More and more people are becoming aware of the environment and making a conscious effort to become more responsible. Without exception, food is one of the most important ways consumers can live a more efficient (and often healthier) lifestyle. A few simple changes can yield big results in your budget, health and environmental footprint.

Grow and can your own foods

Canning is making a comeback. Consider growing some of your own fruits and vegetables and “putting up” jars of fruits, vegetables or soups for future months. Not only is home-grown food healthier for you, but you can control the ingredients when it’s time to preserve them. Once you make the initial investment for supplies, canning can also be economical. Save your vegetable peels and organic leftovers for a compost pile – this provides rich soil that can keep your garden going. The USDA offers a free guide on home canning at the website http://www.nchfp.uga.edu/publications/publications_usda.html.

Purchase foods with minimal packaging

Select items with as little packaging as possible. Less energy was used in the production of those items, and there will be less waste once you open the food. Minimally packaged foods are often healthier choices, which is also an added bonus.

Shop at local farms and farmers markets

When possible, shop for fresh ingredients from local farmers. The produce will be noticeably fresher than the food you find at the grocery store, and your money will support your local economy (your friends and neighbors).

Eat at restaurants that buy from local farmers

When dining out, choose restaurants that buy from local farmers. You’re guaranteed a vibrant, healthy meal, and you’ll support a local business.

Avoid fast food restaurants with lots of packaging

Skip the local fast food joint, which gives you three bags, a drink carrier and a large plastic cup for purchasing a value meal. The excess packaging creates waste. The energy used in shipping the products across the country is not environmentally friendly, and the food itself may include processed products, additives and unknown preservatives.

Bring your own coffee mug

Many coffee shops now allow you to bring your own travel coffee mug with you when you purchase coffee. Some will even provide a small discount for providing your own cup. If you stop for coffee every morning, consider taking your own cup to prevent the waste of a paper cup each day.

Only buy what you need or can store for future use

Purchasing more food than you can eat (before spoiling) will just produce waste that must be composted or thrown in a landfill.

Keep a pantry of food

Having a stash of food will prevent you from running to the store more often than necessary. You will also be prepared if there is a large storm or power outage.

Use cloth grocery bags

Not only will you use less plastic by bringing your own bags, but you may save a few cents, as some stores provide a discount for using your own cloth bags.

Buy a reusable water bottle

A good water bottle can be used for years, and you’ll prevent hundreds of water bottles from going to waste.

A few small changes in your purchasing and eating habits can lead to a healthier and environmentally responsible lifestyle.

When using your ATM or debit card, it’s important to remember the following safety tips. Whether you’re shopping or using an ATM, there are easy ways to help protect your personal and financial security.

Your Personal Safety

• If you see anything suspicious, cancel your transaction and leave the area right away.
• If an ATM is obstructed from your view or poorly lit, go to another ATM.
• It is a good idea to take another trusted person with you when using an ATM, especially at night.
• Minimize the amount of time spent at the ATM when conducting the transaction.

• If you notice something attached to the card slot area, do not proceed and contact authorities or the bank. 

PIN Security

• Memorize your PIN and never write it on your card or store it with your card.
• Never let someone else enter your PIN for you.
• You PIN should be something unique to you but not obvious to others. Never use your birthdate or Social Security number, for example
• Block the view of others when using your PIN.
• North Shore Bank will never ask for your PIN – be cautious of telephone and e-mail scams from people claiming to work for financial institutions.
• For purchases with a PIN, review your receipt for accuracy. If you received cash back, put it away before leaving.

Shopping Online

• Make certain your internet shopping sites are secure. Look for secure transaction symbols when shopping online to ensure your account information is protected.
• Double-check your final order total and any pre-checked add-ons to make sure they match what you expect to receive.
• Always log off from any site after you make a purchase. 

Respond To A Potential Problem

• If anyone follows you after using your ATM or Debit Card, go immediately to a crowded, well-lit area and call the police.
• Report a lost or stolen card at once by calling 888.437.0103.
• Review your account statements for unauthorized transactions and report any errors immediately. 

Online Banking and Mobile Banking are great ways to monitor your accounts too. For more helpful information and tips, visit the security section of North Shore Bank’s website.

Credit, through cards and loans, is a big part of the average American’s financial life. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, outstanding consumer debt in the first quarter of 2012 reached more than $2.5 trillion, a $37 billion increase over the fourth quarter of 2011—and these numbers don’t include loans for real estate.

Understanding Collateral

When you’re ready to apply for a loan, the lender likes to know that you have a little skin in the game. By having something at stake—besides the retention of the item you borrow money to buy—you not only give the financial institution assurance of your willingness to pay back a loan but you also help minimize the lender’s risk by providing something of value to back the loan.

Collateral is an item of value that you own and pledge to back a loan that you take. If you should default on the loan, the lender can then take ownership of the collateral in order to offset its losses.

What Qualifies as Collateral?

When you put something up for collateral, it must have a value in an amount that is comparable to the amount of your loan. In other words, if you are taking out a loan for $110,000, collateral worth $1,000 will not be very convincing to a financial institution. In addition to value, there must be sufficient equity in the item that you pledge. If you owe money to another lender on the item you pledge as collateral, then it might not be accepted because it’s not technically yours to promise in the event of nonpayment.

When buying a home, the collateral is generally the underlying property and its equity. When you make a down payment of at least 20 percent, you create equity immediately that works to offset the lender’s risk. And each month you make a payment, you pay a little bit of the principal back and create even more equity. If you are unable to make a down payment, you may instead be asked to pay for private mortgage insurance, which offsets the lender’s risk in a different manner.

How Collateral Helps You

Collateral covers a multitude of sins. If you have a low credit score, you might normally be declined a loan, but with collateral your lender might be more likely to take that risk because the lender can take ownership of the asset pledged and thus reduce the risk it takes on by loaning to you.

If you have questions about loans and collateral, stop by or give us a call. We can help you determine what assets you may use as collateral and how they can help your loan terms.

The right team

Good small business banking begins with having the right team. The financial institution that one partners with will make all the difference.

“In making the decision, it is pertinent to consider not only your business’s current needs, but its potential future aspirations,” explains Inc. magazine. “That’s especially true if you’re anticipating being in the market for a loan over the next few years. Because the bulk of small business loans come these days from smaller community banks, it is advisable to establish a good relationship with your bank before your business needs outside capital.”

Develop a strategy

Just as baseball managers and general managers develop an overall approach to a season, small business owners can think strategically in their approach to banking.

What are the company’s short- and long-term goals? If simple business savings and checking accounts are most important right now and for the foreseeable future, keep an eye on fees and interest rates.

Future growth is important too, so keep in mind that local and regional financial institutions are well known for supporting local businesses.

“Research shows that small banks are more likely than large institutions to issue loans to businesses in their community,” Inc. adds. “In fact, though small and midsize banks control only 22 percent of all bank assets, they account for 54 percent of small business lending, according to Federal Deposit Insurance Company data from the third quarter of 2009.”

Communication is key

Baseball is a game of necessary communication. Managers and coaches set team goals and tell players what’s expected of them, and catchers and third base coaches deliver signs.

Companies can take a similar approach to working with their financial institution. From opening an account to revisiting their banking strategy down the road, communication is key.

“Remember, as a potential customer, you have the right to ask for exactly what you need,”Inc. advises. “If that’s free online banking, make that clear to your community bank manager. Or, if you’re willing to pay for certain services but need a representative to be available on a monthly basis to counsel you, let them know that upfront.”

Don’t be afraid to make changes

Need to bring a new pitcher out of the bullpen or perhaps a pinch hitter or runner off the bench? Baseball managers and business owners alike can find success by instituting changes.

When it comes to small business banking, once a business is off the ground and running, it might be time to start a reserve fund and a new account to go with it.

“You will need a reserve fund to keep you functioning during those periods of time when cash flow grinds to a halt,” notes Your-Small-Business-Guide.com. “It is very difficult for small business owners to do this because there is always something you need to spend your cash on, but you will be glad you did it. Your mom was right—it is good to ‘save for a rainy day.’”

Adding an investment portfolio is another change that small businesses can consider, although experts say this should be done in the simplest way possible.

“You take plenty of risk in your business; as an investor, you should keep it simple, spread your eggs among many baskets, keep fees and taxes low and tilt the odds in your favor with indexed mutual funds and exchange traded funds,” the New York Times states.

No matter what kind of relationship you are looking for from your financial institution, keep these baseball lessons in mind. They could go a long way toward building and maintaining a successful business.

So check out these figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. You may find yourself wondering how your own spending compares to that of your countrymen, as well as to those who made purchases in the mid-20^th century.

General

Overall consumer spending rose 3.3% in 2011 after a decrease of 2% in 2010.

The largest spending increase in 2011 came in the transportation industry, where consumers increased spending by 8%.

Food spending

In 2011, the average U.S. citizen spent $3,838 on food for the home and $2,620 on food away from home, for a total of $6,458 spent on food, an increase of 5.4% over 2010.

The largest spenders in the food for home category in 2011 were those in the $15,000-$19,000 income bracket, who used an average of 10.2% of their income for those purchases. In comparison, Americans who earned over $150,000 spent 5.4% of their income on food at home.

Housing

Between 2009 and 2011, the average American devoted around $16,500 to housing, about the same amount that was spent in 2009 and 2010.

When it comes to housing, Americans across the board, regardless of income level, tend to spend the same percentage of their income – about 28% – toward putting a roof over their heads.

Health care

Health care spending continues to rise. In fact, health care spending has gone up every year since 1996. In 2011, the average American spent $3,313 on health care, up from $3,126 in 2009. Those in the lowest income bracket spent 8.2% on health care and health insurance, while those who earn over $150,000 spent 4.5%.

Clothing and shoes

Each income bracket studied by the BLS spent between 3% and 4% on clothing and shoes during 2011. There is a variation across genders, however, as women spent a little over 1% more of their income on clothing than men did.

Automotive, entertainment and other

Overall, Americans spent 5.7% of their income on new or used car purchases, 5.3% on gasoline, and 1.6% on car parts and car repairs. Also, 1.9% of income was spent on TV, music, cable and satellite fees, and other related expenses, 1.7% was spent on movies, concerts, gym memberships and related expenses, and 0.9% was spent on alcohol.

1949 versus 2011

Some of the most interesting statistics involve comparisons between 1949 and 2011. Significantly, the percentage of income spent on food as opposed to housing has nearly flipped, while spending on medical care has more than doubled.

During 1949, 40% of income was spent on food and 26.1% was spent on housing. In comparison, in 2011, 15.3% of income was spent on food and 41% of income was spent on housing. National Public Radio’s Planet Money says the rise in spending on housing parallels the increase in the size of homes that Americans live in: “People are buying (and renting) much bigger homes today. In 1950, the average new house was less than 1,000 square feet; in 2000, the average new house was over 2,000 square feet.”

Americans in 2011 spent 7.1% of their income on medical care, in comparison to their 1949 counterparts, who spent 3.2%.

Clothing spending also underwent a major shift, as 11.7% of income was spent on apparel in 1949, while just 3.6% went toward apparel in 2011.

Benefits of composting

The benefits of composting are numerous. The obvious benefit is the addition of nutrient-rich organic material to your plants, resulting in healthy vegetation. Composting also helps reduce the amount of trash you place in a landfill. Instead of bagging yard waste, you can place it in your compost pile. Before throwing away fruit and vegetable scraps like banana and cucumber peels, you can put them to good use by composting them. In addition, composting your own organic materials can save considerable expense. Commercial compost can be costly, and producing your own costs nothing and is healthier for plants.

What to include

Any natural plant can be included in a compost pile, like grass clippings, leaves, flowers, and vegetable and fruit scraps. You can also add other food items such as coffee grounds and tea leaves. In addition to plants, some paper items can be incorporated. Shredded newspapers, coffee filters and brown grocery bags all work well in compost.

What to exclude

While you may think all food items can go in your compost pile, there are many that cannot. Some food products will naturally attract vermin, such as meat, dairy and processed food. Cooking oil, bread and pasta may also attract unwanted visitors. Additionally, these processed items can cause your compost to develop a very unpleasant odor.

Pesky weeds or diseased plants should also be avoided. While it’s possible the compost may get hot enough to kill weed seedlings, there is always a chance the weeds will regerminate and spread.

Lastly, animal waste should be excluded from a compost pile. Even though bacteria may be killed during cold weather, there is still a chance some bacteria will survive, possibly making you sick via the vegetables you grow.

Getting started

Compost can be started in virtually any home environment. Small compost buckets and containers are available for apartment dwellers who practice container gardening. Larger rotating compost containers are available for people who have more living space. Families who live in rural settings often just start a pile outside, which they constantly mix and add to their gardens.

Maintaining your compost

To maintain the compost, simply turn the mixture occasionally. When it begins to look like a rich dirt, strain it through an old screen (or use as is) and apply around growing plants.

Composting your unwanted kitchen scraps can be a convenient way to save money, nurture your plants and keep unnecessary waste out of landfills.

Cost

Prices vary widely among e-readers and generally increase with the number of options available. The smaller black-and-white versions of the Amazon Kindle or Barnes & Noble Nook start as low as $69. The larger, color versions can cost as much as $399. The $79 Nook Simple Touch is one example of an affordable e-reader with basic but desirable options such as long battery life, crisp and readable text, and the ability to download library books.

Size

Size is another feature that varies among e-reader brands. The appeal of smaller readers is that they’re lighter and easier to carry around. Larger readers may be bulkier but easier to read, particularly for older people. The smallest Kindle has a six-inch display, while the largest (the Kindle Fire) features an 8.9-inch display. In addition, the smallest Kindle weighs only six ounces.

Readability

The differences in screen quality impact price. Less expensive e-readers feature an “electronic ink screen,” while the higher-end devices are designed with HD screens, much like modern TVs or tablet computers. Before you buy, you may want to try reading a screen for a fixed amount of time before making a decision. If you’re the type who can get absorbed in a book for hours at a time, screen readability should be high on your list of options.

Functionality

The touch screen has become standard on tablets and smart phones and is an available option on some e-readers. It’s a nice-to-have feature, but probably not necessary if all you’re looking for is a simple e-reader. Another functionality issue to consider is battery life, which may be important to you if you use your device on a regular basis or like to keep the display as bright as possible.

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