Brandon Ballenger Writer
I'm a freelance writer based in Pompano Beach, Fla. who's done work for The South Florida Business Journal and BusinessMiami, covering real estate, health care, and franchising. I received a bachelor's degree in English and public communication from Florida Atlantic University in 2008, and am currently pursuing a master's degree in communication there. In my free time, I read fantasy novels, plays video games, and take advantage of South Florida's perennial summer at the beach.
Posts by Brandon Ballenger
6 Steps to Pay Less for Car Insurance
Mar 07, 2012 - Since you're paying more for gas, maybe it's time to save on another expensive part of the driving experience: insurance.
7 Top Scams and How to Avoid Them
Mar 05, 2012 - It's National Consumer Protection Week: the perfect time to familiarize yourself with today's most common scams so you can avoid becoming a victim.
Starting Your Own Business? 3 Resources You Need to Know
Mar 02, 2012 - You can start a business with a little money, a lot of hard work, and relentless optimism. But if you want to succeed with minimum cost and effort, take advantage of every entrepreneurial resource available. Here are some big ones...
8 Weird Ways to Make Extra Money
Feb 29, 2012 - Need money? From writing messages on your lips to selling bodily fluids, these days there’s almost no limit to the ways you can turn a buck.
Are Student Loans the Next Debt Crisis? 6 Ways to Stay Out of Trouble
Feb 28, 2012 - Last year, student loans surpassed credit cards as the largest consumer debt. Now lawyers are suggesting they may lead to the next economic crisis.
Tax Hacks 2012: 7 Smart Uses for Your Tax Refund
Feb 27, 2012 - Tax refunds are the only windfall many people ever see, and year after year there's a big temptation to blow it all on something fun. Nothing wrong with that if your finances are in order, but if not, there are better ideas.
11 Luxuries People THINK the Richest 1 Percent Have
Feb 27, 2012 - How rich is "rich"? Most Americans believe the top 1 percent earn $1 million and up. But it's a whole lot less.
Tax Hacks 2012: 10 Tips to Avoid an Audit
Feb 24, 2012 - There's no surefire way to avoid the nightmare millions of taxpayers fear: an IRS audit. But there are a lot of ways to reduce the risk.
Job Interviewing: 8 Things to Do and 8 Things to Avoid
Feb 24, 2012 - If you're out of work, job prospects may look grim. But hey, at least you aren't the guy getting arrested during an interview. Here's some advice, including what to avoid.
5 Tips for Writing a Terrific Cover Letter
Feb 23, 2012 - A resume should say, "I did this stuff." A cover letter should say, "I can do everything you need, and here's why."
Tax Hacks 2012: 11 Common Mistakes That Can Cost You
Feb 22, 2012 - Taxes are complicated and you're in a hurry: a recipe for error. Mistakes happen – but avoid the obvious ones to maximize the money and minimize the wait.
Tax Hacks 2012 – Profile of the American Tax Cheat
Feb 20, 2012 - According to the IRS, Uncle Sam misses out on $450 billion every year due to honest mistakes and dishonest taxpayers. One recent survey offers a profile of the type of person most likely to cheat on their taxes. If you don’t fit the bill, you probably know someone who does.
The Latest Way to Save on Airfare: Crowdsourcing
Feb 20, 2012 - First there were the airlines' websites, then cheap airfare sites that aggregated those. Those sites became more useful over time, but something new is even more flexible: a competitive, human-powered search called FlightFox.
Tax Hacks 2012: Kiss Refund Loans Goodbye
Feb 17, 2012 - Another awful "tax product" is finally getting flushed down the drain – this is the last year any major tax prep service will offer refund anticipation loans, which come with fees equivalent to 150 percent interest rates.
Tax Hacks 2012: 3 Ways to Supercharge Your Refund
Feb 15, 2012 - Getting a fat check from Uncle Sam is nice, but using it to create a bigger refund check next year is even nicer.
