You Can’t Lose What You Don’t Have

Limit the number of credit and debit cards you plan to carry around or take with you on your trip altogether. Having fewer cards will not only reduce the risk of having one of your cards stolen, but keeping track of two cards is easier than keeping track of six cards when you’re on the go. The same rule applies to any documentation. And whatever cards or documents you are unable to carry safely are best suited for a hotel safe.

While it’s a good idea to carry some cash with you, paying by credit card is your safest bet. Credit cards provide a bit more security in cases of suspected fraud when compared to debit cards, as the purchase amounts aren’t drawn from your checking or savings account immediately and your liability for unauthorized use is much lower. Upon your return home, don’t forget to check your credit card and bank statements for any suspicious charges.

Don’t Let Your Guard Down

It might be your vacation, but scammers and identity thieves will be hard at work during the busy summer months. The US Travel Insurance Association has four scams you’ll want to familiarize yourself with prior to departing, ranging from common too-good-to-be-true sweepstakes to seedy taxi driving schemes. Be aware that tourists caught up in the new scenery and exciting events make for easy targets – so stay alert and try to blend in with the crowd as best you can.

Your Social Media Updates Can Wait

We understand – it’s hard to resist sharing that awesome picture of you touching a dolphin while it balances a ball on its nose to your Facebook wall. However, it stands to reason that if you are there – your house or apartment is empty and a prime target for burglars. Resist the urge, save all your photos and put them together in one album when you get back. Similarly, an automated “away” email response could alert the wrong individuals to your home’s vacancy and prove costly. Lastly, don’t forget about your postal mail. Enlist a trusted friend or relative to stop by to prevent mail from piling up in your mailbox or outside your front door to help mask your absence. The USPS can also keep you mail safely at the post office while you’re away by simply filling out an online form.

Government Resources

For any and all international travel questions and concerns look no further than the U.S. State Department’s Travel directory. Here you’ll find everything to cover your security bases including what to do if you lose your passport and how to keep your children safe.

It’s easy to lose sight of a few details when you’re on vacation, and who can blame you? For some, clearing your mind and getting away from it all is a vacation! Regardless of where you’re headed and what you’re doing, keep safety top of mind to avert costly headaches during your travels.

Prizes
Enter our Blue Crabs Contest and you could win a grand prize family four pack of tickets to the 2013 Atlantic League All-Star Game at the home of the Blue Crabs – Regency Furniture stadium, Wednesday, July 10.

In addition to the grand prize, six lucky winners will receive a Blue Crabs baseball hat as part of a weekly drawing every Friday from May 24 through June 28.

How To Enter
Entering the contest is easy. Visit our Facebook page and click “like”. Then simply complete the short entry form and you’re all set. If you’re already a fan of our Facebook page all you need to do is fill out the form.

Collecting Your Prize
We’ll choose one winner at random each week starting May 24 through to June 28, with the grand prize winner being selected on June 28. Winners will be notified by e-mail and get a shout out on our Facebook Page. The prizes will be mailed to the address provided at time of entry – so check your mailbox and our Facebook page to find out if you’re a winner!

Rules
Be sure and read all the contest rules before submitting your online entry form. There is no purchase necessary and employees of Community Bank of Tri-County are not eligible to enter or win prizes. Winners of our weekly baseball hat drawing are still eligible to win the grand prize pack of four All-Star Game tickets.

Good luck to all the entrants!

That’s especially true in Maryland, the only state in the country that dictates that babysitters must be at least 13 years of age. But, being mature, reliable, capable and age 13 isn’t all it takes to be a good babysitter. Training and knowledge are key components of success for a youngster’s “first real job.”

Certification
Official babysitter certification, available through a number of sources, provides nearly everything a youngster will need to know in order to be a competent babysitter. In addition, parents may feel better knowing that the sitter they are hiring has received formal babysitting training.

A great resource is the American Red Cross, which offers both online and classroom babysitting certification courses.

Check your local American Red Cross chapter for classes in your area. Or, sign up for the Red Cross online course in Babysitting Basics.

Know the basics
At the very least, the babysitter-to-be should be taught safety, first aid and the basics of CPR. There are a number of resources to turn to for training at all levels. Try your YMCA, local fire department or hospital, Girl Scouts or other health, safety or teen organizations in your community.

Getting practice
Experience also helps. Children not yet old enough to babysit can volunteer to help care for children at their church or a local nursery school, or offer to be a mother’s helper for a friend or neighbor. The knowledge and skills your child learns as a volunteer will increase his or her confidence, and competence, in the babysitting role.

Payday
What’s the country’s average hourly pay for a babysitter these days? It might be higher than you thought!

Who earns the most? Babysitters in San Francisco!

Babysitting – Yes or No?
Is a babysitting job a good fit for your child? Here are some pros and cons to consider.

Pressed for ideas that are easy on the wallet, but still show how much you care?

We’ve searched the Internet and came up with ideas, from do it yourself crafts for which there may still be time to create, to suggestions for making the day special in other ways — while still staying within your budget.

Ask Martha

For do-it-yourself gifts ranging from homemade body scrubs to a sewing kit in a jar, Martha Stewart offers a variety of ideas and instructions.

We haven’t found a Mom yet who doesn’t love a homemade gift from her kids. Parents magazine suggests 13 Mother’s Day crafts for youngsters to make.

Pinteresting

Another great source for a variety of Mother’s Day ideas from across the Internet is Pinterest, where a quick search will bring you to scores of boards on the subject “pinned” by users. You’ll even find Mother’s Day recipes and gift ideas on Rachel Ray’s Pinterest board.

You can ask any Mom — the most special Mother’s Day gift is the gift of family and time spent together (although having “the day off” or being served breakfast in bed might come in a close second!). Check out 18 free ways to celebrate Mother’s Day from MSN Money.

Dad is next!

And, remember: Father’s Day is Sunday, June 16! Start your shopping early so you can find the perfect gift and still stay on budget. You’ll even have time to look for bargains from your favorite online shopping sites.

Whether the father in your life is an Outdoors Dad, Football Dad or Geek Dad — or answers to another name — consider some of the gift ideas here, presented in terms of his hobbies or interests.

Smishing
You may be familiar with email phishing; wherein hackers attempt to compromise your personal information by dropping suspicious email messages in your inbox and ask you to click or perform some type of action. Unfortunately, scammers also use a similar technique to target private information stored on your cell or smartphone called “smishing”. With “smishing”, hackers send SMS or text messages and ask you to “Click Here!” or “Please reply back with your account number.”

Before responding to these messages, always confirm the source behind these messages by calling or emailing the organization. In doing so, not only can you avert the unwanted sharing of your information, you can also alert the third party to hackers operating under their name. Also, remember Community Bank of Tri-County will never contact you to solicit any personal and private information in this manner.

Keep Private Info Private
Unlike a desktop or laptop computer, because of its portability, your mobile device is more prone to being left behind or lost, whether on its own or while sitting in your bag or purse. It’s best not to store any sensitive data like email passwords, company or student info and financial records on your device to avoid a worst-case scenario if your device ever ended up in the wrong hands. Setting a passcode is always a good idea, as it keeps your phone locked down and inaccessible to anyone else who might get a hold of it.

Watch Your Apps
There are myriad of apps ready to assist you in any number of ways throughout the day. Despite an application’s enticing name, free availability or attractive utility, be aware of the risks before you download. Take the time to read the application’s reviews as well as its permissions, and be certain you are not “over-sharing” unnecessary information associated with your data and texts for an app that does not need to draw on such information.

Remember, the more you do with your mobile device, the greater amount of attention that needs to be paid to keep you and your information safe.

If you are like the majority of women in the United States, the answer is probably “no.” So what can you do to prepare? It’s easier than you might think:

• Get involved in the conversation – Many women manage the family budget and daily expenses, but are not comfortable discussing investing or retirement planning, instead leaving it to their spouse or significant other to manage. Instead, become part of the conversation so you have an understanding of the investment choices that are being made on your behalf.

• Get educated – A wealth of information on managing your personal finances is available at your fingertips through sites like Fool.com, Dummies.com or Money.com. Subscribing to magazines like Money, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance or Smart Money will provide a monthly refresher, and reminder to keep your finances front and center.

• Get organized – Work with your spouse or significant other to create a master information kit for each of you with all your vital information including, but not limited to, bank and investment accounts and other important financial details.
The truth is, while it’s increasingly important for women to take control of their finances, basics like becoming more organized and educated are good ideas for everyone.

Think you are financially savvy? Try this quiz on HuffingtonPost to find out!

Define Your Office

With no commute and complete control over everything from the temperature to the choice of coffee; working out of your home is the ultimate in workplace comfort. While comfort is conducive to a healthy work environment, be careful not to get too cozy for fear of letting your surroundings hamper your productivity. As tempting as it is to keep your laptop on the bed, Entrepreneur Magazine recommends designating a defined “office space” in which you can work. This designated area should be free from distractions to help get you in a working mindset.

Mind Your Surroundings

The ability to get your laundry done while working is a luxury and a big time saver. However, your washing machine’s buzzer going off during a conference call is not something many clients need to hear. Take note of these and other surrounding noises like barking dogs or family chatter before placing your calls.

The same applies to your messy or disheveled office space during virtual meetings. Play the part of director prior to going live. Turn on your webcam and get a look at what your fellow video colleagues will see in the shot and redecorate as necessary.

Tax Smarts

Does the mere thought of reading through tax code trigger tension in your brain? Don’t leave money on the table by forgoing potential deductions available for home-based businesses. It is a good idea to check with your tax professional or accountant before filing. Try and do your due diligence prior to contacting these professionals and ask pointed questions or request a check of the work you’ve already done to cut down on their service fees.

Whether operating from your home office or the corner office, you still need to conduct yourself in a professional manner. If you are able to do this well, your clients will have a hard time telling the difference.

Do you work from home? What tips or techniques do you find most helpful?

Job Opportunities

Thinking of transitioning into a new career or securing a second job to help offset a drop-off in earnings? The Southern Maryland JobSource is fully equipped with all the resources necessary for a successful job hunt. With three offices and a Mobile Career Center, job search tools, training and career advice are all available under one roof and free of charge.

Small Business Assistance

Business owners can take advantage of free programs and workshops available courtesy of the Maryland Small Business Development Center. Get counseling from experts, learn how to improve your marketing efforts and obtain loans. All it takes is a few hours out of your day.

You can also encourage your employees to attend workshops relevant to their position to enhance their own skill set for the betterment of the business. Aside from the knowledge and experienced gained by all, the seminars are also great for networking. Who knows, your next partnership could be in attendance.

Flying? Be Prepared

Scale-backs and control tower closures as a result of budget cuts can mean more waiting and longer lines for travelers. You can save yourself time by checking in to your flights online, and complying with the TSA’s latest list of approved carry-on items.

Don’t forget to talk to us

If you are having difficulties as a result of the sequester, please contact your local branch manager or commercial loan officer. We’re here to help!

How have you been affected by the sequester?

Most locations offer free concerts or story times for younger kids, like Saturday Story Times available at the Charles County Public Library. Not only are these events cost effective, they are also influential in getting kids interested and excited about reading at an early age.

There’s always something for teens and tweens too! Game night and a cooking workshop are just two events coming up at Prince Frederick’s Calvert Library.

Most events are usually held at the same time on a regular basis, which can grant moms and dads the ability to arrange a carpool; saving some busy parents another valuable resource – time.

Do you visit your local library?

Business Minded

Regardless of your income level, think of yourself as a business; look at the amount of money you take in, add up all your expenses, and see where you stand. Viewing your financial situation from this perspective can help you run your own personal “operations” more efficiently. Are there opportunities to cut wasteful spending? Or maybe your savings rate isn’t quite as robust as it should be? This exercise can help you see where and how you allocate funds on a regular basis and provide you with opportunities to increase your personal bottom line.

Education

There’s no shortage of online and offline resources available to help parents and children learn how to become more financially savvy. Easy to follow websites can provide adults with definitions and information as well as financial calculators and budgetary tools to use right at home. Parents, you can help make learning about money and savings fun for children through our Kid’s Savings accounts in tandem with games like Disney’s The Great Piggy Bank Adventure, designed specifically to engage and hold your child’s interest.

Credit Card Care

While credit cards are good in certain situations, it is important to understand how they work and to use them judiciously. Regardless of the purchases you pay for with plastic, be sure and pay off your balance on time and in full every month. The amount of interest credit card companies’ tack onto minimum payments add up quickly, and depending on the amount owed could take years to pay off. Credit is fast and easy at the point of sale, but remember the bill will always come due.

Managing your own money matters can seem like a daunting and difficult task. Just remember these sensible and relatively simple means to help get a handle on your finances. What tricks and techniques do you find most useful to control your finances?