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Seventies style is stayin' alive: tips to keep up with the trend
(BPT) - From home decor to fashion and food, the styles and trends of the 1970s have slowly been creeping back into the mainstream, and this year they’re out in full force. Don’t be alarmed when you see the vibrant colors, bold patterns and relaxed entertaining of the decade taking over in today’s world. There are many ...
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Families battle bullying behavior with an unexpected ally: military school
(BPT) - Bullying is reaching epidemic proportions in North America, with 83 percent of American girls and 79 percent of boys saying they’ve experienced harassment, according to the National Education Association. Adults typically respond to bullying issues with concern, outrage and frustration, and for many, the only ...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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By David Schwartz PHOENIX (Reuters) - The foreman of an Arizona jury that deadlocked over whether Jodi Arias should be put to death for murdering her ex-boyfriend believes she was mentally abused, but said on Friday that had not been enough to excuse her crime. Arias, a former waitress from California, was found guilty this month of murdering Travis Alexander, whose body was found slumped in the shower of his Phoenix-area home in June 2008. He had been stabbed 27 times, had his throat slashed and been shot in the face. ...
By Joanne von Alroth SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (Reuters) - The Illinois House of Representatives on Friday voted overwhelmingly to allow residents to carry concealed guns, taking the state one step closer to joining all others in allowing some form of carrying guns in public. Illinois is the only state in the nation to ban most people from carrying a concealed gun outside the home. Lawmakers acted on Friday after a federal appeals court in January struck down the ban, saying it violated the right to bear arms enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. ...