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Medical Billing Errors

by Flexo

If you ever find yourself in a hospital, always check your bill once you get out. A few years ago, I found myself in the hospital for a few hours for something minor. My insurance took care of mostly everything without a problem. I checked my explanation of benefits from the insurance, and I noticed ... Continue reading this article…

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Emigrant Direct Raises Rates and Offers Rebate Credit Card

by Flexo

For the latest information on the Emigrant Direct Rebate Credit Card, click here (January 2006). Emigrant Direct raised interest rates on its savings account to a wonderful 4.0 percent APY today, possibly to coincide with the Federal Reserve Bank’s increase of 25 basis points. I have updated the latest checking and savings rates table to include ... Continue reading this article…

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What Are You Afraid Of? Part 2

by Flexo

Earlier, I posted a summary of the first half of Money Magazine’s newest feature, Your Six Biggest Money Fears. In the feature, six general fears regarding personal finance are discussed and debunked, and for each an alternate concern is posited. Outsourcing makes many white-collar Americans concerned about their job. Still, it’s mostly blue-collar jobs that ... Continue reading this article…

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What Are You Afraid Of?

by Flexo

CNN Money has an extensive feature on how general consensus is wrong again. The articles look at the biggest money fears, how they may be unreasonable, and what should worry the public instead. Here are the first three from the series. The remaining three appear in a follow-up post here at Consuermsim Commentary. While Americans ... Continue reading this article…

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Emergency Funds, Doing Okay?

by Flexo

We hear all the time how Americans are not saving enough for emergencies. The “Emergency Fund” is heralded as the first step in getting a sound financial footing, before thoughts about investing in stocks or making large purchases enter the brain. The idea of putting aside cash for a (very) rainy day has been a ... Continue reading this article…

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Gas-Guzzlers Downshift

by Flexo

Coult it be that American consumers have started turning thier backs to gas-guzzling monster machines? From CNN: * Large SUV sales are 11.2 percent lower than they were at this time last year, according to AutoData. * In the “beige book” released Wednesday, the Federal Reserve reported a shift to vehicles that use less gas. ... Continue reading this article…

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Free Prizes May Not Be Worth It

by Flexo

In some cases, it might be better to decline contest winnings [free WSJ article] than to accept the prize. The income tax due on winnings might be more than what it would cost to buy the prize outside of the contest. In the article, a man declines free American Airlines flights.

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The Urge to Merge

by Flexo

According to the New York Times, Bank of America is buying MBNA. This is another reason why consumers should avoid carrying a balance on credit cards if they are being charged interest. As more credit issuers merge, there will be less competition. With less competition, annual fees and interest rates will rise. Update: CNN answers ... Continue reading this article…

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