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No matter how complex your computer password is, it isnt enough to stop a thief from using other methods to steal your personal information if they find or steal your computer.

A strong password may prevent someone from logging into your computer, but thieves can remove the hard drive and put it into another computer to access your files. They can also find other ways to copy files off the computer, and may even be able to reset the password and gain access to email, passwords and other personal information.

Encryption can help by jumbling data on important files or whole devices using a mathematical process. The encrypted areas can only be accessed with a password, known as a key; thieves wont be able to reset the password if the device is encrypted.

To encrypt your hard drive, you can use a free program such as VeraCrypt or do it yourself in a few minutes through programs already installed on Windows and Apple computers. Search How to encrypt on your computer and follow the simple directions.

Windows computers have a Device Encryption area in the System folder. Users must log into Windows with a Microsoft account.

If your computer doesnt support device encryption, you can use another built-in encryption tool called BitLocker. Its available only on Professional versions of Windows and above, though Home edition users can upgrade for $99.

Mac laptops are also easy to encrypt. A feature called FileVault encrypts an entire system drive and can be turned on in the Security & Privacy section under Preferences.

Dont store the encryption key (password) on the computer being encrypted. Instead, save it in a safe place in case you ever get locked out. Write it down and dont put it out in plain sight. Better yet, lock it in a physical safe that only you can access. Without the password, you wont be able to retrieve your information online if your computer is lost or stolen.

Modern iPhones and Android phones automatically encrypt data if a PIN or password is used. Encryption only needs to be turned on with a desktop or laptop computer.

Along with encryption, you should keep a good backup of your data on another hard drive”which you should also encrypt”or with a cloud service that keeps your data secure.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you’ve just graduated from college, this is the perfect time to establish smart financial habits. With hopefully a full-time job awaiting, this is the time to establish habits you’ll continue throughout your life.

Where to start? It’s likely you’ve racked up some student loan debt. The good news is that federal student loans come with a grace period after graduation of usually six months. Borrowers don’t have to make payments during this time and can use that time to make sure they have a payment plan they can afford.

Look at your total loan amount, interest rate and expected monthly payment. If you can’t afford it, you may want to apply for a payment option that links your payments to your income. This can lead to paying more interest but will give you breathing room as you start your career. Also, make sure your loan servicer has your updated contact information so that statements and other information get to you on time.

Keep Track of Your Money
A cash flow analysis is an important financial habit to start because it lets you know how much money is coming in and what’s going out. Start simply with a piece of paper. List income streams on the left (most likely to only be your paycheck) and list fixed expenses on the right. These can include rent, car payments, insurance, food and an emergency fund. Then list variable expenses, such as gifts, vacations and dining out.

If there’s a gap between income and expenses, then it’s time to alter one or both categories. Can you get a roommate to cut costs? Use public transportation instead of owning a car? There are all kinds of budgeting apps that can help you decide expenses to cut and that keep track of where your money goes.

Start Saving
Along with an emergency fund of six months of living expenses, start the habit of saving your money by contributing to your employer-sponsored 401(k) or other retirement plan. Try to invest at least the minimum amount to get a matching contribution from your employer, usually 3-5 percent. This way, you’re giving your future self a raise without much work.

Health Insurance
The Affordable Care Act allows you to stay on your parents’ health plan until you turn 26. If that isn’t an option, hopefully your employer offers health insurance.

If you have low medical expenses, as most healthy, young, single adults do, then look for a plan that has a health savings account, so you can save for health emergencies. Such medical plans may have high deductibles, which is money you pay out of pocket when you’re sick. However, the money is deposited before you pay taxes on them, and they grow tax free and can be withdrawn tax free for medical needs.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Opening mail from your credit card company is never fun. If it isn’t a bill or marketing letter, it’s often an update to the terms of the credit card agreement, including changes to the annual percentage rate, or APR, that determines the interest rate paid on revolving balances.

Credit card interest rates are tied to the benchmark rate set by the Federal Reserve, so if you’re paying attention to what the Fed does then you might get an idea of upcoming increases. Or if you wait to receive a letter from your credit card company, the notification will usually come 45 days in advance, giving you at least one billing cycle to pay down your balance or find a better credit card.

When You Won’t Be Notified
However, you may not get such explicit notice if you incur a penalty APR for missing payments. The APR increase is immediate and is explained in the terms and conditions you originally received with the card. The contract will also list how you can get back to the original interest rate. Promotional rates are for a fixed period and you likely won’t get notified of when they’ll end.

If your APR is variable and tied to interest rates set by the Fed, then you may also not be notified early. Your credit card company may notify you anyway, but it isn’t required.

What to do About a Rate Hike
If you receive a credit card rate increase notice, your best solution is to ask the bank to lower your rate. It just takes a phone call and can often get you a reduction if you have good credit history and always make payments on time. You can also shop around for a better credit card elsewhere”be sure to let your bank know of better offers that it should at least match.

If you have a large balance, a balance transfer card can help you avoid the higher interest rate that’s coming soon. Balance transfer cards often offer 0-percent interest for a year or so, giving you time to pay it off before having to pay interest.

The best solution is to pay your credit card balance in full each month to avoid paying interest. Not carrying a balance is one of the best things you can do to raise your credit score.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Some kitchen tools and gadgets are splurges”an ice cream maker is probably rarely used by most”and others are essentials that you’ll likely use daily.

If you’re just starting out in the kitchen and don’t own much more than a pot and a spoon, here are some essential items that are worth the money and will get you ready for cooking.

Chef’s Knife
A full set of knives is great, but the one you’ll use most often is a chef’s knife”a big blade that can do many cutting tasks. A good knife will make cooking easier, faster and a lot more fun than working with a poor one. Be sure to have it sharpened professionally at least once a year. Don’t let it sit with food on it, and wash and dry it after each use.

Large Non-Stick Skillet
A 12-inch non-stick skillet will be used almost daily for cooking, from eggs in the morning to a stir-fry for dinner.

To make it last, don’t use metal utensils, let it soak for hours or put it in the dishwasher (even if it says it’s dishwasher safe). Gently wash and dry it after using it, and don’t scrub it with an abrasive cleaner or sponge.

Big Sauce Pot
Like a big skillet, a 3- or 4-quart sauce pot will be used again and again in your kitchen. Get a big one to make large batches of soup or grains.

The cleaning process is the same for many kitchen items you want to keep in good shape for a long time: Don’t use metal utensils, don’t put it in the dishwasher, wash thoroughly with a gentle sponge and lightly coat it with oil after cleaning.

Blender
A good high-speed blender can do all the work of a regular blender, food processor, juicer and immersion blender. You can use it to blend ingredients for soups, marinades, drinks and all kinds of things that you’ll come up with as you gain experience as a cook.

Parchment Paper
Lining your baking sheets and pans with parchment paper is an inexpensive way to preserve the life of these items. It will also make your life easier by not requiring you, or whoever does the dishes in your house, from having to scrub baked-on food off of pans.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Sometimes people take out a mortgage and are forced to accept less-than-favorable terms because of a low credit score or a high debt-to-income ratio. In other cases, homebuyers choose a mortgage that has a fixed rate for a specific number of years and then convert to an adjustable rate. That can save money in the short term, but when the interest rate is recalculated, monthly payments can skyrocket, causing homeowners to struggle to meet their obligations.

If you’ve been having trouble covering your monthly mortgage payments, refinancing the loan could be the solution. Refinancing could allow you to lock in a lower interest rate and significantly reduce your monthly payments.

Lower Costs
If your interest rate is higher than you’d like, refinancing your mortgage might lower it. A decrease of one or two percentage points could shave hundreds of dollars off your monthly payment. You can even use that extra money for credit card bills, home repairs, a new car, or savings for retirement or your childrens education.

Access to Equity
If you need cash to cover an unanticipated expense or to pay off high-interest credit cards, tapping into your homes equity is an option. You could refinance your home for more than the amount of principal you currently owe and use the extra money for other needs. While this could help you out if you’re strapped for cash, be aware that it would increase the size of the mortgage and might raise your monthly payments if your interest rate stays the same. If you are unable to cover your new monthly payments, your house could wind up in foreclosure.

Refinancing Process
If you want to refinance your mortgage, you’ll need to fill out paperwork and go through an approval process. The fact that you currently have a mortgage is no guarantee that you’ll be approved for refinancing. If your income has gone down, you have accumulated a lot of debt, or your credit score does not meet the lenders guidelines, your application could be denied, or you might not get the low interest rate you want.

If you decide to refinance, be prepared to pay for an appraisal, application fee, loan origination fee, closing costs and other expenses. In some cases, the lender will roll these fees into the loan balance, but other companies require refinancers to pay these costs out of pocket at the time of closing.

Explore Refinancing Options
If you’ve been struggling to pay your mortgage, you might be able to ease the burden by refinancing. This could allow you to reduce your interest rate and lower your monthly payments significantly, which would relieve stress and give you more money each month to devote to other priorities. Talk to your lender about your options.

Published with permission from RISMedia.