If you've ever seen TLC's "Extreme Couponing," you might conclude that coupons are for crazy people. You don't need a five-year supply of toilet paper, and you especially don't want to devote 40 hours a week to planning your grocery shopping.If you do a little studying and monitoring, you can … [Read more...] about Less extreme coupon strategies save money and time
How to survive forced early retirement
When most workers plan for retirement, they expect to work until their full retirement age, which is 66 or 67 for people born after 1942, or even longer.But some workers find themselves out of a job at an age when it’s difficult to find another one – and at a time when they expected to be in … [Read more...] about How to survive forced early retirement
Tech tools and apps for seniors
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The stereotype is that older people are leery of technology and lag behind their digital native grandchildren. But statistics from the Pew Research Center find that 82% of 65- to 69-year-olds use the Internet, and two-thirds have home internet connections. Seniors aged 80 and older are slower to … [Read more...] about Tech tools and apps for seniors
10 things to do before a hurricane comes
Hurricane season is officially under way, and if you live anywhere near the coast, that means it's time to stock up on bottled water, batteries and non-perishable food. But those aren't the only things you need to do before a hurricane approaches. The beginning of the season is a good time to review … [Read more...] about 10 things to do before a hurricane comes
What to look for in a starter home
You’ve dreamed for years of buying your first home, and now it’s time. You’ve created Pinterest boards dotted with photos of beautiful home decor, watched all the episodes of HGTV’s “House Hunters” and spent hours trolling listings online. You know exactly what you want.But have you done … [Read more...] about What to look for in a starter home
Free printable budget sheets to help you manage your money
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Looking for free printable budget sheets to get your finances into shape ASAP? We have a ton of worksheets to help you create a budget you'll actually stick to! You'll be able to instantly download our free printable budget sheets and create a budget binder of your own.In the next few minutes … [Read more...] about Free printable budget sheets to help you manage your money
11 essential documents for unmarried couples
For 32 years, Stieg Larsson and Eva Gabrielsson shared a life and a home. She says she even helped the celebrated Swedish author research his best-selling trilogy of novels that started with "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." But because Larsson died in 2004 without a will, none of the profits … [Read more...] about 11 essential documents for unmarried couples
16 ways to cut expenses this year
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It's a new year, and that means it's time to get your financial house in order.No matter what mistakes you made last year, you get a do-over this year. The beginning of the year is a great time to make changes that will boost your bottom line going forward. But before you can make a plan to save … [Read more...] about 16 ways to cut expenses this year
HMO vs. PPO vs. EPO vs. POS: Decoding the alphabet soup of health care
It's that time of year when we all seem to be mired in alphabet soup – and not the kind you eat. Open enrollment for benefits plans is here, and that includes choosing health insurance coverage.As employers and insurers shift more of the cost to users, the annual choice gets harder, whether you … [Read more...] about HMO vs. PPO vs. EPO vs. POS: Decoding the alphabet soup of health care
FSA vs. HSA: Which health-care tax savings is right for you?
It's open enrollment time in most workplaces, as well as for those who use the Affordable Care Act exchange, which means health care consumers are trying to make sense of the alphabet soup of the available benefits.One choice many face is how best to maximize the tax savings that come with some … [Read more...] about FSA vs. HSA: Which health-care tax savings is right for you?
Beware of automatic renewals
I once got a phone call offering me a six-month subscription to a publication. I took them up on the offer. When I got a renewal notice six months later, I ignored it because I didn’t want to continue the subscription.Tip No. 1: You can no longer afford to ignore subscription notices for print … [Read more...] about Beware of automatic renewals
How to find the best home inspector
Before you buy a home, it’s always a good idea to get a professional home inspection. In most cases, you can make your purchase contract contingent on a satisfactory inspection. That means if you don’t like the inspection results, you can cancel the contract, get your deposit back and walk away from … [Read more...] about How to find the best home inspector
How to get your adult child out of your basement
It’s become somewhat of a stereotype: Young adults are living in their parents’ basements, unable to secure gainful employment and unwilling to grow up. While that’s a bit of an exaggeration, 33% of 25- to 29-year-olds were residents of multi-generational households in 2016, according to a Pew … [Read more...] about How to get your adult child out of your basement
How to check on your income tax refund
The income tax season has officially opened. Among the first to file will be those taxpayers who are due income tax refunds.And once you file, your burning question will be: Where’s my refund?The Internal Revenue Service has an app for that. The agency’s popular Where’s My Refund website … [Read more...] about How to check on your income tax refund
How to buy a house with 5% (or less) down payment
One hurdle many would-be home buyers face – or think they face — is the need to come up with a big chunk of cash to make a 20% down payment. The good news is that you don’t have to have 20% down, even in today’s tight credit environment, to buy a house.Buyers with good jobs and decent credit … [Read more...] about How to buy a house with 5% (or less) down payment
