Evergreen 236 financial tips for students, families and seniors

When you’re driving on a highway and see a school bus approaching, stop your car immediately. Keep your vehicle 25 feet away and wait till all the students have entered the bus or got down from it. Don’t start driving immediately after the students get down from the bus. Wait till the students have reached the side of the highway. Drive slowly at 10 mph. If you violate this law, then you have to pay a fine of $102 to $252. You can also be imprisoned for 15 days or may have to do community service for 15 days .

Source - Keep your car 25 feet away from school bus

The latest utility scam can cost you $2500. You’ll get a call from your utility service provider, most likely from these area codes - 508, 201, 914, 323, 330 and be told that you’re eligible for a federal program that will help to reduce your utility bill. Once you give all the details, the scammer will open an account in your name and misuse it. The scammer may also force you to make an overdue payment by threatening to cut off your electricity connection. If you get such a call, hang up and call your service provider.

Source - Utility scam can cost you $2500

Next time you travel, make sure you search for air ticket prices as a single person. Airlines show the highest price when you search for multiple tickets. For instance, if you buy 5 air tickets, then the airline will consider the highest price for each ticket and calculate the total amount. So it is a wise idea to search for tickets as one person. In the checkout process, you can choose your seats so that your family members can sit together.

Have you lost your credit card? Has anyone stolen your credit card? If so, then report the issue to the police and the credit card company within 2 business days. If you don't, then be ready to pay $50. If you take more time to report the matter, then you'll be in a bigger trouble. You'll be charged $500 or less than that. Besides, the thief who has stolen your credit card won't sit idle for so many days. He will use your credit card for making fraudulent expenses. So hurry up!

Have you been billed for unauthorized in-app charges made by a kid? Were these made between November 2011 and May 2016? If so, then you’re entitled to a refund. You can request a refund in these 2 ways:

1. Visit https://www.amazon.com/gp/mas/refund-orders/in-apprefund/
2. Visit Amazon.com, select Your Account, go to the Message center. You’ll get all the information

Check the status of your refund with Amazon. Remember, the last date to request for a refund is May 26, 2018.

Hackers can break into anything. You hardware can be compromised anytime. So it is better to store your sensitive data in a cloud-based software instead of a computer. You can access the data from your tablet, iPhone, computer, etc. Since your data is not saved in your computer or laptop or cellphone, so you can easily access it even when your hardware is compromised. You’ll get better protection against theft, and in turn, avoid losing money.

Post ransomware virus attack, it has become more important to update your applications and software to keep your smartphone safe. Technological innovation helps hackers to dig out more information about you. So if you do online shopping or banking, then use the following methods to protect your smartphone from hackers:

1. Use lock-screen access codes
2. Update your software and applications
3. Use fingerprint lock

Create backups of your data and store it on a physical hard drive. Once you have stored the data onto an external drive, unplug it from the computer and keep it in a safe place. If a hacker hijacks your data, you can easily delete all of it from the computer and restore it from the backup.

Want to save money on medicine? Just apply for NACo Prescription Discount Card online and take a print out of the card. Show it to the retail pharmacy along with the prescription and get up to 24% discount. You can use this card at 68,000 retail pharmacies.

There is no limit on usage of the card. You can even use the card to buy medicine for your pet and save lots of dollars.

If you are planning a vacation for 30 days, inform your insurance company for a special permit or endorsement. You might have to pay a charge for it but this better than being denied of the coverage altogether.

Empty or vacant homes for about 30 days can put home insurance at risk. Home insurers have strict rules regarding how long a home can remain vacant before the insurance is canceled. A property is at a greater risk of damage when your property is empty.

Label your online accounts as “tuition” or “new home” or “new car” from now onwards. A new research has found that you’re likely to save 31% more than if you had a general all-inclusive fund. Plus, this would help you save as per your priority. If your priority is saving for your home, then you can deposit more money in the online account labelled as Home.

If your airline asks you to get bumped from your flight due to overbooking, don't volunteer to take the airline’s compensation. As per the federal air travel law, if you are bumped from your flight involuntarily, you would get a larger compensation (up to $1300) from that airline depending on how much of a delay was involved.

You would be compensated up to $650 if you would get to your destination between 1-2 hours of your scheduled arrival time. You would be compensated up to $1,300 if you would get to your destination over 2 hours from your scheduled arrival time or if the airline does not make any substitute travel arrangements for you.

Usually, 90% of federal tax refunds are issued in less than 3 weeks. But sometimes, it takes longer to get a refund due to several factors. Moreover, it takes time to post the refund to an account. You need to be patient.

If you're clueless about your tax refund status, then use the tool “Where’s My Refund”. You can get this tool at the IRS.gov. You can also check your tax refund via the IRS2Go mobile app.

Are you planning to make a charitable contribution of $250? If so, then obtain a written acknowledgement for the charitable organization to get tax breaks. This written acknowledgment can be anything - credit card receipt or a canceled check. The written acknowledgment must mention the amount you have donated, the date and the name of the organization. Submit this document with your income tax return to claim a deduction for your contribution.

Do you claim medical expenses to get tax reimbursement? If so, then mention medical mileage on your income tax return as well. You can get additional tax deductions for your out-of-pocket expenses. For instance, the trips to and from appointments, transportation expenses incurred by a parent for accompanying a child, etc. This is not all. You can also get deductions for miles to perform charitable service.

Just remember, you can’t include insurance, maintenance and depreciation.

Has your doctor asked you to drop pounds since your current body weight is putting your health at risk? If so, then request him or her to mention this in the prescription. Once your doctor gives you the updated prescription, you can use it to get tax deductions.

You can deduct the total expense you bear from your income tax to shed pounds. If you enroll in a weight loss program or any other program to treat obesity or tension or cholesterol, then you can qualify for tax deduction.

Just remember, the total cost should be more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.

If anyone rings you and asks, “can you hear me?”, then hang up. Don’t say 'yes'. Your simple answer to the question would push you into financial trouble.

Scammers are playing a dirty game to make money. They would record your voice saying "yes" to use it as a voice signature for authorizing unwanted charges on your cell phone or other bills.

Scammers would use your voice signature to prove that:

• You have agreed to upgrade a plan
• You have agreed to buy a product

How to avoid this scam

1. Never confirm your phone number or bank account details over phone
2. Never answer questions in "yes"
3. Don't receive calls from unknown numbers

Being a parent is a costly affair nowadays. There are so many expenses related to raising a child. But, there is a time in the year when parents get financial benefits for being a parent. And, this is the tax season.

There are several tax deductions available for parents. The IRS knows that parents spend a lot for raising kids and offers lots of tax deductions under the following circumstances:

1. You have a child who is below 19 years old.
2. You have a child who is below 24 years old (he/she should be a full-time student or disabled).
3. You have grandchildren who fulfills the eligibility criteria.

Remember, if you’re divorced, then only one parent can take tax exemption.

You can get maximum $4050 personal tax exemption when you’re filing income tax returns.

Have you observed a questionable tax behavior recently? If so, then you can expose tax cheats to the IRS and get a cash reward from the IRS.

File IRS form 211 to report the tax fraud. Get a chance to win a cash reward. You can get a 15% to 30% of the amount collected. Your chances of getting a reward is more if the case involves more than $2 million in interest, taxes and penalties.

If you just want to report tax fraudsters, file the IRS form 3949-A and go away.What you have to do for getting a reward

1. Mail your completed 211 form alongwith the evidence to the IRS
2. Mail your form quickly. The SOL period on audits is 3 years after the shady return has been filed
3. Consult an attorney since he/she can help you prepare a convincing report

The IRS won’t let you flee if your taxes remain unpaid. If you don’t pay your tax, the IRS may notify the State Department about it. And, in this scenario, the state department won't give you a new passport or renew your old passport. The IRS has not yet begun notifying tax debt to the State Department. But, it will start in early 2017. The official website of the IRS will soon be updated to inform when the process has been implemented.

Clear all your tax debts by April if you want to travel freely across the world. Remember, once the IRS notifies about your tax debt to the State Government, it will be tough to get a grip over the situation.

The State government will keep your application for 90 days before denying a passport. In these 90 days, you can:

• Pay off the tax debt in full
• Arrange an alternative payment plan with the IRS
• Resolve errors

Did you turn 62 in 2016? If so, then there's a bad news for you. From 2016 onwards, you can claim Social Security payments either for your spouse or for yourself. Earlier, you could collect spousal payments first and later for yourself based on your own work. The biggest advantage of doing this thing is that you could receive higher payment since it is being claimed at an older age.

As per the new law, you can claim double Social Security payments at the age of 66.

When you’re moving for business purposes, request your boss to cover a portion of the moving expenses. Many employers prefer to make lump-sum payments to employees. This is better in one way since you can spend as you like on your moving expenses.

Less number of employers reimburse the moving expenses nowadays. Even if they don’t, you can still enjoy tax benefits for relocation expenses.

1. Keep all the documents related to your moving expenses
2. Contact a tax adviser and inform about your relocation expenses for business purposes
3. File your income tax return accordingly

54.8% Americans celebrated Valentine’s Day, and they spent $1.98 billion for flowers in 2016. The figure is huge and also saddening. Have you ever thought that instead of spending such a huge amount on Roses, you can use the money to give a debt-free life to your loved one?

Statistics show that an average consumer spent $147 on Valentine’s Day. A dozen roses usually costs around $42 and the cost may rise to $100 on Rose Day and Valentine's Day.

If you love somebody, then use $147 to pay some of her/his bills. At least, it would help to bring a positive change in his/her life. He or she would appreciate this token of love more than a rose.

Thanks to the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act, you can now open a tax-free savings account without losing government benefits like Social Security and Medicaid. This Act allows individuals with disabilities to open tax-free savings accounts and save up to $100,000 without losing government benefits. So, if you’re disabled, then you can open this special account and enjoy the benefits of Medicaid simultaneously.

• You can open this account if you were disabled before age 26.
• You can use the money for health care expenses, transportation, education, legal fees.
• You can deposit $14,000 annually.

Social Security income is beneficial during your retirement years. But, if you’re not careful, then you can end up paying tax on your Social Security income. If you’re married and filing jointly, then try to keep your combined income low. If your combined income is between $32,000 and $44,000, then only 50% of your Social Security benefits will be taxed.

If your combined income is above $44,000, then your benefits can be taxed up to 85%.

We bet you have never thought about it before. Keep your alkaline batteries in the freezer, and extend their life by 5 percent. And, if you store nickel-metal hydride batteries in the freezer, then you can extend their life by 90 percent. This will help you save lots of dollars.

Other than batteries, you can keep wax candles in the freezer. Your wax candles will burn longer.

A debt consolidation loan may seem to be an easy option to shed debts. But, this may not be a convenient option for your credit score. And, this is because, your credit score may plummet a little bit when you take out a new installment loan to pay off your past dues. A new inquiry will appear on your credit report along with a big installment loan, which in turn will drop your credit score. So, it’s best to avoid debt consolidation loan.

Are you sure you won’t use the gift card that your friend gave this Christmas? If so, then why don’t you sell the card online or at a mall kiosk or in a grocery store? There are several websites where you can sell unused gift cards for almost 97% of their value.

You also have the option to trade your gift card for the one you actually want. This would at least help you avoid wasting money and get some lucrative monetary benefits too.

You can cash out your gift cards at

1. Mall Kiosks and other stores
2. Grocery store machines
3. Online auctions and classified
4. Online gift card resellers

Pay your January’s mortgage payment by December 31 and when you file your tax return next year, you can deduct the mortgage interest on your Schedule A.

Also, if you’ve decided to take advantage of the extra interest deduction, make it fast. Doing so, your mortgage company will get sufficient time to make it reflect on your annual Form 1098 which shows the tax details of your house payment.

If you’re a self-employed person, you are eligible to pay your 4th quarter state estimated taxes in the month of December. This way, you can increase your itemizing potential.

Proper timing can help you boost your tax refund in the next year. By timing your mortgage payments, you can improve your chance of a relatively bigger refund in the coming year.

Buy the male version of products instead of buying the female products and save paying up to 7% more. The female products usually cost about 7% more due to gender surcharge or “Pink Tax”.

Many girls use men’s razors to get total value for money. Men’s razors not only function better but are also cheaper. The same is applicable to men’s facial exfoliant. It is cheaper in comparison to women’s equivalents. Just apply a small amount on your face and scrub away your flaky skin.

Some female products cost more and contain less since manufacturers deliberately make smaller products to enhance their appeal. The approach is called “shrink it and pink it”.

Have you incurred credit card debt in 2016? If so, then you can transfer the outstanding balance to a new credit card with low interest and save money. This process is popularly known as balance transfer method. Some credit card companies don’t charge a penny on interest for the first 12-18 months from the new customers. But remember, this is only a promotional offer. You need to pay off the total balance within the introductory period or before the interest kicks in.

Don't be ashamed if your parents don’t have a bachelor's degree. Rather, be happy about it if you're applying for the FAFSA.

Yes, you can save money on your college degree when your parents don’t have one. Some colleges and states give extra aid to students whose parents haven't studied after high school. Watch out for those colleges and states.

Be careful when you’re filling out the college aid form. Fill in the dot only for "high school" when you’re answering questions 24 and 25.

Got a shipping alert into your inbox that looks like it’s from FedEx, and want to track the product which you have just ordered online few days ago? Be aware! It might be an online scam. Fraudsters send fake shipping alerts in the hope that you’ll click on the link, which injects malware on to your machine or redirects you to a phishing website.

Always track your product by using the tracking number you got in the initial mail after purchasing it and go to the store’s website to track any package.

Fresh turkeys are 30% to 40% costlier than frozen ones. So, if you’re planning to cut cost of Thanksgiving dinner, then it’s better to opt for the frozen turkey.

The market price for frozen turkey is 99 cents a pound. Whereas, you have to pay $1.60 for a pound of fresh turkey. So, you can very well understand the difference. Organic turkeys cost even more.

The most expensive days to travel are Sunday and Wednesday. From Nov 23 to Nov 27(Wednesday to Sunday), the air tickets are priced at $662 and $649. And, from Nov 20-27 (Sunday to Sunday), air tickets are priced at $649.

Sunday and Wednesday are most expensive days to travel. And, the cheapest days to travel are during the following days:

• $367 – Thursday to Friday (Nov. 24-25)
• $395 – Thursday to Tuesday (Nov. 24-29)
• $406 – Tuesday to Friday (Nov. 22-25)
• $420 – Monday to Friday (Nov. 21-25)
• $425 – Tuesday to Tuesday (Nov. 22-29)

The best day to travel is on the Thanksgiving Day itself. You can travel early in the morning and have the entire day to enjoy.

Are you being harassed by your creditor? Have you been treated unfairly because of your age, sex color, relationship status, national status or age? If so, then don’t feel disheartened. Take advantage of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act or the ECOA.

This Act prohibits creditors from discriminating people on the factors like marital status, gender, race, caste, etc. If any creditor refuses to give you a loan because of any of these factors, then report to the Federal Trade Commission.

Got a call from a government agency? Hang up right now. Don't confirm account details. This is ID spoofing. The latest scam in the block.

Fraudsters are using a new trick to clip ignorant people. They are using fake caller ID to make you believe that you’re receiving a call from a government agency. Recently, a scammer called an individual using the phone number of an FTC employee. So, it doesn't take a second guessing to know that fraudsters don't care about anything.

Don't rely on caller ID and give your account details. Take these steps to handle these calls.

1. Hang up if you get a call from a strange phone number
2. Hang up if you receive a strange call from the government
3. Never send money to someone who calls you out of the blue

Do you want to save big on deluxe princess dress? If so, then rush to the toy section instead of the costume section of the store where you can find “dress-up” costumes. These costumes are not labelled for Halloween and are less expensive than the branded ones. You can get a princess dress within $20. The same dress will cost you $50 in the costume section.

Got a gift card? Use it within a year or else you'll be slapped with dormancy fees every month. As per the law, there is no limit on the amount of fee that credit card companies can charge.

Usually, gift cards expire 5 years after they are issued. If you don't use gift cards within 12 months, then you have to pay dormancy fees unnecessarily.

Do you want to save big on your necessary purchases? If so, then this tip is perfect for you.

Some apps such as Ibotta app, SavingStar and Checkout 51 give a cash rebate on products like eggs, bread, steak and ground beef when you take a snap of the grocery store receipt with your smartphone. And, this cash rebate applies to all the brands. So, no headache about buying a specific brand.

If you browse the apps and buy little wisely, you can save $10 and even more than that.

Do you belong to lower income group? Do you contribute money to retirement plans? If so, then you can take advantage of saver's credit. This would allow you to get tax credit worth 10% to 50% of the contributed amount. The amount is $2000 for individuals and $4000 for couples. For singles, the upper-limit is $30,750 and for couples, it’s $61,500.

Are you banging your head against the wall after closing a mortgage deal? After making a comparative analysis, do you feel that there are better loan offers in the market? Are you steamed up since the loan is costlier than the other mortgage loans?

Don't go so bent. Thanks to Truth in Lending Act, you still have a chance to come out of this messy situation. You can still cancel the mortgage loan without paying a dime. But, you have to do so within 3 days of closing the mortgage deal.

To know more about the Truth in Lending Act, click here.

FAFSA forms will available from October 1, 2016. There is no need to wait till January 2017 or estimate your income as you have done in the previous years. You can fill out the form easily with your "prior-prior" tax information. You can easily get all the figures from your 2015 income tax return and submit the form quickly. You can even use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import the numbers into your FAFSA form. This would not only simplify the process but also reduce the chances of getting subjected to verification. In case, your income status has changed lately, then contact your child’s college after submitting the FAFSA form to give your 2016 updates.

Are you a student and wasting money by buying textbooks bundled with other unnecessary materials? Know the law and save money.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act provides the chance to buy books unbundled, meaning you can purchase books without the other materials. You have to pay for the book but not for the supplemental material that you don’t need. This would help you save money and put less pressure on student loans. If you're lucky, you can save as much as $110 on each textbook.

State governments have programs and resources to help you when (a) you lose your job without any fault of yours (b) you fulfill the eligibility criteria as determined by the state law.

You can apply for the unemployment benefits through your state unemployment insurance office. You can visit careeronestop.org or doleta.gov for more details. You can also visit federalstudentaid.ed.gov to get education and training opportunities.

Have you incurred a financial loss due to a false or misleading advertisement about a product? Have you bought a product and found that the advertisement was false and deceptive? If so, then consult an experienced attorney and file a class action lawsuit to get financial compensation for the losses you have endured.

It is illegal to make fake claims about a product's purpose, quality and price. There are various state and federal laws to safeguard you. Take advantage of these laws whenever you have suffered financial damage due to misleading advertising.

Are you aware of the fact that Google Chrome extensions can help you save lots of money on online shopping? Yes, you read it right. Extensions such as Ebates, PriceBlink, Qmee help you compare price of the products and also find money-saving coupons when shopping online. PriceScout Chrome Extension pops out great deals, coupons and offers so that you can shop online without breaking your budget. If you’re planning to travel somewhere, then download the InvisibleHand Extension. It will help you compare the price of flights, hotels, rental cars, etc. and make the best decision.

Do you want to know the best way to save money on credit cards? If so, then Wallaby Extension is the right one for you. It tells you which credit cards give you the best rewards and save lots of money.

As per the new law (effective from July 1, 2016), lenders will run a credit check on new customers in Utah. So, if you’re planning to borrow a payday loan for the first time, then boost your credit score first. The new also mandates that the lender has to inform how you can pay off the loan with an extended payment plan. But, this would only happen when you default on your payments. The lender is also required to inform you how many times he can file a lawsuit against you to seek repayment.

If you have not bought a health insurance policy till now, then it's high time you do it. The federal penalty for not buying a health insurance policy is $695 or 2.5% of your taxable income. The penalty is a big concern for the people who have been eligible for coverage but are uninsured. Previously, people had to pay $325 or 2 percent of income as a penalty for being uninsured. But in 2016, the figure has almost become double.

Did you get a call from a debt collector recently? Are you wondering if he is a genuine debt collector? If so, then just use this simple tip.

Ask the debt collector to reveal the last 4 last digits of your SSN. A true debt collector would never answer this question since it is against FDCPA laws. But, a fake debt collector would either try to give an answer or might claim that he doesn’t have the information in his file.

Don’t confirm your personal information over the phone. A fake debt collector may try to know your SSN or other details for stealing your identity.

Is playing Pokemon causing an excessive data wastage and higher phone bill? You can reduce it to some extent by following a few simple tips and these are:

1. Watch out for the public places that offer free Wi-Fi. For example, Pokestops and public library.
2. Turn off push notifications for other apps when you’re playing the reality game.
3. Turn off background apps.
4. Download your local city map before trying to catch Pikachu.

You can download your local map data in the following ways:

• Open Google Maps
• Tap on settings
• Tap on “Offline Maps”
• Tap on the plus sign
• Select the area you’ll be using frequently
• The map will install and integrate with the Pokemon Go app

Are your job applications getting rejected just because of your criminal record? If so, then search jobs in the states who have adopted "ban-the-box" law. According to the new "Ban-the-box" law, criminal history question has to be removed from the job application form. The states where this new laws has been implemented are:

1. Oregon
2. Maryland
3. Connecticut
4. Minnesota
5. California
6. Oklahoma
7. Nebraska
8. Colorado
9. New Jersey
10. Louisiana
11. Rhode Island
12. Wisconsin
13. Vermont
14. Delaware
15. Missouri

In these states, employers are required to omit the criminal history question on the job application so that candidates can get employment based only on their qualification. The stigma of criminal record won't prevent anyone from getting a job.

Are you suffering from heart problems due to rampant debt collection calls? If so, then consult a doctor immediately. Once done, go to a FDCPA attorney and report your health problems caused due to incessant debt collection calls. If it is proved that the debt collector is responsible for your poor health conditions, then you can get $1000 from him.

Similarly, if you're stressed or depressed due to invasion of privacy, and the debt collector is responsible for it, then also you can get $1000 from him. Just document everything to the FDCPA attorney.

Some perfumes are not only expensive but also are hazardous to health. No, they won’t cause life threatening diseases. But, they can trigger migraines and allergies. So, what you can do is purchase your favorite brand of essential oil from a store and mix it with water in a spray bottle. You can use it as air freshener in your home. This would last for several months.

It would be best to buy essential oils from the store on a day when they have discounts. This would help you save money. And, if you wish to use essential oils as perfume, then mix essential oils into a body mist.

You have to spend between $3-$6 for an average commercial spray. But, you can make a homemade air freshener within $0.30 cents.

When you’re at home, set the air conditioner's thermostat setting at 78 degrees Fahrenheit and be comfortable during the summer months. But, increase the temperature of your air conditioner’s thermostat setting to more than 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re not at home and don’t need cooling. This will help you save 5 percent to 15 percent on your air-conditioning bills.

If you want to save more, just leave the air conditioner off when you’re going for a vacation for a few days. Granted, you’ll feel uncomfortable once you get back home, but the unpleasantness is temporary. You’ll feel good as you turn on the air conditioner.

Have you received a gift card from your friend or a relative? If yes, then know the state law and use it smartly to get the maximum benefits. For instance, you can get cash back on gift cards in 11 US states. If you have received a $40 gift card and bought something worth $30, then you can request the merchant to pay you the remaining balance i.e..$10.

• $10 or less: California
• Less than $5: Maine, New Jersey, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Puerto Rico
• $2.50: Texas
• Less than $1: Vermont and Rhode Island

Have you planned to take your family for a nice dinner in a restaurant without knowing the tipping law? If so, then check if the restaurant is not adding ‘automatic gratuities’ onto the bill. And, if it does, then the restaurant should report it as ‘service fees’ and this would be considered as taxable income. Plus, you should avoid paying any tip to the bartender/server since this would lead to making double tip.

As per the new rule, to be a tip:

1. You should have the freedom to determine the tip amount
2. You shouldn’t be forced to pay the tip
3. There shouldn’t be any kind of negotiation
4. You should have the right to decide who gets the payment

As per the NY law, restaurants who engage in this illegal practice have to pay $250 as a penalty.

Do you unplug your electrical devices such as cell phone and laptops after fully charging them? You probably don’t know how much energy and money you’re wasting everyday.

Phantom power is the idle current that that flow from cords plugged into outlets when the devices they are attached to like your computer, television, cell phone, etc. are in standby mode or powered off.

As per The Environmental Protection Agency, most people have at least 20 to 40 electrical devices using phantom power in their home. This leads to wastage of money and energy.

Check out the 4 ways to stop power loss and save money:

1. Unplug your electrical devices when you’re not using them
2. Use gadgets to cut off computer peripherals for saving money
3. Locate the source of your power leak
4. Use a power strip to save energy with the flip of a switch

Do you want to feel cool breeze during summer and make your room warmer in winter? If so, then check out the following tips:

1. Make your ceiling fan rotate counterclockwise in summer: When the ceiling fan moves counterclockwise, it pushes the cool air down and gives a chilling effect in the room. You feel cooler without changing the thermostat temperature. This tip can help you save 40 percent on your air conditioning bills.
2. Make your ceiling fan rotate clockwise in winter: When the ceiling fan moves clockwise and at a slow speed, the warm air near the ceiling flows into the occupied space. This makes the room warmer without increasing the thermostat temperature. You can reduce your heating bill by 15 percent.

How to do it - Very easy, you can do it yourself. Just locate the direction switch on the motor housing and flip the switch in the opposite direction. You’re ready to save bucks from your electricity bills.

Beware of the laws before you take your car on the High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, more popularly known as the ‘carpool’ lane since you have to pay $100-$481 for violating the rules. Some of the rules you need to follow are:

1. You can drive a vehicle having 2 or more occupants in the peak hours (6 a.m - 10 a.m) and (3pm and - 7pm) on the HOV lane on Monday through Friday.
2. Other vehicles can use the lanes in off-peak hours
3. In case of a ‘qualified clean alternative fuel vehicle’, one is free to travel in the lane without extra passengers
4. One can’t cross over double yellow lines to get in or get out of a carpool lane.

Sometimes you can have a haircut for free!! Sounds crazy? But you may not know that beauty school students are more than happy to give you a brand new hair cut absolutely free. Browse online and find out beauty schools in your locality. Schedule an appointment with a student in training to get a discounted or even free haircut. Thus you can save money on your new hair style. Just google it! Hows that?

Which one is closer to your heart - money or the exciting apps on your smartphone? If you love your wallet more than the apps, then here are a few things you need to do right now:

1. Disable the in-app tap in your smartphone since they charge money once the promotional period is over.
2. Don't click on the ads for ringtone subscriptions since they cost money.
3. Don't let your children play with your smartphone.
4. Hide your passwords to services such as iTunes where your kids can purchase movies and music.

A gift your mom will love for Mother’s Day. This year, think out of the box and gift something that will help your mom to save money throughout the year. OVLG’s eBook on 155 ways to save on tax is out. You can download the eBook and gift it to your mom on this Mother’s Day.

The tips are simple and easy to understand. Your mom can read the tips in her free time and know about the ways to maximize her tax refunds. She can know about the ways to leverage her tax deductions and get a full refund every year.

Do you love shopping online? SpaceNK is hosting Explorer’s Promotion from April 20, 2016 to May 1, 2016. Here, you’ll get $20 discount on every $100 you spend for select products. But this offer is not applicable to sale items.So, hurry up!

Now, we all know that it takes only a few minutes to put $100 worth of beauty products into virtual shopping bags. So, there is less chance that you have to buy unnecessary beauty products just to spend $100.

Not many people know that business related phone calls can help to save money on tax. The IRS allows tax deductions for work-related phone calls. So, if you use your cellphone for business purposes, then you can claim tax deductions for those expenses.

Do you use your cell phone for both professional and personal use? If so, then dedicate 60 percent of the phone calls to your business and the rest 40 percent of the time to talk with your honey and friends.

The IRS will allow a tax deduction only for the portion of the cell phone bill that is tied to your business. In your case, you can deduct 60 percent of your cell phone expenses on your tax return.

The FTC’s new contact lens rule makes it easier to comparison shop, which in a way helps you save money.

According to the rule, you are eligible to get your prescription from your eye doctor without any extra cost. You can use the prescription to buy new lenses from an eye doctor, a store, or online. Cost and quality varies from seller to seller. So it’s best to shop around to avail the best deal.

Many large companies offer some kind of share saving schemes. Nowadays, more and more employees are taking part in this tax efficient plan.

It’s a monthly saving scheme set up by your employer that allows you to buy shares in your company. As per the money device service, you can save up to $700 per month for a tenure of 3 to 5 years.

Any interest or other benefits you receive in the end is tax-free. So it’s definitely worth the investment.

If you are a first time home buyer, as per the 10-10 rule you need to make a down payment of at least 10%, and going to commit to living in your house for at least 10 years.

Making a down-payment of at least 10% is good as in case the market drops, you’ll still have some equity.

And since you’ll live in the house for at least 10 years, you’ll actually ride through the negative cycle of 10 years, and chances are there that your house will again start to appreciate by the end of the period.

Just living for 3-5 years in a house won’t take you anywhere as long as financial gains are concerned.

If your monthly health insurance premiums are burdensome for you, what will you do if you suddenly need to visit the critical care unit of a hospital after suffering a massive heart attack and pay thousands of dollars for the surgery?

Don’t remain uninsured for another single day as it’s much easier to end up with a health issue or hurting yourself severely in the bathroom than you can even imagine. Talk to your insurance agent today and don’t keep yourself uninsured for another 24 hours. Shop for the best quote. Also, try to keep yourself healthy by eating fruits and vegetables, maintaining a good weight, exercising, quitting bad habits like smoking and drinking. Taking care of these will help you avoid huge medical bills.

You got no idea what life will bring. So always remain prepared for the most hostile situation. Having a proper estate plan in place would help you choose guardians for you kids, where your money goes once you’re no longer around, and be proactive to conclude that nothing you leave behind becomes a burden on your near and dear ones.

Try to get hold of your finances and take things in control. Get in touch with a financial advisor and plan for your finances. Financial planning is an ongoing process and you need to take care of it until your last breath. Hence, it’s better to have good terms with your advisor so that he remains just one call away.

Negotiation is an effective part of your personal finances. Surprisingly, you might not believe, but it’s an art. We all know what negotiation actually is. But the question is how to negotiate in a better and more effective way.

If you want to be a super-negotiator, first you need to know your break even point. It’s the highest price you’re willing to pay for either a product or a service. Once you know it, you need to learn the art of negotiating. Frankly, there are no thumb rules. If you want to be a good negotiator, you need to first get out off the cocoon of your false social esteem and speak out.

If you don’t ask for a bargain, nobody is going to give you willingly. Everyone looks for more profit. Next, you need to know where a negotiation might work. If you go and try to negotiate for a rare art piece, you’re not going to gain anything. Yes, you’re in a better position if you negotiate while buying something that is available in greater quantities.

While starting, ask for a bargain that is at least 75% lower that what you actually wants to spend, and gradually take that up. Lastly, never feel rushed or show eagerness to grab the deal while you negotiate.

Most of us, when think about investing, the very first thought that comes to our minds is putting money in IRAs, 401(k)s, stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Unfortunately, none of us thinks that investing in developing our own skills can be vital enough and rewarding in the long run.

However, investing to develop your own skills is crucial and these days, you even don’t need a big chunk of money to go to school. New online education platforms like Lynda.com, Pluralsight.com, Quistic.com, and Skillshare.com are making it tons more easier and affordable for folks who are trying to learn new skills as per their schedule and at the convenience of their homes.

You need not lose your heart if you don’t have the required money to train yourself. Nowadays, there are companies like Upstart.com that will fund your learning, and in return, you’ve to pay a portion of your future earnings.

A vital mistake people make is that they don’t automate their finances. A majority of people, whether they are into business or doing a job, don’t have a bank account to have their paychecks deposited. They receive their paychecks in hand and then deposit it into the bank by physically visiting it. If you’re doing this, you’re wasting on an average 12 hours in a year.

Have your income get directly deposited into your bank account. And once they are safely landed, set automated rules so that a portion of your income goes towards your retirement accounts, a portion into your emergency account, some to pay your regular utility bills, and some towards credit card debts. Doing the same would save you precious time that you could use more effectively.

In a recent survey by ACCC, it was revealed that issues related to money are the leading cause of stress in relationships. However, another thing was revealed too that couples are discussing their financial issues more often, which is a good sign.

Indeed, money is the root cause of every evil. So if things are communicated well and remain clear to both spouses, there won’t be any bitterness arising due to finances.

It might not sound very romantic or reasonable, but it’s best to be clear from the very first day. In any relationship, each person’s financial values and goals are important and sometimes those differ. While one gives value to each penny and saves for future, the other person splurges all the time. If you just have a conversation about your financial preferences, this might lead to better understanding, and you both might compromise for a happy conjugal life.

I’m not saying that it’s the only vital thing you should talk about. Rather it’s one of the vital topics you should discuss to avoid tension down the road.

Joint bank accounts make lives of numerous couples a hell lot easier. Whether it’s a savings or checking account, operating jointly has many of its advantages. Tracking of your expenses and savings become easier than if distributed in two or three accounts. By merging your accounts together, you save valuable time of your and never miss a payment.

A joint account also helps to track budgets, savings, and expenses in a better way - such as saving for future, and any other financial commitments. Most importantly, a joint bank account saves your time and you encounter lesser numbers of headaches.

Unlike many, I love upcycling! Upcycling is simply giving a new life to your old goods or furniture. Many just simply give away or replace their old furniture with brand new ones. They just don’t think that by upcycling they could save a lot of money.

Upcycling is so much fun. It was just last week when we upcycled a dining table in our kitchen that was my grandfather’s. Previously it was a lighter wood color and we painted it white and we really loved it. This costed us around $100 and we saved at least a couple of thousand dollars as we didn’t buy a new one.

If you believe that a particular furniture has still got some life, upscale it and extend its lifetime. Give it a whole new different character, save a lot, and refurbish something the way you want.

Keep your car at garage and get a bike to ride to office daily. While this will keep you fit, this will also save you money on gas and fitness club fees. If your car is just a few miles away from your home, you can definitely think about riding down to office. Perhaps the journey will take time, but you forgot that you’re already saving some by not working out.

Use the car only when you’re traveling with family or friends. Otherwise, it’s simply waste of money and resources if you’re traveling all alone in a car that can accommodate 4 persons.

As long as your finances are concerned, does your plan A always work? What if it fails someday? Do you keep a plan B as standby or backup?

If you don’t, make a habit of keeping a plan B always in place from today onwards. What would be your option if you put up a fund for your kid’s college education, and lose it due to a crisis just days before the admission?

This is where a plan B comes in help. If there is already another fund in place, or a source where you could get the money from as per your plan B, the admission process will go smoothly.

Our lives have become busier now and paying our bills late is one of the side-effects of this new lifestyle.

There is an easy solution to this. With the advent of science and technology, banking is no longer what it used to be just a decade ago. Nowadays, from making online payments to setting up bill reminders, you can do each and everything online.

You can take advantage of this and schedule most of your monthly or quarterly payment in order to avoid late fees and penalties. Online banking also provides you the privilege to avoid long serpentine queues in banks and make transactions 24*7.

Did you have a frightful 2015 due to severe debt problems? Do you wish to spend 2016 in peace? If so, then call our Toll-Free number 800-530-OVLG now. We will analyze your debt problems and then show you the path to financial freedom. We will calculate how much you owe, call your creditors, explain your problem and then talk about the possible solutions. We will:

• Settle your debts
• Deal with your collection calls
• Negotiate with your creditors
• Waive off late fees and penalties

Don’t wait or hesitate. Just give us a call and get out of debt. Enjoy 2016 without any debt problems.

Festive season creates a big financial pressure on parents and seniors. So, they look for cheaper drug alternatives to save dollars. Scammers take advantage of the vulnerability of seniors and float advertisements online on specialized medications at attractive prices. These medicines are completely fake and can harm your parents’ health severely.

Please don’t order medicines for your parents online. Infact, educate your parents about the dangers of ordering medicines online. Save their health as well as wealth in future.

A router helps you connect with the Internet in your home. It is also used to connect Internet with other devices as well.

Festive season is the time when people let go of all their fears and get into a holiday mood. But this is also the time when scammers become hyper-active and use all the tricks to scam people.

So, if you wish to protect your online identity during the festive season, then pay special attention to router and take the following steps:

1. Change the default password of your router
2. Change the default ID of your router
3. Update the software that comes with your router
4. Don’t leave ‘remote management’ features enabled

Redeem your reward points accumulated through various programs and use them wisely. Use those buried reward points for online shopping, booking air tickets and donating to charitable organizations. If you have accumulated reward points through less-used loyalty programs, then donate them to charity provided you don’t intend to use them.

Do you want to make extra money during Christmas? Are you tempted to do secret shopper jobs and build your cash reserve? If so, then be little careful. This is because scammers often offer these jobs to get your credit card information or money. They would ask you to pay ‘employer’ money for supplies before doing the job. You would pay money in advance but won’t get any proper work or payment later.

Did you get a call on phone regarding a brand new product? Do you like the offer and want to buy the product? If so, then ask the telemarketer about the payment mode instantly.

If the telemarketer asks you to wire money, then say ‘no’. If the telemarketer asks you to give your bank account number, then reject his offer.

Ask the telemarketer if he is ready to accept credit card payment. If so, then make the payment either through a credit card or a debit card. This payment method give you the utmost protection against fraud. Still, beware of phone scams.

Do you want to increase your credit score by more than 30 points in the next 6 months? Do you feel that this is just a wild dream you can never achieve? If yes, then don’t worry. Nothing is impossible in life. All you need to do is pay down your credit card balance. It would help you drop the credit utilization ratio. Next, pay off your collection accounts as soon as possible. You can either pay the full amount or you can just settle the collection accounts.

Make sure you don’t lose any extra point from your current credit score. This you can do by making timely payments, reducing your credit card usage and not opening new accounts.

Is there any error on your credit card bill? Wondering what to do now? Well, you can withhold payment in this case but with care.

The first step you need to take is to inform the credit card issuer first about the error. You can call at their Toll-Free-Number and report the matter immediately. The credit card issuer can be sympathetic with you and give you lots of alternative options. They may even refund the cost of the eligible item if the retailer doesn't agree to take it back. Just make sure you approach the credit card issuer within 3 months of the purchase.

How would you feel if you see coupons for already discounted deals? Would you feel super-excited or would you prefer to ignore the coupons?

It is quite natural to feel excited since who doesn’t want to save an extra penny on shopping deals? But most of these coupons are fake. This is just a ploy of the scammers to get you in their websites. Once you enter into the website, you’ll be asked to give your credit card number. And after that, hell will break upon you.

Scammers will do whatever they want. They can make you bankrupt and involve your name in a criminal activity too. You won’t even know about this before it is too late.

Be careful and stay away from these fake coupons to avoid double trouble in your life.

Didn’t check your credit report? Congratulations! You’ve just invited another trouble to your financial house.

Cable channel providers and mobile service providers check your credit report when you submit your application forms. If someone has a better credit history than yours, then the service provider may charge you more than him or her. And, this is perfectly legal as long as they send you a Risk-Based Pricing Notice.

A Risk-Based Pricing Notice technically gives you three pieces of information - (a) you’re entitled to get a free copy of your credit report, (b) you can dispute errors on your credit report, (c) you’ve received less favorable credit terms due to your poor credit history.

Learned about a scheme where you can make money too easily? Are you excited to take this scheme since it will accelerate your monthly income and relieve your financial stress?

Wait for a few days and do research on this scheme first. Find out if they have a genuine product. Next, check if they primarily emphasize on recruitment only. Ask about their business strategy. For instance, how do they earn money without selling any product?

If you don’t get satisfactory answers, then it is better to not invest money or time in this scheme.

Even before the festive season begins, your email inbox will be filled up with lucrative sale offers. But this doesn’t mean that you should shop immediately. This is because both online and traditional retailers play a smart game called ‘markup to mark down factor'.

Let me explain how this game is played.

Suppose, the price of an item is $10. Now, what online retailers would do is offer "70 percent off on fashion”. They would show the actual price of the item as $100. So, the price of the item after getting a 70 percent discount would be $30. This means the retailer is actually selling the item at a higher price. It’s a win-win deal for the retailer.

Use apps like PriceZombie and SlickDeals Price Tracker to track the price fluctuations. This would help you to comparison shop. You won’t fall for the ‘biggest discount’ bait.

If you find any fraudulent charge in your credit card statement post EMV switch, then you need to have a talk with the bank immediately. The first person who will be held responsible for the fraud is the retailer or the merchant. The second person who will be accountable for the scam is the bank. You won’t even have to pay a penny for the fraudulent charge. All you need to do is report the fraud promptly.

The country is all set to embrace EMV technology wherein microchips will be on the front of credit cards. From October 1, 2015, you need to dip your credit cards instead of swiping them. As soon as you dip your credit card, the chip will generate an unique transaction code. No one can use this code for the second time, which will reduce the chances of scams.

If you haven’t yet received new credit cards, then it’s time to watch out for them.

Free promotional reward cards are nothing but ‘marketing gimmicks’. These cards can expire quickly. Moreover, you’ve to take a series of steps to activate these reward cards. For instance, Sprint is offering the American Express Prepaid Reward Card to lure consumers. Most consumers will be too happy to receive this card, but they’re not aware of the fact that:

• This is not a gift card.
• This card is not regulated by federal laws
• It will take 10 weeks to activate this card
• Consumers need to pay $3 each month after 7 months

Again, ATT is offering ATT Reward Card from US bank to attract new customers. The activation period for this card is 7 weeks. The card will expire after 3 months and has a $7 card replacement fee.

These free promotional cards don’t have any legal protection. Plus, you can’t enjoy most of these cards for a long period. So, before making any purchase, just think - “Do I really need to buy a product to get this card? Will I benefit from this card in the long term?”.

Do you have a fetish for biodegradable products? Do you love to buy eco-friendly products? If so, then buy products with a green label since they are safe. As per the new FTC guidelines, companies are accountable for what they claim in green labels. Plus, they need to explain the seal or certification clearly.

For instance, it’s not enough to claim that the product is eco-friendly. The company has to specifically mention if the product is ‘biodegradable’ or ‘recyclable’.

Is your college pressurizing you to open a college-sponsored account? If so, then ask questions regarding how your college gets paid. Remember, when your college is asking you to open the account, they’re only thinking about their financial interests and revenue. They're not at all concerned about your financial future.

In most cases, colleges get a commission for each student that activates a college-sponsored account. Unlike you, this is a fantastic source of income for them. And, they would obviously try to enroll as many students as possible in this account. So beware!

• What about the fees you'll pay
• Is the fee more than what you're supposed to pay for other accounts?
• What are the basic terms and conditions?

A currency can be damaged or mutilated in several ways: chemicals, water, fire, animals, insects, etc. Just think what your mental state would be when your $100 note gets mutilated or damaged? No one would agree to take it and you can’t even keep it in your piggy bank for future use.

So, what can you do in this situation? What’s the remedy?

Well, the bureau of Engraving and Printing has a panel of trained experts who can help you. They would examine your currency minutely. If they find that almost 50 percent of the note is recognizable as US currency and the rest of the part is completely damaged, then they would redeem the full value without charging any penny.

Has any company showed your financial diary to your family or friends? Have you joined any online group and found that they’ve sent friend requests to strangers and that too without taking your prior permission? If so, then you can go to the FTC’s Complaint Assistant - https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-8

Once you go to this webpage, you’ll get 7 different categories such as:

1. Identity Theft
2. Scams and Rip-offs
3. Unwanted Telemarketing, Text, or Spam
4. Mobile Devices or Telephones
5. Credit and Debt
6. Online Shopping
7. Other

Choose a category and then click on the sub-category. Once done, register your complaint to protect your privacy.

Do you have any question regarding a particular product you want to buy from an online retailer? Are you confused since the customer service number is not highlighted in the website? If so, then what would be your next step? Probably, you would type the name in a search engine and try to find out the toll-free number.

But, do you know that it could be a major financial mistake on your part? It would be a mistake to assume that all the toll-free numbers are real customer service lines. Some of these lines are actually maintained by scammers in the hope of getting your credit card number or installing a virus in your computer.

Here’s a tip you can use to avoid these scammers.

Go to the official website of the online retailer directly. If the toll-free number is not properly highlighted in the homepage, then either go to the ‘Contact Us’ page or ‘How we can help you’ page. You should get the toll-free number from there.

Are you or your spouse going back-to-school or college this fall? If so, then there will be some extra unavoidable expenses for your education. This means there will be additional pressure on your budget. But what if we tell you that some of your educational expenses can help to save some bucks during the tax time?

Yes. You read it correct.

You can claim education tax credit on your federal income tax return this year as long as you’re aware of these tax credits:

• Lifetime Learning Credit
• American Opportunity tax Credit
• Qualified Expenses
• One credit per student

For more information, you can refer to - Interactive Tax Assistant (http://www.irs.gov/uac/Interactive-Tax-Assistant-(ITA)-1)or IRS Education Credits (http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Education-Credits-AOTC-LLC) web page.

Giveaway contests in social media are alluring since you get a chance to win attractive prizes just by participating in the online contest. But are these really as good as what they promise to be? It depends.

While some contests are really good, the same thing can’t be said about rest of the others since they’re mostly scams. Here is an useful tip to spot these scams:

At some point, you’ll be requested to provide your bank account details or PIN number for participating in the contest. Once you get such a request, just log out from the web page since it’s a scam.

Online dating sites can be a devil in disguise when you’re desperately searching for the love of your life. Scammers often create fake profiles with stolen pictures from social networking websites to woo you. They’ll profess their true love for you in the first few days. And once these scammers have won your heart, they’ll start talking about their financial hardships. They’ll ask you to create a new bank account. Initially, they’ll deposit a small amount in that account and then will tell you wire the money (using Western Union or Money Gram) out of the country. After a few days, both the scammer and the money will vanish from your life.

Don’t be a fool or be part of a crime. Do an image search first. If you find that the same image has been used under different names, then beware! You’re dating a scammer.

Got call from a debt collector regarding your grandchild’s debt? Did the debt collector ask you to wire money immediately to save your grandchild’s job? Have you been told that your grandchild would be arrested if you don’t pay the money instantly?

Don’t get emotional and wire the money instantly. First of all, you’re not liable for your grand child’s debt unless you co-signed on a loan. So, debt collectors can’t force you to pay money. Secondly, debt collectors can’t threaten you in any way. Neither can they force you to give your credit card number. So whenever you get these calls, hang up and file a complaint with the FTC.

Seen that ad - “70 percent off cheap resorts”? Decided to go for this vacation package within a few minutes? Wait!
It’s easy to feel excited since the offer is really very good. But do you know that this can be a perfect scheme to scam you. Yes, most of these free or so called “low-cost” travel packages cost you a huge amount of money in hidden costs. After you’ve made the initial deposit, you’ll find that you’d have to pay extra money at the spot or resort to grab the ‘great deal’. That’s not all. To your utter shock, you may also find that that the quality of the package is not at all good.

• Processing fees
• Fuel surcharges
• Late booking fees
• Peak week surcharges
• Travel insurance
• International departure and arrival fees

Beware of the risk-free trial offers for skincare products you often see in different websites. You'll get these offers in the form of pop-ups and banners in different webpages. These companies will ask you to give your credit card number in exchange of 100% satisfaction guaranteed offer and a minimum shipping charge.

In most cases, they charge low shipping cost in order to attract consumers. And if they still try to leave the webpage, then these companies would dip shipping charges even more. If all these strategies fail, then they would play their trump card and that is A- rating from the BBB.

Till now, everything seems to be fair and good. But the shock comes later when consumers are slapped with a hefty fee ($97) for not returning the skincare products in the next 10 days. The fee is usually written in the Fine Print section, so most consumers skip this part. This is not the end. These companies enroll consumers in subscription plans without even notifying them. As a result, consumers have to pay extra charges till the cancellation of these plans.

Legitimate financial advisors would never guarantee you riches. They would never promise to make you a millionaire within a few days since there are no guarantees in investment. So, if anyone promises you that you’ll earn a huge amount, then it’s a scam. A good financial advisor will be licensed and trained. He/she won’t read your palm and predict your financial future. Neither will he/she see you earn a massive amount by investing in a particular business. So, be very careful before seeking advice from fortune tellers. They can be really good entertainers. But when it comes to your money, you should think logically.

Usually, creditors can’t touch your Social Security benefits. However, if this creditor is none other than the IRS, then the scenario is different. This is because the IRS can take up to 15 percent levy to resolve unpaid tax debts.

If your tax debt is less than $10,000, then try to resolve it through various options such as offer in compromise, payment plans and reassessment of penalty. If you owe more than $10,000-$25,000, then it’d be better to consult a tax professional and explore the ways to disappear tax debts.

Are you looking for a job that can be done from your home? Have you seen several work-at-home jobs and are you very much tempted to go for them. Well, the perk of work-at-home job is that it allows you to balance your family and work very nicely. But the negative side of work-at-home job is that it is little bit risky. Some of the work-at-home jobs won’t fulfill their promise. They may not pay you the amount displayed in ads. Some of them won’t pay you at all. As such, it is better you do a little bit homework before opting for work-at-home job.

Next time you decide to donate to a charitable organization for supporting a noble cause, make sure you do a little homework. Well, this is because charitable organizations have administrative and fundraising expenses. And sham charitable organizations inflate the gift-in-kind numbers and then announce that those donations have been distributed to international recipients. But in reality, nothing of that sort actually happens. They use your money and gifts to to pay executives and meet operational expenditures.

Received a mail from the FTC regarding a consumer complaint? Have you been blamed of breaking the laws of Consumer Credit Protection Act? If yes, then don’t panic and click on the mail to download the document containing the description of the complaint accompanied with a link.

The mail may not be a legitimate one although it may appear as if the mail has been sent from the FTC email address. The web address may also look genuine. But if you type that web address, then you’ll be redirected to some other website.

Even if you receive such a mail, don’t open it or click on the links given in the mail. Once you do it, a malware will be installed into your computer and allow scammer to regulate your online activities. He can also use your personal information to commit fraudulent activities.

Best course of action - Delete the mail or just forward it to spam(at)uce(dot)gov.

It doesn’t matter if your spouse is responsible for the divorce during your senior years. No matter who is responsible for the divorce, retirement money and other assets are more likely to be divided equally. So, whatever amount you guys have saved for the golden years of your life wouldn’t look like a huge amount after it gets slashed into half.

If divorce is really unavoidable, then it’s better to start planning your finances from now on. Think about the asset distribution and tax-favored investments beforehand.

Finally, a big relief for the job hunters in New York City. There wouldn’t be any credit discrimination for the job applicants anymore. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed a new legislation as per which employers won’t be able to check credit reports of job candidates barring a few special cases.

So all the job applicants, don’t give up your hope of getting a suitable job just because you don’t have an astounding credit history. The new legislation is in your side. Give your best shot at the interviews. Something will click for sure.

So finally you’ve decided to live without your credit cards. Well, congrats! Not everyone can make this decision. But wait! You want to raise your credit score that too without any help of credit cards. For this, you’ve to plan every step and act accordingly.

Your first step will be to call the utility companies. Usually, they report to credit bureaus when you don’t pay your bills regularly. However, if you’ve utility bills in your name, then call the service providers and request them to report timely payments on your credit report. This will help to add positive payment history and raise credit score.

So you want to be the most successful saver in 2015. Good. This is not too tough. All you need to do is set aside at least 50% of your pay hike for your savings account. If you wish, you can keep it in your retirement savings account as well. But do ensure that you’re getting employer’s retirement match as well. It’s totally free money. Don’t give up your chance to accelerate your savings.

The new debt collection law in West Virginia prohibits debt collectors from calling consumers more than 30 times a week. In fact, they can’t get into telephonic conversation more than 10 times in any week. If any debt collector violates this law, then consumers can file a lawsuit at the court and recover approximately $1000 (for extra damages) for violation.

Couldn’t get your tax filed by April 15, 2015? Scared and worried? Well, despite of what you’ve heard, the dreaded April 15 deadline is mainly applicable to the people who owe tax. If you’re one of those fortunate ones who are likely to get a refund, then you’ve a ‘golden ticket’. And, this golden ticket is form 4868.

You can use this form to get an automatic extension for an additional 6 months. Remember, you’re getting this time only for filing your tax returns.

W2 form reflects how much you earned and paid on tax throughout the financial year. A single mistake in this form can result to an inflated tax bill, which you would always want to avoid. So, always check this form minutely and find out if there any miscalculation or error. Report to your employer and get a correct W2 form as quickly as possible when there is any error. And, if your employer doesn’t take any action, then file a complaint with the IRS.

It may take a few months to complete the entire process. So, you may have to file an extension. However, the IRS will have all the records explaining that you’re at least working to solve the problem.

One audit notice from the IRS is enough to make you uncomfortable. It gives you a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach and makes you breathless. Relax: it’s not an incurable disease. It’s just an examination. But before you sit for the examination, check and find out if your examiner is genuine.

Fake tax examinations do happen in this country. So, be very careful. Unless you receive audit notice from the IRS through a written letter, don’t give any information or make any payment promptly. IRS is less likely to contact you via phone or email. So, if you do get a call from a tax examiner, find out if he is legit. There is a great probability that he is a scammer.

“You can’t make the same mistake twice. The second time you make it, it’s no longer a mistake. It’s a choice.”.

You can’t change what has already been done. Can you? But you can surely avoid making the same mistakes again. And the best time to do it is from April 1, 2015. Get a free counseling from OVLG financial coach and rectify the mistakes that are not allowing you to get out of debt. Manage your finances smartly from this financial year to boost your savings and keep debts at bay.

Spring exudes fresh air and energy after the brutal winter. It is the time to clean up your house, discard winter garments and wear those trendy flip flops yet again. But that’s not all, there is yet another thing which you must include in your ‘to do’ list. And that is, cleaning up your finances.

The first thing you’ve to do is pay off the last bit of your holiday debt. Pay of the credit card bills you incurred due to holiday purchases. Go for a powerful debt payoff plan. Eliminate your debts and clean your credit report. By the way, don’t forget to refresh your budget as well.

A new tax benefit has been announced for the people who become blind or disabled before hitting 26. They can now open tax-exempt savings accounts for meeting qualified expenditures related to sickness. These accounts will be quite similar to 529 college saving plans. For instance, tax will not be imposed on investment income or withdrawals for:

• Conveyance
• Medical technology
• Home health aids

Each disabled person can have only one ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account. And, the yearly contribution limit is capped at $14,000 in 2015. Besides, it will not have any effect on disabled people’s eligibility for Medicaid payments.

So, all those who are disabled before the age 26, please don’t miss out this opportunity. Use it for getting tax benefits.

Are you worried that Uncle Sam will slap you with a tax penalty for not signing up with mandatory health insurance? Well, you’re not wrong. But, the situation is not yet out of your control. You can still be eligible for partial tax relief. That’s because Uncle Sam is giving you a lifeline. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) has given a special enrollment period to the taxpayers. You’ve a golden chance to sign up for Obamacare and that is from March 15, 2015 to April 30, 2015. This golden chance will be primarily given to :

• Those who reside in one of the 37 states covered by the heathcare.gov
• Those who didn’t have any idea about the consequences of not buying health insurance

So, what are you waiting for? Use this golden chance to buy health insurance coverage. Otherwise, be prepared to pay the full tax penalty.

Yes, no matter how much we criticize the IRS for not receiving phone calls when you desperately needs it’s help, yet we can’t help but applaud the service for proving last-minute relief to taxpayers.

The IRS discovered 14 days ago that a big fraction of the taxpayers who purchased insurance policies on a state or federal exchange and were ideal candidates for the premium tax credit would have to pay for the extra advance credit they got. To give some relief to taxpayers, the IRS has issued Notice 2015-9 which states that if a taxpayer’s liability is comprised of premium tax credit, then they would not charge a late filing penalty.

The New York State Department of Financial Services have decided to issue fresh rules for the third-party debt collectors. The new rules will be specifically applicable when debt collectors attempt to seek default judgment from the court. And, these fresh rules will impose additional disclosure obligations (that are not even required by the FDCPA) upon the collectors.

The new laws will come into effect from March 3, 2015. After March 3, debt collectors need to provide disclosures on:

How debt collectors collect in NYC How they purchase debt portfolios in NYC

The new laws will make it very difficult for collectors to collect some specific types of debts. So, don’t lose your sleep over default judgment threats anymore. Who knows, the new laws may cripple your collectors and stop them from getting default judgments.

Yes, you've read it right. As per the final rules (issued by the IRS), non-profit hospitals can't indulge into aggressive debt collection practices unless they determine if a patient is eligible for financial assistance. Typical aggressive debt collection practices include:

Before the charitable hospital gets into involved into aggressive debt collection practices, they need to inform the patient about financial aids.

Do you intend to reach your financial goals within the first half of 2015? Pull your automatic savings by 1% this year. Your aim is to save at least 20% of your overall income. Gradually, you need to increase your savings percentage. For that, you need to save something every month. For example, in February 2015, you save $100 dollars. In the next month, your goal would be to save more than $100. In April, try to save even more.

Rose Day embarks the Valentine week. This is the day when you buy roses for your beloved to express your affection for him/her. So rose is the most sought after flower on this day. Quite naturally, the price is also higher than the remaining days. If you wish to spend less on this day (you have a long list of expenses for the week ahead), then buy roses from local grocery store. You can even try out the online sellers. But, make sure you don't buy roses from high-end florists. They charge more. Typically, ten roses cost between $25 and $60.

Brick and mortal banks are one step ahead of online-only banks. Their physical locations help them to offer various kinds of services to customers. Online banks are well aware of this fact and this is why they try to entice customers with some exclusive offers. For instance, some of these banks don't charge ATM fees since they don't usually have exclusive locations. What these banks actually do is share networks and reimburse you for any fees.

So, if you don't want to spend a penny on the ATM fees, then go for online-only banks.

Impatience is not a virtue. Rather, it's a curse. In fact it can cost you a lot of money. A Columbia based business school associate professor found in his research that impatient people are more likely to have low credit score. As you already know, low credit score can make it very difficult to obtain loan at low interest rate. So, when you apply for loans, you're likely to face strict terms and conditions.

One sudden decision (technically keeping short-term goals in mind) may help you now, but it'll cost you in the long run. So, before making a financial move, have patience, think carefully and then decide.

Ever had a no-expense month in your life? It can be difficult but it's totally worth it. Begin 2015 on a good note. Make January your no-expense month in 2015.

Thinking how can you survive without any expenses? Well, just cut down on your frivolous expenses. Don't spend any money on fast food, home decoration, accessories or clothes. Cook food with what you have in your pantry and freezer. Most likely, your freezer is still well stocked from holiday meals. Consume those foods first to save more money.

So you want to host a rocking party for your friends and family but don't have a big budget for it. A full course meal will cost you thousands of dollars. But lip-smacking appetizers will create less pressure on your wallet and at the same time allow guests to gossip more. Some cost-effective but mouth-watering appetizers are mini pizzas, mini grilled sandwiches, stews, etc. Try to avoid offering jumbo prawns or prime ribs as they're very expensive. Another tip will be to serve in small plates so that your guests feel less inclined to load up their plates with humungous amount of food.

If you really want to spend less on 2015, then don't sit idle after making the New Year resolution. Check your credit card statements to find out where you can save. Other than that, get an insurance audit (to know if you're paying more than what you should) and a list of items that will be less expensive in 2015. Some of the items that'll be comparatively cheaper in 2015 are

• butter
• video games
• smartphones
• gas

• food
• chocolates
• coffee
• health care
• shipping

Finally, the time has arrived when you shop for friends and donate for a healthy wallet. It is the time when you're desperate for making donations to charitable organizations and claim tax-deductions in the next year. But, desperation or over-eagerness is not good since it can throw you into a pool of trouble. What you need to do is find out if you're donating for the right causes. If you're determined to get tax deductions for the present year, then donate to an organization having non-profit status.

Always remember, fraudsters are over-active and hyper during festive season. Just like the hungry retailers, they also want to make more money during festive season. Make sure you don't end up donating money to them.

Is your inbox flooded with order confirmation emails after your online shopping endeavors? If yes, then beware! Don't open all the emails instantly. There's a high chance that a spam confirmation email is lurking to collect your personal details.

Once the spam email is opened, you'll be re-directed to a foreign website wherein a .zip file will be automatically downloaded. The contagious file is full of malware and will hack your computer. Hacker will instantly get your confidential information and leave you at his mercy.

If you love your store and want to avoid premises liability lawsuit, then it's best to avoid offering a limited deal at a particular time. When you give limited deals at the crack of dawn, you basically encourage shoppers to flock to your store for a very short span of time. Too many shoppers and their activities create a complete chaos. Besides, shopper stampede and resulting injuries could get you entrapped with premises liability lawsuits.

Give special offers throughout the day. Keep your customers safe to protect your store and wallet.

Small monthly payments can be made to the creditors. But this does not mean that creditors can’t sue you or file a lawsuit against you if you get behind in payments. If you and and your creditor don’t have a written payment plan, you might get dragged to the court for having a high outstanding balance.

Coping with the death of a loved one is difficult enough without the added pressure of creditors calling you to collect on the deceased person’s debts. Creditors don’t have the right to compel family members and relatives to pay off a deceased person’s debt. So, if you are getting calls regarding inherited debts, its high time that you should contact an attorney as you are not responsible for such debts.

f you locate that an old debt has reappeared on your credit report as a new account or contains inaccurate information about its age or status, be very careful! It is wrong to restart the credit history clock after 7 years. One of the most ominous tactics used by collection agencies or collectors is the re-aging of account entries. This is where a collection agency or an original creditor changes the date of last activity or charge-off so that an item stays on your credit report longer than it should be. So, you may file a lawsuit if someone tries to do so.

You might think an online payday loan is a quick and easy way to economize your money. But wait! think twice before you enter your bank account or any other personal details on a payday loan website. This payday loan website might be a gateway to a scam.

Before you decide to take out a payday loan, consider some alternatives and use extreme caution when you share personal information online.

Credit cards can be a great asset or a great burden, depending on how a cardholder uses them. There are some deadly sins which you should avoid to strengthen your credit score. Sins such as - bumping up against your credit limit, not checking your credit score, applying for too much credit, taking out a cash advance, applying a card that’s out of your league, closing all your credit card accounts, not checking your monthly credit card settlements - can damage your credit score.

Well, you won’t probably go to hell for committing any of these sins, but you may find yourself not getting a loan from the lenders due to your bad credit score.

It is worst when you find yourself declared as dead by the credit bureaus. However, such credit report errors are common. Being reported as dead can happen to those who share an account with someone who has died, namely a spouse or a family member - if you share the same last name, human error can take its toll.

Here are some steps which you can follow in case you need to prove your identity

1. find the source of the mistake>/li>
2. Inform Equifax, Experian(EXPN) and TransUnion of the error
3. keep a record of all correspondence regarding your claim
4. follow up with the entity that falsely claimed you were dead and request lost benefits or take legal action.

It can be annoying to file your annual income tax return and then wait impatiently while wondering about your Federal tax refund status. If you ever want to check your IRS refund status, you have plenty of options available to you. Thanks to the IRS2Go mobile app and Where’s My Refund section in the IRS website, taxpayers can check out the status of their tax refund.

Shady payment processing still prevails. So, be very careful before you set up an auto-draft option on your bank accounts. Keep a check on your bank accounts regularly so that you don’t fall into the trap set up by your creditor.

Everyone has the right to medical care. Unfortunately, some miscreants think they have a right to use your medical insurance to receive care and services without paying a dime. To protect your medical identity follow these guidelines - be vigilant about your personal information; don’t share your health information with solicitors and phishers; avoid sharing sensitive information; read the EOB, preferably via email; move quickly with breach notifications and check credit reports and medical records regularly.

Do you have a creative mind and are you looking for a way to make a few hundred dollars? Then use your creativity to create catchy names and make money. You can write catchy names for different companies and businesses and get paid for it. So, hurry up! Use your creative soul and make your life more stable.

Do you want to avoid big fees of mega-banks? Then choose regional banks over mega-banks to get these 5 benefits such as - get the same services at lower cost; put your money for the growth your local economy; keep decision-making local; the fortunes of local banks are that they are intimately tied to the fortunes of their local community and these regional banks turn deposits into loans and other productive investments.

To avoid insurance paperwork and mandated treatment regimes, doctors and testing facilities sometimes offer discounts for cash-paying patients. So, go and have a talk with your doctor and grab your share of discount!

Some instructions which you could follow to find the least expensive care without sacrificing quality are - make sure everyone you see is in-network; ask about alternate facilities; find lower-cost after-hours care; ask about any extra discounts; switch to generic drugs; get your drugs through the mail; sign up for Medicare’s new benefit and special programs; contribute to a flexible spending account; get triple tax breaks from a health savings account; get credit for everything; negotiate a lower payment and use money-saving apps.

• A drop of water is worth more than a sack of gold to a thirsty man.
• California is suffering through a record drought.

With California facing its worst water shortage crisis in modern history, Save Our Water - a partnership between the Association of California Water Agencies(ACWA) and the California Department of Water Resources(DWR) - has launched a ‘California Don’t Waste’ Public Service Announcement(PSA) campaign to bring awareness in simple ways so that citizens can save water every day. So, don’t waste water as you have to pay $500 for misusing it. Water is the driving force of all nature so try to preserve water as much as you can.

Child support is intended for the benefit of the child and is usually paid to the spouse who has primary custody over the child. Child support payments are very important for the upbringing and welfare of the child or children that they support. Payments generally include - basic necessities, such as food clothing and housing; medical care and health expenses and expenses related to education.

Failure to follow the provisions in a child support order can lead to negative legal consequences. Missing payments can lead to juridical aftermath. Make sure you understand the child support laws and procedures in your state, and keep records of payments made or received, to ensure the child support agreement is enforced. So, obey child support guidelines and avoid missing out a payment if possible.

If you are a Federal Student Loan Borrower and haven’t been making payments, be careful before filing your tax return. One of the collection tools available for defaulted student loans is called a Federal Income Tax Return Intercept. Depending on the status of federal student loan, you may end up losing your tax refund.

If your loan is in default, you may not get your tax refund due to a Federal Income Tax Return Intercept. If you are in default, use this time to take action. Get your loan out of default, get a payment plan you can afford, and then you can file your tax return. You can avoid future intercepts by rehabilitating your federal student loan and remaining current on payments.

A power of attorney is a legal instrument that is used to delegate legal authority to another person. The person who signs a POA is called the principal. The POA gives legal authority to another person, to make property, financial and other legal decisions for the principal. A principal can give an agent legal authority, or very limited authority. So, be alert before appointing a person as your POA.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act is a federal law which regulates the conduct of bill collectors. The "FDCPA" was passed in response to abusive conduct by collection agencies.

The purpose of the Act is to provide guidelines for collection agencies which are seeking to collect legitimate debts, while providing protections and remedies for debtors. The in-house collection departments do not fall under the FDCPA. The in-house collection agents can be a bit aggressive while collecting debts. So, don’t rush to court when you are dealing with ‘in-house’ collection department as the FDCPA laws won’t be able to help you.

Ignoring outstanding credit card debt can take a bite out of your paycheck or bank account. Credit card companies may garnish your wages just like most other creditors. However, in order to take part of your paycheck, the credit card company must first sue you in court and obtain a judgment. If a judgment creditor is garnishing your wages, federal law provides that it cannot take more than 25% of your disposable income. Your disposable income is established by subtracting required deductions from your total paycheck. Required deductions include things like federal and state taxes, state unemployment insurance taxes, Social Security, and required retirement deductions. They do not include voluntary deductions, such as health and life insurance, charitable donations, savings plans, and more.

If you marry in a community property state be careful as you have to take the burden of paying off your spouse’s debts, even if your spouse has taken out a credit card in his name. In a community property state you are responsible for your spouse’s debt.

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), most Federal employees are permitted to get up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for the following purposes:

1. for the birth and care of the newborn child of an employee;
2. for the placement of a child for adoption or foster care;
3. to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition; or
4. to take medical leave when the employee is unable to work because of a serious health condition.

In order to be eligible for FMLA leave, an employee must have been at the business at least 12 months, and worked at least 1,250 hours over the past 12 months, and work at a location where the company employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles. FMLA was intended "to balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of families.

Financial fast is an emergency brake for out-of-control finances. To get rid of bad money habits during financial fast days you need to follow these rules - make it last for 21 days; only purchase those things which you need; pay with cash only and keep a spending journal. There are some pros and cons attached to it also. The benefits that you will get are - become more conscious of your spending habits; get on top of your current finances; reduce what you put on credit cards and reduce temptation. But be careful, as it can backfire; it won’t fix major spending habits and this is only a short-term remedy. For a successful financial fast you need to know these tips - delineate between needs and wants; you need to get accountable and remove your temptations away and you can also do remixing without spending a penny. Finally once you finish your 21 day stint, you can celebrate your success. If you can understand the rules and guidelines of a financial fast and work accordingly, you can set a path toward a better financial responsibility.

Being in debt can be a stressful experience. To get out of debt, you need a plan and you need to execute that plan. Many people try to get out of debt, but life slaps them on the face hard enough that they give up. Getting out of debt and then staying out of debt are not easy. Here are some guidelines which you should follow to get out of debt - make a conscious decision and stop borrowing money; establish an emergency fund of $1000; keep a record and categorize your spending; make a budget based on your spending record; make a list of all your debts, creditor’s name, interest rate, balance minimum monthly payment; also make a list of the three-year payment for each debt as found on credit card statements and remember to include loans that are not listed on your credit reports for example, family loans, medical bills and lastly, don’t give up. You didn't get into debt and you won’t get out of debt in a day. Quick fixes don't last, but learning how to manage your money can bring great peace into your life.

Missouri lawmakers have changed the pdl laws. As per the current law, pdl borrowers can renew loans for at least 6 times. The minimum loan term is of 14 days and a maximum of 31 days. No borrower shall be required to pay a total amount of accumulated interest and fees in excess of 75% of the initial loan amount on any single loan. The new law eliminates rollovers and caps the fees at 35%. That is why you need to keep a watch on the Missouri lawmakers.

When you file for bankruptcy, you must pay a filing fee and costs associated with credit counseling. Bankruptcy fees effective from June 1, 2014 are - $335 for Chapter 7; $310 for Chapter 13 and $275 for Chapter 12. So, if you want to file Bankruptcy, file it before June 2014 or else you would have to pay $29.00 extra.

Defamation may be a criminal or civil charge. It encompasses both written statements, known as Libel, and spoken statements, called slanders. Defamation can lead you to face a lawsuit. So, don’t defame anyone and avoid getting defamed.

When you file for bankruptcy the automatic stay immediately goes into effect. It stops any lawsuit filed against you and most actions against your property by a creditor, collection agency, or government entity. So, protect yourself from hungry and greedy debt collectors by filing bankruptcy.

According to the ECOA individuals cannot be discriminated on the grounds of their racial background, religious background, sex or marital status. The only accepted factors that can be used to determine whether or not an individual is acceptable for a loan are the financially related information such as one's credit score, income and existing debt load. Organizations found in violation of this Act have to face class-action suits. If found guilty, the offending organization could have to pay out punitive damages totaling up the lesser of $500,000 or 1% of the organization's net worth.

If you cannot pay your debts and are receiving calls from collectors demanding payment or, if you are dealing with a lawsuit, bankruptcy may help you. One of the major aims of bankruptcy law is to give a financially distressed person an opportunity to make a new financial start. Filing bankruptcy generally results in the "discharge" or release from obligation of your debts or at least of many of them, so that no further legal action can ever be taken against you on those debts. In short, bankruptcy gives you a fresh start. However, you should be careful before filing for bankruptcy because doing so, may affect your credit and have other adverse consequences.

Drunk driving is illegal in all jurisdiction within the United States. Don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs as you have to produce $4,160 as penalty. So, save both money and life.

If your child uses your credit card without your knowledge, then you don’t necessarily have to file a lawsuit. if you notify to the credit card company that you haven’t authorized the charges, you shouldn’t be penalised for it. It is not mandatory to file a criminal report when your kid uses your credit card secretly.

You do not have to pay taxes on debts that are wiped out in bankruptcy. Unlike debts that are consolidated or forgiven by a creditor, debts that are discharged in a bankruptcy are not subject to being taxed. If you want to avoid paying tax on cancelled debt, file bankruptcy.

Federal and state laws require most employers to pay overtime. The overtime premium is 50% of the employee's usual hourly wage. This means an employee who works overtime must be paid the employee's usual hourly wage plus the 50% overtime premium, for every overtime hour worked. These laws contain many exceptions, so not all employees are entitled to overtime. Employees who are eligible for overtime are called "nonexempt" employees, and those who are not eligible for overtime are called "exempt" employees. In California, if you work for more than 12 hours a day you should receive extra payments for that. So, ask your employer for that extra payment for your extra time.

Federal and state laws require most employers to pay overtime. The overtime premium is 50% of the employee's usual hourly wage. This means an employee who works overtime must be paid the employee's usual hourly wage plus the 50% overtime premium, for every overtime hour worked. These laws contain many exceptions, so not all employees are entitled to overtime. Employees who are eligible for overtime are called "nonexempt" employees, and those who are not eligible for overtime are called "exempt" employees. In California, if you work for more than 12 hours a day you should receive extra payments for that. So, ask your employer for that extra payment for your extra time.

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is an account that allows you to save money for medical expenses on a tax-advantaged basis. If you have an employer sponsored health insurance policy for your spouse then you can claim tax-free benefits to save money. Generally this kind of policies are tax-free.

As parents and children age, the familiar family roles often switch. And for some adult children this means helping elderly parents financially. Become familiar with your parents' finances so that you can help them out if needed. If possible, begin conversations while their health and finances are still in good shape, so that you'll be able to spot any warning signals earlier. Try to help out your parents with their finances, but don’t give them any false hope.

Identity theft affects thousands of people every year. Identity theft occurs when a thief uses another person's identity to purchase unauthorised goods. Identity theft can cause financial and psychological misery. Identity thieves can commit criminal activity under your name. Victims of identity theft sometimes spend hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars repairing the damage. So, be vigilant as you can get punished for those activities which you haven’t committed.

Royalties are payments made from one party (the licensee) to another (the licensor) for the right to the use an asset. Royalty income is generally of two types; royalties for the use of copyrights, trademarks, and patents, and royalties from the extraction of oil, gas, or minerals. Royalty Exchange offers the opportunity to purchase future royalty revenue generated by an asset. Royalties are paid on a quarterly or biannual basis.

In this Valentine’s Day, instead of gifting your beloved diamonds, cards and flowers, buy a home together and strengthen your love bond. A study reveals that around 89% of the couples have commented that their bond has strengthened after purchasing a house together. So, hurry! don’t miss out a chance to strengthen your love bond.

The primary function of advertising is to persuade people to buy something. We often get influenced by the glitz and glam of the ads and end up buying unnecessary things which at the end of the day leaves our purse empty. So, don’t get over-influenced by the ads and save money for some really important things.

Use your finances wisely and save more. You can save your finances by following these guidelines - pay yourself first, avoid accumulating new debt, set reasonable savings goal, keep a budget, record your expenses, start saving as early as possible and avoid impulsive purchase

This is New Year. Plan your finances well and have a blissful year ahead. Be a year-round discount shopper, ask for what you want, coordinate budgeting with your partner, pay off debt slowly, prepare for tax exchanges and save a quarter of your income to stay financially blessed and happy.

The festive season is a time for giving and sharing, an occasion when “the more is the merrier”. Cutting back and saving money doesn't have to mean that our Christmas celebrations become less memorable. Ways that help you enjoy this festive season and be flexible include - keep Christ at the center of Christmas celebrations; make homemade Christmas gifts; give gifts of service; family gift exchange; give practical gifts; make your own Christmas decorations; rethink Christmas cards and gift wrapping; spread out the expense and set a budget and stick to it.

Christmas is a time to be merry and be happy. So, share joy and kindness not a debt hangover. Despite the best of intentions, many people get carried away at Christmas and spend too much money and fall into debt. If you find yourself in a situation where debt is a worry, tackle your money problems soon and resolve it.

If you can plan and save money at 20s, then you can stay financially peaceful later on in your life. 20s are also a time when you can afford to invest aggressively and take on a little more risk in order to earn better returns. Here are some ways you should do in your 20s to take control of your finances - develop a marketable skill; establish a budget; get insured; make a debt-repayment plan and build an emergency fund.

Just because you are married doesn't mean all your money has to be joined by a matrimonial bond. Sharing accounts and cards after marriage can complicate the financial condition and have an effect on individual credit reports. So, if you don’t want to get into trouble with your finances, then keep it separate.

Your credit report is a summary of your borrowing and repayment history, any new accounts, closed accounts, unpaid bills, late bills, and other activities. That is why is it crucial to pay attention to your credit report.

Start thinking about money differently, in terms of time and effort. Think it as your ‘hard earned money’ and then only you can spend it frugally. Try to be economical and you can save your money for some other necessary use.

Stop spending your dollars over unneeded things. If your are not financially stable, then cancel those fancy subscriptions and don’t buy those inessential goods. You can always fulfill your fantasies once you regain your financial balance.

Eating out regularly can cause you fall into debt. So, try to go out for luxurious treat occasionally. Instead, go for homemade family dinners to save your dollars.

When you buy a home in the U.S., you receive a bank loan that you have to pay back within 15 or 30 years. Most people choose the 30-year loan because the monthly payments are lower and also because it lets them buy a more expensive house. The average rate on a 15 year mortgage offers a pretty significant savings over the 30 year loan. But, payments are much larger on 15 year deals because the debt has to get paid off twice as fast. So, it is solely your decision which one to select.

If you have an overspending habit, it will lead you to debt. In that case, no calculators or savings will be able help you out. So, change this habit of yours if you want to live a financially hassle free life.

We are all familiar with the famous phrase which says, “slow and steady wins the race”. This is applicable in both our personal and financial lives. If you don’t want to get into any financial trouble, then it is better to save money slowly and steadily, which will help your finances in the long run.

Live "below your means” is a way to cut your expenses. If you are facing financial difficulties and want to come out of it, then spend less and save that money to pay your debt.

If you get an unexpected windfall and are confused what to do with it, then use it to wipe out your debt. You can spend this cash in a smart way by creating an emergency fund, erasing your debts and so on. So, use your money in a way which will help you in future.

When you’ve accumulated debt across multiple loans and credit cards, paying off your balances can seem very distant and daunting. The two most popular strategies for paying off your debts include - Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche. The Debt Snowball method involves paying off your smallest balances first to create momentum and encourage you to keep slaying those debts. The debt snowball plan helps you build confidence and positive repayment habits by prioritizing the "easy" debts first. The Debt Avalanche method involves paying off your balances with the highest interest rates first. This plan prioritizes efficiency and aims to be the indisputably cheapest and fastest way to get out of debt. So, choose the debt plan which suits you the most and get debt free.

If you have a creative mind and wondering how to earn money, then use your creativity. Some creative ways to make money from home include - become a freelance writer, become an online personal trainer, sell art from home, run your own retail store online and so on.

The keyword for staying 'debt free' is 'remember'. If you can “remember” the due dates of your bills, make payments timely and check credit reports at regular intervals, then you can stay debt free always.

If you have multiple debts, then there are chances to have different interest rates, some higher than others. In a debt payoff plan, it's best to pay the credit cards with the highest interest rates first. Paying off high interest rate debt saves you money and usually lets you pay off the debt faster. According to experts, the best way to get rid of debt is to attack the balance with the highest annual percentage rate first. When that one is paid off, move onto the debt with the next-highest interest rate, this will help you save money in the long run.

When you are in debt and wondering how to pay it off then use your life insurance’s cash value to pay it. Borrow money from your accumulated cash value and pay off your dues. So, think wisely and pay off your debts.

If you are determined that you will get rid of your debts, then you should be willing to compromise. Cut down your expenses in which ever way possible. ‘Compromise’ is the key to a debt free life.

Budgeting is simply balancing your expenses with your income. A budget can help you live on your income without going into debt, help you prevent damaging your credit score, allow you to save for fun or important needs and let you project how much money you’ll have at the end of each year. So, the conclusion is that if you want to stay debt free then set a monthly spending habit.

If you don’t have a retirement plan, then it's high time that you should have one. It will help if you plan for retirement from your early years. The greatest reason why you should save for retirement is because it is your life. The amount of money that you save for retirement will have a profound impact on how your life is lived. Retirement is the best time to meet your goals and transform your dreams into reality, but you can only do so if you are financially prepared. If you are not, you may be worried about where you will live or where your next meal will come from, as opposed to wondering when the best time to take a vacation is. So, it is important to chalk out your retirement plan.

Nearly 20 million Americans attend college each year. Of that 20 million borrow annually to help cover costs. Student loans come in several varieties in the United States. When you choose a course, make sure you should choose the one which will help you get a job with a decent salary, so that you are able to pay off the student loan.

Saving money on entertainment is not always the easiest thing to do. But you need to do that if you don’t want to fall into debt. Six low-cost alternative ideas that leave you with something to do, without breaking the bank - include - break out the board games; pack a picnic; go camping in your backyard; take a trip to the zoo; swim, bike, run and sign up to volunteer.

For the shopaholics, ‘coupons’ are like their best friends, as they help them save a bit of their hard-earned money. If you can use the coupons at your advantage, then they are of great help. So, use your coupons to get discounts and other offers and save your money.

In our day-to-day life, when we are encircled in a world filled with variety of commodities, then it becomes difficult for us to say ‘no’. But, if you want to lead a peaceful life without the hassle of the creditors and debt collectors, then you should learn to say ‘no’, as it is the prime key to a debt free life.

Everyone on the earth dreams to have a grand wedding affair. But stop! think twice before you make the grand arrangements. If you can’t spend the extra dollars, then it is not a wise decision to take the burden of loan on your shoulders and start a new life. So, its better to avoid the wedding splurge and save that money for your future use.

Every individual dreams of staying in a well decorated house. But, be logical before you spend those extra dollars behind renovating your home. Chalk out a plan and invest according to it when you think of house renovation. Don’t opt for over-the-top decorations which will cost you more and spend the rest of your life between debts and debt collectors. So, keep it simple and be happy.

Who doesn’t love increments in their career? But even if you get so, pretend that it hasn’t happened to you. Only then you can save money, manage your accounts and pay off your debts. If you pretend that you don’t have any extra penny to spend, then only you’ll be able to save and lead a tension and debt free life.

When you are totally immersed in debt, your first priority should be to come out of it. So, set your financial goals, spend your money priority wise and try to save as much as you can. Then only you will get benefited in the long run.

If your child, your spouse or your parent depends on you and your income, then you should have an insurance. There are worse things in life than death! If you don’t have an insurance, try to spend some of your precious time with an insurance agent, get your insurance done and grab the benefits which it offers to you. So, get set with insurance and invest in a happy life ahead.

With money in your hand, what better can you do than ‘bargain’! It doesn’t matter whether you are in debt or not, brush up your bargaining skills and be economical. So, next time when you purchase something, bargain hard and save those extra dollars for something useful.

If you know that you will receive money from any investment or insurance tomorrow, then don’t prepare your life according to it. Out of your imagination, you might realize that life has just played a prank with you and you are left with not a single penny in your hand. So, don’t spend tomorrow’s income today. Plan your life with what you have in hand not with what you will get, as its better to predict things after they have happened.

Saving money and paying off debt both are vital goals. It is good to save. But its quite illogical to save when you are deeply immersed in debt. Simple maths suggest it’s better to get rid of debt before saving for retirement or an emergency fund. If the savings rate is 1% and you have credit card debt at 14% interest, money is better spent paying down debt quickly. If you pay your debt first and put no money in savings, then you have nothing but your credit cards to fall back on if there’s a financial emergency. Using your credit cards to fund an emergency only makes it harder to pay off debt. So, don’t save it all. Prioritize between your debts and savings and act accordingly.

Grocery shopping is the ‘bread and butter’ of our life. Is grocery shopping making your pocket empty? If yes, then check out these tips on how can you save in a grocery store - buy in-season fruits and veggies; access online coupons; make lists; avoid overpriced items; don’t go hungry; check for sales; buy only what you need and try to choose a budget-friendly store.

Its good if you are a “friend in need is a friend indeed”. A cosigner is a person who takes equal responsibility of the loan payment as the primary borrower. Before you cosign for a loan, be sure you can afford to pay the debt if the borrower defaults on the loan. When you cosign a loan, make sure you are capable of repaying the loan, and that it won’t cause a financial hardship or jeopardize your own credit. We all want to help our friends and family, but you also need to think about your own needs.

Embracing a new loan to pay off previous ones is unreasonable. If you take up a new loan to pay off the old one, then let me remind you that you are again making the same mistake! If you go on doing this, then one fine day you will realise that you have landed up in a debt-trap, which is alarming. So, don’t borrow and avoid falling into debt . Organize and prioritize your expenses to live a debt-free life.

No matter what our age is, we all at some point or the other love to have outside food. But we often tend to forget that having outside food regularly is costing us more. To avoid this unnecessary costing, take the pain to pack your lunch box everyday which is also healthy. If you don’t have the time to make an elaborate lunch then try to bring something simple home-made food to munch away your hunger.

When you get money at your hand, always try to prioritize your expenses. If you spend more than you are getting, then surely you will be in debt. So, once you have the money to yourself do the necessary payments and buy necessary goods first, then think of something else. To avoid falling in a debt-cage, invest your money in the things which you need.

If you are planning to move and want to save as well, then have a look at some of these points. The cost of moving vary throughout the year. If you have the luxury to choose the moving time, then you are in a better position than others. The cost of your move gets affected by - the season and the day of the week. You can save during the non-peak seasons, that is, during the fall and winter. Also, make an effort to move on Tuesday or Wednesday to get better pricing, as Fridays and Thursdays tend to be the busiest days of the week for movers. So, if you do have some flexibility on your moving date, you can save yourself a little extra money.

If you've racked up debt on a high-interest credit card, transferring the balance to a card with a lower interest rate is a good idea. Getting a balance transfer card is a good way to consolidate credit card debt. You can take advantage of a low introductory 0% APR interest rate on credit card balance transfer. But don’t forget to monitor your credit while using your card to track your progress.

Credit cards give you the advantage of paying just a small percentage of your balance each month. Even if it is easier to make the minimum payment, it costs more in the long run. Some reasons why you should pay more than the minimum on your credit card include: save money on interest; pay off the balance sooner; improve your credit score; be ready for a mortgage and increase your available credit.

Wondering how to save for electricity bill? If yes, then just switch off your television. Even if we don’t watch tv, when we work we often have a habit of just playing it in the background. This helps in increasing our electricity bills. So, switch off that box in the corner and save those extra penny.

Valentine’s Day is advancing. So, on this occasion plan something different, which will make both your Valentine and your pocket happy. Instead of buying gifts from stores, try to make hand-made stuffs and give them as a present. If you are still thinking, then let me remind you that hand-made gifts have a more emotional touch than those ready-made gifts. So, hurry and make this day memorable for your someone special!

Its good to enjoy your present, but its equally important to secure your future. One of the best ways for you to save for your own retirement and ensure your future security is through the 401 k contributions. So, maximise your 401 k contributions and grab every golden opportunity to save for retirement.

If you are planning to stay in your own sweet home one day, then move to a smaller house where you have to pay lower rents. So, save your dollars from the monthly house rents for your dream house.

If you lose your job tomorrow, do you know how will you pay the rent next month? In life always be prepared for the unexpected and that is why you need to have an emergency fund. No matter in whatever profession you are, keeping an emergency fund is always a wise decision.

Save both your time and money by paying bills online. Pay bills and get these advantages - avoid late fees; automate your payments; quick service; easy accessibility and secure transactions. So, make yourself ready to embrace all the benefits of online bill payment.

Its quite easy to swipe a credit card while purchasing, but everything has its pros and cons attached to it. If you are able to pay bills on time every month and not carry over a balance, then credit cards can be of great convenience or else it will help you to land up in debt. So, its a better choice to leave your credit cards home while shopping.

If you are falling behind on your bills, then here are tips for negotiating with creditors: stick to your story; avoid drama; ask questions; take notes; read your mail; know what you can afford and get it in writing. So, catch up with your creditors and get a bit relief regarding your finances.

According to a survey, cigarette prices vary by state, running from $10.06 in New York to $4.50 in Missouri. The average pack costs $5.95. Your savings on a pack-a-day habit amount to about $180 each month or more than $2,100 annually. So, quit smoking since that money could buy an eight-day luxury Caribbean cruise or a 60-inch LED flat-screen TV.