Posted on March 9th, 2010
by James Lupori | 0 comments
In the last five years the internet has transformed the landscape of many industries, such as print media, which has been turned inside out due to the sheer mass of information in cyberspace.
The once powerful (and some would say evil) cartel of the real estate industry has seen its exclusive grip on property information evaporate. There was a time when the average consumer was forced to consult with a real estate professional or hire an appraiser in order to get a sense of one’s property value. Many home owners resented having to deal with agents and, frankly, it was a valid concern. For over 50 years the NAR and its members held an almost exclusive monopoly on property information.
Then, in February of 2006, a revolutionary company by the name of Zillow.com hit the internet. Zillow allows anyone to find home value information on about 90% of the homes in the U.S. Since that time, Zillow has expanded its market penetration and has captured a huge following in the industry. I remember well the utter fear and anger many real estate expressed when they realized that the public had access to what was once “the sacred data.”
Zillow, Cyberhomes and Eppraisal
In this post I would like to introduce you to three of the top home value websites so you can take them for a spin. I encourage you to look up your own home. Today I checked out the value of my home and the values of my neighbours, which was rather interesting. These three are not the only sites. For a larger list of other sites, free and for-profit, check out 10 Home Value Websites to Look Up the Value of Your Home.
Below are three of the best sites. Click on the image to be directed to the site.
As a Realtor® What Do I Think About These Sites?
I believe these home value sites have a legitimate place in the real estate industry. Some professionals feel that they are not accurate enough or that they compete directly against real estate agents. The fact is, many of these sites encourage agents to post their listings on the site. There’s a lot of paid advertising that hawks real estate services. Let’s face it, this is how they stay in business.
But are these sites accurate? Well, Zillow.com posts statistics regarding the accuracy of its “Zestimates” and, generally speaking in most markets the value provided by Zillow can be 10% to 23% in error. That’s not to say that these sites are bad. Frankly, I’ve found them to be relatively accurate in neighborhoods where there are similar homes (suburban neighborhoods tend to have consistent home values) or where there have been a lot of sales. On the other hand, it’s no surprise that more rural areas have higher error percentages. Just keep in mind that these sites provide estimated market values. They are not appraisals. I think consumers can learn a lot by doing some preliminary research on the internet.
Now I get to do my pitch: I highly recommend that if you intend to sell your home you should contact a real estate professional or Realtor® to give you his/her professional opinion about your property value. In many cases I have found my comparative market analyses to be more accurate and realistic than those on Zillow.com. There’s something about being at ground zero and having years of experience in a particular area that gives agents a deeper perspective of home values. Nevertheless, I think that if you’re curious about the housing market, use these sites. They’re interesting and informative.
James is a skilled and knowledgeable Associate Broker & Realtor with Keller Williams. Whether he’s selling an existing home or helping clients find their dream home, he provides quality real estate services in residential properties and relocations.
James and his wife Virgina have lived in Seattle since 1986 and bought their first home, a 1940’s project, in 1989. James is passionate about the Pacific Northwest and is dedicated to helping others find their home here.
Posted on February 4th, 2010
by Alicia Diefenbach |
When people ask me what I do for a living I have a standard answer, just like the rest of us do. In my case, I say that my background as a former financial crime-fighter for the government inspired me to become a public speaker on topics that help people make financial decisions that enhance their personal and financial lives.
If you ask my mom what I do, she says I get paid to talk. And remembering how many times my report card said ‘talks too much in class’, I can see why she says it with a smile.
And that brings me to my point. The question I’m most often asked about identity theft is, ‘What’s the number one thing I should do to prevent identity theft’. The answers to this question are different for everyone, based upon where you live, the prevention methods you’re already practicing, and myriad other factors that put you either more, or less, at risk.
Without a doubt, if you incorporate any of the following into your current crime prevention strategy in 2010, you’ll be safer this year than you were in 2009.
Secure Your Home: We all know the doors and windows need to be locked, and some of us have a security systems, too. That’s great, But within our homes we need to organize and secure our personal information. Account statements, tax returns, bills, identity cards of any sort – these all need to be under lock and key within the home as well.
Shred It: You’ve heard it a million times, but many of us are still ripping up our mail rather than shredding. Aside from burning (not available in some counties) shredding is the only way to insure personally identifying information appearing on documents or other junk mail is destroyed. Credit solicitations are the most obvious, but consider shredding anything that has a name, address, or identifies organizations you associate with. Already made your donation this year? Shred that solicitation from your favorite charity. Those mail order catalog covers with bar codes on the back? I shred those too.
Protect Your Online Identity: Social networking accounts that include personal information such as our date of birth, where we live, and other lifestyle information are useful to an identity thief. Don’t include digits of any sort in a social networking profile, avoid posting pictures of children, and limit the kind of personal information that reveals when you’re at home or not.
Don’t Take the Bait – Avoid Phishing Scams: ‘Phishers’ attempt to lure you to fake websites via emails regarding accounts you may have with a legitimate financial institutions. Here they ask you to log in and collect your user id and password. If you receive an email about an account, contact your credit union directly rather than follow a link embedded in a strange email.
Check Your Credit: You’ve read it here before; we should all be checking all three of our credit reports at least once per year. Due to the increase in identity theft as a result of the recession, hyper vigilant consumers check credit reports for all family members, regardless of age. You can do it for free, without the benefit of seeing your credit score, at www.annualcreditreport.com.
Alicia Diefenbach is a former financial crime-fighter for the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. After spending nearly a decade helping fraud victims seek restitution and educating consumers about various aspects of personal financial management, she went into business for herself.
Alicia now designs fun, non-commercial presentations and materials that help people make financial decisions that lead to success. She is a published consumer writer and speaks on topics that educate women, teens, adults, and seniors on various aspects of fraud awareness, and successful personal financial management.
Posted on February 1st, 2010
by James Lupori |
Our 1st Home circa 1990 in Shoreline, WA
My wife and I have a confession to make: We bought our first home because there was a raspberry patch in the back yard. Yup. That’s what sold us on the place! We were looking for a house with room for a garden and when we ate some of those sweet, ripe berries we were hooked. When we think back on it, we realize that we should have spent more time looking at the house itself because….well, we have 16 years of “home project” stories to share with you if you ever want to hear them.
It’s a classic story. We had been looking at homes in 1989 which was a tough time for a young couple to be buying their first house. Prices were rising, interest rates weren’t all that great (our first mortgage was at 10.25%) and a huge number of homes were being purchased by Californians who saw good values in Puget Sound. We had looked at a huge number of homes with our VERY PATIENT real estate agent and were losing patience as we kept getting beaten out of sales left and right. Luckily, our agent found a home that wasn’t yet listed and a contractor who was anxious to make a deal. Well, we ended up writing our offer on the hood of a car in the parking lot of the Seattle Center during the Bite of Seattle on a warm July evening. We were excited and really, really scared!
We lived in our little house (barely 800 square feet) for 16 years. There was hardly one square inch of the place that we didn’t alter, remodel, tweak or paint. When it came to the yard Virginia was the “Flower Lady” and I was the “Vegetable Guy.” Necessity forced me to learn all about the challenges of owing an old home. Sometimes this was not very fun but today, as a real estate agent, the experiences of fixing that little house have made me a better advocate for my clients. I still can’t fix a leaking faucet!
The truth is, WE REALLY LOVED OUR HOUSE. Several of our cats were born, grew-up and died at that house. We entertained and frolicked there. It was a wonderful little universe that we made our own for many, many years. That’s why, when I drove through the old neighborhood on the way home from an appointment today, I was shocked to see a “For Sale” sign in front of our first house. A wave of intense emotion literally gripped me as I pulled into the driveway and saw the old house all “prettied-up” for potential buyers:
Manicured and “prettied-up” for sale!
When I drove up to the house, I discovered it was vacant. I have to tell you, I really struggled to get the key and go into our old house. I had not been in the home since we sold it and moved here to Kenmore in 2005 and I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel walking into a place where my wife and I had lived for so long………….
As it turned out, I was surprised to find that the home was almost the same as we left it 5 years ago. I was also overcome with a sense that Virginia and I had been good stewards of this little house as had the last owner. We really exerted a lot of hard work to make the house a better place when we lived there and as I write these words I’m proud that it’s going to be another lucky family’s home. It really is a cute little place.
When I got home today to share my experience and pictures with my wife she was very emotional. After all, we were in our 20’s when we bought the house and we became “real adults” living there with our crazy cats. It was a time in our lives when we learned how to deal with many of the challenges life throws at us. Most importantly, we share some wonderful memories of good times and creating a life together in that little house. I hope the new owners find as much joy there as we did.
James is a skilled and knowledgeable Associate Broker & Realtor with Keller Williams. Whether he’s selling an existing home or helping clients find their dream home, he provides quality real estate services in residential properties and relocations.
James and his wife Virgina have lived in Seattle since 1986 and bought their first home, a 1940’s project, in 1989. James is passionate about the Pacific Northwest and is dedicated to helping others find their home here.
Posted on January 26th, 2010
by Terrell Meek |
I recently had a closet mishap which forced me to acknowledge that I own too many clothes, bags and shoes. I found things I had completely forgotten about and things I was holding on to in the hopes they would one day fit again or be back in fashion. How can I call myself thrifty and resourceful when my closet is overflowing with unused and unappreciated items?
As I’ve stated before, being thrifty means spending money thoughtfully. Having a handle on your possessions can help prevent you from wasting money on things you already own or things you probably won’t use.
If you have not taken stock of the contents of your closet in the past year or more, I challenge you to do so. It is enlightening. For example, my own closet contains six heavy-weight winter coats. You may not think that owning six attractive coats all in excellent condition could be a problem.
Here’s why I do:
1) These coats take up a lot of room in my closet which causes a storage shortage in my apartment. The less space I have to store things, the more time, money and energy I spend on organizing. Clutter is proven to be a huge cause of stress, and no one I know likes to be stressed.
2) It’s honestly hard for me to remember to wear every coat I own. It’s not that I have short-term memory loss, but since I don’t have a large, walk-in closet, I have to store my coats in multiple places throughout the apartment. The coats in the hall closet and on the hooks near the front door get worn most often. The coats in my bedroom closet barely see the light of day. I could switch them out or devise some sort of system to help me remember which coats to wear with which outfit, but to me, a simpler solution would be to downsize my coat collection.
3) Apparently, I have spent a fair amount of my hard-earned money on coats. To an extent, this doesn’t bother me. I mean, I need coats to stay warm and dry. But, by recognizing my needs versus my wants, I could’ve probably saved a couple hundred dollars—money that could go towards a future down payment on a house.
Please don’t get the wrong idea, that I’m beating myself up over past purchases. My intention is to illustrate that being thrifty takes effort and vigilance. It’s easier to buy things on impulse than it is to think through the consequences. In my case, the consequence of having too much stuff was a busted bureau drawer—a little reminder to keep my eye on my inventory.
Terrell Meek has worked for more than six years as a marketer for Verity Credit Union, advocating the benefits of financial responsibility.
A born saver, Terrell credits her parents with teaching her sound financial habits at an early age. She believes one of the keys to a satisfying life is learning to live simply.
Posted on January 21st, 2010
by Amara Dumlao |
Looking for something to do but have no money to spend? Have you considered the benefits of volunteering? Working with others can be a fun and enriching way to spend your time while keeping money in the bank. Here are four of my favorite reasons to get out and volunteer.
- Get to Know Your Community: There is no better way to get out and know the neighborhood than volunteering with the organizations that support it. By doing so, you are likely to meet new people and feel more connected to your local community.
- Develop New Contacts: One of the best ways to create professional contacts is by working with a wide variety of people. Volunteering offers the opportunity to expand your network, often in new professional areas.
- Gain Professional Experience: Everyone knows that employment is increasingly competitive, but volunteer work can help you get a leg up in the market place. Often as a volunteer you will have opportunities to learn new skills while helping out those who need it most.
- Lowering Stress: Volunteering is fun and fulfilling, and therefore a great way to combat stress.
How Do I Begin?
- Decide what kind of volunteer work you want to do. Do you want to help children, work with a spiritual organization, or support a cause you feel strongly about?
- Next search the phone book and Internet for organizations in your community that work with those causes.
- Then contact those organizations to find out about their volunteer activities.
- Lastly think over the options you’ve discovered and determine the best fit for you.
Tips for Finding the Right Organization:
- Ask around, maybe you already know someone who is connected to an organization that could use your help.
- When attending local community events keep an eye out for organizations that may need volunteers for future community activities.
- The Corporation for National and Community Service has a great search engine to help you find volunteer positions (http://www.serve.gov/).
- Just because an organization doesn’t advertise the need for volunteers does not mean they aren’t looking. If you think you could help write someone a letter, email, or stop by to talk with him or her.
Amara Dumlao is a Reviewer, Writer, Designer and Marketing Consultant. A graduate of the Eller College of Business Management at the University of Arizona and a former Banker, Amara combines global business savvy with creative real world financial applications.
A regular community volunteer, DIY enthusiast, social networking guru, and avid traveler, Amara believes in applying the wisdom of the past with the technology of the future to create a fulfilling balanced life.
Posted on January 19th, 2010
by Alicia Diefenbach |
At this time of year, when all of us are making resolutions about our time and fitness, to get organized or get in shape, let’s put our credit reports on that list of things we want to shape up. When we pay attention to what’s on our credit reports and organize our purchasing habits we make it a heck of a lot easier to protect ourselves from identity theft.
One of my friends recently asked me to help her look over her credit report. She’d seen some unusual activity on one of her credit cards and was concerned. After all, one of the most common signs that someone has stolen your identity are those pesky unauthorized charges that pop up on our statements.
Sometimes it’s pretty easy to detect those charges. If you live in Western Washington and it appears you purchased Spike the Ultra Dinosaur from a toy store in Kansas City, that’s going to stand out. But sometimes it’s not that easy to detect.
When my friend and I sat down to look at her credit report and account statements, I realized that it was going to take a lot longer than expected. She hadn’t looked at her credit report in a couple of years. Her lack of familiarity with what should be on there made it more difficult to detect what shouldn’t. Had she really used that debit card for $3 worth of gasoline in Seattle? Did she actually use a department store credit card 5 months previous? She didn’t think she’d used the store card since she opened it just for the discount, but she couldn’t be sure without going home and pulling all her statements.
In my friend’s defense, I don’t know anyone who could tell you from memory what they’d purchased several months back. And this is where reviewing your credit gets trickier than it needs to be. Here are some simple steps you can take to make your credit report error free, and easy to review in the event of identity theft.
Review Your Statements Throughout the Month: Some may call it paranoia, but I check my statements online once a week. While you can check them by phone, consider signing up for online access to your statements and check them every so often. Unauthorized charges are more likely to stand out in your memory if you’re looking at transactions that occurred in the last few days, rather than weeks.
Evaluate Your Credit Cards: How many cards do you have? Are you actually using all of them? Don’t cancel everything at once and wreak havoc on your credit score, but if you’ve got 10 department store credit cards and the usual Visa, MasterCard, and Amex, decide which cards you regularly use so that you know where you should actually see your purchases and consider whether or not you need all the department store cards.
Designate Cards by Expense: Travel for work? Only buy online? If you designate a card for specific types of expenses, it makes purchasing activity on your statements easier to monitor overall.
Remove Inaccurate Data From Your Credit Report: What to look for: Debts you’ve already paid off, cards you previously canceled, mortgage or other loans (even if their current) that don’t belong to you or inaccurate balance highs can all make your credit report difficult to review in the event your identity is stolen, and hurt your score.
Alicia Diefenbach is a former financial crime-fighter for the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. After spending nearly a decade helping fraud victims seek restitution and educating consumers about various aspects of personal financial management, she went into business for herself.
Alicia now designs fun, non-commercial presentations and materials that help people make financial decisions that lead to success. She is a published consumer writer and speaks on topics that educate women, teens, adults, and seniors on various aspects of fraud awareness, and successful personal financial management.
Posted on January 11th, 2010
by James Lupori |
I am writing this post as a follow-up to my comments back in November of 2008, Readjusting our Priorities: What’s a House For? in which I explored the importance of having the proper perspective when buying or owning a home. At that time my neighbors were coming to me concerned about the drop in real estate values. I recall the distinct feeling that instead of speaking with me as a neighborhood Realtor®, they were questioning me as if I was a stock broker!
I’ve been a Realtor® going on 9 years and many people are shocked when I tell them that A HOME IS NOT AN INVESTMENT. Quite the contrary. In the current market a huge number of homes have been losing value since 2007 and the most current reports show that almost 25% of home mortgages are “underwater” which is a nice way of saying that the owners owe more than the mortgage is worth. Not exactly what I’d call a good investment, and I’m not even a stock broker. So for those of you who are planning to buy a home this year, I’d like you to repeat the following:
My 2010 Resolution: I will not buy a home as an investment!
Here’s why: In a recent Wall Street Journal article by Karen Pence, Chief Federal Reserve Economist in charge of the Household and Real Estate Finance Section, summarizes why homes are a lousy investment:
- It is an indivisible asset. If you own stocks and bonds and suddenly need a little cash, you can sell some of your stocks or bonds but not all. With a home, on the other hand, “you can’t just slice off your bathroom and sell it on the market.”
- It is undiversified. You can buy stocks or bonds in industries or countries all over the world. A home is a bet on one single neighborhood.
- Transaction costs are very high when you buy or sell a home because of real estate agent fees, mortgage fees and moving costs.
- It is asymmetrically liquid, meaning it’s easy to get money out when home prices are going up. (You just take out a bigger mortgage.) But it’s hard to take money out when prices are going down because refinancing becomes more difficult. Put another way, the leverage that you have in your house with a large mortgage means your investment does well in good times but could be lousy in bad times.
- It is highly correlated to the job market, meaning that home prices in a neighborhood tend to rise when the job market is improving in the area and fall when the job market is worsening. This means that your main financial asset provides the smallest cushion to you when you might need it most.
So Why Buy a House?
Please allow me to revisit an important idea expressed by Steve Kerch, the award winning real estate journalist of Market Watch. This persistent drop in home values should remind us that houses aren’t really “investments.” In his article, entitled Core Values, Mr. Kerch asks us to consider the following:
“At its core, a house is a shelter. Unless the roof caves in, there is always some economic value in that. But most people when they dream about a house or start looking for a house or actually buy one think about value in a whole different way: they think about the fireplace they can gather around with their families, the kitchen where they can show off their culinary skills, the bathroom that they won’t have to share, the schools they will be able to send their kids to, the neighbors they will be able to entertain in the backyard, the parks they can bike and hike and the community events they will be able to attend.”
I believe most people hope that their homes will gain value over a number of years. We all want to believe that it’s “worth it” to buy a house. I also believe that we are connected to our homes by values and emotions that transcend monetary gain. For all of you “bean counters” this may be too foofy a concept so you would do better to continue renting or living with your mother. Just remember that when you’re ready to march out and buy a home, do it for the right reasons. Oh, and get a good Real Estate Professional to help you.
A home is technically an “investment” when it is revenue positive; that is, one is actually making a profit at the end of the month. This basically means it’s a rental property.
James is a skilled and knowledgeable Associate Broker & Realtor with Keller Williams. Whether he’s selling an existing home or helping clients find their dream home, he provides quality real estate services in residential properties and relocations.
James and his wife Virgina have lived in Seattle since 1986 and bought their first home, a 1940’s project, in 1989. James is passionate about the Pacific Northwest and is dedicated to helping others find their home here.
Posted on January 4th, 2010
by Amara Dumlao |
A lot of positive personal growth comes from having the right attitude. Money works in the same manner. Here are three suggestions, which helped me, to begin creating a money gaining attitude.
Consciously Choose Your Terminology
The best writing is not just about what is being said but also the terminology used to express a thought or concept. From fiction to resumes, word choice matters. Therefore it stands to reason that the words used regarding money should be strategically chosen.
Suggestion: Exchange weak sounding fiscal terms for words that come a crossed as stronger.
Examples:
- Swap the word ‘cheap’ for ‘economical’
- Instead of ‘stingy’ try the term ‘frugal’
Rise to the Challenge
When there is less money to spend it can be viewed as either an exciting challenge or a devastating defeat. By choosing to see the situation as something to overcome we put power back into our own hands, even if money is not.
Suggestion: Be empowered to change by financial challenges
Examples:
- See if you could benefit from something free in place of an activity you have previously spent money on. For me a simple switch was taking walks with my friend as an alternative to our usual meetings at an expensive coffee house.
- Have you made a list of your immediate financial needs? How about your long-term goals? These two lists can help you avoid financial challenges in the future by targeting your goals now.
Focus on What You Can Do
So maybe there are hurdles everywhere you turn, well time to get jumping. When a bad financial mood hits, respond with greater force and will for positive action. Don’t just make lemons into lemonade but consider creating your own stand.
Suggestion: Do what you can now.
Examples:
- Consider asking your close friends and family about financial choices, books, or ideas that have helped them set up a strong future.
- Set up an appointment with a specialist such as a banker, accountant, or financial strategist to talk about where you want to be and how you can begin attaining your goals.
Making financial progress begins with cultivating the right attitude towards money. It is not a change that occurs overnight but through regular work and persistence, you can create a stronger more financially sound future.
Amara Dumlao is a Reviewer, Writer, Designer and Marketing Consultant. A graduate of the Eller College of Business Management at the University of Arizona and a former Banker, Amara combines global business savvy with creative real world financial applications.
A regular community volunteer, DIY enthusiast, social networking guru, and avid traveler, Amara believes in applying the wisdom of the past with the technology of the future to create a fulfilling balanced life.
Posted on December 23rd, 2009
by Shari Storm |
My husband and I knew almost from the beginning that we had very different money management styles. After all, when we met, I was working at Consumer Credit Counseling Services and he joked that his personal tagline was “VISA, everywhere I used to be”.
While we don’t have all the answers, after ten years, we’ve learned a thing or two about melding two vastly different financial approaches.
I’m a tracker and he’s not.
I write down every single penny we spend. I check home banking daily. I have enormous spread sheets that track budget to actual. He doesn’t.
I get resentful when he doesn’t know our financial situation as readily and as thoroughly as I do. He gets annoyed that I seemingly call the shots when I declare when we can and cannot afford something.
Solution: Every Friday, I send him a quick update of the important highlights of our finances. The update has changed over the years. It might be as simple as how much cash we have in the checking account and the next big three expenditures we have coming up. It could be our credit card balances and how much they have shrunk / grown in the past week. My favorite is how much money has come into the household that week versus how much has left.
I’m a categorizer and he’s not.
When a paycheck comes in, I obsessively parcel out each cent into its proper category. When we are faced with the decision to buy something, I look at the category and see how much we can afford. He doesn’t.
I get deflated when he buys something without checking our budget first. He rolls his eyes when we have plenty of cash and I insist we can’t afford something.
Solution: We’ve agreed to chat first about any purchases that are not gas or groceries. It’s a quick chat, but a chat none-the-less. It isn’t that we are asking each other for permission, but we do give each other a heads up.
I’m a worrier and he’s not.
I spend a great deal of time agonizing over whether or not we will be able to afford braces, weddings, college and retirement. He trusts that it will all work out.
I get mad when he doesn’t fret as much as I do and he can’t understand why I waste energy when we are doing all that we can to make it work.
Solution: When we talk about money, we also talk about our emotions. First we talk about the nuts and bolts of the budget and then we check in on how each of us is feeling. It sounds silly, but it helps tremendously to know not only the numbers, but story too.
I guess in short, its all about communication, compromise and consideration.
Shari Storm worked at the debt counseling agency, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Seattle for six years before coming to Verity Credit Union in 1998. Storm has her masters degree in business administration from Seattle University. She writes for Working Mother Magazine blog and MomLogic.
She is a mentor for Seattle University’s Albers School of Business graduate program and lectures at University of Washington’s Experimental College.
She is the author of Motherhood is the New MBA: Using Your Parenting Skills to be a Better Boss. She has three daughters.
Posted on December 17th, 2009
by Alicia Diefenbach |
I went to my first holiday party of the season last weekend, and was it ever fun! New friends to make, delicious finger food, theme beverages, and mid-way through the evening everyone broke into song along with the iPod we danced our stockings off in the kitchen. A little old fashioned, a little high tech, most certainly a great time.
One thing I loved about the party was that the hostess had everyone’s coats and bags in a location within sight of everyone at the party, all piled on a nice couch in the living room just adjacent to the kitchen and dining areas, the place where all parties inevitably end up.
In contrast, it reminded me of a party I attended a few years back where that was not the case. At that party, I wandered down a long hall to the bedroom of the hostess to retrieve my coat and bag only to find a young lady holding my purse and using my red lipstick in the dark (Seriously, this happened, and unless you plan on going to clown college, I don’t recommend touching up red lipstick in the dark). She was very embarrassed (appropriately so) and confessed that she wanted to see how that shade of red looked on her. Ultimately it was pretty funny so we laughed it off and I gave her the lipstick as a reminder of what not to do at a party.
We like to assume that when we gather with people to celebrate we’re amongst friends we trust. But at this time of year we spend a lot of time attending and hosting parties. Open houses, company parties, family gatherings – all good times. It’s likely that at any of these events, there will be people we don’t know. And while that’s an opportunity to make new friends, you never know who someone is the first time you meet them.
By no means am I suggesting you show up to the company party with a fingerprinting kit and start questioning the dates of your co-workers, but exercise some common sense. Eliminate the risks you take when you allow a host to take your coat and/or bag, and make sure your home is a safe place for your family and guests during the holiday season.
Party Responsibly
If you’re going out for the night, bring the bare minimum. Loading your coat or purse down with a stack of credit cards isn’t necessary, nor is it safe. If you carry a purse, see if you can condense all your needs for the evening into one handheld purse you can carry throughout the night. Your drivers’ license, one card and a bit of cash will take you anywhere. If you’re the host, provide your guests with a secure place to put their belongings.
Secure the Home
We all have that pile of bills on the desk or counter somewhere in our house. When we have guests over those things should be out of sight. Those bills include names, account numbers, and other personal information. Financial documents, medical statements, wallets and passports should be safely locked up when you’re hosting a large event, particularly if strangers will be in attendance.
Maintain Copies
Make and maintain photocopies of the front and backs of all debit and credit cards. Keep this in a safe, secure location at home and in the event you misplace or lose a card during the holiday season and you’ll be able to cancel and replace it with ease.
Statements Savvy
At this time of year we’re often making more purchases than normal. More trips to the grocery stores, gift buying, online shopping, filling up the car to get us back and forth to the shops; all of these things result in far more transactions on our statements, and identity thieves know this. Examine all your statements carefully and insure the purchases were yours. A seemingly innocent expense could be an identity thief testing to see how observant you are, intending to charge a big ticket item next month.
Alicia Diefenbach is a former financial crime-fighter for the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. After spending nearly a decade helping fraud victims seek restitution and educating consumers about various aspects of personal financial management, she went into business for herself.
Alicia now designs fun, non-commercial presentations and materials that help people make financial decisions that lead to success. She is a published consumer writer and speaks on topics that educate women, teens, adults, and seniors on various aspects of fraud awareness, and successful personal financial management.
Posted on December 10th, 2009
by Alicia Diefenbach |
In late November I was taking advantage of a little pre-Black Friday sale at the mall when I encountered the ultimate shoppers’ dilemma. I found the cutest camel-colored cape-style sweater, perfect for an upcoming holiday party. Unfortunately, they didn’t have my size on the rack. A quick check with the clerk revealed that their California location had one in my size; would I like to have her get it for me and call me when it came in? Would I ever!
The process to secure this sweater, along with the accompanying pre-sale discount, was interesting. First, they couldn’t ring up the sale because it was a pre-sale. It meant I could shop, put items on hold, and then pick them up at the sales price once the sale started. But since my dreamy sweater was in California, rather than Washington State, it had to be shipped. And it couldn’t be shipped until it was sold. And it couldn’t be sold until the sale started because it was in California. And it couldn’t be put on hold from Washington State.
If you’re confused, trust me, I was too. I usually buy my clothes from online discount shops and cross my fingers that they fit.
The clerk, truly a helpful lady with a great attitude, said it sounded more complex than it was. All she needed were my financial vitals: Name, Address (both billing and shipping), my credit card number, the expiration date and my 3 digit security code on the back of the card. I regularly give up this info when shopping online, so those questions weren’t inappropriate.
What did seem a bit inappropriate, however, was that she wrote all of this down on a scrap of paper from her receipt machine, set it down on the counter, and told me she’d be in touch when it arrived. Then she turned to the back up of customers waiting for her help as that scrap of paper settled into the mass of hangers and plastic bags scattered across the desk.
I got her attention and pointed to my information on the counter. She gasped when she saw where she’d left it. She apologized profusely and shared their procedures for avoiding incidents like this. She assured me it was an accident, down to the crazy pace of the start of the holiday season.
But this incident sums up holiday shopping pretty neatly. We’re in a rush. We’re standing in line. It’s tiring. If you have kids with you, it’s twice as hard. The people waiting on us are doing their very best to hurry us out of there. When emotions run high on both sides of the counter, mistakes are bound to happen.
The best way to make sure that our holiday shopping doesn’t compromise our personal financial security is to limit our vulnerability.
LIMIT THE PLASTIC
How many cards will you actually be using during this shopping trip? Take as few as you possibly can. In the event your wallet or purse is lost or stolen you have fewer points of vulnerability to an identity thief.
DESIGNATED CARDS
Because we use our cards so frequently at this time of year it can be tricky to spot an unauthorized use. Consider designating one card for holiday shopping when you hit the stores, perhaps another for your online shopping. In the event that your card is used without your permission it will be easier to pinpoint where the security breach occurred.
ASK AND WATCH
Are you or making a transaction where the clerk is keeping your information on file? Ask why they need the information, and ask where they’ll be keeping it. Once they’ve taken the information down, watch to see that it’s hidden from the eyes of other customers. Even if you just step aside and pretend to rummage through a bag, make sure you see that your information is put safely away before you leave the counter.
ESTABLISH A SYSTEM
Make sure your credit and debit cards leave the store with you. People regularly leave their cards behind during the holiday season because we’re in a rush. Conduct your transactions the same way every time you shop by developing a payment ritual that includes putting your card in the same place every time you make a purchase, and double checking that place before you leave the counter.
Posted on December 7th, 2009
by James Lupori |
I recently had my gas furnace serviced. I own an upgraded furnace with an air conditioner. I knew something was amiss when the darn thing kept firing up and was blowing air for long periods of time. As it turned out, I HAVE BEEN A BAD BOY!
Even though I’m a Realtor and I’ve witnessed a huge number of home inspections where the furnaces are called out as an issue, I had not cleaned my furnace filters for a long time. Fortunately, my technician said I was lucky and no damage had been done. He serviced my furnace, charged me $200 then lectured me on the value of simply cleaning my furnace filters every couple of months. Yikes! After such a traumatic experience, I consulted Stephan Cancler, my favorite inspector to find out just how big a problem furnaces pose to the average home owner. I told him about my recent experience.
He gave me the “inspector’s look”:
Then he offered this sage wisdom: “I would say that 80% of homes that I inspect with gas-fired furnaces do not have regular maintenance performed. This is recommended annually to keep the furnace running efficiently and safely. There are literally dozens of different manufacturers, and although the function is similar, all are not created with the same quality.”
THE PICTURE ABOVE IS A FURNACE WITH A VERY DIRTY FILTER
“The simplest form of maintenance that a home owner can perform is to change the filter(s) regularly. The filter helps to clean the household air and protects the heat exchanger from contamination. When the filter is not changed (or cleaned) regularly this will cause the furnace to run inefficiently, thus not providing adequate heat due to lack of proper air flow. This condition will also cause the furnace to short-cycle, causing stress to the heat exchanger, which can effectively shorten the life span of the furnace.”
The pictures above show a corroded furnace that has seen better days. He continues: “A service professional will clean the blower, contact points, oil moving parts, balance the air-to gas mix, change the filter and check for leaks. If there is a crack in the heat exchanger, carbon monoxide can leak into the heat ducts, a potentially deadly situation for the home’s occupants.
“Gas furnaces have 20 year life span and if neglected, this life can be shortened considerably. I have seen units that have failed in less than ten years. I have failed several furnaces myself due to cracks I found in the heat exchanger either from age, lack of maintenance or inferior quality. I recommend home owners who are putting their homes on the market to have the furnace serviced and to install a clean filter.”
I’d like to thank Stephan for sharing his extensive knowledge regarding gas furnaces. It’s amazing how home owners (all of us) have a tendency to ignore basic maintenance issues affecting the most important asset in our lives. Spending just a few moments every month and a relatively minimal amount of money every couple of years can literally save us thousands of dollars and keep our families safe.
James is a skilled and knowledgeable Associate Broker & Realtor with Keller Williams. Whether he’s selling an existing home or helping clients find their dream home, he provides quality real estate services in residential properties and relocations.
James and his wife Virgina have lived in Seattle since 1986 and bought their first home, a 1940’s project, in 1989. James is passionate about the Pacific Northwest and is dedicated to helping others find their home here.
Posted on November 30th, 2009
by Amara Dumlao |
Anyone who knows me will tell you I am a huge fan of my local library. The library is my go to source for research and for free fun activities. Yes I said ‘fun’. Here are fifteen of my favorite things you can do for free at your local library.
1. Genealogy: Research your family’s history and the time period that surrounds it, who knows what exciting stories exist in the unearthed family tales.
2. Get Healthy: From fitness videos to recipes a wealth of health information is likely to be found hidden in the stacks.
3. Learn About Where You Live: Ever wonder why your city is the way it is or where a local street gets its name, look it up.
4. Join a Book Club: Often libraries have established book clubs or ways for readers to begin them.
5. Try a New Genre: The library is a great place for literary exploration. If you are looking for a change of pace inquire with a librarian who may be able to direct you towards a new and exciting genre.
6. Dig Into Music: Learn about the history of music, try a new CD, or even teach yourself to play a new instrument with free library resources.
7. Learn About Technology: From books on social networking to advanced technical manuals, the library can help you access emerging technologies.
8. Go to an Event: Libraries work hard to create interesting and informative events such as book signings and workshops, which are often free.
9. Start A Project: Everyone has a project they are waiting to begin from beginning your own business to making a kitchen window plant box, consider starting at the library.
10. Be Inspired: Words have started wars and silenced them, there is no reason they can’t assist you as well.
11. Find Out About the Extras: What does you library have you haven’t used? Maybe a microfiche system or a non-fiction DVD section, inquire with a librarian about your branch’s hidden resources.
12. Free Library Roam: Consider walking up and down aisles looking for something that just jumps out at you.
13. Be a Kid Again: Some of the most creative stories are written for children and there is no reason you shouldn’t also enjoy them.
14. Volunteer: Is there an upcoming library event you could volunteer your time for? Maybe the librarians could use an extra hand on the weekends, if you have time why not commit it to this great community resource.
15. Enjoy the Quiet: Libraries are a great place to chill out and simply be quiet, find a good spot and take some “me time”.
This list is just the beginning. If you are still looking for a way to make the library work for you, I recommend speaking with a librarian.
Amara Dumlao is a Reviewer, Writer, Designer and Marketing Consultant. A graduate of the Eller College of Business Management at the University of Arizona and a former Banker, Amara combines global business savvy with creative real world financial applications.
A regular community volunteer, DIY enthusiast, social networking guru, and avid traveler, Amara believes in applying the wisdom of the past with the technology of the future to create a fulfilling balanced life.
Posted on November 23rd, 2009
by Amara Dumlao |
It is generally accepted wisdom not to share or borrow money from friends but there are a number of ways friends can help each other during these challenging economic times. Below are four tips for friends who want to spend more time together, while at the same time improving their individual lives.
Buying in Bulk
A cost warehouse card can be a great way to save money by buying in bulk. The downside to this system is that many of us lack the storage space to use these cards effectively. Buying in bulk together with a friend and then separating the items into manageable amounts can be a great way to spend time together and share savings.
Regular Potlucks
Instead of meeting friends for an expensive dinner at a restaurant, how about arranging a small potluck with friends. Recipes sites such as Foodista and All Recipes are great places to get started.
Sharing
Creating an exchange of movies, books, and magazines among friends can be a great way to have fun while saving. Sharing housing amenities with a close friend can also prove useful. For example, I workout once a week with a friend at her gym, and she does movie night at my house while using my washer.
Networking
With the emergence of online social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn everyone is talking about the importance of networking. Friends are an important part of your network success and they provide a prominent means to find job opportunities, meet new work contacts, and make new friends.
Helping us celebrate our joys and supporting us during the hard times, friends are a critical part of our lives and with these great tips you can save money while spending even more with them.
Amara Dumlao is a Reviewer, Writer, Designer and Marketing Consultant. A graduate of the Eller College of Business Management at the University of Arizona and a former Banker, Amara combines global business savvy with creative real world financial applications.
A regular community volunteer, DIY enthusiast, social networking guru, and avid traveler, Amara believes in applying the wisdom of the past with the technology of the future to create a fulfilling balanced life.
