Many Crestview High School graduates will get jobs. It may be a full-time summer job, or a part-time job that will be kept once school begins, but these young adults will produce income.

It is never too early to begin saving, both for unexpected expenses as well as for retirement. When one is in their late teens and early 20s, the last thing they want to think about is retirement — we all tend to think we will never grow old. I didn't think I would get old, but I did; it's inevitable.

Here are some suggestions for financial discipline that will last a lifetime: 

Open a checking and a savings account and set up your paycheck for direct deposit. Allocate 25 percent to your savings account and the other 75 percent to your checking account.

The checking account money will be the money that you use to pay any bills you are responsible for, such as a cell phone, vehicle fuel, car insurance and food.

If you have moved from home then you may need to also allocate money for rent, utilities and groceries.

Christians: Tithe 10 percent of your income. Whenever you are paid, take 10 percent of your earnings out of your checking account and donate to your church.  This will keep you from spending your tithe and help develop the habit of tithing. 

Invest. Allow your savings account to accumulate and, when you have about $400, go into the bank, speak with a financial adviser and open an individual retirement account.

Once this account is opened, contribute at least $50 per month into it; as your income grows, so should your monthly IRA contribution.

If one begins at a young age to save for retirement, they will have a nice nest egg at retirement. 

Many Americans are totally unprepared to retire; they don't have the finances that will allow them to quit working. By making this choice when you are young, you are setting yourself up to succeed.

Always have a healthy savings account, as we never know the future. My husband, Jim, and I have certainly found that out first-hand.

Once you are married with a family and home, there are always unexpected expenses, and having that safety net of savings when a car needs unexpected repairs, or the washer quits, or the air conditioner needs replacing, is always welcome. 

Making smart money choices when one is young sets one up for a successful life.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 3 tips for Crestview High graduates to save for the future

The Crestview Robert L. F. Sikes Public Library officially challenges all children ages 6-14 to exercise your most important muscle…your brain…by reading at least 20 minutes each day from June 10-July 19! 

You can earn 40 Funny Money Dollars by reading every day!  Extra fun reading logs (complete with stickers) are available at the library in front of the Story Room while supplies last. 

Not-as-fun-but-functional reading logs are available at www.cityofcrestview.org/library.php on our calendar. 

Wow next year’s teacher(s) by not letting your brain turn to mush this summer!

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NITZEL: Crestview library begins summer reading challenge

Identity theft is a big problem. How big? Consider this: In 2015, about 13 million Americans were victimized, with a total fraud amount of $15 billion, according to Javelin Strategy & Research. That’s a lot of victims, and a lot of money. How can you protect yourself from becoming a statistic?

Here are a few suggestions:

•Secure your Social Security number. Identity thieves eagerly seek Social Security numbers — so don’t give out yours to anyone who asks for it. In fact, as a general rule, be reluctant to give it out at all. Always ask whomever you’re dealing with if he or she will accept another form of identification, or at the very least will take just the last four digits of your number. And never carry your Social Security card with you.

•Shred credit card offers and bank statements. If you’re not going to apply for the credit cards offered to you, shred the offers. Identity thieves have been known to go through garbage, fill out credit card offers and take advantage of them. At the same time, shred your bank and brokerage statements – and any other statement containing personal or financial information.

•Study your credit card bills and checking account statements. Question any credit card charge or checking account activity you don’t recognize as your own.

•Don’t give out your credit card number unless you’re initiating a purchase. Many of us shop online. As long as you’re dealing with a reputable merchant who uses a secure site — i.e., one that has “https” in the web address — you should be fairly confident that your credit card information will be protected. Never give out your credit card number to people or businesses who, unsolicited, try to sell you something over the phone or Internet.

•Protect your passwords. Do you use a password to log onto your computer? If so, don’t share it with anyone, outside perhaps your most trusted family members. And use a strong password – one that doesn’t contain your real name or even a complete word that could be used to identify you. Also, it doesn’t hurt to periodically change your password, whether it’s for your computer logon or for entry to any of your financial or consumer accounts.

Even after taking these steps, you could still run into identity theft. That’s why you need to watch for certain signs, such as the arrival of unexpected credit cards or account statements, denials of credit for no clear reason, or calls or letters regarding purchases you didn’t make. If any of these things happen to you, you may want to place a “fraud alert” on your credit reports and review them carefully.

Three national credit-reporting companies  — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion  — keep records of your credit history. If someone has misused your personal or financial information, contact one of the companies and ask for an initial fraud alert on your credit report. A fraud alert is free, but you must provide proof of your identity. And the company you call must tell the other companies about your alert. (For more information on placing a fraud alert, visit the website of any of the three companies.)

You can help preserve your good name from those who want to misuse it – so, stay vigilant.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial adviser.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SHANKLIN: Take steps to prevent identity theft

In Florida, we are so lucky to have access to beautiful beaches and weather.

There are an infinite number of outdoor activities to do. This past week I tried a new one for me, SUP (Stand Up Paddle boarding). I fell a few times, but finally found my balance and had a blast all day long.

Things changed though when the fun was over and I realized that I forgot to wear a hat and had a blistering burn on my scalp. According to the Center for Disease Control, the sun can burn unprotected skin in as little as 15 minutes.

In order to protect yourself from the sun be sure to apply and reapply sunscreen (at least SPF 15) regularly, stay in the shade, wear a hat and UV protective sunglasses. When possible, wear protective clothing such as long sleeved shirts and pants, and limit time outdoors in peak sun hours of 10 a.m. through 4 p.m.

Oh, so you don’t need to because you tan? Well think again.

Besides leaving you with an awful burn, blisters and flaky skin, sitting out in the sun can cause lines, wrinkles and sunspots, as well as increase your chance of skin cancer.

The American Cancer Society is estimating 6,200 new cases of skin cancer this year in Florida alone.

Most of these cases can be linked to too much sun exposure. Regular sun protection can reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. Regular dermatologist skin checks and self-exams can help identify cases early.

The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends keeping watch for individual moles that are:

●misshapen.

●have uneven borders.

●a variety of colors.

●a diameter of over one fourth of an inch

●have changed in any of the ways listed.

This summer have fun, live in the moment, try something new — but don’t forget your SPF.

For more information, contact me at 689-5850 or jbreslawski@ufl.edu.

Jill Breslawski is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BRESLAWSKI: Sunscreen use by Florida residents may protect against skin cancer