October 2009

Getting Low-Cost Auto Insurance Rates – Five Things To Look For

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Low cost auto insurance rates are available everywhere, as companies cater to people trying to cut costs wherever they can. Unfortunately, not all insurance companies are equal, and low insurance rates can turn into a big future hike if you do not know what to look for or what to avoid. It is a good [...]

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No Increase, but Congress to Extend $8000 First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit into 2010 and Make Available to More Home Buyers and Owners

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[Updated Nov] – See this post for details on the home buyer credit extenstion approval and new provisions: 2010 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension Approved and Expanded to Existing Home Owners. New Provisions Not Retroactive ______ A number of would-be home buyers and the real estate industry are anxiously wondering if Congress will extend the [...]

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Retirement 401k and IRA Accounts – Have You Rebalanced and Reallocated based on Changing Market Conditions and Contribution Limits?

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I recently checked my Vanguard 401K account and was very pleased to see that it was up 20% in the last quarter! Still well down from high, before the great credit crisis of Autumn 2008, but at least it’s moving in the right direction now. However, my return could have been even greater had I [...]

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My Next Laptop : Should I Go With a New Windows 7.0 PC or For an Apple MacBook Pro?

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With the recent release of Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 7.0, I now have two enticing choices when it comes to getting a new laptop. I currently have a desktop PC running Vista (which isn’t as bad as some make it out to be) and an older model laptop. Thanks to a wireless network and [...]

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10 Deadly Mistakes Buyers Make When Purchasing a Home and How to Avoid Them

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MISTAKE #1 – Choosing a real estate agent who is not committed to forming a strong business relationship with you HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT: Making a connection with the right real estate agent is crucial. Choose a professional who is dedicated to serving your needs—before, during and after the sale. MISTAKE #2 – Making [...]

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Open Enrollment and Employer Health Insurance – Making the Most Despite Fewer Benefits and More Expensive Premiums, Deductibles and Co-pays

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It’s that time of year again when workers have to review and are able to modify their employer sponsored health care insurance and other “fringe” benefits. Unfortunately as I reviewed my health care benefits it seems that my employer is providing less (like excluding Chiropractic benefits) but raising premiums, co-pays and deductibles – which was [...]

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Weekend Review: Dude – Where's My Stimulus Jobs Gone?

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When President Obama signed off on the $787 billion Economic Stimulus Bill – known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – he promised to provide full transparency on it’s expenditure and to ensure that every dollar is tracked. Like so many of his earlier promises, this one also is starting to look a bit [...]

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Why Even High-Income Earners Are Not That Far From The Edge of Poverty

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Despite earning more than $100,000 in household income many people still feel that they are living month-to-month and that a loss of employment or medical emergency could easily move them from upper middle class to low income earners. This feeling of being on the “edge” of poverty, given the level of income, seems a bit [...]

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Wall Street Fat Cats Back in Town with Firms to Pay Record Salaries

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>Looks like the recession is over at Wall Street as the money comes pouring in. Many blame the current recession on Wall Street and it’s over leveraging ways, so it is not surprising that those of us on “Main Street” and government officials in Washington are outraged that after seemingly such a short time and [...]

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Update on the $250 Social Security Stimulus (SSI) Payment in 2010 for Retirees, Veterans and the Disabled Who Get No COLA Increase

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[Update Dec 2010 - No $250 SSI Payment in 2010] Congress officially nixed a one-time payment of $250 in 2010 to Social Security recipients who haven’t received cost of living adjustments (COLA) since 2008.  The cancellation of a $250 SSI payment in 2010 was justified on the basis of low inflation (see update below). But many seniors are [...]

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