Monthly Archives: December 2018

All too often – especially whenever there’s an emotional component involved – it’s easy to overspend. Think funerals, weddings and engagement rings, just for starters. Here’s a look at some things we routinely spend way too much on:

1. Funerals
2. Weddings
3. Diamond rings
4. New cars
5. Food
6. Clothes
7. Private school
8. College
9. Workout gear
10. Cosmetics and razors
11. Pets
12. Eyeglasses
13. HDMI cables
14. Insurance and warranties
15. Credit cards

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Many a professional web designer started out as a self-taught hobbyist who got hooked ans thought, “Why not get paid for this?” It’s just one example of a passion – or obsession – that can be translated inot a money-making venture. Some hobbies that begin as a labor of love may evolve into full-time careers, while others are more likely to provide just supplemental income. Either way you can make some cash from an activity you love, it’s a good thing. The following are 25 hobbies with business potential:

1. Web design
2. Coaching a sport
3. Blogging
4. Drawing
5. Yoga
6. Cooking
7. Antiques
8. Jewelry and crafts
9. Baking
10. Child care
11. Organizing
12. Writing and editing
13. Pet-sitting, walking or grooming
14. Photography
15. Collecting
16. Event planning
17. Bookselling
18. Retail arbitrage
19. Home inspecting
20. Financial planning
21. Boating
22. Hosting
23. Property management
24. Video editing
25. Desktop publishing

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It’s no secret our country is obsessed with college. On the face of it, that’s a good thing: It means we want what we think is best for our kids. We want them to follow their passions, explore their potential and ultimately get jobs that match their personalities. But college isn’t for everyone. It’s true that the greatest number of high-paying jobs tend to be held by those with a least a four-year degree. But according to Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), 24 percent of all decently paid jobs go to people with some education but no bachelor degree. Things to consider regarding generation Z between ages 3-23 years old:

1. College costs too much
2. Not all jobs require a degree
3. Technical/trade schools beckon
4. Community colleges: faster, more affordable
5. Gen Z has grown up in the gig economy or freelancers
6. They will live longer than any previous generation
7. Their parents aren’t pushing college

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Imaginative ideas for the outdoorsy set include hand warmers, trekking poles, bear spray and lightes bocce balls. The secret to chiising great gifts for outdoors enthusiasts and athletes is to think beyond the obvious. Clearly, most of us are not replacing the mountain bile, kayak or skis – or at least, I don’t have in in my budget. Think about these items for your outdoors’ loved one:

1. The ultimate winter gloves
2. Under desk cycle
3. Snow and ice grippers
4. Yoga mat
5. Yoga mat with workout guidance
6. Yoga mat bag
7. Dry bags
8. Trekking poles
9. Roller massager
10. Ear warmers
11. The perfect hat
12. Quick-dry T-shirts
13. Bear spray
14. Portable shoe dryer
15. Boot/shoe gaiters
16. Hand warmers
17. Lighted bocce ball set
18. Camera float
19. Exercise ball
20. A headband that stays put
21. Wrist sweat bands
22. Fitdeck cards
23. NFL slippers

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Instead of spenidng hard-earned cash on presents that may end up as re-gifts in short order, why not put it towards gifts that last a lifetime, making memories? Here are 11 memorable gifts of experiences for the kids and teenagers in your life:

1. Movie tickets
2. An ultimate home movie night
3. Concert tickets
4. Pay for a date
5. A seat at the bleachers (sports event)
6. Road trip
7. Camping trip
8. Gift cards/certificates for outings
9. Money for college and savings
10. Shares of stock in a company
11. Memberships

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Here are several grocery stores offering free prescription drugs:

Meijer

• Certain antibiotics
• Certain prenatal vitamins
• Metformin immediate release
• Atorvastatis calcium

Price Chopper

• Certain diabetes medications

Publix

• Certain antibiotics

Reasor’s Foods

• Certain antibiotics
• Certain prenatal vitamins
• Certain children’s vitamins

ShopRite

• Certain diabetes medications

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From Facebook to Twitter to Instagram, social media can offer a relaxing break from work, or a satisfying chance to catch up with everyone from cousins to old co-workers. But don’t let your guard down there either. Fraudsters know that social media is a ripe environment for them to work their scams.

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Yes, the much-talked-about tax changes are coming, but most will not affect the taxes you are about to file. If you don’t prepare your own taxes, contact your financial adviser or taxt preparer and file as soon as possible. They may be dealing with even more clients this year as folks puzzle over the changes, and you might as well grab a prime appointment.

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Email phishing tricks aren’t only the only scammers out there trying to bankrupt you. Scamscan come at you in a variety of ways, including texts, phone calls and even snail mail. Ten recent scams you need to know about to safeguard your money:

• Scam 1: Government impostor
• Scam 2: Phony debt collector
• Scam 3: Fraudulent job offers
• Scam 4: Phishing emails
• Scam 5: Mortgage foreclosure ‘rescue’
• Scam 6: Lottery winner
• Scam 7: Cheating the elderly
• Scam 8: Bogus overpayment
• Scam 9: Ransomware hostage
• Scam 10: Jury duty ‘skipper’

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It’s easy to think that you won’t be fooled by phishing emails, those emails scams that try to coax you into revealing your personal financial information so you can be robbed. even if you know you are too smart to send a money order to a prince in Nigeria who promises you part of his inheritance, there are other scams that may not be as easy to catch. Here are a few tips:

1. Don’t click on attachments
2. Call your bank or credit card company if you have questions

Those places already have your financial information, why would they be demanding you to provide it again? Let phishers go hungry. Don’t talk finances with strangers over the internet or over the phone. Financial institutions can show you how to protect yourself.

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