Consumer Tips

1. Check your current data usage
   
   With the rise of unlimited plans, you might feel pressure to change your data bucket and opt for an unlimited plan. But if you’re not a heavy data user (less than 4GB a month), chances are you’re better off skipping the plan upgrade — and sticking to a lower tier data plan. 
    
2. Consider your lifestyle 
   
   Have a large family that needs coverage? You’ll want to look into family plans that enable several people to stay connected at a rate that provides economic flexibility. 
   
   Similarly, if you’re just looking to cover yourself, you’ll want to consider how much talk, text and data you truly need — and amend your plan where appropriate. Make plans to look at your current carrier account to assess where you can make changes.
    
3. Determine your deal-breakers
   
   Plans that don’t offer free roaming probably won’t work for those who travel a lot — and similarly, if you’re an avid music streamer, you’ll want to avoid plans that limit your data to 1GB a month. 
    
4. Evaluate your daily phone habits 
   
   Do you talk on the phone for hours, but spend very little time texting or using data? Look for a plan that gives you more hours to talk — and imposes limits to your text and data. That way, you’ll pay only for what you’ll truly use.
    
5. Look for discounts 
   
   Wireless can be costly  — so taking the time to find out if your carrier offers any special discounts is important. You may be able to score major savings with your wireless carrier simply by way of your union membership.
   
   Research what plans are eligible for discounting pricing, and consider your savings opportunities. The discount plan may come with less data allowance than the one you had before, but you'll save more money in the long run. 

Here are the facts, according to Equifax. The breach lasted from mid-May through July. The hackers accessed people’s names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some instances, driver’s license numbers. They also stole credit card numbers for about 209,000 people and dispute documents with personal identifying information for about 182,000 people. And they grabbed personal information of people in the UK and Canada too.

There are steps to take to help protect your information from being misused. Visit Equifax’s website, www.equifaxsecurity2017.com.

• Find out if your information was exposed. Click on the “Potential Impact” tab and enter your last name and the last six digits of your Social Security number. Your Social Security number is sensitive information, so make sure you’re on a secure computer and an encrypted network connection any time you enter it. The site will tell you if you’ve been affected by this breach.
• Whether or not your information was exposed, U.S. consumers can get a year of free credit monitoring and other services. The site will give you a date when you can come back to enroll. Write down the date and come back to the site and click “Enroll” on that date. You have until November 21, 2017 to enroll.
• You also can access frequently asked questions at the site.

Here are some other steps to take to help protect yourself after a data breach:

• Check your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — for free — by visiting annualcreditreport.com. Accounts or activity that you don’t recognize could indicate identity theft. Visit IdentityTheft.gov to find out what to do.
• Consider placing a credit freeze on your files. A credit freeze makes it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. Keep in mind that a credit freeze won’t prevent a thief from making charges to your existing accounts.
• Monitor your existing credit card and bank accounts closely for charges you don’t recognize.
• If you decide against a credit freeze, consider placing a fraud alert on your files. A fraud alert warns creditors that you may be an identity theft victim and that they should verify that anyone seeking credit in your name really is you.
• File your taxes early — as soon as you have the tax information you need, before a scammer can. Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. Respond right away to letters from the IRS.

Visit Identitytheft.gov/databreach to learn more about protecting yourself after a data breach.

What Do Thieves Do With Your Information?

Once identity thieves have your personal information, they can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new utility accounts, or get medical treatment on your health insurance. An identity thief can file a tax refund in your name and get your refund. In some extreme cases, a thief might even give your name to the police during an arrest.

Clues That Someone Has Stolen Your Identity 

• You see withdrawals from your bank account that you can’t explain.
• You don’t get your bills or other mail.
• Merchants refuse your checks.
• Debt collectors call you about debts that aren’t yours.
• You find unfamiliar accounts or charges on your credit report.
• Medical providers bill you for services you didn’t use.
• Your health plan rejects your legitimate medical claim because the records show you’ve reached your benefits limit.
• A health plan won’t cover you because your medical records show a condition you don’t have.
• The IRS notifies you that more than one tax return was filed in your name, or that you have income from an employer you don’t work for.
• You get notice that your information was compromised by a data breach at a company where you do business or have an account.

If your wallet, Social Security number, or other personal information is lost or stolen, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself from identity theft.

You make good money and you don’t think your expenses are unreasonable, but at the end of the month there’s nothing left over. You aren’t falling behind, but you aren’t getting ahead either. Something seems off.

So what gives? If you have plenty of income, why aren’t your finances coming together like you think they should? There are a few possible reasons.

You aren't paying attention

It sounds simple enough, but many spending problems start small and then balloon over time because we just aren’t paying attention. When we have money, we’re much less likely to budget carefully or really stop to consider our purchases. Why would you, if you know you can afford it?

The trouble, of course, is that just because these purchases don’t cause us any pain at the time we make them, doesn’t mean they don’t eventually catch up to us. Today’s half-considered purchase is the reason there’s no money left over at the end of the month. Start paying attention by tracking your purchases. Review your spending regularly and ask yourself, “What of these things did I really need?”

Your wants are louder than your needs

You probably already know that smart budgeting requires the ability to separate wants from needs. The trouble is that this isn’t necessarily as easy as it sounds.

When we get used to certain wants, they start to feel an awful lot like a need. This is a power of a habit. Something becomes a part of your routine and you don’t just want it – you need it. This is why buying a $5 coffee at Starbucks by itself is not an issue. Once it becomes a daily habit, however, and it starts to feel essential, then it’s a problem and you need to work on rewiring your bad habits.

You’re overpaying for convenience

If you can afford it, there are quite a few things you never have to actually do for yourself. And if you’re interested in saving time, there are plenty of ways to spend money and save time. After a while, however, you may find yourself leaning a little too heavily on these conveniences, which can be financially distressing, even if you have the income to support it.
If you’re overspending on convenience, a good trick is to try and always remember what it feels like when you reach the end of the month and there’s little to no money left over. What’s that feeling? Disappointment? Worry? Anxiety? Frustration? Find that feeling and hold on to it. Then, when you’re trying to decide if you should eat in or dine out (for example), weigh those negative feelings against whatever momentary positive feelings you may get from taking the more convenient, but more expensive option. If the desire to stop feeling anxious about money outweighs your desire to not have to cook dinner tonight, you’ll find it’s much easier to make a change.

You actually can’t afford the things you buy

If there’s a danger to being financially comfortable, it’s how easily that can turn into financial complacency. When you have a more than adequate income, your sense of financial scale can be thrown off. You don’t hesitate to buy a brand new car with all the upgrades or buy a nice home on the good side of town because, in your mind, you can afford it.

But just because you have the money, doesn’t necessarily mean that you can afford it. There’s a reason nearly one-third of all lottery winners end up declaring bankruptcy – no amount of money is infinite. What you spend today is not available to spend tomorrow. That may seem obvious, but spending money has never been easier than it is today. You don’t need to hand over cash, write a check, or even swipe a credit card anymore. Unless you’re actively budgeting yourself, it’s very easy to get the wrong idea about your money.
The trick is to train yourself to see the bigger picture. A top of the line car may be affordable, but where else could some of that money be going? Try to understand what your financial priorities are and let those priorities guide you when spending money you could otherwise be saving.

You don’t know what you really want

Most financial problems boil down to this feeling: “I am Here, but I feel like I should be There.” After all, if you think things are fine as they are, then there’s no problem, right? But what if you don’t know what “There” looks like? What if you only know that “Here” isn’t cutting it?

That can be a very debilitating problem. It’s incredibly difficult to make positive changes when there’s no plan, and it’s even harder to create a good plan when there’s no goal. If you’re feeling stuck, a big part of that may be because you don’t know what it is you really want.
That’s okay, of course. But in the interim, you might want to consider creating a starter goal – something to get you moving, even if it ends up changing somewhere along the way. It can be small and short-term, but it should be concrete rather than abstract. Once you have a goal to work towards, some of these other problems become much easier to identify and manage. But it all starts with a goal.

If you need help finding your starting point, considering speaking with a budgeting counselor from MMI. We understand what it feels like to feel stuck, and we can suggest resources and next steps to start you moving in the right direction.

Union Plus Credit Counseling 

Union members can get a no-obligation money and credit assessment from certified, experienced consumer credit counselors though Union Plus Credit Counseling. Powered by the non-profit Money Management International (MMI), your free session will cover a complete financial review, assistance in budgeting, advice for working with creditors, and more.

Learn More 

No. The real IRS doesn't call and if they do contact you about unpaid taxes, they do it by mail, not by phone. 

Here’s what you can do:

1. Stop. Don’t wire money or pay with a prepaid debit card. Once you send it, the money is gone. If you have tax questions, go to irs.gov or call the IRS at 800-829-1040.
    
2. Pass this information on to a friend. You may not have gotten one of these calls, but the chances are you know someone who has.

​​Please Report Scams

 If you believe you've been the victim of an IRS scam, please report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

That’s why it’s not surprising to learn that half of all young adults in America (aged 25 to 34) believe that worries about money have a negative impact on their health. Even in a perfect economy, there will always be something to worry about, and that stress can be damaging – in more ways than one. That same survey found that 53 percent of young adults felt that money stress had negatively impacted their personal relationships. 

Money stress is normal, and while you can’t avoid it entirely, there’s a lot you can do to manage and overcome it. 

Don’t Ignore It

Try to avoid pretending that the stress you’re feeling isn’t there. Denying your worries or acting as though they aren’t justified will only make matters worse. Recognize that you’re stressed and that it’s okay to feel that way. After all, it’s very difficult to solve a problem if you refuse to accept that you have one. 

Talk About It

No matter what specific issue is causing you stress, you are almost certainly not alone. There is tremendous value in simply sharing your experiences – your fears and personal pains – with sympathetic friends and others dealing with similar problems. It’s a great way to relieve some of your burden, put your problems into perspective, and see how others have dealt with similar situations. 

Never Stop Doing Positive Things for Yourself

If you’re stressed about money, there’s a good chance you’ve stopped doing a lot of things you might otherwise be doing. Money woes can often cause us to freeze up out of fear of making things worse, or because we feel like we don’t “deserve” to have fun. 

While it’s definitely a good idea to be cautious with your money when you’re feeling financial pressure, you should absolutely continue to do positive, fulfilling things for yourself. You should eat right, stay connected socially, and take care of your mental health. Do your best to avoid letting money problems spread to other parts of your life. 

Stay Active

Staying physically active is an enormously effective way to battle through any kind of stress. If money has you tied up in knots, go for a walk. It costs nothing and can go a long way towards making you feel better. 

Keep Learning

Money stress usually derives from either a lack of income, a wealth of debt, or some combination thereof. Understanding how to better manage money, how to shop smarter, how to use credit wisely, and how to build your savings – among other topics – can help you feel more in control of your finances, which will go a long way towards relieving your stress. 

Take Active Steps to Make Things Better 

Perhaps the most important way to reduce money stress is to attack the root cause of that stress. Strive to understand the core problem. If you have too much credit card debt, how did that happen? If it’s because you spend more than you can afford, try to understand the motivation behind that behavior. There’s probably a feeling or emotional motivator a couple layers below the more obvious surface problem. Try to figure out what really happened and take active steps to change your behavior and create a less stressful situation for yourself. 

If you’re stressed about your income, consider what it might take to get a raise, move into a higher paying job, or add a second income. If you have more debt than you can handle, consider working with a debt and budget specialist or inquiring about a debt consolidation loan. Try to find the solution that works for you and make continuous progress towards those goals. 

Try to Maintain Perspective

If you’re feeling really overwhelmed with money worries, try to take a step back and maintain perspective. There’s almost always a solution, and while things may feel dire right now, chances are good that if you find the right plan and do the necessary work, you can put yourself in a much better place. 
 

Union Plus Credit Counseling 

Union members can get a no-obligation money and credit assessment from certified, experienced consumer credit counselors though Union Plus Credit Counseling. Powered by the non-profit Money Management International (MMI), your free session will cover a complete financial review, assistance in budgeting, advice for working with creditors, and more.

Learn More 

□Turn on lights

□ Make beds

□ Wipe down counters

□ Clean toilets and put seats down

□ Vacuum carpets

□ Take out trash

□ Clean mirrors

□ Air out home by opening windows

□ Put away anything on the kitchen counter

□ Turn on lights

□ Sweep front porch and deck

□ Make arrangements for animals to leave the home

□ Wipe down cabinets

□ Set dining room table

□ Light candles (with fresh scents)

□ Put out fresh flowers

□ Hide clutter via a tote in garage

If you only have a few minutes to get your home ready, consider just doing a few of these. It’s important to think about investing in a home cleaning service while you’re selling your home, so you don’t have to do a deep clean every time you have a showing. If you have kids, give each a tote to store things at the last minute, that can fit neatly in their closet. You can do the same thing if you have pets, find a tote that can store their toys and beds for last minute appointments.

When you take a vacation, make sure you don’t check out completely. Just because you are taking a break from the everyday doesn’t mean you can ignore your daily dental routine! When you go on vacation there are a few things to keep in mind. 

When you pack, make sure you pack enough to keep your daily routine the same. A 3.4-ounce travel size toothpaste will provide 10 brushings per tube. With that number you can adjust and decide how much you should bring on your trip. The same goes for mouthwash and floss — make sure you bring them in order to maintain your normal routine!

Another important aspect to look at is the toothbrush you will be bringing with you on your trip. Some of the travel brushes on the market today have a major flaw. The lack of a long handle makes it difficult to get to the back molars in your mouth, leaving patches that have been avoided. Make sure when you shop for toothbrushes you keep in mind that it’s for travel. There is no need to spend excess amounts of money on an expensive, high-end toothbrush you are only going to use for a few days out of the year. It is better to put that money in your home toothbrush to make sure you are getting the most out of it. 

One thing that can be taken out of your regular schedule is your teeth whitening. Keeping up with your overall dental health is much more important than continuing an at-home whitening schedule. There are some mobile teeth whitening kits that are available. However, they tend to be very expensive and quite bulky to carry around. If you are going on a short trip it is probably worth passing on the whitening.

When you travel you tend to snack much more often. When you are snacking on the go, make sure that you try to choose healthy treats instead of all the chocolate and sugar that is floating around airports. Apples and other fruits are a good choice if you can find them. Some of the best alternatives are pretzels and crackers because they promote a healthy thirst. The key is make sure to quench that thirst with water, not sugary soda and juices! The water will naturally help clean and rinse your teeth, helping reduce plaque buildup and keep away nasty stains. 
 
Wherever you go, make sure you keep your dental health on your mind. This will help you remember to brush, drink lots of water and stay away from detrimental foods! No matter where your travels take you, make sure to keep up with your daily dental routine! 

Now that August is here, your kids only have a few weeks left before classes, homework, and extracurricular activities once again become their top priorities. Be sure to make the most of these last few days of summer by spending some quality family time. If you need some inspiration for your end-of-the-season bucket list, get everyone together to try some of our favorite activities to celebrate the end of summer with your kids.

Celebrate ‘National Smile Week’

If you didn’t already know, the second week of August is also National Smile Week. Turn your frowns upside down and plan some smile-centered activities for your happy clan. Get the kids to write their own jokes, then see who can get the biggest laugh. While you’re eating dinner, go around the table and talk about all the things that make you feel like smiling. Make masks displaying crazy smiles, or paint pictures of smiling people.

Have a Lemonade Stand

The lemonade stand is a summer staple. If your kids haven’t already tried their hands at this classic entrepreneurial activity, help them get a stand started by creating a sign, setting up a table and mixing up some tasty lemonade. If your children have already checked lemonade-selling off their summer lists, switch things up by offering cookies, juice or other nontraditional treat.

Prepare for School

Getting your kids ready for the impending school year can be a bit stressful, but it’s also a great chance for learning and bonding opportunities. Teach the kids about money while shopping for clothes and supplies by creating a budget for and giving cash to each child. Help them pick out the necessary items and show them how to be responsible spenders. While shopping, talk to your kids about what they’ll be learning over the next year, and ask if they have any worries or concerns. Having these discussions throughout the month of August can ease the transition between school and summer.

Go on a Picnic

The season will be over before you know it, so why not bask in the warm temperatures while they’re still here and take your family on a picnic? Pack a basket with sandwiches, snacks and drinks, and head to your favorite park. Enjoy spending time outdoors with everyone before school and colder days make picnicking impractical. If leaving the house is too much, picnic in your garden that you spruced up with your kids early this summer!

These are only a few of our favorite end of summer activities, but the possibilities are endless! Summer might be stressful as a parent, but doing fun things before school start will create amazing memories together!

Originally posted on Teleflora blog.

Shopping for back-to-school supplies can send parents into sticker shock. Aside from standard items such as pencils and papers, students from kindergarten through 12th grade often need — or want — pricier items, such as laptops or headphones.

That partly explains why parents are expected to spend, on average, nearly $688 on back-to-school supplies this year. That's up 8 percent from last year and up 60 percent compared to 10 years ago, according to data from the National Retail Federation, a trade organization.

The biggest two categories are electronics and clothing, which together comprise about two-thirds of a family’s back-to-school spending, the National Retail Federation says. Basic school supplies, such as pens and notebooks, can set a family back by about $114, making it the smallest spending category. Parents can cut down on their expenses by researching prices and delaying some purchases, says Kristin Cook, managing editor of BensBargains.com, a price-tracking site started by a student at University of California, Berkeley.

While there are good deals to be found in August, some stores will offer even better discounts starting in September, especially with apparel, Cook says. 

Strategies When Buying the Basics

Prices for paper, pens, and pencils don’t vary much by store, but the items do add up. 

Don’t overlook supplies you may already have on hand. Organizing a swap with other parents can also save money. One family might have an extra notebook that they’d exchange for lined paper, for instance.

Because school supplies are relatively inexpensive and priced similarly at various stores, look for retailers that are offering gift cards for purchasing school basics, Cook says. One such deal can be found now at Target, which is currently offering $5 gift cards when customers spend $50 on school supplies. 

Smart Tech Strategies for Electronics

While shopping for all kinds of back-to-school supplies, several apps and services are available to help track prices for big-ticket electronics items, such as Amazon-price tracking service Camel Camel Camel. Parents can enter the URL of a product they want to buy for their kids, like a Chromebook, and receive an email alert when it drops. The site also provides a price history, so you can see when a product hit its lowest and highest prices on Amazon.

If you are shopping for back-to-school supplies at a brick-and-mortar store, bar code scanners such as ShopSavvy app check whether cheaper prices are available elsewhere. The best strategy may be to wait for Black Friday sales on electronics, which now start as early as October, says Cook. If students don’t have an older laptop or tablet to use until the holiday sales kickoff, there are still discounts to be found, although they might not be as deep as those offered later in the year.

Hold Off on Apparel

While growing kids need new clothing, resist buying an entire fall wardrobe in August because retailers typically slash fall clothing prices in September, advises Cook. She recommends buying one back-to-school outfit in August, and returning the following month to score deals on more apparel. That delay also gives students a chance to check out the current fashion trends at school.

Preteens and teenagers are old enough to be involved in budgeting, says Sara Skirboll, a retail and trends expert at RetailMeNot. Even better, give them half of the budget to spend themselves, which will motivate them to stretch their money and find deals. That being said, keep an eye on what they are buying, since many schools have dress codes or standards.

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