CU Community Credit Union will switch all Visa® debit and credit cards to MasterCard®  on August 18, 2014. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions that will help you on conversion day.

Are your kids finally reaching the age when they’re ready to start having money of their own? According to a 2014 T. Rowe Price survey, 42% of parents sometimes avoid discussing money with their youngsters. However, with a few kid-friendly activities to jumpstart the conversation, you’ll be looking forward to these talks. By the time school rolls around again, your little ones will be a step closer to becoming budgeting pros.

Are you stuck with a high-interest rate car loan that you can’t afford? Refinancing your vehicle could save you some money if you can qualify for a better rate, and at a credit union you may benefit from more flexible repayment terms and more personalized customer service.

eBay announced that its corporate network was compromised and is advising all users to change their passwords immediately. In addition, the company is recommending changing passwords anywhere users have used the same password. Security expert Jim Stickley points out that "this is another example of why it is so important that you never use the same password between online sites."  

The online auction company has acknowledged that the compromise occurred in late February and into March and contained user names, encrypted passwords, email addresses, and other private information. However, it claims that financial information is encrypted and was not accessed.

PayPal, which is owned by eBay, has stated that none of the information used for its site was compromised. That information is stored on a secure network separately and all PayPal information is encrypted. 

If you currently use or have used eBay, it is highly recommended to change your password. Ensure you use strong passwords comprised of letters, numbers, and a special character. All passwords should be at least eight characters long.

 

Life is unpredictable. You could lose your job tomorrow or your car could require a very pricey repair next week. While there’s nothing you can do to stop these unpleasant surprises, you can make sure you’re financially prepared to meet any challenge that comes your way. Make setting up an emergency fund one of your financial goals for 2014.