Protecting Personal Information: 5 Steps for Business

1. Take Stock. Know what personal information you have in your files and on your computer. Be sure to know how your personal information moves through and into and out all your business and who has access.

2. Scale Down. Only keep what you need for your business. If you don't have a legitimate business reason to have sensitive information in files or on your computer, do not keep it.

3. Lock it. Protect your information! Be aware of physical security, electronic security, employees that you train and the practices of your contractors and affiliates.

4. Pitch it. Be sure you properly dispose what is no longer needed. Invest in a paper shredder or be sure to burn or pulverize your information so that it cannot be reconstructed by an identity thief.

5. Plan ahead. Draft a plan to respond to security incidents.

On Guard! Protect yourself and your clients from Identity Theft

Did you know that Illinois ranks 12th in the nation for this white-collar crime in credit card fraud. This is the most common followed with bank and load fraud, and utility fraud. This is according to the Federal Trade Commission. Stats show that for every 100,000 people in Illinois, 78 are victimized to identity theft each year.

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Travel Tips: Rental Car Insurance

Check to see if your credit card company offers rental car insurance as a perk. Why? Saying yes can add anywhere from $9-$30 or more per day to the cost of a rental car. Check and see if your existing auto policy includes third-party liability, collision and comprehensive coverae for rentals.

Know What You Have!

Knowyourstuff.org. This website helps you to inventory your belongings so you can have a handy list just in case of a fire or theft. This website even generates a home maintenance calendar. Then it emails you occasional reminders to upkeep!

Computer Software

Have you recently bought a new computer? You don't have to spend even MORE money loading it with software. Go to freewarehome.com. This website lists more than 5,500 programs that are free! There is no request for money or nag screens asking for payments! Check it out!

Property Taxes: How to Save

Over half of assessments are too high. This is according to the National Taxpayers Union. To save, talk 'em down! Get going with the Homeowner's Property Tax Reduction Kit. (You can get it free at AHAhome.com). Be sure that you have no mistakes in your tax bill. List whatever problems that could lower your home's value and then find similar nearby homes which have been recently sold for significantly less. Then call the assessor's office in your city hall and ask about the appeal process.

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Steps to Dumping your Credit Card Debt

Is it your goal to pay off your credit card debt? You are not alone. Millions of Americans set this goal each year. Here are the steps in succeeding.

1) Cut the cards. Stop adding to your debt. Stop routinely using them by carrying cash, using debit and not credit, and by keeping them out of sight.

2) Lower rates/ cut a deal. Get your spending under control first, and then negotiate your rates. Call your credit card issuers and ask for a better rate. Transfer your balances. Consider doing this from cards with high interest rates to a different card. Shop around. Do a little investigating to find the best credit card offers.

3) Reduce your debt. Sort it out- make a list of each credit card and include the existing balance, interest rate and the minimum payment. Develop a plan by paying as much money as you can on your card with the highest interest rate while paying the minimum on the other cards. This helps you to pay it off quicker. Last, build a debt snowball. Once the highest interest rate card is paid off, take that same amount you paid and add it to the minimum payment on the next highest interest rate card.

4) Think ahead. Invest. Invest the same amount of money you've been applying to your debt every month. Last, visualize each day imagining a debt free life and paying cash for each purchase.

TIP: Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT to stop the flood of credit card offers from reaching your mailbox.

Your 'Missing' Money Awaits You

Did you know that at least $33 billion sits in state treasuries and other agencies waiting to be returned to its rightful owners? You could be one of them. This has occurred because of 117 million accounts that are inactive or whose owners or their heirs cannot be located. It is the law for financials institutions to get in contact with their owners. However, when they are unable to, the money is then turned over to the government of the state. To check if you are entitled to a payoff, go to http://www.missingmoney.com/ or http://www.unclaimed.org/ or call the state's treasurer office if you don't have a computer. A tip would be to search every state you have lived and to check maiden names and those of deceased family members. Be sure to avoid those services who request fees in order to help you search or claim money on your behalf.

7 Steps to a greener life

In this day an age, we should do our part to help the environment. Here's some interesting facts: According to Nubius Organics, more than 26 billion bottles are thrown away each year. Plastic from bottles is not biodegradable. Therefore, it stays as a permanent part of landfills. A tip to "a greener life" would be to invest in water bottles that are reusable. Keep extras in the car so you aren't tempted to go back . This will help contribute to less garbage in our landfills and to save energy.

Summer energy efficiency tips for your refridgerator

Because your refridgerator runs continuously to keep food and beverages cold, it can be a major consumer of energy. To reduce the amount of electricity your refridgerator uses, and lower your electricity bill, consider these simple, smart ideas.

• Clean your refridgerator coils on a regular basis.


• Maintain your refridgerator temperature at 35 to 38 degress Fahrenheit.

If you have a second, working fridge or freezer, did you know that it could be costing you up to $150 a year in electricity? ComEd's Fridge and Freezer Recycle Rewards will pick up that second appliance for FREE, recycle it in an environmentally friendly way and mail you a check for $35 per appliance.

Restrictions apply. For information, visit

ComEd.com/ApplianceRecycling or call 888-806-2273

Published from ComEd's Energy@Home publication. May 2011

Ask the ComEd Energy Doctor

Answers to questions about energy effeciency and electricity usage.

Q. How can I determine the amount of electricity and appliance uses in my home?
A. ComEd's Smart Ideas "An Energy Usage Guide" can help you identify how much electricity your individual appliances use each month. To download a copy, visit Customer Service > Brochures & Forms at ComEd.com.

Also, a simple device such as a Kill A Watt monitor can measure the actual electricity consumption of any appliance plugged into it. Kill A Watt monitors can be purchased at select home improvement stores and are available on loan at some public libraries in ComEd's service territory.

-The Energy Doctor

Found in ComEd's Energy@Home publication May 2011

What To Do If Your Cell Phone Gets Wet

So your cell phone got wet. Now what? Before you go out and buy a new (and expensive!) cell phone, try these tricks after you remove your phone from the water (or other liquid). They could be just the phone-saving tips you need!

• Remove the battery and SIM card.


• Get a towel (or paper towel or tissues) and remove as much excess water as possible.


• Also consider sealing the phone (after the battery and SIM card have been removed) in a plastic bag with silica gel packs to allow the silica to absorb the moisture.


• Another option may be to place your batter in a bag of rice to help abosrb the moisture.


• As tempting as it may be, don't put the battery back in until it's been long enough for your phone to dry out. Otherwise, further damage can result.


• Let your phone dry-out for 2-3 days. Can't survive that long without it? See if your wireless company offers a loaner phone.


• After the 2-3 days are up, try reattaching your battery. If it doesn't work, you may want to invest in a new battery and see if that will allow your phone to turn on.

NO SUCH LUCK?

Tried the tips, but they didn't fix your water-logged phone problem? Consider taking your phone to an authorized dealer to see if they can get it back on track or at least access the data stored in the phone. And, if your authorized phone dealer can't help fix the problem, think about asking them to help ou choose a new one. They may be able to recommend a similar model or tell you about specials and/or discounts available. For safe disposal of your non-functional phone, locate a phone recycling center near you.

Recorded from http://ezinearticles.com.