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Bank of America Holidays 2019

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bank of america holidays

Is Bank of America open? If you are wondering if you will be able to head to Bank of America on any particular holiday in 2019, here’s a look at their schedule.

Bank of America Holidays

Bank of America has over 5,000 branches in the U.S. Many people open an account with Bank of America for that reason, as you can almost guarantee to find a branch nearby when you need one.

Like most banks, Bank of America recognizes specific federal holidays. Every Bank of America office and financial center uses the same holiday schedule. This means all of the locations close on the same days, regardless of where their physical locations.

In 2019, Bank of America will close to observe the following holidays:

  • New Year’s Day: Tuesday, January 1. Bank of America is closed.
  • Martin Luther King Day: Monday, January 21. Bank of America is closed.
  • Presidents’ Day: Monday, February 18. Bank of America is closed.
  • Memorial Day: Monday, May 27. Bank of America is closed.
  • Independence Day: Thursday, July 4. Bank of America is closed.
  • Labor Day: Monday, September 2. Bank of America is closed.
  • Columbus Day: Monday, October 14. Bank of America is closed.
  • Veteran’s Day: Monday, November 11. Bank of America is closed.
  • Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28. Bank of America is closed.
  • Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25. Bank of America is closed.

Closed On Holidays That Fall on Sunday in 2019

There are also holidays where all Bank of America locations are closed, but it is because these events fall on Sundays in 2019. Here are a few examples:

  • Patrick’s Day: Sunday, March 17. Bank of America is closed.
  • Easter Sunday: Sunday, April 1. Bank of America is closed.
  • Cinco de Mayo: Sunday, May 5. Bank of America is closed.
  • Mother’s Day: Sunday, May 12. Bank of America is closed.
  • Father’s Day: Sunday, June 16. Bank of America is closed.

There aren’t very many banks open on Sundays during the year, so the closures are not technically in observance of the holiday. For example, Bank of America is usually open on St. Patrick’s Day, but March 17 falls on a Sunday in 2019. The same goes for Cinco de Mayo.

Other Open Days for Bank of America

  • Christmas Eve: Tuesday, December 24. Bank of America is open.
  • New Year’s Eve: Tuesday, December 31. Bank of America is open.

However, if any of the holidays above fall on Sundays in other years, Bank of America will close according to their typical Sunday schedule.

It’s important to note that, even if you head to a Bank of America on the day before a holiday, a holiday can impact processing time. Along with not being open, certain transactions may not go through on holidays or Sundays, so anything that can’t process immediately, like bank-to-bank transfers or non-cash deposits, are delayed.

If you need a transaction to complete fully before a holiday, it’s wise to head to the bank three to five business days before the holiday. This increases the odds that it will complete in time, though, depending on the transaction, that isn’t guaranteed.

Contact Bank of America When In Doubt

When in doubt, contact Bank of America directly to learn about processing times. Then, you’ll know exactly when you need to head to your nearest location. If you can’t get through using the regular customer service number, call 704-386-5687 – the number to Bank of America Executive Customer Relations, where someone can likely help you more quickly or transfer you to someone who can. Just be aware that that is not a toll-free number, so long distance charges may apply if your calling plan does not provide free long distance calling.

What Are Bank of America’s Regular Opening Hours?

Not every Bank of America office, financial center, or branch follows the same schedule, except when it comes to holiday and Sunday closures. There regular operating hours can vary, so you’ll need to check with your preferred location to get exact opening hours.

However, in general, if you use the times below to as a basis for planning, Bank of America locations usually follow a similar schedule:

  • Monday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Tuesday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Wednesday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Thursday: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
  • Friday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
  • Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
  • Sunday: closed

Otherwise, either use Bank of America’s online tool to check before you head out the door or contact your destination branch to confirm their hours.

ATM and Online Banking

And, remember, if you can complete your transaction using an ATM or with online banking, you don’t have to worry about the hours. You can use any ATM outside, barring technical issues, 24/7. Similarly, you can handle tasks like transferring funds and paying bills through the online portal anytime, as long as the system isn’t down for maintenance. However, keep in mind that a holiday can delay how long it takes the transaction to fully process, so make a note of your activity and anticipate a longer wait for the transaction to complete.

Have you ever needed to go to the bank on a holiday? Tell us how you handled it in the comments below.

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Are Banks Open on Christmas Eve 2018?

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Banks open Christmas Eve

With the holiday season upon us, and Christmas just around the corner, many people are wondering when banks will be open, and when they’ll be closed so they have enough money for the holidays. There’s a bank holiday schedule for most institutions, so if you need to talk with a teller to get your banking done, you’ll want to make sure you don’t go when they’re closed. Below you’ll find when banks and credit unions are open and closed over Christmas and Christmas weekend.

Download a printable 2018 Bank Holiday Schedule.

Are Any Banks Open Christmas Eve?

Banks will be open on Christmas Eve. Because Christmas Eve falls on a Monday this year, banks will be open. However, many banks will close early or be open for limited hours. Some locations may close as early as 12 p.m. You’ll need to check with your bank or credit union before assuming their hours on Christmas Eve.

Will Banks Be Open Christmas Day?

No, banks aren’t open on Christmas Day. All banks and credit unions will be closed on Christmas.

Although they will not be open, you can still take care of basic banking transactions without going into the bank. Most institutions provide services like bill pay, deposits, and transfers through their website or mobile app. You can also make deposits and withdrawals at the ATM. Both of these are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Keep in mind any transactions made on a holiday may take a bit longer to clear. For instance, checks being deposited may take an additional business day to post to your account. In this case, transactions made on Christmas should post by Wednesday, December 26. You may want to refer to your bank’s policy before doing any business Christmas Day.

Bank Hours the Day After Christmas

Banks will be open the day after Christmas. Some businesses will close the day after Christmas in observance of the holiday, however, banks will be open for regular business hours that day.

Losing one banking day can be a hassle for some. The good news is you will be able to take care of everything you need on the Monday or Wednesday surrounding the holiday this year. Be sure you plan to get anything you need to be done taken care of on those days.

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Is the Post Office Open Christmas Eve 2018?

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As Christmas approaches, and letters and packages need to get out, people begin to wonder if the post office is open Christmas Eve. Most people realize the post office is closed on Christmas Day, but aren’t quite as sure about Christmas Eve or the day after Christmas.

Is the Post Office Open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, the post office is open on Christmas Eve. The post office is open on Monday, December 24. Some post office locations might have limited hours the day before Christmas, but for the most part will be open. Note that it will be too late to mail anything in time for Christmas though.

Is the Post Office Open on Christmas Day?

No, the post office isn’t open on Christmas Day. Christmas Day is an official federal holiday. The post office is not open Tuesday, December 25, 2018. There will be no mail delivery and post office locations will not be open.

Is the Post Office Open the Day After Christmas?

Yes, the post office is open the day after Christmas. The post office will resume its typical weekday hours on Wednesday, December 26. The day after Christmas is typically a normal operating day for the USPS with post offices open and delivering mail to both your home and office during their regular hours.

While post office branches may not have postal workers available to help you on Christmas Day, you can still perform some basic postal services on your own. For example, most post offices have a drop box for depositing letters and packages. You can leave them, but there is still no service until the next business day. More and more post offices are installing package postage weighing machines which allow you to calculate the cost of postage for your mail on your own. They may also allow you to purchase postage.

Post offices with PO Box areas are usually accessible even when the post office retail area is not open. Availability is dependent on your local office and its services. If you aren’t sure which services are still available, contact your local post office to find out.

Download a printable 2018 post office holiday schedule.

Other Mail Options During the Holidays

The USPS isn’t the only game in town for sending out letters and packages. Below are the holiday schedules for Federal Express and the United Parcel Service.

Is UPS Open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, the United Parcel Service is open on Christmas Eve. The company will deliver ground, air, and international shipments as normal, but will only pick up the air and international shipments (no ground shipments). UPS is closed on Christmas Day.

Is FedEx Open on Christmas Eve?

Yes, Federal Express is open on Christmas Eve, but some offices may be open limited hours, and most of their office locations will close by 6 p.m. Contact your local FedEx office location to confirm their hours. FedEx is closed on Christmas Day, except for their FedEx Custom Critical service which will be open.

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Photo: gerrybuckel

Shop Now or Wait? Here’s What to Buy In After Christmas Sales

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after christmas sales

After the holiday shopping season ends, retailers around the country hold sales to get shoppers spending. However, not all after Christmas sales are great deals. Knowing what to buy now (and what you should skip until later) can help you save a ton of cash.

What to Buy in After Christmas Sales

Certain items almost always go on sale after Christmas. Many stores consider this time of year the start of a transition away from winter items. Because of this transition, many stores offer deeply discounted goods.

Christmas Decorations

When it comes to Christmas decorating, you should never buy before or during the actual holiday. December 26 marks the start of clearances on Christmas decorations and other holiday décor. Ornaments, artificial trees, holiday string lights, holiday inflatables, and similar goods will all end up on sale for pennies. These discounts are predominately a means of clearing out space and encouraging shoppers to purchase out of season.

By shopping for holiday décor in after Christmas sales, you save money and get a head start on Christmas 2019. However, before you make a purchase, make sure you have space to store your new items. Clean out what you have and make a list of what you need for next year.

Holiday Food and Drinks

Items like eggnog, turkeys, summer sausages, and similarly seasonally popular food and drink products lose their appeal after Christmas. To get the items off their shelves, retailers offer discounts to entice people to buy them quickly.

This is also true for regular food and drink items that had seasonal flavors for the holidays. After Christmas, some shoppers have burned out on flavors like peppermint mocha and pumpkin spice. Stores offer them for less to get them to sell.

New Cars, Trucks, and SUVs

Many car dealerships offer big discounts at the ends of months, quarters, and years. Once Christmas is over, dealers are looking to sell off as much inventory as possible, leading to stellar after Christmas sales and potentially increased bargaining power.

By waiting to buy until after Christmas, you could be making an incredibly smart decision. Just make sure you only buy a vehicle if you genuinely need one, as something at this price point typically shouldn’t be an impulse purchase.

Clothing and Outerwear

Many retailers include shirts, pants, and coats in their after Christmas sales. As mentioned above, the end of December often marks the beginning of a transition as retailers prepare for the coming spring. This means heavier clothing items might be available at deep discounts, especially if they have patterns and colors that distinctly align with winter.

Exercise Equipment

After Christmas is when many people begin planning their New Years resolutions. Getting fit and losing weight are two of the most common, and stores look to cash in on the upward trend in interest by discounting their exercise equipment.

By adding exercise equipment to their after Christmas sales, retailers connect with shoppers who want to have items on hand before January 1st. However, it is important to note that these sales often continue into January, so, if you don’t find a great deal, consider waiting a week or two and searching again.

Video Games and Toys

Since people spend so much on video games and toys in preparation for Christmas, retailers know that they have to entice shoppers with great prices if they are going to shop more in these categories. You can find exceptional prices on popular video game titles as well as some of the hottest toys from the Christmas season, potentially allowing you to save big.

Plus, some stores use these after Christmas sales to reduce their toy and video game inventories. Since shoppers are going to be spending at levels that are more average, they don’t need to keep the same level of stock. Additionally, they are working to capitalize on video game consoles people received as gifts, encouraging them to buy new games for their consoles.

Gift Sets

Gift sets are a Christmas staple. However, once the gift-giving season passes, interest declines dramatically. This is especially true since many pre-packaged options feature holiday packaging.

Since stores don’t want to keep these items in inventory for long, they offer deep discounts to get them off shelves. Anything from food items to personal care products can be found for less, as long as you don’t mind the holiday packaging and buying items as a group.

What Not to Buy in After Christmas Sales

While tons of other items go on sale after Christmas, not all of them present great deals. In some cases, waiting just a few more weeks can make a massive difference, so bypassing these products now is a wise choice.

Televisions

In many cases, waiting until closer to the end of January is best if you need a television. Sales connected to the upcoming Super Bowl usually result in better discounts, especially if you are looking for a high-end, big screen tv.

Electronics

New models of certain electronics are revealed in January, so waiting until that happens can help you save big on older models. This is especially true for desktop computers and laptops, two high-cost items where buying during a great sale can really make a difference.

Wait until after the International Consumer Electronics Show in January before shopping for electronics. In 2019, International CES runs from Tuesday, January 8, through Friday, January 11, so expect big sales during the next sale cycle.

Jewelry

While there can be respectable after Christmas sales on jewelry, waiting until closer to Valentine’s Day may help you spend less. Most jewelry and department stores are competing for business as February 14th draws near, so they will slash prices to catch shoppers’ interest.

Fragrances

Unless you are buying gift sets, which can be cheaper during after Christmas sales, perfumes and colognes are usually available at deeper discounts closer to Valentine’s Day. In fact, February can be a great time to buy fragrances for certain spring and summer occasions, like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, as high-end perfumes and colognes will maintain their quality during the wait.

Bedding and Linens

Most stores hold their “white sales” in January, usually near the Martin Luther King Day holiday. By waiting, you can find better prices on sheets, towels, pillows, comforters, and more at most major retailers.

Calendars and Dated Planners

Waiting until after the new year starts can help you save on calendars and day planners with printed dates. Around mid-January, the discounts start to emerge as the peak buying season is over. By holding off for just a few weeks, you can save up to 50 percent, making it worth the wait.

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Three Things to Keep in Mind When Making Charitable Gifts

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In 2017, Americans gave an estimated $410 billion in charitable gifts to organizations. This has continued the upward trend of giving we’ve seen in the U.S. in recent years. The majority of this giving was done by individuals. However, before you donate any of your financial assets, you will want to consider each of the following points.

1. The Reputation of the Charity

It is always important to be informed about the charity and its reputation before donating. Research the organization before donating a penny. Any worthwhile charity will spend 75% of its income on programs and upkeep rather than administrative costs. You may be able to find this information in the charity’s annual report. Considering these things before you donate financial assets as charitable gifts you will ensure you are supporting a good cause. It also helps you decide whether or not it fits into your financial plan.

2. Your Portfolio Balance

Donating financial assets to charity means you are also taking them out of your portfolio. You’ll want to consider how getting rid of certain assets will impact your overall finances and the balance of your portfolio. If you want your portfolio to grow, you won’t want to donate all of your growth-oriented stocks. Be sure you aren’t donating stocks that will impact your endgame. Consider consulting a stock advisor or financial professional to ensure the assets you are giving as charitable gifts won’t hinder your long-term goals.

3. Taxes

Donations made to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible if you itemize your return. After the recent changes made to the tax law, the standard deduction has increased to $24,000 for married couples and $12,000 for singles. Because of this, many people have less incentive to make charitable gifts (at least for tax reasons).

However, if you donate appreciated stocks you may be permitted to deduct the full fair market value of the gift. This is true even if the amount you paid is only a fraction of the value it is today. On top of that, you may not be subjected to capital gains tax for stocks you sold or gifted to charity.

Another possible way to make a tax-deductible donation is using money from your IRA. After you turn 70 1/2 years old, you are required to begin withdrawing money from your account. You will have to pay taxes on this but you can exclude up to $100,000 of your required minimum distributions per year from your taxable income if you gift the money to a qualified charity.

If you are considering donating any of these appreciated assets to charity, consult your tax advisor before doing so.

Readers, are you giving any charitable gifts this season? How have you decided where to donate?

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SumUp Review: This App Can Help Your Business Get Paid

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SumUp Review

Have you heard of SumUp? If you are a small business owner, you’ll want to know about this company. This app could be the answer to easier card payments.

SumUp Review: What Is It?

SumUp is an up-and-coming FinTech outfit. Last year, it was voted Europe’s fastest growing company. With its launch in 2012, SumUp has expanded into 33 countries and, most recently, moved into the United Stated FinTech market. Operating out of Boulder, CO, SumUp hopes to bring their technology and low transaction rates to small and medium-sized businesses throughout the states.

The company plans to become the first global mobile-point-of-sale (MPOS) company. As the business continues to grow, SumUp will continue to focus on providing lower transaction rates than similar services as well as responsive customer service.

An Easier Way to Pay Your Business

You’ve probably seen mobile payment devices recently. In the past, when the Girl Scouts were outside the grocery store, you could get away without buying anything if you simply didn’t have cash. However, with mobile payments, you can now run a credit or debit card anywhere.

You can carry the SumUp device everywhere and use it anywhere. With your smartphone, you can accept credit and debit card payments wherever you are. Hundreds of thousands of small businesses around the world are already using SumUp to get paid. The company has also developed a suite of software to integrate SumUp into other apps and services your company offers.

Traditionally, services like this have not been open to small businesses. SumUp wants to provide the same high-tech payment option for the little guy. Businesses using SumUp vary from coffee houses to mechanics to boutiques.

How to Use the SumUp App

The SumUp app is easy to use and easy to get started. The company even provides paperless onboarding, and customer service is available every step of the way, no matter what questions you may have.

The company prides itself on providing the best value and service possible for small businesses using their tool. To do this, they maintain open and transparent communication. What’s their bottom line? To build a better way to get paid.

How Much Does It Cost?

Because SumUp is targeting small-to-medium business owners, you might wonder if you can afford this tool. Well, the answer is yes! SumUp has made their MPOS device and other services extremely affordable.

You can order the device itself for just $69. You’ll get free delivery within 3 to 4 business days. It also comes with a 30-day money back guarantee as well as a one-year warranty.

On top of those perks, the SumUp device includes free reporting, free phone and email support, and all payments hit your bank account within one to two business days.

Best of all, the company only receives 2.65% of each transaction paid for with the SumUp device. So, your business won’t be spending a fortune on gathering payments. Even better? There are no monthly fees or additional costs.

Is SumUp Right for Your Business?

All in all, SumUp is a fantastic new company looking to provide easy payment options for small to medium-sized businesses. Many of these businesses find themselves paying high transaction fees or unable to accept certain types of payment (American Express or other credit cards) because of the high transaction fee.

If you’re looking for a more affordable way to process credit card transactions,  consider trying SumUp out for a month. They have low fees that they are focusing on maintaining. With the device, you can also accept any type of credit or debit card payment, no matter what type of card it is. And, their 30-day money-back guarantee means you have nothing to lose.

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