Consumer How-To 2013

2013

CONSUMER HOW-TO

Consumer How-To Guide 2013, is distributed to subscribers and readers of the Le Center Leader, Le Sueur News-Herald and St. Peter Herald at no extra charge. Use of material without written consent

of publisher is prohibited. All rights reserved ©2013.

VALLEY HOW TO GUIDE Wednesday, July 24 - Thursday, July 25, 2013

In this digital age, it’s easier than ever for would-be thieves to steal and profit from your personal information. Credit card numbers can be stolen from online shopping sites, bank account information can be lifted from unsecured pay-by-phone or online services, and all it takes is an overheard phone conversation on a cell phone for social security numbers and other personal information to be acquired. However, while you may put extra effort into safeguarding your information from technological threats, don’t overlook the other ways to protect your valuable information. Here are some tips to keep you safe.

Maintain a paper trail - Keep a copy of all your important documents locked up in a safe place, like a safe-deposit box or personal safe at home. This includes the contents of your wallet (go ahead, dump it all on a copy machine and photocopy both sides of every card you have), passport, birth certificate, marriage license, etc. It’s much easier to replace these documents if you know what you had on hand and the account and phone numbers to call if you have to cancel cards or accounts.

Check safety - With debit cards and credit cards a favorite for paying bills and more, you may wonder if paper checks are even used anymore. They are, and you should maintain a level of caution when ordering and designing your checks.

The next time you place an order, only have your initials put on the check. This way, if your checks are stolen, the crook will not know how you sign your checks - but your bank will. Also, see if you can forgo the address and phone number inclusion on the checks. If not, put a P.O. box or your work/cell number on them instead. Never print your social security number on the check. This way, a thief will not have access to your account number, address, name and phone number. The less puzzle pieces he has to put together, the less likely he’ll be able to do anything adverse against your identity.

Securing credit cards - When writing out checks to pay your credit card bills, or when referencing your account over the phone, etc., use only the last four digits of the account number. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check or account will not have access to your full number. Also, don’t sign the back of your credit cards because, if they are stolen, a thief will know what your signature looks like and can practice replicating it. Rather, place the words “Photo ID Required,” which will prompt retail merchants to ask for a photo ID in order to complete the purchase process. If a cashier fails to look on the back of your card, alert him or her to this fact, and bring up the matter with a store manager.

Spread the word - If your wallet is stolen, be sure to cancel your cards immediately by reporting the theft to the respective credit card companies. You should already have those numbers handy because you made a photocopy of the cards prior. Also, immediately call the three national credit reporting organizations and place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. This way, these organizations will know personal documents of yours were stolen and not hold any liens or unauthorized purchases against you. It’s also a good idea to file a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your items were stolen. This proves to credit providers that you were diligent in reporting the theft, and is a first step toward an investigation being conducted.

Here are numbers to add to your phone book:· Equifax: (800) 525-6285· Experian (888) 397-3742· Trans Union (800) 680-7289· Social Security Administration fraud line (800) 269-0271

Protect Your Personal Information

How

To

How

To

Protect

your

personal

information

When writing out checks to pay your credit card bills, or when referencing your account over the phone, use only the last four digits of the account number. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check or account will not have access to your full number.

Wednesday, July 24-Thursday, July 25, 2013 VALLEY HOW TO GUIDE PAGE 3

1883 Nicollet County Bank was Chartered

Celebrating 130 years!

220 South Third Street • Telephone 931-3310 • St. Peter

VALLEY HOW TO GUIDE Wednesday, July 24-Thursday, July 25, 2013

Are FASTBRACES®

right for you!H

ow T

oH

ow T

o

Are FASTBRACES

right

for you!

While there are no miracle shortcuts in orthodontics, Fastbraces® Technology is different by design.

What are FASTBRACES? Exactly that. Orthodontic treatment of misaligned teeth and bites in half the time as conventional orthodontics. The Question becomes how does it work and does it work for me?

BRACES FOR KIDS - Misaligned teeth or a dysfunctional bite can be a problem for some children. While this can complicate their oral hygiene, the additional pressures of being a kid can affect their day to day mood, attitude and self-confidence. Fortunately, with the Fastbraces Technology, children can receive quick orthodontic treatment with minimum discomfort. Ask Dr. Tycast at Le Sueur Family Dental about the Fastbraces Lifetime Satisfaction Commitment.

BRACES FOR ADULTS - Hearing the words “you need braces” can send some people into a battle of insecurity. You’re trying to be a grown-up, but you feel like a teenager again. When they are wearing adult braces, some people are afraid to speak up during a business meeting or enjoy the adventure of a first date. As frightening as it may be, Fastbraces Technology could be the fastest, most affordable and best alternative for you and can give you the advantage of a quick, permanent solution.

SAME FANTASTIC RESULT

Quick Treatment - The biggest question for a child who may need braces would probably be “how quickly can I get them off?” While there are no miracle shortcuts in orthodontics, Fastbraces Technology is different by design which allows for typically treatment time of one year instead of two. Some patients even see results in as little as

3 months! Traditional braces are usually square in shape and typically move the crown of the tooth in the first year, and the root of the tooth in the second year, thus requiring two years of treatment time. The patented triangular bracket in the Fastbraces Technology gently allows for movement of the crown and the root of the teeth at the same time with no extra risk for the patient.

Minimal Discomfort - University Research has shown that Fastbraces® Technology had “lower sensitivity”, “a clear-cut reduction in sliding friction” and “the lowest mean frictional forces” compared to the traditional braces systems. Through university research, Fastbraces® Technology typically works with just one orthodontic wire from start to finish, whereas standard braces usually require a series of wires and tightening procedures. Fastbraces® Technology uses a special square super-elastic nickel-titanium wire which is activated by the heat of the mouth. This dynamic wire helps upright the whole tooth using the natural temperature of the mouth in just one stage, safely and comfortably.

Lifetime Satisifaction - Most importantly, Fastbraces® Providers, like Le Sueur Family Dental, are committed to their patients for a lifetime. If for any reason you need to see a Fastbraces® provider, no matter where you are, you can seek out any of the doctors in the ever growing network of providers!

For a Free Consultation and to see if Fastbraces is right for you call Le Sueur Family Dental at 507-665-6812 or visit lesueurfamilydental.com to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tycast today.


219 South 2nd Street • Le Sueur, MN • 507-665-6812

3 MONTHS

7 MONTHS

8 MONTHS

9 MONTHS

fastbraces


Healthy Livingat age 50

How

To

How

To

Healthy

Living

at age

50

Overall, maintaining optimal health at age 50 and beyond is within a man’s control. By following some simple healthy lifestyle habits and by working with their doctor, a healthful future can be the reward.

As men approach the 50-year milestone, their bod-ies undergo many changes and face new challenges. At age 50, it is critical that men take the extra steps to care for their bodies to achieve optimal health. Regu-lar visits to the doctor may prevent or delay the onset of many health obstacles, however, men are often un-willing to get the checkups they need.

“As we age, our bodies become more vulnerable to medical conditions including heart disease, diabetes and cancer,” says Dr. Robert Gazzola, family practitio-ner at Mankato Clinic at Daniels Health Center. “Rec-ognizing the factors that influence these medical con-ditions and focusing on ways to prevent their onset are keys to maintaining optimal health.”

Dr. Gazzola says most people do not realize that much of the aging that occurs around age 50 is within their control and that their doctor can guide them in making choices for healthier outcomes.

Men should consider the following advice to ensure a longer, better quality life at age 50:

Focus on prevention. Taking action to protect one’s health before it is compromised is the key to living a long, productive life. Men should get regular screen-ings for heart disease, prostate cancer, colon cancer and diabetes. Routine cholesterol, blood pressure, height, weight and body mass index checks should also be performed.

Eat right. As men get older, healthy eating plays an important role in how they age. Focusing on good nu-trition, eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and decreasing sodium and fat intake, may help reduce the risk of serious disease.

Exercise regularly—stay physically fit. As men age, they experience a decrease in stamina and loss of

muscle tissue. Daily exercise of 30 to 40 minutes a day is good medicine. It will keep muscles from wast-ing away, prevent or delay disease and make men feel better overall.

Get healthy sleep. Many men over 50 ex-perience sleep prob-lems. Most adults re-quire seven to eight hours of sleep every

night for optimal health. Adopting healthy sleep hab-its, like maintaining a regular sleep and wake sched-ule, is essential to healthy living. When lack of sleep is affecting daily life, see a doctor.

Stop smoking. It is never too late to kick the habit. A common belief is that after years of smoking, the damage has already been done. Actually, the body begins to heal from the damage already done as soon as smoking cessation starts, reducing the risk of heart disease as soon as smoking stops.

Look good. Turning 50 may make a man psychologi-cally feel older. And, chances are if they feel older, they become older. Wrinkles, age spots, other skin condi-tions, weight, hearing and visual problems can cause men to “feel old.” Nipping these problems in the bud is a sure-fire way to maintain a positive self-image

Overall, maintaining optimal health at age 50 and beyond is within a man’s control. By following some simple healthy lifestyle habits and by working with their doctor, a healthful future can be the reward.

Dr. Robert Gazzola


St. Peter, MN • 1-800-657-6944 • www.mankatoclinic.com

It’s time to put your health first:At the Daniels Health Center, we practice the belief that health careis for you, for your family, for life. Our team of providers approachhealth care with the unique needs of the individual in mind.

SERVICES AVAILABLE:

FAMILY MEDICINE FOOT AND ANKLE CAREPEDIATRICS PSYCHOLOGY

For more information or an appointment call:

507-934-2325


Apply for aloan at a bank

How

To

How

To

Apply for

a loan

at a bank

What you are using the money for is very important for the bank to know. A bank is more likely to lend you money if you are willing to tell them what you are using it for.

The three basic steps to Applying for a Loan are choosing a lender, preparing for the loan application, and applying for a loan.

Choosing a Lender is the most important part of applying for a loan. Choosing a Lender located in or near your com-munity that you can readily access either through regular bank lobby hours or by appointment is the best way to start the lending process.

Prepare for the Application before meeting with your Lender for the � rst time. During the application process, be ready to tell the Lender, who you are, what you plan to use the money for, how you will repay the debt, and what you are willing to pledge as collateral for the loan. To ensure that you have the highest likelihood of a loan application being approved, remember to make timely payment on all debts & utilities and try saving some money prior to applying for a loan to use as a down payment as a down payment will assist you in getting more favorable loan terms should you be approved.

Applying for a Loan - Remember that a loan application is your request to a Lender to borrow money that you promise to repay. You will want your application to be as detailed as possible so that your Lender can o� er you the best available options for your request. Most Lenders have a request form or application that they will want you to complete and good Lenders will o� er to assist you with completing this form. At a minimum a Loan application will ask you to � ll in how much you are requesting to borrow and the information be-low.

Who you are is very important to your Lender. Most banks want to ensure that they are lending to someone in their market area whom they can communicate with easily, work with for many years to come, and who will repay them ac-cording to their loan terms and conditions. When you � rst meet with your Lender, make sure to have government is-sued identi� cation with your photograph that is not expired and a social security or taxpayer identi� cation card with you as your lender is required by law to verify who you are.

What you plan to use the money for is very important in-formation for the bank to know since it is the banks money you will be using. A bank is more likely to lend you money if

you are willing to tell them what you are using it for.

How you will repay the loan you have requested is the second most important part of the loan application. Know what your monthly budget is and how much of that budget you will be willing to commit to a new loan payment. Make sure you tell your lender right away what you would like your loan payment to be at and for how long you’d like to make those payments. Your lender will ask you detailed questions about your income and current bills to assist you in deter-mining if the payment you have requested will repay the loan in a reasonable amount of time. Additional veri� cation of income and or debt may be necessary during the applica-tion process. Items that will be used to verify your income or debts include but are not limited to pay stubs, tax returns, and your credit bureau history.

What you are willing to pledge as collateral is the third most important part of the loan application. If you ask a Lender to loan you money and you give them nothing in re-turn other than a promise to repay them it is very likely that your application will be declined for lack of collateral. How-ever, if you ask that Lender for the same loan and tell them that you have collateral it is much more likely that you will be approved for the loan. Collateral is an item or multiple items that have a monetary value that you pledge in exchange for receiving a loan. Remember that when you apply for a loan that not all collateral is created equal. A Lender will have guidelines as to how to evaluate collateral that will share with you when discussing either your approval or denial of a loan application.

Congratulations, you have made it through the applica-tion process. Once a Lender has an application completely � lled out from you they will begin the process called un-derwriting where they evaluate your application. The un-derwriting process could take as little as a few minutes or as much as several weeks. A good Lender will communicate with you the anticipated time each application will take to underwrite and approve or decline. Should you be fortunate enough to have your application approved, your Lender will then negotiate with you what the terms and conditions of a loan will be. Should you both reach an agreement on terms and conditions for your loan, a closing date will be set and upon closing your loan you will be the proud new owner of a loan payment.


When you need a loan we are here for you.• Auto Loans • Home Loans • Commercial Loans • Ag Loans • Government Programs

Call Brian, Dan, Tom, or Keith today.

www.ffmbank.com

112 South Main Steet • Le Sueur, MN 56058507-665-2265


Choosing the rightwindows for your home

How

To

How

To

Choosing the

right windows

for your home

Many warranties sound good until you dig a little deeper. The last thing you want is to be stuck with an expensive service bill for a defective product. Make sure to fi nd out the terms of the manufacturer’s written warranty, as well as the installation warranty.

6 questions most window companies hope you’ll never ask

1. How long have you installed this particular brand of window?

Some companies change their brands often trying to find their own better deal leaving previously installed window customers without service and to deal with their own warranty issues. Since 1984, Schmidt Siding & Window Co. has had 3 window brands, two of which we still carry. We take great pride in being able to service the products we sell.

2. Will new replacement windows jeopardize the look of my home’s original windows?

Yes, if the replacement window frames reduce the glass area of the window. The Renewal by Andersen custom replacement window company uses a strong fibrex composition allowing for narrower framework, thus, maintaining the original glass appearance and integrity of your windows.

3. Can I see and operate a full-size window before I make my purchase? To see, feel, lift, tilt and operate a full-size, fully

operating window is what we always suggest to our prospective customers. We can demonstrate all of the different window styles - bay window, double-hung, glider, casement or patio door right in our state-of-the-art showroom. You can lift, slide, tilt open and close all of the units. It is always best to know exactly what you are getting before you buy. If you only look at a small sample during an in-home demonstration, you will not get the true experience

of seeing an actual full-size window.4. Does your warranty cover parts and labor?

Many warranties sound good until you dig a little deeper. The last thing you want is to be stuck with an expensive service bill for a defective product. Make sure to find out the terms of the manufacturer’s written warranty, as well as the installation warranty. You will be able to tell if your installer has confidence in the products they carry.

5. Are your window efficiency ratings based on whole window performance?

Some window companies only include energy efficient glass or frames in their ratings. This means that the glass may be considered efficient, but the window’s overall performance as a whole might be poor.

6. Are your windows Green Seal certified?

Green Seal is a national non-profit environmental organization that helps consumers choose environmentally responsible products. Andersen Corporation is the first and only window manufacturer to receive Green Seal Certification, including certification of all Renewal by Andersen custom replacement windows.

Green Seal estimates that if all windows in the U.S. were as energy efficient as those made by Andersen, Americans would save up to 2.5 percent of the annual U.S. energy consumption - an estimated 200 gallons of oil for every household in the U.S.


625-6412 • 901 N. 5th St. • Mankato, MN 56001www.schmidtmankato.com1-877-625-6412 REPLACEMENT WINDOWS SUNROOMS SIDING & GUTTERS

BETWEEN YOU AND THE WEATHER SINCE 1949!• 1949 Founder, Robert J. Schmidt begins selling siding, roofing and insulation in the Mankato area.• 1968 Opened The Fireplace Shoppe at 505 N. Front St., Mankato.• 1971 Moved to present location on 5th and Madison in Mankato.• 1981 Gary Schmidt & Dale Brenke purchase company.• 1981 Purchased our first seamless gutter machine.• 1986 Purchased ABC Seamless Siding franchise.• 1988 Closed Fireplace Shoppe to focus on siding and windows.• 1989 First playhouse given away.• 1989 Became the Gutter Helmet dealer.• 1994 First year included in Qualified Remodeling Magazine’s Top 500.• 1997 Became the Renewal by Andersen dealer.

• 2001 Became the Temo Sunroom dealer.• 2003 Jim Hockert & Steve Beetch become part owners.• 2004 Selected into Remodeling Magazine’s Big 50.• 2004 Began selling permanent steel roofing.• 2005 Purchased and opened window and sunroom warehouse at 1307 3rd Ave. in Mankato.• 2009 Named to Mankato Area Business Hall of Fame.• 2011 "Above and Beyond" award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, presented by Gov Dayton and General McKinley.

MN LIC BC 006129

Over 600Years of

Combined Experience!

EX P E R I E N C E T H E D I F F E R E N C E !IS


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Consumer How-To 2013

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Transcript of Consumer How-To 2013