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3 Reasons Why You May Want to Switch Online Brokerages
Tweet Share on Facebook December 27, 2012 CommentIt’s difficult to identify the right online broker to work with, and the process of selecting the best one for your needs can be hard to navigate. How do you decide where to take your money? Should you go with the broker who claims the best customer service, the one who offers the most asset classes, or the one with the fastest trade execution? Plus, fees are buried in various pages of companies’ websites, and it can be nearly impossible to figure out which ones apply to you.
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Fearless Financial Predictions for 2013
Tweet Share on Facebook December 27, 2012 CommentAs we end one year and enter another, it's natural to reflect on the past and wonder about the future. In the spirit of the season, here are my predictions for your finances in 2013:
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What to Do Before Finalizing Your Financial Resolutions
Tweet Share on Facebook December 26, 2012 CommentThe New Year is the perfect time to review last year’s expenses and create a fresh budget. Getting your finances in order at the beginning of the year can make it easier to reach your financial goals by this time next year, and will also give you a better idea of where you stand. Whether you’re planning a few vacations, need to buy a new car, or just want to put more money towards your mortgage payments, you can create a financial plan that will help you reach your goals. Taking the time to review different accounts and financial documents can make it easier to draft an accurate budget. If you didn’t meet the financial goals you set last year, now is the time to put together a more realistic financial forecast and personal budget.
Take these steps before deciding on your 2013 financial resolutions:
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5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Handing Someone a Used Gift
Tweet Share on Facebook December 20, 2012 CommentGiving a used gift, or regifting one you've recently received, is often not only convenient but can also save you a pretty penny. Of course, it's not always appropriate or smart to gift something that's used or freshly unwrapped, but it can be done right. In general, it should go without saying that you only want to gift used items that are in good repair.
Ask yourself the following to decide if it's OK to give someone a used gift:
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Don’t Blow Your Budget on Holiday Decorations
Tweet Share on Facebook December 19, 2012 CommentIn the midst of all the holiday madness, it can be easy to let your spending run away. However, with so many other things to devote your hard-earned money towards, such as holiday parties and gifts, there’s no need to overspend on decorations for the house. In order to keep your overall Christmas spending in check, consider the following five ways to save money on holiday decorations:
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How to Decide Which Credit Card to Use for Your Holiday Shopping
Tweet Share on Facebook December 19, 2012 CommentDuring the holiday season, you'll hear a lot about the importance of lists, how you need to stay on budget, and how to avoid getting sucked into the latest deal. While those are all important, I want to focus on one step in the process : the checkout.
When you go shopping this month for holiday gifts, picking the right credit card for the job is critical because selecting the wrong one can negatively impact your finances for months. In some instances, it has to do with cash back. In others, it has to do with card benefits you may have never used. Consider these three factors when deciding which card to use:
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6 Tips to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Tweet Share on Facebook December 18, 2012 CommentStudies show that identity theft has increased over recent years. Identity theft typically occurs when identity thieves access personal information, like your name or Social Security number (SSN), to commit fraud or other crimes. Some common ways identity thieves access your information include:
• A stolen wallet or credit cards
• Documents or receipts in the trash
• Phone or email scams
• Hacking unsecured computers and wireless networks
Once identity thieves gain access to personal information, they can purchase items on your credit card, open new credit cards, or even file a fraudulent tax return in your name.
Consider these tips to help keep your personal information safe and secure and protect you from identity theft:
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5 Things You Need to Know About Credit Card Balance Transfers
Tweet Share on Facebook December 17, 2012 CommentWith the holiday shopping season putting an extra pinch our wallets, those zero percent credit card balance transfer offers may look especially tempting this time of year. A strategic balance transfer could provide you with the breathing room you need to catch up on your bills. On the other hand, if you are still busy racking up huge amounts of debt and don’t have a plan to pay off those balances in a reasonable amount of time, transferring the balance to another credit card may do more harm than good.
To truly benefit from credit card balance transfers, keep these five important factors in mind:
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The Drawbacks of Not Having a Bank Account
Tweet Share on Facebook December 14, 2012 CommentBelieve it or not, there are people who don’t have a bank account. The reasons vary as to why they have been hanging on to their cash, but there are those who feel the fees and hassles of a bank account just aren’t worth it. Instead, they use money orders, prepaid debit cards, or just plain old cash. But not having a bank account can put limitations on your financial life.
It is a personal choice to have a bank account—not a requirement. However there are times when you may not be able to skirt by the fact you will need to open a bank account. Here are some of those reasons:
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6 Things Starbucks' $7 Palmilera Coffee Can Tell You About Your Friends' Finances
Tweet Share on Facebook December 13, 2012 CommentStarbucks recently announced a new super premium coffee. The blend, "Costa Rica Finca Palmilera," will be sold for $7 a cup.
But who would pay $7 for a cup of coffee? Here is what we can learn about our friends through their response to Starbucks' Palmilera coffee:
