News Direct

Author: Christy Bieber

  • San Diego’s new parking laws have already generated $660K for the city in just 2 months — but residents say despite the ‘good intentions’ behind them, they’re confused about how to comply

    San Diego’s new parking laws have already generated $660K for the city in just 2 months — but residents say despite the ‘good intentions’ behind them, they’re confused about how to comply

    San Diego’s new “daylighting law,” AB-413, draws a new line in the sand when it comes to parking near intersections and crosswalks.

    But drivers are frustrated that the new line isn’t marked on the city’s curbs, where no-parking zones have traditionally been painted red.

    Don’t miss

    Now anyone who parks within 20 feet of crosswalks can be fined $117 — even if the curb is not painted red, and even if there are no signs explaining the rules.

    “If there’s no sign and no red curb, how am I supposed to know not to park there?” Luke Glass, a North Park resident, complained to CBS News 8 San Diego.

    New parking law is profitable for city

    While the new law was touted as a measure to improve pedestrian safety, some drivers wonder if it’s a cash grab to address San Diego’s budgetary shortfall.

    "I do see it’s a law that’s supposed to have good intentions,” Vincent Thai said. “But yeah, I could really see it as some kind of cash cow.”

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Tickets issued between March 1 and May 1 this year have already generated $660,000 for San Diego, which anticipates $1.2 million in revenue by year-end as a result of the new law.

    City officials insist safety is their motivation and that the changes will make the area more walkable. Some residents, like North Park local Eric Hansen, support the “daylighting law.”

    "Now I think you should be able to see pedestrians a lot easier,” he said. “It’s going to make it harder to park, but I’d rather be able to walk more safely.”

    But Omar Flores, who has been ticketed multiple times under the new law would prefer being able to see the no-parking zones along with the pedestrians.

    To date, only around 400 of the 16,000 intersections in the city have been painted red, so there’s no way for drivers to tell where the 20-foot no-parking zone is at most intersections.

    "I mean, people don’t carry tape measures around,” Flores added.

    How to avoid a ticket under the new parking law

    Residents of San Diego who want to avoid being ticketed under AB 413 need to make sure they avoid parking near crosswalks so they don’t run afoul of the rules.

    No matter where you live, if you want to avoid parking tickets, pay attention to any changes to local parking infractions.

    Local media can be a good source of information about new parking restrictions.

    You can also check the website of your city council and of local representatives to get regular updates.

    If you do believe you were ticketed unfairly, you can challenge it.

    You might consider reaching out to an attorney who can help you avoid a fine you don’t deserve.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Seniors in San Diego County were scammed out of a staggering $108 million in 2024, says FBI — why investigators say anyone can be vulnerable to today’s shockingly brazen scams

    Seniors in San Diego County were scammed out of a staggering $108 million in 2024, says FBI — why investigators say anyone can be vulnerable to today’s shockingly brazen scams

    San Diego residents in their golden years should be enjoying the balmy weather and beaches, but instead, many are worrying about how to recover lost funds or survive financially after being scammed.

    Victims include retired professionals, says Michael Rod, an FBI supervisory agent in San Diego Count. Two such victims whom reported over $2 million stolen in the past two weeks.

    “Doctors, lawyers, judges, pilots, engineers, all have fallen victim to this stuff, like very smart, intelligent people,” Rod told ABC 10 News San Diego.

    Don’t miss

    That’s why scams are often underreported.

    The FBI reports that last year, at least 1,300 San Diego residents aged 60 and older lost an average $80,000 each to fraudsters — a total $108 million, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Many victims are embarrassed and don’t report when they’ve been targeted.

    Rod now leads a new initiative dedicated to helping protect older residents in San Diego County from such scams: the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force. The task force is made up of local law enforcement agencies, the FBI, the District Attorney’s Office and Adult Protective Services.

    "It’s a first-of-the-kind model,” explained Rod, who is currently serving as task force commander.

    It’s urgent work as elder fraud is on the rise nationwide — $4.8 billion in losses last year, according to the FBI. Residents of California, Florida, and Texas lost the most money, according to the FBI.

    Not only is more money being stolen, but criminals are getting more brazen.

    Scammers get bold, as criminals send couriers to pick up money

    As ABC 10 News reports, one audacious scam is occurring almost daily in San Diego, as overseas criminals ensnare innocent victims in a tech support or overpayment scam, and then send a courier to their house to pick up cash.

    Dale Marsh, a Carlsbad resident, was nearly a victim of this very crime after receiving a text from a phone number thanking him for purchasing Norton antivirus products.

    He called the number to explain he hadn’t made the purchase, and spoke to a “very polished, very professional, very non-threatening, very corporate, business-like” rep named Roger who told Marsh he’d have to enter $500 into an online form to have funds sent back to his bank account.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Marsh followed the instructions but then “Roger” claimed he had "accidentally" transferred $50,000 to Marsh’s account and that he would lose his job unless he sent a courier to Marsh to collect the $50,000 back immediately.

    Fortunately, Marsh’s wife heard this all from another room and called the police, so when the courier showed up in a Dodgers hat, he was greeted with a fake $50,000 as well as an arrest.

    Ultimately, four people ended up arrested out of that sting operation, and the FBI is investigating a border transnational crime ring involved with orchestrating the scam.

    “Oftentimes we see that these couriers are coming from the greater L.A. area,” Nicole Mondello, an FBI official, said.

    While criminals who work overseas generally initiate the scams, the couriers are paid a small fee of around $1,000 to go to seniors’ homes and collect the funds.

    How seniors can avoid falling victim to a scam

    Rod’s task force has already been a great success, with agents recovering $7.5 million to return to victims. And he thinks it could be a model for other areas as well.

    "Once we had centralized reporting by all of our local law enforcement agencies, we realized the extent of the problem," he said.

    But while new initiatives like the task force help address the larger issue of elder fraud, it’s important for individuals to protect themselves as well. Here are some tips from the FBI:

    • Never answer calls or texts from unfamiliar numbers.
    • Look up telephone numbers independently to call back a "business" or "government agency" that contacts them without solicitation
    • Never hand over cash, wiring money, or sending cryptocurrency to someone you do not know
    • Talk to a friend, family member, or other trusted person before giving any stranger money or personal information.

    It’s also important to remember that scammers use fear and time pressure to get people to act quickly. “I was a little scared, a little fearful, thinking, here’s a $50,000.00 wire transfer," Marsh said.

    Rod warned, "they’re going to put a timeline on something and say you have to act by this time and generally, it’s not enough time to think something through."

    If you’re being pressured to provide money, just say no so you can avoid becoming one of the thousands who loses billions due to brazen scammers who breach your trust.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Lotto winners of more than $103,000 in Massachusetts often want the jumbo check, but not the photo (yet the law requires it) — here’s how 1 attorney keeps their riches a secret

    Lotto winners of more than $103,000 in Massachusetts often want the jumbo check, but not the photo (yet the law requires it) — here’s how 1 attorney keeps their riches a secret

    Massachusetts residents might recognize Natalie Logan. She’s had her picture taken — a lot — by the state’s lottery commission while posing with a big smile and even bigger winner’s check.

    But it’s not because Logan embodies Lady Luck herself — she’s an attorney who helps lottery winners stay anonymous.

    Don’t miss

    “When somebody calls me and says, ‘I won the lottery! What do I do?’ I’m, like, ‘Yes!’ This is my bread and butter,” she told WCVB Channel 5 Boston in a story published May 21. “It’s pretty funny.”

    Logan has built a thriving business guiding lottery winners on how to best protect their prize money.

    Her services extend beyond just picking up the prize, though. She also has some other helpful advice that every winner should heed.

    Helping lottery winners to stay anonymous

    Logan’s services are necessary for her clients to keep their identities secret. The state lottery commission says prizes over $103,000 must be claimed from its headquarters in Dorchester. According to Channel 5, the process requires a lot of paperwork and taking a photo, which may be displayed on the Mass Lottery website.

    Massachusetts is far from the only state that has rules about identifying winners. In fact, only a few states allow winners to remain anonymous, while the rest have various rules in place that require winners to disclose at least some of their personal details.

    Logan helps clients get around these rules by forming a trust to claim their prize, protecting the winner’s identity. This is permissible in some other states as well.

    “The legal trustee — your lawyer — goes and collects the prize, and the underlying beneficiary remains anonymous,” Logan explained.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    The trust can be named anything you want and it will be written on one of those big novelty checks she gets to hold — which, unfortunately, she says you don’t actually get to keep.

    “I don’t walk out with that humungous check," Logan said. “It’s actually just a regular-size check, regardless of the amount. And then I go straight to the bank.”

    Tips for lottery winners to protect themselves

    Logan’s services are important because staying anonymous can protect winners from scammers, criminals and even friends, family and acquaintances who may pressure them into sharing their prize.

    “I think no matter the amount, tell as little people as possible,” Logan advised. “I’m sure it’s very challenging to do that, but only tell those that you would trust with your life.”

    Logan also has other tips for winners, including:

    • Sign the back of the ticket right away after your win so no one else can claim it
    • Create a team to help you, including a lawyer, a certified accountant and a financial advisor who can assist with making informed choices with your new wealth
    • Avoid hiring anyone who charges you a percentage of what you won for their services instead of a flat fee

    By following these tips — and potentially having a lawyer help you create a trust to claim your prize — you can maximize the chances that a lottery win will improve your life, instead of turning into a stressful time. Assembling a good financial team to help you plan around your sudden wealth can also help ensure it lasts.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Your unused sick leave could be the secret to a smoother retirement — here’s how to turn it into extra cash, a bigger pension or even a gradual exit from the office

    Your unused sick leave could be the secret to a smoother retirement — here’s how to turn it into extra cash, a bigger pension or even a gradual exit from the office

    Unused sick leave could be your secret weapon for an easier transition into retirement.

    Depending on your employer’s rules, it might boost your pension, bolster your wallet or ease you into part-time work. Around 77% of workers have access to paid sick leave, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Paid vacations are available to 79% of workers, while 81% have access to paid holidays.

    Don’t miss

    If you are lucky enough to have paid sick leave, you may be able to accumulate it depending on your employer’s policies. For example, some companies — especially in the public sector — allow you to bank your sick leave rather than following a “use it or lose it” policy each year.

    If that’s the case, when you eventually leave your job, you may be for a payout for your unused sick leave or receive credit for it when your pension is calculated.

    For some workers, taking a payout or increasing a pension benefit makes good sense. For others, using accumulated sick leave to ease the transition into retirement may be more appealing. If you’ve banked a substantial balance, you might consider asking your boss if you can use some of it each week to shift into part-time work.

    This approach allows you to gradually wind down your workload, tie up loose ends and ease into retirement while adjusting to a slower pace of life. However, not all employers allow this, and it may not be the best option for everyone. Here’s what you need to know.

    How to maximize sick leave and transition into retirement

    As a general rule, sick leave is meant to be used when you’re sick. Unless your company offers a blanket Paid Time Off (PTO) policy — allowing you to use your time off for any reason — you typically can’t use sick leave for vacation or retirement planning. Doing so would be considered a misuse of benefits.

    If you’re working toward a specific number of service years to qualify for a pension, unpaid sick leave generally cannot be counted as extra service time. For example, if you need 30 years of service to qualify for full retirement but have 29.5 years and six months of unused sick leave, that leave won’t count toward your required service time.

    However, if you have medical appointments — such as a knee or hip replacement — you might consider using your sick leave while still covered by your employer’s health insurance. This can make good sense, allowing you to preserve your early retirement days for other priorities.

    It’s important to understand your company’s rules before taking extended sick leave, as misusing it could jeopardize your employment or create issues as you approach retirement. If you’re interested in part-time work as a bridge to retirement, your employer may be open to the idea — but sick leave typically won’t be the tool to make it happen unless your company is willing to bend the rules.

    A better strategy is to save up PTO or vacation time, if available, and use it to reduce your work schedule. By timing vacations around weekends and holidays, you can stretch your time off and create a gradual transition into retirement.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Bridging the gap until retirement

    If you’re not quite ready to stop working, there are lots of ways to ease into retirement without relying on sick leave — and lots of ways to support yourself financially during this period.

    One option is claiming Social Security while working part-time, allowing you to supplement your income while reducing your work hours. However, if you haven’t yet reached full retirement age (FRA), earning too much could temporarily reduce your Social Security benefits. These benefits will be recalculated at FRA to account for any deductions.

    You might also consider consulting work or a low-stress side gig to earn extra income during your transition. Various apps and platforms make it easy to find flexible opportunities, from dog walking to rideshare driving, depending on what might be a good fit for you.

    Regardless of your approach, ensure you have enough money in your retirement accounts to cover about 40% of your pre-retirement income, as Social Security typically covers the other 40%.

    Creating a detailed budget and wisely earmarking every dollar will help ensure that your retirement income stretches far enough. By planning strategically, you can transition smoothly into retirement while maintaining financial stability — without relying solely on sick leave.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • This Hawaii business owner was duped by a customer using a counterfeit $100 bill — made from a real $1 bill. Here’s how to spot phony cash produced with this 1 increasingly common technique

    This Hawaii business owner was duped by a customer using a counterfeit $100 bill — made from a real $1 bill. Here’s how to spot phony cash produced with this 1 increasingly common technique

    Kevin Costello, owner of Siam Imports, had a bad experience recently receiving payment with cash. A customer came into his store and paid with a fake $100 bill, but it turned out that the bill was actually a legitimate bill made into a counterfeit — and he failed to catch it.

    "I had a couple other girls in here at the same time, so I didn’t really closely look at the $100, which if I would have did that I could [have] probably prevented it,” Costello said.

    One reason he didn’t identify the issue on the spot: The counterfeit $100 was made using a clever technique thieves are favoring recently.

    Unfortunately, Costello isn’t the only one to receive payment with phony money, as counterfeiting cases are on the rise in Hawaii, where he owns his business. Fake bills can cost business owners a lot of money, so it’s important to understand the dangers of this crime as well as how to identify fake bills — even if the counterfeiting is done well.

    Don’t miss

    Bleached money on the rise in Hawaii

    According to Honolulu police, counterfeiting and forgery rose 16.5% in the past year.

    While this counterfeiting can take on different forms, one popular method — and the one that applied to the bill Costello collected — involves taking $1 bills, bleaching them and reprinting them to look like real $100 bills.

    "We’re seeing more and more of these bleaching of dollar bills and then they’re being printed with 50 or 100 on them,” Tina Yamaki, president of Retail Merchants of Hawaii, said.

    One reason this approach is becoming common is that it can be really hard to detect. “It still feels kind of like a paper bill because you’re still using the same, you know, paper. It’s like if you throw money through the wash. Right? It still feels like a bill, but we’re seeing a lot more people now holding it up to the light, finding out that the [counterfeit detection] pens don’t always work,” Yamaki said.

    It’s not just Hawaii where there is a concern. According to the Federal Reserve, around one in 40,000 bills is counterfeit, with high-denomination ($50 and $100) bills accounting for most of the fake money.

    While this is a significant decline in counterfeit funds since 2006, when around one in 10,000 notes was thought to be fraudulent, this still means that as much as $30 million in fraudulent money is cycling through the economy.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    How to spot fake money

    Costello feels that his mistake in accepting the fake $100 was driven by the fact that he simply didn’t take the time to look carefully enough at the bill. "Take the extra couple seconds, actually, all it would’ve took,” Costello said.

    However, for those who aren’t as confident about their ability to tell a forgery, it’s helpful to review the nine guidelines from the Secret Service that can help you to distinguish when a bill is fake. Some of the features real bills include:

    • Large, off-centre portrait images without a frame
    • Money being printed on paper that’s a blend of linen and cotton, with random red and blue security fibers woven throughout
    • A watermark you can see when holding the money up to light and looking at the bill from either side
    • Color-shifting ink that changes from copper to green as money is tilted at a 45-degree angle
    • Clear thread that is embedded vertically in the paper on larger bills, which indicates the denomination of the note if the bill is held to light
    • A 3D security blue ribbon woven into the $100 bill’s paper. The 100’s move from side to side if you tilt the note back and forth and they move up and down if you tilt the note from side to side

    You can also look at the face plate number, the position of the letter and number on the note and the number designators placed on the bill by the Federal Reserve.

    If you have any doubts, be sure to review the Secret Service guide, which includes pictures of each of these features, to help you determine if the bill is a legitimate one.

    While it’s a pain to take the time to confirm all these details, it can keep you from accepting a bill that’s not a valid one and that vigilance can pay off both for you and for the rest of the economy.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • ‘We’re bleeding dry’: Pennsylvania man with cerebral palsy says renos meant to improve his life have now ‘ruined’ it — leaving him out nearly $70K and with buckling floors and plumbing issues

    ‘We’re bleeding dry’: Pennsylvania man with cerebral palsy says renos meant to improve his life have now ‘ruined’ it — leaving him out nearly $70K and with buckling floors and plumbing issues

    Dusty Costa and his wife planned to make some changes in their home to help ease his discomfort from living with cerebral palsy. But after paying nearly $70,000 for a home addition, they say they received used materials and shoddy work in return, and the couple told the contractors to stop coming. Now, they’re left with a damaged, unfinished home and little recourse.

    "These people ruined our lives," Costas said to KDKA News. "I can sit here all day and say that 300 times over. They ruined our lives."

    The Costas’ experience highlights how quickly a renovation can turn into a financial and emotional nightmare. Here’s what happened.

    Don’t miss

    A renovation gone wrong leads to financial disaster

    Dusty Costa and his wife, Susan, told KDKA News that they hired a company called Eaton Home Improvements of Darlington, Pennsylvania, to renovate their home.

    But Costa says issues with the contractors began almost immediately. Despite paying for new materials, the workers started showing up with used supplies, including "five used windows and a used door for the shower," he told CBS News.

    "We paid, but we didn’t know what we were getting. Normally, when you put an addition on your house, you get new stuff," Costa told CBS News, explaining that he had been told the project would cost $60,000, but that he ended up paying $66,000.

    Costa says the contractors made several mistakes throughout the project — including installing fixtures too high or upside down and creating plumbing issues, such as a pipe leak that damaged the dining room drywall. After repeated problems and mounting frustration, the Costas told the workers not to return.

    "We told them just not to come back," Susan said.

    But with the project left unfinished, the couple is now left with a home in disrepair. The floor is buckling, there are no counters, and both the bedroom and bathroom remain incomplete. They’ve launched a fundraiser in hopes of restoring their home to a livable condition. For Dusty, whose mobility is already limited, the uneven floors have made daily life even harder. “I fall more than I can walk,” he said.

    After KDKA Investigates struggled to get in touch with the company, they eventually reached the co-owner’s sister. She claimed the Costas still owed Eaton Home Improvements $8,000 and insisted the company’s work was “exceptional.”

    When asked for a copy of the contract, receipts for purchased materials, or bank deposit records, the woman said she couldn’t promise her sister would return the call or provide documentation. As of now, no follow-up has been made.

    KDKA also searched the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s database but found no record of the company being registered.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Protecting against contractor disasters

    The Costas’ experience underscores just how vulnerable homeowners can be when a renovation goes wrong — especially when safeguards aren’t in place to hold contractors accountable.

    Hiring a contractor can be a confusing and overwhelming process, but taking a few key steps up front can significantly reduce the risk of fraud or unfinished work. Here are some important protections to consider:

    • Verify licensing and registration. Make sure the contractor is properly licensed and registered to operate in your state. For example, the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General offers a Home Improvement Contractor Search tool. Many states offer similar resources online.
    • Getting a signed contract. The contract should outline the full scope of the work, who is responsible for materials, whether materials will be new or used, a cost estimate, and a cap on how much the total cost can exceed that estimate (such as 10%).
    • Checking references. Talk with past clients of the contractor. If possible, see if you can see their work in person to evaluate its quality.
    • Pay in stages. Instead of paying a large sum up front, arrange to pay in installments as specific milestones are completed. This payment schedule should be outlined in the contract.
    • Ensure permits are obtained. Most home improvement projects require permits. If a contractor avoids permits, that’s a major red flag.
    • Consider hiring an inspector. For larger projects, bring in a licensed inspector at key stages of construction to confirm the work meets code before making additional payments.

    Following these steps can help homeowners avoid falling into the same situation the Costas are now facing.

    For now, the couple remains hopeful that someone will step in to help them finish the job. “I mean, we’re bleeding dry here,” Costa said. “That’s why we need some money back or somebody to just come in — a good-hearted individual — to say, ‘Here, let me lend you some help.’”

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Texas community cries fowl after farmer sets loose thousands of chickens on his land as part of his free-range egg project — but he says they’re getting their feathers ruffled over nothing

    Texas community cries fowl after farmer sets loose thousands of chickens on his land as part of his free-range egg project — but he says they’re getting their feathers ruffled over nothing

    How many chickens is too many? This isn’t the start of a joke, but rather a question that neighbors and officials are going to have to grapple with in Waxahachie in Ellis County, Texas.

    That’s because aeroponic farmer Anthony Whitley recently had a large number of chickens delivered to a plot of land he is renting to run a free-range egg project.

    Don’t miss

    "Take the commercial chickens and put them in a situation where they live, and they be more healthy so they can produce more healthy eggs” Whiltey told NBC DFW, explaining his goal for his new egg farm.

    While he may be a good egg with his intentions, some residents, however, aren’t exactly on board with this idea, though, and city officials have already taken action.

    Thousands of chickens may not make good neighbors

    Whitley has long been a pioneer in the field of alternative agriculture, bragging that he was the "first guy that put a rooftop garden inside Deep Ellum with the aeroponic technology."

    Now, he’s renting land for his farming project, and he decided to add some birds to the mix. “I already grow produce, so I’m mixing produce with poultry and eggs,” Whitley said. “One day to have a farm market or something like that, you know.”

    He didn’t just get a few chickens, though. Neighbor Loretta Billings told NBC that she was told the number was somewhere around 18,000 — although Whitley said it’s more like several thousand, but didn’t provide exact details.

    Regardless of the specific number, Billings wasn’t happy to find the birds wandering free. "Well, they smell, they get into all of the other yards. I don’t know if these chickens are clean. It just don’t look right,” she complained.

    Whitley believes this is fixable, though, and says that his neighbors just haven’t been patient enough with the process. "From the rain, you know, I stayed out there for days trying to herd them in,” said Whitley. “We’re getting everything put up and if you just give us a few seconds and they won’t even see them. Then, we’ll go back to regular life.”

    Farm worker Quinton McCright also took issue with the bad press, indicating that the chaos was just temporary and all would be well in the end. "Everybody’s coming by, taking pictures and videos and we just wanted to put the narrative out there that this is nothing negative,” McCright said. “This is all positive, and this will be a good source for the community.”

    Of course, these assurances may not put neighbors at ease, given the very large volume of chickens that are apparently residing locally.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    Your rights if your neighbor runs afoul of the law

    In this particular case, Whitley apparently didn’t follow protocols for poultry entering the state, so the Texas Animal Health Commission indicated they were addressing the situation.

    However, if the chicken were imported legally, residents would need to explore all of their options if they were dissatisfied with the situation. This would typically start with checking local zoning laws to see how many animals and what types of animals are allowed to be kept on the property.

    Both zoning laws and local health and safety codes are a good place to start if you believe your neighbors are doing something dangerous or something that will affect your enjoyment of your property. If there’s a code or regulatory violation, you can report the issue to the local authorities, who will take action.

    When there is a concern about the condition that animals are living in, on the other hand, you can contact your local animal control department for assistance.

    If your neighbor is following all of the laws, though, you may have limited recourse and may simply have to rely on your neighbor’s goodwill and common sense — like knowing that 18,000 chickens roaming the neighborhood is a bit of a cracked idea.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • ‘Can’t even afford to pick them’: Florida farmers are now plowing over perfectly good tomatoes as Trump tariff policies cause prices to plummet and workers to flee. How farmers are reacting

    ‘Can’t even afford to pick them’: Florida farmers are now plowing over perfectly good tomatoes as Trump tariff policies cause prices to plummet and workers to flee. How farmers are reacting

    Tony DiMare’s family owns 4,000 acres of tomato farms across Florida and California. Sadly, his Florida crops are not looking good — mowed over and left to rot, like tomato vines across the state.

    But it’s not growing conditions that are the problem. It’s economic ones.

    Don’t miss

    DiMare told WSVN 7 Miami that President Donald Trump’s tariff and immigration policies are driving farmers to abandon their crops.

    In January, he warned that Trump’s crackdown on migrants would squeeze farmers, who rely on migrants to pick produce.

    “We have to secure our borders south and north, but you have to have a workforce in this country,” he told the Financial Post.

    Deportations devastate farm workforce

    About 50% of farm workers in the U.S. are undocumented migrants — including skilled supervisors and machine operators — according to Farmonaut, a farm technology company.

    As the Trump administration proceeds with mass deportations of undocumented migrants, there are far fewer pickers in the fields, and crops are left to go bad.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    One spoke to WSVN about fellow migrants leaving Florida each day. He spoke on condition of anonymity, concerned he might be deported himself

    "A lot of people are really afraid, and sometimes they come, sometimes they don’t come,” he said. “And the harvest is lost because it cannot be harvested.”

    The labor shortage also means Florida farmers have to pay more for labor. At the same time, they’re getting less money for their produce due to Trump’s tariff policies.

    Tariffs upset traditional supply chain

    From January through April, Trump’s threatened tariffs triggered Mexican suppliers to double or even triple tomato exports to the U.S. — before tariffs went into effect.

    The result? The U.S. market was flooded with Mexican tomatoes. Florida farmers saw the wholesale price of a box of tomatoes plummet from $16 per box to $3 or $4. DiMare said tomato farmers need around $10 or $11 per box to break even.

    “You can’t even afford to pick them right now,” said Heather Moehling, president of the Miami-Dade County Farm Bureau. “Between the cost of the labor and the inputs that goes in, it’s more cost-effective for the farmers to just plow them right now.”

    It’s not just Florida tomato growers feeling the pinch. Canada has imposed a 25% tariff on U.S. watermelons in retaliation for Trump’s tariffs on Canadian products. DiMare knows one watermelon grower who’s lost Canadian customers to Mexican watermelon suppliers as a result.

    Prepare for higher food costs

    Farmonaut notes that the impacts of tariffs and immigration policy on farmers will have a knock-on effect in grocery stores. If U.S. farmers don’t have enough workers to harvest crops, Americans will have to buy more imported produce, and pay more due to tariffs.

    The Food Policy Center at Hunter College of New York City warns that the resulting surge in food prices will drive inflation — “stressing household budgets across the nation, and particularly hurting families in areas with high food insecurity."

    While farmers have few options but to hope the political upheaval will end, consumers should prepare to mitigate those costs.

    One way to do that is to buy a membership in a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) organization. You’ll be supporting local farmers and getting local, less costly produce delivered to your door.

    In addition to shopping frugally by clipping coupons and shopping sales flyers deals, you can get creative in the kitchen. For example, you can limit food costs by planning weekly menus around seasonal and affordable foods.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Here are 4 unforced errors Americans often commit that can wreck their retirement — which are you guilty of?

    Here are 4 unforced errors Americans often commit that can wreck their retirement — which are you guilty of?

    You only get one life, and accordingly you only get one shot at preparing for a comfortable, rewarding retirement.

    Every step leading up to the end of your working life is important, but the closer you get to retirement the more critical your decisions are — and the more costly are your mistakes.

    Ufortunately, some retirees end up making unforced errors.

    Don’t miss

    If you want your golden years to be golden indeed, avoid these mistakes that haunt many older Americans.

    1. Maintaining risky asset allocation

    Where you put your money during your golden years can have a big impact on your financial health.

    Close to half of all Vanguard 401(k) investors aged 55 and up actively managing their money had more than 70% of their portfolio in stocks, The Wall Street Journal reported in 2023. For those aged 85 and up, one-fifth with taxable Vanguard brokerage accounts had almost all their money in the market, as did nearly a quarter of investors between ages 75 and 84.

    The Journal also cited similarly troubling Fidelity data, which showed close to 40% of investors between the ages of 65 and 69 holding at least two-thirds of their portfolio in stocks.

    While it’s good to have some money in the market, having too much can be asking for trouble. If you’re heavily invested in stocks and find yourself in need of cash or are taking regular withdrawals to comply with [required minimum distribution rules](https://moneywise.com/retirement/required-minimum-distributions, you may find yourself forced to take money out at a bad time.

    This could lead to big losses on your investments when you’re unable to wait for a market recovery after a crash. Being forced to sell low could deplete your savings quickly.

    To avoid this issue, make sure your money is allocated appropriately. A common formula is to subtract your age from 110 to calculate the percentage of assets that belong in equities. You can also talk with a financial adviser about the asset allocation that works best for you given your account balance, age and future goals.

    The important thing is to avoid just sticking with the status quo and to ensure you aren’t taking on too much risk out of habit or lack of knowledge about where your funds belong.

    2. Forgetting about emergency savings

    Many folks assume they don’t have to save anymore once they’re retired. Sadly, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

    An estimated 13% of households aged 55 and up wouldn’t be able to cover an unexpected $400 expense, according to research conducted by the JP Morgan Chase Institute, and that figure jumps to 37% for a $1,600 expense. Both figures are higher than those for young (18-34) and middle-age (35-54) households.

    Some older Americans assume that since they no longer need to worry about a job loss, they don’t need emergency savings. On the contrary, surprise expenses can happen to anyone at any time, and without money to pay for them, retirees could be forced to withdraw too much from investment accounts or rely on debt.

    It’s important to maintain an emergency fund for these situations. If you sock away a few months’ worth of expenses in a high-yield savings account, you can earn a little bit of money while it sits there.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    3. Claiming Social Security at the wrong time

    Social Security mistakes are another costly fumble retirees can make — and this error is a big one. According to Forbes, citing research published by United Income in 2019, households missed out on $111,000 in potential Social Security retirement income on average because they claimed benefits at the wrong time. In addition, only 4% of retirees claimed benefits at the most financially opportune time.

    Everybody’s situation is unique, and your optimal claiming strategy might be different from others — even your spouse. One of the problems is that many older Americans get benefits too early. Checks become available as young as age 62, but continue to grow if you delay claiming up until age 70.

    A retiree who starts receiving checks at 62 will see their benefit shrink by as much as 30% from the amount they would get at full retirement age — 66 or 67 depending on when you were born. Meanwhile, retirees who wait to claim until after full retirement age can increase their benefit by 8% a year until age 70.

    But, again, everybody’s financial needs are different. United Income’s study found 57% of retirees at the time would build more wealth if they waited until age 70 to claim retirement benefits, per Forbes, while only 4% had actually done so. Only 6.5% of retirees would have gained more wealth if they received Social Security before age 64, which is when 70% had claimed. The firm did acknowledge, however, that in some cases it’s financially necessary for people to claim benefits early. Speaking with a financial adviser about the best claiming strategy may be wise.

    If you haven’t claimed Social Security yet, it’s worth looking into whether you can put it off. However, if you’ve already started receiving retirement benefits and it’s been less than 12 months, you can withdraw your claim but you will have to pay the money back. If you’re getting checks, once you reach full retirement age you can suspend payments up until age 70 to receive delayed retirement credits. Finally, if you decide to work while receiving Social Security, while the checks you get before full retirement age may be reduced or wiped out depending on your earnings, it’s possible to wind up with a higher adjusted benefit in the end.

    4. Not planning for health-care costs

    Failing to plan appropriately for health-care costs can be a huge bungle.

    Fidelity estimates a 65-year-old retiring in 2024 will spend an average of $165,000 on health care and medical expenses in retirement.

    Planning for these costs can include having dedicated savings (health savings account and shopping carefully for Medigap or Medicare Advantage Plans for comprehensive coverage. It may also be prudent to look into long-term care insurance.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Auto thieves thwarted by quick-thinking Utah car dealer after he spotted a ‘suspicious’ VIN during inspection — here’s how he foiled their $95K payday

    Auto thieves thwarted by quick-thinking Utah car dealer after he spotted a ‘suspicious’ VIN during inspection — here’s how he foiled their $95K payday

    A trio of alleged car thieves very nearly walked away with $95,000 recently. However, their scheme was thwarted by an observant car dealer at the Stephen Wade Auto Center in St. George, Utah.

    That employee’s quick thinking enabled police to set up a sting, arrest three men and save the dealership from losing thousands paying for a stolen vehicle. And, it was all thanks to his careful checking of the vehicle identification number (VIN).

    Don’t miss

    Here’s how the scam was foiled, along with how car owners can protect their own VINs — or make sure they don’t end up with a stolen car if they are buying a vehicle.

    Phony VIN leads to a discovery of criminal behavior

    The sequence of events that resulted in the arrest began when a man identifying himself as Marciano Madrano Penaloza went into the Stephen Wade dealership to sell a 2023 Chevrolet pickup truck, reported St. George News.

    The dealership and Penaloza agreed on a price and Penaloza left with plans to return the next day to pick up a check for $51,000.

    While the sale was pending, though, a dealership employee checked the VIN and found that it came back as “invalid.” This discovery launched an investigation of the vehicle, with employees checking the side door sticker, engine compartment and near the windshield where the VIN was found.

    They found something surprising then — the VIN had been altered, though the change was hard to detect. When the real VIN was located, it revealed that the truck had been stolen. The dealership called law enforcement, who sprang into action to set up a sting after discovering Penaloza was coming back the next day to pick up the check.

    When Penaloza returned with two others, all three men were arrested. According to St. George News, a search of their car by detectives uncovered a $44,000 check from a different dealer to whom Penaloza sold another truck. Police said that the VIN on that vehicle had also been altered and, when the real one was checked, that truck had also been reported stolen.

    If the altered VIN hadn’t been found, the scammers would have walked away with a reported $95,000.

    Read more: You don’t have to be a millionaire to gain access to this $1B private real estate fund. In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here’s how

    How to keep your car’s VIN safe — or use it to make sure your car purchase is legit

    A VIN is a unique identifying number found within every vehicle. They essentially serve as the car’s fingerprint, with each 17-digit number permanently linked to a specific vehicle.

    VINs are recorded in databases, including the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), which stores a consolidated list of car title information compiled from Department of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) in participating states. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) also maintains a VIN database, which is the one the dealer checked in this particular case.

    If a car is stolen, in an accident or sold, all these details become part of the records attached to the VIN — sort of like how people’s borrowing behavior is added to their credit record.

    That’s why thieves alter the VIN — to try to avoid a buyer finding the true history of a car. In this case, once the dealership found the unaltered vehicle ID number, they were able to use it to find out the truth about the truck and stop the scam in its tracks.

    Protecting owners

    If you’re a car owner, you need to protect your VIN. Otherwise, someone could steal it and use it in a scam like this one, attaching your legit VIN to a stolen car so when dealers search their database, everything comes up clear.

    Cybercriminals can also sometimes hack a vehicle from thousands of miles away by using the VIN and the owner’s email to access a vehicle’s app and take over. Obviously, you don’t want that to happen.

    The good news, you can help keep your car’s ID safe by covering the VIN with tape so people can’t look in the window of the car and see the number. Car owners should also make sure to avoid providing their VIN to anyone they don’t know and trust, so it won’t fall into the wrong hands.

    Protecting buyers

    As for car buyers, the key is to find a vehicle without a history of problems, like being reported stolen. Buyers should look carefully at the VIN in any vehicle they’re considering to make sure it’s not altered. You can check if fonts match up or if there are any scratches or markings near where the VIN is posted that could suggest tampering.

    Once you have the (hopefully correct) VIN, you can run it through many online services that search VIN databases, including CARFAX, which will perform a VIN decoder to show buyers the car’s history.

    Of course, even the dealer was nearly tricked here, so you’ll need to be careful when checking a vehicle’s VIN to make sure you aren’t duped.

    What to read next

    Money doesn’t have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. Join now.

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.