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One more use for your tax refund: Take control of your debt
(BPT) - If you’re anticipating a tax refund this year, chances are you’ve already thought about how you’ll spend the money. Maybe you’ll pay bills, fund your summer vacation or treat yourself to something nice. Here’s one more excellent use for your tax refund: take control of your debt. From bolstering your savings to...
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Retirement planning? Tips for getting the most out of Social Security
(BPT) - The majority of Americans support continuing the Social Security program, even if they are decades away from drawing benefits, a 2010 survey by AARP found. Nevertheless, with the program’s future financial viability an ongoing subject of political debate, many people may undervalue the role Social Security can...
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Preparing your credit profile for the spring real estate season
(BPT) - When you are out shoveling snow and scraping ice off the car’s windshield, winter can seem like an eternity. Yet when it comes to your credit profile, house-hunting and the spring real estate season is just around the corner. “Warm weather will bring an increase in homes on the market and buyers shopping, so it...
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The Mayan apocalyptic divide - where do you fall? [Infographic]
According to Mayan prediction, the end of the world is right around the corner on December 21, 2012. However, 96 percent of Americans are not convinced that our demise is near. In fact, when asked if they will party like there is no tomorrow or hide under their bed on the day of the predicted apocalypse, 82 percent of people said they’re ready to party. On the other hand, if the Mayans predicted the end of the world correctly, 52 percent of Americans would be most excited to never have to p...
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Giving back is the best way to spread holiday cheer
(BPT) - If there’s one thing that unites us, it’s that doing something nice for someone else has a way of making us feel good. And sometimes, there’s no better reminder of this than hearing stories of those who give back to improve the lives of others. Make-A-Wish grants wishes to kids with life-threatening medical con...
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Tips and advice to tackle parenthood's messes and stresses
(BPT) - Life with kids is fast-paced, challenging and can be stressful. So, it’s always good to stay up on helpful parenting tips and advice – whether you’re a first-time mom, an experienced dad, or a seasoned grandmother. Actor and comedian David Koechner - who appears in Anchorman and “The Office” – is the father of ...
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Top technical accessories for your car
(BPT) - Whether it’s traveling during the holidays or commuting to and from work, Americans spend a lot of time in their vehicles – almost 540 hours a year according to a Roland Berger study. With so much time spent behind the wheel, it’s worth it to invest in the top gadgets to make your ride safer and more comfortable...
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Travel: What's hot in 2013
(BPT) - There are two kinds of travelers out there: those who plan and those who wing it. But what they have in common is a love of travel and exploring new destinations. Whether you take two-day weekend trips or 10-day vacations, here are some must-see destinations that travel-inspiration site Away.com selected for 2...
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Get the most from your mobile phone service
(BPT) - With more than 320 million mobile phones in the country, it’s no surprise that most Americans say wireless phone access is so important that it would be the last item they would give up if money were tight. What may raise an eyebrow is what else they’re willing to cut to keep their mobile phones: cable TV, perso...
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Boomerang kids: When your empty nest fills up again
(BPT) - With a slowly growing economy and a still sluggish job market, there has been a continued increase in children moving back home after having lived independently on their own. These so called “boomerang kids” are popping up more frequently and when this situation is managed improperly, it can cause serious tensio...
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Small-business owners show cautious optimism about 2013
(BPT) - There’s no doubt that small businesses are a driving force in the American economy. And because they feel the shifts in the economy so acutely, the insight of small business owners can provide a real-time picture of what’s going well and where potential problems lie. The semi-annual Bank of America Small Busines...
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What to expect from the wireless industry in 2013
(BPT) - Faster data speeds. Rapid-fire communication. Bigger screens. The wireless industry is creeping ever closer to instantaneous interaction all the time according to mobile experts. Noah Kravitz, a mobile expert and founder of the new consumer buyer's guide FutureSmarter.com, believes that the wireless industry is...
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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. ...