What Should You Do If Your Identity Is Stolen?

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans fall victim to identity theft. While incredible advances in technology have changed the way that we do everything from shopping to catching up with friends, they have also exposed us to new security threats.

If you find yourself a victim of identity theft, here are some steps you should take immediately to lessen the impact that it has on your financial and personal life:

Contact all three major credit bureaus -

Equifax – 800.525.6285
Experian – 888.397.3742
TransUnion – 800.680.7289

Report that your identity has been stolen and request that each credit bureau place a fraud alert on your credit report.

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College Credits and Deductions Available When Filing Your Taxes

If your child is currently in college, you may be able to receive several credits on your tax return.  Two of the most common are the American Opportunity Credit (formerly the Hope Credit) and Lifetime Learning Credit.  In addition, if your child has recently graduated from college and is paying back student loans, the interest is also deductible.

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Advance in the Career that you Enjoy

Today many men and women feel the pressure to financially provide for their family. This unreliable economy only makes matters worse. With unemployment at record highs, employees are susceptible to feeling pressure to perform in their career. One small mistake at their job can quickly lead to unemployment.

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Guaranteed Life Insurance

Life insurance is a very important matter to consider but also one that most people do not like to think about. A recent study showed that nearly 1/3 of all U.S. households had no life insurance whatsoever. To make matters worse, the ones that did have life insurance, didn’t have nearly enough.

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Investment in gold and other precious metals is gaining popularity

Bonds and stocks were considered to be a reliable method of investment since the past several years, but the recent economic uncertainty has caused a lot of investors to reconsider their investment plans. Even though some people consider that bonds and stocks might still be a better option to invest in, because of the consistent return on investment in the form of dividends etc, you might want to consider new forms of investments and re-plan your investment strategy.

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How to manage money in a marriage

Managing finances in a marriage can be difficult, especially when one partner is a saver and the other is a spender. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, though, the old adage “opposites attract” has some truth to it.

Individuals seek partners who complement the attributes they lack in, which is why it is not uncommon to see an outgoing personality coupled up with a more serious partner.

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Save Money on Homeowner’s Insurance

This article deals with Home owner’s insurance. I have recently bought a house so this one “really hits close to home”, if you know what I mean:) GoodHouseKeeping had these easy ways.

Shop around While automobile insurance rates are expected to go down this year, homeowner policies will likely go up (by about 4 percent).

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Save Money on Auto Insurance

Do you wish you could squeeze extra savings from your budget-without making any big sacrifices? Here’s an idea you may not have thought of: Slash the premiums you pay to insure your home. Rates have risen so sharply in recent years that it may seem impossible to cut these back.

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How to Claim the Adoption Tax Credit

Did you adopt a child in 2011?  If so, you know how expensive and time consuming the entire adoption process can be.  However, to offset some of the costs, you are eligible for the adoption tax credit, which was to be phased out in 2010 but has now been expanded and extended thanks to the Affordable Care Act.

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Top Five Money Saving Kitchen Appliances and How to Afford Them – Part 1

When it comes to setting money saving resolutions and goals, several people desire to save money on their grocery bill and spend less eating out. The right appliances in the kitchen make both goals possible. With the right appliances, you can save money on how you prepare food, as well as save a lot of time in the kitchen.

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Five Ways to Lose Weight and Save Money

Losing weight costs money. According to BusinessWeek, consumers spend approximately $40 billion a year on weight-loss programs and products. We pay for gyms, we pay for workout gear, we pay for online programs to help keep us accountable and super expensive home-delivery programs and diet foods.

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Stay Away from Suze Orman’s Approved Prepaid Debit Card

Let me start by saying that I like Suze Orman. She helped me get my savings in order and set my investing path to retirement. I particularly like her mantra “People First. Then Money. Then Things”. That being said, I was shocked to hear about her new product “The Approved Card from Suze Orman”.

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Can You Deduct Moving Expenses When You File Your Taxes?

Americans like to move and often move several states away from home.  This happens even more frequently now that quality jobs are harder to find.  Like many people, you may have moved last year to start a new job.  If you did, you may qualify to deduct any moving expenses your employer does not reimburse on your taxes this year.  However, there are a few requirements you must meet to be eligible to deduct moving expenses.

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Debt Collection FAQs: A Guide for Consumers

By the Federal Trade Commission
If you’re behind in paying your bills, or a creditor’s records mistakenly make it appear that you are, a debt collector may be contacting you.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), which prohibits debt collectors from using abusive, unfair, or deceptive practices to collect from you.

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