Wal-Mart Goes to Washington -- Maybe See full article from DailyFinance: http://srph.it/anCdpZ

Just a few days after Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) appears to have won over skeptics in the Windy City of Chicago, the retailer has its sights set on another untapped metropolitan area: Washington, D.C. According to The Washington Post, the nation's capital and the world's largest retailer are reportedly close to a deal that would bring the first Wal-Mart to the District.

Apparently, Wal-Mart may be weighing the possibility of opening a location on New York Avenue NE (near the intersection of Bladensburg Road) and could sign a lease by this fall. A family-run taxi company currently owns more than 11 acres surrounding this intersection and a prior deal for a housing and retail complex recently fell through. The location could provide Wal-Mart with ample room for a large store and a sizable parking lot, right in the middle of the city.

A company spokesman neither confirmed nor denied the speculation, noting, "Wal-Mart does not have any new projects to announce in [D.C.] but we continue to evaluate opportunities that would allow us to create jobs and provide affordable groceries to D.C. residents." So ... if there isn't any D.C. development planned, how are residents supposed to get those cheap groceries? It's a puzzle. There are Wal-Marts located in the D.C. suburbs in Virginia and Maryland, but a District-based location would keep sales taxes local and save travel time for District residents.

About 19% of D.C. Residents Live Below the Poverty Line

Unemployment in the D.C. region is less scary than that in Chicago, which means Wal-Mart won't have the job-creation card to play with quite as much urgency. What D.C. does have, however, (despite a respectable per-capita income), is a shocking economic disparity. In 2009, 18.9% of District residents were living below the poverty line, up from 16.9% the previous year. Access to inexpensive necessities like groceries, diapers and housewares will be a big selling point as WMT tries to establish a foothold.

Several days ago, Chicago's City Council approved a 145,000 square-foot Wal-Mart store that will open in the Pullman Park neighborhood. This will likely be the tip of the falling-prices iceberg, as Wal-Mart has been negotiating a starting wage for its employees that would make it possible to open as many as 21 Chicago stores.

See full article from DailyFinance: http://srph.it/anCdpZ

Saving Money on Any Insurance

by MoneyNing

There are some forms of insurance you just can’t live without. Car insurance is mandatory in all states, homeowners insurance is required if you carry a mortgage, and any parent will tell you that medical insurance is crucial. With rising costs hitting all of these necessary protections, it pays to make the most of every dollar.

Car Insurance

Since you have absolutely no choice about having car insurance, you may as well shop around to find the best deal. I know that there are many advertisements trying to entice you to change companies, but before you do that, compare what you are getting right now to what they are offering. Frequently companies “save” you money by providing lesser coverage; in my book that is no savings. Shop around and do it early, insurance companies will almost always match any legitimate offers you find.

The quickest and easiest way to drop those premiums is to raise your deductible. By increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 dollars, you can save 30% on your insurance premiums. Make sure to set aside the money needed if you do have an accident and need to produce the higher premium.

Ask about discounts. Teen drivers usually get a discount for good grades or certain types of driver’s education programs. If you don’t drive much, or your job is just a couple of miles from home, you may be able to get a low-mileage deduction. Also, consult your insurance agent when purchasing a new car so you know in advance which ones cost less to insure. Some companies offer lower deductibles for each year you go without having a claim, so make sure you ask that because it could save you money long term.

Homeowners Insurance

Just like auto insurance, increasing your deductible will decrease your premiums. Many companies will offer discounts to customers who purchase multiple policies with them, so bundle your car and homeowners insurance to save some money.

Only insure your home, not the land for replacement costs in case of disaster. This common mistake costs many people money. You won’t have to replace the land, just the building, so check your policy to make sure you are insuring only what you need.

Another thing to consider is staying with a company for the long haul since many offer loyalty discounts. Improving your home’s security and disaster resistance will generally garner you some deductions as well.

Medical Insurance

Many people simply can’t afford private medical insurance. Before you raise your hands in frustration and walk away, consider that a major medical bill will bankrupt your family, so even something is better than nothing. Many States now offer basic health insurance based upon income levels; call your state offices and ask if you can get insurance that way.

Again, raising your deductible will help if you have insurance but are struggling to pay for it. See what kinds of plans your company offers, and if you can get insurance through work. Compare the plans and make sure you are comparing apples to apples, even with the complicated wording of many policies. Also, take advantage of medical savings accounts that let you put aside money to pay for medical expenses, tax free.

Keeping on top of your insurance costs and options will save you money immediately and in the long run. The key is to comparison shop often so you always get the best discounts.

Taken from the free How to Save Money on Everything ebook, where tips are constantly being added. Get your copy by subscribing to the frugal newsletter.

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Related Articles at Personal Finance Blog by Money Ning:

• 7 Types of Car Insurance: Which Ones Do You Really Need?
• Most Affordable Health Insurance May Not Be The Cheapest
• Car Insurance Company Can Lower Your Bill
• Why Renter’s Insurance
• Misunderstanding of Frugal Living

Toothbrush Designed Like A Tumble-Doll Stands Upright

from TreeHugger

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 Sometimes you see an idea that makes you smack yourself on the side of the head and ask why nobody thought about that before, and this, from Yanko Design, of them. Ryan Harc designed this toothbrush (called DEWS) with a weight in the base to make it stand upright....Read the full story on TreeHugger