5 Things Experts Say You Should Know About Obamacare Open Enrollment

by Kate Cox @ Consumerist

Mon Oct 30 07:30:30 PDT 2017

If anything is true of 2017, it is this: Confusion reigns. And nowhere do we see that more than in healthcare, where failed repeal attempts, executive orders, sudden, out-of-the-blue policy changes, and general unpredictable chaos have dominated the news. But the fact remains that Americans still need access to medical care, and for those who don’t have …

Successfully Plan for Holiday Shopping on a Budget [Downloadable Budget Sheet]

by Kara Vincent @ LRRCU

Wed Nov 15 04:02:02 PST 2017

‘Tis the season to be jolly! ‘Tis the season for the gifts, decorations, family, friends, and children on their best behavior. ‘Tis the season for overloaded shopping bags, impulse buying, and credit card bills. Wait! That doesn’t sound as cheery. In 2016, according to a survey conducted by The American Research Group Inc., Americans spent […]

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Operators Of Phony Rental Credit Check Scheme Must Pay $762K To Feds

by Ashlee Kieler @ Consumerist

Mon Oct 30 09:56:12 PDT 2017

In January, federal regulators announced they had put a stop to an apartment rental scam in which homes (that may not exist) are listed online with the sole purpose of tricking prospective renters into paying for “credit checks” that will never be done. Now, the operators of the scheme must pay $762,000 to put an end to the Federal Trade …

Yes, the SEC was colluding with banks on CDO prosecutions

by Felix Salmon @ Felix Salmon

Wed Apr 09 16:23:47 PDT 2014

Back in 2011, I asked whether the SEC was colluding with banks on CDO prosecutions. And now, thanks to an American Lawyer Freedom of Information Request, we have the answer: yes, they were.

Are You Ready for Retirement?: Essential Information on IRAs and 401(k)s

by Kara Vincent @ LRRCU

Tue Aug 22 03:05:44 PDT 2017

While you’re young, you may not be thinking about saving for retirement. You’re probably more focused on paying off student loan debt, searching for a job, or buying a house. But, starting to save for your financial future early will only benefit you in the long run. Start your retirement planning as early as you can. Think […]

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Where Does The Cheese Belong In A Cheeseburger?

by Mary Beth Quirk @ Consumerist

Mon Oct 30 09:46:35 PDT 2017

When you think of the ideal cheeseburger, where is the cheese in the sandwich equation — is it beneath the patty, or on top of it? That is the question Google’s CEO has now promised to address, after someone questioned the company’s cheese placement in its cheeseburger emoji. Media consultant Thomas Baekdal pointed out on Twitter over the weekend that …

How Much Black Licorice Does It Take To Overdose?

by Kate Cox @ Consumerist

Mon Oct 30 10:15:47 PDT 2017

The trinity of divisive Halloween candies is made up of candy corn, marshmallow peanuts, and of course black licorice — perhaps the treat most likely to elicit either only joy or rage when it’s put into one’s candy sack. But there’s one thing that even those who stand firmly on the “love” side of this unbridgeable, anise-flavored chasm should know: …

Maryland To Try Sending Recall Notices With Car Registration Renewals

by Laura Northrup @ Consumerist

Mon Oct 30 07:59:13 PDT 2017

Your state’s department of motor vehicles already knows what make and model of car you own, and sends you registration documents every few years that you have to open. Safety advocates have suggested including information about important vehicle recalls in vehicle registrations to make sure more people know about recalls and comply. In an experimental program, Maryland will start sending …

An important message from Consumer Reports

by petedirenzo @ Consumerist

Mon Oct 30 11:18:07 PDT 2017

This is our last post on Consumerist.com. We’re deeply proud of all the work we’ve done on behalf of consumers, from exposing shady practices by secretive cable companies to pushing for action against dodgy payday lenders. We’ve had a tremendous run as a standalone site. Now you’ll be able to get the same great coverage of consumer issues as part …

Getting Out of Debt: You Can Do It and Here’s How to Get Started

by Liz Oliver @ LRRCU

Thu Jan 18 03:41:02 PST 2018

Most goals or resolutions that people set for themselves are neglected within a few weeks. It’s likely that this happens because people set far-reaching goals for themselves and then lose momentum when they don’t see results right away. A perfect example of this is the financial goal that many people set for themselves: getting out […]

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Tesla Ends $1,000 Referral Credit Program

by Ashlee Kieler @ Consumerist

Mon Oct 30 08:53:28 PDT 2017

Sure, saving $1,000 on a car that may cost you far in excess of $70,000 might seem like a minor victory, but it’s still better than nothing. But now that Tesla is becoming more of a household name and hoping to reach a more mass-market car-buying audience, it’s getting rid of even this relatively small savings program. Tesla recently announced…

Wonkonomics

by Felix Salmon @ Felix Salmon

Wed Apr 09 04:51:59 PDT 2014

Klein had the right idea: do something at arm's length first, and then let the technology and ethos trickle back to the mothership. Because if you try to build something new within the mothership, it's often liable to get suffocated.

Everything You Need To Know To Get Started With Obamacare Open Enrollment

by Kate Cox @ Consumerist

Mon Oct 30 07:30:45 PDT 2017

Despite repeated Congressional and Executive branch efforts, the full Affordable Care Act is still in place. That means insurance-shopping season is nearly upon us: Open Enrollment begins Nov. 1 (and ends Dec. 15). But there’s less money being spent on advertising and outreach this year, which means even the basics can be hard to get solid information about. …

The Piketty pessimist

by Felix Salmon @ Felix Salmon

Fri Apr 25 13:08:03 PDT 2014

Her syllogism runs something like this: -Capitalism has survived this far because it delivered strong, widely-shared growth. -If capitalism fails to continue to deliver strong, widely-shared growth, then it will fail and die. -Thanks in part to Piketty, the leaders of the major western democracies — both the politicians and the plutocrats — now understand this. -Therefore, they will, of necessity and of self-interest, alter the structure of society to preserve (what’s left of) the middle classes. ... Piketty’s rather French idea of a global wealth tax isn’t getting nearly the same amount of acclaim as the rest of the book is, and is very unlikely to happen: countries will always compete with each other to attract the stateless rich by not taxing them.

Do You Know About the 2017 Tax Filing Extension?

by Liz Oliver @ LRRCU

Thu Mar 15 02:14:14 PDT 2018

The date April 15 is probably as quickly recognizable to most Americans as July 4 or December 25. Traditionally recognized as Tax Day, it’s the deadline for filing your previous year’s tax return.  With one month to go, you may be feeling the pressure and scrambling to get the task completed in the remaining days.  But […]

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4 Financial Resolutions To Start Any Day of the Year [Downloadable Family Budget Worksheet]

by Kara Vincent @ LRRCU

Thu Dec 28 00:09:30 PST 2017

Who says resolutions have to start on New Year’s Day?  Get yourself started whatever day you feel inspired.  Here are few important financial goals that you can begin whether it’s January 1, August 1 or a random Tuesday in November. #1: Look at the Financial Big Picture – Use Our Family Budget Worksheet You feel […]

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