What happens when people die -- or are dying -- is a subject of intense debate. For you it might be a matter of faith or science. What's less debatable: If you prepare properly, the people you leave behind will have an easier transition. Several ...
Continue reading An Introductory Guide to Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning
5 Red Flags That Your Accountant Isn’t Right for You
An accountant is meant to help smoothly guide you through your personal or professional financial journey. They’ll gather financial documentation, prepare you for tax filing, and ensure that you’re compliant with all tax laws. A good accountant will ...
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How to Maximize Savings Interest with Minimal Risk
The only time I ever eat two pieces of cake at one sitting is every year on my birthday. Oh, I know... eating two pieces of cake isn’t good for my waistline. But the birthday excuse hasn’t failed me yet.
Speaking of excuses, one of the most common ...
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Black Coffee: Against All Odds
It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe ...
Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what's been going on in the world of money and personal finance.
I hope everybody had an enjoyable week. ...
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How to Choose a Student Credit Card
For younger people who are just getting started in life, a student credit card is a terrific way to help establish a positive credit history. The most important consideration in choosing the best one for you depends on how you plan to use it. Here's ...
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How to Stay Calm When the Economy Feels Like It’s in Free Fall
It’s hard to stay level-headed when headlines are screaming about crashing markets, rising interest rates, and global uncertainty. One minute, everything seems fine. The next, you're refreshing your bank app and wondering if you should pull your ...
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Does a Furnished Apartment Come with Its Own Bedding?
If you're traveling you obviously want to know how much luggage you need to take. If you're staying in a furnished apartment on your travels this means that you'll need to know what the rental includes. Do you need to make sure you have items such as ...
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A Beginner’s Guide to Home ROI
Understanding return on investment (ROI) is essential when deciding which home projects deserve your hard-earned dollars. Some renovations pay you back handsomely at resale, while others deliver mainly lifestyle benefits. This beginner's guide ...
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What’s the Best Way to Give a Financial Gift?
When it comes to gifts, we all know it's the thought that counts -- which is why there are certain self-described gift-giving mentors who don't encourage financial gifts. Of course, those same folks have probably been on the receiving end of monetary ...
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The 10 Best Things I Ever Bought
The other day my son Matthew was extolling the virtues of the laptop computer that he recently bought with his own money. "This is the best thing I ever bought, Dad!"
I just nodded my head and smiled.
The truth is, if I took a moment to ...
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Black Coffee: The Great Escape
It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe ...
Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what's been going on in the world of money and personal finance.
I've got another busy weekend ahead of ...
Continue reading Black Coffee: The Great Escape
What Is the Statute of Limitations On Debt?
When it comes to old unpaid debts, many people hear the term “statute of limitations” and get a little confused – or sometimes overly hopeful. There’s a common belief that certain actions with old debts can extend how long those debts stay on your ...
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Grandfather Says: The Continuing Chronicles of Elaine, Part 68
The following was written by my late wife Elaine. She wrote a long book, a diary really, from which this is one passage:
Salvation Army Music
When Ellen and I were planning our trip to Alderney in 1990, we found out that when Dad and other ...
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5 Ways to Save Money on Moving Expenses
Moving to a new home is stressful enough without additional financial worries. Especially when it comes to how to save money on moving expenses. After all, there are many costs involved in the moving process. For example, you may need to hire ...
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When Should an Insurance Company Move Its Business Rules to a Rules Engine?
Insurance products are among the most complex financial instruments, governed by a vast array of rules and conditions. These rules dictate everything from underwriting criteria and pricing to claims validation and risk assessment. Traditionally, ...
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Wedding Planning 101: Here’s How to Ensure You’ll Pay Too Much
For most people, getting married is one of the happiest milestones of their life -- until they get the bill. Then again, that's to be expected if you fail to master Wedding Planning 101.
Last year, the average cost of a US wedding was a whopping ...
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The Real Reason Office Tech Issues Take Forever to Get Fixed
If you’ve ever logged a ticket for a broken printer, a frozen laptop, or a dodgy Wi-Fi connection — only to wait days for a fix — you’re not alone. In fact, office tech issues are quite common. For many workplaces, tech support delays are a daily ...
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My Ice Cream Taste Test: Are Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s Overrated?
Did you know ice cream has been around since at least the 18th century? It has. And today, the ice cream industry is bigger than ever, churning out hundreds of flavors each year.
In case you're wondering, the four most popular ice cream flavors ...
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Black Coffee: A Matter of Trust
It's time to sit back, relax and enjoy a little joe ...
Welcome to another rousing edition of Black Coffee, your off-beat weekly round-up of what's been going on in the world of money and personal finance.
Another busy week is crossed off the ...
Continue reading Black Coffee: A Matter of Trust
Your Money Reset Plan After Graduation
Graduation day feels like the end of something big, but it’s really just the beginning. Along with your degree comes the pressure to start acting like a full-grown adult—and that often means facing money issues you might not feel prepared for. One of ...
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