Evergreen 353 financial tips for students, families and seniors

Anxious about your upcoming medical bills as you (or your family member) had to get admitted and treated in an out-of-network hospital due to an emergency?

Don't worry! Senate Bill 1264 (A consumer protection law) now prevents Texans from being hit with surprise medical bills when their health care provider and the insurance company can't agree on a payment. Under the new law, insurance companies and medical providers can enter into arbitration to negotiate a payment — and state officials would oversee that process, keeping patients out of this fight. This new law has been enacted on September 01, 2019. Texas is now among the other few states that have taken strict steps against the surprise medical billing.

Good news for the family farmers. The U.S. Senate recently passed the Family Farmer Relief Act of 2019. According to the law, Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy limit increased from $4.2 million to $10 million. It can give a huge smile to the American farm families.

Chapter 12 bankruptcy code was created in the 1980s and it was meant for the farmers. Congress modified it several times during this period. But, this year, the Govt. has taken a huge decision by increasing the limit from $4.1 million to $10 million.

Repay your debts to save your social security benefits from getting levied. In case of federal income taxes, the Treasury Department can either levy 15% of your benefit until the debt is paid off or garnish everything but living expenses until the debt is paid off. This can happen due to federal student loans too. Also, repay your unpaid alimony or child obligations. The debt collectors can get a court order to tap your bank accounts to recover the amount.

If you pay your debts without any default, then you don't need to be worried. It happens when you default your debts and it becomes too high to pay off. So, it's always better to pay off your debts as early as possible to enjoy your social security benefits without any obligations.

Have you got any offer for student loan debt forgiveness? Are they claiming any upfront fees? Beware! They are scammers. Never share your FSA ID. They charge you in many cases that the Department of Education and its loan servicers will offer you for free.

The biggest concern of a student is the student loans. The try to get rid of this situation as early as possible. The scammers know this situation and they always try to take advantage of it. Never fall in this kind of traps. No third-party companies can give you fast loan forgiveness.

The 'no-look' fee of the bankruptcy attorney has increased from $3500 to $4500 as per the revised law. You have to pay $1000 more to the bankruptcy attorney now. So, arrange this money if you're planning to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Please take notice that the “Guidelines for Compensation For Professional Services or Reimbursement of Expenses by Attorneys for Chapter 13 Debtors Under Local Rule 2016-1(B)(2)(a)” have been amended to reflect an increase in the compensation fee that an attorney may charge without application to the court.

The “no-look” fee will increase from $3,500 to $4,500 for all cases filed under or converted to chapter 13 on or after September 1, 2019. A Public Notice and the amended “Guidelines” are currently posted on the court website.

Often debt collectors file lawsuits to scare consumers or garnish their wages. They drop their cases after the consumers challenge the lawsuit. Unfortunately, the damage has been done by that time. Once wages have been garnished, the debt gets revived instantly. Even a small payment is enough to revive time-barred debts. Hence, consumers are forced to settle or consolidate time-barred debts.

Texas and Washington state have passed legislation this year making it more difficult to revive debt past its statute of limitations. So, if you're sued for a debt or asked to make a payment on the debt, ignore it. The law is on your side. Even if you make a payment, then also the debt won't be revived. It's a big change. Take advantage of it. Take a chill pill or contact our attorneys to fight against collection abuse.

Are you a victim of scam debt collection practice? If yes, make a complaint and you can get monetary compensation under Section 13(b) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 53(b).

Debt collection companies have a common practice to harass debtors with unlawful activities. In some cases, they become successful. Other than that, there are hundreds of fake debt collection companies and they use fake information to harass people. FDCPA and FTC have the authority to file a federal court action seeking injunctive and equitable monetary relief under Section 13(b) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 53(b), or refer the matter to the Department of Justice for civil penalties and injunctive relief under Section 5(m) of the FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45(m).

Are you a veteran and planning to file for bankruptcy? Then, you must know the bankruptcy laws. When you receive disability from your Social Security, it won't be counted as your income. But, when you receive a disability check from the military, then it'll be counted in the Means Test. If your overall income becomes high, you might be forced to file for Chapter 13, not Chapter 7. In that case, you have to pay some of your debts that can be discharged in Chapter 7.

So, think first before making any decision. Don't file bankruptcy instantly. Try to settle your debts or consolidate them instead.

Using earbuds while driving motor vehicle or bicycle is now illegal even if there is no music playing. This new law (SB491) even prohibits you wearing them on top of your ears. Earlier, it was only headphones or earplug but now this new law specified earbuds also. Failing to obey this law can cause you a fine as high as $160.

This law does not apply to the people operating construction equipment or emergency vehicles, as well as anyone using a hearing aid.

Are you getting collection calls on Sundays after 5 p.m.? It's illegal and FDCPA gives you the authority to take legal steps against them. According to the FDCPA law, debt collection agencies can call you between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. (your local time) Monday through Saturday and between 1 pm and 5 p.m. (your local time) on Sundays.

If the debt collection agency doesn't stop, then you can take the following steps:

• Call 800-530-OVLG and get in touch with FDCPA attorneys to fight back against abusive debt collection practices.
• Let the OVLG attorneys file a lawsuit and help you win a financial reward of $1000 for the mental agony you have suffered.
• Let the attorneys negotiate for a settlement of valid debts or consolidation of debts so that you can get rid of them.

Are you looking for an unobjectionable Chapter 13 bankruptcy plan? If yes, then you have to give at least 21 days' notice to the creditors and at least 28 days' notice of the confirmation hearing in a Chapter 13 case.

According to Rule 2002; you have to follow these rules if you want to get a hassle-free Chapter 13 plan. So, plan yourself first and don't wait for the last date. Give the creditors an advanced notice for the date of the hearing and the deadline for filing an objection.

If it is possible for you, do not take capital gains in December or the current financial year. As per tax calculation laws, you have to pay tax on the amount received during the financial year and not the assessment year.

An additional income might push you into the higher bracket. You can receive the amount in January and pay tax in the next year. It might benefit you financially. But, keep in mind, you should apply this method only when you know you will be in the same or lower tax bracket next year. Otherwise, it can hit you with a higher tax bill next year.

Do you have a plan to moving abroad without paying off your credit card debt? If so, check out the SOL period of your debt first. If the SOL period has not expired, the creditors can sue you in the county where the debt originated. If you don’t pay your credit card debt and a lawsuit is served and filed before you move overseas, it would move forward in your absence. They can even try to impose the judgment in the country where you have relocated.

So, if you want to settle abroad and want to live happily, without any financial obligation. It's always better to consolidate your debts before moving.

FICO has introduced a new credit scoring system called Ultrafico in 2019. Earlier, people with bad credit or with no credit used to face difficulties in building their credit or getting a loan. But, the new UltraFICO score gives you the opportunity to raise up your credit score. This scoring method will analyze your saving and spending patterns and will generate a score accordingly. Let's check out the scoring system:

• For how long you're maintaining your bank accounts.
• Your habits of savings and keeping an average balance.
• Whether you had a negative balance in your account.
• Your regularity in paying bills and other banking transactions.

So, if you want a higher Ultracredit score, follow the above-mentioned points.

In the case of Chapter 13 Bankruptcy, until you complete your repayment plan, you can't receive a discharge. A Chapter 13 plan lasts for three to five years. But, during a bankruptcy process, if you face a problem that can stay for a lifetime and prevents you from paying off your plan, you can ask the court for a hardship discharge.

Remember one thing, if you want to qualify for a hardship discharge, you have to show the court that your problem is serious and permanent. Suppose you're facing a permanent medical problem after filing Chapter 13. A temporary financial crisis like losing the job and emergency financial crisis don't qualify for the discharge.

The new Federal Law prohibits debt collectors to stop contacting a person for not more than 7 times per week for medical debt. The Federal Law already prohibits collectors from making calls before 8 am and after 9 pm.

As per the new provision, there is also restriction imposed on emails and text messages. Consumers can opt out of contact through emails and text messages. The National Consumer Law Center is also proposing to limit such calls to a maximum of 3 per week since a person can accumulate medical debts from various places for a single medical event. So, if you are getting more than 7 calls a week, contact FDCPA now!

As per the law (The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act) that quietly came into effect on September 21, 2018, you can freeze and unfreeze access to your credit reports as many times you want absolutely free of cost. The credit freeze means no one can access your credit reports to open without a PIN that is given exclusively to you. Doing so, you can protect yourself from being a victim of identity theft.

If you want you can freeze the report of your children who are under 16. The process is very easy, you have to contact the credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) through phone or email to freeze the report. They will take action within a day. So, stop being a victim of identity theft.

A surprising law allows you to be sued for childhood medical debt. So pay off your childhood medical debt once you turn 18.

If you received care in your childhood and your parents either failed to pay the bill or couldn't pay, then creditors can come after you once you turn 18. As per the "Scott Law", even if the parents don't pay a bill then the minor is held responsible. The statute of limitations period starts from the day you turn 18 years old. If you fail to pay off debt and lose the lawsuit, then the court can issue a judgment against you. In that case, you may be liable to pay the judgment amount and the court fees too.

Try to pay off medical debt or settle it after you turn 18. If you're not comfortable, then you can hire a debt settlement company to settle your medical bills.

Do you feel you're being discriminated for your sexual orientation by your employer or potential employer? If so, you can take help of Federal law. According to the law, an employer can not discriminate the employees on the basis of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy.

You can file a case if you think you’re being discriminated, as you’re a lesbian or gay, in your workplace. You can get compensation of about $40,000 if you opt for out of court settlement. The law and compensation are more or less similar to that of gender discrimination law and compensation.

Are you being uninformed about the interest rate hike? Charging more late payment fees or other penalty fees? Know the law to protect yourself.

Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act is a federal law that fundamentally changed the credit card issuers' practices and consumers' rights. This law is for fair and transparent practices for credit cards and similar products.

If the law has been violated then file a complaint with the CFPB or FTC. They will take serious steps against the companies who are violating the law.

Are you confused about filing bankruptcy second time? Relax! You can file bankruptcy multiple times. You just need to check out the laws. Under Chapter 7 bankruptcy, you have to wait 8 years from the day a Chapter 7 bankruptcy was filed to file another one and receive a discharge and for Chapter 13, wait at least two years from the day your last Chapter 13 was filed before you can file and receive a discharge for another one.

If you’re filing under a different chapter the second time around, the rules are different. If your first filing was under Chapter 13, you've to wait at least 6 years from the date you filed your Chapter 13 and if your first case was a Chapter 7, you only have to wait four years before filing a Chapter 13. There are no limitations of filing bankruptcy several times but if you don't know the laws, the process may delay.

Hospitals have a tendency to hand over your unpaid medical bills to a third party debt collection agencies. And, the debt collectors take part in patient medical intake procedures. The debt collectors force the ill or injured person to extract money and, sometimes pressuring the patient to hand over a credit card or make a payment up front.

This is illegal and you have rights to file a lawsuit against such practices. FDCPA never allows such things but if the debt collector works in that hospital, then FDCPA law can't help you. FDCPA laws are only applicable to the third parties.

If you're a smoker and staying in New Jersey, then you have to avoid smoking on the beaches and public parks. New Jersey Gov. signed a "Smoked-Free Air Act" (SB-2534) that strictly bans smoking in the beaches and public parks. Violation of this rule will cost you $250 for the first time, a $500 fine for the second offense and $1000 for the future violations.

The "Smoked-Free Air Act" is already applicable to indoor public places and workplaces. The law didn't state who will enforce the law, rather the government believes that the enforcement of this law would come from the person "at the point of attack". So, it's better to avoid smoking in these places, it'll help you to save money and your health too.

It’s always better to consolidate your debts than filing for Chapter 13 bankruptcy when you’re self-employed. Bankruptcy is the easiest process to get rid of the debts. That’s why we want to opt for this opportunity. But, if you’re self-employed, the process will be difficult and expensive than a salaried person. But, if you think logically, you can save more by consolidating debts.

In debt consolidation, you can consolidate all of your debts into a single monthly payment plan. That would be a convenient option for you because this debt relief program won't make you incur additional expenses just because your income is not consistent every month. You just need to make a fixed payment every month. You'll be debt free once you complete the payment plan. Call 800-530-OVLG to know your option.

Timing is everything! It's always suggested to file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy in the month when you receive some extra income. For example, if you plan to file for Chapter 13 and you know you'll receive some extra money next month, then file Chapter 13 in the next month. Because this extra income won't be calculated as your income and you can save the money. Only the last 6 months income will be calculated and not the current month.

So, if you want to save the extra money, file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy only on that month when you receive the money.

Now you can avoid the costliest chapter 11 bankruptcy. The debt limitation for filing chapter 13 has increased.

Chapter 13 debt limits have changed. A filer can have a limited amount of debt in a Chapter 13 case. A filer whose debt exceeds these limits must use Chapter 11 for reorganization.

But, On April 1, 2019, the limits of $394,725 for unsecured debt and $1,184,200 for secured debt will increase to $419,275 for unsecured debt and $1,257,850 for secured debt. (11 U.S.C. 109(e)). So, you can now avoid filing the costly chapter 11 bankruptcy.

According to the new law, effective from April 1, 2019, the maximum amount a creditor recover on certain priority claims increase. Let's discuss the common priority claims.

These figures are effective from April 1, 2019, and should be maintained through March 31, 2022.

Are you trapped in payday loans? Is your payday lender charging you higher interest rates? Don't worry! Check your state's usury (unreasonable and excessive rates of interest) as the interest rate varies from state to state. If you find the payday lenders are charging higher interest rates, then lodge a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Payday loans are not legal in many states. If payday loans are legal in your state, then they have to follow the state laws. Every state has strict laws against payday loans. So, if you find yourself a victim of higher interest rates, don't hesitate to take legal action.

Have you lost your dear ones and the creditors are harassing you to pay off the deceased debt? Law is with you. As per the Credit Card Act of 2009, the creditors can't force you a speedy repayment. You'll get enough time to pay it off.

If you’re the executor of the estate, ask the credit card issuer to inform you about the total balance within 30 days of making a request. In the interim, the meter can't keep running, so no late fees or annual fees can be imposed when you’re settling debts. If you want to save money, try to pay off debts as soon as you get the intimation of the credit card balance. Creditors will charge additional interest rates once the 30-day period is over.

Are you being threatened by the debt collectors for sending you jail for your unpaid medical bills? Don't worry about it. Rather, you can sue the debt collectors for threatening and harassing you. According to the FDCPA law, no person can be sent to jail for failing to pay off any civil debt (Civil debt is any debt between t non-government entities or organizations). Medical debt comes under civil debt and no-one can threaten you for imprisonment. The most the collectors can do is to sue you to the court. You have to attend the court and follow the instructions carefully.

If you want to avoid the court, then try to settle your debts outside. The sooner you get rid of debts, the better for you because paid medical collection accounts won't make a negative impact on your FICO score.

Are you a veteran whose less than one-year-old medical debt has been reported? Don't worry! A new law will be affecting from May 24, 2019, will protect you from this kind of problem.

As per the Credit Reporting of Veterans’ Medical Debt; Public Law No. 115-174 § 302 amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide credit reporting protections to the veterans on their medical debts. These include debts owed to a non-VA medical provider for VA-authorized medical care where the provider sought payment from the VA, as well as medical debt for bills wrongfully charged by the VA. Protections include no reporting of these medical debts until the debt is over one year old and a new dispute process available for veterans.

Are you frustrated with the debt collection calls for your debt? Don't you want to pay back the debt collector? If so, then you can send a Cease and Desist (C&D) letter to the collection agency and get relief from the debt collectors. According to the FDCPA law, debt collectors can't contact you when you send a Cease and Desist letter to them. If they contact or harass you even after sending the letter, then you can sue them for abusive debt collection practices.

But what if you're getting collection calls from a creditor? Well, in that case, you should try to settle the debt. The FDCPA law is only applicable to the third-party debt collection agencies, not to the creditors.

Even when you're sending a Cease and Desist letter to a debt collection agency, try to contact the original creditor and let him know that you wish to work with him directly. You can negotiate a repayment plan with him or consult OVLG for knowing about the budgeting and bill payment options.

Settling or consolidating your debt is the best option for you if you want to survive the Federal Government Shutdown. As per the report, more than 800,000 federal government employees and contractors are either furloughed or haven't got their paychecks. The financial crisis is on the way. Pay off the bills or settle the bills as early as possible.

If you have credit card debts, then take care of it. The credit card companies won't wait till you receive your paycheck. The interest rate will accrue on the cards and late fees will be imposed on them. So you have only two options left. Either, you can settle your credit card debts or you can consolidate them into an affordable payment plan. If you have payday loans, settle them as soon as possible because the biggest winners from this government shutdown are the payday loan companies. They will levy high-interests if you can't pay off the loans.

Have you ever been threatened by the debt collectors for revealing your debts to your friends, colleagues or neighbors? If this happens, never get frightened. The FDCPA Law is with you. According to the law, debt collectors cannot disclose your existing debts to anyone other than the authorized persons. The debt collectors can contact the persons you know to get your phone number, your address or your workplace. But, they cannot disclose anything about the debts to any one of them. They can only inform to your spouse, parents or the attorney representing you.

If you find the debt collectors are violating the FDCPA law, you can complain to the FTC. You can get up to $1000 as compensation.

Are you planning for filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy? Are you worried whether you'll qualify for Chapter 13 due to the debt amount? Remember, in bankruptcy, there are no debt limits. You can file for any amount. But, for Chapter 13, your secured debt shouldn't exceed $1,184,200 and unsecured debt must be within the limit of $394,725.

The debt limits rule for Chapter 13 bankruptcy is mentioned under Section 109(e) of the Bankruptcy Code. And, the current debt limits adjust every 3 years. The current rule is effective from April 1, 2016, and will remain till March 31, 2019. The next debt limit will be adjusted on April 1, 2019. So, if you want to qualify for Chapter 13, then follow the bankruptcy rules.

Never forget to claim the temporary license plates from your car dealers while buying a new car or lease a car. According to the law in California, starting January 1, 2019, any new or leased car driven off a dealer's lot must have a temporary license. Otherwise, you have to pay a hefty fine. 35 other states already have this law and California is the new inclusion.

Previously, new or leased car holders can use a paper advertisement. The dealers submit the registration application to the DMV and they issue 2 license plates (one for the front and other for the back side). The car holders get 90 days for putting those plates on the car.

Have you ever been a victim of discrimination upon your national origin by your lenders? If so, then you can complain and get compensation up to $16,000. As per the Fair Housing Act, you can sue a lender if you think the Laws of Fair Housing Act are not followed, that is if they’ve imposed stringent underwriting standards when you shop for a loan to buy a home. Other than that, the lender is not allowed to discriminate you based on your religion, sex, race, color, disability, family status, etc.

If you find any violation of this law, make a complaint and you can get compensation up to $16,000.

Are you planning to file Chapter 13 bankruptcy when Chapter 7 case is pending? If yes, then the court will dismiss the Chapter 13 case since it violates the "Single Estate Rule". The court also believes that you cannot maintain simultaneous bankruptcy cases as you own only one estate for the purposes of trusteeship.

As per the bankruptcy rules, if you file simultaneous petitions, it becomes contrary to each other. And, your case will be dismissed. In such a situation, the court gives you 10 days to consult with a lawyer. After that, you'll get a chance to select which of the cases would be dismissed. If you can't decide yourself, then the court will dismiss the second case.

Have you got any settlement offer from the debt collectors for your time-barred debt before getting any legal notice? If so, then you can file a lawsuit against them. As per the FDCPA rule, debt collectors must send you a legal notice to collect the time-barred (a debt, that has crossed the SOL) first. They cannot force you without sending a legal notice. Otherwise, it will be considered as s false, deceptive, or misleading representation, or means of connection. So, if you face such thing, file a lawsuit against them and you can get up to $1,000 as compensation.

Don't get worried about the debt collector's calls. Check everything carefully and act accordingly. Because their mistakes can be your benefits.

Avoid listing the debts incurred from fraud in your bankruptcy petition. If you do so, you'll invite a problem in your life. The judge will interrogate you regarding the debts. And, if they find that you know something about the debts or your conduct is wrongful, they will decline your file.

As per the bankruptcy law, any debt for money, property, services, or credit obtained by fraud or the use of a false financial statement, cannot be discharged in any bankruptcy case. So, be careful before including the details in your bankruptcy file.

Sometimes, debt collectors use tricks to collect the debt that is already paid off. They know people get scared by the collection calls and agree to their terms without questioning anything. Don't be scared. If the debt is not yours or if you find that the debt has crossed the SOL, you can dispute the debt. According to the FDCPA Law, the collection agency must validate the debt by providing you the name of the creditor and the amount you owe. If you believe the information is incorrect, you can dispute the debts within 30 days. It's the job of the collection agency to prove that the debt belongs to you by providing accurate information.

Once you dispute the debt, the debt collectors can't call you or contact you by any means. So, don't get worried, handle the collection calls tactfully.

Can’t pay bankruptcy fee in installments? Well, in that case, you can pay the fee in installments. But this option is only available for only Chapter 11 bankruptcy (which is also known as reorganization bankruptcy), and the maximum number of allowed installments is 4. Make sure your last installment is not more than 120 days after submitting the bankruptcy petition. If you have a tremendous financial hardship and can’t pay off the fee, then you can ask for an extension till 180 days after filing bankruptcy.

Do you want to save money on electricity? One of the easiest ways is to set your water heater at 120 degrees. According to the report of Environmental Protection Agency, heater set at 140 degrees or higher can cost you up to $36 to $61 per year to keep water at a standby temperature. And, to bring fresh water at that temperature, it cost more than $400 every year. If you set your heater at 120 degrees, it can help you to save this money. It takes lesser to reach that temperature and holds the temperature for a longer period. Above all, it suits our body temperature.

If you want to save more money, then turn off the water heater while going out and use the gas heater for while needed. It can help you to save a big amount at the end of the day.

Have you defaulted on the mortgage and failed to modify it? Well, in that case, you can file Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

As per the law, you have to pay the full amount of mortgage arrears over a maximum period of 5 years in Chapter 13 bankruptcy. If the arrears are $120,000, you have to pay $2,000 per month on top of making the regular monthly payment. This can take a toll on your finances.

You may start assuming that you have no alternative other than losing your home. But you're wrong. You can file Chapter 11 bankruptcy where you can pay off $120,000 in 30 years without any additional interest. So your monthly payment will come down to $333 which is a lot more affordable.

If you file a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, make sure you seek authorization from the bankruptcy court to use a portion of the cash collateral. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use the cash collateral (11 U.S.C. § 363. Section 363) that includes securities, deposit accounts, cash equivalents along with cash, that the debtor has pledged as security to the lender.

Usually, you need to make an application to use the amount (often quite a big amount), within a few days of Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filing. The bankruptcy court may agree to the proposal within 30 days of the bankruptcy filing. So, don't panic if you're in a financial emergency. Apply to the court as soon as possible and you may get the approval.

If you have any plan for opting a new loan, then don't apply for a new credit card. New credit card will lower down the average credit age and the credit score as well. 15% of your credit score depends on the credit age. So, a new credit card will lower the average of all the accounts. Other than that, a new credit card invites an inquiry on your credit report. And, an inquiry means a business has checked the credit report for the approval of your application. Any inquiry cost 10% drop off your credit score and if there's any additional inquiry, it could cost a few more points.

So, it's better to avoid taking out a new credit card to make things easier for you.

Try to avoid racking up new debt during the 70 to 90 days before filing bankruptcy, otherwise, you will not be able to discharge debts through bankruptcy. As per the bankruptcy law, unless it was for necessities of life, such as food, clothing, and utilities), a debtor who filed bankruptcy is not allowed to take on a new debt.

If you use cash advances or credit cards to buy any luxury items within 70 to 90 days before filing bankruptcy, the creditors can object your discharge by arguing that you did it intentionally to avoid the payments. This is called "Presumptive fraud" and the court can reject your bankruptcy file. So, if you want a smooth process, prepare yourself first.

Take advantage of The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) if you find any billing errors like charges with wrong date or amount, for the goods or services that were not delivered, calculation errors, and for which you've requested an explanation. You have 60 days time since you receive the credit card bill to dispute a charge with the card issuer. Remember, the charge has to be more than $50 have been made within 100 miles of the card holder's mailing address to be eligible for the dispute.

The card issuer must acknowledge the receipt of the complaint within 30 days and they will get two billing circles for the investigation. During that time, the issuers are not allowed to collect the payment or charge an interest or report the credit bureaus as miss payment.

So, if you find the card issuer violating the FCBA Act, lodge a complaint against them in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.

Have you filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy and facing financial difficulties to make the payments? Talk to your attorney and inform him about your problems in making the payments. If your reasons are genuine like job loss, having a surgery or maternity leave then he can file a motion with the reasons for payment suspension. Remember, having a tight financial month cannot be a reason for suspending payments.

The creditors and the bankruptcy trustee can object to that motion. But, as per the Bankruptcy Law Network, if your attorney can convince the trustee that your reasons are genuine, you won't have any problem getting the motion approved.

Are you getting excessive calls, texts, and emails from the debt collectors? Do they call your employer or your colleagues for recovering your debts? This is illegal and you can take legal action against them. As per the new CFPB laws and regulations, debt collectors are not allowed to make more than six attempts to reach you in a week. These six attempts include everything like phone calls, texts, and emails. Strict rules also implemented against calling to the workplace.

So, don't allow the debt collectors in your life. If they are harassing, you can take legal action against them.

FDCPA Violations? Get help from OVLG! Call : 916-745-8104. We can help you fight against abusive debt collectors and to get $1000 for the damages and recover court costs.

Are you afraid of losing your recent job or getting a new job just because you have filed bankruptcy? Does your employer is asking you to resign as you have filed for bankruptcy? Don't be scared! As per the bankruptcy law, no employer - government or private can fire you for filing bankruptcy and can't change other terms or conditions of employment like reducing the salary, hold your promotion or take away the responsibilities.

1. As per the Bankruptcy Act, All federal, state, and local governmental units are prohibited from denying, revoking, suspending, or refusing to renew a license, permit, charter, franchise, or other similar grants solely because you filed for bankruptcy.

2. Private employers may not fire you or otherwise discriminate against you solely because you filed for bankruptcy.

So, if you're in financial crisis and want to file bankruptcy, just go for it. You don't need to think about your employment.

Do you think you have been discriminated for your old age at your work place? If so, you can seek help of OWBPA (Older Workers Benefit Protection Act). This acted enacted to protect the benefits of older workers. According to the law, few benefits like health insurance, disability and retirement benefits, pensions can't be can’t be discriminated for older people. But, if the older worker gets other benefits from the government or the employer, then the act can be waived off. The OWBPA act is little bit complex, you have to be aware of the law very well before competing.

So, never tolerate any discrepancy at your work place for your old age, take advantage of OWBPA and get the equal benefits.

Dishwasher helps us to save water and energy compare to hand washing dishes. And, if you use the 'air-dry' cycle instead of 'heat-dry' cycle, it can reduce the energy use 15% to 20%. You just have to select the air-dry mode after completing the load. If you don't have that option, then turn off the dishwasher once it finished washing. Keep the door open and the dishes will dry automatically without using any electricity. It can also help you to save 15% of the total dishwasher's energy use.

So, if you want to save on your electricity, follow the step. A simple trick can reduce electric consumption and helps you to save $100 a year.

Bankruptcy is a process to restructure your financial situation. But, it's a very complex process. There are lots of laws (both Federal & State laws) that you have to follow through out the journey. People have a tendency to hide their income increase from the bankruptcy court. Never involve in such practices. It can lead you to a hefty fine or imprisonment.

In case of bankruptcy, the court must have all of your accounting details of what you have, how much you earn and how much you owe. According to that information, the court will guide you a repayment plan. So, if your income increases, it's your responsibility to inform the court and the court will alter your debt repayments. Remember, if you coordinate with the court properly, you'll get a better result.

Do you have any plan to file for bankruptcy after moving to a new state? As per the law, you have to wait for at least 2 years or 730 days to be eligible for state's bankruptcy exemptions. Does it mean you can't file bankruptcy in these period? Yes, you can! In such situation, you have to take advantage of 180-Day Rule.

According to the rule, a person is eligible for getting the exemptions of the state he lived in for the greater part of 180 days period prior to the 730 day period preceding your bankruptcy. For example, if you're living in California for the last 638 days, you're not eligible to get the state bankruptcy exemptions as you haven't lived there for 730 days. But, 730 days before you filed for bankruptcy you lived in Texas, and for the 91 days before that you lived in Texas as well, then you would be eligible to use Texas state exemptions.

Are you worried about your high-interest credit card debt? Of course, it's a matter of concern. But, if you wish, you can get rid of this situation. You can negotiate with them for reducing your credit card interest. If you meet their requirements, they will reduce the interest rates.

If you have a good credit score and if you have been diligent about making all your payments on time, then you can lower your credit card interest rate. To do this you need to call up your credit card customer service number and remind the representative of your good credit history and your history of being a good customer (by regularly using your card and paying your bills on time). So, don't hesitate to ask for the favor to the benefits.

Are you worried about your pet's custody in the divorce? It's a real concern for all the Americans who are going to file divorce. But, if you're in Illinois, there's a good news for you. As per the new "Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act" (PA 100-0422), pets should be considered as an inseparable member of the family like children and they should not be treated as dividing assets. So, the court will decide whether the pet will get sole custody or joint custody.

This law will help many of us to solve our pet's custody in case of divorce. But, this law is not effective for the service animals because it's a property of an organization and it would be placed with the authorized person.

Are you in financial crisis? Do you have any plan to exceed your credit card limit to meet your financial needs? Never do so. Exceeding your credit limit means you're inviting problems in your life. First of all, the credit card issuer can charge you as much as $35 for crossing the credit limit. It can continue for the next three billing cycle if your card balance stays over the limit for each billing cycle.

Secondly, the interest rate will increase to the card's default or penalty rate. The interest rate can raise up to 30%. Other than this, your credit score can get a hit if you go beyond your credit limit. So, always try to stay within your credit limit to enjoy a stress free life.

Have you found any negative factors on your credit report for the medical debt that is less than 180 days old? If so, then ask the credit bureaus to remove that from your credit report since it's illegal. According to the law, the major credit bureaus- Experian, Equifax and TransUnion have to give a 180 gays grace period to the consumers to resolve their medical debt problems. If they fail to resolve the issue by the mentioned timeline, it'll start reflecting on their credit report.

The 6 months grace period is given to the consumers to make necessary payments or to resolve issues with the insurers. Once you pay the medical bills, check the listed account is removed from your report. But, if your account is 180 days old and unpaid, then it'll be added to your credit report. So, always check your credit report carefully and if you find anything wrong, report immediately.

Generally, people file for bankruptcy when they are broke, having no money for paying the creditors. In such a situation, can you afford to hire an attorney for filing your bankruptcy? If you're unable then don't worry, bankruptcy laws will give you the privilege to file your bankruptcy on your own.

Bankruptcy is a costly process. You'll be charged $335 for filing Chapter 7 and $310 for filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Along with that, if you hire an attorney, he can charge you $1450 to $5000 for Chapter 7 and up to $3000 for Chapter 13. You can save that attorney fees if you do some research. Consult a person who has already filed bankruptcy or search in the web to get all of your answers. Remember one thing, it's a very complex process. If you make any mistake, it can dismiss the file entirely. So, be cautious and mention all the details carefully in your file.

Have you filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy? If yes, then you have to be very careful before allocating any money from your household budget to any emergency fund. As per the bankruptcy law, you are not allowed practice such thing. It may dismiss your bankruptcy file.

In case of Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you have to maintain a no interruption pay for 60 months (5 Years) and hope that during this period you face no unexpected home or vehicle repairs or any other family emergencies. If you still face any unavoidable emergency, then contact your lawyer immediately and file a motion to suspend payments or request to reduce your plan payments.

So, be careful before taking any self decision in case of chapter 13 bankruptcy. Consult with your lawyer and perform accordingly to have a smooth way.

Have you received any inheritance within 180 days of filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy? If so, then it becomes the property of the bankruptcy estate. In such a scenario, you have to inform the court and trustee immediately about your additional property and amend forms according to the properties you inherit.

If you receive property like land or house, then amend Schedule A, and if you get money or personal property, then go for Schedule B. On the other hand, if you want to claim the real property or personal property as exempt, then you must amend Schedule C.

Another important factor is that if you delay the collection process by months or years to avoid the inclusion of the property in the bankruptcy estate, then you're making a huge mistake. Only the date when the decedent passed away matters and you're entitled to that property from that date.

Debt collectors often ask about your wage for settling your debts. Many people get convinced by their words and share the income information. But, you should always remember that they don't have any authority to know about your wage, and you're not bound to share that information. If you disclose your income to them, they will get a scope to charge a hefty amount.

If you have already shared you SSN number with the debt collectors, they can know about your bills and expenses easily. No other details are required to settle your debts. So, from next time, if any collector asks you about your income, just avoid them.

Back-to-school shopping season is back and its time for parents and kids to buy all the school supplies. Many parents and adults don't know that kids can get a big discount if they show their student identification card at the store. Sometimes, they don't even have to show the card. The kid's presence will do the work for them.

You can check at bestcollegesonline.com for the retail stores where you can get the discount. So, always take your kids and their student I.D. cards with you to give some rest to your pockets.

Did you face an accident and accumulate huge medical debt due to drunk driving? Or, did you hit anyone under the influence of alcohol and the person sent you a huge medical bill for his treatment. Do you think you can discharge these debts in bankruptcy? Sorry, your debt is not dischargeable.

According to the bankruptcy code U.S.C. §523(a)(9), Debts arising from death or personal injury caused by the debtor’s operation of a motor vehicle while intoxicated can be held non-dischargeable.

As per the law, "A discharge under section 727, 1141, 1228(a), 1228(b), or 1328(b) of this title does not discharge an individual debtor from any debt — . . . for death or personal injury caused by the debtor’s operation of a motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft if such operation was unlawful because the debtor was intoxicated from using alcohol, a drug, or another substance."

So, be careful and don't drive while you're drunk. It'll help your pocket as well as your health.

A bad check is what the bank never pays on. Writing a bad check is very risky and it can lead to huge bank fees. If you do this repeatedly, it can be a reason for imprisonment or legal troubles or you can lose the right to write any further checks, even, it can affect your credit.

So if you want to avoid such situations, keep an eye on your checking account. If you don't have enough balance in your account and you have already written a check, then talk to your bank to stop or hold the check. Put some money on the account and give a green signal to the bank to clear the check. You have to be extremely careful while writing a check to avoid any legal issue.

Scammers are everywhere and they use different and unique techniques to hack your passwords, social security number, credit card details or other personal information. One of the most common and effective ways is sending email attachments. Once you click on the attachment, the malware will automatically upload the malicious software onto your computer without your knowledge. And, if it's a spyware, then it can be more harmful for you. A spyware can track the keystrokes. So, once you type the passwords, credit card details, social security number or other personal details, it'll register your information. Now, it's unnecessary to explain what will they do with that information.

So, never open any attachment from an unknown source. Read the email body carefully and if it's important, then you'll get the details from the email body itself. Stay safe, stay wealthy.

Did you buy anything recently? Did you check the minimum warranty period? Earlier, we used to get a minimum 60 days warranty but the new law implemented in January 2018, helps people to get a warranty of minimum 90 days on any product or services.

According to the Federal Law, the consumer can demand a written warranty for the product over $15. So, if any company or retailers refuse to give you the product warranty, you can complain to the FDCPA to get legal help. Remember, this law is applicable to warranty based products only. So, don't overlook the warranty periods anymore and if you find anything wrong, make a complaint immediately.

Have you recently filed for bankruptcy? Do you have any plan to pay your attorney by using your cards? If so, then it will be the worst decision of your life. Paying the bankruptcy attorney with credit cards means your debts are not going to be discharged in bankruptcy. People file for bankruptcy when they are unable to pay their existing debts. This means you're not supposed to take any further debt. In such a situation, if you use your cards, you'll ruin the entire bankruptcy process by your own hands.

Along with that, if the judge finds that you are not even trying to repay the debts you made just before filing bankruptcy, then also you will lose the case. It comes under fraudulent activity and you can be fined for this. So, be careful and don't use your cards randomly while filing for bankruptcy.

Do you have any plan to file bankruptcy in the near future? Are you trying to save your home by transferring it to your relatives before filing bankruptcy? If you have such plans, then be careful. Transferring or hiding property in bankruptcy file is not at all a good idea. You have to disclose all of your assets, otherwise you won't be eligible to discharge your debts.

Hiding or transferring property beforehand will be considered as a fraudulent activity and you could be charged up to $500,000 or imprisonment up to five years or both. Along with that, you won't be able to discharge your debts. So, never think of hiding anything, the more transparent you stay, the more advantages you'll gain.

Are you a new parent? Not getting leaves for child care and child bonding? Take advantage of "Child Bonding Leave" for 12 weeks during a 12 months period. According to the New Parent Leave Act (effective from January 1, 2018), employers with 20+ employees must provide at least 12 weeks leaves to the employees.

To be eligible for this benefit, the employee must work for 12 months with the organization or give at least 1,250 hours of services during the 12 month period preceding their leaves. According to the law, "the employer is prohibited from interfering with, restraining or denying the exercise of or the attempt to exercise". So, don't worry anymore about the parental leaves, it's your right and no one can snatch it.

Have you registered your phone number (cell phone or landline) with the Do Not Call Registry? Are you still getting phone calls from the Dish Network? If so, the law is on your side. You can file a lawsuit against the Dish Network and get $1200.

Recently, a telemarketing lawsuit was filed against the Dish Network for the Telephone Consumer Protection Act violation. More than 18,066 telephone numbers received a call from the Dish Network between May 11, 2010, and August 1, 2011.

Check if your phone number is eligible for $1200 from.

You can submit a claim here.

Do you know one of the easiest tricks to save money on your refrigerator? Just clean the fridge top and keep it empty every time. If you place something on the fridge top, it reduces the ventilation system of your fridge. And, poor ventilation makes the fridge less energy efficient. Hence, it reflects on the cost of your electricity bill.

So, avoid placing items on the top of your fridge and keep it clean and tidy as much as possible. It not only helps you to reduce the electricity bill but also increases the longevity of your refrigerator.

Do you have any plan to go for a vacation in this summer? Are you looking a for a cheap airfare? If so, then set an airfare alert to grab the best deals. Every airline has a few cheap seats available but those seats get booked very fast. So, it's better to set an airfare alert.

Sign up for your favorite airlines and the deals will come to you directly via email. If you get your desired deal, book the ticket immediately because those seats are limited and get reserved fast.

Do you keep your freezer full everytime? If yes, then you're smarter than those who don't use the space properly. A full freezer runs better and consumes less energy. You can save a lot on your electricity bill.

Once we open the freezer, cold air escapes and warm air comes in. And when we close the door, the freezer has to start cooling things again. If we keep the freezer full, the chance of losing the cool air is less since the empty space is less. On the other hand, if you lose power, a full freezer helps to keep the food safe twice as long as compared to an empty freezer.

So, always try to keep your freezer full. Use water bottles or plastic bags full of water in the empty space to get the same effect.

Are you a college student? Do you purchase a lot through Amazon? If so, you can save big by getting an Amazon Student Account instead of a normal prime account. Go to "Prime Student sign-up" and submit the sign-up form. Click the verification link you get in your email to complete the sign up process. You just need to have a .edu e-mail address for verification. After the 6 months trial, Amazon will renew your membership at half of cost.

With this free student account, you'll be eligible to access unlimited movies and TV shows, hundred of playlists through Prime music and unlimited photo storage with Prime photos. You can also get Free two-days shipping on million of items. So, don't waste this opportunity, use your student identity and get lots of benefits on Amazon.

Do you want to get a discharge from all of your debts even if you don’t remember all of them? File a Chapter 7 No Asset Bankruptcy case and get a discharge from all of your debts, regardless of whether or not you listed them. However, the debt should have existed prior to the date you filed the bankruptcy case.

As per the bankruptcy law, if you fail to list your debts, it will impact you in Chapter 13 or Chapter 11 case, but not in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy case.

In the Ninth Circuit, in a “no asset” case (where no assets are liquidated and distributed by the Trustee), the failure to include a creditor and thereby provide the notice of, will have no effect on the dischargeability of the debts.

However, any of your creditors can reopen the case to litigate mentioning that they didn’t receive the bankruptcy notice and therefore, couldn’t file an objection within the required period.

Want to save some extra bucks by increasing the efficiency of your refrigerator? Just turn off the ice maker when not in use. Generally, automatic ice makers increase energy consumption by 14%-20%. So, the best way is to go back to the traditional ice tray system. Keep the ice cubes in the tray and switch off the ice maker. You can save a lot on your electricity bill. Moreover, it's also good for your health. If you don't change the water on regular basis, it can be full of bacteria.

Turning off the ice maker is not a rocket science. It's very easy and takes less than a minute. Check the user manual to know the system to switch it off. If you want, you can remove that permanently. So, don't delay, it can be a great money saving option to you.

Do you get excessive emails and mails from wireless providers, credit card companies or car insurance companies? If so, then you can use those unwanted mails and emails for earning some extra money.

There are lots of companies available on the internet that accept junk mails and emails in exchange of cash or Visa prepaid cards. You just need to sign up with your name, address, date of birth and monthly income to be registered in their panel list. You can earn up to $20 in every 4-6 weeks by selling your junk mails and emails. And, don't worry about your privacy, it's 100% secured.

So, don't recycle your mails or send them to the trash box. Use them wisely and start earning more.

Yes, it's true. You can turn your old cooking oil into cash. There are a few companies available that pay you for collecting your used cooking oil. They pay $1 per gallon for used oil and if you give a reference of a restaurant grease account, they will pay you another $25. These companies use the old cooking oil for making bio-diesel.

So, don't throw the old cooking oil anymore. Just do some research on the web and find a company that offers the same. In this way you can earn decent amount of cash & boost your savings.

Set security permissions and passwords on your smartphones so that a fraudster can’t accidentally rack up charges on your iTunes and other accounts. Give strong passwords so that no one can guess them easily. Users can make in-app purchases only after giving the exact password. Another way to stop fraudulent charges is to remove the credit card information from iTunes. Use a prepaid gift card for buying music, games, and other items.

Fraudsters can still hack your information and make in-app purchases. But their options are limited to what is available on your gift card. They can’t deplete your entire checking account.

Want to save $100 a year and keep your room warm for a longer time? Start using inflatable chimney balloon. The warm indoor air escapes through chimney from the downside of fireplaces. It can happen when the chimney flue is closed or not in use.

The easiest and cheapest way to solve this problem is to use inflatable chimney balloon. These are easily available at different departmental stores or online shopping portals. Get yours according to your chimney size.

Blow up the balloon and attach it to the chimney. It'll help to keep the room warm for a long time and will give some rest to your pockets.

Legal stuff is always costly. You have to bear the cost of court fees, attorney fees, and other related fees. But, in some cases, you can take help from the non-lawyer professionals. They perform the same legal tasks at a lower price.

If you need a business planning, consult with a management consultant, real estate brokers or appraisers who can help you with the valuation of properties. Similarly, accountants for financial proposal and insurance agents for insurance protection can help you out. Even the uncontested legal actions like divorce, guardianship and step-parent adoptions can be performed by non-lawyer professionals.

It's not necessary to consult with a lawyer for every legal issue. Understand the subject and its importance and then decide whether to visit a lawyer or a non-lawyer professional.

Are you raising a child with special needs? If so, then you can use the tax strategies other than Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit to give your wallet a relief. A special child needs little bit extra attention, a special diet of gluten-free, casein-free foods. These foods are costly and it's not easy to maintain on a regular basis.

IRS gives you the opportunity to use these foods as a deduction provided it is medically recommended. The additional cost of the foods over and above what would be paid for similar items are deductible. You just need to attach a letter from the doctor to your tax returns that match your claim.

Are you having excessive medical expenses? Don't worry, file it on your tax return. The IRS allows you to deduct medical costs on your taxes if they are more than 10% of your adjusted gross income.

The money you spend on preventative care, treatment, surgeries, dental and vision care can be deducted. It's also applicable for psychological or psychiatrist visits. Prescribed medications along with appliances like glasses, contacts, false teeth and hearing aid are there in the list.

You just need to file an itemized deduction instead of standard deduction to get the benefits. And, you have to prove that your itemized deduction is greater than the standard deduction.

Do you smoke in cars in presence of your children? If you have that habit, then change it immediately. A new law effected on January 30, 2018, implemented to protect children from passive smoking. Violating the law can result in a fine up to $100.

The Department of Health reported secondhand smoke is equally harmful to the children as they breathe thousands of chemicals just like the smokers. It increases the risk of cancer, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

The law is applicable to all the private vehicles that are enclosed wholly or partly. You can't smoke with the windows or sunroof open, not even with the air-conditioning on. So, think about your child and your pocket and stop smoking in cars.

Have you ever thought of earning some extra cash by selling your trash online? Yes, it's true, you can use your trashes like ink cartridge, wine bottles and corks, old magazines, plastic coke bottles etc. and sell them on different online portal to get some extra bucks.

Used link cartridges are sold in $1 or $2 per piece and the large copy toners can be sold for $20 or more. Similarly, a wine bottle can give you 50 cents and a cork around 10 cents. There are different sites available on web, you just need to do some research and compare the price. So, don't throw the trashes anymore, it's not good for the environment. Sell them and earn profits.

Are you a working parent? Do you have to depend on babysitters for your child care? Is your spouse unable to take care of himself or herself? If so, you're eligible for the child and dependent care credit. This will help you to get back a percentage of your money you spend on the child care and reduce the tax bill by a huge amount. To qualify for this benefit, you need to determine the following things:

• The age of the child has to be 12 years or less at end of the year.
• A person who can't take care of himself or herself and has lived in your home at least half of the year.
• You must a have a definite income from a job not like investments profits.
• You have to provide the name, address and Taxpayer Identification Number who takes care of your child or the dependent.

So don't delay if you think you're eligible for these benefits. Go for it and start saving a hefty amount on your taxes.

If you shop from the same supermarket or pharmacies or from the same retailers on regular basis, then join the store loyalty programs. These stores want to keep you as a loyal customer and for that reason, they have loyalty programs. You can get special deals and perks by joining this program.

Register with the program to get your loyalty card. Every time you purchase something, some points will be added to that card. On your next purchase, you can redeem those points and you can save up to 25%. So, don't waste your time if you want to save more on your shopping. Go for a loyalty card.

Water heaters manufactured in the last decade don’t need additional insulation. But the same thing can’t be said about old water heaters. Touch your old water heater. If it’s warm, then it needs additional insulation. Put a water heater blanket around it. This will keep the heat within the heater and make the water heater consume less energy. You can save $20 to $45 a year by doing this.

The wrap makes it very difficult to know if the water heater has any leakage or any corrosion. This is why old water heaters fail. So check your water heater minutely before wrapping an old blanket around it. Check out the several ways to insulate your old water.

Car air filter gets clogged with dust after a few thousand miles and when it gets clogged with dust, the airflow under the hood slows down, As a result, the automobile becomes less fuel efficient. It can reduce your gas mileage up to 7%. It means if you get a normal mileage of 20 miles per gallon(MPG), it will reduce to 18.6 MPG. In a year, it can bill you an extra $100 on gas price.

So, if you want to save that extra bucks, clean your air filter on a regular interval. You can do it yourself and it's a matter of five minutes. Just open your car's hood, pull out the filter and use a vacuum cleaner to clean it. Wipe out the dust from the air filter chamber with a rag or paper towel and place the air filter properly. Now, you're ready to save on gas.

A snow-covered car roof can cost you between $75 and $500 in New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts. So even if you don't like it, remove snow from your car roof in winter. If the ice breaks from your moving car and injures a property in Connecticut, then you have to pay a fine between $200 and $1250.

Don’t leave your car door open after parking it on the roadside in Oregon. You could be slapped with a penalty of $90 ticket for this offense, and a higher car insurance premium. It’s illegal to leave your car door open in Oregon and dawdle.

It's a very effective way to save on water and water bills. Take a plastic bottle, put some sands or pebbles or stones, and fill it with water. Then, place it in your toilet water tank. Less water will be required to fill up the tank and each time, you can save at least 1 to 2 gallons. Now, calculate how much money you can save in a year? It's not less than $100.

Just keep in mind two simple things. First, you have to select the size of your bottle according to your water tank and secondly, place the bottle in such a way that it never touches the working parts of the toilet. So, try it and start saving water and your wallet.

Are you planning for getting a divorce? The first thing you should do is close your joint credit cards to avoid any future debt problems. Creditors don't care about your separation. If you have joint accounts, you are legally responsible to pay off the debts. It's not easy to close or remove another person if you owe some money in your joint accounts. In that scenario, request your bank to freeze the card to avoid any new charges.

So, it's better to clear up your debts, shut down old joint accounts and check your credit report (to make sure your partner is not listed on any of your cards) before drawing up your divorce papers. Because, if your old partner files for bankruptcy, creditors will come after you for payments.

So, if you want mental peace after divorce, plan your finances first.

Are you a self-employed person? Be careful and never mix your personal and business assets. Most self-employed people have a tendency to put their business earnings into their personal savings account. This is not right and it has few negative impacts for future perspectives, such as:

• If you file for bankruptcy, you can lose both of your business and personal assets.
• You can't claim certain tax deductions for not using proper accounts.

So, it's better to avoid mixing the accounts and create a payment schedule to pay yourself accordingly. This will not only help you with legal and tax issues but it'll also help you to find out the growth of your business.

Know the minimum speed limit of the left lane on the road. A law implemented in a few states where you can be penalized up to $500 for driving slow or for blocking at least one car. The law is called "slowpoke". The aim of the law is to keep the slow drivers away from the left lane.

Indiana, Georgia, Florida and New Jersey have already implemented that law and the result of issuing tickets are increasing day by day. So, while driving in left lane of these states, maintain your speed or else, be ready to get the ticket.

Source: Speed Up, Slowpoke, or Get a Ticket

Have you ever shopped by the clearance section of a store? It's one of the ways to get the best deals. It's not right that the clearance items are old or expired products. In most cases, when a company changes its label, the old label products are removed to the clearance section. You can get 15% to 70% off by shopping from that section, and in some cases, the discount goes up to 90%.

So from now, when you go for shopping, have a look at the clearance section. You might have to search a bit but you can get your desired item for a less price.

With the help of color printer, scanners and copiers, it has become easier to replicate any documents. But. you should never replicate any US or Foreign currency. It is illegal and you can face up to 15 years imprisonment with a hefty fine, even, the authorities can seize the instruments used for making the bills.

If you want to copy the US currency for fun or decoration, keep in mind that it has to be at least 50% larger or 25% smaller of it's actual size. If you want a color print, then do it one side. So, be careful while copying it.

Do not call your insurance company's hot-line/toll-free number unless there's some emergency. Many insurance companies have a tendency to count an inquiry over a phone as a claim. As a result, they try to do everything to refuse the renew of the policy or even drop the policy, as there’s a possibility to make a claim in the future.

So, try to avoid calling to the company. Rather call your insurance agent. If you don't have an agent, then check your policy documents carefully for your queries. If you still have to call them, then make sure you mention that the call is for general inquiry and not to make any claim. Usually, the calls are recorded and it can help you to stay safe from false claims.

Most people ignore but this is one of the easiest ways to save big on airfare. You might have experienced that the more you search, the higher the price goes. This is because the websites track your searches and increase the price range accordingly.

So, if you want to travel with cheaper airfare, always use SaferVPN to get a new anonymous IP address, and don't forget to clear your Cookies every-time you search. You can also try local version of the same website to get local concession on the airfare. Follow the tip and start saving today.

Do you spend most of your time watching television? If yes, then you can make this habit as a source of earning. You just have to concentrate more while watching different shows and ads. Identify the interesting and unique clips that can be used in other programs like daily shows or news, and send them to the respective authorities. You can earn about $8/hour and some channels even offer $600 per week.

Search on the web for those who are looking for "Professional TV Watcher" and register with them. You'll get all the required details from there. So, don't wait anymore, become a pro TV watcher and start earning.

No matter how much busy you’re, don’t apply makeup while driving. If you do, then you have to pay $159 or more for distracted driving. It is considered as moving violation under their driving while distracted law. The typical distractions include watching a video, eating, drinking, grooming, using a cell phone, texting, reading, listening to a cd player, etc. Don't apply makeup even when you’re waiting in traffic lights or sitting in traffic jam. It’s also a violation of the law.

Moving violations can cost you a lot annually since they would increase your insurance rates. So it’s better you apply makeup when you’re at home or office.

Do you travel frequently? If so, then you must be using public Wi-Fi a lot. Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) since it would help you avoid identity-theft. A VPN makes an encrypted connection between its provider's network and your device. You can access the Internet but can keep your exchanges private when using Wi-Fi. Usually, you have to pay an amount for using a VPN. Few VPNs are more secure to use than others, so try to shop around. Read all the reviews and then opt for the best one.

Love to shop online or bank online? If so, check the sign-in page carefully. If it has [https://], its good. The website is secure. But is it enough? No.

Check if the other pages also have [https://]. Only then you should shop online or do the monitory transaction.

It's advisable to check the authenticity of any website before doing any financial transaction. You would never like any spammer to play with your personal information. It's a financial suicide.

Don’t park your car within 15 feet of a fire hydrant since it is illegal. You have to pay a fine of $115 for breaking this law. You can keep your car alongside a fire hydrant between sunrise and sunset. But the catch is the licensed operator has to remain behind the wheel and move the car if required to do so. Remember, you’re not allowed to keep your car within 15 feet of a fire hydrant at night. In California, you have to pay a fine of $80.

Shoplifting is a punishable offense. It is regarded as a petty theft if the value of the merchandise stolen is below $500. In Massachusetts, you have to pay a penalty between $100 and $250 for shoplifting a merchandise valued at less than $100. Don't remove any item from its packaging or conceal it amongst other merchandise while in departmental stores, supermarket since this is also regarded as shoplifting. You can be fined up to $500 and sent to jail for 1 year.

Do you have a pet in your house? Do you love your pet a lot? Even if you do, please don't carry the animal on your lap when you’re driving. You’re at high risk of getting ticketed under distracted driving laws. You can be imposed a heavy fine.

In New Jersey, you can slapped with a fine between $250 and $1000 for improperly transporting an animal. So, next time when you take your pet in your car be extra cautious and save a big amount.

Do you know if you are suffering from migraines, arthritis, etc., you can avail free treatment and save big on your medical expenses? People suffering from these types of diseases are eligible for clinical studies which not only provide free treatment but also pay you money. You will be part of studies that will help medical professionals in their higher studies. For this, you just need to have a valid phone number and look for a study doctor in different sites, complete the study required to check your eligibility. If you are eligible you will save big.

You can get up to $1000 if you’re suffering from osteoarthritis and $750 when you’re experiencing cluster headaches.

Source: clinical trial

Clear your browser cache before you Google for airfare. Your browser cache and history give an idea to airline companies about when you’re searching for airfare and they increase it accordingly. So clear cache and cookies to save up to $50 per ticket next time you play.

Medical billing advocates provide various kinds of services to you. They do the paperwork tracking, research on the treatment options, and negotiate for a lower interest. They charge a fee for their services, but you’ll save a lot of money on the hospital bill. So in the end, you’ll save a lot of money.

Do you want to save 10% on the annual cost of the groceries? If so, then price match competitor’s flyers at the Walmart, Real Canadian SuperStore, and other grocery stores. This tip can help to save $150 per year on the grocery bill for the family of 4. Watch out for the grocery store that price matches competitor’s flyers. Talk to the manager at your favorite grocery store and find out if they price match competitor’s prices.

Call your electricity provider to find out how they charge you. Some electricity companies have different rates for the peak and off-peak hours. The off-peak hours usually start from 10pm to 10am everyday. The cost of electricity and usage are very low in the off-peak period. Try to use electricity in this period to save money.

Have you been told that your children can’t attend school without vaccination? Well, this is not true since you can get vaccine exemptions in 50 states. The U.S government pays a lot of money for vaccine injuries and deaths every year. So, mandatory vaccination is not there.

Visit National Vaccine Information Center’s website to know about vaccine exemption laws in your state. However, it’s compulsory to get the vaccination of some harmful diseases.

Forceful vaccination and unnecessary financial burden aren’t there on you anymore.

Retailers are coming up with pop-up stores to give more shopping options to consumers in the seasonal events. This is their latest marketing strategy to test locations and promote brands simultaneously. You can get back-to-school supplies from these temporary shops at a cheap rate. You can find these pop-up stores near school campus and super malls.

You can easily get clothes, notebooks and bed sheets from these pop-up stores, and save up to 40%. The retailers also save up to 80% by selling goodies through a pop-up store instead of a traditional retail store.

Don't leave your kids (below 14 years) at home or in a car alone since this is a punishable offense in USA. It is also not legal to leave a kid at home alone (aged under 13) to attend a younger child. If you violate these laws, Child Protective Services (CPS) may take legal action against you.

In Illinois, child abandonment is a Class 4 felony. You can be imprisoned for 1 to 3 years. You can’t leave kids (below 7 years) unattended for any period. You can leave kids alone (between 8 years and 10 years) only during day and evening hours for more than 90 minutes. You can also leave kids (between 11 years and 12 years) alone for 3 hours but not late at night.

Source - When Is Leaving a Child at Home Alone Illegal?

Worried about the upcoming back to school shopping for your kids? Don’t be stressed. Wait for the tax free weekend in August. You can save approx 6%-9% (depending on your state's tax rate) by shopping in these days.

1. Florida, Ohio, Missouri, Louisiana, Virginia, Iowa - August 4 - August 6
2. Texas - August 11 - August 13
3. Connecticut - August 20 - 26
4. Maryland - August 13 - August 19

Are you planning to convert your garage into a living room? Be aware! It’s illegal. You may have to pay a penalty of $1000 for violating the law.

Have you recently turned your garage into a living room or an office or a studio or a playhouse without permission? If so, then you have broken the law. You’ll be heavily penalized. The homeowner association can ask you to restore the garage to its original condition.

Don't buy a home if you find that garage has been converted into a bedroom. You’ll face problem when the mortgage lender sends an appraiser to inspect the property.

Source - It is illegal to convert garage into a living room

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.