Lifestyle & Trends - Hot Topics

Five bank fees you should stop paying

Irritation with unnecessary banking fees is the No. 1 reason consumers switch banks, according to a recent survey. If you're paying these five fees, it's time to look for a bank that doesn't charge them. Read More

Tips for travelers to thwart identity thieves

You're not the only one looking forward to your vacation or business trip. Identity thieves relish your travel time too, because your vital, personally identifying information may be more exposed when you're traveling than when you're at home or work. Before you head to the airport or start out on your long road trip, take some precautions to safeguard against identity theft - even when you're not at home. Read More

Weighing the costs of walking away from an upside-down mortgage

Owing more on your mortgage than your house is worth may seem like a bad investment. But the alternative - choosing to default on your mortgage even if you can afford the monthly payments - will take a significant toll on your credit rating. Read More

Americans wising up about credit cards, studies show

Americans seem to be learning their lesson when it comes to using credit cards wisely, two new studies indicate. The average American has fewer credit cards, is relying on them less, and is trying to pay down their debt - which, in many metropolitan areas, still exceeds the national average. Read More

Bored with water? Try a new and refreshing drink to cool off

The hot days of summer and even early fall can leave you parched for a refreshing drink. By cold brewing tea leaves, the resulting drink not only can quench thirst and eliminate grease from your system, but also retains the caffeine and tannic acid found in the tea leaves. Read More

Items you must have in your car emergency kit

With today's technology, it's easy to forget about taking safety precautions when help is a phone call or the push of a button away. But when you're on the road, technology can sometimes fail, or help could be hours away. That's why it's a good idea to keep your car stocked with an emergency kit. Read More

Medication safety for seniors

If you're older than 65 and take multiple medications, you should be aware of potential interactions between your drugs. These interactions can cause unwanted side effects, reduce the effectiveness of your medicine, or even lead to hospitalization. Studies show that up to 30 percent of hospital admissions of elderly patients are linked to harmful effects of medications and other related problems. Read More

Creating great food memories

Your memory of real, flavorful, fresh food is a key tool for losing weight. At least that's one of the intriguing claims in Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough's new book, "Real Food Has Curves: How to Get off Processed Food, Lose Weight, and Love What You Eat." Read More

Protect your family's home, even after you are gone

Caring for your family is something you do every day of your life. But there might come a time when you won't be available. Mortgage life insurance is a life insurance product designed to help your survivors pay your mortgage after you pass away. Read More

Women are going back to school, but not in the classroom

While many parents already take an active role in their children's education, today more and more moms are going back to school themselves, particularly in the tight economy. The U.S. Census Bureau recently reported that women were on track to surpass men in earning advanced degrees. And they are increasingly doing so online, at a significantly lesser cost than the average brick-and-mortar institution. Read More

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