Archive for August, 2009

Yes, We Can!
Our thanks to ClarkHoward.com and consumer advocate Clark Howard:
How the recession is impacting funeral planning
The Los Angeles Times reports that bodies are going unclaimed in record numbers at morgues because families know they can’t afford a burial. In a case like that, many jurisdictions will do a cremation at taxpayer expense.
Meanwhile, The New [...]

Our thanks to About.com and Bobbie Sage:
Avoiding High Insurance Costs by Self-Insuring
Purchasing insurance is always a good idea, and in many instances it is a necessity. Having a nice insurance portfolio can give one a sense of peace and security that all their needs will be met if an unfortunate emergency arises. But all to [...]

Our thanks to FiLife.com and M.P. McQueen:
Are You Overinsured?
It used to be that one of the biggest mistakes people made was not having enough insurance.
Now, it’s likely that the opposite is true, as insurers flog all sorts of new products and features — from a free tow when your car breaks down, to special help [...]

Our thanks to manvsdebt.com and Baker:

Top 16 Pieces of Your Information Identity Thieves Crave

Unfortunately, identity theft has recently become the fastest growing crime in our increasingly digital world.  Potential thieves are becoming extremely adept at leveraging stolen data to empty existing accounts, max credit limits, apply for jobs, and even obtain mortgages.  Despite the specifics [...]

Our thanks to IDTheftCenter.org:
MY WALLET OR PDA WAS LOST OR STOLEN

What Was In Your Wallet? A way to inventory your belongings
What Other Information Was In Your Palm Pilot?
Do Immediately
Do As Soon [...]

Our thanks to businesswire.com and Monster.com:

Monster Meter Poll Reveals 34 Percent of U.S. Workers Surveyed Have Only One Week or Less of Savings to Cover Expenses if Laid Off from Work
Less than One-Quarter of U.S. Workers Surveyed on Monster.com Say their Savings Would Last Six Months or Longer After Job Loss
MAYNARD, Mass.–Business Wire–Despite the [...]

Our thanks to The Motley Fool.com and Brian Orelli:

Your Doctor Is Killing You … Financially
Health care costs are too high. Solving that problem is complex, but I do know one person who controls a lot of what’s spent — someone who might be able to alleviate some financial pain. I speak, of course, of your [...]

Check your banks strength rating at TheStreet.com:
http://www.thestreet.com/bank-safety/index.html?src=ratingsindex&tab=3

Our thanks to bankrate.com and Jessica Seubert:
How do I … Know if my bank is safe?

Topic: PERSONAL FINANCE

Who is affected: CONSUMERS AT ALL LIFE STAGES

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: EASY

What you’ll need: BANKRATE’S SAFE AND SOUND STAR RATINGS, NAME AND LOCATION OF YOUR BANK

What you need to know
Now that financial institutions are going belly up, more people [...]

Our thanks to cnbc.com and write/producer Natalie Erlich:
1,000 Banks to Fail In Next Two Years: Bank CEO
The US banking system will lose some 1,000 institutions over the next two years, said John Kanas, whose private equity firm bought BankUnited of Florida in May.
“We’ve already lost 81 this year,” Kanas told CNBC. “The numbers are climbing [...]