Price Matching Is a Credit Card Perk that Few Consumers Use

Have you seen the credit card commercials that hype a card’s price-matching feature? Some credit card companies offer to refund the difference when customers can show that the price on an item went down after they bought it with that credit card. This offer brings in more customers to those credit card companies, but it seems that relatively few customers actually use it.

Terms vary from MasterCard’s offer of up to $250 back if you find the product for sale at a lower price within 60 – 120 days, depending on the card used, to Discover’s offer of up to $500 back if you report the lower price within 90 days of purchase.

The only downside of using this perk is that, in order to receive these refunds, you must contact your credit card company and submit documentation. Some companies request your credit card statement, while others have a special form to fill out online. You will need to show the specific retailer, price, and date that price was offered.

Price matching can definitely save you money, so be sure to check with your credit card company about their price-matching policy. Consider saving any refunds you receive. You might put the money into an emergency fund to meet unexpected expenses.

Reference:

Hill, C. (2015, November 10). The Greatest, Most Underused Credit Card Perk. MarketWatch. Retrieved December 10, 2015, from http://www.marketwatch.com/story/story?guid=e4aee540-50a2-11e3-ad6e-00212803fad6&storyguid=e4aee540-50a2-11e3-ad6e-00212803fad6&siteid=nwhpf.

Price Tracking Websites for Holiday Shopping

Price-Tracking Web Sites for Holiday Shopping

Even though Black Friday and Cyber Monday have passed, you can still find good deals online for holiday shopping without the stress of going over your holiday budget.

While Amazon always has many items marked down and can provide savings for the consumer, their pricing is not as straightforward as it might seem. Many consumers don’t realize that Amazon’s prices may change throughout the day. Fortunately, with the help of a price-tracking Web site, you can keep tabs on their prices and find the best time to buy the items you want.

CamelCamelCamel, for instance, tells whether a price on a specific item has increased or decreased over time. Copy and paste the URL of the item from Amazon.com—or the product keyword—and it tells if there has been a price change. CamelCamelCamel only tracks Amazon prices at this time. Their Web site is http://camelcamelcamel.com/.

To check prices from other online retailers, try Invisible Hand. This free download is an extension for your Web browser. It tells you if the item you are looking at online is being sold for less elsewhere. You can also use it for booking hotels, plane reservations and rental cars, as well. Their Web site is http://www.getinvisiblehand.com/.

PriceZombie is another free, downloadable Web browser extension that can notify users of low prices available at various stores. It gives an item’s price history and shows where you can get the item at the best price. It also notifies users if a recently purchased item is now selling for less, so you might be able to get a refund on the price difference. (Also check with your credit card company to see if they provide price-difference refunds when the price has dropped for an item you bought with your card.) Find them at http://www.pricezombie.com.

READERS, what do you think?

1.     Did you know that prices on items change all the time? What do you do to find the best prices?

2.     How do you plan to save money on holiday shopping?

Reference:

AOL, Inc. (n.d.). Price-tracking tools for holiday savings. Daily Finance. Retrieved December 1, 2015, from http://www.dailyfinance.com/2015/12/01/online-price-tracker-holiday-shopping-savings-experiment/.

Preparing for the Holidays without the Stress

It’s November, which means that holiday season is upon us. In recent years, businesses have been pushing holiday sales, especially Black Friday. This has encouraged shoppers to make holiday purchases well in advance to save money. But it also cuts into holiday time that many feel should be spent with families.

Does holiday time seem overwhelming or hectic? Or maybe you wonder how you can pay for presents for everyone on your list? If you are stressing out over your budget, or how to balance school or work with holiday preparations, there are ways you can make your job easier.

·      Pay cash for everything. You shouldn’t take on debt to buy presents, so using only cash keeps you from spending money you don’t have. Don’t take more money with you than you’re really prepared to spend.

·      Write down a list of all the gifts you are going to buy and which stores you will need to visit to find what you are looking for. Stay away from stores not on your list and don’t buy extra presents just because they’re on sale.

·      Try DIY (Do-It-Yourself) gifts. Maybe you are not a big crafter, but DIY gifts are an excellent way to save money; and besides, a homemade present could be especially meaningful to someone because you made it just for them.

·      Have a gift exchange. You might not need to buy a gift for everyone you know. If your family and friends are having a holiday party, a gift exchange will save everyone money. Each of you can draw one other person’s name from a basket and buy a present for him or her. This can be a fun way to exchange gifts, and everyone in your group will get something chosen just for them.

Black Friday sales can save you money, but there are other ways to avoid paying full price. Look on several stores’ Web sites for the best prices and to find out which stores are selling what you want to buy. You might find a lot of what you want at the big box stores, but do not forget Small Business Saturday—two days after Thanksgiving—because you could find unique gifts for your loved ones. And you will be supporting small businesses in your area.

READERS, what do you think?

1.     Have you started thinking about holiday shopping? If yes, what have you done so far?

2.     What are your thoughts on holiday shopping and promotions advertised before Thanksgiving? What do you think about Black Friday and other early sales?

3.     What other preparations do you need to make for the holidays? What are you going to do to reduce the stress and make the most of time with family and friends?

References:

Bodnar, J. (2008, November). Ten Holiday Shopping Tips. Kiplinger.com. Retrieved November 9, 2015, from http://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T062-C000-S001-ten-holiday-shopping-tips.html.

Leinbach-Reyhle, N. (2015, November 3). Early Black Friday Savings Are Here in a Big Way, But Should You Start Buying? Forbes. Retrieved November 3, 2015, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/nicoleleinbachreyhle/2015/11/03/early-black-friday-savings-are-here-in-a-big-way-but-should-customers-begin-to-buy/.

Reducing Student Loan Debt

College is expensive and many students take on a great deal of debt in the process. Kiplinger
reports “that two-thirds of students who earn a bachelor’s degree leave campus with debt in
tow—$26,600, on average.” Those who go to graduate school typically owe even more. But
there are ways to receive partial or total loan forgiveness, depending partly on your major and
where you are willing to live and work.

Choose Your College Wisely

Maybe you know that you could be better off going to a public, in-state college or university, as
tuition will cost much less than at a private or out-of-state institution. But you will also do well
to find a school that offers substantial financial aid. In Kentucky, Berea College serves lower-
income students from Appalachia and from all over the world. The student body is very diverse.
Berea offers working opportunities for students that leave them owing much less than at other
institutions. Not only that, it is an excellent small college.

Public Service

If you commit to work ten years in a qualifying government or nonprofit job, you can have what
remains of your loans forgiven after you make 120 monthly payments. You must work full-time
for federal, state or local government; a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; a private public-service
agency, such as law enforcement; AmeriCorps; or the Peace Corps.

AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps allows graduates to engage in public service while receiving “what AmeriCorps
dubs a ‘modest living allowance’—a monthly payment that adds up to no more than $24,200 a
year.” There might also be the possibility of limited housing assistance. Your federal loans can
be deferred while you serve, and a year’s service gets you as much as you could receive from a
Pell Grant; this award must go toward your student loans. Or, if you volunteer with AmeriCorps
Vista, you could choose to receive 15 percent of the original amount of your Perkins loan. In all,
you may volunteer for up to two financial years.

The Peace Corps

The Peace Corps allows young people the opportunity to volunteer overseas, providing hands-on
assistance to local populations in a variety of fields, such as teaching or farming. You must be 18
or older, and a college degree is not necessary, but is preferred. Volunteers receive three months
of training, and then must work at least two years abroad. Federal student loans do not need to be
paid while you serve in the Peace Corps. However, only Perkins loans can be repaid with Peace
Corps service. You receive 15 percent of the original amount of your loan for each year of
service in the first two years. You may also receive 20 percent more per year during your third
and fourth year if you choose to stay that long. Other benefits include a cost-of-living stipend
and a $7,425 “readjustment allowance” when you have completed your service.

Teach for America

Teach for America is like AmeriCorps, but for teachers. To qualify, you must be a U.S. citizen
with at least a 2.5 undergraduate GPA and a bachelor’s degree in any subject. If selected, you
will teach in a low-income community and help students improve their test scores. Math, science
and special-education teachers are especially needed; you will also be in demand if you plan to
go into early childhood education or if you speak more than one language, especially Spanish.
You receive a salary based on cost of living where you teach. While serving, your loans will be
deferred. Annual financial awards that equal the largest Pell Grant must be applied toward your
student loans.

Health Care

Licensed health care providers may commit to two years of service with the National Health
Service Corps, which pays up to $60,000 of your student loans if you work two years at a
qualifying facility with a critical shortage of workers. Working at a qualifying location with a
slightly less critical shortage of workers will get you $40,000 toward your loan payments over
your two years of service. These payments are exempt from federal taxes. Nursing students may
qualify for the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program, which provides free tuition and books if you
promise to serve at least two years at a Critical Shortage Facility after graduation from nursing
school. There is also a monthly stipend. This program is highly competitive, however. Another
program for registered nurses, the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program, pays 60 percent of
loans for nursing school over two years of service, and an additional 25 percent if you serve for a
third year. You must fulfill all program requirements, however, or pay it all back with interest; so
you must be committed.

Other Options

Those with doctoral degrees in a health field also have the possibility of receiving up to $70,000
in loan payoffs for two years of research service with a nonprofit or government agency. You
may also receive loan payback for military service. And you might also want to consider an offer
made by various rural and town governments around the country: If you have a bachelor’s
degree and student-loan debt, you may receive student-loan repayments just for moving there!
Struggling communities need taxpaying residents. Awards vary depending on community.
“Rural Opportunity Zones” in Kansas, for instance, pay up to $15,000 toward student loans over
five years. Truly, there are more ways of paying for college than you might think.


READERS, what do you think?

1. Do any of these options for paying off student loans sound good to you?

2. Considering how much college costs, do you think these programs pay enough?

3. How do you plan to pay for your education and career training?


Reference:
Fischer, M. C. (2013, August). 9 Ways to Reduce Your Student Loan Debt. Kiplinger. Retrieved

November 3, 2015, from http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/saving/T053-S001-ways-to-

reduce-your-student-loan-debt/index.html.

Auto Recalls Continue at General Motors, Other Automakers

General Motors has just made its third vehicle recall in the last seven years. According to news
reports, many GM vehicles are leaking oil and catching fire. Garages and homes have been
damaged in some cases, and “More than 1,300 cars caught fire after they were fixed by dealers,
the company said.” In most cases, the fires started not long after the engines were turned off.
This is not the only vehicle recall in the news lately. Fiat Chrysler is recalling Ram pickups and
Jeep Cherokees. And Mazda has its own recent recall, affecting millions of vehicles.
Automakers often send recall notices to owners when parts need to be replaced and repairs made.
The defects might be cosmetic, such as paint chipping off vehicles; or they may be responsible
for injuries and loss of life. In any event, whenever your vehicle is recalled, you will do well to
heed the warning. Even if your safety is not at risk, the company will pay for the work on your
car.

Unfortunately, many vehicle owners never get their recalled vehicles fixed. Some of them ignore
the recall, in which case it is their own fault if something bad happens. But not all affected
owners hear about the recall, and that is a problem. It is an even bigger problem with defective
tires, as news yesterday showed that there is no effective system to let owners know that their
tires are not safe. And drivers and passengers are dying because of it.

This is good reminder of how important it is to check out any vehicles you are considering
buying, whether new or used. You should check the Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, to
see if there is a recall on the car. And you can register your tires with the manufacturer. NBC
News says that “Registering tires requires sending your name, address and tire identification
number with the company that made it. The number is on the tire sidewall and starts with the
letters DOT.”

Yes, there should be a better way for this reporting to take place when you buy the tires. But for
now, it is up to you. Even if you are not yet of driving age, your diligence could save your life
and those of your family members and other passengers, as well as others you encounter on the
road.

(Please also see our previous blog entry, Check for Defects When Buying a Used Car. Links to
all stories referred to in this entry appear below.)

READERS, what do you think?

1. How safe do you feel in your current vehicle? Your family’s vehicle?

2. Have you known anyone who had a safety problem with their car? Was it recalled? Were

they notified of the recall?

3. How would you deal with any safety issues you encounter with your vehicle?


References:

Associated Press. (2015, October 22). Mazda Recalls 4.9M Older Vehicles Over Ignition Switch

Fire Risk. NBC News. Retrieved October 28, 2015, from

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/mazda-recalls-4-9m-older-vehicles-over-ignition-

switch-fire-n449331.

Associated Press. (2015, October 27). GM Recalls 1.4M Older Vehicles for Fire Risk After

Earlier Fix Fails. NBC News. Retrieved October 28, 2015, from

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/gm-recalls-1-4m-older-vehicles-fire-risk-after-earlier-

n452361.

Blackman, J., & Gardella, R. (2015, October 27). System to Recall Defective Tires ‘Completely

Broken,’ Says Official. NBC News. Retrieved October 28, 2015, from

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/system-recall-defective-tires-completely-broken-say-

officials-n452506.

Reuters. (2015, October 27). Fiat Chrysler Recalls Ram Pickups, Jeep Cherokees for Different

Issues. NBC News. Retrieved October 28, 2015, from

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/autos/fiat-chrysler-recalls-ram-pickups-jeep-cherokees-

different-issues-n452106.

Landing a High-Paying Job with a Two-Year Degree

Are you looking for a good career that pays well, but afraid you will not be able to pay for a
four-year degree? Or do you not want to spend that much time in school? Although college is the
best choice for some students, many careers only require two years of education and career
training beyond high school. Depending on what field you choose, an associate degree might pay
very well.

Attending a community college or career/technical college can be cost-effective and can lead to a
well-paying career, especially in technical fields. More students are choosing to enroll in two-
year institutions, developing important skills in their field.

Although early career earnings can be higher with an associate’s degree, those with bachelor’s
degrees tend to have higher lifetime earnings. However, Forbes says that 28 percent of workers
with associate’s degrees ultimately outearned those with a bachelor’s degree. Generally
speaking, the more education you have, the more money you can earn; but there are exceptions.

Some majors pay higher than others. While an associate’s degree in Management Information
Systems pays $45,100 per year early in one’s career, and $72,100 at mid-career, an associate’s
degree in Early Childhood Education only pays $23,100 – at mid-career! (A bachelor’s degree in
Early Childhood Education pays $38,000 at mid-career, but also is much more expensive than a
two-year degree.)

Other associate’s degree programs that pay very well include Construction Management,
Economics, Engineering and Health fields, and Computer Science.

READERS, what do you think?

1. Do you know yet what you want to do for a career? If so, how much education and training does it require?

2. How important is a higher paycheck to you? Are you making your education and training
choices based on how much you can earn, or on other factors such as interest in a certain field or type of work?

References:

Henderson, J. M. (2012, December 31). Forget Four More Years: Why Community College

         Could Be Your Ticket to Financial Success. Forbes. Retrieved September 2, 2015, from

         http://www.forbes.com/sites/jmaureenhenderson/2012/12/31/forget-four-more-years-why-

         community-college-could-be-your-ticket-to-financial-success/


Highest Paying Associate Degrees by Salary Potential. (2015). PayScale. Retrieved September 3,

           2015, from http://www.payscale.com/college-salary-report/majors-that-pay-you-back     

           /associate.

10 Things I Wish I Knew While Preparing and Applying For College

by Ilana Pinsky, graduate student, University of Kentucky

            It’s hard to believe that six years ago I was getting ready for my college search and application. I remember it was one of the most stressful times of my life because it was such an expensive and tedious process. I had to take both the SAT and ACT multiple times, create a list of schools that I might be able to get into with my GPA and test scores, and plan trips to visit these schools. All this might seem exciting to high school students, but it can also be nerve-racking. Following is a list of things I wish I knew when I was preparing for college.

1. You might not need to take an SAT or ACT prep course

           

            While preparation classes may help students perform better on the test, they might not always make enough of a difference to be worth it financially. These courses can be expensive and time consuming. With a heavy course load and multiple extracurricular activities, the last thing I wanted to do was to attend more classes. In order to make an informed decision about whether to take such a course, research the ones available to you. Look up prices and success rates. I personally recommend buying a test preparation book because it can save time and money, however not everyone has the discipline to study on their own. Ask your school guidance counselor and then use your own judgment on how to prepare for these tests. Without preparation, you will have no idea what is on the test and what are the best test-taking strategies. Scores do matter! Along with grades and extracurricular activities, SAT and ACT scores make a great deal of difference in which colleges and universities will accept you. Always remember, if you are not satisfied with your test scores, you can re-take the tests. I highly recommend it! 

2. Begin taking the SAT and/or ACT during your junior year or during the summer

            You will thank yourself if you knock these tests out during your junior year because once senior year approaches, you will want to solely focus on your school work and applying, which is stressful enough already. Also consider taking the SAT or ACT during the summer before your senior year. The summer is the best for it because you will have more time to focus on studying and improving your score. Beginning to take the tests early also gives you more time to retake them. Taking the tests several times could bring your scores up enough for you to get into a better school than you could otherwise.

3. Be realistic when you apply to schools

            Beware of what each college application costs and only apply to ones for which you have a realistic chance to get in. Know the admissions criteria for each school Do you have the GPA and test scores they are needed? And what about extracurricular activities? I will tell you I did not apply to my dream school because I knew I was not competitive enough to get in there. If you are not sure what schools to apply to, visit collegeboard.org. You can look up any school and find their admissions requirements, academic programs that are offered, clubs and organizations, etc. It is a wonderful resource for applying to college.  

4. Visit schools before you apply or after you are accepted

            Have you visited any of the schools you are considering? Without visiting their campus and interacting with students, admissions personnel and faculty, you might not know which ones to apply to. However, another option is to visit the school after you are accepted and see if it will be a good fit. I visited my undergrad before I applied and after I was accepted to make sure if I really wanted to go there. It is important to see if you will fall in love with the campus or not. Do not apply to a school that you did not like! If you apply to that school, and it is the only school that you got into, you may be stuck going there. However, if that does happen to you and you seriously do not want to give the school a chance, do not fear because some colleges will take late applications. Again, it is still important you do your research and visit the campus.

5. The more colleges you apply to, the more you might be able to reuse parts of essays

            Many college essay questions are similar, so you might not need to rewrite a completely new essay for each school. Many will involve answering questions such as, “tell us about an obstacle you had to overcome”, “discuss an accomplishment in your life”, or even a choose your own topic essay. Choose the essays that allow you to shine. Reuse parts of earlier essays where you can, but be sure to tailor your application to each school

6.  Do not be afraid to talk with your school’s guidance counselor

            You do not need to be nervous to see your school’s guidance counselor. They are there to help you. I remember I was nervous about seeing my guidance counselor because I was not very confident in myself when applying to college. She helped me decide on which schools were realistic for me, which could be best for me, and helped me with the application and admissions process. Some guidance counselors have anonymous lists of previous seniors who applied to schools of their GPA was, tests scores, and whether they were accepted, rejected, or waitlisted After talking with my guidance counselor, I felt much better about my chances of getting into college.

7. Get involved and be a leader!

            Not being involved in any school sports, clubs, or outside extracurricular activities could hurt you in the application process. Most colleges and universities look beyond academics when selecting students. Leadership and involvement makes you look more well-rounded and is a necessity on college applications.

8. Challenge yourself

            Are you afraid you are not a strong enough student to take AP and honors courses? I was in the same boat. Taking these courses does not have to be scary.  They not only look goo d on your college applications, but they also prepare you better for the challenges of college. College admissions look for AP and honors courses on your transcript, and they want to see you succeeding at challenges. An added bonus to taking AP courses is that it might count toward college credit and waive you from taking certain courses in college. This could potentially lead to an early graduation depending on how many AP courses you took.

9. List the pros and cons for each college or university you are considering

            You might know which colleges you want to apply to, but have any no idea how to choose one once you have been accepted Listing pros and cons for each school you apply to will make your decision easier in the end. Do you know what you want to major in, and does the school have your major? If it doesn’t, why apply there? Does the school have clubs or organizations that interest you? Think about everything you want from a school.

10. Do not slack off

            I made this mistake and it really hurt me when I applied to college and it hurt me in the college application process. Take your freshmen and sophomore year seriously! If you wait until you are a junior to think about grades, you will have a harder time pulling your GPA up. When senior year rolls around, it is easy to develop senioritis and lose your motivation. Do not let it get to you because colleges want a final transcript from you and if your grades fall off at the end, your admissions could be revoked.

           

READERS, what do you think?

1. If you plan to attend college or a university, how are you preparing?

2. Do you know what you want to study?

3. What do you expect from college, and what do you want to do when you finish?

Live Self-Streaming Smartphone Apps

Advancing technology and smart phone apps can take us to some pretty strange places. The latest
technology craze involves the use of live self-streaming apps. These apps, which include
Meerkat, Periscope, and YouNow, allow individuals to broadcast themselves with an Internet connection and smart phone.

While live-streaming apps may sound cool and fun, they can be dangerous at the same time.
Teenagers generally use these apps to broadcast themselves singing, talking, or even sleeping in their bedrooms (which happens to be very common).

It is not surprising that parents have expressed concerns regarding their children broadcasting
themselves and telling the public where they are currently. Among the possible hazards that
come with this type of broadcasting is the likelihood that adult predators are watching. Teenagers
using these apps must learn to make good decisions and to be mindful of what they are
broadcasting. If you are using these apps, make sure you know when you have them on and do
not give out your location during your broadcast. And any other private information should remain private, as well.

READERS, What Do You Think?

1. Do you use live self-streaming apps to broadcast yourself?

2. If you do not use them currently, would you use these apps to broadcast yourself? If so, what

are your reasons for doing so? If not, why would you not do this?

Reference: 

Alexander, S. (2015, September). Living the Stream. Family Circle, 88-92.

Cautions of Enrolling at a For-Profit College

You may have seen TV commercials and other advertisements for for-profit colleges. These
typically highlight testimonials from past and current students. Some students claim that these
schools have prepared them for success and they have landed a well-paying career. However,
many of these colleges are deceptive regarding enrollment. Government investigations have
found that some of these schools have made false claims about their accreditation, high
graduation rates, cost of program, etc.

For-profit colleges have been notorious for aggressive recruiting and often lure prospective
students by persistent phone calls. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found
that for-profit colleges have higher tuition rates than a nearby public institution. Graduation rates
may be much lower than public or private institutions. The GAO report also found that 23.3
percent of students at for-profit schools defaulted on their student loans compared to 9.5 percent
of public school loans.

If you still wish to enroll at a for-profit college, be sure to do your research first. It is in your best
interest not to talk to a recruiter because they may be aggressive or give misleading information.
Ask for the school’s graduation rate in writing, as well as written proof of their post-graduate
employment rates in your field. Also, just because a school is “accredited” does not necessarily
mean it is accredited for the type of work you want to do. It is therefore crucial to see if the
school’s accreditation meets your profession’s standards. Lastly, make sure you research the
tuition expenses and see if your student loans will be able to cover these costs.

READERS, what do you think?

1. Would you consider enrolling in a for-profit school if it met your academic and
professional needs? Why or why not?

2. Why do you think some people enroll in for-profit colleges?

3. What do you think is the best way of dealing with for-profit colleges that take advantage
of students? Do you think the government should close these schools?

References: 

The Office of Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson. (n.d.). For-Profit

       Colleges: Do Your Homework. Retrieved July 6, 2015, from

       http://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/Publications/ForProfitColleges.asp

5 Ways to Better Secure Your Facebook Privacy

 Many people have Facebook accounts where they share their information and pictures with the public. Online social networking is seen as a good way of keeping up with friends, but it is not without its pitfalls. You might not realize that you could be posting pictures and information that might be considered inappropriate by employers, college admissions committees, and others. Depending what is posted on your profile, professionals may judge where you stand professionally. Here are five tips to maximize your privacy settings on Facebook.

·      Viewing your Facebook timeline under “View As…”

With the “View As..,” feature on your profile, you can view how your profile looks like to a specific Facebook friend or someone who is not your friend on Facebook (general public). If you want to access this feature, there is a drop-down menu when you click on the three dots next to “View Activity Log” button. This will give you a good idea of what the general public can see on your page.

·      Who can see your future posts

This is one of the most common privacy settings on Facebook. To use it, go to your privacy settings by clicking on the lock icon in the right-hand corner and click on “Who can see my stuff?” It will give you a drop-down menu and you can select which groups of people can see your posts. If you select public, then anyone can see your posts. If you select friends, only your Facebook friends can only see your posts.

·      Blocking people from your account

This is another common privacy feature on Facebook. If someone is harassing or threatening you, the best choice would be to block them. To access the blocking setting, click on the lock icon in the right-hand corner and click on “How do I stop someone from bothering me?” It will give you a blank space to type in a person’s name or e-mail address and they will be blocked from seeing your profile.

·      Disabling the search engine feature

If you are uncomfortable with your Facebook profile being searchable on the Internet, you can disable the feature, making it more difficult for employers to find you. Go to your privacy settings by clicking on the lock icon in the right-hand corner and click on “See More Settings.” A list will appear, and then you will need to click on “Do you want other search engines to link your timeline?” under “Who can look me up?”

·      Creating a pseudo name on Facebook

If you do not want employers and other professionals trying to search your name on Facebook, you can change your name. Most people change their last name to their middle name, or they abbreviate their first or last name. To change your name on Facebook, click on the upside down triangle icon, and click on “Settings” in the drop-down menu. Click on “Edit” under “Name” to change your Facebook name.

READERS, what do you think?

1.     What have you done to ensure that your Facebook account is secure and private?

2.     Have you used any of these techniques to protect your Facebook page? What about additional techniques covered in the original article? (See below.)

Reference:

Chowdhry, A. (2013, November 19). 20 Tips on Increasing Your Facebook Privacy and Security. Forbes.com. Retrieved April 22, 2015, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2013/11/19/facebook-privacy-tips/3/.

Some Low-Income Students Excel in School. So Why Are They Not Getting Ahead?

Studies show that far too many low-income students who excel in academics are not attending

selective colleges and universities. These students tend to apply to less selective schools for a

variety of reasons, not all of which are due to financial costs. However, a National Bureau of

Economic Research study tested an intervention program to educate students from that

population about the college application process and their net costs in tuition. Researchers hoped

that providing information about how affordable a selective college or university can be would

result in more applications.


The Expanding College Opportunities project tested academically successful, low-income

students, providing information on paying for college, expanding students’ knowledge about

higher education in general. The study found that a great deal of misinformation is keeping low-

income, academically motivated students from the high quality education they could have.

Many low-income students do not consider liberal arts schools because they don’t know what

that is. They may not consider themselves liberal. Many believe these are just art schools. Some

think they are for people who are bad at math; or that attending a liberal arts college will prevent

them from pursuing a graduate degree. When made aware that liberal arts schools do have math

and science majors and can be excellent preparation for graduate school, more low-income

students will consider them.


Serious students may also avoid their state’s flagship public university because it has the image

of a party school with a focus on sports, not academics. This is unfortunate because many states’

flagship universities provide excellent academics. Students who avoid these universities may

attend less competitive regional public universities that provide a lesser education. This also does

not get them as far in life.


If you are considering college or university, become informed on when and how to apply for

college. Even if your family is middle-income, if you are not actually rich, be sure to fill out the

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early. You may be qualified for Work-Study

assistance and not know it; and receiving financial assistance that does not have to be paid back

is almost always a good thing. Double check your application to make sure you have filled

everything out; this greatly improves your chances of receiving aid.


If you believe that waste is a bad thing, then consider where your life is headed. By attending a

selective college or university, you can rise above your past. By attending a lesser school, you

will not get nearly as far. Find out which are the best schools and get all the help you can,

because there are more ways of paying for school than you might think; and not all of them will

burden you with heavy loan payments. Much college aid goes unclaimed. According to National

Public Radio, “Each year, some 2 million students who would qualify for Federal Pell Grants

don’t fill out the form – or don’t finish it.” Don’t waste your chances to succeed.


READERS, what do you think?

1. What did you find interesting about this study? Did you learn any information that could

be beneficial when you begin applying for college?

2. What are important factors that you look for in an educational institution?


References:

Hoxby, C., & Turner, S. (2015, January). What High-Achieving Low-Income Students Know

     about College. (Working Paper 20861). National Bureau of Economic Research.

     Retrieved from http://www.nber.org/papers/w20861.pdf.


Phillips, O. (2015, March 2). College: I'll Only Go If I Know (That I Can Afford It). National

     Public Radio. Retrieved from

     http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2015/03/02/389490257/college-i-ll-only-go-if-i-know-that-i-

     can-afford-it.

Cutting Your Cable Bill

In this video, you learn different ways to cut your costs on your cable or satellite bill. By following these techniques, you will be able to enjoy your shows, movies, and sports games for a cheaper price.

Inexpensive Exercise

Every year, many people make the decision to become healthier and get into shape.  Many buy 

gym memberships or DVDs so they can start working out. However, this can be a waste of 

money if you are not using these expensive resources frequently. This week, we will discuss 

ways to make exercising less expensive, especially if you’re having trouble finding time to work 

out frequently.


Did you know that are exercising apps that allow you to log your food intake, exercise and 

goals? With the right free app, you can easily enter your eating and exercise goals. This can 

increase your motivation to exercise.


Your local public library probably has exercise DVDs that you can check out. You can also find 

free exercise videos on the Internet. And if you rent DVDs or stream videos from Netflix, you 

could try out some exercise DVDs with them. Even if you are exercising in front of a small 

screen, you can still get an intense workout at no cost. 


Lastly, now that it is spring, take advantage of the good weather. Walking or running around 

your block or at a local park with a friend will help keep you motivated. If you own a bike, be 

sure to use it because cycling is great exercise. If you are big on running or biking, you might 

want to look into runners groups or cycling clubs. Find a group that fits your exercise personality 

and you can get in shape without spending all your money.


READERS, what do you think?

1. Are you using any of the techniques above to make exercising less expensive?

2. Do you know of any other ways to reduce the cost of exercise?


References:


Kaplan, D. A. (2015). 5 Cheap Ways to Exercise. Retrieved March 25, 2015, from 

     http://www.bankrate.com/finance/smart-spending/cheap-ways-to-exercise-1.aspx.

Tips for Buying an Airplane Ticket

 Non-Holiday Travel

Buying an airline ticket can be expensive if you do not buy it at the right time. Timing matters when booking a plane ticket. If you buy a ticket during the right period, you can save significantly. According to CheapAir.com, the average cost for domestic flights was least expensive 47 days ahead of the flight. However, prices increase an average of $111 if you wait until two weeks before the flight. Keep in mind that airfares vary widely based on destination, day of the week, and time of year.

Holiday and Summer Travel

If you plan on flying to a popular beach or other well-travelled destination during the summer, you might want to buy your tickets early. For domestic flights, this might mean booking around Thanksgiving and Christmas. For international flights, plan even farther ahead. Keep in mind how many people you will be traveling with, because that will make tickets more expensive as you will need to plan further ahead if several of you want seats near each other. Kiplinger.com says, “If you see a good price, don’t wait for it to go lower because it’s more likely to rise than drop.” And Airlines Reporting Corp. found that the best time to book a ticket for Thanksgiving and Christmas travel is around October 8-10.

International Travel

If you plan on travel outside the U.S., you will likely find prices more expensive. Buy international plane tickets very early! For good prices on international airfare, definitely book more than 90 days in advance. According to CheapAir, book tickets to Europe at least 276 days ahead of the flight; to the Caribbean, at least 144 days in advance; at least 318 days ahead for Asia; 262 days for Africa; 251 for Mexico; 244 for the South Pacific; 213 for the Middle East; and 96 days ahead for Central and South America (Kiplinger.com).

Other Tips on How to Save on Airfare

The more flexible you are with departure and arrival times, the more you can save. Morning or late night flights are less expensive. FareCompare.com has found Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday flights more economical. Flights with connections are less expensive; but, if you want a nonstop flight that departs at a reasonable hour for you, book early to ensure a good price.

Also be aware that prices may decrease after you book your flight. Depending on the airline or travel agency, you could receive a rebate on your plane ticket if you alert them of the new and lower price. However, re-booking your flight for a lower rate is not always worth it because added fees could outweigh your rebate.

READERS, what do you think?

1.     Have you found any good ways for booking cheap plane tickets?

2.     If you have flown anywhere, how did you buy your plane tickets?

References:

Forgione, M. (2014, October 23). How Early Should You Buy Airline Tickets to Get the Lowest Price? LATimes.com. Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.latimes.com/travel/deals/la-trb-airline-ticket-buying-report-20141022-story.html.

Huddleston, C. (2015, February 18). Best Times to Buy Airline Tickets. Kiplinger.com. Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C011-S001-best-times-to-buy-airline-tickets.html.

How to Overcome the Pitfalls of Mobile Banking

With the majority of Americans having smart phones and ours being such a mobile society, most banks have their own smart phone app. This allows customers easier access to their bank accounts. The most common feature on mobile banking is the function to allow consumers to check their account balances and transaction statements 24 hours a day. Another good feature on mobile banking apps is being able to pay bills and transfer money to different accounts.

Some bank apps allow you to deposit checks to any of your accounts by taking a screenshot of the check (front and back). The bank receives the image of the check and processes the transaction. If you plan on using this feature, make sure you read the fine print of your bank’s mobile banking policy to see if there is a fee to deposit checks through the app. Also make sure you know how soon the money will be available to you in your account, especially if it is an out-of-state check.

Most banks have an alert system that will notify you via text message regarding your account activity. If you sign up for bank alerts, you may be able to detect if someone is stealing money from your account. Instant notification of activity helps you take immediate action. Some mobile banking apps even offer rewards such as shopping discounts and deals from retailers where you shop frequently.

A word of caution: Keeping your phone passcode protected makes your mobile banking more secure. Also, in the app, make sure you never have the “save my user ID” feature on; doing without that “convenience” makes it harder for criminals to access your bank account information if something were to happen with your phone.

If you do lose your phone, be sure that it is traceable and cannot be used by anyone else. If you are an iPhone user, then you should have the “Find My iPhone” app; this enables you to lock your phone remotely, making it useless for whoever finds it. See if you can put a PIN lock on specific apps on your phone, which will give your bank information more security. If this service is available to you, however, it might cost extra.

Make sure all of your bank apps are updated because criminals can easily hack into your outdated banking apps. It is also important that you check to see if your bank account can only be linked with certain devices. This will make it harder for hackers to access your bank account.

READERS, what do you think?

1.     Do you use your bank’s mobile app? If so, do you like it? Are there any drawbacks that you see?

2.     What do you usually use your mobile bank app for?

References:

Davis, G. (2013, March 8). Pros and Cons of Mobile Banking. McAfee Labs. Retrieved February 11, 2015, from https://blogs.mcafee.com/consumer/consumer-threat-notices/pros-and-cons-of-mobile-banking.

Gerstner, L. (2015, March). Make the Most of Mobile Banking. Kiplinger.com. Retrieved February 9, 2015, from http://www.kiplinger.com/article/credit/T005-C000-S002-make-the-most-of-mobile-banking.html.

 

Huddleston, C. (2014, January 9). Why You Should Try Your Bank's Mobile App. Kiplinger.com. Retrieved February 9, 2015, from http://www.kiplinger.com/article/credit/T005-C011-S001-why-you-should-try-your-bank-s-mobile-app.html.