Quiz - Financial Avenue

1. True of False: Using your debit card for holiday shopping is smarter than using credit cards, since you won't be paying interest on purchases.
- True
- False
Answer: False. Yes, really. Sure, using your debit card usually makes perfect sense, but credit cards offer better protection against fraudulent purchases - a huge issue this time of year, especially.

Tip:
Remember to pay your full monthly balance ASAP to avoid hefty interest charges later.
Answer: False. Yes, really. Sure, using your debit card usually makes perfect sense, but credit cards offer better protection against fraudulent purchases - a huge issue this time of year, especially.

Tip:
Remember to pay your full monthly balance ASAP to avoid hefty interest charges later.

2. What's the worst place to have your holiday packages delivered?
- A. Your house
- B. Your job
- C. A PO Box
- D. To the den of a sleeping grizzly
Answer: Okay, it's actually D. Hibernating bears and mailmen don't mix. Second worst place - believe it or not - is your house. Porch packages attract holiday thieves, who shop by following delivery trucks and grabbing items upon drop off. You've probably seen one of these grinches on the local news (via security cam) already this season.

Tip:
If you MUST have something sent to your home, require a signature for delivery.
Answer: Okay, it's actually D. Hibernating bears and mailmen don't mix. Second worst place - believe it or not - is your house. Porch packages attract holiday thieves, who shop by following delivery trucks and grabbing items upon drop off. You've probably seen one of these grinches on the local news (via security cam) already this season.

Tip:
If you MUST have something sent to your home, require a signature for delivery.

3. True of False: On the go? Use free public Wi-Fi for your online shopping. As long as you're on a secure website, your info is safe.
- True
- False
Answer: False. Secure websites are the best way to shop online, but an unsecured Wi-Fi connection means just that: unsecured. As in, anyone can yoink your personal info.

Tip:
Don't multitask - wait until you can get to a secure connection to rock those online deals.
Answer: False. Secure websites are the best way to shop online, but an unsecured Wi-Fi connection means just that: unsecured. As in, anyone can yoink your personal info.

Tip:
Don't multitask - wait until you can get to a secure connection to rock those online deals.

4. Gotta love that holiday travel! The best way to keep your place safe while you're out of town is:
- A. Put your holiday decor and inside lights on a timer
- B. Ask your friends, family, or neighbors to keep an eye on your place - via Facebook where everyone on your wall can see it
- C. Grease the doorknobs, ice the walkways, and set your pet tarantula loose, "Home Alone"-style!
- D. Hmm. These all seem like bad ideas
Answer: Put the arachnids away, the correct answer is "A". By keeping your lights on the same schedule, thieves can't discern if you're home or out of town. They'll move on to other, easier-to-read locations.

Tip:
Spider-phobic? Book a flight south - tarantulas live on every continent, except Antarctica.
Answer: Put the arachnids away, the correct answer is "A". By keeping your lights on the same schedule, thieves can't discern if you're home or out of town. They'll move on to other, easier-to-read locations.

Tip:
Spider-phobic? Book a flight south - tarantulas live on every continent, except Antarctica.

5. 'Tis the season for giving! So when the local charity calls asking for funds, should I go for it?
- A. Why not? You can spare a bit for a good cause.
- B. Nope. Something smells fishy.
Answer: Nope - at least, not over the phone. If a charity cold calls you for cash, your Spidey-sense should start tingling. Just decline politely, and let them know you'll head to their website to check it out. A little detective work will let you know if the charity is legit.

Tip:
If you're still unsure about donating, your local Better Business Bureau can help you determine which charities are legit.
Answer: Nope - at least, not over the phone. If a charity cold calls you for cash, your Spidey-sense should start tingling. Just decline politely, and let them know you'll head to their website to check it out. A little detective work will let you know if the charity is legit.

Tip:
If you're still unsure about donating, your local Better Business Bureau can help you determine which charities are legit.