Protecting yourself from identity theft

Identity theft is one of the most personally insidious things that can happen to an individual. The FTC estimates that currently there are about 9 million new cases every year. Everyone likes to think that they are much too savvy to fall victim to identity theft but chances are, if it hasn't already happened to you, it has happened to someone you know.

There are some things that you can and should do to lessen your chances of falling victim to these predators and thus protecting yourself from identity theft.

Never give out personal information

We all know better than to leave our social security card laying around or giving out our credit card number to strangers over the phone but what about to seemingly legitimate vendors on the internet. There are many bogus websites and web vendors who will take your information and use it to empty your bank accounts and also set up new accounts in your name without your permission.

Check your credit report

Your best safeguard against identity theft is to be vigilant in protecting your credit. You need to get frequent copies of your credit reports. There are three major credit reporting agencies, you are entitled to one free credit report from each every year.

That means that if you check every four months you can do this without charge. If you want to better protect yourself, it might be wise to pay for more frequent checks or to be notified if there is any significant action on your credit report, you can get your free credit report from:

• http://www.equifax.com Equifax
• http://www.experian.com-Experian
• http://www.transunion.com  TransUnion

Credit Karma is also free and easy to access. It is just not as detailed as the other three but can be accessed as often as needed. 

Become a shredder

Be very careful what you throw into your garbage. Once you put your garbage at the street it is available for anyone who wants to rummage through it. If you are throwing away credit card receipts, bank statements, check stubs or any piece of paper that may have personal information on it about you, you might as well hand it to identity thieves. If you don't currently own a shredder this needs to be something that you invest in. You need to have a shredder that cross shreds so that there is no way to be able to put the pieces back together. Shred all credit card offers and anything that might be used by a thief to steal your identity.

Be wary of Phishing

There are many scams out there now to steal your identity on the Internet. If you have ever done any business with PayPal chances are you will be getting a phishing scam letter from someone telling you that there is a problem with your PayPal account. It looks like an official letter from PayPal, but it isn't. If you follow this link and give them your information they are going to empty your PayPal account and/or use your account to purchase all sorts of things.

You may also get an email from your credit card company telling you that they need you to verify your mother's maiden name, this is another scam. Most people don't consider their mother's maiden a personal record but since it is used by most credit card companies to verify who you are, it is indeed a vital piece of information that can and will be used against you if it gets into the wrong hands.

In these days of easy credit and Internet shopping it has become even more important that you are always on your guard and if you get a bad feeling about someone or something don't give out any information. Protecting your identity from theft may seem like a lot of work but compared to what will be involved in repairing the damage done by theft, it is minimal.

Saving money at the gas pump

Even with the decreases at the gas pump, people are looking for ways to lower their gas consumption and the price. Finding ways to save money at the gas pump is high on most people's agenda. What most people want is a solution that is going to go beyond just this one fill-up. Shopping for the best prices in your area is the easiest way to save in the minute but beyond that what can you do?

Some grocery stores are offering 10 cents off a gallon at selected stations for every $50 or $100 dollars that you purchase from their store. Other are offering a lot more for buying certain combinations of products. This can add up to a free tank of gas for just doing your regular grocery shopping. If the store is close by and also if the gas station is close by, this is an excellent way to save.

The FTC offers a few strategies that can help you to save on fuel every day all year long.

Use public transportation

If it is available to you this is one sure fire way to cut your cost at the pump. Take the bus, ride the train and get into a van pool. If these are not available in the area where you live, you may want to see if you can ride share. Look for someone either at your job or who works nearby who you can car pool with. While this curtails your ability to do things before and after work, the savings can be large enough to warrant the inconvenience.

Maintain your vehicle

This involves everything from using the correct octane recommend by the manufacturer to choosing to use motor oil that has the words energy conserving on the label. Reducing the friction on your engine will increase its efficiency and the more efficient your engine, the less gas it will use. Change your air filter often, it has been shown that a clogged air filter can cause you to expend up to 10 percent more fuel.

Tire pressure and alignment

Tire pressure is also a very important consideration in fuel efficiency. Check the manufactures specifications for your car and go along with what they suggest. You also need to keep your car properly aligned, not only will this help your tires to last longer but combined with the correct tire pressure, it can save you up to 3 percent at the pumps.

Control your speed

The most efficient speed for your car is 60 miles per hour. Mileage decreases significantly for every mile above 60. The problem with this is if you drive 60 miles per hour on the highway, you will be a scorned driver and the angry looks and horns are hard to deal with. Try driving at least the speed limit whatever that may be and maintain a consistent speed, use cruise control or overdrive if you have them available.

Change your driving habits

Avoid idling your car, these days it isn't necessary to let your car warm up and if you are stuck in traffic, turn your car off. Avoid stopping and starting as much as possible. By allowing yourself a good distance between cars you can avoid having to change your speed. When you have to stop don't try to accelerate too quickly when you take off again, this wastes fuel.

Empty your trunk of anything you don't need to be carrying with you, take luggage racks off of your car, combine your trips as much as possible and yes pray for the gas prices to go down. While we have little control over the price of gas at the pump we do have control over how much we need to use. Most importantly, if you are driving a gas guzzler, it may be time to reconsider that option and get a more fuel-efficient vehicle. If you use these tips, you will save money at the gas pump.

Holiday gifts for the woman who has everything

We all know her, the woman who has everything. She is our Christmas gift buying challenge. This is not going to be easy but if you take the time to use what you know about her, you will be able to get her a gift that even she will be delighted with.

The gift of entertainment

Consider getting two tickets to a performance that you know she will love. It can be a rock concert, a Broadway musical, a football or baseball game or any performance that will bring a smile to her face. If you are really lucky she will want to bring you along.

The gift of the arts

Tickets to an exhibit at an art museum or gallery are something that can please the art-loving woman. You can get her the latest exhibit catalog from her favorite artist. If you can afford it an art print from her favorite artist is a wonderful choice. If she loves photography a framed photo is the perfect gift.

The gift of pampering

A gift certificate to a full-service day spa is just that. By purchasing a www.spafinder.com gift certificate you allow her to choose the procedures that she would enjoy and where she would like to have them performed.  Some woman may not be comfortable with a full body massage or a body scrub but would just die to get a facial and have make-up applied. A full-service day spa will offer everything from haircuts and color to microdermabrasion and Botox injections.

For the more sports-minded woman, a deep tissue massage will be a gift from heaven. If she has body issues they also offer manicures and pedicures. There truly will be something for every woman even the one who already has everything.

The gift of relaxation

How about getting her a maid for a day? Is there a woman in the world who wouldn’t like to have someone come in and scrub her bathroom/s from top to bottom or wash her kitchen floor or windows? Go to the website merrymaids.com and find a location near where she lives. The woman in your life will be very grateful.

The gift that keeps giving

How about a flower arrangement or a fruit basket every month, a coffee or tea basket, the list is endless. You just have to match the gift to her likes and her personality. When ordering something like a fruit basket keep her family size in mind. If she lives alone don’t send her more fruit than she could eat in a month. Websites like ftd.com, harryanddavid.com, and greenmountaincoffee.com can help you find just the right club.

The gift of dinner

Today’s woman is so busy that having the time to cook a good home cooked meal is often difficult. Why not have one delivered to her. There are several nationwide sites that can provide this service. One of them is www.familychef.com  Can you think of a better gift than having a gourmet dinner delivered on a night when you know you won’t have time to prepare one?

The gift of charity

Many people these days, choose to make a donation to a favorite charity as a holiday gift. Just be sure that it is her favorite charity, not yours. The charity will provide you with a gift card that will state that a donation has been made in her name.

These are just a few suggestions for holiday gifts for the woman who has everything. Just think outside the box and choose gifts that will make her life easier or better not more cluttered.

Just because you have everything doesn’t mean that there aren’t any gifts that are enjoyable to receive and to use. In some cases, it may even be the gift of your time, visiting and spending time with her may be just the answer to the gift giving dilemma.

Christmas gift shopping for the clueless male

 Are you one of those men who procrastinates until the last minute when it comes to Christmas shopping? Can’t come up with a gift idea that is sure to please? Get ready to change your habits this year, you will no longer be clueless.

Okay men, those of you who are gift shopping need to pay attention, here are a few hints on what women want.

We want you to know us enough to pick something we will enjoy. Wow us by actually paying attention to what we like.

Buy us a book from our favorite author or if you are afraid we might already have it choose a new author in the same genre. Add a pretty bookmark and a gift certificate and we will be impressed. Don’t buy us a book that you want to read, that won’t impress us at all.

Notice which brand of perfume we use and buy us the shower gel or purse size perfume to carry with us. Don’t ask the clerk at the store what we would like, she doesn’t know us and will most likely sell you the most expensive brand she has.

Pay attention to what brand of clothing we wear and the style and color we prefer. You can actually check some pieces that we own if you are unsure. Buy us what you know we wear. Don’t try to turn us into a sex goddess if that isn’t what we are comfortable with. By the same token if we are fashionistas don’t get us over-sized tees or sports logo sweats.

Give us a visit to the spa. If you are not sure about the spas in your area you can check on spafinder.com and buy a gift certificate. What woman doesn’t like to be pampered and this one will reap many benefits for the savvy man.

If we wear any jewelry, we will love getting a piece that you picked for us. Again notice what will match the person that we are. Don’t go big and gaudy if we are a diamond stud kind of person. It doesn’t have to be expensive, it has to be thoughtful.

Pay attention to our hobbies. We always love to get things that are related to these. If you are not sure what to get, go with a gift certificate and a small token item. Some examples of this are if she is a scrapbooker, get a gift certificate to the local scrapbooking store and pick up some stickers or scissors to put with it. This will work for any hobby. Another option would be a magazine subscription for that hobby.

While we appreciate the fact that you think we are sexy please don’t buy us lingerie that would look great on a hooker but will make us feel very uncomfortable. Tasteful and sexy are not incompatible. How about a Victoria’s Secret Gift certificate?

We want you to put some thought into our gift. Running to the local Walgreen’s on Christmas Eve is not going to make us happy. Just remember, if we aren’t happy you won’t be happy.

No matter what we say, we really don’t want a vacuum cleaner for Christmas. While we may need a vacuum cleaner it can’t be our only gift. If you must be practical, make sure that you add some small very thoughtful additional gift to show that we an important as your significant other not just as the house frau.

Learn to enjoy shopping for us. Don’t wait until the last minute and it will be a lot less stressful. Begin thinking about Christmas in September, become a private investigator and search for what will be the perfect gift for us.

Okay clueless men everywhere, you now have a few tools to help you make Christmas this year the best ever. Just don’t wait until December 24th to look at these suggestions.

Charities to donate to at Christmas time

Christmas is a time when most people are feeling generous. Many charities are asking for donations. It is not possible to donate to all of them; you have to decide which ones are the best fit for you and which ones support causes in which you really believe.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army was founded by William Booth in the mid-19th century. He walked through the poorest of London’s neighborhoods to bring the word of Jesus to those in the most need. He was unconventional and that brought him into conflict with more conventional religious leaders of the day. His followers were the dregs of society, prostitutes, and drunkards.

Today, the Salvation Army still serves those who are most in need through all of its many outreach programs. They are one of the most visible charities during the Christmas season when their kettles are common sights at most shopping centers and major stores. Whether you decide to make a substantial donation or just drop your spare change into the kettle you can be sure that it will go to a good cause. During the holidays, the Salvation Army provides Christmas dinners and gifts to those who are in need. Volunteers will go out into hospitals and nursing homes with gifts and they have many shelters where there will be a full-course Christmas dinner served. 

Ronald McDonald House Charities

It is always terrible to have a sick child and even more so during the holidays. One of the things that Ronald McDonald House Charities does is to provide a place for families to stay together when one of the children is receiving treatment for an illness or injury. The housing is offered for little or no cost and accommodates the entire family including other children.

St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital

Christmas is all about children and so is St. Jude’s. Founded by Danny Thomas in 1962, the entertainer’s daughter Marlo is still very active in promoting the facility. St, Jude is the patron saint of hopeless causes and many of the children that come here have cancer that before the founding of St. Jude’s would have been hopeless. The research that the hospital has done, especially in the area of leukemia, has made many forms of this disease not only treatable but curable. If you love children and want to give to a charity that offers hope to families with a very sick child, this is the perfect place to make a donation.

 There is hunger all over the world and even in rich and modern countries, there are families who are going to bed on an empty stomach. As you are considering what you will be serving at your Christmas celebration, consider those in need right in your own area. Pick up an extra one of all the items that you will be serving as well as a bag of non-perishable food items and drop them off at the local food bank or church which may have a food pantry.

Christmas is one of the most giving times of the year. There are many charities which need your help. Choose one or choose several and share the bounty that you have enjoyed this year. Even if you don’t have a lot, sharing a little is a great way to really enjoy the true spirit of Christmas.