No matter what your plans are, when you move it will always come with a price. If you do it yourself, it’s going to cost a lot more time. When you hire professionals, it means spending more money. It’s important to determine what’s of value to you. Regardless of the method you choose, here are some ways to save.

Getting Movers

Create a budget beforehand. Figure out all the pre-moving expenses and what it will take to get your new place up and running. Check prices online and get quotes from at least three companies. Be sure to clarify if they charge extra for long hauls, packing, assembly, stairs and storage. Talk to friends in the neighborhood and speak with folks at your destination about who they use.

Choose the off-season if possible. Most people move in the spring and summer months, since school is out and the weather is nice. However, some movers charge less between September and May. Scheduling for weekdays can also bring savings, since the demand is higher on the weekends.

Taking it on Yourself

First, figure out how much stuff you want to take. Sell things you don’t want to bring along to help offset the cost. Or use what you earned from a yard sale to help pay for furniture or electronics at your new home. Of course, it’s also less expensive to move fewer items—you won’t need an extra-large truck for a more modest set of belongings.

Carefully select the vehicle’s size. A larger one may come with a higher rate, but it will be less expensive than multiple trips with a smaller van. You can also rent helpful items, such as dollies or furniture pads, instead of buying them. And try to time your move directly from one location to another, instead of renting a storage shed.

Search for free boxes at local stores. You can also go online and look around your neighborhood for packing materials from those who have recently moved. And while you’re at it, ask friends & family to help. After all, you can usually pay volunteers in pizza.

If you’re changing cities for a new job, some employers will cover the relocation. Also, you can deduct certain expenses, so keep all related receipts. Please consult your accountant or a tax professional for details. Moving is never a fun experience, but careful planning and budgeting can ease your financial burden.

Savings accounts are good places to deposit your money, especially if you’re with a financial institution that offers competitive dividends. But if you want to take your savings to the next level, consider opening a certificate. These accounts reward long-term planning, and they’re one of the easiest & safest investments you can make.

How does it work?

Certificates are virtually risk free. Funds are insured by the federal government and is held in a similar manner as savings accounts. They are time deposits, meaning you will earn fixed dividends for a pre-determined amount of time, ranging from a couple months to a few years, depending on your preferred investment strategy.

Generally speaking, the longer the term of the certificate, the better the rate. If you make a withdrawal before the maturity date, however, you’ll pay a penalty fee. Make sure you can commit to keeping the funds there before opening one.

You can deposit the monthly dividends you earn on your certificate investment into another account, such as your savings or checking, or re-invest them into the certificate account to benefit from compound interest. As your certificate’s term nears its end, you’ll be notified of when you can take out your money or roll it over into a new certificate account. After that date, the money will stay in the account until the certificate matures again.

What certificates are available?

America First offers many options to fit your financial wants & needs.

• Regular – Low minimum-deposit levels with higher yields
• Bump – Provide one-time rate increases
• Dedicated savings – Set up automatic deposits for future occasions
• Flexible – Get quarterly access with no penalties
• IRA – Boost your retirement savings
• Ladder – Set up periodic maturity dates for consistent access

How do I open one?

At America First, it’s simple. Visit americafirst.com, call 1-800-999-3961 or stop by your local branch—and start letting your money make money.

A credit card is like a chain saw—if used correctly, it can be a great tool. But if it’s mishandled, the results can be disastrous. Increasing your limit is a helpful way to gain more spending power, but it must be done responsibly to gain the benefits.

Why should I increase it?

If you’re a responsible cardholder who regularly pays the entire balance every month, yet still find yourself repeatedly maxing out your card, you may have outgrown your credit line. Increased expenses, after all, are common as people get older, marry & have children. Raising your limit gives you more flexibility with your spending.

Another reason to boost your limit is to cover big expenses, such as a new vehicle or an extended vacation. Increasing your credit line can also be useful in the event of any emergency situations that may arise. Plus, with a Visa® from America First, you will enjoy quarterly rebates on every dollar you spend.

When should I apply to raise my credit limit?

It’s important to achieve financially stability before you request an increase. If your payment history is spotty or your credit score is low, you may not be approved in the first place. While a boost in credit may trigger a hard pull on your credit report, a higher limit could actually help raise your score in the long run. This is because your credit utilization ratio—an element that credit reporting agencies use to calculate your score—measures how much debt you have available, compared to what you regularly tap into. Keeping that percentage of used credit low in relation to your potential will help improve your overall score.

How can I accomplish this?

Raising your limit is actually quite simple. Usually you’ll fill out an online application or contact your financial institution. If you’ve proven yourself as a responsible borrower, your request will likely be approved. And don’t hesitate to discuss your current financial situation with the card issuer to determine what credit card limit is right for you.

Eating out on your birthday doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Many restaurants offer free food or drinks when you sign up for their lists or loyalty clubs, and all it costs is getting some emails. You can even create folders specifically for these deals so the marketing messages don’t overwhelm your primary account.

And you don’t have to visit all of these places in one day, either—that would be deliciously impractical. Most discounts won’t expire for a week or two and some are good for your entire birth month. These birthday offerings are subject to change, though, and most require advance registration, so please check their official sites for details.

• A&W Restaurants – free root beer float
• Arby’s – free small shake with sandwich purchase
• Applebee’s – free treat
• Baskin-Robbins® – free ice cream scoop
• Benihana – $30 gift certificate
• Buffalo Wild Wings – $5 off purchases of $25 or more
• Cafe Rio – $5 credit towards one purchase
• Chili’s – free dessert
• Cinemark Theatres – free large popcorn
• Cold Stone Creamery – buy-one, get-one-free ice cream
• Corner Bakery Cafe – free sweet
• Costa Vida – free dessert
• Dairy Queen – BOGO Blizzard® shakes
• Del Taco – free premium shake
• Denny’s – free Grand Slam® breakfast
• Dickey’s Barbecue Pit – free classic sandwich
• Dunkin’ Donuts – free beverage
• Einstein Bros. Bagels – free egg sandwich with purchase
• Famous Dave’s – buy one entrée, get the second 1/2-off
• Firehouse Subs – free medium sandwich
• IHOP – free Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity® pancakes
• Jamba Juice – free smoothie or juice drink
• Jersey Mike’s Subs – free regular sandwich & 22-ounce fountain drink
• Krispy Kreme – free doughnut & beverage
• LongHorn® Steakhouse – free dessert
• Olive Garden – free dessert
• Orange Julius – BOGO drinks
• Pizza Hut – free breadsticks or cinnamon sticks
• Red Robin – free burger
• Rumbi Island Grill – free dessert with purchase
• Smashburger – free side or milkshake
• Starbucks – free beverage or treat
• Texas Roadhouse – free appetizer with purchase
• TGI Fridays – free dessert with purchase
• The Habit Burger Grill – free Charburger
• The Melting Pot – free chocolate fondue
• Tucanos Brazilian Grill – buy one meal, get one free
• Zaxby’s – free Nibbler sandwich

Have a happy and frugal birthday!