 This time of the year, we tend to see more fraud attempts and suspicious activity online and at shopping venues. Use this checklist to keep your finances free from fraudulent activity during the holiday season. #1 Track your transactions Regularly monitor your transaction history in your checking account. Also, keep an eye on your FICO credit report and score on the three major credit reporting bureaus--Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Note any suspicious or erroneous activity and contact the bureaus to put a hold on your personal credit until the issue is resolved. #2 Turn on your bank account alerts In your bank account settings, navigate to your account settings to activate account alerts. Typically, you can enable alerts for debit card transactions, payments, ATM withdrawals and deposits, and other types of activity. Remember to set alerts for your credit card accounts as well. #3 Keep your account information to yourself Don't share your bank account passwords with anyone. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes for extra security. Financial institutions and creditors will never ask for your sign-in credentials over the phone. #4 Protect your passwords Regularly update your passwords and make sure they're strong and comply with your bank's password rules. Use a combination of letters, cases, numbers, and special characters. Do not use the same password across different accounts. Try using a password manager to store your passwords if you tend to forget them. Using these tips will help protect your identity and prevent you from becoming a victim of fraud during the holiday season and potentially keep you from losing hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
To learn how to save even more money, sign up for your FREE 15-minute financial consultation with Higher Goals Learning or begin right away Budgeting for a Better Future. Let's face it. We can spend a boat load of money on self care -- including nailcare, haircare, and skincare. Investing in our appearance can cost thousands of dollars a year, and can also bust our budgets. Here are three ways you can be kind to your budget and pamper yourself at the same time. 1. Extend Your Mani and Pedi According to StyleSeat, the average cost of a standard mani pedi which includes filing, cuticle trim, and color is around $60. When you add designs, acrylics, and gel styles, you're into the hundreds. To make your manicure last longer, consider a full gel set. The benefits are a glossier coat, sturdier nails, and no-chip polish. Gel-set nails will cost you $20 to $25 dollars more, but you'll be able to extend the time until your next visit by about two weeks and save some money until the next month. 2. Choose Hair Health Over Hairstyle Some of the latest hair trends can cause damage and ultimately cost more to repair than maintaining a healthy hair regimen in the first place. Try not to blow your budget and ruin your hair by using quality products and consulting with a caring hair stylist. Licensed cosmetologist Jay Lovelace of Lovelylaced Hair and Beauty in Owings Mills, Maryland believes in "healthy hair from start to finish." Her number one rule when it comes to hair care is having a healthy foundation, whether it's a treatment, trim, or taking a break from certain products and styles until the hair is repaired. So, stop ruining your hair and budget and connect with a qualified cosmetologist like Jay. You can contact her at [email protected] or visit lovelylacedhair.com for a consultation. 3. Keep Skincare Simple When great skin is not in our DNA, simple, daily, inexpensive skincare habits can save the day and some cash. Moisturizing and protecting your skin doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. A basic skincare routine consists of cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. Natural products are typically less costly than commercially produced products and tend to be better for your skin in the long run. Cleansing is simply washing your face. A common natural skin cleanser is a bar of African black soap. A one-pound bar costs about $10 and will usually last for several months with daily use. You can also cleanse your face with DIY mixtures consisting of items you probably already have at home, such as honey and Aloe Vera gel. You can find natural skincare recipes with videos of how to make and apply them online. Final TakeTo maintain your million-dollar look on a budget, all you need to do is cut back on what you spend on nailcare, haircare, haircare, and skincare. In 20 or 30 years, your retirement fund and your mirror will thank you!
For more money-saving strategies, contact me at kathy@highergoalslearning to get started achieving your personal finance goals today.  Living a simple, frugal life looks different from person to person. Your preferences and goals ultimately determine how you live. Don't feel like you can't ever spend any money while cutting back on your lifestyle.
These frugal living tips can help you enjoy life while managing your money and saving some along the way. 1. Travel Economically Vacations are definitely still an option even when you're living a frugal life. If you value travel, you can curb your spending in other areas. Frugal travel planning may take some creativity. Instead of booking expensive hotel suites, use other accommodation options like Airbnb or Vrbo. Instead of hopping on a plane, choose destinations that you can drive to. Road trips can be fun, and you can pack your food instead of stopping at restaurants. 2. Cook Your Meals At Home Dining out can be costly. Save on food costs by cooking in more than eating out. If your culinary skills are challenged, the internet is your friend. Search any food item, and tons of recipes and videos will show you how to cook simple, expensive meals. Most people overspend in the area of food because they lack time. However, there are many meals that you can prepare in under 30 minutes. Meal planning (batch cooking) once a week can also keep you out of the kitchen every night. 3. Borrow Or Shop Used For things you really need or want, see if you can buy them used first instead of purchasing the items new. Thrift store shopping has become all the rage, as well as social media marketplaces. If you need to buy textbooks for school, you can even borrow or rent them instead of buying them new. Buying used and borrowing can save you thousands of dollars that you can put toward other financial goals. 4. Reduce Entertainment Costs You can enjoy some of your favorite entertainment activities at low or no cost. If you use a credit card that offers rewards, save up your points and use them to book your next vacation flight or take your significant other out for dinner at a fancy restaurant. If you're a sports fan, check out a high school game instead of splurging on a professional sporting event. 5. Monetize Your Hobbies What are your hobbies? If you're a singer, musician, craftsperson, or have other talents, why not make some money doing what you love? Tap into your side hustler nature and earn money without feeling like it's work. Use the extra cash to pay off debt while you continue living frugally. Frugality isn't about being cheap. The purpose of living frugally is to allow you to spend your money on the things you value the most. You not only save money, but you gain more control of your life. To optimize the money you have to meet your goals and stay within your budget, consider frugal living. |
Kathy T. EvansCertified Personal Finance Instructor and Consultant 
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