Archive for April, 2010
5 Tips to Protect Your Savings from Inflation
Apr 19, 2010 - In some ways our economy is like a blimp: big, tough to steer... and facing inflation. Are your savings inflation-protected? Here are some ideas that might help.
Best Hotel Price You’ll Find This Summer? $0
Apr 19, 2010 - Want to use my Fort Lauderdale home for a few weeks? OK, provided you've got a place for me to crash in Manhattan. House-swapping may well be the single best way to both save vacation money and enhance your next travel experience.
Latest US Export? Consumer Protection
Apr 18, 2010 - There's an old expression: "When the US sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold." Our recent housing crisis and recession quickly spread around the world. Now we're exporting something a little more pleasant: consumer protection.
Insurance Outrage: Hike Prices, Pay CEO $100,000,000
Apr 17, 2010 - My personal health insurance bill went up 40% this year, and this week I learned that the CEO of the company that issued my policy, United HealthCare, received more than 100 million dollars in compensation last year. Do I care? Yes.
Taxes 2010: Can’t Pay? File Anyway!
Apr 15, 2010 - Burying your head in the sand and ignoring your problems is normally not a great idea. But when you're dealing with Uncle Sam, it's flatout dumb. If you owe income taxes you can't pay, or know someone who does, here's what you need to know.
Tax Day: Procrastinator Resources
Apr 15, 2010 - Haven't filed those taxes yet? Relax. Here's some quick tips, links and advice that might keep you from feeling overtaxed.
A Heart-Breaking Choice: The Family Dog or Home Insurance
Apr 13, 2010 - After a dog-bite incident, one family was forced by their insurer to choose between their beloved dog and their home insurance.
Do-It-Yourself Laundry Detergent
Apr 12, 2010 - Do you really need to use as much laundry detergent as they say on the bottle? Do you need to use laundry detergent at all? We investigated and you'll be shocked by what we found.
What Are Your Odds of an IRS Audit?
Apr 09, 2010 - Your odds of an audit depend largely on your income, but that's not all the IRS looks at. To truly determine your odds of an audit, you first need to understand the IRS audit selection process.
Credit Card Debt Declines Again
Apr 09, 2010 - If you've been paying down household debt during these tough economic times, you're in good company. Nearly 40% of consumers say they're using more cash and less credit than they were a year ago.
Tips on Avoiding Five (More) Consumer Problems
Apr 07, 2010 - Every year hundreds of thousands of consumers complain to the FTC. Looking at the list of the most popular consumer complaints is a great way to make sure you never become one of them.
Three Things You Need to Know Today
Apr 07, 2010 - Think of it as a "consumer espresso": Three things every smart consumer should know today, distilled down to 500 words or less.
Think Airline Fees Can’t Get Worse? Think Again.
Apr 06, 2010 - At least one airline, Spirit Air, is now charging for carry-on bags. End of the fee frenzy? No way. It's just the tip of the iceberg: there are dozens more ways to degrade your experience. Here are some of my ideas.
Tips to Avoid the Top Five Consumer Problems
Apr 06, 2010 - Every year the FTC compiles a list of the most complained-about consumer services. Here are this year's top five, along with tips to avoid becoming a statistic. If you've ever been ripped off, this is a must-read.
Will Credit Counseling Hurt My Credit Score?
Apr 06, 2010 - Question from a viewer: If you go to a credit counselor for help, how it will affect your credit history and credit score?
