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How to Cut Down Your Monthly Subscription Costs

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The New Year is upon us, and you have plans to build on your savings in 2023. Maybe you have a wedding to plan, or are looking to move into a larger home, or want to start a college fund. The problem is recurring payments and subscriptions are taking up too much of your monthly spending and you’re not able to save as much as you would like. Sure, subscriptions to video streaming platforms are convenient and typically cost less than paying for cable television outright, but they also are hard to track, especially if the total number of subscriptions you have are high. If you’re not tracking them each month, recurring payments are easy to overlook and can accumulate quickly.

Take a look at your monthly spending and make a list of exactly which services you’re paying for each month.  Then, think about how much you need each one. Maybe there are some subscriptions you simply don’t use. There’s no sense paying for something you aren’t using, especially if you can simply re-subscribe in the future if your needs change. Just like with a budget, subscriptions need to be managed to prevent them from getting out of control.

First, you should start by calculating the total costs of your subscriptions. This is just a way to give a clear picture on how much you spend and to make certain that you do want to cut back on subscription costs.

If you are unsure of what subscriptions you have, look at you debit and credit card statements from your bank to see the recurring charges for at least the past month. There are also apps you can download that help track your subscriptions for you. Of course, you will  still need the information for each of the subscriptions to enter into the apps, but they provide a way to have all your subscription spending detail in one place.

Once you have the total cost of your subscriptions, consider your usage. Determine which subscriptions you use the most and which ones you are not using enough to justify the cost. Also look at which ones might be redundant. For instance, do you really need to pay for Hulu and Netflix? It might be time to cancel a few of those subscriptions and seeing the numbers in front of you makes that decision a lot easier.

Say you pay for your son’s subscription to an online game that he has not touched in months. It might be time to cancel that to save you a little bit of money – $15 a month might not seem like much, but that is at least $180 saved a year.

Additionally, there may be ways to save on the subscriptions you use most often. Some may allow you to share their service with friends or family to create a more cost-effective option. Also take a look at subscription bundles.  Many streaming services are now available in package deals. And, some cellular carriers offer discounts for certain streaming services with various plans.

Subscription service have become a dominant model, but it’s easy to lose track of how much you spend on them, which is why it is important to keep track of them. You may be surprised at how many you pay for that you don’t use enough, and can cut from your spending.

Remember, if you ever have questions about budgeting, saving, or any other financial needs, do not hesitate to contact your local bank to see how they may be able to help you.

Winter is Here, Connecticut: Prepare to Counter Higher Energy Rates

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The weather is colder. Days are shorter. Nights are longer. That only means one thing – winter is here. You turned off the air conditioning and hopefully have made sure your heating system is working well.

That comes with a rub this year, and you may want to rethink your energy usage strategy in the new year. Eversource supply rates are set to double from 12.05 cents/kWh to 24.2 cents/kWh starting Jan. 1, 2023. This is an $84 per month increase for the average user. United Illuminating supply rates are also increasing from 10.6 cents/kWh to 22.5 cents/kWh, resulting in an $83.09 increase for the average user.

As inflation continues to hit wallets hard, what could Connecticut residents do to soften the impact that is expected to be felt by monthly energy bills?

One effective way to reduce energy bills is to set thermostats to 68 degrees or lower, especially on days when the cold isn’t bone-chilling and you can find warmth in other ways. You can save as much as 10% a year in heating and cooling costs by turning back thermostats 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day.

The downside to lowering thermostats is the cooler temperature within the house. To counter this, you may dress more warmly and use more blankets at night.  If you work at home, wearing a sweatshirt isn’t an awful thing – it is winter, after all.

You can also make the most of your wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. Fireplaces that generate a decent amount of heat that can keep heating units off for a good amount of time, saving money.  You can even have a fun slumber party with the kids and sleep in the living room with the fireplace on a weekend night.

There are other ways you can keep heat in your rooms to prevent heating units from turning on multiple times a day. Use simple physics, for instance. Heat rises, so set your ceiling fans into the clockwise motion to circulate the heat that builds up near the ceiling and send it to where it is needed most.

Your window blinds and shades can also be a valuable tool. During the day, consider opening interior blinds, drapes and/or shades to make sure sunlight warms the home. Do the opposite at night. Using insulated curtains to cover windows at night can prevent heat from escaping and cold air from coming into the home.

You can also check your doors and windows for drafts.  This can be a major source of cold air.  At the base of exterior doors, you can use a variety of draft blockers to help.  For windows, you can use window insulation tape, weatherstripping, caulk, or other similar tools to keep the cold air out.

These are only a few ways to lower monthly energy bills, but with electricity costs about to increase significantly, they are worth considering.  They will help lower the impact of the price increase and keep your family more comfortable at the same time.

If high energy bills are creating problems, don’t hesitate to visit your local bank, where experts are ready to help you with budgeting, saving, and financing projects to increase the energy efficiency in your home.

Should you wait to start saving while you’re still paying off your student loan debt?

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To pay it off or to save? If you have student loan debt, you’ve probably wondered whether you should finish paying it off before you prioritize putting away money for retirement, building a rainy day fund, and focusing on other financial goals.

The answer: both! While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, building savings while you pay down your student debt is an effective strategy for many borrowers.

Here are four reasons why student debt repayment shouldn’t hold you back from saving:

Saving early is key to building a retirement fund.

When it comes to retirement savings, starting monthly contributions as soon as possible is key to maximizing compound interest — or returns on your investments and returns on those returns — over time.

However, 41 percent of millennials cite their student debt as the reason why they’ve delayed saving for retirement. With the average borrower taking twenty years to finish repayment, those who delay saving until their student debt is paid off will miss out on decades’ worth of compound interest.

Even waiting just five years to start saving for retirement makes a significant difference. Case in point: if you save $100 a month in a traditional IRA with a 7% annual rate of return from the time you start working at age 22 until you retire at age 65, you’ll have earned $279,914 in compound interest on top of your monthly contributions. If you don’t start saving until you’re 27, you’ll have earned $183,184 in compound interest— $96,730 less — by the time you retire.

You never know when you’re going to need to dip into your emergency fund.

The pandemic has proven that anything can happen — and building an emergency fund is one of the best ways to prepare for the unknown. Unfortunately, 43 percent of millennials say their student debt has prevented them from starting a rainy day fund.

While paying off your student debt as fast as possible can save on interest over time, you’ll likely wind up wishing you had saved that extra cash if you find yourself unable to afford manage essential expenses — like rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, childcare, and pet food — or pay unexpected bills — whether from a stay in the hospital or car repairs — in the event of an emergency.

Plus, once you’ve set aside the recommended three to six months’ worth of expenses, you’ll feel even more confident pursuing other financial goals knowing you’re covered if the worst were to happen.

Student debt isn’t necessarily bad for your credit score — and it can even help it.

Student debt does impact your credit score — but that’s usually not a bad thing.

While falling behind on your student loan payments can be detrimental to your credit score, making your required minimum payment on time each month can actually give you a boost. And because student loans appear on your credit report as installment loans — just like auto loans and credit cards — having student debt can improve your “credit mix”, which accounts for 10 percent of your score calculation. In fact, your credit score might even experience a slight drop when you finish paying off a student loan.

A good credit score has dozens of benefits, from lower insurance premiums and interest rates and perks like eligibility for premium credit cards to making it easier to rent a house or get a job. All of these factors can make it easier to set aside savings and maintain your overall financial wellbeing.

The Milford Bank can help you balance student debt repayment with savings goals.

For many borrowers, building savings while paying off student debt is easier said than done — but you don’t have to go it alone. The Milford Bank is partnered with Candidly to take the guesswork out of student debt while providing solutions to build long-term financial health.

Whether you want to find ways to lower your monthly student loan payments (and free up cash for savings), explore debt forgiveness programs, or pay down your student debt with cash back rewards and spare change, Candidly has the tools you need to reach your goals. Visit milfordbank.com/other-services/candidly/ to learn more about this value-added service and activate your free account today.

Parent PLUS loans: an overview

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With the average cost for a year of college in the US up to $35,720, it’s no wonder so many students take out loans. But the average undergraduate borrower receives just $11,836 in student loans each year — a significant gap for most.

That’s where Parent PLUS loans come in. The Department of Education allows parents of dependent, undergraduate students to take out this type of federal student loan on their child’s behalf.

Parent PLUS loans can be an easily accessible option for families to help foot the bill for their children’s college education — something that many families need assistance with. But as with any financial commitment, there are careful considerations parents need to make before taking out a PLUS loan.

Parent PLUS loans: an overview

There’s no limit on PLUS loans (regardless of income), and parents can borrow up to the full cost of attendance minus any other financial aid their student receives. While that may be helpful to some borrowers, it can also quickly lead to taking on more debt than a parent can afford.

Any parent or legal guardian of a student who is enrolled at least part-time in an undergraduate degree program at a Title IV school can apply for a Parent PLUS loan via the Federal Student Aid website. A credit check will be performed as part of the application review process — but if the parent has a negative credit history, they may still qualify if they have a guarantor.

It’s important to be aware that parents are often offered a PLUS loan without ever asking for it. Many colleges will include PLUS loans in awards letters notifying students what financial aid they’ve been offered, so carefully reviewing aid packages before accepting is a must.

Repaying Parent PLUS loans

By default, borrowers are supposed to start repaying their Parent PLUS loans as soon as the loan has been disbursed, but borrowers can request to defer payment until after their child has graduated or left school.

Parent PLUS loans will start accruing interest immediately after they’re disbursed, even if the borrower is granted a deferment. While the interest rate is fixed for life at the time the loan is taken out, the interest rate for PLUS loans is often steep — in the last few years alone, rates have climbed as high as 7.6%.

Unlike many other federal loans, the repayment plan options for PLUS loans are somewhat limited: borrowers can choose between a standard, graduated, extended, or income-contingent plan. Income-contingent repayment (ICR) could help make monthly payments more affordable and forgive any outstanding balance after 25 years, but the PLUS loan must have first been added to a Federal Direct Consolidation loan before it is eligible for ICR.

Parent PLUS loan forgiveness and cancellation

ICR plans aren’t the only way these loans can be forgiven. Parent PLUS loans can also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), provided the borrower meets certain eligibility requirements, including working full-time for a nonprofit, government, or other public service organization.

The circumstances under which a Parent PLUS loan can be discharged are limited. Declaring bankruptcy, for example, won’t automatically wipe PLUS loans away — a borrower must demonstrate specific financial hardship caused by the loans. Otherwise, PLUS loans are usually only discharged in the event that the student’s school closes while they’re enrolled, the school commits fraud, if the borrower becomes permanently and totally disabled, or if the borrower or student dies.

Managing Parent PLUS loans

Refinancing federal Parent PLUS loans with a private lender can help ease the strain for some borrowers. In some cases, refinancing can lower monthly payments and reduce the amount of interest a borrower will pay over time. But refinancing has its drawbacks, too: once a Parent PLUS loan has been refinanced, it cannot qualify for ICR, PSLF, or any other federal benefit.

Given the high interest rates, making extra payments to parent PLUS loans to reduce the overall payoff time can be a good strategy for borrowers on traditional (standard, graduated, or extended) repayment plans.

The Milford Bank is here to help

If you’re a Milford Bank customer with student debt, whether from Parent PLUS loans or any other type of loan, you’re in luck. The Milford Bank now offers Candidly as a value-added service to help customers manage — and pay off! — their student debt. Candid.ly offers smart tools that help you move beyond your student debt, including:

  • Reassess: Find, compare, and enroll in alternative repayment plans — including income-contingent repayment — in minutes.
  • Refinance: Get pre-qualified refinancing offers from dozens of lenders
  • Round Up: Collect spare change from everyday purchases and convert it into student loan payments
  • Giveback: Pay off your student debt with cash back rewards from online shopping

Visit milfordbank.com/other-services/candidly/ to learn more and activate your free account today.

 

Six Tips for Using P2P Payment Apps

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By Dave Wall

In today’s digital world, most of what we do is somehow attached to our smartphones.  From our communication and social media to shopping and dining, you probably use a mobile app to get things done.  That includes banking.  Most of your banking features are available on right in the palm of your hand, including the ability to send money instantly.

In a world where many of us pay for just about everything with mobile apps and credit cards, the one thing that isn’t quite as easy as making an online purchase is sending money – at least not until money transfer apps like Zelle launched.  Zelle is one of several popular apps that can be attached to your bank account to send money to anyone you know instantly.

Whether it’s to easily split a lunch bill with friends, pay for your fantasy sports league, reimburse your Mom for a gift, pay your sitter, or any other reason, Zelle makes it as simple as handing cash over.  The difference is you don’t have to worry about carrying cash and you can do it at any time using your bank’s mobile app.  The only qualification is you and the other party both need to have Zelle connected to your bank accounts.

But, while P2P payment apps are very convenient, there are a few best practices you should follow to keep your money safe.

Use it like cash

Even though it’s a digital banking tool, think of Zelle like using cash.  If you have $50 in your pocket, once you spend it, it’s gone.  Once you send a payment through an app, you can’t cancel it.  It’s like handing cash to someone – once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Only send to people you know and trust

Because you can’t cancel payments once they have been made, make sure you know who you’re sending money to and why, and make sure you are sending to the correct Zelle user.  If you’re not sure, confirm with whomever you’re sending to.  The instantaneous nature of these payments is one of their best features, but they can also work against you if you’re not careful.

Make sure you send money to the right person

Once you send, the money is gone, so you want to make sure you are sending to the right person.  Many account names are very similar.  It’s good practice to confirm the accounts you’re sending money to so your payment doesn’t end up in the wrong hands, and you have to send more to then get it to the right person.

Know your app policies

Some apps charge fees for certain kinds of transactions.  Some charge for sending money using a credit card.  Some charge for transferring money back into your bank account (Zelle does not).  Regardless of what app(s) you are using, make sure you are aware of any fees you may be responsible for before you start sending or receiving money.  Carefully reading the terms of service is a good place to start.

Beware of scams

Make sure you know what you are getting when you use payment apps.  Scammers often try to get paid using apps because it’s very difficult for you to get funds back once they are sent.  If you see a deal that seems too good to be true, there’s a good chance it is.  Also understand that reputable sellers will offer multiple payment options.

Use available security features

Remember that while you should spend money through payment apps like cash, they aren’t quite the same because they require access to your financial information.  Make sure you are using the most recent version of your app, which should have the most up-to-date security updates.  Also look at what security features you can enable on your app and enable those that give you the highest level of security.

Following these simple guidelines will help you protect your savings, while allowing you to enjoy the ease of P2P payments, so you can send money to anyone you know, for any reason, instantly.

Are You a Renter Looking to Become a Homeowner?

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By Paul Mulligan, SVP, Retail Lending

Last year, while many businesses and industries suffered, the real estate market in Connecticut had a phenomenal year, with a 17% increase in home purchases.  The 38,641 single-family homes bought was the highest in the state in 15 years.  One factor certainly was the fact that the number of people moving into Connecticut in 2020 was more than double what the state enjoyed during 2019.

One of the byproducts of the trend was an increase in home prices, which also grew. As a result, many people may feel they are being priced out of the home market.  Renters, in particular, are feeling less confident that they will be able to buy homes.  Just over a third of current renters say they are “not very confident” or “not confident at all” in their ability to buy a home.  The majority say their lack of confidence comes from home prices being too high or an inability to afford a down payment.

But, that shouldn’t mean renters should stop thinking about buying a home.   There are many benefits to owning, including:

  • Freedom to renovate/decorate
  • Building equity
  • Potential tax benefits
  • Value could increase over time
  • Stability of ownership
  • Predictable monthly loan payment (with a fixed-rate mortgage)

There are also many variables to consider when buying a home; including location, size and type of home, features, and of course, cost.  If you’re ready to buy a home – or even if you’re just starting to consider it – one of the first things you may want to consider is your priorities?  That includes what are the must have, nice-to-have, and unnecessary features.  If you’re willing to add flexibility to your process, you should enjoy greater home selection opportunities.

In addition, your local community bank may be able to offer you better mortgage terms that may make it easier for you to get out of paying someone else for your living space and start building equity in your own home.  For instance, The Milford Bank offers highly competitive rates with no-cost lock-in, low down payment options, free prequalification to make your home shopping experience easier, decisions made locally by a bank with a long history of serving the local community, and mortgage professionals that focus on your individual needs as a local customer.

In addition, if you’re a renter looking for your first home, The Milford Bank offers a First-Time Homebuyer program within Milford, Stratford, West haven, and Orange; that includes a rate reduction from the standard rate, application fee refund on closing, and low down payment options. The Milford Bank also offers a special rate for single family dwelling purchases, regardless of location throughout the state of CT.

You may also want to consider current versus future plans.  When looking at homes and talking to your bank, consider how you might be able to expand a potential home in the future to meet additional needs or to add some of the nice-to-have features that might not be feasible initially.  You may even be able to use the equity you build in your home over the years to take out a home equity loan or line of credit to fund home improvement projects.  Alternatively, The Milford Bank offers a construction-to-permanent one closing loan option, which includes the option of a fixed rate and an interest only period of up to 12 months during the construction phase.

The bottom line is, if you are looking to buy a home – whether you’re tired of paying a monthly rent to a landlord or association or you simply want the freedom and convenience of owning your own home – don’t let your lack of confidence keep you from achieving your dream.  Talk to The Milford Bank’s local mortgage specialists, who can provide you with the information and assistance you need to make a truly informed decision to assist you in purchasing a home that fits your needs and budget.

What the Federal Student Loan Payment Freeze Extension Means For You

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By Jorge Santiago

If you have federal student loans, you probably already know that emergency payment suspension has been extended to January 31, 2022.

Between recent student loan servicer shakeups, the Covid-19 surge, and 90 percent of affected borrowers saying they’re not prepared to resume payments, the decision to extend the payment freeze beyond September (as previously scheduled) comes as a relief for many borrowers.

But do you know how to use this additional extension to your advantage? Don’t just think of the extension as extra time without federal student loan payments — think of it as extra time to plan, to save, and to get ahead.

Here are some things you can do help put your best financial foot forward until federal student loan payments resume:

Get in touch with your student loan servicer

Contact your student loan servicer to confirm your payment due date, reconnect a payment method to auto-pay your bill, and learn about any new policy changes. If you’ve moved since March 2020, be sure to update your mailing address, too.

If your loans are serviced by FedLoan, Granite State, or Navient, be advised that these servicers have announced that they will transfer their student loans to other servicers before the end of the year. With that in mind, you may want to keep an extra watchful eye out for updates about the transfer in the event that you need to take any action with the new servicer.

Make sure you’re on the best path forward

Now is a great time to explore your eligibility for new federal repayment plans and forgiveness programs.

Switching to an income-driven repayment plan, for example, could lower your monthly payment and get you on track to have outstanding debt forgiven after a certain number of years. If you work for a non-profit, government, or public service organization, you may also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which forgives remaining loans after ten years of qualifying payments.

Consider making payments

It may sound counterintuitive, but for some borrowers, the suspension period is the perfect time to make student loan payments.

That’s because the interest rate for federal student loans is still 0%, so any payments you make during the freeze will apply directly to your principal — which can ultimately lead to paying off your student debt sooner.

Get ahead on other financial goals

The average monthly student loan payment is $393 — a major expense that often forces borrowers to delay other financial goals until their student debt is paid off. For example, did you know that more than half of non-homeowner borrowers say their student debt has delayed their ability to buy a home?

Without the expense of monthly student loan bills, now could be the perfect time to get ahead on other priorities like saving up for a down payment, making extra retirement fund contributions, opening an emergency savings account, or setting aside cash for a major purchase.

Learn how The Milford Bank can help

When it comes to student debt, you don’t have to go it alone. The Milford Bank has partnered with Candid.ly, the leading student debt repayment platform, to give customers the tools they need to help make managing their student loans easier than ever before. Visit milfordbank.com/other-services/candidly/ to learn more and activate your free account today.

Student Loans 101

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by Jorge Santiago

College is expensive. In the 2020-2021 academic year, the average private college’s tuition and fees was $35,087; public colleges averaged $21,184 for out-of-state students and $9,687 for in-state students. Multiply that by at least four years, and the total cost of a degree is one very few students — or their families — can afford out-of-pocket.

That’s where student loans come in. Student loans create opportunities for students who might not otherwise be able to afford their education, which can in turn lead to more stable, gainful, and fulfilling employment.

But student loans are just that — loans that must eventually be paid back. If you’re one of the 47.9 million Americans carrying a combined $1.71 trillion in student debt, you probably already know that repayment can be a strain. And if you’re considering applying for college loans, you should understand your options before taking on student debt.

So let’s get back to the basics. Here are four questions everyone with student debt — or considering taking out student loans in the future — should know how to answer:

What types of student loans are available?

Types of federal student loans

As their name suggests, federal student loans are offered through the federal government via the Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA). Three different types of federal student loans are available: Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, and Direct PLUS.

  • Direct Subsidized Loans are available for undergraduate students with financial need (the difference between your school’s cost of attendance and your household’s expected contribution). Interest rates are fixed for life when the loan is first disbursed and are generally lower.
  • Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available for both undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of financial need. Interest rates are fixed for life when the loan is first disbursed and are generally higher.
  • Direct PLUS Loans are available to parents financing their child’s education, and to graduate or professional students funding their own education. The application process requires a credit check, but borrowers with low credit scores can still qualify if they have an endorser or can document extenuating circumstances. Interest rates are fixed for life when the loan is first disbursed and are generally the highest rate compared to other federal student loans.

Types of private student loans

Private student loans are offered through financial institutions like banks and credit unions. The terms of private student loans are controlled by the lender, so there are lots of different options available. Private loans often entail higher interest rates and stricter eligibility criteria, but they can be a helpful tool for borrowers who have already maxed out their federal aid.

 

How does student loan repayment work?

Federal student loan repayment

If you have federal Direct Unsubsidized or Direct Subsidized Loans, your loans will be in deferment while you’re still in school and for six months after you graduate or withdraw. After this grace period ends, you’ll be responsible for making monthly payments through your loan servicer (FSA will assign your servicer — a third-party company that manages student loan billing — after your first loan is disbursed).

Direct PLUS Loan borrowers can expect a very similar process, with the exception that you must request deferment through FSA or your student loan servicer. Otherwise, you’ll have to start making payments while you are or your child is still in school.

All federal student loan borrowers will have the opportunity to select a repayment plan when they first start making payments and adjust their repayment plan later on. There are eight different federal student loan repayment plans available, including income-driven repayment plans, which cap monthly payments to a manageable percentage of your discretionary income.

Private student loan repayment

Private student loan repayment varies based on your lender’s terms. Some require payments while you’re still in school or immediately after graduating, some manage repayment through a servicer or in-house, and repayment plans vary. If you’re considering private student loans, be sure you understand the lender’s repayment policies.

Can I get my student debt cancelled, paused, or forgiven?

If you have private student loans, your options for getting your loans cancelled, paused, or forgiven are limited.

But if you have federal student loans, it’s possible — provided you meet certain eligibility requirements.

You may be eligible to have your federal student loans partially or totally cancelled if:

  • Your school closed while you were a student or shortly after you withdrew or graduated
  • You develop a total and permanent disability
  • You were defrauded by your school
  • You declare bankruptcy

You may be eligible to have your student loans paused if you apply for and are granted temporary deferment. You might qualify for deferment if:

  • You’re enrolled in a graduate fellowship
  • You’re undergoing cancer treatment
  • You’re serving in the Peace Corps
  • You’re on active military duty
  • You’re receiving welfare assistance
  • You work full-time but earn 150% below the poverty line

You may be eligible to have your student loans forgiven through special forgiveness programs if:

  • You’re a teacher
  • You work at a nonprofit organization
  • You work for a federal, state, local, or tribal government agency
  • You’ve been on an income-driven repayment plan for at least 20-25 years

How can The Milford Bank help me manage my student loans?

When it comes to student debt, you don’t have to go it alone. The Milford Bank is excited to launch a new partnership to give our customers tools that make managing their student loans easier than ever before. Stay tuned for an announcement soon!

How to Recognize Scam Calls and Keep Your Money Safe

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By Tina Mason

On any given day, you probably get phone calls from numbers you don’t know.  Those dreaded spam calls continue to become more frequent and the total number grew by 18% globally last year.  In the U.S. that growth was even more significant, with Americans receiving an average of 28 spam calls a month (up from 18 a year earlier).

What’s worse is the situation is expanding.  What was once limited mostly to landlines has expanded to mobile phones.  In fact, 46% of Americans said they get spam calls on their cell phones every day in February of this year.

The problem is these calls aren’t just a nuisance; many are from scammers trying to con people into giving up their money.  Unfortunately, it’s working – Americans lost nearly $20 billion due to phone scams in 2020.

The good news is you can avoid falling victim by staying informed about the latest scams (the FTC regularly updates its site with common scams), by knowing how to identify them, and by simply following some best practices.

Auto warranty scams – This one has been going on for years.  It usually starts with a pleasant recorded voice introducing him- or herself and claiming to be from the “Vehicle Service Department” or something similar.  The recording continues to explain that your vehicle warranty is about to expire unless you extend it with them immediately.  They might even have specific information about your vehicle they have obtained through any number of ways.  The warranty these scammers are offering is usually a service contract of some kind that could actually cost you more than you would pay for vehicle maintenance and repairs.

Pyramid sales schemes – These may seem like legitimate business opportunities selling products from your home.  But when you look at them carefully, you’ll see your compensation is based on how many new sales people you recruit, not how much product you sell.  In addition, you will typically be required to buy a certain amount of product, even if you already have enough inventory on hand.  Ultimately, you’re more likely to lose time and money than make a living.

COVID-19 scams – There are several kinds of scams trying to leverage the coronavirus pandemic.  Some try to sell you a vaccine.  If you haven’t yet been fully vaccinated, remember that the COVID-19 vaccine is being administered for free.  You can find a local vaccination site here.  Another scam involves scammers posing as FEMA workers reaching out to cover costs associated with family members that may have died due to COVID-19.  Unless you have already registered with FEMA for their funeral assistance program, they will not reach out to you.  If you get a call or email from someone claiming to be with a government agency, it’s most likely to be a scam you don’t want to get involved with.  And no, your social security number will not be suspended – yet another government-related scam that has been around for a long time.

Utility scams – Have you gotten a call from someone claiming to be with your electric, water, or gas company, claiming your service is going to be cut off unless you make payment immediately?  Again, almost certainly a scam.  Your actual utility companies may threaten to cut you off if you are delinquent on your bills, but they will send notifications – you can also verify your account through their website if you’re not sure.  Or, simply call them if you think you may have missed a payment – in which case you may have to pay a late fee, but they probably won’t threaten to cut off your service yet.

Payment options – One of the things to note is most scammers don’t use the normal payment methods when they try to get you to pay them.  Having you send a check or pay online on your oil company’s site doesn’t get them any money.  They will often ask you to use Western Union of other money transfer services, or some ask you to add money to a reloadable gift card.  More tech-savvy scammers may also want you to pay with cryptocurrency.  They use these methods because they are mostly untraceable making it almost impossible to recover the money.

The bottom line is this: Legitimate businesses will identify themselves clearly and won’t threaten you on the phone.  Most will also work with you to arrange payment plans if you’re experiencing difficulty.

If an offer seems too good to be true – like winning a large cash award from a drawing you didn’t enter, or a get-rich-quick job offer – it probably is.  Never agree to anything before you have done your research.  In fact, many people today don’t even answer phone calls from numbers they don’t know.  That way, they can just delete the phony voice mail messages and, if they think it could possibly be real, can look up the correct phone number (never call back a number given on a voice message you think could be fraudulent) and call the bank, store, service provider, government agency, or whoever the caller claimed to be with.

The same goes for emails.  Don’t click on links, don’t call numbers on emails because they could be fake, and assume offers are fraudulent unless they come from one of your trusted relationships.  Even then, take care to look carefully at email addresses, names, other personal details, as well as grammar and spelling.  Most fraudulent of phishing emails have mistakes in them that should raise a red flag.

Again, if you have any uncertainty, look up phone numbers yourself and make a few phone calls to verify the legitimacy of any call or email you get.  It may take a few extra minutes, but that small effort could keep you, your family, and your money safe.

But, if you make a mistake and think you have fallen victim to a scam, the first thing you should do is contact your bank so they can help you with your bank accounts and make sure your funds aren’t accessible to scammers.

Celebrating Home Owners: Are You Ready to Buy?

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June is National Homeownership Month, celebrating a key part of what many people see as part of their life dreams.  And why not?  Home ownership can be a great investment with many benefits.

Long term cost savings – By paying your monthly mortgage, you are creating your own nest egg, instead of paying off someone else’s mortgage or generating revenue for them.  In many cases, mortgage payments, especially for first-time buyers, can be very close to or even lower than monthly rent.

Equity – As you pay down your mortgage, you build equity in your home, increasing your net worth and your future ability to obtain home equity loans for other expenses, including home improvements (which can further increase the value of your investment).

Improving credit – As long as you make your monthly payments on time, you can improve your credit rating, making it easier to secure other loans for future expenses.

It’s yours – When you own property, the decision on how to use it is yours, not your landlord’s.  You can decide how to decorate, renovate, add on to create more living and entertaining space, and generally use your property however you want.  The financial benefits are great, but this may be the greatest benefit of all.

Of course, if you’re a first-time home buyer, you’ve got a lot to think about, including securing a mortgage, which can be an uncertain prospect.  But, working with the right bank can make it a much easier and satisfying process – especially those with special first-time buyer programs.  The Milford Bank offers a program that includes a reduced interest rate, application fee refund, pre-qualification certificates, and low down-payment options, which take the hassle out of buying your first home.

In addition to financing, you have many other things to think about when buying a home – especially for the first time.  This includes location, school system, style, property size, and of course home features.

To help you consider what is most important to you, here’s a list of the most commonly desired features by home buyers today.  Each of these features was listed by at least 80% of people as being either a must-have or desirable feature.

  • Laundry room
  • Exterior lighting
  • Ceiling fan(s)
  • Energy efficient windows
  • Patio
  • Double kitchen sink
  • Walk-in pantry
  • Front porch
  • Energy efficient appliances
  • Hardwood floors
  • Full bath on main level
  • Energy efficient lighting

As you get start with the home buying process, make sure you’re buying a home that you’ll be happy with.  It’s not a bad idea to think about the future and your ability to renovate or add on.  You’ll have question, naturally, especially when it comes to the mortgage.  Don’t hesitate to call on our mortgage specialists to answer them so you have an enjoyable experience.

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