News

2020

February

22

• Home improvement program with few protections Is exploding. A decade ago, if a Floridian wanted extra cash to replace a roof, install solar panels or a brand new air conditioner, the most common choice was a bank loan. But for the last few

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• These 3 Social Security strategies could increase your monthly checks. For most retirees, Social Security benefits are designed to replace approximately 40% of pre-retirement income; however, many seniors depend on their benefits to cover the majority of their bills. Roughly 1 in 5 married couples and almost

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• We couldn’t find evidence of students or faculty at this accredited school. Reagan National University was supposed to be a place of higher learning, but it was unclear how it awarded degrees. By all appearances, at present, it has no students, no faculty and no classrooms. 

• Man scammed investors out of $147 million in sham gems. A Southern California man collected about $147 million from more than 70,000 investors around the world by promising them profits from amber and gemstones mines that didn’t actually exist and selling them worthless digital coins

• Student loan tax garnishments: what you should know. One segment of student debtors is hurting more than the others wrapped up in the student loan crisis. Borrowers who are in default on their loans are susceptible to myriad consequences ranging from damage to

• Get your financial files in order. Think about getting organized not for yourself but for the person who has to help find your paperwork should you become incapacitated or die. I know. No joy in that last statement. But I&rsquo

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• Carnival cruises works to manage coronavirus crisis. Carnival serves nearly 11.5 million travelers a year, or roughly 50 percent of the global cruise market. It runs some of the best-known cruise brands in the industry, including its flagship Carnival Cruise Line, the Princess

• Your cheatin' wallet. "Financial infidelity" is described by Emily Garbinsky, an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Notre Dame, as “engaging in a financial behavior expected to be disapproved of by one&rsquo

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• Student loan appeal process the government doesn't tell you about. In the deluge of complaints about a troubled program that pays off student loans for people who work in public service, one stands out for its frequency: Thousands of people say they were misled by

• Ring and Nest helped normalize American surveillance. Amazon’s Ring, Google’s Nest and other Internet-connected cameras — some selling for as little as $59 — have given Americans the tools they need to become a personal security force, and millions

• Millennials are racking up retirement savings in Roth IRAs. Millennials are overwhelmingly putting their money into Roth IRAs, according to Fidelity. A Roth account is funded with after-tax dollars, making future withdrawals tax-free. The average balance for millennials is $32,700, up from $24,200 a year ago.

• Tips to get the best and safest car loan. Remember that all-important FICO score. Don't just depend upon dealer financing. We surely know at least a couple of weeks in advance we're going to go car shopping. Take this time to check

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• How to break down your college financial aid award letter. Before deciding on a college for next year, families should look at what kind of aid is being offered and the conditions that apply. What may look like the largest offer might not be the

• Trump looks to kill student loan forgiveness program. Trump’s proposal would request $66.6 billion for the U.S. Department of Education, trimming the budget by $5.6 billion, or nearly 8%

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• Social Security: Here’s what Trump’s proposed budget could mean for you. Trump’s words and his administration’s actions aren’t in alignment. His fiscal 2021 budget includes cuts to the Social Security program. So why aren’t retirees up in arms? That

• What the T-Mobile and Sprint merger means for you. Is my phone bill going up? T-Mobile promised phone bills will remain the same for the next three years.  Will my phone still be compatible? T-Mobile has a wide coverage map, potentially improving calls

• Take a year off and travel without going broke. By far the most expensive item will be the flight. If you know when you’re coming home, it’s probably best to buy a round-trip ticket. That comes with a cost, but

• How to compare mortgage loan offers. Comparing loan estimates is essential in the home buying process.  First, request loan estimates from the multiple lenders you are considering. You will need the following information to begin your loan application: your name,

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• This is no way to run a central bank. Presidents are empowered to pick central bankers who share their economic views, but not to undermine the goals that Congress has set for the central bank. Just as Mr. Trump crossed a line in naming

• Judge approves T-Mobile-Sprint merger. The deal would combine America’s third- and fourth-largest wireless carriers, creating a telecommunications juggernaut able to challenge AT&T and Verizon.