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VOL.
6, ISSUE 1 • SEPTEMBER, 2010
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The nation's unemployment woes are serious and well-documented. But there are states where unemployment is low and opportunity is high. Most of these are states with small populations and diverse economies.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 12 • AUGUST, 2010
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A significant number of Americans, even in the highest income brackets, won't have enough money to support them 10 or 20 years into retirement, according to a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 11 • JULY, 2010
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In the good old days, when you wanted tomatoes or some green beans, you walked out to the garden and picked them. Now you can have farm-fresh food, even if you don't have a farm.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 11 • JULY, 2010
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If you are like many people, the heartbreaking scenes from the huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have made you anxious to do your part to reduce the nation's oil dependency. There are some things you can do to cut your own use of oil.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 10 • JUNE, 2010
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Although most experts agree that the U.S. economy is strengthening, it is strengthening more quickly in some places than in others. The editors of Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine have identified the 10 U.S. cities that offer the best economic opportunities over the next decade.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 10 • JUNE, 2010
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Your credit card can be the easiest and safest way to pay for things when you travel abroad. However, there are things you can do to ensure that you don't pay more than you have to.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 9 • MAY, 2010
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Summer, the traditional vacation season, is fast approaching. As you plan your time off, take time to consider a number of ways to help stretch your vacation budget.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 8 • APRIL, 2010
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Increasingly, sellers are hiring home stagers, experts who make your home look more attractive to potential buyers. But even if you can't afford a professional stager, you can borrow a few of their tips.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 8 • APRIL, 2010
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Making your home more energy-efficient can save money in the long run, but it can be a big expense upfront. The federal government, as well as state and local governments and utilities, have programs to ease the pain of going green.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 6 • JANUARY, 2010
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The tragedy in Haiti has tapped the compassion of Americans, but it also has tapped the avarice of Internet scammers and identity thieves. Here are some things to watch out for to stay safe on the Net.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 4 • DECEMBER, 2009
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Holiday tipping and gifting can be confusing in the best of times. In economic times like these, it really can make you feel like Scrooge. Here's some guidance for spreading the cheer.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 3 • NOVEMBER, 2009
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You knew about the high cost of health care even before it became the hot topic in Congress. But don't wait for changes out of Washington -- there are things you can do right now to help cut your health care costs.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER, 2009
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Almost two-thirds of grandparents say they have provided financial support to their grown children or grandchildren. If you are among them, just be sure your generosity is not short-changing yourself
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 2 • OCTOBER, 2009
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Businesspeople are always looking for ways to expand their business in the most cost-effective way possible. A networking group can fill this need -- as long as it does not grow to take up more time than it is worth.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 1 • SEPTEMBER, 2009
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From the moment you first gazed into the face of your newborn, you promised that you would always protect and care for that child. But what if you are not around to keep your promise? A trust can help keep it for you.
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VOL.
5, ISSUE 1 • SEPTEMBER, 2009
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Especially if you have a child who recently graduated from college, you know that the current economic crisis is making it very difficult to get started on a career. But even these days, it is easier in some places than in others.
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VOL.
4, ISSUE 12 • AUGUST, 2009
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If your portfolio is suffering from the global economic crisis, you are not alone: The recession has resulted in a precipitous decrease in the number of millionaires worldwide
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VOL.
4, ISSUE 11 • JULY, 2009
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Air fares are one of the best travel bargains, but they still can add up, especially if you are buying more than one ticket. And besides, who doesn't want to save some money when they can? Here are some ways to pare your fare.
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VOL.
4, ISSUE 10 • JUNE, 2009
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So you have decided that vacationing close to home is the fiscally responsible thing to do in these uncertain times. Or perhaps you don't have the time or inclination to wander too far afield. Still, you don't have to scrimp on the fun.
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VOL.
4, ISSUE 3 • NOVEMBER, 2008
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Traditional cleaning products can damage the environment, and many commercially available "green" products can be costly. But there are less expensive alternatives right in your pantry.
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VOL.
3, ISSUE 11 • JULY, 2008
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Many people find that investing is easier in a group. Investment clubs let friends or co-workers pool their resources and their knowledge. This helps keep everyone on track, it is less intimidating, and it can be a lot of fun.
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VOL.
3, ISSUE 11 • JULY, 2008
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That pile of old coins you inherited from your Uncle Wally or that little watercolor you picked up years ago during a beach vacation may be worth a lot more than you think. But how do you find out?
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VOL.
3, ISSUE 10 • JUNE, 2008
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If you already have or are just planning to start you own business, you know that you are looking not only for financial opportunities, but also for an opportunity to create the kind of life you want. Fortune Small Business magazine has released a list of the best places in the United States to live and start a business
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VOL.
3, ISSUE 9 • MAY, 2008
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You don't want to keep working at your current job forever, but you aren't sure you are ready to play golf all day. Maybe you are ready for a second act to your work life -- a new career that will keep you busy and fulfilled.
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VOL.
3, ISSUE 8 • APRIL, 2008
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There are many things that seem to decline with age: energy level, memory, hairline. But one of the benefits of getting older is that you can get more stuff for less. The senior discount has become a firmly established part of the American marketplace.
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VOL.
3, ISSUE 7 • MARCH, 2008
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You can add insulation or put in an energy-efficient furnace to save money on your energy bill. But even small changes in the way you live can make a big dent in your costs.
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VOL.
3, ISSUE 7 • MARCH, 2008
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The problems in the sub-prime lending market are translating into higher credit standards overall. So how can you ensure your credit rating is high enough for you to get the money you need?
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VOL.
3, ISSUE 4 • DECEMBER, 2007
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During the white-hot housing market of the last several years, it seemed that everyone was going big, knocking down modest homes and putting up McMansions. But increasingly, people are thinking that smaller may be better.
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VOL.
3, ISSUE 3 • NOVEMBER, 2007
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Filled with the spirit of the season, you spend like Santa, and then you feel like Scrooge when you get the bills. But a little planning and self-control can keep you within budget on everything from gifts to cards to entertaining.
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VOL.
3, ISSUE 3 • NOVEMBER, 2007
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You have realized a large profit from the sale of your home or you inherited a bundle from your Aunt Maude, and now you are in the enviable position of deciding what to do with the money. What is the best way to manage a financial windfall?
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VOL.
3, ISSUE 1 • SEPTEMBER, 2007
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Although the phrase is thrown around a lot, it is not often you find an actual win-win situation. But you really can get better value, keep your family safer and healthier, and help save the planet, all by taking a trip to the local farmer's market or food co-op.
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VOL.
2, ISSUE 11 • JULY, 2007
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If you got sick or hurt and could not work for a long time, would you be able to pay your bills? Disability insurance can help, but it's important to understand what you need and what you're buying.
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VOL.
2, ISSUE 10 • JUNE, 2007
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Trusts can be a powerful part of your estate plan, giving you a lot of control over who gets your money, when, and what they can do with it. But setting up a trust can be tricky, and if you don't do it right, you could end up doing something you did not intend.
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VOL.
2, ISSUE 8 • APRIL, 2007
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You plan a second honeymoon or a family trip to Europe, and you make the necessary reservations and put down deposits. But what if you can't go? Can you get your money back?
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VOL.
2, ISSUE 7 • MARCH, 2007
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Deciding that it is time for someone you love to move into a nursing home or assisted living is a very difficult decision. You can make it a little easier if you have a plan for choosing the right place.
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VOL.
2, ISSUE 6 • FEBRUARY, 2007
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Whatever your social interests -- the environment, peace, pro-choice or pro-life -- you can advance those causes through your investments. Socially responsible investing is a multi-trillion-dollar industry in the United States, and you might not have to sacrifice good returns when you put your money where your heart is.
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VOL.
2, ISSUE 5 • JANUARY, 2007
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If you want to have more money left at the end of the month, you first need to understand how you spend. Then you can find ways to cut back, and that might let you increase the amount you are able to save for your future. It all starts with a budget.
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VOL.
2, ISSUE 4 • DECEMBER, 2006
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You know you should get a physical checkup at least once a year to protect your health. An annual financial checkup can help you protect your financial health as well, and ensure that you stay on track to meet your goals.
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 6 • OCTOBER, 2006
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You are a long way down your financial road, but that may just mean it is a good time to pull over to the side for a few minutes and make sure you are still following the map to your goals.
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VOL.
2, ISSUE 1 • SEPTEMBER, 2006
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You want to get the most out of your money while you are alive, of course. And you want that money to keep on working hard to take care of the people you love, once you aren't around to do it anymore. Estate planning is critical to protecting your heirs, but it also can be extremely complicated.
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VOL.
2, ISSUE 1 • SEPTEMBER, 2006
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Getting a new set of wheels involves more than picking out color and deciding on options. In most cases, you can decide whether to buy or lease. And that usually depends on how you plan to use the car.
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 12 • JULY, 2006
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There can be significant financial benefits to delaying retirement past the usual age. And there may be other benefits as well, especially if you like your job and have your health.
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 11 • JUNE, 2006
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You are trying to teach your kids to be fiscally responsible, but you are not sure you are succeeding. How can you help your kids learn about money and prepare them for life ahead?
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 11 • JUNE, 2006
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Compounding allows your money to grow almost like magic. All you have to do is sock away a sum in some sort of interest-bearing or returns-yielding account, and then sit back and wait. When you are ready to take the money out -- voila! -- you will have more than you put in. How much more depends on your rate of return and how long you wait.
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 10 • MAY, 2006
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Rising gas prices are also raising interest in hybrid cars. Hybrid cars are good for the environment, but they may not be quite as good for your wallet as you think.
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 10 • MAY, 2006
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You may be feeling a little burnt out in your current job or wondering what you are actually accomplishing, and thinking about a switch to a career in the non-profit sector. How do you know if this course is really for you -- and if you can afford it?
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 9 • APRIL, 2006
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Your credit score can determine the rate you pay for a mortgage or a car loan -- or whether you get the loan at all. How is your credit score calculated, how can you find out what it is, and how can you improve it?
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 8 • FEBRUARY, 2006
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You would never purposely leave your loved ones rummaging through the house for important papers if you died or became incapacitated. But that is what might happen, unless you set things in order now. Even though you are in the prime of your life, you need to be prepared -- for yourself and for the ones you love.
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 7 • DECEMBER, 2005
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The ranks of American millionaires continue to grow, fueled in large part by the recovering stock market and expanding economy. And many of those millionaires live in California, according to a recent study.
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 6 • NOVEMBER, 2005
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As the American population ages, more and more people are going to develop chronic illnesses and need long-term care. This care can be very expensive, wiping out your savings and leaving you with nothing to pass on to your heirs. Insurance can help ease the burden, but is it worth the cost?
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 5 • OCTOBER, 2005
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The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina has attracted the attention of the world; including Internet scammers. Whenever you use the Net, exercise caution; or you could end up giving more than you bargained for.
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 4 • SEPTEMBER, 2005
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You probably named a beneficiary when you enrolled in a retirement plan or bought life insurance. But if you don't make sure your beneficiary forms are up to date, you could end up hurting the people you meant to help.
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 4 • SEPTEMBER, 2005
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You probably named a beneficiary when you enrolled in a retirement plan or bought life insurance. But if you don't make sure your beneficiary forms are up to date, you could end up hurting the people you meant to help.
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 2 • JULY, 2005
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You notice odd charges on your credit card bill, or you start getting bills for things you did not buy. You may be the victim of identity theft. How can you protect yourself, and what do you do if it happens to you?
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 1 • JUNE, 2005
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You are used to being in charge of your life. Every day you make decisions regarding yourself, your family, your job, your finances. But what if you could no longer make those decisions? How can you make sure there is someone to speak for you, if you become unable to speak for yourself?
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VOL.
1, ISSUE 1 • JUNE, 2005
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Many people borrow money from family members for things like a down payment on a house. A family loan can be easier to get, and have better terms, than a loan from a traditional source. But there are also potential pitfalls, for both the lender and the recipient.
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