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Money & Finance
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How to keep cool and cut home energy costs
The warm weather and long days of summer can give us a free and easy feeling - that is, until it's time to pay the utility bill. Utility costs can add up fast with increased use of the air conditioner, appliances and other household items during peak times. Yet it's easy to cut energy bills if you take simple steps to ad...
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Declaring energy independence for a brighter future
It is time to make history by changing history. For more than 40 years - and through eight presidents - the United States has been dependent on foreign oil to power the nation. Today, energy independence is a realistic goal, one founded on American innovation, technology and hard work. Here is what you need to know.
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Five ways to invest in gold
In the dark about how to invest in gold? Despite gold's increasing value and popularity, many folks don't know where to get started. If that includes you, you're not alone. Here are five options to get you started.
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Chalk up more back-to-school savings by shopping online
Before school starts in the fall, parents will tackle the task of back-to-school shopping. The "must-buy" list often doesn't change much from year to year. Students of all ages and schooling levels will need pencils, notebooks, new clothes, backpacks and folders. As you develop a shopping list for your children this year...
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Are small businesses protecting themselves from a data breach?
A data breach can be a challenge for any business, but this is especially true for smaller businesses. Not only can it be more difficult for a smaller business to recover from a data breach, but criminals may also be more likely to target smaller firms.
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How do you keep cash flowing? Small companies go online for answers
The Great Recession will probably be a subject of discussion and debate for decades to come, but one certain ideology has emerged from it: small businesses have had to reassess how they manage cash flow.
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The marriage merge: practical tips for combining your lives
Your wedding is sure to be the happiest day of your life, but marriage stretches well beyond those 24 hours. Merging your lives as husband and wife starts even before you say your "I do's" and will require some effort and patience - which will be good practice for your future life together.
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Why debt is a four letter word
There are many "do's" and "don'ts" when it comes to wise financial planning and stewardship. But many financial planning experts would agree that at or near the top of the don't list would be the following simple piece of financial advice: Don't fall into debt.
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The most-overlooked financial planning tool that's free to everyone
What did you do with that envelope that used to arrive once a year with estimates of your future Social Security benefits? You might have reviewed the information. You may have even filed the statement away as a reference. Now, this powerful financial planning tool is as close as the nearest computer.
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Squeeze more savings out of the gas pump this summer
With gas prices on an eternal upswing and the summer driving season in full force, drivers are looking for ways to alleviate the pain at the pump. Some simple steps can make a big difference in your fuel economy so you can save money and get the most out of every gallon.
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Online coupons: a great way to save money on weekly shopping lists
Online coupon usage is on the rise, according to a Business Wire publication. Consumers are using online coupon sites to find discounts on everything from A to Z on the shopping list, including personal items to apparel, medical supplies to home decor, eye wear to flowers, large restaurant equipment and more.
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Financial bliss after 'I do'
Wedding season is here. It's estimated that more than 2 million couples will be married in the United States this year. As couples young and old unite their hearts and lives, they will also face the challenging task of uniting their finances.
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national news
Boy Scouts of America votes to end century-old ban on gay scouts

Jennifer Tyrrell hugs Pascal Tessier after a resolution passed to allow openly gay scouts in the Boy Scouts in GrapevineBy Marice Richter GRAPEVINE, Texas (Reuters) - The Boy Scouts of America voted on Thursday to lift a century-old ban on openly gay scouts in a major victory for gay rights activists, but the decision means a sea of change for an organization that depends heavily on faith-based groups. More than 60 percent of the group's National Council, comprised of some 1,400 delegates, voted in favor of ending the ban, effective January 1, 2014, the group said in a statement. A prohibition on openly gay adult leaders remains in place. ...


Thu May 23 21:55:35 UTC 2013
Tornado insured losses estimated at $2 billion-$5 billion

Jason Owen digs through debris as he helps his mother to salvage items from her uncle's home after it was almost destroyed by a tornado in Moore, Oklahoma(Reuters) - Tornadoes that struck the United States from May 18 to May 20 caused anywhere from $2 billion to $5 billion in insured losses, disaster modeling company Eqecat said. The firm said most of the losses were attributed to the tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma, last Monday. Eqecat said some 76 tornadoes struck across 10 states over a three-day span. The worst of it was in Moore, where the firm said about 13,000 structures were damaged. ...


Fri May 24 06:18:12 UTC 2013
Truck strike may have caused Washington state bridge collapse, officials says

I-5 Bridge Collapses On Skagit River In WashingtonBy Jonathan Kaminsky OLYMPIA, Washington (Reuters) - A colliding truck may have triggered the collapse on Thursday of part of a four-lane freeway bridge that sent vehicles and drivers tumbling into a frigid river in Washington state, officials said. A U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation into what led part of the Interstate 5 bridge to fall into the Skagit River 55 miles north of Seattle was expected to continue on Friday. Two of the three people rescued from the river were hospitalized with hypothermia, but no one died, officials said. ...


Fri May 24 04:14:46 UTC 2013
Boy Scouts vote to end ban on gay youth members
[Updated at 6:55 p.m. CT] DALLAS – The Boy Scouts of America, one of the country’s largest and oldest youth organizations, decided on Thursday to break 103 years of tradition by allowing openly gay members into its ranks. The controversial move was approved by more than 60 percent of the approximate 1,400 votes cast by [...]
Thu May 23 18:55:38 UTC 2013