The start of each new year is a time of resolutions and new beginnings for many people.

Many residents in Marion County take this time to assess their lives and what they want to change or work on to start the year fresh. Pennie Sommar with the Iowa State Savings Bank in Knoxville tells KNIA/KRLS News while assessing your health it’s also a great time to assess your finances, primarily your credit. “Everybody starts this time of year with, oh I’m going to get healthy I’m going to exercise more. Think of your credit situation in the same way. Let’s start fresh in this year and let’s get everything healthy and where it should be,” says Sommar. One way Marion County residents can make changes financially is with a home equity line of credit. “A home equity line of credit can be used for a multitude of things. It can be used for debt consolidation, it can be used for home improvements, it can be used to purchase a car, or it cannot be used at all it can sit there and used later when you might have a need. So it has all kinds of benefits,” said Sommar. Sommar compares going to the doctor like going to your banker. When you’re not feeling good you go to your doctor, the same can be said about your finances. If you’re feeling overwhelmed financially to start the year go see your banker to possibly help relieve that financial stress.