Budget Friendly Tips for the Holidays + $300 GC Giveaway

2:36 PM


This post is brought to you in collaboration with H&R Block.

I have noticed that as the boys get older, there is a direct correlation between their age and the cost of the presents on their lists. Santa is going broke you all! Honestly, I am happy for the technology and all, but when it pushes the price of one present on their list to over $200, the holidays become hard to afford. Add the cost of visiting family, travel and everything else that goes on to celebrating this joyous time of year, and you are talking mega bucks. How can you make it more budget friendly?

Homemade Gifts

One easy way to make your budget last longer during the holidays is with beautiful homemade gifts. I am not talking about making necklaces out of pasta or anything, I am talking about homemade sugar scrubs or even goat milk soaps. Chic jars of cookie mixes, bread recipes or even dry soup mixes are other great options that friends and family would enjoy receiving, but won't break the bank.

Shop The Deals

During the holiday season there are no shortage of sales. Take to the Internet deal sites and weekly sales fliers in the paper to find the best deals on the hot items on your wish lists this year. With the right sales on days like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, you can save upwards of 50% on certain items.

Stay Close to Home

To cut down on travel related expenses, stay close to home this year. Do you usually do a holiday season vacation, plan a staycation in your own city instead of driving or flying hours away. Invite family to come spend the holidays at your house so that you do not have to travel so far to see them if possible.

Consider a Line of Credit

Unexpected expenses always come up throughout the year, but they are never greater than they are around the holidays. When you need that little extra bit of help to make ends meet or fill those Christmas wish lists, an H&R Block Emerald Advance line of credit can be the difference you need. When you feel like there are no other options, the link of credit can help, with credit you can draw from when you need it all year long.

Want to learn more about the H&R Block Emerald Advance line of credit? You can do so on the H&R Block site. Applications open starting November 25th, and you don't need to be a current H&R Block customer to apply. Simply bring in a valid non-expired government issued ID and your recently pay stubs, and you can be approved for credit up to $1000 to help when you need it!

{Win}

To help with those extra holiday expenses and get you thinking about what you would do with a little extra money, H&R Block is offering one Life With 4 Boys reader the chance to win a $300 H&R Block gift card! Just enter using the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

H&R Block has asked me to help promote the Emerald Advance Line of Credit. The prize was provided and may be shipped to the winner by H&R Block, but all opinions expressed in the post are my own and not those of H&R Block. Entrants must be 18 or older and located in the US only. Winner to be chosen at random.

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183 comments

  1. i learned that I have the ability to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund

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  2. I learned you may apply in participating offices from November 25th 2013, through January 15th 2014

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  3. I learned that If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round

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  4. Kathleen - your "follow on Pinterest" link is wrong - it goes to H&R's FB page.

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  5. I learned that you can get up to a $1000 loan

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  6. i learned you can pay it off with your tax return!

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  7. i learned that you can apply November 25th 2013, through January 15th 2014

    freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

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  8. YOu can have access to credit all year~

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  9. Visited and learned You may apply in participating offices from November 25th 2013, through January 15th 2014. I looked at the making payments section and learned Minimum monthly payment of $25 or 4% of the outstanding balance, if greater. Balance due in full by February 15, 2014

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  10. It is year round credit and you can use your tax return to pay it back.

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  11. I learned that it is a line of credit you can borrow and repay up to $1000.

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  12. I learned you can load funds drawn from your line of credit to your H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard for easy access.

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  13. Heather Hayes PanjonNovember 18, 2013 at 9:16 PM

    I Learned That Consumers Have The Ability To Pay Down The Balance Of The Emerald Advance With A Portion Of Tax Returns If They Choose To Do So.

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  14. I learned that at myemeraldadvance.com you can view transactions, make payments, and view statements. Your account is also accessible through their mobile banking app, too.

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  15. It is all new to me but I did learn

    Ability to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund, if you so choose

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  16. I learned you can get $1000 a year.

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  17. Thx for educating us about the H&R block emerald line of credit. That could come in handy.

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  18. Thx for educating us about the H&R block emerald line of credit. That could come in handy.

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  19. I learned you have access to credit year round.

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  20. You can apply for it at a local fofice.

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  21. The Emerald Advance® is a year-round line of credit that provides the ability to repeatedly borrow and repay up to $1000, depending on bank approval

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  22. Emerald Advance will be available in participating offices beginning November 25th

    sarah hirsch

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  23. It'd help a lot with my Christmas shopping, and that I can maintain a line of credit of $1000, year-round.

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  24. you can use it all year round and just keep up with the payments!!

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  25. I learned that its available Nov 25th and could be a lifesaver in a time of need.

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  26. I learned that Line of credit is subject to credit and underwriting approval. I could not find how much the interest rate would be; that would be my only concern in regard to this concept.

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  27. That you will have the ability to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund

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  28. I learned that you can maintain your line of credit year-round

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  29. I learned that you can apply for H & R Emerald Advance over the phone

    abfantom at yahoo dot com

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  30. I learned that you need a current earning statement to apply

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  31. I learned there is only a $45 annual fee

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  32. Honestly, this is the first time I have heard about their credit line so that's new to me. But also that it's a line of credit that can be used all year long and you can pay it using your tax refund.

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  33. You can use it through out the year.

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  34. I learned that, If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

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  35. I found that you may be able to get a loan up t0 $1000.

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  36. I learned that you have the ability to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund.

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  37. I learned If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round.

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

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  38. I learned that there is a $45 Annual Fee which is assessed on the day the Emerald Advance is opened.

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  39. I learned you can access to credit year-round.

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  40. I learned that the Emerald Advance® is a year-round line of credit that provides the ability to repeatedly borrow and repay up to $1000.

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  41. you can get up to a $1000 loan. that is great for the holidays.
    gabbflabber@live.com

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  42. I learned that you can use it year-round for emergencies, car repairs, bills and other credit needs. Only borrow and repay the specific amount you need.

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  43. I learned that you can pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund, if you so choose!

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  44. I learned that you may be able to get a loan up to $1000.

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  45. I love that it is a line of credit up to $1000

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  46. i learned you can repeatedly borrow and repay up to $1000

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  47. I learned they have live support via phone or in office.

    Wendy T

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  48. I learned that I have the option of pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of my tax refund

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  49. You can borrow and repay up to $1000.

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  50. you can only borrow what you need, up to $1000 max. and you can use a portion of your tax refund to pay the balance.

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  51. I learned that you can get up to a $1000 loan.

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  52. you can maintain your line of credit year-round

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  53. I learned that you can load funds drawn from your line of credit to your H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard® for easy access.

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  54. I can load funds drawn from my line of credit to my H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard.

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  55. i learned you can take out loans of money from your acct

    vanitizebaby@yahoo.com

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  56. I learned that the late fee is only $7.50! They will not charge you more than 5 late fees per year!
    Desiree H

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  57. The Emerald Advance Loan card essentially a credit card issued through H&R block.

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  58. I learned that you can use your tax refund to pay it off

    Nathansmommy619(At)Aol(Dot)com

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  59. I learned that you manage to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund.
    kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

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  60. I learned that once approved, it is available to you year round in case of an emergency.

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  61. I learned there is a 45$ annual fee and &7.50 late fee.

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  62. I learned that the Emerald line of credit is access to a $1000 line of credit year-round once approved!

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  63. I learned that it is only a $45 annual fee to open your line of credit.

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  64. You have access to the credit year round.

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  65. you can get a $1000 line of credit

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  66. I learned that Emerald Advance is available as early as the 25th of November! Right around the corner.

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  67. I learned that you can maintain your line of credit all year long.

    Jennifer Marie

    lilnursejen at yahoo dot com

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  68. I learned that you can maintain your line of credit all year long.

    Jennifer Marie

    lilnursejen at yahoo dot com

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  69. i learned that it's avaliable year round.
    it seems like a good thing.
    kayleefaith1228@aol.com

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  70. You can use your tax refund to apply towards the balance

    jmcharries@cox.net

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  71. I learned that the balance can be paid down with part of my tax return

    demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

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  72. I learned that with the Emerald Advance line of credit you get access to your credit year round.

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  73. (entered as Danielle F.)
    I learned that you can pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a part of your tax refund.

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  74. I learned they have a mobile banking app to keep track of your balance.

    april yedinak

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  75. I learned that you can have access to credit year round.

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  76. If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round

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  77. I learned that there are No setup fee, no monthly activity fee, no overdraft fee, no fees on purchases, or customer service calls.

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  78. I learned that you could get up to a 1000 line of credit.

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  79. Make purchases, pay bills114 and get cash at ATMs.117 No setup fee, no monthly activity fee, no overdraft fee, no fees on purchases, or customer service calls. Keep more of your hard-earned money to use on whatever you want.
    View a chart of all fees

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  80. The Emerald Advance® is a year-round line of credit that provides the ability to repeatedly borrow and repay up to $1000 depending on bank approval.

    @griswald60

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  81. The Emerald Advance is a line of credit you can draw from as you need it. You can use it year-round for unexpected expenses and other short-term credit needs.

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  82. I learned that it will become available on November 25th.

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  83. learned you can use it year - round

    kport207 at gmail dot com

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  84. I learned that If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round

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  85. You can load money from your line of credit onto a prepaid card.

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  86. I learned that H&R Block gives you the option of paying down the balance on the Emerald Advance with your tax refund, if you so choose.

    Geoff K
    gkaufmanss at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  87. I learned that you can load funds drawn from your line of credit to your H&R Block Emerald card for easy access.

    Holly Storm-Burge
    hstorm799{at}gmail{dot}com

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  88. I learned you can If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round!

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  89. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  90. I learned that you can maintain/manage your line of credit year round!

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  91. I learned that the Emerald Advance® is a year-round line of credit that provides the ability to repeatedly borrow and repay up to $1000. depending on bank approval.

    ReplyDelete
  92. I learned you have the ability to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund.

    ReplyDelete
  93. I like you can use it year round, not just at tax season!

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  94. I learned that you can access your credit line with a MasterCard, easier to use in many locations. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

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  95. You may apply in participating offices from November 25th 2013, through January 15th 2014

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  96. It has a limit of $1000 and works great when needed in times of emergency. Just the amount needed.

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  97. I learned that it is good to use through January.

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  98. It's available November 25th and you can get a line of credit up to $1000.

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  99. I learned that there is a fee to establish the line of credit ($45). It may be worth it for the flexibility of having an emergency line of credit for some, but be aware!

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  100. I learned that you can have a line of credit and you can borrow up to $1000.

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  101. You can pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund.

    Kimberley Meier
    momof3chaos at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  102. I learned you can draw from it all year long when you need it!

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  103. I learned that if approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round.

    ReplyDelete
  104. If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round. Be prepared when the unexpected occurs.
    Thanks for the contest.

    slehan at juno dot com

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  105. If you're approved, you can have credit access all year round.

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  106. You can get a loan of $1000 for your taxes

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  107. Learned that you have bility to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund, if you so choose

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  108. i learned you can file online


    JOSEPH GERSCH

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  109. I learned that there is a $45 annual fee.

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  110. I learned you can use it year round

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  111. I learned a benefit of emerald advance is the Ability to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund, if you so choose

    stephanie ann

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  112. I learned "The Emerald Advance® is a year-round line of credit that provides the ability to repeatedly borrow and repay up to $1000126, depending on bank approval"

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  113. I learned that you can apply November 25th 2013, through January 15th 2014.

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  114. I learned that you have the ability to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund, if you so choose

    ReplyDelete
  115. I have learned that you can use this at any time of the year, not just the holidays.

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  116. the balance can be paid down with your tax refund

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  117. You can maintain your line of credit year round if approved.

    ReplyDelete
  118. I learned that you can pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund


    Richard Hicks

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  119. I learned If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round

    ReplyDelete
  120. I learned that If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round

    AWinesburg@hotmail.com

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  121. I learned that you can get up to a $1000 loan

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  122. I learned that you can borrow up to $1000!

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  123. You can pay down your debt with your tax returns.

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  124. I learned you can pay your balance down with your tax refund if you wanted to.

    ReplyDelete
  125. I learned that you can use the Emerald Line year round

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  126. I love that it is a line of credit up to $1000.
    Brittney House BBrittBrat1398@yahoo.com

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  127. I learned that you can pay down your balance with your tax returns

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  128. I learned H&R Block offers help with the healthcare options.

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  129. I learned that you can pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund.

    alterna7 at hotmail dot com

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  130. You can pay your balance down with your taxes,use the card year around,and they will even do your taxes and get you more money back

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  131. you can get up to $1000 a year! danielle marie xdanimarie(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  132. You can use your return to pay off the balance.

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  133. I learned that you can use this line of credit all year around and can get up to a $1000 line of credit.

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  134. you can get up to 1000 in credit

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  135. I learned that the Emerald Advance is a year-round line of credit that provides the ability to repeatedly borrow and repay up to $1000 depending on bank approval.

    ReplyDelete
  136. i learned you can use it year round and can use your tax refund to pay it down

    ReplyDelete
  137. I learned that you can apply November 25th 2013, through January 15th 2014.

    ReplyDelete
  138. I learned that they offer loans up to $1,000.00

    Angela Newsome
    anikasmom@live.com

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  139. it is a line of credit you can borrow and repay up to $1000.

    ReplyDelete
  140. You can have your check direct deposited onto the card. Thank you!
    crystalfaulkner2000 at yahoo dot com

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  141. I learned that there is a 36% Annual Percentage Rate (APR). Wow, really high.
    heymissvirginia at embarqmail.com

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  142. I learned that if you qualify for the credit ots available all year round.

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  143. I like that you can pay the balance with your tax return refund!

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  144. You can use it year-round if you want to!

    ReplyDelete
  145. I learned that you have the ability to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund, if you so choose

    ReplyDelete
  146. I learned that you can manage your Emerald account online which is great! I do everything online!

    ReplyDelete
  147. I learned that If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round !

    ktgonyea at gmail dot com

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  148. Access to credit year-round..that's good & $45 Annual Fee – Assessed on the day the Emerald Advance is opened...ok then :o)


    (lisa lo) rc form

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  149. If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round

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  150. I learned that there's access year-round.

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  151. "If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round127."

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  152. There are new offers every week.

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  153. I learned that you can use your income tax return to pay it off!

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  154. you can apply in your local office very simple until jan 15th

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  155. If approved, you are eligible to maintain your line of credit year-round.

    ReplyDelete
  156. I learned you can use it year round

    ReplyDelete
  157. I learned that you have the ability to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund.

    ReplyDelete
  158. I learned that it gives you the ability to pay down the balance on the Emerald Advance with a portion of your tax refund, if you so choose!

    ReplyDelete
  159. I learned that the annual fee is only $45, and you can use it year-round. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  160. I learned Load funds drawn from your line of credit to your H&R Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard for easy access

    ReplyDelete
  161. i learned that i can get up to a $1000 loan.

    ReplyDelete
  162. I like that if I qualified and was approved, I could maintain the line of credit around the year.

    ReplyDelete
  163. I learned that you have access to credit all year long.
    Michelle Tucker

    ReplyDelete
  164. I learned you can have access to credit all year.

    ReplyDelete
  165. I learned that you are able to borrow and re-pay up to $1,000.

    ReplyDelete
  166. Thanks for the giveaway…$45 Annual Fee – Assessed on the day the Emerald Advance is opened
    Rafflecopter: Bryan E.

    ReplyDelete

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