On-Line Security

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 up and make sure of no unauthorized transactions  B) Use different passwords 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 passwords approx. every  6 months    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 ( to borrow a phrase I was used to hearing on the fitness circuit but applies to life in general)...... the cheaters are always ahead of the testers!

Some Red Flags During Retirement

Congratulations!!!!  you have navigated your way into retirement which in these times is no easy feat.  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 which then comes out of pocket, or maybe you downsize and move outside the city then need medical care with a specialist which is an added travel expense.  C) Remember life does get in the way (lol), so do not forget that things do need to be repaired from your automobile to the furnace which all cost big dollars.  D) Maybe you have grown apart and will divorce which without saying is a big strain on the pocketbook.  E) Finally with all your extra time, it will be easy for you to spend more than you bring in on expensive hobbies or entertainment......so plan for that.