| Seven ways to help jumpstart your retirement plan | 2012-02-14 |
| Everyone knows that they should be putting away money for retirement, but for those who haven't started saving, it can seem like a daunting task. Even though you know you should be saving, it's possible that you haven't gotten around to contributing to your retirement plan because you don't think you have money to spare, or don't know where to start. |
| Meet your perfect (money) match | 2012-02-13 |
| For many, the relationship with your bank can be one of the longest and most important commitments you'll ever have. However, if you're among the few feeling as though you are in a one-sided relationship, maybe your bank is "just not that into you." Just as there are many fish in the sea, there is a banking match out there for everyone, which can easily be found by simply assessing your personal finance needs. |
| A beginner's guide for understanding the role of gold in your financial future | 2012-02-13 |
| Throughout these past several turbulent years, you have likely heard about investing in gold. Even with the increased exposure gold investments have received - as well as its place as one of the oldest ways people have accumulated and protected wealth - many Americans are still in the dark about the basic reasons why investing in this precious metal is important to their future. |
| Choose the right homeowner's insurance for your lifestyle | 2012-02-10 |
| Are you a first-time home buyer? An established homeowner? An empty nester? Whatever stage of life you're in, it pays to make sure you have the right insurance - and you're not paying for coverage you don't need. |
| To rid your garden of weeds, focus on the seeds | 2012-02-08 |
| Every garden is filled with them: millions of unseen weeds. They are dormant seeds that lurk just below the soil surface, ready to spring to life with just the briefest exposure to light. Weeds can choke a garden, robbing it of space, nutrients and water. Allowing weeds to mature compounds the problem, as they are naturally prolific seed producers. They grow aggressively and can be tough to get rid of, because pulling weeds brings more weed seeds to the surface. The good news is that seeds can also be key to winning the war on garden weeds. |
| Seven things to know before tackling your 2011 tax return | 2012-02-07 |
| Individuals and businesses spend more than 7 billion hours a year complying with federal tax-filing requirements, according to the Internal Revenue Service. To reduce the amount of time you spend, and maybe how much you owe, follow these seven tips. |
| Get motivated with smartphones | 2012-02-02 |
| If you're setting a goal for this semester, make it a double: be productive and engaged, all while staying socially connected on campus. Smartphones let you do it all, from staying on top of your academic work and never missing a social event to helping to nail down the perfect internship opportunity. |
| It's never too early or too late to take control of your finances | 2012-02-02 |
| "Silly season" - the months of campaigning that lead up to a presidential election - is well under way, and it's a sure bet the country's money, finances and spending habits will be favorite issues for politicos of all persuasions. But while the debate and rhetoric is sure to be heated on both sides of the political fence, taking control of finances - specifically, your personal ones - is something worth considering this year. Remember, it's never too early or too late to take control of your finances. |
| Your money: Last-minute tax tips | 2012-02-01 |
| Are you among the millions of Americans who scramble every year to meet Uncle Sam's income tax filing deadline? The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates that one-third of Americans wait until the last minute to file their personal income tax returns (for 2011 income tax returns, the deadline has been extended to April 17). If you count yourself among that group, it's important to realize the costs could be adding up - from missing important deductions that could affect the amount of your refund to incurring penalties from the IRS for not filing on time. |
| Why tax time is the perfect time to plan for retirement | 2012-01-30 |
| Every year, tax time serves as a reminder of financial progress. Before the big April deadline rolls around, most of us spend time gathering documents, reviewing accounts and meeting with financial advisors, and all of that effort is centered around getting a firm grasp on what you earn, save and invest. What many don't realize is that tax time preparation can be beneficial for more than one reason. Consider this: Many of the same documents, papers and files you go through to complete your taxes are the same documents you need for assessing your retirement preparedness. |
| In retirement, how will you use your nest egg? | 2012-01-23 |
| Determining how to manage your nest egg during retirement can seem daunting without proper guidance. Here are some tips to get you thinking about your retirement income strategy. |
| How to guard against flash drive data loss | 2012-01-12 |
| Flash drives have been particularly popular for users with load-it-up and carry-it-along storage needs and have come a long way from just being old-school portable stiffy-disk replacements. Flash drives do, however, present a significant security challenge for individuals and corporations alike. |
| Tips for meeting your financial goals this year | 2012-01-05 |
| The new year is a time for celebration, but it's also time for planning. For many Americans, that means reviewing your budget for the next year and setting some financial goals. As with any other goals, the key to achieving your financial goals is laying out a process that will ultimately lead you to success. |
| Europe tours: A variety of options let you see the continent your way | 2011-12-29 |
| From the fragrant lavender fields of Provence to the Gothic spires of Prague's skyline, Europe is a treasure trove of sensory experiences. A lifetime of travel on the continent would let you see it all, but for those with more limited time, carefully planned Europe tours can do more than just take you to the major sights - it can immerse you in the culture and lifestyle that have made Europe the ultimate destination for generations of travelers.
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| Have you made these six tax mistakes? How to avoid them this year | 2011-12-28 |
| Tax time is a stressful time, even for the most prepared filer. And for the many people who aren't perfectly prepared when the season rolls around, each commercial, ad or sign that mentions tax preparation can be a painful reminder that the daunting task still lies ahead. |
| Tax resolutions for the new year | 2011-12-27 |
| It might be coincidental that the new year and the beginning of tax season arrive so close together. Many people resolve to be wiser with their money in the new year, and it just so happens that being smart about your taxes is a good way to get started. |
| Five safety tips for the worldly traveler | 2011-12-15 |
| No matter where you visit, it's smart to prepare and educate yourself before you leave so your trip is fun and memorable without hitting any snags. These tips can help you stay healthy and safe whenever you travel. |
| Creating a picture-perfect holiday portrait | 2011-12-12 |
| Remember when the family was together for all those Christmases past? You don't need to go any further than your photo album to take a stroll down memory lane. But why is Uncle Frank out of focus? Did Cousin Amy really cut herself out of that photo because she thought it was unflattering? And you can't see anyone in the photo taken in front of the picture window - they're all backlit. |
| Education tax benefits help lower taxes | 2011-12-09 |
| The U.S. government provides incentives, in the form of credits and deductions, to help decrease the economic impact of pursuing a college education. Here's what you should know. |
| Year-end tax planning tips | 2011-12-08 |
| With the year nearing its close, you should be aware of tax planning strategies that can position you favorably for 2012 and beyond. Specifically, both the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the "Health Care Act") and the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Jobs Creation Act (the "Tax Relief Act") were enacted into law in 2010 and offer certain tax planning opportunities. |
| Five easy ways to warmly welcome guests | 2011-12-05 |
| Make guests feel right at home with these tips for setting up the perfect guest room. As a bonus, many of the ideas may be used to create your own relaxing getaway in your own home after the rush of entertaining is over. |
| Five handy apps for the festive season | 2011-12-05 |
| The holiday season is full of festivities from children's plays to office parties to checking off shopping lists. That means many consumers are multitasking. Never fear, there are an array of apps for both the iPad and smartphones to help you accomplish your seasonal tasks on the go. |
| Seven tips to safely shop online this holiday season | 2011-11-30 |
| Black Friday and the ensuing holiday shopping season have become stressful times in every consumer's year.Standing in line for six hours in the freezing cold outside the local big-box store and battling ravenous hordes of deal-seekers is not the ideal. That is why many shoppers have been driven to seek the convenience and lower prices of cyber storefronts. But online shopping comes at a risk, especially for those who don't take simple precautions. |
| The SMART way to make financial New Year's resolutions | 2011-11-30 |
| If your resolutions this year address money matters like savings, spending and credit use, you can improve your chances of success by making "SMART" promises to yourself. Here are a few ideas for applying self-improvement principles to your financial resolutions. |
| New destinations to ring in the new year | 2011-11-29 |
| New York City and Las Vegas are perennial favorites for celebrating New Year's Eve. But a new year just begs for some new ideas, especially those that won't leave you in debt after the fireworks are over. |
| Easy as 1-2-3 ways to save on everyday expenses | 2011-11-23 |
| In this uncertain economic climate, consumers are feeling the strain on their personal finances. Now more than ever, it is important to save on everyday expenses - big or small - wherever possible. |
| Should you use credit for holiday buying? Yes, no and maybe | 2011-11-18 |
| Using credit during the holidays should be just like using credit at any other time of year. If you do use it, you should use it wisely and avoid overspending. |
| Ten holiday tips on gifting, entertaining and celebrating without the stress | 2011-11-17 |
| The holidays are about seasonal traditions and making merry with family and friends, but sometimes it can be overwhelming to have so many events to attend and to-do lists to complete. As you plan celebrations and gift giving, forget the stress and consider these 10 tips to keep you organized, spirited, and best of all, relaxed and ready to enjoy the season. |
| How to make your holiday traditions your own | 2011-11-16 |
| Traditions help keep people connected through the years for generations. A special experience or gift-giving ritual often creates the foundation for celebrating the holidays. But what happens when those traditions no longer work? Circumstances, budgets and tastes change, requiring a fresh look at new ways to celebrate the holiday season. |
| Shopping online? 10 tips to avoid ID theft this holiday season | 2011-11-16 |
| The holidays are approaching and it's time to start shopping for those special gifts. Last year, consumers spent a holiday-season record $32.6 billion online, according to comScore. Unfortunately, with so much personal financial information out there, instances of identity theft are on the rise. Here are 10 tips to better protect your identity when shopping online this holiday season. |
| Winter habitats for the winged visitors | 2011-11-15 |
| As temperatures fall and nature's food supply dwindles across the country, some birds will migrate to more hospitable areas while others will stay and tough it out. Regardless of where you live, the bird populations present in your area this winter could use your assistance. Attract and welcome these feathered friends to your backyard with a bird-friendly habitat. |
| Managing your own personal debt ceiling | 2011-11-10 |
| The federal government and the average consumer have a lot more in common than you might think. The government's debt has grown exponentially since the 1980s, and this summer we saw it come dangerously close to the debt ceiling - the cap set by Congress on the amount of debt the federal government can legally borrow. Some people often ignore their limits to get what they want in the moment and push the bounds of their own "debt ceiling." Doing so could damage your credit score, dig you deep in debt that will be difficult to pay off, and ultimately hinder your long term financial goals. |
| Making the most of your holiday celebrations | 2011-11-09 |
| As 2011 begins to wind down, the hectic holiday season is only getting started. This time tends to be packed with fun and holiday cheer, but the last thing you want is to be partied out too early. Pacing yourself and not getting overwhelmed by the endless gatherings (and dessert trays) is essential. Here are a few easy tips to help make sure that you're enjoying this season to the fullest and truly celebrating a great year. |
| Six tips to keep identity theft in check | 2011-10-25 |
| Nearly 251,000 identity theft-related complaints were made to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2010. So it's no surprise that - for the 11th straight year - identity theft ranks No. 1 as the biggest concern among consumers. To protect yourself from being counted among those victims, follow these identity fraud prevention tips. |
