Your faithful columnist Cameron Huddleston is on a deserved vacation this week. Loyal readers know that her Wednesday Kip Tips column each week is filled with links to compelling personal-finance content from across the web.
In her absence, her colleagues across the Kiplinger.com editorial team share these favorites they've spotted this week:
Tacky or Thrifty? Couponing and First-Date Etiquette [Coupon Sherpa]
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Tackiness is always a fun topic, and here it's all the more engaging in debate form. The blog suggests the coupon-on-the-first-date-or-not debate is "more appropriate now than ever" because of "trendy. . . printable restaurant coupons and group-buying sites." Single folks, what do you think?
20 Lazy Ways to Save Money [Investopedia.com]
The site serves up 20 "relatively simple ways to keep an eye on your pennies while you're waiting for that brighter economic future to arrive." For many people, it's surely not so simple to "pay off the credit card" (tip #4) or "quit those bad habits" (#19), but the list is full of good reminders such as using your group-buying privileges from AAA, AARP, your local credit union or other membership organizations (#9).
Hide Your Money From Yourself [Budgets are $exy]
The squirrels are busy burying the fall crop of acorns. Can you take a savings tip from this bushy-tailed rodent? It might just work.
Bargain Shopping Gone Berserk! [Get Rich Slowly]
This column hits hard at the bargain-hunting culture: "Shopping for bargains has become a social disease." Um, OK. Bottom line: Make sure the shopping deals you score are for real; just because something’s on sale doesn’t mean it’s a good bargain, especially if it’s something you wouldn’t have bought in the first place.
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What Is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?Tax Breaks A QCD can lower your tax bill while meeting your charitable giving goals in retirement. Here’s how.
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Embracing Generative AI for Financial SuccessGenerative AI has the potential to reshape how we approach learning about and managing our personal finances.
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Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental PropertiesTravel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.
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How to Avoid Annoying Hotel Fees: Per Person, Parking and MoreTravel Here's how to avoid extra charges and make sure you don't get stuck paying for amenities that you don't use.
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How to Appeal an Unexpected Medical Billhealth insurance You may receive a bill because your insurance company denied a claim—but that doesn’t mean you have to pay it.
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Amazon Prime Fees Are Rising. Here’s How to Cancel Your Amazon Prime MembershipAmazon Prime Amazon Prime will soon cost $139 a year, $180 for those who pay monthly. If you’re a subscriber, maybe it’s time to rethink your relationship. Here’s a step-by-step guide to canceling Prime.
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How to Haggle for Almost AnythingSmart Buying Learning how to haggle is an invaluable skill. These strategies will help you negotiate a better price for just about any product or service.
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Disability Insurance Can Provide COVID CoverageCoronavirus and Your Money If you are concerned about long-term complications from COVID-19, consider disability insurance coverage.
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21 Things You Can't Return to Amazon — Either Online or In-StoreDid you know there are things you can't return to Amazon? Before tossing these items into your shopping cart, be sure to read Amazon's return policy first.
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How to Avoid a Charity Scampersonal finance Scammers never quit, even when you're trying to be altruistic. But you can avoid getting duped if you do your homework.
