Work + Money

Source: 11 Ideas to Use Up Your FSA Before the Year-End

Reminder: make sure you've spent the money in your Flexible Spending Account because it will expire in less than two weeks. You're actually allowed to file an extension if you haven't used up all your FSA dollars, but you need to check your company policy to see if they allow that. Don't fret if you can't extend, here are some last-minute ideas to use your FSA money:

• Over-the-counter items: We're not allowed to spend our FSA dollars on over-the-counter medicines without prescriptions but there are plenty of nonmedicinal products that we can still use the FSA money for. For example, band aids, crutches, first aid kits, reading glasses, sunscreen, and wound are all covered under the FSA.
• Acupuncture: Acupuncture is covered by your FSA, so if you have a condition such as pain, consider acupuncture.
• Chiropractic: Your FSA also covers chiropractic visits, so now may be the time to schedule an appointment

...Read More »

Source: Sites With Fast, Last-Minute (and Free) Holiday Shipping

Still scrambling to do some online Christmas shopping? Don't fret! There are many major sites that offer fast, last-minute holiday shipping, some of which is completely free. Most rules apply to general merchandise and not to special items or gift cards, so make sure you check with the site directly before you buy, but all guarantee delivery on either Dec. 24 or 25. Here, we've gathered a list of some holiday shipping policies that will please even ultimate procrastinators.

Amazon: Buy your gifts using free super saver shipping and standard shipping until Dec. 19. And if you're part of the Amazon Prime club, you'll enjoy free two-day service until Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. EST. The absolute last chance to order to get gifts on time? Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. EST.
Apple: Get free shipping if you order certain iPad, iPhone, iPod, and MacBook models by midnight Dec. 18. Some products have earlier deadlines, so check with the site to ma

...Read More »

Lying is a funny thing: We all know honestly is the best policy, but we tell, on average, two fibs a day. The upside? We're less likely to lie when we're at home.

By Meagan Morris

So, where are we lying? The only other place we spend a large amount of time: Work.

Related: 7 Friends You Need at Work

Researchers at the University of Oxford and Bonn University came to the conclusion after conducting a random study of nearly 750 people. In the studies, researchers asked the volunteers to flip a coin and report what it landed on-if it landed on "heads," they got nothing; If was "tails," they received money.

The results? Nearly 56 percent reported that their coin landed on "heads," meaning no cash. On the flip side, participants in a tightly controlled lab study that felt like a work environment were more likely to fib about the coin flip to get the cash.

Related: How to Deal With a Mean Coworker

The researchers concluded that people are more likely to lie if they felt they had

...Read More »

Aries (March 21 - April 19) Don't assume you're destined to reach the day's goals -- or your long-term ones, for that matter. You have to make sure you get there in any way you can; leaving it up to fate is just irresponsible of you, Aries. Today's Aries Reading: Free Sample Karma Reading

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) Keeping your eye on your goals is the surest way to get to them, so stay focused. There are myriad ways to be sidetracked today, so keeping blinders on is almost mandatory. You can't afford to blink. Today's Taurus Reading: Free Sample Intimacy Secrets Reading

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) It's not the kind of situation today where you can learn as you go along. What you are trying to pull off is akin to boiling an egg -- too many minutes and it goes from perfect to ove

...Read More »

A recent Wells Fargo survey found that nearly 30% of middle class Americans plan to work until they are 80 or older -- up from 25% a year ago. With people struggling to save for retirement, we’ve recruited personal finance expert Lauren Lyons Cole to give us practical tips to properly plan for retirement at a reasonable age. 

1. Make sure you’re getting the match on your employer’s retirement plan: This is an easy one, but you’d be surprised how many people still aren’t taking advantage of their employer’s match. Your employer may be offering free financial workshops. Go to them! Meet with your HR rep and increase your 401k contribution up to the match. If you’re already getting the match, increase it by 5% extra. You’ll barely notice the difference.

[Related: Nature or Nuture - Why Women Don't Save For Retirement]

2. Open and contribute to a Roth IRA - These are magical accounts. They have only been around since the late 90s and Lauren thinks that one of

...Read More »