On-Line Security

Cyber Protection

Most of the world we live in today involves on-line commerce, bank transactions or logging into some kind of secure site, so lets be smart about it and do all we can to protect ourselves from the hackers and scammers by followings a few simples rules; 

A) Log into your accounts everyday to check and make sure of no unauthorized transactions

B) Use different sign-in credentials for all your financial accounts 

C) Increase the security of your passwords by combining upper and lower case letters, numbers or keyboard symbols ( #,@, *, ^, +)   

D) Never allow e-commerce sites to store your credit card info and if buying something, just

 input each time  

E) You should change your banking access-codes approx. every 6 months  

F) Enable your multi-factor authentication on every account that supports it

G) Use virtual payment options to protect your credit card or use burner cards for those site-specific

H) Encrypt your internet connection  through a trusted VPN (virtual private network)

I) Disable your unused wireless features like Bluetooth and toggle it off when your not actively using it

J) Spot the phishing triggers like the unsolicited texts, emails of direct messages that demand urgent action, contain grammar mistakes or require you to click a link to resolve an "account issue" 

                                                       Safeguards

  So as you see it isn't a lot to do to assure ourselves some added security, as unfortunately with the times we live in today; the cheaters are always ahead of the testers

Some Red Flags During Retirement

                                                     Financial Freedom

Personally i know i will not retire as if you like what you do; it is not work.😄 We all have heard the stories of people finally getting to that age and now time to do that "bucket list", well i have always been a believer to do all those passions NOW while your physically able and not later. But we are all different which keeps our world interesting

                                                 Warning Signs

   Not to be a naysayer, but here are a few things to watch out for that might derail all those dreams for what should be your "Golden Years" 

 A) You might have adult children come back to the nest to save money (even ask for funds to pay down their out of control bills) or maybe you have elderly parents that will need care; all which puts a strain on your finances. 

 B) Some retirees lose their health insurance or prescription drug plans (from their work) which then comes out of your pocket.

 C) Remember life does get in the way, so do not forget that things still need to be repaired from your automobile to the furnace, which all cost big dollars. Also perhaps a modifying of the house for a walk in shower, ramps or better lighting

 D) Maybe you have grown apart and will divorce, which without saying is a big strain on the pocketbook.

 E) With all your extra time it will be easy for you to spend more on expensive hobbies or entertainment, so plan for that.

F) Long Term Care if you or partner needs assisted living or maybe a nursing home

G) Maintenance that you used to do yourself like the roofing, lawn care, snow removal or a deep cleaning now needs to be outsourced at a cost

H) Property Taxes and Utilities continue to rise with inflation

                                                Ways to Mitigate

A) Downsize early and move into a smaller, more energy efficient home or a condo which will lower all your bills plus the maintenance headaches

B) Review your insurance and its supplemental health policies to ensure that you are not overpaying for prescriptions or the other premiums listed

C) Think ahead of your spending habits when you first retire, as the money going out will be high  because of you being active, dipping in the middle timespan as you slow down and rising again due to medical costs as you round third base heading for home plate