Student elected national DECA president

Donald LaCompte has DECA in his blood.After all, it’s the organization where his parents met and were involved in the organization as state presidents in New York. Growing up, national conferences were a pivotal part of his childhood, meeting leaders and somehow, always getting backstage, his mom, Patty LeCompte, said.“He was raised around the organization,” she said. “(He’s) been around it since he was a little boy.”DECA [...]

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Middle Smithfield family opens food truck business

A local family is grabbing the keys and hitting the road with their new food truck this weekend. Executive Chef Jason Mahalik, his wife Jodi, and their oldest son, Matthew are ready to feed crowds.The Casaculinarian truck will debut at Mountain View Vineyard, Winery & Distillery Saturday."We're super excited. For one, I'll tell you that the place is just gorgeous. We love the rustic feel," said Jason. "We're just super excited to get the truck launched."Jason spent [...]

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Fair puts more oomph into its offerings

The West End Fair will be stirring up things a bit this year. That includes a free arena concert featuring the music of Pink Floyd and Kansas.The fair, under its first year Entertainment Chairman Charlie Hill, decided to bring back arena concerts which had disappeared for the better part of a decade. But people had been asking to see them return , he said.The fair’s arena typically features motor sports like demolition derbies and truck pulls. It seats about 3,500. [...]

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10 Money Rules Not Everyone Follows (But Should)

America’s love affair with debt and consumption has left far too many of us financially hamstrung and struggling to get ahead. After all, the average U.S. household carried $15,672 in credit card debt and $130,922 in total debt in 2015. Add in the fact that the average indebted student left college with over $35,000 in student loans debt last year, and you’ll see what a grim picture we have painted.

All too often these days, the American Dream means living paycheck to paycheck, and then charging what you can’t truly afford. It means trading in your car every few years, buying a house so big you struggle to afford and maintain it, and teaching your kids to do the same. And a lot of times, it means schlepping through a job you simply tolerate for decades longer than you really needed to.

But, what if you don’t want to be “average?”  While some people will always follow the crowd, some of us were never meant to follow.

Money Rules to Help You Get Ahead

You can choose the common American narrative when it comes to money, or you can forge your own path. You can decide to spend every penny you make (and then some), or you can set aside money for the future, opt for simplicity, and choose freedom from debt instead.

You can be like everyone else – or you can dare to be different.

Here are 10 money rules you should live by if you want to create a unique life devoid of debt and filled with dreams for the future:

Rule #1: Live below your means.

No matter how much money you earn, it’s easy to spend every cent. But, what if you spent less than you earned as a general rule? What if, through each stage of your career, you vowed to save a certain percentage of your income no matter what?

Living below your means is a challenge for everyone – mainly because it forces you to make a few sacrifices today. Still, this rule is the cornerstone of a financially responsible and potentially rich life. When you spend less than you earn, you’ll always have money to save.

• Related: The First Time You Spend Less Than You Earn… and How to Handle It

Rule #2: Pay yourself first.

When you prioritize your “wants” ahead of savings, it’s easy to end the month without a single cent left. That’s why many financial advisors suggest you pay yourself first instead – as in, you should set aside a certain amount of money each payday before you spend money on anything other than your essential bills.

“When you get your paycheck, take out money for yourself first,” says Tony Liddle, CEO and financial advisor from Sark Investments. “Put it in a savings account and don’t touch it.”

Once your savings is safely stashed away, then — and only then — you can pay bills and pay for your “wants.”

Rule #3: Treat your retirement savings like a regular bill.

We all want to retire one day, right? So, why do so many people treat retirement savings as an afterthought?

If you want the money to be there when you’re ready to retire, you have to start saving. Of course, the best time to start is now – no matter how old you are.

If your employer offers a work-sponsored plan (and especially one with an employer match), this is the best place to start. By contributing as much of your paycheck as you can afford to sacrifice now, you’ll be in the best position to build a nest egg that will last.

“Make sure you’re taking advantage of the vehicles available to save for retirement after you have set up your emergency fund,” says Peter Huminski of Thorium Wealth Management. By saving automatically and effortlessly, you can create your very own “retirement paycheck.”

• Related: Are You Gambling With Your Retirement?

Rule #4: Wait 24 hours before you make a big purchase.

If you’re someone who has struggled with impulse purchases in the past, instituting a 24-hour or even one-week waiting period before a large purchase is a smart idea.

By forcing yourself to wait before you buy, you’ll have some time to mull over each purchase. And sometimes, that extra bit of time is enough for you to talk yourself out of a big purchase – or even forget about it altogether.

Want to avoid making big financial mistakes on the fly? Force yourself to wait at least 24 hours before you buy anything other than groceries and gas.

Rule #5: Before buying something, ask yourself if you really need it.

Trent has written about the 10 questions you should ask yourself before you buy anything. Although each question is unique, they all rely on the same general idea:

Before you buy something, you should consider whether you really, truly need it. Ask yourself if you could borrow something similar instead. Or perhaps you already have something at home that would work well in the item’s place. Other questions to ask before you buy include:

• Can I make it myself?
• Can I delay this purchase?
• Can I buy it used?
• Have I looked for a cheaper alternative?

By asking these questions before you make a notable purchase, you should save money and cut down on waste in the long run.

Rule #6: Automate your finances and your investments.

While most people have good intentions when it comes to their finances, they don’t always act on those intentions. That’s why many financial advisors suggest automating your finances over the long haul.

“Automate as much of your finances as possible – income, savings, and expenditures – in that order,” says financial advisor Anthony Reynolds of True North Wealth Management. “This allows you to pay yourself first while simultaneously leveraging the power of automation to satisfy your other money obligations.”

By setting up automatic contributions to savings and retirement, you can take a hands-off approach and “set it and forget it.”

• Related: How My Cheese Addiction Taught Me to Automate My Savings

Rule #7: Diversify, diversify, diversify.

As the old saying goes, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. According to most financial advisors, the key to getting ahead and staying ahead is diversifying.

“We normally think of this in terms of asset allocation — the ratio of investing in stocks vs. bonds or in big companies and small companies, domestic companies and foreign companies,” says Aaron Hatch, co-founder of Woven Capital. “But financially successful people often have more than one source of income, too.”

Diversify your investments and your income streams and you’ll be in the best position to weather financial storms and recover from financial mishaps.

• Related: Diversification: The Only Free Lunch in Investing

Rule #8: Ignore the Joneses.

Remember how the average American family is mired in debt and struggling to get ahead? Yep, the mythical “Joneses” are all around us – driving flashy cars with payments they can barely afford and living paycheck-to-paycheck despite what they want you to think.

If you really want to get ahead of what’s “average,” you have to live a lifestyle that lets you cut out that noise. You have to learn to ignore the Joneses petty antics, and to see their spending for what it really is – a desperate attempt to fit in.

Remember, when it comes to the Joneses, your perception isn’t always the same thing as reality. Just because someone looks like they can afford anything doesn’t mean they can.

• Related: Why Emulating the Affluent Is a Terrible Way to Make Spending Choices

Rule #9: If you have to finance it, you probably can’t afford it.

Here’s a fairly conservative financial rule to consider, but one that works rather well: If you can’t afford to buy something in cash, you can’t afford it. Period.

Imagine never financing a car again or saving up the money for your next home remodel. Imagine how much more money you would have each month if you didn’t owe a cent in debt payments, plus how much interest you would save.

While this rule may not always work out in the real world, especially when it comes to a buying a home, it is one that can make you wealthier if you apply it more often not. Any time you need to finance something, ask yourself if you could afford to pay cash. If not, can you really afford it in the first place?

Rule #10: Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

This is perhaps the most important rule since it applies to every aspect of our financial health. Whether your task involves saving money, creating a budget, retirement planning, or getting out of debt, it rarely pays to put it off.

If you truly want to get ahead and avoid “normal,” you should strive to never put things off. Confront financial issues and situations as if your future depended on it. Chances are, it will.

The Bottom Line

No matter where you are on your financial journey, creating a list of rules to live by can be a smart move. Just like creating and living with a budget, defining which financial principles you choose to live by can help you stay on track and build more wealth over time.

What makes this journey especially hard is that the ideas we’re suggesting here aren’t all that “normal.” To really get ahead financially, you have to buck current trends and do things your way.

Sometimes that means going without, and other times that means telling others “no.” Just remember, doing the right thing isn’t always easy, nor should it be. But string together enough of the right moves over time, and you’ll be a whole lot wealthier.

What financial rules do you live by? Do you agree with everything on this list?

Related Articles: 

• 60 Simple Rules of Personal Finance
• A Letter to Anyone Who Wants More Than They Have Right Now
• 15 Financial Mistakes I’ve Made and the Better Solutions I’ve Figured Out Since Then

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16 Credit Cards That Give You Extended Warranties on Almost Everything

Picture this: You’re at a big-box store, where you’re about to hand over your credit card to buy something big.

We’re talking a refrigerator. Or a new TV. Or a nice vacuum cleaner.

“Do you want to purchase an extended warranty?” the cashier might ask.

Your response: Most likely, you’ll go “Um……” and shrug. Did you even check the warranty terms on the actual item you’re about to purchase?

Probably not.

But if you’re about to lay down major cash for an item you’d like to hold up for a few years (or more), a warranty might be a factor.

What if you could extend the warranty without paying extra?

If you’re a smart credit card user, it’s as simple as picking the right card for the purchase.

Which Credit Cards Offer Extended Warranties?

In short, all of them, though details vary between card companies.

If you can’t find the “warranty” section of your card’s terms, it’s probably called “extended protection.”

Here’s the breakdown based on the type of credit card.

MasterCard

MasterCard “World” cards offer an extended warranty for goods with a manufacturer’s or store warranty of 12 months or less.

MasterCard doubles the original warranty for a maximum of 12 months for most items, and if you purchase a 12-months-or-less service contract or additional extended warranty on an item, the company will honor an extra 12 months.

MasterCard’s extended warranty kicks in the day after your original warranty expires. If your coffeepot keels over 364 days after you bought it, you can only get your manufacturer’s warranty; there’s no double-dipping here.

The extended warranty has a $10,000 limit, so don’t expect to buy a brand-new car upfront with your MasterCard. Plus, these items are completely excluded from coverage: antiques, collectibles, floor models, motorized vehicles, plants and software.

Normal wear and tear is excluded, too. So if you burn out your blender making too many frozen margaritas, you’re on your own.

If the item can be repaired, Mastercard is likely to pay an authorized repair facility directly.

Otherwise, you can expect reimbursement for the item within about a week of turning in receipts and any other documentation required for your particular claim.

If you’re looking for a new MasterCard with warranty protection, here are some solid options:

1. Citi ThankYou Preferred

Get two points per dollar on dining and entertainment and one point per dollar on all other purchases.

You get a 0% intro APR for 15 months, then switch to 13.24%-23.24%, based on your creditworthiness.

There’s no annual fee, and no expiration date or limit on your points. Use your points for travel, event tickets or shop with them on Amazon.

2. Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard

Get two points per dollar you spend on gas, utility and grocery store purchases, and one point per dollar on all other purchases.

There’s no annual fee, and points don’t expire as long as your account is open and active.

There’s a 25.24% variable APR, but you only need fair credit to apply for this card. If you’re looking to rebuild your credit and don’t plan to carry a balance, this could be a good option for you.

3. First Progress Platinum Prestige MasterCard Secured Credit Card

If you want to improve your credit with a secured card, this one has a stellar 11.99% variable interest rate.

There’s a $44 annual fee, but no minimum required credit score. Your security deposit (and line of credit) can range from $200 to $2,000.

4. JetBlue Plus Card

JetBlue just switched from Amex to MasterCard, and the new card has no annual fee.

Earn four points per dollar on JetBlue purchases, two points per dollar on restaurant and grocery purchases, and one point per dollar spent on everything else.

The card comes with a variable APR of 12.24%, 20.24% or 25.24%. Points never expire, and there are no foreign transaction fees for using your card.

Visa

Visa Signature cardholders enjoy extended warranty protection service that extends coverage up to a year on products with warranties of three years or less.

The Visa coverage extends exactly what’s offered by the manufacturer or retailer’s warranty, but items purchased for professional or commercial use aren’t eligible.

If you need to file a claim, you’ll need to provide a copy of your receipt and the original warranty.

Want to go paperless, or at least make an effort? Use the optional Warranty Manager Service.

Register your product with Visa over the phone, send in your sales receipts and warranty info and they’ll keep it all on file.

So if you need to get an item repaired or replaced, all you have to do is call Visa, instead of shuffling around in your desk for the necessary documentation.

If the item can be repaired, Visa will probably pay an authorized repair facility directly. Otherwise, expect reimbursement for the item within about a week of completing the claim process.

Here are some Signature cards to choose from, if you’re looking for a new Visa:

5. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Venture Rewards Card has some of the best travel perks around. Get two miles per dollar on every purchase, and use your miles for any airline or hotel.

APR ranges from 13.24% to 23.24%. There’s no annual fee the first year, but expect to be charged $59 every year after that.

6. Bank of America BankAmericard Cash Rewards Credit Card

Earn 1% cash back on every purchase, along with 2% cash back at the grocery store and 3% cash back at the gas station on your first $1,500 in combined purchases.

Your variable APR will be between 13.24% and 23.24%, and there are no annual fees. New cardholders enjoy 0% introductory APR for 12 billing cycles.

7. USAA Rewards Visa

Military service members and their families can take advantage of USAA benefits with this rewards card.

It offers 1% cash back on every purchase, along with 2% cash back at the grocery store and 3% cash back at the gas station on your first $1,500 of combined purchases.

There’s no annual fee or minimum finance charge, and your APR could be as low as 10.15%.

8. TD Aeroplan Visa Signature Credit Card

Earn two Aeroplan miles per dollar spent on Air Canada purchases, and one mile per dollar spent on everything else.

There’s no annual fee at first, but you’ll pay $95 after the first year. Your interest rate will be a variable 14.24%, 19.24% or 23.24%, based on your credit history.

American Express

American Express is known for its member perks, and its extended warranty is no exception.

The company extends the original manufacturer’s warranty of five or fewer years.

If the length of the original warranty is less than a year, Amex matches it — and if it’s between one and five years, Amex provides one extra warranty year.

You’re covered for purchases up to $10,000, excluding typical stuff like motor vehicles, items damaged by natural disasters or software.

American Express may require you to ship the defective item, but it’ll reimburse the shipping cost. Make sure you keep your receipts and a copy of your Amex statement from the purchase.

Here are a few options if you’re looking to add an Amex to your wallet:

9. Plenti Credit Card from Amex

Earn three points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, two points per dollar at restaurants and one point per dollar everywhere else.

There’s no annual fee, and you’ll have a variable APR of somewhere between 15.24% and 25.24%.

10. Hilton HHonors Card from American Express

Frequent traveler? Hit the road with this card, which offers seven points per dollar spent at participating Hilton properties.

You also get five Hilton HHonors points for each dollar you spend at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations.

There’s no annual fee, and the variable APR is between 15.49% and 19.49%.

11. Blue from American Express

This card keeps it simple: You earn one point per dollar spent.

Depending on your creditworthiness, you’ll get a variable APR of 15.49%, 18.49% or 20.49%. And you won’t pay an annual fee.

12. Platinum Delta SkyMiles Credit Card

This card has an annual fee of $195, but comes with major perks for frequent travelers.

Earn two miles per dollar spent on Delta travel and one mile per dollar on everything else. You’ll also enjoy one companion fare each year, priority boarding on Delta flights, one free checked bag and no foreign transaction fees.

Expect a variable APR of 15.49% to 19.49%.

Discover

Discover offers an extended product warranty up to one additional year on warranties of 36 months or less.

It’s available to every Discover card member, as long as you made the purchase with your Discover card. Be sure to file your claim by phone within 45 days of the incident.

Consider these options:

13. Discover It for Students Card

This student card pays 1% cash back on most purchases, but offers 5% cash back in rotating categories throughout the year.

For example, you can grab 5% cash back this fall at Amazon.com. You’ll get 0% APR for six months, then 13.24% to 22.24% variable APR.

There’s also no annual fee.

14. Discover it Miles Card

With 0% interest for the first 12 months followed by 11.24-23.24% variable interest, this is a good option for folks with the travel bug.

Earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, and miles never expire.

There are no blackout dates, and you can get $30 cash back each year for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases.

15. Discover it Chrome Card

Get 2% cash back on gas and restaurants for up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter.

Plus, you’ll get 1% cash back on all credit card purchases. Redeem your cash back for any amount, any time — it never expires.

Plus, it’s easy to use your rewards cash at Amazon checkout.

16. Discover it Secured Credit Card

Build your credit with this secured card and still earn 1% cash back on purchases, plus 2% on gas and at restaurants up to $1,000 per quarter.

There’s no annual fee, and there’s a 23.24% variable APR.

You’ll need to pay in some cash to secure the credit line, but if you’re committed to paying off your balance each month, this card is a good deal.

Want to Make The Most of Your Extended Warranty?

Follow these tips to get the most out of your policies.

Check Warranties Before You Buy

If you’re making a major purchase, it’s worth spending the time to check your warranty options.

Stacking manufacturer and store warranties may stretch your protection even further, even before your extra credit card coverage kicks in.

Keep Your Documentation
The moment you have a broken product on your hands is the last time you want to be scrounging around for your wrinkled-up receipts.

A simple two-pocket folder is probably all you need to keep track of your purchase warranties.

Don’t Procrastinate If There’s a Problem
If something goes wrong, don’t wait to file a claim!

Each credit card has different deadlines for filing extended warranty claims, so be prompt to redeem your benefits.

Once you open a claim, you’ll have a limited window to submit documentation, so don’t open a claim and then forget you did it. That’s just money down the drain!

Your Turn: Has an extended warranty through a credit card ever saved you from having to make an unexpected purchase?

Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which ThePennyHoarder.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). We do not feature all available credit card offers or all credit card issuers.

Lisa Rowan is a writer, editor and podcaster living in Washington, D.C.

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