Summer Hull has taken her family to Hawaii, Walt Disney World, Paris, the Maldives and around the United States to visit relatives – all on airline and hotel rewards points."We literally have gone around the world," she says. "Our baby's not even 1 year, and she's been on a dozen miles and … [Read more...] about How to pay for your next vacation with rewards points and miles
Money
How to avoid HOA battles that cost time, money and energy
If you buy a condominium, townhouse or single-family home in a newer development, you’re likely to become a member of a community association.More than 50 percent of American homeowners live in a community governed by a condo association, homeowners association or co-op board, according to … [Read more...] about How to avoid HOA battles that cost time, money and energy
How to decide whether to buy or lease your next car, or go car-free
I remember my first car, a 1969 Chevelle Malibu. It was blue with a black hardtop, three-speed on the column with vinyl bench seats – and a lot of problems under the hood. But I loved my “Blue Goose.” It was my first big purchase, my first “payment plan” to the Bank of Father, and my shout-out to … [Read more...] about How to decide whether to buy or lease your next car, or go car-free
Best meal kit delivery services compared: Blue Apron vs. Hello Fresh vs. Home Chef
Have you thought about trying one of the many meal kit services? I’ve often wondered if they're worth the money and what's the difference between the different dinner prep and delivery services.I decided to do some research to find out once and for all if the fuss over meal kit services is … [Read more...] about Best meal kit delivery services compared: Blue Apron vs. Hello Fresh vs. Home Chef
Apps that can help you shop for cars
If you are in the market for a new or used car, these car shopping apps will help you find the best deal and save money. What I love about these hand-held tools is that you can use them to find a better price than a dealer is offering you even while you are inside the dealership, and use that to … [Read more...] about Apps that can help you shop for cars
How to negotiate the best deal when buying a house
The old saying is that in real estate, everything is negotiable. But is it really? When you go to buy a house, you’re certainly hoping to get the best price and terms. To do that, you need to know when to start negotiating and when to stop. That begins with being familiar with the market, down to … [Read more...] about How to negotiate the best deal when buying a house
8 tax credits for parents with dependent children
The year our daughter Jane was born, my husband and I almost forgot to claim her on our taxes. She was a newborn, our accountant hadn't seen me pregnant and the topic never came up during our conversations. Luckily, we remembered, and Jane had a Social Security number, so we were able to claim the … [Read more...] about 8 tax credits for parents with dependent children
How we got out of debt by coloring
This guest post is by Heidi Ifland NashOur story is not unique in how it begins. We were very “normal”.We were the typical American couple, no budget, consuming all of our income each month, and using credit cards to buy and pay for the things we didn’t save up for.We weren’t … [Read more...] about How we got out of debt by coloring
Caring for aging parents from a distance
John Cruz' parents both suffer from chronic health issues and are in their 70s. Both have had falls that have resulted in broken bones, so their mobility is compromised. Cruz (not his real name) has helped them out two or three times per week for years. "Before the pandemic, they needed … [Read more...] about Caring for aging parents from a distance
Free Consumer Action Handbook offers help on variety of consumer issues
It's not always easy for consumers to resolve issues, know what’s a scam or who to turn to for assistance.The government wants to help consumers make informed decisions on many topics, including banking, cars, credit, education, employment, food & nutrition, health care, housing, … [Read more...] about Free Consumer Action Handbook offers help on variety of consumer issues
How to insure future trips in case of a crisis
What if it happens again? What if coronavirus resurges this summer, just as you’re leaving for a well-deserved vacation? Or during the winter holidays?Many travelers are looking for ways to protect their next trip from another wave of the virus. One of them is Baron Hanson, who takes frequent … [Read more...] about How to insure future trips in case of a crisis
What to do if you can’t pay your rent
As a new month approaches, many tenants are panicked about how to scrape together the money for next month’s rent.More than 22 million Americans have filed for unemployment in the past month, and many state unemployment offices are backlogged.The CARES Act offers forbearance and blocks … [Read more...] about What to do if you can’t pay your rent
What to do if you can’t pay your bills
There’s no doubt that for many people have suffered a big toll on their finances. Whether you’re down an income (or two) in your household, or waiting on unemployment or small business help, you might be stressing about what to do with the stack of bills that is piling up or on the way.On the … [Read more...] about What to do if you can’t pay your bills
Try these expert negotiation strategies for refunding or rescheduling your vacation
Refund or reschedule? As the current crisis deepens, that’s the difficult choice many travelers face. And either way, they may need a few expert negotiation strategies to recoup the value of their canceled vacations.“At this point, everything is negotiable,” says Casey Halloran, chief executive … [Read more...] about Try these expert negotiation strategies for refunding or rescheduling your vacation
Travel deals: It’s a buyer’s market, but should you buy?
The travel deal was too good to pass up. For just $500, Danielle Tedrowe could enjoy a week at the five-star Live Aqua Beach Resort in Cancún, Mexico, this fall. "It was a phenomenal rate," says Tedrowe, a property manager and travel agent from Austin, Texas. An 80% discount for an ocean … [Read more...] about Travel deals: It’s a buyer’s market, but should you buy?
