Day: February 8, 2013

These days, everyone is searching for ways to save money and stretch budgets. Consumer experts advise people to sniff out deeper discounts, saving opportunities and additional ways to cut costs. For pet owners, it can feel challenging to cut costs without compromising on care.

You’ve managed to navigate the holiday crowds at the post office, the mall and the office party, but you still need to get over the river and through the woods to gatherings with family and friends. Before you hit the roads, rails or skies this holiday season, dash through these helpful tips to make your trip as jolly as possible and, while you’re away, help you get a good night’s sleep.

While cold weather causes many people to stay snug and cozy indoors, it provides a great opportunity for home buyers to get out and find their dream home. Fall and winter are typically considered the off season in the housing market, but actually buyers can potentially find better deals and sellers may find the most serious buyer.

Winter can stretch for a very long time in many areas of the country, and with the extensive cold often comes the temptation to let weight loss goals fall by the wayside. Adopting these five strategies can improve your chances of winning at weight loss.

“Caregiver” is a title held by more than 65 million people in the United States, who are currently helping a loved one manage a chronic condition. A caregiver can be a significant help for those living with a chronic disease as part of a patient’s health care team, but there can also be many challenges, especially for those caring for patients with cancer. Not only do caregivers provide emotional strength and support, but often also help a patient with daily needs, such as filling prescriptions or scheduling doctors’ appointments.

Thanks to the convenience of online tax return preparation websites, more Americans are doing their own taxes. Do-it-yourself tax preparation solutions give taxpayers a fast, convenient and affordable way to file income tax returns.

Owning multiple gadgets is no longer the domain of tech geeks – it’s the new normal for just about everyone. Between multiple computers, phones, tablets, readers and music players, and the files that fill them up, people have a lot on their digital hands. Because that can be both costly and cumbersome, people are on the lookout for new ways to save money and sync up across platforms.

While everyone else eagerly anticipates the upcoming holidays, you’re feeling like a Grinch because you’re stuck organizing the family’s travel plans. Whether you’re heading over the river, through the woods or completely across the pond, the hassles of holiday travel can make anyone become a Scrooge. But before you utter “bah humbug,” consider some easy planning tips that can help ease the stress of traveling during the holiday season.

Identity theft occurs more frequently in the United States than people want to believe. The Federal Trade Commission compiles a report every year for identity theft complaints in the United States. These complaints increased more than 78 percent between 2009 and 2011. Follow these simple tips and tricks to protect yourself from identity theft.

Whether it’s at the mall, on a computer or on a smartphone, the holiday shopping season is here. As shoppers hunt down the most coveted items, the best deals and the most convenient ways to get them, where and how they shop is evolving. With the increasing ease of shopping online or on a mobile device, new concerns are rising about how to shop securely.

With more than 320 million mobile phones in the country, it’s no surprise that most Americans say wireless phone access is so important that it would be the last item they would give up if money were tight. What may raise an eyebrow is what else they’re willing to cut to keep their mobile phones: cable TV, personal savings and spending on gas, according to a recent survey by Toluna, a market research firm.

When it comes to keeping young walkers safe on America’s roads, the country has made great strides. Still, bigger steps are needed to improve pedestrian safety overall, and particularly for teenagers. Here’s what you can do to help keep walkers safe on the road.

The app world is booming and today there are more than 1 million mobile apps available for download through online stores run by companies like Apple and Google. Many apps are available free of charge and collect user data for advertising purposes, raising the question: What is the true cost of these “free” apps?

It’s not surprising that pets are often a popular holiday gift. The darling image of the bow-bedecked puppy or the kitten-stuffed stocking is a holiday classic, but holiday gift givers should make sure that an animal’s charm doesn’t overshadow other important factors to consider when making a pet purchase, including where the pets came from and who the recipient is.

Conversations going unheard, volume settings on electronics pushed to the max, constantly asking speakers to repeat themselves – these are all common signs of hearing loss.

If you’ve reached your limit with paying for unused minutes and features, overage fees, and long-term contracts, it may be time to shop around for a new provider. With cellphone service providers being as numerous and diverse as today’s phones themselves, it can be a daunting prospect. However, with a little legwork, you can find a cellphone company that works for you and your changing needs.

Most of us know what rabies is, but it’s not something we think about often. Thanks to public health education, mandatory pet vaccinations and the wildlife oral rabies vaccination program, rabies cases in the U.S. have dropped dramatically in the past 15 years. But unfortunately this severe disease is still reported across the country, making rabies a continued public health threat. What do you need to know to keep your family, pets and community safe?

You probably know tax deductions are an important part of your income tax return and that you want as many as possible. But do you understand how deductions actually save you money or how to determine which ones you can claim on your tax return?

Are you like many Americans who make phone calls while they’re driving? Or text a friend or family member when you reach a stoplight? Did you know that in doing so you could be breaking the law?

As the temperature drops and the holiday season approaches, the pressure rises for those who will partake in the season’s festivities. From holiday style to gifting, the list of holiday how-tos can seem overwhelming.

It may be the season of joy, but for many Americans, the holidays can also be a time of great stress – particularly when it comes to gift-giving and shopping. If you’re among the millions of Americans who want to experience a safer, less stressful holiday season, consider these tips.

While their retirement days may be in their distant future, planning for those years is very much on the minds of members of the Millenial generation. Here are some tips for young workers thinking about their retirement savings.