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stockfresh_2773846_credit-cards-on-gift-box_sizeS-300x200The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and fun. Unfortunately, it is also a time when many of us overspend. According to a recent report, the average American will spend $1,052 on Christmas gifts this year. If someone is not careful, all that holiday cheer can quickly turn into holiday debt that harms financial wellness. Here are a few tips to help avoid overspending this Christmas.

Create a Budget

  1. The first step in managing Christmas debt is to create a budget. Sit down and lists all the anticipated holiday-related expenses, such as gifts, travel, party supplies, etc. Then, allocate a certain amount of money to each category. Once that is done, make sure you stick to your budget! It can be tempting to overspend when you are out shopping for presents, but if you stick to the budget you set for yourself, you will thank yourself come January.
  2.  Shop early. Give yourself enough time to find the perfect gifts without having to pay rush shipping charges. Shopping early will also help you avoid the temptation to impulse buy last-minute items that you may need help to afford.
  3. Use cash or a debit card instead of a credit card. This will help you stay within your budget and avoid paying interest on purchases.

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stockfresh_132712_senior-couple-meeting-with-agent_sizeS-300x202Trying to get service from a government employee can be frustrating. But whether you are dealing with the DMV, your state’s tax agency, or any other government office, it is important to remember that these employees are people too. With that in mind, here are a few tips on how to get the service you need from a government employee.

  1. Be polite and respectful.

It might be tempting to let any frustration show, but this will only make the situation worse. Remember, government employees are people who deserve to be treated with respect. Continue reading

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stockfresh_6129921_composite-image-of-festive-brunette-shopping-online-with-tablet_sizeS-300x200The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and fun. Unfortunately, it is also a time when many of us overspend. According to a recent report, the average American will spend $1,052 on Christmas gifts this year. If someone is not careful, all that holiday cheer can quickly turn into holiday debt that harms financial wellness. Here are a few tips to help avoid overspending this Christmas.

Create a Budget

  1. The first step in managing Christmas debt is to create a budget. Sit down and lists all the anticipated holiday-related expenses, such as gifts, travel, party supplies, etc. Then, allocate a certain amount of money to each category. Once that is done, make sure you stick to your budget! It can be tempting to overspend when you are out shopping for presents, but if you stick to the budget you set for yourself, you will thank yourself come January.
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vacation-rental-home-warranty-300x300-300x300Big ticket items are part of holiday spending sprees. Washers, televisions, personal computers, and even cars are on the shopping lists of many folks. Merchants often follow up big purchases with the option of a warranty for the buyer to consider. It can be tempting, and a consumer should know the essential clauses of a product warranty.

  1. The “Exclusion of Consequential and Incidental Damages” Clause

One clause often included in product warranties is the exclusion of consequential and incidental damages. This clause limits the amount of money the buyer can recover from the manufacturer if they experience damages due to using the product. Continue reading

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stockfresh_1345661_happy-family-near-new-house_sizeS-300x200The housing market is rarely quiet, and recently there has been a lot of concern about the affordability of houses. If it is not the sales price, the mortgage interest rate is driving buyers crazy. As a result, some people are wondering if they could ever afford a home of their own. Do not worry; it is still possible to buy a house.

An individual can maintain financial wellness, too. There are means by which a first-time home buyer can go into the unexplored territory of a housing market and buy that dream home. Some ways that can make a house affordable are more than simply saving a lot of money for a down payment. Here are a few to consider: Continue reading

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stockfresh_215939_questions-and-answers-signpost_sizeS-300x200The government can be an excellent resource for young employees. There are many programs and benefits available to help someone get ahead. But how do you know what you need? And how do you go about getting it? Here is a guide to help you get the government help you need.

 

  1. Know what you need. The first step is to know what you need. The government offers many programs and benefits, so you want to ensure you get the right one for your needs. You can research online or talk to a government representative to find out what is available.

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stockfresh_84926_swiping-credit-card_sizeS-300x200We might as well admit that we are at the start of a recession. There will be some tough times ahead, and the economic downturn will threaten the financial wellness of many people. Everyone can get through these troubled times, but it takes a level of maturity and responsibility. A primary challenge is to manage your credit card carefully. It is not too complicated, and a person can take a few steps to make credit card debt controllable.

  • Use cash when you can. Getting into debt is easy if you use credit cards for everything. To avoid this, try to use cash as often as possible for small items. This will help you stay within your budget and avoid overspending.

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lastwilltestament-300x200A popular and often-used benefit of group legal plans is the writing of a simple will. These are no more than six pages long and are the last testament of an individual and divide that person’s estate. A principal player is an executor. This is the individual who takes care of the administration of the will. There are several tasks that the executor is expected to perform.

  1. The Filing.

The first task of the executor is to file the will with the probate court in the county where the deceased person resided. Once the will is filed, the court will issue what’s called “letters testamentary,” which gives the executor the legal authority to act on behalf of the estate. Continue reading

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stockfresh_8439488_keyboard-with-blue-keypad-consumer-protection-3d-illustration_sizeS-300x200What is Consumer Protection?

At its basic level, consumer protection is about ensuring that businesses are honest and fair when dealing with consumers. This includes ensuring that companies provide accurate information about their products and services, live up to their promises, and treat consumers fairly. In other words, businesses should refrain from taking advantage of consumers.

Why is Consumer Protection Important?

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stockfresh_928878_pebble-tower-shaped-as-dollar-sign_sizeS-240x300A budget is essential for managing finances and ensuring that spending aligns with personal goals. It can seem like a daunting task for anyone who has never designed one. But creating a budget is quite simple—and it is a skill that is well worth learning for anyone who is leaving school and entering the workforce.

 

There are many different ways to create a budget, but one of the simplest and most effective is the 50/30/20 rule. This rule suggests that 50% of your income should go towards necessities like rent, groceries, and utilities; 30% should go towards wants like entertainment and travel, and 20% should go towards savings and debt repayment. Continue reading