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6 Unusual Places to Get Free Stuff & Coupons Online

Angela Colley

browsing for freebiesCoupons are great when it comes to saving a few pennies here and there, but it’s not always easy to clip them out of the paper or remember to print them before heading to the store.

Thankfully, the Internet has changed the couponing game, making it easy to find nearby deals and discounts, and even the occasional free sample. A little plunking around online during your lunch hour can yield a lot of discounts and freebies in some unusual places.

Where to Look For Coupons

The next time you’re searching for a deal, look no further than these sites:

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15 Tips to Deal With Employee Burnout as a Manager or Business Owner

Casey Slide

burnoutOn occasion, you may notice a star employee becoming irritable and late for work on a regular basis. Enthusiasm has waned, and productivity has dropped. Now you are starting to feel irritable every time you see this person, and are becoming frustrated with how the situation is affecting coworkers.

Have you considered that the problem may not be with the employee, but rather with his or her job? Is this person overwhelmed and under-appreciated? Perhaps he or she is suffering from workplace burnout, a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that is brought on by a long period of stress resulting in a feeling of emptiness and frustration.

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Different Types of Life Insurance Policies – How Much Do You Need?

Michael Lewis

life insuranceMany people’s first experience with life insurance is when a friend or acquaintance gets an insurance license. In my case, a college friend, recently hired by a major insurance company, contacted me to buy a $10,000 policy. He reached out to several other friends as well, and many of us signed on the dotted line.

Though this isn’t the ideal way to buy life insurance, it is, nonetheless, the way by which most people acquire it: They don’t buy life insurance – it is sold to them.

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7 Mutual Fund Performance Measures & Ratings – What They Mean

Michael Lewis

mutual fund measurementsFor years, investors, fund managers, and stock analysts have sought reliable indicators to project the future return and risk of owning an individual stock, bond, or a portfolio of securities. The underlying assumptions are as follows:

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  • All investments have inherent risk which is assumed upon ownership.
  • Returns and risk can be objectively quantified by mathematical analysis of historical results.
  • The correlation of potential return and underlying risk constantly varies, providing opportunities to acquire investments with maximum potential return and minimal risk.

What Is Free Open-Source Software – Pros & Cons, Best Options

David Gomez

free softwareTools are an important part of any job. But what if the tools you need are out of your price range?

When searching for industry-leading software, people often end up with their jaws on the floor due to sticker shock. Software programs that large organizations use may be ideal, but many small businesses and self-employed individuals cannot justify spending thousands of dollars to use a package of programs, no matter how useful.

Fortunately, in many instances you can find software tools that meet your specific business needs – all for free.

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5 Fun, Unique Baby Shower Game Ideas on a Budget

Jacqueline Curtis

baby showerMost baby shower games have been around forever. Maybe the “chocolate bar in the diaper” game was cute the first 20 times you played it, but the idea starts getting less adorable and enjoyable, especially as more and more of your friends and family members have babies.

In addition to being tired and cliché, many baby shower games require a ton of supplies and can cost a fortune. If your baby shower budget is already tight, the last things you want to spend money on are jars of baby food, candy bars, and art supplies to use at the shower.

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5 Easy Baby Shower Food Ideas on a Budget

Jacqueline Curtis

baby shower cupcakesSo you’re planning a baby shower, and you’ve got the decorations, the games, and even the gift – so what’s missing? Ah, yes: the food. It’s not a baby shower without a ton of cute edibles for guests to pick at. However, if you’ve already blown most of your budget elsewhere, you might need to be careful how much you spend on food. It’s important to remember that at a baby shower, the food isn’t just for eating – it’s also part of the decor. Throwing bowls and casserole dishes full of eats onto the food table just doesn’t cut it.

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13 Healthy Meals & Snacks to Bring on Your Next Road Trip or Vacation

Melissa Batai

road tripDepending on the size of your family, you could spend $400 or more by eating each meal out during a five-day road trip. Considering that you must already pay the inflated price of gas, that could be an added expense you simply can’t afford. Instead, consider packing your own food. By bringing meals and snacks that keep everyone satisfied, you can use the money on other things, such as souvenirs and sightseeing – or, save it for your next vacation.

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15 Easy Ways to Lose Weight Fast With Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Heather Levin

weight lossYou can barely get through a week of network news without hearing something about America’s obesity epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese – and our kids are right behind us, as one out of every three kids is now overweight or obese.

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How to Sue Your Landlord – Is It Worth It?

Angela Colley

courtWhen you sign a lease, you have certain, reasonable expectations: Your home will be clean, safe, and your landlord will be available to perform (or hire someone to perform) repairs. When you move out, you expect to have your security deposit returned, so long as you leave the place clean and undamaged.

Most of the time, everything works out. However, sometimes, things aren’t so easy. You move in only to realize you’ve signed a lease with a slumlord who won’t make repairs, violates landlord and tenant laws by showing up at odd hours, and just treats you unfairly. Or, you move out and never receive your security deposit.

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Personal Finance Round-Up: Used Auto Industry “Flooded” With Problems

Money Crashers

flooded carsWho knew that the devastating Superstorm Sandy that battered the East Coast would have an impact on the auto industry? In a recent report, First Coast News explains that the storm destroyed an estimated 250,000 vehicles, and coupled with the fact that many people are keeping their old cars for longer periods of time, consumers are finding it difficult to purchase quality used vehicles.

Cars are inherently unsafe and unreliable after being flooded. Even though the car may at first seem functional, many problems can arise: rot, corrosion, problems with electrical systems, cooling systems, brakes, and mold or mildew entering the vehicle via the ventilation system.

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5 Tips to Lower the Cost of Sending Your Child to Preschool

Jacqueline Curtis

preschoolPreschool is definitely a luxury, but I’m not the only one who believes in the power of a few hours of school for little kids. In his 2013 State of the Union address, President Obama called for an expansion of preschool programs across the United States, proposing government programs that would subsidize the cost of preschool for families 200% or more below the poverty line.

I’m a firm believer in the institution of preschool. Both of my kids have had the opportunity to go to great preschools, and it has helped them develop socially and prepare for kindergarten. However, despite its benefits, preschool can also be painfully expensive. When you add preschool tuition on top of all of the other activities your kids participate in each month, it can get seriously pricey.

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Is Buying a House With a Friend a Good Idea? – Pros & Cons

Valencia Higuera

home ownershipRenting a house or apartment with a friend is a great way to save money, and it allows you to enjoy the company of another person while doing it. While it’s common for friends to rent a place together after high school or college, it’s often a short-term arrangement until one marries or can afford his or her own place.

However, if you don’t foresee marriage in your near future and your present roommate situation works, you might consider buying a house with your friend. While some people would never enter into a mortgage agreement with someone other than a spouse, buying with a friend can be a smart investment – as long as you know the risks.

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6 Things to Avoid With Your Realtor When Buying a House

Valencia Higuera

real estateEven if it’s not your first time, buying a home can be frustrating and stressful, as it can take weeks or months to locate the right house. Plus, with each bid, there’s a chance that the property owner will reject your offer and go with another buyer. Good real estate agents understand this frustration, and often go above and beyond to keep you happy. However, as a stressed-out home buyer, you may need to be careful not to blame your agent for problems out of his or her control.

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5 Tips to Find the Best Online Shopping Discounts Using Coupon Codes

Jacqueline Curtis

online shoppingI’ll admit that I’m not much a of a couponer. In fact, the only time I’ll ever hand over a coupon in a brick-and-mortar store is if it’s significant, such as $20 off a $40 purchase. But other than that, I’m not interested in taking the time to clip coupons. While I definitely don’t fault those who do so, the idea of clipping, organizing, and shopping with an envelope stuffed with coupons completely intimidates me.

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