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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...
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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 ...
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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.
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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....
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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.
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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.
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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.
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By Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - City Councilman Eric Garcetti leads City Controller Wendy Greuel by 7 percentage points in a tightening race for mayor of Los Angeles, according to the latest opinion poll, but the survey's director said Greuel could still stage an upset in Tuesday's election. The poll released late on Friday by the University of Southern California's Price School of Public Policy and the Los Angeles Times showed Garcetti favored by 48 percent of likely voters, compared with 41 percent for Greuel. Eleven percent of respondents said they were undecided. ...
By Karen Brooks AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The Powerball jackpot Saturday night could exceed the $600 million figure being advertised, possibly rivaling the largest lottery payoff in U.S. history, a Texas Lottery official said on Saturday. "Oftentimes, the advertised amount is lower than what the actual jackpot ends up being," said Kelly Cripe, a spokeswoman for the Texas Lottery. "It's entirely possible this $600 million jackpot will end up being a bigger jackpot. ...