A recent security breach at Citibank ATMs at 7-Eleven stores has some wondering whether ATMs are safe. According to an article from CNNMoney on ATM breaches, you are much safer using an ATM at your bank rather than at a convenience store. Here are some other tips from the article.

- Non-bank ATMs are far more susceptible to theft. There’s less of a chance of skimming (a form of stealing your personal data) at your bank’s local branch, because the bank is videotaping and maintaining that ATM. ATMs at convenience stores are maintained by a third party.

- Change your PIN number regularly and use different PINs for different accounts.

- When shopping, use credit over debit. Your credit card likely has 100% fraud liability, whereas your debit card may not.

- Never use your PIN online under any circumstances. Any prompt to do so is a scam.

- Check your account frequently and report any suspicious activity immediately.

Photo Courtesy of Catatronic

Christian organization Voice of the Martyrs is sending out free Olympic prayer bands. Visit this site and fill out a form to receive your free band. The organization wants you to pray for Chinese Christians who are undergoing horrific suffering. Voice of the Martyrs believes that Chinese Christians who refuse to register with the government controlled church are being persecuted.

Voice of the Martyrs, in partnership with China Aid Associates, has produced the Olympic Prayer Band. They are asking you to wear one during the Olympics as a reminder to pray for Chinese Christians. The group plans to distribute similar prayer bands in China and they will be praying for you as well.

I have a new way to get paid for something I love: shopping. It’s called secret shopping or mystery shopping. A friend referred me to a reputable company and I recently started doing some shops. Here’s how it works: I review available shops in my area, sign up for the shops I want, and visit the stores. I can review fast food restaurants, grocery stores, or electronics stores. I complete a few tasks like checking out bathrooms, monitoring responsiveness of employees and reviewing the check out process. Then I fill out some forms and turn in my receipt. Here are a few tips to remember if you decide secret shopping is right for you.
Scam Alert

There are legitimate secret shopping companies out there. But there are a lot of money-making schemes, too. Some companies will require you to pay some start up money to get going. This is not a good idea. There are plenty of secret shopping companies out there that will not ask you for any money.

Be Truthful

When signing up to be a secret shopper, you will likely be asked to fill out an application. Many questions will involve whether you or a family member has worked in various service industries over recent years. Be honest with your reply. It is important that secret shoppers aren’t evaluating businesses in which they have close relatives or friends working.

Be Observant
Wear a watch. Keeping exact time is important when evaluating service. You may also be asked to submit detailed information about store employees including names and physical descriptions.

Payment

Being a secret shopper isn’t a full-time gig, but it’s a fun and easy way to earn extra income. Expect to earn between $5-$15 for each shop that you complete. Many times you will also be reimbursed for the food or items you are required to purchase to conduct the mystery shop.

One of the quickest and simplest ways to save on your insurance premiums – any of your premiums – is to choose a higher deductible. This one change could have the potential to save you hundreds of dollars each year. There are some things you need to think about before you make the switch.

1. Can you save the difference? Although the lower premium payments are nice, with out having the money in the bank to cover the deductible you could end up in a bind. Put back the savings of each premium payment until the difference is save in your bank or savings account.

2. Will the change be that different? You will probably notice a bigger difference in your home owner’s insurance than you would in your health insurance. Compare the differences before you make the change.

3. Are your risks currently higher? If you are coming into storm season then it might not be the ideal time to switch your coverage. If you are considering having children then you might want to let the insurance carry the burden of your health costs at this time.

Keeping your insurance premiums at their lowest is a great way to save on your monthly bills. You can keep a handle on what you pay by regularly reviewing all of your insurance policies and determining if you can make beneficial changes to help cut your costs.

I just finished reading Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25 and the Search for the American Dream. Author Adam Shepherd decided to try a year-long experiment in being broke. He randomly selected a city in the southeast out of a hat and showed up there with just $25 and the clothes on his back. The book was a response to author Barbara Ehrenreich’s book, Nickel and Dimed. Ehrenreich worked a series of minimum wage jobs to prove that the working poor can not work their way out of their position. Shepherd proved something else.

Shepherd started off in a homeless shelter, working extremely low-paying jobs from day labor companies. Soon he got a full-time job and through hard work was able to rent a low-end apartment. Shepherd details his experiences through his year-long experiment and in the end his secret to success isn’t much of a secret. Shepherd believes anyone can succeed as long as they work hard enough, use a budget and limit spending.

By the end of his experiment Shepherd not only had a fully furnished apartment (largely thanks to his connections working as a mover) but he also had a truck and several thousands of dollars in savings. The book’s website says it is now being published by Harper Collins and will be available in early 2009. I checked out a copy from my local library. Let me know what you think of this concept.

The news is not good for the travel industry. Fuel costs are forcing major airlines to cut back in flights, to release employees, to increase fairs and fees and to decrease services offered to customers.

Things are so dark for the airlines right now that experts are predicting that at least one major airline will close its doors for good before things are said and done. They are also expecting to see many smaller airports close down as well with one expert suggesting up to 100 of the smaller airports will likely close (mainly due to flight cutbacks by the airlines).

All is not lost. You can still save on your next flight by following a few simple tips.

1. Plan early. If you purchase your flight now for the upcoming holiday season then you are likely to be locking in at a lower rate.

2. Search around. Not everyone is in a position to lock in tickets today for a December flight (and some are worried that there flight might end up being on the one airline that closes its doors). You will need to search around for the best tickets if you have to wait. Expect to pay a little more.

3. Fly from a major market. You could save hundreds of dollars on your tickets just by driving a few hours to a neighboring major airport.

4. Carry all of your luggage on. Checking bags is becoming more expensive every day. Almost all airlines are charging for a second checked bag and some are charging for the first. Using carry on bags cuts on the extra fees and guarantees that your luggage will arrive at your destination when you do.

5. Sign up for loyalty clubs and rewards programs. Although they might not save you much they may get you extra perks and benefits (and most of them are free to join).

There are ways to still save a few bucks in the travel industry – even when it comes to the airlines. Buy early, search around, find a major market, avoid fees and take advantage of clubs and programs that offer special benefits.

The stock market is in deep bear market territory for the first time in decades. The NASDAQ has fallen at the greatest percentage for the month of June since the Great Depression. What does that all mean to you?

The Bear Market means that prices on the stock market have dropped twenty percent since its last high. Although the current market hasn’t quite met that number, it has been teetering on the brink for a while. Experts say that although we are not yet in a bear market there are bear prints all around.

If you can get into the market when the Bear makes its largest impact then you stand the chance to earn the most for your investment. With the Bear market looming close at hand it is time to start talking with a financial planner. It may be about time to start moving some of your savings into the stock market (which offers a much higher yield percentage than traditional savings).

There is probably time to save money to invest when the Bear makes his move. In the end it is all speculation when it comes to the stock market. You are better off getting involved after the Bear has made his impact and not sooner.

The federal government and some state governments offer grants, tax credits and even rebates to consumers willing to take the plunge and go green. Many of the benefits are offered to alternative fuel vehicles (like being able to drive in HOV lanes regardless of the number of occupants) but some offer significant cash incentives to make your home or business more environmentally friendly.

Although the Energy Policy Act of 2005 has expired for the most part there are still some incentives available through 2008.

1. Alternative Fuel Vehicles purchased or placed into service between 2005 and 2010 could be eligible for an income tax credit up to $4,000. This is for new vehicles only whether purchases or leased and does not include used vehicles.

2. New homes can get a credit for 30% of qualified installations (including some insulation, windows and doors) up to $2000.

3. The Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction is for businesses and is based on the measurable amount of energy that is saved through the installations. It is limited to $1.80 per square foot.

4. USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) offers grants to rural small businesses for purchasing renewable energy systems or making energy efficiency improvements.

Incentives through states vary with some offering little for choosing alternative fuels and sources. Although the incentives are a great bonus, going green can sometimes offer enough savings to make it worth while in the end

Disposable income is getting rarer with every passing day. The rising costs of fuel are pushing up prices on everything from milk to clothes. Unfortunately the incomes of most workers have not gone up with the increases. That means there is much less to spend on things that are not necessities than there was available last year.

Instead of giving up entertainment altogether it is time to think outside the box and find some things to do for free.

1. Have a movie night – and rent the movie at the Library. If your local library doesn’t have a selection that you want you can always request it (although it may take a few weeks or months before the library manages to acquire it). Until then the library will be filled with other great choices that the whole family can enjoy.

2. Have a game night – and invite the neighborhood or other friends to participate. You could play cards, board games, or even make it a day or night of outdoor games and activities.

3. Attend a festival or fair – and pack a picnic lunch. You can enjoy the activities and events that the festival offers and you can picnic at your car (or sometimes on the grounds) instead of spending high dollars on the vendors. Many of the festivals and fairs during the summer season will be free to get in.

There are plenty of things to do that don’t cost a dime. The key is to look around and then think a little outside the normal routine. It may just be that your ingenuity starts new traditions that could last a life time.

Real world driving never gives you the gas mileage promised on the tag. Many people have purchased vehicles (even hybrids) expecting high mileage for their dollars only to be disappointed. Now the federal government is working to improve the ratings that show up on the stickers.

Starting in 2008 the miles per gallon ratings will be determined by several new tests. That means that there will be cars on the same lot with the old ratings and the new ratings – and the new ratings WILL be lower.

It is important that people understand just what kind of mileage they will be getting when they purchase a new car (or even a new to you car). The cost of gas is too expensive to make a mistake on that mileage. Many people are budgeting for the new car with savings in gas in mind.

The stickers on the vehicles are not the only place consumers can find fuel efficiency ratings. Searching on the internet can help consumers get real life estimates from people who own and drive the cars on a daily basis.

Before you invest in a new vehicle because of the amazing gas mileage you might want to do just a little more research. Even the government is finally admitting that the ratings that had been going on the tickets were not realistic.