The time between Thanksgiving and the New 12 months provides many alternatives, together with household time, nice meals and treats, reward giving and charitable contributions. It’s additionally a time when youngsters and a few adults get a break from college or work.
Tech, in fact, performs a job in virtually all elements of the vacations, together with researching and shopping for items on-line, meal planning, discovering vacation occasions for the household and researching and making donations to worthwhile charities.
Sadly, there are some grinches that come out this time of 12 months, together with scammers providing offers which are “too good to be true.” Others solicit donations that wind up of their pockets somewhat than a charity.
And, as a result of youngsters are out of college for at the very least a part of the season, it’s additionally a time when they could be tempted to spend extra time on-line, which may be good or unhealthy, relying on what they’re doing, what it’s getting in the way in which of and the way it makes them really feel.
Presents
Let’s begin with items. You’re going to see loads of on-line provides through the subsequent few weeks however, earlier than you flip over your credit score or debit card, be sure they’re from a reliable supply. In the event you go to an internet retailer, be sure you spell its net deal with appropriately, and for those who don’t know something in regards to the retailer, do some analysis to see if it’s reliable. This isn’t foolproof, however trying to find the shop’s identify adopted by “scam” will usually offer you some clues. You must also search for evaluations and scores from reliable sources reminiscent of Google and Yelp, Test for complaints on the Higher Enterprise Bureau web site, and ensure there are safe cost choices. Keep away from wiring cash or different financial institution transfers. Use instruments reminiscent of Whois or Area Age Checker to see how lengthy the web site has been lively. A newly registered area could also be riskier.
Paying by bank card is your finest wager due to fraud safety. Debit playing cards usually even have fraud safety, however in contrast to a bank card, the cash is taken out of your account instantly, so you need to apply to get it again if there’s proof of fraud. By no means pay by wire or reward card, until it’s a present card issued by the service provider you’re purchasing at. In the event you pay by test, you will have no recourse as soon as it’s cashed. Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal are among the many reliable cost providers with some fraud safety.
When shopping for items, search for the return coverage. Many retailers have prolonged return home windows through the vacation interval, however some are higher than others in relation to what they are going to take again. I like utilizing e-merchants that make returns simple and cheaper, together with having the ability to drop them off at native shops or transport firms with free return transport. Once I purchase items for individuals who reside out-of-town, I often have the service provider ship it on to the recipient to avoid wasting having to pay additional transport prices. I additionally look to see if there’s a field to test that it’s a present. Amazon, for instance, will conceal costs on the packing slip and embrace a free reward message.
Discovering simply the appropriate reward may be onerous, however I’ve gotten good recommendation from ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Meta.Ai and different generative AI chatbots. Simply describe what you understand in regards to the individual reminiscent of age, gender, likes, style in music, sports activities or actions and ask it to counsel a present. I used to be amazed at what number of options Meta.AI and ChatGPT got here up with for “16-year-old girl who likes Taylor Swift.” I suppose I shouldn’t be stunned to be taught that she has a “holiday collection” of merchandise.
Charitable contributions
That is additionally a time after we get loads of solicitations for charitable contributions. In the event you get one from a charity you belief, be sure you’re getting into the appropriate net deal with. Scammers will solicit cash utilizing the identify and even graphics from reliable charities with hyperlinks to pretend websites. When unsure, sort within the charity identify. In the event you’re unsure a couple of charity, you’ll be able to analysis it at websites reminiscent of Charity Navigator or GuideStar.
In the event you’re on the lookout for an end-of-the-year tax deduction, bear in mind that the principles modified a number of years in the past. You won’t be capable of take a deduction for those who itemize. In the event you’re taking a Required Minimal Distribution (RMD) from a retirement account, you could possibly get a deduction when you’ve got your monetary establishment make the cost, even for those who don’t itemize.
Youngsters and vacation display screen time
You probably have school-aged youngsters or grandchildren, they may need to spend extra time on social media, interacting with associates or watching on-line video. That is likely to be OK, particularly in the event that they’re doing actions they get pleasure from and so they depart loads of time for different actions. However it’s additionally a time to remind them about scams and individuals who may use on-line platforms to abuse or exploit them. Most teenagers nowadays are fairly clued-into these threats, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a good suggestion to have a dialog. Maybe begin by asking them how they deal with these points. It’s additionally an excellent time to ask about their favourite apps and video games, why they get pleasure from them and the way they make them really feel. All the time make it a dialog, by no means a lecture or inquisition. In the event you’re giving a teen a telephone, laptop or related gaming platform, this can be a good time to speak about accountable use. ConnectSafely has mum or dad guides and concise Fast Guides to in style apps that is likely to be an excellent dialog starter.
Along with the net issues, counsel actions that profit the household reminiscent of serving to with reward concepts, recipes or locations to go to through the holidays. Most individuals like sharing their experience, so make the most of what your youngsters know that will help you and assist them really feel included and revered for what they will contribute. In the event you plan to contribute, you may ask them that will help you choose charities or causes or they may log on to search out group actions reminiscent of serving to with meals distribution or clothes for many who want it. ConnectSafely has a wide range of Household Contracts & Pledges at ConnectSafely.org/contracts
Have a fantastic vacation season.
Larry Magid is a tech journalist and web security activist. Contact him at larry@larrymagid.com.
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