A great source of informative consumer news and information can be found in links to CUNA's Home & Family Finance and My Financial Center . Looking for homework sources? Try theGoogolplex.

New Year Resolutions for Children

Here is the American Academy of Pediatrics’ suggested New Year’s resolutions for children.

Preschoolers:

I will clean up my toys.

I will brush my teeth twice daily, wash my hands after using the bathroom and before eating, and clean up my messes right away.

I won’t tease dogs and will keep my fingers and face away from dogs’ mouths.

School-age children:

I will drink lots of milk and limit soda and fruit drinks.

I will spend a couple of minutes every morning and afternoon applying sunscreen before going outdoors, even in the winter.

I will try to find a sport or an activity that I will like and do it as least three times weekly.

I will always wear protective gear, especially a helmet, when cycling, riding a scooter or roller-blading.

I will wear m seat belt every time I get a car.

I will be nice to other kids.

will never give out personal information such as my name, home address, school name or telephone number in an Internet chat room or bulletin board and will never send someone I chat with on the computer a picture of myself without my parent’s permission.

Teens:

I will eat at least one fruit and one vegetable daily and will limit drinking soda.

I will take care of my body through sports, fitness and nutrition.

I will choose non-violent television shows and video games and will only spend one to two hours daily at the most on these activities.

I will check to see if I can give away any of my unwanted clothes and shoes to the needy.

I will quit negative “self-talk” (i.e. “I can’t do it” or “I’m so dumb”).

Whenever I’m feeling angry or stressed out, I will take a break and look for constructive ways to feel better such as exercising, reading, writing in a journal or talking.

I will be smart about whom I choose to date.

I will resist peer pressure to try drugs and alcohol.

What is Identity Theft?

Protect your Identity. To minimize the risk:

Do not give out your Social Security number to people or companies that you do not know.
Before disclosing any personal information, make sure you know why it is required and how it will be used.
Shred information you no longer need that contains personally identifiable information and account numbers.
Guard your mail from theft.
Keep the personal information you have at home and at work in a safe place.
Do not carry extra credit cards, your birth certificate or passport, or other cards that display your Social Security number in your walled or purse, except when necessary.
Create unique passwords and personal identification numbers (PINS) and avoid using easily available information such as mother’s maiden name, date of birth etc.
Get a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies at least once a year.

If you are a victim:

1.Contact the fraud departments of the three major credit bureaus.

Equafax 1-800-525-6286
Experian 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union 1-800-680-728

2. Contact all the creditors involved.

3. File a police report.

4. Contact the Federal Trace Commission 1-877-438-4348.

5. Keep a record of your contacts

Free Credit Reports

You can access your report online by going annual credit reports. You will be asked to provide some personal information to verify identity. Then, you will be directed to Equifax, Experian and TransUnion sites, where you can view and print your report. You can even request an annual reminder when it is time to receive another report.

NOTICE: Our credit card processor has notified us that some cardholders have received fraudulent, unsolicited e-mails involving a "PHISHING" attack directed at consumers. The e-mails direct the consumer to a falsely duplicated PULSE web site and request the recipients to submit their debit card number, expiration date and ATM PIN number.

NEVER PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION - OR ANY OTHER NON-PUBLIC PERSONAL INFORMATION - TO PULSE OR ANY OTHER ENTITY IN RESPONSE TO AN UNSOLICITED E-MAIL OR REQUEST.

How long does food keep in a refrigerator or freezer when the power goes out?

Generally, 24 hours in a refrigerator or a half-full freezer and 36 to 48 hours in a fully loaded freezer. Don’t open the door. Do not refreeze frozen food that has thawed.
The USDA recommends discarding refrigerated milk 8 hours after a power loss. Fresh eggs are safe unrefrigerated for 2 hours; discard ones with cracked shells, odor, or discoloration.
Discard fresh meat, lunch meat, hot dogs, and hard-boiled eggs if held above refrigerator temperatures (40 degrees F.) more than 2 hours.
Butter, margarine, and hard cheese are safe unrefrigerated if well wrapped. They can be frozen.

Five Ways to Financial Freedom

1. Don’t ignore your bills if you’re short on money. Contact your creditors and explain your situation. They may be willing to set up an adjusted payment plan. Don’t let things slide. It may result in negative information on your credit report.

2. Don’t borrow your way out of debt. Avoid using payday loans to pay your bills. Payday loans are an expensive way to get an advance on your next paycheck.

3. Consider credit counseling and get some help. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling is a nonprofit national network that provides money management education, free or low-cost confidential budget help.

4. Beware of quick fixes. So called credit repair clinics promise to repair your credit reports for a substantial fee. Most of the time, they are scams that can do no more than you could fix yourself. Get a copy of your credit report and contact the adverse credit and begin working on getting it satisfied.

5. Come talk with us to get budget ideas. If we can help, we will. We provide budget booklets and educational programs for groups. Remember, once a member, always a member. We are a cooperative with a mission to provide a long term relationship.

Source: CUNA Members – My Financial Center, Education Center.

Click on the Members My Financial Center or Home & Family Finance Online for more ways to become a savvy consumer.

Smart Saving and Spending

Think about things you want in the next few months, the next year, and beyond. Do you want to buy a stereo or a car? Or are you planning to travel, go to school, or rent an apartment: The first step is to put your goals in writing. Then it’s time to create a spending plan to give yourself enough money to meet your everyday expenses, while helping you save for both your short- and long-term goals.

Get a true picture of how you spend your money. Start collecting your receipts or jot down where your money goes for all purchases for at least two weeks. Then group your expenses into categories such as entertainment, transportation, food, and fits. Figure out how much you’re spending each week, month, and year.

Make a list of your income. Write down what you earn from all income sources, work, gifts etc. Calculate what you make each week, month, and year.

Evaluate your situation. Do your income and expenses even out? Are you spending more than you’re making? Or do you have money to spare?

Create a spending plan. Figure out how much you need to save each month to reach your goals. Then decide how you’ll come up with this money. Here are some ideas for reducing your expenses: brown bag your lunch, walk or take the bus, cut back on entertainment or clothing expenses.

Put your plan into action. For one month, try to make your actual spending match your plan. Do you have enough money to save for your goals? If not, make some adjustments and repeat this step. You can decide to work more, spend less, or set a more realistic target date. Once you reach a goal, review your plan and tailor it to fie your next savings goal. Source: Guide to Money , CUNA

Match Children to Chores in Terms of Age

Ages 3 and 4

Straighten & smooth a bed
Pick up toys
Set the table with spoons & forks (if with plates & glasses, use plastic to prevent breakage)
Match socks
Help prepare meals (rinse vegetables, stir batter)
Put dirty clothes in laundry hamper
Put clean clothes in drawers
Pour dry cereal
Pour pet food into bowls
Wipe table with a sponge
Clean up spills

Ages 5 and 6

Make a standard bed
Straighten room
Set table complete with plates and glasses
Learn to handle knives
Carry dirty dished to the sink
Dust
Sweep up crumbs
Prepare snacks, make sandwiches
Feed, walk, brush pets
Help find items at the supermarket
Load and empty dryer

Ages 7 to 11

Strip a bed and put on fresh sheets
Keep room clean
Sort and fold laundry
Take out trash and sort recycling
Rinse dishes and put in dishwasher
Unpack groceries
Mop floors
Vacuum
Learn to do laundry
Learn to use a snow shovel
Learn to use oven, range and microwave
Organize coupons
Help prepare grocery list
Scrub bathroom sink and tub
Pack school lunches
Weed garden
Learn to sew buttons
Learn to use a push mower
Rake leaves
Help watch younger siblings
Polish silverware
Wash the dog

Ages 12 and 13

Learn to use a power mower
Learn to use a snow blower
Be responsible for preparing one dinner a week

Source: Scripps Howard News Service

How long should I keep records?

What should I keep?

Here are some guidelines that may help reduce the paper blob.

Permanently:

IRA contributions - Keep nondeductible contribution records perminanently in case you need to prove you paid tax on the money when you wanted to withdraw it.

One year - permanently :

Retirement/Savings plan statements – Keep quarterly statements until you receive your annual summary; if everything is correct on your annual summary, you can toss the quarterlies. It’s best to hold on to annual statements until you retire or close the account.

Credit Union Records – At the end of each year, go through your share draft carbons or share draft statements and only keep those related to taxes, business expenses, and housing or mortgage payments.

Bills – Keep bills for purchases such as cars, jewelry, furniture, computers, and so no – to show proof of their value in case of loss or damage. Keep any bill for products or services that have a warranty or guarantee associated. For bills you don’t need for other reasons, once you know a share draft has cleared your credit union for a particular bill, you can toss it.

Six Years – permanently:

House records – Keep purchase price information and the cost of permanent improvements to your property such as remodeling. Also, if you buy or sell property, keep records of legal fees and your real estate agent’s commission for six years after you sell your house. Keeping these records, especially home improvements records, is important and could help lower future capital gains tax (despite tax law changes) should you decide to sell.

45 Days – Seven Years:

Credit card receipts and statements – Keep receipts until your monthly statement arrives; if that’s correct, toss the receipts unless you need them for other reasons such as warranties. Hold on to the statements for seven years if they contain tax-related expenses.

One Year:

Paycheck stubs – Make sure the information on your paycheck stubs and annual W-2 match when you receive it, then throw the stubs away if it does. If the information doesn’t match, notify your employer.

Seven Years:

Tax records – The IRS has three years to audit your return and you have three years to file an amended return to claim a refund if you made a mistake. If you made the mistake of underreporting your gross income by 25% or more on a return, the IRS has six years to challenge it. If you filed a fraudulent return or didn’t file one at all, the IRS can catch you on it at any time.

Where should I keep my records?

Begin with a countertop organizer move items to a more permanent storage such as a filing cabinet or safe deposit box.

Store anything you need to keep permanently in either a fireproof storage box or safe deposit box. Keep marriage records, divorce papers, and birth certificates in a safe deposit box. Keep one of your safe deposit box keys in your house and one with a relative, close friend or attorney.

Know where important documents are - such as birth certificates, financial records, and marriage licenses – it is necessary in case of a flood, tornado, or fire. Make sure these documents are easy to get hold of in case you need to evacuate your home suddenly.

Source: 2000 Credit Union National Association