U-Promise

Winning scholarships is not the only option for getting money for college.

Have you heard of U-Promise? U-Promise is a free service that helps you get money for college bills and student loans from the things you do all the time: buy groceries, shop online, fill your gas tank and much more.

One of the fastest ways to grow your U-Promise savings is to take advantage of the multiple programs offered (dining, grocery, online shopping, etc.). Everyday purchases can earn a percentage which is saved for your college expenses.

Check it out.

Identity Theft Tips 13 & 14

13. Never give your credit card number or personal information over the phone unless you have initiated the call and trust that business.

14. Subscribe to a credit report monitoring service that will notify you whenever someone applies for credit in your name.

Identity Theft Tips 10 to 12

10. Order your Social Security Earnings and Benefits statement once a year to check for fraud.

11. Examine the charges on your credit card statements before paying them.

12. Cancel unused credit card accounts

Identify Theft Tips 8 & 9

8. Do not mail bill payments and checks from home. They can be stolen from your mailbox annd washed clean in chemicals. Take them to the post office.

9. Do not print your Social Security number on your checks.

Identity Theft--Tips 5, 6 & 7

5. Add your name to the name-deletion lists of the Direct marketing Association's Mail Preference Service used by banks and other marketers.

6. Do not carry extra credit cards or other important identity documents except when needed.

7. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Copy both sides of your license and credit cards so you have all the account numbers, expiration dates and phone numbers if your wallet or purse is stolen

Identity Theft--Tips 3 & 4

3. Shred all old bank credit statements and "junk mail" credit card offers before
trashing them. Use a crosscut shredder. Crosscut shredders cost more than
regular shredders, but are superior.

4. Remove your name from the marketing lists of the three credit reporting bureaus
to reduce the number of pre-approved credit offers you receive.

Simplify Your Life

"You know it is time to simplify your life when you can't make it to the end of the month without using your credit card."

---Elaine St. James