5 Smart Money Moves to Make This November

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Posted On: November 11, 2025 by Peoples Bank of Kankakee County in: General Personal Finances

5 Smart Money Moves to Make This November

As the year winds down, November offers the perfect opportunity to take control of your finances before the holiday rush and year-end deadlines. Whether you're looking to save more, pay off debt, or simply enter the new year with greater clarity, a little planning now can make a big difference.

At Peoples Bank, we believe that proactive financial habits are the foundation of long-term financial wellness. Here are five simple yet effective moves you can make this month to finish the year strong.

1. Revisit Your Financial Goals

Look back at the goals you set earlier this year. Whether it was saving for a vacation, building your emergency fund, or paying down credit card debt. Are you on track? If not, there’s still time to make adjustments.

Even small changes, like increasing your savings deposit or trimming extra expenses, can help you end the year closer to your target.

2. Maximize Your Savings & Contributions

If you have an HSA, IRA, or other tax-advantaged account, now’s the perfect time to check your contributions. You can typically contribute up until the tax filing deadline for the previous year—so don’t miss your chance to maximize your savings. For CDs or other savings goals, November is also a great time to give your balance a boost and stay on track toward your financial goals.

Not sure where to start? Our team at Peoples Bank can help you understand your options and maximize your money.

3. Review (and Protect) Your Credit

Your credit score affects everything from loan approval to interest rates. Take time this month to check your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com for errors and focus on paying down any high-interest debt.

Setting up automatic payments through online banking can help you stay on track while avoiding missed payments or late fees.

4. Get Ahead of Holiday Spending

The holidays are coming and so are the extra expenses. From gifts to gatherings, those costs can add up quickly. Set a holiday budget now, and consider creating a “holiday fund” using a separate savings account to manage spending.

Using your Peoples Bank debit card can help you track your purchases and stay within your limits.

5. Start Gathering Tax Documents Early

Tax season might still feel far away, but organizing early pays off. Gather receipts, review charitable contributions, and make note of any major financial changes this year such as selling a home, starting a business, or having a child.

This preparation can make filing easier and help you take advantage of every eligible deduction.

A Strong Finish Starts Now

With just a few thoughtful steps, you can take control of your finances before the year ends and start the new one feeling confident. Whether you’re planning, saving, or just looking for advice, Peoples Bank is here to help.

Stop by your local branch or explore our savings tools online to take the next step toward financial peace of mind.

An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction, but we pay it anyway. We can cover your overdrafts in two different ways:

We have standard overdraft practices that are available after your account has been open for 30 days and as long as you maintain your account in good standing.
We also offer an overdraft protection plan, Overdraft Protection Sweep, a link to a savings account. It may be less expensive than our standard overdraft practices. To learn more, ask us about this plan.

This notice explains our standard overdraft practices.

What are the standard overdraft practices that come with my account?

After your account has been open for 30 days and as long as you maintain your account in good standing, we do authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions:

Checks and other transactions made using your checking account number
Automatic bill payments

We do not authorize and pay overdrafts for the following types of transactions unless you ask us to (see below):

ATM transactions
Everyday debit card transactions

We pay overdrafts at our discretion, which means we do not guarantee that we will always authorize and pay any type of transaction.

If we do not authorize and pay an overdraft, your transaction will be declined.

What fees will I be charged if Peoples Bank of Kankakee County pays my overdraft?

Under our standard overdraft practices:

We will charge you a fee of up to $30 each time we pay an overdraft.
The maximum daily overdraft fee per presentment or item paid using the Overdraft Reserve Program is $150.00 per day.
No per item handling fee will be charged on de minimis overdrafts. De minimis overdraft for this policy means transactions that overdraw your account by $30 or less.
There is an overdraft fee of $5 per day that will be charged beginning the 4th consecutive business day your account is overdrawn.

Nonsufficient funds (NSF) fees - if an item drafted by you (such as a check) or a transaction you set up (such as a preauthorized transfer) is presented for payment in an amount that is more than the amount of money in your account and we decide not to pay the item or transaction, you agree that we can charge you an NSF fee for returning the payment. Be aware that such an item or payment may be presented multiple times by the merchant or other payee until it is paid, and that we do not monitor or control the number of times a transaction is presented for payment. You agree that we may charge you an NSF fee each time a payment is presented if the amount of money in your account is not sufficient to cover the payment, regardless of the number of times the payment is presented.

PAYMENT ORDER OF ITEMS - The law permits us to pay items drawn on your account in any order (for purposes of this section "items" means checks, orders and electronic transactions). To assist you in handling your account with us, we are providing you with the following information regarding how we process those items. When processing checks and orders drawn on your account our policy is to pay lower numbered checks and orders in numerical sequence, but electronic transactions are paid first in the order received. The order in which items are paid is important if there is not enough money in your account to pay all of the items that are presented. There is no policy that is favorable in every instance. If the smallest items are paid first, you may have fewer NSF or overdraft fees, but the largest, and perhaps more important items (such as rent or mortgage payments) might not be paid. However, if the largest items are paid first, your most important items might be paid but it may increase the overdraft or NSF fees if funds are not available to pay all of the items. We think our policy attains a reasonable balance between minimizing additional costs to you and paying your more important items. We encourage you to make careful records and practice good account management. This will help you to avoid creating items without sufficient funds and incurring the resulting fees.

What if I want Peoples Bank of Kankakee County to authorize and pay overdrafts on my ATM and everyday debit card transactions?

If you also want us to authorize and pay overdrafts on ATM and everyday debit card transactions after your account has been open for 30 days, you may opt in.

You have an ongoing right to change this consent at any time. If your overdraft privilege has been revoked for any reason, the opt-in or opt-out selection may not apply. Please contact your nearest office for more information.

Alternate ways to Opt In/Out or make changes:

By Phone. Our Customer Care Representatives can be reached at 815-936-7600.
By Mail. Peoples Bank of Kankakee County, 333 E. Court Street, Kankakee, IL 60901
In Person. Please visit your local office and ask a representative to help you decide which plan is best for you.