I'm usually in too much of a Thanksgiving food coma to hit the sales on Black Friday, but millions of other Americans somehow find the energy. Last year, 89 million people took advantage of Black Friday sales (57 million of them online), while an estimated 247 million shopped throughout the four-day weekend, as stores increasingly have opened their doors on Thanksgiving … [Read more...] about Don’t let cyber Grinches ruin your holidays
Personal Finance and Business
Watch out for potholes in your car insurance
Would you be surprised to learn that if your laptop gets stolen during a car break-in, your automobile insurance probably won't reimburse you for the loss? Don't be. Many people have only a vague idea of things like: what their car insurance does and doesn't cover; how they might accidentally void their coverage; or that even if an accident isn't their fault, their own … [Read more...] about Watch out for potholes in your car insurance
Buy Black in the New Year
Make it your resolution to support the African American business community this year with PurchaseBlack.com As the holiday shopping season comes to a close, PurchaseBlack.com wants shoppers to continue to support the African American business community and buy black in the New Year. “After the gifts are given away, you are still going to have birthdays, need school clothes, … [Read more...] about Buy Black in the New Year
Why was your credit card transaction denied?
We've all had these moments: You're at a romantic restaurant and the evening went great. But just as you and your date are readying to leave, an embarrassed waiter appears and whispers, "I'm afraid your card has been denied." So much for romance. The same thing can happen at the grocery store, when shopping online or worst of all, when you're traveling and don't have a back-up … [Read more...] about Why was your credit card transaction denied?
Practical Money Skills For LIFE
Don’t ignore tax deduction for moving expenses Whether you’re relocating across town or across the country, moving is expensive. By the time you’ve paid to have your household goods packed and moved, cancelled and reconnected utilities and racked up storage fees, you could easily be out thousands of dollars. Many people don’t realize that if they’re moving to start a new job, … [Read more...] about Practical Money Skills For LIFE
Trim your wedding costs
Practical Money Skills for Life By Jason Alderman Director of Visa’s financial education programs Weddings have always been big business, but I was shocked to see how expensive they've become in the 17 years since my wife and I got married. According to the annual Real Weddings Study, the average wedding in the U.S. now costs $28,427, and that doesn't even count the … [Read more...] about Trim your wedding costs
How financially literate are you?
Practical Money Skills for Life By Jason Alderman Director of Visa’s financial education programs I'm not sure whether it was intentional or merely a coincidence that several years ago Congress proclaimed April to be Financial Literacy Month. April is also the month when millions of Americans grimly write a check to the IRS and resolve to do a better job managing their … [Read more...] about How financially literate are you?
Fourteen things to consider before buying a home (part 1 of 2)
Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment By Diane Benson Harrington Wait! That house may seem like everything you’ve ever wanted, but before you make an offer, take some time to consider a few things beyond the size, style and price. When buying a home, it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality, or get sudden amnesia about factors that may make a … [Read more...] about Fourteen things to consider before buying a home (part 1 of 2)
The Practical Money Skills for Life
Avoiding tax refund identity fraud by Jason Alderman Director of Visa’s financial education programs Many people file their income tax returns as early in the year as possible. Some are eager to claim their tax refund right away, while others are simply following their New Year’s resolution not to procrastinate until midnight, April 15. Let me add another good reason … [Read more...] about The Practical Money Skills for Life
When retiring together doesn’t make sense
By Jason Alderman Back when people from my parents' generation were first planning their lives together, most married couples looked forward to working hard for a few decades, buying a house, raising a family and then retiring together while they still had enough money and energy to travel and pursue favorite hobbies. Some couples do manage to pull this off and thrive; … [Read more...] about When retiring together doesn’t make sense