What to Consider When Buying a Car for Your Teen

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teen-driverParents spend years teaching their children the art of how to talk, how to walk, how to tie their shoes, how to ride a bike, and much, much more. As a parent, you’re overjoyed with each momentous milestone that passes. But with each step your child takes toward independence, you become keenly aware that you’re no longer able to protect them at every moment (and also that they’re growing up way too fast)!

The day your child gets their driver’s license and you send them off on their first solo drive, you may be tempted to trail behind from a safe distance just to make sure they arrive at their destination safely. Eventually though, you’ll relinquish control and trust that you’ve raised a responsible young adult who’ll behave accordingly behind the wheel, even in your absence. If you’ve taken that leap and now want to buy your teen a car, here are some things to ease your mind that they’re protected even without you there to hold their hand.

Should I buy a new or a used car? Ultimately, whether you buy new or used will boil down to your personal preference and how much money you’re willing to spend, but both have their advantages.

First Financial has great low Auto Loan rates – and they’re the same whether you plan to purchase a new or used vehicle!  You can view our current rates by clicking here.

A new car’s quality isn’t in question – it hasn’t been in any accidents and has no hidden flaws that a previous owner might’ve tried to disguise. Additionally, manufacturer’s warranties come standard on new vehicles, covering the car for at least three years. And New Jersey has a Lemon Law, which protects consumers if an authorized dealer is unable to repair or service the vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts.

Cars are built to last longer so a bit of mileage on the odometer need not be a deterrent or intimidating factor either. Used cars are a good option if you’re looking for more “bang for your buck.” It may not come equipped with the latest technology or gadgets, but will likely have a lot of the same features as a new car for less money. (The availability of fewer in-car distractions for an inexperienced driver isn’t necessarily a bad thing, either). An added bonus of purchasing a used car is they tend to be less expensive to insure.

What are the best cars for the money? If value is a top priority, U.S. News and World Report publishes an annual list of the vehicles it has awarded “Best Cars for the Money.” Judging criteria include the average price paid and five-year total cost of ownership data, expert opinion on the car’s performance, interior features and comfort, and reliability and safety data.

What are the safest cars to drive? Each year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates vehicles based on how well they protect their occupants in a collision. The vehicles are rated good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on how they perform in five crash tests: moderate overlap front, small overlap front, side, rollover and rear. The highest designation that can be awarded is Top Safety Pick+. These cars deserve extra consideration because, in addition to protecting your precious cargo, insurance companies will often offer discounts for car safety features.

Insurance costs. One thing many people forget to consider when purchasing a car is how much it will cost to insure. Young drivers generally have higher premiums because their inexperience can cause them to be labeled as high risk. Used cars tend to be less expensive to insure so purchasing one is a way to reduce your teen’s insurance premium. Mercury Insurance also offers good student discounts in New Jersey to unmarried high school and college students who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, which can further reduce the insurance premium.

Once you’ve decided which vehicle to buy, emphasize to your teen that driving is a privilege, not a right, and to do it responsibly.

Did you know that as a First Financial member – you may be eligible for a discount on auto insurance through Liberty Mutual? Click here to get started.* We also provide a free auto buying and research tool, AutoSMART — a great place to find new and used vehicles!

Click here to view the article source written by Maryann Gowen, an independent insurance agent serving Wall, NJ.

*Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow, and may vary by state. Certain discounts apply to specific coverages only. To the extent permitted by law, applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. The descriptions of coverages are necessarily brief and are subject to policy provisions, limitations and exclusions that can only be expressed in the policy itself. Discounts and coverages vary by state and are not available in all states. For a complete explanation of coverages, please consult a sales representative. The TruStage™ Auto Insurance Program is provided and underwritten by leading insurance companies, including Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA.  A consumer report from a consumer reporting agency and/or motor vehicle report will be obtained on all drivers listed on your policy where state laws and regulations allow. Please consult your policy for specific coverages and limitations. The insurance offered is not a deposit and is not federally insured. This coverage is not sold or guaranteed by your credit union. First Financial Federal Credit Union Client #38361.

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4 Tips to Help 20-Somethings Manage Their Debt

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Debt can be a heavy burden on anyone, no matter what their age, but increasingly, young adults are starting out deeper in the hole. A recent report from credit-score provider FICO shows that student loan debt has climbed dramatically for those ages 18 to 29, with average debt rising by almost $5,000 over the course of five years.

The good news, though, is that young adults are taking steps to get their overall debt under control, reducing their balances on credit cards and their debt levels for mortgages, auto loans, and other types of debt. With 16% of 18 to 29-year-olds having no credit cards, young adults are getting the message that managing debt early on is essential to overall financial health.

With the goal of managing debt levels firmly in mind, let’s take a look at four things you should do to manage your debt prudently and successfully.

1. Get a Handle On What You Owe.

In managing debt, the first challenge is figuring out all of what you owe. By pulling a free copy of your credit report you’ll get a list of loans and credit card accounts that major credit bureaus think you have outstanding, along with contact information to track down any unexpected creditors that might appear on the list.

Once you know what you owe, you also have to know the terms of each loan. By making a list of amounts due, monthly or minimum payment obligations, rates, and other fees, you can prioritize your debt and get the most onerous loans paid down first. Usually, that’ll involve getting your credit card debt zeroed out, along with any high rate debt like private student loans before turning to lower rate debt like mortgages and government subsidized student loans. With your list in hand, you’ll know where to concentrate any extra cash that you can put toward paying down debt ahead of schedule.

2. Look for Ways to Establish a Strong Credit History.

Having too much debt is always a mistake, but going too far in the other direction can also hurt you financially. If you don’t use debt at all, then you run the risk of never building up a credit history, and that can make it much more difficult for you to get loans when you finally do want to borrow money. The better course is to use credit sparingly and wisely, perhaps with a credit card that you pay off every month and use only often enough to establish a payment record and solid credit score.

First Financial hosts free budgeting, credit management, and debt reduction seminars throughout the year, so be sure to check our online event calendar or subscribe to receive upcoming seminar alerts on your mobile phone by signing up here.*

3. Build Up Some Emergency Savings.

Diverting money away from paying down long term loans in order to create a rainy day emergency fund might sound counterintuitive in trying to manage your overall debt. But especially if your outstanding debt is of the relatively good variety — such as a low rate mortgage or government subsidized student loan debt — having an emergency fund is very useful in avoiding the need to put a surprise expense on a credit card. Once you have your credit cards paid down, keeping them paid off every month is the best way to handle debt, and an emergency fund will make it a lot easier to handle even substantial unanticipated costs without backsliding on your progress on the credit card front.

4. Get On a Budget.

Regardless of whether you have debt or how much you have, establishing a smart budget is the best way to keep your finances under control. By balancing your income against your expenses, you’ll know whether you have the flexibility to handle changes in spending patterns or whether you need to keep a firm grip on your spending. Moreover, budgeting will often reveal wasteful spending that will show you the best places to cut back on expenses, freeing up more money to put toward paying down debt and minimizing interest charges along the way.

Click here to view the article source, from The Daily Finance.

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Back to School Shopping Strategies to Spend Smart

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back-to-schoolSo here is the deal: it is impossible to avoid back to school shopping. The plain truth is you need to get certain supplies to make sure your child is prepared for back to school season. This can become quite expensive, as children seem to need more and more every year. But savvy spenders know that there are several tips and tricks you can follow in order to save big. You don’t have to be a shopping guru or expert in order to save, you just need to know where the deals are, and the places you can save a few pennies. Below, you will find back to school shopping strategies to spend smart and save big.

You will find that these tips are simple to follow and don’t require a great deal of know how or time. Give these tips a try and see how easy it is to shop smart and save big. Take a peek!

1. Get your child involved.

Explain to your child what the difference between wants and needs are. They won’t be able to get every single item they want and you should be able to tell them that. Before shopping, make a list with your child based on the list the school provides. Make sure your child understands what they will be getting to prepare them for school and what can wait.

2. Eliminate gimmicks.

Teachers will tell you that things like sparkly erasers, light up pencils, and other fancy items can be a distraction. They are not only a distraction, but they are more expensive than plain items. Instead, forget about these back to school gimmicks and keep things simple. It costs less.

3. Keep your supply list in the car.

While you are running your errands, you will want to keep your list on you should you run into any deals. If you don’t have your list, you could miss out on a hot deal. Keep your list in your car or in your purse so if you come across a sale or a free with rebate deal, you have your list to see if you need it or not.

4. Buy basic supplies in bulk.

You can buy basic supplies such as paper, pencils, and notebooks in bulk. Warehouse stores are perfect for buying these items for less and having enough to sustain you for the rest of the year. Do the math and make sure the bulk price beats the a la carte price before you shop.

5. Negotiate a group discount.

Gather the other parents at school and see if you can rally together to save. A group of parents may be able to negotiate a group discount from a local office supply store. Contact stores in your area and see if they are open to the possibility of this. Then, contact parents and get the ball rolling.

6. Stock up and set up a home store.

Buy items on sale, free with rebate, or in bulk and then gather them in a storage bin. Keep the bin in a safe place where they can be shopped during the year as they are needed. That way, you are not having to run out and buy items during the year, possibly spending more.

7. Help your school and yourself.

Ask if your school participates in a program like OneCause. If so you can shop for supplies often receiving a discount and special coupons. Plus with your purchase, your local retailer will donate a percentage to the school of your choice. It is a win/win!

See how easy it is to save money on back to school? With these back to school shopping strategies you can learn how to spend smart and save big. These tips will help you make the most of your cash and stretch your shopping dollar. Give them a try and see how quickly the savings add up for you!

*Click here to view the article source.

5 Ways Consumers Can Protect Themselves in 5 Minutes

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Most consumer protection tips tend to be reactive — telling you how to spot a scam email, for instance, or respond to a collections call. But there are also certain proactive steps you can take right now to head off fraud before it even takes place.

Here are five actions you can take to protect yourself as a consumer, all of which should take less than five minutes to complete.

1. Turn on Two-Step Verification on Your Email

Security experts will tell you that you should have a different password for every online account you open. But anyone who uses the Internet on a regular basis knows that this is virtually impossible — you likely have dozens of accounts ranging from bank accounts to email to social media to news sites, and you access them on multiple devices.

You have a few options here. One is to use a few strong, unique passwords for your most sensitive accounts and then repeat passwords for non-critical accounts. A better choice is to use a password-management tool like LastPass; you’ll only have to remember one master password, and the program will generate high, uncrackable passwords for all of your accounts.

But whichever route you choose, there’s one easy step that you should take now: Enable two-step verification on your email.

Email is in many ways your most important account: When you forget a password to one of your other accounts, the password reset link will be sent to your email. If someone takes over your email, they can reset all the passwords to your other accounts and take them over.

Fortunately, email providers like Gmail now offer what’s known as two-step verification. Enabling this feature means that if someone tries to access your email account from a different computer than you usually use, they’ll need more than just your password — they’ll also need a second one-time password that’s sent to your mobile phone. So unless the hacker has also gotten a hold of your phone, they’ll be unable to get into your account.

Two-factor authentication can be set up in less than 5 minutes. We’d recommend putting it in place for your email and bank accounts.

2. Get on the Do-Not-Call List

If you’re being harassed by a telemarketer, you can always block the call. But let’s be honest: You probably don’t want to hear from any telemarketers, ever, so you might as well exercise your right to block them forever.

If you didn’t get on the do-not-call list when it first came out, don’t fret: You can do it any time, and you can add up to three numbers, including your cell phone. The registration does not need to be renewed unless you get a new phone number.

You can register in less than a minute at DoNotCall.gov or by calling (888) 382-1222. And one final word of warning on the subject: If you get an unsolicited phone call offering to add your number to the registry for a fee, it’s actually a scammer. The government doesn’t allow private companies to register people for the list, and registration is free. Such cons are either trying to make a quick buck, or trying to get you to hand over your personal information.

3. Get a Free Credit Report

According to the FTC, 42 million U.S. consumers have errors on their credit reports they don’t know about. Those errors can lower your score, reduce your eligibility for loans and credit cards, and cost you a good chunk of change on a home loan.

You can’t get rid of those errors until you know about them. Fortunately, you’re entitled to one free credit report every year from each of the major consumer credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). You can get that free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com.

But keep in mind that getting your credit report once a year arguably isn’t often enough, as you’ll want to dispute erroneous items on your report as quickly as possible.

“We think checking your credit report once a year, an often recommended interval, is insufficient for most people,” says Erik Larson of NextAdvisor, a site that reviews credit cards, Internet providers and other consumer services. “An identity thief can wreak havoc on your credit in a matter of days, much less an entire year.”

With that in mind, Larson recommends signing up for a credit-monitoring service, many of which provide identity theft protection and monthly updates on your credit score.

As an alternative, you can space out those three free credit reports, one from each bureau, ordering one free report every 4 months. Not quite as proactive a choice as a credit-monitoring service, but it’s free.

4. Set Up Alerts on Your Bank Account

If there’s a fraudulent charge on your bank account or credit card, you have 60 days to spot it and report it. As such, simply looking at your bank and credit card statements every month should still give you enough time to successfully dispute bogus charges and get your money back.

But if someone gets a hold of your credit or debit card number, you really don’t want to let them spend a month running amok. That’s especially true when it comes to fraud on your debit card — if you don’t spot it right away, you could wind up with an empty checking account, leaving you broke until the situation is resolved.

That’s why Miranda Perry, staff writer for online complaint resolution site Scambook, says that consumers should set up alerts on their bank accounts to notify them of unexpected charges.

Financial institutions and credit card issuers have safeguards in place to spot truly unusual activity — a $2,000 shopping spree, for instance, or a sudden charge halfway across the world. But setting up custom alerts allows you to use your knowledge of your own spending habits to provide an extra layer of protection. For instance, if you’re conscientious about keeping account balances over a certain amount, you can set up an alert to trigger any time your balance falls below that level.

The alerts take just a few minutes to locate on your online banking site and set up.  If you have questions about setting up alerts on your accounts within First Financial’s Online Banking, please give us a call to help walk you through the steps at 732.312.1500.

5. Set Up a Google Alert for Your Name

Credit monitoring and bank alerts can help secure you against threats to your finances. But what about threats to your reputation?

Rather than Googling yourself every day looking for any incorrect (or incriminating) information about you, just take 30 seconds to set up a Google alert. Then, any time your name pops up on a blog, news site or other search result, you can get an email.

If you find information about yourself that you’d rather not have floating around the Web, Google provides a basic primer on getting it removed. Understand, though, that you can’t demand that Google remove a search result just because you find it unflattering. Unless the result is somehow in violation of the law or Google’s terms of service, you’ll have to go directly to the website hosting information to request its removal. Only if the page is amended or removed can you then go to Google and request that they remove it from the search results.

Let’s be honest, though – have you checked your social media privacy settings recently? You want to make sure your profiles are not visible to the public to see. As such, one final five-minute task we’d recommend is to manage your privacy settings on Facebook and any other social network where you have a profile.

Article Source: http://www.dailyfinance.com/2013/03/06/consumer-protection-week-tips-advice/