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A new CReDIT UnIOn fOR GReen LOAnS Tips & Tricks

Get more from your phone

Safe at the pump Gas stations, among the last retailers to install fraudreducing EMV-chip readers, remain an attractive target for card-skimming crews. Here are some ways to feel more secure at the pump: 1. Run your transaction (even with a debit card) as a credit card purchase. Your liability for losses on credit card purchases is much more limited. 2. Choose a fuel dispenser that’s close to the store — ideally, one with security cameras nearby. 3. Opt for well-maintained service stations. Some have adopted visible anti-tampering measures, such as tamperresistant tape over front panel edges. 4. Pay with cash. No card use means no risk of skimming.

Protect cards on vacation Vacation means you’re out of your normal routine. And that’s when criminals can take advantage of you. Ways to protect yourself: 1. Take only the credit cards you need. Two cards should be enough, and consider carrying them separately from each other. 2. Use credit instead of debit. 3. Check your card activity every day. 4. Know where your card is. Whenever you use it, be sure it goes back in your wallet. If you don’t need your card that day, lock it in the safe in your hotel room with your other valuables.

Credit after divorce Of all the things that need your attention after a separation or divorce, credit cards are probably low on your list. But making the right moves early on can set you up for a smooth return to managing credit as a single person. • Request a credit report from each of the three reporting agencies once a year for free. Go over those reports carefully. Once you know what’s there, work with your ex to figure out who will be responsible for which accounts. • The impulse may be to close all the shared accounts and start from scratch, but older accounts, especially if they’re in good standing, are valuable for boosting credit scores. Consider removing one person from each account and letting the other keep it open. Ask the issuer to change the account number at the same time. • Track your spending for a few months. That will give you an idea of what kind of credit cards will best suit your needs.

IN S ID E

— NerdWallet.com

TEcH & MEDiA

BIGSTOCK IMAGES

Tricks to make your device work for you By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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ere are a few tips to get the most out of your smartphone or to make it more user-friendly.

Go gray for productivity

If you’re overly dependent on your phone, here’s a trick to make it less appealing: Set the screen to grayscale. According to Dr. James Hamblin of The Atlantic’s “If Our Bodies Could Talk” series, bright colors like red grab our attention. All those colorful social feeds, Instagram accounts, games and dating apps look more appealing in color. Remove the color by changing it to gray and it might be easier to put your phone down, or at least focus on it less. It’s a life hack for productivity, Hamblin said. Depending on your phone, going to grayscale may reduce power consumption and increase battery life. On an Apple product, open Settings, then click on General, then Accessibility. Click on Display Accommodations, then Color Filters, and choose Grayscale. On Samsung products, from the Home page pull down to open the notification panel, then click on the settings gear icon. Click on Accessibility, then Vision, then tap Grayscale to turn the feature on. Tap it again to turn it off.

You can go home again If you’ve got the iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S8, you may find yourself confused over how to do things without the home button. If

sHOppiNG & sAViNG

HEALTH & FiTNEss

you can’t live without it, you can bring it back in virtual form, according to AppleInsider. On an iPhone in Settings, go to General, then Accessibility, then AssistiveTouch. You can now set the virtual home button with a single or double tap, long press or 3D Touch. Bonus: You can place this home button anywhere along the sides of the display. The Galaxy S8’s home button is hidden, but technically there, reports The Verge — users can push on the bottom of the screen to go home even if a full-screen app is displayed.

Quicker notification The Quick Settings menu is one of the most-used features in newer Android phones. It’s accessible through a downward swipe that brings up the notification drawer followed by the Quick Settings menu. If you need that menu faster, use this tip from Guiding Tech: Use two fingers to make a downward swipe on the home screen. Both Quick Settings and the notification drawer will pop up immediately.

pErsONAL FiNANcE

A CheApeR ChRISTmAS DAnGeRS Of mOneY bUT SmART TReeS UpSIDe ThIRDhAnD ADVICe IS ReLATIVe DOwn...hUh? SmOke phOne New OnePlus 5T competes with Apple, Samsung.

For a change, quirky trees can be whimsical, fun and refreshing.

Studies say chemical residue clings and builds up in homes.

Money advice for high earners could be lousy for low earners, and vice versa.

TECH& MEDIA new on deMand

A cheaper smartphone? The new-to-U.S. OnePlus 5T competes with Apple, Samsung By Deena Bouknight More Content Now

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f you think your smartphone choices are limited to iPhone or Galaxy — and their $600-plus price tags — check out the OnePlus 5T, released in the U.S. Nov. 21. TechRadar reported in November that spec differences are the smallest ever between the OnePlus 5T and its more expensive rivals: “At 156.1 x 75 x 7.3mm and 162g, the OnePlus 5T is wider, taller and heavier than the OnePlus 5 but remains the same thickness, making it similar in size and weight to the LG V30 and iPhone 8 Plus.” (Note: 162g is also about the weight of a billiard ball.) Other OnePlus 5T specs: • OS: Android 7.1.1 • Screen size: 6.01 inches • Resolution: 1080 x 2160 • CPU: Snapdragon 835 • Battery: 3,300mAh • Rear camera: 16MP + 20MP • Front camera: 16MP

The Chinese-made

The overall value for the price is what makes the OnePlus 5T worth consideration. [OnePLUS.net]

smartphone sells for $499 with 6 GB RAM plus 64 GB storage or $559 for 8 GB RAM plus 12 GB storage. Both ship in under two weeks, according to oneplus.net. In contrast, the baseline price on the iPhone 8 is $699 and on the iPhone 8 Plus is $799.

Although the price savings may make up for any drawbacks, there are a few minor ones to consider, cites TechRadar. OnePlus 5T comes in only one color, Midnight Black, and “Face recognition on the OnePlus 5T isn’t as advanced as Apple’s offering, but it’s still surprisingly good, using over 100 facial identifiers to check it’s you.” Forbes weighed in on the day of the smartphone’s U.S. release by pointing out that OnePlus has, indeed, made a name for itself by competing on price. Yet, the magazine focused on 5T’s three “best” and three “worst” features: “blazing fast,” “excellent” fingerprint sensor location and “more screen space without making the phone harder to hold” are the positives, while “good, but not great” camera, no water resistance and last year’s Android platform software are shortcomings. Overall, tech experts agree that because of price OnePlus 5T has carved a niche and, because of design, it holds its own against major contenders.

holiday fare on Tv mOVies DEC. 18 this Christmas (2007 Comedy-Drama), AMC 8 pm A Christmas Carol (1999 Fantasy), tnt 8 pm Elf (2003 Comedy), FREEFORM 9 pm new Year’s eve (2011 Romance-Comedy), tnt 10:16 pm A Christmas Carol (1984 Fantasy), AMC 10:30 pm DEC. 19 Deck the Halls (2006 Comedy), AMC 8 pm national Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989 Comedy), FReeFORM 8:50 pm ernest Saves Christmas (1988 Comedy), AMC 10 pm

Detail from “The Polar Express” poster. The 2004 movie will air on Dec. 21. [WARNER BROS /IMDB.COM]

PrOgrAms ANd sPeciAls

(All times Eastern)

DEC. 18 Decorating Disney: Holiday Magic, FReeFORM 8 pm DEC. 20 Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, CW 8 pm The Top 12 Greatest Christmas Movies of All Time, CW 9 pm DEC. 21 Vanessa Williams & Friends: Christmas in New York, Get tV 8 pm Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Featuring Rolando Villazon, PBS 9 pm Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, FREEFORM 10:55 pm DEC. 22 Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, tnt 7 pm I Love Lucy Christmas Special, CBS 8 pm Greatest Holiday Commercials Countdown 2017, CW 9 pm Christmas at Belmont 2017, PBS 9 pm Surprise! Instant Xmas Carol!, TBS 10 pm DEC. 24 How Murray Saved Christmas, nBC 7:30 pm

DEC. 20 the Santa Clause 2 (2002 Comedy), StARZ 7:13 pm Scrooged (1988 Comedy), AMC 8 pm the night Before (2015 Comedy), FX 8 pm DEC. 21 Miracle on 34th Street (1947 Fantasy), AMC 8 pm the Polar express (2004 Fantasy), FReeFORM 8:50 pm White Christmas (1954 Musical Comedy), AMC 10:15 pm DEC. 22 Love the Coopers (2015 Comedy-Drama), SHOW 7 pm Planes, trains and Automobiles (1987 Comedy), enCORe 7:25 pm the Santa Clause (1994 Comedy), FReeFORM 7:30 pm Christmas in Connecticut (1945 Comedy), tCM 8 pm Office Christmas Party (2016 Comedy), SHOW 9 pm The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006 Comedy), FREEFORM 9:40 pm Remember the night (1940 Romance-Comedy), TCM 10 pm DEC. 23 the Best Man Holiday (2013 Comedy-Drama), FXM 8 pm Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000 Fantasy), FREEFORM 9:20 pm DEC. 24 Home Alone (1990 Comedy), enCORe 7:08 pm It’s a Wonderful Life (1946 Comedy-Drama), nBC 8 pm Fred Claus (2007 Comedy), HBO 8 pm A Christmas Story (1983 Comedy), tBS and tnt 8 pm the Bishop’s Wife (1947 Fantasy), tCM 8 pm the Bells of St. Mary’s (1945 Drama), tCM 10 pm

New on Netflix 41 Dogs in My Home A Five Star Life Ainsley Eats the Streets, season 1 Catwoman Christmas Inheritance Discovering Bigfoot Disney’s The Santa Clause Disney’s The Santa Clause 2 Disney’s The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Drillbit Taylor El Señor de los Cielos, season 5 Erased, season 1 Freeway: Crack In The System Halt and Catch Fire, season 4 Judd Apatow: The Return Neverlake Pottersville Reggie Yates Outside Man: Volume 2 The Haunting of Helena The Mafia Kills Only in Summer The Magicians, season 2 The Ranch: Part 4 Trollhunters: Part 2 Ultimate Beastmaster Wormwood

New on Amazon Prime Video Foreman Jean Claude Van Johnson, season 1 The Heartbreak Kid The Invincible Iron Man The Royals, season 3 The Silence of the Lambs The Weight of Water Thor Animated Movie: Tales of Asgard Titanic Ultimate Avengers: The Movie Ultimate Avengers II Wristcutters: A Love Story

New on HBO NOW 32 Pills: My Sister’s Suicide All The President’s Men The Cotton Club Curb Your Enthusiasm, season 9 finale Daredevil (Director’s Cut) Deepwater Horizon Elizabeth: The Golden Age The Exorcist (Director’s Cut) Going in Style Gone in 60 Seconds (Director’s Cut) Gran Torino Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution Hoosiers Jack Frost Kenke (aka Weed) La Madrina (aka The Mother of The Bride) Logan Marauders María (y Los Demás) (aka Maria and Everyone Else) Michelle Wolf: Nice Lady Midnight Cowboy Neon Lights The Newspaperman: The Life and Times of Ben Bradlee Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Pitch Black The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything: A Veggietales Movie Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Director’s Cut)

Movie previews in haiku: Opening this week OPenInG WeD., DeC. 20

‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle’ Starring: Dwayne Johnson, evin Hart, Jack Black Directed by: Jake Kasdan (“Sex Tape,” “Bad Teacher”) Rated: PG-13

Kids find old game in Remake of ’90s classic Play through avatars

OPenInG FRI., DeC. 22

‘The Greatest Showman’

‘Father Figures’

‘Downsizing’

‘Pitch Perfect 3’

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams Directed by: Michael Gracey Rated: PG

Starring: Owen Wilson, Ed Helms, Glenn Close Directed by: Lawrence Sher Rated: R

Musical tale of Show biz sire P.T. Barnam From need comes brainchild

Brothers’ search for dad Leads to insight about mom Who told them he died

Starring: Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, Kristen Wiig Directed by: Alexander Payne (“Nebraska,” “The Descendants”) Rated: R

Starring: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld Directed by: Trish Sie (“Step Up All In”) Rated: PG-13

Get small to live large One man finds purpose when his Problems shrink as well

Post-college, Bellas Can’t find jobs in music, so USO tour time

SHOPPING & SAVING

When it’s better to rent or buy By Melissa Erickson

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Some people say renting is just throwing money away, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes renting is financially better. “This old adage is definitely for a time gone by when people stayed in one place longer and didn’t have to expect to move for a job or family. That said, having a mortgage is a forced savings because a part of the monthly payment goes to paying down principal,” said certified financial planner Jennifer Lane, owner of Compass Planning Associates, a fee-only financial planning firm in Boston and Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts.

But why?

Upside-down Christmas trees By Deena Bouknight More Content Now

M

If you rent, save

“If you decide to rent you need to be disciplined to invest the difference (the amount the rent is less than mortgage plus real estate taxes plus maintenance or condo fee) on your own. Rents can increase over time faster than monthly home costs, so there is a break-even point. If you’re ready to settle down and stay for many years (seven-plus years in some markets) it still makes sense to buy,” Lane said. New to the area While you might be eager to lay down roots when moving to a new area, “it’s better to rent for a year or two to get the lay of the land before you buy,” Lane said. Give yourself time to figure out the best school districts, commute to work and what neighborhood is right for you. Down-payment trouble Getting together enough funds for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges for first-time buyers. While 20 percent down is not always required, paying less will mean you’ll have to cover private mortgage insurance and possibly a higher interest rate, Lane said. “You also run the risk that the house will be worth less than you owe if you want to sell too soon. Remember, the Realtor gets 5 or 6 percent, so if you only have 10 percent equity from a small down payment you may have to pay money to make up the difference between the house proceeds and the mortgage balance at closing,” she said. Surprise costs

“The cost of home ownership often surprises people. Especially condominiums or co-ops. When you own you’re responsible for maintaining the brick-andmortar. If you are not handy that means hiring people to help. The building may be new when you move in but since you are buying to stay there you’ll be maintaining a 15-year-old building before you know it. Emergency savings and planning for maintenance is very important,” Lane said.

An upside-down Swarovski Christmas tree displayed at the Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris in December 2014 — shown from both perspectives. [BIGSTOCk]

ost towns and cities host a Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The grand tree in Rockefeller Center draws thousands. And, as expected, trees are upright. Yet, a budding tradition in our modern world is the upsidedown tree. While the phenomenon has gained steam in the retail, hotel and restaurant arenas in recent years, quirky trees are now making their way into some homes. Why upside down? For reasons of drama and uniqueness, is the common refrain. The Home Depot spokesperson Kelie Charles told ABC News Dec. 1: “People are really gravitating toward them now and putting them in their homes because it’s fun and exciting for people looking for something different. People who buy it say it showcases their home, and when friends walk in it’s a conversation-starter.” The Home Depot’s artificial (of course) upsidedown trees on a base sell for between $79.99 and $300. Other retailers, from Wayfair to Target to Walmart, are getting in on the trend. Just like right-side-up artificial trees, inverted ones can be pricey. Whether purchasing realistic or colored — such as white or champagne — they range from under $100 to over $1,000, depending on size and whether lights and/or ornaments are included. Suggestions for hanging a typical upright Christmas tree upside-down from a ceiling: • Wrap wiring around the trunk. • Secure a weight-bearing hook, like a monkey hook, from the ceiling, or screw a sturdy eye bolt into a ceiling joist. • Wire ornaments and lights tightly to the branches so they will not hang down. • Wrap ribbon around the tree’s stem to disguise wires, hooks, etc. Consider decorating the “top” of an upside-down tree in a stand with large gifts, old-fashioned toys or large Christmas village pieces.

What’s on modern brides’ registries By Deena Bouknight More Content Now

While china, crystal and silver topped baby boomers’ bridal registries in the 1960s and ‘70s, practical, everyday items and specialty must-haves are millennial preferences. Still, sensible does not necessarily equal economical; on average, guests spend from $50 to $200 on a wedding gift. Some current preferred items:

• Dishwasher-safe, heat-resistant silicone for the kitchen: In fashion

are the fun Charles Viancin lids/covers

shaped like flowers. Use them over pots and skillets while cooking, when keeping food warm and for preserving food in the refrigerator. And, a 10-piece colorful, ergonomic silicone utensil set is under $25 on Amazon.

Insider chose the Wusthof 18-piece block set as an “Insider Pick” in May.

casserole dishes in various colors are popular choices, and Lodge cast iron is making a comeback for durability and even-temperature cooking. • Non-stick bakeware sets: Calphalon has a 10-piece set for under $100. • Gourmet knife sets: Business

• High-tech gadgets, such as smart speakers: Google Home Mini, Amazon

• Heavy-duty, long-lasting pots and pans: Le Creuset’s Dutch ovens and

• Flatware that is a little different:

Discount and department stores carry flat black, gold and copper-hued. Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia brand offers matte black flatware in its Hearth and Hand line for Target.

Echo Dot, Sonos One — for example. A July InStyle article points out that a super-sensible trend is listing feel-good gift ideas. Couples are adding to registries, for instance, wine subscriptions

with a percentage of proceeds donated to non-profits. Or, some brides and grooms are suggesting guests choose decorative tabletop items from such groups as Global Goods Partners that employ people in poor countries. Finally, today’s couples often focus on theme categories: everything for the bathroom or bedroom, for example. If a couple already has essentials, the registry may tilt toward a specific interest such as entertaining, with a bar cart, countertop wine cooler and bar set on the list.

HeaLTH & fITNeSS

the risks of

fa k e

PIXABAY

What is thirdhand smoke?

eyelashes By Deena Bouknight More Content Now

By Deena Bouknight

I

n August, Earth.com alluded to a new study by psychologist Daniel Gill from the University of Winchester in New Hampshire that determined what many already opine: “Both men and women say that the eyes are the most attractive part of a person’s face.” It is no surprise, then, that last year’s U.S. false eyelash revenues exceeded $170 million. Yet, false eyelashes pose problems for many. Eye care professionals, including Moreland Eyecare in Anna, Illinois, weigh in by providing patients and the public with tips and alerts. In “The Hidden Dangers of Eyelash Extensions,” the optometry service provider points out that both cheap glue-on versions and costly salon products pose the same risks, which include:

• IrrItatIon • redness • swellIng • InflammatIon • InfectIon • allergIc reactIon • eyelash loss

A few years ago, actress Kristin Chenoweth told CNN’s Anderson Cooper about her own contracted infection resulting from eyelash extensions. She said her eyes swelled and became irritated, prompting her to

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speak publically against the procedure. The glue used to affix her extensions included formaldehyde, which the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry dubs as “highly toxic” and “an eye, skin and respiratory tract irritant.” Dirt and bacteria can get trapped in the glue used to attach either individual lashes or strips of lashes. The inner surface of the eyelid can actually erode, prompting some doctors to warn of potentially permanent eye damage. In addition, Consumer Reports and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration caution against using eyelash tints and dyes, which have been known to cause serious eye issues, including blindness. The FDA has a specific alert out focused on dyes containing coal tar colors. Especially risky is adhering to eyelashes glass beads, rhinestones, crystals, tiny charms, etc. Consumer Reports’ advice is to stick to mascara. Even then, make sure hands are clean before applying, replace at least every three months, do not borrow or share products, and avoid using if eye irritation occurs.

BIGSTOCK IMAGES

Children are exposed to tobacco smoke toxicants in a home even when parents take smoking outdoors, according to a recent study in the journal Tobacco Control that found high levels of nicotine on the hands of children living with smokers. The chemical residue clings to fabric, hair, walls and skin. The thin film of nicotine, when touched, gets released back into the air, affirms a Kaiser Health News report from earlier this year. The result has been labeled “thirdhand smoke.” In April, Cleveland Clinic issued a report naming “5 Dangers of Thirdhand Smoke”: 1. Cancer, especially lung cancer. 2. DNA damage, which can

increase chances of disease.

3. Chemical reactions. Nicotine

plus nitrous acid in the air forms carcinogens.

4. Exposure to toxins; children and pets are especially susceptible. 5. Long-term buildup, in clothing, carpets, walls, drapes, etc.

Thirdhand smoke can linger for up to five years, cites Kaiser Health News. Affected interiors need to be replaced or undergo pricey professional cleanings. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration points out that disturbed nicotine residue settles primarily on floors and furnishings, where little ones spend the most time. Children put hands in their mouths after touching the toxic surfaces, and pets clean themselves and ingest chemicals. One statistic at fda.gov: “Cats who live with people who smoke more than a pack of cigarettes a day have three times the risk of developing lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system …” Car interiors as well maintain leftover nicotine pollutants. The American Academy of Pediatrics issued an emphatic statement this past spring: “There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke.” Even e-cigarette vapor contains unhealthy chemicals. Asserts AAP, smokers must kick their habit in order to eliminate completely thirdhand smoke risks.

Whether cold or flu, remedies for both By Deena Bouknight

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Scratchy throat, sniffles, chills — winter is cold and flu season. But what’s the difference, and when is a doctor visit necessary? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention delineate: Both are respiratory illnesses caused by different viruses. A cold has milder symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, while the flu can result in fever, sore throat and muscle aches. Colds do not typically lead to

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serious health issues, but the flu can. Still not sure? Within the first day or so of symptoms, a doctor can perform a simple rapid influenza diagnostic test, by swiping the inside of the nose or back of the throat. The test produces a negative or positive flu reading in 10 to 15 minutes. There are prescription antiviral medications that lessen the severity of flu symptoms. With a cold, however, the best advice is partly grandma’s: “Feed a cold.” Everyday Health, however, disputes the adage’s “starve a fever” aspect. Plenty

of healthy foods and fluids as well as rest are the ticket for both cold and flu recovery. Chicken soup holds sway as a centuries-old home remedy for a number of reasons: Nutrition and hydration: The soup stock, made from slow-cooked chicken bones, vegetables, garlic, etc., is loaded with vitamins and minerals. Comfort: The soup’s steam, breathed in, and the warmth as it goes down sooth psychologically and emotionally, proposes Food Network, which

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offers myriad chicken soup recipes. Chicken soup is a top Healthline home remedy for colds and flu. Others are a bit of raw ginger root in boiling water, honey and lemon in tea, Echinacea, vitamin C and probiotics. Plus, any number of over-the-counter products ease symptoms of both — but the CDC maintains there are no quick cures for either colds or the flu. Ways to avoid coming down with either are to wash hands frequently, cover mouth and nose when sneezing, and avoid those who are sick.

HOME Nifty NEw PrOduct

Lending

Open the trash can with your voice

grEEN

New credit union aims to offer loans solely for eco-friendly projects

A motion sensor was already in place in these trash cans, but now they are voice-activated as well. Simply express the command, “Open can!” and Simplehuman’s Sensor Can obliges. The rectangular trash receptacle has a 58-liter capacity. It is touted as “whisper quiet.” Conveniently, there is a pocket in the back to store extra trash can liners. A “nano-silver clear coat” protects the stainless steel product from fingerprints and germs. It’s powered by a plug-in adapter (included) or 6 AA batteries. Priced at various retail outlets and simplehuman.com for around $200. A model with dual compartments for trash and recyclables is $250.

— By Deena Bouknight, More Content Now

The Sensor Can has a pocket in back to hold liners. [SImPlehumAn.COm]

H E r E , t ry t H i s

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

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or consumers who want to go green, a new credit union has opened to help them save greenbacks. The Clean Energy Credit Union launched in November and enables people in all 50 states to take out loans focused on clean-energy projects such as installing solar panels, buying electric cars and making their homes energy-efficient. The U.S. solar power market grew by 95 percent in 2016, according to a study by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association. “Everyone wants to own their own home, and when people find out they can own their own electricity generation asset instead of having to buy from the utility company their entire life, that’s an exciting proposition, too,” said Blake Jones, founding board chairman of the Clean Energy Credit Union. Access to affordable financing for energy-efficiency and renewable-energy improvements has been identified in a number of studies as a barrier to many homeowners lowering their energy consumption. “Research has found that the average low-income household spends as much as 20 percent of total monthly income on energy costs. Lowering these costs can play an important part in a broader effort to build wealth and economic

opportunity in these households and communities,” said W. Robert Hall, the organizer of the new credit union. The Clean Energy Credit Union is a federally chartered, member-owned, nonprofit financial cooperative. It’s an online-only institution with no brickand-mortar offices, to keep overhead low. It will focus solely on clean-energy lending in order to help people afford solar electric systems, electric vehicles, home energy-efficiency retrofits, electric-assist bicycles and net-zero-energy homes. Products offered include savings accounts, CDs and loans. Green home projects can also be financed through home equity or traditional personal loans; check with your financial institution and compare rates. Solar companies also typically work with a lender to help buyers finance, and Fannie Mae in 2016 started the HomeStyle Energy Program as a mortgage option, letting borrowers complete clean energy upgrades up to 15 percent of the as-completed appraised property value of the home.

Simmering seasonal scents Simple simmer-pot recipes, from Cook’n: First, fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Then add the ingredients from your recipe and boil for a few minutes to really pull out the scents before taking it to a simmer. You can leave it simmering all day; just check on it and add water as needed. Recipes: • 3 drops vanilla, peel from 1 orange • Peel from 1 lemon, peel from 1 orange, 2 bay leaves, 3 cinnamon sticks, 2 tablespoons whole cloves • Peel from 1 apple, peel from 1 lemon, peel from 1 orange, 2 cinnamon sticks • 1 whole orange peel, 1 whole Granny Smith apple peel, 1 whole lemon peel, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 3 whole star anise pods, 1 fresh pine sprig • 1/2 orange, sliced; 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half; 1/2 cup of fresh cranberries; 1 teaspoon cloves, whole or ground; 1 teaspoon nutmeg

For more information on the Clean energy Credit union, visit cleanenergycu.org.

ImAgeS FROm CleAneneRgYCu.ORg

Pro tip: You can reuse the same pot multiple days in a row. Just refrigerate at night and add water as needed the following day.

— More Content Now

gOOd tiP!

Know what to look for in a ham Tips on choosing a ham, from Cook’n: VarieTy: most of the hams sold in grocery stores are city hams, made by brining a pork leg or injecting the leg with a salt solution. Country hams are cured with a dry rub and hung to dry. Country hams have an intense salty taste and a drier texture.

Whichever you choose, make sure you carefully read the label so you will know how to properly prepare it.

CuT: Bone-in hams generally have a better flavor, and you can use the ham bone later for soup. One disadvantage to bone-in hams is that you have to cut around the bone, which takes longer,

and the presentation probably won’t look as nice when you are through. Also note that pre-cut hams (such as spiral) dry out quickly in the oven.

Size: Once you know how many people will be eating the ham, plan on about 8 to 12 ounces of meat per person for bone-in hams. For

boneless hams, buy 6 to 8 ounces of meat per person.

WaTer ConTenT: Check the ham’s label to see how much, if any, water has been added. The less water, the more ham. Avoid hams that say “ham and water product” because they can contain up to 35 percent water.

aPPearanCe: hams should

be bright pink. Those that look greenish or multicolored should be avoided due to likely presence of bacteria. unlike beef roasts, it is best to avoid hams with too much fat marbling. hams with a lot of fat will be too greasy.

— More Content Now

PERSONAL FINANCE

What to do if an ATM eats your deposit

When

GOOD money advice is

By Tony Armstrong NerdWallet.com

Standing in front of an ATM that just ate your cash deposit without crediting your account or issuing a receipt can leave you feeling helpless. How common her experience is isn’t clear. The ATM Industry Association doesn’t have data that would show the scope of this issue, according to Michael Lee, the group’s chief executive, who says he hasn’t “heard of a single reported case of this happening.” The American Bankers Association didn’t respond to requests for comment when asked about such incidents. However, based on scores of online message board discussions on the topic, cash-hungry ATMs aren’t unheard-of. And considering that 68 percent of Americans use ATMs at least once a month, according to a 2014 Nielsen study, it’s worth knowing how to respond to this situation.

Stand your ground and contact your bank Although it may not come naturally to some people, the name of the game is keeping your cool. “When (the ATM) chewed up my money, I refused to move before I contacted the bank and spoke to a live person,” says Linda Murray Bullard, who owns a business consulting firm in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “The lady assured me it would be corrected the next business day and someone would call me as soon as it was corrected. They did just what she said, and my deposit was credited.”

Confirm that your bank performs an investigation Shane Allen, media relations director of Personal Trainer Food, a Fort Worth, Texas-based company that helps consumers create healthy meal plans, found himself in a similar predicament a few months ago when he tried to deposit $800 at a Capital One cash machine. “The ATM took the cash and printed out a receipt saying there’d been an error, and that I should call a certain phone number,” Allen says. His bank assured him that it would look into the situation when he called and credited his account for the time being. “They warned me that they would investigate all the deposits that day and, if for some reason they determine the deposit was less, they’d take it out of my account,” Allen says. A month later, Allen received a letter in the mail saying that the bank had completed its investigation and determined that he did, in fact, deposit $800. “Overall, I think they handled it very well,” he says. Capital One didn’t immediately respond to a request for a comment. If an ATM eats your deposit, you should contact your bank immediately, says Kristopher Dahl, a spokesman for Wells Fargo. That will spur an examination of the incident. “I can’t share much information about the investigation process, but all transactions are logged, and we utilize our logs to research these transactions,” Dahl says, adding that those instances happen rarely. “If a problem with an ATM results in any account fees, we will also credit their account for those fees.”

BAD

for you

BIGSTOCK IMAGES

By Liz Weston NerdWallet.com

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iscussing economic class is tricky in America, but the working and middle classes face vastly different financial challenges than upperincome families do. Good money advice for high earners could be lousy for low earners, and vice versa.

unexpected expenses in the meantime. That’s at least two years where they might be passing up company matches in 401(k)s, losing tax breaks for retirement plan contributions and paying exorbitant interest rates on credit cards and other debt. Everyone needs an emergency fund. But even a small one — $500 to $1,000 — will do for a start. Building up a three-month fund should come after retirement savings is on track and debt with high interest rates has been paid off. Student loan protections may outweigh a faster payoff

For example, certified financial planners recommend saving a three-month emergency fund before tackling other money goals. That advice can make sense for affluent families, since high earners often have enough discretionary income to create an emergency fund quickly. For families living paycheckto-paycheck, the same advice could be an expensive mistake. Here’s an example of the math for a middle-income family spending $4,000 a month. They might trim their spending to $3,600 and manage to save the extra $400. Three months’ worth of expenses would equal $10,800, which divided by $400 would take 27 months to accumulate — and that’s if they had no

Education debt is another example where the best advice depends on how well you’re fixed. Families are more than twice as likely to have student loans now than they were a generation ago, Federal Reserve data show. Nearly 45 percent of families headed by people younger than 35, and 34 percent of those ages 35-44, have student loans, according to the Fed’s latest Survey of Consumer Finances. But only those who got bachelor’s or graduate degrees in 2016 had higher incomes and net worths compared with their counterparts in 1989. The lower your income and the less wealth you have, the less of a rush you should be in to pay off student loan debt. Extra money you might send to lenders likely would be better used to bolster your financial cushion. Yes, paying loans

off early reduces how much interest you pay, but you can’t get that money back if you lose your job or face other financial setbacks. Less-affluent borrowers also shouldn’t refinance federal student loans, which have consumer protections and flexible repayment plans, into potentially lower-interest rate private loans that lack these options. Roth IRAs offer flexibility that 401(k)s don’t The typical recommendation is that people should save in Roth IRAs only if they expect to be in the same or a higher tax bracket in the future, since these don’t offer a tax break up front but promise tax-free withdrawals in retirement. That means most workers should stick to 401(k)s and regular IRAs that offer deductible contributions, since income typically drops in retirement. But people who earn less are more likely to face income disruptions that could cause them to break into their retirement savings early. If you have a 401(k) at work, it makes sense to contribute enough to get the full match. But if you can contribute more, the Roth might be the better option if your income is erratic. Roths allow you to withdraw the amount you’ve contributed at any time without triggering income taxes and penalties. Ideally, you would leave the money alone to grow, but you won’t be punished if you can’t.

What is a socially responsible bank? By Spencer Tierney

NerdWallet.com

A dozen U.S. banks have proven their commitment to upholding social and environmental values by becoming B Corporations, joining the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, or both. B Corporations are for-profit businesses that have been certified by the nonprofit B Lab for upholding high social and environmental standards.

Here are three reasons one might choose a socially responsible bank:

1. Your bank accounts support causes you care about — and your money avoids industries or projects that you might be against, such as the Dakota Access Pipeline. Your money is still yours when you need it. You can find impact reports on many B Corp and GABV member banks’ websites.

2. These banks and credit unions, as well as most community development financial institutions, have federal deposit insurance either through the FDIC or NCUA. If banks go bankrupt, up to $250,000 in your checking or savings accounts stays safe. 3. New York-based Amalgamated Bank’s Give-Back Savings matches half the interest you earn from its 0.70 percent APY and lets you choose where to

donate the money from a list of organizations. Another New York bank, Spring Bank, and Minnesota’s Sunrise Banks also feature accounts in which money is donated based on how many debit card transactions you make or dollars you save. Customers can choose from a list of charities. Aspiration, an online-only bank, provides an optional daily spending tracker that gives you a personal impact score based on how much your purchases

support sustainable companies. Businesses also have impact scores, based on thousands of data points such as customer satisfaction, job safety, employee pay, greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy use. Other socially responsible banks include First Green Bank in Florida, Southern Bancorp in Arkansas and Mississippi, and Beneficial State Bank in California, Oregon and Washington state.