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How to return unwanted holiday presents 12/28/2015 11:28am • WASHINGTON -- If you were able to give a convincing performance while opening a holiday gift you hate, the hardest part is over. Returning unwanted presents is generally not so difficult. Despite the truism that it's the thought that counts, a lot of us receive Christmas or Hannukah presents we Day after Christmas a big boon for local shoppers 12/26/2015 03:02pm • WASHINGTON — On Saturday at the Springfield Town Center in Virginia, Christmas music was still playing and people like Jeffery Darby from Northwest, D.C. were still shopping for Christmas gifts —not for himself but for others. “I didn’t get it the day before so I’m coming to get it toda Give and Get Back: Charitable Acts That Are Tax Deductible 12/24/2015 07:00pm • Each year, many of us celebrate the season of giving by donating time, money or much-needed items to those less fortunate. What most people don't realize is that these donations can come in handy come tax-filing time. Charitable donations of money and noncash items to qualified organizations may be 12 Books That Every Investor Should Own 12/22/2015 07:00pm • Investing sounds simple enough -- find an endeavor, put your money in the opportunity and let the profits roll in. There are countless varieties of investments from stocks, bonds, options, real estate, commodities, peer-to-peer lending and many more. In contrast with committing money to an insured b 9 Smart Uses for Leftover Foreign Currency 12/21/2015 07:00pm • Traveling internationally? Unless you're meticulous at forecasting travel costs and only withdraw the precise amount of cash you'll need, it's likely you'll return stateside with a pocket full of euros or yen. Most foreign exchange services don't accept smaller denominations, so you could blow you What happens to your debt after you die? 12/21/2015 03:00am • Thankfully, you can't take it with you. Your debt, that is. When you depart this world, your debt stays behind. That may be reassuring to a lot of consumers. According to a new survey of 1,004 U.S. adults from CreditCards.com, 1 in 5 Americans believe his or her debt will never be paid off. Bu 8 Money Experts Answer: 'What Are the Best Ways to Stretch a Dollar?' 12/17/2015 07:00pm • As the beginning of a new year approaches, there's no better time to assess how you can improve your finances in 2016. Sometimes, the most effective change you can make is to stretch your money just a little further. But as simple as it sounds, asking yourself, "What are the best ways to stretch a Data Doctors: Low-cost drone buying tips 12/17/2015 05:28am • Q: What low-cost drone do you recommend for an older child? A: Drones, also known as quadcopters or UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), are expected to be one of the hottest holiday gifts this year. There are dozens of lower-cost devices that look a lot like the expensive models from companies s 3 Key Considerations for Year-End Financial Planning 12/16/2015 07:00pm • It's not hard to get caught up in the excitement of holiday parties, gift-giving and winter vacations, to name just a few of the things that make the holiday season my favorite time of year. Amid all of the festivities, we like to remind clients that December is not too late to talk about end-of-yea 'Nutcracker' ballet returns to Warner Theatre with D.C. twist 12/16/2015 03:51am • WASHINGTON -- What do you get when you combine a familiar story, traditional holiday music, Americana imagery, surprise belly laughs and dancers that go for the artistic jugular? It's The Washington Ballet's annual performance of Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" at DC's Warner Theatre now thro The perfect gift for the fit (or wannabe fit) person on your list 12/14/2015 08:00am • This year, consider giving the gift of fitness. You won't have to worry about returns, whether the item fits or that the recipient will sigh and say, "I already have one of these." Fitness is a universal gift we all need. You don't have to buy gadgets or equipment to give the gift of fitness. Tho What to Do If You Are Turned Down for a Mortgage 12/13/2015 07:00pm • If you're trying to buy a house, there is nothing worse than finding your dream home only to be turned down for a mortgage. But that won't happen if you do your mortgage shopping the right way. "You should be working with somebody who picks up the phone and says, 'We have this problem, and let's Santa looking for helpers as wish list letters pour in 12/11/2015 10:26pm • WASHINGTON-- Santa has a backlog of letters and is asking you for some help this year. The US Postal service is asking volunteers to be part of Operation Santa.  Volunteers can stop by the main branch of the DC Post Office in Brentwood, Northeast D.C. during business hours and pick up a few Bah humbug! Scrooge returns to 'A Christmas Carol' at Ford's 12/10/2015 02:41am • WASHINGTON — He's played Scrooge in the past, present and — most likely — the future. Now, Edward Gero returns for his lucky seventh year at the annual Ford's Theatre production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," which runs now through Dec. 31. "I think we've done about 375 pe How to Maximize Your Tax Return By the End of the Year 12/07/2015 07:00pm • 2016 is almost here, which means we're coming to the end of another tax year. Learning how to wisely limit tax liability is one of the keys to keeping your wealth. Here are some tips on how to maximize your tax return and limit your tax liability before Dec. 31 rolls around. Know Your Tax BracketThe