Archive for May, 2010


How to Qualify for Social Security Benefits

Posted by Jill on May 31, 2010

The Social Security program is the largest government program in the world and the single greatest expenditure in the federal budget. The actual name for Social Security is the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program. It consists of many parts, including guaranteed income to the retired, disabled, and qualified survivors, insurance in the […]

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Citi $50 Bonus and 0% for 12 Months

Posted by Kate on May 28, 2010

Update: This offer is expired. Please see our credit card directory for current offers. Citi’s sign up bonuses just keep getting bigger each week! Today’s Free Money Friday offer is another double offer: a $50 gift card and a 0% Balance Transfer! How to Get Your $50 Gift Card Apply for the Citi Diamond Preferred […]

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Getting Ready for Vacation Home Shopping

Posted by Madison on May 27, 2010

Vacation time is here! We’re busy getting packed to head out for vacation. Readers were on both sides of the fence when I asked Should We Buy a Vacation Home? Since then, I’ve been busy doing a ton of research on buying vacation homes: past sales, rental statistics, talking to current owners, break even points, […]

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Comparing Different Types of Treasury Securities

Posted by Amanda on May 26, 2010

This is the first article in a series focusing on bonds. I’ll start by discussing four different types of bonds: Series EE, Series I, Treasury Bonds (T-Bond), and Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS). Future articles in this series will be focused on Series I Bonds and how to purchase and redeem them. With the stock […]

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Have You Tried Peapod Groceries?

Posted by Madison on May 25, 2010

We used Peapod online shopping and delivery for our groceries for the first time this week. For a limited time, you can get $15 off your first Peapod order. Open a Peapod account and use the code CJ615. Hurry, this promotion expires June 30th! The Peapod delivery concept is pretty simple. You create your shopping […]

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3 Ways to Use Life Insurance During Life

Posted by Jill on May 24, 2010

One of the main tenants of financial planning is minimizing risk. Having an emergency fund is one way of doing this, as are health insurance and disability insurance. But perhaps the biggest way of minimizing financial risk for your loved ones is life insurance. Life insurance is an absolute must for anyone with dependents, as […]

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WTDirect $500 Bank Sign Up Bonus

Posted by Madison on May 21, 2010

The WTDirect bonus is back, and this time it’s better than ever. A $500 sign up bonus is waiting for you for Free Money Friday. This one is a no brainer, since they increased the bonus by $350 from the last time they offered it! How to Get Your Sign up Bonus Open a new […]

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Is Squatting in a Foreclosure Acceptable?

Posted by Madison on May 20, 2010

We caught an interesting story on our local news recently. Local homeless advocacy groups are helping homeless families squat in homes in foreclosure. The idea is basically, why should people be homeless when there are vacant homes available? The groups locate homes in foreclosure, enter the home (most recently through a broken back door), then […]

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10 Budget Wedding Ideas From a Satisfied Bride

Posted by Amanda on May 19, 2010

We got engaged, we took the plunge, and we survived! My husband and I are now happily married, and have settled back into our home in Houston, TX. I am now contentedly sitting back, enjoying all of the free time that has crept back into my schedule. You know what else I am enjoying? All […]

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9 Bush Tax Cuts Expire Soon

Posted by Madison on May 17, 2010

Even though the health care reform bill passed, increases in taxes aren’t over yet. The old 2001 Bush Tax Cuts are set to expire at the end of 2010, leaving us all with higher taxes in 2011. Since December 31, 2010 is the date that the Bush tax cuts expire, I’m sure there will be […]

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