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4Thursday, January 24, 2013 v Sanger News v www.lemonspublications.comv email: sanger@lemonspublications.comFinancialFocusBy Allen Chick,Edward JonesHelp Your ChildrenAvoid StudentDebt BurdenIt’s not so easy being acollege kid these days. Thejob market for recent graduateshas been shaky while, atthe same time, students areleaving school with moredebt than ever before. Ifyou have children who willsomeday be attending college,should you be worried?You might indeed havecause for concern. Americansnow owe more on studentloans than on creditcards, according to the FederalBank of New York, theU.S. Department of Educationand other sources. Forthe college class of 2011, themost recent year for whichfigures are available, the averagestudent loan debt wasabout $26,500, according tothe Institute for College Accessand Success’s Projecton Student Debt.This type of debt load,coupled with the strugglesto find a well-paying jobcommensurate with theireducation, is causing manyrecent graduates to get offon the wrong foot in termsof developing savings andinvestment strategies thatcould help them throughouttheir lives.So, what can you do?If you want to helpyour kids pay for college,you may want to consider a529 plan. When you investin a 529 plan, all withdrawalswill be free from federalincome taxes, as long as themoney is used for qualifiedcollege expenses. (However,non-qualified withdrawalsmay be subject to ordinaryincome tax plus a 10% penaltyon the earnings portion.)Contribution limitsare high, and, contributionsmay be eligible for a taxdeduction or credit for resi-dents in certain states.A 529 plan, while valuable,is not the only collegesavings vehicle available.You may also want to considera Coverdell EducationSavings Account, which,like a 529 plan, can generatetax-free earnings if themoney is used for higher educationexpenses. However,a Coverdell account’s contributionlimits are much lowerthan those of a 529 plan.You could also establish acustodial account, knownas an UGMA or UTMA,which offers some tax benefitsand no contributionlimits.Nonetheless, whilethese vehicles may help yousave and invest for college,they may also divert resourcesthat you might have usedfor other financial goals— such as a comfortableretirement. Of course, it’snot an “either-or” situation— there’s nothing stoppingyou from contributing to a529 plan, Coverdell accountor custodial account alongwith your 401(k) and IRA.Clearly, though, it willtake discipline and perseveranceon your part to saveand invest for both your children’seducation and yourown retirement. Like everyoneelse, you don’t haveunlimited resources. Butyou do have another ally —time. The earlier you begininvesting for education andretirement, the greater yourchances of achieving yourgoals in these areas. Andby understanding how yourgoals interact, you can workto make sure you don’t inadvertentlyderail one whensaving for another.Avoiding the studentloan “debt trap” while stillmaking progress towardyour retirement savings willrequire creative thinking— and both you and yourchildren may have to makesome sacrifices along theway. But the ultimate goals— a college degree that isn’tone big IOU and a comfortableretirement — are worththe effort.Allen Chick is a FinancialAdvisor with EdwardJones in Sanger. He can bereached at 940-458-7866.Beard’s Motors** Paint and Body Shop **** Used Cars **940-458-3841 1/2 Mi. N. I-35Ronnie Beard, owner sangerBy KimKomandoQ&AQ. I downloaded aprogram that said it wouldhelp me test my Wi-Fi’ssecurity. It said my Wi-Fiwas unsecure and told meto download more software.Do you think this islegit?A. I’m betting that itisn’t. Plenty of viruses andother scam software masqueradeas programs thathelp you test your computer’ssecurity.Once you downloadthem, they load your computerwith junk and thentry to convince you to buy aprogram to clean your computer.It doesn’t usually endwell. It’s time for you to runa legitimate virus scan likeMalwareBytes.As for actually testinghow secure your computer’sInternet connection is, tryPortTest. It looks for openports that hackers could useto take over your computerand helps you close them.Q. I’m buying my firstsmartphone but I don’tknow whether I want aniPhone or an Android.What do you think?A. For the average consumer,Android phones andthe iPhone are almost identicalin features and usability.Either will work well aslong as you’re not lockedinto specific services likeiCloud or Google Calendar.My general advice isthat if you like consistency,stick with the iPhone. Ifyou want plenty of differentdesign and customizationoptions, go with Android.Either way, make sure youplay with a couple of themodels in your price rangefor comfort and usability.Remember, you’ll probablybe using this phone fortwo years or more, so makeOffice: 940-458-8089sure you love it.Q. When I post somethingonline, do I still ownit? I read something onFacebook that said I give ita license to my photos, andI don’t know how I feelabout that.A. Most sites have legaleseburied in their termsof service that say you givethe site a “license” to usewhat you post.How the site can usewhat you post varies. Facebookand a few other sitescan use your posts in advertising.Reputable sites, however,don’t take ownershipof something when you postit. That means you can stillclose your account and deleteyour information to stopthe site from using it.A good reference toolfor closing your account isAccountKiller. It tells youthe steps to close accountson common online services.Q. I’m about to signup for Internet service ina new area. What’s theminimum speed I need forstreaming video?A. It depends on howmany gadgets you have connectingin your house. Ifyou have only one or twothings online at once, 7 to10 Mbps should be fine,even for streaming video.If you’ve got more gadgetsconnecting to the Web atonce, upgrading to 20 or 30City Sales and Use Tax Comparison SummaryDenton County – December 2012Payments Percent Payments Payments PercentCity This Period Prior Year Change To Date ‘12 To Date ‘11 ChangeArgyle $39,283 $37,767 4.01% $500,870 $507,082 -1.22%Aubrey 42,574 35,104 21.27 498,750 499,066 -0.06Bartonville 15,206 11,542 31.74 184,003 161,381 14.01Copper Canyon 3,332 2,879 15.72 47,646 50,277 -5.23Corinth 151,462 133,347 13.58 1,978,782 1,863,107 6.20Corral City 8,728 8,063 8.24 99,821 103,369 -3.43Cross Roads 31,430 36,700 -14.36 394,561 374,513 5.35Denton 1,947,109 1,847,567 5.38 24,467,214 21,609,764 13.22Double Oak 6,971 5,614 24.16 87,623 83,926 4.40Flower Mound 1,009,050 844,637 19.46 12,186,218 10,982,405 10.96Hackberry 800 1,597 -49.92 24,234 29,150 -16.86Hebron 4,801 8,588 -44.09 67,590 58,974 14.60Hickory Creek 112,987 108,917 3.73 1,529,585 1,425,004 7.33Highland Vill 250,035 243,619 2.63 3,202,681 2,981,528 7.41Justin 64,159 62,985 1.86 910,851 866,178 5.15Krugerville 14,088 9,086 55.04 180,753 89,428 102.12Krum 20,101 17,065 17.79 257,575 223,773 15.10Lake Dallas 104,508 80,808 29.32 1,224,420 1,051,006 16.49Lakewood Vill 1,090 762 43.06 11,354 14,625 -22.36Lewisville 2,371,149 1,732,551 36.85 26,700,516 23,904,117 11.69Lincoln Park 4,323 7,580 -42.96 78,326 99,082 -20.94Little Elm 294,566 266,816 10.40 3,888,785 3,439,776 13.05Northlake 38,099 36,402 4.66 410,316 309,889 32.40Oak Point 13,101 8,482 54.44 148,891 123,669 20.39Pilot Point 57,536 48,371 18.94 682,174 611,384 11.57Ponder 10,827 19,105 -43.32 233,549 222,742 0.36Roanoke 849,864 782,761 8.57 10,868,892 9,361,925 16.09Sanger 92,756 83,675 10.85 1,094,800 999,005 9.58Shady Shores 2,642 2,755 -4.11 61,911 62,513 -0.96The Colony 789,452 720,013 9.64 9,152,916 7,401,867 23.65Trophy Club 87,311 84,592 3.21 1,181,845 997,579 18.47County Total $8,444,962 $7,289,766 15.84% $102,371,798 $90,508,119 13.10%• Rock• Topsoil• Mulch✪✫✴✺✵✴✄✹✧✴✪✄✠✭✸✧✼✫✲✎✄✯✴✩✑We Deliver – Any Size LoadSpecializing in:• Blended Soils• Sand• Flex Base• Compost• Etc.• Delivery of All Materials•Driveway & Parking Area Installation & Repair• Roads & CulvertsSince198010531 FM 2450 Sanger TX 76266 / Steve & Paula Shackleford - Owners✲✵✩✧✲✄✜✗✓✏✘✙✙✏✗✙✙✗✺✵✲✲✄✬✸✫✫✄✔✏✛✓✓✏✖✕✔✏✖✖✕✕❯❯❯✑✪❈▲❘▼▲✹❄▲❇✧▲❇✭❄❚❈❏✑❆▼❑Mbps might be a better investment.However, you mightstill see slower speeds dueto network congestion andother interferences. To makesure you always get the fullspeed you’re paying for, orclose to it, use Speedtest.Q. I read a news storythat said “ransomware” ison the rise. What is ransomwareand how do Iavoid it?A. Ransomware isdefinitely on the rise andyou have to watch out. It’sa type of virus that locksyou out of your computerand demands that you pay(Continued on pg. 5)“FastDependableService”American Family Chiropractic458-7760*Bulged/Herniated Disc*Sciatica*Headaches*Auto Injuries*Affordable Cash Prices!*Insurances AcceptedSpinal DecompressionSpinal Decompression CareThrough the use of a gentle, computerized pumpingaction, your bulge or herniation is sucked back intothe disc and off the nerve, resulting in pain relief andlong term healing of the spine and helping to avoidsurgeries or long term pain-killer dependency.We like getting personal.Your story continues here…PersonalizedAssisted LivingSTERLING HOUSE ®DENTON2525 North Hinkle DriveDenton, Texas 76201(940) 566-7054Facility No. 000498FM 455 Just Past IGA* Back Pain * Neck Pain * Headaches* Pain in Legs & Arms * Muscle Spasms* Car Accidents * Sports InjuriesMassage Therapy * Walk-ins welcome!!458-7760AmericanFamilyChiropracticNorm VincentD.C.1640 Chapman#300Sanger, TX 76266458-7760At a Brookdale Senior Living ® communitywe understand that there is no “one-size-fitsall”approach when it comes to finding care forthose you love. So, we listen carefully to eachresident and family to understand their needs.Then, we develop a personalized living experiencethat respects their individual preferences,while delivering care and comfort. It’s not justindividual. It’s personal…and our residents andtheir families appreciate that about us, too.To learn more, call or visitthe community near you today.STERLING HOUSE ®PARKWAY2525 Lillian Miller ParkwayDenton, Texas 76210(940) 320-1926Facility No. 30309STERLING HOUSE ®LEWISVILLE965 N. Garden Ridge BlvdLewisville, Texas 75077(972) 420-9600Facility No. 000315www.brookdaleliving.com® Reg. U.S. Patent and TM OfficeDENTEG-ROP01-0512-DS
5 Thursday, January 24, 2013 v Sanger News v www.lemonspublications.comv email: sanger@lemonspublications.comQ&A(Continued from pg. 4)to regain access. It mostlyspreads through emailand infected websites.That means avoiding emailscams, and having securitysoftware like Avast! or Avirainstalled will keep you safe.If you do end up withsome form of ransomwareon your computer, don’tpay! You can use a rescueCD or bootable anti-virus(AVG makes a popular one)to wipe the ransomware out.Q. I was really excitedto start playing on mybrand-new tablet, but thenI read that tablets can getviruses. Is this true? Do Ineed anti-virus software?A. Yes and yes! Therealready have been a few tablet-specificviruses, and it’sonly a matter of time beforethey become widespread.For anti-virus software, Irecommend Lookout’s anti-virusapp. It also works onsmartphones, so downloadit for your other mobile gadgets,too. It helps to makesure your tablet is runningthe most recent softwareit can, too. To update aniPad, go to Settings>>-General Software Update,and for Androids, it’s Settings>>SystemUpdates. Irecommend switching yourphone’s default browser,too. Chrome and OperaMini both are fantastic mobilebrowsers that are moresecure.Q. I’m running out ofspace on my computer forphotos. I’m thinking aboutcloud storage, but all of myphotos are in RAW format.Do you think cloud storagecan handle those?A. That’s definitelya possibility. Though theRAW files can be anywherefrom 10 to 20 MB in size,cloud storage sites like GoogleDrive, iCloud and AmazonCloud all give you 5GB of storage space for free.That’s enough to stash about250 to 500 photos on each.Keep in mind that you canuse multiple free cloud sitesat once to add to your space.If you need even morespace, sites like Winkflashmight be able to help youout, but you have to convertyour files to JPEG format.In addition to online storage,I’d recommend keepinga local copy of all your fileson an external drive. Younever know when an onlineservice is going to go awayor change its use policy.Q. I heard the mostrecent version of Java hasfixed some of its infamoussecurity problems. Is thattrue?A. Yes, if you set itup right. First, you have todownload the most recentversion (Version 7, Update10) from the Java site. Sincethe big problem with Javastems from website attacks,you have to turn Java’sbrowser functions off. Go toStart>>Computer and typein “javacpl.exe” into thesearch bar to launch Java’scontrol panel. Mac users canclick the Java icon in SystemPreferences to find the controlpanel. Go to the Securitytab and uncheck the boxthat says, “Enable Java contentin the browser.” Thislets you run Java programs,such as LibreOffice, withoutallowing hackers the chanceto use Java against you inyour browser.Q. I just shot my firstvideo over Christmas, andI’d like to edit it before Iupload it to YouTube. Isthere any free video editingsoftware that’s good forrookies?A. You might alreadyhave some. Windows XPand Vista came with WindowsMovie Maker, whileWindows 7 and 8 users candownload Windows LiveMovie Maker, which has extrafeatures but still is easy touse. If you’ve bought a Macrecently, it probably camewith a version of iMoviethat will help you edit yourvideos, too. If you’ve triedthose and aren’t a fan, checkout Avidemux. It’s incrediblysimple to use and shouldgive you enough power totrim and edit your videos. Ifyou want to take your moviesto the next level, try thefree Lightworks. It’s powerfulenough for Hollywoodmovies, but it has a learningcurve to match.Q. I got some gadgetsfor Christmas that I don’treally want. Where shouldI sell them online?A. Well, that depends.The easiest way to sell onlineis with used tech siteslike Gazelle. It gives youa price quote based on thegadget’s condition, age andconsumer demand. A newgadget that you just gotshould fetch a good sum.Gazelle sends all the stuffyou need to ship it and itpays you in cash.If you’re looking tomake the most money,though, sell it yourself ona place like eBay. You cancharge almost what thestores charge for a gadgetthat is still in its originalpackaging.However, make sureyou sell to someone that hasa good reputation on eBayso you don’t encounter anyhassles.Q. My Android tabletis running out of juice tooquickly. Is there any way Ican increase its battery lifelike I can with my smartphone?A. Tablets and smartphonesactually share manybattery-draining features.Start by changing the tablet’sscreen timeout andbrightness. You can find thisby to Settings>>Display onyour Android. iPad ownersshould go to Settings>>-General>>Auto-Lock tochange the screen timeoutand Settings>>Brightnessto change brightness. Usingyour tablet in airplane modeis smart when you don’tneed Wi-Fi or other dataconnections. Those connectionsdrain the battery fast.To find airplane mode, go toSettings>>Wireless & Networkson Androids and Settings>>Airplanemode oniPad. Finally, Android tabletbatteries can benefit greatlyfrom a task-killing app likeAdvanced Task Killer, especiallyif you run power-hungryapps.Q. I accidentallyerased family photos frommy hard drive. Is there anyway I can recover them?A. This is why I alwaysrecommend that you backupyour files. Thankfully,there are programs likeRecuva that can help youbring back some of them. Itchecks for traces of files thathaven’t been written over yetand works for flash drivesand memory cards, too.Just choose which drive youwant Recuva to scan and itwill bring up a checkbox offiles. Select which files youwant to recover and clickthe recover button. Keep inmind that this process mighttake awhile depending onhow many different filesyou have. Also, you probablywon’t be able to recovereverything.Kim Komando hosts thenation’s largest talk radio showabout consumer electronics,computers and the Internet. Formore information, go to www.komando.com.NEW YEAR – TIME FORA NEW LOOK! COME SEE US AT10 essential apps for your new tabletBy Kim KomandoIn the blink of St. Nick’seye, tablets went from niceto-haveto must-have gadgetsthis year. They’re theway everyone from kids toseniors wants to watch TVshows, check email, playgames and browse the Internet.As you’ve no doubt alreadydiscovered, shoppingfor apps is a daunting experience.Although the GooglePlay store has improveda lot — and keeps gettingbetter — it can still be anadventure to search for andfind the best apps.The iTunes App Store ismuch better organized, butthe sheer number of apps isoverwhelming — more than275,000 optimized for thefull-size iPad and iPad mini.That’s why I compiledthis list of my favorite iOSand Android tablet apps.They’ll get you and yourgadget off to a roaring startin 2013.1. Netflix (Free; iOS,Android): Netflix is a greatservice if you love movies.You just pay a monthlysubscription fee, and youcan watch all the moviesyou want. It also includesthe ability to stream moviesover the Web.This app lets you watchNetflix movies anywhere. Italso allows you to manageyour Netflix Instant queue.2. HeyTell (Free; iOS,Android): This fun app is athrowback to the days whenyou used walkie-talkies as akid.Instead of placing a traditionalcall, HeyTell allowsyou to record a quick voicemessage. It is sent over Wi-Fi or cellular data so youdon’t even need a tablet witha voice plan.3. Evernote (Free; iOSAndroid): When you needto step it up from your tablet’sbasic built-in note-takingapp, look no further thanEvernote.What sets Evernoteapart from similar apps isthat it synchronizes yournotes to your password-protectedEvernote account.So, you can access the notesfrom any Web browser. Youcan take photo notes andvoice notes in addition tobasic text notes. You caneven type long notes on yourcomputer and access themfrom your tablet.4. Skype (Free; iOS,Android): You probablyknow that Skype is a greatway to save money on voicecalling. You can call PC toPC for free and even videochat.Skype isn’t just for computers,though. You can alsouse it on your gadgets. Makevoice and video calls overWi-Fi or cellular. Again, it’sfree to call other Skype users.5. Google Earth (Free;iOS, Android): GoogleEarth is one of my favoriteprograms. It lets you explorethe world through satelliteand ground-level photos.You can see historic landmarksor plan trips.Now you can get thesame amazing experienceon your mobile gadget withthe Google Earth app. It letsyou access the same satellitephotos and landmarks. Onsome gadgets, you can evenget 3-D buildings for cities.6. Weather ChannelApp ($4 iOS; Free Android):The weather affectsnearly everything you do.Don’t let it take you by surprise.Now you can get detailedforecasts at a glancewith this app.You’ll also get videoclips and severe weather andpollen alerts. All the weatherinformation you need willbe literally at your fingertips.7. Kindle App (Free;iOS, Android): The Kindleapp turns whatever tabletyou own into an Amazone-reader.Among the handy features:You’ll never lose yourplace, even when switchingamong devices. It eventransfers annotations andhighlighting. You can alsotake advantage of free booksamples.8. Lookout MobileSecurity (Free; iOS, Android):Hackers don’t justwrite viruses for computersanymore. Now, they writethem for tablets. You needstrong security to keep yourinformation safe.This app provides antivirusand anti-phishing. Youcan upgrade to a premiumversion that includes remotelocating, wiping, app scanningand more!9. Instant Heart Rate($1 iOS; $3 Android):When you’re exercising,getting an accurate heartrate is important. You don’twant to do too little workand waste your time. On theother hand, overdoing it cancause health problems.Forget checking yourpulse manually. Just pullout your mobile gadget withthe Instant Heart Rate app.Press your finger to the cameralens and you’ll have yourheart rate in just a moment.It can also track recoverytime, trend lines and more.10. Epicurious (Free;iOS, Android): It’s alwaysgood to make a list beforegoing grocery shopping. Butyou don’t always get aroundto it, and you find yourselfin the store unsure of whatyou need. The EpicuriousRecipe app can help.It gives you access tomore than 28,000 recipesso you can find exactly themeals you want to make.Then, it details all the ingredientsand translates thatinto shopping list for you.You’ll never again get homeonly to find you’re short anessential ingredient.Kim Komando hosts thenation’s largest talk radio showabout consumer electronics,computers and the Internet. Formore information, go to www.komando.com.SAVE NOW AND STAYWARM ALL WINTER!The coldweather is upon us,so Cote’s Mechanical ofSanger is offering aWinterHeaterTune-Up forjust $ 39.95!Whether you have a gasfurnace, electric furnace,or heat pump, now is thetime to get it checkedout. Call us today!AT RIGHT –Rebekah,Cote’sMechanical’sreceptionist,and Nick, one ofIT’S OUR FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR...Cote’sMechanical’sservice techs.From all of us at Cote’s Mechanical,Call Cote’swe wish you a spectacular year,hometownservice! Indians. Go Get ‘Em!today for greatColor, Cut, Extensions, Waxing,Manicure, Pedicure and Shellac!Teacher Discounts!SPECIAL:$75.00 Summer•Sales, •Sales, Service, Service, and and Repair Repair•Free Service Call with Repair•Specializing in High Efficiency HeatingandandCoolingCoolingwithwithSAVINGSSAVINGSofofupuptoto5050percentpercentononUtilityUtilityBillsBillsSPECIAL:$75.00 Summer•Sales, Service, and ~ Repair Sales, Service, and Repair ~SPECIAL:•Free Service Call Call with ~ Free with Repair Repair Service Call with Repair ~ $75.00~ •Specializing in in High High Efficiency Heating Heating and Cooling and Cooling Maintenancewith SAVINGSwith SAVINGS of up to 50 percent on Utility on Utility Bills Bills & ~ Safety CheckMaintenance & Safety CheckMaintenance & Safety CheckLic. #TACLA22635CLic. #TACLA22635C
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