Solid Finances Webinars begin October 7, 2015

Jointly sponsored by South Dakota State University Extension, University of Idaho Extension and Montana State University Extension, the 2015-2016 Solid Finances schedule will consist of 18 sessions, with the first session on October 7^th.  The first 12 sessions will focus on issues for residents of all states. The final six sessions will focus on issues specific to participants from these three states.  Solid Finances will feature 10 different presenters sharing their expertise and answering your questions.

October 7: Saving Money & Finding Spending Leaks

Oct. 14 & 21: Home Buying and Emergency Savings. (2 sessions)

Oct. 28: Financial Records Organization: Preparing for Emergencies & Disasters.

Retirement Planning will be the focus of several sessions in December.  For a complete schedule visit: www.msuextension.org/solidfinances/schedule.html

 The webinars are free but you need to register: http://esconnectdb.msu.montana.edu:4503/content/connect/c1/7/en/events/event/shared/default_template/event_registration.html?sco-id=1272553

All webinars are recorded; past sessions are available at: www.msuextension.org/solidfinances/pastrecordings.html

8 Phone Scams to Watch Out For

"Scammers target millions of Americans every year via robo dialers and many people fall victim as they are threatened with arrest warrants or guaranteed free vacations. One of the most infamous phone scams, the IRS scam, has stolen over $14 million collectively since October 2013 and it's on the rise."

1. Free Vacations and Prizes

2. Phishing Scams

3. Loan Scams

4. Phony Debt Collectors

5. Fake Charities

6. Medical Alert/Scams Targeting Seniors

 7. Warrant Threats (for arrest)

8. IRS Calls

Read the details to protect yourself, your family and friends:

https://www.callersmart.com/articles/16/8-Phone-Scams-to-Watch-Out-For#

Why you should give your kids an allowance

According to my favorite blog, Squared Away, allowances help kids learn to manage their money. Recent research reports: "Kids between ages 8 and 14 who get an allowance were two times more likely to feel knowledgeable about managing their money than kids who do not – 32 percent versus 16 percent – according to a survey of 1,000 parents and 881 children by T. Rowe Price.  The kids with allowances also feel they know more about credit, student loans, and other financial matters." Read more at: http://squaredawayblog.bc.edu/squared-away/in-support-of-allowances-for-kids/

Avoiding Elder Abuse

"Over 3.2 million adults living in nursing homes and other long term care facilities in the U.S. As many as 40 percent of all adults will enter a nursing home at some point during their lives and as the U.S. population ages, the number of nursing home residents is expected to grow. Many of these elders are well-cared for but many may be the victims of abuse.
Elder abuse, particularly when it involves a patient in a residential care facility, can be difficult to detect and for every reported case of abuse, more than five cases may go unreported.
Nursing home abuse is a serious concern and seniors who have been abused have a 300 percent greater chance of death in the 3 years following the abuse than those who aren’t abused. Up to 1 in 6 nursing home residents may be the victim of abuse or neglect every year."
Learn more at: http://www.nursinghomeabuseguide.org/
The Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services offers Long-Term Care Ombudsman services, INfo on Legal Services, and much more at: http://www.hsdaas.utah.gov/