1/19/2012 - Four in 10 drivers have delayed car repairs   A new survey indicates that in an effort to save money, many Americans have put off having their vehicles serviced, even though doing so jeopardized their driving safety. The poll, conducted by Consumer Reports, indicated that 40% of respondents said they had postponed having their car checked out by a mechanic for repairs on such things as brakes, tires and headlights. Among these motorists, 44% admitted that doing this could...

Since today is tax day, it seemed as good a time as any to talk about spring cleaning. I mean, weve all filed those returns, March Madness is over, and the weather is gorgeous -- so theres no more excuses for not getting the cleaning done! We know how daunting spring cleaning can be, and were here to help! Heres a list of items that should be on everyones spring cleaning to-do: 1. Change the furnace filter: Just because youre not running the heat, doesnt mean you shouldnt change your f...

With spring cleaning in full force, you probably have piles of stuff thats ready to be dropped off at the nearest Goodwill. So -- lets discuss charitable donations. By definition, a charitable donation is a gift made by an individual or an organization to a nonprofit organization, charity or private foundation. Charitable donations are most commonly in the form of cash, but can also be motor vehicles, clothing and other assets (AKA, your old "stuff"). If youve donated to Goodwill befo...

You may not think of Thanksgiving as a dangerous holiday -- but lots can go wrong as you hustle around your kitchen prepping your familys feast! Avoid any mishaps on Thursday by following these 10 simple tips: 1. Start prepping early to pace yourself and avoid the rush-around-the-kitchen. 2. Unless youre a pro chef, dont deep fry your turkey. This is a potentially dangerous method best left to the pros! Also, it goes without saying, but all turkey deep frying should be do...

Happy March! While the deadline for filing your 2015 tax return isnt until Monday, April 18, lets all agree to get those taxes done this month. As you begin the process, here are 25 tax deductions you might not be aware of -- but should know about! Health insurance premiums (100% deductible for the self-employed!) Transportation expenses to/from medical appointments and procedures Nursing home expenses Crutches, orthopedics, hearing aids, glasses and other medical...

If youre the type of person who has an app for everything (Starbucks! The Library! Your fave drugstore! Coupons! A fireplace!), then youll love todays post. Today we are talking about apps that make doing your taxes easier. Heres our 5 favorites: 1. ShoeBoxed If you own a small business, or are an independent contractor with lots of miscellaneous expenses, consider ShoeBoxed. Using this app is easy: simply snap photos of your receipts via their app, and ShoeBoxed will upload your re...

This week we are continuing our discussion of all things taxes, and looking at scenarios where you should hire an accountant. Listen -- we are all for DIY, and Turbo Tax is a great resource for lots of people! However, if you fall into any of the 7 scenarios we are about to outline, you may want to consider hiring a pro. Costing anywhere from $270-$400, a tax account will help you find deductions you may not be aware of, be up-to-date on the latest laws and help you avoid an unpleasant audit ...