12.14.11 Posted by: Lanny Hubbard

7 Computer Energy Saving Tips

7 Computer Energy Saving Tips

Energy saving tips are important these days because of rising energy costs. While this may be the prime motivation to cut down on the costs there are other benefits in regards to computer systems. A computer system that saves energy will produce less heat which is important in the summer months. Heat can lead to all sorts of computer problems and also an increased noise level as the computer fans try to cool down the computer system.

Computer systems consume power. The amount of power depends on the system at hand. It can vary widely depending on the hardware build into the computer system. A high end user’s computer with the latest hardware will consume more power than an Office computer system that uses low end hardware. High end computer systems use 250 Watts or more per hour which equals 1 kWh every four hours of usage. The US average energy costs for 1 kWh are $0.11.

A computer running 24 hours a day using 100 Watts per hour will need 876 kWh a year which would equal $96. If the computer uses 250 Watts instead the costs would rise to 2190 kWh per year which would equal $240. Not all computer systems are running 24 hours though but it is probably good to know some maximum values. Keep in mind that energy costs are on the rise and that it will also reduce heat and noise.

1. Buy energy efficient products:

Considering energy efficient products is a good way to save energy in the first place. Look for logos like the Energy Star to buy computer hardware that offers good energy efficiency. Another good idea is to look for a 80+ power supply unit which is more energy efficient as well.

2. Use build in power saving features:

Most operating systems come with power saving features that put hardware like hard drives or the computer monitor into idle mode or turn it off for the time it is not being used. Idle mode consumes between 20 to 50 times less energy. Windows users find the power saving settings in the Control Panel. It might be necessary to tweak the values for turning off the computer monitor, hard drives and setting a system standby time to suit the individual needs. A lower time will save more energy but is also likelier to affect work.

3. Turn down the brightness:

Turning down the brightness of the computer monitor, or any other monitor actually, saves energy. This is actually a good tip for users with laptops, and other mobile devices including cell phones. It can also be helpful on desktop systems. 

4. Turn off the monitor instead of using a screensaver:

Screensavers do not save energy. Their function these days is reduced to visuals only. Turning off the computer monitor instead of running screensavers saves lots of energy.

5. Disable devices that are not needed

Laptops come with all sorts of devices that a user might not need. Each of the devices - if enabled - consume energy. A laptop user that uses the build in network adapter and a cable to connect to the Internet probably does not need Wi-fi, the build in modem, Bluetooth or infrared. The same might be valid for other devices like the DVD drive or sound card.

6. Turn off the computer:

This might be an obvious tip but there are a few myths surrounding this. Some users think that turning off a computer will reduce its lifetime. Others believe that it will cost more power to turn the computer off and on again than to put it to hibernate mode.

It might not make sense to turn off a computer system when going on a 5 minute break but it definitely make sense for longer breaks, e.g. lunch or meetings.

7. Share hardware where appropriate:

Hardware like printers, scanners or routers that are connected to a computer system are also using power. A way to save energy is to share these devices where possible. This does require some computer knowledge though.

Energy Saving Verdict: It is possible to save lots of energy by turning off devices when they are not needed. Buying energy efficient hardware and using power saving settings are the two other helpful options. 

11.22.11 Posted by: Lanny Hubbard

CardCash-- you can now earn 1% back..

Card Cash
You can now warn 1% cash back -- up to $500 every year simply for using your PBK Bank debit card for everyday purchases. 

To qualify for 1% cash back on all qualified purchases, simply: 

            - Press or say CREDIT with every purchase.
            - Use Your card to shop online or by phone, and choose the CREDIT option.
            - Make minimum of $450 in Non-PIN debit card purchases each month.
            - Earn 1% cash back on all transactions above the monthly $450 minimum (up to $500.00  per year) 

Whether you sign for your purchases or request the credit option, the purchase amount is deducted from your checking account just as though you had used your pin. 

Don't sacrifice this valuable benefit- It is absolutely free.   

All you have to do click on the card cash photo on our web site or go to the web site, www.cardcash.us/pbkbank and fill out the application to sign up.  You can also pick up a form at the bank and mail it to :

                        CardCash Headquarters
                        113 Seaboard Lane, A180
                        Franklin, TN 37067

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10.21.11 Posted by: Lanny Hubbard

Can I Repair My Bad Credit?

Just because you have bad or not so perfect credit today doesn’t mean that you are always destined to stay in that shape. Believe it or not, there are some things you can do to help repair your credit, but don’t forget the passing of time is one of those items.  ·         Check Your Credit Report – Checking your credit report can help insure that what is being reported is correct. It can help you to ensure that you get errors removed before they cause you problems.  ·         Use Payment Reminders – There are a variety of different ways you can set up reminders, such as through your email, your phone, writing it down on a calendar, or even using Bill Pay. Whichever reminder option you choose; reminders are a great way to be sure you don’t forget to make your payments on time.  ·         Reduce The Amount You Owe – Live within your means and do not take the mind set “well, if I couldn’t afford it, why would they send me a credit card”. Be responsible with your credit and it will reward you.  ·         Pay Bills On Time – This is pretty simplistic, but it works wonders. Paying your bills punctually over a span of time can really go a long way to repair your credit. If you don’t get this one down the rest is about useless. This also includes if you have any charged off accounts or accounts in collections; be sure to get them paid as well.   ·         Passing Of Time – Just the passing of time may not necessarily help repair your credit but the passing of time without issue really can. The negative impact of missed payments, collections, and filing of bankruptcy diminishes with the passing of time; well that is assuming history doesn’t repeat itself.  So keep in mind that bad credit is not a life sentence, and it can be overcome with a lot of hard work and diligence in the handling your finances.

11.01.11 Posted by: Brain Duncan

November Events

Lincoln County- 

Happy November!  Out with the Jack-O-Lanterns and in with the pumpkin pie!  November is never short of things to do, but for those who can’t stand to stand still (like me!) here are a few things to fill in those gaps between the turkey dinners. 

November 5-10:00-8:00 pm-Kentucky State BBQ Festival- Constitution Square, Danville.  Some of the proceeds benefit the Heart of Kentucky United Way.  For more information, contact info@KYBBQFestival.com.  

November 11- Veteran’s Appreciation Lunch- Danville Armory-11:00-2:00 pm.  Heritage Hospice hosts this free lunch with prizes for any veteran from Boyle, Lincoln, Garrard, or Mercer County.  If you have served in any branch of the military, come out for this time of fellowship, great food, and fun!

Have a great Thanksgiving and tune in next week for the conclusion to my “money” series where I “wrap things up” with some Christmas shopping suggestions!
Brian Duncan

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10.28.11 Posted by: Lanny Hubbard

Shopping Online, Protect Your Self!

Know who you're dealing with.
Anyone can set up shop online under almost any name. Confirm the online seller's physical address and phone number in case you have questions or problems. And if you get an email or pop-up message that asks for your financial information while you’re browsing, don't reply or follow the link. Legitimate companies don't ask for information that way.

Know what you're buying.
Read the seller's description of the product closely, especially the fine print. Words like "refurbished," "vintage," or "close-out" may indicate that the product is in less-than-mint condition, while name-brand items with bargain basement prices could be counterfeits.

Know what it will cost.
Check out websites that offer price comparisons and then compare "apples to apples." Factor shipping and handling into the total cost of your purchase. Do not send cash or money transfers under any circumstances.

Check out the terms of the deal, like refund policies and delivery dates.
Can you return the item for a full refund if you're not satisfied? If you return it, who pays the shipping costs or restocking fees, and when you will get your order? A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule requires sellers to ship items as promised or within 30 days after the order date if no specific date is promised. Many sites offer tracking options, so you can see exactly where your purchase is and estimate when you’ll get it.


Pay by credit card.
If you pay by credit or charge card online, your transaction will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. Under
this law, you can dispute charges under certain circumstances and temporarily withhold payment while the creditor investigates them. In the event that someone uses your credit card without your permission, your liability generally is limited to the first $50 in charges. Some companies guarantee that you won’t be held responsible for any unauthorized charges made to your card online; some cards provide additional warranty, return, and purchase protection benefits.


Keep Records.
Print or save records of your online transactions, including the product description and price, the online receipt, and the emails you send and receive from the seller. Read your credit card statements as you receive them; be on the lookout for charges that you don’t recognize.

Protect Your Information

Don't email any financial information.
Email is not a secure method of transmitting financial information like your credit card, checking account, or Social Security number. If you begin a transaction and need to give your financial information through an organization's website, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a URL that begins https (the "s" stands for secure). Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some fraudulent sites have forged security icons.

Check the privacy policy.

Really. It should let you know what personal information the website operators are collecting, why, and how they're going to use the information. If you can't find a privacy policy — or if you can't understand it – consider taking your business to another site that's more user-friendly.

How to Report Online Shopping Fraud
If you have problems during a transaction, try to work them out directly with the seller, buyer, or site operator. If that doesn't work, file a complaint with: the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/complain

1.  Your state Attorney General, using contact information at naag.org
2.  Your county or state consumer protection agency. Check the blue pages of the phone book under county and state government, or visit consumeraction.gov and look under "Where to File a Complaint.
3.  The Better Business Bureau 
 

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10.07.11 Posted by: Brain Duncan

The relativity of money part Deux

O.k., where we last left, I was rambling about something to do with conch shells and the Beatles.  If you missed out, I highly recommend going back and catching up, otherwise, this next part will make no sense at all (that’s not really true, but I did spend a good bit of time thinking up those analogies, so please check them out).  The nail biting cliffhanger that I left you with had laid out the conundrum of our current financial situation (or one of them anyway) about the perils of fiat currency and inflation and the disadvantage to saving money.  Now that the bad stuff is out of the way, let’s take a look at the bright side.  If the American dollar looks like it will continue to lose its purchasing power, a good frame of mind to start with is “what can I purchase that will keep its value?”  The popular trend seems to be in gold, “Bring your scrap gold in for cash!” Sound familiar?  This may not be a bad idea; after all, gold has been treasured since the days of the Old Testament.  And yet, it is possible that the current gold rush has created a bubble with an artificially inflated price, and when you get right down to it, how useful is gold?  It doesn’t have a lot of nutritional value.  It isn’t very practical for building a shelter.  Unless you are the villain in a James Bond story, you can’t make an automobile with it.  So, take a cue from King Midas and recognize that gold won’t solve your problems.  Silver seems to me to be the more practical choice, as it is a precious metal that also has technological uses, plus, it is much more reasonably priced.    Precious metals are great and all, but there is something much more practical to sink your sinking money into, real estate!  Right now, you have the perfect storm of depressed house prices and low interest rates.  Many people are reluctant to buy right now because of the simple fact that houses have lost a bit of their value.  But, if you follow the long term arc of property values, they have appreciated greatly over the past decades.  Aside from that, there are also the other benefits of owning your own home like cookouts and yard sales.  What ever you decide to do, the thing to remember about currency, i.e. money that is not tied to anything, is that it is most effective when it is in motion.  The traditional mentality about the virtue of saving is diminished because it will continue to lose its value as more and more of it is printed.  A good approach is to consider putting your money into something that will likely continue to be of value for the long haul.  Tune in next week for a bit of a spin off with a couple of tricks and treats for getting more mileage out of your dollar!    09.30.11 Posted by: Brain Duncan   October Events           Lincoln County-  This month, everyone will be busy carving jack-o-lanterns and making costumes out of sheets and paper mache, besides these, here are a few event suggestions. Art Auction/Chili Supper- October 13, 6:00-9:00 pm.  Work House/Arts Building on Depot Street in Stanford.  All proceeds benefit Main Street Programs.    Hanging of the Quilts- October 14-16- Main Street.  Quilts will be on display in downtown Stanford.  For more information, call Phyllis at 606-383-1744.  Boyle County-  Railroad Days-September 30-October 2-Downtown Junction City- Car show, live music, dancing, and more.  For more information contact Susan Music at 859-854-3900.  Forkland Heritage Festival- October 14-15- A celebration of the peaceful rural lifestyle.  Crafts, games, and everything to eat from pancakes to pork chops.  For more information contact Kathy at 859-332-7146, or by email at info@forklandcomctr.org .  Rockcastle County-  -Bittersweet Festival- October 6-8-Starting off with a cruise in on Thursday night, the Bittersweet Festival will be a weekend of live music, cloggers, arts & crafts, inflatables, vendors, a parade, and more.  For more information, contact City Hall at 606-256-3437.    09.22.11 Posted by: Brian Duncan   I’m a Multi-Trillionaire, So Why am I Still Working           It’s true, no exaggeration, (although it is a bit misleading); I have a 100 trillion dollar bill from the bank of Zimbabwe, actual printed currency, not counterfeit or anything.  Here’s the catch, it wouldn’t buy you a dozen eggs, even in Zimbabwe; the result of an economy in the throes of hyperinflation.  If you are unfamiliar with the idea of inflation, this is the way my economics professors described it:  Too much money chasing too few products.  That’s all well and good, but here’s a little bit more concrete example.  Until 1971, our money was merely a receipt for gold, and the value of gold was fixed at $35 an ounce.  This is what is commonly known as the “gold standard,” meaning that gold was the standard for our currency.  In 1971, President Nixon removed the American dollar from this standard, basically changing the dollar from a receipt, to an IOU.  The net result is that since 1971, the dollar has lost about 97% of its value.  It’s not so much that gold is worth more; it’s that the dollar is worth less.  Sure, this is great dinner conversation fodder, but here’s where we get into the nuts and bolts of what it really means to you and how you can (read should) take advantage of it.  Most of the world’s economies are fueled by fiat currency, i.e. money that’s not tied to anything, meaning that the country can always just print more money because it’s not tied to gold, silver, cattle, conch shells, or first edition Beatles Albums.  Our conventional wisdom has always told us to “save, save, save!,” which is not bad advice, except you want to be saving something that will retain its value.  It’s not the best analogy and it is a bit extreme, but it is not entirely unlike investing in eight-tracks, vinyl records (I don’t mean collectible ones, just records in general), cassette tapes, or any other media format that will eventually fall out of favor.  Now that I’ve given you the prognosis, tune in next week for the exciting conclusion where I will lay out the remedy!  I may also pull a rabbit out my hat.   09.16.11 Posted by: Brian Duncan   Don't Let The Boat Pass You By           Although this is not new news, this is an occurrence that happens frequently enough that it is worth reiterating.  Every once in a while a customer will come in who is over (in some cases well over) the age of fifty, and in the process of looking up their account, I will realize that they are not set up on our Senior Reward account.  What is often the case is that the individual in question is a long time customer who opened the account before he or she reached that landmark birthday and never switched the account over.  If this is case, that person is missing out on a lot of benefits.  By switching the account over to the Senior Reward you are enrolled in our “Pretty Big Kids Club” which is, in my opinion, the best deal in town.  If you are fifty or better, and are not sure if you are enrolled in the Pretty Big Kids Club, just check with one of our Customer Service representatives and we can fix you up.  By switching your account over to the Senior Reward account, you will be switching to a free, interest bearing account with no minimum balance, unlimited transactions, unlimited free checks, and a 25% discount on personal storage boxes.  It will also make you 20% more attractive (well, not really, but the other stuff is true).  With the club, you will automatically start receiving our quarterly newsletter, which will keep you up with the goings on of our club, and will be eligible to participate in our other activities, which include but aren’t limited to Bingo, dinners, breakfasts, travel, and other fun and exciting things.  So, while it may not make you more attractive, healthier, or taller, if you are eligible (read 50 or older), switching your account over will at least save you some money and allow you to join in the fun that is the Pretty Big Kids Club!   09.09.11 Posted by: Brian Duncan   Would you like to save 20%...           We’ve all been there; you’re at the checkout and the clerk asks you if you would like to sign up for their store credit card. They make it sound so enticing by offering you an additional 20% off of your purchase; who couldn’t use that?  Before you make that impulse decision, which sounds like a no-brainer at first, there are a few things you should think about. Store credit cards can be dangerous to your credit and finances. They typically have much higher interest rates than traditional credit cards, in many cases, upwards of 20%, versus the 14% of the regular card. Store credit cards can also adversely affect your credit score. They tend to have low limits around $1,000 or so. One of the factors in calculating your credit score is the percentage of debt you have compared to the amount of available credit. With such a low limit it wouldn’t take too much of a shopping spree to use up most of your available credit. The general guideline is that you want to be at 30% or under in relationship to your available credit. They can also present an added temptation to consumers. Often stores will try to encourage using your cards by offering you extra discounts when you use your card. Now, if you plan on paying your card off when the bill comes (or better yet, before you leave the store) you should be fine. But, if you only make a payment then you’ll be paying a high interest rate on that purchase, which will most likely outweigh your extra discount. Don’t get me wrong, store cards are not all bad. In fact, that’s how I personally established my first bit of credit. I had never had any kind of credit before and the clerk asked me if I wanted to sign up for a store credit card and I would get extra off my purchase. I had been thinking that I needed to establish some credit so I went for it. I think my max amount initially was only $100, but I made sure to pay off my bill each month in full and it really helped me out. Store cards do tend to be a bit looser with their requirements for issuing credit, so it can be a great place to establish or even repair your credit history. Just be cautious of making an impulse decision with store credit cards. Think about their effects and how you will most likely use the card. If it makes since and you are comfortable with it then go for it, but just make sure to think about it before they dangle those extra discounts in front of you.   08.26.11 Posted by: Jonathan D. Goforth   Four Ways To Lower Your House Payment           For most people, the purchase of their home is their biggest purchase of their lives. Most people end up financing the ever important purchase, which stands to reason that it’s most likely your largest payment as well. Right now people are trying to get all of their expenses and bills in check and looking for ways to save. Well, you might be able to save some on your home payment. Here are a few things you should check out: 1.       Refinance Your Home Loan: Right now, fixed rate home loans are either at or near historic lows. Unless you’ve refinanced in say the last year, you owe it to yourself to checkout today's rates. Any of our Loan Officers can help you out with this. They’ll even be glad to sit down with you to see if refinancing makes sense for you. The general rule of thumb is if you can lower your interest rate by 1% or more that it’s generally worth refinancing. 2.       Shop Around For Insurance: If you are escrowing with your loan then lowering your insurance cost can also lower your payment. Start with your current insurance provider to revisit your coverage and to see if there are any discounts you are missing out on. Then you can check with other agents to make sure you are a getting a good deal. Be sure to have your coverage handy when you call other agents as you want to compare apples to apples. 3.       Got PMI: PMI stands for Private Mortgage Insurance, and many lenders will require it if you have less than 20% down on your house. You may have paid enough on your loan or the value of your home may have raised enough to get you that 20%. It doesn’t hurt to talk to your lender and to see if you have, and if so, what you need to do to get it removed. 4.       Challenge Your Property Taxes: Don’t just assume that your property tax bill is set in stone. With declining values in real estate, has the value of your home dropped? If so, this could potentially lower your tax bill. Contact your local PVA office to find out what the procedures are for challenging your valuation.       So don't hesitate to give us a call to see if you can help you out with lowering your house payment; you owe it to yourself. Couldn't we all use a little extra cash in our pockets these days?   08.19.11 Posted by: Jonathan D. Goforth   10 Ways To Protect Your Money Online           The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) recently issued an article as part of their consumer news on 10 ways you can protect your money when using Internet Banking, Bill Pay and shopping online. Internet Banking is a great tool to customers and provides some much enjoyed conveniences but there are also crooks out there continually searching for security holes to wreak havoc on consumers. Financial Institutions have put numerous security measures in place to safe guard our customers, but that doesn’t mean that customers still don’t have to be vigilant in taking precautions. Below is a list of 10 ways to protect your money online as mentioned by the FDIC: 1.       Frequently check your deposit accounts and lines of credit to spot and report errors or fraudulent transactions, just as you should with traditional banking. 2.       Never give your Social Security number, credit or debit card numbers, personal identification numbers (PINs), or any other confidential information in response to an unsolicited e-mail, text message or phone call, no matter who the source claims to be. 3.       Don’t open attachments or click on links in unsolicited e-mails from anyone you don’t know or you're otherwise unsure about. 4.       Watch out for sudden pop-up windows asking for personal information or warnings of a virus. 5.       Use a mix of security tools and procedures such as: Don’t log into your bank while using a public computer, pay attention to the toolbars at the top of your screen, choose strong user IDs and passwords that will be easy for you to remember but hard for hackers to guess, & consider using a separate computer solely for Internet Banking and online shopping. 6.       Beware of check scams. 7.       When shopping online, deal with reputable merchants and be wary of unbelievably low prices. 8.       Using a credit card generally offers more purchase protection than a debit card or other electronic forms of online payment. 9.       Be on guard against scams hiding behind online coupon offers. 10.   Be careful if you download banking software onto a cell phone.