As a small business, getting paid is probably a top priority. When deciding which payment methods to accept besides cash, you should be aware of the costs and benefits, the different responsibilities connected to each (including privacy and data security requirements) and the protections that will cover your customers. Here are some of the basics.

Credit and debit cards:
When you accept credit or debit cards, you'll work with a bank that will give you access to the card network payment system. That bank also will oversee your compliance with rules from the card networks themselves (such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express) that govern many different aspects of your card acceptance.

Checks:
In addition to the old-fashioned ways of depositing paper checks, you may be able to scan and deposit them to your bank account remotely. You can also initiate one-time or recurring debits from a customer's checking account.

Mobile payments:
"Mobile wallets" allow consumers to make payments using accounts -- including traditional credit or debit cards -- linked to a smartphone without using the actual plastic card. Along with the investment in equipment that would be needed to accept mobile payments, you'll also need to consider issues such as data security. Mobile payments also may mean dealing with companies other than card networks, which in turn may mean agreeing to different or additional terms for accepting mobile payments.

To learn more, start by familiarizing yourself with rules and procedures from your bank, Visa, MasterCard, PayPal and other payment companies you may use. Some of those requirements may be imposed by federal law, others by state law and others by industry requirements.

Today, April 24, is Teach Children to Save Day, a component of the national Teach Children to Save campaign that aims to raise awareness about the important roles that banks and bankers play in helping young people develop lifelong savings habits. So far, it's reached more than 5 million young people with the help of more than 120,000 banker volunteers.

Recognize Teach Children to Save Day by communicating the value of saving money to the young people in your life. Here are tips for raising a money-smart kid.

• Set the example. Children learn a lot from their parents. Be an example of a responsible money manager by paying bills on time, being a conscious spender and an active saver. Look for opportunities to talk about money, read aloud books and play games that center around spending money wisely.
• Discuss needs vs. wants. Family shopping trips are good opportunities to discuss budgeting, spending and saving. It's easy to give clear examples of "needs" and "wants," using different kinds of foods at a grocery store: Milk (for strong bones) is a need; soft drinks are a want.
• Divide and conquer. Have children begin budgeting by dividing their allowance or any money they receive into four clear jars labeled: sharing, spending, short-term saving and long-term saving. They should deposit 10 percent of their money or ($1 for every $10) in the sharing jar, 30 percent ($3 for every $10) into the spending jar, another 30 percent into the short-term saving jar and the last 30 percent into the long-term saving jar.
• Bank on knowledge. Bring your children to the bank and show them how transactions work. Get the manager to explain how the bank operates, how money generates interest and how an ATM works. Ask the manager for a tour -- be sure to ask to see the vault!
• Pay by the chore. Make a list of all the chores that need to get done around the house, such as weeding the garden, washing the car, sweeping the garage or dusting the living room. Put a dollar amount next to each chore. Children can then pick and choose which chores (based on how much money they need this week or month) they want to do. This gives your children the freedom to choose their extra-credit chores and make some extra cash when needed, and it encourages them to take pride in their work.
• Budget, budget, budget. Have older teens list expenses and income. Under expenses, include what they spend for movies, games, lunches, etc. Have them subtract expenses from income. Help them think of ways to reduce their spending. If their income is more than expenses, talk about a savings plan.
• Plan on a budget. Tell your child or children to pretend they are in charge of planning a birthday party at home for another child. Four of their friends will be at the party. Estimate the total cost. Suppose the party is lunch at a local restaurant. Estimate the total cost. Suppose the party is a trip to a local amusement park or bowling alley. Estimate the total cost.
• Save on back-to-school shopping. When it's time to go back-to-school shopping, discuss with your children alternative or less expensive items than what is listed on their school supply list. Then compare how much they'll save. Discuss with them ways to save money throughout the year by packing a lunch, using all pages in notebooks and using book covers.

For more information and resources on teaching children to save, go to www.teachchildrentosave.com.

Next week is Money Smart Week, when about 150 banks, credit unions, businesses and organizations across the state team up to host free financial education events, thanks to a partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. The Money Smart Week partners teach dozens of free financial workshops, host two major investor conferences, sponsor essay and poster contests and host "shred days" and "scout nights." For more information on Money Smart Week and to see a list of events near you, go to www.moneysmartweek.org.

The Money Smart Week partners have provided the following six money mistakes families often make with tips on how to avoid them.

1. Living for the moment and not planning.
It's easy to get caught in "keeping up with the Joneses" -- buying the latest fashions, taking a summer vacation because everyone else is or eating out when there's no time to cook -- but consider the cost. Think about wants and needs. Make a budget so you know where your money goes. Maybe involve the family in choosing -- no takeout pizza every Friday in order to go on a summer vacation, for example.

Helpful websites:
www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsavings
www.mint.com
www.kiplinger.com/tools/budget

2. Spending in secret.
Hiding purchase or debts from a spouse, having secret accounts or getting credit cards in only one name signals trust issues. A survey funded by CESI Debt Solutions reveals 80 percent of married folks hide purchases or don't tell spouses about some spending. What you don't know can hurt you, especially when it comes to hidden assets or misinformation on your credit reports. This is a good reason to order your credit report annually.

Helpful website:
www.AnnualCreditReport.com

3. Having conflicting goals.
He wants a new car, she wants a vacation and the kids want a new television. When you can't have it all, can you compromise? Maybe it's time to have those regular family money talks.

Helpful website:
www.oprah.com/money/how-to-talk-to-your-spouse-about-money-problems

4. Putting all bets on one person.
What if one person handles day-to-day finances and then can't? Relying on one spouse to do the finances might be convenient, but it's worrisome, too. If spouses don't share financial duties, will they see eye-to-eye? Work out a plan to involve both of you, or maybe even the kids.

Helpful website:
www.EveryoneCanSave.org

5. Building debt, not wealth.
The average American uses credit cards often. Unfortunately, many don't pay balances monthly. Many of us are so concerned with today's expenses we don't save enough for tomorrow's college tuition and retirement. The earlier in your marriage you stash savings, the more the magic of compound interest works. Open a savings account for each goal (college debt, new car, house, vacation) and put in a little every paycheck. When you save automatically, those amounts add up quickly. Then invest to let you money work for you.

Helpful websites:
www.SmartyPig.com
www.morningstar.com/cover/classroom.html

6. Forgetting the unknown.
You plan to save and invest, but you just can't get the accounts opened? You knew that credit card bill was due, but you missed the deadline? Families are busy; finances get ignored. You can save time, frustration and late fees by putting your financial chores on auto-pilot. For example, direct deposit paychecks and make an auto deduction to savings, use auto-pay for bills and get statements online. Use an email reminder system for key deadlines, like filing income taxes or paying property taxes. As you might guess, there's an app for that.

Helpful website:
www.federalreserve.gov/creditcardcalculator

April 17 -- the deadline to file your taxes -- is just around the corner. The IRS offers the following 10 tips for taxpayers still working on their returns.

1. File electronically using IRS e-file. Not only is IRS e-file safe and easy, but it's also become the norm. IRS e-file has surpassed the milestone of 1 billion returns processed after more than 20 years of secure service. Last year, 112 million income tax returns -- 77 percent of all individual returns -- were filed using IRS e-file.
2. Consider paying electronically. In addition to filing electronically, also consider paying electronically if you owe a payment. Electronic payment options are convenient and safe methods for paying taxes. You may authorize an electronic funds withdrawal or use a credit or debit card. For more information on electronic payment options, visit www.irs.gov.
3. Check identification numbers. Carefully check identification numbers -- usually Social Security numbers -- for each person listed. This includes you, your spouse, dependents and persons listed in relation to claims for the Child and Dependent Care Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit. Missing, incorrect or illegible Social Security numbers can delay or reduce a tax refund.
4. Double-check your calculations. If you are filing a paper return, double-check that you have correctly calculated the refund or balance due.
5. Check the tax tables. If you are filing using the Free File Fillable Forms or a paper return, double-check that you have used the right figure from the tax table.
6. Sign your form. You must sign and date your return. Both spouses must sign a joint return, even if only one had income. Anyone paid to prepare a return must also sign it.
7. Mail your return to the correct address. If you are mailing a return, find the correct mailing address at www.irs.gov. Click the "Individuals" tab and the "Where to File" link under IRS Resources on the left side.
8. Fill out your check correctly. If you are mailing a payment, make the check payable to "United States Treasury" and enclose it with, but do not attach it to, the tax return or the Form 1040-V, Payment Voucher, if used. The check should include the Social Security number of the person listed first on the return, daytime phone number, the tax year and the type of form filed.
9. Request an extension if necessary. By the April 17 due date, you should either file a return or request an extension of time to file. Remember, the extension of time to file is not an extension of time to pay.

Get last-minute questions answered. Forms, publications and helpful information on a variety of tax subjects are available at www.irs.gov.