Category: Lifestyle

When you hear the phrase “Financial Advice”, you would generally associate it with working adults. However, it doesn’t always have to apply to grown-ups. Children can get financial advice and can quite easily benefit from it as well.

As long as your child is living under your roof, you can teach them to be successful by allowing them to create wealth on their own. In most cultures, kids are expected to leave the house as soon as they turn 18, 21, or 25 years old. This tradition usually sets the children up to fail because they have no experience and don’t know much about responsibilities.

When you allow your child to stay under your roof and implement your financial advice, you are putting them in a position to create wealth easily. And one of the best and simplest pieces of advice you can give your child is to SAVE MORE THAN THEY SPEND. Sounds simple, right? That’s because it is but it is also outstandingly effective.

Think of it like this.

If your child has their first serious job and is earning $2,000 a month and they only spend $800, they have a surplus of $1,200 which is carried forward to the next month. At the end of the year, they would have earned $24,000 and saved $14,400 on that. If that isn’t incentive enough to follow this advice, I don’t know what is. When you teach your child to save more than they spend, they will never go broke because they are constantly creating an additional month to live with every paycheck.

When your child learns how to save more than they spend on a routine basis, they learn how to budget their lives based on their expenditure. If they don’t get this advice early on, and then go out into the real world, they don’t know how to budget their lives efficiently. Even as adults, when we leave the comfort of our parent’s homes, we can’t save enough because we aren’t making enough. If we apply this principle to our adult lives as well, we can save a lot more by simply spending 49% or less every month. Whether it’s a new car or a house, by spending less, we can ultimately save more.

The financial advice you give your children today will set them up for success quicker than they can find it on their own. And once they are familiar with saving more than they spend, and they learn about investing, they will be in a far more stable place to make the right choices and have their money working for them. So, give your child sound financial advice and get them to SAVE MORE THAN THEY SPEND.

Just in the United States, debit cards accounted for over $1.15 trillion in purchases in 2011. It is predicted that over 65% of all purchases will be made with debit cards by the year 2013.

Debit cards are here to stay. But just how safe is your debit card? Is it as safe as using your credit card?

Debit Card Loss and Fraud

Banks might not be quite as forgiving on your debit card (compared to a credit card) if your number or physical card is lost or stolen. Also, keep in mind that the money is taken out of your account instantly in most cases, so your loss is immediate. When a credit card is involved, the credit card company has lost money, at least until you pay the bill.

1. 1. 1. If your card has not been lost or stolen, but you have unauthorized charges or purchases, you have 60 days from receiving your statement to dispute the charges and get your money back.
         
         
      2. If you lose your card or it is stolen, you have 2 days to report it as lost or stolen. If you do this, your loss is limited to $50. If you fail to act, you could be on the hook for $500. If you wait too long, all the loss could be yours alone.
         
         
      3. Keep in mind that most banks are willing to do better than the above rules. However, banks have the option of setting more stringent rules than the ones above. Be sure to read the fine print before you open an account and get your debit card.

Use these strategies to keep your card and money safe:

1. 1. 1. Review your account regularly. If you still get a paper statement, just looking at that once a month isn’t good enough. Get online and review all your purchases at least once a week. Investigate everything that doesn’t look like it belongs to you.
         
         
      2. Keep your pin number to yourself. No one else needs to know your pin number. The fewer people that know, the better. Be careful about who is watching when you use your pin number. Gas stations are notorious locations for pin numbers being stolen. Remember that you always have the option of using your debit card in credit card mode.
         
         
      3. Be careful with online purchases. It’s a lot easier to run a scam and remain anonymous online. Some security experts recommend only using credit cards for online purchases. At the very least, ensure it’s a secure transaction. Always look for the security symbol when buying online.
         
         
      4. Stick to the ATMs at a bank. Those independent ATMs you see all over the place are far more likely to be used by criminals to skim cards and numbers. Stick to the banks.
         
         
      5. Beware of public wireless access. The wireless connection in a public place is never a safe place for taking care of financial transactions. Avoid making any purchases or logging on to any bank, credit card, or other financial accounts. Assume someone can see and record everything you’re doing.
         
         
      6. Watch the security questions. Lots of people know your dog’s name, your mother’s maiden name, or your first car. Use your favorite car for your mother’s maiden name or your friend’s dog’s name for your first car. Your answers have to be consistent, not truthful.

Debit cards have become very popular and will only continue to become more popular in the near future. Be careful how you use yours and where you choose to use it. The liability is quite small, provided you catch the issue quickly. Be smart with your debit card, and it will serve you well.

While it’s possible to navigate the world without good credit, it’s both inconvenient and costly. Poor credit can prevent the purchase of a home, car, or the ability to get a credit card. Even if those things could still be accomplished, it’s far more expensive when your credit is poor. Poor credit can even limit your employment opportunities.

Poor credit can either be self-induced or due to identity theft. Electronic storage of personal information has potentially made it easier for criminals to access personal information.

Use these strategies to protect your credit and financial future:

1. 1. 1. Review your credits reports annually. At least once a year, look over your credit reports and deal with any errors. Twice a year would be even better.
         
         
      2. Ensure your online accounts are secure. Use sophisticated passwords and only log on to your personal accounts in a secure location. Public internet access points are not secure.
         
         
      3. Secure your smart phone, tablet, laptop, and other devices. The auto-lock function is annoying to deal with, but provides a good layer of protection. Keep your anti-virus software up to date.
         
         
      4. Use a paper shredder. Picking through the trash is perhaps the most common method of gathering information. Shred documents that contain personal information.
         
         
      5. Be careful shopping online. Stick to websites you know are reputable and ensure the website uses the necessary encryption measures to protect your information. If the website address begins with ‘https’ and has a padlock symbol, you should be okay.
         
         
      6. Be smart. Only provide personal or financial information to those you have to.

Take action to protect your credit and financial future. The ramifications for having a low credit score can be serious.

Anyone with credit card debt knows just how challenging it can be. Interest rates are averaging 13 to 16 percent, and it’s not easy to get ahead once you have this type of debt.

If you have debts with high interest rates, make paying these a priority. It will bring you a lot of relief to pay them off as soon as possible and be rid of them.

Imagine how much better you’ll feel when it’s gone. Imagine how much better your finances will look without this debt. Plus, all the money that you’re applying to these debts will be available for other purposes when the debt is retired.

These steps will help you eliminate your credit card debt:

1. 1. 1. Track your spending to the penny for at least a couple of months. When you’re faced with a buying decision, ask yourself if you really need this item. Can you live without it? You’re guaranteed to find at least one thing that surprises you if you truly track all of your spending.
         
         
      2. Reduce your spending. After all of that tracking, you can probably see where you’re spending more than necessary. Trim back and use the extra funds for your debt. Know that you’ll eventually end up with a lot more money in your pocket when this debt is gone.
         
         
      3. Consider earning some extra income. Are you overdue for a raise at work? Ask for it. A little overtime or a second job can make a huge difference in knocking down that credit card debt. Try to find something that you will enjoy doing.
         
         
      4. Take a look at other credit cards. Many cards offer interest free account transfers. Keep in mind that these transfers are frequently only interest-free if you are on time with all of your payments. One mistake can result in interest being charged on the full balance, even the amount you might have managed to pay down.
         • • A card with a lower interest rate is probably out there. A few percent can be significant with a large balance or over a period of time.
             
             
      5. Don’t be afraid to negotiate. You might be able to get your interest rate lowered with a simple phone call. Your creditor would rather get some interest from you instead of getting nothing. Asking for a better rate costs you nothing.
         
         
      6. Build a snowball. List all your credit card debt from highest interest rate to lowest. Pay the minimums on all the cards except the card with the highest interest rate. Put everything else you can afford toward the highest one. When that one is paid off, repeat the process and focus the highest interest rate card from those that remain.
         • • Another version of the snowball is psychologically easier, but is not as efficient. This time, list all the credit cards from lowest balance to highest. Then follow the same procedure, focusing on the debt with the lowest balance.
           • This version is more exciting because you’ll pay off a card quicker. However, it’s also more expensive since you’ll be paying more interest.
           • The most important thing is to start decreasing that debt. Choosing a process is more important than choosing the best process. Just get moving forward as soon as possible.
             
             
      7. Avoid adding to your debt. While you’re really working at paying off these cards, stop using them. Similarly, don’t start using them again after the debt is eliminated.

These simple steps are all anyone really needs to get rid of credit card debt once and for all. While it takes time, the newfound freedom is more than worth it. When it’s over, you’ll have all that extra money in your pocket to enjoy as you wish.

Productivity is important because it relates to income and time. The more productive you are, the more money you can earn in many situations. You can also save time. That time can be spent on anything you like, including making more money.

There are many obstacles to productivity, such as a lack of focus, a lack of intention, a lack of stamina, and too many distractions, to name a few.

Hack your brain and increase your productivity with these strategies:

1. 1. 1. Set an intention. Most people can’t focus because they’re not truly clear on what they want to focus on or for how long. Give yourself a fighting chance by choosing a specific task for a specific amount of time.
         • • For example, you might decide you’re going to work on your tax return for 30 minutes. Set a timer and do your best for those 30 minutes.
           • Your brain will do its best to give you what you want if you give it clear instructions.
             
             
      2. Meditate. Meditation helps to build focus and calm your mind. Meditation is incredibly popular right now, so there is plenty of free information on how to meditate effectively. Educate yourself and get started. It’s simple and effective.
         
         
      3. Take regular breaks. Experiment with break frequency and duration. The best option for most people is either 25 minutes of work and a five-minute break, or 50 minutes of work and a 10-minute break. Discover what works best for you and then stick with it. Timers can be powerful tools.
         
         
      4. Avoid giving in to temptation. Most of us give in to the temptation of distraction far too easily. It’s a very difficult habit to break. We quickly go from feeling bored or stressed to amused. It feels good to check email or read a text.
         • • The most productive people are able to overcome the urge to break their attention from their work task.
           • It’s important to avoid these distractions during your breaks, too. It’s too hard to get back on task, and your breaktime magically extends from five minutes to 25. Learn how to say “no” to your urges.
             
             
      5. Alternate high and low-focus tasks. Many people report greater productivity when they alternate between cognitively intense activities and those that require less intellectual effort. It’s similar to interval training in the gym.
         • • Lower-level activities might include returning calls and emails, or other routine work. The lower-level activities give your brain a rest and the chance to recover. Soon, it’s ready for another round of more intense activity.
             
             
      6. Drink plenty of water. Most people are partially dehydrated. The solution is to drink plenty of water. That doesn’t mean you have to be chugging 20 ounces of water every hour. But, a 20-ounce bottle of water every few hours would be beneficial to most.
         • • So many metabolic processes require water that you’re not at your best if you’re dehydrated.
             
             
      7. Develop a positive mindset. A positive outlook on life makes you more productive. Studies show that mindset affects productivity. Work on having a positive outlook and you’ll accomplish more each day. You’ll also be a lot happier.

Productivity should be important to everyone. Time is your most valuable asset, so do what you can to maximize it. We can all be more productive, but it doesn’t happen by magic. It must be a priority if you want to see real results. Dedicate yourself to maximizing your productivity.

Give your brain every chance to be your ally on this important journey.

The history of prepaid debit cards has been spotty. There were many celebrity-endorsed cards that charged high fees. However, there are several benefits provided by prepaid debit cards, and their popularity has never been greater. Consider that their use has grown from less than $1 billion in 2003 to $100 billion in 2014. The use of these cards is expected to grow even further.

Many younger consumers lack the credit history and credit score to qualify for a credit card. Other consumers enjoy the unique benefits provided by these interesting cards.

Consider these benefits of pre-paid debit cards:

1. 1. 1. It’s an effective tool to control your spending. You might be able to overdraft your checking account numerous times each month, but most pre-paid debit cards will stop you once your balance runs dry. When the money is gone, it’s gone. Knowing that you have a hard stop will keep your focus on your balance and spending.
         
         
      2. Overdraft fees are non-existent. You can save yourself a lot of money by avoiding overdraft fees. Even a $1 overdraft can turn into a $45 fee. There’s no reason to worry about racking up overdraft fees with your prepaid debit card.
         
         
      3. There are no credit checks. Do you have bad credit? No problem. Since you can’t owe the debit card company any money, no one cares if your credit score has seen better days. You’re spending your own money, and the debit card company takes its fees out at the beginning.
         • • They’ve already made their money from you when you purchase or reload the card.
             
             
      4. Your credit isn’t affected. This can be very important in certain situations. If you need to make a large purchase before applying for a loan, using a credit card could significantly affect your credit score.
         • • A large purchase on a prepaid debit card won’t show up on your credit report and has no effect on your credit score.
           • Using a credit card for a large purchase, like an appliance, could result in the rejection of a loan application.
             
             
      5. You have more privacy, to a point. It’s possible to purchase a prepaid debit card up to $250 and use it without identifying yourself. However, you’ll have to provide your identity when you reload the card.
         
         
      6. You’re able to make ATM withdrawals. You’ll pay a fee, but you’re able to access the funds in your account at most ATMs. This is helpful if a store doesn’t accept credit cards.
         
         
      7. You receive many of the same protections available to credit card holders. Prepaid debit cards receive the same protections as a credit card on the same branded network. Therefore, your Visa prepaid debit card is just as safe as regular Visa credit card.
         
         
      8. Direct deposit is an option. It’s possible to have part of your paycheck directly deposited to your prepaid debit card. Consider using this feature to pay for all of your groceries, gas, clothing, and entertainment each month. You’ll be more careful with your spending, and the money will be available each month without any work on your part.

The primary disadvantage of these cards is the fees. Spend some time shopping for the best deal, and this disadvantage is minimal.

Prepaid debit cards have many advantages, but aren’t a solution to every circumstance. Prepaid debit cards do have a few unique benefits that aren’t found in other payment options. If you’re looking for a unique way to control your spending, or your credit score is less than great, a prepaid debit card can be an effective option.

Social Security benefits could become a main source of income once you retire. It is important to understand how these benefits work, figure out the best time to file, and know how much you’ll receive on a monthly basis.

Who qualifies for Social Security benefits?

Qualification is based on a credit system. You need to earn a total of 40 credits during your life. You can earn up to 4 credits a year and one credit is awarded every time you meet a certain earning requirement. This amount varies from one year to the next. You will become eligible for Social Security benefits if you met earning requirements for a total of 10 years.

How are benefits calculated?

Only the 35 years during which you earned the most are considered. An average is then calculated to figure out what a typical income was during these 35 years. An index is used to adjust this income to account for inflation.

If you wait until full retirement age to file for benefits, you’ll receive the full amount of your benefits based on these 35 years.

What is full retirement age?

Your full retirement age depends on your birth date. For those born from 1943 to 1954, the full retirement age is 66. The full retirement age creeps upward until those born in 1960 or later can receive full benefits at age 67.

It’s important to note your full retirement age, since waiting only a couple of months before you file for benefits could make a difference in how much you receive.

Can you get benefits before you reach full retirement age?

You can start collecting your Social Security benefits once you reach the age of 62, but you will only get a portion of what your benefits would be if you waited until you reached age 66 or 67.

If you decide to file early, your payments from Social Security are reduced a bit for each year before your full retirement age.

Can you delay receiving benefits?

You can choose when you start receiving Social Security benefits. Your benefits will continue to increase past your full retirement age if you do not file right away. They will increase by 8% for each year that you wait.

How can you file for Social Security benefits?

All you have to do is visit the official Social Security website at ssa.gov and create an account. The filing process is pretty straightforward, but it is recommended to start the application process at least three months in advance.

You’ll probably have to upload some documents such as your tax returns, marriage certificate, and birth certificate. Preparing all these documents in advance will definitely speed up the approval process.

Can you find out how much your benefits will be in advance?

You can create an account on ssa.gov even if you don’t plan on applying for benefits at the moment. This will give you access to helpful information such as the amount of your benefits.

In the end, the benefits you’ll receive depend on how much money you earned during your life, when you file for benefits, and how long you live.

For an average life expectancy, you’ll end up receiving about the same total benefits regardless of when you file. You can receive less money for a longer period of time, or more money for a shorter period of time. You get to decide which works best for you.

Too many people have too much free time right now. Considering how many people regularly complain about not having enough free time, you wouldn’t think that it’s possible to have too much. However, many of us find that a life without time limits is more challenging than we ever thought it could be.

Free time is most enjoyable when it’s consumed in finite quantities, much like fudge.

But an excess of free time is actually a great opportunity!

Discover what you can do with that time:

1. 1. 1. Appreciate it. It’s a blessing to have a lot of free time. Remind yourself of all those times you’ve wished for more free time. You might have unlimited free time right now. Appreciate it and be determined to make the most of it. You can accomplish a lot right now if you take full advantage of the situation.
         
         
      2. Realize that it won’t last. Understanding that this period won’t last forever might be a relief. It’s also a wakeup call to get busy and use this unusual situation to the best of your ability.
         
         
      3. Ask yourself how the time could best be spent. Literally ask yourself, “What is the best way for me to use all of this free time?” Ask yourself that question periodically throughout the day and take note of your answers.
         
         
      4. Indulge your interests. Now is the time to explore and do those things you’ve always wanted to do. Learn to ride a motorcycle or play the piano. Write a novel. Put a pool in your backyard. Learn about the birds in your part of the world. Learn woodworking. Grow some roses.
         
         
      5. Focus on self-care. Having too much time on your hands makes it easy to become lazy. Why take a shower if you’re not going anywhere for several days? However, it’s important to stay on top of your self-care. This means getting enough sleep, bathing, exercising, eating properly, and being kind to yourself.
         
         
      6. Do that thing that you always put off. Everyone has that thing they never seem to get around to doing. Maybe the house needs new gutters. Or the attic needs to be cleaned out. Or maybe you’ve sworn for years that you were going to train for a marathon. Now is your opportunity!
         
         
      7. Make a plan each day. Decide what you want to accomplish today and stick to your schedule. Give yourself a few hours at the end of the day to do as you please but be productive with the bulk of your day. You’ll feel better, accomplish more, and avoid feeling frustrated with yourself.

If you’re overwhelmed with the amount of free time you have available to you, remember that it won’t last forever. Before long, you’ll be back to wishing you had some of that free time back.

Take advantage of this unique situation. You’re unlikely to have a similar amount of free time until you’re retired. At that point, you might not be physically or intellectually capable of doing many of the things you can do now.

Seize the day!

Banks have nothing good to say about credit unions. Credit unions don’t have a lot of appreciation for banks. Their customers of one entity believe the customers of the other are delusional. Which is better? It depends on your location and your needs. Banks and credit unions each have advantages over the other.

1. 1. 1. Credit unions are not-for-profit. While banks exist for the purpose of earning as much money as possible, credit unions exist to provide a service to their members. Excess income can be used to provide lower fees and lower interest rates on loans.
         
         
      2. Credit unions are technologically challenged. Credit unions are often a few years behind banks when it comes to online banking and other online tools. Depending on how you like to bank, this might be an issue.
         • • • Thoroughly evaluate the online banking tools before joining a credit union. If online banking is important, a traditional bank could be a better option.
               
               
      3. Credit unions can be harder to join. Some unions only service a particular population, such as teachers or employees of a particular company. There are credit unions open to the general population, but they’re less common. It might require a little work to find a local credit union that will accept you as a member.
         
         
      4. Credit unions pay higher interest rates on deposits. Sometimes as much as 10 times more. Online banks often provide rates that are competitive with credit unions.
         
         
      5. Banks spend much more on advertising. Many banking customers are slow to switch to credit unions because of the tremendous advertising reach of big banks. Keep in mind that the banking customers are ultimately paying for those advertising costs. You’ll have to find your local credit unions since they’re unlikely to find you.
         
         
      6. Banks offer more options. Credit unions offer many of the same products as banks, but with fewer options overall. A credit union might only offer a couple of checking accounts, one savings account, and a couple of credit cards. A bank often has many more options available and can potentially satisfy your need better.
         • • • Do you have simple or complex banking needs?
               
               
      7. Banks charge higher interest on credit cards and other loan products. The difference is usually 1-2%. This might not sound like much, but it can be significant when dealing with a large loan over many years.
         
      8. Credit unions are more focused on service. While banks want to maximize profit, even at the expense of customer satisfaction, credit unions are owned by the members and place a higher value on service. Members vote on how a credit union handles the day to day activities.
         • • • Credit union members consistently report a higher level of satisfaction than bank customers do.
               
               
      9. Banks typically have more locations. Some banks seem to have a branch on every corner. Credit unions often only have a few, or even just one, location. Depending on where you live relative to the local branch, this can be a deal-breaker.

Banks offer more locations, more ATMs, more products, and a higher level of technology. Credit unions pay more interest on deposits, charge less interest on loans, and charge lower fees at the expense of convenience. Which is more important to you? By answering that question, you’ll find the right answer for your situation.

You might be able to have the best of both worlds by having an account with both a bank and a credit union. You’re not limited to just one or the other.

Is the IRS on your gift list? You might not think so, but if you don’t take all the tax deductions that you’re entitled to, then you’re just giving your money away. There are many tax deductions and credits that are not well known.

How much money are you giving to the IRS that could be happily filling your wallet instead?

Consider these commonly missed tax deductions:

1. 1. 1. Non-cash donations to charities. We all know to deduct the checks we write to our favorite charity, but most of us forget to deduct other things. Items like automobiles, clothing, food, furniture, and more are all deductible.
         • • • You’ll need to show receipts if you get audited, so be sure to collect your receipts.
               
               
      2. Mortgage refinancing points. If you’ve refinanced your mortgage, you can deduct those points. In many cases, they have to be deducted over the life of the mortgage. So if the mortgage is for 15 years, you can deduct 1/15 per year. It’s not much each year, but it adds up.
         
         
      3. Medical insurance premiums. If you spent more than 7.5% of your income on medical expenses, you can likely deduct the cost of your medical insurance premiums.
         • • • If you’re self-employed, you can deduct 100% of your medical insurance premiums without meeting the 7.5% requirement.
               
               
      4. Energy savings home improvement. You can get a 30% credit for any energy saving improvements you make to your home. This is a credit, not a deduction. So you not only get to take 30% of the cost of the improvements directly off your tax bill, but you also get to save money on your utilities. You win both ways.
         
         
      5. Retirement tax credit. Contributions to retirement plans are typically untaxed at the time of the contribution. If your income falls below a certain level, you can also get up to a 50% tax credit to boot!
         
         
      6. Disaster. If your area was officially declared a disaster area, you can deduct your losses.
         
         
      7. Tax and investment expenses. The total cost of these expenses must exceed 2% of your adjusted gross income before taking this write-off. These include things like tax preparation, any legal advice on tax matters, and all your investing expenses. Investing expenses include:
         • • • Your fees and other costs for the investments
             • The mileage to drive and see your investment guru
             • The cost of publications and subscriptions for investment research, like investment-oriented magazines and The Wall Street Journal.

Taxes are likely your biggest expense each year, so spend some time to familiarize yourself with tax deductions. How many of these deductions apply to you? See your tax professional if you’re unsure if you qualify.

Keep as much of your money as possible. After all, you probably worked pretty hard to earn it.

If your financial situation is complicated, it would be wise to find a real expert. Don’t try to wade through all the tax changes every year by yourself. The extra money you save on taxes can be well worth your time.