Most of us will likely be happy to see 2020 come to an end. A new year represents a fresh start, where things should get better as the pandemic and lockdowns end, and the economy gets going again. But we shouldn’t put 2020 completely behind us. There were some important lessons we learned this year,…
Posts Categorized: Consumer Tips
We’ve written about using the Do Not Call list and blocking unwanted phone calls, but did you know there are ways to prevent unwanted postal mail as well? It starts with opting out of prescreened offers. Prescreened credit and insurance offers: what’s good about them? Many companies “prescreen” consumers to make special offers. This is…
Unwanted phone calls from marketers and scammers, including “robocalls” made by computers, are at an all-time high in the United States. The most recent statistics we have show that over 58 billion robocalls were made in 2019, up 22% from the year prior. Chances are you’ve gotten unwanted calls of this nature. While they’re difficult…
With the COVID-19 pandemic still with us, traditional Black Friday shopping will be complicated this year. Many retailers have stated they will not be open at all on Black Friday, and those who do open their doors will have to deal with the challenge of maintaining social distance and keeping their stores within a limited…
Every year, it seems like the holiday shopping season is being pushed earlier and earlier. We find ourselves saying, “It’s not even Halloween yet, and they’re already selling December Holiday decorations!” Related Article: Have a Safe and Budget-Friendly Halloween this Year This year, however, getting holiday shopping done early is essential. Every aspect of our…
In a very unique and sometimes scary year, families are looking to have a safe Halloween. Many traditional holiday activities may be limited, but there are still many ways to enjoy the season without breaking your budget: Tips for Trick-or-treating During a Pandemic Depending on where you live, trick-or-treating may not even be allowed this…
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of people are in need. Many new service providers have sprung up offering ways to help. Some of them claim to be charitable organizations, but anyone looking for assistance of any kind should be wary of scammers trying to take advantage of the situation. More Resources: Scams to…
Recent events, like a global computer chip shortage, high gas prices, and the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic have created a shortage of reliable automobiles as demand for personal transportation has risen. Consumers everywhere are wondering: when will car prices go down? Will used car prices drop in 2022, or will it take a few…
We hear a lot about consumer credit in the news: “Consumer Credit is Up,” “Consumer Credit is Flat,” and so on. But what is consumer credit? Should you care? In general terms, consumer credit is debt that is taken on by individuals who intend to spend the funds right away. If you borrow money to…
This one number makes all the difference to identity thieves… your social security number. When you apply for a job, the application asks for your social security number. When you apply for a bank account, they want your social security number. When you file a tax return, apply for a loan, get medical treatment, apply…
As you start the home buying process, it’s fairly common to begin researching available homes through the internet and to understand how much buying power you may have through mortgage pre-qualification. We suggest adding one more invaluable component, investing your time in Pre-Purchase Coaching, provided by a certified coach from a U.S. Department of Housing…
Warm weather may inspire you to fling open your windows and tackle some serious spring cleaning. Why not channel some of that fresh-start energy into your finances? Just like clutter accumulates at home, bad spending patterns can creep up bit by bit, making them hard to spot. Commit to dropping a few of these bad…
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