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3 Ways to Maximize Your Frequent Flier Miles This Summer
Tweet Share on Facebook June 5, 2013 CommentMost frequent flier programs are hopelessly opaque: You may have 40,000 miles on your account, but their value seems to change every day. So how do you make an informed decision of when to use your rewards miles?
Consider these tips to get a firm grasp of your program's rewards structure, and make calculated decisions on when to cash in your miles:
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How to Open Your First IRA On the Path to Retirement Bliss
Tweet Share on Facebook June 4, 2013 CommentIf you've heard opening up an individual retirement account is a smart first step toward a comfortable retirement, you're already ahead of many Americans. However, a number of consumers are unsure of how and where to open an IRA that best fits their needs.
Here are answers to the four commonly asked questions when it comes to opening, funding and setting up your first IRA.
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Tips for Planning a Budget-Friendly Barbecue
Tweet Share on Facebook June 3, 2013 CommentThe long summer days ahead may call for weekend barbecues, but planning cookouts on a budget can be challenging. According to Mint.com, the average American spent around $550 on meat in 2012.
Whether you're hosting a neighborhood cookout or a small family meal, here are a few ways to fire up the grill without burning a hole in your wallet:
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5 Ways to Reduce Your Credit Card Debt Starting Now
Tweet Share on Facebook May 31, 2013 CommentThe average American has around $7,000 in credit card debt, according to an estimate by NerdWallet.com released this month. Some people give a long list of excuses for why they've landed in such financial trouble, but paying your way out of credit card debt isn't as hard as it sounds. It's worth a few hours of your time to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by following these steps:
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Simple Ways to Make Veterinary Bills More Affordable
Tweet Share on Facebook May 30, 2013 CommentAccording to the Humane Society, more than one-third of American households include a furry family member. If you're one of those families, consider these easy ways to reduce the cost of your veterinary bills.
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Getting in Shape For Summer: When to Splurge and When to Save
Tweet Share on Facebook May 30, 2013 CommentIt's that time of year when Americans re-examine their physiques and place a high priority on getting ready for bathing suit season. The problem? Many consumers don't have the budget to start a full-fledged fitness routine in time for summer.
Not to fear – while certain fitness items are worth the money, not everything you need to get fit fast requires a large investment. From group classes and personal training to workout music and running shoes, fitness and financial experts weigh in on when to splurge and when to save to whip your body into shape.
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Are Student Loans Ruining The Economy?
Tweet Share on Facebook May 29, 2013 CommentIt’s no secret tuition increases are straining the finances of young adults. Student loan debt has nearly tripled over the last eight years. The total amount of money in student loans owed by Americans is more than $1 trillion and has exceeded credit card balances. Just how long can young adults sustain steep increases in tuition?
The national economic performance over the last five years has been disappointing. A recent article published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, “Student Loan Borrowers Retreat from the Housing and Auto Markets,” offers insight into the stagnation. Some of its findings include:
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Low-Cost Ways to Stay Cool this Summer
Tweet Share on Facebook May 28, 2013 CommentSummer is almost here, and if you’re already worried about high energy bills putting a dent in your budget, now is the time to start planning for the hot days ahead. Making sure you’re not being overcharged for electricity, and taking steps to make your living space more energy-efficient can help reduce your monthly electric bill – while keeping your living space at a comfortable temperature. Here are some cost-efficient ways to keep cool this summer:
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5 Money Traps to Avoid This Memorial Day Weekend
Tweet Share on Facebook May 24, 2013 CommentWhile you've probably been worrying about the weather for Memorial Day weekend, we've been worrying about your wallet. Here's a quick guide to five common money mistakes to avoid this weekend:
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How to Prepare for a Cyberattack on Your Bank’s Website
Tweet Share on Facebook May 24, 2013 CommentFor the past year, bank websites have been routine targets of large-scale cyberattacks that rendered the sites inaccessible. Fortunately, these cyberattacks do not put your account information in jeopardy. However, they do pose a major inconvenience to a financial lifestyle that has evolved to become reliant on online banking.
An Islamist hacker group has claimed responsibility for the majority of the cyberattacks that affected banks. The group used distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks that employed a large network of computers to send an overwhelming amount of traffic to bank websites. The artificial traffic prevented customers and legitimate visitors from viewing the websites.
According to online security firm Keynote Systems, cyberattacks forced bank websites offline for 249 hours during six weeks in February and March.













