Max Diekneite recently reported that since the introduction of the new chip technology, skimmers are on the rise mostly at ATM’s and gas station pumps. Skimmers are not always easy to detect. Be aware of the ATM that you use that is outside and isolated. To check to see if your ATM is safe, touch the skimmer to see if it is loose, discolored, or is difficult to place your card into. These tell-tale signs are reasons to use another ATM and report it immediately. Weekends and holidays are times that skimmers are most often in use. Gas pumps are frequent targets for skimmers because chip technology will not be fully implemented until 2020. In addition, anytime use use the magnetic strip on the back of your card instead of chip technology you are at risk for having your personal information stolen. Take extra step not to be a victim of skimmers.

https://amp.kcci.com/article/skimmers-are-banking-on-getting-your-credit-card-information/20921158

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As computers become harder to crack, thieves are targeting USPS mailboxes to retrieve checks written to pay bills. Once the check is retrieved, thieves write a new amount on the check and your bill never arrives to its destination. Thieves find it more difficult to steal your credit card information since the chip technology in now in use. This technique is called mail fishing and it is on the rise and is happening coast to coast in the U.S. Perhaps an alternative is to pay your bills online using an online bill payer. Most banks offer online bill pay or you can pay over the phone. Online bill pay also saves you time and money.

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2018/05/25/as-computers-get-harder-to-crack-thieves-are-pillaging-mailboxes.html

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Angela Colley of Money Talks News reported being able to save $200 by cutting the costs of going out for lunch everyday. Let’s face it eating out can be expensive and adds up when you pick up the lunch tab. If you only spend $10 per day, $50 per week, $200 per month, $2,600 per year. But most of us spend a lot more depending where we live and how much we spend. Pack a lunch and place the money you would have used for lunch in your emergencies savings account.

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The hotel chain America’s Best Value Inn was the winner in the budget hotel category. It costs around $75 per night, which is the lowest rate among the 25 budget hotel chains in Money’s analysis. America’s Best Value Inn offers low prices without forcing guests to settle for poor service. Check it out and see for yourself.

https://www.moneytalksnews.com/this-top-rated-hotel-costs-just-75-a-night/

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Search within to figure out your biggest financial challenge and work to eliminate it. Remember your success depends on you. Become an independent financial thinker and avoid being enticed by peers, media ads, and the desire to fit in. When you reach your financial goals you will become the trendsetter and a model for success. It takes stamina and decisiveness to stick to your financial goals whatever they may be. The sky is the limit and soon you will be able to reach the stars.

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How can I learn to be to be more financially responsible? There are many ways to do this… Listen to a podcast or a TED Talk about personal finances. Read books and news about personal finances. Introduce a book to your book club about personal finance and they you can discuss the contents of the book with others and gain an unofficial support group of sorts. Talk to the more experienced among us, our parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Our elders have a wealth or experience that we can learn from without making the mistakes they made. Reach out to your bank to see if there are resources available to you for free or a small fee. When you read the news each day, focus on the personal finance articles that you find helpful and then share the article with others that can benefit as well. Building your financial prowess takes time and you will see there are great financial resources all around you.

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Growing together means we can learn from sharing our successes and failures with one another without fear of shame. This is especially important in relationships. Are you a saver or a spender? Your mate is likely the opposite and there lies the conflict. Early in your relationship be transparent about where you are financially and where you want to go. It speaks volumes about a person when you hear their thoughts and feelings about money. What it means to them and their goals and how they relate to others. What you say about money and your financial life tells more about you then you realize and it reflects the core of who you are. If you want to really get to know someone better find out how they make financial decisions. Their thought process is a deeper look of who they really are. Ask yourself and ask your mate am I a financial adult or a financial child? Do I and does my mate make decisions that are beneficial or harmful? Can I live with who they appear to be without judgement for the long haul or will I tire of their way of being. Think about what their decisions mean to your life as well, if you plan to be in a long term relationship that leads to marriage.

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We all have different definitions of an adult. Such as getting your first apartment or buying a house. However, being a financial adulthood, or managing money responsibly it not tied to a milestone like getting your first job. This means you spend, save and invest with a plan mind face reality and know when to ask for help. Don’t rely on credit cards to live and if you are graduating begin these skills now. Be honest with yourself about the status of your finances and remember we all must begin somewhere. How about starting today!

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/reality-check-are-you-a-financial-adult-2018-05-10

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We have been encouraged to freeze our credit reports to prevent credit fraud. However, credit freezes do not always work. We discovered recently that a consumer experienced credit fraud (after freezing their credit) and purchased a mobile phone using their credit data. The mobile phone company sent a credit query to the National Consumer Telecommunications and Utilities Exchange (NCTUE), which monitors mobile phone and utility accounts that are in arrears. Unfortunately, the fraudulent consumer was able to get a phone using someone else’s credit. The NCTUE is a subsidiary of Equifax and we found that you can call 1 866-349-5185 to get a free copy of your NCTUE report or to freeze your account. Visit https://www.nctue.com and check out to see if anyone has fraudulently used your credit information. https://krebsonsecurity.com/2018/05/another-credit-freeze-target-nctue-com/

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If you are on a tight budget, you can still make time with you mom special. Make a nice dinner, buy flowers, or give mom a gift certificate at her favorite nail salon. Be creative and remember moms enjoy spending time with their children with or without spending money. Enjoy Mother’s Day with your mom or a special woman in your life. Showing that you care is really the best Mother’s Day a mom could ask for. Use your imagination to share your gifts and talents with mom. Your mother will enjoy time with her children and or grandchildren. Enjoy! and Happy Mother’s Day!

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