Long Term Care Insurance Can Give You Peace of Mind
July 29, 2008
None of us wants to think of becoming incapacitated and needing long term care. But it happens. If you are part of a married couple, you have a 70 percent chance of one of you needing long term care. If you are single, you stand a 40 percent chance. These percentages are bound to increase as baby boomers begin to age.
Long term care insurance can give you a peace of mind. Like health insurance, long term care insurance works to pay benefits to long term care facilities. They will cover what Medicare and other insurance will not and allow you to retain your savings.
Most of us do not plan for long term care and by the time we need it, it is too late. We cannot count on our children being able to care for us. With so many people living well into their 80s and 90s, it is very likely that the “children” who are to care for them are of retirement age themselves. This can be too much of a burden for an older person to take, no matter how much they want to help.
As you have worked and saved all of your life, you probably want to be able to leave something to your children when you pass on. You do not want to end the last of your days on public aid, in a long term care facility that is too far away for your children to visit. But that is what happens to people all of the time.
The way that long term care works is that you have to sign over all of your assets when you enter with an irreversible condition. When they are used up, you then go on public aid. There is no guarantee that the nursing facility will keep you once you are a ward of the state. They can then transfer you to another facility that may be much further away.
You cannot count on Medicare to pay for your care. They will pay a fraction of what it will cost to take care of you. And do you really want your children or loved ones emptying their bank accounts to pay for your care?
If you plan ahead and get a long term care health insurance policy, you can be covered. These policies will pay $150 a day for your care for a four year period. You can use the money when and if you need it. You can also get an inflation clause in your policy so that the $150 that is good for today will cover what it costs 20 years from now.
The amount you will have to pay for a long term care insurance policy will depend upon certain conditions such as your age and general state of health. But planning ahead for this kind of care is essential if you want peace of mind and do not want to have to worry about becoming a burden on your loved ones as you get older.
How To Teach Your Kids To Be Responsible With Money
July 29, 2008
Money is an essential part of life in today’s modern world, so kids are never too young to start learning about it. Children will have greater respect for money and be able to use it better if parents start teaching them as early as possible. Here’s how to do it:
Parents are the first teachers for their kids. Don’t wait until the unit about money comes up in the third grade math class. Teaching the importance of money starts at home between parent and child.
Money doesn’t buy happiness, but it does keep one from starving. Mom and Dad have jobs that pay for the house, the food, the utilities, and everything a family needs. Kids need to know that their parents are not like money trees that you can shake until enough green falls down for a new bike or a new doll. There is only money to spend as long as the parents go to work and earn it.
Start training your children with money they are gifted at holidays and birthdays. Teach them that by saving up money little by little they will be able to purchase something they really want instead of just what they happen to be able to afford at the moment.
Allowing kids to be part of arranging a family budget will help them to understand not just that there is such a thing as money, but that it must be handled correctly. As Mom and Dad determine how much is to be spent each month on bills and recreation, children will learn a lot.
Children can learn how disciplining yourself financially will eventually bring worthwhile rewards. You can accomplish this with your kids by saving money each month to be used by the family to go out and do something special and fun that the kids have picked out.
Disastrous results are sure to come from allowing children to learn about the use of money themselves instead of from their parents. If they receive money but have never learned how to use it wisely, it’s sure to disappear without anything to show for it. When parents do not provide their kids with financial advice, they will no doubt find it with their financially irresponsible friends.
Kids that can’t manage their own money will expect Mom and Dad to do it for them. Whenever they get in a financial bind, they will call their parents to bail them out. Parents don’t want kids to suffer through unpleasant situations, but kids won’t learn important life lessons when not held accountable for their actions. Teaching this once the bad habits have been formed will be harder than you think.
Responsible money management doesn’t happen as an adult. It begins in childhood with that first birthday five dollar bill. Don’t wait; talk to them now about money. It matters.
Apply For Credit Cards Online.
July 29, 2008
Life moves quickly and we have to streamline our time. We live in an age where the combination of business and technology play an important part and make our lives a lot easy. One example is the ability to apply for a credit card using the internet.’
Yes, due to the miracle of the Internet it is possible to complete your application for a credit card online. Applying for credit cards can easily be done online, as well as doing online shopping with your credit card and allow the items to be delivered right to your door for free.
Thus, a credit card can be applied for on the internet. If you want to apply for a credit card online, simply complete an online application at a credit-card provider’s website. The application that you fill out is very similar to the one you would have filled out if you had applied in person and the application will be processed the same way and the questions asked will be similar.
You will notice that many credit card firms ask you to make a formal request on internet. The reason for this is that there is a cost savings to the company with regard to salary of personnel, supplies, etc. Furthermore, applying for a credit card online allows your information to be entered directly into the credit card companies database. There is minimal human intervention if you make online application for a credit card.
This can help speed up the approval of your application. Though not always the case, many times if you apply online might get the card much faster. In addition, applying for a credit card via the Internet is convenient and a time saver. You can also do a comparison of the credit cards once more via the internet prior to your application.
There are some people who prefer not to apply online for credit cards. Uneasiness about whether their information may be readily available to others is the explanation most give as the reason for not giving out personal information online. Before applying on the internet, do a quick check to make sure the website address begins with the letters “https”
The prefix ‘Https’ guarantees that this website is secured. It is also a good idea to ensure that the website is certified by a reputable organization such as Verisign. If the website address does not include the letters “https”, then the website is not secure and you should not complete an online application with that company.
Also, some people can not do online application for credit cards because they are unable to fill up the application form without additional help. If that is the case, you could decide not to apply online for a credit card and instead apply in person. You could also take note of items you think are vague as you go through the form, call the credit card company and ask for customer representatives to clarify any points you do not understand. Better safe than sorry.
Prevention Awareness for Identity Theft
July 29, 2008
The theft of names, addresses, social security numbers (SSN), bank account information, credit card numbers and other personal information, commonly known as identity theft is “America’s fastest growing problem” according to a statement made by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates 10 million Americans are affected each year. With every crime, knowing how to protect yourself is vitally important to avoid becoming a victim. The following are arenas where thieves prey.
Corporate Databases and Files
Hackers regularly break security codes that protect corporate databases to gather personal information they use to take over identities. This isn’t the only access weakness present. Employees have access to your information, through files, trash, and their ability to obtain information through credit reporting agencies. This may be done for their personal use or they could be conned or bribed into handing over information.
You
Constant awareness of how predators take advantage is crucial. People are mugged or pick pocketed all the time. Thieves will first follow you and easily look over your shoulder when you are using your credit or debit cards to get your pin number. Your pin can come in handy to them after they steal your cards and go crazy using them. It is frightening how easily these criminals can get at your information. They even go as far as digging in your trash for information jewel you threw out. You are not likely to hear about being robbed of your identity on the 8 o?clock news.
The Deceased
From reading the daily obituaries, a thief can take over a deceased’s identity. The identity prowlers start by forwarding this person’s mail which contains an overabundance of personal information, from credit card accounts to bank accounts, they in turn use.
Credit and Debit Cards
By using stolen credit or debit cards, thieves use a theft method called ’skimming’ or ‘eavesdropping’. According to the FTC website, “skimming occurs when an individual with [an] unauthorized radio frequency identification (RFID) reader gathers information from a RFID chip [located on credit and ATM cards] without the cardholder’s knowledge. Eavesdropping occurs when an unauthorized individual intercepts data as it is read by an authorized RFID reader.” The person swiping your cards could be stealing your information. This criminal skill can be done to the deceased and living.
Faux E-mails & Websites
Very sophisticated thieves, if they can be called that, send out e-mails under the names of legitimate websites asking for updates on information but once you hit the link the e-mails direct you to very professionally-made, fake websites. They appear to be identical to the real site you are used to. The one thing lacking is a secure, encryption system. They will ask you to log on with your user name and password which they will use later on the real website. This type of identity theft is called ‘phishing’ because thieves are ‘fishing’ for your information, the most publicized method used in identity theft.
What’s Next?
If you are already a victim, the novice criminal will just rack up your credit cards, open up a new cell phone account and possible get some new credit cards in your name, while the professional criminal will wreak havoc. They literally take on your identity; they take your name becoming you; and they get drivers licenses as you, but with their picture. They will use their newly acquired identity to get loans, open bank accounts and take out mortgages. When they, or should I say, you don’t pay for these, they claim bankruptcy which quite obviously damages your credit. If arrested for any crimes committed, criminals will use your name then, too. So now, you have a criminal record on top of everything else.
An Ounce of Prevention Goes a Long Way
It is common knowledge today that a well-balanced diet and exercise program can prevent diseases like cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure, just to name a few. Prevention is also key to protecting your identity. Putting into practice the following suggestions will lower your chances of becoming a victim.
Social Security Number - SSN
Take a moment and think about all the instances you have provided your social security number (SSN). Was it necessary? The “do’s” and “don’ts” for this vital personal identification number are the following:
Do use alternative identification like a drivers license when possible
Do question the necessity of handing out your SSN on medical forms, job or college applications and for fishing or hunting licenses. There is no telling how they file this information and the amount of people who will readily have access. After inputting the information on the form into their database, how do they destroy the form or do they just throw it out for anyone to pick it out of their trash?
Your SSN is a critical part of your identity that serves criminals in a multitude of instances. Don’t be embarrassed to first ask before divulging this information, your identity might depend on it and there is nothing embarrassing about that.
Don’t write your SSN on any type of ID, credit card and especially, don’t print it on your checks.
Don’t ever carry your SSN card with you in your purse or wallet.
Most mailboxes are not locked and are an easily accessible source of information. Pre-approved credit card offers along with other offers that could be filled out with your information come in the daily mail. The Federal Trade Commission suggests calling 888-5OPT-OUT or logging on to https://optoutprescreen.com, operated by the major credit reporting agencies; registration will prevent offers for prescreened credit card and insurance. They also give you an option of opting out for five years or permanently. They do ask for personal information, including your home telephone number, name, SSN, and date of birth but this is a secure site that keeps this information confidential and uses it to process your request. If offers continue coming in the mail, shred them. Purchase a cross cut shredder and shred any mail with identifying information. Done daily, it’s not that hard to do. When in doubt, shred it.
Do you put up the flag on your mailbox to let the mailman know you have outgoing mail? Who else do you think this red flag alerts? You guessed it. Are you in the practice of writing your credit card number on your monthly payment checks? If so, stop. Write only the last four digits of your account and definitely, do not write your social on it. Another precautionary suggestion, deliver any outgoing mail to the post office and completely eliminate this temptation. While you are there, suspend your mail delivery if you plan on going on vacation. Bulging mailboxes are equally tempting.
Trash
The above suggestion about shredding might not have been sufficiently clear on its importance. Shred any credit card offers, card or bank statements, receipts, bills, and all mail that has your name on it. Don’t give criminals the opportunity. Picking up the trash before the sanitation trucks drive by, they can go home and rummage through it in their garage. This is not being obsessive, it is common sense. Thinking like a criminal and not giving their menacing tactics anything to look at. Shred, shred, and shred some more! Those old credit cards you had but aren’t using any more, don’t cut them up with your scissors, shred these too. Pulverize them! Are you getting the point? Shred everything before putting it in the garbage. Another option is to lock up personal and financial files in a safe or safety deposit box.
Telephone
Telemarketers can represent legitimate companies but a tell-tale sign you’re being sucked into a scam is when the offer is to good to be true and the caller starts asking for your social, credit card number, and other personal information. Don’t be fooled if the caller tells you they are calling from your bank, doctor?s office, laboratory or other familiar businesses you deal with. Before giving them any information, tell them you will call them right back with the information and use the phone number you have not the one they give you to call back. Contact your bank or doctor’s office to verify the call. More often than not, it’s a hoax.
To avoid these calls all together, register with the FTC’s “National Do Not Call Registry.” If they continue to call, tell them you’re on the do not call list and request they add you to their list as well. Hanging up is alright, too. Continued calls for the same company or organization, as well as fraudulent calls should also be reported to the FTC. This activity is a federal offense and companies can be fined for it.
Wallet
Three precautions come to mind when protecting your wallet:
1. Write ‘photo ID required’ in the signature box of your credit and debit cards. Do not sign them.
2. Today, some banks issue cards with your picture on the front. These are a favorite and an attractive incentive for opening up an account with them. You’re reducing risks by putting a picture that businesses can use to verify your identity.
3. Take everything out of your wallet that you normally carry with you. Photocopy or scan everything including the front and back of cards. If you are ever mugged or pick pocketed, you can provide authorities with visible proof of what was stolen and you’ll have companies’ phone numbers to call immediately and notify them of your loss. It should go without saying but will do so; photocopies should not be kept in the wallet but in your safe at home.
Personal Computer (PC)
Computers should be protected with a password, although this is not fool proof and professional criminals find their way around them. For a common thief, the trouble required to figure out the password will be a deterrent. Change the password to your computer often, along with passwords to sites you frequent. Use the computer to look up your name and the last four digits of your social on the World Wide Web. Thieves do slip up from time to time and you may catch them on the internet.
Deceased Relatives
Once a loved one passes away, you may want hire a lawyer to help you, identify any financial, credit card, insurance and/or loan companies the deceased might have had accounts open with or had done business with. Joint accounts should also have the deceased?s name removed. Provide all the above institutions with a copy of the death certificate, request the accounts to be closed and that an official letter confirming this action be mailed to you.
The major credit reporting agencies (i.e. TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax) should also be notified. If an identity thief tries to use the deceased?s credit, the agencies will realize there is a ‘deceased alert’ and will tell the company that the person is dead and cannot be issued credit.
Credit Report
Annually check your credit report from the credit reporting agencies, noted previously. Look for any credit cards you do not own, loans you have not taken out, and any other suspicious activity. Report anything unusual, or if you think you have been robbed of your personal information, file a report with authorities immediately. You should bring along any proof you have found to substantiate your claim. Complaints can also be reported to the FTC by calling 1-877-IDTHEFT.
Conclusion
In a nut shell, becoming a victim of this crime encompasses the loss of money, it ruins your credit, criminal record, your name, and will be emotionally devastating. Keeping your guard up and staying current with new techniques being used in the identity theft world is an advantage you are giving yourself. The FTC website http://www.ftc.gov provides consumers, like you, many tools, tips, and breaking news. Add them to your ?favorites? and visit their site regularly.
Living Rich When You’re Poor - Facing The Man in The Mirror
July 29, 2008
While we may think only the wealthy or celebrities are engaged in a good old-fashioned battle of oneupmanship when to comes to having the newest, most expensive gadgets or items money can buy, the truth is it happens all around us. You yourself have likely engaged in this, whether it was a conscious decision or not.
Buying one product over another because of the brand name attached to it, and not necessarily for the increased quality it may possess is just one example. You even have found yourself buying something because it was more expensive, when of course it should be the complete opposite. We’re all naturally concerned about how others view us though, for good or ill, so this practice persists and will likely continue to grow even worse as we become an ever more symbol-conscious society.
From trying to have the smallest phone among your group of friends, the best lawnmower in the neighborhood, or the biggest, flattest T.V money can buy, all of us are susceptible to the charms of outlandish spending.
A 2006 survey called ‘Necessity or Luxury’ surmised that items or services that were once seen as unnecessary or fads have now been deemed necessary in the eyes of many Americans. Despite increasing entertainment options and an overall declining T.V viewing audience, 33% of Americans now viewed cable or satellite T.V as a necessity, nearly double the 17% that viewed it as such a little over a decade prior.
Perhaps not so surprising is the fact that 51% view P.Cs as a necessity, also nearly double the 26% who though so in 1996. That particular question can be taken with a grain of salt, as it can certainly be argued that computers have a near infinite amount of applications and uses now than they did when the internet was just getting off the ground among the mainstream in the mid 90’s.
Even things that aren’t viewed as necessities are seeing increased popularity. Be it expensive home-gym equipment, cosmetic surgery, restaurant quality kitchen appliances, cottages, boats and so forth, things that were once reserved for the very affluent only are now entering the lower income rungs as more common purchases as well.
These trends are not just prevalent in America, but across the developed work, and even in the developing world. With emerging economies like India and China seeing increased levels of wealth, so too are more and more people in those countries indulging in items that would’ve been all but inconceivable just a short while ago.
Of course this increased spending comes at a price, and that price is the financial well-being of many people and families. Americans are more in debt than ever before, resulting in a verifiable credit crisis in the country. Other affluent countries are seeing the same thing happen to their citizens as well, as people continue to spend money they don’t have on item they neither need, nor can afford.
Ultimately it comes down to setting your priorities, tracking expenses regularly choosing your path and laying in the bed you’ve laid for yourself. If you need these modern conveniences and would rather have them at the risk of your retirement fund, then that’s a choice. If you want to keep a good standard of living into your old age, then trimming some of the excess fat and doing without all the ‘necessities’ is a necessity in itself.
Reasons For Getting Long Term Health Care Insurance
July 29, 2008
If you are like most people, you do not want to be a burden to your loved ones as you age. As people are now living longer than ever before, many are living until their children approach retirement age. The last thing any parent wants to do is to burden their own children with their care.
You and your spouse have a 70 percent chance that one of you will need long term care at least once in your lifetime. If you do not have a spouse, you have a 40 percent chance of developing some condition that will require you to have long term care. This can happen at any time in your life - do you really want it to eat away all of your savings?
Some reasons for getting long term care insurance are as follows:
It will pay benefits that your insurance or Medicare will not. After getting out of the hospital, you may end up at a rehabilitation facility for a few months. While your insurance will cover some of these costs, they will not cover all of the costs. What they do not cover you will end up paying out of pocket. This can take away most, if not all, of your savings. When you have long term care insurance, you can rely on this to pick up what your insurance company will not cover.
It will enable you quality care. If you are forced to go into assisted living because of an illness or disability, you will have to pay for any care out of your savings. Medicare will only cover a small portion of the care that you receive. The rest will have to come out of your own pocket. Once your savings are depleted, you will have to apply for public aid. This may require you to be transferred to an assisted care facility that does not offer the quality as those that are privately funded.
It will ease the burden on your children. Your children will not want to see you in a facility where they feel you are not well cared for and may try to take care of you themselves. This will be a burden on them, whether or not they admit it. As parents, we never want to do anything to harm our children, even in our old age. We do not want them burdened with our care. If we have long term care insurance, we do not have to worry about being a burden to our children. We can stay in comfort at a long term care facility that is close to their homes.
Long term care insurance can provide for you whenever you need long term care. You can choose from a variety of different plans and the cost will be determined by your age and general health. Long term care can insure that you get the best care, that you do not burden your children and that you do not have to use all of your hard earned savings paying for long term care.
Creating a Personal Budget
July 29, 2008
Where does all that money go each month? Designing a personal budget is the only thing that can address every one of the questions that everybody wants the answers for but that no one wants to conquer. For some, you might as well be strapping the handcuffs on them. A personal budget is not an easy task to do, but it is worth the effort if you were able to complete one.
Let’s start with the basics. A personal budget needs to have a listing of all the money coming into the house on a monthly basis. This includes salaries from work, child support, alimony, income from real estate investments, and pensions. These sources put together, make the monthly income which can be put towards household expenses.
Tabulate these numbers This is the amount you have to start with. It is probably difficult to believe that you have so much money entering your home when you look into your purse at the end of the month and find nothing but ashes.
At this point, we move on to dealing with the debt. Name your monthly expenses. The liabilities part include mortgages, monthly utility bills, payments of various loans, child support, alimony, credit card payments, child care expenses, entertainment bills, policies and insurance payments. If the price of these bills stays the same each month your budget will be easier to figure out.
Your money should be budgeted carefully and must be allocated to cover all possible expenses. The group contains Clothing, food, medical co-pays This kind of entertainment could mean,taking in a movie,or a play going out to dinner. The bills for monthly cable television service would be included in the monthly bills.
Total of all recurring debt should be subtracted from your income. What is left over will make for each month, allowances for the variable expenses. Money sent to the saving account every month can be recorded as an expense by the people. Create a budget plan you can live with and make sure to include putting away a little money in your savings account.
Keep a log such as a check register, or use finance software aids in tracking where the money goes. There are cases where your money just disappear through the ATM machine without you knowing the reasons behind it. It is a guaranteed method for destroying your budgeting efforts.
Personal budget creation is an activity for the entire family. Parents don’t have to do it by themselves. Ensure every person here gets involved with the end result. After all, each person will be governed by it in some way. Children will watch how you handle money each day and learn from your actions.
Budgets are not easy as it seem, they should be carefully prepared and calculated. Like any other habit it practice before it becomes second nature. You have change an original budget on fits your lifestyle before you done. The best budget allows flexibility and also structures your actions according to the goals that you’ve set.
Loans : An Insight Into Military Loans
July 29, 2008
Military jobs have higher status and decent salaries and sometimes-such financial expenses can create a big problem for military families.
Military loans give you a low rate of interest. Moreover compared to other loans available in the loan market, you get these loans quickly. What you need to do is to fill up a short application form which is provided by lender. Here you are asked to give some necessary information about you. Once you filled up the application form, the lender will send you money within a few days either by wire or by mail.
Military payday loans are the best and most convenient loans. These are also known as quick and short-term loans that can be obtained by anyone in the military. The persons with bad credit history can also apply for such loans. Some countries have also started online services through which the whole process takes no time. The only thing that a military man has to do is to fill out the necessary forms and then send application. After approval, the cash advance may be received through an electronic funds transfer. Another advantage of these loans is lower rate of interest.
Military loans are open for all individual branches of a military force. You can avail Navy loans for the Navy, Air force loans if you are working in Air force, Marine loans for the Marines etc. Thus, in whatever branch you are working or for whatever purpose you need money, if you are a military personnel, you can avail military loans, which are remarkable for their features and facilities.
Ensure that you have made comparison of different military loan providers whom you can locate on internet. Each lender has showcased own terms-conditions and interest rates. See who suits you better. Preferably apply to an online lender as he is well equipped for fast processing loan application and so the loan can be approved in quick time. One can easily conclude that military loans are very useful for availing financing instantly and are returnable conveniently through next paycheque.
I Improve My Gas Mileage Almost 40% - Without Spending A Dime!
July 29, 2008
I was able to improve my gas mileage over 40% - and I did it without spending a dime. In other words come spending a little over half of what I used to spend on gas.
The first step to improve gas mileage is to figure out just how many miles you are getting already. This is done with a simple gas mileage calculator. By dividing the number of miles driven by how many gallons used, you’ll come up with an accurate gas mileage.
The next step to improve my gas mileage was basic maintenance on my car. By checking my oil and air filter, I can get up to 10% better gas mileage. Sludgy oil makes your engine work harder, using more gas.
I can get an extra 5% on my mileage by making sure I have a clean air filter. If the air filter is dirty work clogged, less oxygen and goes to the engine, which means poor combustion. When the engine doesn’t run efficiently, it requires more gas to go the same distance.
a simple but effective way to improve my gas mileage is by handing properly in late its tires. Improperly inflated or low tires, create more friction in order to roll. This causes the engine in to work harder in order to move the car forward. By simply checking my tire pressure whenever I fill up my tank, I get a significant gas mileage improvement.
I will also improve my gas mileage by cleaning out my trunk and backseat. For every 50 pounds that I can take out of the car, I get an extra 1% boost in my gas mileage. This has the added benefit of getting me to finally clean out my car!
By far the biggest gas mileage improvement comes from changes in my driving. By scheduling my errands during less busy times of day, I avoid congestion, idling, in stop and go traffic. Peak drive times used up all lot of unnecessary gas.
I manage to improve my gas mileage by almost 40% this way. I simply combine basic core and maintenance, with a little bit of planning, and common sense driving. By putting these altogether, I can go and nearly twice as long between fill ups, which means I am effectively paying 40% less for gas. And at today’s gas prices, that is a lot of money!
Beware of Scholarship Scams
July 29, 2008
Every year, without exception, sophisticated swindlers promising to help families qualify for extra financial aid instead swindle them out of large sums of money.
If you’d guess that such scammers bilk families out of $100 million a year or more, you would be correct.
They do it by preying on families worried about the cost of college; families who know little or nothing about scholarships and financial aid; families who are often easy targets.
The first contact between the scammers and their potential victims is a letter offering expert advice and assistance.
The letter doesn’t look like typical junk mail. The logo often looks like that of an Ivy League college, and the letterhead and paper are generally on fairly high quality paper. Like the con men behind them, the promotional materials look credible.
In nearly all the letters they send, the con men begin by reinforcing families’ fears about their ability to meet college costs.
Once they have stated the problem…paying for college…they assure you they can provide the solution. They may offer to “teach you the secrets of financial aid”, “locate millions of dollars in unused scholarships”, or otherwise help you take advantage of their special expertise.
Not all scammers use identical enticements in their letters, but they all conclude with an invitation to a free “seminar” on how to qualify for maximum scholarships and financial aid. So, families who believe they have nothing to lose flock to hotel meeting rooms, business centers, and sometimes even churches or library function rooms to listen and learn. Like insects landing on a spider web, they never see the trap coming.
Ultimately, attendees are subject to a group sales pitch for the companys services. The pitches are not exactly the same, but all promise that their services will result in students receiving more money for college. And, none tell you that everything they offer is either unnecessary or can be gotten elsewhere, at no cost.
The group pitch is followed by individual meetings during which families are pressured to immediately pay for the services offered. Many yield to the pressure, writing checks in excess of $1,000 for a worthless set of services.
Don’t be the victim of financial aid con men (and women). There are lots of good websites offering free scholarship searches and financial aid advice. And, high school counselors and college financial aid counselors will gladly give you advice and answer your questions. There is no need to turn elsewhere.
