Devil in the Details

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• Work-At-Home Scheme Sued for Fraud

  By Kathy Kristof | Feb 3, 2010 | 1 comment

  U.S. Attorneys charged a New York couple with operating a work-at-home scam that promised big payments for processing postcards. It's just one of a burgeoning number of cons aimed at the unemployed and desperate.

• Why Health Insurance Reform Is Dead

  By Kathy Kristof | Feb 1, 2010 | 7 comments

  A recent column in the Los Angeles Times crystallized why we're failing with health insurance reform: We think we're entitled to coverage for every cough, but aren't willing to pay for it. It''s time to propose a simple solution to a serious problem.

• Bush Knew About $1 Billion Student Loan Boondoggle, Lender Says

  By Kathy Kristof | Jan 29, 2010 | 4 comments

  A lender has subpoenaed documents aiming to show that Bush Administration officials not knew and supported a $1 billion taxpayer subsidy to a group of lenders. But taxpayers still pay billions each year to subsidize companies that make student loans, despite a proposal to give that money to students directly.

• Damned by Debt Consolidation: Settlement Could be a Trap

  By Kathy Kristof | Jan 27, 2010 | 10 comments

  Families struggling with overwhelming credit card debt may be tempted to respond to advertisements that promise to settle your bills for pennies on the dollar, but beware. Using a debt settlement company could be a trap that leaves you older and further in debt.

• College Scholarship Money Up For Grabs

  By Kathy Kristof | Jan 25, 2010 | 0 comments

  If you have a sinking feeling that you won't have enough cash to send your child to college, buck up. There are plenty of private scholarships that can help--many of which are worth thousands of dollars annually. But you have to go on a bit of a treasure hunt to find them. Here's how.

• Free Financial Advice, but Act Fast

  By Kathy Kristof | Jan 21, 2010 | 0 comments

  Need to know whether you'll have enough money to retire; if you've invested wisely; or where to go to get a better mortgage? A respected finance magazine is teaming up with a group of well-credentialed financial planners to provide two days of free advice. Act fast.

• Diet Smackdown Pits Valerie Bertinelli Against Weight Watchers

  By Kathy Kristof | Jan 20, 2010 | 1 comment

  Weight Watchers, the nation's biggest diet franchise, won a temporary restraining order that will pull the lab coat off competitor Jenny Craig's spokesmodel, Valerie Bertinelli. In a suit, Weight Watcher's contended that Jenny Craig ads were false and misleading.

• Crooks Are After Your Retirement Plan

  By Kathy Kristof | Jan 19, 2010 | 33 comments

  A change in tax laws has crooks, con artists and insurance agents gleefully plotting out strategies to nab your retirement dollars by luring you into discussions about "Roth conversions." I got a glimpse of one such dangerous trap by listening in to an "agents only" webinar.

• Credit Reform and My New 703.8% Card

  By Kathy Kristof | Jan 14, 2010 | 34 comments

  Macy's new credit card may be the harbinger of things to come under credit reform. Because of a "minimum interest charge" the statement disclosed that the "actual annual percentage rate" for this billing period was an astounding 703.8%.

• Haiti Quake: How to Help

  By Kathy Kristof | Jan 13, 2010 | 2 comments

  A devastating 7.0 earthquake that leveled much of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, already has generous American donors scouring the web for ways to help. Here are tips to give effectively and find out more about the U.S. relief response to this disaster.

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