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Love It or List It?
Following the housing bubble burst in 2007, when home values fell by 60 percent or more in some areas, approximately 23 percent of homeowners owed more on their mortgages than their houses were worth by the end of the third quarter of 2009. The lack of equity froze these homeowners in place for years, leaving [...]
A Beginner’s Guide to Finding and Buying Health Insurance
After you’ve decided on which plan might work best for you, it’s time to shop for and compare insurance plans to ensure you find the health insurance policy that fits your needs. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, also called Obamacare) requires everyone, except those in very specific circumstances, to purchase health insurance. [...]
How Self-Driving Cars Could Change Auto Insurance
When I was a kid, I watched “The Jetsons” and dreamed of the day that flying cars would be a reality. Fast forward to today, and while the technology to give us affordable, easy-to-maneuver flying cars is still far off in the future, self-driving cars may be available much sooner. They could change the way [...]
Seven Ways to Save on Your Remodeling Project
Saving money is often top of mind when it comes to home improvements, whether you’re planning a home addition, remodeling your kitchen, or swapping out your bathroom fixtures. As you plan your project, here are seven time-tested tips that may help you save both time and money: 1. Make hiring the right contractor your first [...]
HMOs, PPOs and EPOs: Choosing the Right Health Insurance Plan for You
With open enrollment season upon us, now is your chance to enroll in your health insurance or make a change to your policy for the coming year. If your employer offers only a few health insurance options, then the decision will be relatively straightforward. In many cases, you’ll have options from which to choose, and [...]
How to Pay for Long-term Care Without Breaking the Bank
Many seniors in the United States will have to find ways to pay for long-term care, either in a residential setting, such as an assisted living home, or at home through a home health or home care service. The cost of these services is generally high—between $2,000 and $5,000 per month for full-time care—and can [...]
Seven Questions to Ask Your Agent When Shopping for Auto Insurance
Imagine this: You’ve just gotten into an automobile accident. Along with dealing with any physical injuries and worrying about the damage to your car, you may also be concerned that your auto insurance rates will go up. “Car insurance is one of those things where you’re not assuming you’re going to use it when you [...]
What Is Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance?
While the National Association of Insurance Commissioners reports that the average annual cost for auto insurance has declined over the past year, some consumers may still be looking to save money on their policies. One way that consumers may choose to lower their insurance payments is by taking advantage of a program known as pay-as-you-drive [...]
What Insurance Do I Need if I’m Participating in a Car-Sharing Program?
As many people are recognizing that their car is an underutilized asset and that technology has turned it into a potential money-maker, car-sharing and ride-sharing programs are becoming more popular. Car-sharing companies, such as Relay Rides, allow individuals to rent their cars to strangers for a specified fee over a fixed period of time. Car [...]
What Does My Insurance Cover When I’m Traveling?
Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, a stolen piece of jewelry or broken laptop can quickly put a damper on your trip. And if the stolen or damaged item isn’t covered by insurance, a dream trip can quickly turn into a nightmare. Before your next getaway, be sure to review your insurance policies—homeowner’s, renter’s, [...]