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The Hidden Benefits of Secured Cards
Tweet Share on Facebook March 31, 2011 Comment (1)The wide variety of credit card offers can be bewildering. One of the questions I hear a lot is about the difference between a secured credit card and a prepaid credit card. Particularly for those trying to build their credit, it can be a challenge understanding your best options. And to make matters worse, making the wrong choice can have a big impact on your efforts to build good credit.
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7 Ways to Increase Your Home's Curb Appeal
Tweet Share on Facebook March 30, 2011 CommentIf your home is on the market then you might be feeling some despair right now. After all, you're right on the cusp of the busiest real estate buying season. Your home, and your "curb appeal," need to look amazing right now—especially since many buyers are likely doing initial drive-bys before they schedule a showing.
The problem? In many parts of the country, the grass is still dead. The tulips are just barely poking out of the ground, and spring hasn't quite sprung yet. Unless you're utilizing xeriscape landscaping ideas, your home probably isn't looking its best this time of year. So is there anything you can do to improve your home's curb appeal for potential buyers? You bet there is.
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A New Way to Pay Off Credit Card Debt
Tweet Share on Facebook March 29, 2011 Comment (2)People are always coming out with quick fixes for tough problems. Take this pill and lose weight. Invest here and make a huge profit, guaranteed. Use this service and cut your debt in half or wipe negative information from your credit reports.
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How to Spend Less on Lawn Maintenance
Tweet Share on Facebook March 29, 2011 Comment (2)With winter officially over, many of us are eying our dead, brown lawns, hoping to revive them back to their green and lush state. But if your first step in lawn care is to stop by your local hardware store for an expensive fertilizer and a weed control mixture, think again.
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10 Signs It’s Time To Quit Your Job
Tweet Share on Facebook March 28, 2011 Comment (27)Chances are if you are lucky enough to have a job, the thought of quitting sounds ridiculous. With the unemployment rate at an all time high, most people are thanking their lucky stars to be employed.
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Standard Deduction: What You Need to Know
Tweet Share on Facebook March 24, 2011 Comment (1)As you might expect, the IRS website provides a wealth of information about personal income tax. From help with tax forms to even ways to get free tax assistance, the IRS can be a great resource during tax season. As part of its effort to educate taxpayers, the IRS recently published 6 facts about the standard deduction versus itemized deductions. With the tax-filing deadline right around the corner, a review of these differences and some important changes in 2010 is in order.
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5 Reasons to Buy a Hybrid Car
Tweet Share on Facebook March 24, 2011 Comment (2)A decade ago, hybrid cars were few and far between, but today, shopping for hybrids consists of much more than choosing which color Toyota Prius to buy. In fact, the hybrid car market is one of the fastest growing segments of the automotive industry with an enviable annual growth rate.
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Identity Theft: Your Chances of Being a Victim
Tweet Share on Facebook March 23, 2011 CommentLast week, the Federal Trade Commission came out with its annual report on consumer fraud, and for the 11th year in a row, identity theft has topped the list of complaints, with 250,854 Americans checking in on the matter. In total, some 9 million Americans fall prey to identity theft every year, with credit card fraud being the second highest category on that list, right after fraudulent government documents.
[In Pictures: 10 Smart Ways to Improve Your Budget.]
But, according to some experts, financial identity theft isn’t all we have to worry about. In addition, there’s medical identity theft, criminal record identity theft, and the possibility of someone completely assuming your name and creating a new life by buying a home, getting a job and even taking over your social security payments.
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New Credit Rules Could Hurt Stay-at-Home Moms
Tweet Share on Facebook March 23, 2011 Comment (2)Continuing a post-CARD Act trend of proactive regulation, the Federal Reserve recently proposed rules that, if adopted, would significantly improve the credit card application process. These rules would require banks to judge applicants for credit card offers based on their personal income rather than that of their household, as is currently the case, thereby making it far easier for issuers to judge who merits credit approval and, in turn, significantly decrease the likelihood of overleveraging.
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17 Ways to Win a Scholarship
Tweet Share on Facebook March 22, 2011 CommentWith the cost of education spiraling out of control, the scholarship game has become more competitive than ever. "You need to make sure you do everything—and I mean everything—to keep the cost of college down," said scholarship expert and bestselling author Mark Kantrowitz. Here are 17 great ways to increase your chances of winning a scholarship, according to Kantrowitz's new book, Secrets to Winning a Scholarship:
