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4/3/2018 0 Comments

3 Steps to Better Cyber Security for Everyone

Unavoidable Mass Cyber identity attacks on global consumer databases mean you have to up your game. Not shopping, living, researching, networking, porning and being online is not an option.

Despite companies’ best efforts, data breaches have become an all too common occurrence. Most vulnerable are people that reuse passwords at multiple sites. A look in the mirror will reveal the prime suspect and the solution. It easy to harden your cyber defenses with just 180 minutes of focused efforts.

An Easy strategy that pays off for you again and again with less stress and more peaceful sleep. Spend 3 hours from start to finish you will have completed a one time task that will increase your identity protection everyday.

1. Required Behavior (you have got to do it; not just know it) to defend your cyber security.
2. Use technology against technology

A Password Manager is best practices. Everyone should have one. Also think of helping those digitally challenged loved ones whose identities need to be hardened. There are free and pay solutions available that meet most every need. Just Google it.
What Password Manager does in the simplest of terms
- Generates unique passwords for each online account and app
- Maintains those passwords in a digital vault in a location of your choice
- Only accessible by your master password

3. Strengthen your current passwords

Add all below to current passwords
- Symbols ,$#*(^%)?><&!
- caMel hUmP speLLing
- Length the longer the better
Resources
- https://www.consumerreports.org/digital-security/everything-you-need-to-know-about-password-managers/
- https://thescene.com/watch/wired/how-to-protect-yourself-after-a-massive-corporate-hack

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3/20/2018 0 Comments

The 7 Benefits of organizing your financial records

Here are the benefits of having organized financial records:

Less chaos and more peace of mind
Not being able to find something you need and know you have- somewhere- is frustrating.
Identity and Financial Protection
Having your records organized will allow to monitor and more quickly recover from identity theft and fraud.
Ownership Protection
Warranties, owner manuals, deeds, receipts and titles easily located.
Income Tax Support
Having your tax documents organized will get your refund quicker. Since you don’t lose time procrastinating and experiencing task avoidance syndrome that searching for a years worth of tax records at filing time. Not having organized documents is a reason that many people due a refund either file late or not all. Also, you are prepared if audited.
More Time
Time saved not looking for stuff. A British study shows a 60 year old person will spend over 3,680 hours or 153 days looking for lost items in the lifetime. Paperwork was the 4th most searched for item in list of top 20.
Good records provide facts necessary to shorten the time it takes to do almost anything. Easily resolve an issue, file insurance claims, collect government benefits, apply for a loan, prepare income tax returns or find something when you need it.
More money
Quickly provide proof of agreements made and costs paid or incurring late fees.
Emergency preparedness and resilience
In the event of an accident or emergency, good records support personal information, financial and health history and ownership. Provide medical professionals information that may be critical to your care or the care of a loved one.

MoneySmartLife.org Truisms

Truism is a proposition that states nothing beyond what is implied by any of its terms

MoneySmartLife.org Money Truisms for 2018.

Truisms are obvious. And often unsaid because they are assumed to be so obvious.

Estate Planning 101

Randi and Mansa look at estate plan basics and what happens to your stuff when you die.

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2/19/2018 0 Comments

Estate Planning and Kids

Randi and Mansa take look at estate planning for everyone, even the "broke."

Uncovers some truths about the risk of not having one with kids.

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Author

Mansa Musa is a homeownership counselor and homebuyer educator. He is currently the Principal at MoneySmartLife.org. He blogs and speaks on subjects of financial well-being and financial capability. Helping working class families live a sustainable MoneySmartLife through pragmatic solutions and behavior changes.

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