Everyday Cents
Full Service 
Everyday Cents
Print Only Everyday Cents – Editorial CalendarA Newsletter for General AudiencesJuly 2012
Why Homeowners Depend on Insurance
The potential for peril helps explain why 97% of homeowners have property insurance. Damage from wind and hail is the most common claim, but fires are generally the most expensive. Accompanying chart shows average homeowners losses by severity of claim.
Financial Tips for “Free Agents”
The number of freelance workers is projected to reach 70 million by 2020. Free agents may enjoy the flexibility but often forsake predictable salaries and insurance benefits. Read about some ways in which independent contractors might strengthen their financial positions and save more for retirement.
Overcoming Overdraft Fees
Consumers paid nearly $30 billion in checking account overdraft penalties in 2011. Unfortunately, “overdraft protection” may mean something different to consumers than it does to the banks. This article suggests that readers keep close tabs on the details of their bank’s overdraft program and think carefully about whether they would benefit by “opting in.”
Trying to Buy American?
Contrary to what many people might think, about 88.5% of American consumer spending was for goods and services produced in the United States. More domestic and foreign manufacturers are building cars and appliances in U.S. factories, although clothing and other labor-intensive goods are still likely to be made overseas.
Kids and Sugar Shock
Data from the National Center for Health Statistics confirms that American children are consuming much more sugar than they should. Kids get a total of about 322 calories daily from added sugars. Here's where those added-sugar calories are hiding.
Plus...
Tips on becoming a money-savvy traveler and how to pick a strong password.
-
June 2012
All Stressed Out
The overall stress level of Americans has declined since it peaked during the recession, but money — or lack of it — still causes the most strain, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association.
Is Your Car Wiping Out Your Cash?
The average American household spends close to $10,000 a year on automobile costs — payments, gas, insurance, and related expenses — more than what is spent on health insurance or taxes. Here are some tips to help reduce the cost of car ownership.
Breaking Free of the Credit-Card Trap
Many Americans have been successful at reducing their credit-card debt. The average account balance declined 7% in 2010 and another 11% in 2011. Here are some strategies to help pay down credit-card debt more quickly.
Why You Should Read the Fine Print
Wordy disclaimers and legalese in financial documents, software agreements, and sales/service contracts often go unread. But not noticing the fees, exclusions, and waivers that are often hidden in small print could cost each American household more than $2,000 per year.
More Parks Welcome Dogs (and Their Masters)
Now that there are more U.S. households with dogs than with children, public demand for outdoor spaces where dogs can run and play freely has surged. The number of parks with off-leash areas for dogs grew 34% between 2005 and 2010, compared with only 3% growth for public parks and playgrounds overall.
Plus...
The health benefits of eating tomatoes and the high cost of high school proms.
-
May 2012
Breaking Down Your Utility Bill
The average American household consumed $2,200 worth of home energy in 2011. The largest percentage (28%) went to space heating costs, followed by water heating (14%), space cooling (12%), and lighting (10%).
A Calculated Approach to Life Insurance
About 44% of households without life insurance admit that they haven’t purchased a policy because they don’t know how much coverage they need. The accompanying worksheet may help readers determine an appropriate level of life insurance coverage for their own situations.
Postponing Life’s Milestones
The weak economy and financial concerns may explain why more young Americans are taking their time when it comes to making important life decisions such as getting married, having kids, and buying homes.
Identity Thieves Target Travelers
Hackers looking to steal financial data often lurk in airports and hotels, where lost or stolen electronic devices and unsecured networks may compromise the identity security of unsuspecting travelers. This article provides tips to help protect financial information when away from home.
Learning More About Lefties
Researchers have been studying what “handedness” reveals about the wiring of the brain. Read some interesting facts and the latest scientific findings about the lefties, who make up 10% of the population.
Plus...
Herbal remedies to head off lice and why many high schools have moved away from bestowing senior class awards.
-
April 2012
Women Contribute More than Men (to Retirement Plans)
A graphical look at the percentage of female and male workers ages 21 to 64 who participated in an employer-sponsored retirement plan in 2010.
Wireless “Bill Shock” Could End Soon
A voluntary FCC initiative requires wireless providers to alert customers when they approach monthly usage levels at which they would incur higher fees for voice, text, data, and international roaming services. Participating carriers will begin providing customers with notifications for at least two of these wireless features by October 2012.
Scammers May Pose as IRS Agents
The IRS is warning taxpayers not to fall victim to emails asking for private information that appears to be sent from the federal agency. The IRS does not use email to request sensitive personal information.
Leading Index May Light the Way
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index is designed to help business leaders and investors make more informed decisions. This article looks at the 10 components that make up the index and how the LEI gauges the future economic outlook.
Plump Up Your Cash Cushion
It’s generally recommended that households keep enough money on hand to cover three to six months of living expenses in the event of unexpected expenses. Here are some tips to help build up an emergency fund.
Plus...
Science delivers new and improved flowers, owners care for pricey pets, and a Consumer Reports investigation on fraudulent fish.
-
March 2012
The Wealth of Nations
A comparison of GDP per capita of eight nations (including the United States).
Avoiding Pesticides in Produce
Consumers who would like to avoid exposure to pesticides may be interested in a recent report that analyzed pesticide residues on 50 different fruits and vegetables. Apples were the most contaminated of all fresh foods tested by the USDA. Knowing which varieties tend to have the highest pesticide levels could help readers decide whether to buy organic.
Learning to Haggle Over Health Care
A larger percentage of household incomes is being devoted to health care. Becoming a more informed consumer may help reduce medical bills. Here are a few tips that could help readers save money while pursuing better health.
Messy Math and Other Tax Mistakes
It normally takes about six to eight weeks for taxpayers to receive a refund on their tax returns, but only three weeks if the return was filed electronically. Here are a few of the most common errors the IRS finds on taxpayer forms.
How Much Does That Bundle of Joy Cost?
The total cost for an average middle-income family to raise a child born in 2010 through age 17 has grown to $286,860, according to a USDA study.
Plus...
Raising an avid reader and reasons to consider having a will for estate planning.
-
February 2012
The Honeymoon May Be Over
Who’s in charge of the family finances? It turns out that 53% of men think they are the sole decision-maker, while 73% of women say they share the responsibility equally with their partners.
Oil Prices and Your Wallet
Many people don’t know that a $1 drop in the price of crude typically lowers the retail price of gas by about 2.4 cents per gallon. Winter home heating costs may also depend on fluctuating crude oil prices. Here's a quick look at how swings in oil prices can affect the average consumer and the overall economy.
Saving Your Child's Smile from Youth Sports
Kids who play organized sports have more than 3 million teeth knocked out each year, with baseball and basketball players suffering the most injuries. This article provides guidance on protecting young athletes and what to do when a tooth is lost or damaged.
Dealing with the Odds of Disability
Adults have a 1 in 5 chance of becoming disabled for a year or more during their working years. At a time when many employers are cutting back on long-term disability coverage, it may be worth considering an individual disability income policy.
Does Money Buy More Happiness?
The Happiness Index attempts to measure life satisfaction by calculating the answers of survey respondents who strongly agree with certain positive statements and strongly disagree with negative ones. As one might expect, people in the highest income bracket were happiest, but it's somewhat surprising that the least happy group falls in the second-highest earnings bracket.
Plus...
Benefits of a caffeine boost; anti-inflammatory benefits of chocolate.
|
|
Everyday Cents
Full Service
Everyday Cents
Print Only |