Category: Uncategorized

When cleaning our homes, it’s only natural for us to reach for commercial cleaning products that promise immediate results. Unfortunately for the environment, though, these products can be anything but natural. And they’re not too kind on your wallet, either. The good news is, there’s a greener and more budget-friendly way to maintain a sparkling clean living space. Here are eight green cleaning agents and DIY solutions for your home. 

1. Baking soda brilliance

Baking soda has long been hailed as the Swiss Army knife of green cleaning products. Sodium bicarbonate, the key ingredient in baking soda, can be mixed with water to create a powerful paste that can remove stubborn stains and grime from countertops, sinks and other surfaces. Pair with vinegar for a fizzy reaction that cleans and freshens drains. Or, you can mix four tablespoons of baking soda with one quart of warm water for enough paste to clean your entire kitchen. 

2. Lemon freshness

Lemons are so much more than a zesty addition to recipes. These highly effective cleaning agents are equipped with a natural acidity that cuts through grease and stains while leaving a fresh aroma. Use lemon juice to clean cutting boards, disinfect countertops and brighten up white fabrics. The combination of lemon and salt can also restore the shine to copper and brass items. For tough rust stains, dip half of a lemon into ½ cup of borax powder, scrub the surface and then rinse clean. 

3. Essential oils

Incorporate the power of essential oils into your DIY cleaning solutions to create a calming and refreshing atmosphere in your home. Tea tree oil is a potent antiseptic, ideal for disinfecting surfaces. Lavender oil offers a relaxing scent and has natural antibacterial properties. Mix a few drops of your preferred essential oil with water for an aromatic and effective cleaning spray.

4. Homemade air fresheners

Commercial air fresheners often contain harmful chemicals that can affect indoor air quality. Create your own natural air freshener by simmering a pot of water with your choice of fragrant ingredients, like citrus peels, cinnamon sticks or cloves. The gentle steam will carry the pleasant aroma throughout your home without the need for artificial scents.

5. The power of vinegar

Vinegar is a versatile and eco-friendly cleaning superstar that can tackle a range of cleaning challenges. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to create an all-purpose cleaner. The mixture will effectively cut through grease, disinfect surfaces and eliminate lingering odors. For a refreshing twist, infuse citrus peels into the vinegar solution and you’ll be rewarded with a natural, pleasant scent.

6. DIY tile scrubber

To get your tub and other tiled areas sparkling, use a sponge to wipe the surface with a bit of vinegar. Then sprinkle baking soda or non-iodized salt over the wiped areas, scrub well with a damp sponge and rinse with water. Then, watch those tiles shine!

7. Non-toxic floor cleaner

Keep your floors in perfect condition without resorting to toxic commercial solutions by mixing a small amount of liquid castile soap with warm water. Pour a moderate amount of the cleaner over your hardwood, tile or laminate floors and mop as usual. To keep your carpets fresh, sprinkle a bit of baking soda over them before you vacuum; this will neutralize any odors. 

8. Scented all-purpose cleaner

Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and water, and then add lemon rind and a few sprigs of rosemary. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well. For best results, let the solution sit for a week before using. The cleaner can be used to remove stubborn hard water stains, freshen up trash cans, get rid of wall smudges and more. Just be careful not to use this versatile homemade cleaner on granite or stainless steel because the acid from the vinegar can damage these surfaces. 

You can have a spotless home without resorting to toxic, expensive cleaners. Use the tips outlined here for DIY cleaning solutions that are great for the environment, and your wallet, too.

TikTok Inspo: Do you have a go-to green cleaning solution? Tell us all about it in a short video.

Scammers are experts at hijacking our favorite conveniences for their schemes, and third-party app scams are no exception. These scams can be difficult to spot and have already conned millions of unsuspecting victims. In fact, according to a report published by ACI Worldwide, third-party app scams, also known as Authorized Push Payment (APP) scams, are the number one fraud threat around the world. And with their popularity rising, the scam risk for every consumer is very real. 

There are several variations of the third-party app scam. Let’s start by taking a look at scams that con the victim into downloading a bogus payment app. Here’s what you need to know about these scams and how to protect yourself. 

How these scams play out

Victims of third-party app scams can be swindled into downloading a bogus app through one of these schemes:

1. The bogus withdrawal notice. Here, a target receives an email allegedly from a third-party app, like Venmo or Zelle, claiming that a large withdrawal will soon be made from the target’s account. The email helpfully includes a number for the victim to call to contest the withdrawal. Unfortunately, when the victim calls the number, a scammer impersonating a bank or credit union rep instructs them to download an app to give the “rep” access to their phone. When the victim does so, the scammer proceeds to empty the victim’s account into their own. 
2. The look-alike app. Here, a victim unknowingly downloads an app owned by a scammer, believing it’s a popular mobile payment app, like Cash App or Zelle. Unfortunately, by downloading the app, the victim is giving the scammer direct access to their funds and sensitive information.

Protect yourself

Keep yourself safe from third-party app scams with these precautionary measures:

• Only download apps from trusted sources. Use official app stores, like the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store, to find the apps you need. These platforms have security measures in place to detect and remove malicious apps from being offered.
• Carefully check the URL of the app you’re downloading to ensure it’s the authentic site. 
• Before downloading an app, check its reviews and ratings. Look for any suspicious patterns, such as a large number of recent positive reviews that seem fake. Genuine apps will usually have a consistent track record of positive reviews over time.
• Research the app and its developer or the company behind it. If there is limited or no information available, you may be looking at a scammer’s app.
• Pay attention to the permissions the app requests during installation. If an app asks for unnecessary access to sensitive data or features, it might be malicious.
• Regularly update your operating system and app versions. Developers often release security patches to fix vulnerabilities that scammers may exploit.
• Install reputable mobile security apps that can help detect and block suspicious activity on your device.
• Be cautious of phishing attempts. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing sensitive data unless you are certain of the website’s legitimacy.
• Be skeptical of “too good to be true” offers. If an app promises unbelievable rewards or benefits, it’s likely a scam. 
• Review your billing statements. Regularly check your app store purchase history and credit card/bank statements for any unauthorized charges.
• Report suspicious apps to the app store and relevant authorities.
• Educate yourself. Stay informed about the latest scams and security threats related to third-party apps. Awareness is your best defense against potential risks.

If you’ve been targeted

If you believe you have fallen for a third-party app scam, and you’ve sent money to a scammer, reach out to the app as soon as possible. Cash App recommends chatting through their app for the quickest service, or calling 800-969-1940 to speak to a representative. For Venmo, open a chat through their app for the quickest response or give them a call at 855-812-4430. If your scam was employed through PayPal, you can report it online through their Resolution Center or call the company at 888-221-1161. Finally, if you’ve used Zelle to send the money, you can chat with them on their site or give them a call at 844-428-8542.

Third-party app scams can cost victims their money and their security. Use the tips outlined here to stay safe. 

TikTok Inspo: Can you scam us? Try to con us into a third-party app scam using the info shared above.

Traveling doesn’t come cheap, and part of keeping your finances intact during vacation includes knowing the best way to pay for your purchases during your getaway. Should you primarily use cash, a debit card or a credit card?

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each choice so you can make an informed decision during your vacation.

Using cash on vacation

Cash may be going out of style, but it’s still the preferred method of payment for many travelers. 

Payment cards can be complicated when you’re far from home and you may not be familiar with the protocol of your financial institution and credit card company when it comes to using your debit card on foreign soil. Cash, on the other hand, works anywhere. It’s also easy to stick to a budget when you only have cash on you since there’s no way you can possibly overspend. Also, cash offers its own form of security by not leaving a digital trail. Finally, cash is easy to use to pay for small purchases when on vacation, such as food you may want to buy from a street vendor or a tip you may want to give the bellhop at your hotel.

On the flip side, cash is not the most convenient to lug around. You’ll also need to decide how much cash you need for your vacation before leaving home, as you may not find an ATM that’s connected to your credit union while on vacation. Finally, cash always carries a risk of loss or theft. Once it’s gone, there’s no way to get your funds back.

Using a debit card on vacation

If you’re like many Americans, your debit card is your go-to method of payment at all times. But, should it be your number-one choice while on vacation? 

First, let’s take a look at the good news. Your debit card rarely carries with it any surcharges or merchant fees, and the money comes directly out of your checking account, so there will be no surprise bills waiting for you when you get back home. Tracking your spending is easy, with account statements readily available on your financial institution’s website or app, and you can also link your account to any of a number of third-party payment apps, which work just like using a debit card. 

The bad news is, your debit card is not necessarily the prime choice for covering expenses while on vacation. First, it doesn’t come with robust purchase protection. This means, if you want to backtrack a purchase, you may not have any way of doing so. There are also no rewards offered for your purchases and your card may not be accepted at every vendor. 

Using credit cards on vacation

Credit cards are generally the recommended choice of payment method to use when traveling. 

First, credit cards offer convenience and unparalleled security. When making payments in a foreign country to vendors you’ve never encountered, the fraud protection on credit cards and the ability to dispute unauthorized charges make this payment method desirable and super-safe. Credit cards may also be necessary when booking a hotel stay or car rental. Also, many credit cards offer travel-related perks for purchases, which can include travel insurance, rental car coverage and access to airport lounges. Additionally, using a rewards credit card can earn you points, miles or cash back on your purchases. Finally, when traveling internationally, credit cards often provide competitive exchange rates compared to currency exchange kiosks. This can result in cost savings and more accurate budgeting. 

Unfortunately, credit card use does have some downsides for vacationers. When you’re away from your normal surroundings and routine, you’re likely more relaxed and chilled. This can easily translate into less willpower and less responsible money decisions. Using your credit card when vacationing can trigger overspending, leaving you with a nightmare bill to pay off when you return home. It’ll also cost you more, as you may have interest tacked on to your bill if you don’t pay it off before it’s due. Last, but certainly not least, some credit cards have foreign transaction fees, which can add up to a significant amount over the course of your trip.

Cash, debit or credit? It’s a tough decision, but with all the pros and cons of each choice laid out for you, you can make a responsible choice for your vacation. 

TikTok Inspo: Show us how you pay for purchases on vacation in a short video.

After the Supreme Court blocked the Education Department’s student debt cancellation plan in June, the department announced its latest student loan overhaul: a new income-driven repayment plan called SAVE (Saving on A Valuable Education). The exact details of the new plan can be confusing, especially when the parameters and rollout dates keep changing. Here, we’ve broken down the plan into simple terms and outlined the steps you may need to take. 

What is SAVE?

Income-driven repayment plans are based on a borrower’s discretionary income, and not on the amount borrowed. Payments typically do not cover all the interest that accrues. After a specific number of payments, the remaining balance is forgiven.

SAVE, the new IDR plan, features the most generous student loan repayment plan yet. Most significantly, the plan raises the amount of income not counted as discretionary income from 150% of the federal poverty guideline to 225%. It also includes the following benefits:

• Borrowers earning less than $32,805 individually, or less than $67,500 for a family of four, would see $0 monthly bills.
• Students who borrowed less than $12,000 would see their outstanding balance wiped away after just 10 years of payment. 
• Most other borrowers would see their payments cut by at least half. If the loan is an undergraduate loan only, the borrower will pay 5% of their discretionary income. If there are some graduate loans mixed with the undergraduate loans, the borrower will pay 5-10% of their discretionary income.

When will SAVE go live?

Parts of the new plan have already gone live this summer ahead of the end of forbearance. With all loan payments set to resume on Oct. 1, 2023 – and interest building again from Sept. 1 – borrowers are encouraged to apply for an IDR plan now. It may take a few weeks to process your application, so it’s important to do it as soon as possible. If your application is accepted, you should see the difference as soon as payment resumes in the fall.

The following SAVE benefits are already available:

• Additional income protection. Income exemption has been raised from 150% to 225% of the poverty line.
• Interest won’t accrue. Unpaid interest will not accumulate if monthly payments are met.
• Benefits for some married borrowers. Spousal income for borrowers who are married and file separate taxes will be excluded from IDR payment calculations. Also, spouses are no longer required to co-sign an IDR application.

Additional benefits will not go live until July 2024:

• Monthly bills halved from 10% to 5% of income above 225% of the poverty line.
• Loan forgiveness applied for smaller loans ($12,000 or less) for borrowers who have been making payments for a minimum of 10 years.
• Consolidation penalty lifted for borrowers who consolidate their federal loans. These loans will no longer lose progress toward IDR loan forgiveness.
• Automatic credit toward IDR forgiveness applied to borrowers’ accounts for specific periods of deferment and forbearance.
• Make up for missed payments allowed for borrowers to receive credit for all other periods of deferment or forbearance that don’t qualify for automatic credit.
• Automatic enrollment in an IDR plan for borrowers with default risk, or payments at least 75 days late, if they previously agreed to give the Education Department access to their tax information.

How will the IDR plan differ from the existing plans?

The new plan will be a direct replacement of REPAYE, one of the current IDR plans. 

While there are many similarities, repayment choices under the new SAVE plan are simpler. In addition, as mentioned above, the protected income amount has been raised significantly. Also, the monthly payments will be halved. 

Let’s take a look at a true-to-life example to illustrate the differences between existing and new plans. 

A family of four with an income of $75,000 has a discretionary income of $30,000, according to the 2023 U.S. federal poverty guidelines. Payments under the current IDR plans are 10% of that amount. Monthly, that would amount to a discretionary income of $2,500 a month, and a monthly payment of $250 toward student loan debt. With the new plans in place, and the threshold for discretionary income now at 225%, the same family would see payments based on only $7,500 of their income, or $625 a month. With payments also now halved to just 5% of this number, this family would only pay $31 a month toward their student loan debt. 

How do I apply for the new IDR plan?

If you have an open federal student loan and you haven’t already applied for the new SAVE plan, you’ll want to do so as soon as possible. Contact your student loan servicer and submit an 

IDR application on the studentaid.gov website. If you are already enrolled in REPAYE, your plan will automatically be transferred to a SAVE plan when it rolls out. 

The new SAVE plan can seem confusing to student loan borrowers, but this guide can help you work through the details and learn what you need to know about the new plan.

TikTok Inspo: Can you tell us about the new IDR plan in a 15-second video?