-
Best Tax-Savings Advice for Medical Costs
Tweet Share on Facebook July 12, 2012 CommentThe U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in late June upholding the individual mandate in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act means that a number of federal tax-law changes scheduled for 2013 will go into effect. Be prepared! Whether you have health coverage through an employer or pay for it yourself, you’re likely to be shouldering an ever-greater portion of the cost of healthcare yourself ... without any tax relief from Uncle Sam.
-
5 Ways to Earn Money with Your Phone
Tweet Share on Facebook July 12, 2012 CommentSmartphone owners don't just carry their touch-activated computers around in their back pocket, they use them everywhere. That's according to recent research on phone usage. Nearly 40 percent of smartphone users are checking their phone while on the pot. Another 9 percent of users report checking their phone in the middle of religious services. A full 30 percent admit to surfing their phone apps while eating with others. So why not use your smartphone to earn more money?
-
10 Great Make-Ahead Foods to Cook Over the Weekend
Tweet Share on Facebook July 10, 2012 CommentCooking your own food can save you a lot of money, but it can also take up a lot of time. And when you’re rushing around before or after work, you probably don’t want to set aside two hours to make a big ol’ meal.
If you take some time over the weekend, however, you can stock your fridge full of fresh, delicious, healthy food that’s quick to prepare and serve throughout the week. Here are 10 of my favorite foods to make on a weekend.
-
How to Use a Roth 401(k) for Smart Retirement Planning
Tweet Share on Facebook July 10, 2012 CommentIf you like the idea of a Roth IRA, you’ll love the idea of a Roth 401(k). This plan, offered by many employers, allows you to create a tax-free retirement income stream down the road. Here’s how it works:
-
Why ‘Low Rate’ Credit Cards Are a Rip-off
Tweet Share on Facebook July 6, 2012 CommentCredit card interest rates are on the rise. Notwithstanding credit card legislation that promised to protect consumers, surveys of popular credit card offers show that rates have been inching up. In a recent report, the average credit card interest rate topped 14 percent.
-
How to Avoid a “Hard Pull” of Your Credit Report and Still Borrow Money
Tweet Share on Facebook July 6, 2012 CommentEstablishing a solid credit profile is something of an art. A plethora of factors go into determining a borrower’s credit score. And savvy consumers know there are ways to manipulate those factors.
-
5 Ways to Avoid Getting Ripped Off at the Doctor's Office
Tweet Share on Facebook July 5, 2012 CommentMost of us can think of at least a few times when we took our car to the mechanic and got the sense they were trying to sell us services we didn't need, or worse yet, overcharging us for the ones we do receive. And most of us can't deny that we've felt a similarly nagging feeling from time to time while sitting on the doctor's examining table, or in the dentist's chair. But we don't like to believe our intuition. It's been ingrained that our doctor knows what's best for us, and that their services are required and worth the money we pay.
-
15 Things to Do If You Lose Your Job
Tweet Share on Facebook July 3, 2012 CommentThe unemployment rate continues to be high, and many people are losing their jobs still. Being unemployed can be a difficult chapter of your life, and figuring out what to do can be overwhelming. Here are 15 things to do if you lose your job to stay financially and mentally sound.
-
Top 5 Tips for Keeping Your Carry-on Bags Free
Tweet Share on Facebook July 3, 2012 CommentU.S. baggage fee revenue dropped slightly last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. U.S. airlines collected only $3.36 billion in baggage fees in 2011, compared with $3.40 billion in 2010. From 2007 to 2010, baggage fee revenue grew at a compounding rate of 94.11 percent each year. The sudden halt in growth in 2011 is significant for U.S. airlines. Ancillary fees, such as baggage fees, have represented a golden turnaround opportunity for airlines plagued by heavy losses. For others, fees have fueled profitability. In either case, airline fees are here to stay.
However, travelers have become increasingly savvy in avoiding airline baggage fees. As a result, U.S. airlines must be even more creative in how they charge fees. In recent months, airlines have focused efforts on generating fee revenue from carry-on bags. Here are the top five tips to ensure your carry-on bags continue to fly free:
