green living, smart spending
April 15th will be here soon. The sooner you file, the sooner you can get a refund – except if you make mistakes on your return. Here are the five most common tax mistakes and how to avoid them. Use the correct tax form and filing status: Your filing status determines deductions, tax credits and
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Travel insurance is as essential as auto insurance and homeowner’s insurance. Political unrest, severe weather and software glitches mean cancelled and delayed flights, missing a cruise or a wedding, not just your luggage. Simply, never leave home without it. The choice is what kind of coverage you want to buy, and whether it is a per-trip policy or annual coverage.
If you are considering donating your vehicle for a tax deduction, think carefully before donating it to Kars4Kids. The car donation charity gets low ratings from charity watchdog rating services and has been accused repeatedly of misleading donors and misusing funds.
Plan your spring and summer 2026 travel now, including these new routes between US cities and popular destinations in Europe, the Caribbean and South America, with dozens of new flights a week – plus updates to frequent flyer programs and partnerships. And be aware of routes which have been cancelled. We have both. New and
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Winter driving requires more space between you and the vehicle ahead, more attention to changeable road conditions and more time to get to your destination safely. Winter driving also requires less speed on icy or slick roadways, less dependence on technology like anti-lock brakes and traction control, and less trust of other drivers.
Grab and GO: How to prepare for an emergency. Even if you are not in the path of a hurricane, flood, tornado, wildfire or snowstorm, it’s important to be ready for an emergency.
The TSA no longer allows lithium batteries or power banks to be placed in checked baggage because of the danger they will ignite in-flight, even explode. But you can bring them in your carry-on. There are size limits and other rules, of course. Key Lithium Battery Rules: Carry-on Only: Spare batteries, portable chargers, and power
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Presidents Day – or any day – is a good time to be reminded of NYC presidential history and consider visiting one of the official NYC places connected to US Presidents and First Ladies, including George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, FDR and Jackie Kennedy.
Reminder that the National Park Service has changed the days for free admission in 2026, dropping Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth and adding President Trump’s birthday. Other traditional free admission days remain, including Presidents Day (Monday, Feb. 16) , Memorial Day, Independence Day, Constitution Day, Veterans Day, President Theodore Roosevelt’s birthday (Oct. 27)
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Whether you are ordering a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft in the USA or a similar service in the USA or overseas, your personal safety before and during your ride should be a top priority. Here are common sense rideshare safety tips to avoid becoming one of the growing number of riders – especially women riding alone and intoxicated passengers – who report being robbed or assaulted.