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Money & Finance
Financial planning insights for the LGBT community
(BPT) - Over the last decade, many companies have paid increasing attention to the buying power and consumer habits of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) market. But until recently, little attention has been focused on the financial experience of LGBT individuals. The groundbreaking “LGBT Financial Experience 2012-2013 Research Study” by Prudential Financial takes an in-depth look at the financial challenges and concerns of LGBT Americans, and provides eye-opening insights fo...
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Select the right insurance for your home-based business
(BPT) - Home-based businesses are booming. About 36.6 million businesses operate from U.S. households, according to the Home Based Business Institute. And the Small Business Administration notes that 53 percent of all small businesses located in the U.S. are home-based, with those numbers expected to grow substantially...
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Is it time for a financial checkup?
(BPT) - For most of us, checkups are a regular part of life. Dental visits, auto maintenance appointments and even glances in the bathroom mirror all help us catch potential problems and assure that all is – or will be – well. What’s true of teeth, engines and grooming is also true of finances: regular checkups are reco...
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Free birth control gives women more choice
(BPT) - Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) also known as “Obama Care,” an estimated 47 million women are gaining access to all FDA-approved methods of birth control free of charge. This new law provides access to birth control methods that may have been too expensive for many women with private health insurance p...
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Boomers: Your credit profiles matter more now than ever
(BPT) - Maintaining a good credit profile is important at all stages of life, even for baby boomers who may have paid off their mortgages and don’t anticipate the need for more big-ticket loans. But it’s important to remember credit scores are used for more than just borrowing money, and you never know when an opportuni...
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Tips on how to use Craigslist safely and responsibly
(BPT) - Need a bike to start getting into shape? Looking for a new job? Interested in renting a condo for that long-desired trip? Every day, millions of Americans turn to Craigslist.org to buy and sell items, find jobs, meet other people or find a vacation property to rent. More than 60 million people use the website  ...
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What you should know about life insurance [infographic]
Life insurance is a big deal. For many people, it’s among the most important purchases they will ever make. A well-chosen life insurance policy can protect families from hard financial times after a loved one passes. It can help families cover the costs of a funeral, major remaining debts and higher education for children, and replace lost income from the deceased. Still, many people don’t understand life insurance and what it can mean to them and their families. They either don’t think it ...
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Advice for choosing a financial advisor
(BPT) - Saving for retirement is an essential task, but one that can be complex and demand a lot of attention. With the arrival of April – Financial Literacy Month – focusing on your existing saving strategies should be a priority. It’s also an ideal time to talk to a financial professional who can help you shoulder the...
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Where your tax refund will go [Infographic]
More Americans will use their 2013 tax refund just to pay basic necessities. This tax season, nearly two-thirds of Americans report paying bills as the highest priority for spending their refunds, according to a recent Cricket Wireless survey, a sharp increase from 2012 (50 percent).
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It's all in the details - how to accessorize your home exterior
(BPT) - When considering exterior home improvements, many homeowners go for updates such as the replacement of siding or windows. These projects can make the home look great while boosting energy efficiency, but no matter how much homeowners invest in siding or windows, it will only look as good as the trim used to comp...
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Budgeting 101: How new graduates can conquer entry-level income challenges
(BPT) - Spring is the perfect time for young Americans to take a look at their budgets and become financially fit. Not only is April Financial Literacy Month, complete with nonprofit organizations around the country offering free seminars and online resources, but millions of high school and college students are also preparing for graduation and the next phase of their lives. But are new grads ready for the financial challenges that lay ahead? The average student loan debt for borrowers in ...
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Solid retirement planning a must for Generations X and Y
(BPT) - When it comes to making plans for retirement years , today’s younger workers are struggling to make heads or tails of all the resources and products available to them through work and personal investments. Younger professionals who fit into the Gen X and Gen Y categories also are not taking advantage of financi...
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Online Features

Expert advice for smart investing strategies
(BPT) - After five years of market volatility, recession and uncertainty, markets in the U.S. ar...
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Tips and tricks for your next summer soiree
(BPT) - Looking to throw an all-out summer soiree that is bound to be the talk of the neighborho...
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Smart security steps give small-business owners peace of mind during summer travel season
Summer is finally here, which means peak vacation season and employees out of the office. For th...
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