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Ask any jeweler how much money you should spend on an engagement ring and theyll likely give you the jewelry industrys long-standing rule of thumb"three months salary.The average person spends about half that amount, according to Census data.The jewelry industry isnt recommending three months of pay after taxes, but three months of gross pay"which adds up to about $8,500 for the average man age 25-34, according to Census data. The average person spends about $4,000 on an engagement rin...

If you have a sign in your front yard warning burglars that you have a home alarm system in place, you could be attracting a new breed of scammer. Thats the warning from the consumer watchdogs at Consumer Reports, who say scammers look for signs of existing installations, especially older-looking signs, then strike with one of two approaches: Fraudsters claiming to be remote access technicians from your security company tell you, they noticed glitches in your system and they want to repair it. Y...

Credit cards are helpful and convenient.Unless you use them wisely, though, you could find yourself in financial trouble.Charge responsibly by using a credit card only for items you need, rather than want, and for emergency situations.Dont max out cards, or risk jeopardizing your credit score and future loans.Try paying your full balance every month to avoid wasteful interest charges.Always pay credit card bills on time. Missed payments could hurt your credit score for several years.Take advanta...

If youre buried by credit card debt, a negotiated debt settlement with your creditor may be worth checking into. Negotiated debt settlement is a general term for discharging debt in a way that appeals to the credit card holder and the cards issuer.Its best to negotiate from a position of strength by not having submitted late payments or having missed them, which can cause a credit score to fall. If that happens, cardholders will likely have a harder time getting concessions in a negotiated debt ...

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If youve got a problem with credit card debt, there might be a simple solution thats already sitting in your wallet or purse " a $20 bill.Having cash in your pocket may seem counterintuitive. If youve heard the phrase burning a hole in my pocket, then you know how enticing it can be to spend money youre carrying around.But having cash on hand can cause you to spend less money than you would with a credit card " at least for small purchases " researchers have found.A study by the U...

These cutting-edge security features will ensure your property is prepared for anything!Biometric KeypadWith biometric keypads, all of your doors can be set to automatically lock and simply require your fingerprint to open.Home FirewallInstalling a firewall provides an extra layer of protection to any online vulnerabilities.Safe RoomA fortified safe room can serve as shelter from a natural disaster or extra defense in the event of a home intrusion.Perimeter Surveillance RadarsPerimeter surveilla...

Keeping track of every single dollar you spend can be difficult, no matter how closely you track your spending and monitor your bank accounts. Automatic payments from your checking account to pay for a gym membership, for example, can be forgotten and leave a checkbook unbalanced.But besides accounting for where your money goes, there are some invisible money leaks that you may not be paying attention to that can add up to wasted money. Here are four:Unused memberships and subscriptionsA gym mem...

If you’re a fan of that rustic look, or just love to feature beautiful wood in your space, then your home may already be covered with hardwood floors below, exposed beams above and wood furniture throughout. But if you’re looking to add even more wood to your interior scheme, consider a few of the following.Countertops. While real wood countertops may be more difficult to maintain, their gorgeous look in your space may make them worth it. Shop around with your local counter conveyor, or hire...

Is student loan debt weighing you down?Pay beyond the minimum payment every month to reduce your principal and avoid wasting money on interest.To trick yourself into making an extra full payment annually, split monthly payments in half and pay that amount every two weeks instead.Consider refinancing and consolidating your loans with a lower interest rate.Devote cash windfalls, such as pay raises or tax refunds, to paying off your loans.Try getting a side job and putting the extra income toward y...

Is your evening couch potato routine with your partner growing stale? It can be hard to find the energy to connect after a long day of work, but while watching television may be a good way to turn your brain off, it certainly doesn’t help with connecting. Below are several easy, inexpensive ways to connect with your loved one in the evening.Play a board game. There’s nothing better than a little healthy competition to add some excitement to a relationship. If you’re not a board game fan, p...

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Creative-types can feel stalled if they don’t have a frequent creative release. But with work and family, it can be hard to make time for yourself and your creative endeavors. Below are three ways to add creativity to your day.Do it first thing. Self-care is essential, and if creativity is a part of your make-up, filling your creative cup first thing in the morning can completely change the mood of the day. Do you like to journal? Sketch? Make music? Stoke your creative fire by spending 30 min...

Owning a historic home provides old-world charm, but it can also pose challenges.Historic homes often need more maintenance, and outdated technology, such as heating units, could mean higher bills.If decorative fixtures need repair or replacement, the materials may be costly or no longer available.Painting the exterior and other renovations could require approval from officials.If the home is on the National Register of Historic Places, the insurance premium will likely be high.Nonetheless, thes...