Is it safe to budget my money online?

I just caught the very end of your show today 11-10-09 about how to find out your score for risk of identity theft. How can I read about it? Or, please just send the e-mail address for the I.lD. theft risk site.

Thank you.

My son is in his mid 30s, moved back in with me and his mother 2 years ago and brought his 3 children with him .. He finally got a job about 6 months ago and has only saved $1,000 and he makes $12.00 per hour and I pay for everything. I have been preaching to him about the importance of having savings to both get started and for a rainy day or emergency. I have also been paying for much of what the kids need. His engine went out on the car I bought him and it will cost about $2,000 to repair and reinstall. his son needs a clarinet for school and his oldest daughter was promised an $80-$100 hair styler for having all "A"s on her report card and nChristmas is just around the corner. He wants a cell phone that costs about $150.00. I say he should buy a much cheaper phone and plan but he thinks I am wrong. Who is wrong. He said that he feels that he has not bought anything for himself in the last 6-9 months and that he deserves it. Bob

Robert,

Charge your son $500 per rent per month. Put that in a savings account for him. After one year, take that $6000 and give it to him and kick his butt out. By they way (I am a single parent) if he can't afford extras for his kids, then they DON'T get extras! All A's should be a reward of a job well done and a possible college scholarship! All A's should not be rewarded monetarily and definitely not in the $80-100 range. That's ridiculous! Look around for a cheap used clarinet, or see if the school has one the boy can borrow for the season. Your son doesn't deserve a cell phone at all unless he can afford everything for his children and himself! Quit enabling his behavior!

Help him apply for Section 8 Federal Subsidizing housing that he'll qualify for because of the $12.00 per hour income and a 4 family member household. If he says it is over crowded where he is staying, it will put him up higer on the waiting list. His rent will probably be $0.00 He'll then be able to budget his little money to pay for the "real" important things. Food, utilities, gas for car, clothing, personal necessities, school things and if there is any extra, he needs to spend it equally on the kids. He's responsible for bringing them into the world and it is not their fault that wrong decision in the past was made. He needs to apply for the Federal Food Stamps program and the State medical help program from your state. This you can do "right now" while he's living with you but you need to charge him rent, maybe $300 or $400 dollars per month to get the full benefit and tell the case worker you will eat and keep your food stuff separate from his and his kids. (assign certain cabinets and refrigerator space for him). He may get $500.00 or more in Food Stamps. These programs will probably be located at your state building. Look online at your State Website or phone book. Let grandpa pay for the extra gifts after dad pays for the necessities. Then you're teaching both your son and grandkids financial responsibility. Otherwise your greatgrand kids will be living with you in a few years. P.S. a cell phone is a luxury not a necessity and they still have pagers if you think it is that important to get a message to you (alot cheeper).