Keep or Shred?

Cleaning out your files is a good way to clean up your desk. It may be hard to determine what to keep and what to shred. Here are some tips from the BBB.

Properly destroying sensitive personal and financial documents is a key step in ID theft prevention and BBB offers the following guide on when to shred the following documents:

Canceled checks
Canceled checks with no long-term significance for tax or other purposes can be destroyed after one year. However, canceled checks that support tax returns, such as charitable contributions or tax payments, should be held for at least seven years – long enough to cover the six-year tax assessment period. BBB advises that consumers indefinitely keep any canceled checks and related receipts or documents for a home purchase or sale, renovations or other improvements to owned property, and non-deductible contributions to an Individual Retirement Account.

Deposit, ATM, credit card and debit card receipts
Consumers should save credit, debit, and ATM receipts until the transaction appears on their statement and they have verified that the information is accurate.

Credit card and bank account statements
Credit card and bank account statements with no tax or other long-term significance can be discarded after a year; remaining statements should be kept for up to seven years. If a consumer receives a detailed annual statement, they should keep it and shred the corresponding monthly statements.

Credit card contracts and other loan agreements
Credit card contracts and loan agreements should be kept for as long as the account is active in case the consumer has a dispute with their lender over the terms of the contract.

Documentation of a purchase or sale of stocks, bonds and other investments
Investors should retain documentation of a purchase or sale for as long as they own the investment and then seven years beyond that time. Monthly retirement and monthly investment account statements can be shredded annually after being reconciled with the year-end statement.

Paycheck Stubs
Paycheck stubs can be shredded yearly after the income has been reconciled with a W-2 or other tax forms.

Utility or monthly bills
Monthly bills should be shredded the year after being received by the consumer. This way, if it’s a power bill, for example, consumers can compare this month’s bill to last year’s bill for any major changes before shredding it.

Shred-it Checklist - Don’t just toss it, shred it!
• Documents that include Social Security numbers, birthdates, PIN numbers or passwords
• Banking documents and other financial information
• Leases, contracts or letters that include signatures
• Pre-approved credit card applications
• Medical or dental bills
• Travel itineraries
• Used airline tickets

For more trustworthy advice from BBB on preventing ID theft and for guidance on what to do if your identity is stolen, go to www.bbb.org.

Summer Heat Emergencies

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

• Body temperature usually normal or only slightly elevated.
• Dry mouth.
• Fatigue, weakness.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Nausea, sometimes vomiting.
• Weak and rapid pulse.
• Sweating.
• Cool, clammy, pale skin.

NOTE: Symptoms take time to develop - sometimes several hours after dehydration occurs.

Treatments for heat exhaustion:

• Get out of the sun and into a cool place.
• Drink more fluids (electrolyte sports drinks may help), but don't drink too fast or you could become nauseous.
• Eat salty snacks.
• Rest.
• Loosen clothing.

Be aware that heat stroke can come after heat exhaustion, but it can also develop quickly and independently if one's core body temperature rises too high.

Symptoms of heat stroke include:

• Very high body temperature (103 degrees or higher).
• Hot, dry, red skin.
• No sweating.
• Disorientation, hallucinations, delirium
• Rapid breathing and fast pulse, then slow breathing and weak pulse.
• Convulsions.
• Loss of consciousness.

NOTE: Symptoms can come on quickly.
Heat stroke can occur within 10 - 15 minutes of the first symptoms. If treatment is not given immediately, permanent damage can occur to internal organs.

HEAT STROKE IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. CALL 9-1-1 OR TRANSPORT VICTIM TO A HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY.

Immediate care for a heat stroke victim includes:

• Move person to cool place indoors or in the shade outdoors.
• Lower body temperature as soon as possible.
• Remove clothing and wrap person in a wet sheet, or wet their cotton clothing.
• Fan person with electric fan or manually (do not place wet items too close to electric fan).
• Place ice packs or cold compresses on the neck, under armpits, and in the groin area.
• If child is unconscious, carefully place them in cool water up to their neck.
• If child is conscious, try to get them to drink cool water, slowly.
• Person may not be able to drink if delirious (do not force them).

gsa.cov

Beat the Heat- Tips from the Red Cross

With the summer travel season peaking and the temperatures peaking with it, I thought it would be a good time to refresh everyone on how to handle the heat.

According to the Red Cross, Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.

Red Cross Heat Safety Tips:

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
• Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR.

Know What These Heat-Related Terms Mean:

• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
• Heat exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke. Signals of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale flushed or red skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.

• Heat stroke: Also known as sunstroke, heat stroke is life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high—sometimes as high as 1050 F.

General Care for Heat Emergencies:

• Heat cramps or heat exhaustion: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. If the person is fully awake and alert, give half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not let him or her drink too quickly. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if the person refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness.
• Heat stroke: Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation! Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.

consumer fraud complaints

The FTC collects consumer fraud complaints from more than 125 other organizations and makes them available to more than 1,600 civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. In 2007, the FTC received almost 140,000 more consumer fraud complaints than in 2006. These additional complaints came from numerous data contributors, primarily the Better Business Bureaus. The report states that credit card fraud was the most common form of reported identity theft at 23 percent, followed by utilities fraud at 18 percent, employment fraud at 14 percent, and bank fraud at 13 percent.

Consumers reported fraud losses totaling more than $1.2 billion; the median monetary loss per person was $349, the report states.

The top 20 complaint categories were:

Rank	Category	Complaints	%
1	Identity Theft	258,427	32
2	Shop-at-Home/Catalog Sales	62,811	8
3	Internet Services	42,266	5
4	Foreign Money Offers	32,868	4
5	Prizes/Sweepstakes and Lotteries	32,162	4
6	Computer Equipment and Software	27,036	3
7	Internet Auctions	24,376	3
8	Health Care Claims	16,097	2
9	Travel, Vacations, and Timeshares	14,903	2
10	Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair	14,342	2
11	Investments	13,705	2
12	Magazines and Buyers Clubs	12,970	2
13	Business Opportunities and Work-at-Home Plans	11,362	1
14	Real Estate (Not Timeshares)	9,475	1
15	Office Supplies and Services	9,211	1
16	Telephone Services	8,155	1
17	Employ. Agencies/Job Counsel/Overseas Work	5,932	1
18	Debt Management/Credit Counseling	3,442	<1
19	Multi-Level Mktg./Pyramids/Chain Letters	3,092	<1
20	Charitable Solicitations	1,843	<1

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint in English or Spanish, click http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/complaint.shtm or call 1-877-382-4357. For free information on a variety of consumer topics, click http://ftc.gov/bcp/consumer.shtm.

ftc.gov

BOUNCE

Uses for Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets

1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.

2. Spread sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.

3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

4. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.

5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.

6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.

7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.

8. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.

9. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.

10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.

11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.

12. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.

13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.

14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.

15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the lose hairs.

16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.

17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.

18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.

19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.

20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.

21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.

Hybrid and Fuel Efficiency

People are trading in their SUV's and large vehicles more than ever thanks to the ever-rising gas prices. What are they buying? Hybrids. A car nearly half the size of the near worthless dinosaur they are trading in.

Hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured to obtain different objectives, such as improved fuel economy, increased power, or additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools.

Hybrid-electric vehicles combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors to provide improved fuel economy. The engine provides most of the vehicle's power, and the electric motor provides additional power when needed, such as for accelerating and passing. This allows a smaller, more-efficient engine to be used.

The electric power for the motor is generated from regenerative braking and from the gasoline engine, so hybrids don't have to be "plugged in" to an electrical outlet to recharge

When the vehicle is started, the gasoline engine "warms up."If necessary, the electric motor acts as a generator, converting energy from the engine into electricity and storing it in the battery.

The gasoline engine powers the vehicle at cruising speeds and, if needed, provides power to the battery for later use. During heavy accelerating or when additional power is needed, the gasoline engine and electric motor are both used to propel the vehicle. Additional power from the battery is used to power the electric motor as necessary.

When a hybrid is stopped, such as at a red light, the gasoline engine and electric motor shut off automatically so that energy is not wasted in idling.

Other Hybrid Details

Regenerative Braking. The electric motor applies resistance to the drivetrain causing the wheels to slow down. In return, the energy from the wheels turns the motor, which functions as a generator, converting energy normally wasted during coasting and braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor.

Electric Motor Drive/Assist. The electric motor provides additional power to assist the engine in accelerating, passing, or hill climbing. This allows a smaller, more efficient engine to be used. In some vehicles, the motor alone provides power for low-speed driving conditions where internal combustion engines are least efficient.

Automatic Start/Shutoff. Automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a stop and restarts it when the accelerator is pressed. This prevents wasted energy from idling.

Not yet ready for a hybrid?
Here are some tips for vehicle efficiency.

* Make sure your air filter is clean. Clogged air filters make your engine work harder, burning more fuel to create the same amount of power.
* Check the air pressure on your tires. Tires that aren’t inflated to the proper level may reduce mileage per gallon as much as 3 percent. Overinflating a tire results in uneven tire wear.
* Slow down. Most vehicle mileage drastically begins to drop off at speeds in excess of 60 mph. * Calm down. Aggressive driving, rapid acceleration and braking can affect fuel mileage. By avoiding such behavior, you can see savings up to 30 percent.
* Remove extra weight. Removing extra weight, especially in excess of 100 pounds, can improve mileage from 4 cents to 7 cents a gallon.
* Reduce extra wind resistance. Using a loaded roof rack increases fuel consumption.
* If you are in the market for a new vehicle, choose one that is more fuel efficient. According to the federal government Web site http://www.fueleconomy.gov, a person driving 15,000 miles a year can realize a savings of $878 per year by driving a vehicle that gets 30 miles per gallon versus one that gets 20 mpg.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/

Don't Say This-Say This?

Listen up men- especially the ones who have inadvertently called a female 'fat' by saying the wrong answer (btw- always say it looks great- be safe). Real Simple magazine wants to give us some advice on how to say things.

Don't say: "You look tired."
Why: It implies she doesn't look good.
Instead say: "Is everything OK?" We often blurt the "tired" comment when we get the sense that the other person feels out of sorts. So just ask.

Don't say: "Wow, you've lost a ton of weight!"
Why: To a newly trim person, it might give the impression that she used to look unattractive.
Instead say: "You look fantastic." And leave it at that. If you're curious about how she got so svelte, add, "What's your secret?"

Don't say:: "You look so good for your age."
Why: Anything with a caveat like this is rude. It's saying, "You look great -- compared with other old people. It's amazing you have all your own teeth."
Instead say:"You look great." Real Simple: Easy ways to exit awkward situations

Don't say: "I could never wear that."
Why: It can be misunderstood as a criticism. ("I could never wear that because it's so ugly.")
Instead say: "You look so good in skinny jeans." If you slip, say something like "I could never wear that...because I wasn't blessed with your long legs."
Expert: Clinton Kelly, cohost of the TLC show, "What Not to Wear."


What not to say during a job interview

Don't say: "My current boss is horrendous."
Why: It's unprofessional. Your interviewer might wonder when you'd start bad-mouthing her. For all you know, she and your current boss are old pals.
Instead say: "I'm ready for a new challenge" or a similarly positive remark.


What not to say about pregnancy and babies

Don't say: "Are you pregnant?"
Why: You ask, she's not, and you feel totally embarrassed for essentially pointing out that she's overweight.
Instead say: "Hello" or "Great to see you" or "You look great." Anything besides "Are you pregnant?" or "What's the due date?" will do. Save yourself the humiliation and never ask.



What not to say to a single (or newly single) person

Don't say: "You were too good for him."
Why: You are basically saying she has bad taste. And you'll be embarrassed if they ever patch it up.
Instead say: "His loss!" It gets the same point across without disparaging her judgment. Real Simple: How to express sympathy

Don't say: "I'm glad you got rid of him. I never liked him anyway."
Why: She'll wonder about your fake adoration for him while they were together.
Instead say: "I'm confident you'll find someone who will give you exactly what you want." It focuses on what's to come, not on the dud you're glad she's done with.

What not to say during a fight with your beloved

Don't say: "You always" or "You never" or "You're a [slob, jerk]" or "You're wrong."
Why: Speaking in absolutes like "you always" and "you're wrong" is playing the blame game, and resorting to name calling makes your partner feel helpless, which puts him on the defensive and makes a bad fight worse.
Instead say: "I'm upset that you left the dishes in the sink again. What can we do so that this stops happening?" Starting with the pronoun I puts the focus on how you feel, not why he's in the doghouse, and it will make him more receptive to fixing the problem.

Don't say: "If you really loved me, you would..."
Why: The more you treat your partner as if he'll never satisfy you, the less satisfied you'll be. Controlling your partner by imploring him to do something isn't a good way to build intimacy.
Instead say: "I feel taken for granted when you don't help around the house. I would feel better if we could..." The best way to keep a productive fight from becoming a dirty one is to be clear about why you're upset and then offer a solution.

Real Simple Mag.

Gas Saving Myths:CNN

(CNNMoney.com) --
#1. Fill your tank in the morning
The temperature of the gasoline as it comes out of the nozzle varies little during the course of the day, according to Consumer Reports, so there's little, if any, benefit, to getting up early to pump gas.

#2. Change your air filter

Maintaining your car is important, but a clean air filter isn't going to save you any gas. Modern engines have computer sensors that automatically adjust the fuel-air mixture as an increasingly clogged air filter chokes off the engine's air supply.


#3. Use premium fuel
With prices already over $4.00 a gallon, premium gasoline is a hard sell these days. But a lot of drivers think because their owners' manual recommends premium, they'll get better fuel economy with it. Really, they may be paying more money for nothing.

Newer cars for which premium is "recommended" - but not "required" - won't suffer with regular fuel. Modern engine technology comes to the rescue again. When sensors detect regular instead of premium fuel, the system automatically adjusts spark plug timing. The result is a slight reduction in peak horsepower - really, you'll never notice - but little or no reduction in fuel economy.

Always check your owner's manual before putting anything into your car. And if your car runs badly on regular, by all means, go back to the pricey stuff.

#4. Pump up your tires

Proper tire inflation is important for a number of reasons. Under-inflated tires are bad for handling and can even cause a crash. Improper tire inflation also causes tires to wear out faster and to heat up more, which could trigger a dangerous high-speed blow-out.

According to on-the-road driving tests by both Consumer Reports and auto information site Edmunds.com, underinflated tires reduce fuel economy, so proper inflation is key.

But you should never over-inflate your tires. They'll get you slightly better fuel economy because there will be less tread touching the road, reducing friction. But that means less grip for braking and turning. The added risk of a crash isn't worth the extra mile a gallon you might gain.

#5. To A/C or not A/C

There's no question air-conditioning makes extra work for the engine, increasing fuel use. But car air conditioners are much more efficient today than they used to be. In around-town driving, using the A/C will drop fuel economy by about a mile a gallon.

Meanwhile, driving at higher speeds with the windows down greatly increases aerodynamic drag. As speed increases, drag becomes more of an issue, making A/C use the more efficient choice at high speeds.

At most speeds and in most vehicles, A/C use drains slightly more fuel than driving with the windows down, contends David Champion, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports. "My final take on is that it's very close," says Phil Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. "It's hard to measure the difference and every vehicle is different."

The best choice - if temperature and humidity allow - is to keep the windows rolled up and to turn the A/C compressor off. You can keep the fans running to blow in air from the outside, but your car will be as aerodynamic as possible while still letting you breathe. You will save gas, but the fuel economy improvement will be slight.

#6. Bolt-ons and pour-ins
Before you buy a device that's supposed to make your car more fuel-efficient or pour in an allegedly gas-saving additive, ask yourself this: Don't you think oil and car companies aren't doing everything they can to beat their competitors?

If BP (BP) could add something to its gasoline that made cars go farther on a gallon, cars would be lining up at the company's pumps. Sure, people would burn their fuel-saving BP gas more slowly, but then they'd drive right past rivals' gas stations to come back to BP for more. BP stations could even charge more for their gas and still sell tons of the stuff.

So if there really was an additive that made gas burn up more slowly, it wouldn't be sold over the Internet one bottle at a time.
cnnmoney

5 Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do

For all the folks with cell phones. (This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you.)


There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies.
Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find
Yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an
Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to
Establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

SECOND Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy
someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys
In the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on
their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot
>From your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock
button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will
unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked
Our car over a cell phone!'

THIRD Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the
keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time.

FOURTH How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following
Digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the
screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it
somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

And Finally....
FIFTH Free Directory Service for Cells

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for
411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not
carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation
even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information
option, simply dial: (800)FREE411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

Making a Good First Impression

Learn to use a fire extinguisher

Credit Card Terms

When you receive credit card offers in the mail, examine the fine print before you accept any offer. Review the following items very carefully:

*
Annual Percentage Rate (APR) - determine if it varies, how the variation is determined and when can it change.
*
Period Rate - This is the interest rate used to figure the finance charge on your balance.
*
Annual Fee - Amount you pay to be a cardholder. All cards do not charge an annual fee.
*
Grace period - This is the number of days you have to pay your bill before finance charges begin to accrue.
*
Finance charges - Most lenders calculate finance charges using an average daily account balance. Look for offers that use an adjustable balance which subtracts your payment from your beginning balance.
*
Other fees - Ask about special fees when you get a cash advance, make a late payment or go over your credit limit.

The Fair Credit and Charge Card Disclosure Act requires credit and charge card issuers to include this information on credit applications.

BEWARE OF

*
Teaser Rates - these types of rates are low for a short period of time and then escalate to a higher rate on the balance. Sometimes one late payment could cancel the teaser rate.
*
Offer to skip a credit payment - If your credit card company invites you to skip a payment without penalty, you may still owe finance charges on your unpaid balance and the interest will probably be added to purchases you made after the due date you skipped.

Be thorough in your examination of all credit card offers; it could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
usa.gov

Sphere: Related Content

Where the Jobs Are, and Aren't

Weird Vacation Spots

Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments: Prague, Czech Republic

Visitors can gaze over more than 60 morbid torture devices in a tour that takes about 45 minutes. There's even a useful tutorial on how to operate each machine (English language descriptions included). Admission: about $12.

The Museum of Bad Art: Boston, Mass.
400 frown-provoking pieces in the collection, though the limited space allows only around 40 or so to be on exhibit at one time. The museum is housed in the basement of Dedham Community Theatre (a working movie house) next to a men's room. Admission is free.

Three sex museums: Amsterdam, Netherlands; Paris, France; Husavik, Iceland
Offerings include South American and Asian fertility objects, displays on the history of Parisian prostitution, and rotating exhibits of modern erotic art. Admission: about $12, or $8 with advance online reservations.

Dog Bark Park Inn Cottonwood, Idaho , is a bed & breakfast guesthouse inside the World's Biggest Beagle. Guests enter the body of the beagle from a private 2nd story deck. Some of the dog's decorative furnishings are carvings by Dog Bark Park chainsaw artists Dennis & Frances. Inside and up another level to the head of the dog is a loft room with additional sleeping space plus a cozy alcove in the muzzle. Dog Bark Park is home to Toby and Sweet Willy, the World's Two Biggest Beagles. Toby, a 12-foot tall beagle statue, was built by Dog Bark Park artists Dennis Sullivan and Frances Conklin.

Savannah, GA -- In 2002, the American Institute of Parapsychology named Savannah, "America's Most Haunted City. The Marshall House, offers Haunted Hotel Ghost Tour packages but guests don't need to leave this haunted hotel in Savannah to get that spine-tingling feeling. The 88-room inn, which has been featured on the Travel Channel's "Haunted Hotels", has been used as a hospital three times -- twice during Savannah's 19th century yellow fever epidemics and during the Civil War by the Union Army.

Dealing With Debt

Outlet Mall Shopping-tips and more

The Outlet Mall Experience

We all love to shop at those outlet malls. Sawgrass Mills in Florida is said to be the second most popular tourist attraction in the state (you can easily guess who is number one).

Is it worth your while to hit the outlets?
Generally, you can fine the quality that you are looking for. It may not always be at the lowest price that they should be at. However, you can save money over shopping at full-price at a department store (who does that these days?).

Consumer Reports seem to think that the best places to pick up a value and quality item are: Lenox, L.L. Bean, Mikasa, and OshKosh B’gosh.

What will you find at an outlet mall?
First of all, every store is different. In a mall of 100 stores, there may be 2 or three that are just a regular retail store. You’ll find at least one dollar store (gotta make the kids happy). The remainder of the stores will be an outlet for a retail chain or manufacturer.

Most of the stores will carry irregulars and post season items. This may be a good thing if you meant to purchase something but, forgot to . You will find good quality items for the most part.

Outlets very seldom carry the same merchandise as full-price stores. The Gap Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, and Old Navy Outlet, may carry items that were made solely for those stores.

The downside of outlet shopping may be less than perfect shopping experience. This may be due to crowds, long lines, unattractive stores, messy aisles, lack of shopping carts or a shortage of fitting rooms.

In America there are three developers who account for about 40 percent of all malls: Chelsea, which attaches “Premium Outlets” to its 44 U.S. shopping centers; Tanger, with 31 centers; and Prime, with 27.

Where is the best place in America to hit the outlet malls?
ORLANDO! They have many, many malls to choose from. The selection is continuously growing too. Of the big three developers mentioned above, you’ll see them there, and a couple have more than one.

Tips on Outlet Mall Shopping

What days of the week are the best for outlet shopping?
Midweek,Tuesday through Thursday are the best days to shop. There are fewer people around and the shelves have been restocked since the weekend rush. Avoid the weekends. Especially if you pull up to the lot and there are tour buses in it.

What time of day is the best for shopping?

Get there as soon as the mall opens. The merchandise will be neatly arranged and available. The worst time for shopping is between noon and 3 p.m.

Other tips;

Go online and find a mall map. Map out your strategy for shopping.
Know the difference between a ‘factory store’ and a ’store outlet’ if you are interested in purchasing items that were not especially made for the factory outlet.
Outlets follow the same holiday calendar as regular stores.
Look for coupons online or at an information desk at the mall.
Seek other discounts, such as from AAA or AARP.
Shop for out-of-season items.
Notice the bags that other shopper are carrying. This can give you a clue as to who has the big bargain of the hunt.
Take note of return policies.They may be different from regular stores.

21 Tips on Saving Money

1.Set a budget
Sit down and look at how much money you'll have coming in. Subtract the amount you'll owe for bills that are due _ and make a plan for what's left over.

2.Save early, save often
A little or a lot can go a long way.

3. Consider Automatic deductions to help you save.


4. It's never too early to think about retirement
Opening an account to pad your pension , enroll in your 401(k), especially if your employer offers matching funds , open a Roth IRA or invest in mutual funds.

5. Start early if you can, if not, start now.

6. Stop procrastinating. This is pretty much the idea with any goal that you set. Just get it going, quit talking.

7. Prioritize your long-term nest egg needs.

8.Decide which goals are best met with savings versus debt.

9. Pay yourself first. We've heard it a million times and with good reason.

10. Participate in employer-sponsored savings and retirement plans. Do your research on it.

11. Diversify. Most financial consultants will say this for a good reason.

12. Control and reduce your debt. It's like a diet.

13. Compare what you spend with what you want. Do you want it or do you need it??

14. Monitor your savings progress. There are software programs that can help you do this.
15. Review your income tax withholding.


16. Discuss savings goals with your spouse, parents or significant other who can provide support or encouragement.

17. Set up an emergency fund to cover unexpected cash needs. Life with anything else in life, expect the unexpected.

18. Slash the incidentals. Carefully read through one of your credit-card statements, to see the stupid things that you may have purchased or ongoing monthly fees that you may have forgotten about.



19. Pay ahead on your mortgage. By paying an extra $100 a month toward the principal on a $150,000, 30-year mortgage with a fixed interest rate of 6.5 percent, you’ll save more than $51,000 in interest and be able to retire your mortgage nearly seven years early. An extra monthly payment of even $20 or $25 can make a surprising difference. However, you may stand to benefit more if you could invest that extra payment in an interest-bearing account offering a guaranteed higher rate of return than your mortgage rate. Also, paying off your mortgage early means you won’t have the tax benefits of home ownership for the same number of years.

20. Shed credit-card debt. Easier said than done.

21. Say goodbye to late fees. Make a plan and attempt to stick to it.

Credit Card Rights

Receiving a Credit Card

Federal law prohibits issuers from sending you a card you didn't ask for. However, an issuer can send you a renewal or substitute card without your request. Issuers also may send you an application or a solicitation, or ask you by phone if you want a card - and, if you say yes, they may send you one.
Cardholder Protections

Federal law protects your use of credit cards.

Prompt Credit for Payment. An issuer must credit your account the day payment is received. The exceptions are if the payment is not made according to the creditor's requirements, or the delay in crediting your account won't result in a charge.

To help avoid finance charges, follow the issuer's mailing instructions. Payments sent to the wrong address could delay crediting your account for up to five days. If you misplace your payment envelope, look for the payment address on your billing statement or call the issuer.

Refunds of Credit Balances. When you make a return or pay more than the total balance at present, you can keep the credit on your account or write your issuer for a refund - if it's more than a dollar. A refund must be issued within seven business days of receiving your request. If a credit stays on your account for more than six months, the issuer must make a good faith effort to send you a refund.

Errors on Your Bill. Issuers must follow rules for promptly correcting billing errors. You'll get a statement outlining these rules when you open an account and at least once a year. In fact, many issuers include a summary of these rights on your bills.

If you find a mistake on your bill, you can dispute the charge and withhold payment on that amount while the charge is being investigated. The error might be a charge for the wrong amount, for something you didn't accept, or for an item that wasn't delivered as agreed. Of course, you still have to pay any part of the bill that's not in dispute, including finance and other charges.
If you decide to dispute a charge:

* Write to the creditor at the address indicated on your statement for "billing inquiries." Include your name, address, account number, and a description of the error.
* Send your letter soon. It must reach the creditor within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you.

The creditor must acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days of receipt, unless the problem has been resolved. At the latest, the dispute must be resolved within two billing cycles, but not more than 90 days.

Unauthorized Charges. If your card is used without your permission, you can be held responsible for up to $50 per card.

If you report the loss before the card is used, you can't be held responsible for any unauthorized charges. If a thief uses your card before you report it missing, the most you'll owe for unauthorized charges is $50.

To minimize your liability, report the loss as soon as possible. Some issuers have 24-hour toll-free telephone numbers to accept emergency information. It's a good idea to follow-up with a letter to the issuer - include your account number, the date you noticed your card missing, and the date you reported the loss.

Disputes about Merchandise or Services. You can dispute charges for unsatisfactory goods or services. To do so, you must:

* have made the purchase in your home state or within 100 miles of your current billing address. The charge must be for more than $50. (These limitations don't apply if the seller also is the card issuer or if a special business relationship exists between the seller and the card issuer.) and,
* first make a good faith effort to resolve the dispute with the seller. No special procedures are required to do so.

If these conditions don't apply, you may want to consider filing an action in small claims court.


source ftc

consumer protections laws

Take advantage of the consumer protections laws

To take advantage of the law's consumer protections, you must:

• write to the creditor at the address given for "billing inquiries," not the address for sending your payments, and include your name, address, account number and a description of the billing error.
• send your letter so that it reaches the creditor within 60 days after the first bill containing the error was mailed to you.

Send your letter by certified mail, return receipt requested, so you have proof of what the creditor received. Include copies (not originals) of sales slips or other documents that support your position. Keep a copy of your dispute letter.

The creditor must acknowledge your complaint in writing within 30 days after receiving it, unless the problem has been resolved. The creditor must resolve the dispute within two billing cycles (but not more than 90 days) after receiving your letter.

Date

What happens while my bill is in dispute?

You may withhold payment on the disputed amount (and related charges), during the investigation. You must pay any part of the bill not in question, including finance charges on the undisputed amount.

The creditor may not take any legal or other action to collect the disputed amount and related charges (including finance charges) during the investigation. While your account cannot be closed or restricted, the disputed amount may be applied against your credit limit.

Will my credit rating be affected?

The creditor may not threaten your credit rating or report you as delinquent while your bill is in dispute. However, the creditor may report that you are challenging your bill. In addition, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants who exercise their rights, in good faith, under the FCBA. Simply put, you cannot be denied credit simply because you've disputed a bill.

What if...

...the bill is incorrect?

If your bill contains an error, the creditor must explain to you - in writing - the corrections that will be made to your account. In addition to crediting your account, the creditor must remove all finance charges, late fees or other charges related to the error.

If the creditor determines that you owe a portion of the disputed amount, you must get a written explanation. You may request copies of documents proving you owe the money.

...the bill is correct?

If the creditor's investigation determines the bill is correct, you must be told promptly and in writing how much you owe and why. You may ask for copies of relevant documents. At this point, you'll owe the disputed amount, plus any finance charges that accumulated while the amount was in dispute. You also may have to pay the minimum amount you missed paying because of the dispute.

If you disagree with the results of the investigation, you may write to the creditor, but you must act within 10 days after receiving the explanation, and you may indicate that you refuse to pay the disputed amount. At this point, the creditor may begin collection procedures. However, if the creditor reports you to a credit bureau as delinquent, the report also must state that

you don't think you owe the money. The creditor must tell you who gets these reports.

...the creditor fails to follow the procedure?

Any creditor who fails to follow the settlement procedure may not collect the amount in dispute, or any related finance charges, up to $50, even if the bill turns out to be correct. For example, if a creditor acknowledges your complaint in 45 days - 15 days too late - or takes more than two billing cycles to resolve a dispute, the penalty applies. The penalty also applies if a creditor threatens to report - or improperly reports - your failure to pay to anyone during the dispute period.

An important caveat

Disputes about the quality of goods and services are not "billing errors," so the dispute procedure does not apply. However, if you buy unsatisfactory goods or services with a credit or charge card, you can take the same legal actions against the card issuer as you can take under state law against the seller.

To take advantage of this protection regarding the quality of goods or services, you must:

• have made the purchase (it must be for more than $50) in your home state or within 100 miles of your current billing address;

• make a good faith effort to resolve the dispute with the seller first.

The dollar and distance limitations don't apply if the seller also is the card issuer - or if a special business relationship exists between the seller and the card issuer.

Other billing rights

Businesses that offer "open end" credit also must:

• give you a written notice when you open a new account - and at certain other times - that describes your right to dispute billing errors;
• provide a statement for each billing period in which you owe - or they owe you - more than one dollar;
• send your bill at least 14 days before the payment is due - if you have a period within which to pay the bill without incurring additional charges;
• credit all payments to your account on the date they're received, unless no extra charges would result if they failed to do so. Creditors are permitted to set some reasonable rules for making payments, say setting a reasonable deadline for payment to be received to be credited on the same date; and
• promptly credit or refund overpayments and other amounts owed to your account. This applies to instances where your account is owed more than one dollar. Your account must be credited promptly with the amount owed. If you prefer a refund, it must be sent within seven business days after the creditor receives your written request. The creditor must also make a good faith effort to refund a credit balance that has remained on your account for more than six months.

Suing the creditor

You can sue a creditor who violates the FCBA. If you win, you may be awarded damages, plus twice the amount of any finance charge - as long as it's between $100 and $1,000. The court also may order the creditor to pay your attorney's fees and costs.

If possible, hire a lawyer who is willing to accept the amount awarded to you by the court as the entire fee for representing you. Some lawyers may not take your case unless you agree to pay their fee - win or lose - or add to the court-awarded amount if they think it's too low.

Reporting FCBA violations

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, identity theft, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.

source ftc

The Shopping Addict

About the shopping addict

Shopoholics or Addicted to Shopping?
Many of us laugh at the concept however, for some of us, it is a real problem. It may start off with shopping out of necessity which results in a high. So, you go back and get an even higher feeling. At some point the high that you receive isn’t big enough so you have to go up a notch to the next level. Sounds like many other addictions. The reality comes when the bills start piling up, the collectors start calling , and you run out of space. What do you do?

“Compulsive shopping and spending are defined as inappropriate, excessive, and out of control,” says Donald Black, MD, professor of psychiatry at the University of Iowa College of Medicine. “Like other addictions, it basically has to do with impulsiveness and lack of control over one’s impulses. In America, shopping is embedded in our culture; so often, the impulsiveness comes out as excessive shopping.”

Whatever you may call it, shopping addiction can wreak havoc on a person’s life, family, and finances. Experts explain to WebMD why shopping can be so addictive, what the warning signs are, and how to stop the cycle of spending.

Many of these shoppers are oblivious to how much they are spending while they are feeling their high. A study by the American Journal of Psychiatry found one out of 12 people (nearly as many men as women) are compulsive shoppers.

“No one knows what causes addictive behaviors, like shopping, alcoholism, drug abuse, and gambling,” says Ruth Engs, EdD, a professor of applied health science at Indiana University. “Some of the new evidence suggests that some people, maybe 10%-15%, may have a genetic predisposition to an addictive behavior, coupled with an environment in which the particular behavior is triggered, but no one really knows why.”

The high that shoppers get is like any other high. Endorphins and dopamine, naturally occurring opiate receptor sites in the brain turn on.The shopper starts to feel good and the behavior is repeated.f
Juggling credit cards may land you in deeper trouble. You may not even realize how much credit card debt you’ve accumulated. You can also lose track of payments and bills and fees for using your cards.

Tips to help you avaoid a shopping problem

1. Know what you have
Take an inventory of your closet, refrigerator or anything else you like to add to when you shop

2. Carry a shopping list
This can help curb impulse buying

3. Put items that you want to buy “on hold”
Sometimes taking a bit of time to think about it can help curb purchasing or weed out the unnecessary ones.

4. Don’t be a sucker for sales
Often they are not that great anyway.

5. Use CASH
No surprises, just upfront reality.

6. Track what you spend
Yep, this means write it all down. The truth can hurt but, can also be a wake-up call.

7. Cut up your credit cards
Wow, can this one be hard to do. We have so many reasons to hold on to them.

8. Seek advice
Often a financial counselor or therapist can help.

9. Learn how to say “No”
If you cannot do this then think about staying home and getting some cleaning done instead of shopping.

Signs of a shopping problem

Spending over budget. Are you spending within your means or are you spending with the intent to pay it off later?
Compulsive buying. Do you know why you’re buying that thing you are not even sure that you need?

Buyers Regret Do you return a lot of these compulsive purchases?

It’s a chronic problem. It goes way beyond the Holiday Shopping season

Do you hide your problem from your family or others?

Do you lie about your shopping or how much you have spent?