Consumer Tips

For the Free College benefit, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  It is the form that the federal government, states, colleges and other organizations use to award financial aid. Even if you’re not planning on taking advantage of the Free College benefit, but you are considering other education plans, you should complete the form as it can help unlock many kinds of aid that colleges offer.

The good news is that the FAFSA is easier than ever to complete.  In the old days, it took hours of your time and reams of paper.  Now it’s as simple as completing an online form that can be done on your phone in less than 30 minutes.  Your tax information can be pulled directly from the IRS so you don’t have to track that down before you begin.

Go to fafsa.gov or download the app, called MyStudentAid, to get started.  You’ll first be required to set up a FSA ID, which is important so you can go back to the form if you need to update any information and to refile year after year.

If you have any trouble, you can always call your school for help or go to fafsa.gov for helpful FAQs.

Don’t delay!  Different states and colleges have different FAFSA deadlines.

Tired of looking at unkempt foreclosures in your area? Learn how to save your block without putting yourself or your property at risk.

An empty home has more issues than poor curb appeal. Kids may go exploring in and around these homes, risking injury. And as time passes, the properties also can attract wild animals and/or vandals — putting the whole neighborhood at risk.

"Virtually every city in America is touched by this problem," says Daniel Kildee, president of the Center for Community Progress, a nonprofit that partners with local governments to address abandoned property issues.

Things Homeowners Can Do

1. Work With Your Neighborhood Organization
   A collective voice, like that of a neighborhood organization, is louder and more effective than a single one, especially when it’s asking a local government or mortgage company to take action. “Neighborhood organizations promote a sense of community and get people talking to each other about what’s going on in the neighborhood,” says Kildee.
   
   The neighborhood crime watch concept is one model of a group focused on monitoring and maintaining vacant properties. Learn more about watch programs from the National Neighborhood Watch program.
    
2. Notice the Warning Signs
    
   • Neighbors are often the first to notice the subtle signs of a vacancy, such as:
   • Piles of mail and fliers
   • Overgrown grass and landscaping
   • Odd or unpleasant odors
   • Graffiti
   • Animals living under porches
   • Strangers hanging around
   • “It’s not a bad thing for neighbors to be nosy about these things,” says Kildee. “It’s going to have a negative effect on everyone if something isn’t done.”
3. Be Diligent About Protecting Your Home
   Neglected properties attract crime and are fire hazards. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 7% of residential fires are in vacant buildings. Protect your own home by keeping doors and vehicles locked, installing motion lights and making sure smoke alarms are in working order.
    
4. Determine the Owner of Record
   To ensure property maintenance, contact the person or agency responsible for the vacant home. If the property is up for sale, identify the owner or the real estate agent. Or, if it’s in foreclosure, call the mortgage company that holds the title.
   
   The city or county recorder or assessor will have records of property ownership. “It is important to identify vacant properties as soon as possible so they can be monitored,” says Kildee. “Sometimes the owner is going to be more vigilant if they know somebody is paying attention.
    
5. Call the Authorities
   If you see anything that seems suspicious or potentially dangerous, call the police. “Pay attention, and don’t be afraid to act,” says Kildee.
    
6. Know the Local Regulations
   Cities have public nuisance regulations and laws addressing property maintenance. Some require owners to register their vacant properties and pay an annual fee that can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. The fees help cover any government costs to care for a property, while encouraging the owner to rehabilitate or sell the property.
   
   “You’d think an empty building would require less public service, but it’s the opposite,” says Kildee. “Police and fire departments, as well as building code inspectors, are regularly called to vacant properties.” Brush up on local laws through your local government’s website or your elected city representative.
    
7. Do it Yourself … But Only as a Last Resort
   If a property owner or city won’t address maintenance issues such as mowing the lawn or clearing snow, your neighborhood organization may need to. “Do what you can through the owner or local government, but don’t wait for something bad to happen,” says Kildee.
   
   However, don’t take action until you have exhausted efforts to get the owner of record or the city to respond. Getting written permission from the owner is one way to protect yourself. “In extreme cases, some communities allow you to go to court to be appointed receiver of property just for maintenance,” says Kildee.

Union Plus offers special discounts on auto insurance from MetLife Auto & Home®.

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The holiday season is one of the most stressful and challenging times of the year when it comes to money. With gifts and decorations to buy, large meals to plan, travel, and events there always seems to be something to spend money on.

This year, avoid debt by avoiding these common holiday season money mistakes.

Not Planning

Impulse purchases are more common at this time of year than any other. You see “just a little something” that a friend or family member might like and you want to add it to your gift giving list. Or, you’re drawn in by all the great holiday sales and purchase things you want for yourself.

At this time of year, you need a budget. Know what you can afford to spend, without using credit, and limit yourself to that amount. Create a special holiday budget that includes the gifts you want to give, the parties you want to throw, and the events you want to attend. Limit your budget to the amount you have pre-determined you can afford.

Forgetting the Extras

When planning your budget, don’t forget the things most people don’t budget for. This includes greeting cards, postage, wrapping paper, décor, and higher electric bills for all your holiday lights.

Not Shopping Around

A good deal is only a good deal if it fits your budget AND it’s something from your list. Before heading out to the stores, do some online research to find out where you can get the best deal. Make sure you include any shipping fees in your decision to buy. If it’s something that commonly goes on sale for Black Friday or Cyber Monday, wait to see if it does.

Use the same plan for holiday food shopping. Check the sale papers from the local stores to find the best deals. Some stores offer discounts while others offer free food if you spend a minimum amount. Do your research to figure out which one saves you the most.

Not Starting Early

People who wait until a week before the holiday spend more money because they’re in a panic and didn’t plan very well. Start your shopping early. This includes gifts and groceries.

Make a list of gifts you need to purchase and start shopping early so you know, with plenty of notice, if there’s anything you forgot. Make sure you hold on to your receipts in case you find a better deal somewhere else.

If you’re hosting a holiday meal, plan your menu and your guest list so that you know how much food you need to purchase. Start buying non-perishable items early. This will help you avoid a large one-time grocery bill.

Thinking You Need to Buy for Everyone

You don’t need a gift for every co-worker, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, and neighbor. When it comes to family members, if you have a large family, draw names and let each family member purchase a gift for just one other family member.

Bake cookies and brownies to take to the office and give to your neighbors. It’s thoughtful and inexpensive.

A little advance planning, list making, and budgeting can help you avoid some of the most common money mistakes people make. You can enjoy a budget-friendly, debt-free holiday season; it just takes a little work.

Article written by Emilie Burke. Emilie writes about overcoming debt, while balancing trying to eat healthy, stay fit, and have a little fun along the way. You can find more of her work at BurkeDoes.com.

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Have you started saving for retirement? Have you saved enough? If you are like most people, the answer to either question is probably "no." Saving for the future is easy to put off in favor of other, more immediate, spending needs. The result of this, though, is that many people don’t have enough saved for the financial security and stability they want when it comes time to retire. 

Ready to Learn More?

Watch our Retirement 101 module. It's quick and easy. Simply click the yellow button at the bottom of this page. The module will start playing as soon as you arrive on the site. Once you've listened to the introduction, click the arrow to the right of the screen to move through the different topics:

• Tools to determine how much money you will need to save for retirement.
• The power of time and compounding interest.
• Retirement plans and investment vehicles.
• Developing a plan that works for you.

Tips

Once you've started the module, you can see captions, adjust volume and pause the module by using the controls at the top right of the screen. You can also select the transcript button to see all of the content from the module.

Check out the Retirement 101 Module Now

How much will you need to cover your expenses in retirement? Use this budget planning calculator to get a sense of the funds you’ll need at different points throughout your retirement.

Ready to Get Started?

Using the Planning for Retirement Expenses Calculator is easy. Simply click the yellow button below. The calculator will have places for you to add your current age and estimated retirement age, and will project your retirement expenses based on expenses.

Check out the
Planning for Retirement Expenses Calculator Now

Many people may find themselves becoming financial caregivers of a loved one as that loved one ages or experiences a life changing event. In this module, we will review what that relationship might look like, including a variety of legal structures to consider. We will cover financial accounts that may be involved, and provide next steps for those who are ready to move forward with the process of committing to a financial caregiver.

Ready to Learn More?

Watch our Becoming a Caregiver module. It's quick and easy. Simply click the yellow button at the bottom of this page. The module will start playing as soon as you arrive on the site. Once you've listened to the introduction, click the arrow to the right of the screen to move through the three different topics:

• Legal structures
• Roles and responsibilities
• How to plan ahead

Tips

Once you've started the module, you can see captions, adjust volume and pause the module by using the controls at the top right of the screen. You can also select the transcript button to see all of the content from the module.

Check out the Becoming a Caregiver Module Now

Use this calculator to estimate how your lifestyle choices in retirement, as compared to your current lifestyle, may affect your expenses.

Ready to Get Started?

Start to assess your retirement lifestyle by using our Retirement Lifestyle Calculator. It's quick and easy. Simply click the yellow button below. The calculator has sliders that you can use to answer questions about the home you'd like to have, the amount of travel you're interested in and other activities to help project your retirement lifestyle and what it could cost you.

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Retirement Lifestyle Calculator Now

While a sensitive topic, planning allows everyone involved to define the caregiving arrangement that works best for them, helping to reduce any undue stress or burden. Whether it’s you or a loved one planning for a caregiver, it’s helpful to understand different types of caregiving relationships, what caregivers can do, when one might be needed, and how to choose a caregiver.

Ready to Learn More?

Watch our Planning for a Caregiver module. It's quick and easy. Simply click the yellow button at the bottom of this page. The module will start playing as soon as you arrive on the site. Once you've listened to the introduction, click the arrow to the right of the screen to move through the three different topics:

• What is a caregiver?
• When will you need one?
• What are the characteristics of an ideal caregiver?

Tips

Once you've started the module, you can see captions, adjust volume and pause the module by using the controls at the top right of the screen. You can also select the transcript button to see all of the content from the module.

Check out the Planning for a Caregiver Module Now

There are several small things you can do every day, and lots of available resources that can help you build savings without feeling like you’re missing out on life. This module will look at practical ways to help you start saving or build on steps you already take to make your money go further. With some thought and planning, building savings can be less intimidating than it seems. 

Ready to Learn More?

Watch our Building Emergency Savings module. It's quick and easy. Simply click the yellow button at the bottom of this page. The module will start playing as soon as you arrive on the site. Once you've listened to the introduction, click the arrow to the right of the screen to move through the three different topics:

• Basic Savings Planning
• Ways to Start Building Savings
• Where to Keep Your Savings

Tips

Once you've started the module, you can see captions, adjust volume and pause the module by using the controls at the top right of the screen. You can also select the transcript button to see all of the content from the module.

Check out the
Building Emergency Savings Module Now

Your credit score can have one of the biggest impacts on your financial life. Your credit history may be viewed by banks, cell phone companies, credit card companies and even potential employers, so understanding how it works will help you maintain healthy finances.

Ready to Learn More?

Watch our Credit Scores and Reports module. It's quick and easy. Simply click the yellow button at the bottom of this page. The module will start playing as soon as you arrive on the site. Once you've listened to the introduction, click the arrow to the right of the screen to move through the three different topics:

• What is a credit score?
• How is your credit score calculated?
• How can you help protect your credit score?

Tips

Once you've started the module, you can see captions, adjust volume and pause the module by using the controls at the top right of the screen. You can also select the transcript button to see all of the content from the module.

Check out the Credit Scores and Reports Module Now