April e-News

Welcome to Washington Trust e-News!

Are you looking for ways to “go green” at home or in your business? If so, Washington Trust is ready to help. Ask to have your monthly statements sent to you via email. You'll save paper and enjoy easier, more streamlined recordkeeping. To learn more, stop by any branch or visit www.washtrust.com. We hope you will enjoy this month's eNews and welcome your comments and suggestions.

Protect The Environment And Your Identity
Document Shredding and E-Waste Recycling Days Planned - FREE with a donation of a jar of peanut butter to benefit the RI Community Food Bank

Documents - You know those confidential documents you're afraid to throw out because they may end up in the wrong hands? Now you can get rid of them safely and securely. Join us for a free Document Shredding day on Saturday, May 2nd from 12 noon - 3:00 p.m., at our Franklin Street branch. Just bring your old credit card statements, tax records and confidential records, look for the Affordable Shredding truck, hand over your documents and watch as they are shredded. It's that simple! Read more...

Teaching your children to give something back.
Five tips on developing social consciousness in young people

“Mine!” That's a familiar cry to any parent who has raised a toddler. Child development professionals tell us that around the age of two, children begin to understand the concept of ownership - and often think they own everything! No wonder we welcome the day when they begin to learn to share, usually around age three or four.

Parents are thrilled to see their children demonstrate generosity toward others, whether it means taking turns on a playground ride or sharing a snack. As children grow older, parents can take steps to ensure that their management of money is similarly inclusive and socially responsible.
Read more...

The Five Highest-Return Home Improvements

Springtime is a great time to start fresh - spruce up the house and get your finances in order. Making imporvements to yourhome is a smart financial move. It can add value to your home as well as increasing your comfort and convenience. Here are the top five home improvements that will bring you a return on your investment:

• Siding Replacement
• Window Replacement
• Kitchen Remodel
• Bath Remodel
• Two-Story Additon

No matter what project is next on your list, a low rate home equity line from Washington Trust is an effective financial tool for getting the job done. You may even enjoy a tax deduction for any interest that you pay. (Consult your tax advisor regarding your situation.) Read more...

Protect The Environment And Your Identity
Document Shredding and E-Waste Recycling Days Planned - FREE with a donation of a jar of peanut butter to benefit the RI Community Food Bank

Documents - You know those confidential documents you're afraid to throw out because they may end up in the wrong hands? Now you can get rid of them safely and securely. Join us for a free Document Shredding day on Saturday, May 2nd from 12 noon - 3:00 p.m., at our Franklin Street branch. Just bring your old credit card statements, tax records and confidential records, look for the Affordable Shredding truck, hand over your documents and watch as they are shredded. It's that simple!

Electronics - Are you looking for a safe and secure way to discard your old computer? Just bring your electronics, including computer monitors and hard drives to Washington Trust's Reservoir Avenue branch, on Saturday, May 16th from 12 noon - 3:00 p.m. for a FREE eWaste recycling day. Look for the ETM Green truck, give them your old electronics and that's it!

The shredding and recycling is free with the donation of a jar of peanut butter to benefit the RI Community Food Bank. For more information, call 401-348-1200 or click here to contact us.

Limit of three hand-carried boxes of documents per person. Most types of electronics accepted. Fees for some electronics as follows: Copiers/print systems $.15 per pound; televisions up to 25” $10; television over 25” $20. Hard drive certificates of destruction available.

Teaching your children to give something back
Five tips on developing social consciousness in young people

“Mine!” That's a familiar cry to any parent who has raised a toddler. Child development professionals tell us that around the age of two, children begin to understand the concept of ownership - and often think they own everything! No wonder we welcome the day when they begin to learn to share, usually around age three or four.

Parents are thrilled to see their children demonstrate generosity toward others, whether it means taking turns on a playground ride or sharing a snack. As children grow older, parents can take steps to ensure that their management of money is similarly inclusive and socially responsible.

Saving, spending, and sharing
Washington Trust, the nation's oldest community bank, has a long tradition of teaching children about money. As part of the bank's ongoing Financial Literacy Program employees visit elementary schools to teach students fundamental money management strategies. Children are taught to distinguish between wants and needs - they may want to buy the newest video game, but perhaps they should consider renting it or borrowing it instead.

Washington Trust also helps children value the idea of working toward a goal. They see how, with hard work and patience, money can add up. They also discuss different ways that young people can earn or get money - odd jobs, babysitting, birthdays, etc. More than a dozen Washington Trust employees will visit local elementary and middle schools this month to teach the importance of saving money.

One exercise instructs children to put their money into three buckets: saving, spending, and sharing. Having a sharing bucket presents children with the concept of philanthropy, and raises questions that can be discussed at home with their parents: How much money should they put in? Who should the money be given to? How should it be given?

Giving back to the community can be easy, fun, and very rewarding for children. Here are five ways that parents can plant the seeds of social consciousness in their kids while providing guidance on how they can share with others.

1. Make birthdays a time to give to others
Birthdays are an ideal opportunity to shift the focus from “getting” to “giving.” Prior to the birthday party, talk with your child about local charities that he or she has heard about or visited, such as a local pet shelter, a children's hospital, or another non-profit they can relate to. In the party invites, ask guests to omit gifts and bring a donation to your child's chosen charity instead. Remind parents to write a check so their donation is a charitable tax write-off. Have your child present the donations to the charity in person, making sure to photograph the event so you can include a picture with each thank you note he sends out.

2. Collect change to effect change
Set up a charity jar in your kitchen or family room, and encourage everyone to put loose change in it. As the pile grows, discuss as a family where you would like the money to go to - a homeless shelter, the Salvation Army, a food bank, or your church or synagogue. Go as a family to present your donation.

3. Adopt-A-Family during the holidays
The holidays are the perfect time to emphasize the spirit of giving to children. Ask them to select one gift on their list to give to an Adopt-A-Family program or inquire at a local church or community center about Giving Trees, which connect needy individuals with anonymous gift-givers. Paper ornaments describe a person's age, specific need, and clothing size. Just pluck an ornament and then deliver the desired gift by the date specified. Children can use money from their sharing bucket to help purchase the gift.

4. Have a fun fundraiser
There is no limit to the ways that kids can raise money for the charity of their choosing. Setting up a lemonade stand, running a car wash, babysitting, and doing yard work are all great ideas for generating money to be donated. Children can stage a one-time event, with all proceeds going to their cause or, in the case of ongoing work, give a percentage of their earnings on a regular basis. Remind them to let their customers know about their charitable commitments - it may just convince them to purchase an extra cup of lemonade!

5. Donate the gift of time and talent
Not all gifts come in the form of money. In addition to the “treasure” that young people can share, there is also their time and talent. Encourage them to volunteer at an animal shelter, for example, or do yard work for an elderly neighbor. If they play an instrument, suggest that they perform at an assisted-living residence. All of these will teach a lifelong lesson: sometimes the most precious gift we can give is the gift of ourselves.

If you have questions about saving, please call us at 401-348-1200, visit your local branch, or click here to contact us!

The Five Highest-Return Home Improvements

Springtime is a great time to start fresh - spruce up the house and get your finances in order. Making imporvements to yourhome is a smart financial move. It can add value to your home as well as increasing your comfort and convenience. Here are the top five home improvements that will bring you a return on your investment:

• Siding Replacement
• Window Replacement
• Kitchen Remodel
• Bath Remodel
• Two-Story Additon

No matter what project is next on your list, a low rate home equity line from Washington Trust is an effective financial tool for getting the job done. You may even enjoy a tax deduction for any interest that you pay. (Consult your tax advisor regarding your situation.)

And, while you are making improvements to your home, why not make them to your finances as well? Consolidating your debt with a home equity line can lower your overall monthly payments. You can pay off high-rate credit cards and other debt, and simplify paperwork with a single monthly bill.

Setting up a home equity line at Washington Trust is easy - you can apply online and get your answer in 30 seconds! You can also apply at any Washington Trust branch or by calling us at 401-348-1200 or 800- 475-2265.

Set up your home equity line today and close in five days with the lender homeowners have trusted for more than 200 years.

Now available at all Washington Trust branches...American Express® Gift Cards

American Express gift cards make great gifts for special occasions and now you can purchase them at any Washington Trust branch.

The gift cards can be purchased at the teller line in denominations of $25, $50, $100 or $200. The card is active and ready to use once it has been purchased.

American Express Gift Cards are:

• Enhanced with Special Offers from retailers, restaurants and other merchants nationwide
• Safer to give or mail than cash
• Refundable if lost or stolen
• Supported by 24/7 Customer Service
• Can be used virtually everywhere in the U.S. that welcomes American Express Cards
• Suitable for many special occasions, attractively packaged and ready to give
• Available in a variety of prepaid amounts

Terms and conditions apply to Gift Cards. Purchase and other Card fees apply, subject to applicable law. Available in a variety of prepaid amounts. Usage restrictions and guidelines apply. Gift Cards are useable only in the United States where American Express Cards are accepted, and not for use at car rentals, cruise lines, casinos or ATMs. ©200X American Express.

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