If you’re robbed, call the police. Though you may not recover what’s lost, a police report can be proof that you were quick to protect yourself.

Cancel your credit cards immediately, and call your bank right away about debit or ATM cards. Even though some require a pin number in order to be activated, a smart thief may know these numbers. Other cards, such as credit cards, simply require a signature which is easy to fake.

Notify any of the credit reporting agencies to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. This prevents any person from opening up accounts in your name.

Before any of this happens, it’s a good idea to make a front and back copy of all the cards you carry. Keep this along with your Social Security number in a safe place where you can access them if necessary.

If you buy the same magazine every time you find yourself at a newsstand, consider a subscription. Most subscriptions cost no more than fifteen or twenty dollars a year, and can save you some hard earned cash, without having to give up the luxury of your favorite magazine.

Like eating out with friends? Try meeting them for breakfast or lunch instead of dinner, since it’s usually more expensive. Or if dinner is more convenient, split an entrée or take turns cooking for one another at home. It’s cheaper and makes for a better time.

Call your cable or satellite TV provider and tell them you’re shopping around for a new service. If you’re a long time customer, they may make you an offer for a better discounted rate.

Financial advisor Rich Lunsford also suggests making a grocery list. By making a grocery list, you are less tempted to drop impulse items into your cart when shopping. Having a snack beforehand or shopping midday also means you aren’t hungry and are more likely to make less impulse decisions.

Refinancing your home means that the new refinanced mortgage pays off your existing loan, replacing it with a new one. Though it can mean monthly savings for you, it is also a costly process to go through, so realizing your break-even point is crucial when deciding to refinance.

You want to break even while you still own the home, but the sooner you break even, the better.

To find this point, divide the total cost of refinancing your home by the monthly savings you’ll receive with the new loan amount. This will give you the number of months it’ll take to break even.

If it’s a larger number, but you plan to live in your home for a longer period of time, then that’s ok. Shopping around for the best deal is also important. Gather a number of “good faith” estimates from your top lenders, and make sure that deals on low interest rates don’t end up costing you more due to fees. The benefits of a little time and effort will make the whole process worth it.

Organize your receipts and records

Identify a spot where everything should go, then start collecting. Anything from a filing cabinet to a shoebox works great, as long you save everything, especially receipts for big ticket items. Gather unreimbursed business expenses, medical expenses, daycare, charitable donations, and everyday sales tax receipts in this spot, as well as tax guides and the name and phone number of your tax guy. Employer forms are also necessary, such as your W9’s and 1099 forms. Having them all in one place saves you time and stress.

Begin crunching the numbers

Use a tax worksheet or software to start plugging in your estimates. This is a great way to begin looking into deductions that you may otherwise miss, as well as other information, like retirement savings.

These simple tips will boost your chances of filing an accurate return and ease your stress in April.

When do you want to retire?

The sooner you plan to stop working can means the less time you have to save, the less time your portfolio has to grow, and the longer you’ll be in retirement. Set a date you’d like to retire and be prepared to postpone that date, because it may take longer for you to acquire sufficient funds.

How long will your retirement last?

Your life expectancy is unclear, and half of all people live beyond their life expectancy so setting that as the target for your retirement is a major mistake. For married couples, chances are that one person will live to be 95, so the USAA suggests planning a retirement that last until at least that age.

How much income will you need?

A rule of thumb is that you’ll need about 80 percent of your pre-retirement income, but it’s best to make your own estimate. Benefits from military pay or Social Security should also be taken into account, but only conservatively given the sustainability of such benefits.

How big is your retirement portfolio?

The more you’ve saved the better. Having a bigger portfolio means a brighter retirement, so make sure you can be confident in the amount of money you’ve accumulated in your portfolio.

How much are you saving?

Ongoing retirement savings are an important part of your retirement future. Factor in the contribution from your employer, but only if you’re planning on staying there long enough to reap the benefits.

Finally, add it all up. Crunch the numbers and use online retirement calculators that can help you discover if your plans are accurate.

It is often difficult to get approved for a credit card when you have no credit history. That is why it is a good idea to begin with a student card. Companies that offer student cards know the difficulties that students face when applying for credit cards, and may be willing to offer you a good deal in the hopes of gaining a lifelong customer.

Although a secured card is not always the best option, it may be the only option available to first-time card recipients. Secured cards allow you to put down a deposit that qualifies you for a limit equal to that deposit amount. Be careful when applying for secured cards; the goal is to demonstrate a responsible payment history, not rack up a huge balance.

Because everyone is different, it is a good idea to start at a website like Billshrink.com or Bankrate.com that can help you customize a package of services, fees, and interest rates that best fit you, without having to divulge any personal information. These websites give a number of options for people of all walks of life and also provide tips on how to effectively manage credit.

Going with credit:

Shopping online itself comes with financial risks, since you have to divulge account names and numbers. But one of the benefits of using your credit card is purchase protection. If an item never arrives, arrives broken or damaged, or you have a dispute with the person making the sale, then you can ask your card company to withhold payment.

When buying bigger, more expensive items, such as a home entertainment system, certain appliances or electronics, or even furniture, buying with a credit card can extend the warranty, adding another year’s protection automatically. Review the specifics of your card before making purchases.

If you want to improve your credit history, and are able to pay off your purchases in full, pay with credit. This can have positive effects in the future when taking out loans or getting better interest rates.

Going with debit:

If you struggle with your payments or financial budget, go with debit. The money for purchases is taken out of your account immediately, and can be off your mind.

Most retailers accept debit cards for inexpensive purchases. Using your debit card for purchases under $50 is fast, simple, and convenient when you don’t have cash on hand.

Paying with your debit card helps you avoid interest charges and purchase only what you can truly afford. Keep track of your spending so you avoid overdraft, or look into overdraft protection.

What they can do:

∙Contact you in person, by mail, telephone, or fax.

∙Call your employer if they don’t mind.

∙Contact others to get your address, phone number, or where you work.

∙Contact you, if you haven’t instructed them not to.

∙Tell you their plans, without threatening, cursing, or harassing you.

What they can’t do:

∙Contact you at inconvenient times and places, unless you agree.

∙Call you at work, if they know your employer disapproves.

∙tell anyone other than your attorney that you own money.

∙Contact you if you’ve told them, in writing, to stop – other than to confirm your request or notify you of their intent to take a specific action.

If you believe a debt collector has gone too far, or broken one of trade commission rules, contact your state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission or 877 – FTC – HELP.

The Fair Credit Reporting Agency (FCRA) requires three major companies provide people with their credit reports for free: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. They promote accuracy and privacy of information, and are enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The three companies have a central website where the credit report can be ordered for free once a year, annualcreditreport.com. There is also a phone number (1-877-322-8228) and a mailing address where you can order your annual report.

Your annual credit report includes information such as where you live, how you pay your bills, whether you’ve been arrested, or whether you’ve filed for bankruptcy. There are many imposter websites that claim to give you your report for free, though they charge for subscriptions or trial offers. That however does not happen under these three agencies. After reporting your name, address, and social security number, you should receive your report within 15 days, or immediately if done online.

If there are inaccuracies in your report, you have the right to report what you think is inaccurate. Tell the consumer reporting agency in writing what you think is inaccurate, and then they will investigate the claim within 30 days. If the dispute results in a change, the agency must send you the changes along with a free copy of your credit report.

Know that raising money is a full-time job.

Raising money takes a lot more effort than many people realize before they start their business. From finding investors, to preparing presentations, from listening to feedback and communicating with investors, to juggling paperwork, raising money can be a job of its own. Be ready to dedicate much time to raising money.

Get expert help.

Many terms are used and thrown around that the beginner home business owner may not be familiar with. Capitalization, dilution, warrants, preferences, convertible notes, and valuation are all terms that need to be known, among others. If you’ve had no prior experience with these terms, be ready to hire an expert that will help you sort out their meaning.

Prepare for the emotional toll.

Psyching yourself up for a presentation is only part of the mental preparation needed when trying to raise money. You must believe every presentation will be worth the time and effort and you must be enthusiastic. However, investors hear dozens of pitches a week and few ever receive funding. Be prepared to hear “no” or some variation of it most often.