Freeze and unfreeze credit reports for free
Question: I’d like to freeze my credit record to protect against identity theft. I heard that Congress recently passed a law making credit freezes free. When can I get my free freeze? Answer: online pharmacy proscar online with best prices today in the USA A credit freeze prevents new creditors from reviewing your credit report, making it harder for identity thieves to take out credit ... READ MORE
Entrepreneurs find niche at farmers markets
Farmers markets benefit our communities on so many levels. They provide the opportunity to support local businesses, which keeps our money in our own communities. They enable us to cut down on the carbon footprint of our meals because the fruits and vegetables we buy do not travel as far to our tables. Farmers markets also strengthen our communities by offering the chance to socialize ... READ MORE
Get your feet wet in water-related funds
As natural resources go, oil tends to get more attention from investors than clean drinking water, even against the backdrop of headline-grabbing shortages in Flint, Michigan, South Africa and elsewhere. But a few funds are showing that investing in utilities and water infrastructure and technology companies can pay off, especially for long-term investors looking to diversify their... READ MORE
Why to always use at least one credit card
Certified financial planner David Rae said he used to think that “anyone who could draw breath” could get an auto loan. Then one of his millionaire clients tried to buy a car — and failed. The 42-year-old client was turned down for a loan because he had no credit scores, said Rae, who is based in Los Angeles. Nineteen million American adults are “unscoreable,” lacking enough ... READ MORE
What to do with an older car: fix or sell?
You’re looking at a $1,200 repair estimate for your ailing car when an ad catches your eye: a brand new set of wheels for a mere $450 a month. At first, dumping your old car might seem like a no-brainer — and you can’t help picturing how good you would look in that new car. But automotive experts say you’ll almost always come out ahead — at least financially — by fixing old... READ MORE
Thinking, and writing, about your legacy
About half of Americans create at least one New Year’s resolution at the start of a new year, and most of those will have become a distant memory within months. But something you do at any time, and that can make a meaningful difference, is to draw up your own Personal Legacy Statement. It’s like an estate plan, but instead of focusing on finances, it focuses on what kind of life you ... READ MORE
Money market funds offering juicier yields
For years, money market mutual funds have paid practically nothing. But each time the Federal Reserve lifts short-term interest rates, yields on money market funds tend to rise in tandem. “That’s one of their most attractive qualities,” said Peter Crane, president of Crane Data, a money fund research company. Many money funds yield more than 1 percent, and Crane expects yields on... READ MORE
How rising interest rates affect your money
After years at rock bottom, interest rates are moving slowly and steadily upward. In late March, the Federal Reserve raised its benchmark lending rate to a range between 1.50 percent and 1.75 percent, the highest point since the 2008 financial crisis. The median forecast reported is for another three nudges upward this year. In April, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated the central... READ MORE
Update estate plan in light of new tax law
The new tax law has led some people to assume they can delete estate planning from their to-do lists. But that is a dangerous assumption. Yes, the new tax law roughly doubles the federal estate-tax exemption, to about $11.2 million per person — meaning the vast majority of people will not be subject to federal estate tax. But before you take your estate planner off speed dial,... READ MORE
