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F O U N D A T I O N Laying the groundwork for fi nancial success 06 | | Summer 2017 Your fi rst trip should be to the Better Business Bureau website. Check ratings before attending any presentation. Once there, don't sign a single document. Give yourself — and your attorney — time to consider the off er. Staying on property? Seek out existing owners to learn about their experiences with availability, maintenance, resale values and any red fl ags such as unexpected fees or poor service. — Gina Mayfi eld Considering a timeshare? Rising interest rates Interest rates are headed up, which means savers may earn more. But mortgages, car loans, credit cards and student loans will cost more. How to cope: Buying now lets home and auto shoppers lock in today's low rates. Larger down payments also reduce interest rate exposure. Credit card users with variable rates should seek out lower rate cards, such as with a credit union. Federal student loans generally have fi xed rates or caps so rising rates won't aff ect them. Private student borrowers may want to consolidate their loans at today's lower rates. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association — Mark Henricks