We Make Life… More Resilient

Hello from your favorite guest blogger, Mommy Money. We have made it to December, and the year is quickly coming to a close. For parents who recently sent their children off to college, this may be their first return home for winter break. I have been there…wandering the house and looking into unoccupied rooms, missing the angsty teen chaos. The only time you hear from them now is when they need money or they are in complete emotional breakdown mode. After having three girls in college, I saw a consistent theme their first year. They struggled between, “I’m too old for you to tell me what to do,” vs. “I’m too young to be adulting just yet.”

In a world where financial literacy is more important than ever, teaching kids how to manage money can set them up for a lifetime of success. As parents, one of the best gifts we can give our children is the knowledge of how to save, earn interest, and understand the basics of money management. Opening a Youth Account is a fantastic way to start this journey.

Don’t get scammed this summer! Follow these 6 tips to stay safe. 

1. Never pay for a “prize” vacation

If you’re asked to pay a small fee to claim a free vacation prize, you’re looking at a scam. A legitimate company will never ask winners to do that.

2. Use a credit card when traveling

A credit card offers you the most protection in case something goes wrong. You’ll be able to dispute unauthorized charges, and in most cases, reclaim your lost funds. Some cards even offer certain travel perks that help your trip go off without a hitch.

The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. As we prepare for the festive period, it's essential to remain vigilant about potential scams that can put a dent in your holiday spirit and your budget. In this article, we'll delve into some common holiday scams that can disrupt your celebrations and offer tips on protecting yourself from becoming a victim.

Vacations are important for your physical and mental well-being, and you may be planning the perfect summer vacation. But how are you going to get around the price tag on your getaway?

About 5 years ago, my husband and I decided to adopt a tiny, 3-pound puppy we called, Sofia. We rescued her from a dirty, dingy puppy mill. She was actually covered in newspaper ink when we found her.

May is graduation month. Almost all of us know someone who is heading off to college (how did they grow up so fast?) or getting ready to enter the real world with their first job.

Your bags are packed, your itinerary is set and you’re counting down the minutes until you take off for your dream summer getaway. Before you head out to the airport, though, read through this checklist of important things people tend to forget before leaving for vacation.

The pandemic is still causing chaos and pushing average spending higher.

This is the second year where the pandemic has severely disrupted schools. Back-to-school shopping this year is going to be difficult. Because cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 continue to increase, school districts may quickly change their plans, which means parents will face many challenges with their budgets. This year, families like yours will spend hundreds of dollars on school supplies, Parents still do not know if their children will be in hybrid learning, in-person learning, or virtual learning, and this is causing a problem for our budgets. Do you need to budget as much for clothes or uniforms if the school will continue to be virtual or part-time?

As a Member of We Florida Financial, you are uniquely positioned to manage your finances and watch your money grow on the best possible terms. Like a Member of an elite club, you are entitled to exclusive privileges and individualized service, courtesy of your credit union.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the benefits you can enjoy as a member :

How to Avoid Romance Scams

In the “good old days,” one would meet a spouse/or significant other, the old fashioned way, face-to face, at a party, church, blind date, et cetera. Today, these in-person rituals have gone the way of the dinosaur, replaced by dating apps and sites. And whereas these types of interactions may provide access to more potential partners, they also present more danger. The current pandemic has worsened the situation because it has caused more isolation and loneliness. With people looking for love, more heartless opportunists have pounced on the vulnerable. General online fraud has increased and so has what is known as romance scams. 

With more of our elders becoming targets of scammers, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime instituted the National Elder Abuse Fraud Hotline for people to report fraud against anyone age 60 or older.

A 2020 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report says the most money lost in scams by older adults in 2019 were romance scams. Older adults reported aggregate losses of nearly $84 million on romance scams in 2019.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime website, many are too embarrassed or afraid to report the crimes, so many go unreported and victims suffer alone.

The toll-free number of the National Elder Fraud Hotline is 833–FRAUD–11 or 833–372–8311.

Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn and many others can help us connect on a personal and professional level with friends, family, business associates, and causes that allow us to make new connections with others with shared interests. And participation is free to everyone, which has led to an unprecedented use of social media. 

Every experienced parent I ask seems to swear by one baby product or another and so my husband and I have amassed quite the collection of baby stuff in hopes of having everything we might need to take care of our little bundle of joy. Of course all of that cute, tiny stuff does not come cheap so I'm always on the lookout for ways to save on baby gear. I am definitely not an expert, but I have managed to save a lot of money on some big purchase items with these tips I've gathered along the way.

A long-distance road trip with the kids isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s often the only practical choice to get your family from point A to point B. If you’re planning on traveling with your children this Labor Day, try these tips for keeping your children happy and entertained.

Living near the ocean, with its breathtaking views and temperate climate is ordinarily wonderful. However, there’s one big danger associated with coastal living: hurricanes.

You can’t stop hurricanes from coming, but you can take steps to minimize damage and prepare for the aftermath. Here are 6 ways to prepare for hurricane season:

June is the month of sun-kissed beaches, lots of sunscreen, backyard BBQs … and spectacular deals. Use this handy list to see what’s up for grabs this June.

If you’re always wondering how you’re going to pay the next bill, feel guilty when you indulge in overpriced treats and you just can’t find money to put into savings, you might need a budget.

A budget will help you gain financial awareness, which will help facilitate more responsible decisions.

Here are 6 easy steps to create a budget even your mom can be proud of:

Congratulations! You’ve expecting a baby and you’re breathless with excitement — and nerves. A baby means big changes, and a part of those changes is lots of new expenses. How will you pay for it all?

We’ve got the tips you need to prepare financially for a new baby.

Pay down debt

Don’t let your debt grow along with the baby bump. It’s best to get your finances in order to make it easier to manage all new expenses and prepare for your child’s future. Make a plan today to kick that debt for good!

Adjust your monthly budget