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Rats don't run this city: Why Philadelphia fields fewer rat complaints than New York City and D.C.
When Ilya Schwartzburg and his wife moved to Philadelphia from New York City, they were looking forward to lower housing costs, closer proximity to friends, and a shift from renting to homeownership.
But they expected that one of the more unpleasant aspects of urban life would remain constant.
“I thought I would have to deal with rats as a ...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: Broke? Can't Save? Oh, Yes You CAN!
How's your health? Not your physical fitness, but your financial well-being. For most of us, how much we earn tells us how we're "feeling" financially. But your income is only one part of the equation. How much of your income do you actually keep?
Not very much, I'll bet. Your income is low, you say; you've got bills to pay. Rents are sky-high;...Read more

A CFP's 5-step plan to combat stubborn inflation
Inflation is like that houseguest who just won’t leave. Even though it has cooled since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation is still hanging around 3% — higher than the Federal Reserve’s 2% goal.
But what really matters to your wallet is the impact inflation is having on your finances. Prices today are 23.3% higher than they were...Read more

This is the No. 1 reason to start taking Social Security at age 67
Deciding when to start taking Social Security benefits is one of the biggest questions retirees face. The truth is that the right answer will depend on your unique financial circumstances, but there are some general guidelines that can help you think through the decision.
If you’re looking for specific advice, it may be helpful to work with ...Read more

Suze Orman's top 5 retirement savings tips
Suze Orman is one of the most well-known financial advisers in the U.S. and has been offering Americans advice on saving for retirement for decades.
Orman got her start with Merrill Lynch in the 1980s before eventually founding her own firm. She has written several books on financial planning and hosted a show on CNBC for more than a decade. ...Read more

Despite volatility, these investment pros still think stock markets will grow this year
President Donald Trump’s rapid-fire efforts to reshape the federal government, from its size to immigration, regulation and foreign policy, has contributed to increased volatility and some deep drops in the stock markets' values.
With many Americans’ retirement savings tied directly to markets, the rollercoaster has upset many, with some ...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: Spring Ahead!
Believe your eyes -- it's spring! Time to bid farewell to the snowblower, gas up the lawnmower and let the sunshine in (whether your allergies approve or not). And what better way to welcome the season than with a few simple money-saving tips to freshen up your home and yard?
DIY GLASS CLEANER
Forget expensive window sprays -- your pantry has ...Read more

Their corporate landlord kicked them out to fix their flooding home, suit says. Instead, it was sold
LOS ANGELES — Cody Recker and Jessica Perez loved their Boyle Heights rental — warts and all. Lots of warts.
The plumbing broke, spraying raw sewage puddles on the floor. The floor and foundation were falling apart, inviting hordes of mice and fleas. The basement flooded 14 times, and there were so many leaks in the attic that mushrooms ...Read more
Real estate Q&A: Is it a good idea to buy a starter home with my boyfriend?
Q: My boyfriend and I want to move in together but cannot find an affordable rental that allows pets. With interest rates and prices inching down, we are thinking about buying a starter home. We both have good jobs and strong credit. My mom reads your column and suggested I ask if this is a good idea. Thanks! —Rita
A: I cannot say if it is a ...Read more

Philadelphia usually only inspects rental homes if someone complains. The city may soon start doing proactive checks
Philadelphia is looking into proactively inspecting rental homes for safety and health instead of relying on tenants’ complaints to trigger inspections, according to a city official who testified at a City Council hearing Tuesday.
The Department of Licenses and Inspections has started working with the Pew Charitable Trusts to conduct research...Read more

The history of women and mortgages
Throughout history, women have had to push to achieve parity with men in many arenas. And financing a home purchase is no different.
From not being able to sign for their own loans to outnumbering single male buyers, here is a recent history overview of the changes and trends that helped shape mortgage financing and home buying opportunities ...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: How to Freeze Eggs, Dairy Products and More
I'm sure my supermarket is not the only grocery store with an area in the back I call "My Bargain Bin." It's refrigerated and features some dandy bargains, especially on perishable items approaching that "sell by" date. There are no limits on the number of items I can load into my cart -- all of them with ridiculously low, rock-bottom prices.
...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: Who Needs Balance?
Dear Mary: What does it mean to "balance" my bank account? How do I do that? Why should I? I really appreciate you answering my question. I'm sure I should know this, but honestly, I don't. -- Josey
Dear Josey: This is a great question, and I'm sure you'd be surprised to know just how many of your fellow readers want to know the same thing!
To...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: Before You Jump Into HEL, Consider Your Options Very Carefully
Dear Mary: We have decided to pay off a bunch of bills and do some much-needed repairs on our house. Can you tell me the difference between a home equity loan and a home equity line of credit? Which would be better? -- Scott
Dear Scott: With a home equity loan, or a HEL, you walk away with a check for the full amount of the loan and a second ...Read more

Economic 'shock and awe' leaves consumers uncertain
PHILADELPHIA — Courtney McCallum is making more money than she anticipated earning at 30 years old.
Still, the magazine editor said, “I am living paycheck to paycheck.”
McCallum and her husband, an accountant, would love to buy a house and start a family, she said, but they are holding off until they can save more.
Student loans, car ...Read more
Everyday Cheapskate: Why Are We So Gullible?
The claims are so over the top, they practically sparkle. The messages flood in from every direction -- email, TV, radio, social media and sometimes even hand delivery by a very enthusiastic "friend."
"Make over half a million dollars every four to five months from home with a one-time investment of just $25!"
"Become a millionaire overnight -...Read more

Move over, Airbnb! Mid-term rentals are the new game in town
When a string of hurricanes ravaged the East Coast this past fall and a cluster of wildfires burned the Los Angeles area in January, tens of thousands of displaced people suddenly needed shelter.
A Twin Cities-made website specializing in mid-term rentals — stays of longer than a vacation but not more than a year — hopes to help these ...Read more
Real estate Q&A: What can we do about raccoons damaging cars in condo parking lot?
Q: I live in a great condo community, but recently we have experienced raccoons getting inside the engine blocks and causing severe damage to our vehicles. This includes biting into the wiring system, fluid lines and hood insulation. When we approached the association, they were dismissive and said, “it’s out of our hands.” What options do...Read more

Could you get a house delivered like a pizza? This Boise company thinks so. What to know
BOISE, Idaho — Cody Draper stood outside his Boise Bench warehouse on a cold February afternoon and watched as a crane truck, flooding the area with the smell of diesel, lifted a house into the sky.
Workers carefully placed the home out of the way, then slid green straps over a second home to lift. Those homes, says Draper, could be a ...Read more

Getting a filling -- at the mall. Why dentists and other wellness tenants are in big demand
Not long ago, dentists were about as welcome as a toothache at shopping centers.
Landlords preferred more conventional retailers in their malls, relegating dentists to out-of-the-way locations if they would lease space to them at all.
Now they are prominent tenants in many shopping centers as part of a growing trend of medical-retail or "...Read more
Inside Consumer
Popular Stories
- A CFP's 5-step plan to combat stubborn inflation
- Rats don't run this city: Why Philadelphia fields fewer rat complaints than New York City and D.C.
- This is the No. 1 reason to start taking Social Security at age 67
- Suze Orman's top 5 retirement savings tips
- Philadelphia is 'rare' city where eviction filings dropped and stayed down. Here's why