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  • fire hazards

    Up in Smoke – Part 1: How to Avoid 5 Common Home Fire Hazards

    Home - Safety February 15, 2013

    Fire prevention in the home is something we all need a refresher on from time to time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 85 percent of fire deaths happen in the home, and those household fires are responsible for billions of dollars in property damages each year. The good news is that nearly all home fires are preventable by watching out for a few common fire hazards

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  • Driver Looking in Rearview Mirrow

    Learner’s Permit Primer: Sample Learner’s Permit Questions

    New Drivers January 21, 2013

    This quiz can help your teen get ready to roll. For teenagers who are gearing up to earn a learner’s permit to drive, the process inevitably requires an exam to test knowledge of your state’s traffic laws. While some questions on state sites specifically speak to local laws, the following practice questions address universal, safe-driving...

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  • how to avoid foreign transaction fees

    How to Avoid Fees when You Travel Abroad

    Saving & Spending October 14, 2012

    Plan ahead to minimize the expenses incurred when using an ATM of credit card on vacation. There are so many things to keep track of when traveling to another country: the language, the culture and the currency. Just thinking about the currency exchange can make a vacation seem exhausting. An easier solution? Use your ATM...

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  • Save on an engagement ring

    5 Ways to Save on an Engagement Ring

    Marriage September 13, 2012

      With a little education, you’ll find a rock you can roll with. When it comes to buying a diamond engagement ring, bargain hunting is futile. A too-good-to-be-true deal could easily turn into a rip-off. Arm yourself with a bit of information, and you can get more value for your money and find a beautiful...

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  • tools in a toolbox

    How to Pick a Reliable Body Shop

    Maintenance September 13, 2012

    Appearance, reputation, cost and materials are the giveaways. The only thing nearly as unfortunate as a car accident is a bad experience at a body shop. You’re placing the keys (and your faith) in the hands of a business that could keep your vehicle for far longer than you expect. And the resulting bill may...

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  • illustration of a hand holding a tool to repair a scratch

    Do-It-Yourself Scratch Repair

    Maintenance August 14, 2012

    Eliminate small nicks and blemishes on your auto without paying a pro Maybe a grocery cart went awry in a parking lot and hit your car, or your keys scraped the door handle. Either way, you know what that means: a nick or scratch in the finish. Left untouched, a minor cut could lead to...

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  • a person packing items in the trunk of their car

    Car-Packing Strategies for a Road Trip

    Safety June 25, 2012

    Americans aren’t going to let prices at the pump keep them from hitting the road. Whether you’re driving to grandma’s house or a national park, putting some thought into your packing will get your trip off to a great start and ensure the safety and comfort of your passengers. With this in mind, consider these...

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  • Two women in a car driving

    4 Factors Affecting Your Auto Insurance Premium

    Buying / Selling October 27, 2011

    Find out which factors you can control to keep your cost down. Although many factors—like the color of your car—don’t weigh into the cost of your auto insurance, others do. Some of these are beyond your control. Many of them reflect actions or decisions, though, so you can control your costs. Here are four you...

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  • Children doing homework

    Keep Your Home’s Lights Safe and Save Money

    Home - Safety September 15, 2011

    Be sure to light your home the right way. Electric lights are such a fixture of our everyday lives that we really don’t give them much thought. But every year, more than 28,000 residential electrical fires cause an estimated $1 billion in damage, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA). So those simple lighting projects...

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  • 4 Things You Can Do to Lower Your Insurance Premium

    4 Things You Can Do to Lower Your Insurance Premium

    Maintenance August 10, 2011

    Talk to your agent about these ways to save money and protect your car Do you want to lower your auto insurance premiums right now? Of course you do! These hints can help you save. Be a good driver. The best way to keep rates low—and even get them lowered—is to avoid any tickets for...

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  • two women in a meeting

    How to Allocate Your 401(k)

    Planning Retirement July 19, 2011

    Periodically reassess your investment mix to ensure you can meet your goals Did you reassess your 401(k) portfolio this year? Although you might be enrolled in a plan that automatically shifts your investment mix over time, only you know your long-term financial goals and how much money it will take to achieve them. Take a...

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  • outlet with plug

    Signs Your Electrical System Might Need Repair

    Maintenance July 7, 2011

    Find out what’s going on with the wiring in your walls Picture this: It’s a quiet night and you’re calmly reading a classic Stephen King novel in bed when, for no reason, the lights suddenly dim. While the possibility of an evil spirit haunting your home is scary, the real possibility of electrical trouble should...

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  • Man sitting at kitchen counter using computer

    Insurance 101: What is an Umbrella Policy?

    On Your Own May 6, 2011

    Does your coverage offer the protection you need and the peace of mind you deserve on a rainy day? If you’re unsure, it’s time to learn about umbrella insurance. Without it, you could end up liable for more than your current homeowners or auto coverage limits. What is Umbrella Insurance? Umbrella insurance provides additional liability protection above...

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  • a picture of a road and caution sign

    Quick Ways to Stay Safe in Traffic

    Safety December 22, 2010

    Take these steps the next time you run into a traffic jam. Automakers are constantly coming up with technologies to reduce accidents in daily driving. But the reality remains that accidents, road construction and other factors will inevitably tie us up in delays. Getting through those delays with minimal frustration usually relies more on human...

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  • extended warranties

    6 Things You Should Know About Extended Warranties

    On Your Own September 20, 2010

    Find out when these add-ons are worth the upfront price you’ll pay After you’ve settled on a cell phone, refrigerator or plasma television, you’re inevitably faced with another option at the checkout: an extended warranty. Before you give in to the persuasive blue-vested clerk, check out these facts about warranties. Most extended warranties begin on...

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