Maximize those car insurance discounts and save more

Inflation and rising costs have taken a toll on consumers in recent years. One area where Americans are especially feeling the pinch is the cost of car insurance, with premiums increasing 18.6% from July 2023 to July 2024, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. But you can lower the cost of coverage by taking advantage of auto insurance discounts, many of which go unclaimed or underutilized by policyholders. Good driver discounts, low-mileage discounts, multi-policy discounts, and other programs can save 10% or more on your policy.

Learn more by reading my very first article for brand new client Fox Money, available here.

Here's what's required to qualify for a private student loan

Affording higher education is increasingly difficult for many families. Consider that over the past two decades, the average tuition and fees at public four-year colleges have surged by 179%, according to the Education Data Initiative, which reports that the average annual cost of college per student is $38,270 as of 2024. Family savings and financial aid in the form of federal student loans, scholarships and grants are often not enough. Fortunately, there’s another option that can help make up the shortfall: a private student loan.

Read my first article on this topic for brand-new client US News & World Report, available here.

How to negotiate a raise

Itching for a bump up in pay? Feel like you’re getting the short shrift salary-wise at work? If you’re like many employees today, this year’s pay raise you may have received – if any –was likely lower than you had hoped.

Bank of America’s recent workplace benefits report reveals that employees are increasingly worried about inflation. It found that 76% of workers feel the cost of living is rising faster than their salaries or wages, up from 67% in June 2023. And companies are allocating less for pay raises in 2024 than they did last year, with future increase projections also on the decline. WTW, a consulting and advisory firm, recently revealed that 47% of American firms have reduced their salary budgets for 2024, leading to a decrease in the median pay raise from 4.5% in 2023 to 4.1% this year. This drop corresponds with a cooling labor market, where only 38% of employers are finding it challenging to attract and retain talent, a decrease from 57% the previous year.

Learn more about this topic, and how to ask your boss for a pay hike, by reading my newest article for CTW Features, available here.

Cineversary podcast marks 70th birthday of Hitchcock's Rear Window with Josh Larsen & Patrick McGilligan

Patrick McGilligan and Josh Larsen

In Cineversary podcast episode #73, host Erik Martin marks the 70th anniversary of perhaps Alfred Hitchcock’s greatest work: Rear Window. Joining him for this installment is Patrick McGilligan, author of Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light and an adjunct professor of film at Marquette University; and Josh Larsen, co-host of the Filmspotting podcast and author of Fear Not! A Christian Appreciation of Horror. Together, they take a telephoto lens to this movie and explore the craftmanship and thematic brilliance of Rear Window and its lasting influence.

To listen to this episode, click here or click the "play" button on the embedded streaming player below. Or, you can stream, download, or subscribe to Cineversary wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Learn more about the Cineversary podcast at www.cineversary.com and email show comments or suggestions to cineversarypodcast@gmail.com.

Striking the right balance with a balance transfer credit card

A balance transfer credit card can come in handy when you want to pay less interest on the debt you owe on an existing credit card. This maneuver can save you money and buy you a little extra time to repay your debts, but not everyone is a good candidate for a balance transfer.

Is a balance transfer a good idea? If you’re thinking about pursuing this path, it’s smart to first explore how a credit card balance transfer works, when to avoid balance transfers, alternative strategies and what to consider prior to committing to a balance transfer. Read my latest Bankrate story for more details and expert advice.

Skylight, sky bright, first sky I see tonight

As you start to dream up your perfect home and schedule appointments with a designer or custom home builder, consider the type of feel you want in your home. Do you prefer a warm and cozy nest or your abode to be filled with natural light? If you’re the latter, there are plenty of ways to incorporate the sun’s rays into your home. After all, no amount of artificial lumens you add to a room can substitute for the sun and its transformative natural light. So, here’s a bright idea that can illuminate a key living space: Add a skylight instead of another lamp or light fixture.

Learn more by checking out my newest article for The Post and Courier, available here.