Scholarship Company Wants My Personal Information

June 17, 2015

Dear Cathy:

I was raised by my aunt and I desperately want to go to college but we don’t have a lot of funds.  I feel a scholarship company is asking me for too much personal information but they say they can guarantee me extra money for college.   What should I do?  Confused in Michigan

Dear Confused in Michigan:

Thousands of students and their parents are lured into scams claiming guaranteed money for college. No one can promise in advance that students will qualify for or be awarded a scholarship.

If you’re ever asked in a scholarship application, or by phone, to disclose confidential information such as your social security, credit card or bank account numbers, tear up that application or hang up the phone without hesitation.

This is the oldest identity theft scam in the book.  Once someone gets that personal info from you, they’re that much closer to becoming you and can apply for new credit cards in your name, can withdraw money from your bank account, and more.

No legitimate scholarship will ask for such information on an application.  There are plenty of scholarship information available online, in libraries and in books so you need to spend time conducting your own research.

Read Chapter 12 “How To Get Into College” in the book “Recession Survival Guide: How To Get Back Into the Driver’s Seat” – available as an e-book and paperback.

Advice for New Car Shoppers on Financing A Vehicle

June 13, 2015

Dear Cathy:

I am looking to buy my first car and instead of a used car, I am looking for a new car.  I have heard many stories about financing falling through and car buyers especially women being told to bring cars back in.  What can I do to avoid this?  Car Shopping, Minnesota

Dear Car Shopping:

It’s always best to go to a bank or credit union and prequalify for a car loan or apply online at an online lender such as http://www.CarFinance.com or http://www.CarsDirect.com.  In general, credit unions offer lower loan rates than banks.  

Once you prequalify, you’ll know how much car you can afford and what type of monthly payments you will have. It also means your purchase won’t collapse because you can’t get financing.

The best time to go and look at cars is when the dealership is closed. That way there is no pressure from salespersons.  Once you narrowed your search to a couple of different models, call your insurance agent to find out how much it will cost to insure those vehicles.

Use the Internet to buy a car for incredible ease and price savings. To look up actual dealer cost on the vehicle and options you are interested in, go to http://www.Edmunds.com.  To get an instant price quote for the model you want, go to http://www.CarsDirect.com.

For more on how to buy a new or used vehicle and keep up the maintenance read “A Woman’s Guide To Buying A New or Used Vehicle: Everyday Secrets Your Should Know” (Part 1 & Part II) – available as an e-book only.

How Can We Save Money On Our Home and Cell Phone Service?

June 12, 2015

Dear Cathy:

My husband and I are really strapped for funds.  We are a young couple and we have our first baby on the way.  How can we save money on our home and phone services? Strapped for Funds, Texas

Dear Strapped for Funds:

Some 20% of homes have only cell phones so you can drop your land lines. You can invest in a family cell phone plan with unlimited texting or get a low-cost pre-paid cell phone service for as low as $5.00 a month on the Internet to use only in case of emergencies.

You can also use a service in your area where you can get unlimited local and long distance calling such as Metro PCS (http://www.MetroPCS.com) for as low as $30 a month.  This service is now nationwide but there are other services also. Just conduct your own research.

To save more money read “Recession Survival Guide: How To Get Back Into the Driver’s Seat” – available as an e-book and paperback.

What is Budget Billing?

June 9, 2015

Dear Cathy:

I just finished with college and have my first home on my own.  My friends told me I should get on budget billing to keep down the cost of my utilities but they could not tell me exactly how it works.  Living On My Own, Tennessee

Dear Living On My Own:

Anyone can get on budget billing.  This is nothing to be ashamed of -- it just makes sense!  Call your light company and tell them to put you on budget billing.  This way they will even out your light bill in the summer time and winter time so it will stay around the same amount -- so you don’t receive any surprises.  

This way you will know around how much you will need to pay every month on your light bill.  Many times gas companies also have this service.  If you have trouble paying the bill after getting on budget billing, then just call them back and get on a payment plan.  They will allow you to pay what you can (at least half) now -- then the rest on the next bill when you might have more money.

No one wants to be left in the dark and many people don’t understand that these utility companies will work with you.  But you need to do your part in cutting back on your bills also by disconnecting all circuits when not in use (TV, radios, stereos, computers, cell phones, lights, office equipment, microwave, etc.); Wash clothes in cold water; Air dry clothes during summer; Use energy-saving mode on appliances; Install efficient showerheads – just to name a few.

You can find out more ways to save money by reading the book “Recession Survival Guide: How To Get Back Into the Driver’s Seat" -- available as an e-book and paperback.

Biggest Business Surprises

June 8, 2015

Dear Cathy:

What are the biggest surprises that you have seen since opening your business and advising other businesses?  Thinking Entrepreneurship, Kansas

Dear Thinking Entrepreneurship:

This is a great question.  Thanks for asking it.  I will tell you about two of the biggest surprises I have witnessed since starting my business and teaching business ownership: 1) Initially I realized the level of unethical practices in the entrepreneurial industry was quite alarming.  Many business entrepreneurs are good perpetrators and they will feed you misinformation in order to make a dime; and 2) Many entrepreneurs are afraid to admit that they don’t know everything.  They don’t want to be criticized so they are afraid to network or talk about their business ideas because they think others might steal their ideas. 

Unless you are brainstorming with legal, financial or marketing advisors, mentors, consultants, and coaches, you will have a hard time moving your business idea to the next level.

You can read more in my two business books “The New CEO: 185 Easy-To-Set Up Businesses for Youth and Adult Entrepreneurs” and “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide To Starting Your Own Business.”

My Car is a Lemon – So What Are My Options?

June 5, 2015

Dear Cathy:

I am a female and I bought a new car at a dealership but I believe it is a lemon.  I have had to take it back in for service several times for the same thing but they have yet to fix it.  The people at the dealership, including the salesman who sold me the vehicle, have very bad customer service -- so what are my options? Car Trouble, California

Dear Car Trouble:

A lemon is a new car that breaks down repeatedly for the same reason and cannot be repaired.  Each state has a Lemon Law to protect consumers by allowing the car buyer to exchange the flawed vehicle for a new one or have the manufacturer buy it back.

In most states, the Lemon Law applies to problems that arise during the first year at 12,000 miles of ownership.  If you have a new vehicle with serious problems, you need to document everything.  Keep records of every phone call or repair attempt.

That’s why it’s important that the repair work tickets are written correctly in case you have to invoke your rights under your state’s Lemon Law.  You can contact the administrator of your state’s Lemon Laws and learn more at http://www.CarLemon.com or http://www.Autopedia.com.

You can learn more info on how to buy a new or used vehicle and how to keep up the maintenance on it by reading “A Woman’s Guide To Buying A New or Used Vehicle: Everyday Secrets You Should Know” (Part 1 & Part II) – available only as an e-book at http://www.AngelsPress.com.

Getting Rid of Cable to Save Money

June 4, 2015

Dear Cathy:

My cable bill at Comcast is usually around $200 to $250.00 a month.  I work during the day time and go to school at night so I realize I don’t need all these extra channels on my TV.  I am thinking about getting rid of cable in order to put some extra money in my pocket.  What are some of my options to watch movies and television programs? Holding on to my money, Virginia

Dear Holding On To Money:

Getting rid of cable is a great idea.  It will definitely put some extra money in your pocket.  Many people should rethink their cable bill.  Since most neighborhood Blockbusters have closed down, many people are watching Netflix.com along with Amazon.com Instant Video Streaming, VUDU.com and other paid services which only cost a few dollars a month.

Nowadays people don’t have time to sit down and watch television shows so they are catching many regular TV shows and movies on these media outlets.  Instead of television, many people are watching shows on ipads, laptops and phones.  

To save money you can also watch FREE shows and movies online at http://www.Hulu.com.   Hulu Plus, http://www.HuluPlus.com, is not FREE or use Red Box, www.RedBox.com to rent one dollar DVDs.  You can also watch movies and videos at www.YouTube.com and pick up free movies from libraries.

To put more money in your pocket read "Recession Survival Guide: How To Get Back Into the Driver's Seat" -- available as an e-book or paperback.