Monthly Archives: May 2020

Online Safety: Family Edition

Today, having both Internet access and safety seems nearly impossible. While technology can be enriching and educational, it has its downsides. How can you protect your family from the dangers of the Internet while also allowing them access? Keep reading for some of our online safety tips for families.

Be Careful What Information You’re Sharing

Many hackers and identity thieves feed off oversharing. Be careful which websites you’re entering personal information into – don’t trust just any website. Oversharing is also dangerous on social networks, so be sure to make your kids aware of the information that shouldn’t ever be shared, like driver’s licenses, usernames or passwords, addresses, social security numbers, etc.

Be Careful Using Public Wi-Fi

Connecting to a public Wi-Fi network can seem harmless and convenient, but that’s not always true. Using public Wi-Fi in places like restaurants and malls is an easy way for hackers and cybercriminals to hack your information. Remember to use a VPN when you connect to a public Wi-Fi network.

Keep an Eye on Your Social Media Networks

Random messages from unknown users have become more common. Although it seems obvious to ignore spam messages, delete them and move on, kids might not know to do that. Teach your kids to never respond to an unknown person’s message online, and emphasize how dangerous it is to respond to strangers. The smartest move is to get your kids into the habit of coming to you when they receive a strange message so you can double check the user’s profile.

Educate Your Children

Most of the time, the reason kids fall into the trap of hackers is because they’re uneducated. Give your kids a mini lesson about what cybersecurity is, why it’s so important and how they can protect themselves. Remind them that if anything seems unusual, they should talk to you so you can make sure the situation is safe.

Manage Your Passwords

Most Internet users have the same couple of passwords for all of their accounts, making the hacking process even easier. There are safe password management systems allowing you to use a different password for all of your accounts, while only having to remember one password for the system.

Backup Your Data

Cybercriminals that hack into your computer can lock you out of your own important files and information. Keep your files backed up regularly so in that situation, you know your files aren’t lost.

Although there are many ways your cybersecurity can be compromised, there are multiple ways to protect yourself and your family. We hope you protect your information with these top tips!

4 Games That Will Help Your Kids Learn About Savings

Teaching your kids about saving money can be quite the undertaking. Luckily, there are games and fun ways to help your children engage with this learning process. Check out these 4 games that will help your kids learn more about saving.

1. Monopoly

Not only is Monopoly a fun family game, but it’s also a great game to teach kids about money. The game can get lengthy, but it teaches some valuable lessons. Not only do you learn how to save your money, but you also learn about making good purchasing decisions and investing. There are other fun versions of Monopoly that can cater to your child’s interests, such as Star Wars Monopoly, Pokémon Monopoly, Disney Monopoly and many more.

2. Online Games

There are countless online games made for the purpose of teaching kids about money. Simply search “money games for kids” in a Google search and you’ll find a bunch of options. You can find a game that fits your child’s age, interests and the topic that you want to teach them. Two examples of popular online money games include Change Maker, where the user practices counting money, and Financial Football for those big sports fans.

3. The Game of Life

Another very popular and common board game is The Game of Life. Players go through important stages of life, deciding things like if they want to go to college, what career path to take, when to buy a home and much more. Along with these decisions, players start with a certain amount of paper money and make purchasing decisions that affect the outcome of their role in the game.

4. Pretend Bank

Sometimes the simplest at-home games are the most fun for kids. Try creating fake money by cutting up paper or using money from board games you already have at home. Your kids can pretend to be the banker or the customer, either having to count and collect money or make decisions on how to spend it. There are lots of additions that can be made to this simple game, like making a fake grocery store of play food or a fake toy store. With these, kids are able to decide how much to buy, how often to buy it and decide if they really need it or not.

There are limitless options when it comes to games involving money. Teaching your kids these money saving skills while they’re young prepares them for the lifelong money choices they’ll make in the future! Open a savings account for your child when you feel they are ready for real money decisions.

6 Ways to Spring Clean Your Finances

Spring cleaning doesn’t just have to be about your house – sometimes your finances need a good dusting, too! We’ve put together some great and simple ways to clean up your finances and start fresh with your spending habits!

1. Clear Out the Paperwork

Paperwork from your finances can pile up quickly. Now’s a great time to file through those old papers, make digital copies in a safe place and put them in the shredder. Not only will this declutter your office space, but it will help declutter your mind.

2. Take a Look at That Credit Report

We understand that checking your credit report probably isn’t high on the list of your priorities. With a new season underway, take a minute to sit down and look it over. It’s important to make sure there aren’t any mistakes, so your credit score isn’t taking a hit.

3. Bring the Budget Back

Maybe you started budgeting but lost hold of it over the holidays when things got busy. No worries! There’s no better time than now to get back on track and start following a budget again. If you’re still following a budget, now is a great opportunity to dust off the papers and make some changes!

4. Throw Out Old Accounts

You might have some unnecessary things, like unused credit card accounts or an old 401(k) form, to get rid of this spring season. Carefully filter through the accounts you have and throw out the ones you no longer need.

5. Clear Some Space For a Financial Advisor

Talking with a financial advisor is a great way to set you on a path for financial success. This is a great way to hold yourself accountable for your spending.

6. Get Your Savings On Track

Automating your savings account is a great way to stay on track financially. After figuring out your budget, spend some time thinking about some of your saving goals. What are some short-term things you could save for? How about long-term investments?

Utilizing these financial spring-cleaning tips is a mood booster and stress reducer all in one. Give them a try this spring season, and open a savings account to store your cash!