Lifestyle

Everything You Need to Know About Renters Insurance

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Renters insurance (or HO-4) is an insurance policy where the tenant’s personal property is covered against power surges, water damage, vandalism, lightning, hail, windstorms, explosions, civil commotions, riots, smoke, volcanic eruptions, falling objects, damages caused by vehicles, damages caused by aircraft, damages caused by the weight of snow or sleet or ice, malicious mischief, thefts, and fires. It does not cover the actual structure. The owner, not the renter, is responsible for insurance on the actual building but is not in any way responsible for what is inside a tenant’s residence. Some landlords may even require that the renter purchase...
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Peak Season: Hurricane Preparedness

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The Atlantic hurricane season is in full swing, with the peak of the season occurring from mid-August through October. Each year the coast experiences an average of six hurricanes, three of which are considered “major”. Following the guidelines below can help you safely prepare for and ride out the storm. BE PREPARED Know your evacuation routes, especially if you live near the coast. Know which roads are likely to be closed, and map out alternate routes for leaving your area Find out how the emergency plans for your child’s school or care facility address hurricanes, and if you are required...
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Do I Really Need a Credit Card?

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The merits of the credit card have been hotly debated since the first universal card debuted in 1950. And once debit cards became popular in the late 1980s, many experts opined that credit cards were no longer necessary. This is not exactly true; while the debit card serves many of the same functions as a traditional credit card it lacks some of the credit card’s key advantages. In short, the answer is YES, you do need a credit card. Here’s why: Protection In today’s digital world, it pays to be cautious. Using a credit card instead of a debit card...
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Cheap Flight Day: It’s a Real Thing!

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Looking for a great travel deal? Mark your calendar for August 23rd! What’s so special about that day? Taco Tuesday? Yes – especially if you want to be eating tacos in Cancun. For the airline industry, August 23rd signifies the beginning of the fall travel season, which means that air fares are usually discounted by ten to twenty percent or more. According to Rick Seaney, CEO of Fare Compare, the demand for leisure travel drops off sharply right around the last week of August, since most students are back in school by that time. To bolster business, airlines begin discounting...
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Tips for Saving Money on College Textbooks

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College textbooks can cost as much as $100–$400 each. That means a college student can spend more than $2,000 a year just on textbooks. According to the census bureau, since 1978, books have increased in cost by a whopping 812% for college books. However, books for some courses are remarkably higher, like an average of $317 for economics-related college books, $268 for languages, $262 for chemistry books, and $246 for physics books. Based on one school, the University of Virginia, the most expensive new books are in biochemistry ($406) and physics ($378). However, these same books by the same authors...
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Make Back to School a Success!

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Back to School: the phrase elicits groans from students and cheers from their parents. It can be very stress-inducing for kids to leave behind the carefree days of summer for the more structured routine of school.  So what can parents do to help children prepare for the transition? We queried an experienced teacher, and her answers may surprise you. “The best thing parents can do to prepare children for school is to demonstrate a positive attitude. If the parent conveys optimism and excitement about the new school year, the child is likely to share those feelings,” states Karen Barker, a...
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Your Guide to This Year’s More Limited Tax-Free Weekend

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Everyone’s favorite back-to-school holiday is upon us – tax-free weekend, that is. Most people are familiar with this exciting time right before school starts when you can shop till you drop and don’t have to give Uncle Sam his cut. Tax-free weekend is a fantastic way to save on supplies for your child or yourself and prepare for the upcoming school year. But before you hit the stores in a frenzy this Saturday, take a few minutes to get familiar with what is and isn’t exempt, as there are many changes and more restrictions on what qualifies this year. The...
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Five Ways to Save on Dog Care

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For many dog owners, their pet is just another member of the family. And just like their “non-furry” family counterparts, they have needs and requirements that cost money. Sure, Fido doesn’t need new clothes for school (or any clothes, for that matter), but he does need food, medical attention, supplies, and maybe a few toys. It doesn’t take long for these costs to add up and take a substantial bite out of your monthly budget. Here are a few tips to help you save money while caring for your furry family member. Saving on Shots No, we’re not talking about...
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Build the Perfect Budget in 15 Minutes!

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Ah, the dreaded “B” word, “BUDGET”. Is it said out loud in your household? If not, it may be time to start allowing it! Properly discussing and implementing a monthly budget is a great way to track and manage your finances. In fact, once you correctly set and follow a budget, you’ll most likely feel like you received a pay raise, when in fact you are bringing home the same paycheck as your previous no-budgeting self. Budgeting is a continual process, so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t seem to work for you right away. It will take a few...
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Save Big On Your Next Vacation with These Online Tools

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You’ve probably heard of travel websites like Kayak, Expedia, Travelocity and Priceline. After all, it’s nearly impossible to watch an hour of TV without seeing one of their commercials. These websites can definitely help you find some great travel deals, but the World Wide Web is full of other websites and resources that can save you big money on your next trip or vacation. Here are a few lesser-known online resources that can come in handy for budget-conscious travelers. Twitter Believe it or not, you can find some really great travel deals just by following the major airlines on Twitter....
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