Author Archives: Business Development Rep Samantha

How to Make Next Year’s Tax Season Stress-Free

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Tax season just ended a couple weeks ago, and while preparing for next year’s tax return is probably the last thing you want to think about – it’s important to stay organized and make any adjustments for next year now, while it’s still fresh on your mind. Even though April 15th comes around every year like clockwork, it tends to sneak up and turn into a last-minute scramble for many of us. Here are a few tips on how to prepare for next year’s tax season now, to make things less stressful and more manageable later.

Make a Tax-Related Documents Checklist

An easy way to prepare for tax season is to make a simple checklist of the information and documents you will need to receive before you file. A checklist will help ensure you file accurately and keep an eye on what’s still outstanding.

Below are some examples of documents you might need to file your taxes next year that you can start putting aside this year, depending on your situation:

  • Documents related to childcare or dependent care expenses.
  • Receipts for books, tuition, and other education expenses if you’re a student or teacher.
  • Medical and prescription receipts.
  • Charity donation receipts or proof of payment.

Check out this IRS webpage on common documents and tax forms you might need to file your taxes. It’s important to remember that this isn’t an all-inclusive list and not all listed documents and forms will apply to everyone.

Decide How to Organize Your Tax Records

Are you more of a physical or digital recordkeeper? Choosing a method for organizing your tax-related documents makes it more likely that you will organize documents as you receive them.

A few options for organizing your tax-related documents can be a physical folder, digital folder on your device, or an accordion folder – especially if you have many categories of documents.

Track Income and Expenses Monthly

Tracking income and expenses is especially important if you do side gig or freelance work or own a small business – self-employment income is not the same as income reported on a W-2. Tracking can be done with a spreadsheet, a budgeting app, or something as simple as the notes app on your phone. Setting time aside to track income and expenses monthly can help you avoid surprises when it’s time to file and assist you in planning ahead.

Keep Track of Life Changes That Could Impact Taxes

Don’t forget about any career changes, getting married, or your first-time home purchase come tax time! Aside from changes to legislation, life events are one of the main causes of impacts to your tax outcome. They can affect your refund or how much you may owe the IRS.

Here are some life events that might impact your tax outcome:

  • Getting married
  • Growing your family
  • Starting a new career or experiencing job loss
  • Buying or selling a home
  • Retiring

The IRS has resources that explain the potential tax impact of various life events.

Create a Plan if You’re Expecting a Refund

Having a plan for a tax refund before you receive it is an important and often overlooked aspect of tax season preparation. Without a plan, it’s common for tax refunds to be spent on impulse purchases or go to everyday spending as opposed to long-term financial goals. Having a plan for any funds you get back at tax time will help you know exactly what to do when the refund arrives.

If you want to make the most of your refund by saving, making a large purchase, or planning for your financial future – First Financial is here to help!

Benefits of Preparing Early

There are numerous benefits to preparing for tax season early:

  • Stress Relief: Tax season stress usually comes from feeling unprepared or rushed, especially as the deadline gets closer. Getting started ahead of time can help you file with confidence – and not second-guessing whether you filed all your documents.
  • Avoiding Errors: Rushing through your taxes can lead to errors – such as skipped documents, incorrect numbers, or even missed deductions.
  • More Time to Prepare: Being ready to file early gives you time to plan. Especially in the case of owing money – if you know you usually owe each year, you can start putting aside some money into a savings account all throughout the rest of this year to avoid scrambling at the last-minute next year.

With a few smart habits, you can make sure that tax season doesn’t catch you off guard next year.

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*A First Financial membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account. Other terms & conditions may apply, see credit union for details.

What to Do if You’re Not Approved for an Auto Loan

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Hitting the “submit” button on an auto loan application can feel exciting (and maybe a little nerve-wracking). However, that excitement can quickly turn into confusion and frustration if you find out your loan application was not approved. Although this can be discouraging, you’re not alone – and it doesn’t mean you won’t qualify for one in the future. Here’s what to do before applying for an auto loan, to help increase your chances of getting approved and in the driver’s seat of your new wheels.

Reasons Your Auto Loan Application May Have Been Denied?

Below are some common reasons why car loans may not get approved.

  • Low credit score, poor credit history, and/or limited credit history.
  • High debt-to-income ratio.
  • Income below the minimum requirement set by the lender.
  • Irregular employment or a recent job change.
  • Incomplete or inaccurate application.

Step 1: Find Out the Reason You Weren’t Approved

If you were just denied, take a step back and wait to receive a letter from your lender. According to federal law, lenders must send you a letter when your auto loan application is declined (or, if it is approved on less favorable terms than you requested). You can expect this letter to tell you the reasons that drove the decision and next steps. Review the reasons in the letter – making improvements in these areas can help boost your future approval odds. Don’t hesitate to contact the lender if you have any questions about the information within letter, or if you haven’t received one.

Step 2: Review Your Credit Report

It’s generally recommended to review your credit report before applying for a loan. Your credit report is a key factor that lenders consider when making a lending decision – and it’s in your best interest to know the information they are basing the decision on. You’ll want to review your credit report to ensure all the information is accurate and up to date. It isn’t unheard of to find mistakes on your credit report – such as incorrect balances or credit limits, or accounts that were inaccurately reported as late or delinquent.

Any of the above errors could contribute to a loan denial, and you would want to have them corrected before applying again. Understanding your credit score and report can also help you make more informed financial decisions. You’ll also want to be aware that different lenders have different requirements and restrictions.

Did you know you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each credit reporting bureau? Visit AnnualCreditReport.Com to request your free copy today.

Step 3: Improve Your Credit Score or History

Improving your credit score is always beneficial – it increases approval odds for loans and credit cards, and may even qualify you for better interest rates on those products. You can improve your credit score by making on-time payments, lowering any outstanding balances on credit cards, and avoiding applying for new credit – especially prior to applying for an auto loan again.

There are certain actions that can positively impact your credit score quicker than others. For example, the result of paying down balances can be seen in as little as a few months, whereas a late payment can have a negative impact on your score for longer.

If you have limited credit history, lenders might not have enough information about you to determine your likelihood to repay your auto loan – which could also lead to a denial. If you have limited credit history, consider applying with a co-signer to help increase your chances of loan approval. We’ll cover this in the next step.

Step 4: Consider Adding a Co-Signer

A co-signer is someone who applies for a loan with you and agrees to make the payments if you are unable to. This provides more reassurance to the lender that the loan will be repaid. Your chances of qualifying for a loan might improve if you select a co-signer with a strong credit score, long credit history, and sufficient income. You’ll want to be sure the co-signer is someone you trust, and that you both fully understand the responsibilities and risks up front.

Step 5: Consider Saving for a Larger Down Payment

Consider saving for a larger down payment if your financial situation allows for it. This can improve your approval odds by reducing the amount of money the lender will need to lend to you. In the end, by putting more money down you’ll likely pay less interest over the life of the loan.

Step 6: Explore Other Vehicle Financing Options

If you only applied for an auto loan through one lender such as a large national bank, consider other options – like your local credit union or a community bank. You might find more flexibility and more personalized lending decisions.

If you live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties and are exploring your auto loan options – visit one of our local branches or call us to make an appointment at 732.312.1500.*

If you had your eyes set on driving off with a new or new-to-you vehicle and you recently received an auto loan denial, don’t worry – it isn’t necessarily the end of your car buying journey. Remember to be prepared, make informed decisions, improve your credit profile, and try again when the time is right.

*Not all applicants will qualify, subject to credit approval. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Actual rate may vary based on credit worthiness and term. First Financial FCU maintains the right to not extend credit, after you respond, if we determine you do not meet our guidelines for creditworthiness. Current loans financed with First Financial FCU are not eligible for review or refinance. A First Financial membership is required to obtain an Auto Loan and is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. See credit union for details. A $5 deposit in a Base Savings Account is required to establish membership prior to opening any other account/loan.

Spring Clean Your Spending in 30 Minutes

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Spring cleaning usually means refreshing your home, but your finances deserve a spring refresh too! If your spending has felt a little unorganized lately, the good news is it only takes 30 minutes to get back on track and feel more in control of your finances. Here’s how to spring clean your spending – fast.

Minutes 1-5: Review Your Budget

The foundation of a successful spending refresh often starts with your budget. Review your income, expenses, and what you had left (or how much you went over budget) last month. If your income was higher than your expenses, there’s a good chance you’ll have money left to save each month. If your expenses were higher than your income, this is a great opportunity to see where your money is going and which expenses you can cut.

Don’t have a budget? Now would be a good time to create one before you continue with the rest of this guide. Check out our fillable PDF Budget Worksheet to quickly see how your income and expenses stacked up this month.

Minutes 5-10: Get a Clear Snapshot of Your Spending

Now we’ll take a deeper dive into the expenses part of your budget. You probably don’t need to spend as much time reviewing essential expenses like your rent/mortgage or car loan, since those are likely fixed month-to-month. What we really want to look at is your discretionary spending, or spending on non-essential items that can be adjusted or postponed. Examples of this spending include any daily coffee purchased on the way to work, takeout on nights you don’t feel like cooking dinner, or subscription services.

Start by opening your recent bank statements and credit card transaction history. Quickly scan your transactions and take note of what you’ve been spending money on over the last month. As you look through, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is there anything non-essential you’re buying almost daily or weekly? If so, do those purchases feel small in the moment but look like they’re starting to add up?
  • Are there any recurring charges for subscriptions, and do you use the subscriptions?
  • What spending feels valuable vs. wasteful?

It’s important to remember that spending is personal. That daily coffee might be a non-negotiable to you, but it might fall lower on the list of spending priorities to someone else – and that’s okay. The point of this exercise is to increase your awareness as to where your money is going, whether you end up being content with what you see or identify areas for improvement.

Minutes 10-20: Cut Out the Clutter

There’s a reason you asked yourself the questions in the previous section – your answers are the very places you can probably declutter your spending. These “clutter” items are non-essential purchases you are spending money on that are slowly adding up, taking money away from your other financial goals.

Start by cutting:

  • Any unused subscriptions that took you by surprise (“I’m still subscribed to that?”), and possibly even all subscriptions for the time being – if you are continually exceeding the amount of money you bring in each month. A subscription service is a nice-to-have, it’s not a necessity – and should be one of the first things you can slash from your spending.
  • Purchases that feel wasteful to you.
  • Duplicate services (multiple music platforms or streaming services).

Even if you only have one monthly charge to cut, you’d be surprised at the difference it can make. Saving $20 a month for a whole year is an extra $240 in your account.

Minutes 20-25: Refresh Your Spending Habits

Did you notice patterns in your spending that you want to change? For example, were there impulsive online purchases you wish you hadn’t made, or items you bought and didn’t end up using? Were there nights you had groceries in the fridge and didn’t really need to order takeout? Below are examples of small swaps you can make:

  • Try making a meal out of what you already have at home instead of ordering takeout.
  • Return items you ordered and haven’t used instead of saving them “just in case.”

The key is intention – by noticing patterns you would like to change and intentionally changing them, you’ll feel more confident and in control over where your money is going.

Minutes 25-30: Set Goals

Now that you know where your money is going, you’re in a better position to set financial goals. Keep your goals specific, achievable, and realistic – you’re more likely to achieve them that way. For example, if you determined that you can realistically cut $30 in takeout spending each month – consider redirecting that $30 to your emergency savings. This is a specific, achievable, and realistic goal because you have the $30 and the means to redirect it each month. It’s important to remember that progress isn’t always linear – you might hit a setback from time to time, and that’s okay. Try to pick up where you left off in the following month.

If you’re looking for an in-depth guide to budgeting, check out our Budgeting 101 Guidebook. If you live, work, worship, volunteer, or attend school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties and want to discuss your financial goals further – visit one of our local branches or call to make an appointment at 732.312.1500.

Things to Do on a Budget in Monmouth & Ocean Counties this April 2026

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April showers bring May flowers – but April also brings budget and family-friendly activities to enjoy in Monmouth and Ocean Counties!

April 4

Brunch with the Bunny (Manahawkin) – The Easter Bunny is fueling up with a pre-Easter Brunch at Dolce Liberta and he’s inviting you to join, from 11am-12:30pm or 1pm-2:30pm. Enjoy a family-fun outing with a delicious meal, unlimited pictures with the Easter Bunny, and crafts for the kiddos. Admission is $35.98 per adult and $17.99 per child (including gratuity), and children ages 2 and under  are free. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.

Easter Celebration (Wall) – You have one more chance to celebrate Easter like it’s the 19th century at the Historic Village at Allaire – and you won’t want to miss it! From 11am to 4pm, enjoy activities ranging from an egg hunt and egg dying, to finding the Easter Bunny during a scavenger hunt in the village. Plus, experience a throwback like no other with 19th century Easter activities such as historical egg dying methods and bonnet decorating. Admission is $13.58 for those ages 4 and up, and there is no cost for children 3 and under. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

Tuckerton Seaport Spring Kickoff – Hop into spring at Tuckerton Seaport, beginning at 10am. This is the perfect event to welcome both Easter and spring with family-friendly activities such as Easter Bunny Bingo (plus photo ops), spring-themed crafts, free boat tours, lighthouse walks, and tours of museum exhibits. There is no cost to attend. Learn more here.

April 9

Dino Fest (Manalapan) – If you ever dreamed of roaming the Earth with creatures of our prehistoric past but thought it wasn’t possible – think again! Arrowhead Farm’s Dino Fest is teeming with life-size dinosaurs every Thursday through Sunday from April 9th through May 3rd. There will be live dinosaur entertainment, interactive exhibits such as a dino dig site, photo ops, and more. Plus, your admission ticket gives you full access to the farm’s tulip field (u-pick tulips are $1/stem). Admission is $28 per person for those ages 2 and up, and can be purchased online in advance. Click here to learn more about how you can experience a world where dinosaurs roam once more!

April 12

Spring Fling & America’s 250th Anniversary (Howell) – Get a head start on celebrating America’s 250th birthday with festivities at Soldier Memorial Park from 12pm-4pm. This free event is bringing the community together to enjoy delicious food trucks, rides and activities for kids, face painting, a petting zoo, live music, and more. If you’ve never seen an American Flag formed entirely out of classic cars – now’s your chance! Click here to learn more.

Yoga at Popcorn Park Animal Refuge (Forked River) – Unroll your mat and join a yoga session surrounded by serene nature and captivating animals, beginning at 9am. This one-hour session combines the benefits of yoga with the power of peaceful nature and wildlife for the mind and body. The class is suitable for all experience levels. Admission is $25 and includes access to the zoo following the session. The event is weather-permitting and outdoors, so please dress accordingly. Purchase tickets and learn more here.

April 16

Ladies Night (Point Pleasant Beach) – Grab your girlfriends and head to Downtown Point Pleasant Beach for a ladies night out from 4pm-8pm. The town will be bustling like it’s already summer at the Jersey Shore – with local businesses offering in-store specials, raffles, and discounts. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served at many locations. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. Learn more here.

April 17

Spring Disco & Night Market (Asbury Park) – Head over to Asbury Park’s Convention Hall from 6pm-11pm for a groovy night! Expect disco-fueled dance floors, delicious local eats, themed cocktails, a carefully curated night market, photo ops that will make it look like you time traveled to the 70s, and more – all under one roof! The event is only for those 21+, allowing attendees to explore any of the multiple on-site bars. Tickets are $25 in advance at the Stone Pony Box Office or $30 on the day of the event, and $35.50 on Ticketmaster. Click here to view a sneak-peak of the Spring Disco.

April 18

Town Wide Garage Sale (Hazlet) – Clear your calendar, and your trunk – the Hazlet Town Wide Garage Sale is back from 9am-4pm! The number of residents registered to showcase their unique items is at 35 and still climbing. You can get a sneak peak of the registered participants and the items they plan to have for sale using this interactive Google Map. The list may change up to the first hour of the sale, as participants join or cancel. There is a rain date of April 19th.

April 25

Cattus Island Nature Festival (Toms River) – The great outdoors is calling at Cattus Island from 10am-3pm! Spend the afternoon exploring nature with experiences like fishing, getting out on the water on a kayaking tour, learning about local wildlife, joining in on crafts and games, and more. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase from on-site vendors. Learn how you can connect with nature here.

EarthFest (Tinton Falls) – Head over to Sycamore Park from 11am-2pm if you’re looking for a down-to-Earth way to spend your weekend! EarthFest is bringing the community together to make a positive impact locally with park trail cleanup, interactive educational activities, chances for youngsters to participate in Earth Day trivia to win prizes, and more. There is no cost to attend. Learn more here.

Healthy Kids Day (Toms River) – The Ocean County YMCA is inviting local families to join them for a day of building healthy habits without adding extra strain to their wallet, from 10am-1pm. This no-cost community event helps to inspire healthy habits in kids and families, bringing together physical activities, nutrition education, and interactive STEM and art experiences. Click here to learn more.

April 26

United for Impact Food Truck Festival (Freehold) – Stop by the United for Impact Food Truck Festival in support of the United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties from 12pm-4pm. Check out the various food truck offerings over an ice-cold beer (for those ages 21 and up), while enjoying the sounds of live music from the Eddie Testa Band and the Joe Baracata Band. There is no entry fee to attend, but there will be items available for purchase. You can learn more here.

First Edition Member Newsletter: Quarter 1 2026

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Our Quarterly Member Newsletter is here, and it’s packed with lots of financial tips, fresh insights, and exciting updates!

Our Member Newsletter is now available electronically, where it can be found on our website and social media sites. Paper copies will be available in our branches.

The Q1 2026 First Edition Member Newsletter features the following:

To view a copy of the newsletter, click here.

We hope you enjoy exploring what’s new here at First Financial!

*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. Promotional period is March 2, 2026 through August 31, 2026. A First Financial membership is required to obtain an auto loan. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any account/loan and is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. Subject to credit approval. In order to participate in the 90th Anniversary Auto Loan Grand Prize Drawing, an entry form must be filled out and turned into a First Financial branch during the promotional period. Limit one entry form per person, must be 18 years old to enter. No purchase necessary. Two entry forms will be drawn at random by the Marketing Department each month. New entry forms must be turned into the branch by lobby closing on the last day of the month, in order to qualify for the current month’s drawing. If the last day of the month falls on a weekend, entry forms for that month must be turned in by 12:30pm on Saturday. Prize recipients will be notified by the Marketing Department on or about the 15th day of the month following the month of entry form submission. The monthly grand prize winner will have the option to receive 0.90% APR off their approved auto loan rate, which must be redeemed at the time of loan closing and within 90 days from the date of drawing. First Financial FCU maintains the right to not extend credit, after you respond, if we determine you do not meet our guidelines for creditworthiness. Current loans financed with First Financial FCU are not eligible for refinance or rate reduction. Minimum loan amount is $15k. Not available in combination with any other offer. Should the monthly grand prize winner opt out of the auto loan option, a $100 Amazon gift card will instead be awarded. Gift card option would still need to be claimed within 90 days from the drawing date. A 2nd runner-up will also be drawn each month during the promotional period for a chance to win a prize valued at $50 (90th anniversary logo Yeti tumbler & coffee gift card). Entry forms not selected during a particular month, will be placed back into the drawing for additional chances to win throughout the promotional period.

Ways Small Businesses Can Get Involved in the Local Community

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As a small business owner, you know how important it is to have strong connections within your local community. From word-of-mouth referrals to online reviews and shoutouts in community forums – your satisfied customers are often your most powerful advocates. However, building those connections goes beyond delivering great products or services. Getting involved in your community is another driver of customer engagement and long-term growth. Let’s explore five different ways your business can get involved in the community – and the benefits you may see as a result.

Benefits of Community Involvement

The benefits of community involvement are multifold, its impact trickling into everything from your business’ visibility to the economic growth and development of the community. Check out some of the benefits your business might experience from being engaged locally.

  • Increased Brand Awareness: Community involvement will raise awareness about your business. Involvement puts your business’ name in front of more people, increasing recognition and helping it to become a community staple.
  • Improved Reputation: Supporting local initiatives demonstrates your values and commitment to the well-being of your community.
  • Improved Credibility: Being active in the community shows that your business is invested in more than just its own bottom line. This can improve the trust and confidence people have in your business.
  • Positive Word-of-Mouth: Meaningful community involvement generates positive buzz about your business. Research has shown that consumers are more likely to shop with businesses that support causes they care about – and participating in local initiatives demonstrates that you show up to support just that.

1. Sponsor Local Events

From local schools and charities to civic organizations and other small businesses – there are countless organizations that call your community home and host events that bring it together. These events usually provide opportunities for sponsorship, where your business provides financial support toward the event in exchange for recognition and exposure. The arrangement can take many forms – such as showcasing your business and distributing marketing materials, social media posts highlighting your contribution to the event, or your logo in event programs, banners, and signage. The financial support from sponsorships leads to event success and enhanced attendee experience, whereas sponsoring businesses will enjoy benefits like increased brand visibility and positive publicity.

2. Participate in Local Events

Sponsoring events isn’t the only way to show your support – you can also get involved by setting up a table and connecting with potential or existing customers. Talking with attendees puts a face to your business’ name, transforming your business into more than just a logo and a storefront. Showing up and giving your time and attention also sends another powerful message – that you believe your product or service can make a positive impact, and you want to share how it fits into the day-to-day lives of local consumers.

3. Partner with Other Local Businesses

Partnering with local businesses can help you tap into new markets you might not usually reach. This uplifts both businesses, helping offer unique experiences that are relevant to local consumers and reach a broader audience. Additionally, partnering with other established businesses can boost your reputation and credibility – being that another local business views yours as a trusted partner. Consider co-hosting educational events or offering complimentary deals or packages together. For example, partner with a local restaurant to host a Lunch and Learn – where attendees will have lunch via your business contact, while listening to an educational workshop or learning a new skill from you.

4. Engage on Social Media

77% of businesses use social media to reach customers, which presents a unique opportunity for small businesses. You can use social media to your advantage and stand out among the competition simply by engaging with your local community on social media platforms. Consider posting about local events your business is sponsoring or will participate in, tagging other local businesses or ones that are new to town, or engaging in community conversations.

5. Give Back to the Community

There are many ways your business can volunteer its time and resources in the community. Consider an employee day of service, where you organize a day for your staff to volunteer their time with a local charity. Another way to give back to the community is hosting an event for a cause. For example – a local pizzeria can donate a pizza (or the price of a pizza), to a local shelter for every pizza sold. Giving back fosters a sense of goodwill and pride, showing that you are dedicated to bettering the community you serve.

As a small business owner, you wear many hats – and adding a community involvement hat might seem overwhelming. However, your business will experience the benefits of community involvement even by starting small. To start, pick just one community involvement initiative and see how it can take your business to new heights!

Are you a local business within Monmouth or Ocean Counties and looking to get started with a business checking account or make the switch from another financial institution? Contact us to get started today, we’re happy to help!

*A First Financial membership is available to anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers or attends school in Monmouth or Ocean Counties. A $5 deposit in a base savings account is required for credit union membership prior to opening any other account. Other terms & conditions may apply, see credit union for details.