Think of it as a birthday with benefits. You turn 65 and you are finally eligible for Medicare. Signing up can be a breeze – under the right circumstances. Or it can be a confusing hassle.Lori McGinnis, a counselor with SHIP (State Health Insurance Programs), a federally funded program that … [Read more...] about How and when to sign up for Medicare
Money
How to buy and sell a house at the same time
Now that the real estate market is climbing out of the doldrums (or now that your family has grown by a member or even a few), you may be ready to buy a new home.But do you sell your old home first? Or do you buy and then sell?“It’s always a tough choice to make,” says Anthony Vitale, senior … [Read more...] about How to buy and sell a house at the same time
Free and low-cost consumer advice publications
Did you know our tax dollars support the Consumer Information Catalog? The government offers hundreds of FREE and low-cost (as low as $1.50) publications. However, most are FREE. The focus is to help consumers make informed decisions on many topics, including cars, computers, education, employment, … [Read more...] about Free and low-cost consumer advice publications
Changing careers? Know the income potential
If you’re thinking of going back to school, or have a college-bound senior in high school, you should know the opportunity for financial payback from the career you choose. PayScale's 2013-2014 College Salary report is out, and the fiscal news is good for some careers (not so much for others).If … [Read more...] about Changing careers? Know the income potential
New rules for buying a house in a sellers’ market
It wasn’t so long ago that you could shop for homes at your leisure, offer significantly below asking price and end up with a bargain.No more.In many parts of the country, buyers outnumber sellers, and homes listed for sale in the morning may be under contract by lunch. Homes in good … [Read more...] about New rules for buying a house in a sellers’ market
10 ways to get your retirement plan back on track
Back in 2001, David Raether was a comedy writer for the TV sitcom "Roseanne," earning $300,000 a year. He and his wife and their eight children lived comfortably in a big house in an upscale suburb of Los Angeles.That was before the recession, before Raether lost his career, his home and his … [Read more...] about 10 ways to get your retirement plan back on track
‘Pay later’ plans: The fine print may cost you thousands
Although the true tightwad saves up money before buying anything, that doesn't work for most of us all the time. Sometimes, a refrigerator breaks down before we have time to save for a new one, the couch of our dreams goes on sale two months before the bonus check arrives, or a retailer is offering … [Read more...] about ‘Pay later’ plans: The fine print may cost you thousands
3 tips for repaying private student loans
By Reyna Gobel, Wise BreadRepaying private student loans can be confusing. Most of what you hear in the news applies to federal student loans. So where can private loan borrowers get information on repayment? From their lenders.Since private student loans are essentially bank loans, it’s up … [Read more...] about 3 tips for repaying private student loans
5 easier ways to repay federal student loans
This post is by Reyna Gobel at Wise Bread.If you’re a recent college grad, you’re probably dreading when you have to start repaying your federal student loans as much as if you were going to the dentist to get your wisdom teeth pulled. But student loan repayment is a lot less painful and doesn't … [Read more...] about 5 easier ways to repay federal student loans
The 4 scariest things on your credit report
Think you’re safe from creepy credit? Think again. There may be things lurking on your credit report that you least expected. That’s why it’s so important to check on it at least once a year (it’s free, via annualcreditreport.com), so that you won’t get a spooky surprise. Even better, because there … [Read more...] about The 4 scariest things on your credit report
How to deal with debt collectors
Debt collectors have a way of tracking people down, and sometimes, they track down the wrong people. That's why it's important to know how debt collectors work. No matter what your credit rating, you may get a call one day. When that happens, you need to figure out how to deal with the collector and … [Read more...] about How to deal with debt collectors
Get (your) free money – it’s easy to find
Maybe you pick up coins in the street or search for loose change in purses and sofas – but have you ever checked to see if you have unclaimed money that is yours for the asking? It could be a deposit for a utility service that you never requested when you moved, interest from a bank account, a trust … [Read more...] about Get (your) free money – it’s easy to find
Teaching kids about money with allowances
A lot of people are surprised that I run Chicago on the Cheap, because it seems like such a deviation for someone who wrote Hedge Funds For Dummies. However, you can't enter the world of high finance if you don't have money to invest. Here's something interesting I've learned over the years: Just … [Read more...] about Teaching kids about money with allowances
When medical bills go bad: Fixing costly insurance errors
Each year, the American Medical Association issues its health insurer report card, which reports on the costs and efficiency of health care billing. In 2013, they found that commercial health insurers made mistakes on 7.1% of submitted claims and denied coverage on another 1.8%. The numbers have … [Read more...] about When medical bills go bad: Fixing costly insurance errors
In over your head with debt? How to find real help
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Nathan Rabin is a great writer who has published several books about pop culture. Among other things, he is the co-author of Weird Al Yankovic's biography, Weird Al: The Book. He also got himself in a mess of financial trouble that only got worse when he signed up with a … [Read more...] about In over your head with debt? How to find real help
