Author: Brandon Ballenger
I'm a freelance journalist living in South Florida. If I'm not writing, I'm playing video games or at the beach. My favorite spice is oregano, and I thought you should know. I got my bachelor's degree in English and public communication from Florida Atlantic University in 2008.
Buying a Boat? Tips to Staying Afloat
Brandon Ballenger on April 11, 2012
The sticker price of a boat is just the beginning. Learn about the total cost of ownership or you’ll quickly sink your savings.
Are Expensive HDMI Cables a Rip-off?
Brandon Ballenger on April 6, 2012
There are few products that look the same, do the same thing, but range in price from 1 cent to $300. Despite years of expert testimony, some consumers can still be talked into paying more for a cable than a TV.
5 Mistakes Home Sellers Make
Brandon Ballenger on March 28, 2012
Selling your home? Getting it right the first time can save you thousands of dollars and months of frustration.
Unemployment No Longer the Stigma It Once Was
Brandon Ballenger on March 27, 2012
If you’re trying to claw your way back into the job market after being unemployed or underemployed, there’s finally some good news for you.
7 Tips to Pay Less for Health Insurance
Brandon Ballenger on March 26, 2012
Health insurance policies – and their premiums – vary widely. But you have more control over your costs and coverage than you might think.
What Happened When My Identity Was Stolen
Brandon Ballenger on March 26, 2012
Somebody in China stole my debit card number and ripped me off for $474.01. I got my money back – and I have tips to help you keep yours.
Beating the Banks: Microloans
Brandon Ballenger on March 21, 2012
What’s better than earning a higher interest rate on your savings? Helping a worthy entrepreneur while you do it. Microloans offer the opportunity to beat the banks while you save the world.
Tips on Collecting From Some of the World’s Best
Brandon Ballenger on March 16, 2012
Looking for an interesting alternative to low-paying savings accounts? Start a collection with tips from two guys who just made $38 million selling theirs.
5 Reasons to Use a Travel Agent
Brandon Ballenger on March 14, 2012
Tired of spending frustrating hours online booking flights with no certainty you’ll end up with the best deal? Maybe it’s time for a blast from the past.
4 Things to Know About Peer Lending
Brandon Ballenger on March 14, 2012
Tired of earning next to nothing on your savings? Meet someone making 13 percent by simply doing what the bank does.
Can the Tooth Fairy Predict the Economy?
Brandon Ballenger on March 13, 2012
A dental insurer believes “the value of a lost tooth is closely related to the U.S. economy.” But the going rate for lost baby teeth dropped 42 cents in the past year. Maybe the tooth fairy expects another recession?
5 Tips for Finding Work When You’re Over 50
Brandon Ballenger on March 12, 2012
Feel like your age and experience disqualify you from jobs? Maybe the problem is your perspective, or at least the employer’s – learn to take the qualities that come with age and turn them into work-finding assets.
7 Things to Know Before You Join a Clinical Trial
Brandon Ballenger on March 9, 2012
Clinical trials can earn you hundreds or even thousands. But they aren’t necessarily easy to get into – or through. Here are some details from those in the industry.
6 Steps to Pay Less for Car Insurance
Brandon Ballenger on March 7, 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
Brandon Ballenger on March 5, 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
Brandon Ballenger on March 2, 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
Brandon Ballenger on February 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
Brandon Ballenger on February 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
Brandon Ballenger on February 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
Brandon Ballenger on February 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.
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