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15 Important Dates to Mark on Your Personal Finance Calendar 01/21/2021 12:00am • Get financially organized.The year is already flying by, and you've forgotten half of your resolutions. If you're thinking it's time to get back on track with your financial goals, your calendar can help. After all, much of staying organized with your finances means making sure you've made smart fin Alexandria’s annual Warehouse Sale will be different this year 01/19/2021 08:40am • City Hall in Old Town, Alexandria, is seen in this file photo. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/qingwa) Alexandria, Virginia’s annual Warehouse Sale, which brings dozens of Old Town retailers together in one large venue for a weekend each year, will be held as scheduled, but pandemic protocols mean t Data Doctors: How to spot fake product reviews online 01/15/2021 04:02pm • Q: What tips do you have for rooting out fake product reviews? Reviews have become such a huge influence in buying decisions that "gaming the system" is something we should all be aware of. Taking reviews or review rating systems at face value is what most consumers do because it's a quick way 17 Best MLK Day Weekend Sales for 2021 01/14/2021 12:00am • Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the first three-day-weekend holiday of the year and falls on Jan. 18 in 2021. Because retailers tend to throw sales on three-day weekends, it's also a good time to hunt for deals online and in stores. MLK weekend isn't a major shopping event compared to other long week How to Choose a Diet 01/13/2021 12:00am • Choosing a new diet can feel like rocket science. Net carbs, nutrient density, acid-forming foods, inflammation-promoting hormones: What does it all mean? Weight loss or overall health: What's most important? Celebrity endorser or nutrition expert: Who do you believe? Mediterranean, DASH , vegan, Best days to shop in 2021 01/12/2021 05:00am • Getting the best price on both necessities and splurges boils down to timing. By knowing when seasonal items are likely to go on sale and when major sales take place, you can buy everything you want but pay significantly less. Given the pandemic, 2021 is a difficult year to forecast. However, ret 20 Steps to Take When Preparing for Retirement 01/06/2021 12:00am • Preparing for retirement doesn't have to be difficult or complex. Even if you don't have a detailed plan for retirement in place, taking small steps now can make a big difference as you approach retirement. Here is how to prepare for retirement: 1. Shake off financial fear. 2. Make a quick start.3. 12 Best Sweepstakes to Enter in 2021 01/06/2021 12:00am • For some people, entering free sweepstakes is a bit of a hobby, and it's easy to see why. After all, if you're entering a giveaway that gives you free stuff, well, why not? Read on to learn about some of the more interesting sweepstakes out there, and consider some of these tips before entering: T 9 Upgraded Stocks to Buy in January 01/06/2021 12:00am • Buy these stocks in January.The S&P 500 had a bumpy ride in 2020 but closed out the year at all-time highs on the strength of investor optimism surrounding a new administration in the White House, the rollout of multiple coronavirus vaccines and another round of economic stimulus. Analysts are a 5 Stocks to Sell or Stay Away From in January 01/05/2021 12:00am • You may have volatile stocks in your investment portfolio and you're not sure whether you should buy more, hold or if it's time to sell. As we enter into a new year, investors ought to construct a stable investment portfolio with stocks positioned for growth. Managing a portfolio's risk and keeping New year, new laws: January 2021 legislation goes into effect in DC, Maryland and Virginia 12/30/2020 03:57pm • With the new year just around the corner, some D.C.-area jurisdictions have new laws on the books. Here's a brief compilation of laws and regulations slated to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021, or shortly thereafter. Virginia Holding a cellphone while driving: It’s illegal to hold a cellphone whil 2020's biggest winners and losers in business 12/30/2020 07:14am • In a year of widespread and often devastating hardships, no business or industry came through 2020 untouched by the Covid-19 pandemic. But for some key sectors, the news wasn't all bad. Here's a look at the biggest winners and losers in 2020 and a preview of what the yea Retirement Resolutions for 2021 12/30/2020 12:00am • The New Year presents a time to jump-start your retirement savings. Making a few changes now could allow you to retire with less stress and a bigger nest egg. Here are some retirement resolutions to make for 2021: -- Create a retirement plan.-- Qualify for a 401(k) match.-- Pay off debt.-- Decrease What to Do With Unwanted Gift Cards 12/29/2020 12:00am • Like fruitcake, unwanted gift cards have become something of an unpleasant holiday tradition. It's understandable that not every gift card will hit its mark. Maybe you received a gift card to a hardware store but aren't a DIYer, or to a fast-food chain but you're trying to eat healthier. These unwa How to dispose of your Christmas tree and holiday greenery in 2021 12/28/2020 09:21pm • When the holiday season is over, what do you do with that tree? Here’s your comprehensive guide to responsibly disposing of your tree and other holiday greenery in the D.C. region. D.C. Holiday trees and greenery in the nation’s capital will be collected from Department of Public Works-service