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8/27/10: What You Neeed to Know: New Credit Card Rules Effective Aug. 22

"More new rules from the Federal Reserve mean more new credit card protections for you. Here are some key changes you should expect from your credit card company which began on August 22, 2010" MORE »

8/25/10: How to Appeal Your Property Taxes and Why You Should Consider it Every Time

While housing prices in many communities have fallen, many local governments have failed to adjust their property tax valuations, meaning that many taxpayers still have homes with assessments based on the market’s peak in 2005 and 2006. Add that to the continued financial threat from a slow job market and stagnant pay raises, and expensive tax bills can put a considerable crimp in your financial picture.

What can you do? Appeal. A successful effort could potentially save you hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars if the municipality doesn’t raise the tax rate at the same time – a higher tax rate can actually blunt any savings from an appeal.

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8/25/10: Working Abroad Requires Some Detailed Planning

Whatever the reason you may be considering a work-abroad experience, remember there’s a necessary financial planning component that’s as individual as you are. A work-abroad assignment of as little as six months may have important ramifications for your overall financial planning, affecting everything from your current living space to tax,, retirement and estate issues.

That’s why the first move you should make after making the big decision to pack up and go is a call to your tax, estate and financial advisors.

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8/25/10: Making Sure Your Departing College Student is Properly Insured

Before you cram the last of your freshman’s personal effects into the SUV, it’s important to check whether they have adequate insurance coverage for their personal items, their health and their car whether or not they’re taking it to campus.

It’s not a good idea to assume that all personal coverage will simply travel with your child to school. More than ever, health as well as property and casualty insurers are going through claims with a fine-tooth comb, and the worst time to wonder if they’ll pay is when your student actually has a problem.

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8/17/10: FTC Sues Scammers Targeting the Uninsured

On August 11, 2010: FTC

State Attorneys General, Insurance Commissioners Crack Down on Bogus "Medical Discount Plans." The FTC announced Operation Health Care Hustle, a crackdown on scammers targeting people in need of health insurance. These plans are peddled to the Uninsured, Uninsurable, and Unemployed.Theytrick people into thinking they're buying health insurance when it's really a medical discount plan.

At Medical Discount Plans you can learn more about these scams and the warning signs to look out for, such as pressure to buy immediately or promises of specific discounts. You'll also find out where to go to check out a plan before you buy.

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8/12/10: FINRA, NASWA

Deliver Job Dislocation Resource to Unemployed Workers in All 50 States

WASHINGTON - The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), in partnership with the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), announced today a nationwide initiative to deliver an educational resource to help workers make better financial decisions during periods of unemployment. The resource, a brochure titled Job Dislocation, Making Smart Financial Choices after a Job Loss, offers specific tips on keeping finances on track while unemployed, asking the right questions about company benefit plans, checking out financial advisers and avoiding job scams.

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7/16/10: 10 Ways to Cut Your Debt Now

For many, the decision to get out of debt is preceded by weeks, months or possibly years of worry about these obligations. But it’s important to know that getting rid of debt can actually start with some very small steps and strategies that you can begin today. MORE »

7/16/10: Understanding the New Overdraft Law

Being financially smart means keeping an eye on fees – all fees.

Starting July 1, new federal rules kicked in that require banks to require customers to opt in for overdraft coverage. Overdraft coverage is a line of credit that kicks in when account holders make purchases that exceed their available checking and debit account balances.

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7/16/10: The Economics of Renting vs. Buying

As the housing market continues its long crawl back, it makes sense to ask whether it really is a better idea to rent than to own a home. But it’s a decision that goes beyond the current state of the market. MORE »