Keep Your Info Safe This Holiday.

 

Mall security (ONLINE VERSION)

According to a 2014 Deloitte survey, 55 percent of American consumers say they are concerned about protecting their personal data when shopping online, and 42 percent say they have similar concerns when shopping in stores. With the holiday shopping season fast approaching, consumers need to be more vigilant about protecting their personal data. PC Magazine offers the following tips to shop safely online.

   If possible, avoid using a debit card for purchases. Most debit cards don’t have the same level of fraud protection that credit cards have. If a debit card is all you have, protect your PIN by shielding the keypad with your hand or body.

   Visit only trusted sites, which are more likely to be secure. Make sure an “https” appears in the site’s URL and a lock icon is visibly displayed. Log out of all shopping accounts after completing a transaction.

   Avoid using a public Wi-Fi for your online shopping and financial transactions. Also use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords for each shopping site.

   Provide as little information to merchants as possible. Online retailers do not need to know your social security number or birth date to do business.

   Purchase gift cards directly from the retailer, not through a third-party source. Some scammers will auction off gift cards on sites like eBay with little or no funds on them.

   Review online bank statements frequently to confirm charges; don’t wait for your monthly statement to arrive in the mail. If you notice any questionable charges, contact your financial institution immediately. Keep these suggestions in mind, and you can enjoy a secure holiday shopping experience.

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com

WHEN IT RAINS, IT REALLY POURS

Tips and Trends for homeowners,Buyers and Sellers.     

   No matter where you live, emergencies are bound
to happen when you least expect them: the furnace
breaks down, appliances stop working, the roof starts
leaking or a window gets smashed. The costs for repairs
can be tough to stomach, unless you have an
emergency fund.

Setting up an emergency fund is easier than you think.
These tips from Bankrate.com will help you handle
unexpected surprises with ease.

   

•  First, estimate how much money you might need for the fund. Experts suggest saving enough to cover four to seven months of expenses. Remember, this fund should not replace your entire income, and it should not be used to fund luxuries, like vacations, fancy new clothes or a new car (unless your existing one breaks down).  Keep funds accessible, but not so readily available that you are tempted to borrow from it.

 

• Set up an account separate from your regular checking account. Consider using credit unions, which   allow consumers to open accounts with smaller sums of cash, and online banks, so you can’t withdraw money from a storefront location.

 

• Be sure to use the funds only for emergencies, such as replacing broken appliances, replacing the furnace or paying your regular monthly expenses after a job layoff or during a lengthy illness.  

•   Begin slowly. Start with a deposit of $50 from each paycheck, then increase it gradually with each job change or pay increase. Set aside a portion of commission checks and tax refunds, too.

 

 

With these simple steps, you’ll have greater peace of mind, knowing you are prepared for any emergency.

   

What Is Your Plan?

Avoid Honest Mistakes – Beneficiary Designations Must be Up-to-Date

Retirement plans, annuity contracts and life insurance policies acquired through an employer or owned individually usually have specific named beneficiaries that supersede any instructions in a will. These assets convey directly to heirs, and are not subject to the time-consuming and potentially costly probate process.

A named beneficiary can be anyone you wish to inherit your assets – a relative, friend, trust, charity, university or another institution. You can also choose more than one primary beneficiary and specify the percentage of their assets that each will receive.

In addition, you may want to name secondary beneficiaries who would inherit only if something were to happen to the primary beneficiary before the benefit was actually paid.

Has your situation changed?

Financial institutions may be obligated to transfer your assets or pay insurance benefits to whomever you have named on the official designation forms, even if your situation has changed and there would seem to be an obvious mistake.

·       There have been unfortunate cases when an ex-spouse remained listed as a beneficiary, despite the fact that the account holder had long been remarried and fully intended for the current spouse to receive the funds.

·       Failing to add the latest-born child to the list of previously-named beneficiaries is another regrettable oversight. Also, grown children who previously named their parents frequently forget to make a change once they are married and have their own families.

Are your forms up-to-date?

It’s a good idea to check periodically and confirm that your intended beneficiaries are named correctly on all of your accounts and policies.

If you need to adjust your designations, you can often find the forms on your financial institution’s website, or simply call to request them. Make copies of all the beneficiary forms you have submitted and keep them with the rest of your estate planning documents.

Decisions concerning the naming of your beneficiaries should usually be made in light of your overall estate plan, so you may want to consult an estate-planning professional for advice. If you don’t already have someone you know and trust, feel free to contact your real estate agent who may be able to recommend a qualified individual who can help.

The Cynthia Schmier Team

(360) 894-1164

www.Cynthia-Online.com

Copyright: Buffini & Company. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.