Emergent Funding LLC

Trapped in Telephone Purgatory?

2011-11-20T09:55:00.000-06:00

Use These Short Cuts & Break Free
Does this scenario sound familiar? Your latest credit card statement comes in the mail, and there's an error. You know that it needs to be dealt with, but for some reason you keep putting it off. Then it hits you. The reason for your procrastination is that you just cannot bear the thought of calling "customer service". Just the idea of facing a telephone maze of pressing buttons and repeating personal information over and over again is so daunting, so loathsome, you actually consider just paying the charge.

The good news is your days of wallowing through the Dante's Inferno of customer service phone systems are over. Thanks to a computer programmer/blogger named Paul English, you can now talk to a real human being in a fraction of the time. You see, Paul and his Internet friends have taken the time to compile a list of some major companies along with shortcuts you can use to reach an operator on their systems.

To see Paul's entire list of company phone numbers and instructions, simply log on to www.gethuman.com. You may even want to create a bookmark to the website on your computer both at home and at work.
Mr. English is completely dedicated to the customer service cause. Along with publishing this potentially time-saving information, Paul provides the ability to rate a company's customer service and allows anyone with information about bypassing customer service phone menus to contribute what they know.
Companies are constantly changing their phone systems, so Paul's list is always in flux. Lucky for us, the most current information is only an Internet connection away.

provided by Capital Mortgage Solutations

How Interest Rates Affect Your Costs

2011-10-28T20:41:00.000-05:00

If you have good credit, you are probably under the impression that your credit card is a pretty good deal. If you have bad credit, you know your credit card rates, fees, and service charges aren’t as good as someone sporting a niftier credit history than yours, but do you know exactly how much better off your credit card statements could look?
Unless you have an advanced degree in accounting economics and like doing recreational math problems, then you are probably like the rest of us: paying off your credit cards a bit at a time hoping to see your efforts chip steadily away at your balance until it reaches zero. Running the numbers might surprise you. Doubling your minimum payment is great, but might not give you the expected pay off and pay down power you are after.
It is great news for the vast majority of the population whose definition of employment or enjoyment does not include the computation of compound interest; however, there are those brainiacs who are just weird in their love of complex math. They can do the math for us. One such example assumes a credit card debt of $5000 paid off in one year’s time. If your interest rate is set at 5%, your payment will need to be $428.04 monthly to guarantee a zero balance in one year’s time. In the end, you will have paid $136.48 in interest charges. Not too shabby, but if your credit isn’t stellar, there is no way your interest rate is set at a paltry 5%.
One of the realities of having bad credit is that when you are able to find a company willing to extend you a credit line, you will pay much higher interest rates for it. A common interest rate for poor credit is 21% or more. This makes the same $5000 dollar debt look very different. To pay it off in the same 12 months, your payments are now over $37.00 higher per month at $465.57. But the increase in the monthly payment is a mere love tap when compared to the bulked up total in interest charges. At 21% interest, you would end up paying $586.84, which is $450.36 more than the good credit rate of 5% winds up paying for the same $5k. Interest rates don’t cap at 21% either. Some bad credit cards carry interest fees of 29-35% or more.
Don’t get too smug if your interest rate is closer to the 5%, because that is not a guarantee it will always be that way. One late payment could send your interest rate rocketing up to that 29% rate in a matter of one billing cycle. If you don’t believe it, check the fine print that comes with your statement each month. Penalties and interest charges due to mismanagement of your account are printed there, and they can be downright scary.
Higher interest rates are not the only measure of a credit card for good credit vs. a credit card for bad credit. To compare other fees and account charges click the graphic to the left.

In the end, the only real way to be certain your credit card payments will stay low, interest fees remain manageable, and a credit score will improve or stay high is to keep on top of your credit accounts. Paying them off in full each month is best, and being certain to avoid extending your credit beyond your income will keep you sitting pretty.In the end, the only real way to be certain your credit card payments will stay low, interest fees remain manageable, and a credit score will improve or stay high is to keep on top of your credit accounts. Paying them off in full each month is best, and being certain to avoid extending your credit beyond your income will keep you sitting pretty.

http://www.creditloan.com/blog/2011/08/24/how-interest-rates-affect-your-costs/

Six Tips for Early Retirement

2011-10-07T21:11:00.000-05:00

With all the concerns about the economy and creating new jobs, is it crazy to be thinking about taking early retirement? Maybe not. Here are a few tips to consider should retiring early be a goal of yours.
	Start early. Establish your desire to retire early as soon as possible. Make sure both you and your spouse favor the same retirement date goal. With this stated goal, meeting savings targets and establishing spending priorities gets much easier.
	Know what you want to do. Often if you have a dream that can be fulfilled in retirement, it makes any hardships to get there more tolerable. Perhaps you've always wanted to visit the national parks while you're still mobile enough to enjoy them. Once you set this goal, creating a plan to get there will have more meaning.
	Pay yourself first. People who retire early have savings rates in excess of 10% of their income. This might mean holding off on a big vacation once in a while, but the long-term dividend is worth it. The larger your savings becomes, the more flexible you are in acquiring assets that generate more wealth for you.
	No debt and credit cards paid in full. It's hard to retire early if you are making large loan payments. Having a mindset to save money before you buy something versus taking out loans is the way to go for prospective early retirement. Why pay the credit card company interest when you could use that money for your non-working days?
	Financial independence mindset. Save enough to not have to worry about Social Security or other government programs to take care of you. Said another way, never over spend your own resources as you will need to depend on yourself and not others for your financial independence.
	Use common sense in investing. Many investment alternatives today no longer make financial sense when compared to the income potential of the underlying asset or property. For example, if you purchase rental property, make sure it cash flows at reasonable rent rates. If you use common sense, more of your investments may help generate income, even in retirement.

Even if you decide not to retire early, creating a plan as if you will retire early provides much added financial freedom should you have an unexpected job loss or other financial surprise. While this list is not meant to be all-inclusive, it should help start the conversation toward your early retirement dream.

The Rise of the Cyberbully

2011-10-07T21:09:00.000-05:00

The world of technology is fast-paced and more readily adopted by youth. This often leaves parents and guardians in a catch-up role trying to figure out what our children are doing and how we can teach safe behavior. With over 50% of youth saying they have been subjected to abuse through social and digital media according to a recent MTV - Associated Press survey, the problem requires attention.

Teens use of technology explodes

A 2010 survey by the Cyberbullying Research Center found teen's (10 - 18 year olds) use of electronic communications widespread:

	83% used cell phones
	40% took cell phone pictures
	77% sent text messages
	50% used FaceBook

Cyberbullying defined:

"Cyberbullying is when someone repeatedly harasses, mistreats, or makes fun of another person online or while using cell phones or other electronic devices."

Source: Cyberbullying Research Center

Types of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying usually occurs from someone the person knows very well. It comes in many forms:

	Posting something online that is not true
	Saying something mean or hurtful about someone and sending it to the child's social circle
	Forwarding a "private" message to others with the intent to hurt both parties
	Breaking into a cell phone or social account to read private information or worse, using the account to send out inappropriate messages
	Defacing social media pages
	Excluding your child from a social network, effectively ostracizing them
	Sexting. These are sexual messages and photos that are sent, often with peer pressure attached. These images and messages are then used to blackmail and belittle an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend as they are made public or threats are made to distribute the embarrassing information.

What can you do?

	Look for signs. If you child's behavior starts changing it may be time to discuss the cyberbully possibility. Cyberbullying is occurring across broad social spectrums: good students and poor students; in urban and rural areas; across genders and across all races.
	Set up rules. Make sure you have full access to your child's cell phone and social media accounts. Let them know this is part of the agreement with you to have the technology. Monitor use and look for changes in tone and behavior.
	Report abuse. Coach your children to tell you when cyberbullying occurs. Take this private harassment and make it known to the school and the parents of the offending children. Often simply telling friends what is going on helps stop the problem.
	Make Changes. Password protect devices and change the passwords often. Close down offending social sites. Change email addresses and screen names. Do not allow access to these devices after bedtime hours to provide a respite from the harassment.
	Tell the person to stop. Amazingly this is often one of the most effective means to get the bully to stop their harrasment.

Thankfully many school and state programs are being established to help students be more aware of the problem and provide resources to stop any harassment. Should you wish to learn more:

MTV - AP Digital Abuse Study - www.athinline.org/about
Cyberbullying Research Center - www.cyberbullying.us

Consumers Should Shop Carefully At Halloween Boutiques

2011-10-04T20:39:00.000-05:00

Seasonal Stores May Disappear Before You Need Customer Service

Temporary costume stores and other Halloween boutiques are as much a sign of fall as autumn leaves. The BBB advises shoppers to check the businesses out with the BBB before patronizing unfamiliar stores or websites.

Nationwide, the BBB received 378 complaints about costume stores and websites last year. The complaints included deliveries that were late or never arrived, poor quality and difficulty obtaining refunds. Some customers found the stores closed when they returned to report a problem.

“A costume may look cute and the price may seem right, but it pays to check into a site’s reputation and consider return policies and shipping schedules before placing an order online,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. “If you’re buying from a temporary store, ask about return policies before making a purchase.”

The St. Louis BBB logged only two complaints about costume stores last year, but in the past, it has issued warnings about websites that sell human and animal costumes. The BBB offers these tips to help you avoid being haunted after Halloween is over:

Location. If you're interested in trying a new or unfamiliar online merchant, ask the company for its physical location (address and phone number) so you can check its BBB Business Review at www.bbb.org.
Customer satisfaction policy. Determine the company's refund and return policies before you buy. If online companies can’t offer concrete commitments on how they will handle any potential problems you may have with their products or services, reconsider doing business with them.
Leave nothing to chance. Be sure you have a thorough understanding of everything involved before placing an order. Be clear on the price and any shipping and handling charges. Know the terms of any product or service guarantees. Find out how long it will be before you receive your order. Federal law requires that goods and services be delivered within 30 days, unless a different delivery period is specifically stated by the merchant.
Guard your personal information. Only provide your credit card number online in a secure environment. Look for the prefix “https://” in the URL box listing the website’s address to be sure that the site you are using is secure.
Ask how long a store will operate. If you’re buying from a seasonal store, ask them whether they will be open after the holiday and whether they will accept returns when the season is over. If not, consider buying elsewhere or taking more time to be sure the item is exactly what you want before making the purchase.

BBB Warns Cardinals Fans To Steer Clear Of Ticket Scams

2011-10-04T20:37:00.000-05:00

Playoff Has Fans Scrambling To Find Tickets

The Cardinals’ historic comeback to win a wild card slot in the National League division playoffs has caught fans up in baseball fever. However, the BBB warns fans to beware of potential scams by fake ticket sellers seeking to cash in on the comeback.

The opportunity for sports fans to be scammed by fake ticket sellers occurs most often when people buy tickets from individuals outside the stadium, on the street or through online auctions, classifieds and bulletin boards.

“Sports fans can get burned by purchasing counterfeit tickets or paying in advance for tickets that never arrive,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO.

The secondary market for sporting and entertainment tickets is a $10 billion a year industry. It includes tickets bought and sold by professional brokers as well as those purchased and resold by speculators and season ticket holders.

“The Internet has become the arena of choice for sports fans looking to buy or sell tickets,” Corey said. “Unfortunately, it also has become a breeding ground for scammers looking to take advantage of sports fans.”

The BBB’s database includes reputable, secondary market ticket firms that provide buyer protections, including money-back guarantees if tickets are fake. On some sites, sellers also must provide credit-card numbers so the site can charge a seller’s card for the cost of replacement tickets if they sell fake tickets. The Cardinals have their own website for reselling tickets held by season ticket holders.

The BBB offers the following advice for fans seeking tickets:

Be careful buying tickets from someone on the street. When you get to the gate and find out your tickets aren’t real, the seller will be long gone.
Before buying from an online ticket broker, look for the BBB logo on the website and click on it to make sure it is real. The BBB’s dynamic seal will take you directly to the BBB Business Review on the company, where you can read about the company’s record for responding to complaints. Make sure the website has a secure payment processing system, usually denoted by “https://” at the start of its website address or URL or a small closed lock icon at the bottom of the screen.
If you buy tickets through an online auction site, choose a seller with a long history of satisfied customers. Scammers can hijack old accounts, so make sure the seller has recently sold other tickets.
Ticket buyers also should be wary of sellers who try to lure buyers from a legitimate site to another site for a “private” transaction. Scammers often want to conduct their business on sites with names that mimic well-known companies but actually are fakes.
If you are buying tickets through an online classified ad site, never pay the seller by wire transfer. You will have no way to get your money back if the tickets do not arrive or are counterfeit.

Senior Citizens Remain Target of Scammers

2011-09-28T18:21:00.000-05:00

BBB warns of common scams targeting seniors

AUSTIN, Texas - Fraud targeting senior citizens continues to be a widespread concern reported by Better Business Bureau. In 2010, more than 2,700 seniors filed complaints with BBB, and so far in 2011 BBB has received more than 1,300 complaints.

A survey conducted by Investor Protection Trust in June 2010 estimated that 7.3 million older Americans — one out of every five citizens 65 and older — have been victims of financial scams.
“Fraud targeting senior citizens continues to be a growing concern,” said Carrie A. Hurt, president and CEO of BBB serving Central, Coastal, Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin. “Consumers need to keep the lines of communication open with their elders regarding finances and learn to recognize common scams targeting senior citizens.”

Common scams against seniors:

1. Grandparent scam — Victims receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a family member stranded far from home. The caller may use the name of a particular family member. They say they are being held in jail, need car repairs or other assistance and need money wired immediately. The scammers may lace the conversation with correct references to other family members, increasing credibility.
BBB tip: Remain calm and confirm the status of the individual by calling him or her directly or verifying the story with other family members before taking any further action.

2. Bereavement scam — Scammers will go through obituaries and use the information to prey on widows and widowers. They will try to sell the surviving spouse things he or she does not need, or say the deceased spouse had debt the surviving spouse must pay.
BBB tip: Offer help to elderly friends or family members if they have recently lost a loved one and are inexperienced in managing finances. If you are uncertain about owing a debt when collectors call, ask for written confirmation.

3. Foreign lotteries — Seniors receive a letter in the mail stating they won a lottery. The letter requests they deposit an enclosed check, then wire a portion of the deposited money back to the company to cover taxes or administrative fees. The check will initially clear, but the bank will eventually determine it is fake and remove all the money from the account. The victim is out any money wired back to the scammers.
BBB tip: Never wire money to someone you don’t know. You should never have to send money to receive any winnings from a lottery or sweepstakes. Additionally, participation in a foreign lottery is illegal.

4. Investment and work-at-home opportunities — Promises of easy money often target older adults because they may be looking to supplement their income. The pitch might come in the form of an investment opportunity that promises big returns, or as a way to make money at home for an upfront cost. However, what looks like a great opportunity for seniors is really just a great opportunity for scammers.

BBB tip: Always research work-at-home opportunities with your BBB. Beware of investment or money-making offers that seem too good to be true.

FTC Action Halts Tactics of Payday Lender Martin Webb aka Payday Financial, LLC of SD

2011-09-21T07:50:00.000-05:00

FTC Action Halts Allegedly Illegal Tactics of Payday Lending Operation That Attempted to Garnish Consumers’ Paychecks

After the Federal Trade Commission filed an action in U.S. district court, a payday lender that allegedly attempted to illegally garnish consumers’ wages has agreed to stop the challenged conduct pending trial.

As part of its continuing crackdown on scams that target consumers in financial distress, the FTC complaint alleges that Payday Financial, LLC, doing business as Lakota Cash and Big Sky Cash, along with other defendants, illegally attempted to garnish consumers’ wages without obtaining a court order, to collect payments on payday loans. As a result, the defendants illegally revealed consumers’ supposed debts to their employers and deprived consumers of their right to dispute the debts or make payment arrangements, the FTC alleges.

According to the FTC, defendant Martin A. Webb operates Payday Financial, LLC, and several related businesses in Timber Lake, South Dakota. The defendants offer short-term, high-fee, unsecured payday loans of $300 to $2,525 to consumers throughout the country, advertising on television and through websites such as www.bigskycash.com and www.westernsky.com

The FTC complaint alleges that when a consumer does not pay back a payday loan on time, the defendants send documents to his or her employer that mimic those used by federal agencies collecting debts owed to the government in an attempt to garnish the consumer’s wages. Under federal law, the government can directly require employers to garnish wages for debts it is owed without a court order. But private creditors must obtain a court order before garnishing a debtor’s wages. The complaint charges the defendants with violating the FTC Act by:

· misrepresenting to employers that the defendants are legally authorized to garnish an employee’s wages, without first obtaining a court order;

· falsely representing to employers that the defendants have notified consumers about the pending garnishment and have given them an opportunity to dispute the debt; and

· unfairly disclosing the existence and the amounts of consumers’ supposed debts to employers and co-workers without the consumers’ knowledge or consent.

The complaint further alleges that the defendants have violated the FTC’s Credit Practices Rule by requiring consumers taking out payday loans to consent to have wages taken directly out of their paychecks in the event of a default, and have violated the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and Regulation E by requiring authorization for electronic payments from their bank account as a condition of obtaining payday loans.

The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint was 5-0. The FTC filed the complaint and a request for preliminary relief in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, Central Division on September 6, 2011. The complaint names as defendants Payday Financial, LLC, Great Sky Finance, LLC, Western Sky Financial, LLC, Red Stone Financial, LLC, Financial Solutions, LLC, Management Systems, LLC, 24-7 Cash Direct, LLC, Red River Ventures, LLC, High Country Ventures, LLC, and Martin Webb. On September 7, 2011, the parties agreed to a stipulated preliminary injunction to immediately halt the alleged unlawful conduct, and the court accepted and entered the stipulated preliminary injunction. The FTC would like to acknowledge the assistance of the South Dakota U.S. Attorney’s Office.

One-of-a-Kind Gifts: They're Only a Click Away

2011-09-18T15:56:00.000-05:00

Purchasing a gift can be a stressful experience. Whether you're buying for a close friend or a mere acquaintance, the same questions arise. Will they like it? If the answer is yes, then it could be that they already own it! If you choose to go the safe route and buy a candle, a dessert item, or a gift certificate, then the gift may appear less personal than you intended. Thanks to a couple of great websites, the perfect gift, regardless of who you're buying for, may only be a click away.
www.findgift.com
This is an excellent website for buying one-of-a-kind gifts. For starters, gift selections are organized by specific occasions such as "anniversary" or "house warming". You may also search for gifts according to the sentiment you wish to express or the type of person you're shopping for. If you're still unsure what to buy, the website provides a monthly "Top 20 Gifts" list as well as something called a "Gift Wizard", which gives you one-on-one gift-buying advice.
Findgift.com doesn't actually stock the gifts it offers; rather it takes you directly to a specific online store that does. The website also offers other free services such as gift registries, email reminders for birthdays and anniversaries, as well as bookmarks which allow you to flag gifts you wish to purchase in the future.

Here's a unique gift idea that makes a perfect housewarming present. The item is a hand-drawn, pencil sketch of the person's home based upon a picture you send in. The sketch is drawn by a professional artist and costs under $50. Best of all, no one else is likely to think of it!
www.unusualthings.biz
This is another great gift-buying website which deals with, as you might guess, unusual things. The search feature on this site isn't as specific as the one on findgift.com, but it's helpful nonetheless. The best thing about this website is the quirky nature of its gifts.

One great example of this is the Rorshock Therapy Game. Based upon the famed Rorschach® psychological test, players are asked to interpret various inkblots. You can then use the accompanying handbook to determine what the interpretation says about each player's psyche. How's that for one-of-a-kind?

With prices ranging from $5-75 dollars, there are plenty of fun gifts to choose from on this site. Items ship within 3 days, and there are several shipping options available, depending upon where you live.

So the next time you're in need of a special gift, start with these two websites. And if all else fails, there's always gift certificates.

Brought to you by Capital Mortgage Solutions

Be a Smart Renter - Advice from the BBB

2011-09-16T11:10:00.002-05:00

by Carol Odell

There is a good chance you or a family member is a renter – or will be.

Since the housing market bust, nearly 3 million households have become renters, with another 3 million expected by 2015, according to census data analyzed by Harvard’s Joint Center for House Studies and The Associated Press. Thirty-eight million now rent apartments or houses.

Be smart when renting.

If you are searching on the Internet for a place, be careful it’s not a scam. Home rental scams are extremely prevalent. The con artists take the pictures of a house/condo for sale off the Internet and put it on their website and advertise on venues such as Craigslist.

You can check on the real estate company with the Better Business Bureau. Then, call the company to verify the house or apartment is for rent. You can also check with your local assessor’s office to verify ownership. If you do not live where the rental is located and you still want to rent it, ask if you can place the deposit on a credit card. Your chance of getting credit for the deposit if there is fraud, is good if you file a written dispute in a timely manner. If you write a check to a con man, you can say good-bye to that money.

Before signing a lease, know the terms of the lease, such as are utilities included or paid separately. Do a walk-through if at all possible. Take pictures of the rental to be able to verify the conditions before moving in. Know the use and refunds of your security deposit. Have all agreements put in writing, such as what improvements will be made and when. Keep copies of all correspondence. Make sure they give you a copy of the lease. Sometimes the landlord/real estate agent will say they will mail a copy of the agreement to you, and it never comes.

If you have a pet, make sure you know that it is acceptable to have a dog or cat. Is it in writing?

Also, work to keep a good relationship with the landlord so that repairs will be made quickly. Remember that you have certain rights to a livable place such as heat, water, electricity and clean, safe surroundings.

Lastly, do you have adequate renters’ insurance? Too often people do not carry insurance needed to protect them from losses due to theft or disasters, such as a fire or tornado.

Bone Up On Karat Weights Before Selling Gold - BBB Has Consumer Tips To Help You Get Good Value

2011-09-14T09:23:00.000-05:00

Erratic global markets have some worried investors turning to gold as a safe haven, driving the price to around $1,900 per ounce in commodities markets. With the price of gold at an all-time high, the BBB is advising consumers to do their homework before selling their gold.

Some consumers may be tempted to cash in by selling old jewelry, coins or scrap gold online,at a home “gold party,” or at local jewelry or coin shops. However, not just any dealer can be trusted.

The BBB already has received more than 500 complaints against gold, silver and platinum dealers this year. The number is well on its way to matching or exceeding the 581 total complaints in 2010.

“Consumers need to be on the lookout for less than reputable sellers,” Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. “Many of the complaints we receive stem from deceptive advertising or delivery issues, where the consumer ends up receiving far less than what they thought their gold was worth.”

The BBB has following these tips for those contemplating a gold transaction:

Find a trustworthy appraiser. If possible, go to someone locally whom you know and trust. Always check with the company’s BBB Business Review first at www.bbb.org. The BBB suggests obtaining two or three appraisals to compare prices, prior to any sale.

Don't expect to get the full price of gold traded in commodities markets. The ounce quote is for pure gold only. For instance, 14-karat gold is composed of just 58.5 per cent gold. Ask how much the company’s going rate is for each ounce of each karat you are sending. The lower the karat, the less the gold content.

Don’t allow the dealer to weigh jewelry of different karat values together. Some dealers will weigh all jewelry together and pay you for the lowest karat value. Separate your jewelry by karat value before attending a gold party.

Don’t let anyone steal your diamonds from gold pieces. Single gold stud earrings might be worth $5 or $10, yet diamonds in the earrings can be saved. Some are too small, and the labor to remove them might exceed their value, but engagement ring diamonds, for example, should be given a value separate from the gold.

Know the terms and conditions when sending items by mail. Make sure your items are insured when being shipped, so if they are lost you can recover the value. Obtain appraisals prior to mailing items, so if they are lost you have proof of their value. Check the company’s policy on reimbursement if they lose your product. Many limit their liability. Make a list of all items included in the package, keep a copy for yourself, and put a copy in the envelope. Take a picture of the items you are sending, including any identifying marks.

Ask about the company’s guarantee if you are not satisfied with the price offered. Can you get your product back if you return the check? Many companies melt down the items in 10–14 days. If you send the check back, send it “return receipt requested,” so you have proof when it arrived at the company.

More consumer tips and BBB Business Reviews are available atwww.bbb.org

BBB Advises How Consumers Can Take Steps To Thwart Copper Theft

2011-09-13T21:12:00.000-05:00

Thieves Target Air Conditioners, Gutters, Water Pipes

Copper theft is a serious problem for homeowners and businesses, but there are things people can do to reduce their vulnerability to thieves, the BBB advises.

At a “copper summit” in March, St. Louis police estimated that copper worth $4.6 million had been removed from St. Louis homes and businesses since the beginning of 2010, based on reports of 3,485 burglaries and thefts. Authorities have sought to fight the trend by requiring scrap dealers to get the names and addresses of people selling scrap and to require that any amount over $500 be mailed to the recipient.

This summer, air conditioning units have been a popular target because of the amount of copper they may contain. Copper gutters, downspouts and water pipes often are stolen, too. The problem extends to St. Louis suburbs in Missouri and Illinois.

“Soaring commodity prices have made stealing and selling scrap profitable,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. “No one can stop a determined thief, but there are things consumers and businesses can do to make their property less attractive to criminals.”

The BBB offers the following tips to avoid being victimized:

Secure items if possible. Keep items thieves could pilfer inside. For larger targets, like air conditioning units, keep the area fenced in and lock any gates.
Make it difficult for thieves. Move dumpsters and ladders away from buildings to make it harder for thieves to reach rooftop refrigeration units. Clear brush around ground-level air conditioning equipment so others can spot people attempting to work around the unit or destroying it.
Invest in security. Add continuous or motion-sensing outdoor lighting around air conditioning units. Businesses should try to have someone on site at night or install video cameras to watch for thieves.
Start a neighborhood watch. Get to know your neighbors and ask them to help keep watch. Never assume the person working on the neighbor’s air conditioner or gutters is a repairman. Check with the neighbors, then call the police.
Mark materials. If materials are stolen, the best chance of identifying them is to make them stand out from similar material that might come to a recycler legitimately. Marking items with bright paint or etching an identification number at various places can make the items more difficult to sell.

The Better Business Bureau has more consumer tips and BBB Business Reviews at www.bbb.org.

Lower Your Grocery Costs

2011-09-08T21:46:00.000-05:00

A trusted app now has mobile grocery coupons, and a new site helps you save money by providing recipes that use ingredients you already have.
By Cameron Huddleston, Kiplinger.com

Coupon Sherpa, one of our favorite free iPhone and iPod Touch applications, has added grocery coupons to its line-up of mobile coupons for hundreds of retailers, restaurants and services. This is good news for those of us who like the idea of coupons but don't always have the foresight to find and print them before we head to the grocery store.

The app now has coupons for 28 grocery chains, including Kroger, Lowes Foods, Ralphs and Safeway. You can enter your zip code to locate participating stores near you and see what coupons are available in your area. Then you can check the coupons you want and save them directly to your store loyalty card (by entering the card number). The coupons will be applied automatically when you swipe your card at the checkout. It's that simple.

As with most grocery coupons, the ones available on the Coupon Sherpa app are primarily for brand-name, prepackaged items – such as cookies, snack foods and frozen meals. But I don't buy a lot of these items. That's why I've found another new Web site to be more beneficial for me. It's called Gojee.com, and it helps you find ways to use food items you already have so they don't go to waste (and you don't just throw away money).

The recently launched cooking site lets you enter ingredients you have then generates recipes that use those items and clearly lists other ingredients that are needed for the recipes. You can also list ingredients you're allergic to or don't like to narrow your search results.

Other sites, such as Allrecipes.com, offer similar ingredient-search options. But what I like about Gojee.com is that it's easy to navigate, isn't cluttered with ads and looks like a cookbook with page after page (that you can scroll through like a slide show) of large, mouth-watering images of each dish. All of the recipes are handpicked from the blogs and Web sites of food writers and screened for tastiness.

I've already saved some zucchini and eggplant from going bad in my fridge with the help of recipes from Gojee.com. Give it a try and let me know what you think of it (or the new Coupon Sherpa mobile grocery coupons).

Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2011 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. www.kiplinger.com.

BBB Advises Homeowners to be on the Lookout for Fly-By-Night “Storm Chasers”

2011-09-07T09:13:00.000-05:00

Arlington, VA – Your home and wallet may take a serious beating when a big storm like Hurricane Irene hits and Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to be wary of fly-by-night “storm chasers,” as well as fraudulent charities promising to provide relief.

Storm chasers and other door-to-door salespeople often peddle dubious deals that may cost homeowners thousands of dollars and create serious headaches. BBB recommends doing your research to avoid getting taken advantage of by untrustworthy home contractors.

For those who seek to aid in relief, BBB Wise Give Alliance urges donors to check trustworthy charities before making any donations. Not only do Americans need to be concerned about avoiding fraud, they also need to make sure their money goes to competent relief organizations that are equipped and experienced to handle the unique challenges of providing assistance.

“Not only do Americans need to be concerned about avoiding fraud, they need to know that their home contractors and charity relief efforts are legitimate and honorable,” said Stephen A. Cox, President and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “It’s imperative to find a home contractor and charity that you can trust.”

When looking for a contractor you can trust and when seeking to aid to relief efforts, BBB recommends that homeowners and donors do the following:

Start Your Search with BBB. In addition to offering Business Reviews on tens of thousands of contractors—good and bad—across the US, you can also rely on BBB’s Accredited Business Locator to find trustworthy contractors in your area. BBB accreditation standards require that accredited businesses make a good faith effort to resolve disputes.
Find trustworthy charities when aiding to relief. BBB Wise Giving Alliance urges donors to make sure their donations will go to legitimate and reputable charities and relief efforts that have the capability to help those in need. Be cautious when relying on third-party recommendations such as bloggers or other Web sites, as they might not have fully researched the listed relief organizations. Interested donors should visit www.bbb.org/charity to research charities and relief organizations to verify that they are accredited by the BBB and meet the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Recognize the red flags. Beware of any contractor who uses high pressure sales tactics or requires full payment upfront. Also avoid contractors who require you to get the necessary permits. When looking to make a donation, be cautious about online giving, especially in response to spam messages and emails that claim to link to a relief organization. In response to the previous natural disasters, there were concerns raised about many Web sites and new organizations that were created overnight allegedly to help victims.

Check the contractor carefully. Verify the business meets all state and local requirements including being licensed, insured and bonded. Also ask the business for references from recent jobs. Confirm whether or not the contractor will be subcontracting the job or relying on their own employees.

Beware of storm chasers. In the wake of a storm, fly-by-night repair businesses will solicit work, often door-to-door, in unmarked trucks. They might require advance payment and make big promises on which they won’t be able to deliver.

Seek at least three bids. Beware of low-ball estimates that may potentially balloon over time or foreshadow shoddy work to come.

Make sure everything is in writing. Make sure that the full scope of the work is explained in the contract including cleanup and disposal of waste. All verbal agreements need to be included in the written agreement. Pay close attention to the payment terms, estimated price of materials and labor and any warranties or guarantees.

For more advice on hiring home professionals and for finding a charity you can trust, visit us online at www.bbb.org/us/consumer-tips-home and BBB Wise Give Alliance at www.bbb.org/charity.

BBB Consumer Alert: Global Subscription Services Making Unauthorized Debits from Consumers’ Bank Accounts

2011-09-05T07:28:00.002-05:00

Fast Facts:

Global Subscription Services has automatically renewed consumers’ magazine subscriptions without permission and made unauthorized debits from consumers’ bank accounts
BBB has received 28 complaints in four months from consumers all over the country
Consumers report that they did not give their banking information to the company and don’t know how they obtained that information

August 31, 2011, Memphis, TN – The BBB of the Mid-South is warning consumers about a magazine subscription company operating with a Memphis address. Consumers have reported that Global Subscription Services mailed them notices stating that the company is automatically renewing their magazine subscriptions and debiting their bank accounts. Global Subscription Services has an F rating with the BBB.

Global Subscription Services lists its business address as 111 S Highland Street, #102, Memphis TN. However, the BBB has confirmed that address to be a rented mailbox at a UPS Store.

BBB complaints have been filed against Global Subscription Services by consumers from all over the country – from New York to California to Alaska. The BBB has received 28 complaints on the company since April. According to complainants, the renewal notice contains bank account information that the consumers say they didn’t provide. Some complaints allege that funds have already been debited from their accounts without their permission.

An Arlington TN man reported that Global Subscription Services processed an automated debit from his bank account without his permission. “I have never done business with this company, nor have I ever authorized or given them my banking information,” he told the BBB. “They stated that they processed an automated renewal on a magazine that I have not subscribed to in over 4 years.” When he contacted the magazine publisher directly he was told that they do not have a contract with Global Subscription Services and would not accept renewal requests from them.

A couple from Somerville TN also had unauthorized funds drafted from their bank account. “They illegally debited our bank account with $49.00 on 6/21/11 without any authorization from us to do so,” they told the BBB. “We had already mailed our check directly to the magazine for renewal.” They also contacted the magazine publisher directly and were advised that Global Subscription Services is not authorized to sell subscriptions for them.

According to a man from Olathe, KS, the company debited his account for $14.95 without his permission. He told the BBB, “The company alleges my personal authorization is on file. I have not granted them authorization. I have not lived at the address they show on the banking record for 5 years.”

And a Greenville SC woman asked, “I am also very curious how this company obtained my bank account information without my having given it to them.”

The Better Business Bureau contacted the company to find out how consumers were put into the automatic renewal program and how the company obtained banking information that consumers did not provide. In a response to the BBB, Global Subscription Services stated that some consumers were “inadvertently” enrolled in their automatic renewal program, but didn’t say how or why. They also did not address the question about how they obtained the banking information.

“This is a good example of why consumers need to scrutinize bills and account statements,” said Randy Hutchinson, BBB President. “Someone who isn’t paying close attention might think the statement is legitimate and pay it without question.”

The BBB of the Mid-South reminds consumers to be vigilant when paying bills and invoices.

Check your bank and credit card statements. Make sure all the charges and drafts were authorized by you.
Don’t wait for your bank or credit card statement to come in the mail. If you have electronic access, check them more frequently.
Don’t automatically pay bills and invoices that arrive in your mailbox. Verify their legitimacy first.

For more information or to schedule an interview with a BBB spokesperson, contact Nancy Crawford at 901.757.8627 or 901.213.7809.

BBB Advice on Student Security – What Every College Student Should Know

2011-09-02T20:41:00.000-05:00

As college students get settled on campus, fighting fraud may not be at the top of their list of priorities. College students are susceptible to identity theft, however, and Better Business Bureau recommends that they take seven simple steps to protect themselves on campus.

In 2010, 8.1 million Americans – or 3.5 percent of the population – became victims of identity theft, according to the 2011 Identity Fraud Survey conducted by Javelin Strategy & Research and sponsored by BBB. The average mean cost of identity theft is $631 and the average time to resolve identity fraud is 33 hours – valuable study time.

“Friendly fraud” accounts for 14 percent of all ID theft crimes. This means that new roommates and friends have just as much potential of being as dastardly as a foreign-based scam artist phishing on the Internet. And identity thieves – friend or foe – think nothing of dumpster diving (or rifling through unattended trash cans) for unshredded paperwork or even taking mail from unlocked mailboxes (or off a desk). They can even cruise social networking sites looking for some personal tidbit that can unlock a wealth of information elsewhere.

“In this day and age, you can’t always trust your peers,” said Stephen A. Cox, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “It’s extremely important for students to be vigilant in monitoring bank and credit card statements to spot unauthorized activity. Sign up for security alerts on your accounts and have them sent to your mobile phone so you’ll know if any changes have been made to your account.”

BBB recommends that college-bound students take the following seven steps to fight identity theft on campus:

Send sensitive mail to your parents’ home or a post office box. School mailboxes are not always secure and often can be accessed easily in a dorm or apartment.

Important documents should be stored under lock and key. This includes your Social Security card, passport and bank and credit card statements. Shred credit card offers and any paper documents that have sensitive financial information rather than just tossing them out.

Never lend your credit or debit card to anyone. Just say no if your friend wants to borrow your card or asks you to co-sign for a loan or financing for items like a TV.

Make sure your computer has up-to-date antivirus and spyware software. Always install any updates and patches to your computer’s operating system or browser software, which help keep your computer safe from any new advances by identity thieves online.

Always check your credit or debit card statements closely for any suspicious activity. The sooner you identify any potential fraud, the less you’ll suffer in the long run.

Check out unfamiliar websites with the BBB. Look for the BBB Accredited Business seal along with other trust seals; click on the seals to confirm that they are legitimate.

Check your credit report at least once a year. You are entitled to one free report a year from each of the three reporting bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Look for any suspicious activity or inaccuracies. You can do this for free by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

BBB Advice for Making “Golden” Gold Transactions

2011-09-02T20:38:00.002-05:00

Arlington, VA – As global markets are currently seeing rapid declines, worried investors are seeking safe havens for their funds. Many are looking to new investment plans to help their money grow. With the price of gold at an all time high of more than $1,700 per ounce, Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to do their homework before making tempting gold transactions.

Whether through an online venue, an at home “gold party,” or your local jeweler, many consumers are looking to sell their gold jewelry for some quick cash. However, not just any dealer can be trusted. In just this year alone, BBB has already received more than 500 complaints against gold, silver and platinum dealers, a number that is well on its way to reaching 2010’s 581 total complaints.

“Consumers need to be on the lookout for not so reputable sellers,” said Stephen A. Cox, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “Many of the complaints we receive stem from false advertising and delivery issues where the consumer ends up being appraised far less than what they thought their gold was worth.”

BBB recommends following these tips to ensure a “golden” gold transaction:

Find a trustworthy appraiser. For an appraisal, if possible, go to someone locally whom you know and trust. Always check with BBB first at www.bbb.org. BBB suggests obtaining two or three appraisals to compare prices, prior to any sale.

The true price of gold may not be what you receive. If gold is worth $1,700 per ounce, you aren’t going to be paid $1,700 for every ounce of gold you have. Ask what you will be paid (if an online company, make sure you ask for specifics and give details on items you’ll be sending). Understand that the ounce quote is for pure gold only. For instance, 14-karat gold is composed of just 58.5 per cent gold. Ask how much the company’s going rate is for each ounce of each karat you are sending. The lower the karat, the less the gold content.

Don’t let jewelry of different karat value be weighed together. Some dealers will weigh all jewelry together and pay you for the lowest karat value. Separate your jewelry by karat value before attending a gold party.

Don’t let anyone steal your diamonds from gold pieces. Single gold stud earrings might be worth $5 or $10, yet diamonds in the earrings can be saved. Some are too small, and the labor to remove them might exceed their value, but engagement ring diamonds, for example, should be given a value separate from the gold.

Know the terms and conditions when sending items by post. Make sure your items are insured when being shipped, so if they are lost you can recover the value. Obtain appraisals prior to mailing items, so if they are lost you have proof of their value. Check the company’s policy as to what they will reimburse if they lose your product. Many limit their liability. Make a list of the items included in the package, keep a copy for yourself, and put a copy in the envelope. Take a picture of the items you are sending, including any identifying marks.

Ask about the company’s guarantee if you are not satisfied with the price offered. Can you get your product back, if you return the check? Many companies melt down the items in 10–14 days. If you send the check back, send it “return receipt requested,” so you have proof when it arrived at the company.

Boomerang Kids

2011-09-02T07:50:00.000-05:00

Problem or opportunity?

Picture yourself returning home from your last graduation party and settling in for a quiet evening with your spouse to begin the "empty nest" phase of your life. The kids are now gone. Or are they? A recent phenomena is hitting America as an unprecedented number of grown kids are returning to the nest. This trend is becoming so well known it has fostered the phrase the "boomerang generation".

What Happened?

With the advent of high unemployment and record levels of college and graduate school debt, adult kids are struggling to make it on their own. There are also discussions about a shift in parents' willingness to help out financially and emotionally more so than in prior generations. In the 1940s 18 year olds were fighting wars in Europe or the Pacific. In the 1960s and 1970s kids were being drafted and many were protesting. Today's world is different, but is it bordering on over-indulging our children.

So what to do if you find yourself in a boomerang situation?

Whether you are a parent or a "boomerang" child, here are suggestions that may turn an uncomfortable situation into a rewarding experience.

	Understand the reason. Understanding why the request to move back home will help you set expectations for each other. Having trouble finding a job is one thing, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend brings quite another. What are your child's motives for moving back? Saving money for a new home? Are they going through a recent divorce? Trying to pay off debt? Getting ready for graduate school? Or perhaps it is simply for emotional stability.
	Understand the potential problems and discuss them. Having a serious discussion before moving back in is important. As a child, you need to make sure being a boomerang child does not foster a lack of motivation or having you become more passive in a job search. As a parent, you need to be concerned you are not stifling your child's development as a person or as a professional in their desired career.
	Set expectations. Some discussion topics could include: Establishing a timeframe Sharing of household duties Understanding house rules. (curfew, guest policy, groceries etc.) Setting up an agreement; consider putting it in writing Discussing if rent should be charged. How much?
	Define space. The tolerance to accept a messy house when the kids were small is one thing. It's quite different having to pick up after a grown child. Clearly defining each other's space in the house and setting expectations on keeping things like bathrooms clean can help tremendously.
	Be careful with debt. Make sure you do not enable financial behavior that is acceptable as a small child, but enables an adult child to become more passive about developing financial skills necessary to live independently as an adult. Do not sacrifice your own financial future by paying your child's debt. Funding your retirement is usually more important than bailing a child out of their financial predicament. What will they do when you need money in old age because you spent it on them to reduce their debt?

Turn lemons into lemonade.

While there are many inherent problems with the concept of the boomerang generation, there are wonderful opportunities as well. A few examples include:

Reconnecting with each other when both the child and parents are adults.
With a roof over their head, the boomerang adult can use the opportunity to explore and develop marketability as an employee by taking an unpaid internship or volunteering to help others.
Help your child save money for their future goals.
Adults can get help maintaining their home as they age.

Remember many cultures value the benefits of multi-generational living. The wisdom of experience is passed from one generation to the next and the healthy bond established between generations helps those of all ages. If managed properly the boomerang experience could bring its own rewards.

Brought to you by Pinnacle Accounting

Consumer Fraud Task Force Urges Consumers To Know Their Rights When Dealing With Debt Collectors

2011-08-31T15:16:00.000-05:00

Brought to you by the Better Business Bureau:

With complaints over debt collection practices skyrocketing, consumers in Missouri and Illinois are urged to protect themselves against bogus and unscrupulous collectors.

The Consumer Fraud Task Force says that consumers need to know their rights if they are contacted by businesses attempting to recover debts. The Federal Trade Commission’s Fair Debt Collection Practices Act sets out specific rules on how collectors must operate.

“In this difficult economy, people who have never before dealt with debt collectors are receiving phone calls,” the Task Force said. “Sometimes, these callers are trying to collect on debts that were settled years ago or never existed at all. But even callers trying to collect on legitimate debts can become overly aggressive and violate consumers’ rights.”

Some of the questionable or illegal debt collecting practices include:

· Attempting to collect “phantom” or “zombie” debts. Most often, these are debts that were never owed or were previously paid or otherwise discharged.

· Harassing or intimidating collection tactics, usually involving persistent phone calls.

· Telling debtors they will be arrested or have their property seized unless they make payment.

· Claiming that the collector is a lawyer or affiliated with a law firm when that is not the case.

· Withdrawing money from a consumer’s bank account or charging his or her credit card without consent.

· Giving information on a debt to a third party.

· Communicating with a consumer after receiving written notice from the consumer that he or she is refusing to pay or no longer wants to be called.

The Fair Debt Collections Practices Act attempts to safeguard consumers from unscrupulous collectors. Many states have enacted similar laws. The federal act prohibits debt collectors from using threats of violence or harm against an individual, property or reputation. Collectors cannot threaten to garnish a consumer’s wages unless they intend to do so. The act also requires that collectors send you written proof of your debt. In recent months, consumers across the country have filed numerous cases in federal court alleging violations of the act. Additional information, and the full federal act, can be obtained by going to www.ftc.gov.

The FTC report received more complaints about debt collection than any other single industry in 2010 -- 140,000 complaints, up from 120,000 in 2009. In March, the FTC announced that a national debt collection business had agreed to pay a record $2.8 million to settle charges that its aggressive collection techniques violated federal law.

The Task Force is a coalition of local, state and federal government agencies and nonprofit business and consumer groups in Missouri and Illinois that work together to protect consumer and donor rights and guard against fraud. Previous Task Force releases have focused on tax scams, timeshare resellers, home remodelers, work-at-home scams, sweepstakes offers, online auctions, credit repair scams, debt management advice, foreclosure scams, extended auto service contracts, fire and police organizations.

FTC Permanently Halts Operation that Allegedly Made Bogus Claims about Eliminating Consumers' Debt

2011-08-25T15:41:00.000-05:00

Two Principals Banned from Selling Financial Products and Services

As part of its continuing crackdown on scams that target consumers in financial distress, the Federal Trade Commission settled charges against a debt relief operation that allegedly lured consumers nationwide into paying thousands of dollars in up-front fees, but in most cases failed to actually reduce their credit card debts, and in many cases left them even deeper in debt. The proposed FTC settlement orders ban the company, Debt Relief USA, Inc., from doing further business, and ban company principals James Wojcik and Valerie Leath from marketing any financial products and services. Litigation continues against the two other principals, Kelly Reilly and Alvin Bell.

According to the FTC’s complaint, Debt Relief USA and its principals made deceptive claims that consumers who enrolled in their program could eliminate 40 to 60 percent of their credit card debt and be out of debt in 24 to 48 months. The FTC complaint charges that few consumers received the promised results.

Under the proposed settlements, Debt Relief USA, Wojcik, and Leath are required to protect and properly dispose of customers’ personal information. They also are prohibited from misrepresenting relevant facts to consumers.

The proposed settlements also impose a $19.7 million judgment against Wojcik and Leath, which will be suspended because of their inability to pay. If it is determined that the financial information they gave the FTC was untruthful, the full amount of the judgment will become due.

Debt Relief USA has declared bankruptcy. Through settlement of a separate action brought against Debt Relief USA by the Attorney General of Texas, consumers have received $3.7 million in refunds from the company’s bankruptcy estate and will receive additional distributions soon. The FTC participated in the bankruptcy proceeding and worked with the Attorney General of Texas to ensure maximum benefit for consumers. Because the Texas settlement recovered available company funds and provided refunds to consumers, the Commission’s settlement with the company does not involve monetary relief.

Consumers looking for help with credit card debt should be wary of anyone who tells them to stop paying their bills, to pay someone other than their creditors, or to stop talking to their creditors. Consumers should also be careful about paying for financial assistance before they receive it. For more information on dealing with debt, including public service announcements about avoiding debt relief scams, see the Debt Relief Services page of the FTC’s Money Matters website for consumers.

Changes made last year to the FTC’s Telemarketing Sales Rule prohibit companies that sell debt relief services over the telephone from charging fees before they settle or reduce a customer’s credit card or other unsecured debt. This ban on advance fees protects all consumers who have enrolled in a debt relief service since October 27, 2010. For more information about the advance fee ban see: Debt Relief Companies Prohibited From Collecting Advance Fees Under FTC Rule. For guidance to businesses on how to comply with the new Rule, see Debt Relief Services & the Telemarketing Sales Rule: A Guide for Business.

The Commission vote to file the complaint against defendants Debt Relief USA, Inc., Wojcik, Leath, Reilly, and Bell was 5-0. The vote to approve the consent agreement with defendant Debt Relief USA, Inc. was also 5-0. The votes to approve the consent agreements with defendants Wojcik and Leath were 4-0-1, with Commissioner Rosch abstaining on both. The FTC filed the complaint on August 17, 2011, and the proposed consent decrees on August 19, 2011, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. The proposed consent decrees are subject to court approval.

NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendant has actually violated the law. Consent decrees are for settlement purposes only and do not constitute an admission by the defendant that the law has been violated. Consent decrees have the force of law when approved and signed by the District Court judge.

Take Care When Paying Medical Bills

2011-08-20T10:06:00.000-05:00

Make sure your insurer will pick up its part of the tab.
By Cameron Huddleston

I was about to write a check to pay for a medical bill when I realized that I probably didn't owe the amount shown on the invoice.

The bill was for a health screening that was performed in late May. I provided my health insurance card at the time of test. But I had a feeling that the lab that actually analyzed the screening samples hadn't bothered to submit its claim to my insurance company before sending me a bill. That's because the bill arrived shortly after the test was done, and I hadn't received a statement from my insurance company that a claim had been submitted.

All of this sunk in as I was about to put pen to paper. So I picked up the phone, called the lab and asked whether it had attempted to get my insurance company to pay for the procedure. "No," the customer service representative said. Just as I thought.

So before you pay a medical bill, make sure the claim has been submitted to your insurance company. Don't ignore the bill – you don't want credit collectors knocking on your door. Just make a quick call to the medical facility that sent the bill or to your insurer to find out whether you're really on the hook for the full amount.

Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2011 The Kiplinger Washington Editors.

Top 10 Bad Credit Installment Loans

2011-08-17T21:11:00.000-05:00

More and more people are choosing installment loans to help with unexpected emergencies. Bad credit installment loans are repaid with a fixed regular installment, and a rate of interest fixed for the duration of the loan. Whether you are funding an education, purchasing a vehicle or simply need cash, bad credit installment loans might just be the thing you have been looking for.

How can I find a loan that is best for me?

To find the loan that is best for you, talk to a loan specialist who will be happy to work with you to establish a loan best suited to your needs. Most installment loans come with terms from one to five years. Regardless of your credit history, bad credit installment loans are there for your convenience and are a wonderful resource for people with bad credit.

How can installment loans help rebuild my credit?

Installment loans for bad credit give you options. It also gives you the opportunity to rebuild your credit score as long as you make your timely payments and stay within your credit limit. It is extremely important to do extensive research before choosing a lender. Lenders typically offer loans at very competitive interest rates, so shop around and choose the lender that offers the best possible deal. There are a variety of bad credit installment loans to choose from, some are:

1. Payday bad credit installment loans: A payday bad credit installment loan is similar to a short term installment loan: you make small payments each payday until your loan is paid off. If you are 18 years or older, with a reliable source of income, you may already pre-qualify for a payday installment loan. If you choose to apply online, you will need to have direct deposit on your bank account and your money can be deposited in less than two hours.

2. Short Term bad credit installment loans: Short term installment loans of up to $150,000 can be yours in hours. These installment loans are similar to bad credit payday loans but have the option to pay back the loan in smaller portions on your paydays until the loan is paid off.

3. Secured bad credit installment loan: Offers a larger amount in loan and longer repayment period. This loan requires collateral.

4. Unsecured bad credit installment loan: The unsecured installment loan for people with bad credit do not re not require collateral.

5. Vehicle bad credit installment loans: Do you have a motor vehicle emergency? Installment loans can get you back on the road in no time. Whether you have a flat tire or other serious vehicle problem, you can apply for an installment loan to take care of all your auto expenses.

6. Personal bad credit installment loans: If you need cash in a hurry, you can take out a personal loan with terms of one to five years. A personal loan can be used for anything.

7. Education bad credit installment loans: Not sure how you are going to pay for college expenses? An education loan just might be your answer.

8. Consolidation bad credit installment loans: Can help you consolidate all your debts by paying them off with one single loan amount.

9. Mortgage bad credit installment loans: Loans for home are known as mortgages. The borrower can make monthly installment payments on the mortgage.

10. Credit Cards bad credit installment loans: Credit card loans are open-end installment loans where you make monthly payments until the loan is paid off.

What to Look Out for When Signing for Bad Credit Installment Loans

· Increase in interest rates: Late payments of installments can lead to increase in the interest rate.

· Early pay off: If you repay the loan earlier than the time period, the early payment penalty can lead to an increase in charges or fees.

· Automatic Loan Payments: You can avoid late fees by setting up a monthly automatic payment withdrawal from your personal checking account. If you choose to go this route, make sure that there is enough money in your bank account on the withdrawal date otherwise you will end up paying an overdraft fee.

BBB Offers Advise to Protect College Students from ID Theft on Campus

2011-08-13T21:46:00.000-05:00

Article from BBB eBridge (http://www.enewsbuilder.net/stlouisbbbnews/e_article002182100.cfm?x=bjQDrgQ,bbpnTWW3,w)

August 12, 2011 7 Tips To Guard Against ID Theft On Campus
As college students prepare to head back to campus in the next few weeks, fighting fraud may not be at the top of their list of priorities. College students are susceptible to identity theft, however, and the BBB recommends that they take seven simple steps to protect themselves on campus.

“Identity thieves don’t care if you’re a struggling student and don’t have a penny to your name,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB President and CEO. “Sometimes all they want is to exploit your clean credit record. By establishing good habits for monitoring and detecting fraud, students can lay a path for healthy financial practices for the rest of their lives.”

Last year, 8.1 million American adults became victims of ID theft, with losses totaling $37 billion, according to a report from Javelin Strategy and Research. Young adults aged 18-24 are among the last to detect identity theft when compared to other age groups. It took them 132 days on average to spot it, and their average loss was roughly five times more than the amount lost by other age groups.

The BBB recommends that college-bound students take the following seven steps to fight identity theft on campus:

Send sensitive mail to your parents’ home or a post office box. School mailboxes are not always secure and often can be accessed easily in a dorm or apartment.
Important documents should be stored under lock and key. This includes your Social Security card, passport and bank and credit card statements. Shred credit card offers and any paper documents that have sensitive financial information rather than just tossing them out.
Never lend your credit or debit card to anyone. Just say no if your friend wants to borrow your card or asks you to co-sign for a loan or financing for items like a TV.
Make sure your computer has up-to-date antivirus and anti-spyware software. Always install any updates and patches to your computer’s operating system or browser software, which help keep your computer safe from any new advances by identity thieves online.
Always check your credit or debit card statements closely for any suspicious activity. The sooner you identify any potential fraud, the less you’ll suffer in the long run.
Check out unfamiliar websites with the BBB. Look for the BBB Accredited Business seal along with other trust seals; click on the seals to confirm that they are legitimate.
Check your credit report at least once a year. You are entitled to one free report a year from each of the three reporting bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Look for any suspicious activity or inaccuracies. You can do this for free by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com.

For more advice on fighting fraud and managing personal finances, visit www.bbb.org or call 314-645-3300.

Published by Better Business Bureau
Copyright © 2011 BBB Serving Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois. All rights reserved.

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FTC Charges Marketers with Tricking People Who Applied for Payday Loans

2011-08-11T22:13:00.000-05:00

FTC Charges Marketers with Tricking People Who Applied for Payday Loans; Used Bank Account Information to Charge Consumers for Unwanted Programs

At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal court has halted an online operation that allegedly debited consumers’ bank accounts without their consent when consumers visited the defendants’ websites seeking payday loans. The court also froze the defendants’ assets, pending further court proceedings. As part of its continuing efforts to protect financially strapped consumers during the economic downturn, the FTC seeks to permanently stop the illegal practices and make the defendants refund consumers’ money.

According to the FTC’s complaint, the defendants’ websites, such as mypaydayangel.com and juniperloans.com, asked for consumers’ personal and financial information, such as social security, driver license, and bank account numbers. Near the end of the application form, the defendants offered unrelated “Direct Benefits” and “Voice Net” programs for food, travel and merchandise discounts, or for long distance calling and Internet access. Many consumers who clicked to “submit” a payday loan application were enrolled unwittingly into the programs, which initially charged their bank accounts up to $59.90 per month, and later charged up to $99.90 per year. Consumers often did not notice the program offers, and some people who declined the offers were charged for the programs anyway, the FTC alleged.

As alleged in the complaint, the defendants sent consumers’ bank account information to Landmark Clearing Inc. and other payment processors to electronically generate remotely created payment orders that debited consumers’ bank accounts. Consumers typically discovered the problem when an unexpected debit appeared on their bank statement, or when their bank told them their account was overdrawn. They learned that Direct Benefits or Voice Net received the payments only after they contacted their bank or saw an online copy of the payment order. Consumers who called the defendants for a refund often got the run-around. Many consumers had to dispute the transaction or close their bank accounts to get a refund or stop the defendants from debiting their accounts.

The defendants are charged with violating the FTC Act by obtaining consumers’ bank account information and debiting their accounts without their consent, and failing to adequately disclose that, in addition to using consumers’ financial information for a payday loan application, they would use it to charge consumers for enrollment in unrelated programs and services.

The FTC complaint names Direct Benefits Group LLC, also doing business as Direct Benefits Online and Unified Savings; Voice Net Global LLC, also doing business as Thrifty Dial; Solid Core Solutions Inc.; WKMS Inc.; Kyle Wood; and Mark Berry.

The Commission vote authorizing the staff to file the complaint was 5-0. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

NOTE: The Commission files a complaint when it has “reason to believe” that the law has been or is being violated, and it appears to the Commission that a proceeding is in the public interest. The complaint is not a finding or ruling that the defendant has actually violated the law. The case will be decided by the court.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them.

Give Your Children the Building Blocks to Home Ownership

2011-08-11T22:07:00.000-05:00

Give Your Children the Building Blocks to Home Ownership
7 Steps to a Solid Beginning
By Elizabeth Rose, CMPS, Speaker, Coach and Trainer

Owning a home is not only the American Dream, it is considered the strategic piece of a personal financial portfolio. According to the Federal Reserve Bank VIP Forum, people who own homes have greater net worth than those who rent.

As they grow older, kids often assume they will own a home without giving it much consideration. Sometimes they imagine they will own a home just like Mom and Dad's, not realizing it took their parents many years of hard work and financial discipline to become homeowners.

Homeownership requires discipline, effort, commitment, responsibility, and accountability, and yet our educational system does not always provide our children with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the process, much less lay the groundwork in advance so they are mortgage-ready when the time comes. This begs the question: What can we, as parents, do to help our kids avoid some of our own mistakes and prepare them for the largest financial transaction in their adult life?

The Latin derivative of the word "education" means "to bring forth from within," which is predicated on the idea that we all have it within us to learn and grow. But where do we start helping our children learn and grow in the area of homeownership? What exactly do our children need to know now, especially as teenagers and college students, so they'll be prepared and financially-able when they want to buy a home?

The following suggestions will help you start a dialogue with your children, and provide them with the tools they need to get a jump-start on the path to "mortgage-readiness."

Think about the timing. Tell your children to really be sure about when they want to own a home, and then advise them to work toward it. If they're not intentional about getting there someday, they won't. Simple as that.
Get a job. Tell your children to consider getting a job during school, even a part-time job. They will need money to buy a house, but they also need a steady employment history, so they should start building up their resume as soon as possible. This will also be helpful when the time comes to secure a permanent position in their field of study. FHA loans, in many circumstances, will accept a college transcript as a component of employment history. However, your children will need the "ability to repay" which comes from steady fulltime employment.
Create a budget. And stick to it! Explain that their budget should be detailed enough to account for all the income and outflow each month...even the Friday night date or pizza night with friends. Also, remind them to be careful with the debit card and don't forget to record the entries into their log. The challenge with using a debit card is that we feel good since we are paying with "cash." However the convenience of the plastic cash leads to temptation to spend money you might not otherwise spend. Last, tell them to include an emergency cash fund in their budget for unforeseen expenses. Many people fail to do this and it is a great practice to begin early in adult life. The key here is for your children to be conscious of their spending.
Build up your credit score. Suggest that your child get a credit card or two, but no more than that, and stick to a Visa or Mastercard. Also suggest that they avoid department store cards as they can be hazardous! They often carry higher interest rates and tempt people to buy things they don't really need. Your children should routinely charge small transactions on their Visa or Mastercard to keep the account reporting as "active." However, stress to them the importance of paying off the balance monthly when possible, and being cautious in carrying a balance over an extended period of time. Other advice to pass on: Strive to keep your balances below 18% of the credit limit at all times. Maintain tight control over your spending and your accounts. When you make your payments, be sure they are on time as a late payment can hurt you. Ignoring your financial obligations will always get you into trouble and will lower your credit score. The purpose of the cards is not to build up debt–that's the opposite of what you want. Your goal is to create a history that will indicate to creditors your degree of responsibility in managing your debt. Responsible use of the cards over time will provide you with a healthy credit score, which is critical if you plan to purchase a home.
Minimize student loan borrowing, if possible. If it is necessary for your children to obtain student loans for their education, borrow the smallest amount you can get by with. Paying back student loans can help build their credit as well, but the monthly payments (which are initially deferred) will come due when they graduate. The monthly payments will be calculated as liabilities when qualifying for a mortgage, which will reduce their purchasing power. Also, remind your children not to use their loan money to buy a laptop, new phone, or pizza. They should keep themselves financially lightweight.
Learn about home finance and real estate. Obtaining a mortgage and purchasing a home are not simple things and can be emotional and stressful. There's a lot to learn and many questions will arise, such as: What is involved in qualifying for a mortgage? What kind of down payment is required? What other money is needed for the transaction? How long should I keep the house before I sell it? Are property values increasing or decreasing in my area? Tell your children to learn about the process and the lingo. You could even suggest they talk to your mortgage professional to learn some great things they can do now so they're in a good position when they are ready to buy a home. You could even work with your children to stay up-to-date on the industry, and consider reading a book or two on the subject together. It will help them immensely down the road.
Learn basic maintenance. One of the costs associated with homeownership is maintenance. Keeping a home well maintained is vital to keeping expenses down in the long term and will make it easier to sell later. Help your children learn how to make minor home repairs, which will save them a hefty amount of money as a homeowner.

And last but not least...tell your children to save, save, save! Whether they buy used books, drive an older car, or skip spring break, they should save a percentage of what they earn (for instance, save one out of every three dollars). Also, be sure to model that savings behavior for your children, as kids often mimic what they see rather than just do what they're told.

A great guideline for saving can be found in one of the greatest financial books of all time, The Richest Man in Babylon. Author George S. Clason says, "Gold cometh gladly and in increasing quantity to any man who will put by not less than one-tenth of his earnings to create an estate for his future and that of his family." This timeless classic reminds us to pay ourselves first and sock away ten percent of our earnings for the future.

The bottom line is that the American Dream is still alive and well. There is no secret recipe. It's a matter of spending and saving wisely and learning the necessary steps to mortgage readiness. If you have any questions about your personal situation, contact the professional who supplied you with this month's issue of YOU Magazine. Take the first step now to set your children on the path to home ownership.

Elizabeth Rose is a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist and self-proclaimed economic enthusiast. As a national speaker, she provides training and mentoring to mortgage professionals across the U.S.

Choosing the Perfect Preschool for Your Infant

2011-08-11T22:05:00.000-05:00

Yikes, Is It Time to Go Back to Work Already?
Choosing the Perfect Preschool for Your Infant
By Blythe Lipman, Author, Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions

Finding the perfect preschool for your infant can be really scary. How can you possibly trust another person with your precious bundle? You will be looking for a school where the infant care is the best, the school the cleanest, and the teachers experienced, warm and fuzzy.

Does this really exist? And how will you know when you've found that perfect place? A place that makes you feel totally comfortable as you drop off your baby each morning. A school that will provide your baby with the love, nurturing and care she needs. That will be the perfect substitute when you can't be with her.

The following checklist should help make your decision a little easier. Print it out and take it with you. And don't be afraid to ask any question. Nothing is off limits when it concerns your baby.

Pre-School Interview Checklist

When you call for an appointment, does the director speak to you?	Yes ____	No ____
What is the director's policy for having you visit the school?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the director keep you waiting more than a few minutes when you arrive?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the director give you all the time you need to talk about the program and answer all your questions?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the director show you the school's Mission Statement?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the director give you a booklet containing information about the school?	Yes ____	No ____
Will the director supply you with references?	Yes ____	No ____
At first glance, does the preschool look clean?	Yes ____	No ____
Does it smell clean?	Yes ____	No ____
Is the preschool licensed by the state?	Yes ____	No ____
If no, why not? _________________________________________________________
Does the school do a background check before hiring a teacher?	Yes ____	No ____
What kind of experience do the teachers have? ________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
The Infant Room

Is the infant room clean?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the electric outlets covered?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the cabinets have childproof locks on them?	Yes ____	No ____
Do you see any cleaning spray bottles sitting on the counters?	Yes ____	No ____
Do you see anything that would be dangerous lying around in a baby's reach?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the counters clean and uncluttered?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the diaper changing tables clean?	Yes ____	No ____
Are there gloves available for diaper changing?	Yes ____	No ____
Is there a crib for each baby?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the cribs in good condition? (Test to see that they are not wobbly or have any loose screws.)	Yes ____	No ____
Are there enough high chairs or a feeding table for mealtimes?	Yes ____	No ____
Are there enough swings, ExerSaucers, bouncy seats, teething toys, strollers, etc. available for the babies?	Yes ____	No ____
Is the above equipment in good condition?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the toys and equipment age appropriate?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the toys and equipment cleaned with bleach water each day?	Yes ____	No ____
Is there a bin to put dirty toys that get used during the day? (For dropped toys, or toys that other babies chew on.)	Yes ____	No ____
Is there happy music playing in the room or lullabies if it is naptime?	Yes ____	No ____
Is there a fire exit door with a sign posted above it?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the room look like a place that your baby could have fun, explore and blossom?	Yes ____	No ____
Do you have an overall good feeling about the room?	Yes ____	No ____
_____________________________________________________________________
Staff

Is there one child care provider for every four babies?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the same caregivers take care of the babies each day?	Yes ____	No ____
Do different teachers come in for the late shift (3:00-6:00pm)?	Yes ____	No ____
Do they have CPR and First Aid Certification?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the caregivers friendly and eager to tell you about themselves and the program?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers act in a professional manner?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers look clean and neat and are they dressed appropriately?	Yes ____	No ____
Are the caregivers warm and responsive to your baby when you visit?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers know what to do if a baby is choking?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers tell you about the daily activities?	Yes ____	No ____
Does the school do a background check before hiring a teacher?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers take the babies outside, play music, do tummy time, etc.?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers have specialists that come in for music, movement, etc.?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers send home daily reports?	Yes ____	No ____
Do the caregivers want to know your baby's schedule at home?	Yes ____	No ____
Do they want to know how you soothe your baby when she is irritable or crying?	Yes ____	No ____
What is their illness policy?	Yes ____	No ____
Are there conferences or just daily check-ins?	Yes ____	No ____
Are you allowed to talk directly with the teacher by phone or just the director if you need to call? ____________________________________________________________________
What are their rules for visiting your baby at school? ____________________________________________________________________
What is the policy for drop-off and pick-up? ____________________________________________________________________
If someone else needs to pick up your baby, do they need a special card, password, driver's license, etc.? ____________________________________________________________________
Do they use the same substitutes all the time? (So they know the babies and their schedules.) ____________________________________________________________________
Do you have an overall good feeling about the caregivers and the infant room?	Yes ____	No ____
____________________________________________________________________

Blythe's Final Thoughts:

If you like the preschool, drop in unannounced.

Before you make a decision, call with any questions.

If you get the cold shoulder or you feel like they are too busy and you are unimportant...
FIND ANOTHER PRESCHOOL

Once your child is enrolled, if you are told you can't visit anytime...
FIND ANOTHER PRESCHOOL

If the facility looks, smells or feels dirty...
FIND ANOTHER PRESCHOOL

If the caregivers are dressed inappropriately...
FIND ANOTHER PRESCHOOL

If the staff seems unhappy and not having fun...
FIND ANOTHER PRESCHOOL

Would you feel good leaving your baby at this preschool each day?
Yes___ No___

If you feel great about the preschool then sign the papers. But if something feels amiss, even if you can't figure out what it is, go with your intuition, it's usually right!

Above all, you want to be able to enjoy watching your baby blossom and grow in her new environment knowing you made the right decision.

Blythe Lipman is the president of Baby Instructions. She is passionate about babies, toddlers and their parents. After working in the field for over twenty-five years, she wrote her third award-winning book, Help! My Baby Came Without Instructions, which is available at www.babyinstructions.com. You can hear Blythe's weekly radio show on Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. EST at www.toginet.com. Blythe is available for in-home, video and telephone consultations. © Blythe Lipman 2011.

Making the Most of the Summer Harvest

2011-08-10T18:29:00.000-05:00

You Say Tomato...
Making the Most of the Summer Harvest
By Kirk Leins

For tomato lovers everywhere, the summer months mark the time of year when this wonderful fruit is at its absolute tastiest. Whether a summertime tomato is harvested from a backyard garden or purchased from a quality purveyor, it is simply one of the finest fresh ingredients available to nearly every home chef.

What is a Tomato?
Scientifically speaking, a tomato is a fruit and not a vegetable. This is because a true fruit is developed from the ovary in the base of the plant's flower and contains the edible seeds of the plant. Carrots, broccoli, and lettuce develop differently as they do not have seeds within the part we eat and are therefore considered vegetables.

Within the plant world, tomatoes are members of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). While the nightshade family is responsible for other healthy offerings – such as potatoes, eggplant, and peppers – it also includes some very toxic plants like the deadly nightshade (belladonna). It's a high concentration of alkaloids that makes belladonna, as well as the green foliage of most nightshade plants, so dangerous.

The irony here is that the production of alkaloids is a normal biochemical activity for most plants. Alkaloids contain nitrogen and actually help protect plants from being completely devoured by insects. The good news is when it comes to the food produced by nightshades, the alkaloid level is relatively low. However, these low levels do explain some people's aversion to the aforementioned nightshade foods.

If you are sensitive to these types of foods, I recommend eating them in smaller doses and only when they are ripe. Ripening, along with cooking, dramatically reduces these already low alkaline levels. This probably explains why some people could never eat a raw green bell pepper but have no problem when a red bell pepper (a more ripened version) is sautéed in olive oil or fire-roasted over a hot grill.

Types of Tomatoes
There are literally thousands of different cultivars of tomatoes. Not to digress but the word "cultivar" is actually a portmanteau, or combination of the words "cultivated" and "variety." In plain English, cultivar simply refers to one variety of any cultivated plant.

Like many other plants, each tomato cultivar grows better in specific climates as well as during specific times of the year. As opposed to attempting to break down every cultivar, I thought I'd take a few moments to talk about a few broader tomato classifications.

Cherry and Grape Tomatoes
At one end of the size spectrum, we have cherry tomatoes and their diminutive cousin, the grape tomato. Averaging 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter, these tomatoes are widely available and extremely underrated. Many versions are actually sold still on the vine. They generally have an outstanding sweet, tomato taste and are perfect for many different salads. I'll show you one of my favorite salads later in the article.

Beefsteak Tomatoes
On the other end of the spectrum are beefsteak tomatoes that exceed 10 centimeters in diameter. These tomatoes, along with various smaller classifications, are also widely available but oftentimes lackluster in quality. The reason for this mediocrity has to do with modern technology.

Tomatoes in general go from perfectly ripe to rotten very quickly. So quickly, in fact, that it is very hard for large growers to transport their tomatoes without the fruit going south. For many, the solution is to pick the tomatoes while they're still green and then ripen them artificially in an ethylene bath. This practice may make the tomatoes travel better but it results in the purchase of a virtually unripe piece of fruit.

My personal solution is to buy these larger tomatoes from either quality markets where they are sold still on the vine, or from vendors who set up stands by the roadside or inside of farmer's markets. Tomatoes sold by these purveyors are not only vine-ripened, but they are also brought to market on a more regular basis and intended for quicker consumption. They are well worth any extra money they cost. But it's important to know that when it comes to great taste at a low price, nothing beats a tomato that's grown in a backyard garden.

Speaking of great taste, one classification of tomato that is turning up everywhere is known as an Heirloom. While they do vary in size and color, tomatoes tagged as Heirlooms share a few common traits. First and foremost, they must be naturally pollinated and have received no artificial genetic modifications. After that, however, there is much dispute over which tomatoes qualify. Most of the debate is either over how long the strain has been in existence, or the method in which the seeds were handed down. Regardless, if you can get your hands on Heirloom Tomatoes, I recommend doing so.

For any of these larger tomato varieties, I love slicing them thinly and using them on any burger or sandwich. My second recipe this month will be one of my favorite sandwiches featuring the tomato.

Plum Tomatoes
Tomatoes that are elongated (7-9 centimeters long and 4-5 centimeters wide) are known as plum tomatoes. These are also known as Roma tomatoes as they are popular throughout the Mediterranean. While they are tasty when allowed to vine-ripen, many stores receive their plum tomatoes on the unripe side.

Unless I can procure a high quality, fresh plum tomato, my personal preference is to buy them canned. If you want to do the same, you should look for plum tomatoes that are grown and packed in the San Marzano region of Italy, as these are some of the sweetest available. They are great for sauces, stews, and even quick blender salsas.

For the most part, when I cook with tomatoes as part of a dish, I prefer using canned rather than fresh as they produce a more consistent result. The only exception I'll make is when I have an abundance of summertime tomatoes on hand and desperately need to use them up. My last recipe will show you how to do just that.

Cherry Tomato and Cucumber Salad (Serves 3 to 4)

15-20 cherry or grape tomatoes, split in half lengthwise
1 English (hothouse) cucumber, split in half lengthwise, seeded with a spoon and cut into 1/4-inch slices
Hand-torn basil leaves
Crumbled goat cheese

For the dressing:

2 tbsp sherry vinegar
4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 small shallot, minced fine or grated
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large bowl, mix together all the dressing ingredients. Add cucumber slices, tomato halves, and basil leaves, and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for at least one hour. Liberally scatter crumbled goat cheese on top of salad and serve.

Note: While the salad can be made ahead of time, it is at its best when eaten on the day it's made.

The Ultimate B.L.T.A. (Makes 2 sandwiches)

4 slices of quality bread, very lightly toasted
4-6 slices of quality smoked bacon, fried crisp but not overcooked
4-6 thick slices of heirloom tomato
1 ripe Haas avocado, skinned and seeded
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
2-4 whole leaves of Butterleaf lettuce
Real mayonnaise
Kosher Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a bowl, combine avocado and lemon juice. Season the ingredients with salt and pepper, and mash well with a fork. Spread equal portions of avocado mixture on two slices of bread. Spread the remaining two slices of bread with mayonnaise. On the slices with the avocado, layer an equal number of tomato slices and season with salt and pepper. Top with an equal number of bacon slices, lettuce, and remaining slices of bread. Cut in half on the diagonal and serve.

Roasted Tomatoes with Shrimp and Tarragon (Serves 2 to 4)

1.5 lbs. medium-sized shrimp, peeled and de-veined
3 to 4 cups very ripe tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup Italian parsley, finely chopped (plus more for garnish)
1/4 cup fresh tarragon, finely chopped
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
A large pinch of crushed red pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat your oven's broiler to its lowest setting. Combine all of the ingredients, except shrimp, in a gratin dish or small casserole dish. Toss to fully combine and roast for 10 minutes. Remove dish from broiler, add shrimp, and toss again. Return dish to the broiler and roast until shrimp are pinkish and opaque, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from broiler, garnish with remaining parsley, and serve along with crusty bread.

Good luck and happy tomato season!

Learning the Art of Compromising

2011-08-10T18:27:00.000-05:00

It's My Way or the Highway
Learning the Art of Compromising
By Trevor Kerrick

Compromise is something we all face at one point in our lives. The government has been facing such a situation recently, discussing whether or not to raise the debt ceiling. While the compromises you'll approach may not be as far-reaching as the one Washington has been facing, that doesn't mean you shouldn't be prepared.

Ludwig Erhard, a German politician and the Chancellor of West Germany from 1963 through 1966, once noted that, "A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece." Here are a few suggestions to help you learn the art of compromising.

Invite a third party to attend
Having someone else in the room to monitor the conversation can avoid some of the traction an intimate conversation brings. A neutral person doesn't give a side an unnatural advantage or outnumber the other. Think of this person as a referee, someone to make sure everything goes smoothly. Encourage this person to give you his or her thoughts–it's always helpful to get a fresh perspective on a situation you're familiar with.

Listen to the other side's argument completely
Just because you're there to present your views doesn't mean you can't listen to what the other side has to say. Perhaps they have another approach you weren't aware of, or they see a flaw in your plan that you didn't see. Recognize their concern and points before listing yours so that first, it proves you're willing to listen and conduct this compromise in a civil manner and second, that you aren't there to attack or discredit their argument. Show them the courtesy and respect of acknowledging their argument and they should respond in kind.

Don't go in expecting to win
Unless you have specific data that proves that their solution will not work, do not walk in expecting to win. If you walk in to the meeting thinking you've already won, then why go? There is a difference between confidence and arrogance, and your opponent can tell which attitude you have.

If you do have this data, simply present it without malice–don't rub it in. Remember, you're not there to attack them. Give every opportunity to show that you can conduct the conversation in a civil manner, and future conversations will go smoothly.

Don't get defensive
It's important that you take the emotion out of the meeting in order to stay impartial. Just because your position isn't as attractive as the other option does not mean you lost. When presenting your position, honestly list out the pros and cons to your solution–think big picture. If you can't accept your way, flaws and all, your opposition won't either.

Set goals and a deadline for the meeting
The last thing anyone wants is to have something like this dragged out or delayed indefinitely. Set a timetable for this issue to be solved or "Plan B" goes into effect. It's reasonable to think that both parties would like to avoid Plan B, so as long as they are aware of when the negotiations stop taking place they can reach a solution before the deadline.

Hopefully your future compromises will go smoothly with these tips. Remember it's not your way or the highway–there's more than one path to a destination!
Trevor Kerrick earned his degree in Technical Communication, with a minor in Mass Communications, from Texas Tech University. He researches and writes about communication and new media.

Advance Fee Loan Scams

2011-08-06T20:44:00.000-05:00

Advance fee loan fraud takes advantage of the most vulnerable members of our society. These leeches often promise large unsecured loans to people who are unable to have a loan approved through traditional financial institutions, or take advantage of trusting souls with little financial experience. Armed with a smooth-as-silk sales routine and a complete lack of conscience, these scam artists often steal amounts that range from hundreds to thousands of dollars from unsuspecting consumers. Adding insult to injury, these losers often gather enough personal information from their victims to make them candidates for identity theft. Don't become a victim! Please review and share the tips below.

Loan fraud warning signs:

1. Be especially wary of unsolicited calls, e-mails or letters offering you a loan,

2. Calls about a delinquent debt from unknown numbers, claiming to represent a collection agency or cash advance company (especially if you know you have no such delinquency).

3. Requests for money to be sent in advance to cover "processing", "application", "insurance", or the "first month's payment" are a red flag of loan scams. Legitimate lenders NEVER ask for these things to be paid before a loan is disbursed.

4. Once you fall for a loan scam, the greedy thieves may ask for even more money by telling that the original amount was erroneous, insufficient upon a second look at your credit, or that you will need to send payment for a second company to complete the loan process.

5. Requests that you "wire" or "send" money, as soon as possible to a large U.S. city or to another country, such as Canada, England, or Nigeria, by Western Union, Moneygram, or similar means.

Have you have been scammed? Report It to:

1. The FTC

2. The FBI

3. Your local police (but don't automatically assume the company name and address on your documents are legitimate. Remember, the scammers use fake addresses, those of REAL companies, or random residential addresses far away, in order to hide their operation)

4. File fraud alerts with each of the three credit bureaus. This is necessary because the scammers typically obtain your sensitive information, such as your Social Security Number and information on your driver's license. They can use this to obtain credit in your name.

How Advance Fee Loan Scam Artists Find Their Victims

You may be on their list. If you have applied for loans lately, you can be assured that your need for financial assistance has been made known to others besides the company to which you have applied. Often, such consumer information is sold by the credit reporting agencies, passing into hands far and wide. This practice makes it easy for unscrupulous companies to find potential victims for scams like advance fee loans. Be wary of unsolicited offers promising guaranteed loan approval made by mail, phone, or email, especially if personal information is requested. Never give out any personal information, such as your social security or bank account numbers, unless it is to a trusted company with which you have initiated contact.

In other cases, the consumer may come across an advertisement that offers loans, often assuring the reader that poor credit or no credit is not a problem. Commonly appearing in classified sections of newspapers or posted on the Internet, these ads are often placed in very reputable publications or on respected web sites in an attempt to lend credibility to their claims. Others have used the names and logos of well-established financial institutions, counterfeiting their ads but inserting their own contact information, leading the consumer to believe they have placed a call to a legitimate lender.

The Typical Advance Fee Loan Scheme

There are many variations of the advance fee loan scam, but the basic steps remain the same in most of these schemes. First, the consumer is assured that they have qualified for an unsecured loan, usually for a large sum of money. Often, these consumers will be sent authentic looking documents and loan contracts to convince them that this is indeed a legitimate offer. Many times, these documents are embossed with fraudulent logos and names stolen from reputable lenders, helping to convince the consumer that this company can be trusted.

Correspondence from the scammers, including calls, emails, contracts, and letterhead, may seem very professional. This is meant to smooth away any suspicions the target of this scam may be feeling, part of the manipulation these predators practice so skillfully.

Next, the consumer is told that due to the amount of the loan or their questionable credit rating, a deposit is needed. This upfront payment is often explained away as a down payment, insurance premium, or processing fee and can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand. Generally, the scammers will then instruct the consumer to send the deposit through Western Union or Moneygram, and fax applications complete with personal and financial information to them, with the assurance that they will receive their loan very quickly after these steps are taken. Of course, the consumer receives nothing, while the scammer disappears with both the deposit and all the information needed for identity theft.

Some of these fraudulent advance fee loan companies will make repeated demands for money from their victims, convincing them that upon looking up a current credit report, their ratings require a larger deposit than was first quoted. Another common excuse is that the original lender has backed out, but for a larger fee, they can secure another loan for the consumer. With these tactics and others, scammers have often convinced consumers to send substantial sums of money three or four times before they realize they have been victimized.

Usually, by the time the consumer has given up on receiving the funds they expected, coming to the realization they have been scammed, the perpetrators have disappeared. The toll free numbers provided are disconnected or are answered by a recording or machine, the operation probably moved to a new location to stay one step ahead of the law and groom a new batch of potential victims.

No legitimate company will ask for funds in advance of a loan, nor will it ask for any fee to be wired to them directly by Western Union, Moneygram, or any other wire service. Fees incurred in a legitimate loan generally are deducted before the funds are dispersed. These requests should be a clear warning to the consumer, as should any loan company that is pressing you for an instant decision on their offer.

What to Do if You Have Fallen Prey to Advance Fee Loan Fraud

Reporting this crime is essential. Many are ashamed to admit that they have been conned by such schemes, failing to report the fraud due to embarrassment. Those that do not make these crimes known leave the door open for these predators to strike again. While reporting such crimes does not always assure that the scam artist is caught, it does raise awareness of these schemes, shrinking their pool of potential victims. Filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission can be done online in approximately ten minutes. This small investment of your time can help towards shutting these operations down before they victimize scores of other unsuspecting consumers.

If these criminals have collected your personal identifying information, identity theft is a serious risk. With access to information from your social security card, driver’s license, pay stubs, and bank statements, stealing your identity will be quite easy, allowing these scammers to use your credit for their own purposes. Thousands in debt could be run up in your name in a very short period. Checking your credit report every three months to monitor for fraudulent activity is a good idea under such circumstances. If there is a problem, file formal disputes with each credit bureau.

Is Your Cell Phone Bill Too High?

2011-08-05T09:11:00.000-05:00

You could save hundreds of dollars a year if you switch to a no-contract plan.
Americans waste an average of nearly $350 a year on wireless service, according to BillShrink, a service that compares rates for phone plans, among other products. Most of the excess spending comes from overestimating how many voice minutes and text messages they need and underestimating how much data usage their plans should cover. It doesn't help that plans from the major wireless carriers make it difficult to balance voice, text and data offerings to get the best price.

As the big carriers grapple with rapid changes in phone technology and competition from Skype and other Internet calling services, their service plans are becoming more and more complex – leaving consumers with a maze of prices and services to navigate. Plus, wireless providers have designed a golden-handcuffs business model that dangles an inexpensive or free phone in exchange for committing to a two-year contract. Breaking that contract means you're on the hook for a prorated fee that can be as high as $350. And to entice you to stay, your carrier is likely to nudge you to upgrade to a slick new gadget just as your contract is about to expire.

When it's time to renew your wireless contract, think twice about your options before you sign on the dotted line. These FAQs will help you figure out whether you'll benefit from switching to a no-contract plan.

How do I know a no-contract plan is best for me? It may not be. If you prefer a wide range of services and you like choosing among a variety of phones at low or no cost, a contract with a major carrier is still the best option. And contract-based service may be the most economical if you want to add multiple lines with a family plan. But if you can live without some phone choices and fewer perks – for example, some plans don't offer the fastest network speeds or the best coverage – a prepaid plan could be a winner. Study your current plan to get a sense of the services you use. A tool at BillShrink.com analyzes usage information from your plan and suggests plans that may be a better fit at a better price. The information at MyRatePlan.com can also help you make a choice.

Aren't no-contract plans prepaid? Many are. That means they may charge a flat amount upfront for a month's worth of service, or charge by the day or by the minute, deducting from a preset balance of cash or minutes. They're often a good choice if you tend to use your phone only for emergencies or you are trying to budget phone use for, say, a child. But some carriers have introduced contract-free "post-paid" plans, which bill you every month. These plans offer many of the benefits of contract-based plans, such as 4G network speeds and wide phone selection, and lower monthly charges than contract-based plans, says Schwark Satyavolu, chief executive of BillShrink.

Is there a downside to a no-contract plan? The lack of commitment you enjoy with a contract-free plan also works in a carrier's favor: It can boost rates and change terms anytime. And if you have a prepaid plan and fail to reload your account by the expiration date or a specified time thereafter, you may risk losing your phone number. Also, some plans have extra fees, such as activation charges or daily access charges. And sometimes the phone rebates associated with no-contract programs require you to maintain service for a certain amount of time.

Do I have to wait until the end of my contract to switch? No. Most carriers now charge a prorated fee when you exit a contract early rather than impose the full fee. If you're tethered to a contract, an early-termination fee could be worth the cost if you'd save a lot by switching to a new plan. If you're waiting out your contract's term and want to trim costs, study your most recent bill for each fee, or call your carrier and ask for a breakdown of the expenses line by line. Usually, you're obligated to keep only core services, such as voice, text and data plans. You can drop anything else, such as insurance or a carrier's proprietary navigation application.

Do I have to pay a lot for a phone with a no-contract plan? You'll pay more for a phone than you would if you were signing a contract. Contract plans offer significant discounts on phones because carriers subsidize the phones' costs to draw customers. The Android-powered LG Optimus S, for instance, was recently $20 from Sprint if you ordered it online and agreed to a two-year contract; the nearly identical LG Optimus V from prepaid service Virgin Mobile had a $200 price tag. But over several months you could pay that cost difference many times over on your service bill if you have a contract.

For a price, you can find the latest, greatest technology with no-contract plans. Several services offer Android and BlackBerry phone models. And you could buy an iPhone from AT&T or Verizon and use it with a no-contract plan, but you'd pay $650 for a 16GB iPhone 4, versus $200 if you signed a two-year contract.

Will I be able to surf the Web? Wireless carriers are still figuring out how to structure and price data services, which allow customers to surf the Web and send e-mail on their phones. Some no-contract plans offer unlimited Web surfing and e-mail in all-in-one plans – voice, text and data – that cost $40 to $80, and that could save you money. For example, AT&T has moved to a tiered pricing system, which charges customers based on the amount of data they download. If you have, say, an iPhone with AT&T, you'll pay $15 a month for 200 megabytes of data usage, $25 a month for 2 gigabytes and $45 monthly for 4GB. Verizon Wireless is rolling out a tiered data plan, effective July 7. New customers with smart phones pay monthly prices of $30 for 2GB of data, $50 for 5GB and $80 for 10GB.

Is the service and reception as good with no-contract plans? That depends. Some no-contract carriers are owned by the wireless giants and operate on their networks. Sprint, for example, owns Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile. Others, such as MetroPCS, use separate, smaller networks that may have spotty coverage in some areas and charge extra for roaming.

How do I make the switch? Most carriers will allow you to keep your existing phone number when you move to a new service. And they're required to port a phone number for anyone who stays within a general metropolitan area. Contact your current carrier to ask how best to schedule the move, but don't cancel your service yet.

Make the transfer when you're least likely to need your phone – you won't have service for a few hours, and possibly a day or more. Once you're set up with the new carrier, call the former one to confirm that you're canceling service.

By Lisa Gerstner, Kiplinger.com

Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2011 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. http://www.kiplinger.com/.

Marinades and Tasty Side Dishes

2011-08-01T17:14:00.000-05:00

By Kirk Leins

Summer is here and that means one thing. It's the height of grilling season! Some grill veterans have been firing up their barbecues since late spring while others may have just decided they no longer want to cook indoors. Regardless of where you stand, there are a few issues I'd like to discuss.

Grill maintenance is key to every cook's success. If it's been awhile since your grill was last used, you'll probably want perform a grill check-up. Whether you have a gas or charcoal grill, start by giving it a good cleaning. Cleaning methods can vary depending upon the brand and type, so be sure to consult the owner's manual or the company's website for tips on maintenance.

If it's a gas grill, you'll want to inspect the lava rocks which lie directly above the burners and allow the heat to conduct evenly. If they look overly-worn, get rid of them. You can find replacement rocks at any home and garden store for a minimal cost. If your grill runs on propane, make sure there's still plenty of gas in the tank. It's also a good idea to keep a back-up tank on hand, as it prevents the awkwardness of running out when you're hosting family and friends.

With the boring logistics out of the way, it's time to start thinking about what and how you grill. When handled correctly, a barbecue offers three distinct advantages. For starters, it's fast. Generally speaking, food cooks quickly on the grill, making it the perfect vehicle for getting dinner on the table. Secondly, it saves on cleanup. Grilling doesn't require nearly the amount of kitchen equipment that a stove typically will. Lastly, grilling allows the heat to remain outside of your home, where it belongs.

Marinades
Marinades impart flavor and lend personality to a meal. Truthfully, I find store-bought versions to be inferior at best due to the phony emulsification and artificial flavors. They are also extremely overpriced. The answer here is to make our own, and this is simpler than you might imagine.

Before I give you my recipes for three great marinades, I'd like to quickly share my philosophy on the subject. First and foremost, marinades need to be powerful. Meat is fairly dense and, in order to flavor it properly, the seasonings need to be big. The next sign of a great marinade is proper usage of the different flavor types (i.e. savory, sweet, spicy, and tart). My suggestion is to represent as many of them as you can with an understanding of the role they should play within the marinade. My last suggestion is that you try to include some type of oil in your marinades. Using oil will not only help with emulsifying your marinade, it also enables the mixture to adhere to the meat.

Chipotle Lime Marinade
1/2 of a 7 oz. can of chipotle peppers packed in adobo sauce
the juice of two limes
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 tbsp honey
3/4 cup of vegetable oil
salt and pepper

Add all ingredients except the oil to a blender or food processor. Process the mixture until smooth. While continuing to process, slowly add in the oil. Process until fully emulsified.
This marinade tastes great on everything from pork chops and prawns to swordfish and chicken wings. If you're using seafood, allow it to marinate for no longer than one hour. For anything else, feel free to marinate for up to four hours. Be sure to reserve some of the marinade for basting. Before grilling, wipe the marinade off the meat to prevent burning. Toward the end of the cooking process, baste the meat with the reserved marinade.

Ginger/Lemongrass Marinade
1/3 cup chopped lemongrass (using only the tender center of the stalks) OR the zest of 2 lemons
1 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated
1 garlic clove, chopped
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp dry sherry
1 tbsp sesame oil
1/4 cup vegetable oil
salt and pepper

Place all ingredients into a blender or food processor and process until the lemongrass is fine.
This marinade works well with both flank steak and chicken on the bone. Fish is another option as it tastes great with salmon, sea bass, and halibut. Once again, marinate the fish no longer than one hour and the chicken or steak for up to four hours.

Gremolata Marinade
1 cup parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp lemon zest
1 tsp lime zest
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and, using a spoon, whisk together until fully mixed. Allow mixture to sit for 15 minutes before marinating meat.
This marinade is a favorite of mine for skirt steak, boneless chicken breasts, and any grilled vegetables. It also makes a great topping for eggs and an awesome dip for crusty bread.

Side Dishes
Two of my favorite side dishes for the grill are potatoes and corn. Here are a couple of recipes you're absolutely going to love!

Barbecued Potatoes
2 lbs. Yukon Gold Potatoes
1 large sweet onion (i.e. Maui or Texas Sweet), cut into thick slices
8 cloves garlic, peeled but left whole
1/4 to 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
non-stick spray
1 appropriate-sized disposable roasting pan and aluminum foil

Preheat your grill. Spray bottom of roasting pan with non-stick spray. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise, and cut into half moons roughly 1/4 inch thick. Place sliced potatoes into a large bowl. Add onion, garlic, and crushed red pepper to the bowl. Season the mixture liberally with salt and pepper. Toss with a few tablespoons of olive oil until all potatoes are lightly coated. Add contents to the roasting pan and cover with aluminum foil. Place roaster onto a medium-hot grill and close lid. Allow potatoes to cook for 30 to 40 minutes. Using a thin spatula, stir potatoes every 15 minutes, making sure you scrape from the bottom. This practice ensures many crispy bits in your finished product. Don't forget to make sure that everyone gets at least one clove of roasted garlic.

Barbecued Corn
4-6 large ears of white kernel corn
1 stick of quality unsalted butter
juice of 1 lime
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp pure chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Remove husks and silk from the ears of corn. In a bowl, allow butter to come close to room temperature. Add lime juice, garlic, herbs and spices, and mix to combine. Return bowl to fridge and allow butter to slightly harden. Smear equal amounts of butter mixture onto individual ears of corn. Wrap each ear in a 12-inch by 12-inch piece of foil. Place ears onto the grill over a medium to medium-low heat. Cook for 15 minutes, turning frequently. Unwrap and serve.

There you go, friends, Part I of my all-encompassing homage to the summer barbecue.
Kirk Leins has been cooking his entire life. No stranger to professional kitchens, he currently devotes most of his time to cooking instruction, food writing, and producing television. Kirk also provides his services as a personal chef in and around the Los Angeles area. He has made several TV appearances on both the national and local level, and is the Executive Chef for YOU Magazine. Sign up for Kirk's free newsletter and cooking blog at http://www.notimetocook.com/.

We're going to learn how to grill a perfect steak.

2011-08-01T17:10:00.001-05:00

Like everything else in this world, there are upsides and downsides to grilling steaks outdoors, whether it's over charcoal, wood, or an open flame. Let's start with the positives.
The primary reason to grill outdoors is flavor, especially when using either charcoal or wood as your fuel of choice. The smoke they create permeates anything sitting atop the grill, giving your food a quality that cannot be described with words.
But steaks also taste great when they're cooked on a gas grill. This is due in large part to the flavor that's created when the heat of the flame comes into contact with the flavor left behind on the grill from previous grilling sessions. Outdoor grills also make it much easier to prepare a steak dinner for a large group. They not only handle a bigger payload, but they also simplify the impending clean up.
In terms of the not-so-positive, it really comes down to two points for me. First, there are some steaks that arguably do better in a pan than on a grill, filet mignon and hangar steak to name two. The point here is that much of your grilling success has to do with the type of steak you choose. We'll get to some of my favorite cuts in a bit.
The second downside has to do with the temperamental nature of the grill. As opposed to the predictability of cooking in a pan on top of your stove, an outdoor grill involves many X factors. Everything – from your choice of fuel to hot spots on the grill – will have an effect on how your meat cooks. And when you're attempting to cook a steak to a specific degree of doneness, nothing wreaks more havoc on the final outcome than these types of variables. I'll show you how to deal with some of them later in this article.
Where to Buy
When it comes to buying great steak, there are typically four options available. My favorite is visiting a local, privately-owned butcher shop. If you look hard enough, every city has at least one such establishment. If you're not familiar with the private butcher shops in your neighborhood, start asking around. You can even look through the phonebook or do an online search. Your diligence will be rewarded as these establishments typically offer great, hand-cut steaks at lower prices than many of the larger stores.
Another location for procuring really good steak is at one of your community's higher-end grocery stores. These stores are sometimes privately owned, but can also be part of a small chain. They typically offer outstanding produce, full-service bakeries and delis, harder-to-find grocery items, and top-notch meat and fish counters. The only problem is that you generally pay for this convenience in the form of higher prices throughout the store.
A more cost-effective way to purchase steak is from a warehouse store like Costco. You may be forced into purchasing 4 to 6 steaks at a time, but the quality of the meat is typically very good, and the savings are awesome. This is a great choice if you're entertaining a large group or if you have room in the freezer to stock any unused steaks.
Another cost-effective way to buy steaks involves your computer. Thanks to modern technology, there are countless online meat purveyors ready to ship great steaks right to your front door. One such website is http://www.omahasteaks.com/. By logging on to their website, you'll be inundated with countless options as well as some really good deals. Two other websites I really like are http://www.lobels.com/ and http://www.nimanranch.com/. With both companies, the quality of the steak is top-notch. The prices, however, are higher than those found at Omaha Steaks.
What to Buy
When it comes to buying steak, I rarely purchase anything that's tagged lower than USDA Prime. In a nutshell, Prime beef is the most tender and juicy available. The reason for this is the extensive marbling of fat within the lean. This fat literally dissolves into the meat during the cooking process, creating unmatched succulence. If cost is a factor, you can consider purchasing steaks marked USDA Choice. Buying anything lower than Choice, however, isn't a very good option.
In terms of cuts of steak that are good for the grill, you have several choices. Two that come to mind instantly are T-bone and Porterhouse steaks. T-bone steaks are made up of two cuts, filet and New York strip, set apart by a bone resembling the shape of the letter T. This bone, along with an ample amount of fat, keeps both cuts juicy and tender, even when cooking over the high heat of an outdoor grill. Porterhouse steaks are nothing more than T-bone steaks with larger portions of both filet and strip.
Probably my favorite steak to cook on the grill is a cut known as the Rib Eye. Taken from the small end of the rib roast, the Rib Eye is as juicy and flavorful as beef can be. Traditional Rib Eyes are boneless, but they can also be found with the bone still attached. This version is known as a Cowboy Steak. A USDA Prime Rib Eye steak is not cheap, but trust me when I say that you cannot go wrong when cooking one. Whether you're using a cast iron pan or your outdoor grill, it's very hard to dry out this steak, no matter what degree of doneness you're trying to achieve. It is as forgiving as a steak can be.
The New York Strip is also a nice cut for the grill as its outside edge is lined end-to-end with roughly 1/3 inch of fat. This strip of fat not only adds flavor to the steak but also keeps its edge very juicy. The problem with New York Strips is that they have a tendency to dry out the farther you get away from that fat. That's why I always suggest going with a New York Strip that's no thinner than 1.25 inches. The added thickness allows you the ability to get a nice char on the outside of the steak without over cooking the inside.
If you're looking for a tender and flavorful cut of steak that is also budget friendly, look no further than Skirt Steak. Not only is Skirt economical, it is unbelievably tasty and juicy, not to mention highly versatile.
How to Cook Your Steak
Every cut of steak has its own cooking quirks, and trying to address all of them in this article is downright impossible. What I can do, however, is give you a list of steak-grilling principles.
Cook steaks at room temperature
Many people pull a steak from the fridge and plop it directly on a hot grill. This practice will alter your cooking times and make it very hard to achieve the desired interior doneness. I suggest removing your steaks from the fridge no less than an hour before cooking. Place them on a clean plate, cover with plastic wrap, and set in a cool place.

Don't under-season your steak
When it comes to the use of salt and pepper, don't be shy. Steaks are large pieces of meat that require a substantial amount of seasoning. The first step in correctly seasoning a steak is using a coarse-grain salt (i.e. Kosher salt, sea salt) and freshly ground pepper, as opposed to table salt and pre-ground pepper. The flavors are better, stronger, and the coarse grinds make it easier to tell how much seasoning you've used.

Think twice about marinating
There is really no need to marinate a high-quality steak. You're paying to obtain the deliciousness of its natural beef flavor. To me, stepping on that flavor with a marinade makes no sense. However, this does make the previous tip regarding sufficient seasoning even more important.

Get to know the grill
Every outdoor grill heats differently. Understanding the grill you're cooking on is important to a successful outcome. After your barbecue has been lit and is at full temperature, hold your hand 3 inches above the grill, and run it over the entire surface area. Take notice of which areas are hotter than others, and store this information in the back of your mind. This will allow you to place the food properly and move it around appropriately during the cooking process. While your grill is at its hottest, use your steel-bristled barbecue brush to clean it thoroughly. The more you brush a hot grill, the more of a non-stick surface you will create.

The rules of thumb (and forefinger)
When it comes to steak, the general rule is for every 1-inch of meat, ten minutes of cooking time (5 minutes per side) is needed to achieve a medium degree of doneness. Cooking times are adjusted in either direction to achieve varying degrees of doneness. These cooking times may be a great starting point, but they are merely an approximation. The best practice also involves cooking by feel. By pressing down on the steak with your forefinger, you can better estimate the interior doneness of the meat. This may sound strange, but press your forefinger to the tip of your nose. That feeling is similar to a steak cooked to medium. A steak that's more yielding will be more rare and, in turn, a steak that's less yielding will be more cooked. Do this a few times, and you'll get very good at predicting interior doneness without cutting into the steak.

Get your grill marks
The first step in achieving perfect grill marks is the practice of flipping your steak only once. Continual flipping of the meat will destroy any chances of diamond-shaped grill marks. The next step involves turning the steak. Let's say your steak's cooking time is approximately 10 minutes. This means the steak would get flipped at the 5-minute mark. It also means that at the 2.5 and 7.5 minute marks, the steak needs to be rotated 90 degrees on the grill. Doing so will result in perfect grill marks on each side of the steak. When serving, display the side with best grill marks facing up.
Now that you've got the skinny on what it takes to make a great steak, it's time to show you one of my favorite preparations.
Grilled Rib Eye Steaks with Blue Cheese Butter (Serves 2)
2, 10-oz. boneless Rib Eye steaks, approximately 1 to 1.25 inch thick
Extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 stick of high quality unsalted butter, softened
1/3 to 1/2 C blue cheese, crumbled
In a bowl, use a fork to mix butter and blue cheese until fully combined. Place the butter mixture on top of a sheet of plastic wrap. Using your hands, form the butter into the shape of a small log, 1.5 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and set in the fridge for 2 hours.
Heat your outdoor grill. Meanwhile, lightly brush each side of both steaks with a small amount of olive oil. This allows for better contact between the steak and the grill. Season all sides liberally with salt and pepper, and set aside on a plate.
Once your grill is ready for cooking, place steaks on a very hot part of the grill and cook for approximately 8 minutes (four minutes per side) for medium-rare. Remove steaks to a plate. Unwrap blue cheese butter, and cut off four, 1/4-inch slices. Top each steak with two slices of blue cheese butter and serve.
This is an awesome steak as the combination of beef and blue cheese is a perfect one. Serve this Rib Eye with roasted potatoes, mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette, and a great glass of red wine. Bon Appétit and happy grilling!
Kirk Leins has been cooking his entire life. No stranger to professional kitchens, he currently devotes most of his time to cooking instruction, food writing, and producing television. Kirk also provides his services as a personal chef in and around the Los Angeles area. He has made several TV appearances on both the national and local level, and is the Executive Chef for YOU Magazine. Sign up for Kirk's free newsletter and cooking blog at http://www.notimetocook.com/.

Shopping Online For A Used Car? Beware Of Scams, BBB Warns

2011-07-29T10:41:00.000-05:00

St. Louis, Mo., July 26, 2011 - The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning consumers to be on the alert for phony used car dealers using the Internet to advertise vehicles at deeply discounted prices.

The BBB says the fraudulent dealers often take detailed personal information and cash from potential customers, promising to deliver vehicles to customers' homes. The vehicles never arrive.

In the past five months, consumers have alerted the BBB to two used car scams - one supposedly located in New Florence, Mo., and the other reportedly based in Sullivan, Ill. Both operations fabricated their addresses. There is no indication that either was a legitimate business.

"People work too hard for their money to be taken by these yo-yos," said a Birmingham, Ala., consumer who alerted police to a fake dealership calling itself Edward American Cars, which claimed to be operating in Sullivan. The consumer said he was keenly aware of the potential problems of car scams after previously losing $5,500 to an online thief.

Sullivan Police Chief John Love said that the address advertised by that business - in the 500 block of South Sixth Street - actually is the home of a long-time city employee who has no involvement in any car business. Love said the case has been turned over to state investigators.

Love has taken several calls from consumers across the U.S. who questioned the legitimacy of the online site. He said he was aware of no one who lost money in the scheme, but several people said they were worried that their personal information may have been compromised.

In February, a consumer from West Virginia told the BBB he lost nearly $7,400 after buying a vehicle from Quick Auto Sales, which hijacked an address in New Florence, Mo. The address turned out to be the site of an abandoned service station.

“It’s sad that there are people like that,” said the man who had recently lost his job.

Michelle Corey, BBB president and CEO, said consumers should be careful about making any advance payments for items marketed through the Internet, especially if they are not familiar with the business.

“Just because the picture is pretty and the price is right doesn’t mean you should throw caution to the wind,” Corey said.

The BBB offers the following tips for consumers interested in buying vehicles online:

Buy from an established business with a good reputation.
If you are unfamiliar with the business, check its address to make sure it has offices where it says it does. If you have continuing concerns, contact the building manager or other tenants to confirm the business address.
Whenever possible, pay by credit card in case you need to challenge the purchase.
Be wary of prices that seem unusually low. Low prices are the best way for a fraudulent business to attract victims.
Get a BBB Business Review by going to http://www.bbb.org/

Infected Apps Lead to Smart-Phone Scams - You may be downloading trouble with infected apps.

2011-07-26T14:09:00.000-05:00

The growing popularity and functionality of smart phones is presenting a tempting target for cybercrooks. Recently, an outbreak of malware (short for "malicious software") infected thousands of Android phones after users downloaded a seemingly innocuous app from the Android Market.

This time, Google, which developed the Android operating system, wiped the threat from infected phones. But don't expect hackers to back off. "They can access your contact list, e-mails, mobile-banking account login information," says John Sileo, author of Smartphone Survival Guide: Ten Critical Security Tips in Ten Minutes. "They can act on your behalf; they can become you."

Signs that your phone is infected may include decreased battery life and slow performance. Fishy calls and texts on your phone bill are a dead giveaway. To find trustworthy apps, experts recommend downloading from reliable sources, such as the Apple Store, Amazon and the Android Market – exceptions such as the infected application notwithstanding.

For extra coverage, download free mobile security software, such as Lookout Mobile Security, available for Android, Windows and BlackBerry phones.

Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2011 The Kiplinger Washington Editors. www.kiplinger.com.

Clip Your Way to Savings - 3 Easy Ways to Save with Coupons

2011-07-26T14:05:00.000-05:00

How often do you find yourself leaving a store with a big grocery bill–but not a lot of groceries in your cart to show for it?

If you want to have a spring in your step–and more money in your wallet–the next time you leave the grocery store, try these tips:

1. Don't wait for your Sunday paper. You can find over 100 coupons in at least two inserts that are included in most Sunday papers. But you don't have to wait for your Sunday paper. Instead, you can visit the Sunday Coupon Preview website to read the insert schedule and sign up for an email alert to get advance notice of what coupons are going to be featured in the next Sunday paper.

2. Ask your grocer to match competitors' prices. Most, if not all, major grocers will match competitors' prices. Instead of dashing to different stores, spending additional money on gas, bring competitor advertisements to your grocer and ask them to match the prices on featured items or items on sale.

3. Print coupons from the comfort of your home. Websites like SmartSource.com ask you to enter your zip code and then display a list of ready-to-print coupons. You can print the entire list of coupons or select individual coupons to print. You can even narrow your search down by category and brand.

For some people couponing is an extreme sport, but if that's not for you there are still savings to be had in just doing the simple things above. Happy shopping!

Scam Alert: BBB Warns of an Email Phishing Scam

2011-07-24T14:41:00.001-05:00

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a new email scam designed to steal your money. Be on the lookout for an email claiming to be from someone you know who is stuck in another country. They are asking you to give them a loan to pay for their hotel bills and airfare home and request that you respond via email.

“This is yet another phishing scam,” said Paula Fleming, BBB Spokesperson, “all the scammers are doing is using a new ‘hook’ to lure you into wire transferring money to them.”

This email scam will come from someone who you have corresponded with via email before, but their email address may be different. All personal information or signatures within the email will be the same. This is a type of phishing scam, where thieves send emails that appear to be from a trusted contact and try to trick you into providing personal information or sending large sums of money via wire transfer.

If you reply to the email, you will be asked to wire transfer money or to provide your bank account or credit card numbers. The scammer may also reply back with a link where you can supply this information. Do not click on links within scam emails, your computer will almost certainly be infected with malware or spyware viruses that can help the scammers find enough information on your computer hard drive to steal your identity.

The BBB has some simple advice to keep you safe:

If you receive an email from someone you know who says they are in trouble, contact that person directly with the number or email address that you have for them.
NEVER click on links contained in emails you receive from someone you don’t know, even if the email looks real.
NEVER give out personal information over the telephone or online to someone you don’t know.
Make sure your computer has up to date, anti-virus software because new scams are created every day.
When in doubt, check it out with the BBB. It’s fast, easy and FREE to check on companies out at bbb.org.

For more information the latest scams, please visit bbb.org.

Top 5 Social Media Scams

2011-07-20T11:09:00.000-05:00

We’re wired to be social creatures, and sites like Twitter and Facebook have capitalized on this to great success. According to its COO Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook draws 175 million logins every day.
But with this tremendous popularity comes a dark side as well. Virus writers and other cybercriminals go where the numbers are -- and that includes popular social media sites. To help you avoid a con or viral infection, we’ve put together this list of the top five social media scams.
5. Chain Letters
You’ve likely seen this one before -- the dreaded chain letter has returned. It may appear in the form of, "Retweet this and Bill Gates will donate $5 million to charity!" But hold on, let’s think about this. Bill Gates already does a lot for charity. Why would he wait for something like this to take action? Answer: He wouldn’t. Both the cause and claim are fake.
So why would someone post this? Good question. It could be some prankster looking for a laugh, or a spammer needing "friends" to hit up later. Many well-meaning people pass these fake claims onto others. Break the chain and inform them of the likely ruse.
4. Cash Grabs
By their very nature, social media sites make it easy for us to stay in touch with friends, while reaching out to meet new ones. But how well do you really know these new acquaintances? That person with the attractive profile picture who just friended you -- and suddenly needs money -- is probably some cybercriminal looking for easy cash. Think twice before acting. In fact, the same advice applies even if you know the person.
Picture this: You just received an urgent request from one of your real friends who "lost his wallet on vacation and needs some cash to get home." So, being the helpful person you are, you send some money right away, per his instructions. But there’s a problem: Your friend never sent this request. In fact, he isn’t even aware of it. His malware-infected computer grabbed all of his contacts and forwarded the bogus email to everyone, waiting to see who would bite.
Again, think before acting. Call your friend. Inform him of the request and see if it's true. Next, make sure your computer isn't infected as well.
3. Hidden Charges
"What type of STAR WARS character are you? Find out with our quiz! All of your friends have taken it!" Hmm, this sounds interesting, so you enter your info and cell number, as instructed. After a few minutes, a text turns up. It turns out you’re more Yoda than Darth Vader. Well, that’s interesting … but not as much as your next month’s cell bill will be. You’ve also just unwittingly subscribed to some dubious service that charges $9.95 every month.
As it turns out, that "free, fun service" is neither. Be wary of these bait-and-switch games. They tend to thrive on social sites.
2. Phishing Requests
"Somebody just put up these pictures of you drunk at this wild party! Check 'em out here!" Huh? Let me see that! Immediately, you click on the enclosed link, which takes you to your Twitter or Facebook login page. There, you enter your account info -- and a cybercriminal now has your password, along with total control of your account.
How did this happen? Both the email and landing page were fake. That link you clicked took you to a page that only looked like your intended social site. It's called phishing, and you've just been had. To prevent this, make sure your Internet security includes antiphishing defenses. Many freeware programs don't include this essential protection.
1. Hidden URLs
Beware of blindly clicking on shortened URLs. You'll see them everywhere on Twitter, but you never know where you're going to go since the URL ("Uniform Resource Locator," the Web address) hides the full location. Clicking on such a link could direct you to your intended site, or one that installs all sorts of malware on your computer.
URL shorteners can be quite useful. Just be aware of their potential pitfalls and make sure you have real-time protection against spyware and viruses.
Bottom line: Sites that attract a significant number of visitors are going to lure in a criminal element, too. If you take security precautions ahead of time, such as using antivirus and anti-spyware protection, you can defend yourself against these dangers and surf with confidence.
Copyright (c) 2010 Studio One Networks. All rights reserved.

Can Your Car Be Hacked?

2011-07-20T11:07:00.001-05:00

You might be behind the wheel, but increasingly, computers control your car’s every function.
Microprocessors direct braking, acceleration and even the horn these days. “Because they are hidden, people don’t often understand that there can be anywhere from 30 to 40 microprocessors in most cars and even up to 100 different ones running different functions in some vehicles,” says Stephan A. Tarnutzer, chief operating officer for DGE Inc., which provides electronic designs and consulting for auto manufacturers and suppliers.
But could a hacker compromise these systems? Recently, several news reports have raised the issue of car-hacking risks, including:

Vehicle disablement. After a disgruntled former employee took over a Web-based vehicle-immobilization system at an Austin, Texas, car sales center, more than 100 drivers found their vehicles had been disabled or their horns were honking out of control.
Tire pressure system hacking. Researchers from the University of South Carolina and Rutgers University were able to hack into tire pressure monitoring systems. Using readily available equipment and free software, the researchers triggered warning lights and remotely tracked a vehicle through its unique monitoring system.
Disabling brakes. Researchers at the University of Washington and University of San Diego created a program that would hack into onboard computers to disable brakes and stop the engine. The researchers connected to onboard computers through ports for the cars’ diagnostic system.

Is your car at risk?
The potential for car hacking is real, although there may not be a financial incentive for hackers to focus on autos just yet, say the experts. “All the malware attacks consumers are faced with every day have financial motives behind them,” says Ryan Smith, a principal researcher with Accuvant Labs who finds vulnerabilities in computer systems.
Most of the danger right now may come from hackers who want to demonstrate their prowess and enhance their reputations, says Tarnutzer. And the increased reliance on wireless systems -- such as the tire pressure monitoring system -- makes your car more vulnerable to these attacks, says John Bambene, a security researcher with the Internet Storm Center, the global cooperative community that monitors cyberthreats.
Protect your car from hacking
Security is largely in the hands of auto manufacturers, who are working to address concerns. In the meantime, you can take these steps to protect your vehicle:

Ask about wireless systems. Familiarize yourself with the wireless systems if you’re purchasing a new car, advises Bambenek. For a car you already own, you can review your manual or check online. Find out if any of the systems can be operated remotely.
Ask about remote shutdown. If you’re financing through the company from which you purchased the vehicle, ask about remote shutdown related to repossession. Make sure the seller has security measures in place that control access to the system.
Go to reputable dealers and repair shops. It’s possible for unscrupulous garages to manipulate your car’s computer systems, making it appear you need repairs that aren’t actually warranted. Don’t cut corners when it comes to choosing a dealer or repair shop.
Protect your information. Of course, locking your car is always wise. And if you use OnStar -- the GM-owned auto security and information service -- make sure you don’t leave OnStar-related documents or your password in the car, says John Luludis, president and co-founder of Superior Tech Solutions, an IT provider, and a former car industry tech executive. Since OnStar can remotely shut off your engine if you report the vehicle stolen, there’s the potential for mischief if your password falls in the wrong hands.
Be cautious about after-market devices. After-market car systems may not be as rigorously tested or designed, opening you to vulnerabilities, says Tarnutzer.

Luludis compares the use of computers in cars to the development in our use of personal computers. Hacking exploded when the Internet evolved, making it easy to access computers via networks. Wireless connections mean your car is no longer a closed system. “Once you have connection to vehicles, you have an entry point for people to try to access,” says Luludis. “The only thing standing in their way now is a standardized piece of software. It’s a concern we need to address.”
Copyright (c) 2010 Studio One Networks. All rights reserved.

Unsecured Bad Credit Installment Loans Online – 3 Important Tips You Must Keep In Mind

2011-07-15T16:22:00.000-05:00

Some people who own some fixed assets are considered “lucky” even though their credit scores are badly affected by the global economy crisis. They make good use of their fixed assets to serve as collateral so that they can obtain financial assistance from loan providers with low interest rates. For people who do not have any fixed asset, what can be done if they need cash for important matters? How can they resolve their financial hardship?

Here is your solution – the unsecured bad credit installment loans online. You don’t need to own any fixed asset. As long as you are currently employed and you have fixed monthly salary, you are eligible to obtain the bad credit loan. Having poor credit history will not deter you from getting the financial assistance.
Before you make up your mind to take up the loan, you are reminded to go through the three tips stated below:

* Ask yourself honestly whether you really need the loan
I am not saying that unsecured bad credit installment loans are bad. To certain extent, they are really helpful for people who are in need of cash. To be frank, different people may have different needs when they apply for loans. You need to evaluate your financial situation carefully to find out whether the loan is really important for you or not. If you don’t need cash for urgent matter, it is not wise for you to obtain bad credit loan as this type of loan requires the borrowers to pay the interests through the nose.

* Find the genuine online lenders
If getting the unsecured bad credit installment loan is a must, then you are advised to search for it through the internet. The application process can be very fast if you are able to provide sufficient personal information. However, please do not submit any personal documents to any lender if you have not done any background checking on the particular lender. It will be good for you to gather the information of those genuine lenders from the official site of the Better Business Bureau.

* Consider the interest rates offered by different loan providers carefully
Please accept the fact that you need to bear much higher interest when you take up unsecured bad credit installment loan from the “special” lender. In order to save as much financial cost as possible, you must spend some time to compare the interest rates of different loan providers so that you can select one which provides you the best rate.

Having bad credit doesn’t mean that you are not good in managing your finances. Learn from the mistakes and experiences so that you can manage your finances in a more proper manner.

Many have problems of getting reliable unsecured bad credit installment loans during desperate times.

VISIT US AT http://www.emergentfunding.com/ to see how we can help you.

Verbiage provided by: http://www.nptools2009.com/unsecured-bad-credit-installment-loans-online-3-important-tips-you-must-keep-in-mind/

Faces of Distracted Driving

2011-07-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

Accidents caused by distracted drivers can be tragic. Watch these videos and visit Distraction.gov to learn more from the U.S. Department of Transportation about how distracted driving has impacted lives:

	Alex Brown In 2009, 17-year-old Alex Brown was killed when she crashed her truck on a rural road while she was texting. To honor Alex's memory, her family formed an anti-distracted driving advocacy group. Watch the video...
	Jacy Good On the way home for Jacy Good's college graduation, a driver talking on his cell phone ran a red light. The crash killed her parents instantly, and Jacy spent four months in the hospital. Today, Jacy raises awareness about the dangers of texting and cell phone use while driving. Watch the video...
	Ashley JohnsonOn May 10, 2010, 16-year-old Ashley Johnson was killed when she lost control of her vehicle, crossed the center line, and hit a pickup truck head-on. She was texting at the time of the crash. Watch the video...
	Julie Davis In 2009, Julie Davis set off for a hike with her best friend. While walking, a 19-year-old driving at 70MPH struck Julie from behind, killing her. Laurie Hevier, Julie's daughter, is now an advocate against distracted driving. Watch the video...

Avoid Unexpected Cell Phone Data Charges when Traveling this Summer

2011-07-13T07:51:00.000-05:00

Nowadays, cell phone users are surfing the web, receiving emails and watching movies all on their smartphone with just the click of a button from just about anywhere. However, when traveling abroad, many consumers fail to recognize that their data plan is constantly in use even when they think their phone isn’t. Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to either turn off their phone or make the necessary data arrangements with their cell phone provider to avoid thousands of dollars worth of data charges while traveling abroad this summer.

Last year alone, BBB received more than 27,000 complaints against the cell phone industry, some of which were from customers who were unaware that their data was still in use as they traveled outside of their coverage area or outside of the United States. One particular customer was charged more than $1,200 when his cell phone auto received his emails daily during a one week stay in Jamaica.

According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), “roaming” is the term that describes a wireless phone’s ability to make and receive calls outside the home calling area under your service plan. When your phone is roaming, an indicator light on your phone may display the word “roam.” On occasion, your handset will not display a roaming indicator, even though it is in a roaming area. Before traveling abroad or out of your coverage area, it’s important for consumers to be proactive and contact their provider for specific details regarding their individual data and roaming plan.

“While the international roaming charges may vary from provider to provider, many of the fees can come as a surprise to travelers,” said Stephen A. Cox, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “To prevent the unexpected roaming charges, contact your cell phone provider to clarify where you are covered and the data plans that can be purchased when traveling abroad.”

BBB advises consumers to do the following with their cell phone and cell phone provider in preparation for a trip abroad this summer:

Turn off your phone. If you don’t need your phone and don’t plan on using it while traveling abroad, turn it off. Some travelers opt for renting or buying international cell phones. Many rental plans offer services that work in several countries and may provide free incoming calls.

Contact your cell phone provider. Many cell phone users know not to make calls or send text messages while out of their coverage area or abroad, but many fail to realize that their data is in use even when they don’t think it is. For the occasional traveler, who doesn’t talk on the phone that frequently, it may be worth looking into an international add-on plan. Your cell phone carrier can provide specific tips that cater to the roaming needs of your individual cell phone and data plan.

Invest in a prepaid SIM card. For the frequent, chatty travelers, or long-term travelers, investing in a prepaid SIM card may be the best way to cut costs. With access to a local phone number, you’ll be able to make phone calls at the country’s local rate. Always check with BBB before choosing an international service provider. Many companies offer SIM cards that can be purchased and can include free incoming calls originating from anywhere in the world.

For more travel tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/us/bbb-news.

Let's Read! Let's Move! Promoting summer reading and tackling childhood obesity

2011-07-12T09:29:00.000-05:00

Let’s Read! Let’s Move!

July 6th, 2011 Posted by Tracy Russo

Attorney General Eric Holder reads from Oh! The Places You'll Go. He is joined by Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education and basketball legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

In an effort to combat childhood obesity and summer learning loss, the Department of Justice joined the U.S. Department of Education to address young audiences throughout the nation as part of the Let’s Read. Let’s Move. campaign.
Earlier today, Attorney General Eric Holder participated in the first Let’s Read. Let’s Move. summer enrichment event at the Department of Education’s Lyndon Baines Johnson building in Washington, D.C.
The Attorney General was joined by Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan; Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan; NBA Hall of Famer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; and a classroom full of local students as he read a selection from Dr. Seuss’ Oh! The Places You’ll Go!

Students get active after story time.

This series of events, in conjunction with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, motivates young people to get and stay active, encourages summer learning outside of the classroom, and emphasizes the impact adults make when they take time to read to children.
Attorney General Holder’s book choice echoed the initiative’s call to reading, learning and active living:

Kid, you’ll move mountains! So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way!”

At the event Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan, led students through a number of activities, emphasizing the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle. Meanwhile the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington Physical, Healthy, Driven staff conducted games and the Target Corporation provided books and healthy snacks for those who were able to attend.

Miss America 2011, Teresa Scanlan, sits with students during story time.

Let’s Read. Let’s Move. is one part of the Obama Administration’s United We Serve summer service initiative, which encourages all Americans to make service and learning a daily priority.
Find opportunities to serve in your community at Serve.gov.

POSTED IN: Office of the Attorney General

Buyback Plans For Technology Products May Not Be Good Investments, BBB Advises

2011-07-08T21:49:00.000-05:00

If having the latest cell phone, laptop or tablet computer is your goal, you may have listened with interest to some stores’ advertised promises to buy back your gadget so you can upgrade quickly.

The BBB advises consumers to investigate the offers carefully before signing up or paying a fee. The plans are basically a form of insurance that allows you to trade in a gadget in good condition toward another product. However, the value may be less than you expected or it may be hard to qualify for the buyback if you don’t follow specific directions as required in the plan.

“Consumers who have to have the most sophisticated gadgets as part of their job or their lifestyle may find value in these offers,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. “But you have to balance the cost of the plans against what you may actually get back if your item isn’t in tip-top condition when you trade it in.”

The New York Times recently reported that many of these plans come with high price tags, and their value drops sharply if you don’t trade in the old item within a short period of time – often less than a year. It could take longer than that for the new version to arrive on store shelves.

The BBB offers the following tips for consumers who may be considering a buyback plan:

Consider the buyback plan as a form of insurance. The plans basically guarantee a resale value, but that value can drop off sharply over time. The true value may be nominal and may be hard to define, so make sure you read the fine print.
The plans have the retailer’s interest at heart. When you bring back your item, you usually will be issued a gift card good only at that retailer, essentially locking you in to that store for the next technology purchase. In some states, consumers also have found that they have to pay sales tax as many as three times – for the original purchase, when they return the item and again when they use the gift card.
Buyback plans don’t work if you’re forgetful or disorganized. Many plans require you to return the original purchase receipt, power cords and manuals. If you don’t have them, you may not be able to get as much trade-in value for your gadget.
Mobile phone contracts are excluded. You may be able to upgrade your cell phone with a buyback program, but you will still have a contract with the cell phone service provider who may bill you for the life of the contract. Find out whether the service contract can be transferred to a new phone.
Erase any personal data before returning your gadget. To avoid identity theft, make sure that the memory of the gadget is wiped clean before you turn it in. Otherwise, computers and even cell phones can contain sensitive information that could be used to commit identity theft.
Consider reselling gadgets elsewhere. Some consumers have found that they can get more out of their gadgets by reselling them than by trading them in. Online auction or classified ad sites may be a better way to get some value out of your gadgets.

For more consumer tips or to check a company’s BBB Business Review, go to http://stlouis.bbb.org/

BBB Advises Parents To Watch For Signs Of Child ID Theft

2011-07-08T14:23:00.001-05:00

The first tell-tale sign that a child has been the victim of identity theft could be a credit card solicitation in the child’s name arriving in the mailbox, the BBB warns.

Identity thieves comb the Internet to find inactive Social Security numbers, many of them assigned to children. Companies sell the numbers under different names. Thieves then use the numbers to establish fake credit and rack up significant debts. The debts could mar a child’s credit record later in life. Creditors may try to collect the debts, too.

“Identity theft is a serious problem for adults, but it’s even more frightening that it can affect young children,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO. “Parents should take precautions to ensure the safety of their child’s identity and credit.”

Last year, 8.1 million American adults became victims of ID theft, with losses totaling $37 billion, according to a report from Javelin Strategy and Research. While information on child ID theft is scarce, Debix, an ID theft monitoring company, checked records for 40,000 children and found that 4,000 records had been tainted. The BBB advises parents to be on the lookout for signs of child ID theft:

Find out how to check your child’s credit report. Many reports for children under 13 are unavailable from the free credit report website, http://annualcreditreport.com/. The easiest way to check is to ask TransUnion, one of the three credit reporting agencies, for your child’s report. If there is no report, then odds are good that your child is in the clear. If not – or if you have other reasons to believe your child has been a victim – you should get reports from the other two bureaus, Experian and Equifax.
Recognize signs of trouble. Calls for your children from collection agencies or letters offering them credit cards are common red flags that indicate a child’s identity may have been stolen.
Know what to do if you suspect your child is a victim. Every parent should check his or her child’s credit report on the child’s 16th birthday. While it isn’t a good idea to check it too often, families should check reports in time to fix errors and remove fraudulent activity before their children apply for college and seek financial aid. If you find suspicious activity, contact all three credit bureaus and request a report immediately. If your state allows it, you can request that a credit freeze be placed on the child’s report immediately.

For more information on securing your identity or to check a company’s BBB Business Review, go tohttp://stlouis.bbb.org/

Is Retirement in Your Future? Advice from the Better Business Bureau

2011-07-05T12:57:00.000-05:00

Having an alternate plan for retirement is becoming the norm today. With the changes in retirement rules and the fact that employees are cutting back on what they contribute to an employee’s retirement, consumers now realize they must take more personal responsibility for their retirement finances. In this economy, how do you go about making sure you will have the finances needed for a secure retirement?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), fewer than half of all Americans have calculated how much they will need to save for retirement. While it’s important to plan, it’s also important to set realistic, achievable goals. Know your options and ask questions. Set aside time to talk with your employer about retirement plans. Your employer may offer benefits like 401(k) plans which allow for an immediate tax deduction growth on your savings.

“While earlier generations of retirees relied on employer provided pensions, today’s workers will need to rely on their own work-related and personal savings for retirement,” said Stephen A. Cox, president and CEO of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “That’s why it’s extremely important to have an alternate plan and save as much as possible.”

BBB and USDOL recommend that consumers consider the following to ensure a more financially comfortable retirement:

A penny earned is a penny saved. Start saving now and continue to stick to your savings goal, it’s never too late to start saving. Make a budget and use it! Saving can be fun if you think big and realize how much it will pay off when the times comes to retire.

Be realistic about your retirement needs. According to the USDOL, experts estimate that you will need about 70 percent of your preretirement income – lower earners, 90 percent or more – to maintain your standard of living when you stop working. The average retiree is in retirement for 20 years of their life. Plan ahead and familiarize yourself with how much you will need after factoring in Social Security and other sources of retirement income.

Take advantage of your employer’s retirement savings plans. While more and more companies are becoming less generous with retirement benefits, some still allow you to contribute to a 401(k) plan. If it’s offered, participate. There may even be a chance that your employer matches a percentage of your contribution. If your employer doesn’t offer a plan, consider investing in a traditional IRA or Roth IRA. You can put up to $5,000 a year into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA); you can also contribute even more if you are 50 or older.

Don’t stir the pot. Avoid touching your retirement savings if at all possible. If you withdraw your retirement savings now, you’ll lose principal and interest and you may lose tax benefits or have to pay withdrawal penalties. If you change jobs, leave your savings invested in your current retirement plan, or roll them over to an IRA or your new employer’s plan.

For more financial tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org/us/bbb-news.

Retailers welcome debit fee limits; banks still object

2011-06-27T13:54:00.000-05:00

About the issue
The U.S. Senate voted this week to allow the Federal Reserve to set limits on debit-card transaction costs — “swipe fees” — that financial institutions charge retailers. Current fees typically are 1-2 percent per purchase, according to the Federal Reserve, though some Springfield merchants say fees sometimes approach 3 percent.
What’s next
The Federal Reserve is expected to issue new rules by July 21.
***
Local retailers say they welcome U.S. Senate action this week to limit fees financial institutions charge merchants for debit-card transactions.
The president of the Community Bankers Association of Illinois, however, said the issue probably will be settled in court.
The Senate vote allows the Federal Reserve to set new rules by July 21.
Springfield retailers said debit-card transaction fees, or “swipe fees,” range from 1 percent to nearly 3 percent per purchase, depending on the issuer and type of transaction.
The Food Mart grocery and deli recently set a $5 minimum purchase on Visa debit-card purchases to help cover transaction costs, said co-owner Tony Pirrera. He added that he is not yet certain the congressional action would provide relief for retailers or consumers.
“They’ve made it so complicated. Who knows what kind of charges they’re going to come out with next?” said Pirrera.
The Federal Reserve proposed last fall a flat, 12-cents-per-transaction limit on major banks, but Community Bankers Association president Robert Wingert said fee limits will hurt smaller banks and consumers.
“A lot of the merchants are dealing with debit cards that come from the big banks,” said Wingert. “If you limit it to 12 cents per transaction, merchants naturally are going to drive debit-card business to the big banks.”
Wingert said it costs financial institutions to issue the cards, and banks are liable for losses resulting from fraud.
“Fraud losses are real, and they are meaningful,” said Wingert, who added that he expects there will be a court challenge once the new rules come out.
The president of Community Bank Service Corp., a state association subsidiary that handles financial services for members, said the group has asked Visa and MasterCard to consider shifting more of the fraud-loss risk to merchants.
“What it (12 cents) covers is processing costs. What it doesn’t cover is the cost of the plastic, the cost of fraud and other costs,” said Mike Kelley.
Community banks will either lose money or be forced to raise other consumer fees to compensate if the new limits are implemented.
“Costs would be shifted elsewhere,” said Kelley.
During an appearance Friday at the Trout Lily Cafe in downtown Springfield, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., a leading Senate supporter of the limits, said Chase Bank, Bank of America and Wells Fargo alone make approximately $8 billion a year from debit-card transactions.
He noted that the average U.S. fee of 44 cents for Visa and MasterCard transactions compares with just 9 cents in Europe.
“What we’re doing is calling on the Federal Reserve to issue this rule as quickly as possible, so that businesses across America know what the rules will be from this point forward,” Durbin said.
Cafe owner Kate Hawkes said that, by the time she subtracts transaction fees and other costs, she probably loses money on some debit-card sales.
“We have tourists coming through all the time, and the debit cards are killing us,” said Hawkes. “We have a sign on our cash register sometimes that says cash is cheerfully accepted.”
Motorists may already have benefited from the swipe-card controversy, said Bill Fleischli, executive vice president of the Illinois Petroleum Marketers Association, which represents the state’s convenience-store industry.
Fleischli said some stations have started giving discounts of 5 cents a gallon when motorists pay cash.
“They are trying to avoid that (fee) cost,” said Fleischli. “It gives the people a savings if they use cash, and it helps the marketers, too.”

Better Business Bureau Warning: Real Estate Scam That Could Claim Area Renters as Victims

2011-06-15T09:26:00.000-05:00

Columbus, GA - June 6, 2011 -A local realtor contacted the owner of an area construction company regarding two properties owned by him on behalf of a client who had seen the following classified ad:

"Stop Renting, AVAILABLE NOW 2-4 Bedroom homes. Take Over Payments. No Money Down, No Credit Check. Call Now."

The properties had been fraudulently listed on a Distressed/Foreclosure list sold to the client for $199.00. The properties should not have appeared on any such list since they had been paid for a number of years ago and have no mortgages associated with them.

The BBB is advising area renters that may have been fooled by this Scam to immediately contact their bank/credit card company to dispute the charges and to also put fraud alerts on those accounts.

OTHER TIPS TO CONSIDER:

Do not be swayed by "too good to be true" Advertising Claims!
Deal locally with people that you can meet in person
Work with a trusted real estate professional
Distressed Property lists are available locally and are free
Never give out Social Security numbers, Personal Financial information or send money to people that you do not know
Check with the BBB for Trustworthy Real Estate Companies

For additional information contact

Leonard CrainPres./CEO BBB Columbus, GA 706-324-0707

Another Advance Fee Scammer Claims Fargo, ND Address

2011-06-12T12:46:00.001-05:00

The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota has discovered another advance fee loan company claiming to operate out of Fargo, North Dakota. Last week, our BBB issued an alert on Fraser Brokerage, a company promising consumers advance fee loans over the telephone, a practice which is illegal in the U.S. and Canada.

Earlier this week, Wakefield Financial, another fraudulent online entity offering advance fee loans -- and claiming a Fargo address -- was brought to our attention. The BBB is confident they are not actually at this address. Two U.S. consumers have fallen victim to this company so far and in each case they wired money to Spain and then did not receive promised loans.

People should be extremely wary of any website that guarantees loans regardless of credit and should also never wire money (or send it via MoneyPak) to anyone they don't know. It is the experience of the BBB that people who pay fees upfront to online entities like this never receive their loans.

Home Buyers, Sellers Tell BBB To Approach Jack Roddy, JMZ And Bagwell Group With Caution

2011-06-11T22:01:00.000-05:00

St. Louis, Mo., June 9, 2011 – A St. Louis area real estate investor who buys and “flips” financially troubled property is facing angry criticism from consumers who say he cost them thousands of dollars or severely damaged their credit when home deals went sour.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends extreme caution when dealing with Jack L. Roddy, JMZ Homes, JMZ Investment Group or Bagwell Group Management Corp. Roddy has an office in New Athens, Ill., but also lists an address in St. Charles, Mo.

A sergeant in the Missouri National Guard who is scheduled to deploy overseas in the next several weeks said Roddy cost his family more than $15,000 and nearly ruined his life when Roddy stopped making mortgage payments on the man’s home in O’Fallon, Mo., and the house slipped toward foreclosure. The guardsman’s wife said the stress “sent me over the edge. I thought we were going to be put out on the street.”

Another consumer, also from O’Fallon, said she stands to lose an $11,000 down payment after a home she was buying from Roddy recently went into foreclosure.

Michelle L. Corey, BBB president and CEO, called the stories from home buyers and home sellers who have dealt with Roddy heart-wrenching. “In many cases, these are people who believed they were making sound investment decisions, only to find their lives turned inside out. It is a real shame.”

Roddy, who said he has been in the real estate business between 15 and 20 years, describes himself on his LinkedIn listing as a multi-millionaire, marketing director of JMZ Investment Corp., CEO of Bagwell Group and a platinum member of the Global Information Network. The listing describes the Global Information Network as “a private, exclusive, members-only global association of individuals dedicated to achieving financial independence, wealth creation, dynamic health and emotional well-being.”

In an interview with the BBB from his New Athens office, Roddy blamed his mounting problems on uneducated investors, naïve home sellers and “deadbeats” who stop making home payments. “I’m tired of babysitting all these deadbeats who don’t pay,” Roddy said.

Other consumers who claim to have had problems with Roddy include:

Another woman from O’Fallon who says Roddy talked her into transferring ownership of her late father’s home to a trust controlled by JMZ Homes. A lawsuit pending in St. Charles County claims that Roddy and JMZ breached the terms of a contract by refusing to pay the woman $35,000, and failed to pay the debt on the property, “causing the real estate to be subjected to foreclosure procedures.”
A businesswoman from Arizona who said that a deal with Roddy “took me right to brink of bankruptcy.” The businesswoman told the BBB she met Roddy at a real estate seminar in Florida. She agreed to invest in a small “fix and flip” house in Pana, Ill. She said she lost more than $33,000 in the purchase and in an unrelated loan to Roddy. She also said that a family that was involved in a lease-purchase agreement of the home lost $7,000 when water problems made the house uninhabitable.
A couple who entered into a lease-purchase agreement at the same O’Fallon address where the Army sergeant and his family had once lived. The couple said they had given Roddy a $12,000 down payment on the house and had put an additional $10,000 of renovation work into the structure earlier this year. Just last week, that family learned that Roddy had missed several mortgage payments on the home and, once again, it was at risk for foreclosure. “I want to make sure this guy is never able to do anything like this to anybody ever again,” said the husband, who first learned the house was facing foreclosure from a BBB investigator.

Roddy said he ran into financial trouble with the lease-to-purchase homes only after the buyer stopped making payments to him. But home buyers told the BBB that is not true. They said they stopped making payments to Roddy only when they learned that Roddy had stopped paying the lenders and the homes were threatened with foreclosure. The national guardsman said he couldn’t justify continuing to invest in a house that he might soon lose to foreclosure.

Two other families – one who transferred ownership of a home directly to Roddy and another who transferred a home to another business that later transferred it to Roddy – said that their credit was damaged when Roddy got behind on mortgages they still held.

Roddy said he could not tell a BBB investigator how many properties he owns and how many are currently in lease-to-buy agreements.

He said he intends to get out of the lease-to-buy business in the near future, but insists he has done nothing wrong. “I didn’t know there were that many people who did not pay their bills,” he said.

Recently, Bagwell group began posting signs reading “Storm Repair Keep Your Deductible” in neighborhoods where homes were damaged in recent storms.

The BBB offers the following tips to prospective home owners looking at a lease-to-buy option:

Determine whether the seller owns the property outright or is making mortgage payments to a lender.
Beware of deals where the mortgage is not in the name of the seller, but in the name of a third party. If the seller of the property does not own the home outright and somebody else is making payments to a lender, the owner may have nothing to lose by letting the property go into foreclosure.
Get references. Contact others who have dealt with the business to determine whether you want to get involved.
Contact the BBB for a BBB Business Review by going to http://stlouis.bbb.org/ or by calling 314-645-3300.

Contacts: Michelle Corey, President & CEO, 314-645-3300, mcorey@stlouisbbb.org, or Bill Smith, Trade Practice Investigator, 314-645-3300, tpc1@stlouisbbb.org

The BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. The BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Reviews, dispute resolution service, charity wise-giving reports, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. Please visit www.bbb.org for more information.

Filing or Paying a Late Tax Return

2011-05-31T14:35:00.000-05:00

Whether paying with a timely filed tax return, or filing late and paying late after receiving a bill from the IRS (and the bill is correct), taxpayers are encouraged to pay the taxes they owe in full.
If taxes are not paid, and no effort is made to pay them, the IRS can ask a taxpayer to take action to pay the taxes, such as selling or mortgaging any assets owned or getting a loan. If effort is still not made to pay the bill, or make other payment arrangements, the IRS could also take more serious enforced collection action, such as levying bank accounts, wages, or other income, or taking other assets. A Notice of Federal Tax Lien could be filed that may have a detrimental effect on a taxpayer’s credit standing. See information about Liens and Levies.

Haven't Filed a Tax Return? Here's What to Do
Taxpayers should file all required returns that are past due now to avoid additional penalties and interest. This section gives information on getting help and documents needed to prepare a return. It is never too late to file.

How Full Payment of Taxes Saves You Money
Paying your taxes in full ultimately saves you more money. Take action now or you may face additional interest and penalties.

Payment Options - Ways To Make a Payment
There are several different ways to make a payment on your taxes. Payments can be made by credit card, electronic funds transfer, check, money order, cashier’s check, or cash.

Other Ways to Resolve Tax Debt That Could Save You Money
Taxpayers unable to pay all taxes due on the bill are encouraged to pay as much as possible. By paying as much as possible now, the amount of interest and penalties owed will be lessened. Based on the circumstances, a taxpayer could qualify for an extension of time to pay, an Installment Agreement, temporary delay, or Offer in Compromise.

What Will Happen If You Don't File Your Past Due Return or Contact the IRS
The IRS will file a substitute return for you, which will not include any additional exemptions or expenses you may be entitled to and may overstate your real tax liability. Once the tax is assessed the IRS will start the collection process, which can include placing a levy on wages or bank accounts or filing a federal tax lien against your property.

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=108326,00.html

Wanting What's Best for Your Children - Ensure Your Family's Future Happiness and Success

2011-05-27T08:26:00.000-05:00

Remember, we all want the best for our children. In terms of the life path children will choose, this sentiment has two meanings for the parent. The first has to do with your children's happiness, and their ability to carve out a niche in a field that truly makes them happy. The second is your children's financial stability as an adult; the ability to make choices that will set them up for a relatively comfortable future.

What Makes Your Child Happy?
We've all heard that when it comes to happiness regarding one's chosen profession, it's all about getting paid for something you'd do for free. If you agree with this philosophy, then applying it to your children requires figuring out what they'd do "for free". What makes them tick? What are they drawn to? Where do they naturally excel? So often we can look at other parents and see them living vicariously through their kids. The really hard part is figuring out if we're doing the same thing.

Are your kids involved in every activity imaginable? Do they have somewhere to be (aside from school, of course) every day of the week? Take a step back and ask yourself not only if those questions apply, but does it sound like fun? So much of childhood is about fun experiences. Sometimes it's actually the "fun" part of life where kids learn their most valuable lessons, like kindness, team work, and self-esteem.

No one is saying extra-curricular activities are a bad thing. Actually, when handled correctly, they also teach the aforementioned lessons a child needs to learn. What's important, however, is to think less about where you want your kids to excel and more about where they're inclined and what they enjoy. If you're going to crack down on anything, make it schoolwork. That's something you can make a case for no matter where a child's interests lie.

This attitude, along with attentiveness to the child, is where to begin when trying to figure out how your child thinks. Take notice of the things they like. Are they an athlete or an artist; a musician or a mathematician; a teacher or a humanitarian? Or, do they show shades of a few things? Remember, it's not important that your child does everything with skill. Sometimes, it's more important they just have a good time doing it. Once you figure out the happiness part, guiding them in the right direction gets a little easier.

What Can Help Your Child Succeed Financially?
The second issue that's a part of wanting the best for our kids has to do with financial stability. Everyone's heard the adage, money can't buy happiness, but how many of us truly believe that – at least, to a certain extent? Truth be told, it's not the money that buys happiness as much as it is the peace of mind that comes from financial stability. So let's start there. Let's start with the idea that it's not important for your child to make a ton of money; rather, it's for them to become financially stable. How do we accomplish that?

For starters, it never hurts to begin teaching them about finances at an early age. Get them to understand the idea that money doesn't grow on trees. Rather, it's something you work for, oftentimes really hard. An allowance is a good place to start. Let them deposit their own money in the bank, and show them how to keep track of it. As they get older, don't be afraid to demonstrate things like how to balance a check book. Have discussions regarding some of the pitfalls of credit cards. The point is that it's important to address this stuff, and don't assume that your child is going to learn it on their own. Once a child has an understanding of how to make money, as well as how to hold on to it, you are well on your way.

The next step is helping them figure out what they'll do to earn a living. For this, go back to the first item we discussed, figuring out what makes them tick. If your child wants to be a doctor, chances are that as long as they get into medical school, they're going to be alright. But what if your kid is an artist or a musician – potentially lucrative professions, with the emphasis on "potentially"? This is where having a "Plan B" comes into play.

Support your child's dream with the utmost energy but encourage them to develop a back-up plan, utilizing the very same talents. Musicians, artists, and those with similar talents can teach these subjects, write about them, own businesses pertaining to them, and the list goes on. Whatever the case may be, it's your job as parent to point out the different options.

Good luck to everyone who's a parent, for your job is more difficult than any profession your child will ever choose.
-YOU Magazine, May 2011

Managing your Credit - FAQs - brought to you by BBB

2011-05-26T14:30:00.000-05:00

How does a potential credit issuer use a credit score?

Many lenders — and others — use your credit score to help determine whether or not to give you a line of credit. Your credit score can also affect your ability to get a job, rent an apartment, get a cell phone, and even find affordable car insurance.

What goes into creating a credit score?

The most commonly used score, called the FICO score, generally measures five key criteria:

o Length of credit history

o Types of credit lines

o Payment history on those credit lines

o Amounts owed on those credit lines

o New credit lines – how many and over what period of time

In addition to looking at a credit score, what do creditors look for on a credit report?

They look at several things, which ultimately come together to build a financial profile of you. This can include:

o Your monthly and annual income.

o Your monthly payment obligations…including rent, student loans, medical bills, car payments, utilities, telephone/cell/cable bills, etc.

o Are your financial obligations in line with your total income?

o Are your monthly payments in line with your monthly income?

o Do you pay your bills on time?

o Do you have outstanding traffic or parking tickets or other government issued citations?

o Do you have any kind of credit history?

o How many credit cards have you applied for in the last few months?

How do I know if what’s on my credit report is accurate? And what do I do if I find out there’s a mistake on it?

A federal law allows you to request a FREE COPY of your credit report from EACH of the three major credit bureaus once every 12 months. The only free resource to get a copy of it is at http://www.annualcreditreport.com/. If you find mistakes on your credit report, you should contact each of the three credit reporting agencies to report the error/s, and start the process to correct them.

www.equifax.com

www.experian.com

www.transunion.com

I like having several credit cards to choose from – especially retail store cards. Is there anything I should be aware of with that?

Yes – two things to be aware of:

a) The number of credit applications you submit – even for retail store cards – may show up on your credit report and can be a “red flag” to potential creditors. Any red flag may cause them to deny your application or charge you a higher interest rate on your credit line.

b) Opening several lines of credit may also lower your credit score, because it will reduce the “average age” of your accounts — a key criteria in determining your credit score

What can I do if I have trouble qualifying for a credit card?

There are two possible things you can do:

a) Contact your bank and ask what you can do to get a credit card. One possible option the bank might suggest is to issue you a card with a low credit limit that you can gradually increase as you show that you can pay your bills on time.

b) Another possible option the bank might suggest it to apply for a Secured Card. This product requires you to deposit a certain amount of money into a savings account before you can use the credit card. Most banks who offer secured cards will then match your credit limit with the amount of money you’ve deposited into the account. As you build a strong track record with your bank over time, you can request an application for a general purpose credit card.

What can trigger the bank to increase my APR?

There are a number of things that can trigger an increase in the APR, but the most important one that you should guard against is missing a payment deadline.

What is a “Teaser” rate on a credit card?

A Teaser rate is the same thing as an “Introductory” rate, which is a lower APR designed to attract credit applicants. Teaser rates last for a set period of time (all must be honored for a minimum of six months), and then the rate will increase. Read the rules closely so you understand the agreement you are making with the credit issuer.

How can I protect myself from fraudsters attempting to trick me into divulging my bank or credit account information?

Your bank will never call or email you for the purpose of “veriyfing” your account information. They already have it. Also…ignore any threats or expression of urgency you receive by phone or email, indicating that your account will be de-activated if you do not respond immediately and “verify” your information.

I’m behind on my payments, and I’m uncertain if I can catch up on my own. What do you suggest?

o First, call your lender/s directly, by calling the issuing bank’s customer service line. Ask to speak to someone who can explore some repayment options with you. When you get the right kind of banking representative on the line:

􀀀 Focus on what you can do. Be prepared to share some ideas. Sometimes a small change can make a big difference, such as asking to shift your due date to a better time of the month if you’re frequently struggling to make your payments just before your payday.

􀀀 If your issuing bank tries to contact you – respond, and have this type of conversation. Don’t be afraid to talk with the bank, which may be able to make some changes that could make it easier to pay off the debt.

o Make an appointment with a reputable credit counseling agency, if your attempts to negotiate with your lenders have not been successful. There’s additional advice on this step in the next Q&A, immediately below.

How do I find and work with a reputable credit counseling agency?

Interview several agencies.

If you know someone who has used such an agency in the past, ask them for a recommendation. Or, ask friends relatives who they would consider if they needed budgeting advice. You can also find credit counselors in the Yellow Pages, by contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (http://www.nfcc.org) or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit

Counseling Agencies (http://www. aiccca.org) for a list of members or by using an Internet search engine. Further, The CARD Act mandates that issuers provide three licensed and Government approved credit counseling agencies or a toll-free phone number that provides that information on each statement.

What are some good signs of a reputable credit counseling agency?

Here’s a list of seven (7) criteria to look for/ask about.

1. Recognized as a non-profit by the IRS.

2. Required to maintain all proper licenses.

3. Provides review of customers’ income and debts, along with a written plan for reducing and eliminating debt.

4. Disperses the proper payments to creditors at the proper times —typically twice a month.

5. Provides clients with written statements at certain intervals.

6. Offers various educational programs and other ways to help consumers overcome debt.

7. Audits accounts.

Managing Your Credit - Addendum: Credit Card Responsibility, brought to you by BBB

2011-05-24T22:07:00.000-05:00

CREDIT CARD ACCOUNTABILITY, RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLOSURE ACT OF 2009 –

(“Credit CARD Act”).

The Credit CARD Act represents a fundamental change for the credit card industry, marking the beginning of a new era of consumer empowerment. Signed into law in May 2009, the Credit CARD Act provides consumers with protections from unfair practices such as unexpected interest rate increases and ensures better disclosure of credit card terms and fees. Understanding these disclosures can make it easier for you to manage your credit wisely – helping you to meet your payment deadlines, avoid late fees, and know in advance if your interest rate will be increasing giving you plenty of time to plan ahead and make an extra effort to use cash and/or opt-out of certain terms.

What the Credit CARD Act Means for Consumers:

o Your interest rate will be honored for one year after you open an account. However your rate can be increased:

􀀀 if your card has a variable interest rate (if the index goes up, so can your rate)

􀀀 if you are more than 60 days late in paying your bill

􀀀 if you are in a workout agreement and you don’t make your payments as agreed

o Introductory rates will be honored for at least six months, after that your rate can revert to the "go-to" rate (the rate must be clearly disclosed when you first get the card).

o Banks will not charge you a fee if you exceed your credit limit…unless you agree in advance to “opt-in” and pay the fee in return for the flexibility to exceed that limit.

o Banks will provide at least 45 days notice before increasing your interest rate, changing certain fees or making any other significant changes to the terms on fixed-rate cards.

o Banks will honor your interest rate on an existing balance, unless your minimum payment is at least 60 days overdue. If this occurs — and you pay on time for six months in a row — your previous rate will be restored.

o Banks will no longer charge interest on balances you paid on time the previous month. (No double-cycle billing)

o Banks will no longer raise your interest rate just because you missed a payment deadline with another lender. (No universal default.)

o Bills will be sent at least 21 days before the due date.

Managing Credit - Part V. Protect Yourself from Fraud - brought to you by BBB

2011-05-20T14:00:00.000-05:00

You are your own best line of defense to protect yourself from credit card fraud. Here’s how:

- Sign your card immediately when you receive it in the mail.

- Carry only the cards you expect to use, and keep them secure.

- Secure — in your home — other cards you may not regularly use.

- Keep a list of account and telephone numbers for your card issuers in case your cards are lost or stolen. Once you report the loss or theft, you will not be liable for unauthorized charges.

- Keep a copy of this list both at home and at your work.

- Notify your card issuer/s in advance if you have a change of address.

- Notify your card issuer/s in advance if you plan to travel outside the US and use the credit card.

- Be very cautious about giving anyone your account number.

-Do not give your cards to anyone.

- Keep your pass code and personal pin number secure. Do not put it in writing and do not share it with anyone.

- Use only reputable companies with secure websites for online shopping.

- Email is not secure. Never include your credit card number (or SOCIAL SECURITY Number) in an email.

- Shred all paper documents containing your personal identifiers (account number, name, address) before disposing.

- When you are expecting a new or replacement credit card or debit card, look for it in the mail.

- Report a lost or stolen credit card or debit card immediately.

BBB FRAUD Alert BBB FRAUD Alert BBB FRAUD Alert BBB FRAUD Alert

Card-issuers will never call or email you asking you to ‘verify’ your account Information. They already have it. Ignore any threats or expression of urgency you receive by phone or email indicating that your account will be de-activated if you do not respond immediately and ‘verify’ your information.

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Indicators of a Secure Web Site:

Look for well-known seals…and then roll your cursor over the seal to see if it’s active and clicks through to the seal-issuer.

Common online seals of authenticity or security include (among others)

• BBB Accredited Business

• Yahoo Merchant

• Verisign-secured

• TRUSTe

• McAfee-secured

Managing Credit - Part IV Going Forward - How to Improve Your Credit Score (and Why it will Help You) --- brought to you by the BBB

2011-05-19T14:25:00.000-05:00

While you’re focusing on lowering balances, it’s also important to make a few key moves to start improving your credit score, which may help you qualify for lower interest rates over time. Your credit score and credit report are key tools that measure your financial risk, giving lenders a way to predict how likely you are to pay your bills on time. Many lenders — and others — use your credit score to help determine whether or not to give you a line of credit, whether you’re applying for a credit card, buying a car or planning to buy a home. The higher the score, the lower the risk…and the more favorable account terms you’ll usually be offered. Your credit record may also affect your ability to get a job and find affordable insurance. So it’s always important to build — or rebuild — a good score…even if you aren’t about to take out a new loan.

How Your Score Is Calculated

There are several types of credit scores, but lenders often use the FICO score, which ranges from 300 to 850. Your FICO score measures five key criteria and can vary slightly, based on which credit reporting agency issues the score. The information that shapes these criteria comes from your credit report, and includes:

- Length of credit history

- Types of credit lines

- Payment history on those credit lines

- Amounts owed on those credit lines

- New credit lines — how many and over what period of time

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Credit Reports - Check your credit report for errors or potential fraud once each year.

You can order a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies once every 12 months by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. This site is run jointly by the three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). It’s a good idea to stagger your requests for a copy of your credit report, requesting it from one bureau every four months. This will help you monitor your credit over the course of a year and detect potential fraud early.

Case Study - A High FICO Score Can Translate Into Big Savings

Let’s say the average lender was offering a 30-year mortgage at a 4.743% interest rate for borrowers with a FICO score between 760 and 850. But the average lender charged a 6.332% interest rate for borrowers with a FICO score between 620 and 639. Impact of FICO Score on Payment — On a $250,000 loan, that monthly payment for borrowers with the higher FICO score range would be $1,303…versus $1,533 for those in the lower FICO score range. That’s a difference of nearly $90,000 in interest payments over the 30-year life of the loan! For more information and a calculator to run your own numbers, visit FICO’s consumer web site at www.myfico.com

How to Improve Your Credit Score

1. Fix any errors on your credit report.

Get a free copy of your credit report at www.annualcreditreport.com. If you find any mistakes, contact each of the three credit reporting agencies:

www.equifax.com

www.experian.com

www.transunion.com

2. Pay your bills on time.

On average, more than one-third of a credit score is based on payment history. The later you are, the more points you lose. If you’ve missed payments, get current…and stay current.

3. Keep your credit card balances low.

Generally another one-third of your credit score is based on the amounts you owe, often expressed as your “credit utilization ratio,” which is the percentage of your credit limit that you’ve actually used. If you’re close to the limit, it’s a flag to potential lenders that you’re maxing out your cards. It’s a good idea to keep your purchases to less than 25% of your credit limit at any time, even if you pay off your bill in full every month.

4. Limit the number of credit cards you open….including retail store cards.

Generally, the length of your credit history accounts for 15% of your credit score. Opening several new cards within a short period of time can hurt your score, because it lowers the average age of your accounts. Lenders worry that you plan to borrow money you may not be able to repay. It’s usually a good idea to keep open old cards with a long credit history, which also helps your credit score, because they contribute to your “credit utilization ratio.” If you determine you want to close old cards, close them one at a time over a period of time. But, choose carefully, because the oldest may be important to a better credit score.

5. Promptly pay any traffic or parking tickets or library fines.

If the bill ends up going to a collection agency, your credit score could drop by as much as 100 points. Pay these bills on time, and keep records of the payment.

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Automatic Electronic Payments- Consider activating an automatic electronic payment schedule with your bank, so you’ll never be late for a payment.

NOTE – Some lenders have recently increased their minimum payment requirement from 2% of the outstanding balance to 5%. If you’re only paying the minimum balance due, make sure your lender has not increased its minimum payment requirement. It’s a good idea to have the automatic payment pay much more than the minimum. You’ll owe less in interest and can pay down your balance much faster.

Managing Credit - Part III. By the BBB

2011-05-17T07:36:00.000-05:00

III. Some Advice about ‘Quick and Easy’ Solutions

A. Debt “Settlement, Negotiation, Consolidation, or Elimination” Services

Numerous companies offer services such as debt settlement/negotiation or debt elimination. Consumers should be wary of any company that promises something that seems to be too good to be true, and should be cautious in to any service that requires fees to be paid up front. Some companies offering such services can actually worsen your financial situation.

- Debt “Settlement/Negotiation,” Debt settlement/negotiation companies promise they will negotiate with consumers’ creditors to reduce the amount owed…in most cases for an upfront fee. As a general rule, debt settlement/negotiation should be considered only as a “last resort” before filing bankruptcy.

- Many consumers complain that debt settlement/negotiation companies take their money but don’t deliver promised results. Consumers may be liable for late fees and penalties that accrue while payments are not being made during the debt settlement / negotiation process, and may be sued with respect to any debts owed. Also, failure to pay debts during debt settlement/negotiation will likely have an adverse effect on the consumer’s credit report.

- Debt “Elimination” Companies that advertise debt elimination rely on many different schemes that all hinge on the incorrect notion that credit lines are illegal. Debt elimination companies typically provide, for an upfront fee, a document for the lender that supposedly absolves the consumer of the debt. The document generally has no validity whatsoever. Consumers paying for such “services” have found they’ve wasted money that would have been better spent on actually paying back their debts.

BBB Alert BBB Alert BBB Alert BBB Alert BBB Alert

BBB advises caution with any company that makes any of these statements:

● We can remove your debt

● Do not communicate with your creditors

● Pay us and we’ll pay your bills

● Pay us a percentage of the bills we eliminate

● We can eliminate negative marks on your credit report

● Use our system and you’ll avoid Bankruptcy

B. Other Loan and Balance Payment Scenarios

- Collections. Collection agencies are separate companies that are used by creditors to collect a delinquent debt. The agency may be collecting the debt on behalf of a creditor, or they may have purchased the debt and are now attempting to collect the debt directly. Collection agencies will contact you frequently until you either pay the debt, or make payment arrangements. Having an account in collections may appear on your credit report and may negatively impact your credit rating. If you have an account in collections, communicate with the collection agency. Putting off debt collectors will not make the problem go away. When you receive a collection call, see if they are able to work with you on a payment plan. Consumers can stop communications from debt collection agencies if the consumer notifies the agency in writing to stop. Federal law requires that debt collection agencies honor such written requests.

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Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Collection agencies must abide by the FDCPA, which prohibits debt collectors from harassing you, calling you at unreasonable times, using abusive language, using false statements, adding unauthorized charges to your account, and other practices. Depending on your state, different rules may apply for your creditor’s collection departments. You may wish to contact a lawyer if you feel the terms of the FDCPA have been violated.

Short-term Loans

- Payday loans. Often referred to as “quick cash” or “check cash” loans, payday loans are easy to obtain because no credit check is required. CAUTION: They carry steep interest rates, and consumers may find they are trapped in a cycle of debt if they cannot pay back the loan by their next payday. Many states have banned payday loans or limited the interest that can be charged, and federal law limits the interest that can be charged by payday lenders to military service members and their dependents. An FTC alert on payday loans can be found at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt060.shtm

- Car Title Loans. You offer your car as security when you apply for a car title loan. You must provide your car title and a set of car keys to the lender, who holds them until the loan is repaid. CAUTION: Like payday loans, car title loans carry a high interest rate, can trap you in a cycle of debt, and you risk losing your automobile if you fail to pay.

- Pawnshops. Pawnbrokers take a consumer’s possession (a piece of jewelry, for example) as collateral for a loan that usually carries a high interest rate. CAUTION: If you do not repay the loan with interest by a certain date, the pawnbroker can sell your possession.

Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is a legal procedure that permits an individual (or business) to obtain relief from most or all of their unsecured debts. It enables people to seek a solution to their financial problems through the federal court. Bankruptcy is typically viewed as a “last resort” when other options to solve financial problems have failed, and there is impending financial disaster…such as losing a home to foreclosure, losing an automobile to repossession, or wage garnishment.

- Chapter 7 (liquidation). Allows you to eliminate most, if not all, of your unsecured debt. This may include medical bills, credit card debt, unsecured loans, utility payments, etc. Any property of value may be sold or turned into money to pay your creditors. You may be able to keep some personal items and possibly your house, depending on the law of the state where you live. Chapter 7 is typically filed by people who have few assets, little income, and a heavy burden of debt.

- Chapter 13 (debt adjustment). Reorganizes your debt into an affordable payment plan. A trustee is appointed and will collect the payments from you, pay your creditors and make sure you abide by the terms of your repayment plan. Your bankruptcy is not complete until you pay off all your creditors according to the terms of the plan. You are usually able to keep your property, but you must earn wages or have some other source of regular income and agree to pay part of your income to your creditors. This plan allows you to catch up on past due auto or home loan payments and temporarily halts foreclosures and collection actions. It can also help you pay off past due taxes, child support and loans.

Steps to take when considering bankruptcy

- Review the potential benefits. Bankruptcy can provide legal protection from creditors and take care of all or much of your debt.

- Know the consequences. There are no guarantees that bankruptcy will cure all of your financial problems. There are certain debts that cannot be wiped out by bankruptcy. A bankruptcy filing may also have a significant negative impact on your credit rating, which could have implications for housing, employment, and obtaining future credit.

- Seek assistance from a professional. Consult an experienced bankruptcy attorney to review your options

Managing Credit - Part II. Provided by BBB

2011-05-16T10:49:00.000-05:00

Part II –
Good Ways
to Get Help NOW

If you are having trouble making your payments or feel like you might have trouble qualifying for a balance-transfer offer ask for help now. Many people have found themselves in this situation for a wide variety of reasons. What matters now is how to get on the road to recovery.

Signs You Need Help

- You’re struggling with multiple forms of debt, such as credit cards, home mortgage, auto loan, utilities and/or medical bills.

- You cannot make the minimum payments on all your credit cards and other bills, or are making late payments.

- You’re using your credit cards to pay other bills, such as utilities.

Strategy 1 – Call Your Lenders Directly

Lenders want to work with their customers and have hardship programs to assist cardholders who have difficulty making their payments. If you’re having trouble making your payments, they probably know this and may have already tried to reach out to you to start a conversation about how to work together in a way that works for both the bank and for you.

Here are some ways to start this kind of conversation.

Call your issuing bank’s customer service line. Tell them why you’re calling, that you want to take responsibility for your finances, but you cannot do it under the current terms. Ask to speak to someone who can explore some options with you.

Focus on what you can do when you begin a detailed conversation with the right kind of banking representative. When you’ve initiated the contact, they already know you’re having trouble with the current plan and terms. At this point in time, they’re most

interested in what you can suggest as possible new plans and terms, so be prepared to share some ideas. Sometimes a small change can make a big difference, such as asking to shift your due date to a better time of month if you’re frequently struggling

to make your payments just before your payday.

If your issuing bank tries to contact you — respond, and have this type of conversation. Don’t be afraid to talk with the bank, which may be able to make some changes that could make it easier to pay off the debt.

Strategy 2 – Make an Appointment with a Reputable Credit Counseling Agency

(SEE Emergent Funding’s April , 2011 blog about Scam Warnings for Debt Consolidation Settlement Services)

If your attempts to negotiate with your lenders have not been successful, then a credit-counseling agency may be helpful. These organizations can review your overall financial and credit situation, discuss your options with you, help you prioritize your bills, and may ultimately negotiate with your creditors to stop the finance charges and late fees and

develop a repayment plan that will work for you.

Interview several agencies. If you know someone who has used such an agency in the past, ask them for a recommendation. Or, ask friends or relatives who they would consider if they needed budgeting advice. You can also find credit counselors in the Yellow Pages, by contacting the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (http://www.nfcc.org) or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies (http://www.aiccca.org) for a list of members or by using an Internet

search engine.

Signs of a reputable credit counseling agency

- Recognized as non-profit by the IRS.

- Counselors are required to maintain all proper licenses.

- Provide reviews of customers’ income and debts, along with a written plan for reducing and eliminating debt.

- Disperse the proper payments to creditors at proper times, typically twice a month.

- Provide clients with written statements at certain intervals.

- Offer various educational programs and other ways to help consumers overcome debt.

Questions to ask before you make an appointment

- Is this agency a non-profit organization?

- Is your agency accredited? By whom?

- Are your counselors certified? By whom?

- Are your services confidential?

- Will I be notified — in advance — of any fees associated with services being offered?

- Will you develop a plan that’s customized to fit my financial circumstances?

- Will my funds be protected? How?

- Are budget and credit education opportunities offered?

Managing Credit - Made Simpler ... Provided by the BBB

2011-05-14T09:28:00.000-05:00

You knew that credit cards could be great tools to help you manage your money, but now your outstanding balances are over whelming. The bills keep coming but you’re missing payments because your cash flow does not meet your payment obligations. Perhaps creditors are now trying to reach you and you just don’t know what to do next.

Emergent Funding wants to help you get out of this mess and will post solutions provided by the Better Business Bureau.

This is entitled TWO STRATEGIES TO PAY OFF BALANCES FASTER:

Strategies to reduce your interest payments can help you reduce your balances faster, even if you’re nowhere near able to pay your balance in full at this point.

Make the highest possible payment you can each month.

The faster you pay off your balance, the less you’ll pay in interest charges. Increasing your monthly payments by even a few hundred dollars can help you get out of debt much faster (see the case study below).

Find a lender that will give you a lower APR.

A lower APR translates into lower interest charges as a percentage of your outstanding balance. Switch to a lower rate card and benefit from balance transfer offers. Introductory or “Teaser” rates must last for at least six months and the rules must be clearly disclosed.

BBB Tip

“Teaser” Rates

Watch the calendar carefully, and pay as much of the balance as possible

in the first few months. Most “teaser rates” last only six months, and then the interest rate will jump after the introductory offer expires.

Case Study

How to Pay Less in Interest

Situation — You have a $5,000 credit card balance and your lender requires

a minimum monthly payment of 4% of your balance. This translates to a $200 minimum payment in the first month.

Problem — If your card charges 18% interest and you make only the minimum

monthly payments, it will take you 11+ years to pay off the balance. By that time, you will have paid the card company more than $2,800 in interest even if you never make any new charges on the card. That means that $5,000 balance actually cost you $8,000.

Solution 1 — Pay more than the minimum each month and pay off your balance faster. Even if you can’t pay a huge chunk of the bill, you can still accelerate the payoff process, which will minimize your out-of-pocket costs from interest charges.

Solution 2 — Transfer your outstanding balance to a card company that will offer you a lower interest rate, and boost your monthly payment a bit. If you switch to a card that gives you a 6% interest rate and increase your monthly payments to $500 each month, you’ll pay off your balance in 11 months and pay only $142 in interest — that’s a whole lot less than the $3,000 interest out-of-pocket described above!

As soon as you stop paying those high interest rates, you’ll free up a lot of money to cover your other expenses!

http://www.bbb.org/credit-management/Managing-Credit-Made-Simpler_Overwhelming-Obligations.pdf

Protecting Consumers at the Pump: The Oil and Gas Price Fraud Working Group

2011-05-09T11:32:00.000-05:00

The following post appears courtesy of Attorney General Eric Holder

Over the past few years, American businesses and families across the country have suffered the effects of the worst financial crisis in generations. Today, although our economic recovery is gaining steam, it remains critically important that we continue to use every available tool and resource to safeguard consumers against additional – and unnecessary – financial burdens.

For many, rapidly rising gasoline prices pose a serious concern. And while some factors – like regional variations and other lawful reasons for increased prices – may be beyond our control, it is imperative that we take action to identify and address potential cases of fraud and manipulation that may harm families and businesses.

Yesterday, I announced the formation of an Oil and Gas Price Fraud Working Group to help identify civil or criminal violations in the oil and gasoline markets, and to ensure that American consumers are not harmed by unlawful conduct. Since last month, at President Obama’s request, I have been directing efforts to increase cooperation between the Department of Justice and other groups with relevant authority, including federal agencies and state attorneys general. I am proud to say that this Working Group will enable us to formalize these partnerships, share monitoring information, and exchange ideas about what works – and what doesn’t work – at the state and federal level.

It will foster increased cooperation between investigators and government officials, so we can vigorously enforce state and federal laws against collusion, manipulation and other forms of wrongdoing. It will also allow us to evaluate significant market developments, including the activities of speculators and index traders, so we can anticipate and aggressively pursue cases of suspected illegal activity.

We’ve already proven that this kind of approach can be effective. Our new Working Group will report to me through the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force (FFETF), a partnership formed in late 2009 between agencies, regulators, state attorneys general, and local law enforcement organizations, which has already brought a powerful array of tools to the fight against financial fraud. By building on this work, the Justice Department and its partners can help promote a competitive and fraud-free marketplace – and can do so both efficiently and effectively.

As we work to determine if any laws have been violated and, if so, to swiftly bring those wrongdoers to justice, I am confident that the new Oil and Gas Price Fraud Working Group will help protect American consumers from unnecessary pain at the pump due to illegal activity. My colleagues and I at the Justice Department and across the administration are committed to stopping criminals who would take advantage of others for personal gain.

Learn more about at StopFraud.gov.

POSTED IN: Office of the Attorney General |

PERMALINK

Rental Costs Are About to Takeoff

2011-05-06T10:06:00.000-05:00

We are often asked whether it is better to rent or buy in the current housing market. The answer to that question is: "It all depends."

There are certain situations where renting short term probably makes sense. It may make sense if you are retiring to a different region of the country and are not yet sure where you want to set down roots for the next 25 years. It may make sense if you have a one-year employment contract that will probably require a move to another place upon termination.

However, in most other cases, renting right now makes little sense for several reasons.

Even though prices may still soften, waiting to buy wouldn't make sense as the cost of owning a home may still increase.
Mortgages may soon become much more expensive than they are right now.
Owning a home is less expensive than renting a home in 72% of major U.S. cities.
Rental costs are about to explode.

Let's take a closer look at the last reason. We have often said that the cost of anything is based on supply and demand. The number of widgets for sale and the number of widget buyers together create the price for widgets. That will also apply to rents. There is a much larger demand for rentals right now. The economy has forced many to leave their foreclosed homes and other buyers are afraid to plunge into homeownership.

At the same time, the supply of rentals is rapidly decreasing.

Apartment vacancy has dropped significantly since the recession, which ultimately drives up rental rates.
When supply is rapidly decreasing and demand is quickly increasing, prices have only one place to go – and that is UP! That is exactly where rental prices are headed.

Bottom Line

Is now a good time to rent? We think not. You can buy a home today at a discounted price and get a 30-year mortgage at a historically low interest rate. You can set your housing expense for the next thirty years. On the other hand, rental costs are poised to increase for years to come.

Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2011. Steve Harney