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5 Steps to Finding a New Bank
Tweet Share on Facebook November 16, 2012 CommentFinding a new bank is often a dreaded task for many consumers simply because the amount of change this switch can bring into one’s financial life. With banking being automatically connected to many things consumers use frequently, it can get pretty complicated to integrate a new bank account into your existing financial arena. Because of these complications, many consumers choose to stay with their current bank despite high costs and hassles so they won’t have to face the challenge of changing banks.
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How Saving $2.75 a Day Can Change Your Life
Tweet Share on Facebook November 15, 2012 CommentThe recent presidential election demonstrated how small changes can have a big impact. It's reported that just a few hundred thousand votes in a couple of swing states would have turned the election and made a significant difference in the direction the country will take in the next four years.
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Recent College Grads: How to Create Your First Budget in 30 Minutes or Less
Tweet Share on Facebook November 12, 2012 CommentManaging your money is one of the keys to success as a new college graduate. As you transition into the real world, you’ll need to work with a budget that corresponds to your new lifestyle and helps you keep tabs on your expenditures, all sources of income, and savings goals. Your budget will act a roadmap for managing your personal finances successfully, so you need to make sure it’s as fine-tuned as possible. Get started on that budget the old-fashioned way with a pen and paper, then decide whether you want to create a spreadsheet or use some type of budgeting software.
Use this guide to create your first budget in 30 minutes or less:
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Stay-at-Home Spouses Could Get Easier Access to Credit Cards
Tweet Share on Facebook November 9, 2012 CommentThe Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 included provisions that made it difficult, if not impossible, for stay-at-home spouses to qualify for credit cards. Before this act became law, consumers could apply for credit cards and list their “household income,” regardless of whether the income was earned by them individually or by their spouse or live-in partner. The CARD Act made it more difficult for people to access credit cards, especially stay-at-home spouses without income of their own to report.
Proposed changes by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) would make it easier for stay-at-home spouses to get access to credit, even though they don’t work outside the home or have their own source of income.
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18 Financial Tools to Make Your Second Marriage a Success
Tweet Share on Facebook November 8, 2012 CommentAre you planning a second marriage? You've got company.
According to the 2012 U.S. Statistical Abstract, there were more than 2 million marriages in 2009. And, with one divorce for every two marriages, that means a lot of those 2 million marriages were second marriages.
Consider these components to make your second marriage’s finances run smoothly:
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Top 13 Tech Tips for Holiday Shopping
Tweet Share on Facebook November 7, 2012 CommentThe hectic holiday season seems like a perfect time to use technology to make your life simpler. Any help during the holidays would be much appreciated, right? The only problem is that technology—aside from the perfect gadget gift—might not be at the forefront of your mind. To help, we’ve compiled a list of 13 tech tips to get you through the holiday season.
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Save Money by Planning for Black Friday Deals Now
Tweet Share on Facebook November 6, 2012 CommentAnother year is almost at its close, but not before the holiday shopping rush rolls in that accompanies Black Friday weekend and Cyber Monday. Retailers have caught on to what types of deals are juicy enough to lure in shoppers, which is why it's up to consumers to execute a strategic plan of attack before Black Friday.
Last year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimated that shoppers spent $52 billion at retail stores and online over the Black Friday weekend. The NRF's latest study predicts the average shopper will spend $749.51 on gifts and other holiday-related goods this year. With such heavy expenses expected, shoppers need to be proactive in finding ways to save money when the big day finally arrives.
Savvy shoppers can appreciate a good discount, but it's the ones who plan their Black Friday escapade weeks in advance that walk away from stores with their targeted purchases in hand—and hundreds of dollars saved in the process.
Here are five strategies for a successful Black Friday shopping excursion:
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How to Save Money While Apartment Hunting
Tweet Share on Facebook November 5, 2012 CommentFinding the perfect apartment can be overwhelming and frustrating. You’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal for your budget. Saving money on rent isn’t always easy, but you can find a number of landlords who will be willing to negotiate the monthly rent and even offer a discount. Seeking out these deals and finding ways to cut costs on your rent budget can help you save a lot of money in the long run. Set aside plenty of time to begin your search, so you can find the most affordable place to call home.
Here are some useful tips on how to find a cost-friendly apartment:
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How to Simplify Your Banking and Improve Your Finances
Tweet Share on Facebook November 2, 2012 CommentThe popularity of online banking, combined with the growing number of alternative ways to make or accept payments online (e.g., Dwolla and Paypal), means many people have to keep track of several financial accounts. The more accounts you have, the harder it is to keep everything organized and the more likely you are to make costly mistakes. If you find yourself moving money from one account to another, or missing payments because there are so many accounts to track, it’s time to simplify your banking.
By simplifying your banking and financial life, you’ll find it easier to avoid late fees or overdrafts and to take advantage of potential account benefits, like rewards programs.
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Are Credit Unions a Better Banking Option?
Tweet Share on Facebook November 2, 2012 CommentIn recent years, the turbulent banking industry has pushed increasing numbers of consumers toward financial alternatives to the biggest national banks. A taxpayer-funded bailout, new and increasing fees for basic banking products, and a series of industry scandals have left a bad taste in the mouths of many bank customers. Enter credit unions.
Though they’re by no means a new concept (the oldest dates back to 1908), credit unions further penetrated the national consciousness in late 2011 when Bank of America—at the time the largest U.S. bank by asset size—proposed a $5 monthly fee for checking account customers who used a debit card to make purchases. In response, a grassroots event known as “Bank Transfer Day” made national headlines and urged consumers to leave big banks for smaller, community-focused credit unions. BofA ultimately repealed the $5 fee, but the event is a sign of tension between the bank and its customers.
