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How to Break a Contract Without Paying Dearly 02/23/2017 07:00pm • We're taught to keep our promises, but sometimes staying true to our word can be financially devastating. Clearly, you should never flake out on a promise to take grandma out to dinner. But if you've signed a lengthy financial contract with a gym, a cellphone company, a bank or a landlord, continui Hogan priorities on transportation funding, ethics reforms head to committee 02/23/2017 06:25pm • By Jacob Taylor, Capital News Service ANNAPOLIS, Maryland -- Lawmakers this week began hearing testimony and debating several key pieces of Gov. Larry Hogan's legislative agenda, including his proposed repeal of the Maryland Open Transportation Investment Decision Act of 2016. The act, which Hoga 3 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score 02/22/2017 07:00pm • A good credit score goes a long way to a brighter financial future, but there's still a lack of understanding about what goes into this figure. In a Capital One Credit Confidence Study from January, 53 percent of 2,300 survey respondents say they are very confident when it comes to understanding cre When Is it OK to Draw Cash From a Life Insurance Policy? 02/21/2017 07:00pm • Anyone with dependents is wise to get life insurance, and millions of people do -- everything from plain vanilla term policies that simply pay a death benefit, to fancier products such as whole life or universal life policies that build up a "cash value" that can be withdrawn or borrowed. What's th Individual States Try to Address Student Debt 02/21/2017 07:00pm • Recent federal regulations enacted to protect student loan borrowers against fraudulent higher education institutions may be in jeopardy. To date, though, Congress has made no official move to undo the borrower defense to repayment rules. But in November, Inside Higher Ed asked Rep. Virginia Foxx 25 Best Business Jobs for 2017 02/21/2017 07:00pm • Explore the best jobs in the business world.What do a fundraiser and a logistician have in common? They work in two of the business professions placed highest among the U.S. News 2017 Best Jobs rankings. The professions that make this list balance high pay with low unemployment and great growth pote 6 Smart Money Moves to Make Before Switching Jobs 02/21/2017 07:00pm • With unemployment remaining far below its peak in 2010, Americans are feeling confident in the economy and many are looking for new jobs. But before you make the big leap, you should take a closer look at your finances in order to gain the most from switching jobs. Consider these essential money mo 11 Ways Rural Life Is Hazardous to Your Health 02/21/2017 07:00pm • Wholesome environment?You'd think country living, with fresh air and open spaces, would be healthier than city dwelling. But key health measures show just the opposite. One reason: More public health attention goes to metropolitan populations. "We've made a lot of efforts to improve care in urban ar Special delivery: US-born panda cub Bao Bao bound for China 02/20/2017 11:04am • WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Zoo is packing up its American-born panda cub Bao Bao for a one-way flight to China, where the 3-year-old will eventually join a panda breeding program. Monday is the last day to see Bao Bao at the National Zoo before her long flight to China.  Bao Bao is schedul 3 smart tax refund moves for homeowners in 2017 02/19/2017 07:00pm • Tax season is upon us and many consumers -- particularly homeowners -- across the country are filing their tax returns and anticipating a refund. According to a 2016 survey by NeighborWorks America, two-thirds of taxpayers expect to receive a refund in 2017. What should a homeowner do with their ref 5 Smart Ways to Use Your Home Equity 02/16/2017 07:00pm • Cash-strapped middle class families may be richer than they think. Or at least, that could be true if they have owned a house for a while. Equity in a home -- that is, the value of a property in excess of any mortgage balance -- can be a powerful financial tool if used correctly. Home equity loans a What You Need to Know About Taking Out Any Cash Advance 02/16/2017 07:00pm • Sometimes we hear advice so often -- don't do this, don't do that -- that we simply know something is a bad idea and forget why it's a bad idea. Taking out a cash advance is a bad idea. If you're ever in the position in which you feel as if you have to take a cash advance, you'd do well to learn wha Va. transportation board greenlights 95, 395 express lane extension 02/16/2017 01:20pm • WASHINGTON — Virginia transportation officials Thursday approved plans to extend the 95 Express Lanes north to the D.C. line and south beyond Garrisonville Road. Work has already begun on the southern extension. The Commonwealth Transportation Board gave Virginia Department of Transportation Prequalification vs. preapproval, and why one doesn't mean much 02/15/2017 11:25am • WASHINGTON — In the current, competitive housing market, it helps to be able to show a seller you've already got your financing ducks in a row, and a letter from the lender can do that. Just make sure it's the relevant letter. Often, a borrower's first step is to fill out an online form requ Which Are Better: Fixed-Rate Mortgages or ARMs? 02/14/2017 07:00pm • Choosing a mortgage has been a simple matter during recent years of record low rates: lock in the best deal you can find with a 30-year, fixed-rate loan. After all, with these great fixed deals offered everywhere, why risk a future rate increase with an adjustable-rate loan? In fact, fixed-rate mort