FDIC Announces Top 10 List of Online Resources for Consumers

Consumers of all ages are increasingly turning to the Internet for help with managing their finances, but knowing where to go online for reliable, practical money tips can be challenging. That’s why the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has compiled a “Top 10″ list of FDIC online resources for consumers on subjects ranging from deposit insurance to shopping for a bank account and avoiding financial fraud.

Here are the 10 FDIC online resources the agency is encouraging consumers to use:

• “EDIE,” the FDIC’s Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator: An online calculator that assists consumers and businesses in determining their deposit insurance coverage for each FDIC-insured bank where they have deposit accounts. EDIE also provides a printable report showing whether those deposits are fully protected or if some exceed the federal limits.
• FDIC Consumer News: The FDIC’s quarterly publication for consumers offers information and tips on credit cards, bank accounts, loans, scams, money management, and much more. Consumers can also listen to articles anywhere, anytime online or by downloading to an MP3 player.
• Bank Find: Our online directory that consumers can use to locate an FDIC-insured institution, learn what happened to a bank that changed names or no longer exists, and more.
• Customer Assistance Form: An easy-to-use form to submit a question to the FDIC or a complaint regarding a financial institution. Of course, consumers with questions or concerns can also call the FDIC toll-free at 1-877-ASK-FDIC, which is 1-877-275-3342.
• Consumer Alerts: Warnings about financial frauds and scams.
• Small Business Web Page: Useful information for small businesses, especially regarding access to loans, plus an online form to ask the FDIC a question or register a concern.
• The FDIC YouTube Channel: Videos on topics such as deposit insurance and Internet fraud and messages from FDIC Chairman Bair.
• Money Smart: A financial education curriculum concentrating on the development of consumers’ financial skills and positive banking relationships.
• Foreclosure Prevention Toolkit: A Web page that provides easy access to helpful information for homeowners on avoiding foreclosure and foreclosure “rescue” scams.
• E-mail updates: Sign up to receive e-mail notices of each new issue of FDIC Consumer News, Consumer Alerts, and other announcements and publications from the FDIC. Consumers can also follow the FDIC on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Fake Health Insurance Scam

Tennessee officials warn that worthless health insurance plans are being promoted with extremely low rates, some as little as $29.99 a month.  Victims are often those who may have little or no insurance and elderly people who may have more costly health problems.

Besides leaving you with a high medical bill, these ploys can affect your credit score and give the scammer access to your private information.

The Tennessee Attorney General advises that you

• Make sure an insurance agency and company is licensed by calling the Tennessee Insurance Division’s Consumer Help Line at 1-800-342-4029 or visiting its website at www.tn.gov/commerce/insurance. This number can also be called to file a complaint.
• Don’t allow anyone to rush you into buying a plan without doing your homework.
• Beware when someone “guarantees” your acceptance into a program even with pre-existing medical conditions.
• Get recommendations for good health insurance policies from family and friends.

Source: Office of the Attorney General, State of Tennessee

Coming Soon: Less Fluoride in Your Tap Water

The federal government said Friday it planned to lower the recommended levels for fluoride in water, the first such change since 1962.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced a proposal to change the recommended fluoride level to 0.7 milligrams per liter of water. EPA will be initiating a review on the maximum amount of fluoride allowed in drinking water. If EPA moves to lower the MCL they would need to formally make a revision to the rule and the overall process could take several years. By initiating the current review, EPA is following up on a commitment made in the second Six Year Review (SY2), which was released in March 2010. In SY2, the Agency indicated that the Office of Water was in the process of updating its health and exposure assessments and that when the Agency finalized these assessments, it would review the existing drinking water regulation to determine whether revisions are appropriate.

You will never ‘find’ time for anything – If you want time you must make it.

You will never ‘find’ time for anything. If you want time you must make it. — Charles Buxton

You have more to do than you can possibly do. You just need to feel good about your choices.

You have more to do than you can possibly do. You just need to feel good about your choices. — David Allen

What’s in a Name – in English?

Isn’t English a great language? With so many ways to pronounce letters, folks misspell my name Robert Mohan-with an A-not Mohon-with an O. No wonder it is so hard for non-English speakers to learn English. I certainly appreciate the efforts others make to learn English.

Recommended Reading: StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath

“Hide not your talents. They for use were made.
What’s a sundial in the shade?” – Benjamin Franklin

Do you have the opportunity to do what you do best EVERY day? Chances are you don’t. All too often our natural talents go untapped – we devote more time to fixing our shortcomings that to developing our strengths.

This book – along with its online assessment – helps you discover what you’ve been missing about yourself. And you’ll get not six or ten but 50 Ideas for Action you can use this week, this month, and this year.

Though you can read this book in one sitting, you’ll keep this book as a reference for decades.

Invest in yourself – or in one of your colleagues you care about – by getting a copy of this book today. You’re certainly worth it.

Can I Be A Leader? How?

U. S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn’s new book reveals the answers.  Here’s a taste:

Leadership is a way of life for some people.  However, it is possible to lead without fitting the profile of an NFL quarterback or a four-star general.

Why?  We’re entering the era in which the ability to deliver the results trumps everything else.

Leaders commit to team building

Leaders raise up other leaders

Leaders are lifelong learners

Leaders are not afraid to fail

Leaders consider the three R’s of every opportunity: Risk, Responsibility, and Reward

Leaders are vision oriented and principle driven

Leaders believe in the value of their own earned skills

Your small, private victories position you for bigger, more public ones. Those things you have learned doing the mundane can be deployed in the majestic.  Make the commitment to become a leader.

Visit www.yourlifeequity.com to learn more.   You’ll be glad you did.

What Do Daughters Really Want from Their Fathers?

8th through 12th grade daughters wrote about their dads during a recent Father of the Year Essay Contest. There were 5 consistent themes:

1. Daughters long to hear their fathers communicate love and encouragement. “The best thing my dad has ever done for me is let me know he loves me.” “I wish my father would say, ‘I love you.’” “When my dad encourages me I feel like I can do anything.”

2. Daughters want their fathers to take time to strengthen their relationship. “I wish my daddy wouldn’t work so much and spend more time with me.” “If I could add one thing to our relationship, I would add time.”

3. Daughters ask their dads to communicate with them more and give them guidance. “If we talked more truthfully we would have a better relationship.” “I wish my dad would talk to me more and give me advice.” “I need more input from my dad.”

4. Daughters want their fathers to seek to understand them. “Sometimes I feel like my father has no idea what I’m going through.” “I wish my father would try and understand me.”

5. Daughters want their fathers to trust them more.