Category Chapters

Jul 5 2014

Managing someone else’s money

Millions of people serve as fiduciaries, someone who manages money or property for another person who is unable to do so. This responsibility provides caring assistance while also protecting the person from potential scams and fraud.  Many older Americans experience declining capacity to handle finances, which can make them vulnerable.   The main responsibilities of a fiduciary are to: (1) act in the person’s best interest, (2) manage money and property carefully, (3) keep money and property separate from own, and (4) maintain good records.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently published four guides to help financial caregivers, particularly those who handle the finances of older Americans.  These guides are designed for those who serve as agents with power of attorney, a court-appointed guardian, a trustee or as a government fiduciary, such as a Social Security payee.

The guides will assist financial caregivers as they: (1) plan and implement their duties, (2) attempt to avoid scams and financial exploitation, and what to do if the person is a victim, and (3) require additional information; the guides tell where to go for help.

For additional information on a managing someone else’s money, go to:

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/managing-someone-elses-money

Click to access 201306_cfpb_msoa-participant-guide.pdf

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students talk to someone who manages money on behalf of someone else.  Obtain information about the activities and concerns they have encountered.
  • Prepare a list of actions that might be taken to avoid scams targeted at older consumers and other vulnerable audiences.

Discussion Questions   

  1. What are situations that might require a person to manage the money of another person?
  2. What are examples of frauds and scams aimed at older consumers?
  3. How might a person avoid frauds and scams?
Jul 2 2014

Beware of Credit Card Surcharges

Did you know that retailers are permitted to charge or surcharge up to 3 percent on your credit card purchases?   However, if a retailer imposes a surcharge, it must be clearly disclosed in the store and on your receipt.

These checkout fees may also give you a discount if you pay with cash. Retailers in CA, CO, CT, FL, KS, MA, ME, NY, OK, and TX are not permitted to charge credit card surcharges.

Retailers are also allowed to set a $10 minimum purchase amount for credit card purchases. However, they can’t charge fees or set minimum purchase amounts on debit card purchases.

For more information on credit card surcharges, go to http://www.knowyourcard.org.

Teaching Suggestions

  • Ask students if they have personally experienced credit card surcharges on their purchases.
  • Have students make a short presentation with a summary of what actions might be taken to avoid credit card surcharges.

 

Discussion Questions

1. Should retailers charge extra 3 percent surcharge when they display a sign “Your VISA and MasterCard are accepted here”?

2. What can you do to avoid credit card surcharges?

Jun 28 2014

Estate Planning: The Funeral Rule

You have already prepared a will; a living will and advance directives; and perhaps an ethical will. Now is your opportunity to prepare a letter of last instruction which can provide your heirs with important information on your funeral arrangements.

The federal law makes it easier for you to choose and pay for only the products and services you want or need when planning a funeral. The Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, requires funeral directors to give you itemized prices in person, and if you ask, over the phone.

Planning ahead is the best way to make informed decisions about funeral arrangements. An advance plan also spares your family from making quick choices during the time of grief. Comparison shopping, either in person or by phone, can save you money or is much easier when done in advance.

For more information and a complete copy of the Funeral Rule go to

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/funerals, and http://www.funerals.org

 

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original sources to discuss

  • The cost of a traditional burial, including a casket and vault.
  • Do funeral providers take advantage of clients by insisting on unnecessary services and overcharging consumers?

Discussion Questions

1. Why should one consider making funeral arrangements in advance?

2. Are you obligated to buy a package plan which includes products and services that are most commonly sold by funeral directors?

Jun 25 2014

Buyer Beware: Grey Charges

You just opened your credit card statement. “What’s this charge?” may be your first thought when you see a small charge on your credit card statement that you can’t figure out. This is known as a “grey charge” and there are several types of grey charges you should be familiar with:

  • Unintended subscriptions. You thought you made a onetime purchase, but it was really a subscription.
  • Zombie fees. Membership fees that you had cancelled, but charges still appear on your statement.
  • Free trial to a paid subscription. When a free trial is over, the seller converts it to a paid subscription.
  • Negative option. You bought one product, but did not realize that you were buying others at the same time.

What can you do to protect yourself from grey charges?

  • Before you buy, read the terms of service. Disclosures about fees may be hidden, so read the entire document.
  • Mark your calendar as a reminder to cancel free trials by a set date.
  • Read your credit card statements carefully. Pay attention to the names of companies and charges for small amounts.
  • Contact the seller to have the grey charges removed.
  • Dispute the charges with your credit card company.

For additional information on grey charges go to: http://www.consumer.ftc.gov

Teaching Suggestions

  • Have students check their credit card statements to discover any grey charges.
  • Have students make a short presentation with a summary of actions that might be taken to avoid grey charges.

Discussion Questions

1. What are several reasons to check your credit card statements?

2. What can you do if grey charges appear on your credit card statement?

 

Jun 21 2014

What Eight Numbers Do Identity Thieves Want?

This article explains why identity thieves want eight different numbers and also provides some helpful tips for avoiding identity theft. The eight numbers include:

1. Phone numbers
2. Specific dates (birth, college attendance, employment, etc.) and Zip Codes
3. PIN Codes
4. Social Security Numbers
5. Bank Account Numbers
6. IP Address
7. Driver’s License and Passport Numbers
8. Health Insurance Account Numbers

For more information go to

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/8-numbers-identity-thieves-want-103033107.html

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original article to

  • Stress that identity theft is on the rise. According to the article, data breaches are now the third certainty in life and sooner or later, you will become a victim.
  • Ask students who have had their identity stolen what steps were necessary to solve the problems associated with identity theft.

Discussion Questions

1. What have you done to protect the eight numbers that thieves want and need to steal your identity?

2. Today many companies offer services designed to help protect your identity. These companies charge from $100 to $200 a year or more. Would you consider using one of these services?

Jun 18 2014

The Kiplinger Mutual Fund Screener

A mutual fund screener that is free and easy to use!

To use the mutual fund screener:

http://kiplinger.com/tool/investing/T041-S001-mutual-fund-finder/index.php

  1. Students begin by using a pull-down menu to select the type of fund they want (any fund, U.S. stock funds, international stock funds, taxable bond funds, or municipal bond funds).
  2. They refine their choice by choosing a fund style (large cap, emerging markets, high yield bond, etc.)
  3. Next, students select performance and fee and management criteria, (total return for different time periods, risk, load charges, if any, expense ratio, etc).
  4. The last step is to click the “Find Fund” button at the bottom of the screen.

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post to:

  • Help students realize that a fund screener can be a logical first step in finding the right fund for their investment portfolio.
  • Demonstrate how the Kiplinger Mutual Fund Screener works or create a homework assignment where students use the Kiplinger Mutual Fund Screener.
  • Remind students that while a fund screener can identify funds that meet the investment criteria they have provided, there is a very real need to complete a more in-depth evaluation before investing their money.

Discussion Questions

1. What are the benefits of using the Kiplinger Mutual Fund Screener?

2. In addition to the information provided by the Kiplinger Mutual Fund Screener, what other types of information would you want before investing your money? Where would you obtain this information?

Jun 14 2014

Apple and Google Show that Stock Splits Are Cool Again

Now that Apple and Google split their stock, expect the thin pool of high-priced stocks to follow suit.

Can a stock’s price be “too high?” Good question. When Google split its stock in 2014, the share price had broken through the $1,000 ceiling. After a 2-for-1 stock split, Google’s price per share dropped and left only four stocks trading for more than $1,000 a share.

Most companies split their stock to lower the share price which will “hopefully” make their stock more attractive to investors. In reality, many investors prefer to buy 100 shares of a $20 stock rather than buy 20 shares of a $100 stock. These same investors believe a stock has more potential for a dollar increase if the share price is lower rather than higher.

This article also points out a basic reason why investors don’t profit from the actual stock split. If an investor, for example, owned 100 shares of Apple stock priced at $630 on the day before the recent 7-for-1 split, the investor would own 700 shares of stock after the split, but the price drops to $90 per share. A $63,000 investment before the split is still worth $63,000 after the split.

For more information go to

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2014/04/29/apple-google-stock-splits-cool-again/

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the original article to:

  • Discuss why companies split their stock.
  • Explain the effect of a stock split on a company’s market capitalization. (Market capitalization = a company’s share price x the number of shares outstanding.)

Discussion Questions

1. Why do corporations split their stock?

2. Once a company’s stock does split, the price may increase or decrease in value. After the 7-for-1 stock split, what happened to the share price of Apple stock?

3. Besides “possible” increase in value caused by a stock split, what other factors account for an increase or decrease in a company’s stock price?

Jun 11 2014

How Healthy is Your Insurance Company?

When buying home, health, auto or rental insurance, you should find out if your state insurance department offers any information about insurance companies and rates.  Check several sources for the best rate and get quotes online.  Consult an independent insurance agent who represents several insurers in your area to get a better deal.

 Before purchasing insurance, be sure the insurance company is licensed and covered by the state’s guaranty fund.  The fund pays claims if the company defaults.  Your state insurance department can provide this information.

Research the complaint record of the company.  Contact your state insurance department, or visit the website of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (www.naic.org), which maintains a database of complaints filed with state regulators.  Finally check the financial stability of the insurance company.

For additional information and guidance visit the following websites:

http://www.ambest.com, http://www.standardandpoors.com, and http://www.moodys.com

Discussion Questions

  1. Why is it important to contact state insurance department before purchasing insurance?
  2. How can an independent insurance agent provide a better insurance rate?
  3. Why is an insurance company’s financial stability important?

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the websites to

*  Have students visit the various websites in this blog and then prepare a short summary of their findings.

*  explore a few advantages of purchasing insurance from an independent insurance agent?

Jun 7 2014

Reduce Auto Insurance Costs

Auto insurance requirements vary from state to state.  Check with your state insurance regulator to learn more about individual requirements as well as insurers you may be considering for the insurance policy.

To get the best coverage at the best price, get several quotes from insurance companies; it may save you hundreds of dollars every year.  What can you do to reduce your insurance premiums?

Raise your deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage.  If you own an older car, you might want to eliminate this coverage altogether.  Don’t forget to take advantage of discounts available to you.  For example, you may be eligible for a discount based on the number of miles you drive; your age; your good grades if you are a student; your driving record; or if you have taken a safe driving course.   You may also be able to get discounts if you insure more than one vehicle, insure your vehicle and home with the same company, have anti-theft devices, or have safety features as air bags or anti-lock brake system.

For more information on automobile insurance costs go to  www.naic.org; http://www.insure.com; and http://www.insweb.com

Discussion Questions

1.  What can you do to reduce your automobile insurance costs?

2.  Why better college grades result  in reducing your automobile insurance costs?

 

Teaching Suggestions

You may want to use the information in this blog post and the websites to

* Have students research various types of discounts available to them.

* Research the make and model of vehicles that are most frequently stolen, consequently resulting in higher insurance rates.

Jun 4 2014

Bogus $10,000 Credit Line

In May 2014, the Federal Trade Commission mailed checks totaling over $3.7 million to over 26,000 consumers whose bank accounts were debited without their consent by EDebitPay LLC.  The company deceptively offered a $10,000 credit line that was really a membership to a website where consumers could buy goods.

In 2011, a federal district court ordered the company to pay more than $3.7 million after finding that the defendants were in contempt of court for violating a 2008 court order by selling a bogus “$10,000 credit line”, and a “no cost” prepaid debit card with hidden fees, to consumers who were unemployed or had poor credit.

The Federal Trade Commission works for consumers to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices and to provide information to help spot, stop, and avoid them.

For additional information on fraudulent business practices, go to

http://www.ftc.gov

Discussion Questions

1.  How do you discover that someone has debited your bank accounts?

2.  What steps can you take to prevent such fraudulent business practices?

Teaching Suggestions

*  Ask students what actions might they take to ensure that their credit cards and other financial information are secure.

*  Ask students to compile a list of resources a person can use to report such fraudulent business practices, and check out a company’s reputation before signing a contract.