Even if you're not entitled to a share of this Citigroup/Associates settlement pie, there's a bigger issue here: It's the value of credit insurance...a specific insurance policy that's sold in conjunction with a specific loan, for instance:

    -- You're buying a car and the person handling the financing offers you credit insurance, the pitch being that if you die during the term of the loan, the loan would be paid off (by the insurance policy they're trying to sell you). While it may sound like the good and responsible thing to do (especially if you've got a family or anyone that depends on you financially), it's simply a bad bet. Aside from the remote possibility that you'll die during the loan term, it's very pricey insurance, as well as a source of fat commissions for the person trying to sell it to you.  Ben's Bottom Line?

    1.    Always make sure you obtain a full disclosure in advance about all fees or charges being added/levied on a loan you're about to sign on the line for.

    2.    If you don't understand what a fee or charge is for, be bold and ask the lender. [You're not gonna hurt their feelings...and even if you do, tough.]

    3.    Many fees and charges-especially in mortgage transactions-are pumped up (or even unnecessary) and can be eliminated altogether...but you've gotta hold their feet to the fire and quiz them about each charge and challenge them!

    4.    Don't waste your cash on credit life insurance when you're borrowing for specific, big ticket items like cars or a house. You can always do a lot better by buying a competitively priced term (life) insurance policy...especially with the ready access to on-line pricing websites today.

You'd better check your bank statement! Bank of America announced that a software glitch posted incorrect amounts to thousands of customers.  While it's been reported that these customers were in Florida and Tennessee, in my opinion, the (bigger) underlying message is clear: They've had some computer problems that could be deeper than what's being reported.  Whether it is directly affecting your bank account [and whether you're a BofA customer] at this moment is really a secondary issue.  Since 75% of you don't reconcile your bank (checking) account statements monthly, I'm hoping that this story will motivate you to be more protective of your money!  Especially because of the 60 day rule: If you don't catch a bank error within 60 days of your statement date, there's (usually) nothing you can do about it. If your bank inadvertently sucked thousands of dollars outta your bank account--and you're too lazy to catch it--they get to keep it! [Again...you've been warned!]

Loretta's credit scores are in the tank and she wants to know how to raise them...fast!  First Loretta needs to get copies of her credit reports directly from the credit reporting bureaus themselves. 

    -- She was relying on a mortgage company and all she was getting is second-hand information.  She needs to get copies for herself, from the two most reliable agencies, Experian and Equifax.  Here's information about what hoops and where they're located that she needs to jump to start the process.

    -- While she's at it, Loretta needs to get "score enhanced" versions of her reports...a difference of a few bucks...instead of $8 she'll want to spend the $12.95 and get a good idea of where she stands.

    -- Loretta also needs to be sure to get a copy of her spouses reports while she's at it...especially since they're wanting to re-fi their house, and will be depending on both incomes/credit histories to qualify.

    -- Here's a pretty good article by Liz Pulliam Weston from the Los Angeles Times that Loretta (and the rest of you) can benefit from reading about raising credit scores and more importantly, what not to do.

There's a 1 in 5 chance that the prescription drugs you're taking are mis-labeled...and you could be overdosing yourself, even though you're following the directions correctly!  Your liver might be grateful if you did some research about your own medicine cabinet; apparently 20% of the new prescription drugs released over the last 5 years were mis-labeled...and you could have, and perhaps-still are-unknowingly over-dosing yourself or someone you're caring for!  Please read more about this topic since you may inadvertently be overdosing on acetaminophen since it's so widely used in a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications.

The best way to train you or your family to turn the tables on tele-marketers?  You've gotta grab a copy of Jim Florentine's newest CD, Terrorizing Telemarketers Volume 3.  And to learn more about neutralizing these tele-pests, check out this special section on the website...