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• Name a potential disaster, she's got a financial plan

  Posted Jul 28 2008, 02:07 PM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Insurance, Saving, Emergency, Karen Datko
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  An article in The New York Times about more Americans than ever living on the verge of financial ruin got "Frugal Zeitgeist" thinking about her own contingency planning for disasters. If a terrorist attack, a catastrophic illness or job loss struck, would she survive financially?

  This blogger does have a plan -- in fact, several -- and she is worth listening to. She's so financially disciplined that she just paid off the mortgage on her New York City apartment and did it in less than seven years (although some would argue that's not always the best way to use extra money).   Read More...

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• Take the test: No better time to learn your financial IQ

  Posted Jun 06 2008, 01:25 PM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Spending, Insurance, Saving, Karen Datko
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  The same blogger who gave us the cute and quick "frugal or cheap" quiz gets a lot more serious with his latest test -- "What's your financial IQ?"

  With today's gloomy news -- crude oil's historic price jump, unemployment's dramatic rise, and the resulting stock market plunge -- there's no better time to visit Pinyo's post at Moolanomy and access your financial knowledge. Believe us, money know-how is going to come in handy, whether you're among the nation's unemployed, drive to work, or simply feed your face from time to time.   Read More...

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• How Single Ma saved a lot on prescription drugs

  Posted Jun 04 2008, 05:27 PM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Insurance, Saving, Karen Datko, Health care
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  If Single Ma had accepted the two prescriptions written for her and for her daughter without question, she would have spent $100 out-of-pocket -- despite the fact that her workplace health insurance plan includes meds.

  She did some research, made some phone calls, and ended up saving $180 (that's not a typo), without accepting reduced care for herself or her beloved BabyGirl. This practical post at Fabulous Financials illustrates why you need to be a savvy consumer when it comes to medical care.   Read More...

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• Deterring burglars the cheap way

  Posted May 20 2008, 11:18 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Housing, Insurance, Saving, Karen Datko
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  A rash of break-ins at Andy's apartment complex prompted him to think about improving security. He found that the cost of a monitored security system would run about $1,200 for the year, including $500 for installation. Yikes.

  He came up with some low- and no-cost alternatives and lists them in a post at Saving to Invest. For instance, what would it cost you to turn down your phone ringer before you leave home?   Read More...

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• How will Wal-Mart clinics affect health care?

  Posted Mar 03 2008, 11:50 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Insurance, Saving, Wal-Mart, Karen Datko
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  What will be the "Wal-Mart effect" on health care as the retail behemoth proceeds with plans to open walk-in clinics in hundreds of its stores? A post by Jessica Hupp at RNCentral.com describes 20 possible impacts -- and most are positive.

  Consider this: Isn't it likely that health care costs will come down as other providers try to compete with Wal-Mart's lower prices?   Read More...

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• Should you buy the loss damage waiver for a rental car?

  Posted Feb 26 2008, 07:10 PM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Travel, Insurance, Saving, Karen Datko
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  Rental car companies want to charge you about $20 a day for a loss or collision damage waiver. My Money Blog says that "it basically absolves you of any liability if the car becomes dented, breaks down, gets scratched, blown up, or whatever."

  Many people don't realize that their car insurance often provides some type of coverage for rental cars, and their credit card may supply secondary coverage that pays for what their car insurance won't, MMB says. Read your car insurance policy, and "look for specific wording in the paperwork that (credit card companies) mail you with the tiny print on amazingly thin paper," he writes.   Read More...

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