VOLUME 11 #11

• Enjoy Technology Without Breaking Your Budget • Wise Dollar Store Shopping Tips • UCAN • Spare Change • Is It Time For Your Teen To Get A Job? • Inspiring Thoughts

Enjoy Technology Without Breaking The BudgetTechnology is everywhere and our options are endless. It is

possible to enjoy the benefits of technology without spending a lot of money. When you see an interesting electronic product or

fun gadget, you may want to take time to think about how necessary that item would be in your daily life.

Considering your choices might help you decide wisely about what technology you really need. It may also help you prevent a budget meltdown.

Here are a just a few ideas that could help you save money on technology:

Computers. If you do an Internet search for ‘free software’ you will see a multitude of choices available. Spreadsheet and office programs, anti-virus software and programs that could help you improve the photos you take with your digital camera are just a few choices awaiting your discovery.

In addition, you can find free software that might help you manage your budget and track spending. PCMag.com recommends Mint.com, a software tool that can assist you with finance management by providing regular reports on how much you are spending and ways to save money.

Other free expense tracking software includes Buxfer.com and you could also find tips by visiting the discussion group at Wesabe.com.

Cameras. It is likely that you can find a very good digital camera for a very reasonable price in today’s market. If you are considering a digital camera, think about what features are important to you and what kind of photos you will be taking. All digital cameras feature megapixels which have a role in dictating an image’s quality. However, more megapixels may not always produce a better quality image, and megapixel count usually has a direct effect on a camera’s price.

Try to remember to stick to your budget and do your research, ask friends and read customer reviews of the products that interest you.

You may want to try Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com) which features customer reviews of cameras and image samples from a variety of models.

Free photo editing software, Gimp.org to name just one, is available on the Internet.

Cell Phones. Some current cell phone plans offer extras like texting, ringtones, games and video.

These extras can be enjoyable, but ask yourself if you really need them. Texting, ringtones, and games can add up to $10 per month or more to your phone bill according to Womansday.com.

Consider choosing a plan that fits your basic needs. Woman’s Day also suggests looking for free games and ringtones on the Internet. Websites such as Phonezoo.com and Myxer.com might be a good place to

start. If you already have an IPhone, you may have access to free software that will help you manage your budget and save money. According to The Wall Street Journal, Yowza!! combines a Global Positioning System (GPS) with coupons for nearby retailers.

If you need a cell phone but don’t want to sign a lengthy contract with one service provider, prepaid cell phones might be an option.

Tips To Help Manage Digital ExpensesHere are three tips from the National

CPA Financial Literacy Commission to help you manage your digital expenses.

• Set A Budget. Consider what you are realistically able to spend each month on services such as apps and content for your digital device. You can start by looking at what you’ve spent on technology purchases in the

past. How does that compare with your overall budget? Have you been spending too much? This exercise should give you a baseline for determining an ideal budget for purchasing digital services that you really need - not just want.

• Evaluate. Regularly evaluate your Continued on page 3

InspiringThoughts

Could laughter offer you a way to cope with the adversity or setbacks you may be facing? Pets can provide

you with special moments, memories and the unconditional love that we all need.

When you feel overwhelmed, stop and take a moment to watch a playful kitten or puppy. If you do not own an animal, visit a local park or zoo or try watching fun pet videos on sites like YouTube. Pets can help make you laugh and forget your worries.

Animals tend to live in the moment. Maybe you can take this lesson to heart.

If you are struggling with debt, focus on the moment and try starting with small goals. Identify where you tend to overspend. Try keeping a budget and maintain the willpower to stick to it.

Start small and work your way up to more lofty goals. For example, turn off lights when you aren’t using them, dine out less, use public transportation or carpool if possible. Small steps like these could end up having a big impact on your budget.

Also, setting small attainable goals, achieving them and seeing a positive difference in your life is an accomplishment that you can be proud of.

Finding the positive in a situation could make a difference in how we tackle a problem, and most of all how we learn from it and move forward. It may be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel now but financial freedom is

possible. A little laughter might help you as you take the steps you need to make your journey a successful one.

The human race has one really effective weapon,

and that is laughter. - Mark Twain

Perhaps it may be getting close to the time for your teen to get his or her first part-time job. As your child enters the

workforce, here are some ideas that you may keep in mind.

Looking for a job is the first lesson. As most of us know, employers do not randomly call us and offer us a job. We have to network, send out resumes, and interview. Your teen will need to learn where to look for jobs, how to fill out job applications and what to expect in an

interview. Once hired, he or she will become familiar with completing paperwork such as tax forms and emergency contact information. If your teen is under 18 years of age, they may need a work permit, which can usually be obtained from their school counselor.

Jobs at restaurants and retail stores are good beginnings to a teen’s employment career. However, if your child decides to venture into other arenas, encourage them to be creative. For example, if you teenager aspires to be a veterinarian, recommend that they start a pet sitting or dog walking service. Suggest that your college-aged child obtain an internship in their chosen field during summer vacations while working part-time in the evenings. Although your child’s internship may only involve stuffing envelopes or getting coffee, he/she will have the opportunity to see how an industry operates on a daily basis.

A part-time job can help teens gain valuable work experience. The majority of teenagers will obtain work in fast food or retail industries. Although your son or daughter may not spend the rest of his or her life in these fields, they may learn about the importance of customer service, business etiquette, punctuality and teamwork. These attributes can be applied to many career paths.

Teens may learn how to manage money. When your child begins to receive a regular paycheck, it may be the first time that he/she will manage a larger amount of money. It is important to discuss money with your child and help them avoid becoming enticed to spend every cent on items such as clothing and entertainment.

Once he/she begins working, your child may get a glimpse of what it is like to live in “the real world.” As adults in a fast-paced world, we continually try to master the art of balancing the many facets of our life such as work, family, and social activities. A part-time job may teach youngsters the importance of time and money management.

Education should still be the top priority. Although teens who work a part-time job may acquire a variety of lifelong skills, be careful that your child does not neglect schoolwork.

You may want to consider monitoring how many hours a week your child works, especially at first.

It may be a good idea to establish priorities before your son or daughter begins a job. For example, school comes first, followed by work, sports and extra curricular activities, and anything else that they wish to do.

Below is a list of job web sites that specialize in part time jobs or student jobs.

• SnagAJob (www.snagajob.com): This site offers comprehensive listings for part-time jobs and internships.

• Teens4Hire (www.teens4hire.com): Post your job profile and explore many job openings for teens. This site also contains helpful articles on work permits and career guidance.

• Cool Works (www.coolworks.com): This site lists job openings for camps, amusement parks, state parks, resorts and other tourist areas.

• GrooveJob (www.groovejob.com): Search for part-time jobs and internships by zip code and select how many miles you are willing to travel.

Is It Time For Your Teen To

Get A Job?

At a family picnic, your aunt approaches you and gives you a piece of paper in which she wrote the name Joe and a

toll-free number. She explains that this person called her a few days ago and asked her for your updated address and phone number.

A few days later, your neighbor visits you while you are pulling weeds in your yard. He also informs you that he received a call from Joe and hands you a slip of paper with the same name and phone number. At this point, you become furious and wonder if collectors are allowed to call relatives and neighbors.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) does permit collectors to contact third parties in an attempt to obtain updated contact information or to relay a message to have the debtor return the call.

Although collectors can contact third parties, they must not state that you owe a debt or allude to the fact that they are from a collection agency, unless the third party specifically asks where they are calling from.

Unlike the example above, collectors may only contact a third party once unless the debt collector believes the third party is giving false information or may now have an updated address or phone number for you.

If you believe a debt collector discussed your debt with a third party or continually called your relatives or neighbors, contact UCAN as soon as possible.

In order to take action on your behalf, we will need you to provide us with information such as the collector’s phone number, details of what occurred during the third party contact, and how frequently the calls took place. You may also want to remind your acquaintances to save all voice mail and answering machine messages left by collectors. Questionable messages can be used as proof of any possible violations.

Knowledgeable consumer advocates are available by calling 1-877-462-8226 or e-mailing us at info@ucan.net. Our FAX number is

1-877-895-7577. Normal business hours are Monday thru Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

CornerThird Party Contacts

Frugal Gift Wrapping Tips

Creative, inexpensive and eco-friendly alternatives for

holiday and special-occasion gift wrapping

can save you money. Here are a few ideas.

• Stock up on supplies at after-

Christmas sales.

• Look for wrapping supplies at thrift stores and yard sales.

• Open gifts as carefully as you can, and reuse the paper and ribbons next year, trimming off the tape marks/ragged edges.

According to Stanford University, if every American family wrapped three presents in reused materials, the saved paper would cover 45,000 football fields.

• When you visit the after-Christmas sales this year be sure to look for holiday-themed fabric at a discount. Cloth left over from a sewing or craft project can be folded around a gift.

Fabric gift bags also add a nice touch. Fold cloth in half and stitch up two sides.

Then tie shut with a piece of ribbon. If your’re feeling extra crafty stitch a drawstring in place.

• Scarves. Have some you haven’t worn for years? Use them as gift wrap, and de-clutter your drawers or closets at the same time.

Or, you couldcheck thrift stores and garage sales. • Tote bags and reusable shopping bags tend to accumulate.

If you have extra canvas or fabric totes laying around that you don’t need, it might be a good idea to put your gifts in them and then deliver to the recipient. Then he/she will have their own reusable, recyclable bag to use the next time they visit the supermarket.

Study: Technology Makes It Harder To Save

All those songs, games, apps, mobile connections and movie downloads aretaking a toll on Americans’ wallets according to a survey conducted for the American Institute of CPAs.

The telephone poll of 1,005 American adults found that participants who subscribe to digital services spend an average of $166 each month for cable TV, home

Internet access, mobile phone service and digital subscriptions, such as satellite radio and streaming video--the equivalent of 17 percent of their monthly rent or mortgage payment.

Those who download songs, apps and other products spend an additional $38 per month, on average.

Considering the results of the survey, it’s not surprising that 56 percent of Americans believe technology has made it easier to spend money. Only three out of ten surveyed said it has made it easier to save.

Thirty-seven percent are split on the issue, saying technology has made it easier to both spend and save.

Spare Change

spending on digital products - especially subscription services with recurring fees. Are you using the services enough to justify the expense? At least yearly you should also look at spending on technology infrastructure such as cell phones and Internet connections. Are there new features, bundles or technologies that could lower your total bill?

• Set Up An Account. Since many digital purchases are automatically drafted from bank accounts it can be difficult to keep track of spending.

It may help you track your expenses if you set

up a separate checking account for your digital purchases. Set email or text message alerts to let you know when your balance is near your budgeted threshold.

Continued from page 1

Tips To Help Manage Digital Expenses

The Road to Financial Freedom (RTFF) is published by The Premier Institute for Financial Freedom. Photos courtesy of Shutterstock.com and iStock.com. While articles in the RTFF newsletter are factual and accurate, they are not intended to replace the advice of professional financial, accounting, and/or legal advisers. As with all decisions regarding your finances, the advice, techniques, ideas and suggestions offered herein

should be followed under the supervision of the appropriate competent professional.

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$tores that sell everything for a dollar or close to

it are a major part of the shopping landscape.

But do these stores really offer money-saving solutions for frugal shoppers? Depending on what you need, you may discover dollar stores really could save you money.

Cleaners. According to MSN Money, many shoppers head to dollar stores specifically for some kind of household cleaner.

You may want to consider your favorite brand-name product and compare its ingredients with your choice from the dollar store.

Do you find many differences? A cleaner with a well-known label doesn’t necessarily do a better job than one without a brand name.

Food and grocery items. Some products in this category can turn out to be good buys, but use caution. MSN Money suggests purchasing items such as spices which can sometimes be overpriced in supermarkets.

Cereals, crackers and soda may also be good choices as long as boxes are sealed completely. Also, remember to check the expiration labels.

Good Housekeeping recommends passing on the item if no expiration date is listed or if the item is close to expiring.

Also, use caution when considering the purchase of canned vegetables or fruit, trash bags, food-storage bags, foam and plastic cups and bottled water, which may be more expensive on a per-unit basis at dollar stores than at some supermarkets and retail competitors.

Kitchen utensils. Dollar stores could be a good shopping destination if you need to stock your kitchen with inexpensive utensils, according to MSN Money.

Items like kitchen knives, dishes, spoons, forks, latex kitchen gloves, graters, funnels, whisks, peelers and spatulas are likely to work just as well as similar cooking tools offered at larger discount stores.

Paper Goods. Good Housekeeping recommends checking out deals on paper towels, napkins and plates.

Gift bags, cards, gift wrap. Dollar stores offer less expensive alternatives that are just as attractive and useful in this area. It’s a good bet that there will be little, if

any, difference in quality between a paper gift bag that you purchase from a dollar store and one you buy at a larger retailer.

Most dollar stores also stock cards for any occasion, birthday balloons, signs and other party favors including candles.

Think about checking out the toy section as well. You can find small, fun items which might be perfect for kids’ party grab bags.

Things kids lose track of. School supplies, sunglasses, mittens, ponytail holders and barrettes may be good items to purchase at dollar retailers.

One of the most important things to remember while dollar store shopping is to not overspend!

It’s easy to purchase items on impulse, but MSN Money and Good Housekeeping both

remind shoppers that just because an item costs a dollar, it may not necessarily be

worth purchasing. It may be wise to make a list of needs before you shop.

Feel free to enjoy yourself and look around, but buy only what

you need and use your own good judgement.

If you aren’t sure about a purchase, it’s best to wait and consider if you really need it.

Choosing Wisely Could Save You Money At Dollar Stores