Ken and Daria's Your Money Matters Weekender

Fed Cracks Down on Sneaky Credit Card Tactics

Score one for the little guy! The FDIC wants to collect $200 million from credit card issuers for, ahem, ‘deceptive marketing practices.’ In other words, for trying to pull the wool over our eyes! While we’ll take all the help we can get, it’s up to us as consumers to watch our own backs. That’s why we’re here! We’re about to reveal seven credit card company tricks and our solutions to keep you from paying unnecessary fees.

1.	Social Security 101
2.	Debit Card Warning!
3.	Save on Credit Card Interest !
4.	Summer Travel Alert!
5.	Negotiate the Best Mortgage

Watch Out for These Retirement Traps!

Here’s the good news: people are living longer. Life expectancy in the U.S. just went over 78 for the first time! Here’s the bad news: Many retirees are at risk of out-living their savings. It’s more important than ever to have a plan in place. My video (Ken here) will help you protect your money from common pitfalls so you don’t get hit with any surprises down the line. Click here to learn how to avoid 8 traps that can rob you of a rich retirement.

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Don’t Cancel the Vacation Just Yet…

It’s time for fun in the sun, but with the ever-rising price of gas, many Americans are REALLY feeling the budget crunch this summer. We say, don’t cancel your vacation just yet. Let us show you how to take control of your money without giving up a thing. In just 30 quick-start steps—and just 30 days—you can get started down the path to life-long financial freedom…without sacrificing or living like a pauper. Click here to learn how.

Instead of adding another tie to ol' Dad’s collection this Father's Day, consider a gift that will have a meaningful impact for years to come. Get together with your siblings and have everyone chip in to buy a long-term care insurance policy. It’s one of the best ways for you to ensure your parents’ (Mom too!) healthcare needs are taken care of. Click here to learn more about this important coverage. Don’t wait until a crisis hits before you hold a family financial pow-wow! That’s much too late.

And a Happy Father’s Day to all the dads in our Dolans.com family. As a dad (this is Ken)—I hereby declare a day of rest, relaxation and baseball/NBA Finals this Sunday when I hope the Celtics clinch the NBA title (you may remember I'm from Boston!).

The bank won’t tell you this, but you don’t have to buy your checks from it. Order personalized checks from Checks In The Mail (800-733-4443; www.citm.com), or from Checks Unlimited (800-210-0468; www.checksunlimited.com). These companies issue personalized checks, with a choice of designs, at about half the price of most banks.

Check out the Save More section at Dolans.com for other ways to lower costs in all areas of your life.

Turn Those Trinkets Into Treasure!

Going sofa-diving for loose change may result in a few nickels (if you're lucky!), but taking a closer look around your house could reap you a heck of a lot more! Many of us have old jewelry, antiques or other collectibles in our homes, and these small trinkets could be worth big bucks. Check out our guide to finding treasure right there in your knickknacks.

3 Ways to Earn Money Through
Mutual Funds

If the thought of investing in the stock market right now sends shivers down your spine, consider prudently investing in mutual funds. They're an excellent tool for achieving your financial goals over the long term—as long as you know how to utilize them. Here are our top tips for getting the most out of your funds.

Should I Borrow From My 401(k)?

With everyone tightening their wallet in the current economy, the thought of dipping into your 401(k) to cover a few bills might seem like the perfect solution. But be careful! Withdrawing from your retirement account is a bigger step than you may realize. Here's what we think, and don't forget to plug in your numbers to our calculator to see what a 401(k) loan could end up really costing you

Tax Relief for Tired Caregivers

More than 44 million Americans serve as caregivers to family members or friends on a daily or weekly basis. We commend each and every one of them because we know first hand what a demanding responsibility this can be because we helped care for Daria's dad who had Alzheimers. Caregivers often need a little TLC of their own, and at least some relief can now be enjoyed in the form of a tax break. Click here to learn more.