The three-day Labor Day weekend provided a much-needed respite for many people. But for many others, such as the 24 million people who are unemployed or underemployed, it may have been a painful reminder of their situation. An article on WalletPop encouraged those who are gainfully employed to reach out to those who are not […]
Archive | Miscellaneous
Let Your Mouse Do The Walking
The Internet is littered with electronic coupon sites, so which ones are best? MainStreet recently listed its five favorites: RetailMeNot.com (users submit coupon codes and feedback as to which ones work); CouponCabin.com (monitors over 1,200 online stores for new coupons); FatWallet.com (has over 800 merchant partners and a cash-back feature); CouponMom.com (offers helpful free instructions […]
Another Solution for Old Electronics
I’ve written in the past about how to dispose of old cell phones, TVs, and other electronics. A recent post on ChristianPF.com highlighted a program I hadn’t heard of before called Flipswap, which enables you to exchange an old cell phone or iPod for an Amazon.com gift card. Devices received by the company are either […]
Where Old TVs Go To Die
It’s spring-cleaning time, and with television stations switching to digital signals many people are getting rid of old analog TV sets. However, a Chicago Tribune article noted that it’s not so easy. Many thrift stores are no longer accepting analog sets or other older electronics, so there’s concern that a lot of electronic gear will […]
Finding Free Money for College
College isn’t getting any less expensive, which is why the hunt for scholarship dollars is so important. FiLife recently highlighted their favorite places to go scholarship shopping: CollegeBoard, FastWeb, Peterson’s, and Scholarships.com. One other source of scholarship money to consider is Christian Community Credit Union, a sponsor of this eNewsletter. They sometimes offer scholarship money.
Boring But Necessary
Insurance won’t win any excitement prizes, but it’s a topic that a lot of us need to know more about. In a recent national survey from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the average respondent correctly answered just four of ten questions. Most people did not know that auto insurance does not automatically cover […]
Terms of Our Times
The recession has introduced several new words and phrases to the American vernacular. While most of us are probably already tired of hearing about the latest “bailout,” ABC News reports an increase in popularity of terms such as “shovel ready” (a construction project that can get underway as soon as it receives government funding) and […]
Romance In, Spending Down
A few more of us plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year (63% of all adults) than last year (61%). However, the economy is driving down how much we plan to spend. According to the National Retail Federation, those planning to celebrate this year say they will spend an average of $103 on their loved […]
Free Filing For All
If you’re anticipating an income tax refund this year, the fastest way to get that money is to file your tax return electronically and have the refund automatically deposited. The process takes as few as 10 days. This year, the IRS has expanded its e-file program, making it possible for nearly everyone to file electronically […]
Under the Financial Microscope
By now you’re aware of the importance of keeping your credit score strong by paying your credit card bills, mortgage, and other loans on time and keeping your credit utilization (how much of your available credit you use) low (10 percent or less is best). But did you know that paying your phone bill late […]