch and pick up a "needs card".
2. Purchase the item listed on the card. (An example might be 8/10 Boy's Jeans.)
3. Bring the item to First National Bank before December 8^th, 2009.

Adventure. Education. Community. You can experience all three through First National Bank's New Horizons Club. New Horizons is a club for any First National Bank customer over 50 with a minimum of $2,500 in one checking account. Enjoy trips like: "Shady Business" at the Old Creamery and Cirque Dreams Illumination in 2009, as well as Hawaii in 2010! The club regularly holds seminars. Recently members have attended sessions such as: "How to Use Internet Banking/Online Bill Pay", "Estate Planning" and "Ten Things You Should Know Before You Retire". Don't forget the FREE perks like: free checks for one checking account, free travelers' checks and money orders, discounts on safe deposit boxes and an annual Ice Cream Social.

While it's important to pay your bills, it's also wise to "pay yourself" — to contribute to your savings accounts, even in uncertain times when you may be strapped for cash. Follow a few simple money-management tips that can help you cut your expenses and put money aside for savings. Here are ways to start saving more.

Have an emergency savings account.
This is an account you can tap if you lose your job or have major, unforeseen expenses. Emergency savings will help ensure that you don't have to borrow from your retirement nest egg or take out additional loans that would push you into debt. A general rule of thumb is to have enough money in this "rainy day" fund equal to at least two months of living expenses. If your employment outlook is especially uncertain, consider setting aside enough to cover six or more months of anticipated expenses.

Try to save money for long-term goals, such as retirement.
If your employer matches a portion of your payroll contributions to a tax-advantaged retirement savings plan, not participating means you are passing up free money and perhaps losing out on a valuable tax break.

Pay yourself first.
That means each month, before you're tempted to spend money, commit to putting a good bit of it into a savings account. You can write out a check to be deposited into your savings account, but it's much easier to arrange with your bank to automatically transfer a certain amount from your paycheck or your checking account into savings. And as you pay your bills, your mortgage and other obligations, take satisfaction in knowing that some of your hard-earned dollars are already saved...for you!

Start small.
By consistently saving small amounts, even $25 out of every paycheck, your savings account will grow and you will be motivated to try to save more. Even the spare change you put once a month into a bank savings account can add up faster than you think.

Review your existing bank accounts.
Look at what is being offered by your bank. The idea is to make sure the bank products and features are appropriate for how you use each account. For example, if your money is sitting in a low-rate checking or savings account, consider moving it to a higher-yielding account, perhaps a CD where the earnings can get an extra boost.

Turn a debt payment into a deposit.
If you pay off a debt, such as the outstanding balance on a credit card, or if you make that last loan payment on your car, put that money to work as part of your savings. If you take the loan amount you had been paying and start putting it directly into savings each month, you'll be earning interest — not paying interest — and there will be hardly any noticeable change in cash flow.

Save, don't spend, a financial "windfall."
If you receive a large sum of money — perhaps from an inheritance, an insurance payment, a tax refund or a bonus at work — deposit that money into a savings or investment account before you're tempted to spend it.