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How to Travel Using Credit Card Rewards and Avoid Rewards Devaluation

It’s summer, the sun is shining, the kids are out of school, and if you’re stuck in an office right now it’s understandable if you’re day dreaming about cashing in those stockpiled vacation days for a much-needed last-minute summer trip to a tranquil beach somewhere. Or maybe you’re thinking about taking a vacation later this […]

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A man in a suit looks surprised while holding one end of a large dollar bill, with another person—perhaps discussing disability pay—holding the other end.

Can Disability Pay Be Garnished to Repay Defaulted Student Loans?

Q: Hello, In 1983 I took out a student loan (private loan backed by the government) for my college education. After attending for 2 years, I went into the workforce and never returned to complete the other 2 years. Long story short my loan went into deferment and finally defaulted. I was giving the option to

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back-to-school

5 Ways to Save $250 or More On Back-to-School Shopping

  The National Retail Federation says that parents will spend an average of $635 on back-to-school shopping this year. That amount includes money doled out for clothes and shoes, backpacks and school supplies, electronics, and more. And for those with more than one child, all the spending can really add up. Fortunately, if you have kids

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A chalkboard with "Back to School!" written on it stands ready for the new school year. Two pencils, colorful erasers, and sticky notes are neatly placed on the board, setting the perfect back-to-school scene.

Use Back-to-School Shopping to Teach Your Kids Money Skills

 The back-to-school shopping season is a unique time to teach your kids some great money skills. Unfortunately, in the rush of buying back-to-school clothes, notebooks, and other school supplies, most parents are letting this valuable teaching moment pass by without much thought. To avoid that mistake, here are five tips to use amid back-to-school shopping

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A close-up of two Social Security cards overlapping with U.S. currency, including a $20 bill, in the background, hints at the financial support one can access when they apply for Social Security benefits.

Should You Apply for Social Security Benefits Now or Later?

Q: Hi Lynnette, I am 65, still gainfully employed; in great health but, heavily in debt with student loan debt and installment loans. I plan on working another three years. Would it make sense to apply for Social Security benefits now, to pay down on my debts or, still wait another 10 months, when I

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debt collector

Debt Collector Harasses Consumers, Slapped With Record Fines

 Have you ever had a crazy debt collector who just wouldn’t leave you alone? I’m talking about the kind of bill collector that calls you at all hours of the morning and night, who calls over and over and over again, or who calls you on your job – even after you say you can’t

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A pink piggy bank with glasses sits on a stack of books in front of a chalkboard with the word "SPEND" crossed out multiple times and "SAVE" circled prominently, offering a perfect visual for summer financial wisdom.

99 Ways to Save Money – Even When You’ve Already Cut Back

Nearly every wants to save money these days. But when you’ve already cut back on food and restaurant expenses, have stopped all unnecessary shopping and frivolous spending, or you’ve implemented all the usual advice about how to save money, you may feel like you’ve run out of ideas. Don’t worry. Even if you’ve already slashed

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Close-up of a stopwatch displaying the words "Time to Save" in red text on the face, with the minute hand pointing between 4 and 5. It's a perfect reminder that summer is your chance to save dollars.

Here Are 5 Ways to Stretch Your Summer Dollars

  Just because summer is here and you may be relaxing a bit, that doesn’t mean you should take a break from managing your summer dollars wisely. In fact, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day can be a real budget-buster if you’re not careful with your money. Luckily, there are some crafty ways

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medical bills

5 Tips To Make Health Care Costs Affordable Amid ObamaCare

For some people, good health insurance coverage can offset some, if not all, of their health care costs. But if you find that you can’t afford to pay your deductible – or if you don’t have any insurance coverage at all – you’ll need a plan to manage your health care costs without driving yourself

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low-income phone service

Government Offers Low-Income Households Discounted Phone Service

 Phone bills can be awfully expensive. And when you’re not making a lot of money or are living on a fixed income, phone service and other utilities can take a sizeable chunk out of your budget each month. But a government benefit program called Lifeline can help low-income individuals and families save money on those

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