Making Money Personal

Keep Your Cards Secure When Holiday Shopping - Money Tip Tuesday

While the holiday season ramps up, it’s important to remember that holiday shoppers aren’t the only busy ones this year. Identity thieves and scammers take advantage of this busy season to steal information.
While you’re out there in-person or shopping online, make sure you guard your cards and card information to ensure your transactions are secure.  
Links:
Learn more about secure password managers like LastPass
Learn more about Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal
Add your Triangle cards to a mobile wallet for secure and convenient payment
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
We all do our shopping however we feel most comfortable. Some love going out to a physical store to explore the shelves and find that perfect gift. Others like to comfortably camp out on the couch and browse websites for their holiday hunt. 
Whichever way you choose to shop this year, remember to keep security top of mind.  
Fraud attempts increase significantly during the shopping season so it’s important to consider whether anything insidious is hiding behind that tempting email, social media ad or website. 
Scammers want your payment information. They target credit card transactions both in-person and online in hopes to steal information from as many unsuspecting shoppers as they can.  
This holiday, remember to guard your payment information whenever and wherever you pay.  
For those who prefer shopping online keep these security tips top of mind before you go through the checkout.  
Make sure the website is secure. Look for the lock icon at the top URL address bar to ensure information being transmitted is encrypted.  
Don't save your card information in browsers.  Instead use a secure digital wallet or vault like LastPass. 
Don’t make payments over unsecured WI-FI or mobile networks. Scammers and hackers can monitor public, unsecured Wi-Fi sources to intercept sensitive data that might be transmitted 
Use an online payment company that doesn’t use card numbers like Google Pay, Apple Pay or PayPal.  
For those who still shop in-person bad actors can still target your physical card transactions. Remember these tips when using your cards out in public.  
When using self-pay locations like gas stations, stand-alone ATMs and parking terminals, remember to examine the pump or terminal for any signs of tampering, cameras or card skimmers. 
Use the contactless payment method for physical cards instead of inserting the EMV chip or swiping the magnetic strip. Contactless methods are more secure when transmitting data 
Don’t shy away from using your phone’s mobile wallet to store your cards. Mobile wallets keep all your card information secure; they transmit encrypted codes rather than card information during payment and you get the bonus of no longer needing to carry around physical cards. 
If you lose your physical card, immediately lock it from any future use until you can find it or report it as lost to the credit card company  
One final way to keep your cards secure is to get into the habit of monitoring all transactions. Set up transaction alerts to get instant notifications any time your card is charged so that way if suspicious activity occurs you can report it right away. 
If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page, and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on social media to share your thoughts.   
Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday, and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   
Have a great day! 

Tips to Save on Holiday Travel - Money Tip Tuesday

The holidays are coming fast! There will be a lot of scheduling, planning, and prepping for the busy season's festivities, especially holiday travel.
For those of you hitting the road or flying out to celebrate the holidays or even to get away, you can do a few things to save a little money on this season’s holiday travel planning.  
Links: 
Learn more about Triangle's Holiday Cash personal loan promotion to get a great rate for holiday spending needs
Save money with popular travel apps like:
Expedia
Priceline
Skyscanner
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
The holidays are known for fun festivities and moments of cheer and delight, but if you remain unprepared for too long it can get stressful fast.  
For those who know they'll be traveling to see friends or family, it's time to start planning that travel so you'll have one less thing to worry about during the peak season.   
In this episode I’ll share a few strategies to save some money on any upcoming travel expenses.   
Set a budget. Have a clear budget in mind on what you’ll be spending on holiday travel. Set up a separate budget sheet for flights, any car rentals, lodging, food and holiday activities. Use a spreadsheet, budgeting app or even old-fashioned pen and paper to lay out every expenditure. Setting a budget and planning out how much you can spend for the holiday trip will help keep your expenses within affordable means and prevent the post-holiday spending hangover that can occur once the bills start rolling in. For those worried about affording holiday travel expenses this year, check out seasonal holiday loans, like Triangle’s Holiday Cash personal loan. These loans offer a great opportunity to borrow plenty of cash to afford most holiday expenses at an affordable rate.
Book early. If you're flying, book as early as possible to ensure you get the right deals and competitive pricing. Also, be selective about which days to travel. Some days are less busy than others, which means you could score lower ticket prices. Rearranging your travel schedule to avoid heavy travel days can save you quite a bit of money. If you're looking for an easy way to help price out and compare flights, try using flight comparison and travel apps like Expedia, Priceline and Skyscanner. 
If you have credit card points, now is a good time to cash them in. Regardless of how many you have, look into applying them towards as many travel costs as you can. Any opportunity to save on expenses during the holiday season is great!  
Explore benefit programs and travel bonuses. Many credit card companies offer travel bonuses and perks just for being a cardholder. You may get complimentary access to airport lounges, discounts, and other travel benefits for low or no cost.   Take some time to explore your credit card program benefits to see what additional perks might be available for your holiday travel.  
Set aside a little extra money to prepare for the unexpected. It’s the holidays, and you’re traveling. There’s a chance that spontaneous delays and cancellations can occur. If travel issues do arise for whatever reason, make sure you have some emergency money available. A mixture of cash and credit cards are good to have on hand while traveling so you can relax knowing there’s additional money available for any unexpected needs.  
If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page, and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on social media to share your thoughts.   
Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   
Have a great day! 

Strategies to Safeguard Your Membership - Money Tip Tuesday

As fraud continues to increase across the country and the globe it’s no surprise that scammers fix their eyes on high-prized targets- people's bank accounts.
Financial institutions make a strong effort to keep your financial accounts safe from threats, but you’re still the last line of defense when it comes to safeguarding your membership.  
Links: 
Learn more about Triangle's Better Checking account with identity theft protection
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
We’ve seen increased fraud activity over the past year. Scammers are using advanced and convincing techniques to trick unsuspecting members into handing over their personal banking information. 
One particular tactic we’ve seen is fraudsters calling or texting members, posing as employees from the TCU Fraud Department, and have replicated our 603-889-2470 phone number. Once the conversation starts, the fraudsters request confidential online banking information and passcodes. 
Some who have received these alarming calls and texts inadvertently provide all the requested information.  
As a result, the fraudster uses the login information to access the accounts and steal their money. 
Unfortunately, these convincing threats have continued to hit unsuspecting victims and there’s no reason to think that threats like this will decrease over time. 
As a member, it’s important that you stay aware of these tactics so if you ever receive one of these calls or texts, you’ll know the proper actions to take. 
Keep these following key steps top of mind to safeguard your membership and personal information. 
Do not provide your online banking credentials, one-time passcodes, or multi-authentication codes to anyone over the phone or text, regardless of who they claim to be. 
If you receive a suspicious phone call, hang up immediately or ask the caller for a return phone number. After disconnecting the call, contact the credit union through secure email within online banking, or call the number found on the credit union’s website. 
If you receive an alarming text, do not open it and delete it immediately. Triangle does not use text messaging, commonly referred to as SMS, to communicate with members. 
Get identity theft protection. Even the most guarded person can become a victim through channels outside of their own control. Having identity monitoring and id protection benefits can keep you aware of anything suspicious that may happen with your identity and provide resources and assistance to deal with any resolution. Triangle offers Better Checking with Identity theft protection through ID protect that can serve as an additional layer of defense between you and the dangerous effects of ID theft. 
Lastly, become familiar with the specific ways your financial institution will and will NOT communicate with you. Triangle Credit Union in particular will never request online banking passwords from members, ask you to change your username or password, or request that you log into your online banking. Triangle Credit Union will never solicit confidential information via an unexpected call, text, email, social media message, or voicemail, and we will never ask you to enter this information through a generic web link. 
We hope that this tip will help remind you to keep your defenses up if you ever encounter one of these suspicious calls or texts so you can keep your money and personal information safe.  
If there are any other tips or topics you would like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.  
Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Have a great day! 

Debunking 7 Common Money Myths - Money Tip Tuesday

Money myths abound. Over time, we hear messages from various sources that influence how we view and use our money. Some messages are accurate financial truths, while others are misguided myths. For anyone looking to boost their financial game, recognizing and avoiding some common money myths is an important place to start.   
Links:
Need investing help? Explore Triangle's Financial Planning Services
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Whether it's from an internet article, online video, or social media, there's a lot of financial "advice" out there. But sometimes, even with the best intentions, messaging might still be a little off base.  
There are many money myths out there, you've likely heard, that aren't necessarily true.  
Here are seven common money myths you might have heard circulating the internet or even in your social circles. 
The belief that money is the root of all evil. Many listening to this may already be aware, but for those who don't, the saying goes, "The LOVE of money" is the root of all evil. Being obsessed with money and pursuing it without any thought for others around you is when money can be a problem. Some use this myth to stigmatize money, saying that it's a negative thing and that we shouldn't work for it, spend it, or save it. But the truth is that money can provide us opportunities and means to take positive actions, like donating to a charity, covering a meal for a friend, buying someone a gift, and enjoying a night out.
You can't negotiate bills. Many people don't bother to dispute a bill because they feel it won't make a difference. But it can work. I've settled a medical bill for way less than the billed amount – I ended up paying a little over half the price. If you're struggling with some bills, like medical, phone, cable, and others, try calling the companies and asking if they offer any way to settle the bill for less. You may be surprised by what they say because sometimes the company would instead get at least some of the bill now than let it extend into the future.
If you're not already rich, you can't build generational wealth. With planning, consistency, and dedication, you can take the steps to build wealth to pass on after you're gone. Exploring investing options, saving money regularly, and paying attention to your finances are all positive money habits that ensure you'll have some generational wealth to leave to future generations– even if you never made a fortune.
The cheapest option is always the best way to go. When purchasing anything, price is one of the biggest factors in our decision especially when we have to choose between multiple items at different price points. For many, the obvious choice might seem to be the cheaper option. But are there instances where that's only sometimes the case? What comes up then is the question of value. The old saying, "You get what you pay for," is spot on here. Sometimes the cheaper option isn't the best value. Cheaper electronics may need replacing sooner, cheaper clothing and shoes might wear faster, and cheaper food might not provide the best nutritional value. Take the time to weigh the prices with the product's value. Some cheaper items are the way to go, while other times, it may be better to pay a little more money for a lasting, higher-quality product.
You need to have a lot of money to invest. This is a big misconception. Many people feel that they aren't able to invest because they don't have enough to start with. Today, there are plenty of ways people can get started investing with even small amounts of money. I'm talking $50 or $100 into good-quality investment choices. With any investment consideration, it's always a good idea to talk to a financial professional to explore investing options and determine how much money is adequate for your financial situation. 
You don't have to think about retirement until you're older. It's not uncommon to disregard future planning for immediate needs. Many of us think more about what we're doing now as we live daily because that's where we focus our immediate attention. This can lead to the thinking, particularly of retirement, that "I'll start thinking of that as I get older" or "I'm too young to have to start worrying about retirement." That thinking couldn't be farther from the truth. One of the best ways to have a healthy retirement by the time you reach that age is to start saving as soon as possible. The years of contributions and compounding growth will build up over time, so a person putting a small amount away at the age of 23 will likely amass a significant amount more than someone contributing a lot of money at 40. It's never a bad time to start saving for retirement, and the sooner you start saving, the better.
Your 401K can act as a good emergency fund. Okay, if you have been putting aside money over time in a retirement account like a 401k, you're likely looking at a good-sized dollar amount whenever you check it. But it can happen that when one sees that healthy savings amount, they feel that they don't have to worry about having additional savings, like for emergencies, because they can withdraw money from their 401k... right? There are a few things to consider. First, it's not easy to withdraw money from your retirement account. Depending on the type of account, the use of the money, and how much you're withdrawing, fees and taxes may be associated with taking that money from the account. Second, taking money out of a retirement account lowers your retirement accumulation and overall yearly compounding, resulting in too little in your account by the time you reach retirement age. The best way to avoid this is to keep your retirement accounts off-limits and focus on building up a healthy emergency fund in a separate bank account to cover the unexpected expenses that pop up throughout life's journey. 
If there are any other tips or topics you would like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.  
Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Have a great day! 

Top 5 Tips to Save Money This Holiday Season - Money Tip Tuesday

It’s that magical time of year again—the decorations are coming out, the music is playing in the malls, and for us in NH, cold crisp winter is in the air. Nestled in all of this is holiday shopping! Today, we’re going to share 5 tips to help you save money and reduce financial stress this season.
Links:
Learn more about Triangle's Goal Builder tool
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast! 
Let’s be real: this is a favorite time of year for so many, but this season does not come without financial strain and stress. We have five top tips to help save you money this shopping season. 
Tip #1 – Make a list!  Write down everyone you plan to give gifts to, including family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, your mail carrier…you get the picture! Then put a dollar figure next to each name.  
Once you complete the list (and associated dollar figures), add it all up to see if it hits the mark in your holiday spending budget. If your budget can handle the gifts and amount, then let the shopping begin; however, if your budget is taking a big hit and can’t cover the expenses of your gift giving list, it’s time to set some price limits to keep your holiday budget on track! 
You can write out your list with a pencil and paper or use an Excel spreadsheet, which is what we recommend. Excel will allow you to modify the list easily.  
If you are in the predicament of having way too many names and dollars than your budget allows, here are some ways to limit your list: 
Simply cut the budget by making some baked goods or a cute home-made craft for everyone other than your immediate family.  
If you have a sizable family, suggest a Yankee Swap or drawing names and make sure you set spending limits – this is often an approach many use especially for siblings. 
Tip #2 – Use sleuth shopping techniques 
When you’re out shopping, don’t buy the item without searching for a better deal. Using your phone, do a quick online search to see if you can find it elsewhere at a lower price. 
Online shopping has revolutionized sleuth shopping – with a simple Google search you can find the best prices for almost any product! Use this to your advantage! Once you find the best price—show it to the store representative and ask for a price match. If they want your business, they will make every effort to match the price you found online.  
Shoppers are more comfortable with this technique if they have the time, so start shopping early! One of the surest ways to overspend is to wait until the last minute and buy all your gifts in a rush. Not only are you more likely to overspend, but it also makes an already stressful time of the year even more so, which brings us to… 
Tip #3 – Start early and save money, time, and aggravation 
Set a start date and a wrap-up date (pun intended) – the earlier you finish, the more time you will have to enjoy the holiday festivities without the stress! Another benefit of starting early is establishing a longer period to save money for gift giving, which will reduce the impact on your monthly budget. And speaking of saving money… 
Tip #4 – Use Your Goal Builder Tool 
Check your financial institution for goal building tools and use them to save money for special occasions, like holiday shopping. For example, Triangle Credit Union’s Goal Builder tool allows you to set a goal, the amount you want to save, your start and end dates, and there’s even an auto save option which allows you to select the frequency of how often you want to put money in your savings account. 
For more information on this option, check out trianglecu.org/bank/tcu-go-services or our blog on Triangleuniveristy.org. 
Goal builder tools allow you to save money over a period of time which reduces a load of stress. The principle of a Goal Builder tool is very much the same as the old Christmas Clubs where you would put money in an envelope or deposit into an allocated account at your financial institution. With Goal Builder, saving is just easier and more convenient because it’s all within your online or mobile banking platform. 
Tip #5 – Buy the Product, Not the Marketing  
For some of us, the latest and greatest tech is very important! For the rest of us, the latest and greatest tech isn’t important at all. If the people on your list are more interested in features than fanfare, you can save big on buying last year’s model for tech items, such as phones, TVs, audio equipment, etc.  
But buyer beware: You may have to sleuth shop a little more to find the earlier models simply due to retail-mania where retailers want to showcase the latest and greatest, so you overspend! Sadly, we can buy into this and spend hundreds on insignificant upgrades and features that we’ll never use or miss. To look for earlier models on phones, I use eBay (just make sure you purchase from a reliable and credible reseller). 
And here’s a bonus tip: Doorbuster deals are not all that! You probably started hearing about “doorbuster” deals already, but these specials rarely pay off! A lot of retailers simply markup items to give you the illusion you are getting a real deal at 50% off. Don’t fall for this—rather look for the everyday deals, save early and shop early, and stick to your plan and your budget! 
That wraps up today’s Money Tip. If you have any questions or comments or have suggestions on future topics and tips, please email us at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  
For more great content, remember to subscribe to the Making Money Personal podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and follow us on Facebook. 
Have a great day! 
 

Episode 75: The Economic Impact of Women Business Leaders in NH | Sharron McCarthy & Liz Salas

Starting and building a business can be intimidating and challenging, especially for women and minority business owners. As these challenges are illuminated, many organizations step up to help reshape the economic landscape and encourage successful outcomes for future leaders.
In this episode, we're featuring women leaders from two organizations working hard to empower and build a better future for generations to come.
Links:
Girls Inc. NH website: Girls Inc. | Inspiring All Girls to be Strong, Smart & Bold (girlsincnewhampshire.org)
Learn more about the Girls Inc Raffle: Strong Smart & Bold Raffle | Inspiring All Girls to be Strong, Smart & Bold (girlsincnewhampshire.org)
Explore resources and learn more about the REDC: Regional Economic Development Center | Raymond NH (redc.com)
Explore the REDC and Kiva webinars: Kiva | REDC
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union

Important Reasons to Bank with a Credit Union - Money Tip Tuesday

When it comes to financial institutions, we often select where to bank based on a particular product or service, but there are other reasons why choosing a financial institution is an important decision.
Credit unions offer up an ethical banking option for those looking to do business with companies that value people and their social impact as much as their own growth. 
Links:
Learn more about Conscious Capitalism
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   
There’s a growing interest among consumers to support and do business with ethical companies, and there are many companies that want to be ethical and still maintain steady business growth.  
Because of this, there’s a movement spreading called conscious capitalism, promoting the idea that businesses within a capitalist system can seek financial growth and profits while at the same time maintaining strong ethics and a powerful focus on its social and environmental impact. 
The idea of conscious capitalism came from Whole Foods Co-founder John Mackey and author/marketing professor Raj Sisodia.  
They wanted to spread the idea that businesses can pursue growth and profits in a way that also serves the interest of all stakeholders rather than just corporate management groups and shareholders.  
The two men co-authored a book and eventually developed the organization Conscious Capitalism, Inc. 
Since then, many high-profile companies have joined the movement, such as Starbucks, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Alphabet and others.  
When businesses adopt this philosophy, they choose to recognize the four principles of conscious capitalism listed out by Mackey and Sisodia.  These four principles are: Higher Purpose, Stakeholder Orientation, Conscious Leadership, and Conscious Culture.  
By incorporating these principles into their internal and external operations, businesses hope to improve customer and employee relationships, build brand loyalty with customers drawn to their mission, and engage more effectively with their communities. 
If you’re looking for businesses practicing a similar philosophy that seeks to impact their community and their environment in an ethical manner, look to local credit unions. 
Credit unions have woven the concept of providing quality financial products and services with a conscious, ethical mindset.  
Through cooperative finance, credit unions shine in many ways as a satisfactory way to access quality banking services and products while also making a positive impact on the community. Here are some of the top reasons to consider a credit union as your trustworthy and ethical financial institution.  
Great products: First, people want great financial products that fit their needs. They want capabilities that work well for their lifestyle and financial tools they can use to live their best life. Tools like mobile banking, contactless payment solutions, mobile wallet capabilities, and online applications are all features many people are looking for from a bank. The hunt for low fees and great rates – high deposit and low lending rates- also draws people to a great financial institution. Credit unions have continued to roll out all the digital tools and capabilities that serve all kinds of financial needs. They also historically offer better lending and deposit rates than commercial banks, making the credit union choice great for affordable auto loans and mortgages.  
Social responsibility: Second, many people care a lot about how socially responsible their financial institution is. They want to know their institution cares about people more than just making a profit. Credit unions do! They make a strong effort to participate in efforts that financially benefit their communities and focus on the social impact of their decisions. They consider their constituents' economic and environmental factors and strive to offer products and services that help underserved groups in the communities they serve.   
Customer service: Who wants to bank with an institution that only sees names as numbers? Being recognized and known as an individual is a key to member satisfaction. Credit unions pride themselves on customer service. Their member focus creates a communal atmosphere where every member is recognized and listened to. Members are the credit union's foundation, and time after time, many have shared how they love that they're treated like family when they walk in.   
Local involvement: No one knows the local community better than a credit union. It's made up of people living and working within the community, so it makes a dedicated effort to participate in local activities and events through sponsorships and engagement. Credit unions love to give back and show support to all the citizens striving to improve their local environment. It's essential for many people to know that their bank is committed to the many people living and working within the community, and credit unions do that all year round.    
If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.  
Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Have a great day! 
 

Recognizing and Avoiding Common AI Scams - Money Tip Tuesday

Artificial Intelligence, commonly referred to as AI, is becoming more and more prominent in our everyday lives. Unfortunately, AI scams are becoming more common due to this technological advancement. Here are some AI scams to look out for and how you can avoid them.  
Links:
Additional AI scam education and resources:
https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-are-ai-scams/
A Safe Word Can Protect against AI Impostor Scams | Scientific American
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
https://www.identitytheft.gov/
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.   
AI scams can take many different forms. The first type we'll talk about is voice cloning. AI can take clips of audio from a person and clone their voice. Fraudsters use this clone voice to say whatever they want. They can then use the cloned voice to impersonate the person the voice belongs to and call people. They might be impersonating a celebrity or politician, asking for money to donate to a charity, but the money goes to the fraudsters.   
Fraudsters can get even more personal with AI voice cloning. They can clone the voice of someone you know. It may sound like a friend or relative asking for financial help, but it could also be AI. A good way to protect yourself from scams like this is to create a safe word with friends and family. This safe word is something only you and the other person know. If you get a suspicious-sounding phone call, ask them for the safe word. If they can't answer correctly, you know it's a fraudster.  
The next form of AI scams is deepfakes. Deepfakes are images or videos created by AI that can look and sound like anyone. This can be a very dangerous tool, allowing scammers to impersonate anyone they want. Like the voice clones, scammers can be celebrities or politicians asking to donate money or even someone you know and love asking for money.   
There are some ways to detect a deepfake. Look at the skin of the person. Does it look very polished and smooth? It may be AI-generated then. Does the skin tone of the face match the rest of the body? If it doesn't, the video or image may have been face-swapped. However, there are prompts that scammers can put in to fix this. Look at the shadows and lighting. Is it consistent? Usually in deepfakes, the focus is on the person, not the background. If the background doesn't look real, it probably isn't.  
You can also look at the mouth of the person in the questionable video. Does the audio match up with the lip movements? Do the person's teeth look blurry? These are both ways to see if it is a deepfake or not.  
You can also just use common sense to spot a deepfake. Is this something that the person would be saying or doing? If it's someone you know, reach out to them and ask them about it.  
If you are the victim of an AI scam, here are some things you should do. First, if you paid a scammer, try to get it back. Contact your financial institution and see if they can stop the transaction from going through. Next, secure all your accounts if you think they might be at risk. Reset all passwords and set up a multi-factor authentication if you haven't already. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC for short. This will allow the FTC to track scam trends, warn others who might be at risk, and charge scammers with their crimes if caught. If you think the AI scam was after stealing your identity, you can also report it to the FTC.  
With the rise of AI, it's more important than ever to be vigilant and always think before sending someone money online. It's also important to educate people who might be less tech-savvy so they don't get scammed.  
If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Also, remember to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts. Finally, remember to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on Facebook and LinkedIn.     
Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.     
 

Budget Friendly Grocery Tips - Money Tip Tuesday

If you've been feeling that the cost of groceries seems too expensive and your budget is taking a hit, it may be time to reevaluate your grocery shopping strategy. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to cut down on the amount of money you’re spending on your weekly grocery bill.  
Links:
USDA Seasonal Produce Guide
Explore meal-planning apps:
Yummly
Mealime
Meal Prep Pro
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
The price of groceries continues to climb for many Americans across the country. If you’re one of those noticing the rise in the cost of groceries, try some of these strategies to save money the next time you head to the supermarket.  
Shop seasonal produce. Depending on where you live, you may find that certain produce is cheaper depending on its season, especially if it's local. In-season produce is more abundant and doesn’t need to be transported from distant locations. Both these factors contribute to lowering the price, which makes it easier for customers to save money when they shop. If you’re unfamiliar with when to shop for your favorite produce, the USDA published a list online to make it easier for people to recognize what seasons are the best times to buy certain produce items. You can check that link out in the show notes.   
Use store apps and rewards programs. To increase brand loyalty, many stores roll out rewards programs for shoppers. They offer store cards or use their own branded apps to track and use rewards points, offer discounts on store brand items, and even provide manufacturers coupons on name brands. If you find yourself going to the same grocery store regularly, check to see what kind of rewards program they offer. Using a store program that provides good discounts can save you a lot of money over time.   
Get organized to stop yourself from overbuying. Have you ever gone to the store and purchased an item you were sure you were out of only to find out you already had it stocked at home? Before shopping take a picture of your fridge or pantry to have a visual reminder of what you already have stocked. You can also create and display inventory sheets that track items in your pantry or freezer as you use them. If you keep it updated regularly, you’ll never wonder again while you’re at the store if you were out of ketchup or soy sauce. 
Don’t underestimate the value of frozen produce. Oftentimes, frozen fruits and veggies are cheaper than their fresh counterparts and because they’re frozen at their peak freshness, they’re likely the more nutritious option. If you find yourself purchasing the same types of veggies or fruits regularly try buying them frozen instead. It could save you money, cut down on spoilage and overall help your health. 
Commit to meal planning. Getting organized about what you’ll make during the week is an effective way to avoid the wastefulness of overbuying. Use a planner or notebook to plan out meals ahead of time. For those more technologically savvy, try an app like Yummly, Mealtime [Mealime], and Meal Prep Pro to help you stay organized with meal planning. Not only can you schedule meals, but they also automatically build shopping lists for you based on your meal selections, so you’ll know exactly what to buy next time you go to the store. They also offer additional features and tools like nutrition guidance and dietary suggestions. 
Consider buying more dry bulk items like beans and lentils. These items are usually very low in cost, and they offer a lot of nutritional value. One part of dried beans can equal three parts cooked. This makes it easy to cook a large meal out of seemingly small ingredients. With the addition of all kinds of seasonings and spices, beans and lentils can make a flavorful dish that can last all week; ultimately a great meal prep item. Explore the internet or one of the apps mentioned earlier for a variety of recipes you can make with these affordable and nutritious ingredients.  
For anyone trying to keep their grocery shopping within a set budget, try out some of these suggestions. If you have any other tips not covered here, go ahead and share with us on social media. There might be someone out there who can benefit from it.  
If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page, and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on social media to share your thoughts.   
Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.   
Have a great day! 

How the Fed Rate Change Affects Your Finances- Money Tip Tuesday

Our financial system is kept in balance through the federal reserve assessing and adjusting the federal funds rate. Due to the recent rate change earlier this month, you’ll likely see some new changes coming down the road that will affect your savings and borrowing rates.
What do the changes mean for personal finance planning and what financial opportunities could a rate change provide? 
Links:
Read the Forbes Advisor article mentioned
Check out these additional resources for more information about the Fed rate and its impact on your money:
MSN: The Fed just cut interest rates. How will your finances be impacted?
Forbes: What Happens when the Fed Raises Rates?
CBS News: The Fed cut rates for the first time in 4 years. What does that mean for your money?
ABC News: The Federal Reserve is finally lowering rates. Here's what consumers should know
CBS News: The Fed just made a jumbo rate cut. Here are 5 takeaways on what it means for mortgages and more.
Learn more about our financial planning services at Triangle Credit Union
Get in touch with one of our Mortgage Originators to learn more about a home purchase or refinance
Check out TCU University for more financial education tips and resources! 
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! 
Learn more about Triangle Credit Union
Transcript:
Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  
If you’ve paid attention to financial news recently, you’ll have noticed there was some media attention regarding the Federal funds rate.  
On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell, announced that the federal funds rate would decrease by .50 percentage points, or ½ a percent.  
For anyone unfamiliar with the federal funds rate, it’s the rate set by the Federal Open Markets Committee that banks use to lend money to each other overnight. What makes this rate so special is that it impacts everything for us as consumers like any APYs earned on savings accounts to the interest rates we pay on loans and credit cards.  
One Forbes Advisor article simply stated, “The fed funds rate effectively dictates the cost of money in the U.S. economy.”  
The Federal Reserve regularly meets to assess the economy, reviewing important aspects like inflation and unemployment. During this meeting a decision is made to do one of three things, raise the rate, lower the rate, or keep the rate the same.  
It’s not entirely necessary to know all the ins and outs of how the rate is determined and its role in the financial market, but it is important to be aware of how a rate change can affect your finances. 
When the fed rate changes, it affects all aspects of the financial market so there are many signs you should recognize when news hits that the rate was raised or lowered.  
When the rate goes up you may notice a few of these changes: 
Interest rates on savings accounts and CDs go up 
Rates for loans and credit cards go up 
It can strengthen the dollar thereby attracting foreign investors  
It can slow down economic activity and decrease the rate of inflation 
Similarly, when the rate goes down, you’ll notice these changes: 
Borrowing rates get cheaper, decreasing rates for loans and credit cards 
Rates on savings accounts and CDs go down 
It can weaken the dollar and deter foreign investors 
Boost the stock market and stimulate economic growth by decreasing the borrowing costs for companies 
The good news is that there are opportunities for all of us whatever the rate situation. We can use the rate environment to gauge what types of financial decisions we need to make. 
This recent rate decrease should spark some considerations for anyone monitoring their financial position.  
It may provide an opportunity to tweak some budget items. Pay attention to your interest rates. If they go down, it could free up some cash that you could then reallocate to other budget line items.  
Talk to a financial professional about your investment mix and ask whether adjustments should be made. Because the stock market is likely to be affected by the change in interest rates this might be a good time to reevaluate your investment portfolio to adapt to the changing economic climate.  
It might be a good time to refinance any existing loans like your auto or house loan or even a good time for debt consolidation. Talk to a financial professional or mortgage originator to get an idea of any new rate and term options that may now be available. 
For those waiting for lower rates, it might finally provide an opportunity to make that larger purchase, like a house. 
Due to the recent decision to lower the Fed rate, we are likely to see changes coming across the financial world in the coming months that will likely usher in new financial opportunities.  
To learn more about the fed funds rate and how it can impact your finances, as well as the Forbes article mentioned earlier in this episode, check out the list of links in the show notes for more information. 
If there are any other tips or topics, you’d like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org.  Like and follow our Making Money Personal FB and IG page and look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union on social media to share your thoughts.  
Thanks for listening to today’s Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.  
Have a great day!