Finance Globe

U.S. financial and economic topics from several finance writers.

Simplify and Save - Clothing

It’s not only fun to get new clothes, but wearing a flattering new outfit can do wonders for your attitude. But to keep up with the ever-changing fashion trends can wreck havoc on your credit card balance. Here’s a few tips on how to keep your wardrobe fresh without going into debt over it:Develop your own personal style.You may be a t-shirt and jeans kind of gal or guy, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have...
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Money Saving Fiction

It always feels good to save a buck or two, but some financial habits can end up costing more in the long run. Here’s a look at some habits commonly though of as budget-conscious that can sabotage your money-saving strategy:Clipping couponsThis takes time and effort, adds to paper clutter, and can easily cause you to spend more money than you normally would have without the coupon. The only brands that even offer coupons are the highly-advertised...
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Invest in a Fun Family Activity

It can be easy to laze the days away in front of the TV, but at one point many of us begin to wish we had a gratifying hobby or activity to enjoy. Aimlessly shopping is another way to pass the time, but often we'll eventually come to a realization that we are spending too much money out of boredom, and are being "rewarded" with stuff we really don't need or want - just extra clutter...
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Save $1000 a Year

Saving a buck or two here and there can add up to a significant savings over time. And for food and beverages, certain habits can drastically reduce your expenses over the long term. Here’s a few suggestions for saving money on these necessities:Brew your coffee at home instead of going to the cafe. Whether you buy the convenience store coffee for $2 a cup or the $5 a cup gourmet coffee, brewing it yourself for pennies...
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FTC Warns Consumers to Not Fall Victim to Wire Transfer Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency against fraudulent, deceptive, and abusive business practices, has issued a warning to consumers to not fall prey to various money transfer scams that crooks have been using to steal your money.The scams may start out in a number of ways, but many of them involve asking the consumer to send money by MoneyGram or Western Union, since it is difficult to trace the recipient of the...
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Avoid These Bad Financial Habits

Here's a look at some financial bad habits that can eat into your chance of ever getting ahead.Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL)These types of loans are sometimes offered by tax preparation companies when you expect to receive a tax refund. Here's how it works: You overpay your income tax all year long and find that you are due a refund of your overpayment when you file your return. But instead of waiting for the IRS to process...
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Mother's Day Gift Ideas

There are so many ways to tell Mom this Sunday how much you love and appreciate her, but this year many of us are more budget-conscious than we have been in the past. Here are a few ideas on how to show her that you care without going into debt to do it:Give her a spa day.Every one deserves a little pampering now and then, and every mom would appreciate a massage, a pedicure/manicure or a...
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Beat the Winter Blues Without Spending a Lot of Money

Beat the Winter Blues, Forget the Financial Troubles (at least for a day), and Go Have Some FunIt's that time of year where every one gets a little anxious for winter to be over. We're tired of the cold, wet weather and we're ready to get out and go do something. And this winter's just a bit more dreary than many previous winters. The financial crisis is on every body's mind, and many of us have...
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Valentine's Day Doesn't Have to Break the Bank

Just like many other holidays, Valentine's Day can be a source of stress for people who want to find the perfect way to show their loved one how much they really care. And it can be especially stressful for those who have to limit their spending in the process. But there's no reason to give in to the commercialism, the old cliches of candy and roses, or even the belief that diamonds are a girl's best...
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It's Not Too Late to Winterize Your Home!

Neglecting parts of the winterizing routine can be expensive.Wow, this winter's been C-O-L-D! I live in the Midwest where we typically expect a few weeks at a time of well-below freezing weather, but I think we've hit some records this year.And with this cold weather comes the excruciatingly painful heating costs. I just received my electric bill, the most expensive since the three years I've lived here. My neighbors said the same, that last month's was...
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