How You Can Save Money by Avoiding Common Fees

Many of us don’t realize how quickly common fees could add up and the significant damage it can make to your finances in the long run. There are many different fees and penalties that can be avoided and it’s up to you to understand how. Here are some of the most common fees that should be avoided:Late fees – If you’re paying late fees because you don’t have the money to pay your bills on time then you should start to understand your finances and budget wisely. Cut down on unnecessary expenses that will allow you to have that extra cushion you need to pay your bills on time. If you’re simply a forgetful person, write down your due dates in an organizer, pay your bills as soon as you get them or schedule your online payments automatically for a specific date.ATM charges – These charges occur...

Keeping Your Money Safe

No matter where you bank, scammers are trying to take advantage of every opportunity to take our money. A recent wave of fraud is hitting small bank customers and credit union customers. Stealing from a bank vault was an early stage of this crime but criminals nowadays are making a big business out of stealing digital money. Stealing from bank accounts or credit card records, which is more trouble for you, the consumer. This doesn’t mean that your banking institutions are not safe, they are, this just means that we should be diligent in keeping our money safe. Here are just a few tips to keep your money safe:Check your banks policy for covering losses – Your bank should have a policy to cover losses due to fraud. They may also have security policies in place to protect you should you try...

I Lost My Job, What Do I Do Now?

When you lose your job, you’re not only losing income. You lose structure, routine, friendships and a sense of well being. Immediately get support from your family and friends, letting out your feelings and allowing yourself to release the anger or hurt from your job loss. This will also allow them to keep you in mind should they see an opportunity for you in employment. Now that you’ve dealt with the emotions, it’s time to make a plan. Here is a list of things to do when you lose your job:Reflect – Why did you lose your job? Did the company restructure or downsize? Were you directly responsible? You should start to think about your current skill level and abilities, how you can excel in an industry and what you need to accomplish that. Think about whether you enjoyed what you were...

How To Deal With Identity Theft

Identity theft is when a person’s personal information is stolen for the purpose of criminal use. Unfortunately it has become a growing epidemic. Most people don’t even know that they are a victim of this type of fraud until they are contacted by creditors and so we need to take precautions to ensure that we are not a victim of this crime. Here are some ways in which you can deal with identity theft:Protect Yourself – There are ways you can protect yourself from identity theft. Always protect your personal information. Shred your confidential documents and only use secure sites when purchasing online.Notify Credit Bureaus – If you suspect fraud you must first be sure that it is in fact fraud. If there’s a charge on your credit card statement that you do not recognize, call the credit card...