WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Citigroup holds its customers hostagehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/citigroup-holds-its-customers-hostage/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/citigroup-holds-its-customers-hostage/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/citigroup-holds-its-customers-hostage/#commentsFiled under:

Across the nation, Citibank credit card holders are receiving what pretty much amounts to a ransom note: We're going to raise your rates, says the letter, in so many words, but if you spend more money, we won't.

In more specific terms, customers are being asked to spend a minimum of $750 on their cards, and if they do, they can get a rebate for 50% to 100% of their interest rate for that given month.

I can't blame anyone for wanting to implode on the spot. After all, credit cards as a group used to encourage everyone to spend, until the recession came around, when the message seemed to be -- please don't spend, and if you spend, don't spend much. But now the credit cards are encouraging spending.

And if you don't, they'll raise your rates.

Madness.

But there's a reason behind it. Ben Woolsey, director of consumer research for CreditCards.com, told the Huffington Post that Citigroup, which is Citibank's parent company, by convincing people to spend more, will cause there to be more interchange fees -- those are the fees merchants have to pay every time a customer uses a credit or debit card. And so Citigroup will make more money through interchange fees, or through the higher interest rates.

Continue reading Citigroup holds its customers hostage

Citigroup holds its customers hostage originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Citigroupcredit cardsCreditCardsinterest ratebanksInterestRatebanksGeoff WilliamsFri, 20 Nov 2009 19:00:00 ESTFamily budgets: Make movie night safe again with family-friendly review siteshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/family-budgets-make-movie-night-safe-again-with-family-friendly/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/family-budgets-make-movie-night-safe-again-with-family-friendly/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/family-budgets-make-movie-night-safe-again-with-family-friendly/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Around my house, we don't make the decision to pile into the car and head over to our local Cineplex as easily as we once did. It costs a lot of money these days to see talking animals, wild things and giant meatballs falling from the sky -- and don't get me started on the popcorn.

Going to see the latest kid's film use to be a no-brainer and if the adults slept through it, well, it didn't really matter, but no more. When a family of four has to pay a total of $40.50 to see a "regular" movie, or $56.50 to see that movie in digital 3D, or splurges to see that same movie in digital 3D playing on the "giant" IMAX screen for a whopping $60.50, it suddenly becomes very important that everyone is at least mildly amused or entertained.

To buy tickets to all of the new movies coming out would cost literally hundreds of dollars, and if you throw in drinks and snacks -- there goes college. How to find one that's family-friendly and worth the expense?

Movie reviews for kids are not new, but they are getting increasingly relevant as families demand more of a sure-bet for their entertainment budget. It's impossible to promise that everyone will like a movie, but if you know who to listen to there will be more hits than misses.

Most of the websites are free, such as Kids-in-Mind., Commonsensemedia, Parentpreviews, and Moviemom.

Continue reading Family budgets: Make movie night safe again with family-friendly review sites

Family budgets: Make movie night safe again with family-friendly review sites originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>family budgetsfamily movie nightFamilyBudgetsFamilyMovieNightkid-friendly film review sitesKid-friendlyFilmReviewSiteskids and moneyKidsAndMoneymovie reviewing sitesMovieReviewingSitesthe cost of going to the moviesTheCostOfGoingToTheMoviesBonnie McCarthyFri, 20 Nov 2009 18:30:00 ESTShop the friendly skies? The airlines are hoping you'll buy while in the skyhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/shop-the-friendly-skies-the-airlines-are-hoping-youll-buy-whil/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/shop-the-friendly-skies-the-airlines-are-hoping-youll-buy-whil/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/shop-the-friendly-skies-the-airlines-are-hoping-youll-buy-whil/#commentsFiled under:

Along with sandwiches and soda, you may one day be able to buy tickets to Lion King and Animal Kingdom while cruising 35,000 feet above ground. A New York Times story reported that the airline industry is tinkering with the idea of expanding retail offerings to boost revenue.

Leading the brigade is American Airlines, which sells Heathrow Express train tickets on its flights to London and allows passengers in-flight Internet access and a chance at splurging on products from the SkyMall -- the glossy brochure that sells everything from cabin bags to fancy pens and perfumes.

Many airlines around the world already sell a limited collection of products on board from SkyMall. The only glitch has been in the technology that would allow a purchase in real time. In the past, passengers had to wait until they reached their destination to place an order, but Canadian company GuestLogix solved that problem by coming up with a technology that allows on air sales with the help of a credit card reader and sales software.

Personally, I do like having that option of buying an extreme last minute gift for a forgotten relative while en route to that big family gathering in India. Apart from saving face, it also would help me kill some time on that 15-hour flight. But, would passengers who like catching up on precious sleep cringe at the option? Trying to fall asleep with flight attendants sashaying the aisles carrying products and swiping credit cards definitely won't be easy.

Continue reading Shop the friendly skies? The airlines are hoping you'll buy while in the sky

Shop the friendly skies? The airlines are hoping you'll buy while in the sky originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>airlinesskymallMadhusmita BoraFri, 20 Nov 2009 17:30:00 ESTSingle women are hit hard by the recessionhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/single-women-are-hit-hard-by-the-recession/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/single-women-are-hit-hard-by-the-recession/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/single-women-are-hit-hard-by-the-recession/#commentsFiled under: , ,

There have been a lot of reports about which group of people have been hit hardest by the recession. Men have definitely been hit disproportionately hard by job losses. In fact, men held 71.9% of the jobs lost since the recession began, hurt by mass layoffs in construction and manufacturing, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

I've even written about how more households are relying on female breadwinners after husbands were laid off.

But single women -- many of whom are mothers or caregivers -- who get laid off don't have a second income to rely on while they hunt for a new job.


Continue reading Single women are hit hard by the recession

Single women are hit hard by the recession originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>employmentfathersmarried menmarried womenMarriedMenMarriedWomenmenmomsmothersrecessionsingle mensingle womenSingleMenSingleWomenunemploymentwomenFrancine HuffFri, 20 Nov 2009 17:00:00 ESTWill working a low wage job kill your career? No!http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/will-working-a-low-wage-job-kill-your-career-no/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/will-working-a-low-wage-job-kill-your-career-no/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/will-working-a-low-wage-job-kill-your-career-no/#commentsFiled under:

In a fairly idiotic bit of tabloid-style hysteria, CNNMoney asks the question "Are you committing career suicide?" by taking a low-paying job because you can't find anything better.

According to staff writer Jessica Dickler, many laid-off workers are taking steep paycuts to make ends meet, often working at entry-level or menial jobs to put food on the table: "But a smaller paycheck could push you back a rung in the in salary ladder, and make it that much harder to get back to where you were."

Continue reading Will working a low wage job kill your career? No!

Will working a low wage job kill your career? No! originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>CareersJobsZac BissonnetteFri, 20 Nov 2009 16:30:00 ESTDetroit's Silverdome almost sold for 1% of original costhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/detroits-silverdome-almost-sold-for-1-of-original-cost/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/detroits-silverdome-almost-sold-for-1-of-original-cost/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/detroits-silverdome-almost-sold-for-1-of-original-cost/#commentsFiled under:

SilverdomeWhat a difference a year makes. Or 34 years. Take your pick. Either way, it's a loss for Detroit and the surrounding area.

The Pontiac Silverdome was sold this week at auction for $583,000, or about 1% of the $55.7 million it took to build it in 1975, according to the Christian Science Monitor.

The sale was halted Wednesday when a judge ordered an injunction to stop it after a complaint was filed by developer H. Wallace Parker, who claims he had an agreement with the city to buy it, according to Crain's Detroit Business.

Continue reading Detroit's Silverdome almost sold for 1% of original cost

Detroit's Silverdome almost sold for 1% of original cost originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>DetroitDetroit LionsDetroitLionsSilverdomeAaron CroweFri, 20 Nov 2009 16:00:00 ESTTo have and to hold (Title, that is): Advice for the unmarriedhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/to-have-and-to-hold-title-that-is-advice-for-the-unmarried/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/to-have-and-to-hold-title-that-is-advice-for-the-unmarried/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/to-have-and-to-hold-title-that-is-advice-for-the-unmarried/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Who doesn't have an unmarried friend who lost the house, or at least their investment in the condo, when the relationship went sour?

The key question when buying property together, according to a new book -- "Living Together: A Legal Guide for Unmarried Couples" -- seems pretty simple: Does your legal relationship match your private agreement?

But who wants to have that conversation when you are newly in love, or at least new to nesting?

No one, the book's author admitted to WalletPop.

Continue reading To have and to hold (Title, that is): Advice for the unmarried

To have and to hold (Title, that is): Advice for the unmarried originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cohabitateCoHabitatingcohabitationcohabitingcohabitiondivorcehomeliving togetherLivingTogetherAmy PyleFri, 20 Nov 2009 15:30:00 ESTFriday freebies: magazines, photos, tote bag, and moisturizerhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/friday-freebies-magazines-photos-tote-bag-and-moisturizer/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/friday-freebies-magazines-photos-tote-bag-and-moisturizer/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/friday-freebies-magazines-photos-tote-bag-and-moisturizer/#commentsFiled under:

Time for Friday Freebies - my top five free things I've come across this week!

Snag a free issue of Get Married magazine, a new monthly for savvy brides. Expect tips on wedding trends, planning tools, and giveaways.

Get 50 free photos when you join CVS Photo, which is separate from its normal retail site. Signing up requires you to share your name, email and create a password for the site.

Black Friday freebie! Pick up a free reusable tote bag at Target starting a 4 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009. Each store will only have 500 bags so they will run out quickly. You can also get a $10 gift card if you spend $100 or more on Black Friday, the mega shopping day that follows Thanksgiving and marks the traditional start of the holiday shopping season.

Download a free 24-page road trip activity booklet from RadRoadTrips.com to keep the kids entertained while you drive to Thanksgiving. Especially useful if your minivan does not have a DVD player the kids can zone out in front of.

Lastly, head over to Nordstrom and get a free sample of Lancome's Absolue Precious Cells SPF 15, courtesy of Vogue. Yes, please!

Friday freebies: magazines, photos, tote bag, and moisturizer originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Black FridayBlackFridayfree itemsfreebiesFreeItemsgiveawaysLacome AbsolueLacomeAbsolueTargetJulia ScottFri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 ESTPodcast: How to spot fake job board postingshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/podcast-how-to-spot-fake-job-board-postings/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/podcast-how-to-spot-fake-job-board-postings/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/podcast-how-to-spot-fake-job-board-postings/#commentsFiled under:

In this "Your Job Will Come" podcast, WalletPop's Aaron Crowe talks with Francis Larkin, a senior product manager at SimplyHIred.com, a job board Web site that helps people search for jobs, about how to spot fake job postings.

I wrote about the site in October, and was impressed by its various filters to help narrow job searches.

Among the tips that Larkin suggests for spotting fake postings on job boards are to not apply for jobs that require you to move money from one bank account to another, which is essentially money laundering, and looking for misspellings in a job post.



Podcast: How to spot fake job board postings originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>job boardjob boardsJobBoardJobBoardssimplyhiredAaron CroweFri, 20 Nov 2009 14:30:00 ESTIRS still not done with Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francishttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/irs-still-not-done-with-girls-gone-wild-founder-joe-francis/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/irs-still-not-done-with-girls-gone-wild-founder-joe-francis/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/irs-still-not-done-with-girls-gone-wild-founder-joe-francis/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Joe FrancisEarlier this month, Girls Gone Wild promoter Joe Francis plea-bargained his way out of a possible prison sentence for charges related to filing false tax returns. By pleading guilty to filing false tax returns and bribing Nevada jail workers, Mr. Francis was sentenced to time served and one year of probation, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Initially accused of taking $20 million in fraudulent tax deductions, Francis ended up pleading guilty to a misdemeanor, the newspaper reported.

"It took us seven months, but in the end we demonstrated that the felony tax charges never should have been brought in the first place," Brad Brian, Francis' lead trial attorney, said in a statement.

But now the IRS is back for more.

Continue reading IRS still not done with Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis

IRS still not done with Girls Gone Wild founder Joe Francis originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>back taxesBackTaxesGirls Gone WildGirlsGoneWildirsJoe FrancisJoeFrancisTax evasiontaxesTaxEvasionZac BissonnetteFri, 20 Nov 2009 14:00:00 ESTRite Aid $3 off $15 coupon; expires Nov. 28http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/rite-aid-3-off-15-coupon-expires-nov-28/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/rite-aid-3-off-15-coupon-expires-nov-28/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/rite-aid-3-off-15-coupon-expires-nov-28/#commentsFiled under:

Wahoo! Here are two great coupons from Rite Aid. The first gets you $3 off a purchase of $15 or more. The second coupon gets you $2 off any Rite Aid brand skin care or beauty product that costs more than $2. In store only.

After the $2 off coupon these products cost:
  • A 300 pack of cotton swabs are 19 cents.
  • A pack of 32 make up wedges are 39 cents.
  • A pack of 25 antibacterial wipes, grape scents, are 49 cents.
  • A pack of 80 Cotton rounds are 59 cents.
  • Advanced healing lotion 10 ounces is 79 cents.
  • Baby Lotion Sunscreen 50 SPF 3 oz. is $1.

Final prices may vary. Print both coupons here. Both expire Saturday, Nov. 28. Neither can be combined with other discounts.

Caveats: Does not apply to prescriptions, co-pays, lottery tickets, tobacco, alcohol products, money orders, gift cards, stamps, licenses, other mailing series, online purchases or any other items excluded by law. Not valid online, sales tax not included.

Rite Aid $3 off $15 coupon; expires Nov. 28 originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Bargain BabeBargainBaberite aidRite Aid Corp RADRiteAidRiteAidCorpRadJulia ScottFri, 20 Nov 2009 13:45:00 ESTDebtors diet, week 2: Curb your enthusiasm at grocery storehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/debtors-diet-week-1-curb-your-enthusiasm-at-the-grocery-store/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/debtors-diet-week-1-curb-your-enthusiasm-at-the-grocery-store/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/debtors-diet-week-1-curb-your-enthusiasm-at-the-grocery-store/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The thrill of the hunt is compelling, especially when your grocer's ads tout "BIG SAVINGS" on favorite holiday meal fixins.

But even if you're just shopping for your weekly groceries this weekend instead of the trimmings and trappings for turkey day, it's still tough to say no to a good sale. And with most of us on strict, self-imposed budgets because of the current recession, shopping on the weekend becomes an even bigger temptation, a time to say, "But I've been so good all week, I deserve a little splurge!"

Tossing sale items in your cart can blow your budget if you're not careful. "I find it hard to resist great sales, so I'll buy far more than we need or than I can fit in my freezer," says frequent sale-shopper, Barbara Nelson.

Continue reading Debtors diet, week 2: Curb your enthusiasm at grocery store

Debtors diet, week 2: Curb your enthusiasm at grocery store originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Debt DietDebtDietGina Roberts-GreyFri, 20 Nov 2009 13:30:00 ESTIf 'cash for caulkers' starts, we should rethink how we heat our homeshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/if-cash-for-caulkers-starts-we-should-rethink-how-we-heat-our/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/if-cash-for-caulkers-starts-we-should-rethink-how-we-heat-our/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/if-cash-for-caulkers-starts-we-should-rethink-how-we-heat-our/#commentsFiled under:

caulkA "cash for caulkers" program being studied by the Obama administration should look at much more than caulking windows and other simple ways to give households money to pay for weatherization projects.

Filling in air gaps where heat escapes from homes is a good start to cutting heating bills and thus cut America's energy use, but any stimulus project aimed at homes should look at how most American homes are heated and how to do it more efficiently.

New York Times columnist David Leonhardt recently wrote about the home weatherization version of the wildly successful cash for clunkers program. It would help put contractors and construction workers back to work insulating homes and caulking air leaks, while saving homeowners money in the long term by weatherizing their homes.



Continue reading If 'cash for caulkers' starts, we should rethink how we heat our homes

If 'cash for caulkers' starts, we should rethink how we heat our homes originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cash for caulkersCashForCaulkersheatinghomeAaron CroweFri, 20 Nov 2009 13:00:00 ESTRecovery? Then why do mortgage loan delinquencies keep climbing?http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/recovery-then-why-do-mortgage-loan-delinquencies-keep-climbing/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/recovery-then-why-do-mortgage-loan-delinquencies-keep-climbing/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/recovery-then-why-do-mortgage-loan-delinquencies-keep-climbing/#commentsFiled under: , ,

foreclosureThe proof, they say, is in the pudding. Maybe it ought to be in the foreclosure rate?

Yes, I know we are being told on Sunday morning power-breakfast talk shows that the nation's economy is improving. But the latest survey on the delinquency rate for mortgage loans from the Mortgage Bankers Association would seem to indicate otherwise.

You can read the report itself for the hard numbers, but, the bottom line is, the delinquency rate has now broken the record set just this past quarter.

Continue reading Recovery? Then why do mortgage loan delinquencies keep climbing?

Recovery? Then why do mortgage loan delinquencies keep climbing? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>foreclsouresmortgage bankers associationmortgage loansMortgageBankersAssociationMortgageLoansCharles FeldmanFri, 20 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST3 for $30 at Body Shop - 3 hours only, today, November 20http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/3-for-30-at-body-shop-3-hours-only-today-november-20/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/3-for-30-at-body-shop-3-hours-only-today-november-20/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/3-for-30-at-body-shop-3-hours-only-today-november-20/#commentsFiled under:

From 3-6 p.m. local time today, Nov. 20 only, get any three items at the Body Shop for $30. The whole store is up for grabs, except for prepackaged gifts and gift cards. A LOT of make up, lotions, and creams are more than $10 at The Body Shop, so this is a pretty amazing deal.

Here are some of the biggest savings:
  • Wise woman regenerating night cream, $32
  • Moroccan rose body butter, $20
  • Japanese cherry blossom eau de toilette, $25
  • White floral candle garden, $24
  • Nature's minerals foundation, $25
  • Eye lip and cheek palate, $30
I can't believe how much of a discount the store is offering and I'm kicking myself for jumping on their free shipping offer earlier this week. I could have saved a lot of money if I had waited!

Caveats: If you buy something that is less than $10, the original price remains. You can buy multiple groups of three items to maximize your savings. Cannot be combined with other discounts, other than the Love Your Body membership discount. Valid at participating stores only. Not good online. U.S. only.

Find a store near you.

3 for $30 at Body Shop - 3 hours only, today, November 20 originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Julia ScottFri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESTAaron Carter tripped up by IRS tax lienhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/aaron-carter-tripped-up-by-irs-tax-lien/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/aaron-carter-tripped-up-by-irs-tax-lien/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/aaron-carter-tripped-up-by-irs-tax-lien/#commentsFiled under:

Aaron Carter is having a bad week. Just days after his elimination from Dancing with the Stars' ninth season, news surfaced that Carter was slapped with an IRS lien worth more than $1 million. The liens, which were filed in Los Angeles last week, date back to 2003.

Carter has been trying to repair his bad boy image in recent months, including adding a new management team. Carter's current manager, Johnny Wright, told ET News, "It is unfortunate that while Aaron was a minor, his finances were grossly mismanaged by his previous team which has lead to the current situation of which he was unaware of until today. Aaron is working with a new team to take appropriate actions towards speedy resolution of the matter and looks forward to putting this behind him and moving forward with the next stage of his music career."

Continue reading Aaron Carter tripped up by IRS tax lien

Aaron Carter tripped up by IRS tax lien originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Aaron CarterfeaturedIRSJohnny WrightKarina SmirnoffLou Pearlmanpop starPopStartaxesKelly Phillips ErbFri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 ESTAsk the Dolans: How does the tax free gift exclusion work?http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/ask-the-dolans-how-does-the-tax-free-gift-exclusion-work/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/ask-the-dolans-how-does-the-tax-free-gift-exclusion-work/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/ask-the-dolans-how-does-the-tax-free-gift-exclusion-work/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ken and Daria Dolan, America's first family of personal finance, answer your questions every Friday.

Click here to ask Ken and Daria your question.

Everyone should be so lucky as to know some one like Maria! Maria is about to make some friends and family members very happy. Her generosity is incredibly uplifting in today's tough times. Watch this week's video to hear her plans and Ken and Daria's advice.

Dear Ken and Daria,

How much money can I gift to someone without anyone having to pay taxes, and how many people can I gift money to?"

--Maria



To learn more about taxes, retirement planning and debt management, visits Dolans.com.

Ask the Dolans: How does the tax free gift exclusion work? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Ask the DolansAskTheDolansgiftstax free exclusiontax free givingTaxFreeExclusionTaxFreeGivingKen and Daria DolanFri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTChristmas sweets -- a dollar store taste testhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/christmas-sweets-a-dollar-store-taste-test/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/christmas-sweets-a-dollar-store-taste-test/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/christmas-sweets-a-dollar-store-taste-test/#commentsFiled under: , ,

What's the world's favorite sweet treat? In my book that's chocolate, and at this time of year, there's more and more of it appearing on store shelves everywhere, including dollar stores. A box of chocolates is always a good choice when you're not sure what to get someone or just to have on hand as an extra gift when unexpected visitors show up bearing presents.

Small boxes of chocolates or cookies also make great additions to gift baskets. For the last three years, I have been adding 3.60 oz. boxes of chocolate-covered cookies to gifts and, having taste-tested them myself, can truthfully say that they're yummy. The box says they're imported but doesn't say where they're imported from, however, I've never had any problem with them. As a bonus, although they look like a more expensive cookie because , they're only a buck a box.

Continue reading Christmas sweets -- a dollar store taste test

Christmas sweets -- a dollar store taste test originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>chocolatedollar store cookiesdollar store fudgedollar store gift ideasDollarStoreCookiesDollarStoreFudgeDollarStoreGiftIdeasDollarStoresshoppingMarlene AlexanderFri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:00 ESTHow to find a small bank or credit unionhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/how-to-find-a-small-bank-or-credit-union/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/how-to-find-a-small-bank-or-credit-union/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/how-to-find-a-small-bank-or-credit-union/#commentsFiled under: ,

When we wrote about sneaky bank practices, a lot of readers wrote in suggesting that fee-weary customers ditch the big bailout-recipient banks in favor of small community banks or credit unions. In fact, many professional personal finance advisers say exactly the same thing, so WalletPop talked to a few of them to get their recommendations and advice for how to go about finding one of these friendlier financial institutions.

First, you'll need to find a place. While finding a bank can be as easy as driving down your local main street or commercial district, finding a credit union can take a little more sleuthing. Since credit unions are membership organizations, you need to find out which ones you are eligible to join, says David Beck, director of policy at Center for Community Self Help, an organization which includes the Self Help Credit Union and the Center for Responsible Lending.

In many cases, this may be as simple as living or working in an area that is home to a particular credit union, but being a current or former member of the military, many trade unions, religious communities and educational institutions may also qualify you for credit union membership.

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How to find a small bank or credit union originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>bankscredit unionsCreditUnionsfeaturedhow to switch to a small bankHowToSwitchToASmallBanksaving moneySavingMoneysmall banksSmallBanksMartha C. WhiteFri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 ESTKars4Kids steers donors in the wrong directionhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/kars4kids-steers-donors-in-the-wrong-direction/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/kars4kids-steers-donors-in-the-wrong-direction/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/20/kars4kids-steers-donors-in-the-wrong-direction/#commentsFiled under: ,

While the annoying Kars4Kids radio jingle asking consumers to donate their unwanted cars for needy children seems straightforward enough, it may actually be steering donors down a road they didn't expect.

All of the money raised by Joy for Our Youth (a.k.a. Kars4Kids) -- $16.2 million in 2007, according to their tax returns -- gets funneled to another charity called Oorah, which is never mentioned in the radio jingles or the billboards plastered along many major highways. Oorah is a Jewish religious organization whose stated mission is to heighten Jewish childrens' awareness of their heritage.

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Kars4Kids steers donors in the wrong direction originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>attorney generalAttorneyGeneralcharitydonationsjunk carsJunkCarskars4kidsoorahoregonpennsylvaniasettlementMitch LipkaFri, 20 Nov 2009 06:00:00 EST