Sunday, February 10, 2013
Shouldn't your bank encourage you to save, instead of costing you money every month?
A dollar here, $2.50 there. Some bank fees may not sound like much, but in the long term, they can seriously add up. Banks are in business to make money, and they do that by keeping some of yours. Some fees, like overdraft and return-check fees, are easy to spot and easy to avoid. Then there are others, like maintenance fees and debit card "swipe" fees. The American Bankers' Association estimates that the average "free" checking account costs customers about $300 a year in fees to maintain. Here are some tips on avoiding some of these fees, and for getting the most bang for your proverbial buck at the bank: Direct deposit - Some banks waive monthly fees for checking accounts when you sign up to have your employer automatically deposit your…
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Plan the perfect event for The Big Game, for guests from football lovers to newbies to couldn't-care-lesses.
The Big Game. America's Game. The Super Bowl. The NFL's championship match up is such a big deal that it's trademarked, and it's often used as a measure of greatness and grandeur: The Super Bowl of (insert noun here). The Super Bowl is virtually only sporting event we collectively watch - attracting over 90 million viewers - whether our teams are playing, or watching at home from the couch just like us. It's also just about the only game for which we throw annual parties. In the spirit of that tradition, Patch has some great ideas to make your Super Bowl party one that will keep your guests talking until next year, no matter the outcome of the game. Free printables! - Print cupcake toppers, food labels, water-bottle labels, art banners and…
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Select the right health insurance coverage, and pay less.
Selecting a health care plan can be an overwhelming task, because the options and coverages can be seemingly endless. Which insurance company should you choose? How much of a deductible should you opt for? Is your current doctor "in network?" Which is better, a PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) or HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)? Consumer Reports has a guide to help you understand the different "managed care" options available, and to choose the best one for you. The features and differences are many. For example, if you don't want to have to worry about referrals and finding providers "in network," you may want to choose a PPO. With an HMO you might have to pay the full cost to see a provider out-of-network. Consider a plan's …
The counter-top slow cooker isn't just for main courses anymore.
Sure, you've used your Crock Pot for soups and stews. You probably own a cookbook, and you might even have sites like Crock Pot Girls bookmarked. But have you made bread in a Crock Pot? Would it ever cross your mind to prepare veggies in one? Pinterest, my new go-to corner of the Internet for recipes and kitchen inspiration, has more slow-cooker ideas than you could prepare in two lifetimes. Here are a few of my favorite you-can-make-that-in-a-Crock-Pot? recipes. Lemon and garlic artichokes - I'm not sure why this spiky green veggie - a thistle flower, to be exact - gives people such pause. It strikes fear into the hearts of men. Most of you have had artichoke hearts on pizza or in dip, but I'd bet few of you have prepared them fresh. Why …
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Don't run to the pharmacy: The best cold and flu remedies can be whipped up right at home.
I'm 32 with a child of my own, but every time I get sick, I still want my mommy. There's just something about mommies that make us feel better when we're not feeling well; it's magic, the kind you can never find on the shelves at your CVS. How do you know if it's a cold or the flu? The symptoms can be very similar, from nasal congestion and cough to exhaustion and achiness. If you're running a fever above 101 degrees, you probably have the flu. The common cold rarely presents with a fever. You'll usually have to endure a cold for about a week, while a flu virus could hang around from a few days to a few weeks.. While you're in the throes of your particular bug, give some of these homemade remedies a try. (This advice is not intended to …
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Identity theft is a growing problem in America. Is paying $20 a month to the only way to protect yourself?
Between 2005 and 2010, the number of estimated households with at least one member over the age of 12 falling victim to some form of identity theft rose from 6.4 million to 8.6 million. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that households experienced about $13.3 billion in direct financial losses in 2013, as a result of the unauthorized use, or attempted use, of an existing account, or unauthorized use of personal information to open a new account or for another fraudulent purpose. With numbers like this, it's easy to see why Americans are handing over forkfuls of money to services like LifeLock and ID Watchdog, which promise to protect your identity. But is it really necessary? Do you have to pay for an expensive service in order to …
Saturday, January 12, 2013
The key to excellent car maintenance is to find a mechanic before your car has a problem.
The time to find a good mechanic is not when your car breaks down, or after an accident. In those cases, you'll be pressed for time and may be too stressed out to do the research and make a good decision. So the time is now, to think about searching for someone you can trust with your car. Start by asking friends and neighbors for their input. Where do they take their cars for service and repairs? How long have they gone there? What type of relationship do they have with the mechanics there? Would they recommend them? Why or why not? If the same business is mentioned more than once, give that one serious consideration. You can also check Mechanics Files on the Car Talk forums for mechanics recommendations. The database includes over 30,000…
There's a lot to love about winter, even if you're more a summer fan.
I love winter. All of it. The cold, the outdoor activities, the hunkering down. I even love the snow. But I know winter isn't everyone's favorite season. Some people just survive the cold-weather months. Loving them isn't even a pipe dream. Wherever you fall on the winter-loving spectrum, here are some great tips to help you weather the 67 days until the first day of spring (March 20). Wet boots solution - Fill a large baking tray or serving tray with pebbles or river rocks. You may be able to collect your own, or find the rocks at a craft store or dollar store. Put your wet shoes and boots on the tray, and the liquid and dirt will fall down through the stones, where the water will evaporate. Note: The tray should be cleaned now and again…
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Follow these easy steps to an organized home.
If your New Year's Resolution is to get organized, you're in good company. Of the 45 percent of Americans who usually make resolutions, getting organized typically tops the most-resolved list, second only to losing weight. But only 8 percent of those who make New Year's resolutions keep them long enough to reach a goal. Don't be one of the 92 percent of people who fail at achieving their resolutions. Getting your life and home organized can bring such peace and relief. "A place for everything, and everything in its place," means that you - and everyone else in your house - can find anything anytime, because you know where to look. It can start with organizing a junk drawer and end with a balanced checkbook, a streamlined calendar and …
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Take advantage of after-Christmas sales to save big for next year.
On Dec. 26, many retailers slashed the price of their Christmas goods, as well as many of the products they overstocked but didn't sell during the Christmas shopping rush. Their loss is your gain: You can save 50 to 75 percent, and in some cases even more, on gift wrap and decor for next Christmas, and consumer goods you can use now and all year long. Retailers slash prices on other goods this time of year, to encourage shoppers who received gift cards to get out and buy. So if you're not totally shopped out, here's a how-to guide on getting great post-Christmas deals: What to Buy Gift wrap - Wrapping paper, gift bags, tissue paper, gift tags, boxes, tape, ribbon, bows. Since it never goes bad, you can buy for next year and beyond. Also …
Henry F Potter
10:15 am on Monday, March 25, 2013
"minor" courtesy fees are what set solvent banks apart from the building & loan, that george bailey, he's a trickster....give your money to us. more ›