Shop Smart This Holiday Season: Build Your Gift Budget Before the Sales Begin

The decorations go up, the sale emails start piling in, and suddenly a few “just this once” purchases add up to a January surprise. Check out these simple steps to help you enjoy the season now with a lot less stress later. 

Step 1: Pick Your Total 

Start with the amount you’re comfortable spending overall, then work backward. Looking at last year’s holiday spending is a helpful place to begin. You could even check last year’s statements to see what you spent, what surprised you, and what you would change. 

Step 2: List Everything, Not Just Gifts 

Presents are only part of the picture. When you add in food, travel, decorations, holiday cards, shipping, hosting costs, and the occasional last-minute gift for a neighbor or coworker you might find yourself way over your planned spending. These smaller items are the ones most likely to slip past a budget but add up over time.

Step 3: Assign Amounts and Add a Cushion 

Give each person and category a dollar amount, then set aside about 10% more as a buffer for the unexpected. Write it all down in a notes app, a spreadsheet, or on paper. A written plan is easier to stick to when a tempting deal pops up. Plus, it’s easier to share and explain the plan with your partner or the rest of your family to work together on staying below budget.

Step 4: Decide How You’ll Pay 

Choose ahead of time which purchases go on a credit card and which come from your checking account (i.e., using a debit card, P2P or ACH). Putting planned purchases on a rewards credit card can be a smart way to get something back.

Earn Cash Back on Spending You’ve Already Planned 

Bellco’s Blue Diamond Visa Signature® cardholders earn unlimited 2% cash back on Purchases*, with no limits on categories and no activation restrictions. There’s also no annual fee. New cardholders can earn a one-time $200 cash back bonus after spending $2,000 on Purchases* within the first 90 days of opening the account. 

During the holidays, many households spend that amount across gifts, groceries for holiday meals, and travel. If your budget already includes those purchases, the bonus can be a welcome extra. Never spend more just to reach a bonus, though. The goal is to put money you’ve already planned to spend to work for you. 

Ready to Get Started? 

A little planning now means more time to enjoy the season. Learn more about the Blue Diamond Visa Signature® card and see whether it fits you and your goals. 

Blue Diamond Visa Signature® Card rates and disclosures can be found by clicking here. All loans are subject to approval. Membership eligibility required.

Visa Signature is a registered trademark of Visa Inc.

*“Purchases” are defined as any transaction paid with a credit card or card credentials to a merchant by a cardholder for goods or services either at the Point of Sale (POS) or online (CNP). Some exclusions apply. Please review the rewards program terms and conditions for a list of exclusions.

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Celebrate Small Business Saturday by Shopping and Banking Local

On Saturday, November 28, Small Business Saturday offers a chance to celebrate the local businesses that help make Colorado communities unique. From neighborhood retailers and restaurants to independent service providers and family-owned companies, small businesses bring energy, character, and opportunity to the places we call home. 

Shopping locally is one way to support those businesses. Choosing a community-focused financial institution is another. 

The Connection Between Local Businesses and Credit Unions 

Small businesses and credit unions share a commitment to people and communities. As a member-owned financial cooperative, Bellco is focused on helping members build stronger financial futures and supporting the economic well-being of the communities we serve. Bellco believes that financially empowering its members can directly and positively impact the area’s economy and prosperity. 

That cooperative spirit is at the heart of Small Business Saturday. When you shop at a local business, your purchase supports a business owner, their employees, and the broader community. Likewise, when business owners choose a financial partner that understands their needs, they can access tools designed to help them manage daily operations and pursue future growth. 

Bellco for Business

If you’re a small business owner or are thinking about starting your own business, Bellco offers business banking solutions for a range of needs, including: 

• Business Checking This option is designed for businesses with different transaction volumes and balances. Its free online business checking account has no monthly maintenance fees. 
• Business Savings and Money Market Accounts These accounts can help businesses set aside funds, earn interest, and maintain access to their money. 
• Merchant Services Through its partnership with Clover®, Bellco provides electronic payment solutions to help businesses accept payments. 
• Business Credit Cards A business credit card can help consolidate purchasing transactions and expenses into one system. 
• Business Lines of Credit A Bellco Business Line of Credit allows businesses to borrow funds, repay them, and borrow again without reapplying each time. It also offers interest-only payments, a low origination fee, and overdraft protection for Bellco Business Checking accounts. 
• Commercial Real Estate Loans Bellco offers financing for owner-occupied and investment commercial real estate. 

Support Your Local Communities

This Small Business Saturday, consider shopping at a locally owned store, dining at a neighborhood restaurant, or hiring a Colorado-based small business for the service you need. Every purchase is an opportunity to invest in the people and places that make our communities special! 

If you own a small business, Bellco can help you explore banking, payment, and lending solutions designed to support your goals. Learn more about Bellco’s business services or complete the Business Services Request Form to get started. 

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Keeping Your Information Secure During Holiday Shopping

For many of us, November is the month where holiday shopping really ramps up. Unfortunately, fraudsters are also well aware of this and will be looking to take advantage of shoppers whose minds are elsewhere. So, while you’re worrying about your gift lists, hosting supplies, or decorations, here are some tips to make sure you don’t fall for their scams both in-store and online.

In-Store Shopping Tips

Protect Your Cards

While shopping in-person, your physical payment card is the most common target for scammers. Make sure you keep them in sight at all times during transactions. Additionally, when using your debit card, attempt to cover the keypad while entering your PIN. After shopping, it’s generally a good idea to keep an eye on your accounts to make sure there aren’t any unauthorized purchases. If you lose a card or think it might be stolen, make sure to report it to the issuing financial or credit institution immediately and order a new one.

Watch for Card Skimming Devices

Even if you keep your cards in hand at all times, sometimes you can get tricked into sharing your information by swiping them in card skimming devices. Before you swipe or insert your card into a reader, make sure to give it a quick jiggle to make sure nothing seems loose or strangely out of place. If you suspect the reader might have been tampered with, use a different machine and notify the business about your suspicions. Also, consider using contactless payment options whenever possible as they are more secure.

Be Extra Cautious in Crowded Areas

While out and about during the holiday rush, you’re sure to face some large crowds at some point. As you’re navigating them, make sure to be extra cautious of thieves who may take advantage of the chaos. Keep your wallet and/or purses secure and close to your body and try to avoid carrying large amounts of cash if possible. Additionally, make sure to protect and secure receipts that may contain your account information.

Online Shopping Tips

Buy from Trusted Retailers

When you’re looking for a specific item to purchase, it’s tempting to just automatically buy from the site offering the lowest price. But unfortunately, there are many fake storefronts that are counting on that mindset. To stay safe, make sure you only shop with reputable merchants that you know and trust. Additionally, look for “https://” and a padlock icon next to the store in your browser’s address bar. Trust your instincts. If a deal seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Beware of Phishing Scams

Fraudulent sites that mimic real storefronts are becoming more and more sophisticated. To make sure the site you’re buying from is legitimate, make sure you’re visiting an official site by typing the address directly into your browser. Also, make sure to never click links from unexpected messages or emails and never provide passwords, PINs, or any other online banking credentials through email or text. Remember: Bellco will never ask for your Online Banking credentials or call or text you asking for personal or account information.

Use Strong Passwords

You should try not to re-use passwords for your online accounts in general. But especially for shopping and financial institution accounts, you should make unique passwords. Also, make sure to enable multi-factor authentication whenever it’s available to give your accounts an extra layer of security. Ideally, you should also set up passkeys that utilize biometric validation such as Face ID whenever possible.

Track Your Orders

After completing your online purchases, make sure to monitor shipment notifications directly through the retailer or the shipping company. Don’t trust information from sources that aren’t verifiably from one of those two sources. Especially don’t share any payments or personal information with text messages or emails that claim there is an issue with a delivery and demand them.

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Is Your Car Ready for a Long Cold Winter?

With snow and colder weather just around the corner, your car should already be prepared for winter driving. However, if you’ve procrastinated this year and haven’t gotten around to doing so, here are a few essential tips to get your vehicle ready for a long cold winter.

Check Oil and Antifreeze

Oil thickens as it gets colder, which makes it more difficult for it to keep the engine lubricated. Choosing an oil with the right viscosity for colder temperatures will ensure the oil lubricates and protects the engine as it should. Checking antifreeze levels is critical this time of year to prevent serious engine trouble in cold weather. Check your car’s owner’s manual for the appropriate oil to use for colder climates, how much antifreeze is needed, and where to add more if needed.

Windshield and Wipers

New wiper blades are recommended to handle the various elements and to properly clear the windshield. Additionally, fill the wiper fluid reservoir with winter-grade fluid. This type of fluid is formulated to prevent freezing, and some types can help loosen ice and snow on the windshield. While you’re at it, look for cracks and divots in the windshield. Left unchecked, they can spread as water melts and freezes on the windshield.

Test the Battery

Who wants to jump start a car in cold weather? Cold temperatures can decrease a car’s battery capacity significantly. This is an ideal time of year to make sure the battery’s terminals and connections are free of corrosion. If your battery is more than three years old, have a certified repair shop test its ability to hold a charge. While these precautions help prevent the need for a jump-start, it is still wise to keep portable jump starters in the car…just in case.

Check Tire Pressure

Tire pressure decreases as temperature drops (as much as one pound per square inch for every 10-degree drop in air temperature). Tires must be properly inflated for the best possible traction, which is reduced in wet, snowy, and icy conditions. Check your owner’s manual for the correct tire pressure for colder temperatures.