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Theft Protection for Your Wallet

Posted In:  banking  credit cards

As we go about our daily routines, most of us carry either a wallet or a purse. Unfortunately, in a moment of distraction or when we least expect it, a clever thief might grab the wallet and take off running. Sometimes, we don’t even notice the theft until getting home and finding out that the credit cards have numerous unexpected purchases.Read the rest...

Did You Know? Top Five Facts and Features of Your Checking Account

Posted In:  banking

Most people don't know everything their checking account allows them to do. For many, a checking account is just a place to keep money in order to pay bills and rent. However, as banks compete for your business, more and more are offering special features in order to keep customers. Below are the top five facts about your checking account that you probably don't know.Read the rest...

Credit Complaints Finally Have an Ear

Posted In:  credit cards  banking

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will begin accepting customer complaints in July of this year. This is the first time consumers will have access to a single bureau for complaints about credit card companies, mortgage lenders, and other lending institutions that have the power to negatively influence a consumer's credit rating. If you feel that your lender practices abusive or deceptive techniques that are costing you more money, the Bureau might be a good place for you to send a complaint. They will forward your complaint to the appropriate division of the government, which will follow up by investigating to see if any wrongdoing is actually taking place. Read the rest...

A Great Idea: INGDirect for Kids

Posted In:  banking

When I first heard about ING Direct's new savings program for kids, I got excited. The program is called Orange4Kids, and it includes all the basics of a normal online savings account. The kid’s accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000, there are no fees or minimum balance requirements, and the account is on a kid-friendly website. An adult must cosign on the account since kids cannot make withdrawals.Read the rest...

Don't Let Divorce Ruin Your Credit

Posted In:  banking  credit cards

Going through a divorce can leave you emotionally, mentally and physically drained. Money is the last thing most people want to think about when they have aching hearts. However, you must protect your credit, so that your credit score will not be damaged and leave you hurting financially as well. Look into all of your accounts and take the appropriate action to protect yourself.Read the rest...

Three Things You Pobably Didn’t know about Bank Reform

Posted In:  banking

Overdraft protection began as a service banks offered to help customers avoid embarrassment if they accidentally overdrew their accounts. The bank would pay the difference between the customer's checking balance and the purchase price, then the customer would pay a fee for that service as well as the necessary funds to make the account solvent once more.Read the rest...

Five Ways to Beat Inflation

Posted In:  banking  retirement

Saving money is not just about setting cash side. If you just put your money in a mattress, eventually that money will become worth less. How can that be? The answer is inflation. Inflation, simply put, is the tendency of prices to rise over time. When prices rise, the money you have becomes insufficient to buy a specific amount of goods. For instance, if $100 buys you 100 beans today, but the same 100 beans cost of $105 tomorrow, then inflation has made your money is worth less than it was. Unless you can find a way to make that $100 grow into $105, you are losing money. That’s why it is vital that the money you save earns at least enough to keep up with the case of inflation.Read the rest...

The Debate Over Paperless Electronic Online Billing Payment Plans

Posted In:  banking

By David Bakke

Being "green" is more popular and fashionable than ever, so you might think that opting for paperless billing is a no-brainer. You’re helping preserve the environment, plus many organizations offer discounts, rebates, or rewards points for going paperless.

While that is certainly true, personal experience has led me to believe that you should think twice before signing up for that option, or at least consider the pros and cons of e-billing before making your decision. Here are some benefits and drawbacks to consider.Read the rest...

7 Financial Rules for the Post-Recession Economy

Posted In:  banking  credit cards  retirement  mortgage

Yes, you read it right. The recession is over. Sales have been up 6 months in a row, the wheels are starting to turn again and we may have already passed the peak of home foreclosures. However, the effects of this recession are not over. The traditional advice your mom gave you might now be valid in this shaky financial environment. Here are some new rules to follow as we rebuild. Read the rest...

Four Simple Ways Anyone Can Generate Extra Cash in 2011

Posted In:  banking  credit cards

I get a little tired of posts talking about ways to make extra money. Many of them give you ideas that might get you $25 all year, or require special skills like writing blogs. It’s not that blogging is really so hard, but it takes a lot of effort to make even a little bit of money. These solutions don’t work for most people. Fortunately, there are some sure-fire ways that anyone can pick up extra cash. 
 Read the rest...