by Nicole Dow, Timothy MooreSix of the 10 costliest hurricanes on record in the United States have happened in the last five years. In 2021, hurricanes led to 68 deaths in the U.S., and Hurricane Ida alone damaged as many as 212,000 cars.Just four years earlier, Irma and Harvey took out roughly four times as many vehicles.The takeaway? Everyone at risk should have a hurricane preparedness plan ready to roll
by Nicole DowSenior WriterThe cost of living is going up and up thanks to inflation, which is the highest it’s been in 40 years.You’ve likely felt the pinch at the grocery store, at the gas station and when buying … virtually anything.If you’re looking to stabilize your rising costs, you’re going to have to think a bit differently about the way you shop.Here are a dozen savings tips to help
by Michael ArchambaultSenior Writer As gas prices continue to soar upward, many Americans are asking how they can find the cheapest — or most affordable — fuel in their area. Well, we’ve got the answer for you. And it isn’t a list of different apps to try. It’s a single excellent app: GasBuddy. GasBuddy is available for both iOS and Android and allows drivers to find the least expensive gas
Real Answers for Life’s Money Challengesby Robin Hartill, CFP®Senior EditorI have been working since the age of 14. I am now 45 with two (almost) adults, living at home still and attending college. I have been a single mom for the past 10 years and my kids’ sole provider. For a good portion of my life, I was low-income. It’s only been in about the last 10 years that I haven’t
by Cassidy Alexander Gold prices are expected to hover around $1,800 per ounce for summer 2022. That’s down slightly from a record high earlier this year, but still tops typical prices.Even better news: The price per ounce is expected to hit $2,500 by the end of 2022.Which means this could be a good time to sell your gold jewelry if you’re looking for some extra cash. That tangle of chains
by Nicole DowSenior WriterBack-to-school shopping may be exciting for the kids who get new gear, but less so for the parents who have to pay for it all.A survey from the National Retail Federation found that parents with kids in elementary through high school planned to spend an average of $848.90 on clothing, electronics and school supplies in 2021, the most recent year available.Some shoppers will get a little relief
by Adam Hardy, Veronica Matthews Where can you find antique Pez dispensers, hot vintage heels and (finally!) the perfect lamp to match your weirdly patterned bedspread — all on sale for just a few bucks? Or better yet, where can you sell them to make some extra cash? We’ll give you a hint: It’s not Walmart. At least, not our Walmart. (And if yours fits the bill… would you let
by Nicole DowSenior Writer You know that sinking feeling when you see the “check engine” light illuminate your dashboard or hear strange noises coming from under your hood? That’s the dread of having to take your car to the shop and not knowing how you’ll pay for the repair. National auto chains like Pep Boys, Midas and Firestone offer store credit cards because they know customers aren’t prepared to pay
by Katherine Snow SmithContributorNeighbors rave about the spiced nuts you make and give out at Christmas. Friends say all they want for their birthday is a batch of your pimento cheese. Anytime there’s a potluck at the office, co-workers insist you bring your famous coffee cake.“You could make money selling this,” everyone says. If you’ve heard this compliment five or more times, you need to consider it.There are plenty of
by Michael ArchambaultSenior Writer When it comes to finding the best cheap cell phone plans, the sheer choice in the market can feel overwhelming, especially if you are looking for a plan that satisfies your budget. The perfect plan for you may vary depending on how much data you use each month, the time you spend chatting on the phone and whether you are a text-message aficionado or not. Whether
