Knowing the Rules

When you know the rules, you hold all the cards

Knowing the rules is important when using plastic—credit, debit, prepaid and gift cards. Choosing the wrong card, merchant or transaction type could cost you money or cause you to forgo important cardholder protections.

http://www.knowyourcard.org/

This website is your payment card rulebook. You’ll find everything you need to know on this interactive site about using credit, debit, prepaid and gift cards safely and wisely. The more you know, the more likely you are to make the right moves.

Also check out Consumer Action, a website full of information and education about financial and consumer issues. http://www.consumer-action.org. 

Renter's Insurance: Protecting Your Belongings and Yourself

When you move into a new apartment you're normally thinking about how to arrange the furniture, but what if that furniture were to get damaged or stolen at no fault of your own? Would you have to pay to replace all of your belongings if there were a flood or fire? A landlord's insurance covers the bricks and mortar of an apartment, but the contents are usually the responsibility of the tenant. Consequently, renter's insurance can be a huge relief when unforeseen damage occurs.

Like all forms of insurance, coverage plans vary, and the more you are looking to insure, the more a plan costs. Talking to an insurance representative will help you determine your needs. If you have a car, it may be more cost-effective to bundle your coverages and work with the same company for your renter's insurance.

We all hope that we never have to cash in on our insurance plans, but when problems arise, we're proud of our forethought.

Homecoming Dinner to Celebrate TRIP & RCHR's Excellent Customer Service

The 2012 TRIP & RCHR Homecoming Dinner, happening on Monday, October 29th at 5:30pm at The Franklin Terrace Ballroom, 126 Campbell Ave., Troy, will honor NYS Assemblymember Ron Canestrari and Troy Treasure Michael Esposito.  It is also an opportunity to celebrate the high-quality services provided by TRIP & RCHR.

** Tickets are still available, visit

www.triponline.org/news_and_events/Homecoming_Dinner_RSVP.html to RSVP. **

One part of the TRIP & RCHR mission is to promote responsible homeownership, and the TRIP NeighborWorks HomeOwnership center recently earned high quality service marks from NeighborWorks America.

NeighborWorks America scores each affiliated HomeOwnership Center across the country on a quarterly basis, and we are happy to announce that the TRIP NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center received a 9 out of 10 overall score!

To determine each HomeOwnership Center's Level of Service, NeighborWorks examines the number of homebuyer education clients who successfully purchase homes and the rate at which post-purchase clients maintain homeownership and avoid foreclosure. NeighborWorks organizations consistently strive for excellence, and this score simply underlines the excellent programming available at TRIP.

TRIP's NeighborWorks Center is a one-stop shop for homebuyers and homeowners. Quality, confidential housing advice and group education programs are available to anyone regardless of income or geography on a range of topics whether you are a long-time homeowner or just starting on the path to becoming a homebuyer. Getting this information today will save you money and headaches tomorrow. TRIP HomeOwnership Center staff hear again and again "I wish I'd heard about TRIP before I bought my house!"

To learn more about the programs offered through the TRIP NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center visit www.triponline.org or call (518) 690-0020.

Information on NeighborWorks American is available at www.nw.org.

Come to the Housing Fair!

Prospective buyers and homeowners will want to attend the Capital Region Housing Fair on Saturday, April 28th from 10 am-2 pm at the Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue in Albany. 

Featured will be dozens of information booths including:

• Non-profit housing groups like TRIP
• Lenders
• Attorneys
• Housing inspectors
• Real estate agents
• Free Credit Reports
• Free Consultations

Seminars will be held on topics such as:

• How to hire a contractor
• How to finance your home

Fair-goers can learn about new programs:

• How to make your home more comfortable while saving money and the environment

With foreclosures continuing to wreak havoc on families and neighborhoods, participants having trouble with their mortgages can meet with an experienced lawyer or housing counselor for a free consultation about their situation. Also, representatives from Bank of America and Fannie Mae will be available to meet with borrowers and discuss loan options.

One of the most popular features of last year's fair, the free credit reports, will be available this year too. Just bring a photo ID and obtain a free credit report and a credit consultation.

Sponsors include the HomeSave Coalition, Albany Public Library, M&T Bank, NBT Bank, Bank of America, SONYMA, First Niagara, IAR Attorneys at Law, Community Realty, Metroland, and SEFCU.

All are welcome! Door prizes will be drawn throughout the day. More details at http://www.ahphome.org/ or call (518) 434-1730.

Tax Return Theft: A Trend to Watch Out For

We all dread paying taxes every year, but we all love getting those tax return checks in the mail!  A growing problem however, is that other people love getting your tax return checks too.

This crime happens when someone steals John Doe's identity and files his taxes before John does himself.  Next thing you know, Faux Doe is cashing the check that should have been John's.

We shared some identity theft protection tips with you in January, and those suggestions still apply.  To further ensure that your taxes are safe please remember to keep your social security number private and only share it with agencies when it is absolutely necessary.  Another way to make sure no one files a tax return in your name is to file your taxes early.  Be the first (and hopefully only) form with your name on it.  Keeping your finances and identity private will protect your future.

To read more about this growing problem visit http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2012/02/28/Identity-Thieves-Want-to-Steal-Your-Tax-Refund.aspx#page1

TRIP Hosting Foreclosure Intervention Workshop

Are you behind on your mortgage payments? Anticipating missing a payment? Having difficulties with your lender? Facing foreclosure or know someone who is?  Act now. The sooner steps are taken to remediate issues, the better the outcomes. Let us help you help yourself!

Come to TRIP's office at 415 River St. 2nd Floor, Troy on Tuesday, March 13th from 6-8pm for a Foreclosure Intervention Workshop. Knowledgeable housing counselors and attorneys will be available to answer your questions at this free event. Participants will learn about the mortgage default and foreclosure process.  We will discuss the timeline, lender and homeowner expectations, as well as available options and resources.

TRIP, Inc. is one of five non-profit affordable housing organizations in the Capital District, making up the HomeSave Coalition that is sponsoring this series of workshops around the region.  Homeowners from any county in the Capital District are invited to attend.

Please register online at http://triponline.org/news_and_events/calendar.html or by calling Birgit Wood at (518) 690-0020, ext. 226.

Free Tax Help Available

Does the phrase “Tax Preparation” cause you anxiety and make you question your ability to add Lines A-D and then subtract that sum from Line E?  Well, take a deep breath—help is available.

FREE tax preparation programs around the Capital Region are currently being co-sponsored by non-profits to offer help to individuals and families with annual incomes below $50,000. Numerous agencies and community groups are hosting these services. Dial 2-1-1 to find a site close to you. Also, to check your availability for Earned Income Tax Credit and other savings visit http://www.mybenefits.ny.gov/.

Benefits of these tax preparation services:

• FREE tax preparation services from IRS-certified volunteer preparers
• 10 day turn-around on refunds with direct deposit
• Savings bonds available
• Convenient locations with flexible hours

To bring with you to an appointment:

• Photo identification for the person filing the tax return
• W-2, 1099 and other IRS forms where appropriate
• Bank account information and routing numbers for direct deposit
• 2010 tax return (if available)
• 2008 and 2010 tax returns if you received the 2008 first-time homebuyer credit
• Social Security card for each person listed on your tax form
• Childcare documentation
• Unemployment forms

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

As our world becomes more digitized and computer savvy, new risks arise. Identity theft is a contemporary problem that we all need to be aware of. With the holiday credit card bills rolling in (and hopefully being paid), it is increasingly important that our personal information is kept private.

Here are a few tips to keep your personal information from getting into the wrong hands:

- Only give out your Social Security number when it is really needed. Ask if and why it is necessary when you are asked to provide it.
- Be cautious who you share your personal information with and avoid sending such info in emails or through the mail.

- Shred any papers that have identification or account numbers before discarding them.

- Cut apart old credit cards and don’t carry unnecessary personal documents (birth certificate, Social Security card, passport, etc.) around with you unless you really need them.

- Pay attention to your billing cycles. If a bill is late arriving at your house follow up with your creditors as soon as possible.

- Create unique passwords for all of your accounts.
- Password protect your smartphone.

A Commitment to Education

What is the impact of providing Homebuyer Education? Or Landlord Training? Or Money Management Classes? How many of us emerged from high school with a sound financial education? Did we know the difference between an ARM and a fixed rate mortgage? Did we learn practical money management skills in the classroom? Was financial literacy a concern for our well-rounded education? Did we get tested on our financial IQ?

Everyday, TRIP is making a difference in our neighborhoods by providing the information that helps people make informed decisions, empowers homeowners, strengthens neighborhoods and brings a sense of pride in community.