Preparing For the Holiday Season

 Holiday Preparations abound today among all segments of the population. Children are rehearsing choral presentations, practicing traditional skits and plays and, of course, dreaming of the wonders so soon to arrive. Homeowners are decorating their homes inside and out with welcoming symbols of the season. Stored treasures of past family celebrations are being brought out for all to enjoy. Family gatherings are being arranged.

Stores are filled with enticing gift items and décor, clothing specials and toys galore. Excitement and nostalgia fill hearts with memories and anticipation. All through the house families are working on the secrets they will present to their loved ones on that special day. In houses of worship plans are being formalized for Holiday rituals and fellowship gatherings.

 People are busy gathering food and clothing for the homeless in their communities and in other areas such as Cholera-stricken Haiti. Charitable funds are being given and visits to homes for the elderly and orphaned are being implemented throughout the season.

It is so much fun to share in the warmth of the Holidays. In many homes brightly wrapped packages lie under lovingly decorated Christmas trees. All of these seasonal activities may be invitations to criminals who are just trying to survive their circumstances. You may think that thieves are out to steal your gifts or even break into your home and take your electronics. Yes they may want just that.

 Home break-ins are being reported in many states at this time. What are the thieves taking? Maybe they just want to get money for amphetamine habits. You can be sure that in our day some of the professional identity thieves are more interested in stealing your personal information.

A gentleman I know, Bob, lives in one of those gated communities where you have to give everything but your fingerprints to be admitted. Then they call the homeowner to get his permission for you to enter. While he was at home recovering from painful multiple injuries Bob hired a person to come into his home and do some repairs. When the person left, all of Bob's strong pain medications went too.

 Now you think you might invest in a monitored home alarm system and outdoor security lighting. Good thinking.

You shred pre-approved credit card offers and other documents. You put away your Social Security cards, infrequently used credit cards, bank checks and don't just leave them lying around. You may even have a locked file cabinet in which you store papers that are nobody else's business. You do not place in the trash or dumpster items from which your identity could be taken. Know this. Thieves enter homes prepared to go through your drawers and closets and break into your locked file cabinets. They work fast and are gone quickly.

 Now you think you might invest in a lockbox or a safe. Good idea.

Other thieves, caught by authorities, tell how they follow the mail carrier along, casually walking down the street with their bags. They tell of waiting twenty minutes and then emptying the mailboxes on the block.

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Now you think you just might invest in one of those locking mailboxes. You cannot watch the mailbox 24/7. Good idea.

As always, you want to protect your family from financial ruin and emotional distress in ways that make sense to you. Just think about providing a safe Holiday season for your loved ones and a worry-free future for yourself.Enjoy a safe and joyful season. Bask in its warmth. Create new traditions. Be generous to others and to yourself. Happy Holidays everyone.

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