Identity theft victims suffered more than $24.7 billion in direct and indirect losses in 2012 — that’s more than the combined $14 billion in losses consumers experienced from other types of theft (burglary, motor vehicle theft and other property theft) in the same period. The Bureau of Justice Statistics highlighted these and other staggering statistics... Read More

With only about a week to go before the end of the year, you may be thinking you’re all done shopping until 2014. However, don’t let the books close on 2013 without considering these last-minute purchases. 1. Make your health insurance plan official If you signed up for health insurance through one of the government exchanges,... Read More

Whether it’s responsible money management, weight loss or a healthier lifestyle, New Year’s resolutions usually become a thing of the past by February when the holiday festivities are over, the dust has settled and life is back to normal. However, with a little determination and consistency, resolutions can help you save $1,000 or much more. 1.... Read More

With the colder months often come the winter blues. One of the best cures is dreaming of vacations to warm locales. But you may be thinking there’s no way you can actually afford a winter getaway. In fact, there are budget-friendly vacation options. Plan your travel now so you have someplace to go when the dreary, short... Read More

Hackers stole encrypted personal identification numbers (PINs) in the Target data breach, the company confirmed Friday. However, Target says the encryption is strong and they are confident the numbers remain secure. “I hope they are right because that information, along with the credit and debit numbers of millions of Target customers, has been in the... Read More

December is a good time to reflect on all things important: family, friends and money. One can argue that money certainly should not be in the same category as friends and family. However, when it comes to how it impacts our lives, it is quite important. We spend time focusing on how much money we... Read More