Every week, I write and send out my newsletter Helpful Money Tips for You. This week’s newsletter has a number of financial tips that will be valuable to to you and your family during 2024. See it below. I’m getting a lot of compliments on the newsletter. People like it because it’s brief and has information from a variety of sources that they can put to use right away. Read more →

It’s a typical refrain this time of year, “Happy New Year.” Usually people look back on the year left behind as we move into a new year. In recent years, I’ve been writing articles on the top 10 consumer and personal finance issues of the year that’s ending. Among 2023 highlights were the economy recovering and pay increases for many workers. Read more →

Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates this joyous day. I’m lucky to be able to celebrate with my daughter Mona and her family. We’ll be opening presents soon. I hope your holiday can be a joyous one without having to worry about finances. I was concerned when I read that nearly one in four Americans still have holiday debt from last year. Read more →

Millions of people around the world are excited about the holidays. Shopping for gifts, gathering with friends and family, and attending religious events heighten excitement this time of year. Americans are expected to spend between 3 percent and 4 percent more in 2023 than last year, about $957.3 billion and $966.6 billion, according to a survey. Read more →

The holidays are a big time for spending and gift giving. Americans are expected to spend between 3 percent and 4 percent more in 2023 than last year, about $957.3 billion and $966.6 billion, according to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation. That’s about $875 per person on gifts, decorations, food, and other holiday-related purchases. Read more →

High-powered magnets are dangerous to kids. About 2,400 cases of magnets being ingested were treated in hospital emergency departments from 2017 through 2021. Seven deaths occurred. When the magnets are swallowed, they can cause perforations, twisting and/or blockage of the intestines, infection, blood poisoning, and death. Read more →

As you’re doing your holiday shopping, it may be tempting to sign up for a retail credit card to take $25 or $50 off a big purchase. Don’t do it. These cards typically come with higher-than-average interest rates and limitations on rewards earning and redemption. A survey by FinanceBuzz, a financial information website found the following:  Read more →

It’s a flurry of activity getting ready for the holidays. I’ve purchased my plane ticket to California, started my shopping, and am contemplating decorations. My daughters came for an early Christmas last year and the year before. I “decked the halls” with a living Christmas tree, got out the nice China and red table runner, and we cooked up a storm. Read more →

With an increase in the use of the internet for shopping, the lines between Black Friday and Cyber Monday are blurring. However, my biggest Black Friday shopping recommendation, compare prices, also applies to Cyber Monday. Cyber Monday continues to be the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created. Read more →

In recent years, Black Friday sales have changed. They’re starting earlier and many are now online. That means fewer people are crowding to the malls. However, some people still love the rush and the doorbusters. In my weekly newsletter, sign up here, https://tinyurl.com/makeyourmoneywork, I’ve been saying for weeks to compare prices. Read more →