29_MC Ways_NN2 to_TO Save_VV0 More_DAR Money_NN1 During_II The_AT Recession_NN1 Not_XX sure_JJ how_RRQ you_PPY 'll_VM survive_VVI the_AT current_JJ economic_JJ crisis_NN1 ?_? 
Stick_VV0 to_II these_DD2 29_MC money_NN1 basics_NN2 and_CC you_PPY 'll_VM thrive_VVI anytime_NNT1 ._. 
The_AT financial_JJ gurus_NN1 will_VM be_VBI debating_VVG for_IF years_NNT2 how_RRQ we_PPIS2 got_VVD into_II the_AT mess_NN1 we_PPIS2 're_VBR in_II --_NN1 and_CC how_RRQ we_PPIS2 'll_VM get_VVI out_II21 of_II22 it_PPH1 ._. 
But_CCB while_CS the_AT talking_NN1 heads_NN2 are_VBR talking_VVG ,_, you_PPY 'd_VM like_VVI to_TO know_VVI how_RRQ to_TO shore_VVI up_RP your_APPGE resources_NN2 so_CS you_PPY wo_VM n't_XX have_VHI to_TO worry_VVI about_II every_AT1 little_JJ hiccup_NN1 in_II the_AT stock_NN1 market_NN1 ._. 
Here_RL are_VBR time-tested_JJ strategies_NN2 you_PPY can_VM master_VVI --_NN1 how_RRQ to_TO spend_VVI less_RRR ,_, reduce_VV0 your_APPGE debt_NN1 ,_, make_VV0 the_AT most_DAT of_IO your_APPGE tax_NN1 breaks_NN2 ,_, and_CC finance_VV0 your_APPGE retirement_NN1 ._. 
The_AT idea_NN1 ,_, says_VVZ William_NP1 Speciale_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 Boston-based_JJ adviser_NN1 with_IW the_AT financial_JJ planning_NN1 firm_NN1 Calibre_NN1 ,_, is_VBZ to_TO focus_VVI on_II what_DDQ you_PPY can_VM control_VVI :_: "_" Little_JJ steps_NN2 can_VM really_RR make_VVI a_AT1 huge_JJ difference_NN1 ._. "_" 
Taxes_NN2 Forget_VV0 the_AT short_JJ form_NN1 ._. 
Most_DAT taxpayers-65_MC percent_NNU of_IO us_PPIO2 ,_, to_TO be_VBI specific_JJ --_NN1 just_RR take_VV0 the_AT standard_JJ deduction_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB you_PPY may_VM save_VVI money_NN1 by_II itemizing_VVG your_APPGE deductible_JJ expenses_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 does_VDZ n't_XX matter_VVI if_CSW you_PPY use_VV0 an_AT1 online_JJ program_NN1 (_( like_II turbotax.intuit.com_NNU or_CC completetax.com_NNU )_) ,_, a_AT1 current_JJ tax_NN1 guide_NN1 ,_, or_CC a_AT1 storefront_NN1 preparer_NN1 ._. 
Out-of-pocket_JJ health_NN1 care_NN1 charges_NN2 ,_, business_NN1 expenses_NN2 (_( including_II some_DD for_IF job_NN1 searches_NN2 )_) ,_, and_CC charitable_JJ donations_NN2 are_VBR just_RR a_AT1 few_DA2 of_IO the_AT items_NN2 you_PPY may_VM be_VBI able_JK to_TO deduct_VVI ._. 
Fill_VV0 out_RP the_AT long_JJ form_NN1 ,_, known_VVN as_II the_AT 1040_MC ,_, and_CC compare_VV0 numbers_NN2 ._. 
If_CS your_APPGE total_JJ deductions_NN2 are_VBR greater_JJR than_CSN $5,450_NNU (_( the_AT standard_JJ deduction_NN1 for_IF 2008_MC for_IF a_AT1 single_JJ person_NN1 )_) or_CC $10,900_NNU (_( for_IF a_AT1 married_JJ couple_NN1 filing_VVG jointly_RR )_) ,_, you_PPY 'll_VM save_VVI money_NN1 by_II itemizing_VVG when_CS you_PPY file_VV0 ._. 
Your_APPGE kids_NN2 should_VM file_VVI a_AT1 tax_NN1 return_NN1 ._. 
The_AT Internal_JJ Revenue_NN1 Service_NN1 (_( IRS_NN1 )_) does_VDZ n't_XX care_VVI how_RGQ old_JJ they_PPHS2 are_VBR ._. 
If_CS they_PPHS2 earn_VV0 more_DAR than_CSN $5,450_NNU in_II a_AT1 given_JJ year_NNT1 (_( in_II wages_NN2 and/or_CC interest_NN1 income_NN1 )_) ,_, they_PPHS2 have_VH0 to_TO file-even_JJ if_CS you_PPY claim_VV0 them_PPHO2 as_CSA dependents_NN2 ._. 
And_CC if_CS they_PPHS2 make_VV0 less_DAR than_CSN that_DD1 ,_, they_PPHS2 should_VM still_RR file_VVI because_CS they_PPHS2 'll_VM get_VVI back_RP all_DB the_AT money_NN1 their_APPGE employer_NN1 withheld_VVD ._. 
Help_VV0 them_PPHO2 fill_VVI out_RP the_AT paperwork_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 great_JJ learning_NN1 experience_NN1 that_CST may_VM earn_VVI them_PPHO2 some_DD extra_JJ cash_NN1 ._. 
Avoid_VV0 a_AT1 tax_NN1 refund_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY may_VM feel_VVI giddy_JJ knowing_VVG you_PPY 'll_VM get_VVI a_AT1 check_NN1 from_II the_AT IRS_NN1 this_DD1 spring_NN1 ,_, but_CCB you_PPY should_VM n't_XX ._. 
Getting_VVG money_NN1 back_NN1 means_VVZ you_PPY 're_VBR essentially_RR lending_VVG money_NN1 ,_, interest_NN1 free_JJ ,_, to_II the_AT government_NN1 for_IF the_AT year_NNT1 ._. 
Better_RRR to_TO have_VHI that_DD1 cash_NN1 in_II your_APPGE account_NN1 than_CSN lend_VV0 it_PPH1 to_II Uncle_NNB Sam_NP1 ._. 
So_RR if_CS you_PPY 've_VH0 been_VBN getting_VVG big_JJ refunds_NN2 or_CC have_VH0 had_VHN a_AT1 big_JJ life_NN1 change_NN1 (_( a_AT1 marriage_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 baby_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 divorce_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 radical_JJ increase_NN1 or_CC decrease_VV0 in_II income_NN1 )_) ,_, adjust_VV0 the_AT withholding_JJ allowances_NN2 on_II your_APPGE W-4_FO form_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY can_VM do_VDI that_DD1 for_IF your_APPGE 2009_MC taxes_NN2 now_RT at_II irs.gov_NNU ._. 
Use_VV0 the_AT withholding_JJ calculator_NN1 to_TO determine_VVI the_AT correct_JJ figure_NN1 for_IF you_PPY ._. 
Then_RT print_VV0 a_AT1 new_JJ W-4_FO ,_, fill_VV0 it_PPH1 out_RP ,_, and_CC give_VV0 it_PPH1 to_II your_APPGE payroll_NN1 department_NN1 ._. 
Avoid_VV0 "_" rapid_JJ refund_NN1 "_" programs_NN2 ._. 
Sure_RR ,_, they_PPHS2 sound_VV0 great_JJ ._. 
After_II all_DB ,_, what_DDQ can_VM be_VBI better_JJR than_CSN getting_VVG your_APPGE money_NN1 fast_RR ?_? 
A_AT1 tax-prep_JJ chain_NN1 might_VM try_VVI to_TO get_VVI you_PPY to_TO agree_VVI to_II one_MC1 of_IO these_DD2 "_" instant_JJ "_" or_CC "_" anticipation_NN1 "_" options_NN2 ._. 
Do_VD0 n't_XX take_VVI the_AT bait_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 is_VBZ not_XX your_APPGE refund_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ a_AT1 loan_NN1 --_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 very_RG high-interest_JJ loan_NN1 at_II that_DD1 ._. 
The_AT average_NN1 for_IF 2008_MC was_VBDZ 123_MC percent_NNU ._. 
If_CS you_PPY file_VV0 electronically_RR ,_, even_CS21 if_CS22 it_PPH1 's_VBZ through_II a_AT1 tax_NN1 chain_NN1 ,_, the_AT IRS_NN1 will_VM deposit_VVI your_APPGE refund_NN1 directly_RR into_II your_APPGE bank_NN1 account_NN1 within_II a_AT1 week_NNT1 or_CC two_MC ._. 
Checking_VVG and_CC Savings_NN2 Make_VV0 sure_JJ your_APPGE free_JJ checking_NN1 is_VBZ really_RR free_JJ ._. 
A_AT1 lot_NN1 of_IO banks_NN2 advertise_VV0 it_PPH1 ,_, but_CCB read_VV0 the_AT fine_JJ print_NN1 ._. 
If_CS the_AT minimum_JJ balance_NN1 is_VBZ steep-thousands_NNO2 of_IO dollars_NNU2 ,_, in_II some_DD cases_NN2 --_JJ look_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 bank_NN1 with_IW no_AT minimum_JJ requirement_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 could_VM save_VVI $100_NNU a_AT1 year_NNT1 or_CC more_RRR ._. 
Bankrate.com_NP1 is_VBZ a_AT1 good_JJ site_NN1 for_IF comparing_VVG accounts_NN2 ._. 
(_( And_CC do_VD0 n't_XX waste_VVI $2_NNU on_II ATM_NN1 withdrawals_NN2 at_II another_DD1 bank_NN1 's_GE machines_NN2 ._. )_) 
Bank_VV0 online_RR ._. 
You_PPY 'll_VM be_VBI surprised_VVN how_RGQ easy_RR it_PPH1 is_VBZ to_TO pay_VVI bills_NN2 ,_, transfer_VV0 funds_NN2 ,_, save_VV0 automatically_RR ,_, and_CC keep_VV0 track_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 all_DB ._. 
In_II fact_NN1 ,_, gathering_VVG records_NN2 at_II tax_NN1 time_NNT1 will_VM be_VBI a_AT1 cinch_NN1 ._. 
And_CC by_II setting_VVG up_RP the_AT automatic_JJ bill-payment_JJ option_NN1 ,_, you_PPY 'll_VM help_VVI protect_VVI your_APPGE credit_NN1 score_NN1 ._. 
Banking_NN1 online_RR is_VBZ actually_RR safer_RRR than_CSN banking_NN1 at_II a_AT1 brick-and-mortar_JJ institution_NN1 ._. 
Banks_NN2 have_VH0 spent_VVN a_AT1 fortune_NN1 to_TO make_VVI sure_JJ their_APPGE sites_NN2 are_VBR among_II the_AT most_RGT secure_JJ on_II the_AT Internet_NN1 ._. 
Besides_RR ,_, most_DAT cases_NN2 of_IO identity_NN1 theft_NN1 happen_VV0 the_AT old-fashioned_JJ way_NN1 --_NN1 by_II crooks_NN2 who_PNQS raid_VV0 your_APPGE mailbox_NN1 ._. 
Keep_VV0 your_APPGE money_NN1 in_II supersafe_NN1 places_NN2 ._. 
Aim_VV0 to_TO amass_VVI at_RR21 least_RR22 six_MC months_NNT2 of_IO emergency_NN1 expenses_NN2 ,_, in_CS21 case_CS22 you_PPY lose_VV0 your_APPGE job_NN1 or_CC become_VV0 disabled_JJ ._. 
Where_RRQ 's_VBZ the_AT best_RRT place_VV0 to_TO keep_VVI it_PPH1 ?_? 
FDIC-insured_JJ bank_NN1 savings_NN2 ,_, CD_NN1 ,_, and_CC money_NN1 market_NN1 accounts_NN2 are_VBR still_RR three_MC of_IO the_AT most_RGT secure_JJ places_NN2 ._. 
(_( The_AT government_NN1 recently_RR increased_VVD the_AT limit_NN1 it_PPH1 will_VM insure_VVI to_II $250,000_NNU per_II account_NN1 until_II December_NPM1 31_MC ,_, 2009_MC ._. )_) 
Money_NN1 market_NN1 funds_NN2 that_CST invest_VV0 in_II Treasury_NN1 bills_NN2 are_VBR supersafe_NN1 ,_, too_RR ,_, but_CCB low_RR yielding_VVG ._. 
Internet_NN1 banks_NN2 and_CC credit_NN1 unions_NN2 tend_VV0 to_TO pay_VVI higher_JJR interest_NN1 rates_NN2 ,_, but_CCB go_VV0 to_II fdic.gov_NNU and_CC check_VV0 to_TO make_VVI sure_JJ they_PPHS2 offer_VV0 the_AT same_DA government-insured_JJ guarantee_NN1 ._. 
Look_VV0 into_II Series_NN I_ZZ1 bonds_NN2 ,_, or_CC I_ZZ1 bonds_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ are_VBR just_RR as_RG safe_JJ and_CC are_VBR guaranteed_VVN to_TO keep_VVI up_RP with_IW inflation_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 're_VBR also_RR free_JJ from_II state_NN1 and_CC local_JJ taxes_NN2 (_( and_CC possibly_RR federal_JJ tax_NN1 ,_, if_CS you_PPY use_VV0 them_PPHO2 for_IF college_NN1 costs_VVZ )_) ._. 
The_AT downside_NN1 ?_? 
You_PPY ca_VM n't_XX redeem_VVI them_PPHO2 for_IF at_RR21 least_RR22 a_AT1 year_NNT1 ._. 
And_CC if_CS you_PPY cash_VV0 them_PPHO2 in_RP before_II five_MC years_NNT2 ,_, there_EX 's_VBZ a_AT1 small_JJ penalty_NN1 ._. 
Other_JJ savings_NN2 options_NN2 ,_, including_II corporate_JJ and_CC tax-exempt_JJ money_NN1 market_NN1 funds_NN2 ,_, are_VBR a_RR21 bit_RR22 riskier_JJR ._. 
Compare_VV0 yields_NN2 at_II cranedata.us_NNU ._. 
Debt_NN1 Cut_VV0 up_RP your_APPGE extra_JJ credit_NN1 cards_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB do_VD0 n't_XX close_VVI the_AT accounts_NN2 ._. 
Yes_UH ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ smart_JJ to_TO reduce_VVI your_APPGE temptation_NN1 to_TO splurge_VVI by_II destroying_VVG your_APPGE cards_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB if_CS you_PPY actually_RR cancel_VV0 them_PPHO2 ,_, it_PPH1 could_VM hurt_VVI your_APPGE credit_NN1 rating_NN1 ._. 
Here_RL 's_VBZ why_RRQ :_: Lenders_NN2 worry_VV0 about_II how_RRQ close_VV0 you_PPY are_VBR to_II using_VVG all_DB the_AT credit_NN1 available_JJ to_II you_PPY ._. 
If_CS you_PPY close_VV0 an_AT1 account_NN1 ,_, you_PPY lose_VV0 its_APPGE credit_NN1 line_NN1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 result_NN1 ,_, you_PPY are_VBR using_VVG a_AT1 greater_JJR portion_NN1 of_IO the_AT reduced_JJ amount_NN1 you_PPY can_VM now_RT borrow_VVI ._. 
How_RGQ many_DA2 cards_NN2 do_VD0 you_PPY need_VVI ?_? 
While_CS the_AT average_JJ American_JJ household_NN1 has_VHZ nine_MC ,_, two_MC or_CC three_MC active_JJ cardsshould_NN1 be_VBI plenty_PN ._. 
Pay_VV0 your_APPGE bills_NN2 on_II time_NNT1 ._. 
A_AT1 single_JJ late_JJ payment_NN1 means_VVZ that_CST you_PPY could_VM pay_VVI a_AT1 much_RR higher_JJR interest_NN1 rate_NN1 on_II any_DD future_JJ loans_NN2 and_CC on_II your_APPGE existing_JJ credit_NN1 card_NN1 accounts_NN2 ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ because_CS even_RR one_MC1 missed_JJ payment_NN1 can_VM lower_VVI your_APPGE credit_NN1 score_NN1 by_II as_RG much_DA1 as_CSA 100_MC points_NN2 ._. 
That_DD1 plunge_NN1 means_VVZ that_CST lenders_NN2 view_VV0 you_PPY as_II a_AT1 risky_JJ customer_NN1 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY 're_VBR shopping_VVG around_RP for_IF a_AT1 mortgage_NN1 ,_, you_PPY could_VM end_VVI up_RP paying_VVG as_RG much_DA1 as_CSA a_AT1 full_JJ percentage_NN1 point_NN1 more_RRR ._. 
That_DD1 's_VBZ an_AT1 increase_NN1 that_CST could_VM ultimately_RR cost_VVI you_PPY tens_MC2 of_IO thousands_NNO2 of_IO dollars_NNU2 in_II interest_NN1 ._. 
Set_VV0 up_RP automatic_JJ payments_NN2 to_TO make_VVI sure_JJ you_PPY 're_VBR never_RR late_JJ on_II your_APPGE major_JJ bills_NN2 ._. 
The_AT sooner_RRR you_PPY can_VM show_VVI lenders_NN2 you_PPY 're_VBR back_RP on_II track_NN1 ,_, the_AT better_JJR ._. 
Pay_VV0 $10_NNU more_RRR each_DD1 month_NNT1 ._. 
Most_DAT American_JJ households_NN2 keep_VV0 their_APPGE credit_NN1 balances_VVZ at_II around_RG $2,000_NNU ,_, but_CCB about_RG 10_MC to_II 15_MC percent_NNU carry_VV0 balances_NN2 that_CST are_VBR $9,000_NNU or_CC higher_JJR ._. 
If_CS you_PPY paid_VVD the_AT minimum_JJ $224_NNU required_VVN on_II that_DD1 $9,000_NNU balance_NN1 each_DD1 month_NNT1 ,_, it_PPH1 would_VM take_VVI you_PPY 31_MC years_NNT2 and_CC over_RG $13,000_NNU in_II interest_NN1 to_TO pay_VVI it_PPH1 off_RP ._. 
Increasing_VVG your_APPGE payment_NN1 by_II just_RR $10_NNU a_AT1 month_NNT1 ,_, to_II $234_NNU ,_, until_CS you_PPY 've_VH0 paid_VVN off_RP the_AT balance_NN1 would_VM save_VVI you_PPY $8,900_NNU ._. 
And_CC you_PPY 'd_VM get_VVI rid_VVN of_IO the_AT debt_NN1 in_II five_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
(_( To_TO check_VVI your_APPGE own_DA balances_NN2 ,_, try_VV0 the_AT calculator_NN1 at_II bankrate.com_NNU ._. )_) 
Put_VV0 your_APPGE savings_NN2 to_TO work_VVI ._. 
Many_DA2 people_NN who_PNQS are_VBR deep_RR in_II debt_NN1 usually_RR have_VH0 some_DD savings_NN2 stashed_VVN in_II a_AT1 bank_NN1 account_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 argue_VV0 that_CST they_PPHS2 do_VD0 n't_XX want_VVI to_TO use_VVI their_APPGE hard-earned_JJ savings_NN2 to_TO pay_VVI off_RP debt_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB do_VD0 the_AT math_NN1 :_: It_PPH1 would_VM make_VVI sense_NN1 to_TO keep_VVI the_AT money_NN1 in_II savings_NN2 only_RR if_CS the_AT bank_NN1 is_VBZ paying_VVG you_PPY an_AT1 interest_NN1 rate_NN1 higher_JJR than_CSN the_AT one_PN1 your_APPGE credit_NN1 cards_NN2 charge_NN1 ._. 
Paying_VVG off_RP a_AT1 card_NN1 with_IW an_AT1 interest_NN1 rate_NN1 of_IO 13_MC percent_NNU is_VBZ the_AT equivalent_NN1 of_IO earning_VVG 13_MC percent_NNU interest_NN1 on_II your_APPGE money_NN1 after_II taxes_NN2 ._. 
There_EX are_VBR no_AT savings_NN2 or_CC investment_NN1 options_NN2 with_IW that_DD1 kind_NN1 of_IO guarantee_NN1 ._. 
Experts_NN2 caution_VV0 that_CST you_PPY still_RR want_VV0 to_TO keep_VVI emergency_NN1 cash_NN1 on_II hand_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 good_JJ rule_NN1 is_VBZ to_TO take_VVI 5_MC percent_NNU of_IO your_APPGE paycheck_NN1 to_TO pay_VVI off_RP debt_NN1 and_CC put_VVD an_AT1 additional_JJ 5_MC percent_NNU into_II savings_NN2 ._. 
Pay_VV0 more_RRR on_II your_APPGE mortgage_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY may_VM have_VHI heard_VVN that_CST because_CS the_AT interest_NN1 is_VBZ tax_NN1 deductible_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 mortgage_NN1 is_VBZ a_AT1 good_JJ debt_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB even_CS21 if_CS22 you_PPY 're_VBR getting_VVG a_AT1 tax_NN1 break_NN1 ,_, you_PPY 're_VBR still_RR paying_VVG interest_NN1 --_NN1 and_CC the_AT longer_JJR you_PPY 've_VH0 had_VHN the_AT mortgage_NN1 ,_, the_AT smaller_JJR the_AT tax_NN1 break_NN1 (_( because_CS you_PPY pay_VV0 less_DAR interest_NN1 each_DD1 year_NNT1 )_) ._. 
As_CSA with_IW all_DB debt_NN1 ,_, paying_VVG it_PPH1 off_RP sooner_RRR is_VBZ better_JJR ._. 
So_RR once_CS you_PPY 've_VH0 paid_VVN off_RP your_APPGE credit_NN1 cards_NN2 and_CC other_JJ high-rate_JJ debt_NN1 ,_, go_VV0 ahead_RL and_CC add_VV0 an_AT1 extra_JJ payment_NN1 each_DD1 year_NNT1 (_( or_CC spread_VV0 it_PPH1 out_RP over_RG 12_MC months_NNT2 )_) ._. 
If_CS you_PPY do_VD0 that_DD1 over_II the_AT life_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 30-year_JJ fixed_JJ loan_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 rate_NN1 of_IO 6_MC percent_NNU ,_, you_PPY 'll_VM shave_VVI roughly_RR 20_MC percent_NNU off_II the_AT total_JJ interest_NN1 you_PPY pay_VV0 ._. 
On_II a_AT1 $150,000_NNU mortgage_NN1 ,_, that_DD1 means_VVZ saving_VVG about_RG $26,000_NNU ._. 
Reduce_VV0 your_APPGE credit_NN1 card_NN1 interest_NN1 rate_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 may_VM be_VBI time_NNT1 to_TO get_VVI nervy_JJ with_IW the_AT credit_NN1 card_NN1 companies_NN2 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY pay_VV0 your_APPGE bill_NN1 on_II time_NNT1 and_CC your_APPGE credit_NN1 card_NN1 company_NN1 still_RR raises_VVZ your_APPGE rates_NN2 or_CC lowers_VVZ your_APPGE limits_NN2 ,_, call_VV0 the_AT company_NN1 's_GE toll-free_JJ number_NN1 (_( ask_VV0 for_IF the_AT retention_NN1 department_NN1 )_) and_CC explain_VV0 that_CST you_PPY 're_VBR thinking_VVG of_IO taking_VVG your_APPGE business_NN1 elsewhere_RL ._. 
You_PPY may_VM reap_VVI a_AT1 rate_NN1 reduction_NN1 ._. 
No_DDQV31 matter_DDQV32 what_DDQV33 you_PPY 've_VH0 heard_VVN about_II the_AT current_JJ credit_NN1 crunch_NN1 ,_, banks_NN2 are_VBR still_RR motivated_VVN to_TO keep_VVI good_JJ customers_NN2 ._. 
And_CC check_VVI your_APPGE accounts_NN2 often_RR ._. 
These_DD2 days_NNT2 ,_, banks_NN2 are_VBR increasing_JJ rates_NN2 even_RR on_II good_JJ customers_NN2 ._. 
Get_VV0 your_APPGE credit_NN1 report_NN1 for_IF free_JJ ._. 
You_PPY 're_VBR entitled_VVN to_II one_MC1 free_JJ report_NN1 from_II each_DD1 of_IO the_AT three_MC credit_NN1 bureaus_NN2 (_( Experian_JJ ,_, TransUnion_NP1 ,_, and_CC Equifax_NP1 )_) every_AT1 year_NNT1 ._. 
Beware_VV0 ,_, though_RR ._. 
Many_DA2 sites_NN2 advertising_VVG "_" free_JJ credit_NN1 reports_NN2 "_" are_VBR actually_RR fronts_NN2 for_IF companies_NN2 trying_VVG to_TO sell_VVI you_PPY services_NN2 --_JJ credit_NN1 monitoring_NN1 ,_, debt_NN1 consolidation_NN1 ,_, credit_VV0 repair-most_DAT of_IO which_DDQ you_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX need_VVI ._. 
The_AT reports_NN2 are_VBR free_JJ ,_, but_CCB you_PPY 'll_VM be_VBI automatically_RR signed_VVN up_RP and_CC billed_VVN for_IF these_DD2 products_NN2 ._. 
Get_VV0 your_APPGE reports_NN2 from_II annualcreditreport.com_NNU ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ sponsored_VVN by_II the_AT three_MC bureaus_NN2 and_CC the_AT Federal_JJ Trade_NN1 Commission_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY can_VM purchase_VVI extras_NN2 on_II this_DD1 site_NN1 ,_, too_RR ,_, but_CCB just_RR stick_VV0 with_IW the_AT free_JJ reports_NN2 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY want_VV0 to_TO see_VVI your_APPGE credit_NN1 scores_NN2 (_( a_AT1 numerical_JJ representation_NN1 of_IO how_RGQ good_JJ a_AT1 credit_NN1 risk_VV0 you_PPY are_VBR )_) ,_, you_PPY 'll_VM have_VHI to_TO pay_VVI $48_NNU at_II myfico.com._NNU ?_? 
Insurance_NN1 Shop_NN1 around_RP for_IF car_NN1 insurance_NN1 ._. 
An_AT1 online_JJ search_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 few_DA2 phone_NN1 calls_NN2 can_VM turn_VVI up_RP vastly_RR different_JJ rates_NN2 in_II the_AT same_DA area_NN1 ._. 
You_PPY 'll_VM also_RR want_VVI to_TO ask_VVI about_II lesser-known_JJ breaks_NN2 ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, even_CS21 if_CS22 your_APPGE kids_NN2 are_VBR grown_VVN and_CC out_II21 of_II22 the_AT house_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 might_VM be_VBI able_JK to_TO get_VVI a_AT1 substantial_JJ discount_NN1 if_CS they_PPHS2 insure_VV0 their_APPGE cars_NN2 through_II the_AT company_NN1 you_PPY use_VV0 ._. 
One_MC1 place_NN1 to_TO start_VVI is_VBZ carinsurance.com_NNU ._. 
Once_CS you_PPY 've_VH0 found_VVN the_AT best_JJT rate_NN1 ,_, ask_VV0 your_APPGE insurance_NN1 agent_NN1 if_CS he_PPHS1 or_CC she_PPHS1 can_VM match_VVI it_PPH1 ._. 
Sign_VV0 up_RP for_IF an_AT1 FSA_NP1 ._. 
Many_DA2 employers_NN2 offer_VV0 flexible_JJ spending_NN1 accounts_NN2 as_II a_AT1 way_NN1 to_TO set_VVI aside_RL part_NN1 of_IO your_APPGE salary_NN1 for_IF health_NN1 care_NN1 and_CC child-care_NN1 costs_NN2 ._. 
You_PPY can_VM pay_VVI for_IF everything_PN1 from_II Band-Aids_NN2 to_II orthodontic_JJ work_NN1 with_IW pretax_NN1 money_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ translates_VVZ into_II a_AT1 discount_NN1 of_IO about_RG 30_MC percent_NNU or_CC more_RRR ,_, depending_II21 on_II22 your_APPGE tax_NN1 bracket_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB plan_VV0 carefully_RR ._. 
If_CS you_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX use_VVI all_DB the_AT money_NN1 in_II your_APPGE account_NN1 within_II the_AT year_NNT1 (_( at_II many_DA2 companies_NN2 ,_, you_PPY have_VH0 until_II March_NPM1 15_MC of_IO the_AT following_JJ year_NNT1 to_TO submit_VVI receipts_NN2 )_) ,_, you_PPY lose_VV0 whatever_DDQV 's_VBZ left_VVN ._. 
Keep_VV0 grown_VVN kids_NN2 on_II your_APPGE health_NN1 insurance_NN1 policy_NN1 ._. 
If_CS you_PPY 're_VBR going_VVGK to_TO end_VVI up_RP lending_NN1 (_( or_CC giving_VVG )_) your_APPGE children_NN2 money_NN1 for_IF coverage_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 's_VBZ much_RR cheaper_JJR to_TO keep_VVI them_PPHO2 on_II your_APPGE policy_NN1 as_RG long_RR as_CSA possible_JJ ._. 
In_II some_DD states_NN2 ,_, you_PPY can_VM do_VDI this_DD1 until_CS they_PPHS2 are_VBR 26_MC ,_, whether_CSW they_PPHS2 're_VBR still_RR in_II school_NN1 or_CC not_XX ._. 
(_( New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 will_VM give_VVI you_PPY until_CS they_PPHS2 turn_VV0 30_MC ._. )_) 
Some_DD states_NN2 require_VV0 proof_NN1 that_CST they_PPHS2 are_VBR single_JJ ,_, without_IW children_NN2 ,_, and_CC that_CST they_PPHS2 live_VV0 in_II the_AT same_DA state_NN1 as_CSA you_PPY ._. 
For_IF the_AT rules_NN2 where_CS you_PPY live_VV0 ,_, go_VV0 to_II statecoverage.net_NNU ._. 
Even_CS21 if_CS22 your_APPGE state_NN1 does_VDZ n't_XX mandate_NN1 extended_VVD coverage_NN1 ,_, your_APPGE plan_NN1 might_VM ,_, so_RR call_VV0 your_APPGE human_JJ resources_NN2 department_NN1 for_IF details_NN2 ._. 
