As you start to create your holiday gift lists, you will likely encounter retailers – including online retailers – that are offering layaway services as well as “buy now, pay later” plans (through online providers such as Quadpay, Sezzle, PayPal credit, etc). Before you take advantage of these programs, ensure you understand the implication they […]
One of the most heartwarming scenes in movies is when a child receives a puppy he/she has been wishing for. The first few moments when a dog meets its new owner, or when they are reunited after a long time apart, can make even the strongest person cry. Images like these inspire people to buy […]
House hunting is a very exciting process and as you start to zero in on that perfect home, you need to dig deeper into your budget. How much of a down payment will you need? How much will your monthly mortgage payment be? What interest rates can you get? These are common questions that help […]
If you are a federal employee or member of the military, the 6.2% social security tax withholding on your regular paycheck is currently on a mandatory deferral until January 2021 if your taxable wages are below a certain threshold; $4,000 per pay period for federal employees and $8,666.66 per month for military service members. Employees […]
Interest rates are low, so it is the perfect time to refinance, right? Not necessarily! Whether a “refi” makes financial sense will depend on several factors related to your personal portfolio of loans. Here are a few tips to consider before making your decision. Consider any benefits you stand to lose by refinancing with a […]
The news, social media and likely your phone calls with friends lately have been filled with doom and gloom. COVID-19 has changed our lives. For many people, the changes have not been welcome or enjoyable and are far from over. There will be repercussions from this pandemic that will shape our society for years to […]
1. Why is protecting older Americans from financial exploitation important to you and your organization? Protecting older Marylanders is a core mission of Maryland Department of Human Services’ Adult Protective Services Program (APS). Our Adult Protective Services team serves people aged 18 or over who lack the physical or mental capacity to provide for their […]
1. Why is protecting older Americans from financial exploitation important to you and your organization? As the Commissioner of Financial Regulation for the State of Maryland, I am committed to ensuring that Maryland citizens can conduct their financial transactions with banks, credit unions, and other financial service providers safely and securely, without having to worry […]
Written by EverSafe Every day we see new evidence that criminals are updating scams to take advantage of Covid-19. But this episode has now lasted long enough that we are learning more of what to watch for. Among the lessons learned so far: Be Cautious When Browsing Covid-19 Websites According to the Justice Department, many […]
1. Why is protecting older Americans from financial exploitation important to you and your organization? It’s sad to say, but many seniors and vulnerable adults (individuals who lack the physical or mental capacity to provide for their own daily needs) are targets of a multitude of crimes, including financial exploitation—the illegal or improper use of […]
We are a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects are being felt hard by Americans, especially financially. While states are starting to lift restrictions, the economy will not automatically bounce back. We need to prepare to be in financial uncertainty for at least a few more months and your budget needs to […]
It seems that overnight our world has turned completely upside down. As quickly as we all started working from home, social distancing and hoarding toilet paper, scammers and hackers created new ways to try to take advantage of us during this vulnerable time. The most important things to remember when it comes to scams are […]
Social Distancing is hard for everyone and those with kids at home really know how long it can take for an hour to go by. Since the COVID-19 crisis, many great resources for entertaining children at home have popped up. From virtual field trips to homeschool programs, and tons of ideas on Pinterest, the online […]
As social distancing becomes more intense, our communities are suffering financially. Individuals are losing their jobs on a short-term basis and small businesses are working harder than ever to keep their operations going. While we all face our own struggles, it is important to remember the people and businesses in our community and do what […]
As countries continue to increase the restrictions of our normal everyday lives due to COVID-19, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the financial burden that is being placed on Americans right now. In some industries, such as hospitality, working hours are being cut significantly. Other industries are seeing zero working hours and some folks are […]
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