Online Features
Money & Finance
Buying a home: Prepare by getting your finances in order
For those considering buying a home, the current real estate market presents some unique opportunities. One of the side effects of the economic roller coaster ride of the past few years is that home prices have gone down and more homes have gone on the market. For buyers, that means more choices and better deals. However...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Emotions run high for today's pre-retirees
Has the economy soured Americans' views on retirement? A wide range of emotions currently exist among different generations regarding retirement - spanning from positivity and contentment to anxiety and regret. Here are some tips to help Americans get their retirement plans back on track in 2012.
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
A recipe for security
Have you ever tried making a new dish without the benefit of having the recipe? Knowing the ingredients in their right proportions makes creating a delicious, satisfying meal so much easier. Without the ingredient list and directions, preparing a new food can be hit or miss. Life can be like that, too. Having a recipe fo...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Get your credit score bikini ready
The same principles that can help you look good can help your credit score be its best, too. Practice good diet and exercise habits and you'll look and feel better. Practice smart money management and your efforts will show in your high credit score.
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Get your finances fit for summer
For many of us, summer is a time of vacations, day trips across the state and family reunions with loved ones we haven't seen all year. It's also a time when we tend to overextend our budgets in order to do as much as possible and pay little attention to how it affects our overall financial plan.
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
College graduates: Six financial survival tips for the working world
Despite a turbulent job market and economy, if you are a recent college graduate, there is much to be optimistic about as you leave campus and head out into the real world. No one ever says life on your own will be easy, but post-graduate financial bliss can be a reality. These six tips from Thrivent Financial offer a st...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Moving? Make sure your possessions are protected
The average American makes 11.7 moves during a lifetime, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's about one in six people pulling up stakes each year. With so many on the move to new homes, new cities and new opportunities, it's important to protect household items while in transit or in storage before arrival at the ...
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Expert advice on keeping your health care costs down
Health care costs now make up approximately 6.6 percent of the average family's budget. It's true that the health care industry is immense and sometimes seems impossible to navigate but you are not powerless. Here are 10 tips for keeping health care costs manageable.
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Most Americans don't have life insurance, but wish they did
If you know you need life insurance, but still don't have individual coverage, you're not alone. According to the Life Insurance and Market Research Association, most Americans say life insurance is important, yet only one-third of them are covered by an individual policy. That's the lowest level in 50 years.
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
How women can take control of their financial future
As women continue to break the glass ceiling in the working world, they also need to keep in mind their potential vulnerability in the financial world.For women in all stages of life, here are some financial aspects that should be reviewed and added to a retirement planning program.
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Delaying treatment for minor health issues could cost more in the long run
Many families go through a check and balance process when it comes to their health. They try to determine if avoiding the cost of medical bills as well as time off from work is worth the risk of delaying medical treatment for a problem - especially when they question how serious the problem is for their long term health....
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
Music education benefits many other life studies
What does a tapping foot, a guitar and exuberant dancing have in common? Surprisingly, these factors equal a great start for better learning, stronger social skills and overall improved self-esteem in children. Music education, both in schools and in private lessons, helps students succeed in many other aspects of life.
by
ARA
Site 1
full story
By Carey Gillam and Ian Simpson MOORE, Oklahoma (Reuters) - Rescuers went building to building in search of victims and survivors picked through the rubble of their shattered homes on Tuesday, a day after a massive tornado tore through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, wiping out blocks of houses and killing at least 24 people. ...
By Ben Berkowitz and Julie Steenhuysen (Reuters) - Moore, Oklahoma, has had the bad luck of being hit by two highly destructive tornadoes, both in the month of May, 14 years apart. But the Moore that got struck on Monday is not the same as in 1999. Like a lot of towns across America and in the so-called "Tornado Alley," rapid growth has made it a bigger target, vulnerable to more damage. The tornado, with winds that may have topped 200 miles per hour, killed at least 24 people and injured hundreds more, with many of the casualties children from two schools that were destroyed. ...
By Kevin Murphy KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Reuters) - Less than three hours after a deadly twister on Monday flattened a swath of Moore, Oklahoma, tornado warning sirens sounded in Joplin, Missouri, 215 miles to the northeast. While no twister touched down, the Oklahoma disaster and the sirens stirred painful memories in Joplin, which on Wednesday observes the second anniversary of one of the most catastrophic tornadoes in American history. "It brought back a lot of fear, especially since there was a chance that a tornado could hit here," Sarah Jo Radcliffe, a Joplin resident, said on Tuesday. ...