Tips for saving money on your cell phone

• Look closely at your monthly usage to make sure you're using what you're paying for and aren't incurring overage charges.
• Review rollover packages to see if you can save money on your voice plan.
• Do you really need an Internet plan or a data plan? If you don't travel much or spend your days at a computer, you may not.
• Is a smartphone right for you? Don't buy a phone just because it's popular. There are plenty of cool, inexpensive phones that can meet your needs.

• Making toll-free 800 calls on cell phones is not free. You'll be charged for the minutes used.
• Calling 411 from your cell phone can be costly.
• Use free online directory services like www.411.com or www.whitepages.com to find the number you need.

• Downloads like ringtones, software, video streaming, and games use up a lot of data, so think twice before purchasing them.
• Add-ons like phone cases, car chargers, and other accessories can tack on unnecessary costs.
• Stay up to date on offers
• Shop around for the best deal on the phone you're interested in.
• Contract prices can vary depending on length of commitment; signing a longer contract could save you money over time.
• Buying a new phone when it's first released is generally more expensive; simply wait a few months for the price to come down.
• Voice and data plan prices change frequently, so if you've had your plan for a while, check out the cost before you renew.

• If you are a light user or only need a phone for a certain period of time, purchase an inexpensive phone and pay separately for minutes and texting.
• Pay-as-you-go plans offer built-in budget control-you can't use more than you've paid for.
• The customer is always right
• Don't be afraid to ask for a better deal; the phone carriers would rather charge you less than lose you to the competition!
• We can get so caught up in the excitement surrounding the latest gadget that we forget to look at what we really need our phone to do. Even if you just make a few seemingly small changes to your monthly cell phone usage, you can save yourself a good deal over time.

Only 12 percent of Americans have tried mobile payments, according to a March report from the Federal Reserve. To rev up adoption of their own platforms, companies such as PayPal, Google, and Square are under "pressure to remove the controls," thereby improving ease of use, Litan says. For criminals, that means easier access.

Risks to be avoided

Nearly 70 percent of mobile phones aren't password-protected, according to Sophos, a mobile security vendor. Parents allow children to play with their phones without considering that they may download some bit of malware, says Shirley Inscoe, a senior analyst at Aite Group: "They don't realize the risk they may entail given the data stored on their mobile device."

Criminals can access a mobile wallet by stealing the handset or by tricking its owner into downloading a piece of malicious code. Malware attacks on U.S. smartphones have risen 18 percent since 2011 and now add up to 15.3 percent of the world total, says mobile security vendor NQ Mobile.

Sometimes the weak link is not the phone but accessories designed for it. Using an earlier generation of attachments sold by Square, which allow iPhones to accept credit- and debit-card payments, security experts were able to show how criminals could set up merchant accounts and accept payments using stolen credit-card numbers.

Building defenses

Banks and mobile-payment providers are scrambling to build-or buy-better defenses. "There's lots of investment into solving this problem," says Fiserv's Urban. Guardian Analytics, a Silicon Valley startup, has developed software for banks that analyzes a consumer's past transaction behavior-whether she made small or large purchases and how often-to determine if her phone has been hijacked.

There are also security tools that can triangulate a mobile user's location and verify that she is using her usual wireless device. PayPal has identified more than 1,000 variables that can help the company determine the authenticity of a transaction, says Michael Barrett, its chief information security officer. "We tend to use a lot of contextual security," he says. "And we are always evolving those controls."

Nitesh Saxena, an assistant professor of computer science at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, proposes having a user's phone and a store's scanner each record the audio of background noises during a mobile-payment transaction. The two recordings would then be matched up on some distant server. The goal is to prevent so-called relay attacks, in which a criminal scans a credit card with a phone and then passes the card number wirelessly to an accomplice overseas, who uses it to make purchases with his mobile device.

After fraud has taken place

Getting the technology right is simpler than figuring out how to divide responsibility for fraud detection and apportion losses when fraud has taken place. A typical transaction involves a wireless carrier, a payment service, and a bank. "Depending on how you paid for the thing, it might not be clear who's holding the responsibility," says Suzanne Martindale, staff attorney at Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports. "In many cases, unfortunately, it's the consumer left holding the bag, because they get frustrated with the runaround."

What the future holds

Once the wrinkles are ironed out, though, mobile payments could become more secure than checks or card-based payments. "If your phone is lost or stolen, with a single call, you can remotely disable the wallet," says Jaymee Johnson, head of marketing at Isis, a mobile-payment venture of AT&T , Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile USA that is expected to launch service this fall. For anyone who has had to spend an afternoon canceling credit cards after being pickpocketed, that sounds appealing.

 

Kiplinger, in a useful article entitled "Eight tips to be a smarter consumer," presents an interesting lifestyle matchup between you, your family, and the ideal car to choose. Are you ready for a Kia or Hyundai?

FAMILIES

Kia Sorento, Sticker price: $25,750 (LX V6)
Kia's midsize SUV switched from truck to crossover construction last year and now features more agile, carlike handling. A four-cylinder engine graces the lineup and gets 29 miles per gallon on the highway, versus 26 mpg for the V6. Second-row legroom is a roomy 38 inches, and cargo space behind the second row is 37 cubic feet -- enough to fit the family and all your gear. The third row of seats (optional on four-cylinder models and standard on V6 models) is perfect for little ones, but not unbearable for adults. The Sorento rates a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Runners-up:
Hyundai Sonata $21,455 (2.4L GLS)
It's elegant as well as utilitarian, with generous legroom and cargo space, and a thrifty four-cylinder engine.
Honda Odyssey $29,035 (LX)
The bold exterior, improved driving dynamics and functional interior set it apart from its minivan peers.

URBAN COMMUTERS

Nissan Leaf, Sticker price: $36,050 (SV)
The first mass-market electric vehicle to hit the streets, the Leaf boasts serious amenities in addition to zero tailpipe emissions and a "fueling" cost of less than $700 a year. A heated steering wheel and heated seats and mirrors are standard features for 2012, as is a 7-inch information display with navigation (to help you find the nearest charging station), Bluetooth, and a USB connection for music. A full charge takes about eight hours on a 220-volt dock and will carry you 73 miles, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The price tag is steep, but a $7,500 federal tax credit helps.

Runners-up:
Ford Focus $19,095 (SE hatchback)
Redesigned for 2012, it has plenty of legroom, high resale value and gets 36 miles per gallon on the highway.
Hyundai Elantra, $15,955 (GLS)
A nice price and 40 mpg on the highway make it easy on your budget. It has an ample 15 cubic feet of cargo room.

OUTDOORSY

Subaru Outback, Sticker price: $25,070 (2.5i automatic)
Kiplinger's named the Outback Best in Class Wagon for the third year in a row, based on its fuel economy, stellar resale values and bragging rights as an IIHS Top Safety Pick. Subaru's Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive comes in three different versions (all standard) on Outback models, depending on the transmission and engine. On the 2.5i automatic, power is distributed to the wheels depending on acceleration, deceleration, and available traction. For trail-rated accessories such as splash guards and all-weather floor mats, check out the Popular Package ($772).

Runners-up:
Ford Explorer, $34,920 (XLT AWD)
Explorer is now a crossover, with carlike handling and better fuel economy, but it's still rugged enough for adventure.
Jeep Grand Cherokee, $29,820 (Laredo 4WD)
This Jeep has off-road cred, lots of interior space and highway fuel economy of 23 mpg.

MIDLIFE CRISIS

Porsche Boxster, Sticker price: $62,750 (Spyder)
Many celebrities have driven Porsches over the years, but few were cooler than 1950s film star James Dean -- whose love of Porsches became legendary after his death at the age of 24 while driving a 550 Spyder. Questions of your demise aside, if you desire two seats and the feel of the wind tousling your hair, then the Porsche Boxster is a good choice. It corners and brakes like a dream, and the engine is placed mid car, so there's storage fore and aft. The Spyder has a larger engine and more horsepower. If money is tight and you can sacrifice some speed, consider the base Boxster, for $15,000 less.

Runners-up:
Chevrolet Corvette, $50,500 (base)
The 6.2-liter V8 packs 430 horsepower and propels the 'Vette (which turns 60 next year) from 0 to 60 in 4.2 seconds.
Mazda Miata, $26,245 (Sport)
Inspired by roadsters such as the MGB, the Miata is stripped to the essentials so you feel connected to the road.

OLDER DRIVERS
Chrysler 300C, Sticker price: $41,145
Chrysler's restyled 300C is evocative of the 1957 model, with a wide front grille and fins. But there's more to the C than nostalgia. The doors open wide for easy entry, and the dashboard is clean, with big, easy-to-use controls. Heated seats (front and rear) and a rearview camera are standard, and the pedals and steering wheel adjust at the touch of a button. Add the Safetytec package ($2,420) for adaptive cruise control, which uses radar to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of you on the highway. The package includes forward-collision and blind-spot warning and cross-path detection.

Runners-up:
Mazda5, $20,140 (Sport)
This mini minivan offers easy access, seating for six and easy-stow seats for when you need more space.
Toyota Avalon, $33,955 (base)
Check out the eight-way power driver's seat, easy-to-use dash controls, and standard backup monitor.

TEENS
2009 Honda Civic, Sticker price: $16,708 (EX-L sedan)
If you'd rather spring for a new car for your teen, consider the Kia Soul or Ford Focus. But if you're looking to spend less, consider a three-year-old Civic. Its 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine produces 140 horsepower and gets 36 mpg on the highway. The EX-L model has safety features not available on lower trims -- standard stability and traction control plus brake assist (to apply maximum braking force in an emergency). Other standard perks include heated leather seats, USB connectivity and a 60/40 split folding rear seat to expand the car's 12 cubic feet of cargo space.

Runners-up:
2008 Chevy Malibu, $11,831 (LT)
The Malibu drives well, plus it comes with a slew of standard safety features and a wallet-friendly price.
2009 Scion xB, $12,323 (base)
The xB has a capacious 22 cubic feet of cargo space and, as a Toyota product, a history of reliability.

Read the whole article here.

What are the "top ten cult TV shows that Netflix should revive?" according to The Street (Wall Street Journal)?" Can you guess where "All my Children" falls in the list?

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