If you're looking for ways to save money on gift-giving, you're not alone. Many people struggle to find the perfect gift for their loved ones without breaking the bank. Here are some tips to help you out.
Stick to a Budget
Make a list of who you’re buying for and decide how much you can afford to spend, and then try not to go over it! You can use apps or spreadsheets to track your spending and avoid impulse buys.
Shop Early and Compare Prices
Don't wait until the last minute to buy gifts, or you might end up paying more or settling for something you don't really like. Shop early and watch for deals or discounts online or in store. You can also use price comparison tools or coupons to save even more.
Create Your Own Gifts
You don't have to buy expensive or fancy gifts to show someone you care. You can make your own gifts using your skills or hobbies, such as baking, knitting, painting, or writing. You can also personalize your gifts with photos, stickers or messages.
Give Experiences
Sometimes the best gift is not something you can wrap, but something you can do together. You can give experiences such as tickets to a concert, a movie or a museum, a subscription to a streaming service or a magazine, or a gift card to a restaurant or spa. These gifts can create lasting memories and save space and clutter.
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ID theft happens when someone uses your personal information (name, Social Security number, credit card number, etc.) without permission to commit fraud. Repairing the damage can take a lot of time and effort, so taking special precautions to protect your personal information is important.
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Guard your information. Don’t provide personal information via email or the Internet unless you initiate the inquiry. Remember, banks and credit card companies don’t ask customers to verify account information by email.
Create strong passwords. Create hard-to-break passwords for all your accounts. Choose passwords with a mix of characters and numbers that would be hard to guess, and avoid using your birth date, name or phone number in the password.
Check your credit report. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com at least once a year to get your free report from each of the three major consumer reporting agencies.
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Keep documents safe. Store personal papers – like your birth certificate, Social Security card, loan information, and insurance policies – in a fire-proof lock box, gun safe, or other secure location.
Shred unnecessary documents. Destroy all unnecessary documents that contain personal information using a cross-cut paper shredder.
Protect your SSN. If you’re asked to give your Social Security number in a public setting, try to avoid providing it verbally. Instead, write it down on a piece of paper and shred it later. Or better yet, type it on your cell phone, then erase it when finished. Carrying your Social Security card in your purse or wallet is not a good idea.
Stop junk mail. Opt out of receiving pre-approved credit and insurance offers by calling 888.567.8688 or visiting OptOutPrescreen.com, a service run by consumer reporting agencies.
Go paperless. Switch to online bill payment methods. This helps eliminate your paper trail and provides 24-hour access to monitor your account activity and respond faster to fraudulent charges.
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- If you’re a victim of identity theft, act fast.
- Check your credit reports for fraudulent activity.
- Place a fraud alert on your credit reports so new accounts can’t be opened in your name.
- Close the accounts that have been tampered with or opened without your authorization.
- File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission.
- File a police report.
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For detailed information about each step, visit IdentityTheft.gov.
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Mark your calendars for upcoming OKMM "Make It Count" webinars on the third Tuesday of every month. Join us Tuesday, Jan. 16, at noon, as we discuss Understanding Your Credit Report.
Like a report card in school, your credit report provides a detailed snapshot of your creditworthiness to lenders, potential employers, and more. Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at noon as we discuss how to access it, understand the contents and correct mistakes that may be costly. Register to attend here: http://tiny.cc/OKMMWebinarJanuary2024.
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We offer webinars for educators, students, and parents on budgeting, saving, credit, and more. If you want to schedule a webinar, complete our workshop form, and we'll contact you to plan the details.
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