Pinching Pennies

Weigh the pros and cons before buying a home
FAIRBANKS — Interest rates are at an all-time low, the housing market is stable and it looks like we might be heading out of this downturn we have been mired in for the past few years. Maybe it is ...
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Don’t discount discounts -- sometimes every penny counts
FAIRBANKS — We are always looking for a way to save a dollar or two. But it takes time and effort to get discounts. Many coupons and discounts often are missed. Here is a list of a few that are com...
9 days ago | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
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Car insurance is necessary
FAIRBANKS — Car insurance is a necessity — not only because it is required by law, but also because it protects our assets. It can be pricey, but discounts can save you a lot of money. Everyone kn...
16 days ago | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend
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Vacations don't have to be a drain on your finances
FAIRBANKS — Summer will soon be here and your family may be clamoring for a vacation. A week or two away from home in a 5 star resort, or even a 1 star hotel can put a dent in your budget. What is ...
23 days ago | 1 1 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
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Affordable health care is available in Fairbanks
FAIRBANKS — Medical costs are skyrocketing. Medical expenses are the cause of half of all bankruptcies filed in the United States. Americans spent more than $2.5 trillion, or $8,086 per person in m...
1 month ago | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
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Get your home spring clean without breaking the bank
FAIRBANKS — The days are getting longer and sunshine is invading corners of the house we’ve ignored during the winter. If spring cleaning is in order, there are great ways to clean without cleaning...
1 month ago | 0 0 comments | 7 7 recommendations | email to a friend
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CES offers classes to celebrate Morrill Act
FAIRBANKS — Education can be expensive. Those of us who have educated our children through college degrees know the truth in this statement. But not all education is of the higher variety. Sometime...
1 month ago | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
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Help your children build credit now
FAIRBANKS — The other day I had a visit with a young person who asked me how to get a credit card. She had been responsible enough to save up to purchase a car and had worked her way through school...
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Recycling can help you save money on soap
FAIRBANKS — I’ve been on the road recently and have spent a lot of time in hotel rooms. At the end of my stay, I always pack the small bottles of shampoo and soap bars and take them with me. I didn...
2 months ago | 0 0 comments | 0 0 recommendations | email to a friend
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Your buying history is recorded and often re-sold
FAIRBANKS — Buying a new snowmachine may have been just the start of your purchase. Now you are getting advertisements and offers for all kinds of equipment to go with the snowmachine. Why are yo...
2 months ago | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
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Buying more stuff won't make you happy
FAIRBANKS — Why do we buy the things we do? Many of us can’t wait to purchase the latest style or item we saw on a TV commercial. Do you realize that what you buy is more related to what you think ...
2 months ago | 0 0 comments | 4 4 recommendations | email to a friend
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Saving energy saves money even in warmer months
FAIRBANKS — No doubt we’ve had a difficult winter. The record-setting cold is gone, but we know winter is far from over. During this warmer spell, it might be a good time to take stock of your ener...
2 months ago | 1 1 comments | 0 0 recommendations | email to a friend
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Keeping your heart healthy can also be good for your wallet
FAIRBANKS — One of the best ways to wreck your budget is to have a health problem. February is “Heart Health Month” and it is an appropriate time to look at how we treat our hearts. Heart disease i...
3 months ago | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend
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Growing sprouts an inexpensive way to get fresh greens on the table
FAIRBANKS — We’re all concerned about eating local and in season. Nothing is more local than food you grow in your home and garden. January isn’t a great time for gardening, but you can grow sprou...
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High interest rates can inflate purchase price on store cards
FAIRBANKS — We’ve all seen the ads — apply for a store credit card and get an immediate 10 percent or 15 percent discount on your purchase. You might be tempted to do it. In most cases, it isn’t ...
3 months ago | 0 0 comments | 2 2 recommendations | email to a friend
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Track your expenditures so you can make adjustments if necessary
FAIRBANKS — It has been about a month since many of us made New Year’s resolutions. How are you doing on your money goals? A minor setback doesn’t mean you have to give up on your goals. Success on...
3 months ago | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend
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Compulsive buying can land you in debt, or worse
FAIRBANKS - Are you a compulsive shopper? Do you always find something at the store you just can’t live without, yet the next week there is some other latest and greatest that commands your attenti...
4 months ago | 0 0 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
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Be aware of the subtle advertising that surrounds us
FAIRBANKS — Advertising is a multibillion-dollar enterprise. But many people feel they are immune to the ads that bombard us each day. Experts say we are exposed to 3,000 marketing messages daily...
4 months ago | 1 1 comments | 3 3 recommendations | email to a friend
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Use gift cards before you forget about them
FAIRBANKS — The holiday presents have been unwrapped and most of us received at least one gift card. Now is a good time to use these cards while they are still fresh. Gift cards have become the on...
4 months ago | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend
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Resolve to improve your credit history in 2012
FAIRBANKS — The year has just started and many of us are looking at ways to improve our finances as our New Year’s resolution. We all know how important our credit score is to our financial life. I...
4 months ago | 0 0 comments | 1 1 recommendations | email to a friend
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