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Featured Advice

About compulsory auto insurance states and the coverage you need

Compulsory auto insurance is a classic good news/bad news subject. If you need it, you'll be forever grateful that you had it. Should you be fortunate enough to never have a car accident or any liability issues, you'll be disappointed with all the monthly premiums you've paid. Read more
About compulsory auto insurance states and the coverage you need

Featured Tip

Start an emergency savings fund

Maintaining an emergency savings fund should always be a top priority. In the current economy, this is especially true.



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Credit Cards

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Consumers still paying credit cards over mortgages
Consumers still paying credit cards over mortgages
Consumers are still apt to pay credit cards over mortgages, a trend first seen in early 2008, TransUnion said in a recent report. Read more

Number of new credit card accounts rises in 2011
The number of new credit card accounts originating in 2011 outpaced that of 2010, Equifax said in a recent report. Read more





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Future effects of the CARD Act
Future effects of the CARD Act
Debate rages about the future effects of the CARD Act and whether it will really help consumers or result in credit limit restrictions. Supporters are convinced that the long-term future ramifications of the Act will eventually help consumers. Read more

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Bank Rates

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Banks find ways to increase customer satisfaction
Banks find ways to increase customer satisfaction
Banks made progress with overall customer satisfaction in the past year despite declining satisfaction with fees, J.D. Power and Associates said in a recent report. Read more

Consumers poised to make comeback in 2012?
The overall consumer climate should continue to rebound in 2012, with both home loan and auto loan markets recovering, Equifax said in a recent report. Read more







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Banking fact or fiction, part III
Banking fact or fiction, part III
The banking industry seems to spawn more myths and lesser known facts than many others. Knowing the difference will save (or make you) money. Here is what to look for and/or avoid when dealing with a savings account, checking account, money market account, or CD. Read more






Home Loans

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Mortgage activity spikes as mortgage rates move lower
Mortgage activity spikes as mortgage rates move lower
Mortgage application activity spiked week-over-week, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) said this morning, as mortgage rates dove to new all-time record lows. Read more

Yawn, mortgages at new record lows, yawn
In news that is beginning to feel a little like a scene out of the movie Groundhog Day, Freddie Mac revealed that mortgage rates dropped to new all-time record lows late last week. Read more







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Has there ever been a better time to refinance?
Has there ever been a better time to refinance?
With mortgage interest rates currently lower than previously recorded, many homeowners wonder if there has ever been a better time to refinance their property. The best answer is "yes and no." Read on for a detailed explanation. Read more






Auto Insurance

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Consumer satisfaction with auto insurance claims declines
Consumer satisfaction with auto insurance claims declines
Customer satisfaction with auto insurance claims declined for the first time in three quarters, J.D. Power and Associates said in a recent report. Read more

III: Time to consider a flood insurance policy
With the start of Spring already in the books, now is the time to consider purchasing a flood insurance policy, the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) said in a recent report. Read more







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Tips on how to change car insurance companies
Tips on how to change car insurance companies
It is only natural for people to go after the better deal - especially if it involves car insurance. If you are patient through the process, you can find the better coverage with the cheapest rates. Here's what you need to do if you decide to switch to a new insurance company. Read more






Home Insurance

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III: Time to consider a flood insurance policy
III: Time to consider a flood insurance policy
With the start of Spring already in the books, now is the time to consider purchasing a flood insurance policy, the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) said in a recent report. Read more

Informed consumers can save money on home insurance
Asking the right questions can go a long way toward obtaining the best home insurance coverage and the best price, the Insurance Information Institute said. Read more







Advice, Tips and FAQs


Think twice before you call about a claim
Think twice before you call about a claim
Owning a homeowners insurance contract gives you the assurance that everything is covered. If something goes wrong, you can call the given number and file a claim. Hold it right there. Before you get the insurance company involved, you need to know something very important about claims. Read more






Life Insurance

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III urges consumers to prevent being underinsured
III urges consumers to prevent being underinsured
The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) recently offered up tips to consumers to help them start 2012 off the right way. Read more

Q&A: Is universal variable life insurance too risky?
Many experts suggest that this type of life insurance is best suited for those who can afford the risks involved. Read more







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Five things to know about life insurance
Five things to know about life insurance
Life insurance is an important and complicated subject for many. Before you sign on the dotted line for a new life insurance policy, you should feel comfortable with your understanding of some specific aspects and how they affect your investment. There are five basic things everyone should know about life insurance. Read more






Long Distance

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Are calling cards still relevant?
Are calling cards still relevant?
In this day and age with cell phones everywhere, VoIP services bringing down long distance charges, and all of the other wonders of modern technology at your finger tips, it is natural to look at older technology and ask the question, "Are calling cards still relevant today?" Read more

· The value of toll free numbers

· Exploring the benefits of VoIP

· Control long distance costs with prepaid calling cards

· Voice over IP - The future is now






Tips and FAQs


You may not need that unlimited plan
Unlimited long distance phone plans - you can't go wrong with that, right? Wrong. Read more




Internet Service

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Questions to ask before signing up with a new ISP
Questions to ask before signing up with a new ISP
Choosing a new Internet service provider (ISP) can be a frustrating experience for many reasons. To improve this experience, learn all you can about prospective ISPs before making any commitments. Read on for some suggestions to help you decide. Read more

· Voice over IP - The future is now

· All ISPs are not created equal

· Broadband vs. dial-up: Which is the best?

· Dial-up Internet service: Ancient or useful?






Tips and FAQs


VoIP vs. landline phone service
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is no longer the hot topic it was a couple of years ago. But it can still be a very cost-effective way to handle your calling needs. Read more




Auto Loans

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Leasing vs. buying:  Determining the best option
Leasing vs. buying: Determining the best option
The decision about whether to lease or buy your new vehicle should be based on a number of different factors.  While neither option is better for everyone, both buying and leasing offer advantages that are worth considering.  Your personal budget and financial limitations should not be your only consideration. Read more

· Gap insurance explained

· Ultimate guide to auto financing

· Understanding the Truth in Lending Act

· Five things to know about auto loans






Tips and FAQs


Always avoid late payments
It happens to everyone at some point in life. As soon as you know you can't cover all of the bills due, make a priority list. Read more




Health Insurance

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Health Insurance: Take care of yourself and your family
Health Insurance: Take care of yourself and your family
If you're fairly young and have not been affected by any serious health issues, you may think that health insurance is an unnecessary expense, and that your money could be better used in other ways.  Think again. Let there be no question in your mind that health insurance is a critically-important part of your budget. Read more

· Four things to know about health insurance

· A look at the Recovery and Reinvestment Act

· Health insurance 101

· COBRA health insurance explained






Tips and FAQs


Your credit report can affect your insurance rates
As if you needed another reason to keep your credit report crystal-clear, buying insurance is a good one. Read more




Student Loans

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Understanding the Truth in Lending Act
Understanding the Truth in Lending Act
Enacted in 1968, The Truth in Lending Act came into being for the sole purpose of keeping borrowers from falling victim to predatory lenders. The law mandates that lenders are responsible for making sure that consumers are aware of what they are agreeing to when they borrow money. Read more

· Understanding Stafford student loans

· Current students and the changing student loan industry

· Benefits of student loan consolidation

· Five things to know about student loans






Tips and FAQs


Pros of student loan consolidation
For some people, deciding to consolidate student loans is an easy decision. For others, the decision might seem overwhelming. Read more




Cell Phones

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Switching wireless carriers
Cell phones: Making the switch
Switching wireless carriers, an easy task once upon a time, can now prove to be a challenging and/or expensive endeavor. There are certain steps that can be taken to avoid costly mistakes before, during or after the switch. Read on for tips on how to analyze options and ultimately switch wireless carriers. Read more

· Questions to ask before getting a new cell phone

· Using a cell phone overseas

· Advantages of prepaid cell phone plans

· Questions to ask when shopping for a cell phone plan






Tips and FAQs


What to know about family or shared plans
Shared plan (often called a family plan) options are a fairly recent and wonderful option offered by many wireless carriers. Read more



Finance Calculators

HSA vs Traditional Health Plan Calculator

Compare a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) / Health Savings Account (HSA) combination to a traditional health plan.


Life Insurance Calculator

How much life insurance do you need? Simply enter your current assets, expenses, income to get started.


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Total Debt Calculator

How much do you owe and how long it will take to pay off? Use this calculator as a starting point for your debt management plan.


Credit Card Roll-Down Calculator

This calculator applies two simple principles to help you determine how to pay off your credit card debt as quickly as possible.




Knowledge

Make Your Next Decision a Knowledgeable One

Being able to compare products and services is a great thing. It allows you to find the product/service that best suits your needs and also allows the possibility to save as much money as possible.

But questions inevitably arise in the process of comparing. Our knowledge center is here to help out. Our constantly expanding base can help to answer common questions, provide tips, offer advice and provide tools and resources to help you in your decision-making process.


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