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Christmas Becomes A High-Tech Holiday

CCC Staff — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 21:26:35 +0000

1918 Eatons Santa Claus Parade

Christmas is a time for food, family, traditions...oh, and don't forget, holiday shopping. Year after year, we carry on classic holiday traditions from the past. Keeping the memories alive with traditional family side dishes, neighborhood holiday parades and the spirit of gift giving. Remembering the past is an important part of culture, but at the same time, we feel the need to add in our own modern day touches to create a more up-to-date tradition that fits our present day lives.

Adding in those modern day touches to our classic Christmas traditions is creating a trend towards a more "High-tech Holiday" as holiday shoppers, Credit card companies and even good ol' St. Nicholas are turning to mobile technology and the power of the internet this holiday season.

High-Tech Parade

2012 Santa Claus Parade - Photo by Brian Morton

Hundreds of thousands gathered in the streets of Toronto over the weekend, waiting for a chance to see St. Nick officially kick off the holiday season in the annual Santa Claus Parade. This year celebrated the 108th time the holiday tradition took place down the streets of Toronto. It also marked a new era for the parade as Santa Claus went digital.

"We want people to connect with the 108-year-old tradition, but in a way that allows them to share their memories and photos in a more media-rich environment,” said Barry Miller, parade board member, in a recent article "Santa Claus joins the digital revolution" by The Star.

In an effort to bring the Santa Claus Parade more up-to-date, parade directors created a smart phone app to help patrons track Santa along this years' route, along with a Facebook page to share tips on how best to view the show. They also created a dedicated YouTube channel to show video highlights from this year's parade, as well as others throughout it's 108 year history.

Digital Wish-List

The Santa Claus Parade is not the only organization turning to social networks this holiday season. Credit card companies are also using apps and social networking this Christmas, in an effort to assist consumers with their holiday shopping.

American Express is taking the lead this season with it's version of a digital wish list with their new Facebook app, Holiday Hotlist.

The American Express Holiday Hotlist allows users to share desired online items from hundreds of American Express merchants with family and friends on the popular social network, Facebook. Users no longer have to drop subtle hints about what's on their Christmas Wish-List, as their Holiday Hotlist automatically provides that information directly to their loved ones on Facebook.

That means no more guessing what to buy Uncle Bob and forget receiving generic gifts like that red scarf or cozy socks! With this high-tech wish list, you'll know exactly what to get your family/friends and they'll know exactly what to get you.

Virtual Shopping Carts

Not only is the tradition of the Christmas Wish List going high-tech this year, holiday shopping is continuing to go digital, as more & more shoppers trade in plastic shopping carts for virtual ones this Christmas.

According to a recent survey by American Express Canada, almost a quarter of respondents mentioned they would rather stay home and clean their toilets than venture to the shopping mall during the peak of the holiday season! In the same survey, 56 per cent of Canadians are planning to shop online this season, up five per cent from 2011.

Looks like the days of navigating congested parking lots & waiting in massive lines may soon be a way of the past!

What will be in those Virtual Carts this holiday?

Entertainment (57%)

Electronics (39%)

Clothing and accessories (38%)

Toys (28%)

(source: American Express Survey)

Applying modern technology to the traditions of our past has the potential to change the way we celebrate the holidays. A more "High-Tech Holiday" may alter the way we express our desires and shop for those we love. It may also make the holidays more efficient and more convenient...but, unfortunately, it still won't guarantee you a spot on Santa's Nice List!

Can the Wallaby Card Help You Get the Best Bang for Your Credit Card Bucks?

Janet Hutchins — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:47:44 +0000

Savvy shoppers know that there are ways to use credit cards to their advantage. It's possible to earn rewards, and to take advantage of cash back in a number of ways. What's difficult, though, is deciding which credit card to use for which transaction.

The Wallaby Card promises to change all that. Instead of carrying a wallet full of credit cards and trying to decide which to use, the Wallaby Card takes the guesswork out of it. Simply connect all your rewards credit cards to the Wallaby, and this smart card does the rest, figuring out which card to use for the transaction in question.

How Does the Wallaby Card Work?

The Wallaby Card takes smart cards to a whole new level. Normally, when we think of smart cards we think of those with better security, like chip and PIN, or other cool credit card technology. With Wallaby, though, the card itself is actually smart. You send in your credit card information, and all of the cards are connected to the Wallaby -- which uses algorithms to decide which card is the smart choice. Mashable describes how it works:

Essentially, you give Wallaby information about your credit cards, and the company then sends you a new piece of plastic that you carry instead of the other ones. When you swipe the Wallaby card to pay for, say, a dress or movie tickets, the service uses algorithms to decide which of your underlying cards to use to complete the purchase. In doing this, it considers several factors, including which cards you have in your portfolio, your personal preferences, and which card will earn you the most rewards for that transaction.

It's important to realize, though, that this only changes the way you pay for purchases. You will still need to pay all of your credit card bills separately, and pay any fees. On top of that, the Wallaby Card will come with its own annual fee of $50. You need to decide if it's worth it for you to pay that much for the convenience -- and whether or not you think that the Wallaby Card will truly provide you enough value to make up for $50 fee.

If the Wallaby Card is truly better at determining how to most efficiently rack up the reward points, then it might make sense to pay the fee, since the perks will offset the cost of the card. You can give it a chance with a six-month free trial period. If you decide to go for it, carefully track your rewards, and compare them with the rate at which you earned rewards in the past to determine whether or not it really is worth the $50 fee.

Wouldn’t It Be Nice If All Credit Card Issuers Were Like Tarjeta Naranja?

Janet Hutchins — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:42:11 +0000

What if your credit card issuer sent you an apology in the form of flowers if you were dissatisfied? What if, instead of treating you like a number, you felt as though you were treated like a friend? That's philosophy behind Argentina's Tarjeta Naranja, a local credit card on the verge of going international.

According to Ad Age, Tarjeta Naranja is popular because it works hard to build its social network, and places emphasis on great customer service. How many Canadian and American credit card issuers can say the same thing? Not many. Here is what Ad Age has to say about Tarjeta Naranja, which was started by two gym teachers in Cordoba, Argentina:

Tarjeta Naranja expanded through the country, targeting lower-income customers who didn't have other credit cards and spreading the company's "orange culture" of treating everyone as a friend.

Indeed, the card has almost 300,000 "likes" on Facebook, and the customer service representatives chat with consumers on Twitter. Additionally, reports Ad Age, Tarjeta Naranja is considered one of the best companies to work for in Argentina and even set a world record for the most married couples working in a single company. The idea is to create a culture of friendliness and acceptance. On top of that, the card issuer is at the forefront of shopping technology, offering mobile services and mobile shopping.

Tarjeta Naranja is also well-known for its efforts in terms of social responsibility as well. The company builds soccer fields in needy neighborhoods, and works hard to raise awareness of the less fortunate. Their ad campaign revolves around the idea of being "Financially Incorrect" as a company, and putting the focus on others rather than always adhering to the bottom line.

Of course, the bottom line certainly isn't neglected by Tarjeta Naranja. The company averages 15% and 20% revenue growth annually, according to Ad Age. That's not bad for a company that focuses on low-income customers and sends potted plants to those who are less than satisfied.

What Does Your Credit Card Issuer Do for You?

With Tarjeta Naranja putting emphasis on human beings, rather than on wringing every last penny out of consumers, it begs the question: When was the last time your credit card issuer sent you flowers? When many of us think of "getting back" from a credit card issuer, we think of our Canadian rewards credit cards. It wouldn't even dawn on many of us to expect particularly exceptional service, or be treated as anything other than a number as we're herded through the robo-response call.

However, Argentina's local credit card offers food for thought. Maybe we should start demanding better service -- and a little respect -- for our own credit card issuers.

Will Mobile Payments Come with Extra Fees?

Janet Hutchins — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 14:22:33 +0000

Major banks and telecommunications companies are teaming up to allow for mobile transactions. These mobile payments will make it easier for many consumers to make payments, no matter where they go. However, there are some concerns. While there hasn't been mention of extra fees yet, the possibility is always there.

Remember the mess regarding the introduction of premium credit cards?

Canadians Don't Need More Fees

The CFIB points out that the premium card debacle is good reason to be concerned, since small businesses are still trying to work through that problem. Here is what the CFIB states about coming mobile transactions:

While CFIB is in favour of giving customers and businesses more options, the addition of new payment methods shouldn’t be used as an excuse for a fee grab.

It'd be nice if the logical conclusion was to simply let consumers have the option to pay with whatever method they like. However, it's not a foregone conclusion. Already, premium cards drive up prices for everyone -- even those who don't use the credit cards -- because small businesses have to cover the high costs of accepting premium cards. Small businesses often find themselves in a difficult position, since not accepting credit cards could lead to lost business. Accepting the cards, though, means that they have to absorb higher costs, or pass the higher costs on to customers.

Hopefully, the introduction of mobile payments won't add yet another layer of costs for consumers. The truth is that Canadians already pay rather high fees for credit card use. In fact, Canadians pay some of the highest fees in the world. And that doesn't even take into consideration the higher than average interest rates charged on Canadian credit cards (higher, on average, than the interest charged in the United States). Canadians are already hit with enough fees. Yet another transaction fee for mobile payments would push the situation into the realm of the ridiculous.

The good news is that proactive measures are already being taken. Here is what the CFIB points out about what's being done right now:

So far, the industry is reaching out to small business, and there are new guidelines for mobile payments. Even better, federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has indicated he will soon implement a payments advisory committee, and he’s considering changes to the Code of Conduct for the Credit and Debit Card Industry (which we helped to draft) to address mobile issues.

Hopefully, the big banks and the communications companies will handle this matter better than the introduction of premium credit cards was handled. With a little push in the right direction, we have have more convenience without being overwhelmed by fees.

Image source: Jeremy Keith via Wikimedia Commons

This post was included in the Totally Money Blog Carnival at Sterling Effort

Canadians Pay High Fees for Credit Card Use

Janet Hutchins — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:43:16 +0000

If you are Canadian, and you use a credit card, chances are you are paying for that privilege -- even if you don't carry a balance and use your Canadian credit card interest-free. The fees charged to merchants in Canada for accepting credit cards are among the highest in the world.

Canada's Competition Bureau is arguing that the high fees that Canadian merchants pay for accepting credit cards is unfair, especially since the cost of the fees are passed on to consumers. Even those who use cash end up paying, in some way, for these high fees. Canadian Business reports on the impact of high fees:

Presenting the case for the competition commissioner, Kent Thomson argued that restrictive contracts put in place by Visa and MasterCard allow the two credit card companies — which represent 92 per cent of the market — to essentially dictate terms to merchants.

"Most Canadians are unaware of the high cost of fees" that are part and parcel of credit card usage, he said. "And these are not borne by merchants alone, they are reflected in higher prices paid by customers."

Indeed, Canadian credit card use costs everyone, no matter how responsible you are. Some think that the credit card issuers are behaving in a draconian fashion, forcing high costs on everyone, whether they are using premium cards or not, because merchants aren't allowed to charge different prices for cash-pay customers, regular card holders, and premium credit card holders.

Tribunal Hearing Evidence on the Subject of Credit Card Fees

Because of the high fees, a complaint has been filed against credit cards, and the Competition Bureau is holding a tribunal on the subject. Retailers want to be able to use a surcharge on credit purchases, in an effort to raise awareness of the costs associated with using credit cards. They want to make it clear that everyone pays higher prices when credit cards are accepted at a store.

Due to the popularity of credit cards as a payment method, most retailers have little choice but to accept them. But they wish that they could show consumers the cost -- even those who pay cash and have low interest Canadian credit cards pay the price -- of credit cards. Additionally, they claim that they want to be able to account for the costs associated with credit cards without passing the higher prices on to customers paying cash, or customers that don't use the premium credit cards.

On top of that, it seems as though the fees also cost the Canadian government $60 million over the course of five years. This news indicates that it's not just consumers that pay the price; you could avoid stores altogether, and you would still be paying credit card fees through your taxes. While many understand that credit card fees are necessary for the major issuers and the credit card companies to make money, there are questions about why the terms have to be so inflexible, and why Canada has to pay some of the highest fees in the world.

What do you think? Should credit card companies and issuers be forced to change the fee structure?

Image source: Paul Vlaar via Wikimedia Commons

This post was including in the Carnival of Financial Camaraderie at My University Money, and in the Carnival of Financial Planning at Cult of Money.

Sweden Leads the Charge Toward a Cashless Society

Janet Hutchins — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:38:01 +0000

Many people find cash unwieldy. It's bulky (especially coins), and it doesn't come with good security. If someone steals your wallet, you can cancel the credit cards, and you won't be liable for the fraudulent purchases, but the cash is gone -- untraceable and never to be seen again.

The charge toward a cashless society is underway. So far, Canadians have shown an interest in being at the front of technology, including the use of credit cards and electronic forms of payment. But when it comes to moving toward a truly cashless society, Sweden is leading the charge.

Sweden Works to Make Cash Transactions a Thing of the Past

Recently, in the The Atlantic, a story about Sweden's efforts to encourage cashless transactions was published. In Sweden, according to the article, most forms of public transportation won't accept cash. You can pre-pay for a ticket, or pay via cell phone text message. But you can't use coins. Just about everyone is getting in on the cashless act, according to The Atlantic:

Even houses of worship are becoming increasingly friendly to cash-free transactions: At the Carl Gustaf Church in Karlshamn, southern Sweden, Vicar Johan Tyrberg recently installed a card reader to allow worshipers to tithe in digital form.

When you no longer drop a couple bills into the collection plate, you know cash is on the way out. Digital wallets are being introduced by a number of companies, and PayPal is even introducing the ability to use an account at the registers of offline retailers. That's right: At some stores in the United States you can use a credit card terminal to pay via PayPal -- no card required.

Advantages of a Cashless Society

Some of the advantages associated with a cashless society include:

Convenience: It's much easier to pay with a cell phone. Even for those who are wary of using cell phones for payment, it's still more convenient to use your Canadian credit card to make purchases. Cash is bulky and takes up much more space.
Security: Once your cash is stolen, it's gone. However, you aren't held responsible for money spent on a stolen credit card. You can cancel credit cards, but the cash is gone.
Reduced crime rate: According to the article from The Atlantic, a cashless society might reduce crime. Fewer bank robberies have occurred, claims Swedish bankers. Additionally, there is speculation that muggings could decrease. When you don't have cash, and cards can just be canceled, there isn't much point.
Ease of transactions: As technology advances, it will be easier to send and receive money. There are already ways to divide restaurant bills among friends, and other financial apps that can increase the ease of transactions, whether you are settling a bet or paying a bill.

There are some downsides, though. One of those is privacy. Concerns about how easy it is to track purchases made in this way are rising. How could your purchases affect various aspects of your finances and credit? A cashless society must also be balanced with privacy protections, and the ability for consumers to donate to charity, make purchases, and perform other transactions without worrying about who's looking over their shoulders.

What do you think? Is a cashless society inevitable?

Hackers Target Credit Reports

Janet Hutchins — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:27:33 +0000

In the world of credit, it's important to stay on top of your situation, and to watch for identity theft. Identity theft is a growing crime, since it's the theft of information, and many people don't realize that their information has even been stolen. And, of course, once someone has your identity, it's fairly simple to get credit in your name.

And, while your identity can be stolen from information in many different accounts, some hackers are now going right to the source, and stealing entire credit reports from credit reporting agencies.

How Much is Your Credit Report Worth on the Black Market?

Some hackers are finding that they can make a lot of money by getting information from credit bureaus. MSNBC reports on the prices that hackers receive for different credit reports:

Websites that offer consumers a chance to see their credit reports are being brazenly used by hackers to steal victims' information.

The prices of the reports rise and fall depending on the credit score of the victim. For consumers with credit scores in the 750s, report data might fetch $80; reports from victims with scores in the low 600s sell for about half that, according to "for sale" pages viewed by msnbc.com.

The fact that there are "for sale" pages should be troubling for many. It's clear that these hackers are quite open about their ability to get information and then sell it. Indeed, with such brazen attempts to make a profit off credit information, it's possible that a financial product warning label is needed in order to let consumers know that their data is at risk.

We'd like to think that our information is safe, but you never know when it will go on sale to the highest bidder. You can use credit monitoring services, but this still doesn't prevent hackers from stealing your information -- although being alerted to new account activity can help you see where you might be vulnerable, and what steps you might need to take in order get rid of fraudulent charges and accounts. It's important to keep tabs on your credit report, since someone stealing your Canadian credit card account is not the only possibility for identity theft.

Bottom Line

Your information is out there. There is no way to completely protect against identity theft. As a result, it's up to you to be vigilant. Check your credit report regularly, and watch for signs that your identity has been stolen and is being used for fraudulent purposes. It's up to you to keep an eye out, and let the credit bureaus know when information is inaccurate or fraudulent.

Image source: TrinityCreditServices via Flickr

This post was included in the Carnival of Financial Camaraderie at 101 Centavos and in the Totally Money Blog Carnival at Debt Black Hole.

Royal Canadian Mint: Buy a Glow in the Dark Coin

Janet Hutchins — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:10:51 +0000

Canada is getting ready to ditch the penny, but that doesn't mean that the Royal Canadian Mint is going to have nothing to do. Indeed, there are plenty of other denominations that are minted as coins here in Canada.

However, the Royal Canadian Mint does more than just issue "regular" money. The mint also produces specialty coins and collector's editions. Starting Monday April 16, 2012, though, the mint plans to begin offering a glow in the dark coin.

Glow in the Dark Dinosaur Coin from the Royal Canadian Mint

When we think of coins, we don't usually think of them as glowing in the dark. However, the Royal Canadian Mint is ready to change that. Starting on Monday, the mint will issue a coin featuring the first dinosaur discovered in northern Alberta, the Pachyrhinosaurus lacusti.

In the light, the 25 cent piece will show a color version of the dinosaur. However, when the lights go out, you see something different: The skeleton of the dinosaur glowing in the dark. There is a limited run of the coins; the Royal Canadian Mint is only creating 25,000 of them. As a result, they will cost more than 25 cents. Indeed, you will need to pay $29.95 if you want one of these.

Other Specialty Coins from the Royal Canadian Mint

The mint makes money off these special edition coins, which are often quarters. The special coins often feature bright colors, as seen in a recent series featuring small creatures and lovely flowers. Another, with a maple leaf design, features Swarovski Elements that add a crystal look to a drop of water. The mint also releases special coins recognizing the Chinese New Year, including a beautiful $15 Year of the Dragon coin for 2012.

The truth is that it is possible for a collector to find a number of coins that look great, and that make great gifts. But I think the glow in the dark dinosaur is definitely something different and new -- and something I think my son would love.

So Long to the Canadian Penny

Janet Hutchins — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:50:06 +0000

For quite some time, it has cost more to make a penny than a penny's face value -- even though it's been years since the penny was even made mostly of copper. The truth is that the penny has been causing the Canadian government to lose around $60 million a year. In order to cut back, the Harper government's newest budget eliminates the penny.

Goodbye to the Penny

The subject of the penny has been the focus of debate for quite some time. Because of inflation, the purchasing power of the penny has declined substantially in recent years. On top of that, it doesn't help that it costs about 1.6 cents to make the one-cent piece in Canada. Without any significant purchasing power, and considering the cost, it does make sense to eliminate the penny.

However, no one expects you to stop using the penny completely. Not unless you want to, at least. In fact, it's perfectly fine to keep using pennies, since they won't be actively removed from circulation. Instead, the Canadian government has decided to just stop making the coins and distributing them to banks. So, if you still have your pennies, you will be able to use them. (Some people have been hoarding the old copper pennies in the Canada and in the United States, hoping to cash in as copper's value rises and if pennies are no longer considered legal tender.) You can even take your pennies to trade in for other coins and bills, according CBC:

But banks will then return those pennies to the mint for recycling into their base materials. That means before too long, the penny will be mostly removed from the Canadian economy — except for the jars in Canadians' closets.

For the most part, the impact will only be on cash transactions. The government isn't getting rid of the cent altogether. Electronic transactions and credit/debit transactions, as well as cheque transactions, won't change. It's just minting and handling the pennies that is so expensive, and that's what the government aims to end.

Many Canadians don't seriously expect the news to impact them greatly. Canada is known for its enthusiasm to embrace financial technology, and that includes the idea of digital wallets. While some Canadians still use cash, most are just as likely to pull out a debit card, or one of the many Canadian credit cards available for convenience. In the coming months, it will be interesting to see what happens, and how the shift away from pennies is handled.

And it will be interesting to see if the United States follows suit and gets rid of its own penny.

Watch Out for These Top 12 Canadian Scams

Janet Hutchins — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:25:34 +0000

One of the realities of living in an age where it's possible to receive and send money quickly and easily, as well as providing opportunities to work from home, is that there are numerous scams out there aimed at separating you from your hard-earned cash. Scams surround us every day, and many of them are so clever and high-tech that it seems truly legitimate.

However, you need to be on your toes at all times, and in tune to the reality that not everyone is ready to give you a good opportunity. Instead, be on the lookout for scams at all times. In order to help you keep on top of the situation, Canada's Competition Bureau has released The Little Black Book of Scams.

Top 12 Scams Affecting Canadians

The Little Black Book of Scams provides you with great insight into the scams you have to watch out for. There are a number of reasons that people fall for scams, whether it's love, money, or just the wish that something could be true. You need to be on the alert if you don't want to be taken in by these scams, detailed in The Little Black Book of Scams:

Lotteries, Sweepstakes and Contests: Did you get an email proclaiming that you won a huge lottery prize, or a contest? This stuff doesn't just happen out of the blue; chances are that someone is trying to get their hands on your bank account information. From online pop-ups proclaiming you won a sweepstakes, or emails insisting that you've won the lottery, stay away.
Pyramid Schemes: First of all, understand that pyramid schemes aren't just risky -- they're illegal as well. The pyramid scheme works when you "invest" a large amount of money in some sort of money-making venture. You are supposed to encourage others to join as well. The person at the top makes a lot of money, while those at the bottom are left with nothing. Watch out especially because your own unsuspecting friends and relatives might try to cut you in on it.
Money Transfer Requests: All you have to do is help someone transfer their funds, and you get a nice, big cut of it. Unfortunately, this common scam results in you ending up giving up your bank account information, and seeing it wiped out. Also, watch out for overpayment scams, in which you are given a bad check for more than the required amount, and asked to refund the difference. Eventually the check bounces and you are in big trouble.
Internet Scams: Watch out for email from spammers looking to infect your computer with malware, or attempting to get personal information and passwords. Also, watch out for fraudulent communications from organizations you trust.
Mobile Phone Scams: The rise of cell phone use means that scammers are looking for ways to make money from your mobile habit. Some of these scams include hidden charges from certain numbers, as well as ringtone scams. Ringtone scams attract you by offering free ringtones that end up subscribing you to a costly service. Watch out for text message and missed call scams as well.
Health and Medical Scams: Worried about your health condition? Concerned you can't get in for a treatment you want? Watch out! Health scams try to provide you "cures" for different ailments, but really they are placebo pills, or complex and expensive "treatments" that are ineffective. Some can even be dangerous.
Emergency Scams: You are contacted by someone who claims to be a loved one or close friend in trouble. They are stuck overseas and have been robbed. They need you to wire money to get them home. A quick search of the Internet can usually provide enough information to fool you into thinking you are speaking with someone you know.
Dating and Romance Scams: The Internet makes it easier to connect with people. However, you need to watch out. There are scammers who work to get money from someone after establishing an online relationship. You might send money for plane tickets, or to help your online romance out of a tight spot. Once you send the money, the relationship ends -- and you are left poorer, and with a broken heart.
Charity Scams: This is sad, but true. There are scammers that pose as legitimate charities to play on your heart strings and get some money. Instead of helping someone in need, though, you're lining a scammers pockets.
Job and Employment Scams: Watch out for employment scams. There are classic work from home scams that promise to get you started earning money from home -- as soon as you send a start-up fee or buy a system. Others might be secret shopper scams. While there are legit secret shopper jobs, there are also plenty of scams. Also, watch out for those tell you that the job is yours -- once you go to a site and get your own credit report. You pay the money, the company gets a commission, and you have no job.
Small Business Scams: Watch out for scams aimed at small businesses. This might be a false message that your domain is about to expire, or that you can be listed in a special "directory." Also, watch out because business identity theft is on the rise.
Service Scams: Someone shows up and offers to perform a service, such as roofing. You pay part of the money up front, and nothing comes of it. Other service scams include credit card interest rate reductions and antivirus software. Watch out for these service scams.

The Little Black Book of Scams also provides you with information about how to recognize each scam, and how to protect yourself from scammers. This is a great resource that everyone should read in order to arm themselves against the unscrupulous out there.

This post was included in the Totally Money Carnival at Thirty Six Months, and in the Festival of Frugality at Dewey's Treehouse.