3 Consumer Scams to Be Aware Of

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New twist on an old phone scam:

Phone scams are nearly as old as Alexander Graham Bell, but fraudsters have invented a new trick to beware of. It’s called the “can you hear me” con.

Scammers will call your phone and ask if you can hear them, but if you answer yes, they’ll record you and use it as “proof” that you signed up for whatever fraudulent service they’re offering.

The safest thing you can do if you receive one of these calls is to simply hang up, or if you don’t know the number – don’t answer it in the first place.

When heart meets wallet – dating scam:

Nothing says I love you less than an empty bank account, yet that might be your fate if you go looking for love in all the wrong places.

According to the FBI, scammers are preying on people’s hearts and wallets in a new growing trend called romance scams. It starts off simply enough — you meet someone through the service that seems a likely match and contact is made. Things intensify quickly. It seems like a dream romance. It’s not.

Beware of anyone you meet through online dating services who asks for financial gifts or favors (even if he or she is the “love of your life.”) This could be a play to get access to your checking account.

These scammers will leave you broke and broken hearted if you’re not careful. Use your head and be a bit suspicious. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Don’t fall for the bait with phishing:

The chairman of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, fell for a phishing scheme when he reportedly received an email from Google asking him to verify his account.

Unfortunately, the email wasn’t from Google, but was from a scammer — a scammer who now had all the info he needed to hack this Google account.

Software like Photoshop makes it easy for even a mediocre hacker to convince you that they are with a trusted organization like Google, your bank, or another company who handles sensitive matters for you.

Before you give over info, even basic info – remember the painful lesson learned: email isn’t secure. Never share sensitive information over email.

Article Source: Jennifer Reynolds for CUInsight.com

4 Budget Friendly Summer Date Night Ideas

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Summertime is upon us and that means the kids are out of school. We find ourselves spending a lot of time (and often, money) making sure they are happy and entertained during the summer months. It’s important that we don’t forget about ourselves in the process. Even if you’re not a parent, finding time for your relationship with your significant other is essential to a healthy partnership. Below are four ideas for fun summer date nights that won’t put a hole in your wallet.

Catch a baseball game.

Even if you’re not in a big city that boasts a professional baseball team, check out MiLB.com to discover a minor league team near you – like the Jersey Shore BlueClaws. Tickets to minor league games are less expensive and the snacks and drinks are typically more budget friendly as well.

Check out the night sky.

How often do you and your partner take time to gaze at the night stars? Summer is the perfect time to grab a blanket and get outdoors. You don’t need a pricey telescope to find those constellations in the sky. Check out this free Star Tracker app and explore the universe from your own backyard.

Enjoy some ice cream.

There is nothing like a cold treat when it’s hot outside. Instead of a date night at an expensive restaurant, opt for a dessert date instead. That way you’re still out together enjoying something delicious, but for a $10 price tag instead of $100.

Have a game night indoors.

Get inside and away from the heat and be a kid again. Have a game night with all your favorite board games. The games and snacks won’t cost much and the winner’s bragging rights are priceless.

Article Source: Wendy Bignon for CUInsight.com

5 Ways to Save on Common Household Expenses

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You’re probably always looking for ways to save at home, right? Sure, you can take drastic measures like living in a tiny house, but there are far easier ways to save money. Here’s a look at a few ways you can easily save a few bucks on your common household expenses.

Bundle up.

We’ve all got internet, and some of you have yet to cut the cord on cable services. If you plan on keeping it around, the least you can do is bundle up your services. If you’re paying two different companies for those services, that’s crazy! Check out allconnect.com and find a bundle package that’s available in your area.

Clip those coupons.

This doesn’t sound complicated, and for good reason. Even if your grocery bill is smaller than most, remember that you don’t have to be a family of five to save money at the checkout. Check out the weekly ads at your grocery store and keep those coupons that come with your receipt.

Cancel that gym membership.

That gym membership sounded good around New Year’s but now you’re only going a few times a month – if that. You can save that money and buy a bike and some dumbbells, or even just a new pair of running shoes. Only keep your gym membership if you’re truly committed.

Find cheap entertainment.

Sometimes local theaters have discounted movies on certain nights, or maybe your town has free movies in the park in the summertime. If you don’t have those options where you live, head to the Redbox and make it a double feature for way cheaper.

Make coffee at home.

You’ve probably heard this one before. You like your Starbucks coffee and don’t want to settle for making your own. Grab a Keurig and buy some K-Cups – you can even by Starbucks K-Cups. That 3-4 dollars per day will really add up. In fact, if you start putting that cash away every day, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see what you’ve got a year from now. Next year’s summer vacation may be paid for!

Article Source: John Pettit for CUInsight.com

 

Personal Finance Lessons Students Should Learn Before Graduation

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How to make a budget.

It all starts with the budget. Here, students can compare earnings to expenses. It will give them insight into the value of a dollar. With a budget, students can plan for major purchases, eliminate debt and create good saving habits. Check out our budgeting guide here!

How to balance a checkbook.

While few people probably write checks anymore, students should still know how to balance a register. Even if they prefer to use an app to help keep up with their funds, the basic accounting skills they’ll gain from an old-fashioned register will give them insight into how their money flows. It will also teach them that even financial institutions can make mistakes, so it’s good to check the account for errors or fraud on a regular basis.

The real cost of credit cards.

Credit cards have advantages, but as anyone who’s gone into debt knows, those advantages can come at a significant cost if card holders aren’t careful. Understanding how compound interest works and what that $40 shirt will cost them if they take years to pay it off – will help them make wise choices with their credit.

How to build good credit.

Good credit can save them exponentially over a lifetime. Everything from home and auto loans to job applications will be affected by a person’s credit score. Teaching students about what makes their score good, how to build it and how to monitor it will set them up for years of success.

What to do when it goes wrong.

Having a financial backup plan can make the difference between disaster and survival, when a major catastrophe strikes. Tools such as health and homeowners’ insurance and a savings account are critical but increasing numbers of Americans do not employ these resources. Teach students how to plan ahead of time so they can weather inevitable disasters successfully.

Article Source: Jennifer Reynolds for CUInsight.com

First Financial Hosts Student Run LIFE Fair at Jackson High Schools

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Press Release

(Pictured above: First Financial staff members and students from the Jackson Academy of Business teach fellow students about the financial realities of life at Jackson Memorial High School).

Freehold, N.J. – First Financial Federal Credit Union held their first student run LIFE™ (Learning Independent Financial Education) financial reality fair events at both Jackson Liberty and Memorial High Schools with the Jackson Academy of Business (JAB) students. While the credit union has hosted financial reality fairs in the past, this fair was actually staffed by high school students, who sat behind each of the financial tables and worked with other students to help plan their financial future. Approximately 160 students at each school participated in this hands-on version of the “game of life,” during which they were required to make on-the-spot financial decisions.

The LIFE™ Fair consists of a full day hands-on experience where students, after identifying their career choice and starting salaries, are provided a budget sheet requiring them to live within their monthly salary while paying for basics such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing, and food. Once the students visit all the booths, they balance their budget and sit down with a financial counselor to review their expenses and get a “financial reality check.” At the student run fairs, First Financial staff members worked at the financial review tables with each of the participating students to provide insight.

In regard to the school’s experience with their first ever student run LIFE™ Fair, Laurie Shupin, Jackson Liberty teacher and the high school’s JAB coordinator stated, “The students felt it was an excellent learning experience and became more knowledgeable of the subject matter as the day progressed.  They are looking forward to more presentations and would love to extend it to the fall and spring semesters.” Laura Fecak, Jackson Memorial teacher and JAB coordinator stated, “The LIFE Fair was a great opportunity for all of our students involved.  It was an eye-opening experience for the Financial Literacy students that came through to get a dose of reality, connecting classroom concepts to real life situations.  As well as, for the Jackson Academy of Business students that got to act as the sales representatives in a variety of situations (housing, transportation, technology, furniture, etc.).”

While the LIFE™ Fair was certainly full of temptations, the students had to spend their money wisely while being able to save and budget themselves for the future – while also enjoying everything life has to offer. First Financial President and CEO, Issa Stephan, concluded, “Our mission for our first student run LIFE™ Fair was to help the students understand the value of money and how to manage their money, so as they grow as an adult, they’ll become more financially responsible. The student run fair was able to show the high school students even more about the financial realities of the real world. Our credit union puts a high priority on financial education, after all – that’s how First Financial began in 1936, with a group of schoolteachers in Asbury Park.”

(Pictured above: Jackson Liberty LIFE Fair).

Additional photos from the event can be seen on First Financial’s Facebook page. To inquire about or set-up a LIFE™ Fair for a Monmouth or Ocean County, NJ school or business – please contact the Business Development Department at  business@firstffcu.com.

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4 Ways to Save Money on Transportation Costs this Summer

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It takes money to go somewhere. Whether you drive or have someone drive you, you’re going to have to budget a portion of your income to help you get around. If you’d like to spend a few less dollars in that area, here are some tips that can help you save money while getting from Point A to Point B.

Drive better.

It takes gas to make a vehicle run, but it takes less gas when you’re driving more responsibly. We all get in a hurry from time to time, but you can improve your gas mileage if you try to speed less. Some cars have an “ECO” light that turns on when you’re cruising at an economically favorable speed. If you don’t have a similar feature, try and stay at a constant speed and not brake/accelerate so much.

Find the cheapest gas.

When you have a need, there’s usually an app for it. GasBuddy can help you find the cheapest gas around and it’s powered by users, so you get to help let others in on the discounts as well. Just try to never let your tank get too low or you won’t be getting many options on where to fill up.

Get a bike.

If you have a short commute, you can solve two problems at once. If the weather is nice and your commute is short, why not leave the keys at home and take your bike to work?

Start a carpool.

Have some coworkers who live nearby? If so, there’s no excuse for not starting a carpool. By taking turns driving each week, you’ll save a lot of gas money over the course of the year. If you like driving too much to be a rider, why not pick up that coworker everyday? They can pay you a flat fee for the ride, you’ll make a few bucks, and they’ll save the wear and tear on their vehicle. Everybody wins.

Article Source: John Pettit for CUInsight.com