In the last issue of _Matt About Money_, I encouraged you to opt-in to a flexible spending account during this year’s so-called open enrollment season if your employer offers one. One other opt-in recommendation is to take advantage of your employer’s tuition reimbursement program if available. The majority of large companies offer such programs, and […]
Author Archive | Matt Bell
Service With a…Fee
Fees have become a prime source of revenue for banks. According to an article in the _LA Times_, fees accounted for over 40 percent of bank revenue last year–up from 34 percent a decade ago. And guess who’s paying all those fees? Want your canceled checks? Bank of America will send them to customers for […]
Free 411
Remember when dialing 411 was free? Most phone service providers–whether home, business, or cellular–now charge for the call. But here are three directory assistance providers who don’t charge for the call. provides residential, business, and government listings. As reported on _CNNMoney.com_, you have to listen to short ads before and after asking for a number. […]
Opting-In to Healthcare Savings
It’s open enrollment time at a lot of workplaces, the time of year when employees choose their benefits for next year. If your company offers a flexible spending account (FSA), participating could very likely save you some money on taxes. According to Hewitt Associates, the vast majority of large companies offer such accounts. However, less […]
Opting-Out of Marketing Messages
In the of Matt About Money I mentioned that your enrollment in the Do Not Call registry may be expiring soon so now is a good time to check, and if needed, re-register. One other way to cut down on all of the marketing messages coming into your home is to opt out of credit […]
Giving ID Thieves the Big Chill
We will soon have a new, albeit cumbersome, weapon in the fight against identity theft. According to an article on Bankrate.com, by next month people in all 50 states will be able to freeze their credit file at all three of the major credit bureaus. Everyone already has the right to place a fraud alert […]
The Captain Has Turned On the Spend Sign
Not only do most airlines now charge for in-flight food, but more and more are going to a no-cash policy. The airlines say it’s more convenient and more profitable to make passengers pay with plastic. According to an article in the _LA Times_, Aloha Airlines has seen a 30 percent boost in in-flight alcohol sales […]
“The Best of Things”
“Be joyful in hope.” –Romans 12:12a In the movie, The Shawshank Redemption, prisoner Andy Dufresne demonstrates the power of hope. Wrongly convicted for the murder of his wife, his hope that the truth would one day come out sustains him. When the truth finally does come out, but a corrupt warden refuses to acknowledge it, Andy […]
Keeping Telemarketers at Bay
Have you been enjoying more peaceful dinners since you signed up for the telemarketer Do Not Call list? If you’d like to keep it that way you might want to check to see when your registration expires. A recent article by the _Associated Press_ noted that our registrations are only good for five years. And […]
One Simple Way to Go Green and Save
Doing right by the environment is often inconvenient and expensive. But an article by _Yahoo Finance_ columnist Laura Rowley, offered up one very easy and effective idea for reducing electricity use. Culling from the practices of the extremely green , she recommends simply unplugging appliances when not in use. One study found that people can […]