If one thing is certain in life, it’s that anything can happen. Having an emergency fund provides a safety net that can help you handle life’s obstacles without stress. Most experts recommend having enough in savings to cover six months of essential expenses. Following this recommendation can give you financial stability and peace of mind throughout 2026 and beyond.

As we close out the year and enjoy the holidays, it’s a good idea to take some time to budget. Let’s face it, this year was difficult for many people due to rising prices and an uncertain job market. While it is always important to build out a budget, preparing for 2026 is crucial to provide peace of mind in the new year.

As Michigan families face escalating costs—from groceries to utilities—managing a tight budget has become more challenging. In 2025, the average monthly grocery bill for a single adult in Michigan is approximately $236.38. Electricity costs on average around $203 per month. These increases strain household budgets, making it essential to adopt effective strategies to maximize savings and minimize expenses.

There are many accounts and savings tools out there to help you save but not all are built with the same goals in mind. Some account types focus on term, some aim to help you build savings over time while others are built for accessibility. All saving accounts are to serve as a repository where you accumulate funds (rather than transact like checking accounts). Surprisingly, many people don’t know their options and miss out on benefits by keeping their money exclusively in liquid accounts. But there are a lot of ways to maximize your savings. 

Saving money is one of the most important, yet hardest, financial habits to develop. Whether you're saving for a rainy day, a new home, retirement, or looking to stretch each dollar a little bit further, we have tools to assist. Below are...

At First State Bank, we’ve been helping our neighbors in Macomb County and beyond take control of their finances for over a century. While everyone's financial journey, ages they hit milestones and life goals are different, we  believe...

Are you looking to ramp up your savings efforts? We’ve put together four tips that can help you save. It’s okay to start small. If you’re only able to implement one or two of the ideas, chances are, you’ll be better off than you are today!

It’s January, the season of New Year’s resolutions, goal setting, and vision boards! As we step into 2025, many people are thinking about how they can set themselves up for financial success this year and beyond. With that in mind,...

Creating A Successful Holiday Budget and Sticking to It: A Guide from First State Bank The happiest time of the year is almost here! But with all that joy and cheer can also come financial stress. The best way to avoid any money-related holiday...

Buying a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you'll ever make. It’s an exciting journey, but it can also be filled with uncertainties and challenges. At First State Bank, we understand the complexities of this process and...

Likely, most of you reading this article use a bank account to manage your everyday finances. You may also have come to rely on a variety of services to manage your personal finances each and every day, like ACH payments for bills, direct deposit of your pay to accounts, using an in-network ATM for withdrawing cash in order to avoid fees. For most of us, these services are easy to access, and with the secure technology, we can conduct our transactions simply and affordably. It is probable that most of you are accessing these services via mainstream banking institutions, and the data I have studied over the years supports that assumption. 
 

When navigating the complex world of real estate transactions, timing is everything. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to buy a new property before selling your current one or a business needing immediate funding to seize an opportunity, the...