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| Tips
to becoming the cash conscious college student |
 The free WiFi you utilize at the coffee shop, the airport or the library is helpful and convenient. But is it secure? Actually, there is nearly a 75% chance that it is not, reports Forbes.
In December, 2008, Forbes published the findings of a security study conducted by AirTight Networks, a manufacturer of wireless intrusion protection hardware and software. AirTight scanned the Wi-Fi networks at some of the largest airports in the U. S. The worst location for WiFi compromises was Newark Airport. Only 9% of the networks they scanned in this airport were secure. Only 23% of the networks scanned at Chicago O’Hare and JFK in New York were secure.
So, if you plan to use free public WiFi, what can you do to protect yourself?
- Do not visit your credit union’s Web site when using a free WiFi connection. Take care of your home banking only when you are absolutely sure you have a secure connection.
- Don’t transmit personal information of any kind on an http:// connection. Make certain you are on an encrypted https:// page.
- Don’t use POP e-mail software like Outlook because it does not encrypt your log-in information. Use secure Web mail instead.
- Don’t leave your laptop connected to the Internet when not in use.
- Avoid joining networks with names like “Free Public Wi-Fi.”
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Rip-Off Watch
When buying a new computer, watch out for getting less than meets the eye. Some retailers have recently offered deeply discounted netbooks, but only when the buyer signs up for a particular data plan. Consumer advocate Clark Howard offers this advice: Make sure your wireless card is unlimited to avoid being charged massive overage fees. And never buy a computer that requires you to make a commitment to use a particular provider’s wireless card or data plan.
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| Money-Saving Vacation Tips
 Vacation season is approaching, but this year many people will seek to spend less for their summer fun. Vacations don’t have to be extravagant to provide rest and a break from the daily grind. Try these money-saving tips to make your summer vacation fun and affordable:
- Look for coupons. You can find coupons for lodging, food and attractions everywhere – online, in coupon books sold as fundraisers, in the paper, at convenience stores. Many offers will save you quite a bit of money. Always read the fine print. Many Internet sites offer deep discounts, particularly when you can travel without much notice. For example, some cruise lines will discount rates up to 75% and more if the ship is not filled 30 days out. You can sign up on some sites to be notified of these deals as they become available.
- Ask for deals. With fewer people traveling, you may have the power to negotiate. As you make your reservations, always ask if there are any deals or discounts available.
- Consider two-star options. If you will only be in your room to sleep, opt for a less luxurious hotel. You can find clean, moderately priced hotels that can meet your needs and save you money.
- Eat a meal in your room. Choose to eat in for lunch or dinner. Make sandwiches or eat cereal for one or two meals a day, and enjoy one nice meal out.
- Bring your own snacks. Bring refillable water bottles and snacks with you. The prices you pay for a quick snack at attractions, in tourist areas and even at convenience stores while traveling are steep and add up quickly.
- Take advantage of multi-day passes. If you are heading to an amusement park or other attraction, buy multi-day passes. The savings is substantial. You can even plan an extra day of vacation to take it easy and enjoy the pool or shopping without the expense of park admission.
- Plan ahead. You’ll pay a lot more for sunscreen at the hotel gift shop than at the convenience store at home.
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| You Could Save Up to $600 a Year by Going Cell Only
 Many Americans are opting to drop their landlines and use cell phone service only. In fact, nearly 15% of Americans have disconnected their home phones, according to a study backed by the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. This trend is becoming more popular as people search for ways to shave expenses during the economic downturn.
How much can you save by losing your landline? The savings can be substantial. Most local phone bills range between $30 and $50 per month. Cutting that expense would add up to a savings of $360 to $600 per year.
The biggest drawback to having cell service only is the potential for having no phone service in the event of a natural disaster. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, there were no working cell phones. Companies like Vonage kept many people connected during the emergency. Many emergency personnel now have satellite phones for emergency situations, and some people who cancel their landlines are turning to VoIP service for an emergency back-up. Some companies have designed dual-mode phones that can be used as regular cell phones and can seamlessly convert to a Wi-Fi VoIP phone as well.
The number of households utilizing landlines is expected to continue to decrease as more and more people search for ways to tighten their belts. This option is particularly attractive to young adults in one-person households. The option can offer big savings at little sacrifice to those who already use their cell phone as their primary phone service.
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