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7 Biggest Misconceptions About Life Insurance - Many myths surround life insurance, such as only the family breadwinner needs life insurance and you need life insurance totaling seven times your income. Here's the truth.
People are gambling their nest eggs on the belief that home values have risen too high and soon will fall. Meet the bubble sitters, who have sold their homes, locked in their profits and become renters.
If history is a guide, bubbles don't always burst; local recessions do that. More often, booms are followed by plateaus. When to Dump Your Term Insurance - Some people buy term policies for all the right reasons, but hold onto them too long for all the wrong reasons. Breaking the Paycheck-to-Paycheck Cycle - If your money runs out before the month does, this eight-step plan will help, says the Debt Adviser. When to Begin Drawing Social Security Benefits - The decision about whether to start at age 62 or wait depends on numerous factors, including your health, your financial situation and whether you want to keep working. Should Women Save More for Retirement than Men? - Do the math. Women live longer, drop out of the workforce for years at a time and earn less money than men. Even Rich Folks Have Bag-Lady Syndrome - Do you harbor a fear that your financial security could disappear in a heartbeat? It may not be irrational. Three Approaches to Paying Off Debt- You can go for maximum effect, for maximum satisfaction, or for the credit-score boost, says the Debt Adviser. Ballooning Equity Doesn't Mean You're Rich - Many homeowners may feel they've gotten rich from skyrocketing appreciation, but where and how can they spend the money. On the Bubble? Heed these Do's and Dont's - If you really think you may get hurt in a real estate bubble burst, following this advice could minimize the damage. Feeling Wealthy Can Make You Poor - The wealth effect from rising home values and fatter portfolios can lead you to a dangerous precipice: living a more expensive lifestyle than you can afford. Sorting Out Your Medical Insurance Options - These new plans can save you money, but you need to know what you're doing. Preventing Squables Over Your Will - If you want an ironclad will, an "in terrorem" provision helps make sure your heirs won't contest it. Top Five Strategies for a Lifetime of Savings - If you want to be serious about building up your savings you should start with a solid foundation. Safely Stashing Short Term Cash - For openers, it depends on what you consider short term, says Dr. Don. Real Life Stories of Financial Horrors - Cringe in terror at the mess ups that happened in customer service departments, at the hands of mortgage lenders and at credit card companies across the nation. Welcome to the Bankrate Chamber of Horrors. Home Equity is Not Your Savings Account - It's not as accessible as you may need and, worse, it could disappear almost overnight. To Sign or Not to Sign? - Many consumers refuse to sign their credit cards, or write "check ID" thinking it will thwart fraud. How to Opt Out of (almost) Anything - From credit card offers to binding arbitration, here's how to escape the annoyances and unfriendly terms that businesses try to foist on you. Top Ten Car Buying Mistakes - Opening your heart and mouth to an auto salesman is roughly akin to opening your bank account. Here are the most common mistakes you can make. 12 Financial Tips for Women - Too many elderly women live in poverty. These tips can keep you from being one of them. Theory of Money Relativity - At best, money relativity is nothing more than an eccentric mind game. At worst, it can serve as a rationalization for a host of financially irresponsible impulses. Be Careful Shifting in to Automatic Bill Pay - It's convenient, but it can cause problems if you're not careful. How to Haggle Like a Pro - Ready to buy that new home or car? Here's how the best hagglers ply their trade -- and how you can put their tactics to use. 10 Steps to a Money Smart Divorce - Severing your fiscal as well as marital ties is never easy, but these tips will help you steady your financial ship as you set sail for the solo voyage ahead. 10 Bad Habits that Lead to Debt Disaster - If you're up to your eyeballs in debt, reviewing your money missteps can help prevent you from repeating them and show you the way out. Is Your Bank Spying on You? - A government program aimed at nabbing terrorists and money launderers is also flooding the government with reports on ordinary citizens' banking activities Is it Time to Cash Out? - With real and perceived threats hanging over home equity nest eggs everywhere, many ask if they should take the money and run. |