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Life Planning

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Why You Should Check Your Credit Report Regularly

by Jeff Rose on January 19, 2010

in Guest Post, Life Planning

This is a guest post from Patrick from Cash Money Life. Veteran, father, husband, blogger and an all around swell guy.

Your credit report is one of the most important financial records you have when you are applying for a loan or trying to rent a house or apartment. But your credit report can also be used as a tool to help you monitor or improve your financial situation. That is why I recommend checking your credit report often for accuracy and/or fraud.

How often should you check your credit report
Creative Commons License photo credit: rightee

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5 Things to Consider During Open Enrollment

November 15, 2009 Insurance Planning
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It’s open enrollment time for many employer-sponsored health insurance plans. While it might be tempting to just keep the same health plan you’ve had for years, now is a good time evaluate your health plan needs and make some adjustments. Here are 5 things to consider this year during open enrollment:
1. Coverage
Does your health coverage [...]

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What you need to know about your Medicare and Medicaid Benefits

October 28, 2009 Life Planning
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Many seniors have misconceptions on the differences between Medicare and Medicaid eligibility benefits.  Throw in long term care insurance, and the water gets even more muddier. Even as a Certified Financial Planner, it’s tough trying to stay on top of all the issues concerning seniors.
To help clear some of the mental fog that [...]

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Should parents or students borrow to pay for college?

October 11, 2009 Life Planning
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Given the current malaise in the credit markets, it should come as no surprise that the student loan system is under heightened duress. Many lenders have stopped making new loans to students; others are tightening their bootstraps and making it more difficult, and more expensive, for borrowers — both students and parents.
Federal Student Loans — [...]

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How to Hire an Architect For Building Your Dream Home

September 15, 2009 Life Planning
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This year my wife and I are building our first home together. To say that the process is a bit stressful is a slight understatement. Starting off, we both had an idea of what kind of house we wanted, but the location and the layout of our lot made it a bit more challenging. [...]

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Role Reversal: When Adult Children Should Talk to Parents About Money

September 8, 2009 Life Planning
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photo credit: itspaulkelly
Regardless of whether you and your parents have always talked freely about money or you have never discussed the subject, there may be important financial issues that you need to raise with them as they — and you — grow older. The following topics can help you start thinking about, and planning [...]

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Is a Health Care Flexible Spending Account a Good Idea?

August 10, 2009 Life Planning
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photo credit: Ratticus
A flexible spending account (FSA), offered as an elective benefit by many employers, permits workers to contribute, through payroll deduction, to accounts that are designated for specific qualifying medical or dental expenses. If your employer makes an FSA available, the account typically is used in conjunction with your employer-sponsored medical plan for [...]

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How to Review a Credit Report

July 30, 2009 Life Planning
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photo credit: TheTruthAbout
You’ve probably heard the advise that you should be reviewing your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus every twelve months. I recommend staggering the requests so that you get an Equifax report in the Spring, a TransUnion report in mid-summer, and an Experian report as Winter starts. By staggering [...]

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Taking Care of an Elderly Parent

July 10, 2009 Life Planning
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photo credit: superkimbo in BKK
As a kid, there’s no greater comfort in having your parents there to pick you up when you fall.   But what happens when the role reverses, and now you become the care taker of your elderly parents?  Most parents will never admit to you that they need help keeping track [...]

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