Financial Literacy Month

Financial Literacy Month – Tip #15

Clear Picture

Here’s the tip from August 3 – Debt Reduction month:

Okay, this is the time to face reality. You need to get out all your bills today and make a list of each and every debt that you owe. I want you to list the creditors name, the amount owed, the minimum payment amount and the interest rate. See Appendix for today.

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Financial Literacy Month – Tip #14

Mail

Here’s the tip from July 30 – Credit month:

Sounds simple enough, we use the mail all the time for legitimate purposes. But others don’t and you have to be aware and take precautions.

Don’t put your outgoing mail (especially bills) in your mailbox for someone to steal. Take it to an actual postal mailbox to mail.
Don’t bring your mail to work to be mailed. Many companies have the mail sitting on the counter for anyone to take. Again, take it to an actual postal mailbox to mail.
Don’t leave you incoming mail in the mail box all day for others to be able to grab. Talk to your Post Office about what you can do (locked mailbox, slot in your door etc). Maybe have your mail sent to a P O Box.
Look at your mail promptly. Did you get a declined credit offer when you haven’t applied for credit? It could be a sign that someone may be attempting to open a credit card in your name.

There are many ways to steal someone’s identity, don’t make it easy on them.

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Financial Literacy Month – Tip #13

Monitor Your Accounts

Here’s the tip from July 28-Credit month:

Something that I personally do weekly is to monitor my accounts. I go online (from my home computer) and check my accounts, both bank and credit cards. I actually look at the individual transactions to see what is posted. Is there anything that I don’t recognize? Get in the habit of this and check even if you haven’t used the account. You never know who has.

To purchase a copy of either of my books Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day or 111 Ways To Save

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Financial Literacy Month – Tip #12

Order Your Credit Report

Here’s the tip from July 1 -Credit month:

Today, I want you to order your credit report for FREE from Annual Credit Report. You can do this online and print the report right away, call to order your report or download the form and order it by mail.

www.AnnualCreditReport.com

877-322-8778

P O Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281s

Remember this is the only FREE service to get your credit report. Don’t be fooled by others offering you free credit reports if you sign up for something that requires you to pay for something else.

If you do this online, be prepared to answer security questions about your credit history. Each credit reporting agency will ask you several questions that you must answer correctly to be able to get the report online. If you think you will not know the details of you credit, then order your report by phone or mail and you will be receiving the report in about two weeks.

You are entitled to one FREE credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies once every twelve months. I suggest that you only order ONE credit report from one of the credit reporting agencies today. Then in four months, order another credit report from the second credit reporting agency. Then again, in another four months order the third credit reporting agency. This way you are seeing your credit report three times per year at no cost to you. Go to the Appendix for this date and mark your calendars.

To purchase a copy of either of my books Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day or 111 Ways To Save

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Financial Literacy Month – Tip #11

Trash or Treasure

Here’s the tip from June 16 -Selling or Donating month:

This is a book I highly recommend, Trash or Treasure: Guide To The Best Buyers by Tony Hyman. I bought this book years ago and it has paid for itself many times over. After cleaning out a family house, I sold a metal toy steam shovel for $500 to one of the collectors listed in the book who drove over three hours to see the toy.

To purchase a copy of either of my books Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day or 111 Ways To Save

#JillRussoFoster #30WaysToSave

Financial Literacy Month – Tip #10

Collectibles

Here’s the tip from June 15 -Selling or Donating month:

If you have been collecting things for years but no longer want them, they may be very much wanted by other collectors. Check out the internet to find collectors groups in your area where you might be able to sell your collection. Or if you don’t need or want the money for your collection, consider donating your items to a local museum or some other institution that may want to include your things in their display.

To purchase a copy of either of my books Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day or 111 Ways To Save

#JillRussoFoster #30WaysToSave

Financial Literacy Month – Tip #9

Selling

Here’s the tip from June 8 -Selling or Donating month:

There are many ways you can sell unwanted items. Possibilities include consignment shops, thrift stores, online selling or classified ads, tag sales and auctions. You need to determine first if you want to do all the work and have the time or is it best to delegate to someone else. Today you need to think about your situation.

To purchase a copy of either of my books Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day or 111 Ways To Save

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Financial Literacy Month – Tip #8

Savings Accounts and ATMs

Here’s the tip from March 28 – Saving More month:

One thing that I have learned over the years is not to have my savings account linked to my debit / ATM card. That way, if I want to make an impulse purchase, I have to put some thought into it and move money either online or at the bank. This delay usually makes me think about the purchase and talk myself out of it.

An added benefit to this is if your card is stolen, the thief cannot access the money in your savings. This is a good thing since most of us keep our money in savings versus checking accounts

To purchase a copy of either of my books Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day or 111 Ways To Save

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Financial Literacy Month – Tip #7

Automatic Payment

Here’s the tip from March 27 – Saving More month:

Have you ever said to yourself that I will save whatever is left over after I pay my bills? I know that I have. If you are like me, there was no money left over. Big surprise! It’s like when you get a raise and you have no idea where the extra money has gone.

The age-old way to save is to set up automatic savings money. Have an amount taken out of your paycheck and deposited directly to your savings account. The money is gone before you get your hands on it. If your company doesn’t offer this, that’s not a problem. You can have an amount set up to be withdrawn from your checking account on a regular basis. The benefits are that you are saving without effort on your part and the money isn’t in your checking account so you can’t spend it.

To purchase a copy of either of my books Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day or 111 Ways To Save

#JillRussoFoster #30WaysToSave

Financial Literacy Month – Tip #6

Movie Night At Home

Here’s the tip from March 17 – Saving More month:

How about a movie marathon at home? Go to your local library and borrow several movies and then have popcorn and beverages in front of your TV. Or if the library doesn’t have what you want, you could rent them at your local grocery store movie kiosk for a minimal cost. If you are a Netflix member, that will work if you have a compatible game console.

Think about ways you can have fun with minimal or no money. Make your list today and then plan those times into your calendar and invite friends to join you if you want.

To purchase a copy of either of my books Thrive In Five: Take Charge of Your Finances in 5 Minutes a Day or 111 Ways To Save

#JillRussoFoster #30WaysToSave