Articles by Amanda


What to Expect When You File for Unemployment

Posted by Amanda on August 11, 2010

There are a lot of emotions and questions surrounding unemployment compensation, and so even though more Americans are finding themselves unemployed than ever before, you may not feel comfortable asking others for information. Here is a guide to help you apply for unemployment, understand the 2010 unemployment extension, and continue your health insurance. What You […]

Continue reading…





New Gift Card Law Limits Fees & Expiration

Posted by Amanda on August 10, 2010

Gift cards make wonderful gifts because they allow you to basically choose what you would like for yourself. But have you ever turned to your gift cards from last Christmas, or two birthdays ago, only to find that the dollar amount has decreased due to fees, or that it has expired all together? Some of […]

Continue reading…





Back-to-School Shopping Tips to Stretch Your Budget

Posted by Amanda on August 3, 2010

As a child my mother would take me, my sister, and our brother back-to-school shopping every year around August. It was quite the exciting time because we never got to the stores otherwise, so it was the only time of year that clothes, shoes, or other non-food essentials were purchased for us. I remember gearing up […]

Continue reading…





5 Ways the Recession has Changed Consumerism in America

Posted by Amanda on August 2, 2010

Despite the news media trying to sell airtime by pitching the Recession as the second Great Depression, this country has seen far worse in terms of its economy. If one has ever studied the Great Depression and come across articles on bank runs, bread lines wrapping around stadiums, or the 24%+ unemployment rate, they will […]

Continue reading…





$250,000 FDIC Insurance Limit Made Permanent

Posted by Amanda on July 27, 2010

Could you imagine entering the doors of your bank with sweaty palms, wondering if your money is still there? Chances are you wouldn’t take advantage of the complimentary coffee, or sign a sheet upon walking in to speak with a representative; you’d be frantically running in, elbowing others in a crowd and trying to withdraw […]

Continue reading…





Financial gurus have been touting the benefits of saving your money, being debt-free, and maxing out your IRA for years. And their influence and determination has paid off for a segment of Americans: how many of us now can shout out “we’re debt-free”, confidently reach our early retirement or on-time retirement goals, and pay cash […]

Continue reading…





Bill Includes New Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Posted by Amanda on June 23, 2010

Today we’re wrapping up the in-depth look at the health care bill and how it might impact your finances. Today we will cover the new student loan reform included in the health care bill. Student Loan Reform Bill The federal government has officially ended the bank-based system of distributing federally subsidized student loans through the […]

Continue reading…





Will You Get a $250 Medicare Donut Hole Check?

Posted by Amanda on June 15, 2010

We’re continuing our look at the health care bill and how it might impact your finances. Today we’ll focus on the $250 Medicare donut hole checks mailed last week. My grandparents are part of the 31% of seniors living only on social security in their retirement (defined as 90% of income coming from social security […]

Continue reading…





How to Redeem Savings Bonds

Posted by Amanda on June 3, 2010

This is the final article in a 3-part series on bonds. Today we’ll discuss how to cash in your saving bonds. When Paul and I moved into our new home, my mother flew down from Pennsylvania and spent a long weekend with us. As a present, she gave me several bonds she had saved from […]

Continue reading…





Everything You Need to Know About Buying I Bonds

Posted by Amanda on June 1, 2010

Series I Bonds offer a low cost, incremental, and low risk investment for your portfolio. I Bonds also protect your money against inflation, as their yield has both a fixed rate as well as a variable rate that changes every six months according to inflation and deflation. I Bonds were once only available in paper […]

Continue reading…