World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - June 15
Elder abuse is a shocking but all-too-common problem in this country, and it can take many forms. Some #elderabuse is physical, while other times it’s medical, emotional, or even sexual. Financial and healthcare abuse are also common. If you are a caregiver, seek help if you feel burnout coming. Take a break, practice self-care, and get help from friends and family if you can. If you are the loved one of an older person being cared for by someone else, watch for signs of abuse. Keep an eye on financial statements, legal documents, and healthcare records for any suspicious activity. Through vigilance, care, and understanding, you can help fight this scourge!
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Why Does Your Credit Score Matter?
Do you know your #creditscore? Do you know how it’s calculated and what it means? Your score is determined by many factors. Basically, if you pay your bills on time, don’t overuse your credit, and don’t ignore any delinquent accounts, your score will rise. Have a variety of credit, and keep your older cards open. Your score affects just about everything, from insurance rates and employment to loan/mortgage rates and eligibility. Try to pay more than the minimum payment on your credit cards and look into a debt consolidation loan to get your balances down faster!
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All You Need to Know About Closing Cost
You’ve heard the term “closing costs” about buying a home, but what are they? Well, they cover everything from home and pest inspections to appraisals, various professionals’ fees and deposits, and mortgage #insurance. There are a LOT of moving parts when it comes to getting a mortgage, and you get to pay for all of them! There are “No closing costs” mortgages, but they generally just roll all the expenses into your loan, which isn’t a good idea in the long run. Save money by closing at the end of the month and asking the seller to cover some of the charges!
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Save Big With Prescription Apps
You’ve seen the commercials, but which prescription app is the right choice for you? They can all save you big on prescription drugs, and some will have drugs cheaper than others. You’re best off comparing all three with your personal prescription menu.
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How to Create a Killer Resume
After graduation, one of the most important steps you’ll take is putting together your resume. That’s your voice before potential employers, so make sure it’s clear and strong! We’ve got the information you’ll need to craft a killer resume that’ll get you hired!
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Nine Ways For Kids To Make Money
Think the idea of #summer #jobs for kids is antiquated? Not so! With a little help from you, your pre-teen or teenager can learn the #value of work and pick up some extra #cash this summer.
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Money for Teens: A Guide for Life
If you’re young and need to learn about #moneymanagement, or you have a high school or college student close to you who does, Tim Wuebker’s Money for Teens: A Guide for Life is essential! In short chapters, some based on questions from the author’s teenage students, he covers myriad topics from dealing with student debt to more moral and ethical issues around money. It can be a bit pedantic for teens, but the information in the pages makes it worth the read.
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How to Beat Seasonal Allergies without Spending a Fortune
Allergy season is here, and it can make you and your budget sick. We’ve got some ideas that can lessen the symptoms without emptying your wallet.
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Fun Activities to do with Your Kids at Home
It isn’t easy to be holed up at home with only your family for the company. As the parent, though, you have the unique opportunity to set the tone in your home and decide if these weeks will be a nightmare for everyone or filled with precious memory-making and family bonding activities. Here are some fun activities to keep your kids busy while you wait out the pandemic at home:
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How to Work from Home
If you’re remote working during the coronavirus shutdown, it can be tough to transplant your work life to your living room. Be sure to set up a workstation, and plan your work hours, especially around kids’ naptimes. Collaborate with co-workers using services like Slack, and minimize distractions by either putting your phone away or at least turning off notifications. Look on the bright side: The coffee is cheaper at home!
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Mobile Wallet Apps
In an increasingly #cashless society, mobile pay apps are taking over, but which one should you use? #Apple Pay works will all recent Apple devices and are accepted at millions of locations. #Samsung Pay has the widest acceptance and works even with magnetic strip terminals. #Fitbit and #Garmin both have mobile apps as well, but their acceptance is somewhat more limited. All require some form of secondary authorization, with Samsung and Apple having bio-verification options. Pick the one that works best for you, but remember to keep a little cash on hand in case the power goes out!
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U.S. Census 2020 Start Here
The 2020 #census will be here in mid-March, and scammers will be trying to take advantage of the routine gathering of data for their nefarious purposes. Beware of phony census takers showing up at your door. Be sure to check their ID, and call to verify it if you have any questions. The census taker shouldn’t ask questions about your banking or Social Security number, for your political affiliation or for any personal info like your mother’s maiden name or the schools you attended. They also shouldn’t ask for any donations. Also, watch out for phone calls appearing to come from the census. If you have any doubts about the caller, hang up! You have to participate in the poll… but you don’t have to get scammed!
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How to Build Up Your Credit From Scratch
So you’ve never had a credit card or loan, and you’re trying to build a #credithistory from scratch. It’ll take some time and effort, but you can do it! Start with Members Choice CU, where we offer credit cards even for those with little to no credit history. You can also open a secured card or low-balance cards with companies like Capital One or Credit One. Use them responsibly, and pay the bills on time to build your file. If it’s an option, becoming an authorized user on someone else’s card can help, but be sure that activity will be reported to the credit bureaus. You can even have your good rental history reported to the bureaus by various services. It’s not a quick process, but you can build a high credit file!
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Dealing With A Financial Setback
Financial setbacks are pretty much unavoidable, but how you respond to them can make a HUGE difference in your future. Whether it’s a small issue, like an insurance rate hike or a big one, like a job loss or a pay cut, you’ll need to be prepared. Whatever you do, do NOT ignore the problem. Take a deep breath and stuff the panic back in its box, then sit down and crunch the numbers. Figure out where you can cut back. Maybe a second car can be sold, or some other things around the house can go, and perhaps cable TV isn’t all that important? Increasing your workload for the short or medium-term will help, too, since that extra income can go straight to the crisis. If you really can’t meet your minimum payments, contact your creditors before they come looking for you. That will soften the final blow. You might even have to swallow your pride and reach out to family and friends to see if anyone can float you a loan or get you some extra work. And when the crisis passes, be sure to prepare for the next one by setting up an emergency fund! Do that now!
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Doorbell Security Cameras Not So Secure
“Smart home” devices like #Ring and #Nest can be great conveniences, and the #homesecurity features are excellent, but they’re also a playground for hackers and scammers. Users who don’t change the default passwords or who use passwords that have been hacked on other sites can fall prey to these scammers. They might try to trick your children into unsafe actions, tamper with your home’s controls or just spy on you and listen for useful information. Change your passwords frequently and use two-factor authentication when you can. Stay safe!
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Gaming Apps: Time Killers And Thrillers
Are you a gamer? Or do you find yourself with time on your hands and just your smartphone for the company? We’ve rounded up eight of the top games for #Apple and #Android phones. If you like racing, try One Tap Rally, Asphalt 8: Airborne, Kazarma, or Beach Buggy Racing for Android. Media darling Fortnite comes in a mobile version for Android, and you can take the game to your PC! Apple offers Knight Brawl and Shadowgun Legends for adventure gamers, and PinOut! to get in touch with your inner pinball wizard. You’ll never have free time again!
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Don’t Get Scammed At The Gym!
If one of your New Year’s #resolutions is to get in shape, be sure you don’t get scammed while joining a gym! Some offer free trials that end up costing if you don’t cancel, and some won’t let you cancel after you sign up even if you have a valid reason, such as a health condition or having to move for work. Others may offer trainers who aren’t trained and certified, or slip in fees for things like “equipment upkeep.” A reputable gym should also ask about your general health before you join to make sure you’re OK to start exercising. If you can’t find a good gym, there are plenty of exercises you can do at home. You can even get some friends together and make it a group effort for free!
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