Money & Finance

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(BPT) - If one universal lesson emerged from the economic meltdown of the Great Recession, it’s that ignorance is not bliss when it comes to financial matters. Before the recession, many Americans made financial decisions without fully understanding the impact of their choices – despite detailed financial disclosure statements intended to educate consumers on just what they were agreeing to when entering a credit contract with lenders.

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(BPT) - A college education is a lifelong investment. College graduates are more likely to be employed and earn more throughout the course of their lives, according to a recent report by the College Board. While the benefits of a college education may be clear, figuring out the true cost and how to pay for it isn’t always as obvious.

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(NAPSI)—Good news for people concerned about employment in America today: Well-paying jobs in the manufacturing sector—actually, more than 600,000 of them—are waiting for workers who have been properly trained.

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(NAPSI)—A one-of-a-kind, first-in-the-nation student funding model is growing in Arizona’s public education system, where eligible families get debit cards to shop for the schools and services that work best for them. Participating parents couldn’t be happier with the program.

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(NAPSI)—If you’re not sure how you are going to reach your financial goals, there’s helpful news. Here are four tips to navigate the changing economic conditions and keep your finances under control.

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Figuring out the best ways to save a few extra dollars can be difficult. But, a few simple strategies can go a long way in helping you and your family pay down debt and be better prepared for financial emergencies, college expenses and retirement. Some take a few minutes, others may require discipline – but all are easy moves to stretch your dollars and improve your financial situation.

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(StatePoint) From increased unemployment to commonplace home foreclosures, it’s hard to forget the devastating effects of the 2008 financial crisis and the worst recession since the Great Depression.

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(NAPSI)—While an investment tip from someone you know can be tempting, you should always research an investment yourself.

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(StatePoint) Annual enrollment season is the critical time to ensure you make the best benefit choices for you and your family for the coming year.  However, most employees don’t take time to review their options thoroughly, according to the results of a recent survey.

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(NAPSI)—Amid the escalating costs in higher learning is a growing chorus of concern that students need helpful resources and tools to make the right financial decisions when mapping out their career path.

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(BPT) - If fire damages your house or the wind tears some shingles off the roof, your homeowner’s insurance will likely cover the cost of repairs. But what if your refrigerator’s ice-maker stops working or the door on your self-cleaning oven refuses to latch? Many homeowners turn to home warranty programs to help them protect the things insurance doesn’t, like mechanical and electrical appliances or systems within the home.

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(BPT) - The majority of parents of high school students know that the future will very likely hold a college education for their child. But what is often uncertain is how they will pay for that education. About 60 percent of high school graduates enroll in a college or university for advanced studies according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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(NAPSI)—From tax changes to utility bills and minimum wage requirements, small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have a variety of expenditures and regulatory obligations. Meanwhile, governmental changes and other factors continue to alter the landscape of expenses that SMBs can expect from year to year.

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While economists are reporting signs of improvement in the economy, it’s still tough out there for families trying to make ends meet. The fall and winter months can be even more financially challenging, between balancing the expensive holiday season and needing extra cash for repairs and replacements of everyday objects. This can set many families up to be victims of lending scams.

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(NAPSI)—Life changes can happen at any time. From car repairs to medical bills and tuition payments, these changes can upset the delicate financial balance that many consumers need to maintain.

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(NAPSI)—You can help yourself to good feelings and others to what they need and deserve by giving some time to the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service.

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(NAPSI)—As the Affordable Care Act is set to be fully implemented, there is still much confusion about how the law will affect you and your family. Here are 10 things to know about the health care law’s protections and benefits, courtesy of AARP:

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(BPT) - At a time when unemployment still remains relatively high and competition for jobs is stiff, the career as a personal financial professional holds much promise for graduating college students and career-changers.

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(BPT) - Nearly 90 percent of American homes have hard water - water containing high levels of calcium and magnesium, according to The U.S. Geological Survey. The hardest water is commonly found in the states that run from Kansas to Texas as well as in Southern California. Hard water on its own is bad enough, making it difficult to wash clothes and dishes and leaving scaling on your pipes and showerheads as well as nasty brown rings in your sinks and toilets. However, it is also costing you money.

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(NAPSI)—As male members of the graduating class of 2014 head back to high school for their final year, they need to remember a requirement beyond class work that they must fulfill. The law requires that young men who are U.S. residents register with the Selective Service within 30 days of their 18^th birthday.

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(BPT) - Every fall, many people review their employer health care options during “open enrollment.” As you start to focus on your health care decisions, you may also want to consider the safety of information you routinely provide, such as your address, Social Security number and insurance provider. With new private and public health insurance exchanges becoming available, you may face a greater risk for medical identity theft.

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(NAPSI)—Today’s jobs require more training and education than in the past. In fact, a recent study by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce anticipates that more than 65 percent of the 55 million American jobs generated by 2020 will require training beyond high school.

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(NAPSI)—Here’s something many may consider eye-opening news: A person who is blind can perform almost any job as well as a sighted person. Today, people who are blind seamlessly use computers, operate machinery and serve in management roles—but many misconceptions still exist about what they are capable of in the workplace.

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(BPT) - You’ve polished your resume, updated your references and picked up your best outfit from the dry cleaners. You’re ready for that big interview. But while your experience and qualifications may match the position perfectly, have you given any thought to your soft skills?