Are online will services a safe way to protect your assets after you're gone? If you shop around for the best price and check out the website carefully, getting a simple will drawn up online is an affordable alternative to consulting a lawyer, says CNBC personal finance expert Carmen Wong Ulrich. Watch the video to find out what to look for.
Find more information on coping with the economy with our Bail Yourself Out resources.
Find more information on coping with the economy with our Bail Yourself Out resources.
For my husband's 40th birthday, our extended family all pitched in and got him the big flat-screen television that he's been craving. This, however, has left me with something of a dilemma—what to do with the old one. It's too ancient for us to sell, but it still works so it just seems wrong to put it out with the trash. Even if I put it out at the curb, it's not like they'll take it away with the recycling. I know I'm not the only one asking this question. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans discarded nearly 27 million televisions in 2007 and only about 6 million of those were recycled. It's a similar situation with old mobile phones, computers and other electronics.
My first step in getting rid of this TV is to call around to local charities to see if they'll accept the donation. If that fails, there is another alternative. We can recycle it through the EPA's Plug-In to eCycling program. The EPA has partnered with 25 different manufacturers, retailers and service providers—including Best Buy, Dell, Sony and AT&T—to collect out-of-date gadgets. Best Buy even has a program that will give you a gift card for each product that you turn in at one of their stores or on their website.
Check the Plug-In to eCycling website for more information about how and where you can donate or recycle your old electronics or get a state-by-state listing of recycling locations near you.
photo: m. kemp/getty images
Gold prices hit a new high this week, so you may be thinking that now's the best time to sell some of that old jewelry that you never wear. But before you send your bracelets and necklaces off to an internet service, CNBC personal finance expert Carmen Wong Ulrich has some important advice. From working with a local reputable jeweler to shopping around, watch the video as she explains how to get the best price for your gold.
Find more information on coping with the economy with our Bail Yourself Out resources.
If you're unable to pay your full tax bill, don't panic. Calling the IRS to work out a payment plan is your best option, says CNBC personal finance expert Carmen Wong Ulrich. You may find that the agency is surprisingly willing to waive some of the penalties and fees and to work with you to arrange payments that you can afford.
Find more information on coping with the economy with our Bail Yourself Out resources.
It's getting chilly here at night now. In fact, the weatherman's forecasted the possibility of snow showers here tonight and, as a result, I'm starting to think about roaring fires and cups of cocoa. Of course, my fireplace it doesn't exactly say "holiday spirit" right now. Fortunately, interior designer Elaine Griffin gave me some tips for making my mantel stand out this holiday season.
"Mantels become the instant focal point in any room that's lucky enough to have one," says Elaine, "so feel free to festoon yours festively for the holiday season." Her secret to setting a stunning surround for your fireplace? Layering. Think foreground, middle ground and background when you're arranging you display. Elaine favors cut branches and holiday ornaments in clear glass vessels or oversized bowls for a simple, modern look. Adorn any kind of branch with tree ornaments, tinsel and garland and you'll have a holiday mantel that looks as good as a Christmas card.
photo: a. gault/getty mages
Even if you don't have children, it's a good idea to have life insurance anytime someone else depends on your income or services for their livelihood, says CNBC personal finance expert Carmen Wong Ulrich. That means that you need enough life insurance to cover the loss of your income as well as the cost of hiring someone to do everything that you currently do from cleaning and cooking to laundry and chauffeuring the kids to practice. Watch the video to find out more about how much life insurance you really need and which products are the best for you.
Find more information on coping with the economy with our Bail Yourself Out resources.
If you've ever thought about renovating your kitchen, you know how easy it is to get overwhelmed with the many choices. But at what point is it time to step back so you can appreciate all your hard work? Some Gardenweb members are having a hard time getting their minds off their kitchens both pre- and post-makeover. They call themselves TKO—totally kitchen obsessed. How do they know that they're kitchen addicts?
"There is a full scale model of your island hood made from cardboard hanging from your ceiling."—bmorepanic
"When you remodeled your kitchen 5 years ago and you still find yourself drawn to [the GardenWeb Kitchen Forum]."—cheryl444
"When you pay more attention to the kitchens in TV shows, movies and commercials than you do to the plot line or the product."— lisa_a
"When you discuss [your kitchen renovation] with your dog."— desertsteph
"When you go to a party and spend as much time mingling and chatting as you do thinking up renovation ideas for their kitchen [and] bathrooms in your head."— cat_mom
"When you've [mostly] finished your kitchen [renovation] so you start collecting pictures and ideas for your next kitchen."— biochem101
photo: GardenWeb user lisa_a
If you've made some mistakes with your credit in the past, it can take a long time before your credit improves. There are things that you can do, though, to reestablish a healthy credit score. For starters, pay on time, every time, says CNBC personal finance expert Carmen Wong Ulrich. And pay down your balances as soon as possible. Watch the video to see more things you can do to repair your credit report
Find more information on coping with the economy with our Bail Yourself Out resources.
I used to have neighbors who put up the most disturbing Halloween decorations. Their house was a drab grayish-green color and they would fill their yard with these creepy scarecrow-type bodies. I confess I always skipped that house while trick-or-treating. When they moved away, I was kind of relieved when the new owners painted the house a cheery yellow color and that was the end of those horrible Halloween decorations.
Now the scariest house on the block has a fake graveyard in the front yard and some green fog that floats around the steps. It's actually more cool than creepy. Speaking of which, last week I asked everyone to check out these 7 Halloween decorations that move, light up or make noise and tell me if they thought they were fun or frightful. To be honest, I thought more people would say that these displays went too far so I was surprised to see the overwhelming majority loved these crazy lawn ornaments.
In honor of the last few days where we can show our 2009 Halloween spirit, check out some of my favorite extreme Halloween decorations:
- 7 Halloween decorations that move, light up or make noise
- 8 creepy indoor decorations that might be cool enough to last all year
photo: grandin road
