Preparing for the Holidays: Shop Local, Save, and Plan Ahead with Bangor Savings Bank’s All Card Solutions

Published on : 11/26/2024

The holiday season brings a spirit of celebration, meaningful gift-giving, and community connection. It’s also a time for managing expenses wisely, with holiday spending leading into the new year. Bangor Savings Bank offers a range of tools to help you enjoy the holidays, support local businesses, and start building healthy financial habits in 2025.


Bangor Savings Bank Debit Card given to cashier
 

Support Local Businesses with the Bangor Savings Bank Debit Mastercard® and Buoy Local® Rewards

This holiday season, Bangor Savings Bank encourages their debit cardholders to shop with purpose through its Buoy Local Rewards program. This community-centered initiative makes it easy to shop and support the businesses that keep our Northern New England communities vibrant.
  • Why Buoy Local is Unique: Buoy Local connects cardholders to locally-owned businesses in Maine and New Hampshire, offering access to high-quality, unique gifts that come with a personal touch. Choosing to shop local during the holidays keeps money within the community, strengthening local businesses and fostering a resilient economy.
  • Benefits of Shopping with the Bangor Savings Bank Debit Mastercard: The Bangor Savings Bank Debit Mastercard adds convenience and security to your holiday shopping. Along with fraud protection, it provides seamless access to Buoy Local Rewards after linking the card to the Buoy Local app1, so you can earn points while supporting local merchants enrolled in the Buoy Local coalition.
  • Spending and Rewards Tracking Made Simple: With the Buoy Local app1, you can easily track your holiday spending and earned Buoy Points. Points translate into Buoy Bucks, which you can use at participating Buoy Local businesses, turning every purchase into an opportunity to reward yourself while supporting even more area businesses.
  • For unique gift ideas, check out the Buoy Local Gift Guide! It highlights a variety of products and services from local artisans and merchants across Northern New England, making it easy to find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list. Whether you’re looking for handcrafted items, specialty foods, or locally sourced products, the guide has plenty of ideas to inspire meaningful, local gift-giving.
Shop Local Spotlight: Check out Aroma Joe's in New Hampshire & Maine and Mexicali Blues throughout Maine for your holiday shopping this year!


Bangor Savings Bank everblue Cash Back Plus Credit Card on laptop
 

Holiday Shopping Made Simple with the everblue®

For those looking for flexibility and rewards while holiday shopping, Bangor Savings Bank’s everblue credit card suite provides options that fit different needs and budgets. Whether you’re interested in cash back, saving on interest, or staying organized, the everblue suite has something for everyone this holiday season.
  • Earn Cash Back with everblue Cash Back Plus: The everblue Cash Back Plus card turns every purchase into rewards, with added cash back on local purchases. This helps you extend your holiday budget, letting you support the businesses around you while maximizing the value of your holiday spending. Local purchases may earn an additional 1% cash back2!
  • Reduce Your Interest with a Lower Rate Option: The everblue Low Rate card offers a lower-interest rate when compared to our other cards. This can help you lower the cost of your monthly interest payments if you carry a balance. It's a practical choice that lets you enjoy the season's celebrations without stressing about high interest rates.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees with everblue Cash Back Plus: Planning an international trip over the holidays? everblue’s Cash Back Plus consumer credit card’s no foreign transaction fee lets you make purchases abroad without the extra costs, so you can enjoy your travels with one less worry. And, Bangor Savings Bank’s travel tips and support resources make it easy to prepare your card for use overseas, allowing for a smooth and secure travel experience.
  • Effortless Spending Management: Managing all holiday purchases on one card makes it easy to keep track of your expenses. Bangor Savings Bank’s digital tools provide real-time insights into your spending, helping you stay on budget and avoid any surprises after the holidays. With a clear view of your finances, you’ll be ready to start the new year with confidence.
Whether shopping for loved ones or taking a holiday getaway, the everblue credit card suite can make holiday spending easier. And if you’re a business owner, Bangor Savings Bank offers similar support through the everblue Business Rewards Plus Credit Card—designed specifically to help businesses thrive, especially during the busy holiday season.


Bangor Savings Bank everblue Business Rewards Plus Credit Card on table
 

Supporting Small Businesses with the everblue Business Rewards Plus Credit Card and Buoy Local

For business owners, the holiday season often brings additional demands, and Bangor Savings Bank’s everblue Business Rewards Plus Mastercard® Credit Card is designed to help you meet them. This card provides valuable benefits that support both day-to-day expenses and holiday-season needs, making it easier to manage your finances as you navigate a busy season.
  • Rewards on Every Purchase: With the everblue Business Rewards Plus card, each business purchase—whether it’s for inventory, equipment, or routine expenses—turns into rewards you can reinvest in your business. This lets you get more out of each dollar, supporting long-term growth.
  • Flexible Payment Options for Cash Flow Management: Investing in inventory to prepare for an increase in sales is common, especially around the holidays. The everblue Business Rewards Plus card’s competitive rates and flexible payment options give you the breathing room needed to keep operations running smoothly.
  • Enhanced Security and Spending Insights: Recognizing the importance of security for businesses, this card offers robust fraud protection to help safeguard your operations. Additionally, Bangor Savings Bank’s digital tools make it easy to track expenses, giving you a clear view of where resources are going so you can make informed decisions.
  • Connecting with Local Customers through Buoy Local: Buoy Local’s mobile app1 rewards program promotes locally-owned businesses, keeping more money in our communities. The app connects community-focused shoppers with local merchants, encouraging repeat visits and increasing customer loyalty
  • By pairing the everblue Business Rewards Plus card with Buoy Local, business owners can support their growth goals while building strong relationships within the community.
 
person on cell phone
 

Building Financial Wellness in 2025

As the holiday season wraps up, it’s a natural time to start planning for the new year. Bangor Savings Bank offers tools and resources to help you turn holiday spending strategies into a solid foundation for financial wellness in 2025.
  • Save Your Rewards Toward Future Goals: Holiday rewards can be a great way to fund practical goals in 2025, such as a family vacation, home improvements, or growing a savings cushion. Saving rewards from everyday spending adds up, turning today’s purchases into tomorrow’s financial progress.
  • Set Practical Financial Goals for the New Year: The start of a new year is an ideal time to review spending habits. Simple steps like budgeting, evaluating holiday expenses, and setting clear savings goals can put you on a path to greater financial security and confidence.
  • Explore Financial Literacy Resources: Bangor Savings Bank offers resources for improving financial literacy, from budget planners to savings tips. These tools support informed decision-making and make financial planning accessible and effective.
With these resources, you can take your holiday spending strategy further, building habits that set the stage for lasting financial wellness.


Bag that says thank you for supporting local
 

Ring in the Holidays with Bangor Savings Bank!

With so many card options and financial planning tools, Bangor Savings Bank is here to support you throughout the holiday season and beyond. From supporting local businesses with Buoy Local Rewards to finding a card from the everblue suite that fits your spending style, Bangor Savings Bank offers solutions that make holiday spending purposeful and easy. As you enjoy the season of giving, Bangor Savings Bank encourages you to consider how these tools can help you start the new year strong.

And don’t forget to check out the Buoy Local Gift Guide for unique, local gifts that support businesses in your community!


Co-authors: Kate Frey, AVP, Buoy Local Brand Ambassador, and Kristen Vilasuso, SVP, Credit Card Program Manager, Bangor Savings Bank

1 Messaging and data rates may apply. E-sign consent is required.
2 All purchases qualify for 1% cash back. However, when a merchant has enrolled their Card Acceptor ID through their payment merchant network as located in Maine or New Hampshire, purchases may qualify for an additional 1% cash back. Bangor Savings Bank does not control or operate payment merchant networks for local businesses and cannot guarantee additional cash back rewards.