Is Convenience Worth the Cost?

Americans love convenience. We can purchase food, fill prescriptions and buy coffee without leaving the car; we can access cash at an ATM on nearly any street corner; and we can shop for everything from groceries to electronics from the comfort of home. But convenience often comes at a price. The following examples illustrate the cost of convenience and may help you decide when it pays to make an extra effort.

Ten-minute oil change vs. traditional oil change. You can have your car's oil changed while you wait, but you could pay as much as 50% more than you would to leave the vehicle for a few hours.

Public transportation vs. driving. The high price of fuel makes public transportation an economical option. In addition, riding a bus or the subway gives you a chance to unwind while others fight traffic, and it can help preserve air quality by reducing harmful
vehicle emissions.

Convenience foods vs. made from scratch. After a busy day, the last thing you may want to do is prepare a homemade meal. Opting for convenience foods like a frozen entrée or the fast-food drive-thru can be tempting, but the cost may be high. Not only will you pay more for the prepared foods, but you may also sacrifice nutrition. Convenience foods are often high in fat, calories and preservatives.

Drive-thru coffee vs. brew at home. A single cup of java can cost $2 or more at some national chains, while an entire pound of grounds costs only $5 or $6 more, and can brew several pots of coffee.

At The Equitable Bank, Convenience Is Free of Charge
We know how busy you are and how attractive convenience can be, and we don't think you should have to pay extra for it. That's why online banking is free and convenient. Just log on to our Web site to manage your finances securely and efficiently, whenever you have the time.

Online banking lets you transfer funds, view account balances and statements, apply for a loan or open an account any time of day or night, without traveling to the bank. And with online bill pay, you can pay nearly any bill and schedule automatic recurring payments from your Internet-enabled computer, which saves you the time and hassle of writing checks, buying stamps and finding a mailbox.

To take advantage of the free convenience of online banking, log on to www.equitablebank.net, stop in any branch or call us for information on how to sign up.

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