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One swallow does not make a summer, but one skein of geese, cleaving the murk of March thaw, is the Spring.
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Category Archives: AP
Tips on disputing errors on your credit report
Disputing credit report errors can be complicated and frustratingly slow. But it is also a necessary task for Americans who want to avoid paying more on loans and credit cards for a mistake they did not make. Read More
Fidelity: 401(k) balances grew 12 percent in 2012
Employee 401(k) accounts are growing fast, thanks to the surging stock market and increased contributions from workers and their employers. The average account balance grew nearly 12 percent last year, Fidelity Investments said on Thursday, February 14. Read More
6 tips on buying, renting a home for extra income
Low mortgage rates have made buying a home more affordable and turned rentals into an attractive option for investors. Throughout the downturn in the housing market, average investors, sometimes pooling their money, have bought foreclosures at a sharp discount and turned them into rentals. Many homeowners also have purchased a second home and rented out their first property. Read More
Is a 60/40 stock-bond mix the right balance?
Is it time to retire the idea of a 60/40 portfolio? The strategy has been generally regarded as a good starting point for most investors. ut many experts question whether a mix of 60 percent stocks and 40 percent bonds is suitable. Over the years, 60/40 has become a rough gauge for how to build adequate retirement savings without taking excessive risk. Read More
6 Ways to Put Those Unwanted Gift Cards to Use
Gift cards are easily forgotten. All too often they’re placed in drawers or stuffed into wallets, never to be seen again. Some $1.7 billion of the $110 billion gift cards bought in 2012 will go unused, according to estimates from research company CEB TowerGroup. Read More
Wall Street cheers “cliff” deal, but only for now
When lawmakers delivered a long-delayed, last-minute agreement on the budget, Wall Street celebrated. And it would be easy to think that the surge in the Dow the following day meant that investors had put their concerns about Washington’s political gridlock behind them. Read More
8 tips to stay fit without breaking the bank
The start of a new year inspires many of us to commit to get fit and live healthier. Such an undertaking requires steeling one’s resolve to eat right and exercise. What isn’t required is emptying out one’s wallet just to break a sweat and shed a few pounds. Read More
A look back at memorable days on Wall Street
2012 had its fair share of big days on the stock market. Here’s a look back at what set off the biggest moves in the Dow Jones industrial average. Read More
Questions and Answers About the US ‘Fiscal Cliff’
Congress and the White House are struggling to avoid the “fiscal cliff,” the package of huge tax increases and spending cuts that kick in next year unless a budget agreement is reached first. Read More
7 Retirement Planning Myths Debunked
No matter how many years you are from calling it quits, it’s essential to have some kind of plan in mind for financing retirement. The days of counting on Uncle Sam and a company pension to carry you through old age are long gone. We’re living increasingly in a “yoyo” economy — short for “you’re on your own.”
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Higher Rates or Fewer Tax Breaks – What’s Worse?
In the fiscal cliff wars, a pivotal battle is raging between Democrats demanding to raise revenue by boosting tax rates on the nation’s highest earners and Republicans insisting on eliminating deductions and other tax breaks instead. Which is better for the economy? Analysts say it depends. Read More
Shoppers can save as retailers go head-to-head
This holiday season, the hottest trend among retailers isn’t found on a store shelf. It’s taking place at the cash register. Major retailers, from Best Buy to Toys R Us, are promising to match their competitors’ prices. Generally customers just need to bring in an advertisement or printout to prove that the same item is available elsewhere at a lower price.
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All items in ’12 Days of Christmas’ now top $107K
Add seven swans, six geese and five golden rings to the list of Christmas gifts that cost more than they did a year ago. And if you get all 364 items repeated throughout “The Twelve Days of Christmas” carol, you’ll pay 6.1 percent more this year, according to the so-called Christmas Price Index that PNC Wealth Management updates annually. Read More
5 Tips to Steer Clear of Debt in Holiday Shopping
Black Friday deals are starting early this year, and that means more pressure to spend spend spend. As the holiday shopping season expands and retailers make impulse buys ever-easier via smartphone and otherwise, consumers have to be extra-disciplined to avoid money trouble.
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5 questions to ask about Medicare Advantage plans
Time is running short for Medicare Advantage customers who still need to sort through the smorgasbord of coverage options available for next year.
The annual open enrollment period ends Dec. 7 for these privately run versions of the government’s Medicare program for seniors and the disabled. Read More
