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Finding the Right Mortgage for You 04/14/2016 08:00pm • When it comes to impulse buys, a house typically isn't one. It's often considered the biggest purchase a person will make in his or her lifetime, so taking the time to be sure of your choice is a good thing. Going hand in hand with that home you're buying is the mortgage you're buying it with, and i 5 Ways to Get Ready for a Second-Act Career 04/14/2016 08:00pm • There are many ways to prepare for a second-act career, even while you're still working full time. Here are five fun and easy ways to get your second-act plans in gear: 1. Create a retirement 'R and D' budget. Set aside a small amount of money each year to spend on your second-act research and d 6 Pro Secrets for Planning a Successful National Parks Trip 04/13/2016 08:00pm • If you're planning to head to Acadia National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains or any of America's inspiring national parks in 2016, you're in luck. With the National Park Service's centennial fast approaching this August, this is the year to embrace quality time in the great outdoors without paying 7 smart things to do with a tax refund 04/06/2016 09:00am • There's nothing like the feeling of sudden windfall that a tax refund can bring. The possibilities seem endless -- suddenly you might feel you can afford a down payment on a house or car, a degree or a vacation. Last year, the IRS parsed $270 billion in refunds to 100 million people. The average Avoiding the Dangers of Thirdhand Smoke 04/04/2016 08:00pm • All it takes is one whiff to confirm it. Maybe you're out shopping for a car or in the market for a new home when you suddenly take notice -- someone has smoked there. No air freshener can cover it, no deep cleaning can remove the lingering impostor. That's why, says Dr. Jonathan Winickoff, a profe Plan a Spectacular Children's Birthday Party on a Budget 03/31/2016 08:00pm • When it comes to planning kids' birthday parties, it's easy to go overboard. But before you whip out your credit card to reserve a private petting zoo or hire the highest-rated magician on Yelp, remember: You don't have to spend a ton of money to throw an unforgettable party. Little kids, especially What You Need to Know About Upcoming Passport Changes 03/30/2016 08:00pm • If you haven't renewed your U.S. passport since 2006 or 2007, now's the time to ensure you're up-to-date. In January, U.S. State Department officials announced they're expecting a spike in passport applications and renewals in 2016, with 10-year passports set to expire soon. Why the sudden uptick? 6 Great Resources for Preparing Your Taxes 03/29/2016 08:00pm • If you haven't filed your taxes this year, you still have a few weeks to gather your paperwork and submit your tax return on time. When you're doing your taxes yourself, make sure you're turning to authoritative resources for answers and advice; making serious mistakes on your tax return could cost Finding Support for Seniors Facing Challenges Living Alone 03/29/2016 08:00pm • Your parent prizes his or her independence and insists on living at home, alone. However, you see signs of vulnerability and a precarious situation with the potential for falls and injury, poor nutrition and your parent becoming neglected or housebound. You want to help, but you live at a distance a Aging Parents at a Distance Who Aren't Really 'Just Fine' 03/29/2016 08:00pm • "I'm doing fine." It's reassuring to hear when you call a parent who lives far away. But the fact is, seniors living alone in their 70s and beyond may keep serious problems to themselves because they don't want to worry you or feel like a burden. Sometimes it takes a crisis -- like a call from the h Arlington gun shop opening met with fanfare, opposition 03/26/2016 02:59pm • ARLINGTON, Va. — Lyon Park’s newest gun shop Nova Park Armory was crammed with customers and supporters within the first few hours of its opening Saturday.  They squeezed their way through the store wearing bright orange stickers that said “guns save lives.” “It’s packed,” owner De How to Cultivate a Mindset of Frugality 03/24/2016 08:00pm • My job leaves me living in a hotel a lot of the time. As I ignored my own packet of makeup removing wipes and used the complimentary one at the hotel last night, I realized that I probably save about $6 a year stretching my own makeup wipes by using the free ones when I'm staying at hotels that have How to Save Money on Cleaning Products 03/23/2016 08:00pm • Feeling the need to spring clean? When you can finally crack open the windows and let the light shine in after a long winter, you might find your home is in need of a deep clean. Here are a few tips to save money and cut costs on cleaning products:Coupons, Coupons, CouponsThis is one product categor 6 Potential Downsides of Online Shopping 03/22/2016 08:00pm • With a new pair of shoes or a shipment of groceries just a few clicks away, American consumers have embraced the ease of online shopping. In fact, on average, Americans were expected to spend an estimated $1,804 on online shopping last year (the most of any country in the world), according to Statis 5 Tips for Picking the Right Souvenir on Your Next Trip 03/22/2016 08:00pm • The best souvenirs instantly recall a travel moment, so it's no wonder they comprise about 30 percent of the products sold by the country's lucrative gift industry, which comprises roughly $17 billion in annual revenue according to First Research. Picking the right souvenir is challenging; travelers