Smartphones are ubiquitous these days, but they aren't always cheap to use. A typical plan-based contract could set you back $100 a month or even more. Plus, since many of those agreements span across years, you're stuck if it turns out you don't get ...
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4 Alternatives to Traditional Banking Many People Overlook
You might be one of many people who is getting tired of increasing and tricky bank fees. Perhaps you're at the point where you're even looking at switching to a "new" way of banking that's different from the typical big-name bank you've used for ...
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6 Ways to Cut the Costs of Raising Children
Even if you do your best to be frugal and find deals, the cost of raising children isn't cheap. Infants need special equipment, such as car seats, strollers and carriers. Older children come with education costs. The US government's most recent study ...
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5 Clever Ways to Save Money on Pet Care
If you're like most pet owners, you consider your animal companions part of the family. But pet-care costs can strain a household budget -- so it's important to evaluate how we care for the animals we love without dropping our hard-earned money into ...
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Worried About Hospital Bills? Consider Medical Tourism!
You need to undergo a medical procedure, pronto. So you look around for the best, and most affordable, hospitals in your area. You even check out the ones across the country. Unfortunately, none of them fit your requirements -- especially your ...
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5 Ways to See Disneyland or Disney World on a Budget
For most people who don't live in California or Florida, a trip to Disney is a rare treat. Even if you only do it once a year, or once every few years, a full Disney vacation can be expensive; sometimes prohibitively so.
Thankfully, it is possible ...
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10 Tips for Making Your First Budget
Landing your first real job and bringing in a steady paycheck each month is an exciting time. However, if you're like most people, that's shortly followed by a myriad of expenses. It's difficult to keep track of all your bills and expenses -- and if ...
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6 Not-So-Conventional Ways to Own a Home
Homeownership is part of the American dream, but buying a house today is not what it used to be. Fortunately for modern homebuyers, there are many nonconventional ways to become a homeowner. When you think outside the box, home buying becomes more ...
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12 Ways to Save Money on Your Sushi Order
Does your stomach growl at you when you drive by your favorite sushi place? Chances are your wallet growls right back once you splurge on that indulgence.
So ... How do you save money on your sushi order and still manage to satisfy your stomach ...
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A Guide to Retirement Budgeting on a Fixed Income
So you're planning to retire soon? First of all: congratulations! Now, it's time to ensure that your money outlasts your life and that there's some left over for your children.
You can do that by setting up, and following, a realistic ...
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6 Good Habits You Can Employ to Improve Your Finances
Did you make a new year's resolution to improve your finances this year? Fortunately, it only takes a few good habits to meet that noble goal. Even better, most good financial habits are so easy to implement that it's just a matter of getting ...
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5 Ways Smoking Negatively Affects Your Personal Finances
It's not likely you'll be able to find anyone in the United States who has escaped the message that smoking is hazardous to your health. After all, there's a Surgeon General's warning on every pack. And children learn about the negative effects of ...
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7 Great Careers That Don’t Require Much Experience to Start
Are you looking for a career that doesn't require many years of experience? It can be discouraging to look at job postings where all you see is "five years of experience needed" or "experienced personnel only."
Fear not, though. It turns out there ...
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5 Ways You Can Save Money on Groceries This Week
For many people, the grocery bill is one of their largest monthly expenses. Fortunately, you can easily save money on groceries this week -- and every week after that -- with a little pre-planning and a lot of creative frugality.
Nix the ...
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How to Use Credit Card Chargebacks to Get Refunds from Stubborn Vendors
Not every merchant goes by the mantra, "The customer is always right." Therefore, even if you've received a fraudulent charge or want to return a piece of merchandise, they may not let you -- and you may not get your money back.
Fortunately, ...
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More Clever Low-Cost Homemade Gifts Everyone Will Enjoy
If you missed Part 1 of this series, click here.
One of the best gifts you can give or receive is something that was handmade with love. The special touches, time and effort that go into DIY projects let everyone know they're important to you. If ...
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7 Ways to Cut Down on Your Christmas Shopping List
Santa gives Christmas gifts with a "Ho, ho, ho." However, people who don't have a legion of elves to help them often feel like "Ho, ho, NO!"
If the expectations of gift-giving have become too much for your budget, consider reducing your Christmas ...
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8 Ways to Keep Your Thanksgiving Meal as Inexpensive as Possible
Thanksgiving is filled with family, friends, good food and football. But it can also be filled with expenses -- especially if you're having Thanksgiving dinner at your house.
No need to worry, though. The Thanksgiving holiday also offers ample ...
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6 Costly Mistakes People Make with Their 401k Plans
If you're interested in saving for retirement, a 401k plan can't be beat. These employer-sponsored plans let employees save tax-free and choose from a range of investment options. The tax-free savings effectively lower your taxable income, which may ...
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Is Pet Insurance Really Worth It?
Pets enrich our lives by providing welcome companionship and loyalty through our toughest days, as well as our happiest ones. What would you do if yours got sick? Are you prepared to bear the financial burdens of veterinary visits and the associated ...
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