Wednesday, August 28, 2013

{Healthy, Wealthy, & Happy Living in Omaha}



Don’t Be Fooled By The Common
“Relative In Trouble” Scam

You get a phone call that one of your relatives has had an accident, been robbed, or is stranded in another country.  Your loved one needs cash and asks that you wire the money.  This scam has been around a while, but the number of people (particularly the elderly) who are falling for it is rising.  Do the following so you don’t get scammed:

Ø  Question the caller about the family member in trouble.   The call may start with “Hi Grandma!” (Scammers may get family information from social networking sites.)  Before saying a name, ask the caller for their middle name.  If the caller says, “It’s about your granddaughter,” ask “Which one?” before saying a name. 

Ø  Don’t let the caller instill fear.  Fear that something bad will happen if the money is not sent can be a motivating factor to comply with the request.  Fear can cloud rational thinking.

Ø  Don’t keep the call a secret.   Posing to be your relative, the caller may say they are too embarrassed and to not tell others.  But don’t be fooled by this trick – let others know about the request immediately.  Ask the caller if you can call back – they won’t want to give you a number.

Ø  Try to make contact with the “real” person.  Hang up with the imposter and call, email, or text your real relative.  If they are on vacation, contact other relatives to find out their itinerary.

If you get a “relative in trouble” call or fall for something else you think is a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission.  Go to www.ftc.gov/complaint or call 1-877-FTC-HELP.  You also can contact your State Attorney General’s office.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Quotes to live by...

Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.
Albert Einstein
The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.
Anna Quindlen
The only thing I regret about my past is the length of it. If I had to live my life again I’d make all the same mistakes - only sooner.
Tallulah Bankhead



What's your favorite quote?

Monday, August 26, 2013

{Healthy, Wealthy, & Happy Living in Omaha}



7 Ways To Get Your Child
Excited About Reading

Does your child spend too much time watching TV or playing video games and not enough time reading?  Here are 7 quick tips to make reading fun and exciting:

1.      Let your child choose books they’re personally interested in.  This way they won’t get bored right away.  If they can’t decide, help them by matching a book topic with one of their interests.

2.      Encourage them to act out the book as a play.  Kids love to perform for others, and this will help them remember more.

3.      Ask your child to draw pictures of the characters.  This gets them to really think about the details, plus it’s fun!

4.      Read chapter books.  These have more surprises and character development, which will help your child visualize the words more.

5.      Take turns reading and let them ask questions.   Also, have them read aloud to their siblings or friends.

6.      Work with other parents to start a book club for kids.  Here’s a video: www.howdini.com/howdini-video-14452277.html

7.      Get your child an eReader.  If you can’t get them away from video games, at least make their time in front of a screen more productive.  If you have an iPAD, go to www.progressbythepage.com to find a reading app.  It comes with a list of free eBooks, and ways to monitor their time spent reading.

Friday, August 23, 2013

{Healthy, Wealthy, & Happy Living in Omaha}



Save $$$ On Your Phone Bill

            Have you reviewed your phone situation lately?  Consider one or all of these options to save hundreds of dollars a year:

Eliminate your landline.  First, study your phone bill to see if you’re paying for extras (like caller ID) you may not need.  If you decide to ditch your landline because you have a cell phone, make sure you have excellent cell coverage at home.  Another option is to switch to VOIP (voice over internet protocol) like Vonage, Skype, Ooma and even MagicJack.  Unlimited local and long distance calls can range from $5 to $20 a month, that can save you over $100 per year.

Bundle your services.  You can save $20 or more per month if you get your cable, Internet, and landline from the same provider.   There’s an extra $240 each year in your pocket for the same services.

Ask your cell phone provider for a cheaper plan.  If you talk to the same people daily, a “favorites” plan may better suit your needs.   If you’re sending more text messages, go to an unlimited texting plan. Or, consider a pre-paid cell phone where you only pay for minutes you use.  Depending on your talking time, that could save you up to $500 a year.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

{Healthy, Wealthy, & Happy Living in Omaha}



Quick Tricks to Make
The Dirty Work Easier

        Housecleaning isn’t fun, but you can make it easier on yourself by following these quick tips:

1.   Set a timer. You are more likely to do a task if you have a cut-off time.

2.   Clean the kitchen sink first.  It has the most impact on the room’s appearance.  It also removes one of your biggest sources of bacteria.

3.   Don’t wear shoes in the house.  85% of the dirt coming into your home is tracked in on your shoes.  Make your home a no-shoes-zone.

4.   Create a per-room checklist.  Create a list of chores for each room.  This way, you can give another family member the list and teach the meaning of responsibility while also getting some help.