You can refinance just about any loan, but doing so with a mortgage requires careful consideration. After all, paying off your existing home loan and replacing it could save you thousands. On the other hand, it could lead to foreclosure. Here are some reasons why people make this choice, along their related pros and cons.

Lower rates & better terms

The most common thinking behind refinancing is to get lower interest rates. However, if it’s only a marginal decrease, it’s likely not worth the switch. There are several expenses that go along with the process, including appraisals, processing, and application & origination fees. Make sure you factor these in before deciding.

Determine your break-even point by dividing the total closing costs by your estimated savings. For example, if you’re spending $200 less per month, but paying $4,000 in closing costs, it will take almost two years to break even. In this case, if you’re planning to move soon, it’s not the best idea.

Sometimes rates can fall low enough for homeowners to shorten their repayment periods and have only slightly higher mortgages. You’ll only want to do this if you’re at the beginning of your term or you’ll be starting all over again.

Lock it in

Adjustable-rate mortgages are for those seeking low initial rates that rise or fall with the market. If you have such a loan and you’re getting nervous about rising payments, you can refinance to a fixed product. On the flip side, you can usually change to an adjustable loan when rates are falling. This could be a good option if you’re not planning on staying in your house for more than a few years.

Cash-in equity

Some will refinance and tap into their equity. This can be a quick way to free up some cash for a large expense, such as remodeling or paying for school. Improvements do add value to a home, and an education may lead to a higher-paying job, but if you should be careful that it doesn’t bring along higher rates and longer terms.

Consolidate debt

And finally, some people refinance and use the equity to pay off other debts, such as credit card bills, car payments, student loans, etc. While a mortgage might bring a lower rate, you should only take this route if you can avoid getting back into debt again. If not, you’ll end up with the same problems, as well as a potentially problematic loan. Not to mention that you could lose your house if you don’t meet your obligations.

If you’re considering refinancing, the first step should be analyzing your existing mortgage and comparing it to your what’s available and what you might qualify to receive. This is easy with America First’s free online calculators.

Checking Pinterest & Instagram is a great way to find fun ideas for kids’ birthday parties, but it’s easy to be overwhelmed when you see how much other people are spending. There’s no need to take out a loan for your next bash, however. Here are ten tips on how to save while celebrating.

1. Themes – Decide with your child what kind of party is ideal. Picking a theme helps keep you focused on what you need to buy. Find inexpensive treats, decorations, games and party favors that fit. A little creativity can go a long way and make the occasion more memorable.
2. Limit the guest list – While your son or daughter may want to invite everyone in your neighborhood (as well as the next one), it’s best to keep the guest list short. Try keeping it to close friends and family.
3. Find a free venue – These usually require that you do most, if not all, of the set-up and clean-up yourself, but hosting birthday parties at your own home is the least expensive option. If you need more space, consider going to a park or reserving a room at a local community center.
4. Sign up for savings – If your little boy or girl is intent on going to a restaurant or family fun center, sign up for the company’s birthday club. These loyalty programs typically offer discounts on reservations, free game tokens, or even free admission. Register early, though, because processing may take a few days.
5. Cut out the cost of decor – The dollar store has a wide variety of paper goods, decorations, and even costumes to fit your theme. However, don’t assume that everything there is a good deal. Compare prices online and get the best bargain.
6. Get crafty – Your kids can be involved in making the invitations and decorating the space. They will love expressing themselves and putting their work on display for all to see. You can even make crafting part of your festivities and have guests make something to take home instead of candy and toys.
7. Bake the cake – Cake mixes are less expensive than store-bought items. Make your own with your child and, remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Kids can add their own touches with the frosting and sprinkles.
8. Time it right – If you don’t want to spend money on food for a large group, have the party start after 2 p.m. and end before 5 p.m. so guests don’t expect a meal. If your child wants treats in addition to cake and ice cream, have everyone decorate cookies or cupcakes, which is an activity and treat combined into one.
9. Examine the entertainment – Keep the activities simple. Well-known games such as freeze tag, musical chairs, charades, Simon Says, limbo and pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey can be modified to fit the theme and don’t require many supplies. You can also check out movies from your local library to put on as things are winding down.
10. Combine the celebrations – Finally, consider having joint birthday parties with friends or family members who were born around the same time. Then you can split the costs, saving you even more money.

When it comes to banking, the two most common accounts are checking & savings. Some think they’re interchangeable, but understanding the differences can help you earn more and ensure funds are available when you need them most.

Regarding Spending

Savings is the basic building block for financial well-being. As the name suggests, it’s a safe place to store your money for a rainy day. Most credit unions, including America First, require a savings account for membership.

Because these are funds that should be set aside for later, accessing the account isn’t as easy as swiping a card at a gas pump. In fact, there are federal withdrawal regulations—no more than six per month are allowed and this includes transfers via online banking. There is no limit, however, to how many deposits you can make.

Checking is the highway to your money, with multiple access routes. Checkbooks and/or debit cards come with this account for daily transactions. You can also set up automatic withdrawals for reoccurring payments, such as utility bills, mortgages and auto loans. You should keep your liquid assets here, so they’re available at a moment’s notice.

Many banks require a minimum balance and a minimum number of transactions every month. Others charge you for maintenance or when certain criteria are not met. America First checking accounts offer unlimited transactions and you’ll never have any annual or monthly maintenance fees.

When it Comes to Saving

As easy as they are to use, checking is not a great place to save. Typically, checking accounts earn little to no dividends. If you want your resources to grow, keep them in savings—it’s a simple investment, where your balance will increase over time with virtually no risk.

Using both accounts in tandem is the best way to manage your money. Keep only what you need to cover your bills in checking, then put the rest in savings. It’s also smart to hold savings & checking at the same financial institution so you can quickly transfer money from one to the other. You’ll benefit from higher yields while maintaining access to your money.

For boat owners, one of the year’s saddest days is their last on the water. Proper winterizing, however, can prevent further gloom when the season finally rolls around again. Many watercrafts suffer unnecessary and costly winter damage due to neglectful storage. We can help you protect your nautical investment and save you money with the advice below.

Inspect the exterior

Once your boat is on land, scrub the hull with soap & water, then scrape off any barnacles or plant life. Keep an eye out for any stress cracks or blisters in the body and repair them. If your hull is fiberglass, add a wax coat for cold-weather protection.

Treat the tank

A partially filled fuel tank can cause problems. Temperature shifts cause condensation, while old gas gums up the carburetor and fuel injectors. Manufacturers recommend either filling it to the top or draining it completely. Before doing either, though, they all suggest using a preventative fuel stabilizer to help prevent issues. Once you add the stabilizer, idle the engine for 15 minutes to evenly distribute it through the system.

Clean the engine

For outboard motors, flush the engine with fresh water to remove dirt and other impurities. With inboard and stern-drives, you’ll additionally want to do a final flushing with anti-freeze. Improperly drained engines leave residual water in the cooling chambers, that expands when it freezes—possibly cracking the manifolds or engine block.

Change the oil

Changing the oil & filter prevents potential moisture corrosion. Run the engine beforehand for faster and more efficient draining. Some owners will even change the oil while winterizing and do it again in the spring.

Care for the cylinders

Fogging oil helps protect the interior during storage. If you don’t fog the cylinders, pistons and rings, rust and other decay occur. Many engines allow you to spray this solution into the air intake while it’s running, or you can remove the spark plugs and apply it there.

Keep it covered

Most people don’t have the luxury of a climate-controlled storage facility, but at the very least you should use a tarp or sturdy cover during colder months. It’s important to keep the interior of the boat as dry as possible to avoid mold or mildew. Covers with ventilation deter ice accumulation and allow for some airflow. You can additional buy sprays or dehumidifiers to pull excess moisture from the air.

Winterizing may seem like a lot of work, but when it’s done correctly, it will save you time and money when the time arrives to get your boat out on the lake again. And these tips are only the basics—please consult your owner’s manual for additional instructions and recommendations for specific makes and models.