Personal Finance

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    I Will Teach You To Be Rich
    Ramit Sethi
    24 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Taking a break from highlighting people who buy houses for the wrong reasons and the psychology of how Indian people get married…here’s a quick note for those of you who read my site via RSS. Over 190,000 of you read this site via Google Reader. And on July 1st, Google will be shutting Google Reader down. Here’s what you can do so you don’t miss any posts: Find another feed reader (try Feedly) and add this: http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/atom.xml Join 200,000 other people on my email newsletter, where I post my best material: http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/newsletter…

  • Do Amazon Mail Order Subscriptions Save Money?

    The Simple Dollar
    Trent
    24 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    When I buy household products, I look at the cost per unit before everything else. I try to figure out the cost per ounce, the cost per bag, and so on whenever I examine an item. Usually, my comparisons end up looking at the cost of the item at our local warehouse club versus the cost of the item when it’s on sale at our local grocery stores. Usually, the warehouse club is cheaper on most household goods, but sometimes a great sale at the grocery store can bump that cost lower. Lately, though, I’ve been looking at the Subscribe and Save program offered by Amazon. This is a program…

  • Get Out of Debt – Get Focused and Get Free

    No Credit Needed
    NCN
    27 Mar 2013 | 1:15 pm
    Several years ago, my wife and I decided to get out of debt.  That decision changed our lives.  We focused our time, effort, and energy – and paid off all of our consumer debt.  We paid off our cars and our credit cards – we were free. Some time later, we made a down-payment on a new home and I changed jobs.  We were able to take both of these “life steps” because we were free from the burden of consumer debt.  Without automobile payments and credit card debt, we were able to save up for a down-payment.  Without monthly payments to creditors, I was able to go…

  • The Suit Buying Secret They Don’t Want You to Know

    Bargaineering
    Guest Contributor
    22 May 2013 | 4:15 am
    This is a guest post from Michael of Financial Ramblings. Editor’s Note: I was chatting with Michael the other day when he told me his story about buying a suit at a major men’s retailer. He told me how he walked in expecting it to be your typical retail experience, that is you pay what’s listed, but discovered that it was closer to buying a car. There’s a lot of wheeling and dealing involved and I was surprised so I asked him to share his story – being able to negotiate the price of a suit is something the stores probably don’t want you to know! A couple…

  • When You Change Yourself, You Change Those Around You

    The Simple Dollar
    Trent
    24 May 2013 | 1:00 pm
    “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” – Jim Rohn At the start of 2006, my life was in financial disarray. I’ve described many times what I did to turn it around. I clamped down hard on my spending. I started saving for the future. I learned a ton about personal finance. I changed careers. I bought a home – and paid for it in full. I achieved total debt freedom. It was a great turnaround, one that completely changed my life. But it wasn’t just an internal change. The people in my life saw the changes, too. At first, they…
 
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    I Will Teach You To Be Rich

  • Important: If you read this site via RSS…

    Ramit Sethi
    24 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Taking a break from highlighting people who buy houses for the wrong reasons and the psychology of how Indian people get married…here’s a quick note for those of you who read my site via RSS. Over 190,000 of you read this site via Google Reader. And on July 1st, Google will be shutting Google Reader down. Here’s what you can do so you don’t miss any posts: Find another feed reader (try Feedly) and add this: http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/atom.xml Join 200,000 other people on my email newsletter, where I post my best material: http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/newsletter…

  • New presentation: How to overcome critics & build a powerful support system

    Ramit Sethi
    19 May 2013 | 9:59 pm
    I got a huge response to my previous post about dealing with critics. They come in all shapes and sizes, and the most formidable critics never attack head-on. Instead, they say things like “Are you sure about that?” or “I’m just worried about you…” So I wanted to go into more depth to go beyond just “handling” critics — and go into the deeper area of building a POSITIVE support system. This week, I’m giving a live presentation on How to Overcome Critics and Build a Powerful Support System this Wednesday night. You’ll learn: The subtle ways critics cut people down…

  • The surprising myth about investing in real estate (PS – I’m hiring)

    Ramit Sethi
    17 May 2013 | 8:19 am
    One of my most popular concepts is “Invisible Scripts,” or the guiding beliefs we have that are so deeply embedded, they’re often invisible. For example: “Everyone should get a college degree” “I don’t have any money, so I can’t go to college” “Marry someone you love” “If you rent, you’re throwing money away” “Online courses are SCAMS” Here’s an overview of the Invisible Scripts concept, which many of my readers told me changed their lives more than anything else I’ve written. One of…

  • Win “Dinner for Two” for a year

    Ramit Sethi
    10 May 2013 | 8:07 pm
    Two months ago, I ran a giveaway for two plane tickets anywhere in the US. Robyn won! She’s planning to fly to her coin-collecting grandfather to Philadelphia to see how coins are made. Last month, I gave away $1,001 on Amazon. Meghan won! She’s using her prize to buy the “most luxurious, highest quality bedding she can find.” THIS IS DOPE. I think you guys are okay, but not that cool. But this is awesome. Today I’m kicking off another giveaway…and I tweaked the rules to give away even more. Win dinner out for two — for a YEAR As you know, I love Taco Bell,…

  • When should you make the jump to work for yourself?

    Ramit Sethi
    10 May 2013 | 5:40 am
    Too many weirdos think that to start a business, they have to quit their job, raise millions in venture capital, and start the next Google. Uh, that sounds pretty risky to me. Is there another way? Can you start something slowly? What if you want to quit your job and start your own thing, but you have bills and you don’t want to take on a huge risk? What do you do? I made the leap to running my own business, and then I taught a bunch of my students how to do it, too. So I wanted to share my answer to today’s “Ask Ramit” question, which comes from Jacquie in Atlanta:…
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    Get Rich Slowly - Personal Finance That Makes Sense.

  • Spare Change: The free, cheap, and paying extra edition

    April Dykman
    24 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    This post is from staff writer April Dykman. I’ve mentioned a couple of times that I’m in the process of renovating a house. This includes a complete kitchen remodel, new fireplace, drywall to replace wood paneling, refinishing the ceilings, paint and wall repairs in every room, and more. Needless to say, this project has kept me extremely busy! And I’ve had to make a lot of financial decisions in the last four months, almost on a daily basis. Where do we go frugal, and where do we spend more? Here are a few examples of the choices we made, based on what we spent: Free Did…

  • Look, Mom! I’m on TV!

    Kristin Wong
    23 May 2013 | 12:00 pm
    This post is from staff writer Kristin Wong. “If they cleaned this place up, it could be pretty nice.” –My mom’s take on NYC. This week my mom was kind enough to take some time off work and accompany me to New York, where I was a guest on one of her favorite shows, “Fox & Friends.” “Did you know Gretchen Carlson won Miss America?” my mom asked me when I first told her about the interview. She would then tell me this every day for the next three days. See Kristin’s interview here. At any rate, Fox invited me to discuss a piece I’d…

  • Money highlights while traveling

    Kristin Wong
    23 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    This post is from staff writer Kristin Wong. Last week, I got back from an amazing 10-day trip. Brian and I saw Stonehenge, sailed the Irish Sea, and I threw up three times. It isn’t a true vacation unless I’ve thrown up. During our journey, we had a few money-related experiences, and I took the time to journal them. We were frugal. We learned about tipping. We talked to bartenders about taxes. I enjoyed these money highlights and financial reminders along our journey, so I thought I’d share. More than money A chatty cabdriver drove us from Dublin airport to our hotel. Once…

  • Should you ever work for free?

    Sarah Gilbert
    22 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    This post is from staff writer Sarah Gilbert. I lose count of my “jobs” these days: my literary writing (that theoretically pays, or had better one day or else), a nonprofit board on which I serve as president, and the magazine I started last summer. While I certainly put the same intensity into everything, I can definitely say that I work more hours for free than I do for pay. So when I got the advice from a well-meaning friend, “You shouldn’t let them work you like that for free!” I had to shake my head a little to see his perspective. I’m so committed…

  • Odds and ends: GRS news

    Ellen Cannon
    21 May 2013 | 12:00 pm
    As you may know, Get Rich Slowly is part of the QuinStreet family of personal finance websites, which include MoneyRates.com, Five Cent Nickel, Consumerism Commentary and others. We’ve recently launched a weekly newsletter as part of the MoneyRates.com Network. The newsletter offers tools, advice, and our proprietary research on interest rates for savings accounts at a hundred banks (including online banks), among other educational articles. Expert commentary is provided by Richard Barrington, CFA, the senior financial analyst at MoneyRates.com, Luke Landes (Flexo) of Consumerism Commentary…
 
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    Consumerism Commentary

  • Anonymous S, April 2013 Net Worth

    Luke Landes
    23 May 2013 | 1:42 pm
    Naked With Cash is the year-long series on Consumerism Commentary where seven readers’ households share their financial progress on a monthly basis. I’ve partnered with financial planners who will offer some guidance along the way. Read this introduction to learn more about the series. Anonymous S is a 24-year-old engineer earning $67,000 a year plus bonus. He also builds websites on the side for an hourly fee of $20 to $35. Read his bio here. Anonymous S is on Team Roger, with Certified Financial Planner Roger Wohlner. Keep reading to see how Anonymous S progressed throughout the…

  • SteveDH, April 2013 Net Worth

    Luke Landes
    22 May 2013 | 7:37 am
    Naked With Cash is the year-long series on Consumerism Commentary where seven readers’ households share their financial progress on a monthly basis. I’ve partnered with financial planners who will offer some guidance along the way. Read this introduction to learn more about the series. SteveDH is retired, and he and his wife have two grown kids. By the time he retired in 2008, he had reached his retirement asset goal of $500,000. His goal now is to ensure his savings last as long as he does. Read his bio to learn more about SteveDH. SteveDH is on Team Roger, with Certified…

  • How Today’s College Graduates Can Beat the Odds

    Luke Landes
    21 May 2013 | 10:44 am
    I graduated college in the first heyday of internet-connected businesses in the late 1990s. Jobs of all types were abundant. And although the “dot-com” bubble burst soon afterwards, unemployment rates remained historically low. This year’s graduates are facing more obstacles than those from fifteen years ago. Starting on a solid path right out of college is one of the keys to long-term financial success. Good choices today will result in an achievable level of financial independence down the road, even for those graduates who might not be blessed with a solid financial…

  • Anne and Matt, April 2013 Net Worth

    Luke Landes
    20 May 2013 | 7:44 am
    In the series Naked With Cash, seven Consumerism Commentary readers share their financial progress on a monthly basis. They are joined by Certified Financial Planners who provide feedback on their journey. Read this introduction to learn more about the series. Anne and Matt are twenty-seven years old, living in the Midwest, with two children. Read their bio here for background about their financial situation. Anne and Matt are on Team Neal, with Certified Financial Planner Neal Frankle. Review their January update for last month’s progress. Their goals are to strike a balance between…

  • Credit Card Basics: Everything You Should Know

    Luke Landes
    17 May 2013 | 2:08 pm
    The credit card is one of the most divisive products among all the financial tools available. Ask around and you’re sure to find people who pay all their expenses using credit cards as well as others who swear the products are the embodiment of pure evil. Opinions among financial experts and thought leaders are just as mixed. Dave Ramsey won’t even let customers pay for his products using credit cards, and his large following is adamant about the destructive powers of credit and the virtues of debt abstinence. A credit card is nothing but a tool. Whether its effects are helpful or…
 
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    Forbes - Personal Finance

  • Too Far, Too Fast?

    Lara Hoffmans
    24 May 2013 | 3:15 pm
    A prediction: With stocks up nicely year-to-date, we’ll soon see myriad headlines warning us stocks have come too far, too fast, and we should “lock in our gains,” take our bat and ball and go home.

  • Irregular Income? Here's How To Budget

    LearnVest
    24 May 2013 | 2:54 pm
    By Michelle Sheiman

  • State Court Can Order Custodial Parent To Release Exemption

    Peter J Reilly
    24 May 2013 | 12:07 pm
    Dependency exemptions seem to take on a role in divorce negotiations that is out of proportion to their economic significance.  Given the time that sometimes goes in to negotiating them, it is amazing how often the details get blown.  If the custodial parent does not provide the non-custodial parent with Form 8332 or its equivalent, the non-custodial parent is not entitled to the dependency exemption, regardless of what the probate court says.  This rule has produced quite a few frustrating Tax Court decisions.  A recent Massachusetts appeals decision in the case…

  • Hedge Funds In Retirement Plans? Don't Bother

    Mitch Tuchman
    24 May 2013 | 11:18 am
    The headlines have a strangely unreal ring about them these days.

  • Estate Planning: Your Need-To-Know

    LearnVest
    24 May 2013 | 9:38 am
    By The LearnVest Staff
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    The Simple Dollar

  • Ten Pieces of Inspiration #127

    Trent
    25 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Each week, I highlight ten things each week that inspired me to greater financial, personal, and professional success. Hopefully, they will inspire you as well. 1. Aristotle on the educated mind “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” – Aristotle If everyone was capable of doing this, the world would be a far better place. Too many people immediately discard an idea either because they already hold one on the same issue or because they don’t want to listen to the source. 2. Peter Singer on effective altruism If…

  • When You Change Yourself, You Change Those Around You

    Trent
    24 May 2013 | 1:00 pm
    “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” – Jim Rohn At the start of 2006, my life was in financial disarray. I’ve described many times what I did to turn it around. I clamped down hard on my spending. I started saving for the future. I learned a ton about personal finance. I changed careers. I bought a home – and paid for it in full. I achieved total debt freedom. It was a great turnaround, one that completely changed my life. But it wasn’t just an internal change. The people in my life saw the changes, too. At first, they…

  • Do Amazon Mail Order Subscriptions Save Money?

    Trent
    24 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    When I buy household products, I look at the cost per unit before everything else. I try to figure out the cost per ounce, the cost per bag, and so on whenever I examine an item. Usually, my comparisons end up looking at the cost of the item at our local warehouse club versus the cost of the item when it’s on sale at our local grocery stores. Usually, the warehouse club is cheaper on most household goods, but sometimes a great sale at the grocery store can bump that cost lower. Lately, though, I’ve been looking at the Subscribe and Save program offered by Amazon. This is a program…

  • Overwhelmed

    Trent
    23 May 2013 | 1:00 pm
    There have been many, many times over the past several years when I have felt completely overwhelmed by the huge gap between where I am right now and where I want to be. My big dream is to reach true financial independence. By that, I mean that I have enough money socked away in relatively stable investments so that the income from those investments provides me with enough for my family to live on regardless of whether I’m actually earning income. Why is that my goal? It’s not so that I can sit idle. It’s so that I have the freedom to take giant personal risks, like spending…

  • Reader Mailbag: Favorite Albums

    Trent
    23 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    What’s inside? Here are the questions answered in today’s reader mailbag, boiled down to five word summaries. Click on the number to jump straight down to the question. 1. Checking account buffer 2. Insuring collectibles 3. School now or later? 4. Traveling for music 5. Parents helping with home purchase 6. Piano lessons 7. A messy divorce 8. Hiding a credit card 9. Target Retirement Funds still good? 10. Replacing TV with reading I enjoy listening to new music, but when I’m working, I often spend most of my time listening to albums I’ve heard a thousand times.
 
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    Wise Bread

  • Citi Platinum Select / AAdvantage Visa Signature Card Review

    Jason Steele
    24 May 2013 | 3:36 am
    The promise of airline frequent flier credit cards relies on a premise — cardholders will actually be able to redeem a reasonable amount of their miles for award flights a reasonable amount of the time. Yet too many airlines have such poor award availability at the lowest mileage levels that customers feel rightfully betrayed by the airlines and the credit cards that offer their frequent flier miles. On the other hand, the Citi® Platinum Select® / AAdvantage® Visa Signature® Card offers American Airlines miles that are still somewhat easy to redeem. How This Card Works…

  • 10 Self-Improvement Apps to Make You Smarter, Stronger, and Happier

    Kate Luther
    24 May 2013 | 3:24 am
    There is an old adage that says "if you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got." In other words, change is good. Of course, implementing real change in our lives isn't always easy. We are a culture of habit — equating the familiar with the warm and fuzzy concepts of safety and security, even if the "familiar" isn't necessarily good for us. As a result, we resist change as long as we can, all the while talking about it, wishing for it, and promising to do it tomorrow. (See also: 25 Healthy Changes You Can Make Today) The solution is to find a…

  • Best Money Tips: Writing the Perfect Cover Letter

    Ashley Jacobs
    24 May 2013 | 3:03 am
    Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some fantastic articles on writing the perfect cover letter, why gas prices keep going up, and retirement advice from real people. Top 5 Articles 7 Tips to Writing the Perfect Cover Letter — To write the perfect cover letter, keep it clean and don't bring up your weaknesses. [PopSugar Smart Living] Why Do Gas Prices Keep Going Up (and What You Can Do to Save) — You can save money on gas by buying gas on Wednesday. Wednesday tends to be the cheapest day to purchase gas. [Three Thrifty Guys] Real Retirement Advice from…

  • The Top 10 DIY Jobs Homeowners Should Avoid

    Paul Michael
    23 May 2013 | 3:38 am
    Doing it yourself is a great way to save money. Home improvements and repairs can be costly, and any contractor you hire to do the job will mark-up prices on materials and labor. Some will also charge for an estimate, although that is rare these days. So, with that in mind, and with the Internet being such a vast resource of free information, it's very easy to be tempted to do a lot of these expensive jobs yourself. However, you can soon find yourself out of your depth and spending even more money than the initial job would have cost to correct your own mistakes. (See also: 5 Household Fixes…

  • 5 Ways to Save Money on Braces

    Ashley Watson
    23 May 2013 | 3:24 am
    The average cost of standard orthodontic treatment is approximately $5,000. This could be a little less or more depending on where you live and the severity of the case. Whether it's for your child or yourself, this is no small investment. That's why it's important to make sure that you get quality care and understand ways to keep extra costs to a minimum. My mother has worked as an orthodontic assistant for over 30 years, and during that time, she's seen a lot of patients who had to pay more than necessary due to neglecting some simple preventive maintenance and care. (See also: How to…
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    Bargaineering

  • Your Take: Do You Trust the Stock Market?

    Jim
    24 May 2013 | 4:09 am
    Last week, I wrote about how few “retail investors,” that’s folks like you and me, have come back to investing in the stock market after the craziness of the Great Recession. The market has made significant gains, erasing the losses of the Great Recession, but many investors are still on the sidelines. Then came word that the Japanese stock market, the NIKKEI 225, dropped 7.32% on Thursday (Wednesday night for us in the United States). It was the worst percentage decline since the earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. The fall continued into the FTSE 100 (London index),…

  • One Clever Idea You’ve Never Thought of to Save Money on a Wedding

    Miranda
    23 May 2013 | 11:31 am
    One of the most expensive financial decisions many of us make is having a wedding. While my wedding was pretty modest (coming in at right around $3,000), the average cost of a wedding as of this writing is a little more than $28,000! Who has $28,000 to spend on a wedding — especially if you have student debt and you are hoping to save up for a house? One way to pay for your wedding is to obtain sponsorships to help you take care of the costs. This is the approach Donnie Gallagher and his fiancee Jennifer are taking. They hope to raise $25,000 in services and and cash to pay for their…

  • TD Bank Summer Reading Program

    Jim
    23 May 2013 | 4:05 am
    Remember Book It? I used to love that program… free personal pan pizzas from Pizza Hut just for reading. I used to read Encyclopedia Brown and Hardy Boys and all those books for free. When I learned I could get free pizza for reading… it was like Christmas in June. It was incredible. Well, it’s almost summer and TD Bank is once again offering a summer reading promotion in which customers with a Young Saver account (kids) can get $10 if they read 10 books. All you need to do is have your child read ten books, fill out the summer reading form, and take it to the bank.

  • The Suit Buying Secret They Don’t Want You to Know

    Guest Contributor
    22 May 2013 | 4:15 am
    This is a guest post from Michael of Financial Ramblings. Editor’s Note: I was chatting with Michael the other day when he told me his story about buying a suit at a major men’s retailer. He told me how he walked in expecting it to be your typical retail experience, that is you pay what’s listed, but discovered that it was closer to buying a car. There’s a lot of wheeling and dealing involved and I was surprised so I asked him to share his story – being able to negotiate the price of a suit is something the stores probably don’t want you to know! A couple…

  • The Fastest Way to Find Your Perfect Home

    Jim
    21 May 2013 | 4:02 am
    As we mentioned a while back, we’re buying a home and it’s a very exciting time for us. It wasn’t always so exciting though and if you’ve ever looked for a home, you’ll agree. The actual task of finding a house you like can take a very long time and there are no guarantees you’ll ever find one you like. I’ve heard horror stories, they were horror stories to me anyway, about people having to look at a hundred homes before they found one they liked… only to lose out on it because their offer wasn’t good enough. A hundred houses. If you spend…
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    fivecentnickel.com

  • How I cut my spending in half to take a job I loved

    ecannon
    24 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    This article, by Ainslie Simmonds, as told to Libby Kane, comes from our partner site LearnVest. In 2009, I was a very senior executive celebrating my fourth anniversary at a brokerage firm.  I was working about 70 hours a week, managing 80 people and traveling to the company’s other offices (two of which were cross-country) 3-4 days a week, twice a month. Even when I wasn’t at the office or on the road, my Blackberry was constantly lighting up on nights and weekends. I would estimate I got about 400 emails a day. But with three children under 10, I knew that years of working at a…

  • Working longer: Fallback or fallacy?

    Jeffrey Steele
    22 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    This post is from staff writer Jeffrey Steele. The following has occurred to me countless times; maybe it has you as well. Perhaps you’ve even been the one to utter those oft-repeated words. Two or more people are talking about how far behind they are in saving for retirement. They’ve saved so little, in fact, that the idea of raking together a half million dollars or so in savings by age 65 seems an impossible dream. There’s the pause, and then one of the conversationalists mouths the punchline. “My retirement plan,” he or she says, “Is to work until I…

  • More money, more happiness: Do you think money can buy happiness?

    Suba Iyer
    20 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    This post is from staff writer Suba Iyer. Money and its effect on happiness is one of those topics that has been discussed over and over again. Yet, the topic fascinates the academic community and the research continues — with contradicting results every few months. The latest finding in this genre of research comes from two economists at the University of Michigan, Betsey Stevenson and Justin Wolfers. Their new study, published in the May edition of American Economic Review, argues that more money does buy more happiness. The study looked at “satiation” with respect to…

  • Overdraft fees soared to $32 billion in 2012

    ecannon
    17 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    This post, written by Anthony Fontana, is from out partner site QuickenLoans.com. Nobody likes wasting money, do they? Actually, according to a news report from Moebs Services, banks, credit unions and thrift institutions made $32 billion on overdraft fees in 2012. That’s right, $32,000,000,000! That’s a lot of zeros. The 2012 numbers represent an increase of $400 million, or 1.3 percent from 2011. If you think last year’s number is staggering, it still falls short of the record $37 billion in fees set in 2009. However, at its current rate, Moebs predicts a new record-high…

  • How do you combat prom inflation?

    ecannon
    15 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    This post is from new staff writer William Cowie. Prom inflation? There’s such a thing now? Seriously? Yep. Visa evidently thinks prom spending is significant enough that they’re spending money doing an annual survey about how much people are going to spend on proms. The 2013 report just came out a few weeks ago. What did it say? New records Recession, schmecession, prom spending is expected to set new records this year. Check out the chart below: If 40 percent over two years is not inflation, what is? The prudent ones among us, who routinely budget for planned expenses, would…
 
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    AARP - Health, Travel Deals, Baby Boomers, Election News, Over 50, Online Games, Retirement Plan

  • Are You and Your Home a ‘Good Fit’? Join us for a Home Fit Workshop and Find Out..

    25 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Get the latest AARP Articles, News and Information for the 50+ Community. Read daily posts and comments- add your voice to the conversation!

  • AARP

    25 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    AARP is a membership organization leading positive social change and delivering value to people age 50 and over through information, advocacy and service.

  • Target to Sell Affordable Wedding Dresses

    25 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Target to Sell Affordable Wedding Dresses: Target has announced that they now will be selling a line of affordable wedding dresses. This seems like a splendid idea for anyone who wants their wedding to become a target of ridicule. Study Finds Women Like Their Phones More Than Sex: Confirming suspicions that we are slowly becoming more obsessed with our phones than each other, a new study found that 57 percent of U.S. women would rather give up having sex for a week than their mobile phones. And why not? Theres always phone sex. http://www.johnnyrobish.com American Tourists Rescued From…

  • Thanks, Internet, for the Memories

    24 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Age UK wants to help elderly with memory problems remember their past via the Internet, to decrease feelings of isolation.

  • AARP Quizzes

    24 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Test your knowledge on a wide variety of topics from history to pop culture, and win prizes with AARPs quizzes.
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    AllFinancialMatters

  • Chart of the Day: The S&P 500 TR Since Obama Took Office

    JLP
    23 May 2013 | 10:07 am
    I know the stock market has little to do with who happens to be the President but it’s still interesting to look at. I’m no fan of Obama but the S&P 500 has performed nicely since he has taken office (yes, it pains me to write that) as illustrated by this chart that I put together:

  • Question of the Day: Personal Rate of Return

    JLP
    22 May 2013 | 7:12 am
    We have had a good year so far in the stock market. So, curious minds want to know… What is your personal rate of return for 2013? Our personal rate of return through yesterday is 16%. We are 100% stocks: I am not recommending this route to AFM readers. It can make for a very volatile portfolio with pretty big swings. Beware.

  • A Little Tuesday Morning Encouragement From Tyler Perry

    JLP
    21 May 2013 | 8:35 am
    Tyler Perry posted this on his facebook page: THIS IS FOR FRUSTRATED DREAMERS I was driving in to work this morning and I started thinking about all the days I dreaded going to work. I was so sick of it… the job, my boss, the people I worked with, the traffic… I would wake up angry every morning. I didn’t want to deal with the crap of the job, but I was forced to go. I had been homeless, I was broke, living paycheck to hopefully the next paycheck. I couldn’t take a day off for fear I would get fired. I was just frustrated. I thought I hated my life and the job. It was so aggravating…

  • AFM Inflation Project

    JLP
    20 May 2013 | 11:55 am
    Tell me, what do you guys think about starting an inflation project? Here’s what I have in mind: Readers from different parts of the country (North East, East, South East, North Central, Central, South Central, North West, West, and South West) track a small number of goods (mostly grocery items) and report the numbers to me and I’ll put them in a spreadsheet for everyone to see. Why would we do this? Because I think the government’s numbers are fiction. So, what do you think? Interested?

  • Today’s Quote of the Day: Counsel

    JLP
    20 May 2013 | 8:02 am
    “Seek the counsel of those who will tell you the truth about yourself, even if it hurts you to hear it. Mere commendation will not bring the improvement you need.” - Napoleon Hill Food for thought as you start this week.
 
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    Personal Finance Advice

  • The Target Red Card Decision

    Jennifer Derrick
    23 May 2013 | 6:45 am
    Lately I’ve been thinking about getting the Target Red debit card. (Note that this post is strictly about the debit card. Target also offers a credit card which offers similar benefits to the debit card, but also acts like a credit card in that you are charged interest on unpaid balances.) I became interested in [...]

  • Your To Do List May Be Longer Than You Think

    Jennifer Derrick
    22 May 2013 | 5:40 am
    I read a lot of books and articles on things like brain science, psychology, productivity, and memory. One thing that tends to come up often as I read is that the brain sees any incomplete task or goal as part of your to-do list. Even if you aren’t consciously thinking of it, anything that you [...]

  • Debt Reduction Diet: 10 Ways Debt Reduction Is Like Dieting

    Danielle Warchol
    21 May 2013 | 6:01 am
    Dieting is probably not the first word that comes to mind when you think of debt reduction. However, when it comes to trying to reduce your debt, many of the steps you have to take are very similar to the steps you’d take when trying to reduce weight. Probably the most essential part to both [...]

  • You Can Never Do It All, So Don’t Waste Money Trying

    Jennifer Derrick
    20 May 2013 | 6:45 am
    I have a friend who is into Star Wars. I mean really into Star Wars. He has every release of the movies going back to VHS. He has the trading cards, all of the books, the toys going back to the 1970′s when he was a child, the collectible glasses given away by fast food [...]

  • 90,000 Mile Car Service Shock: Day 135

    Jeffrey Strain
    18 May 2013 | 11:00 pm
    I knew that there would be hiccups from time to time in the minimum wage challenge. It would be wonderful if spending was something that could always be prepared for and anticipated, but the reality is that unexpected costs will present themselves from time to time, and a decision what to do will have to [...]
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    FreelanceSwitch

  • 10 Ways to Promote Your Freelance Blog to Get Clients’ Attention

    FreelanceSwitch.com
    23 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    You’ve slogged through the challenges and gotten up your freelance blog. You’ve written a blog post, chosen a catchy image, and hit ‘publish.’ Congratulations! Now what? Often, nothing happens after that. No clients call. No comments come. Then you feel you wasted your time and that blogging isn’t a good way to get freelance clients. But that’s not the case…it’s just that you forgot something. The Other Half of Blogging Here’s the problem — you’ve only done half the work when you post. It’s like you’re a building…

  • What Should You Be Speaking About?

    FreelanceSwitch.com
    22 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    In this tutorial, we’ll cover how to select topics for speaking engagements. Your topic can make or break you, if your goal is to sell a product or a service to your audience. Choosing the right topic to cover is crucial in engaging your audience and building a reputation as a great speaker. Learn how to narrowly define your audience, choose a topic that is a great fit for that audience, test your ideas, and pitch your topic to event organizers. With practice you can build on your expertise with the topic you present on and refine your presentation each time you reach out to a larger…

  • How to Set Up a Free WordPress.com Blog (A Blogging Beginner’s Guide)

    FreelanceSwitch.com
    21 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Blogging is a great way for freelancers and small business owners to market their services. Blogs are a lead magnet to pull in clients. The more blog posts, videos and images you have on your blog, the better your chances of potential clients coming across you when they’re searching Google or browsing social media. Not every visitor to your blog will become a client – only a tiny percentage will. But the more visitors your blog gets, the more people will get in touch to ask about your services. In this article, I’ll show you how to get started creating a blog for free, using…

  • Microlancer: Recruiting Graphic Design Freelancers Now!

    FreelanceSwitch.com
    20 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Here at FreelanceSwitch, we’re really excited to let you know about our new sister site Microlancer. If you have graphic design skills and are looking for freelance work, there is an incredible opportunity to get your foot in the door and start earning a real income by selling creative services on Microlancer. Interested? Read on! Microlancer is a digital marketplace where you connect with freelancers who offer services to help you get your creative projects off the ground. We put you in touch with those who can provide logo design, app icon design, branding elements, UI features, web…

  • How to Build an Online Business From the Ground Up

    FreelanceSwitch.com
    20 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    When I first decided that I wanted to quit my job and create my own successful online business back in May 2011, I was driven more by blind determination than belief. In fact, for many months thereafter I couldn’t shake a little voice in my head that kept telling me how fruitless my efforts were. What I failed to realize was that launching your own successful online business doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. It isn’t an unattainable goal that will forever live only in your mind. In reality, becoming a relatively successful online business owner requires a few more skills than…
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    Mighty Bargain Hunter

  • Plowing through a furlough: The mindset

    John Wedding
    25 May 2013 | 1:49 am
    After several weeks of discussion, there appears to be a clearer target for many Department of Defense civilian employees regarding furlough as a consequence of the sequestration of funds that went into effect earlier in the year.  These employees are now looking at 11 days of unpaid leave through the end of September. This is half the number of furlough days in the DoD’s original plan, which is some comfort, but it’s still a little bit more than a full biweekly paycheck that won’t be hitting their bank accounts.  For most, this isn’t just pocket change. There have…

  • How to get more rides at Disney for less?

    John Wedding
    15 May 2013 | 11:58 pm
    Amusement parks can be a great vacation, especially if you like rides that test your ability to hold your lunch. The more popular amusement parks, like the Disney family of parks, are busy much of the year.  And busy can mean long wait times on the rides. Since time is far more valuable than money, it would make sense that there would be a way to buy less time in line for those who value their time with their family highly enough.  And indeed there is:  the Disney VIP Tour Services.  For between $300 and $400 per hour, a Disney VIP Tour Guide will give your family five-star treatment,…

  • Price-check guarantees are a great bargain … for businesses?

    John Wedding
    27 Apr 2013 | 12:21 am
    I was chatting with a coworker a few days ago, and the topic of price-check guarantees came up. A price-check guarantee at a grocery store says something like this: “If an item rings up for more than the price on the shelf, we’ll knock $3 off of the lower price. If the item is less than $3, you get it free.” I’ve caught errors like this before, and I’ve been more than happy to get the mis-priced items for next to nothing. My line of reasoning was that this was a whip to keep their prices accurate, and to provide a good customer experience if they didn’t.

  • Extremely low-tech greywater toilet flushing system

    John Wedding
    30 Mar 2013 | 10:41 pm
    Utilities make up a dependable expense in a family’s budget. Along with grocery expenses, it’s also a place that usually has a bit of slop that can be removed if things get tight. And if cleanliness is next to godliness, certainly we all take regular showers or baths. The extent to which we do this directly affects our utility bills. A typical shower or bath consumes on the order of 30 to 40 gallons of water. It’s easy to estimate this: Start filling the tub. Note the time. Grab a pitcher — we used a gallon pitcher — and measure how long it takes to fill the…

  • Five ways to use loyalty cards effectively

    John Wedding
    23 Mar 2013 | 11:36 pm
    Many stores offer loyalty cards.  These plastic cards often come in pairs: one for your wallet, and a smaller one with a hole in it for your keychain.  Presenting the loyalty card at checkout entitles you to special prices on particular products, as well as other periodic perks like announcements of special sales, follow-on coupons, etc. Stores don’t provide loyalty programs out of the goodness of their hearts.  Providing the customer loyalty program costs them money, and they want to profit by it.  They get their money back either by targeted advertising that others pay for, or by…
 
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    Investing Resources and Articles

  • Ask CRISIL’s Independent Analysts: Equity Research Reports

    ranjanvarma
    23 May 2013 | 3:23 am
    CRISIL is providing free equity research reports to empower investors with the right knowledge in taking a position in a company’s stock. CRISIL is a global analytical company providing ratings, research, and risk and policy advisory services. Other features of CRISIL are: India’s largest independent research house, providing comprehensive research coverage to more than 1200 Indian and global customers Provides coverage on 70 industries 90 per cent of India’s commercial banks are our customers Largest independent equity research house in India Official provider of valuations…

  • Useful Links on Tax, PPF, Inflation, Investment and the Economy

    ranjanvarma
    17 Apr 2013 | 10:17 pm
    Having argued (tongue in cheek, of course!) against the information overload and why you shouldn’t listen to experts, here’s a list of articles and links that convey good information and wisdom on money matters that may interest you. 1.  Sandip Sabharwal on Rupee and Gold Sandip would like to remind investors that the actual risk of investing in an asset class is normally the lowest when the perception of risk is the highest! 2.  Subramoney on Inflation indexed bonds Subra explains, “Let us say the bonds are issued for Rs. 1000 each and carry 5% interest rates. In the…

  • LIC fined by Consumer Court

    ranjanvarma
    16 Apr 2013 | 8:55 pm
    TOI reports that LIC has to pay the woman a total of Rs 1.34 lakh. LIC was reprimanded by the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission said that it was extremely difficult to believe that the mandatory medical examination and the doctor’s examination of the insured person failed to assess and detect a prolonged ailment and symptoms of tuberculosis and HIV. The husband of the complainant had taken Jivan Mitra (Triple Cover Endowment) from the insurance company and it was effective from March 10, 2004. On July 25, 2005, the man died of acute chronic renal failure. His…

  • Pure Risk Cover Plans in India

    ranjanvarma
    16 Apr 2013 | 7:55 am
    Insurance plans are available under three broad categories. They are: 1. Term plans which cover the risk and are cheaper than the others. 2. The risk plus saving plans which give you some returns and 3. The risk plus investment plan where the money is invested in the markets and may give you better returns. But the 2nd and 3rd category are expensive plans when compared with the term plans. For example if you want a Rs 1 crore plan, the premium for the 2nd/3rd category would be around Rs 5 lakh. For a lesser amount, your insurance cover may not turn out to be adequate. Here’s a list…

  • How to control your health insurance expenses

    ranjanvarma
    16 Apr 2013 | 4:54 am
    A press note by Berkshire Insurance says that health care inflation has gone up to 18% leading to significant rise in medical care costs and making health insurance premiums expensive as well. Also, as healthcare expenses rise, the real value of the sum assured decreases. It is important to take necessary measures to protect the sum assured as well as to keep the soaring premiums in check. Read more on health insurance and why it makes sense to buy health insurance Says Mr. Arun Balakrishnan, CEO, BerkshireInsurance.com, “The first step is to review your plan at periodic intervals and…
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    Generation X Finance

  • Is Life Insurance Through Your Employer Worth It?

    Jeremy Vohwinkle
    23 May 2013 | 11:11 am
    Life insurance tends to be pretty low on the list of financial priorities for most people, but it really shouldn’t be. If you’re married or have young children, life insurance is one of the most important things to have if others depend on you. What kind of financial hardship would your family be in if the unfortunate happened to you? These things are not fun to think about and that’s another reason life insurance usually gets put on the back burner. The reality is that having life insurance is probably a good idea, but shopping for it can be a chore. If you work full time and receive…

  • Cheap Gift Ideas

    Charissa
    22 May 2013 | 9:32 am
    Whether it be anniversary gift ideas, gift ideas for boyfriend, gift ideas for girlfriend,  christmas gift ideas, gift ideas for men, gift ideas for women, mothers day gift ideas, fathers day gift ideas, wedding anniversary gifts, wedding gift ideas, graduation gift ideas, birthday gift ideas, green gift ideas, last minute gift ideas, retirement gift ideas, and the list goes on and on. It seems that we always need to be be thinking up gift ideas for all of those around us. There is a whole lot of gift giving going on. So how can you stay on top of your budget when the demand for giving gifts…

  • Sell Your Old Cell Phone and Electronics for Cash

    Charissa
    21 May 2013 | 2:02 am
      If you are like me when I’m broke the first thing I think of is how to save money fast. But why not change that mindset a bit and start thinking of ways to make money. There are so many different ways to make money. You can make money online, make money with photography, make money selling T-shirts, make money with a garage sale, and the list goes on. But one of the quickest ways is to sell your old cell phone or to sell your old electronics. If you have old electronics collecting dust in your house, chances are you’re sitting on a goldmine.  A number of websites offer to buy…

  • Cash Strapped? How to Start a Business With No Money

    KC Beavers
    20 May 2013 | 8:32 am
        Ever wondered how to start a business, or better yet, ever wondered how to start a business with no money? In today’s competitive marketplace, it pays to be creative. Many times with no money in there pocket, businesses and savvy entrepreneurs are born.  If you think you have the characteristics of an entrepreneur, but you are money poor and rich with ideas, read on.  There are plenty of ways for the cash strapped to start and promote their businesses. cash strapped? Here are five tips for savvy entrepreneurs: Make it your mission to spend as little money as possible on the…

  • Credit Karma Review

    KC Beavers
    18 May 2013 | 11:33 am
    I have had a number of people ask me about Credit Karma. I have used it a number of times to check my credit score and like it, so I figured I would go ahead and write a Credit Karma Review for all of you. When people start to repair bad credit, they oftentimes land at Credit Karma. While most people enjoy the idea of the service, many are not sure it is legitimate. In reality, Credit Karma is a great service that a savvy consumer must use. Of course, many vigilant consumers will still have their doubts about the business. Here is a quick guide for a consumer who wants to learn more about…
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    My Open Wallet

  • Spring Update

    Madame X
    30 Apr 2013 | 10:12 am
    What a busy few months it has been... for the first time in years, my job has been stressful enough that I started to question whether it was worth the money I make. Sweetie has been feeling the same way, and we often fantasize about ways we could escape the office grind and make a living in some other way... like winning the lottery! We are definitely prisoners of our lifestyle-- we enjoy having certain luxuries, but they have to be paid for, and it's not that easy to find jobs that would make us enough money to continue as we are. We know we could cut out some of those luxuries and still be…

  • Wealth by Age

    Madame X
    15 Mar 2013 | 6:27 am
    I found this chart fascinating-- so much so that I had to take a shaky pic of it on the subway with my phone! Why did older people's wealth skyrocket then while others were stagnant?

  • 2012 Income and Expenses

    Madame X
    28 Jan 2013 | 6:00 am
    2012 was a great year in terms of income-- I hit another new high: Salary $106,244 Bonus $18,239 Employer contributions to my 401K $8,119 Dividends $15,977 Realized Gain (from a fund change made in 401k) $11,347 Blogging income $4,402 Gifts received $100 Interest $208 Tax refunds $2,516 Total Income $167,152 Almost all the dividends and realized gains were reinvested, and sometimes I don't really even consider these "real" income. But I love seeing my money work for me-- that is over $35,000 worth of income made not from labor but from my own savings and 401K participation. The other income I…

  • A 1968 Children's Book About Money

    Madame X
    21 Jan 2013 | 6:00 am
    If you're not familiar with it, check out Brain Pickings, a source for lots of interesting tidbits, including this one: In 1968, at the peak of “the century of the self” and the consumerism of the Mad Men era, while Alan Watts was busy bringing Eastern philosophy to the West and trying to convince Americans to seek purpose beyond money, a primary school supplement titled How People Earn and Use Money (UK; public library) — from the same Social Studies Program series that gave us How People Live in the Suburbs and How We Use Maps and Globes — set out to explain to children the basics…

  • Food: Local, Organic and Unsustainable?

    Madame X
    14 Jan 2013 | 6:00 am
    As I've detailed my spending on this site over the years, I've sometimes gotten a little flak from people about my food expenses. For quite a few years, the amount hovered in the vicinity of $8,000 a year, covering all my food and drinking, groceries cooked at home and meals bought at restaurants. That works out to around $150 a week, which is about $21 a day. To most people, that would seem like a lot. If you're careful, you could easily feed a family of 4 on that amount, so it may seem crazy and indulgent that one woman can spend that much on herself. If I wanted to, I could easily spend…
 
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    7million7years

  • Make more money with the watermelon plan …

    Adrian
    21 May 2013 | 7:43 pm
    If you want to make money, you need a plan … … a simple plan. And, nothing could be simpler – or make more sense – than The Watermelon Plan. Simple? It has to be; you see, this ‘plan’ was created by an 8 year old! Here’s the plan, as told by the boy’s uncle, Jack: I will never forget my little 9 year old cousin who lives in the UK, who shared a pretty simple money making plan with me. He told me he is planning on: 1. Buying a watermelon for $5 2. Cutting it up into 10 pieces and selling each piece for a dollar. 3. Go back to the store and buy 2…

  • A quick real-estate buck!

    Adrian
    14 May 2013 | 1:28 am
    Beware those who love stocks. Beware those who love bonds. Beware those who love gold, oil, futures, and so on. Most of all, beware those who love real-estate! OK, so I invest in real-estate … … but, I’m not in love with it. Take a look at the above infographic [click to enlarge]; a picture (with numbers) tells a thousand words: This person claims that they (or a client) bought a single-family home for only $35,000 and now clear (fees, insurance, and property taxes) $680 a month in rent. Since they put in $7k in closing costs and rehab when they bought it, they are really…

  • Help a reader out …

    Adrian
    10 May 2013 | 11:13 pm
    Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll. What should this reader do? Read his story, make a selection, and leave a comment: We are renting the commercial condo that our business is in for $1,800 per month, we can buy it for $160,000 should we? We like the building, the location is a bit hard to find, and with a 20% down it will really cut down on the monthly expense but I will eat up $32,000 that we could use to expand the business. I don’t have $32k but I have a friend who offered to lend me half of it, I do have half.

  • The ideal portfolio for successful investors …

    Adrian
    7 May 2013 | 5:07 am
    I came across this excellent infographic that talks about real-estate and its place in your investment portfolio: It (rightly) questions the typical “Wall Street” view that (a) asset allocation is important, and (b) that a 60/35/5 stocks/bonds/cash mix is the only way to secure your financial future. Of course, a ride through 2008 fixed that view for a lot of folk … So, I was quite impressed that a site that provides financial / portfolio allocation advice actually considers real-estate to be a viable investment option, and an equally important part of your portfolio. The…

  • What’s an eco-friendly standard of living?

    Adrian
    30 Apr 2013 | 12:51 am
    Fellow blogger, Jonathan Ping, was kind enough to include a chart from one of my earlier posts in one of his recent posts, so I thought that I should repay the favor by including one of his charts, here: I recommend that you read his original post, but the chart itself is pretty self-explanatory; it shows the problem in personal finance … and that’s: As your income grows so do your expenses. It’s called ‘lifestyle creep’ and is one of the key reasons why the actual wealth of high-income earners (as indicated by the grey shading between the green income line and…
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    Lazy Man and Money

  • The Money Start-Up: Outsource Everything? (Part 4)

    Lazy Man
    24 May 2013 | 4:10 am
    [The following is a part of my Money Start-up series, where I go back to my software development roots and try to create an application/website to better help consumers manage their money. It's a little different than most of the personal finance articles that you'll read, but my hope is that we'll learn some universal lessons along the way. You can start with my introduction or catch up on the whole series.] It's been a little more than a month since my last update, The Money Start-Up: Training and “What Is Your Time Worth?” (Part 3). That article explored a very common theme - is it…

  • Do Women Understand Credit Scores Better Than Men?

    Lazy Man
    22 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    [The following is a guest post from Chloe Mulliner. She is a writer and editor for CreditSources.org, a website dedicated to information regarding personal loans and all things credit.] A recent 2013 Consumer Federation of America and VantageScore Solutions survey of 1022 Americans uncovered that many adults don’t know much about their credit scores. The results revealed that between roughly one-quarter and two-fifths of the survey subjects were unable to correctly answer credit related questions ranging from who collects credit information to what affects credit scores. So if this were a…

  • How to Speed Up Your Computer

    Lazy Man
    20 May 2013 | 9:38 am
    A couple of years ago, set out to end cable box fees forever. That journey lead me to buy an HDHomeRun PRIME and hook it up a small computer running Windows Media Center. For a technology system consisting of a few parts it's has actually worked out fairly well. There is an occasional hiccup where I have to restart the computer, but it has only been about 5 times... and fortunately, I didn't miss anything important like a Patriots game. However, over the last four months, I noticed that the video would slur a bit... about every 30 seconds it would do it for a second. It's not a great…

  • Saving Money At The Store

    Kosmo
    17 May 2013 | 8:05 am
    Politicians say the economy is recovering, but a lot of people are still living paycheck to paycheck. Can we save money without sacrificing quality of life? Sure – and here are some tips. Don’t Overpay for Convenience This is tricky one. At some level, nearly everyone pays for convenience. We don’t go down to the creek for our water – we get it piped into our homes. Electricity gives us light at the flick of a switch. We’re spoiled. However, there is such a thing as overkill. I recently became aware of the fact that you can buy toast in a sealed package. I couldn’t imagine someone…

  • Should I Look Into Baby Modeling?

    Lazy Man
    14 May 2013 | 11:27 am
    That was a bit of a misleading title, huh? Any chance I had at being a baby model went by the boards around 36 years ago. However, 7-month old Little Man is just the right age. The idea to get Little Man into baby modeling occurred to me after watching this commercial for Kay Jewelers: I'm going to put this as nice as I can as it is a delicate subject, but I don't think Vivian Brady is threaten by the competition from this baby. I think Little Man could compete with that baby model. Not only that, but he can model for the 4-5 months as he's a little tiny and still hasn't gotten any teeth yet.
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    No Credit Needed

  • Mortgage Payoff Progress End of April 2013

    NCN
    9 May 2013 | 9:06 pm
    My wife an I are working hard to achieve our goal of paying off our mortgage early. As of May 2013, my wife and I will have lived in our home for 3 years and 2 months. We have a conventional, fixed-rate, 15-year mortgage. Our goal is to pay off our mortgage in less than ten total years. As of May 1, 2013, we will have made 38 regular, monthly mortgage payments. We have also made several additional principal-only payments, too. We make our monthly mortgage payment by the first day of the month. Additional principal-only payments are made throughout each month, as we earn additional income and…

  • A Day For Organizing

    NCN
    7 May 2013 | 7:14 am
    It had to be done. Yesterday, I spent several hours organizing paperwork, responding to emails, paying bills, cleaning out my desk, and filing documents. It was boring, headache-educing, and, as my youngest would say, “none fun”. Normally, I’m a pretty organized person.  I have several systems in place for managing bills, paperwork, etc.  However, the past two months were filled with much activity – tons of fun stuff with family and encouraging progress at work. So, yesterday, I sat down with a huge stack of paperwork, a large cup of coffee, and started digging. I…

  • Mortgage Payoff Progress End Of March 2013 With Chart

    NCN
    14 Apr 2013 | 6:55 am
    My wife an I are working hard to achieve our goal of paying off our mortgage early. As of April  2013, my wife and I will have lived in our home for 3 years and 1 month. We have a conventional, fixed-rate, 15-year mortgage. Our goal is to pay off our mortgage in less than ten total years. As of April 1, 2013, we will have made 37 regular, monthly mortgage payments. We have also made several additional principal-only payments, too. We make our monthly mortgage payment by the first day of the month. Additional principal-only payments are made throughout each month, as we earn additional income…

  • Get Out of Debt – Get Focused and Get Free

    NCN
    27 Mar 2013 | 1:15 pm
    Several years ago, my wife and I decided to get out of debt.  That decision changed our lives.  We focused our time, effort, and energy – and paid off all of our consumer debt.  We paid off our cars and our credit cards – we were free. Some time later, we made a down-payment on a new home and I changed jobs.  We were able to take both of these “life steps” because we were free from the burden of consumer debt.  Without automobile payments and credit card debt, we were able to save up for a down-payment.  Without monthly payments to creditors, I was able to go…

  • DIY Videos – Preparing To Build New Cabinets And Greenhouse

    NCN
    26 Mar 2013 | 4:27 pm
    I am a big fan of DIY projects.  Over the past few months, I have built a picnic table, replaced our garbage disposal unit, and repaired our clothes dryer.  I tackled all of these projects using two sources of information – my Dad, who is an awesome handyman – and youtube. I have a couple of projects planned for the coming months, so I thought I would share the videos I’ve bookmarked for both information and inspiration.  You can click on the links to view the individual videos or stream them from this site. I plan to build a cabinet / desk unit for my son’s…
 
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    Free From Broke

  • Blue Cash Preferred ® Card from American Express Review – More Cash Back

    Glen Craig
    24 May 2013 | 2:57 am
    Does it seem like you spend a ton on groceries and gas these days? Yeah….me, too.  Here’s a card that helps ease the pain of that spending with some great cash back rewards on gas, department stores, and the best we’ve seen on groceries. It’s the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express credit card, another card in the “Blue” family of American Express cards. They’re offering a decent Welcome Bonus right now, too – if you charge $1,000 to the card in the first three months, you get 150 in Reward Dollars. Here’s an overview of the American Express Blue Cash…

  • What Is A Secured Credit Card?

    Glen Craig
    23 May 2013 | 3:40 am
    Just like bank loans, where there is secured and unsecured borrowing by businesses, credit cards as a form of consumer debt can also be either secured or unsecured. Credit cards, as most of us know and use, are unsecured. The money is lent to card users without any collateral against it and it is up to consumers to pay back the account balance later and if not, the card issuer loses (well, they will go after you but there is no guarantee they get their money back). When the possibility of not paying back by a credit card holder becomes a serious concern, either because of the applicant’s…

  • How to Start an Emergency Fund

    Glen Craig
    22 May 2013 | 2:54 am
    One of the best things you can do for your personal economy is to start an emergency fund. Your emergency fund can help protect you against financial setbacks, since it provides you with a little extra cushion to draw on.  Rather than turning to debt, you can use money in your emergency fund to cover unexpected costs. Experts recommend that you save at least six months’ worth of expenses in an emergency fund.  So, if you spend $3,000 a month, you need to have $18,000 in an emergency fund. That’s a daunting task. How can you get started when you have that huge amount of money…

  • Second Marriage? Have a Financial Date Before You Tie the Knot

    Melissa
    20 May 2013 | 2:33 am
    With a divorce rate that is commonly quoted as being 50%, second marriages are common.  However, according to the Wall Street Journal, many experts cite the divorce rate of second marriages to be 40%. Second marriages come with more baggage — ex-spouses, stepchildren who may or may not like the new step parent, and, of course, financial complications including spousal support and first family obligations, just to name a few. It’s no secret that money disagreements can be one of the top causes of divorce. According to a study conducted by Jeff Dew of Utah State University,…

  • Starwood Preferred Guest(R) Credit Card from American Express Review

    Glen Craig
    16 May 2013 | 3:33 am
    Are you looking for an incredible travel rewards credit card that allows you to earn free nights at high-end hotels and resorts AND can be used towards airline miles programs? How about a card that, besides rewards, comes with additional travel benefits, purchase protections, and more? Then look no further than the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express. Here are some of the benefits of the Starwood Preferred Guest card at a glance: Starpoints® bonus: earn up to 25,000 bonus points: 10,000 after your first purchase and another 15,000 after you spend $5,000 within the…
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    Blogging Away Debt

  • Thank You

    Claire
    24 May 2013 | 10:14 pm
    For all of the helpful comments.  I am reading each of them and so want to reply to each one but I can’t do so right now.  I won’t be rushing to the courthouse but I will be thinking this weekend about how to have a conversation with my ex.  I like the idea of a carefully worded email (that I will have edited by a very objective friend) to establish the new definition of our relationship. When I say “our relationship,” I truly mean between me, my ex, NW and the kids.  One of you said something about a 41-year-old woman not fully understanding the role the kids have…

  • Temporary Credit Issued

    Claire
    23 May 2013 | 7:35 am
    USAA has issued me a temporary credit while the investigation moves forward on the ATM.  I am thankful.  I enjoyed tips from the readers and will definitely use some of them in the future.  Thanks! Now to a personal issue.  This one has the potential to impact finances and I’m pretty sad about it too.  It feels like just as I get myself feeling pretty good about things something else comes my way.  That’s life I suppose and I know I have many, many blessings but it is still tough. My first ex-husband–the father of my children–has met and become engaged to a woman…

  • I was ROBBED by an ATM! :-(

    Claire
    21 May 2013 | 5:48 am
    USAA reimburses me for the fees charged at other bank’s ATM machines.  Yesterday morning I zipped by the nearest ATM to get more than my usual amount in cash for the week.  The kids have various end-of-year events that I needed cash for so I needed $300 for the next two weeks.  I went to a Compass ATM right by my place and went through all of the usual ATM steps.  At the very end, when my money was to be dispensed, the screen said “this machine is having technical difficulties, your transaction has been cancelled.”  It did not spit out a receipt in spite of my…

  • On The Road…And In The Air Again!

    Claire
    16 May 2013 | 11:19 am
    Work travel has been completely insane over the last three weeks.  So many little hearings that I thought would cancel and in-person meetings that I thought would not be needed have indeed gone forward.  I’ve been all over the map this go around.  From SA to Corpus to South Texas back to SA to Austin back to Corpus with stops in tiny towns along the way.  Due to scheduling issues some of that has been by car and other parts with my good friend Southwest Airlines. On a financial note, these weeks are very good for my budget.  My expenses are on the company’s dime.  Any…

  • Snack Attack

    Claire
    11 May 2013 | 6:11 pm
    I was in charge of snacks today for DD’s volleyball game.  Thanks to my Community Supported Agriculture pack I got yesterday I had some strawberries to share!  I’ll have to post on the CSA again soon but short update is, I love it! As you might recall, I switched the kids and I to “real food” almost one year ago and I am finding it is these group events that are the most challenging.  I portioned out strawberries and grapes for the nine girls on the team.  I was pretty darn proud of myself b/c it would have been SO much easier to grab a box of cookies or candy like…
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    Clever Dude Personal Finance & Money

  • Clever Posts Of The Week – May 24th 2013

    Brock
    24 May 2013 | 5:47 am
    Well, hello Memorial Day weekend!  The unofficial start to start to summer – this time of year just puts me in a great mood.  Birds are chirping, everything is greening up, and the smell of freshly cut grass is almost constantly in the air.    What’s not to love? Short list of links this week, as I’ve been busy enjoying the onset of my favorite season, but the three I do have are freakin’ awesome.  I’m sure you’ll agree.  Free Money Minute describes one (of many) downside to ObamaCare in The 51st Employee is Fired! I’m always up for a great…

  • Clever Dudette’s Thrifty Grocery Shopping Ideas

    Clever Dude
    23 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    From Clever Dude: while I could be the one who buys groceries, Clever Dudette does because she absolutely loves grocery stores. She’s a registered dietitian and enjoys walking the aisles to check out what’s new and their nutritional value for her profession and her own knowledge. Her birthday gift a couple years ago was a surprise weekend trip to Jungle Jim’s International Market outside Cincinnati, OH just to check it out (and shop), and we even went to their new location last year (it has beer!!!). So my wife LOVES grocery shopping, even if she does it frugally. I was at…

  • Wasting Chicken Wings Really Burns My A$$

    Brock
    22 May 2013 | 5:48 am
    Image courtesy of scottchan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net I looked back as we left a popular local restaurant and saw chicken wings, most of a burger and two half empty beer glasses sitting on the table where my wife and I had been eating lunch with another family. Our friends had ordered too much food again. I mean seriously, who wastes chicken wings? They had ordered chicken wings as an appetizer, but couldn’t eat them all. When it came time to order entrees, they let their seven year old order a half pound burger from the adult menu because they didn’t want to deal with him throwing…

  • Clever Dudette’s Frugal Kindle Plan

    Clever Dude
    21 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Clever Dude bought me a kindle for Christmas in 2011; little did he know that I spent most of my teen years reading! I would read while my parents watched TV, read while we were on a 20 minute drive to visit my grandmother…I read every chance I got. Although he often complains that I spend most of my free time with my face up to my Kindle Touch, I remind him that besides the initial cost of the Kindle Touch 3G (which was about $150 and they don’t seem to offer free 3G access anymore, just free AT&T hotspot wi-fi access), I have only spent $20 on Kindle books last year.  Of the…

  • Joining a Gym is OK. Really.

    Brock
    20 May 2013 | 7:31 am
    Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net Over the weekend I committed a cardinal sin for personal finance bloggers. I joined a gym. I know, personal finance bloggers are supposed to write about dumping gym memberships because they aren’t worth it. I’m supposed to list ways to work out at home for pennies. Oh, but wait, it’s even worse than you think. You see, the wife and I already belonged to a gym. We quit our old gym and joined a more expensive one. And we’re totally OK with it. The Old Gym Chain fitness facility without many amenities or options. It did have…
 
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    Don't Mess With Taxes

  • Texas, Louisiana and Virginia hold Memorial Day sales tax holidays this weekend (and beyond)

    skbell1
    24 May 2013 | 1:50 pm
    I just got back from the grocery store. That's the extent of my Memorial Day three-day weekend shopping. But if you plan to purchase something other than tortilla chips, lemonade, roasted cashews, microwave popcorn, avocados and onion/horseradish dip (I bought more, but I just picked a few of my favorite snacks) and you live in Texas, Virginia or Louisiana, you could save some tax dollars. Those three states are holding sales tax holidays starting Saturday, May 25. In each location, certain items will be free of state and, in some cases, local sales taxes. Here's a quick rundown of…

  • IRS places Lois Lerner on administrative leave in latest fallout from Tea Party tax exemption review snafu

    skbell1
    23 May 2013 | 4:44 pm
    There apparently was no constitutional recourse that Lois Lerner could use to stave off actions of her own employer. Lerner has been relieved of her duties as director of the Internal Revenue Service's Exempt Organizations (EO) unit. Her apology on May 10 for the actions of EO employees in Cincinnati who inappropriately screened tax-exemption applications from conservative groups set additional investigative wheels in motion. The 34-year federal employee (she also held positions at the Justice Department and the Federal Elections Commission before joining the IRS), Lerner became director…

  • New IRS Acting Commissioner addresses his troops

    skbell1
    23 May 2013 | 1:51 pm
    While the man who previously was in charge of the Internal Revenue Service was being lambasted by the House Oversight and Government Relations Committee on Wednesday, a new acting tax commissioner was settling into his office. Douglas Shulman served as IRS Commissioner when employees at the agency's Cincinnati field office went overboard in scrutinizing Tea Party and other conservative organizations' applications for 501(c)(4) tax exempt status. And Shulman's leadership was roundly criticized by Oversight Committee members during the four-hour hearing. I wouldn't blame the…

  • IRS offices will be closed Friday, May 24. Plan accordingly

    skbell1
    23 May 2013 | 1:34 am
    The Internal Revenue Service was able to push off sequestration effects until the main tax-filing season ended, but time has run out. IRS offices will shut down tomorrow, May 24, in the first of five furlough days scheduled for this summer and early fall. Closed sign by voteprime via photopin cc So if you're trying to finish up some tax work before you head out for the long Memorial Day weekend, you'd better get to it today. And judging by the pace of Capitol Hill budget talks, you probably should mark the four other scheduled IRS furlough dates -- June 14, July 5, July 22 and Aug.

  • Tax considerations of combining business, personal travel

    skbell1
    22 May 2013 | 3:06 pm
    It's been one of those days -- don't ask, or I'll never stop! -- so I'm really looking forward to the upcoming Memorial Day break. The hubby and I aren't going anywhere, but a lot of folks are hitting the road or boarding planes, trains or buses on this traditional beginning of the summer vacation season. Vacation is the operative word here. When any of us take a pleasure trip, it's totally on our dime. But if you sometimes combine business and personal travel, your Uncle Sam could help cover some of your on-the-road costs.  Of course, you must be careful in…
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    Money Smart Life

  • PenFed Promise vs. Barclaycard Ring

    Jason Steele
    24 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    There is no getting around the unfortunate fact that the majority of American credit card users have debt. All the studies I have found indicate that between one half and two thirds of all credit card users carry a balance each month, and pay interest on their charges. And as unsecured loans with interest that is never tax-deductible, credit card interest is more costly that interest paid on a home mortgage or a student loan. So when these cardholders are looking for the best product for their needs, they should always be looking for a card with the lowest interest rate and the fewest fees.

  • Chase Slate Vs. Citi Simplicity

    Jason Steele
    23 May 2013 | 9:18 am
    Choosing the right credit card can be a tricky game. Banks seem to enjoy highlighting their cards’ best features, and burying terms that penalize cardholders. But as consumers and regulators have caught on to this game, the banks have started to compete for new customers by offering simpler cards with fewer fees. The Chase Slate and Citi Simplicity are two of the most simple products on the market. But in addition, both cards feature leading promotional financing offers for new applicants. Lets take a look at how these two cards compare: Chase Slate In an industry that loves to copy…

  • How to Budget When Having a Baby

    Kevin
    22 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Becoming a parent for the first time is thrilling and terrifying on several fronts, not the least of which is budgeting. You know having a baby is going to cost you dearly in the wallet, but how much? Should you set aside $50 per month for diapers and other regular expenses? Should you anticipate dropping $10,000 on setting up the nursery for the new addition? The answer for most people will fall somewhere in the middle. Exactly how much you need to spend on having a baby depends on your needs, wants, and how much wiggle room you have in your budget. How to Budget for a Baby Budgeting for a…

  • Are Target Date Funds Worthy of Your Portfolio?

    Victor
    21 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    If you have looked at your 401(k) investment options recently, chances are you have noticed a list of funds that all have similar names with the exception of a year at the end of each. These “Target Date” funds were built as an all encompassing investment to help you plan for your retirement all in one product. These funds were allocated in a way where you would receive full diversification of both equities and fixed income, with maybe a hint of other diversifiers thrown in the mix. As you get closer to that “target date,” the fund gets more conservative. This sounds great in theory,…

  • Free Resume Tools for the Unemployed

    Miranda
    20 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    When you lose your job, the first thing you need to do is update your resume. While it’s better if you update your resume periodically, even during your employment, sometimes a job loss catches you by surprise and you aren’t ready. If you are trying to figure out how to best update your resume, you’ll want to do what you can to take advantage of free tools that can help you create a resume that is more likely to help you get a job: Workforce Services Find out where your state’s workforce services office is in your town. Most states have some sort of organization with a…
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    BeingFrugal.net

  • 5 Things That are Killing Your Budget

    Contributor
    24 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Many people that create a budget have a difficult time sticking to it for one reason — incidental expenses. Although incidental expenses are only a small fraction of your expenses, they can have a really big [...]Recommended For You:Make Better Financial Decisions: Take Care of YourselfWhy Keeping Track of Expenses Is ImportantThe Zero-Based Budget, A Critical Key for Saving CashFun Fund: Saving Money for Entertainment and Travel5 Steps to Making a Budget That Works Read the rest of 5 Things That are Killing Your Budget at BeingFrugal.net.

  • 7 Secrets to Smart Shopping on the Web

    Contributor
    23 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    I’ll admit it – I’m a shopping addict. But the last place you’ll see me, if I can help it, is at a shopping mall or retail store. I’m an online shopper and greatly prefer it [...]Recommended For You:5 Things You Should Never Keep in Your Wallet or PurseProtect Yourself Against Identity Thief Before He Gets YouDo You Need Credit Monitoring? How About a Free One?How to Choose the Right Tax Software for YouBest Tips and Tricks to Save Money Shopping $500 Giveaway Read the rest of 7 Secrets to Smart Shopping on the Web at BeingFrugal.net.

  • Tips for Finding Estate Sale Bargains

    Tisha Tolar
    22 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Estate sales are a step-up from yard sales or garage sales. Instead of selling items people no longer want, they are trying to sell a house full of possessions people actually owned and used. They are [...]Recommended For You:The Best and Worst Things to Buy at Yard Sales10 Yard Sale Shopping Tips to Get the Best Bargains8 Tips for Successful Garage Sale Shopping10 Tips to a Wildly Successful Garage SaleFrugal Home Buying Tips Read the rest of Tips for Finding Estate Sale Bargains at BeingFrugal.net.

  • Should You Choose an Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

    Kevin Mulligan
    21 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    When it comes to fixed rate and adjustable rate (ARM) mortgages the standard personal finance advice is to always get a fixed rate mortgage. Most people opt for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage, but a 15-year [...]Recommended For You:When is the Right Time to Refinance Your Home?30 Year Mortgage vs. 15 Year Mortgage: Pros and ConsBuying a Home? How to Get the Best Mortgage RateWhat is a Second Mortgage? Advantages and DisadvantagesHow Much House Can You Afford to Buy? Read the rest of Should You Choose an Adjustable Rate Mortgage? at BeingFrugal.net.

  • 5 Ways to Green Your Home and Save Money

    Miranda Marquit
    20 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Many of us are looking for ways to save money, as well as be greener in our habits. Luckily, more sustainable living and saving money often go hand in hand. Indeed, many of the things that [...]Recommended For You:Kill Energy Vampires and Reduce Standby Power UsageIs It Worth It to Build a Green Home?How to Decide Whether to Repair or Replace75 Frugal Hacks for Your HomeYou Tell Me: Is a Freezer Worth the Money? Read the rest of 5 Ways to Green Your Home and Save Money at BeingFrugal.net.
 
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    I've Paid For This Twice Already...

  • How to Avoid Making these Early Retirement Mistakes

    paidtwice
    1 May 2013 | 2:44 pm
    For many people retiring early is a dream that they regularly dream of. Early retirement gives you the opportunity to travel to new places when you’re still young, meet new people, experience new cultures etc. Retiring by 40 is something that everyone wants, but only a few achieve this goal. The reasons for failure in this area are many. But if you really want to retire early then you need to avoid making a few mistakes that we will be discussing in the following article. Not only the mistakes, but we’ll also talk about how you can avoid these pitfalls… Mistake #1: Depending on…

  • Sink or Swim: The Psychological Battle and Real-World Solutions to Overcome Debt

    paidtwice
    25 Apr 2013 | 4:59 pm
    Debt not only attacks your ability to live a sustainable, comfortable existence but hits home on a psychological level that can do immense damage to your commitment to free yourself from the sinking ship that is living under the thumb of another. Debt is a very real problem for many individuals that may have stepped outside of their means but more often than not it’s the result of instability caused by outside forces – - either of the two can dead to financial ruin but there is a glimmering of light at the end of the tunnel. Seeking a Hand to Lift You from Sinking Debt, when managed,…

  • 4 Smart Ways to Spend Extra Cash

    paidtwice
    19 Apr 2013 | 1:35 pm
    So you finally went ahead with the decision of putting yourself on the budget and you see that extra cash trickling in each month. Now depending on what type of financial goals you have in your budget, there are many, many options. Each of these options could be good or bad to you in their own way. So what do you do? How do you avoid the confusion? Let’s look into a few constructive ways to use that extra money effectively… #1: Pay Down Your Credit Card Principle You know how it’s super-annoying to keep paying on a monthly basis and still not see your credit card debt disappear? So…

  • Don’t Go Broke on Bail

    paidtwice
    4 Apr 2013 | 10:36 am
    The overall cost of “legal fees” can be overwhelming for many. Besides hiring a good bail bond agent through a Bail Bond Network (you can learn more about Expert Bail online, which is a reputed Bail Bond Network), there are simple yet effective things that can be done to help you save on legal fees. Things like selecting the right attorney, and doing your homework before hand. Taking the right steps at the right time also ensures that your working relationship with the attorney is stable, which will in turn, help you you get better results. Here are a few useful and effective ways to…

  • Your Home, Your Investment

    paidtwice
    2 Apr 2013 | 8:33 am
    You know that installing a security system will help you reduce your home insurance premiums. But how extensive do you really need that system to be? If you’re a tech or research junkie you’ve undoubtedly spent some time looking all of the different ADT options at http://www.securitychoice.com/. It’s good that you want your home to be as technologically advanced and protected as possible. At the same time, you don’t want a system that has the potential to rebel when the robot uprising happens. So how do you figure out what you need? How do you get the best system possible for what…
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    Queercents

  • New App Lets You Boycott Koch Brothers And Buycott LGBTQ Rights By Scanning Barcodes

    DJ
    14 May 2013 | 10:15 pm
    This is a must have APP for shopping smart when it comes to just about anything we stand for as LTGBTQ people. This app helps us with detecting which barcodes belong to HRC rated friendly companies and those who stand for marriage equality. This APP also servers another purpose of helping us find out which [...]

  • Free (Red) Sticker

    DJ
    10 May 2013 | 9:10 am
    Get your free (RED) swag at www.joinred.com/stickers to join the fight for AIDS FREE GENERATION.

  • Free I

    DJ
    9 May 2013 | 12:20 pm
    The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is offering a free ‘i <3 equality’ sticker. To get yours, just head over to their website and fill out the form with your name and address. A donation is NOT required.  Feel free to donate or get the sticker for your car as a freebie. You should receive your [...]

  • Free Ready for President Hillary Clinton Bumper Sticker!

    DJ
    8 May 2013 | 4:39 pm
    The first Ready for Hillary bumper stickers are here! And we want you to be one of the first to receive one.  While President Bill Clinton said just the other day it is a bit too early to start talking Presidential politics for 2016 we don’t see too much harm in motivating Hillary Clinton to [...]

  • Free Viagra Samples and 30% Off Second Order!

    DJ
    6 May 2013 | 11:43 pm
    Yes, we know this looks like one of those 20 emails you get a day that lead you to some hacked site or something that is not the real Viagra. This is the real deal and it is only on Viagra.com the official website of the blue pill that will get you ready for a [...]
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    MoneyNing

  • What You Need to Know About Filing for Tax-Exempt Status

    Jessica Sommerfield
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Usually when the IRS is mentioned in a headline about tax fraud, they’re the ones doing the investigating. But in recent headlines, the IRS itself is facing allegations of discrimination. The IRS is being sued by numerous representatives of non-profit Tea Party groups whose tax-exempt status requests were either denied or are still in limbo — some for several years. Federal investigations into the IRS have already resulted in the removal of two key members, including the IRS commissioner, Steven Miller. If you’re considering filing for a 501(c)(3), this news might be…

  • What Farm-Living Teaches Kids About Money

    Jamie Simmerman
    23 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Farmers know how to get the most out of every dollar spent. Nothing goes to waste when you live on a farm — they even recycle manure! For many farm families, living frugally is a way of life passed down from generation to generation. Frugality is an intentional part of raising farm kids. Here are five lessons on frugality for kids from the farm. Money Lessons for Kids from the Farm 1. Recycling is essential. Food scraps get fed to cats, dogs, cows, and other livestock instead of being put in the trash or down a garbage disposal. Old tractor tires are used to grow potatoes or serve as…

  • How to Eat Smart on Business Trips

    AJ Pettersen
    22 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Finding creative ways to eat out is important in my line of work. During baseball season, we’re on the road 50% of the time. During these periods, we’re given a certain amount of money per day to spend on food (more commonly known as a per diem). Many people travel for work on a regular basis, so finding ways to save money and eat right is important. Here’s what I keep in mind when deciding when and where to eat: Make It Last Though we’re given a set amount of money per day for food, nearly half of it goes to the opposing clubhouse manager. He gives us food at the…

  • Do You Really Need to Pay Off that Debt Right Now?

    Miranda Marquit
    21 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    There’s a lot to be said for paying off your debt and living debt free. But should you really work hard to pay off all of your debt right now? High Interest Consumer Debt vs. Other Debt Too often, we lump all debt together and call it “bad.” And while there is an argument that there’s no such thing as good debt, the truth is that some debt is worse than other debt. High interest consumer debt is the worst type of debt. This is money owed on things that we consume — things that don’t retain value and don’t provide the hope of income or some type of…

  • Keep Summer Exciting for the Kids – Without Expensive Camps and Vacations

    Vincent King
    20 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    “I’m BOOOOORED!” “Mom! What can we do?” “Can we go to Disney World?” If you’ve got kids at home, you’ve likely heard that once or twice during the summer. But you don’t have to pay for expensive summer camps or vacations to keep them entertained. Welcome summer and all of its glories with your own summer camp. This won’t be easy — banish that thought from your mind. But, the kids will LOVE you for it. And you’ll re-form those family bonds that were stretched so thin during the long school season. What you’ll need for your successful summer camp: 1. A…
 
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    Money Blue Book

  • 5 tips for building an emergency fund

    24 May 2013 | 1:44 pm
    We've all been there. Your dryer breaks down. Your car needs new brakes. You finally have to replace your leaky roof. These are just a few of the common costs that can appear out of nowhere to drain your wallet. So what are you supposed to do when these unwelcome surprises occur? You can't predict [...]    

  • Should you start a business on zero percent credit?

    22 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    I'm not what you'd call a natural entrepreneur. In fact, every venture I've ever tried to set up has turned to dust. But a few years ago, I inherited a small sum of money, and couldn't find anywhere to put it where it would earn a reasonable, relatively risk-free return. So I once again considered s [...]    

  • 5 money lessons I learned after graduation

    16 May 2013 | 4:56 pm
    According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than 1.7 million students will graduate from college this year. Graduation season is one of my favorite times of year. It reminds me of a time when the future was full of possibility. However, there are some things about life and money [...]    

  • Summer jobs for college students

    8 May 2013 | 5:28 pm
    This story comes from our partner, Zing! by Quicken Loans As a college student, this time of year was bittersweet. On one hand, the semester was winding down and summer vacation was just a few sleepless nights spent cramming for exams away. On the other hand, the end of the semester also meant it wa [...]    

  • What is a chip-and-PIN credit card?

    7 May 2013 | 2:44 pm
    At first glance, your U.S. credit card may seem ideal for traveling abroad. You can just bring your foreign-fee-free card on your next overseas trip and cross borders without having to worry about losing spending power to unfavorable exchange rates, right? As many world travelers have found, it isn' [...]    
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    The Dough Roller

  • How to Use Retirement Savings to Buy a House

    Abby Hayes
    24 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Photo: kenteegarden Today’s low interest rates make buying a home incredibly tempting, especially if you’re being hit with annual increases in rent. But finding money for a down payment can be tough, especially if you don’t have much wiggle room in your budget. One option is to tap your retirement savings. This approach has plenty of pros and cons, and you’ll want to consider it carefully before moving forward. If you do decide to use retirement savings to buy a home, be sure you understand all the rules, regulations and fees first. Another Option to Consider Before…

  • Your 60-Second Guide to Credit Cards

    Abby Hayes
    23 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Photo: wwarby Are you completely new to the world of credit cards? Interest rates. Cash back bonuses. Credit limits. It can all be quite confusing! This quick credit card guide will get you started in understanding all the credit card basics: Credit Card Pros and Cons As with all other financial products, credit cards have their pros and cons. And they’re not necessarily the best choice for everyone. Here are some of the things to consider before you decide to get a credit card: Pros They build credit history. Credit cards, particularly easy-to-get secured credit cards, are a great way…

  • The Best Way to Get Your Credit Score

    Jeffrey Trull
    22 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    The undisputed best way to get your credit report comes from the only source that’s truly free: AnnualCreditReport.com. It’s easy and free because it’s guaranteed by law. Unfortunately for consumers, getting your credit score is not as easy as obtaining your free credit report. The world of credit scores is still a bit like the Wild West, with many websites offering several forms of your credit score at varying costs. Finding the best way to get your credit score can be complicated. Here are some popular places to obtain your credit score with a variety of features, costs and…

  • 6 Banking Options for College Students

    Rob Berger
    21 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Photo: CollegeDegrees360 If you held a part-time job in high school, you may have a bank account or even a credit card in your name. But if you didn’t work — maybe you just cashed those babysitting checks — you may not be used to dealing with more than just some money in your pocket. In college it’s a different ballgame: 23 percent of full-time under-graduate students work 20 or more hours a week, and most college students work at least a few hours a week. Rather than blowing your hard-earned cash, you may need to save some of it for tuition, books and other…

  • Using a Gift as Part of Your Down Payment

    Abby Hayes
    20 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Photo: ejorpin Saving a down payment is one of the hardest parts of buying your first home. In fact, about 25 percent of first-time homebuyers get help with a gift from a relative as part of their down payment. There’s nothing wrong with this, but there are some regulations you need to consider as you plan for the big purchase. Can You Use a Gift as Part of Your Down Payment? First, you need to know if your lender and type of mortgage will allow you to use a gift as part of your down payment. With many loan programs, a down payment gift isn’t an issue, but with some mortgages, you…
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    Moolanomy Personal Finance

  • Best Banks with the Highest Interest Rate for Savings Account

    Pinyo
    24 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Are you earning the most from your savings and money market deposit accounts? These accounts are the main pillars of a strong financial foundation, providing you with financial stability and helping you achieve your financial goals. [...]Recommended For You:Best CD Rates, High Yield Certificate of Deposit RatesBest Checking Account Interest RatesThe Difference Between Money Market and Online Savings…IRS 2012 and 2013 Tax Tables (Federal Income Tax Rates)Best Discount Brokers: Lowest Trading Fee for Stocks and… Read the rest of Best Banks with the Highest Interest Rate for…

  • How to Start a Franchise and Become a Franchisor

    Miranda Marquit
    23 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    When you achieve a certain level of success with your business, it makes sense to want to expand. But that doesn’t mean that you have to create a huge corporation. Instead of doing all of the [...]Recommended For You:Are Top Franchises Worth the Initial Investment?5 Business Tips to Help Your Small Business SucceedHow to Buy a Used CarThe 10 Worst Things About Owning Your Own BusinessHow to Start a Small Business LLC Read the rest of How to Start a Franchise and Become a Franchisor at Moolanomy.com.

  • How to Get Best Interest Rate on Your Home Mortgage

    Pinyo
    21 May 2013 | 6:30 pm
    How do you find a good lender? How to find the best mortgage rates? These are some of the common questions that first time home buyers face. This is probably a good time to buy a [...]Recommended For You:What is an FHA Home Loan?What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House?When Should You Refinance Your Home and WhyRefinance Your Home LoanNew FHA Loan Refinancing And Home Loan Guidelines For 2010 Read the rest of How to Get Best Interest Rate on Your Home Mortgage at Moolanomy.com.

  • How to Find Cheap Apartments for Rent

    Miranda Marquit
    21 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Housing represents a major cost for many of us. Whether buying or renting, the cost of housing is something that we all have to deal with. It can be cheaper in many cases to rent rather [...]Recommended For You:How to Break Your Rental Lease Legally7 Things to Consider When Renting an ApartmentHow to Rent Your Home in Another State8 Reasons Why You Should Not Buy a HomeShould I Buy a House if I am in Debt? Read the rest of How to Find Cheap Apartments for Rent at Moolanomy.com.

  • What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House?

    Miranda Marquit
    17 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    For many, buying a home is still considered an important part of the American Dream. Even following the real estate crash, many still want to purchase homes. The idea of “owning” a residence still exerts a [...]Recommended For You:Why a Good Credit Rating is Important Even if You…Different Types of Credit Scores: FICO, FAKO, and Enhanced3 Reasons to Improve Your Credit RatingNew FHA Loan Refinancing And Home Loan Guidelines For 2010Why Borrowers with Bad Credit Pay a Higher Interest Rates Read the rest of What Credit Score Do You Need to Buy a House? at Moolanomy.com.
 
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    Art Of Money

  • Are You a Lawyer Wishing You Had More Business?

    John E Van Bockern
    9 May 2013 | 2:22 pm
    If you are a law firm looking to increase the amount of business walking through your doors, there is a large chance that you have heard a few things about SEO. I am betting that you have heard a range of comments, and not all of them are good. At Lawyer SEO Marketing, we are changing the way that people look at SEO. We specialize in the tactics that lead to a long term successful online marketing strategy. The black-eye of SEO comes from neglecting this priority, and we do not cut the corners that lead to search engine penalties, and, in turn, the negative affects to your bottom line. By…

  • Injured in an Auto Accident? This is How We Bring Value

    John E Van Bockern
    9 May 2013 | 1:31 pm
    Being hurt in an auto accident is not enjoyable. There is no way around that fact. As a Personal Injury Law firm, however, it is our job is to soothe that situation as much as possible. If you do not have the correct representation, it makes it extremely likely that not only are you going to remain injured, but you will see an incredible financial burden from the missed work and medical bills, not to mention the times that you missed out on in your personal life (arguably more important than anything else . Our goal is to help the victims of accidents recoup the damages from their unfortunate…

  • Hello Again World

    admin
    24 Nov 2012 | 8:11 pm
    Yes, I’m still alive and I’ve decided to start posting again as I am trying to keep myself accountable with a big hairy assed goal. But I’ll be posting on my new blog since I finally snagged my name as my domain name. Follow me over if you didn’t die from the shock of having something from me pop up in your RSS reader for the first time in 4 years 120 Days to Consistently Profitable Trading Thanks, Jon The post Hello Again World appeared first on Real Value Gets Money.

  • Time Management Tips by Randy Pausch

    admin
    6 May 2009 | 6:52 pm
    Here’s an excellent talk about time management from a Randy Pausch. Randy gained fame for his “Last Lecture” but here he shares time management tips from the perspective of someone with less than 3 months left to live. Below you’ll find the notes that I made while watching the video. And here are the powerpoint and pdfs of the slides from the lecture. Click here to view the embedded video. Why Am I doing this? Does it help me get to my goal? Is it fun? If there isn’t a good reason, then just cross it off of your to-do list. Goal setting: it is much more important…

  • Ask Peter Schiff – Reality Can be a Tough Sell

    admin
    19 Nov 2008 | 3:53 pm
    This guy who I haven’t heard of before today, was on all the top economic TV shows, stating EXACTLY what was wrong with the economy and what the results would be. The experts mocked him and laughed at him. Click here to view the embedded video. And if you’re like me, after you watch that, you’ll be thinking, “so what’s he saying now?” Politicians and people in general all go for solutions that try and minimize pain, but feeling pain is an inevitable part of the healing process, and without feeling it, you don’t see the critical mistakes, and you…
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    Hustler Money Blog

  • Regions Bank $125 Checking Account Bonus With Promo Code 125

    Baller
    24 May 2013 | 4:22 pm
    Regions Bank is now offering a $125 checking account bonus for new customers that open a LifeGreen Checking Account with the promo code 125. To receive this bonus, just open your new account with the code, have direct deposits worth at least $500 into your account within 60 days, and make at least 10 Visa CheckCard transactions within 60 days. LifeGreen Checking is a great checking account that has features such as online banking with bill pay, mobile banking with Alerts, access to over 2,200 Regions ATMs, unlimited check writing, and Regions Cashback Rewards through Online and Mobile Banking…

  • Chase Ink Bold Business Card Review 2013: 50,000 Points Worth $500 Cash or $625 in Airfare

    Hu$tler
    23 May 2013 | 7:45 pm
    Chase Ink Bold® Business Card offers 50,000 Bonus Points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of card membership. This is enough for two flights in the continental U.S.  This is a great card for business owners because of its flexible spending limits. Plus, there is no annual fee for the first year, and it costs only $95 for future years. The Chase Ink Bold Business Card is a paid in full card, and thus has a flexible spending limit. The business pays the amount it uses on the card each month. Because the business pays the amount it owes on the card, it does not pay additional…

  • Gold Delta SkyMiles from American Express 45,000 Bonus Miles Promotion($450 Bonus)

    Hu$tler
    22 May 2013 | 12:47 pm
    American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles 45,000 Bonus Miles For a limited time only, you can now get 45,000 bonus miles with the Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card using CARDMATCHTM method below. You’ll get 25,000 bonus miles after your first purchase and another 20,000 bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of card membership. The 45,000 SkyMiles is the equivalent of $450 in gift cards. You could also use your SkyMiles for free flights too. There is no annual fee the first year! American Express Gold Delta SkyMiles 45,000 Bonus Miles Step 1: Visit CARDMATCHTM Step 2: Fill…

  • Discover It for Students Review: $20 Bonus Cash Back

    Hu$tler
    21 May 2013 | 9:12 pm
    For a special promotion, Discover it® for Students is offering $20 Cash Back Bonus after your first purchase. One of the most popular student credit cards, it lets you earn 5% cash rebates on rotating categories of purchases, and up to 20% cash back on purchases in Discover’s online mall. If you are in college, this is a great card to build credit, earn cash back, and pay no annual fee. TERMS OF CASHBACK BONUS OFFER: Get a $20 Cashback Bonus® after you make your first purchase within 3 months of being approved. Promotional award will be applied within 8 weeks. The promotional award is in…

  • TruMark Financial $150 Checking Bonus

    Hu$tler
    21 May 2013 | 7:52 pm
    Open up TruMark Financial Credit Union checking account and get up to $150 in checking account bonuses for new members in Southeastern Pennsylvania. With a TruMark Financial checking account, you’ll get access to free mobile banking, mobile apps, a Visa® debit card with rewards, thousands of surcharge-free ATMs, and free unlimited use of online Bill Payer. Membership Availability: Anyone who lives, works, worships, volunteers, or attends school in the Southeastern Pennsylvania counties of Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia. Plus, when you open a checking account and…
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    American Consumer News

  • Direct Selling To Consumers Is Increasingly The Goal Of Many Small Businesses

    toi
    24 May 2013 | 4:55 am
    Small retailers are now seeking ways to sell their merchandise directly to customers, instead of having to go through the larger mass merchandisers. Some retailers open their own storefronts, while some others sell their products at popular shows. Unfortunately, direct selling is not for everyone. It can be very hard to make a name for your brand in the crowded retailing industry. Making the decision of which route to go has become increasingly difficult for small retailers. Many new apparel brands have decided to forgo the traditional wholesale route of selling. James Dion, founder of…

  • Indian Overseas Congress to raise $ 5 Million,US & Canada, 1984 Memorial at Rakab Ganj, India.

    ACN Staff
    23 May 2013 | 2:45 pm
    PRESS RELEASE (05/23/2013) Vancouver : Indian Overseas Congress supports the Delhi Gurudwara Prabhandak Comm., resolution to erect a 1984 Memorial in Rakab Ganj Gurudwara, in New Delhi, to remember the victims of 1984 tragedy, termed by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh as ” dark period of Indian History”, with an apology rendered in Parliament. IOC President Vikram Bajwa on the request of Families residing in New Delhi, Mumbai, India of victims of ” Kanishka Air India”, tragedy, suggested to DSGPC, President Manjit Singh GK, to raise a similar Memorial…

  • Tennesse’s Health Insurance CO-OP is Licensed

    ACN Staff
    23 May 2013 | 7:03 am
    Community Health Alliance is Tennessee’s newest insurance company PRESS RELEASE (May 22, 2013)- Community Health Alliance (CHA), Tennessee’s Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan (CO-OP) for health insurance, has received its Certificate of Authority from the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and is now officially licensed as a health insurance company. Community Health Alliance will rollout health plans for individuals, families and small businesses in Tennessee beginning this October.            “We are proud to be Tennessee’s newest health insurer, and…

  • Considering Rent To Own? Read This First

    toi
    23 May 2013 | 3:47 am
    Purchasing furniture and electronics through a rent-to-own contract is typically more expensive than buying the same items from a traditional retail store. However, some people choose rent to own plans because they believe that it will help them boost their credit score. Unfortunately, this is often not the case. The industry was designed to help those with poor or no credit get the items that they want when they want them. Most rent to own companies advertise that there is no credit needed to make a purchase, and there’s no credit check involved. Richard May, public affairs director…

  • Colleges Attempting To Entice New Students With Guarantees

    toi
    22 May 2013 | 7:38 am
    A growing number of colleges and universities are attempting to entice new students to enroll with guarantees that they will be able to finish their pursuit of a degree within four years. If the student fails to achieve this goal, the tuition for the additional years needed to earn their degree will be free. Since the average college freshman now takes more than five and a half years to graduate, this can be a very tempting offer. Students are typically required to complete at least 30 credits each academic year to qualify for a guarantee program. They must also meet regularly with advisors…
 
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    Cash Money Life | Personal Finance, Investing, & Career

  • How to Get Free Medication Prescriptions

    Miranda Marquit
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    This article was originally published on Cash Money Life | Personal Finance, Investing, & Career at How to Get Free Medication Prescriptions.Healthcare costs are among the biggest challenges facing many households today, and healthcare spending continues to rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2011, spending on healthcare amounted to between 6.8% and 8.1% of income, depending on which income quintile a “consumer unit” fell into. It’s clear that healthcare costs are taking an increasing chunk of household income, and that you need to do what you can to…

  • Goodbye Plastic Jungle

    Ryan Guina
    23 May 2013 | 11:34 am
    This article was originally published on Cash Money Life | Personal Finance, Investing, & Career at Goodbye Plastic Jungle.Thanks for the discounts! My inbox greeted me with some sad news this past week as I learned that Plastic Jungle was no longer buying and selling gift cards. I’ve been using Plastic Jungle for buying discounted gift cards for several years now, and it’s disappointing to learn they will no longer be offering this service. The site is still honoring gift cards purchased through their site, they just won’t be buying or selling them any longer. It…

  • Would You Take a 97-Month Car Loan?

    Kevin Mercadante
    22 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    This article was originally published on Cash Money Life | Personal Finance, Investing, & Career at Would You Take a 97-Month Car Loan?.Recent statistics indicate that about one out of every six car loans now run 73 months or longer – all the way up to 97 months. Should you really be taking out a 97-month loan on a car? The shift is part of a collective effort by car companies to keep monthly payments below $500 at a time when the price of an average new car price has risen to well above $30,000. But from a consumer standpoint, let’s discuss the impact of longer car loan terms on your…

  • Frugal Tip: Replace Your Rented Cable Modem with Your Own

    Ryan Guina
    21 May 2013 | 4:25 am
    This article was originally published on Cash Money Life | Personal Finance, Investing, & Career at Frugal Tip: Replace Your Rented Cable Modem with Your Own.When my wife and I moved to our current home we got a sweetheart deal on our Internet service for the first two years we lived here ($25 a month, plus a free cable modem for two years). Unfortunately, our two year intro period recently ended, leaving me with a higher monthly service fee, and a $5 a month rental fee for the cable modem. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a fee I could negotiate. $5 a month is reasonable as far as rental…

  • 4 Creative Ways to Be Frugal

    Miranda Marquit
    20 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    This article was originally published on Cash Money Life | Personal Finance, Investing, & Career at 4 Creative Ways to Be Frugal.I’m not really into frugal living. However, there are times when I want to save a little money – or at least get the best value for my dollar. While I don’t really consider myself overly frugal, I am careful not to spend money on things that aren’t important to me. If I think it’s important, or interesting, or enjoyable, I’m willing to spend. But, in order to have the money to spend on the things I want, it sometimes means…
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    Grad Money Matters

  • Money Making Mistakes You Should Avoid

    Sam Baker
    23 May 2013 | 1:26 pm
    Money making ideas are delicate and there is little room for miscalculations. One of the most common place mistakes in personal finance is budgeting for the short term. Research trends indicate that making an annual budget is a wise decision over a monthly one. One of the aspects behind this trend is that annual budgets leave more room for unexpected expenses. A recent survey done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on college students indicates that they tend to underestimate monthly expenses by 40 percent whereas annual expenses had a 3 percent margin of error. A related mistake that people…

  • How To Supplement Your New Grad Income

    Sam Baker
    17 May 2013 | 11:51 am
    I graduated from college last year with a job, which is a rare occurrence for today’s grad, so I felt very lucky. As you could imagine, it was an entry level job…with entry level pay, but when you come straight from school you think anything is pretty good pay. However, within the first few months you start to realize that with rent, utilities, car payments, and food, it starts to run out very quickly. Keep in mind that I am an accounting major, so I tend to budget pretty tightly. Nevertheless, it was apparent that I needed to pick up some extra cash. It didn’t matter how, I just needed…

  • Process of Filing a Lien Form

    Sam Baker
    16 May 2013 | 1:07 pm
    When a contractor does not pay subcontractors, workers, suppliers and other payments, these individuals will go to the property owner to demand payment. This is regardless if the owner had paid the contractor in full with the expectation that the contractor would take care of all the subsequent payments needed for construction or renovation. The conditions for payment are different for projects that build a new structure and for projects that only added on improvements and renovations. But by law, both types are subject to legal claims called construction liens. Material suppliers and…

  • Cash for Gold is Good Insurance

    Sam Baker
    16 May 2013 | 1:05 pm
    With the economy being as volatile as it currently is, gold is perhaps the only means of investment that has managed to retain a stable price. That is why when you find it in excess among your belongings and you are in need of some quick cash, you can trade it in for the monetary assistance. There are several online outfits that will give you a good price for your gold. Similarly, there are brick and mortar companies that will offer you the same services. If you are looking to trade in your gold for some cash, then it would be a good idea to know how to go about it correctly. First thing…

  • 5 Tips for Generating Money with Your Mobile Phone

    Sam Baker
    15 May 2013 | 7:40 am
    Making money online has long been a popular way of generating an additional income. However with the explosion of the smart phone and tablet market you can now make money with your mobile, making it easier to run a business on the go and generate extra money from just about anywhere. So before you set up yet another e-commerce site, read these tips on how to make money using your mobile device. 1. Participate in surveys Mobile surveys or product reviews are a great way to earn some extra money from just about anywhere. You can complete a survey whilst standing in the queue at the grocery…
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    brip blap

  • Take control of your finances

    Guest Writer
    29 Apr 2013 | 10:48 am
    The following is a guest post. Following the 2013 Budget, you might be considering reevaluating your own monetary matters. It’s a new financial year, and what better way to celebrate than by taking control of your personal income and expenditure. We all say that we’d like to be more frugal; to try and set some money aside for a rainy day. But how many of us actually put these words into action? Very few. Well, if you’re guilty of secret spending and would like to make these bad habits a thing of the past, now’s the time to start putting some plans in place to take control of your…

  • 9 characteristics of a great job

    Steve
    11 Dec 2012 | 6:54 pm
    Q: Did you always dream of drawing and writing, or were you about to happily settle for a so-called normal job? Was it the misery of “humiliating and low-paying jobs,” or the joy of drawing and writing, that pushed you this way? A: I pursued a normal job so I wouldn’t starve to death while figuring out how to have an extraordinary job. I just didn’t know how it would play out. –Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert (link) How can you find an extraordinary job? What’s the secret to a fulfilling career? The perfect job. Who doesn’t dream of finding that perfect job? Flexible…

  • 5 ways to get free money

    Steve
    30 Oct 2012 | 4:25 am
    Everyone likes free money. It’s my favorite kind, personally. I’m talking about the $20 bill lying on the ground. The birthday check from Great Aunt Winifred for $5. The extra 30 minutes someone overpaid on the parking meter that you get to use when you park there. It’s all good. So why would you pass up free money? The problem is, there are plenty of opportunities, even in this day and age, to get money for nothing. Of course there is a price – you may have to fill out a form, or walk to a bank, or call an 800 number. But in practical terms, we’re talking about…

  • Private Mortgage Insurance: What You Need to Know

    Steve
    10 Oct 2012 | 9:01 am
    Unfortunately, if you don’t have at least 20% to put down on your mortgage when buying a home, you’ll have to buy private mortgage insurance. Also known as PMI, this insurance protects the lender when and if you fall behind on your mortgage payments. The insurance is almost always automatically cancelled when 20% of your mortgage is paid. If the lender doesn’t cancel it, be sure to contact them in writing. There are certain circumstances when the lender may not cancel your private mortgage insurance. If your home has gone down in value, they may not cancel the insurance. If…

  • lacrosse and Russian

    Steve
    9 Oct 2012 | 5:22 pm
        I didn’t get that much out of college, other than friends, knowledge, life experiences, and the ability to blow up an opponent in lacrosse.  I majored in math, and now I’m a finance and systems consultant.  Related, fine.  But they are two different disciplines.  I studied linguistics, and while I’m able to speak several languages, I don’t really pay much attention to language, per se.  I minored in Russian, though, and that deeply, thoroughly, and massively affected my life – the choices I made, the places I lived, even all the way through to…
 
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    The Wisdom Journal

  • The X Files and Your Money: Strange Similarities?

    Ron
    22 May 2013 | 10:15 pm
    In the hit TV series, The X-Files, FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigate the marginalized, unsolved government cases usually involving paranormal phenomena. Mulder played the role of the “believer”, having faith in the existence of aliens and the paranormal, while Scully was the skeptical scientist/medical doctor, initially assigned by her departmental superiors to debunk Mulder’s unconventional work. As the show progressed, Scully seemed to become more and more of a believer, or at least one who was curious as to what was…

  • Say Goodbye to Unemployment and Make YOUR Money Online

    Ron
    22 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    It’s not uncommon to encounter people without a job these days. Anytime there’s a downturn in the economy, the first casualty is usually  jobs with some simply disappearing while others become scarce. You currently may be without a job, but you still have to pay for your home, rent, food, kids’ education, and home mortgage and car loans. And without a steady supply of income, paying those bills can be tough. In situations like these, enterprising people have learned to turn to the Internet to make extra money while their search for a job continues on. The good new is that the…

  • 10 Car Insurance Cost Cutters

    Ron
    14 May 2013 | 11:13 pm
    Car insurance rates have risen dramatically in the past few decades and there are several reasons why: Society is “sue happy” and insurers feel the brunt of it People are ditching their car insurance for financial reasons (a scary trend) Cars are more expensive to repair and replace Insurers have experienced high levels of losses in recent years The reasons your car insurance is higher really don’t matter. What DOES matter is learning ways to reduce your car insurance premiums. Here’s how to do that: 1. Don’t drive That’s right, one of the best ways to reduce your auto insurance…

  • How To Build Your Financial Bug-Out Bag

    Ron
    12 May 2013 | 11:00 pm
    Bug-out bags have long been the rage among the “what-if crowd” and they’re quickly becoming more popular in mainstream circles too. These bags are designed to be grabbed quickly in case “something” happens. They can contain anything from several days worth of meals, to survival gear, to weapons, to water purifiers, to several day’s worth of clothing. I suppose it always makes sense to be prepared – after all, you never know when you’ll need to escape into the strip of woods between Elm Street and Highland Drive when civilization collapses. What…

  • Overlooked Secrets to Do Away With Debt

    Ron
    6 May 2013 | 4:24 am
    To eliminate debt, you have to be both patient and persistent. There is no overnight solution to owing lots of money, but there are ways to minimize the obligations over time. Some of the most common techniques are reducing spending, making larger credit card payments and getting a second job. These strategies will definitely help you obtain relief from a financial burden and get you on the road to debt recovery. However, you may be missing other steps that will not only help you get out of debt but speed up the process. Here are secrets you shouldn’t overlook: Eliminate of the…
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    Everybody Loves Your Money

  • Someone in Florida is Loaded

    Hazzard
    24 May 2013 | 2:49 pm
    As you know, last week the Powerball lottery was $590 million.  I had considered buying a ticket (roughly my 3rd or 4th ever) but never made it to the store to actually pull the trigger.  I haven’t been tossing and turning all week wondering if I would have won.  The reality is that the odds were VERY against me. There is at least one person down in Florida that has undoubtedly lost a LOT of sleep over the last week.  It was announced that there was one winning ticket sold at a Publix grocery store in Zephyrhills Florida last Saturday.  No one has come forward yet…

  • Financial Milestones

    Hazzard
    10 May 2013 | 8:41 am
    I’ve recently found myself surpassing some financial milestones that I never thought I’d see.  Our retirement accounts are at levels that I used to just dream about when I was first starting out.  Never underestimate the power of consistent contributions and compound interest, that’s for sure. As I was sitting here looking over the numbers I started to wonder why I’d always thought these milestones were somewhat impossible to reach.  I think a lot of it is because I grew up in an environment where these numbers were unattainable, both due to income levels of my parents…

  • Will the Latest Lottery Winner Lose it All?

    Hazzard
    28 Mar 2013 | 7:18 pm
    There was another huge lottery winner.  This time Pedro Quezada won $338 million.  That’s a lot of coin.  He opted for the lump sum and walked away with $152 million after taxes.  Yeah, that’s still a lot of coin.  If you just took a conservative 3% annually, you’d still be living on $4.5 million before taxes.  Any way you slice it, you could live FAT with that kind of money. Something tells me that Pedro won’t take the conservative approach.  Why do I say that?  Well, it turns out that if you win more than $600 in New Jersey, they check to make sure you…

  • Making A Living, One Day at a Time

    Hazzard
    15 Mar 2013 | 8:25 pm
    I was reading an article today and saw that the CEO of my company made a hefty chunk of change last year.  It turns out that our company did pretty well, so the compensation that our CEO received was significantly higher than the year before.  I’m pretty happy with how our company did last year.  We increased revenues and profit margins and paid decent returns for our shareholders. I faired pretty good for the year as well.  Between my salary, benefits and annual bonus, I made the most money I’ve ever made in my career.  I’m incredibly satisfied with my earnings and if…

  • Don’t Make These Costly Retirement Mistakes

    Me
    6 Mar 2013 | 12:26 pm
    (Guest post by Toi W.) When planning for retirement, it is important to avoid the costly mistakes that could disrupt your retirement in the future.  Saving for retirement is an important part of your financial future, but the payoff for all of the hard work involved takes so long that many people put other priorities first.  It will take oversight and a large amount of common sense to get saving for your retirement right.  Here are some of the most expensive mistakes that can be made when retirement planning. Opting Out Of An Employer Sponsored Plan Option out of a retirement plan…
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    CreditCards.com

  • Women financially clueless? I think not

    Kelly Dilworth
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    When it comes to managing money, women often get a bad rap. Just do a Web search for the phrase "women and money," and you'll find dozens of articles, books and links to conferences lamenting women's lack of financial know-how -- as well as numerous sales pitches for financial services and coaching tailored specifically for clueless gals. You'll also find a number of studies that show that there's some truth to the widespread assumption that women's overall financial literacy could use some help. A 2012 study from the nonprofit think tank RAND, for example, surveyed the latest international…

  • Beware, financial optimists: Smile and the world takes your money

    Fred Williams
    20 May 2013 | 8:02 am
    It's hard to take a stand against optimism. Without it, plus a cup of coffee, many of us wouldn't have the will to rise in the morning. Football coaches would stand silently in the locker room at halftime. At commencement, new graduates would toss their caps down on the ground. A positive outlook helps you get through the day, but too much of it can really land you in trouble when it comes to your finances. In fact, a skeptic would say that lenders, some of them anyway, have built profitable business models on our excess optimism. Take the example of deferred interest cards for big purchases.

  • Square launches faster card swipe machine

    Kelly Dilworth
    17 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Several months ago, my favorite coffee shop in Austin switched from using a traditional credit card reader to the free Square device that attaches to an iPhone. I groaned when I saw it. I understand why it switched. Square's credit card swipe fees are simpler and significantly less expensive than other, more traditional options for merchants, making it an increasingly popular choice for smaller mom and pops. But every time I swipe my card through a Square reader, the whole transaction feels slower and more cumbersome and often takes a few tries to get right. This week, Square introduced a new…

  • For booking private jets, try the Gatsby app

    Jay MacDonald
    15 May 2013 | 5:29 am
    "In my younger and more vulnerable years, my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since," wrote F. Scott Fitzgerald. "Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had." Now that I'm older, these poignant opening lines from Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" remain my avuncular North Star, guiding my social intercourse with those consigned by cruel fate to the steerage of middle class. In truth, when suddenly confronted with those of lesser means, I'm wont to…

  • Even U.S. senators struggle with errors on their credit reports

    Kelly Dilworth
    10 May 2013 | 5:03 am
    When it comes to hard-to-fix credit report errors, not even U.S. senators are immune. At a Senate hearing held Tuesday to discuss the country's controversial credit reporting system, three Democratic senators sitting on the panel, Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii and Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, confessed that they, too, had found errors on their credit reports.In all three cases, the errors were caused by other consumers' credit information getting mixed up with theirs. In Nelson's case, the error held up two separate mortgages, and it took him at least two…
 
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    Money Smarts Blog

  • LinkStuff – High Definition TV Edition

    Mike Holman
    24 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    I finally upgrade to high definition tv and have been pretty happy with it.  Hockey is pretty good in HD (although it would be a lot better if the Leafs were still playing), but the best improvement has been cycling.  I’m currently watching the Giro d’Italia (Canadian Ryder Hesjedal was the winner last year) and the [...]

  • LinkStuff – More Money For Beer Edition

    Mike Holman
    8 Mar 2013 | 2:00 am
    I did a book giveaway earlier this week for the awesome More Money for Beer & Textbooks book and the two winners were Judy and Siu (who also won the funniest comment award). If you know someone who is in post-secondary education or about to enter – please buy the book for them.  It’s really good.  On [...]

  • Great Money Advice For Canadian College & University Students On How To Avoid Student Loans

    Mike Holman
    4 Mar 2013 | 2:00 am
    I recently had a chance to read the book “More Money for Beer and Textbooks” which is a book written for students in post-secondary education or in their last year of high school or CEGEP. It was written by Kyle Prevost and Justin Bouchard who are both educators and managed to get through their own [...]

  • Best Canadian High Interest Savings Rates For Ally Replacement

    Mike Holman
    25 Feb 2013 | 2:00 am
    Updated April 21, 2013.  The high interest savings account market in Canada is pretty diverse.  On one hand you have the established big banks that offer modest interest rates because most of their customers either don’t have enough cash to care about the rate or can’t be bothered shopping around.  On the other hand there are [...]

  • RRSP Myth – Retirement Income Has To Be Lower For RRSP Benefit

    Mike Holman
    20 Feb 2013 | 2:00 am
    Given that we are approaching the end of RRSP season, I thought it would be fun to dispel the most common RRSP myth that I see repeated over and over again in the media. Related - 2012 RRSP contributions limit and deadline Since the invention of the TFSA, there have been many articles written comparing [...]
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    One Frugal Girl

  • The Best and Strangest Thing I Ever Paid Someone to Do

    One Frugal Girl
    21 May 2013 | 8:11 pm
    I’ve been away from home quite a bit over the past few weeks. (It’s one of the reasons I haven’t written a post in over 10 days!) My husband, son and I have been traveling back and forth to our beach house in order to get things in order for the rental season. We have very few storage spaces in our rental home and closet space is at a premium. We have to find places to store our blankets, sheets, pillows, food and a whole host of other items so we don’t have to drag them back and forth every time we visit North Carolina. For some reason whenever I start organizing our…

  • How I Bought a Car Below the Invoice Price

    One Frugal Girl
    12 May 2013 | 7:51 pm
    This weekend my husband and I purchased our first new car in over thirteen years. We bought a brand new 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited. I spent a lot of time researching the best ways to ensure a good price, so I thought I’d share my experience in case it helps anyone else looking to buy a new car. We weren’t sure if we should buy a new car or focus on a slightly used one, preferably one that was only a year or two old. One sunny Sunday afternoon my husband and I visited CarMax where we wandered through the lot looking at various SUVs and Crossovers. It was there that we narrowed…

  • Buying a New Car in the Morning?

    One Frugal Girl
    10 May 2013 | 7:42 pm
    The last time I bought a new car the year was 1999. All of our current cars were built over a decade ago and it feels strange to think we might buy something new, rather than buying unwanted cars from old family members and friends. That’s the way we received our last three vehicles. Rather than taking the old fashioned route of going into a dealership and haggling I found the lowest price all from the comfort of my living room. I emailed the four main Toyota dealerships in our area and priced the exact same make and model with the majority of features I wanted. I have a feeling…

  • Manage Your Packages with FedEx Delivery Manager

    One Frugal Girl
    9 May 2013 | 10:53 am
    Sign-up for the free FedEx Delivery Manager membership by clicking the image above and you’ll receive delivery notifications and be able to change delivery times for your impending packages. If you don’t already have a FedEx account you’ll need to create one. You can choose to receive delivery alerts whenever a package is addressed to you or whenever a package has been delivered. I recently signed up for a similar service through UPS and it has made my life so much easier. I travel out of town quite frequently and I love knowing when packages are on their way. There is also…

  • Price Changes and Crappy Return Policies

    One Frugal Girl
    8 May 2013 | 11:21 am
    We have been blessed by box after box of hand-me-downs from friends and family. It’s been a true blessing because my son seems to outgrow his clothes ridiculously quickly. At the current time he’s an odd fit. He has a very long torso, but he’s skinny and has relatively short legs. At least it seems that way because his shirts are always showing his belly, his pants are always slipping off his waist and his shorts somehow look like pants even though he’s taller than 99% of other children (according to his medical charts). While I’ve received a lot of pants and…
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    My Dollar Plan

  • Citizens Bank 5% Cash Back Credit Card

    Kate
    24 May 2013 | 6:29 am
    This week’s Free Money Friday offer is a good one for anyone who has a lot of everyday spending planned in the next few months. Many of you noticed that the rotating 5% cards were missing some crucial cash back on spending at grocery stores and gas stations this quarter. Citizens Bank is offering an intro 5% cash back on all gas, grocery and drugstore purchases! How to Get Your 5% Intro Bonus Open a Citizens Bank Cash Back Platinum Mastercard. Earn 5% cash back on all gas, grocery and drugstore purchases during the first 90 days that your account is open! Terms and Conditions No annual…

  • Use Cyprus Saver’s Tax as a Reminder to Protect Your Own Money

    Amanda
    23 May 2013 | 6:29 am
    I recently caught up on my magazine reading for the first quarter of 2013. In doing so, I discovered a Businessweek article on a very distressing financial matter in Cyprus, one that we should all be concerned about (and particularly the savers among us). The Cyprus bailout is a good reminder for all of us to consider how our bank deposits are protected. Terms of the Cyprus Bailout Cyprus’ economy is in bad shape, leading Cyprus to be the fifth European nation to receive a bailout (the first four were Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain). Last year, its economy shrunk by 2.4% and…

  • How Declining Birth Rates May Impact Your Social Security

    Don
    22 May 2013 | 6:29 am
    First off, you are probably wondering what the heck the birth rate has to do with personal finance. Surprisingly, more than you would think. The main importance of the birth rate is related to Social Security and Medicare. If we travel back in time when Social Security was originally implemented, there were 5 workers for each retiree. This kept the system of paying monthly checks to retirees in line. Fast forward to today and because of the baby boomer generation retiring, we have turned the scale upside down. Now for every worker, we have 5 retirees. This is not good because only one worker…

  • How to Improve Your Credit Score

    Kristen
    21 May 2013 | 6:58 am
    Your credit score and credit report may not be something you think about often, but the fact is, when it does come time to need your credit score, it really does matter. Your credit score and report is a reflection all of your past credit history. A credit card company or someone looking to give you a loan, wants to know how much credit you have, what is the ratio of debt to credit, do you make your payments on time, and how much other accounts do you have. Photo Courtesy: i am real estate photographer Why Your Credit Score is Important A good credit score is important if you want to get a…

  • Are You Interested in Mystery Shopping?

    Amanda
    20 May 2013 | 6:29 am
    My friend Helen introduced me to Mystery Shopping about two years ago. I had heard about it, and was very curious (if not a little skeptical) about its potential in my money-saving toolbox. She mentioned in a conversation that she had not paid for an oil change in over three years. Boy did that pique my interest! After conducting two oil change shops and being fully reimbursed for the oil changes that I needed for my car, I was convinced that I had uncovered a small goldmine. Reasons to Consider Mystery Shopping I took a break from mystery shopping after completing these two assignments. That…
 
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    My Financial Journey

  • Retirement Nestegg Report – April 2013

    MFJ
    1 May 2013 | 11:29 am
    Well another very good month for my retirement and a great month for my investments as they all soundly beat the market and my nestegg is getting closer to the $300k milestone. Was less than a year ago that I crossed $200k – compounding is fun to watch. Traditional Rollover IRA – $18,752.86 (+3.32%) My Roth IRA – $71,411.42 (+5.79%) Wife Roth IRA – $40,983.62 (+6.11%) Traditional 401k – $145,610.04 (+2.51%) Roth/Traditional % = 40.61% (tax free) Total Retirement Nest Egg $276,757.94 (+3.92%) Monthly Contributions $1,114.08 (401k) SPY Performance +1.81% My Monthly Investment…

  • Retirement Nestegg Report – March 2013

    MFJ
    30 Mar 2013 | 5:37 am
    Well another new record for my nestegg. The stock market sure is on a roll lately and my nestegg reflects that. Unfortunately I lose to the SP500 this month, but I have beat it in three of the last four months and short term fluctuations like that don’t bother me. I also had quite a few contributions this month which may have skewed my performance metrics as I got a large chunk of matching 401k since my company paid out our annual bonuses this month and I finished maxxing out my wife’s Roth IRA for 2012. In other exciting news I will be putting an offer in on some land to build a…

  • Retirement Nestegg Report – February 2013

    MFJ
    1 Mar 2013 | 7:24 am
    Well another month another all-time high and another milestone reached. My retirement nestegg is now worth over a quarter of a million dollars. It’s great to see the power of compound interest and the increased frequency of hitting new milestones. I remember starting out and seeing fellow financial bloggers having nesteggs well into the 6 figures and thinking man I can’t imagine how long it would take to save up that much money or build a nestegg that large and now I have reached that level and now those people are approaching or surpassing 7 figures. Once you get the snowball…

  • Retirement Nestegg Report – January 2013

    MFJ
    1 Feb 2013 | 6:42 am
    Well 2013 is off with a bang. The SP 500 gained over 5% this month alone and my investments actually did a little bit better than that (thank you Netflix). My retirement nestegg also hit an all-time high and I’m starting to creep up on the 1/4 million dollar mark which is exciting. I also maxed out my Roth IRA this month for 2012 and today will be making a contribution to max out my wife’s Roth IRA for 2012 so things are good on the contribution front again after lapsing for a stretch while saving for land/house I have yet to buy. No real big changes expected going forward but I…

  • My best and worst stocks in 2012

    MFJ
    4 Jan 2013 | 4:45 am
    Here are my top 10 stocks for 2012 IPG Photonics (IPGP) +96.78% 3D Systems (DDD) +90.40% (bought in April) Lululemon Athletica (LULU) +63.37% Stratasys (SSYS) +62.94% (bought in April) Amazon (AMZN) +44.93% Middleby (MIDD) +36.34% Under Armour (UA) +35.18% Brookfield Assett Management (BAM) +33.73% Netflix (NFLX) +33.63% Apple (AAPL) +31.40% Well certainly an interesting list for 2012 and not a large trend like there are some years. Came pretty close to having IPGP become a 2 bagger for me in a year and my #2 and #4 best stocks this year I only purchased at the end of April. I guess its nice…
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    MoneyCrush

  • Can You Invest With Just a Small Amount of Money to Work With?

    Jackie Beck
    22 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    It’s common to believe that there’s no point in investing unless you have a lot of money available to work with, but that’s not true at all. It IS possible to successfully invest small amounts of money, especially if you can commit to doing so on a regular basis. In fact, that’s one way that small amounts can eventually become large amounts. How quickly can you invest? How quickly can you invest just a small amount of money? Well, it depends on what you want to invest in. If you’re interested in real estate and you have $25 per month to invest, it’s going…

  • Memorial Day Sale

    Jackie Beck
    20 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Some of you may know that I’m truly passionate about helping folks get out of debt — and so I have a debt snowball app as one of my side hustles. With that said, it’s time for a Memorial Day Sale — one that starts NOW and lasts until Memorial Day ends. This sale could truly help you save money long term — because when you get out of debt, you spend less by not paying a premium for everything you buy. Isn’t it time to stamp your debt paid? Get it quick My newly updated Pay Off Debt app is now just $1.99 — that’s 33% off its regular price. And…

  • Start a Side Business in Your Sleep (Or Not)

    Jackie Beck
    15 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    For many people who want to start a side business, the goal is to do something quick and easy that’s going to bring in money without then having to expend too much effort. And who wouldn’t want that? I’d like to have money magically roll in too But let’s talk reality The thing is, that’s not realistic — at least not at first, and sometimes not ever (depending on what type of business you start.) This means that while there are all kinds of claims out there when it comes to starting a side business that might make you think otherwise, real rewards follow…

  • Buying Real Estate: House vs. Condo

    Jackie Beck
    13 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    If you were going to buy real estate as an investment property, would you buy a house or a condo? Here’s the deal: I’m looking to spend about $75K max on real estate, so that puts me squarely in the range of condo or major foreclosure deal. Condo pros & cons The number one pro for a condo in the Phoenix area, of course, is that I might even be able to afford two of them. If I went the condo route, I could rent them out and generate a monthly income from them. That income (less expenses) would then be considered earnings for my self-directed real estate IRA, so that’s a…

  • The Biggest Mistake Many People Make After Buying a House

    Jackie Beck
    8 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    While there are plenty of mistakes that can be made during the process of buying a home, there’s one big mistake that many people make — often without even realizing it — after the purchase is complete. First-time homebuyers are especially prone to this mistake, but experienced homebuyers aren’t off the hook either. What is it? It’s deceptively simple: going overboard on related purchases, while forgetting to take total costs and available funds into account. You see, when you buy a house, your existing furniture may not fill it up, or even fit. You may need or…
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    Million Dollar Journey

  • New HELOC Rules and How it Affects Smith Manoeuvre Mortgages

    FrugalTrader
    21 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    When I started this blog, I wrote about the Smith Manoeuvre in the first month and implemented the controversial strategy in 2008.  For those of you new to the strategy, the Smith Manoeuvre is where you leverage your home equity to invest in the stock  market.  I modified the strategy by first paying down my mortgage with my existing non-registered portfolio, then invested in tax efficient dividend paying stocks while using the home equity line of credit (HELOC) to pay for itself.  In other words, I’m using the HELOC to cover the monthly interest payments without using any of my own…

  • Dating & Money, Sustainable Landscaping, Tablet or Laptop, and More!

    FrugalTrader
    17 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    Dating & Money @ Canadian Money Forum The Beginner’s Guide On How NOT To Start Investing @ Boomer and Echo Choosing the Right Index for Comparison @ Michael James on Money Is Coca-Cola the perfect dividend paying stock? @ My Own Advisor Six steps to avoid being a money moron @ Retire Happy Blog Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early? @ Balance Junkie 5 Tips for Sustainable Landscaping @ Sustainable Personal Finance How Do I Retire at 35? @ Canadian Personal Finance Blog Negotiating A Cell Phone Plan – Still Alive and Kicking @ Young and Thrifty Tablet Vs. Laptop: What to Consider…

  • New Horizons for Seniors Program

    Clark
    15 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    In 2011, the number of seniors (people aged 65 and over) totaled 14.8% of the Canadian population. With the first baby boomers reaching the conventional retirement age of 65 in 2011, the retired pool of the population is expected to increase in the coming years. As more people retire, there is a good chance that many of them would want to remain active and still contribute to society in some new form by utilizing their well-developed skill sets. One of the possible beneficiaries of this retirement boom may be the not-for-profit sector of Canada. The Canadian government has recognized this…

  • 6 Ways to Save Money on your Disney World Vacation

    FrugalTrader
    13 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    Being a parent usually means that a Disney World vacation is in the cards sooner or later. While Disney World is a lot of fun for adults and kids alike, it can also cost a lot of money. With the flight being the largest cost (at least from Newfoundland), the ideal situation is to use a travel rewards credit card, and fly down on points. But besides (or in addition to) using points, here are some effective ways to reduce your Disney World vacation costs. Six Ways to Save Money at Disney World 1. Time your Trip – Go During Low Season Perhaps one of the biggest ways to reduce the cost of a…

  • How to File Your Rental Income Taxes

    Sean Cooper
    8 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    If you’re a landlord, it’s important to understand how to file your rental income come tax time. Whether you’re renting out a basement apartment or an investment property, you’ll need to report your rental income. This is done by completing Form T776, Statement of Real Estate Rentals. If you’re filing your own income tax, you’ll need to fully understand the form to properly file your taxes; the last thing you want to do is get audited by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Tax Treatment of Rental Income Similar to income earned from self-employment, you’ll need to report rental income…
 
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    Canadian Personal Finance Blog

  • Best of: Real World Example: Kids Allowances

    bigcajunman
    25 May 2013 | 5:07 am
    Back in 2005 just when I was starting to blog, I never really knew what I was going to write about (nothing much has changed), so I wrote about the system I put in place to make sure that my kids got their allowances. As a follow on to the story my oldest child is now 18, so I no longer will be allowed to directly access her bank account any more (something to keep in mind). Real World Example: Kids Allowances OK, so back to what this blog is about, real world financial ranting. The 10 Bob Note When I was Young That Would Have Been a great Allowance For the longest time my wife and I tried to…

  • Senators, Twisters, Water and Friday #ShoutOuts

    bigcajunman
    24 May 2013 | 3:12 am
    To say the entire Senators Expenses Event is more farcical than a Christmas Panto (usually an excuse for men to dress up as women (no I am not writing about the senate with that one (or am I?))). We have differing reports, we have misstatements about how loans are paid off, and we have two folks who were previously “highly respected” members of the media now being accused of being spend-thrifts with the public’s money. All in all a very entertaining brand of political fun and games. I look forward to see what weird turn in the road may be coming next? If Harper nominates a…

  • How To: Mortgage Schedule

    bigcajunman
    23 May 2013 | 3:23 am
    A while ago I showed how the simple PMT() function in Excel can be used to estimate your periodic mortgage payments, if you have all the pertinent information. Today we can use that information to build a schedule to show your mortgage payments and how they change your Mortgage Principle over time. First a clarification, as was pointed out by one of my commenters, the PMT() function gives you the wrong periodic payment, due to Canadian Mortgages having their interest compounded semi-annually (twice a year) because in the U.S. it is compounded annually. The fix for this is to change the first…

  • And the Horse You Rode in On

    bigcajunman
    22 May 2013 | 2:52 am
    This is an expression my Father on occasion used to describe someone claiming they could not help you (what is more, they don’t want to help you). The actual expression is “Screw You, and the horse you rode in on“, but the shortened version (“And the horse you rode in on”) is much more palatable in polite circles. I had one of these experiences yesterday, talking to a very nice young woman from Rogers. I noted (in this conversation) that Rogers is offering a $10 “unlimited internet” option on their new bundles program, so I figured I’d call to…

  • Inflation at 0.4 % For April in Canada

    bigcajunman
    21 May 2013 | 4:04 am
    Just before the long weekend our friends at Stats Canada published their monthly Consumer Price Index review and they claimed that Inflation for the last 12 months (ending in April) Inflation ran at 0.4%, to which I call, Poppycock! (apologize for the potty mouth). Gas prices are again the reason that prices are allegedly not going up that fast, however, we have also seen this past weekend, Gas prices jumping 7 cents a litre for no real reason except a need to gouge the hell out of consumers on a long weekend. Oil prices have not moved in the past few months, yet somehow there is a Gas…
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    2million's Personal Finance Blog

  • April 2013 Net Worth Update (+$13,409)

    2million
    6 May 2013 | 6:54 pm
    Highlights for AprilWe like to take advantage of 0% APR balance transfers and other credit card offers for free money. We earned a $500 bonus on our last offer on new Capital One Spark credit card.Our properties are listed on our balance sheet based on their cost basis, not current market value. We did this while the real estate market was riding high and we continue to do it now during the slide. I believe real estate is too illiquid to list based on recent sale transactions. For those interested, our April Zillow property estimates are: $193,593; $121,465; $296,140 (which recently appraised…

  • Reflections on Our Financial Freedom Journey

    2million
    9 Apr 2013 | 6:09 pm
    I took a couple days off this week just to catch my breadth and spend a little time with the family. Today I took my 3yr old daughter to the local science museum and had a lovely day enjoying the warm weather and learning a few things alongside my child. While I was sitting at an outside park bench at the museum I started to bask in how wonderful it was to let things slow down and enjoy things like the outdoors with my family. Why can't I do this all the time? Working hard sucks. It reminded me of everything I miss out on when I'm working most of the time. I can remember in college when…

  • March 2013 Net Worth Update (+$28,259)

    2million
    7 Apr 2013 | 7:15 pm
    Highlights for MarchWe like to take advantage of 0% APR balance transfers and other credit card offers for free money. In January we earned a $500 bonus on a new Capital One Spark credit card.Our properties are listed on our balance sheet based on their cost basis, not current market value. We did this while the real estate market was riding high and we continue to do it now during the slide. I believe real estate is too illiquid to list based on recent sale transactions. For those interested, our March Zillow property estimates are: $193,369; $120,123; $292,803 (which recently appraised for…

  • Free Weekend Car Rental

    2million
    26 Mar 2013 | 7:30 pm
    Here is an offer that sounds great if your looking for something exciting to do for an upcoming weekend. Why not grab a free rental car for the weekend and get out of dodge? Mr. Pickles has documented a recent free card rental by making a weekend car rental reservation @ avis.com and using coupon code "TUEA002". He was able to rent a 2013 Chrysler 300 for free for a weekend. I did a quick search on avis.com and was able to make a car reservation using the coupon code for

  • Typical Child Rearing Expenses @ 3yr Old

    2million
    22 Mar 2013 | 8:00 pm
    Each year I am learning a bit more about the costs for raising a child. It is clear my initial thoughts on the expenses of raising a child were naively simple when we had our first child. I wanted to capture a snapshot of our current child rearing expenses as I think this could be useful for future financial planning for families. Major Financial Cost Drivers for Our Family with a 3yr old: Preschool - Our child's preschool currently costs $210/mo. I've heard that is very inexpensive compared to many other preschools, but haven't done the research myself.Food -- Our food bill is higher, but…
 
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    Wealth Creation and Saving Strategies | OnMoneyMaking

  • How to Buy a Car for Less

    admin
    13 May 2013 | 3:38 pm
    With the economy still struggling to recover, motorists all over the world  will no doubt have been feeling the pinch when it comes to fuelling their vehicles and keeping them on the road. While the purchase prices for cars have remained equally as high, the slump in global finance has not been enough to deter sales from continuing to grow year on year. The simple fact is; there are now more ways than ever to get your hands on a good quality car for an even better price. Never rush into a sale Car salesmen know all the tricks of the trade and entering into negotiations can at times feel…

  • Lying on Your Life Insurance Application: What is a Lie?

    admin
    8 May 2013 | 8:52 pm
    Unfortunately, in some cases, those who are looking into making a life insurance purchase are doing so with a bit of reluctance. They understand its necessity and benefits, but the idea of factoring it into their budget brings on migraines; especially, if they have any kind of significant medical history, or ongoing medical struggles.  You can click here to visit Suncorp directly. This is where scribbling a few little white lies down on their life insurance application becomes a temptation—after all, when one little lie can possibly save you a few hundred bucks a month, what’s the harm?

  • Benefits of Not Paying Off Your Mortgage Early

    admin
    6 May 2013 | 4:32 pm
    You’ve probably heard a lot of advice saying to pay off debts as soon as possible. Yes, a mortgage is debt and it often comprises a large portion of a homeowner’s monthly expenses. While paying it off early definitely has some advantages, it also comes with significant drawbacks. First, mortgage interest rates are currently at or near their lowest levels on record. If you recently borrowed money to buy a home, you probably got a much lower rate than somebody who bought their home five or ten years ago. The interest savings from making extra payments won’t be as significant. If you…

  • Save Money on Storage Spaces

    admin
    6 May 2013 | 4:24 pm
    There are several reasons that someone could be between residences. A new job in a distant city that requires an immediate move; a foreclosure that requires you to vacate a home; or, simply deciding to downsize, and the lease for the old place ending before you have found another place. In most cases you can find a place to stay, be it with a friend, with family, or at a hotel, but you can’t say the same for all of your stuff. This is where self-storage comes in handy. Self-storage units give you the ability to keep your items in a safe environment until you are able to retrieve them. But…

  • Nissan: Cheaper Cars for Every Market

    admin
    28 Apr 2013 | 10:03 pm
    We all approach buying a car from a different angle, with everyone coming from different circumstances, with greatly differing budgets and requirements for our new vehicle to adhere to. No matter our primary concern when buying a car however, we would all like to think that there was a manufacturer that offered a cheaper solution than other mainstream alternatives. Recent times have suggested that Nissan may well be emerging as that very company; with vehicles tailored towards greatly different segments of the car market, yet all offered at competitive prices when compared to their rivals.
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    FIRE Finance

  • Why do we get laid off? A complicated corporate work culture ....

    23 May 2013 | 12:21 am
    Every morning a small and simple ant arrived at work very early. Without wasting any time he started his work immediately. He produced a lot and was very happy about his contribution to his company :). The Chief of the company, a lion, was surprised to see that the ant was working without supervision. He thought to himself: "If the ant can produce so much without supervision, wouldn't he Click on the post title to continue reading .....

  • What is Current Inflation Rate?

    21 May 2013 | 12:21 am
    May 21, 2013: Inflation is one of the perennial pests which eats away the purchasing power of your hard earned dollars. For those of you who are thinking about reaching FIRE need to keep a constant eye on inflation. So the next question is how do you find the current rate of inflation in USA? Let's take a quick look at the data for inflation (via InflationData.com) for the past couple of Click on the post title to continue reading .....

  • Top Traffic Referrers for FIRE Finance - Apr 2013

    16 May 2013 | 12:21 am
    May 16, 2013: April was a fantastic month of blogging. We thank our loyal readers for lending their attention and support to what we write. Visitors to our site have been steadily on the rise :). We express our gratitude to fellow publishers who have sent traffic our way and linked to our articles. Our top traffic referrers for April are: Jonathan via My Money Blog Equifax via their Blog cEngage Click on the post title to continue reading .....

  • Happy Mother's Day

    12 May 2013 | 10:10 pm
    May 12, 2013: We wish you a warm and happy Mother's Day. It's a fantastic day to acknowledge the celebration of motherhood and selfless contributions of mothers to our birth, growth and development. We all know that our moms do a thankless job. So let us seize this opportunity to thank them wholeheartedly. We also express gratitude to Anna Marie Jarvis (1864-1948), who, following the death of Click on the post title to continue reading .....

  • Early Retirement Case Study - Sandy Aldridge and Dale Lugenbehl

    9 May 2013 | 10:52 pm
    May 09, 2013: At times the fast pace of our city lives appear stifling, making us long for a slower pace of life with more exposure to clean air and green vegetation. Our souls yearn for a simple life which is in greater harmony with Mother Nature. Of late, our work related health problems have been making us yearn, almost every morning, for a more relaxed life with greater freedom. So we were Click on the post title to continue reading .....
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    Ranjan Varma

  • Business Sutra: Connecting Beliefs to Behavior and Business

    Ranjan
    6 May 2013 | 10:20 pm
    “Business Sutra: A very Indian approach to Management” is a book by Devdutt Pattanaik that I have fallen in love while reading it again and again. I was already a big fan of Devdutt’s blog and I jumped at the opportunity of reviewing the book for BlogAdda. The Author Let me begin with the man who has written this book. Devdutt Pattanaik is presently the Chief Belief Officer at the Future group of Kishore Biyani. His job at the Future group is not to judge or manipulate beliefs, but to expand the minds of the managers who blindly followed western management practices and…

  • PPFAS Long term Value Fund

    Ranjan
    12 Apr 2013 | 9:59 pm
    PPFAS is launching a mutual fund scheme titled ’PPFAS Long Term Value Fund’ shortly. It will be a diversified equity scheme. While 65% of the corpus will be invested in Indian equities, it has the freedom to invest in debt instruments and international equities too. Here’s a preview of the new scheme Share/Save Most Commented PostsJune 7, 2010 -- What Is The 88% Solution? (45)October 1, 2009 -- RupeeManager in Private Beta Now (43)September 25, 2009 -- Open Letter to Kamesh Goyal, Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance CEO (30)October 16, 2009 -- Workshops (30)July 1, 2010 -- Become…

  • Why be wary of personal finance experts

    Ranjan
    11 Apr 2013 | 8:17 pm
    Dear Reader, Congratulations, you have started making informed choices about your personal finance journey by reading up on blogs/websites/media. Now, that’s something to be ecstatic about. But it’s something to worry about, as well, and I don’t mind telling you that I am damn worried for you! I am worried that you might end up getting more confused after reading up the articles that ostensibly “simplify” or “demystify” personal finance. I am worried that you will drown in the information overload and suffer from decision paralysis by reading up on so many websites on personal…

  • DIY Financial Planner at Rupeemanager

    Ranjan
    10 Apr 2013 | 11:34 pm
    A few days back, Pattu shared my DIY Planner on Facebook with the comment : Want to make your own financial plan? Use the elegant online tool designed by Ranjan Varma http://rupeemanager.com/planner/# I realized that I have never shared that planner tool on my blog! Today, on Gudi Padwa/Ugadi/Hindu New Year day, I request you to try out the planner. After you take out the planner on a spin, let me know your questions, feedback and suggestions. Share/Save Most Commented PostsJune 7, 2010 -- What Is The 88% Solution? (45)October 1, 2009 -- RupeeManager in Private Beta Now (43)September 25, 2009…

  • Industry Reviews on Housing & Infrastructure

    Ranjan
    29 Mar 2013 | 5:24 am
    Here’s some reviews of the real estate, infrastructure and housing finance industry posted on our revamped information portal on personal finance. Your feedback is always welcome. Real Estate & Infrastructure Industry Review Here’s a look at the supply demand ratio, barriers of entry and the bargaining power of suppliers & customers of the Real Estate/Infrastructure sector. Overview of Housing Finance Industry Housing finance disbursements are estimated to have grown by around 16.1% in Fiscal 2012 to Rs 2,044 billion (as compared with Rs 1,760 billion in Fiscal 2011). Read…
 
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    How I Save Money.net

  • Taking A Break From Manual Tracking

    Lulu
    23 May 2013 | 11:24 pm
    I have been using a combination of Mint and a Google docs spreadsheet to keep track of my expenses. Every time I have a receipt I will enter it manually into my spreadsheet because that way I have a running total of my spending before the transactions show up on Mint. The two systems have always balanced up, although I sometimes have to go back into Mint to edit my spending categories. This seems to happen the most with purchases at Wally World because although I separate my spending on food and non food items the system can only classify the purchase made at Wally World as one category. This…

  • Ordered Textbooks for Summer And Watched My Funds Diminish

    Lulu
    21 May 2013 | 11:58 pm
    I just ordered one of the two textbooks that I will need for the first summer session. I was lucky enough to get the other book for free so I guess this was a blessing. I found the cheapest copy I could by using Amazon and got the book for a little under a third of the highest price listed. I was able to save money on one book because I did not have to pay for it but I still watched the balance from the tuition fund go down a bit as a result of the purchase. Related posts: Summer Tuition Is Coming Up!! Some Of The Fun Things I Would Like To Do This Summer How I Am Preparing For Higher Gas…

  • Summer Tuition Is Coming Up!!

    Lulu
    19 May 2013 | 11:50 pm
    I will be taking two classes in summer session one and in session two as well. This means I will soon have to pay tuition and although the money is in a separate account where it does not count as part of my monthly budget, it is still a chunk of cash out of my account. I know this is an investment in my future but it is also a bit depressing to see my money just being reduced all the time and I still have a LONG way before graduation and a job. I have my eye on the prize and I just need to keep carefully managing what little money I do have now and try to find alternate sources of funding.

  • Weekly Financial Check Up: May Week 3

    Lulu
    17 May 2013 | 8:42 am
    Every Friday I post on my weekly income and expenses in an effort to keep on track of my budget for the month. By breaking down my transactions on a weekly basis I can see where my money is going and see if I am going to be able to stay under my total budget for the month. I bought more food this week and I am now over the food budget by $9.25. Since I am working with a rolling budget I will see if that amount can come from the remainder of the gas budget since I have been under the gas budget for the last few months. As long as I am under the total budget for the month I will be ok even…

  • (Working on) Reorganizing My Things And My Life

    Lulu
    14 May 2013 | 11:24 pm
    I recently had a very bad wake up call and it has been weighing heavily on my mind. I have been feeling overwhelmed with a few things lately and this one major event has pushed me further into a negative head space. I need to make a few changes in my life in order to be able to get back into the positive mindset that I was in previously. During the last part of the semester I have had books and papers piled everywhere and my desk is a mess. I decided to begin cleaning out papers and things that I don’t need and then realized that I need not only a physical clearing out but also a mental…
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    Funny about Money

  • “Harmless” OTC Drugs: When Will I Ever Learn?

    funny
    24 May 2013 | 6:39 am
    Suffering again from heart palpitations, a few weeks ago I visit Young Dr. Kildare, who sends me to a cardiologist. He diagnoses “stress” but recommends a stress test. The blood pressure, BTW, is hovering in the lower stratosphere. The stress test gets put off for two or three weeks while I struggle with the accursed insurance companies, trying to get a better rate from one of the rapacious private Medigap carriers. While going through underwriting, I cannot have any diagnostic tests pending, even “routine” ones. Finally I get accepted for a new plan with a new…

  • Prepare Your Business for Disaster

    funny
    21 May 2013 | 6:45 am
    When I wrote about preparing your family and your home for the various kinds of emergencies and catastrophes that can befall us, I surely had no idea the subject would suddenly become so topical. Again. We’ve seen, time and again, the danger and heartache that a natural disaster brings to individuals, families, and homeowners. But what about business owners and leaders? What can you do to prepare your business for disaster? Some business entrepreneurs have been there before us and can offer some advice. Forbes contributor Elaine Pofeldt, for example, lists some…

  • Funny, the German Shepherd, and the Dog Behavioralist

    funny
    20 May 2013 | 3:08 pm
    Jestjack’s comment on last Saturday’s post, about the vet who opined that the wide-ranging pisser of a cat had “anger issues” (heeee!), reminded me of Anna the German Shepherd, a dog for whom “trainability” was an alien term. Actually, Anna was highly trainable. But she was a working dog with a capital W and a capital D, and she had so much drive that she really needed a full-time doggy job to run off her bottomless reserves of energy. This was an animal that needed to herd sheep. Or cattle. Or camels. She was so strong that for many months I faced quite…

  • The “End of the Month & We’re Broke” Pot-luck Pasta Salad

    funny
    19 May 2013 | 9:23 am
    So last Wednesday at choir rehearsal I was reminded that, today being the end of our season, we have our annual choir send-off party and pot-luck. This was a bit of an embarrassment, since I’ve pretty much spent the grocery budget and, if Cassie and I are to survive until the end of the month without going in the hole, I can’t make a run on Costco or Safeway to buy a bunch of stuff to make a fancy pot-luck dish. We’re already cleaning out the freezer one bite at a time. I scribbled down “some kind of pasta” on the sign-up list and ran away. Hot dishes are…

  • Wounded Dog Dodges Bankruptcy

    funny
    17 May 2013 | 4:53 pm
    The other day Cassie flew into the air, chasing Ball up the driveway, and came down wrong on a hind leg. She yelped once, licked her foot, and then went on about her frenetic business. She seemed OK. Maybe a little sore but not enough to slow her down. She’s still racing around like a rocket, lobbying for doggy walks, and throwing stuffed teddy bears, stuffed vultures, stuffed Angry Birds, and tennis balls at the human in an unceasing campaign to get all of the above airborne. And yet…and  yet, she’s been off her game a bit. Instead of harrying the human every waking…
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    Lending Club Blog

  • More Information About Our “Verified Income” Filter

    Lending Club
    17 May 2013 | 7:45 am
    Recently we’ve been hearing from investors who tell us they’re finding it difficult to find income verified loans on our platform. This has led some to wonder whether loan originations have slowed at Lending Club or whether we’ve changed our standards for income verification. In fact, neither is the case. Loan issuances are at historic highs: in April 2013 $140,118,275 in loans were facilitated through the Lending Club platform, up nearly 10% from March 2013 and our highest monthly loan issuance ever. In addition we haven’t changed our standards for verifying income; we continue to…

  • A Note on Our Recent Loan Volume

    Lending Club
    19 Apr 2013 | 5:20 pm
    You may have noticed that the number of Notes listed on our Web site has recently been lower than usual.  This is not due to any slowdown in Lending Club's growth -- April will be our largest month yet, with roughly $140 million in loans issued, a 10% increase over March and more than triple our volume in March of last year.  More loans than ever are hitting the platform. The decrease in visible loans is due to recent record inflow of investors and capital over the past two months (we signed up 2-3 times more new investors last month than average).  This capital is causing loans to be…

  • Additional Data in Issued Loans CSV Download File

    Lending Club
    8 Apr 2013 | 9:17 am
    Over the past year, Lending Club has made additional credit attributes available for loans listed on our platform. Many investors have requested that these same attributes be made available for historical analysis. These attributes are currently available in the download of all issued loans on our Statistics page. In addition to the over 40 new credit attributes, we’ve added some other relevant data fields – such as the Last Payment Date and Amount, Next Payment Date, date and range of the last Credit Score pull, a breakdown of Principal, Interest, and Late Fees received, as well as…
 
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    MintLife Blog | Personal Finance News & Advice

  • The Best Apps to Help You Go Green at Home

    BrightNest
    24 May 2013 | 12:46 pm
    BrightNest is a free site that provides tools and tips to homeowners to help them save money, get organized and keep their homes in great shape. Sign up for a free BrightNest account today! These days, there’s an app for pretty much everything. Whether you need help choosing your outfit or killing two minutes while you wait in a line, there’s an app that has a solution. Adopting eco-friendly habits is no exception – there are a slew of apps to help you embrace a sustainable lifestyle. In fact, there are so many options that navigating the eco-friendly app forest can become a little…

  • The Future of Credit Cards: 4 Big Trends on the Horizon

    Credit.com
    24 May 2013 | 11:11 am
    At a recent conference devoted to travel and credit card rewards, executives from Chase, Barclaycard, US Bank, Capital One and American Express were on hand to share their views on the future of credit cards — and there was a broad consensus on where the industry is going in the next few years. Here are four of the biggest credit card trends on the horizon that emerged from the discussion: Banks are leveraging Big Data. When you think about it, credit card issuers don’t just collect money, they also collect massive amounts of data. They know who you are, how much money you make, and where…

  • How to Throw Your Kid a Rocking Birthday Party on a Budget

    Kelli Bhattacharjee
    24 May 2013 | 9:05 am
    Having just thrown a party for my son’s 1st birthday, I now completely understand a parent’s desire to throw the biggest, best, and most amazing birthday party for their favorite little person. As exciting as party planning can be, it can also be stressful when you have to factor in that one annoying detail: the budget. You might have the most genius ideas to make your kid’s birthday the best ever, but they may not be entirely realistic given your budgetary constraints. I knew I had gone overboard when I mentioned to my husband that I wanted to hire a fireworks company to launch…

  • 7 Ways to Make Money From Blogging

    Kelly Anderson
    23 May 2013 | 1:26 pm
    Since I’ve started blogging, I have had more than a few people ask me how they too can make money from blogging. It’s easy to look at people who have risen to fame and prominence by building a high-profile, money-making blog and think “Hey, I can do that, too.” You might not become the next Perez Hilton or Dooce, but if you play your cards right, you can start to pull in an income from your blog. Whether the income is enough to allow you to quit a full-time job depends on a number of different factors. No matter how much you end up making, creating a blog that you…

  • Money Talks: What Your Kids Want to Know About Money

    Ross Crooks
    23 May 2013 | 12:11 pm
    Did you know that 73% of parents discuss family finances with their children? While that’s an impressive number, many children still aren’t on the same page when it comes to conversations about money. From how banks and credit cards work, to what the stock market is, see the hot money topics kids have on their minds. Then read on for stats on which parent does a better job at money management and which parent kids usually turn to when they are looking for a handout (the answer sure did surprise me!). Click on “Launch Infographic” for an expanded view.
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    Free Money Finance

  • Who Knew Prom was so Expensive?

    NA
    24 May 2013 | 1:29 am
    Here's a piece from the Wall Street Journal that says families with teens going to proms spent an average of $1,139 on the event last year.All I can say is "wow".Most of the cost is in the attire (as you might expect), but there are also costs for transportation, flowers, photography, and tickets for the event. They all add up to an average of over $1,100. Which is over $1,000 more than what we spent this past year.My son went to his prom (called a "Spring Fling") this year with a group of friends. He spent $45 on a ticket and about $50 on clothing. We dropped him off/picked him up. Food was…

  • Reader Profile Update: Mark

    NA
    23 May 2013 | 1:29 am
    Here's our very first Reader Profile Update. Many of you asked for this type of post -- a progress report on where past Reader Profile readers are these days financially. I think you'll really enjoy this.Today's post is from Mark, who gave us his reader profile over two year's ago. Here's his update: I wanted to tell my bankruptcy story because I think we can sometimes learn more from failure than from success. And I have to admit, I'm getting bored with reading personal profiles on FMF. I also wanted to talk about my bankruptcy because I think it really demonstrates that wealth building…

  • Real Retirement Advice from Real People

    NA
    22 May 2013 | 1:29 am
    The following is a guest post from Gerrid Smith is CEO of the charity-focused coupon website, Save1. They provide coupons and deals from over 5,000 online stores! Each time a coupon is used, they provide a meal to a child in need. There’s no lack of how-to retirement articles online. You can learn about everything from travel to estate planning. It’s great advice but is it practical?Instead of asking more experts, we wanted to ask some real people who made it to retirement with enough money to live comfortably and cross off a few of items on their bucket list. Here’s what they…

  • Reader Profile: SB

    NA
    21 May 2013 | 1:29 am
    The following is the latest post in my "Reader Profiles" series. Each post in this series details the financial situation and challenges of an FMF reader. The purpose of this series is to help us all identify with people like us (in similar situations -- not all will be, of course, but eventually I'm sure you will find someone like you here), get to know the frequent commenters on the site, and hear some financial wisdom/challenges from people other than me. If you're interested in contributing to this series, then drop me an email. The series seems to be very popular with readers and I need…

  • College and Cost

    NA
    20 May 2013 | 1:29 am
    When it rains, it pours. Here's yet another piece on the value of college and the costs associated with it.But this one is absurd for the title alone: In Applying to College, Is Cost a Factor? Really? We have a writer for the Wall Street Journal asking if cost is even a factor when picking a college. Is that what it's come to? Unbelievable. As you read farther into the article, you'll see the struggle this writer/parent is having: Their daughter is sorting through colleges based on "fit". The parents are wondering if they should add "cost" into the decision process. They have some money…
 
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    Money Crashers

  • 5 Fun, Unique Baby Shower Game Ideas on a Budget

    Jacqueline Curtis
    24 May 2013 | 6:45 am
    Most baby shower games have been around forever. Maybe the “chocolate bar in the diaper” game was cute the first 20 times you played it, but the idea starts getting less adorable and enjoyable, especially as more and more of your friends and family members have babies. In addition to being tired and cliché, many [...]5 Fun, Unique Baby Shower Game Ideas on a Budget is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.       

  • 5 Easy Baby Shower Food Ideas on a Budget

    Jacqueline Curtis
    23 May 2013 | 10:45 am
    So you’re planning a baby shower, and you’ve got the decorations, the games, and even the gift – so what’s missing? Ah, yes: the food. It’s not a baby shower without a ton of cute edibles for guests to pick at. However, if you’ve already blown most of your budget elsewhere, you might need to [...]5 Easy Baby Shower Food Ideas on a Budget is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.       

  • 13 Healthy Meals & Snacks to Bring on Your Next Road Trip or Vacation

    Melissa Batai
    22 May 2013 | 10:50 am
    Depending on the size of your family, you could spend $400 or more by eating each meal out during a five-day road trip. Considering that you must already pay the inflated price of gas, that could be an added expense you simply can’t afford. Instead, consider packing your own food. By bringing meals and snacks [...]13 Healthy Meals & Snacks to Bring on Your Next Road Trip or Vacation is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.       

  • 15 Easy Ways to Lose Weight Fast With Healthy Lifestyle Changes

    Heather Levin
    21 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    You can barely get through a week of network news without hearing something about America’s obesity epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two-thirds of American adults are overweight or obese – and our kids are right behind us, as one out of every three kids is now overweight or obese. Considering [...]15 Easy Ways to Lose Weight Fast With Healthy Lifestyle Changes is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.       

  • How to Sue Your Landlord – Is It Worth It?

    Angela Colley
    20 May 2013 | 11:40 am
    When you sign a lease, you have certain, reasonable expectations: Your home will be clean, safe, and your landlord will be available to perform (or hire someone to perform) repairs. When you move out, you expect to have your security deposit returned, so long as you leave the place clean and undamaged. Most of the [...]How to Sue Your Landlord – Is It Worth It? is a post from the Money Crashers personal finance blog.       
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    Mighty Bargain Hunter

  • Plowing through a furlough: The mindset

    John Wedding
    25 May 2013 | 1:49 am
    After several weeks of discussion, there appears to be a clearer target for many Department of Defense civilian employees regarding furlough as a consequence of the sequestration of funds that went into effect earlier in the year.  These employees are now looking at 11 days of unpaid leave through the end of September. This is half the number of furlough days in the DoD’s original plan, which is some comfort, but it’s still a little bit more than a full biweekly paycheck that won’t be hitting their bank accounts.  For most, this isn’t just pocket change. There have…

  • How to get more rides at Disney for less?

    John Wedding
    15 May 2013 | 11:58 pm
    Amusement parks can be a great vacation, especially if you like rides that test your ability to hold your lunch. The more popular amusement parks, like the Disney family of parks, are busy much of the year.  And busy can mean long wait times on the rides. Since time is far more valuable than money, it would make sense that there would be a way to buy less time in line for those who value their time with their family highly enough.  And indeed there is:  the Disney VIP Tour Services.  For between $300 and $400 per hour, a Disney VIP Tour Guide will give your family five-star treatment,…

  • Price-check guarantees are a great bargain … for businesses?

    John Wedding
    27 Apr 2013 | 12:21 am
    I was chatting with a coworker a few days ago, and the topic of price-check guarantees came up. A price-check guarantee at a grocery store says something like this: “If an item rings up for more than the price on the shelf, we’ll knock $3 off of the lower price. If the item is less than $3, you get it free.” I’ve caught errors like this before, and I’ve been more than happy to get the mis-priced items for next to nothing. My line of reasoning was that this was a whip to keep their prices accurate, and to provide a good customer experience if they didn’t.

  • Extremely low-tech greywater toilet flushing system

    John Wedding
    30 Mar 2013 | 10:41 pm
    Utilities make up a dependable expense in a family’s budget. Along with grocery expenses, it’s also a place that usually has a bit of slop that can be removed if things get tight. And if cleanliness is next to godliness, certainly we all take regular showers or baths. The extent to which we do this directly affects our utility bills. A typical shower or bath consumes on the order of 30 to 40 gallons of water. It’s easy to estimate this: Start filling the tub. Note the time. Grab a pitcher — we used a gallon pitcher — and measure how long it takes to fill the…

  • Five ways to use loyalty cards effectively

    John Wedding
    23 Mar 2013 | 11:36 pm
    Many stores offer loyalty cards.  These plastic cards often come in pairs: one for your wallet, and a smaller one with a hole in it for your keychain.  Presenting the loyalty card at checkout entitles you to special prices on particular products, as well as other periodic perks like announcements of special sales, follow-on coupons, etc. Stores don’t provide loyalty programs out of the goodness of their hearts.  Providing the customer loyalty program costs them money, and they want to profit by it.  They get their money back either by targeted advertising that others pay for, or by…
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    Rich Credit Debt Loan

  • 3 Reasons Why Paying With Cash Hurts You in the Long Term

    Rich Leverage
    19 May 2013 | 11:29 am
    Many of us have been conditioned to think that living debt free is the only way to be. While there is some truth in this statement, if you’re completely debt free and using only cash, you’re hurting your chances of getting a new home, and you may end up in a situation that requires more money than you have without any recourse. Let’s find out why paying with cash is not always the smartest idea. 1. It hurts your credit rating. You wouldn’t think this would be the case, but you do need to have some debt if you want to build up a credit rating. In some cases, people with absolutely no…

  • 7 Crazy Tax Deduction the IRS Actually Approved!

    Rich Leverage
    19 May 2013 | 4:15 am
    With tax season over, we are already starting to think about next year’s taxes. Tax deductions are one of the best ways to maximize a tax refund or minimize a tax bill. However, due to a fear of taking certain deductions and sloppy recordkeeping, many taxpayers are overpaying. The following tax deductions may convince you that it’s time to start collecting receipts for everything imaginable! Below are seven bizarre, but true tax deductions that recently stood the test of IRS audits: Pet Moving Expenses: This deduction is actually very helpful to pet owners. Let’s say that you are moving…

  • Smart Shopping During the Holidays

    Rich Leverage
    18 May 2013 | 11:19 pm
    When the holiday season rolls around, many of us naturally turn to our credit cards and treat them as a viable way to plump up our budgets for gift giving. Sure, credit cards can be a real life saver when cash is tight, but the secret to using our credit cards intelligently for purchases over the holidays is to stick to the rules, stick to the plan and do not overdo anything. Rules? Yes, of course there are rules. Before you buy anything for the holiday season, you absolutely must be willing to sit down and commit to some basic rules for how your credit cards will be used. Furthermore, you…

  • The Truth about Credit Cards and Debt pt 1

    Rich Leverage
    18 May 2013 | 11:08 am
    This is part one in a two part series about credit card debt and where we actually stand as a nation when you consider the pure numbers. You have probably heard figures like "The average American carries more than $8,000 in credit card debt on average." But what does this figure mean, exactly? This is a figure that is frequently cited by journalists, politicians and pundits in attempt to warn us of the impending economic collapse. These individuals are going to argue that we have to stop spending like drunken sailors because we are already struggling under a massive debt burden that will only…

  • What Determines a Credit Score pt 2

    Rich Leverage
    17 May 2013 | 10:55 pm
    Continued from part 1. Here is some basic information on what you need to know about credit scores and what goes into determining your credit score. Here is a word of caution for you to consider: If you pay off all of your collection accounts, especially those that are older, you may actually cause your credit score to drop on a short term basis. If you are trying to apply for a mortgage, then you are going to want to consult a mortgage professional to make sure that paying off these old collection accounts is going to benefit you rather than hurting you, at least in the short term. The…
 
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    Spilling Buckets

  • What to Consider When Selling Gold

    Ryan
    1 May 2013 | 10:38 am
    So I’ve got a few items to sell. Gold items to be specific. Gold I tell ya. Nothing tremendous like coins or some heirloom piece  just a watch and some used jewellery and a few trinkets I found metal detecting. Scams abound so where can I even begin right? I’ve just completed a little research on how to proceed so here goes: Beware of fly by night operations: They race into town, pop up a tent, then speed away, all while you were eating tacos at Qudoba. Check with the Better Business Bureau and please shop around before considering one of these guys, the bottom line is they…

  • What Are the Benefits of Trading and Investing Online?

    Ryan
    29 Apr 2013 | 1:33 pm
    Investment is something that a great many of us would like to be involved in. After all, what better use is there for spare money than turning it into even more money? The problem is that lots of people think that investment means either having a large sum of money to give to an investment company, or having money in the bank that accrues a tiny amount of interest. In actual fact, there are now ways to invest your money online. You don’t need a fortune and you’re your own boss.   What we’re talking about are the financial markets, and in particular, forex or FX. This is the global…

  • The State of the Financial Markets

    Ryan
    29 Apr 2013 | 1:28 pm
    How are conflicting opinions restraining financial markets? The global economy is currently in a very interesting state of affairs, though it is certainly in a better position than it has been recently. What many people are asking is whether or not it’s the right time to be thinking about investment. While different financial products may have the opportunity to go short, meaning they can profit from a downward trend, the healthier markets are overall, the higher the liquidity.   The problem is that there is very little consistency across the world. Countries such as Spain and Italy…

  • Planning for Better Money Management

    Ryan
    29 Apr 2013 | 1:24 pm
    You never know what’s just around the corner, and planning for the future is sometimes easier said than done. But planning for better money management is not only easy, it’s a great way to secure your future against all possibilities. Step One: Taking Account of Your Finances Before you make any plans to save, you should always take account of your finances. By doing so you will have a much better idea of your income, outgoings, and how much spare money you have to invest. If you find that you have no spare income, you may at this point wish to investigate the possibility of reducing your…

  • How are annuities taxed?

    Ryan
    7 Mar 2013 | 9:44 am
    At some stage in our lives we have to start planning for retirement. Whether you’re in your 20s and in the best of health, or you’ve just turned 50 and start thinking about a life without having to worry about going to work every day, it’s important to think about how you want to spend your golden years and what you may or may not have to live on. Many people who have thought about what to do when they retire look at their options. In the US, they can take out a state pension, get a pension through their job or take out an annuity. These options are broadly the same in the UK, but when…
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    Girls Just Wanna Have Funds

  • 5 Silly Reasons You Use To Avoid Getting Life Insurance

    Ginger
    23 May 2013 | 6:31 am
    Life insurance is a topic no one really wants to talk about.  1.  It’s boring and 2.  Many of us don’t want to be forced to think about our life ending and what it means for our loved ones afterwards. But like Nike – just do it. Get a quote.  Still, we all find reasons as to why we don’t, want, need or shouldn’t get life insurance.  Reasons range from compelling, bad to silly.  Life insurance is one of those things that while you won’t be around to reap the benefits, your family will thank you for it should the need arise upon your death. That said,…

  • Financial Confessions: I Am An Emotional Spender

    Ginger
    22 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Bad day at work?  Time for a trip to Starbucks – their birthday cake pops are a great pick me up.  Something not pan out the way I expected?  That means a trip to the nail salon to soak my tension away while I get a pedicure.  Getting divorced?  I’ll remain in the same expensive @$$ neighborhood because I’m too afraid of change.  Need a new car because the divorce decree required that my ex keep our car?  No worries, I’ll just buy a new car – one that I actually want but horrible with gas.   The point?  I get what I want.  But that’s the…

  • 10 Vital Steps to Freeing Yourself from the Burden of Debt

    Guest Contributor
    14 May 2013 | 5:31 am
    Recent economic difficulties being experienced throughout the world have created a number of problems for hard-working people, and one of the most significant is the problem of consumer debt. Faced with stagnant wages, rising costs of living and an increased risk of unemployment, many are being forced to turn to short-term loan-providers for financial relief. However, thousands of consumers are becoming reliant on debt, and that is having a profound effect on their lives. Breaking free from debt is never easy, but taking these ten important steps will certainly help. 1. Don’t Ignore the…

  • Float Announces New Planned Spending Program to Build Interest-free Credit Line

    Guest Contributor
    6 May 2013 | 7:12 am
    Float Money (www.floatmoney.com) first appeared on this blog a while back when they were beginning to build awareness for their very unique interest-free loan service. Now, they’re back to announce the Float Planned Spending Program launch. The Planned Spending Program (or PSP) is designed to appeal to budget-conscious people trying to find a way to create a budget cushion or a “rainy day” fund via Float’s  no-interest and no-fees credit line. The PSP system automatically delivers gift cards on a schedule the user creates so they can do their local shopping. You set up your recurring…

  • Even More Tips To Save Money – Daily

    Guest Contributor
    2 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    You may be under the impression that you are surrounded with temptations and money-spending occasions. Why not take things the other way? Your daily life is packed with dozens of money saving opportunities. Grab 10 easy tips that will help you put a halt on overspending:     1. Plan in Advance And Go Grocery Shopping Only Once a Week You might not realize it just yet, but all those little extra things you buy everyday for your meals represent a whole lot of money. Not to mention that a half-empty fridge may lead you to go out to a restaurant for lunch or dinner, which is costly. So…
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    The Finance Buff

  • Friday Reading: How Many Bank Accounts?

    Harry Sit
    24 May 2013 | 5:32 am
    Does Having Multiple Bank Accounts Encourage Overspending? by Matthew Amster-Burton at MintLife Matthew and his wife have 15 checking and savings accounts, not counting CDs, retirement accounts, or college savings plans. I have 14. That’s after I closed 2 accounts in the last two months. Banks offer the best deals these days. For example where else do you get 5% return with no risk for 3 years? If that means having another 3 accounts with a bank, so be it. How many bank accounts do you have? How commodities can help a portfolio by Larry Swedroe at CBS MoneyWatch Commodities didn’t…

  • 401k Plan: From Bundled Fee To Explicit Fee

    Harry Sit
    22 May 2013 | 6:25 am
    I received a notice from my employer about our 401k plan. The plan will soon start charging an administrative fee to employees’ accounts, estimated to be about $20 per quarter. Until now our plan didn’t charge any administrative fee explicitly. I was able to confirm that on my 401k plan statement. See previous post Find Out How Much You Paid Admin Fees In Your 401k Or 403b. Does charging an administrative fee mean that the employer will now transfer the cost to the employees? No. Employees have always paid the fee. The fee was bundled in the investment options. Our 401k plan has…

  • Stable Value Fund vs Bond Fund vs CDs

    Harry Sit
    20 May 2013 | 5:29 am
    CDs are better than bond funds these days even though financial advisors rarely recommend CDs. Many 401k or 403b plans include a stable value fund. How do those compare to CDs and regular bond funds? CDs are appealing for several reasons: higher yield, principal stability, and FDIC-insurance. Stable value funds share some of the same traits with CDs but not others. There are two general categories of stable value funds. Depending on the type, a stable value fund could be a very good alternative to a bond fund offered in the plan, or it could be just so-so. Synthetic GICs: Bonds In a Wrap In…

  • Friday Reading: Pluralistic Ignorance

    Harry Sit
    17 May 2013 | 5:28 am
    Frakt on Medicaid and the Oregon Medicaid Study by Russ Roberts at EconTalk What a surprise to hear my former co-blogger Austin Frakt interviewed on the popular economics podcast EconTalk. Well done, Austin! What is Behavioral Economics? by Dan Ariely on Vimeo Duke University behavioral economics professor Dan Ariely explains pluralistic ignorance. Be ready for a good laugh. I’m listening to Professor Ariely’s book The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty on audiobook. It’s quite interesting. The returns of stocks with less risk? by Larry Swedroe at CBS MoneyWatch Investor…

  • Pay a Fee For Better Value

    Harry Sit
    13 May 2013 | 5:25 am
    The word "fee" has a negative connotation. I’m not sure why when a fee is just a price tag on a service. Brokerage firms have to advertise "no fee IRAs." Credit card companies say "no annual fee." Is a no-fee product necessarily better than a product with a fee? I see heirloom tomatoes selling for $4.99/lb at the store. I’m not that crazy about tomatoes but I don’t cry bloody murder when I see the price tag. I leave those heirloom tomatoes alone and let someone else have them. I’m sure plenty of people buy them; otherwise the store will…
 
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    Amateur Asset Allocator

  • 5 Fatal Investing Mistakes You Must Avoid

    Kyle Bumpus
    7 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Warren Buffett once said the key to successful investing is to avoid making major mistakes. Kinda. He actually said “don’t lose money,” but I think my paraphrase is more useful. You don’t need any big wins as long as you avoid the big, fatal losses. Which is good, since very few people have the skill to score big wins consistently. Luckily, avoiding fatal losses isn’t overly complicated. In fact, I can think of just 5 fatal mistakes. Avoid those and you’ve got an excellent chance of funding a comfortable retirement. 5 Fatal Investing Mistakes You Must Avoid…

  • If Everybody Indexed, Would It Stop Working?

    Kyle Bumpus
    29 Apr 2013 | 4:00 am
    It’s difficult to get into an “active vs passive investing” discussion on the internet without somebody throwing out the “yeah, but if everybody indexed it would stop working” argument. Yeah, that’s true. But that’s also true of just about everything, everywhere.  If everybody invested in real estate, there’d be no renters. If everybody was an electrician, there’d be no plumbing, etc. You’re not everybody and shouldn’t invest as though you are. Is there currently an advantage to preferring index funds to actively managed…

  • How To Eat Cat Food In Retirement (In 8 Easy Steps)

    Kyle Bumpus
    22 Apr 2013 | 4:00 am
    Ed: First of all, it should be noted this title is only half sarcastic. Have you seen some of the stuff rich people feed their pets? We should be so lucky. Regular readers of this blog already know the truth: investing isn’t particularly difficult or complicated. Why, then, do so many intelligent and seemingly rational individuals regularly make such idiotic mistakes with their money (I’m looking at you, doctors and lawyers!)? Why do we read headlines like “Paycheck to Paycheck on $300k per Year?” on a semi-regular basis? Other than the obvious answer that it’s…

  • Bond Prices May Drop If Rates Rise, But How Bad Could It Get?

    Kyle Bumpus
    1 Apr 2013 | 4:00 am
    Current conventional wisdom holds that interest rates are at unsustainably low levels and have nowhere to go but up. Neverminding the fact that people have been saying this for several years now, they have a point: interest rates are very low and they probably will rise in the next few years, although that’s by no means guaranteed (for instance, if the economy slips into recession again, rates will probably remain low). But so what if they do? Assume Interest Rates Rise: Then What? Let’s assume for a moment that interest rates must rise. Then what? Since bond prices covary…

  • Dave Ramsey Says Financial Advisors Help Boost Returns. Do They?

    Kyle Bumpus
    25 Mar 2013 | 4:00 am
    Last week’s post about the quality of Dave Ramsey’s investment advice got a lot of attention. Today, I’d like to focus one just one of the claims Ramsey made in the March 11, 2013 episode of his podcast (free on itunes). In it, he states that individual investors who invest with the help of a qualified financial advisor earn approximately 3% more per year on average compared to investors who don’t invest with the help of financial advisor. Here’s the exact quote at around 27:20: “On average several different studies show that the investor using an…
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    DollarVersity

  • The Brutal Truth: Why I Hate Visiting Your Site

    Eric J. Nisall
    20 May 2013 | 5:59 am
    I’ve begun to question quite a few things about my future.  One aspect in particular is what I want to do with this site because of the following. You see, lately, I’ve been getting pretty frustrated with the web in general as there seems to be so much crap being published.   It may not be what you want to hear, but sometimes the truth is necessary   I’m not saying that everything published these days is a waste, but let’s be real here, there is a LOT of crap. The half-assed sites thrown up just to make money off of advertising. The junk people pass off as…

  • Credit is Not the Enemy, You Are!

    Eric J. Nisall
    14 May 2013 | 9:04 am
    Food. Cars. Medicine. Power Tools. Information. Credit. What do they all have in common? Which one doesn’t belong with the others? Why does that one not follow the same rules as the others? Sometimes you just need to look in the mirror to see who the real cause of your problems is. They are all tools, and at first glance, it would appear that credit has nothing to do with the others. But, indirectly they all have something very important in common with credit: responsibility. Each one of those things mentioned, used responsibly can be of great benefit, but once the line is crossed…

  • Vary Your Marketing To Boost Business Survival Chances

    Eric J. Nisall
    7 May 2013 | 6:01 pm
    Starting a business is no easy feat, no matter how easy some people make it out to be. It takes tons of effort, time, and money, not to mention patience and perseverance. To keep from falling through the cracks, you need to set yourself apart from other companies. According to CNNMoney, in 2009 558,000 new businesses were started each month. The following year, that number crept up to 565,000 startups a month. The numbers have been rising consistently every year since 2006. In September of 2012, The Harvard Business School reported that Shikhar Ghosh, a senior lecturer at Harvard Business…
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    MaximizingMoney.com

  • Hills Bank and Trust Company $20 Bonus to Open Checking, Savings or Money Market Account in Iowa

    MaximizingMoney.com
    24 May 2013 | 9:51 am
    Hills Bank and Trust Company is offering a $20 opening deposit bonus when you open a checking, savings, or money market account, valid through December 31, 2013. Hills Bank and Trust Company has branches in Iowa including Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Hills, Iowa City, Kalona, Lisbon, Marion, Mount Vernon, North Liberty, and Wellman. You can either print this Hills Bank $20 Coupon and open your account in person or apply online using the Promo Code #20 when you open your account. There is a limit of 1 bonus per customer, and this promotion is not valid with any other offer. The bonus is paid when…

  • Telhio Credit Union $200 Personal and Business Checking Account Bonuses in Ohio

    MaximizingMoney.com
    24 May 2013 | 1:20 am
    Telhio Credit Union in Ohio is offering up to a $200 personal checking account bonus and up to a $200 business checking account bonus, valid through June 30, 2013. Telhio membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships, or goes to school in Franklin County and the surrounding communities including Canal Winchester, Dublin, Galloway, Johnstown, London, Orient, Pataskala, Pickerington, Powell, Reynoldsburg, and Westerville. You can join online and set up your share savings account with a $5 deposit to become a member. Up to $200 Personal Checking Promotion This Telhio Personal Checking…

  • US Airways Premier World MasterCard up to 40,000 Bonus Miles

    MaximizingMoney.com
    23 May 2013 | 12:45 pm
    The US Airways Premier World MasterCard is offering up to 40,000 bonus miles. Check out The US Airways Premier World MasterCard® to earn up to 40,000 bonus Dividend Miles toward free reward flights on US Airways. This card does have an $89 annual fee, but it may be worth while for frequent flyers on US Airways. Earn up to 40,000 Bonus Miles 1. You’ll earn 30,000 bonus miles after your first purchase on the card. 2. You’ll earn 10,000 bonus miles when you transfer a balance within 90 days of account opening. That’s a potential total of 40,000 bonus miles. Award Travel…

  • AnchorBank $100 Checking Account Bonus in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota

    MaximizingMoney.com
    23 May 2013 | 12:38 pm
    AnchorBank is offering a $100 personal checking account bonus for Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota residents who open an account through June 30, 2013. AnchorBank’s main service area is Wisconsin, but checking products can be opened by residents of Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. You’ll get $50 for direct deposit, $25 when you sign up for free e-statements, and $25 for making 3 debit card purchases. Check out this AnchorBank $100 Checking Bonus if you live in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, or Minnesota. To qualify for the full $100, you must: 1. Open a new AnchorBank…

  • Virgin America 20% Off Flight to Anchorage from U.S. Connections in June 2013

    MaximizingMoney.com
    23 May 2013 | 12:07 pm
    Virgin America is offering 20% off flights to or from Anchorage from U.S. connections in June 2013, valid when you enter a sweepstakes via Facebook by June 6, 2013. Just enter this Virgin America Alaskan Adventure Facebook Sweepstakes, and you’ll get a promo code for 20% off a June trip to Anchorage. The 20% savings is good for flights booked with dollars or Elevate points. You must use the promo code to book your flight by June 14, 2013. This offer is valid only for U.S. travel to/from ANC in either direction; offer is not valid for multi-city itineraries or to/from Mexico. Promo code…
 
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    Darwin's Finance

  • Why the Rich Keep Getting Richer

    Darwin
    30 Apr 2013 | 1:29 pm
    There’s a recent headline making the rounds of late showing that the rich keep getting richer while the rest either tread water or fall behind.  Consider this recent report by Pew Research and I’ll share my thoughts below: During the first two years of the nation’s economic recovery, the mean net worth of households in [...]Why the Rich Keep Getting Richer is an article from Darwin's Finance No related posts.

  • How Obama Goosed the Jobs Numbers and Why It’s Much Worse Than Media Portrayals

    Darwin
    29 Mar 2013 | 2:38 pm
    As long as I can remember, people have always complained about the accuracy of government-reported statistics and claims.  For instance, every year, the government reports that the measure generally regarded as a barometer for inflation everyday Americans face, the CPI, is always much lower than people feel they’re experiencing in their everyday lives.  Sure, while [...]How Obama Goosed the Jobs Numbers and Why It’s Much Worse Than Media Portrayals is an article from Darwin's Finance Related posts: Manufacturing: What It’s Like to Work in a Factory, Why Jobs Are Leaving…

  • Yahoo’s Work From Home Controversy – Thoughts and Your Opinions

    Darwin
    26 Feb 2013 | 6:36 am
    This past week, Yahoo’s CEO Marissa Mayer announced a ban on employees working from home.  This, in a culture where many, many employees were used to doing this for years.  Here are a few thoughts on this particular announcement, implications for businesses elsewhere and then I’ll share a few thoughts on my personal experience with [...]Yahoo’s Work From Home Controversy – Thoughts and Your Opinions is an article from Darwin's Finance Related posts: Manufacturing: What It’s Like to Work in a Factory, Why Jobs Are Leaving the US, and Trends

  • Advice to a New Investor

    Darwin
    31 Jan 2013 | 5:45 pm
    Nothing gets a new investor more excited than reading glorious stories of great market picks, turning $50,000 into $1 Million and day trading in your pajamas for a living.  I don’t mean to be a downer, but a pragmatist.  Here are my learnings I felt worth sharing: Fees/Expenses Matter More Than Most Other Factors – [...]Advice to a New Investor is an article from Darwin's Finance No related posts.

  • Manufacturing: What It’s Like to Work in a Factory, Why Jobs Are Leaving the US, and Trends

    Darwin
    26 Dec 2012 | 1:44 pm
    Now that the election’s over, we can stop debating tax rates, repealing Obamacare and whether Mitt’s dog rode on the roof of his car.  Aside from  gun laws  now – which DO require serious consideration, the other key issue both Americans and politicians should be focusing on is job creation.  One of the key sectors [...]Manufacturing: What It’s Like to Work in a Factory, Why Jobs Are Leaving the US, and Trends is an article from Darwin's Finance Related posts: How Ireland is Just Like California (minus the weather)
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    Do You Dave Ramsey?Do You Dave Ramsey?

  • Summer Bucket List Ideas For Teenagers

    Dave Ozment
    7 May 2013 | 3:50 am
    Technically a bucket list is a collection of things we want to do or accomplish before we ‘kick the bucket’.  But the idea is portable.  What do we want to accomplish this month or year or as teenagers we might ask what we want to do during summer break. Hmm, a summer bucket list for teenagers… now there’s a fun topic. Here’s a list of ideas based on my experience, both as a former teenager and as someone with plenty of post teenage experience. Work, just not full time Have some responsibilities – and your own spending money – but don’t overdo it.  You have your entire life…

  • Setting Up a Prosper Peer to Peer Lending Account

    Dave Ozment
    16 Apr 2013 | 4:00 am
    In a recent article we stepped through the basics of Peer to Peer lending.  This new internet enabled is like a dating service for investors and borrowers.  Rather than borrowing from banks at 10+% while CDs pay a paltry 1.5%, borrowers can benefit from lower rates while investors can reap similar benefits on their end of the transaction. During my research for that article I became intrigued with the opportunities and committed to setting up investment accounts and reporting on my experience.  Today this series begins with a look at the process for setting up an investment account with…

  • Setting up a Lending Club Peer to Peer Lending Account

    Dave Ozment
    2 Apr 2013 | 4:31 am
    Over the last couple weeks we’ve looked into the basics of Peer to Peer lending, as well as, the process for opening an investment/savings account with Prosper.  Today we’ll look at the process for setting up an investment account with Lending Club.  So let’s jump into the process.  Here’s the step by step process for setting up an investment account with Lending Tree. Similar to before, I’ll include several images but the sign up process is quick and easy, probably easier than the process with Prosper.  It took under 10 minutes over 2 sessions (more on that later), and I was…

  • Smart Car Dealing: Buy, Sell, and Get a Free Car Upgrade

    Dave Ozment
    19 Mar 2013 | 3:40 am
    After our homes, the largest single purchase most of us make is our car.  This can be a wise and financially savvy purchase but too often that is not the case.  In fact, I’d venture that rarely is it the case. What gives me such confidence?  Well, the sheer numbers of new cars on the roadways.  Buying a new car for most people is just a bad idea.  There’s a reason behind the joke that most accidents happen on the show room floor.  That’s because most folks sign up for payments on a car whose value plummets the second it drives off the lot. So if you want to learn to take advantage…

  • Is Debt Consolidation a Good Idea?

    Dave Ozment
    5 Mar 2013 | 2:43 am
    We can probably all agree that debt sucks.  Debt is a financial pit we should escape and avoid.  But often we don’t realize this until it’s too late and we’re already ensnared by its grasp. When we find ourselves struggling with multiple high rate credit cards, car loans, and medical bills it’s easy to think that debt consolidation is the answer.  But is that really the case?   How does Debt Consolidation work? Debt Consolidation is just what it sounds like.  It’s consolidating multiple individual debts into a single combined loan.  Instead of several monthly payments to…
 
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    theBKBlog

  • Sinbad Bankruptcy? News Reports Get it Wrong

    Jonathan
    22 May 2013 | 8:55 am
    According to news reports coming from literally hundreds of outlets, comedian Sinbad has filed a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.  The source of this report is the web site TMZ.com – and news outlets from major news networks to gossip web sites are re-writing and re-reporting the TMZ story.There’s only one problem with the TMZ story – it is not factually correct.  There is no way that Sinbad could qualify for Chapter 13 given the type of debts he owes.If, as has been reported, Sinbad owes American Express $374,979 and Bank of America, $32,199, his unsecured debt exceeds the…

  • File Bankruptcy if You are not Broke? Maybe Not Such a Crazy Idea

    Jonathan
    15 Apr 2013 | 9:13 am
    The Atlanta Journal Constitution ran a front page story on Sunday, April 14 entitled More than 40% of Georgia Homes Underwater.  The AJC reporter notes that “there’s not another metro area in the United States with as many concentrated pockets of mortgage holders who are underwater in their homes.  No place else comes close.”Your house is considered underwater if it is worth substantially less than what you owe.  From the mid-1990′s through the mid-2000′s, home values in metro Atlanta rose and mortgage lenders offered outrageous deals to encourage residential purchases. …

  • Home Foreclosed? Here’s What Happens Next

    Jonathan
    8 Apr 2013 | 2:15 pm
    Georgia foreclosure law allows lenders to start and complete the mortgage foreclosure process in as little as 37 days.  This means that just over a month from the start date of the foreclosure, you may lose all title interest in your home.With very limited exception, lenders in Georgia do not have to go to court to foreclose on your home.  Georgia law permits non-judicial foreclosure, which means that if you go into default, the mortgage company or bank needs only to send you a written notice of intent to foreclosure, then advertise the pending sale for four (4) weeks in the legal newspaper…

  • Troublesome Transfers Disrupt Bankruptcy Planning

    Jonathan
    19 Mar 2013 | 6:59 pm
    One of the more frustrating parts of bankruptcy practice occurs when I have to tell a prospective client that he cannot file because he recently transferred property out of his name in an attempt to protect that property from creditors.  Most of the time, the transfers are made by someone who owes money to a creditor that he cannot pay and he wants to protect assets from that creditors.Recently, for example I spoke to a man who has well over $100,000 of equity in his home and over $150,000 in credit card debt.  Recognizing the risk to his house, this gentleman executed a quit claim deed to…

  • Bank Won’t Talk to You Now that You have Filed Bankruptcy – Here’s a Solution

    Jonathan
    13 Mar 2013 | 11:15 am
    Mortgage companies and banks often put you on a “no communication” list after you file bankruptcy.  Your on-line access log-in may stop working, you will no longer receive loan statements, and when you call customer service you may be told that because you are in bankruptcy, the lender cannot talk to you anymore.Lenders are not giving you the silent treatment because they are angry at you for filing bankruptcy, nor are they trying to be rude.  They are not talking to you because the automatic stay protection of the Bankruptcy Code says that once you file, it is a violation of the stay…
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  • BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog Getty ImagesYes, dogs love these -- but if you're bringing the pooch along to a summer BBQ, giving him some could result in severe injury or death. Summer BBQ risks for dogs More Animal NewsGiant Mystery Dog Confounds ShelterHow to Stop Your Dog From Passing Gas5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You

  • Yearbook Insult Devastates Little Boy

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Yearbook Insult Devastates Little BoyKETVThe middle school yearbook looks fine from the outside -- but when some opened it, they saw a very ugly insult printed on one kid's photo. What somehow slipped by everyoneMore to SeeReality Star Signs With Music LabelCold Case Reopens 3 Decades LaterTips to Fight Female Hair Loss

  • Secret to Ripen Avocados in

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Secret to Ripen Avocados in 24 HoursGetty ImagesDon't let the rock hard ones at the grocery store deter you -- there's one very simple way to get them perfectly ripe in one day. Hint: It's not about the brown paper bagMore to See Numbers Prove State Is Now Safer?Discovery Could Change Country's HistoryExotic Car Rents for $26,000 a Day

  • She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop Her

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop HerFOX17Chelsea is graduating as the valedictorian of her high school, which is already impressive -- but you won't believe what she's been through. Why she had to study in dark with her phoneMore to SeeSinger, 47, Joins Billionaire's ClubHuge Industry to Cut Vacation TimeCeleb Shaking Up Town's Election

  • Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on Tape

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on TapePIX11A man was filming her with his phone. She asked him to stop, but he wouldn't -- so she used an odd excuse to make him hand it over. Recording cop did not want to get out More to SeeReason Kim and Kanye May Be FightingStar Engagement Back on Track?Beachgoers Putting Themselves at Risk
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  • BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog Getty ImagesYes, dogs love these -- but if you're bringing the pooch along to a summer BBQ, giving him some could result in severe injury or death. Summer BBQ risks for dogs More Animal NewsGiant Mystery Dog Confounds ShelterHow to Stop Your Dog From Passing Gas5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You

  • Yearbook Insult Devastates Little Boy

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Yearbook Insult Devastates Little BoyKETVThe middle school yearbook looks fine from the outside -- but when some opened it, they saw a very ugly insult printed on one kid's photo. What somehow slipped by everyoneMore to SeeReality Star Signs With Music LabelCold Case Reopens 3 Decades LaterTips to Fight Female Hair Loss

  • Secret to Ripen Avocados in

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Secret to Ripen Avocados in 24 HoursGetty ImagesDon't let the rock hard ones at the grocery store deter you -- there's one very simple way to get them perfectly ripe in one day. Hint: It's not about the brown paper bagMore to See Numbers Prove State Is Now Safer?Discovery Could Change Country's HistoryExotic Car Rents for $26,000 a Day

  • She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop Her

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop HerFOX17Chelsea is graduating as the valedictorian of her high school, which is already impressive -- but you won't believe what she's been through. Why she had to study in dark with her phoneMore to SeeSinger, 47, Joins Billionaire's ClubHuge Industry to Cut Vacation TimeCeleb Shaking Up Town's Election

  • Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on Tape

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on TapePIX11A man was filming her with his phone. She asked him to stop, but he wouldn't -- so she used an odd excuse to make him hand it over. Recording cop did not want to get out More to SeeReason Kim and Kanye May Be FightingStar Engagement Back on Track?Beachgoers Putting Themselves at Risk
 
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  • BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog Getty ImagesYes, dogs love these -- but if you're bringing the pooch along to a summer BBQ, giving him some could result in severe injury or death. Summer BBQ risks for dogs More Animal NewsGiant Mystery Dog Confounds ShelterHow to Stop Your Dog From Passing Gas5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You

  • Yearbook Insult Devastates Little Boy

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Yearbook Insult Devastates Little BoyKETVThe middle school yearbook looks fine from the outside -- but when some opened it, they saw a very ugly insult printed on one kid's photo. What somehow slipped by everyoneMore to SeeReality Star Signs With Music LabelCold Case Reopens 3 Decades LaterTips to Fight Female Hair Loss

  • Secret to Ripen Avocados in

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Secret to Ripen Avocados in 24 HoursGetty ImagesDon't let the rock hard ones at the grocery store deter you -- there's one very simple way to get them perfectly ripe in one day. Hint: It's not about the brown paper bagMore to See Numbers Prove State Is Now Safer?Discovery Could Change Country's HistoryExotic Car Rents for $26,000 a Day

  • She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop Her

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop HerFOX17Chelsea is graduating as the valedictorian of her high school, which is already impressive -- but you won't believe what she's been through. Why she had to study in dark with her phoneMore to SeeSinger, 47, Joins Billionaire's ClubHuge Industry to Cut Vacation TimeCeleb Shaking Up Town's Election

  • Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on Tape

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on TapePIX11A man was filming her with his phone. She asked him to stop, but he wouldn't -- so she used an odd excuse to make him hand it over. Recording cop did not want to get out More to SeeReason Kim and Kanye May Be FightingStar Engagement Back on Track?Beachgoers Putting Themselves at Risk
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  • BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog Getty ImagesYes, dogs love these -- but if you're bringing the pooch along to a summer BBQ, giving him some could result in severe injury or death. Summer BBQ risks for dogs More Animal NewsGiant Mystery Dog Confounds ShelterHow to Stop Your Dog From Passing Gas5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You

  • Yearbook Insult Devastates Little Boy

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Yearbook Insult Devastates Little BoyKETVThe middle school yearbook looks fine from the outside -- but when some opened it, they saw a very ugly insult printed on one kid's photo. What somehow slipped by everyoneMore to SeeReality Star Signs With Music LabelCold Case Reopens 3 Decades LaterTips to Fight Female Hair Loss

  • Secret to Ripen Avocados in

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Secret to Ripen Avocados in 24 HoursGetty ImagesDon't let the rock hard ones at the grocery store deter you -- there's one very simple way to get them perfectly ripe in one day. Hint: It's not about the brown paper bagMore to See Numbers Prove State Is Now Safer?Discovery Could Change Country's HistoryExotic Car Rents for $26,000 a Day

  • She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop Her

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop HerFOX17Chelsea is graduating as the valedictorian of her high school, which is already impressive -- but you won't believe what she's been through. Why she had to study in dark with her phoneMore to SeeSinger, 47, Joins Billionaire's ClubHuge Industry to Cut Vacation TimeCeleb Shaking Up Town's Election

  • Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on Tape

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on TapePIX11A man was filming her with his phone. She asked him to stop, but he wouldn't -- so she used an odd excuse to make him hand it over. Recording cop did not want to get out More to SeeReason Kim and Kanye May Be FightingStar Engagement Back on Track?Beachgoers Putting Themselves at Risk
  • add this feed to my.Alltop

  • BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog Getty ImagesYes, dogs love these -- but if you're bringing the pooch along to a summer BBQ, giving him some could result in severe injury or death. Summer BBQ risks for dogs More Animal NewsGiant Mystery Dog Confounds ShelterHow to Stop Your Dog From Passing Gas5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You

  • Yearbook Insult Devastates Little Boy

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Yearbook Insult Devastates Little BoyKETVThe middle school yearbook looks fine from the outside -- but when some opened it, they saw a very ugly insult printed on one kid's photo. What somehow slipped by everyoneMore to SeeReality Star Signs With Music LabelCold Case Reopens 3 Decades LaterTips to Fight Female Hair Loss

  • Secret to Ripen Avocados in

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Secret to Ripen Avocados in 24 HoursGetty ImagesDon't let the rock hard ones at the grocery store deter you -- there's one very simple way to get them perfectly ripe in one day. Hint: It's not about the brown paper bagMore to See Numbers Prove State Is Now Safer?Discovery Could Change Country's HistoryExotic Car Rents for $26,000 a Day

  • She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop Her

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop HerFOX17Chelsea is graduating as the valedictorian of her high school, which is already impressive -- but you won't believe what she's been through. Why she had to study in dark with her phoneMore to SeeSinger, 47, Joins Billionaire's ClubHuge Industry to Cut Vacation TimeCeleb Shaking Up Town's Election

  • Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on Tape

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on TapePIX11A man was filming her with his phone. She asked him to stop, but he wouldn't -- so she used an odd excuse to make him hand it over. Recording cop did not want to get out More to SeeReason Kim and Kanye May Be FightingStar Engagement Back on Track?Beachgoers Putting Themselves at Risk
 
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  • BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog Getty ImagesYes, dogs love these -- but if you're bringing the pooch along to a summer BBQ, giving him some could result in severe injury or death. Summer BBQ risks for dogs More Animal NewsGiant Mystery Dog Confounds ShelterHow to Stop Your Dog From Passing Gas5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You

  • Yearbook Insult Devastates Little Boy

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Yearbook Insult Devastates Little BoyKETVThe middle school yearbook looks fine from the outside -- but when some opened it, they saw a very ugly insult printed on one kid's photo. What somehow slipped by everyoneMore to SeeReality Star Signs With Music LabelCold Case Reopens 3 Decades LaterTips to Fight Female Hair Loss

  • Secret to Ripen Avocados in

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Secret to Ripen Avocados in 24 HoursGetty ImagesDon't let the rock hard ones at the grocery store deter you -- there's one very simple way to get them perfectly ripe in one day. Hint: It's not about the brown paper bagMore to See Numbers Prove State Is Now Safer?Discovery Could Change Country's HistoryExotic Car Rents for $26,000 a Day

  • She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop Her

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop HerFOX17Chelsea is graduating as the valedictorian of her high school, which is already impressive -- but you won't believe what she's been through. Why she had to study in dark with her phoneMore to SeeSinger, 47, Joins Billionaire's ClubHuge Industry to Cut Vacation TimeCeleb Shaking Up Town's Election

  • Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on Tape

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on TapePIX11A man was filming her with his phone. She asked him to stop, but he wouldn't -- so she used an odd excuse to make him hand it over. Recording cop did not want to get out More to SeeReason Kim and Kanye May Be FightingStar Engagement Back on Track?Beachgoers Putting Themselves at Risk
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  • BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog Getty ImagesYes, dogs love these -- but if you're bringing the pooch along to a summer BBQ, giving him some could result in severe injury or death. Summer BBQ risks for dogs More Animal NewsGiant Mystery Dog Confounds ShelterHow to Stop Your Dog From Passing Gas5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You

  • Yearbook Insult Devastates Little Boy

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Yearbook Insult Devastates Little BoyKETVThe middle school yearbook looks fine from the outside -- but when some opened it, they saw a very ugly insult printed on one kid's photo. What somehow slipped by everyoneMore to SeeReality Star Signs With Music LabelCold Case Reopens 3 Decades LaterTips to Fight Female Hair Loss

  • Secret to Ripen Avocados in

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Secret to Ripen Avocados in 24 HoursGetty ImagesDon't let the rock hard ones at the grocery store deter you -- there's one very simple way to get them perfectly ripe in one day. Hint: It's not about the brown paper bagMore to See Numbers Prove State Is Now Safer?Discovery Could Change Country's HistoryExotic Car Rents for $26,000 a Day

  • She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop Her

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop HerFOX17Chelsea is graduating as the valedictorian of her high school, which is already impressive -- but you won't believe what she's been through. Why she had to study in dark with her phoneMore to SeeSinger, 47, Joins Billionaire's ClubHuge Industry to Cut Vacation TimeCeleb Shaking Up Town's Election

  • Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on Tape

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on TapePIX11A man was filming her with his phone. She asked him to stop, but he wouldn't -- so she used an odd excuse to make him hand it over. Recording cop did not want to get out More to SeeReason Kim and Kanye May Be FightingStar Engagement Back on Track?Beachgoers Putting Themselves at Risk
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  • BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog Getty ImagesYes, dogs love these -- but if you're bringing the pooch along to a summer BBQ, giving him some could result in severe injury or death. Summer BBQ risks for dogs More Animal NewsGiant Mystery Dog Confounds ShelterHow to Stop Your Dog From Passing Gas5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You

  • Yearbook Insult Devastates Little Boy

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Yearbook Insult Devastates Little BoyKETVThe middle school yearbook looks fine from the outside -- but when some opened it, they saw a very ugly insult printed on one kid's photo. What somehow slipped by everyoneMore to SeeReality Star Signs With Music LabelCold Case Reopens 3 Decades LaterTips to Fight Female Hair Loss

  • Secret to Ripen Avocados in

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Secret to Ripen Avocados in 24 HoursGetty ImagesDon't let the rock hard ones at the grocery store deter you -- there's one very simple way to get them perfectly ripe in one day. Hint: It's not about the brown paper bagMore to See Numbers Prove State Is Now Safer?Discovery Could Change Country's HistoryExotic Car Rents for $26,000 a Day

  • She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop Her

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop HerFOX17Chelsea is graduating as the valedictorian of her high school, which is already impressive -- but you won't believe what she's been through. Why she had to study in dark with her phoneMore to SeeSinger, 47, Joins Billionaire's ClubHuge Industry to Cut Vacation TimeCeleb Shaking Up Town's Election

  • Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on Tape

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on TapePIX11A man was filming her with his phone. She asked him to stop, but he wouldn't -- so she used an odd excuse to make him hand it over. Recording cop did not want to get out More to SeeReason Kim and Kanye May Be FightingStar Engagement Back on Track?Beachgoers Putting Themselves at Risk
 
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  • BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog Getty ImagesYes, dogs love these -- but if you're bringing the pooch along to a summer BBQ, giving him some could result in severe injury or death. Summer BBQ risks for dogs More Animal NewsGiant Mystery Dog Confounds ShelterHow to Stop Your Dog From Passing Gas5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You

  • Yearbook Insult Devastates Little Boy

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Yearbook Insult Devastates Little BoyKETVThe middle school yearbook looks fine from the outside -- but when some opened it, they saw a very ugly insult printed on one kid's photo. What somehow slipped by everyoneMore to SeeReality Star Signs With Music LabelCold Case Reopens 3 Decades LaterTips to Fight Female Hair Loss

  • Secret to Ripen Avocados in

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Secret to Ripen Avocados in 24 HoursGetty ImagesDon't let the rock hard ones at the grocery store deter you -- there's one very simple way to get them perfectly ripe in one day. Hint: It's not about the brown paper bagMore to See Numbers Prove State Is Now Safer?Discovery Could Change Country's HistoryExotic Car Rents for $26,000 a Day

  • She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop Her

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop HerFOX17Chelsea is graduating as the valedictorian of her high school, which is already impressive -- but you won't believe what she's been through. Why she had to study in dark with her phoneMore to SeeSinger, 47, Joins Billionaire's ClubHuge Industry to Cut Vacation TimeCeleb Shaking Up Town's Election

  • Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on Tape

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on TapePIX11A man was filming her with his phone. She asked him to stop, but he wouldn't -- so she used an odd excuse to make him hand it over. Recording cop did not want to get out More to SeeReason Kim and Kanye May Be FightingStar Engagement Back on Track?Beachgoers Putting Themselves at Risk
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  • BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    BBQ Danger Can Kill Your Dog Getty ImagesYes, dogs love these -- but if you're bringing the pooch along to a summer BBQ, giving him some could result in severe injury or death. Summer BBQ risks for dogs More Animal NewsGiant Mystery Dog Confounds ShelterHow to Stop Your Dog From Passing Gas5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You

  • Yearbook Insult Devastates Little Boy

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Yearbook Insult Devastates Little BoyKETVThe middle school yearbook looks fine from the outside -- but when some opened it, they saw a very ugly insult printed on one kid's photo. What somehow slipped by everyoneMore to SeeReality Star Signs With Music LabelCold Case Reopens 3 Decades LaterTips to Fight Female Hair Loss

  • Secret to Ripen Avocados in

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Secret to Ripen Avocados in 24 HoursGetty ImagesDon't let the rock hard ones at the grocery store deter you -- there's one very simple way to get them perfectly ripe in one day. Hint: It's not about the brown paper bagMore to See Numbers Prove State Is Now Safer?Discovery Could Change Country's HistoryExotic Car Rents for $26,000 a Day

  • She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop Her

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    She Didn't Let Fear or Hunger Stop HerFOX17Chelsea is graduating as the valedictorian of her high school, which is already impressive -- but you won't believe what she's been through. Why she had to study in dark with her phoneMore to SeeSinger, 47, Joins Billionaire's ClubHuge Industry to Cut Vacation TimeCeleb Shaking Up Town's Election

  • Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on Tape

    25 May 2013 | 8:31 am
    Cop's Unusual Demand Caught on TapePIX11A man was filming her with his phone. She asked him to stop, but he wouldn't -- so she used an odd excuse to make him hand it over. Recording cop did not want to get out More to SeeReason Kim and Kanye May Be FightingStar Engagement Back on Track?Beachgoers Putting Themselves at Risk
 
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    Christian Personal Finance

  • How to Create a Virtual Office for Almost Nothing

    Adam Faughn
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    You are ready to start a side business or small company. Maybe it involves eBay or Etsy. Maybe it is just an idea that you have been working on for some time, and you think there is a market for it in your local area. You know how to make the widgets and you know there is a market. However, you also know there is an administrative side to actually having a business. You don’t mind that side of the work, but you don’t want that part of the business to eat into your precious little profits as you start out. No one ever said that, when you start your own business, you had to buy a…

  • 5 Often Overlooked Ways to Invest in Your Marriage

    Craig Ford
    23 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    Every time you invest your money there is an element of uncertainty. The future is unknown, and it’s hard to predict what type of returns you’ll get on your investment. However, you can confidently invest in your marriage knowing that you’re certain to have a positive return. Here are some ways to invest in your marriage resulting in tremendous returns. 5 Ways to Invest in Your Marriage 1.  Consider symbols that invite Jesus into your marriage. A preacher friend was telling the story about a couple who came into his office complaining that they argue about everything. He…

  • Will $75,000 Make You Happy?

    Tim
    22 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    According to a study done by Gallup, Americans making $75,000 a year have reached the magic income level. As salaries increased for the 450,000 people surveyed, the day-to-day level of happiness rose as well – until $75,000 where it reached a plateau. Now that doesn’t mean a person making $150,000 isn’t any happier than a person making $75,000. In both cases, the general day-to-day happiness or contentment was similar; but those who made more than $75,000 were more satisfied with their general position or status in the world. Angus Deaton was the economist who conducted the study and…

  • 6 Products that Last a Long Time

    Joe Plemon
    21 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    Whatever the product, longevity is more than a function of quality; some people are persnickety about maintenance; others (like me) aren’t. Other factors, such as not being able to afford a newer car, can contribute to how long an auto may last. For this article, my criteria for products that last a long time is this: I have personal knowledge of these products and nothing extraordinary has been done to prolong their lives. I am not claiming that these products are necessarily the best on the market or that competing products don’t last just as long; it is just that I can personally vouch…

  • How to Rent a Car Without a Credit Card

    Kevin
    20 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    There is a common misconception that in order to get a rental car you must pay with a credit card. In reality, there are at least two ways to rent a car without a credit card. One is by using a debit card – and you probably already knew this – but the other may surprise you. It’s cash! Yes, cash. On the surface it seems impossible, or at least unlikely, but at least some car rental companies will accept cash as a form of payment for your rental car. But let’s take a look at paying with a debit card and by cash. Paying with a Debit Card In most respects, paying for a rental car with a…
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    Denise Richardson

  • What Private Information is Available Online?

    Denise Richardson
    17 May 2013 | 12:52 pm
    What do you think would happen if you tried to search public records for information about yourself? You may be surprised by what you find. There is quite a bit of information that is considered public, either through public records...

  • Fraud Alert: Beware of Tragedy Related Scams

    Denise Richardson
    30 Apr 2013 | 7:02 am
    The Boston and Texas tragedies remind us that when disaster strikes, we are not always prepared to deal with the magnitude of the chaotic wake that follows such events in our communities. Our desire to help those in need can...

  • FTC Warns Tenant Screening Sites on FCRA Duties

    Denise Richardson
    23 Apr 2013 | 6:43 am
    The Federal Trade Commission has warned six companies operating websites that share information about consumers' rental histories with landlords that they may be subject to the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).If it turns out they collect information...

  • How Can a Secured Credit Card Build Your Credit Score?

    Denise Richardson
    5 Apr 2013 | 11:37 am
    Whether you are trying to establish credit or clean up a dirty credit history, you've probably considered the option of applying for a secured credit card. A secured credit card requires you to open and maintain a savings account as...

  • Consumer Financial Complaints Database Goes Live: Track, Sort, Search, Download

    Denise Richardson
    2 Apr 2013 | 7:07 am
    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) goes live with the nation's largest public database of federal consumer financial complaints, opening up to consumers across the country information on more than 90,000 individual complaints on financial products and services."By sharing these...
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    PT Money

  • Quick Money Tips: Making Extra Money

    Philip Taylor
    24 May 2013 | 10:21 am
    Need some extra cash?In today’s edition, we take a look at making extra money on the side. There is usually a reason to want or need extra income. Times may be tough and you don’t like living paycheck to paycheck. Maybe you really want to pay off that last credit card. Or do you need to save up for your next big purchase or your emergency fund? Regardless of the reason, we share a lot of ways you can earn extra money in our post, 52 Ways to Make Extra Money. Some may wonder, though, how much money you can actually make doing some of the less obvious jobs. That’s where…

  • 10 Shockingly Stupid “Money-Saving” Moments From TLC’s Extreme Cheapskates

    Jeffrey Trull
    24 May 2013 | 9:20 am
    If you thought being cheap means always leaving a small tip or stealing packets of ketchup, you aren’t familiar with the extremely cheap. Extreme Cheapskates, one of TLC’s questionable “reality” shows, features penny pinchers who will amaze (and even disgust) you with how far they’ll go to save a few bucks. Here are 10 money saving ideas from Extreme Cheapskates that I bet (and hope) you don’t try. 1. Drying and reusing paper towels With great spills come great opportunity – to reuse paper towels, that is. Who said they were meant to be used just…

  • The Five People Who Hold Your Bad Credit Against You

    Hank Coleman
    23 May 2013 | 10:15 am
    Who’s been looking at your credit score? There are people in your life who have a bias against you and your poor credit. The mistakes that you have made with debt not only put blemishes on your credit report and lowers your credit score, but they let people in your life hold your bad credit over your head in some way. A bad credit score or report can have a much further reach than simply costing you a higher interest rate on a new loan. It can cost you the apartment you live in or even your job. But, it does not have to be that way. You can recover. While it may take you a while to…

  • How to Get Started Freelancing

    Carrie Smith
    22 May 2013 | 9:45 am
    Making money online isn’t easy but it can pay off big if you apply the right strategy and stick with it — much like anything else in life. As someone who recently quit my day job to freelance full-time, I understand how to get started freelancing for extra money. This type of work — creating a lifestyle business through freelancing — is becoming increasingly popular because of the massive freedom and flexibility it offers. In fact, in a recent study by Intuit, it’s predicted that by 2020 over 40 percent of the U.S. workforce will be freelancers and contracted workers.

  • NYC Fines Airbnb.com Host $2400 for Renting Out His Home

    Philip Taylor
    21 May 2013 | 2:51 pm
    Use Airbnb.com to rent out your couch, room, or entire home.The same city that banned big sodas is now making it harder for New Yorkers to rent out their homes, or for you to find alternative lodging on your next trip to NYC. This week, a local judge ruled that a resident who used the service Airbnb to rent out his home was in violation of a local hotel law that says that a resident cannot rent out part or all of their property for less than 30 days if the resident isn’t present. Airbnb says that the law was created to prevent people from turning slum apartments into hotels and that the…
 
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    RetirementRevised

  • Hallelujahs ring after IRS reverses church pension decision

    Mark Miller
    23 May 2013 | 8:01 am
    The Internal Revenue Service may be having a bad week, but Mary Rich isn’t complaining about the taxman. The former nurse and hospital executive recently won a 10-year battle to get the IRS to reverse a ruling that would have cost her and her husband, Riz Corpuz, $2,500 a month in pension benefits from their [...] Related posts: Workers fight switch to church plan pensions Obama plan to bolster pension insurance fund stirs controversy American Airlines pension battle raises troubling questions

  • Transforming your 401(k) into steady income

    Mark Miller
    21 May 2013 | 12:22 pm
    A job and a paycheck – they go together like coffee and cream. But when you retire from your regular job, does that mean you have to give up the cream? A growing number of 401(k) plans are including investment choices that can help savers convert nest eggs into retirement income. Participants can buy insurance [...] Related posts: Retirement income: TIAA-CREF has it all figured out How high fund costs whack retiree income, portfolios How retirees struggling for income can cope with Fed’s new normal

  • Join me for a free retirement planning webinar

    Mark Miller
    21 May 2013 | 10:57 am
    I recently conducted an online webinar presentation for National Seminar Training on retirement planning in the new economy. We talked about many of the key themes of my book, The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security — where the soon-to-retire boomer generation stands in the wake of the Great Recession, and what practical solutions people [...] Related posts: Join me for a free webinar on retirement in hard times Join me for a webinar on retirement planning in the new economy Free Morningstar webinar: Retirement portfolio planning

  • Retirement health care expense outlook brightens

    Mark Miller
    16 May 2013 | 8:17 am
    Healthcare costs put a big squeeze on retiree pocketbooks, but the grip may be relaxing a bit. A 65-year-old couple retiring this year will need $220,000 to pay for healthcare for the rest of their lives, an amount that is eight percent less than a year ago, according to a Fidelity Investments report issued Wednesday. [...] Related posts: Fidelity: Retiree health costs falling, and reform gets the credit Health care costs in retirement: Running the numbers Health care cost is a looming train wreck for retirement security

  • Buying Tips for Long-Term Care Insurance

    Mark Miller
    12 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    The cost of health care is a key wild card in any retirement plan. Out-of-pocket spending can vary widely, depending on longevity, health status, and income–even where you live makes a difference. But most estimates on retirement health-care costs don’t factor in an even bigger challenge: paying for long-term care. Experts estimate that 70% of [...] Related posts: Buying tips for long-term care insurance Long-term care life insurance hybrid policies gaining ground Women facing higher long-term care policy costs this year
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    The Financial Blogger

  • Are Blog Comments a Waste of Time?

    MD
    23 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    What do you think about blog comments? Do you look forward to blog comments? Do you ignore them? Commenting on blogs is an interesting topic. When blogs first started popping up, leaving comments on popular blogs was the best way to gain traction and possible traffic. Every single blog about blogging was telling us to leave comments. It was a thing the thing to do. You had to leave blog comments. Now things have changed a bit. Zen Habits and Seth Godin’s blog have disallowed comments. Many other sites have followed suit. It’s not rare to see comments disabled on a blog now.

  • What Would You Do Without a Job?

    The Financial Blogger
    22 May 2013 | 2:15 am
        I have discussed the topic of having a Plan B on this blog a few times. Recently,  I explained how much I would need in 30 days to pay off my bills if I was going to lose my job today. What I barely discussed yet is what would I do with my time?   Working on my online company   Yeah… that’s the easy answer and you are probably thinking about something similar to these options:   Find another job Grow my side gig Become a freelancer   These all sound like great ideas, but that’s BS…. Why? Simply because there is no plan attached to it! If I do some…

  • Making Money Online is Dead

    The Financial Blogger
    20 May 2013 | 7:57 am
        I probably knew this a while ago but it just punched me in the face last night Every Monday night, I meet-up with three other guys producing websites for my Master Mind Group Meeting. Each week, a different member is in the “hot seat” where he shares a problem or project he is currently working on. It was my turn last Monday. From time to time, I have a spark in my mind and the urge for creation haunts me down until I build a new site.   These urges have created sites such as my EMT resource. They are relatively small niche sites generating roughly $30 to $50 per month.

  • Epic Link Time

    MD
    18 May 2013 | 9:42 am
    Are you guys ready for the long weekend here in Canada? Any plans? What are some articles worth checking out? What advice I would give my 23 year old self @ Retire by 40. I always love articles like this. There’s so much to be learned out there from those older than us! I’m only 25, but I sure do wish I could speak to my 23 year old self! The Quitting Lawyer and the Despondent Millionaire @ Mr. Money Mustache. Some great reader stories and responses in here. Time for the carnivals… Financial Independence Carnival #11. The Simple Dollar Weekly Roundup (thanks for the…

  • Do You Get More Done in The Summer?

    MD
    16 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    I don’t how anyone can live where it’s warm out all year round. I’m totally jealous. I live in Ontario, Canada, where it’s cold for a good 6-8 months of the year. I have no idea why my parents chose to migrate here from Europe. But hey, you can’t control Mother Nature. Today I wanted to have some fun and discuss the idea of getting work done in the summer when it’s warm out. Do you get more or less work done in the summer? You feel better in the summer. There’s so much to do. Everyone is out. You can spend an evening at the park. Most of you reading…
 
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    Intelligent Speculator

  • Weekend Readings

    IS
    24 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    I was impressed overall with the quality of the discussions when Apple’s Tim Cook testified regarding Apple’s taxes… that being said, there is an issue, a very difficult one and if you look at the chart on the right, you’ll see that it’s getting worse and worse. Here are some readings: General Readings -How to buy happiness @ LA Times -If cable is dying why is it making so much money? @ Atlantic Dividend/Passive Income Readings -Can Disney (DIS) please investors as much as it pleases my kids? @ TheDividendGuyBlog Tech Stock Readings -Is Netflix (NFLX) the…

  • Is Yahoo (YHOO) The Next Japan Trade?

    IS
    23 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    I’ve been very impressed by how quickly things have moved in Japan. I read about the fact that markets rarely move smoothly because as soon as they anticipate something happening, they’ll move as quickly as possible. I guess the same will happen in the US when the market ends up believing that interest rates will rise. They’ll immediately anticipate (or try to) where rates will go up to and adjust in consequence. It’s rarely as smooth as you’d think. Yes, you might think this Japan rise has been smooth, but if you think about the fact that it is one of the biggest markets in the…

  • Dividend Yield on Cost Is Irrelevant

    IS
    22 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    There are some expressions used that I just don’t get. Maybe it’s me that’s way off, or maybe those that mention it don’t know what they’re talking about. Today, I mentioned one of those in a newsletter that I sent out and wanted to get your thoughts on another one. I’ve seen this one mentioned several times on blogs, but even in discussions with friends. Before giving you my opinion, in case you don’t know, dividend yield on cost is generally described as: -the annual dividend paid out by a company / average cost of that position In some cases, it could be perceived as…

  • About Those Tax Havens

    IS
    21 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    With Apple CEO Tim Cook set to testify this week regarding tax havens and how Apple and many other companies in the US pay (a lot) less taxes than we’d expect them to pay, it will be very interesting to see what message comes out from the media. I fear it will be that Apple is evil or that we should just fix the tax loopholes. It’s not that simple. Like so many other problems, this is an incredibly tough problem to address. There are thousands of ways to avoid or diminish tax bills and global companies are finding new innovative ways every year. These methods are generally legal…

  • Time To Start Investing On Margin?

    IS
    21 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    In my quest to become financially independent, I’ve been looking at many different ways to increase my net assets. One method that is often used is leverage. In some cases such as students, it’s unfortunate and is actually a worrying trend, just look at this chart from the Wall Street Journal:   What I’m considering though is something I’d personally consider less risky. I’m thinking about borrowing some money in order to invest it in the markets, what many would call investing on margin. It seems like many others are doing it these days:   Why Would I…
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    DQYDJ.net

  • Why Everyone Should Care About Privacy

    PK
    21 May 2013 | 10:15 pm
    A few months back we wrote a post asking readers how much privacy they would sacrifice to save money, trying to get a feel for the value judgements of DQYDJ readers on the common tradeoff of privacy with security and convenience. To me, the number of people who weren’t very concerned with privacy was a bit of a surprise – and recent news events inspired me to follow that piece up with these 4,100 words on the topic of privacy in America. Privacy: The Legal Tradition A search in the Constitution for ‘privacy’ will leave you with 0 results (also, a search in the…

  • The Stacking Benjamins Podcast

    PK
    20 May 2013 | 7:30 am
    No piece today, but I heartily encourage all of you to listen to the latest podcast produced by OG and Average Joe at The Free Financial Advisor: Stacking Benjamins. Here’s the link on iTunes. As for my piece?  I’m scheduled to make my debut on the new show on Wednesday, so mark your calendars.  We’re releasing shows today, on Wednesday and Friday this week before going to a more normal schedule. So, there will be no content today… (“but on your deathbed you will receive…“) but replace reading my stuff with listening to ours, won’t you?

  • The DQYDJ Weekender, 5/18/2013

    PK
    18 May 2013 | 10:01 am
    Math! (Boring. Actually, I use OpenOffice) Yesterday, Nate Silver posted an article as a ‘pre-buttal’ to the inevitable complaints of conservatives audited in the last few years (yes, many conservatives and liberals will be randomly chosen per year).  Turns out, a number of prominent conservative donors – some prominent only because they appeared in Democratic campaign material (in one example, directly from the President’s campaign!).  Coincidentally, or not, some of those conservatives ran into some major hassles from government agencies. Let’s talk about one…

  • The Saturday Powerball Drawing: You Do Not Have a Positive Expected Value!

    PK
    17 May 2013 | 9:20 pm
    Look! A sucker! Ed: Whoops, forgot 5/5 with a missed Powerball in the subprizes.  Shows what I know about how the Powerball works, eh?  It’s still a bad idea.  Numbers Revised! Hey everyone, it’s your favorite lottery killjoy PK! I’m here to debunk a silly theory we’ve seen floating around the internet – that goes like this… The 5/18/2013 Powerball drawing will be $600,000,000, and odds to win are 1/175,000,000 – so each $2 ticket is worth $3.42! Wrong. And we’ll show you how using the somewhat simple math.  The people at Powerball are smart…

  • Predicting S&P 500 Closing Prices – May, 2013

    PK
    15 May 2013 | 10:11 pm
    If you’ve been around a while… you know all about this series. Approximately one entry per month where we look at the way puts and calls are trading on the ETF SPY (a S&P 500 ETF), and use those to divine the future based on the disparity between those prices and where the stock is trading today.  Today’s entry is based on data as of the close on 5/15/2013. Does This System Have Predictive Value? I’m going to go with… probably not.  Still, if a failed experiment about market predictions missed to the low side so often, perhaps you can use this data to your…
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    savingtools.com - How to Save Money

  • Kids' Birthday Parties: Big Fun on Little Money

    Jessica Bosari
    20 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Use these tips and ideas for a fun party without spending too much. We all want to have the most elaborate parties for our children's birthdays but personal finances do not always allow for that. If you are trying to stick to a budget, or simply do not have much money at all, then you are probably wondering how you can pull it off. It’s important to make sure that these events are something to remember, not just for the birthday girl or boy, but also for you as the parent. After all, children grow up so fast.Read the rest...

  • 4 Ways to Make Sure Your Rent Payments Count towards Your Good Credit

    Jessica Bosari
    19 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    You Should Be Rewarded for Your Timely Rent Payments! Rent is the biggest bill we pay each month, and sadly, because of increasing numbers of foreclosures and an unstable real estate market, rental rates have skyrocketed. Getting the rent in on time is getting harder and harder. Fall behind too far and your account can land in the hands of a collection agency. Once that happens, the credit bureaus find out you can’t pay on time and it wrecks your credit. But for those who have been diligently paying on time, it seems there is no reward. No one knows about your diligence.Read the rest...

  • 5 Tax Deductions for Job Seekers

    Jessica Bosari
    18 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Some Job Hunting Costs Are Tax Deductible Read the rest...

  • 5 Steps to Eliminating Credit Card Debt

    Jessica Bosari
    17 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Credit card debt got you down? There is a way out! It happens to us all. We let a little bit of debt sit on our credit cards to get through a tough spot and before we know it, we’re up to our ears in credit card debt. Chances are, you’re not going to win the lottery or inherit a boatload of money from the Uncle Harry you never knew you had. But with a smart plan, you can get out of debt instead of struggling under its heavy weight.Read the rest...

  • 5 Ways to Save on Trash Removal

    Jessica Bosari
    16 May 2013 | 8:25 am
    These trash removal methods are saving many families money. There is no doubt about it. The cost of trash removal seems to be steadily increasing. It’s not just because of the rising cost of fuel, either. The cost of fuel has risen some, but the cost of trash removal is rising more. As more landfills reach capacity, there aren’t enough alternative methods to manage waste. You end up holding the bill, but there are some ways you can cut costs.Read the rest...
 
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    Manisha Thakor | MoneyZen Wealth Management | Female Financial Adviser | Financial Literacy Advocate

  • How to Make Your Retirement Dream a Reality

    Manisha Thakor
    20 May 2013 | 11:00 am
    Photo credit: Louis Leray For entirely too many hard-working folks, there is a significant gap between the retirement life they desire and the one they will be able to afford if they do not adequately prepare for the future. Traditional goals such as living in an inviting home and devoting time to adventurous travel may not be realistic for individuals who haven’t calculated how much retirement money they will have and how much money they will need to support their ideal lifestyle. This need for financial literacy is particularly acute for women, who face strong institutional financial…

  • The Marriage of Love & Money: How to Protect Yourself From Financial Heartbreak

    Manisha Thakor
    6 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    Photo credit: Louis Leray What’s going on (financially) in the private lives of couples across America? As someone who earns a living providing financial advice for women, I’m fascinated by this question. A recent study about the money behavior of mates, conducted by Learnvest and Ameritrade, yielded the following insights: The typical couple has three primary financial concerns: Having enough money to retire, enjoy their lives, and live comfortably today. Respondents reported that they talk with their partners about money on an average of 20 times a year and fight over money at least 5…

  • 5 Ways to Protect Yourself From Overspending

    Manisha Thakor
    22 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am
    Photo credit: Louis Leray Creating a strong emergency fund is an essential step to basic financial security, yet many of us find it difficult to set aside a regular monthly amount for savings. As a financial advisor, I think one of the reasons this is such a challenge is due to the way our consumer culture is set up to encourage overspending. How can you protect your money and ensure that you are consciously applying your resources to your future dreams and goals? The first step is to understand how we are psychologically vulnerable to mindless purchases. According to Seattle Money Coach,…

  • Reveal Your Worth: Meggan Watterson on Women, Spirituality, and Money

    Manisha Thakor
    8 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am
    What can spirituality teach us women about money? In this interview with Meggan Watterson, Harvard trained theologian and author of the critically acclaimed new book REVEAL: A Sacred Manual For Getting Spiritually Naked, you’ll receive insights on the relationship between self-worth and net-worth, facing financial fear, and how to identify your true calling. As someone whose work focuses on women and money, I found Meggan’s answers fascinating! Q: Do you see a relationship between self-worth and net-worth? If so, what do you see?Meggan says: “Yes. Absolutely. I can only speak for…

  • The Beauty Of A Budget

    Manisha Thakor
    18 Mar 2013 | 7:00 am
    Photo credit: Louis Leray Many people think budgets are about deprivation. As a financial advisor, I feel they are about liberation. Here’s a simple three-step plan to create a budget that you will feel excited to follow. Step #1: Understand the real purpose of a budget.It’s not necessarily what you might think. The benefit of a budget is that it establishes boundaries. Importantly, these boundaries can set you free to focus on what is most essential. Let me explain. Because we live in a world with so many choices, people often think of budgeting as a constraining, joy-restricting…
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    The Quizzle Wire

  • Does that “Upgrade” Really Add Value to Your Home?

    Miranda Marquit
    24 May 2013 | 11:00 am
    Not too long ago, my husband and I replaced the flooring in our home, including having wood floors installed. We figure that, while the move doesn’t add a great deal of value to the home, it will prevent us from needing to provide a flooring allowance when we sell the house in the next year or so. Our home improvement comes with a little bonus for us. However, not all home improvement efforts are as successful. In fact, reports Forbes, there are some home “upgrades” you think are improving your home’s value, when they really aren’t. Which Home Improvements are Practically Worthless?

  • Personal Finance Blog of the Week – Not Made of Money

    David Quilty
    24 May 2013 | 6:30 am
    Written by a husband and wife team, Not Made of Money teaches its readers about how to save money, utilize coupons effectively, and live a debt-free life. What’s not to like here? Started way back in 2006 with the post 50 Homemade Gift Ideas – From Around The Web, Mr. and Mrs. Not Made of Money have created a site encompassing most all personal finance topics while offering their readers value in every post. The most recent post as of this writing is How To Save Money With BOGOs (Buy One Get One Free) Sales, something that many grocery stores around the country have started…

  • New Study Shows That Gen X Lags Behind Boomers In Projected Retirement Security

    Lindsay
    23 May 2013 | 11:00 am
    While Baby Boomers got the most press during the recession in terms of loss of wealth, a new Pew study shows that Gen Xers are actually much worse off than their parents. Baby Boomers – a generation of Americans born between 1946 and 1964 – did a lot of hand-wringing during the recession that took root beginning in 2008. Many watched their retirement accounts lose thousands in a matter of months and the value of their homes plummet. Financial experts and pundits alike wondered if the Boomers would ever be able to retire, given the loss of wealth they experienced over the course of the…

  • Singing the Praises of a Blended Mortgage

    Jen HHomeowner
    23 May 2013 | 6:30 am
    It had always been a goal of mine to own a home. In fact, I had a pretty aggressive goal to own property before the age of 30—all on my own and in Boston (where I had landed for grad school). There would be no parental support, no inheritances to cash in and no assistance from a significant other. Considering that at the time I began to make these goals I was carrying boatloads of credit card debt and student loans, it’s easy to see that I had my work cut out for me. Over the course of two years, I buckled down, got my financial house in order and aggressively paid off my debt while also…

  • Nearly 25% of Americans Have Neglected to Check Their Credit Report

    Lindsay
    22 May 2013 | 11:00 am
    New data shows that 22% of Americans – almost one quarter of the population – has never checked their credit report, even though they are entitled to an annual free copy of it. Yahoo! Finance, using data from a survey by FindLaw.com, reports that close to one in four Americans has never checked their credit report. Credit reports contain important information about a consumer’s history with handling credit accounts – such as credit cards, mortgages, and auto loans – and are used to determine a person’s overall credit score, an important number that has implications in our…
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    Get Out of Debt Guy

  • My HELOC Keeps Rejecting My Loan Modification Attempts

    Steve Rhode
    25 May 2013 | 8:23 am
    “Dear Steve, I am writing regarding a 2nd (HELOC) on my Condo. When I lost my job in 2010 – I fell behind on my mortgage and HELOC – I went to then Countrywide and they said they would work with me but, didn’t – then when it was sold to B of A, the [...] Read the full article at My HELOC Keeps Rejecting My Loan Modification Attempts

  • My Husband Proudly Serves in the US Army But Has Student Loans

    Steve Rhode
    25 May 2013 | 8:12 am
    “Dear Steve, My husband is in the US Army has been proudly servicing since 1998. He is considering retirement (he has prior service before 1988 which counts towards his 20 years). He has about $44,000 left of his student loans. His loans were consolidated since shortly after 1998 (his graduation from vet school). We don’t [...] Read the full article at My Husband Proudly Serves in the...

  • How Can I Best Settle My Kids Student Loans?

    Steve Rhode
    25 May 2013 | 7:56 am
    “Dear Steve, Have 2 kids who are heavily in debt [one just lost their job] each has a separate student loan [57k and 83K] which they are on time paying, but won’t be for long. As their Dad I want to remove [payoff with discount where possible] both loans. What is the best way to [...] Read the full article at How Can I Best Settle My Kids Student Loans?

  • Universal Debt Services Gets Order to Make Restitution

    Steve Rhode
    25 May 2013 | 7:37 am
    The folks over at the Connecticut Department of Banking, otherwise known as the people you don’t want to F with, have reached out and touched Universal Debt Services, Inc. in New York. The State assets the following: 1. Respondent is a New York corporation with offices at 100 Veterans Boulevard, Massapequa, New York, and One [...] Read the full article at Universal Debt Services Gets Order...

  • Cambridge Credit Counseling Passes IRS Scrutiny and Gets New Full Status

    Steve Rhode
    24 May 2013 | 3:05 pm
    It’s the end of an era of credit counseling IRS audits for Cambridge Credit Counseling. Today it was announced they emerged from the audit process and in a crazy twist of IRS mojo Cambridge both had their new non-profit 501(c)3 status go pubic today and as far as I’m aware they are the first, or [...] Read the full article at Cambridge Credit Counseling Passes IRS Scrutiny and Gets...
 
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    About.com Financial Software

  • Take Inventory Before the Storm Hits

    22 May 2013 | 7:54 am
    The New York Daily News is reporting that the Monday's tornado tragedy in Oklahoma  may be the most expensive twister in history with an estimated $2 billion in storm damages. Sadly, the article notes that at least 24 people are dead and ten times that number have been injured....Read Full Post

  • Check App for Financial Spring Cleaning

    14 May 2013 | 7:17 am
    Updated 5/14/2013 00:38 a.m. ET I'm not the only one who is thinking about spring cleaning finances. Netted by the Webbys has a list of 17 apps for a digital spring cleaning that includes PageOnce - which I just found out is now called Check. This app keeps track of all your bills and account balances and gives you a holler via real time alert on your mobile device if there is any unusual purchase activity in your accounts....Read Full Post

  • Zoho Books Online Accounting for Self Employed and Small Business

    10 May 2013 | 1:35 am
    Zoho online apps have been around for a very long time, and Books works with other Zoho apps, like those for invoicing and CRM (customer relations management). The $24 per month Books generates tons of reports and you can use online payment systems like Paypal, Google Checkout, Authorize.net and PayPal Payflow Pro with it....Read Full Post

  • Online Accounting for Small Biz: Wave Accounting

    9 May 2013 | 8:09 am
    Wave Accounting is part of a set of online small business finance tools that are specifically aimed at serving very small business. The apps included in the set are Invoicing, Payroll, Accounting and Receipts. All of the Wave apps are free, made possible by the small business service and product ads that are served up in the software....Read Full Post

  • Moneydance Personal Finance Software Updated Review

    8 May 2013 | 1:21 pm
    Moneydance 2012 is the latest version of this desktop financial software for Windows, Mac and Linux, even though it's currently 2013. That's because Moneydance doesn't do annual upgrades, which is perfectly fine. It's better to offer solid software less frequently instead of trying to market something new every years that hasn't been fully tested (or whatever the reason is for features that don't work).  If you're scratching your head at that comment, there is a Windows personal finance software out there that has been rather consistent with this scenario. But, that's another blog…
 
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    Ready To Be Rich

  • We’re Doing A Rerun of the Investing For Beginners Workshop

    Fitz
    21 May 2013 | 3:59 pm
    Last April, I conducted my very first Investing for Beginners Workshop and I’m proud to announce that I’m doing it again this June. I’d like to thank those who asked and requested that I do a rerun of the seminar. So I’m keeping my promise and once more, offering this one-of-a-kind workshop for everyone. I [...]Note:This preview is to inform you that there's a new post over at Ready To Be Rich. Thank you for subscribing to my blog. You may now read the full article here:We’re Doing A Rerun of the Investing For Beginners WorkshopAttend a FREE Money…

  • How To Expand Your Business: Growing Your Business Part 3

    Fitz
    19 May 2013 | 3:13 pm
    This is the last part of this series. If you missed the first two parts, then you can read it here: Part 1 and Part 2. We’ve finally come to the third and last installment of this series, which discusses the different opportunities you can take if you want to expand your business. There are [...]Note:This preview is to inform you that there's a new post over at Ready To Be Rich. Thank you for subscribing to my blog. You may now read the full article here:How To Expand Your Business: Growing Your Business Part 3Attend a FREE Money Seminar:Increase your financial literacy and attend the…

  • Overcoming Obstacles in Business Expansion: Growing Your Business Part 2

    Fitz
    16 May 2013 | 3:00 pm
    This is the second part of this series. If you missed Part 1, then please go here first: Reasons For Expanding Your Business: Growing Your Business Part 1 Now that you’ve decided that you want to grow your business, what will be the challenges ahead? From experience, entrepreneurs are often faced with three obstacles when [...]Note:This preview is to inform you that there's a new post over at Ready To Be Rich. Thank you for subscribing to my blog. You may now read the full article here:Overcoming Obstacles in Business Expansion: Growing Your Business Part 2Attend a FREE Money…

  • Reasons For Expanding Your Business: Growing Your Business Part 1

    Fitz
    14 May 2013 | 3:30 pm
    I always advise people to start small when putting up their own business for the first time. “Keep it simple so it would be easy to manage,” I’d say. Not only does this cost less, but it also gives new business owners the proper time to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset. Then after some time, usually [...]Note:This preview is to inform you that there's a new post over at Ready To Be Rich. Thank you for subscribing to my blog. You may now read the full article here:Reasons For Expanding Your Business: Growing Your Business Part 1Attend a FREE Money Seminar:Increase your…

  • Angela Lee Duckworth: The Key to Success? Grit

    Fitz
    11 May 2013 | 2:46 pm
    Richard St. John was able to discover the Eight Traits of Successful People. But if you ask Angela Lee Duckworth, she will say there’s only one key to success – and that is GRIT. What is grit? And why is it so important to have it if you want to achieve your goals? Instead of [...]Note:This preview is to inform you that there's a new post over at Ready To Be Rich. Thank you for subscribing to my blog. You may now read the full article here:Angela Lee Duckworth: The Key to Success? GritAttend a FREE Money Seminar:Increase your financial literacy and attend the Wealth Academy. Learn…
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    Cash Flow Planning for Life

  • 13: Advice When Going Through a Divorce

    Mark
    15 May 2013 | 11:50 am
    The most important part and most difficult part of going through a divorce is trying to keep the emotion and anger out of the process. You are both going to lose. The only party that wins in a nasty divorce is the attorneys. The more anger and emotion are involved, the higher the cost goes. I have been involved in cases with average, everyday people with gross incomes of less than $100,000, who end up spending $60,000 to $80,000 in professional fees. Where does that money come from? Both parties usually incur debt, or it is taken from money saved for the children. By no means am I saying this…

  • 2013 Tax Rates May Change Your Approach to Tax Planning!

    Mark
    24 Apr 2013 | 8:18 am
    The 2013 tax rates could change your current tax planning strategies. With all the changes in 2012, like the end of the Bush-era tax cuts and the beginning of Obama Care, tax planning for 2013 may be challenging. In my FREE eBook: Tax Planning for Changing Times, I shared with you the following: Tax Provisions that Were Set to Expire 2012 Investment and Tax Planning for Your Portfolio(s) Estate, Gift, and GST Tax Net Investment Income (NII) and Medicare Surtax Other Provisions and Tax Changes With these changes, it may be in your best interest for you to consult with your accountant or tax…

  • 5: Expired 2012 Tax Changes That You Should Be Aware Of

    Mark
    2 Apr 2013 | 11:30 pm
    This is the fifth installment of Tax Planning for Changing Times: 5 Things You Should Know which can also be downloaded as a free eBook. There are several other provisions or tax changes that were set to expire on December 31, 2012, that you should be aware of. These changes include the following: Medical Deductions – For individuals under age 65, there will be a 3.5% increase (from 7.5% to 10%) AGI limitation on medical deductions. Two Marriage Penalty Elimination Breaks – The standard deduction will no longer be 2 times single, and there will be a lower ceiling for those in the 15% tax…

  • 4: Net Investment Income (NII) & Medicare Surtax

    Mark
    13 Mar 2013 | 11:00 am
    This is the fourth installment of Tax Planning for Changing Times: 5 Things You Should Know which can also be downloaded as a free eBook. As of 2013, there is going to be a 3.8% Medicare surtax. Who will pay this surtax? This new 3.8% tax will apply to the lesser of net investment income (NII) or the excess modified adjusted gross income over the thresholds of $250,000 (joint flier) and $200,000 (single filer). WHAT IS NII? Net Investment Income (NII) includes the following: Interest and dividends (NOT tax-free interest [muni bonds]) Distributions from nonqualified annuities Rent and…

  • 3: Estate Tax, Gift Tax, and GST Tax

    Mark
    18 Feb 2013 | 12:56 pm
    This is the third installment of Tax Planning for Changing Times: 5 Things You Should Know which can also be downloaded as a free eBook. The 2010 Tax Relief Act reinstated the estate tax, gift tax, and GST (Generation-Skipping Transfer) tax at a 35% tax rate and $5.12 million (for 2012) exemption. In addition to the increase in the exemption amount… the Act also created a portability election for decedents dying after 2010. This election is made by filing a Form 706, even if estate is under the $5.12 million exemption amount. If the election is made the surviving spouse’s exemption…
 
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    JoeTaxpayer

  • An Illogical Situation

    Joe
    25 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    I was hoping for an appropriate political cartoon to share regarding the Apple fiasco from this past week. I was counting on a scene titled “The Big Apple Circus” and the Senators who grilled Tim Cook would be illustrated as clowns asking rhetorical questions about the tax code. Instead I’ll be happy with a Star Trek reference to acknowledge the latest film to hit the big screen.

  • More Damned Charts

    Joe
    23 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    You ever have something pointed out to you, something you never noticed before, and then you see it every place? When I wrote Lying With Charts, I offered one of the most manipulated charts I had come across in some time. There are also many that aren’t manipulated, but are still not quite up to “telling it like it is,” with how they are constructed. First, a disclaimer. I love Forbes Magazine. The articles are top notch, well written, well researched, and when opinion is offered, even when you disagree, you find a strong case made by the writer. The following chart was…

  • The Senate vs Apple

    Joe
    22 May 2013 | 7:30 am
    There are times that truth to me is stranger than fiction. Earlier today, I saw Tim Cook questioned by multiple senators regarding the US taxes Apple pays. A brief disclaimer, I happen to be an Apple fan, but I’d feel no different if the CEO of any other large company were called to testify.  And I don’t have too much respect for our politicians, a few minutes at a time is all I can listen to them. Fortunately, there’s TiVo and it pause button. It seems that it just occurred to our esteemed Senators that companies like Apple don’t pay US tax on earnings that were not…

  • The Good, Bad and Ugly of DIY Financial Advice

    Joe
    21 May 2013 | 2:16 pm
    A guest Post from Tim Aldiss - Financial regulations are always put in place with the intention of lending further transparency to decision making processes. However, the eventual results do not always mirror the initial vision. Although providing a new breed of qualified investment advice may help investors avoid financial pitfalls, many individuals are now distancing themselves from this prepaid and often times still confusing arena. The end result has been that markedly fewer people are seeking the services of a financial adviser; indeed, less than one-third of all adults will consult…

  • An Overdrafted Roundup

    Joe
    19 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Let’s start this week with My Retirement Blog’s U.S Retirement System a Success. To be fair, Andy doesn’t quite agree with the title, but was referencing a paper put out by the Investment Company Institute (ICI). I’ll be reading the paper and writing my own take on it later this week. Now that she’s finished her Walk For Hunger (congrats for passing $2000 raised, and your team for $5,000+!!) Stephanie is asking herself, “Was my Traditional to Roth IRA conversion a mistake?” You see, she did fine projecting her tax bracket, but the extra income negated…
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    Simplified Saving

  • Daily Coupon Roundup

    Lisa @ Simplified Saving
    24 May 2013 | 1:10 pm
    Here is a summary of the new coupons that have been released in the last 24 hours. $0.75 off 1 Colgate Total Toothpaste  $1.00 off 1 Dream Non-Dairy Beverage  $3.00 off Gluten Cutter  $1.00 off any one Reynolds Bakeware Product  $1.00 off one Snapple Tea or Juice Drink, 6-pack  $0.70 off any one VELVEETA Toppers  $2.00 off Any Tim McGraw Fragrance Purchase  $1.00 off any 3 Gerber Organic 2nd Foods purees 

  • Restaurant Coupon Roundup {5/24/2013}

    Lisa @ Simplified Saving
    24 May 2013 | 1:06 pm
    Eating out sure can get expensive, so I’m always on the lookout for deals to make it more affordable.  Below I’ve included the top printable restaurant coupons for this week! Ben & Jerry’s Coupon – Buy 1 Get 1 Free Small or Large Cup or Cone (exp: 5/31/2013) Blimpie Coupon – Buy 1 6 Inch Sub and Fountain Drink Get 1 Six Inch Sub Free (enter zip code of nearest Blimpie to see coupon) Bravo Coupon – $10 Off 2 Lunch or $15 Off 2 Dinner Entrees (exp: 5/30/2013) Boston Market Coupon – 50% Off Any Family Meal on Memorial Day 5/27 Only Bruegger’s…

  • Jamba Juice Printable Coupon: Any Sixteen Size Smoothie for $2

    Lisa @ Simplified Saving
    24 May 2013 | 10:21 am
    Yay for Jamba Juice coupons! If only there was a Jamba Juice that was closer to my house!

  • Seventeen Magazine Only $4.49 Per Year

    Lisa @ Simplified Saving
    24 May 2013 | 5:40 am
    Today only, you can get a 1 year subscription to Seventeen Magazine for only $4.49. That’s 87% off the cover price! You can order up to 3 years at this price! Just enter coupon code SIMPLIFIEDSAVING at checkout. This offer expires Friday 05/24/13 11:59 PM EST. Not interested in this magazine? You can save 20% off most magazines when you use coupon code SIMPLIFIEDSAVING at checkout.

  • Change, Making Beds, and Life As We Know It

    Lisa @ Simplified Saving
    23 May 2013 | 6:00 pm
    This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud Sleep Pants. We’ve had a lot of changes in our family over the last year.  And while change can be stressful for adults, it can be even more so for kids.  In December, 2012 we added 2 new kids to our family.  They’re absolutely delightful, but they haven’t had an easy life. When we prepared for them to move in, I made sure I had protective mattress covers on their mattresses as I know that major upheaval in a child’s life can result in bedwetting.  And sure enough, this change brought about bedwetting…
 
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    Move To Portugal

  • new blinds

    Move to Portugal
    3 May 2013 | 11:57 pm
    I was feeling a little fed up with our ongoing list of house projects, but now that we’ve finally had blinds installed on the (new) downstairs windows, I feel a little painting coming on…. Still to do: Replace side door, step and frame Install solar light above back door Box in pipework Replace kitchen window Replace dining room window Clean hall tiles Tile, plaster and decorate porch Re-point brickwork (side of house) Install steps garden Remove grass and add patio/gravel to garden Replace the fence (added) Replace all guttering (added) Paint Dining room Hall Breakfast Room…

  • mortgage freedom: may 2013 report

    Move to Portugal
    30 Apr 2013 | 12:00 am
    *MAY 2013 STATS Original Mortgage: £138,485 (April 2006) Original term: 300 months (March 2031) Outstanding Balance: £79,900 Reduction from last month: £829.50 Paid off to date: £58,585 Monthly payment: £542.34 May over payment £352.85 Actual payments left: 206 Months until goal date: 55 (31st Dec 2017) Months until stretch goal date: 31 (31st Dec 2015) Mortgage debt repaid:  42.3% We’re so happy to reach another milestone (<£80k) Our 2013 goal of a £25k mortgage reduction seems to be moving further and further away right now, so we’re only thinking about the next…

  • in the garden

    Move to Portugal
    28 Apr 2013 | 3:58 am
    It’s clearly work in progress….. …….but for now, at least it’s tidier! PS. I have this vision of paving slabs and gravel……..eventually in the garden is a post from: Move to Portugal

  • Trip Round-Up: New York April 2013

    Move to Portugal
    22 Apr 2013 | 12:10 am
    A couple of weeks ago we had the absolute pleasure of spending another few days in New York. Our hotel for this trip was The Sheraton on 7th Avenue, a very busy hotel right between Times Square and Central Park*. MOMA garden Trip Info: Hotel: Sheraton Times Square Booked with: Expedia Airline: British Airways/American Airlines Day 1:  City Walking We landed at lunchtime, and after a quick bag drop, walked up to Columbus Circle for a mooch around. Then it was burritos (Chipotle) for dinner and an early night. Lake, Central Park Day 2: Central Park We made the most of the brilliant weather…

  • appreciation for a simple bedroom

    Move to Portugal
    20 Apr 2013 | 2:11 am
    Since completing our bedroom update (new paint & carpet) I’ve been fighting the urge to add more ‘stuff’. The finishing touches if you like. A picture here, a vase there, the extras that look nice, but cost money.But (thankfully) I’ve managed to stop myself. The walls are still bare, and the drawer unit is (nearly) bare, and I think that’s how I’m going to keep it. The simplicity of the room makes it very easy to maintain (and fall asleep in). And the current set up also keeps clothing clutter at bay. All our clothing easily fits into a wardrobe and a…
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    Personal Dividends - Money+Lifestyle

  • Study: Millennials May Save Like Pros, But They Lack in Retirement Planning

    Miranda Marquit
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    I identify myself with Generation X, and sometimes I look down a little bit on Millennials as a group. Kids these days, right?However, according to a recent article I read on the Vanguard web site (hat tip: my dad), Millennials are doing a better job of saving and cash management than ever those of us in Gen X did when we were that age.According to the article, which focuses on a research report from Financial Finesse, Millennials are pros when it comes to saving money and managing what little cash they do have.It’s Cool to Be ThriftyBecause Millennials have really experienced the…

  • What is a Sinking Fund?

    Tom Drake
    20 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    When you buy a bond, you might find that there is a sinking fund provision. So what is a sinking fund? This is an interesting measure that allows an entity to establish a fund for the purpose of ensuring that there is a way to repay the principal when it comes due.The idea behind a sinking fund is to help the bond issuer to be able to more affordably retire its debt.How a Sinking Fund WorksNormally, the sinking fund is established as a way to build up a certain degree of capital so that debt is easier to repay. The entity issuing the bond establishes the fund, and then uses money to purchase…

  • Healthy Living: It’s More than Just Your Weight

    Miranda Marquit
    16 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    In the past, I associated losing weight with being healthier. However, just losing weight isn’t enough to make you healthier overall. While losing weight can improve your health, especially if you are very overweight, it’s not everything that matters for healthy living.NutritionIt’s possible to appear at a healthy weight, but still not get the nutrition you need. Indeed, you might be eating fewer calories than you burn, and maintaining a “healthy” weight, but what sort of nutrition are you getting?It’s possible to appear a good weight while eating processed…

  • Don’t Know Where to Start Saving? Try U.S. Savings Bonds

    Miranda Marquit
    14 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    “Everyone knows that they should save,” Jerry Kelly says. “But not many people know how to get started.”Kelly is the Campaign Director for Ready.Save.Grow., the U.S. Treasury Department’s effort to inform the public about how it’s possible to start saving easily with U.S. savings bonds.“The great thing about savings bonds, and what people don’t know, is that you don’t have to make a lot of decisions,” he continues. “Once you set it up, it can be on autopilot.”That’s right. It’s possible to automate your…

  • Where is Your Money Going Each Month? [Infographic]

    Miranda Marquit
    8 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    One of the essential ways to make sure that you are keeping your finances in check is to pay attention to where your money goes each month.According to government statistics used by CreditLoan.com to create an infographic of spending in the United States, the average household spends $2,600 a month on goods and services.If you multiply this out, you find that the average spending on goods and services is $31,200 per year. It’s easy to see how, for some, it’s hard to get ahead. If your take home pay is $32,000 or less, everything you spend likely goes to the business of living.But…
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    Benzinga Feeds

  • Tiffany Earnings Preview: Revenue Growth, EPS Decline Expected

    Nelson Hem
    25 May 2013 | 6:35 am
    Luxury spending bellwether Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF), which recently announced its 12th dividend increase in the past 11 years, is scheduled to report its first-quarter fiscal 2013 results Tuesday, May 28, before the markets open. Growth has slowed in recent quarters for luxury retail stocks such as Tiffany.

  • Fed Tapering Could Hurt This ETF...And It's Not One You'd Expect

    ETF Professor
    24 May 2013 | 1:24 pm
    One of this week's most prominent themes has been speculation that the Federal Reserve is either going to wind down or soon end its $85 billion per month asset-buying activities. Not surprisingly, that has not been particularly good news for U.S. stocks and other riskier assets.

  • Market Wrap for Friday, May 24: Stocks Close Week Near Unchanged Mark

    Scott Rubin
    24 May 2013 | 1:20 pm
    A day after a sell-off hit much of the world, but spared the United States, the U.S. market was essentially flat on the last trading session of the week. Although there are signs that a pullback may be imminent, investors continue to pour money into U.S. stocks on expectations that the bull market will continue.

  • Implications of SAP and Jive Ending Acquisition Talks

    Luke Jacobi
    24 May 2013 | 11:58 am
    As stated by Bloomberg, SAP (NYSE: SAP) has been in acquisition talks with Jive Software (NASDAQ: JIVE) recently.

  • It's Time to Think About Obscure Middle East ETFs

    ETF Professor
    24 May 2013 | 11:16 am
    Geopolitical concerns and perceived liquidity risk are among the issues that have kept investors from embracing Middle East stocks and ETFs in recent years. A prime example of a market hampered by those issues is Egypt.
 
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    Much more than debt, IVA and personal finance from ClearDebt.

  • Running for The Wellspring

    Sally Hardiman
    23 May 2013 | 7:28 am
    Running for The Wellspring is a blog post from: ClearDebt a leading UK IVA licensed insolvency services company. ©2013, All Rights Reserved. The ClearDebt staff are once again limbering up to take on the Great Manchester Run 2013.

  • Universal Credit timeline for 2013-2014

    Paul Gailey
    22 May 2013 | 4:52 am
    Universal Credit timeline for 2013-2014 is a blog post from: ClearDebt a leading UK IVA licensed insolvency services company. ©2013, All Rights Reserved. Check out this official interactive timeline guide to the introduction of Universal Credit by the Money Advice Service

  • Skint: observational documentary or media manipulation?

    Felicity Ransom
    21 May 2013 | 1:50 am
    Skint: observational documentary or media manipulation? is a blog post from: ClearDebt a leading UK IVA licensed insolvency services company. ©2013, All Rights Reserved. The latest Channel 4 series, Skint, has divided public opinion. Is it a fair representation of the long-term unemployed?

  • Debt Counsellor of the Year Finalist

    Felicity Ransom
    14 May 2013 | 6:58 am
    Debt Counsellor of the Year Finalist is a blog post from: ClearDebt a leading UK IVA licensed insolvency services company. ©2013, All Rights Reserved. Our Senior consultant, Sarah Longsdale, went to the Credit Today Awards 2013 as one of the Debt Counsellor of the Year finalists.

  • Mini Heroes April 2013

    Felicity Ransom
    26 Apr 2013 | 7:34 am
    Mini Heroes April 2013 is a blog post from: ClearDebt a leading UK IVA licensed insolvency services company. ©2013, All Rights Reserved. The ClearDebt Mini Heroes - April 2013
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    Money Watch

  • Send Money Through GMail

    Rob Lewis
    24 May 2013 | 12:30 am
    Google has enabled a new feature within GMail which integrates with Google Wallet and allows users to make payments within an email. The feature was announced at the recent Google I/O conference, and is explained on the Google blog: Paying back your friends is now as simple as sending an email, whether you’re chipping in for lunch or reimbursing your roommate for your share of the rent. Google Wallet is now integrated with Gmail, so you can quickly and securely send money to friends and family directly within Gmail — even if they don’t have a Gmail address. It’s free to…

  • Co-Op Talking Cash Machines

    Rob Lewis
    23 May 2013 | 2:02 pm
    The Co-Operative Bank has started to install the first of many “talking cash machines”, which allows users to plug in a headset to hear instructions. Over 400 of the new ATMs have been put into action today, with over 2,000 of the Co-Ops cash machines to be upgraded by the end of 2014. The new functionality will be available to all LINK and Visa card holders using the machines, regardless of which bank they’re with, and will of course be of most interest to those who are blind or partially sighted. The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) have been campaigning for…

  • Third Of Britons Carry PIN Reminder

    Rob Lewis
    14 May 2013 | 2:48 pm
    New research by the discount website www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk has revealed that the average Briton enters the PIN number of their main bank card at checkouts more than 1,000 times a year; despite this, 34% of Britons still carry a reminder of their PIN number on them at all times, either in their wallet, pocket, bag or on their phone. www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk polled a sample of 2,136 UK adults in a bid to discover more about their spending habits. The survey formed part of ongoing research into the financial situations of Britons and respondents of this poll were required to answer specific…

  • Card Fraud Down For Second Year In A Row

    Rob Lewis
    9 May 2013 | 3:53 pm
    Despite perceptions to the contrary, card fraud has fallen for the second year in a row, according to data released by the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). As you can see from the graph below, card fraud increased massively between 2005/06 to 2009/10, but since then has begun to drop back down: The CSEW data suggests that those most likely to be targeted by card fraud are males aged 45-54, with an annual household income of £50,000 or more. The chart below shows the percentage of card holders affected by fraud within each household income group. Via The Guardian.Card Fraud Down For…

  • Wikipedia Hits “Can Predict Stock Market Movements”

    Rob Lewis
    9 May 2013 | 3:15 pm
    A week or so a go we posted about a piece of research that suggested Google search volumes could predict stock market movements. Well, now the same team behind that study has published further research that suggests the number of views on a company’s Wikipedia page could also predict stock market changes. We present evidence in line with the intriguing suggestion that data on changes in how often financially related Wikipedia pages were viewed may have contained early signs of stock market moves. Our results suggest that online data may allow us to gain new insight into early…
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    Yes, I Am Cheap

  • Reviewing My Rental Property Returns

    Sandy Smith
    23 May 2013 | 9:21 am
    Someone pointed out that I am long overdue for a financial update on my rental properties.  You’re absolutely right.  Since buying the second rental property last year, so much has happened that I haven’t taken the time to evaluate just how they’re doing financially.  It’s time to share. For those of you who have not been around for the past three years, I now own to rental properties containing three units.  These homes are located in an economically depressed area in Pennsylvania.  Did I mention that I live in New York City? I decided to buy both of these homes strictly as…

  • How to Prepare for Your International Move

    Sandy Smith
    21 May 2013 | 6:30 am
    There are many things that can take us away from our current location. Perhaps you currently live away from your family and your parents now need care. Or, maybe you just got a new job that will require you to move out of the country. Or perhaps you’ve finally decided to check a few items off your bucket list and seek adventure another country. Whatever the reason, you will need to be sure that you are thoroughly prepared and that everything is in order before you make this important move. Stock Up On Cash No matter which country you move to, money talks.  Now, keep in mind that you…

  • Tracking the Journey of the Global Superwealthy Infographic

    Sandy Smith
    20 May 2013 | 10:35 am
    I’m the kind of person who avidly awaits the annual ranking of most wealthy individuals. I like to see how their net worth of the world’s wealthiest individuals fluctuate and just what made them so wealthy. While there are more than 29 million individuals worldwide with a net worth greater than $1M, there are 3.1 billion people with a net worth of less than $10,000. With a net worth just abut breaking even, I’m in the latter group. Today I’m sharing an infographic showcasing the wealth gap. Source: Road to Riches: Tracking the Journey of the Global Superwealthy Click…

  • Don’t Turn Old Bills Into Zombie Debt

    Sandy Smith
    15 May 2013 | 11:03 am
    The zombie apocalypse is real, and it’s eating your money. Well, it’s trying to anyway, and you might unknowingly be helping them. If you’ve every received a phone call or letter in the mail demanding payment for a debt that is years old, you might have unfortunately have zombies knocking at your door. Some debt collectors have a way of resurrecting debt that is so old that is might actually be outside of the statutes of limitations for collection. We call that zombie debt. A tactic that is often used is trying to reset the clock on an old debt. How do they do this? By…

  • Rectify Your Credit Score Through These Proactive Tips

    Sandy Smith
    9 May 2013 | 6:13 am
    One of the important things to learn about personal finance is how to avoid harmful credit. A good credit score can allow you to save more money and receive better offers on certain assets and items like homes. Bad credit can arise owing to a number of scenarios ranging from unemployment to health issues. In such a situation, repairing of credit should be your topmost priority. An initial way to start is with an authority in credit fix. In many cases, it may happen that there might be some incorrect entries or duplications. You would be amazed that this fix has worked for a number of people…
 
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    Money Reasons

  • Yakezie Carnival Almost Forgotten Edition

    Money Reasons
    22 May 2013 | 5:54 pm
    I forgot that the regularly scheduled host emailed months ago explaining that she couldn’t host this week’s Yakezie Carnival.  I actually did forget but the host gently reminded me of my mistake. So unlike other carnivals that have a theme, this one is just what I’m typing here and a humble apology from me.  The articles below are still top notch though, so I hope you enjoy! Dividend Growth Investor @ Dividend Growth Investor writes 2013 Dividend Achievers Additions – The Broad Dividend Achievers index includes 216 companies which have boosted distributions for more…

  • Am I Too Greedy In This Stock Market

    Money Reasons
    16 May 2013 | 7:55 pm
    We’re almost at the half way point of the year, and I have to wonder if I am too greedy in this stock market… One my goals this year was to increase my income by 50% more than I did last year.  I expected to increase my net worth with income from my online activities, but certain things haven’t panned out so instead I decided to focus my time and money on creating stock market gains. 401k Performance History I accomplished my goal, and then some.  In fact, I doubled my income from last year instead of just increasing it 50%.  That said, it would require me to sell all of…

  • Am I Focusing Too Hard On Investments?

    Money Reasons
    9 May 2013 | 9:31 am
    Since the beginning of this year, I’ve been focusing with laser-like intensity on the stock market… But I have to wonder if the extra time is worth it, or perhaps I am focusing too hard on investments!  It’s hard to draw a distinct line when it comes to making money. There is a rule called “Pareto principle” that basically states that with 20 percent of your effort, you encounter 80% of your results.  So basically the more time you put into a situation, the less results you encounter.  When you put in a more time with less results, that’s called…

  • Everything Goes Trash Night – Bizarro Christmas Year 3

    Money Reasons
    30 Apr 2013 | 6:56 pm
    Once a year, our community has a special trash night were we are allowed to get rid of everything except mattresses.  Last year, I wrote about my community’s trash night in an article called “Everything Goes Trash Night – Bizarro Christmas Year 2“  where this special day is almost like a holiday for my wife and I.  It’s a great opportunity to get rid of clutter! It’s the anti-thesis of Christmas where instead of receiving stuff, we get to toss stuff out!  Like last year, this year didn’t disappoint either!  We got rid of the following: Old, slightly…

  • Is A Millionaire Promise Wrong?

    Money Reasons
    24 Apr 2013 | 7:45 pm
    I promised to be a millionaire when I was very young!  Here is my millionaire promise story… My grandparents were in business, and in particular my grandmother was very business and finance oriented. As a young child (maybe 5 or 6 years old) I made a millionaire promise to my grandmother that someday in the future I would become a millionaire. She said surprised at my sudden “out of the blue” millionaire promise and said good and told me that she believe that I could do it if I tried hard enough. I remember her encouragement making me happy back then! rich kid My…
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    WordPress.com News

  • Freshly Pressed: Friday Faves

    Michael Pick
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    This week, we turn up three very different Freshly Pressed posts united by their incisive exploration of unexplored, long forgotten, or unexpected experiences, experiences that have been made somehow peripheral by time, geography, or culture. They’re posts you’ve responded to, and that we hope you’ll find resonant. Notes on Email I started to think how long I’ve been doing this, this whole writing thing, and how it had taken until my mid-thirties before I could really conduct myself in public where I could hold two opposing ideas in my mind at the same time: 1. that I was…

  • War and Life Afterwards: An Interview with Brian Castner

    LouAnn
    22 May 2013 | 8:15 am
    Brian Castner We’re honored that Brian Castner, Iraq War veteran and author of The Long Walk, makes his official online home right here at WordPress.com. Brian’s history and work are fascinating, as are the writing and photographs he shares on his blog. We asked Brian a few questions about his background, his book, his blogging philosophy, and his choice of WordPress.com for his site. Could you please tell us a bit about your unique background? I served in the Air Force as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Officer, and deployed twice to Iraq in 2005 and 2006. EOD is the…

  • Customizing Comet: Beau and Arrow Events

    Lauren Orsini
    20 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    Who doesn’t love “Before and After” home improvement shots? It’s always amazing to see how just a couple of changes, like a coat of paint or a quick do-it-yourself project, can transform a living space dramatically. It’s no different when it comes to WordPress.com blog themes, in which a little customization can go a long way. Today let’s take a look at Beau and Arrow Events, a wedding inspiration blog run by Ellen and Kate, two San Diego-based event planners. You’d never know that this chic blogazine is running on Comet, one of our sparest themes. Here’s how the bloggers…

  • Freshly Pressed: Friday Faves

    Cheri Lucas Rowlands
    17 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    An ode to a father, a story of growing up with two mothers, a request for a cloak of visibility, and a reflection on goodbyes. Here are four Freshly Pressed standouts from this week — all quite personal pieces that have resonated with many readers. Go ahead and dive in: Why I Don’t Diet — An Ode to My Father My father spent his years fighting his size, wishing he was smaller, weaker, less of a giant. He was taught to hate his body, and he was ashamed of the amount of space he took up. But he passed his strength to me, and I won’t squander my inheritance. I will not let…

  • New Theme: Snap

    Nate Schaumburg
    16 May 2013 | 10:00 am
    Happy Theme Thursday! Sharing and managing your work online should be easy, and today I’m thrilled to announce a new theme from our friends at The Theme Foundry that helps you do just that! Snap is a responsive, lightweight, and minimalist theme that makes it easy to feature your projects. Snap’s clean grid based blog layout and configurable page templates also make it incredibly flexible. Snap: Home Page Read more about Snap in the Theme Showcase, or test drive it for yourself by going to Appearance → Themes in your Dashboard.
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    Financial Woman

  • Financial Planning Process in 3 Insanely Simple Steps

    Camille Gaines
    21 May 2013 | 1:23 pm
    Just the term financial planning process sounds sort of big and complicated, but the reality is that financial    planning is really a life planning process. When you sit down to identify your goals, what do you write? Do you write the end benefits of feelings you want, such as peace or freedom, or do you write a list of things you want, such as a comfortable home or a giant savings account? Most people write out specific things that they want in their life, knowing that the outcome will be those warm and uplifting feelings that make them happy. So, the financial planning process starts…

  • Finance for Women-Are You Kidding?

    Camille Gaines
    9 May 2013 | 8:56 am
    As millions of mothers in the United States celebrate Mother’s Day with their families this week, I thought it would be the perfect time to share some empowering life and money lessons from my mom who grew up at at a time when finance for women would have actually been a laughing matter . Having grown up on a remote farm in Arkansas with ten siblings during the Great Depression, she was a primary influence in me creating Financial Woman; she was a woman ahead of her time, being financially savvy and forever the queen of positive cash flow at a time when finance for women was completely…

  • Totally Fabulous Mother’s Day Gifts

    Camille Gaines
    7 May 2013 | 9:29 am
    Are you scrambling for ideas for your mother’s day gift?  Would you like to buy her a 3 carat diamond but it’s just not in your spending plan this year? Part of living rich is thinking creatively and beautifully within your long term money plans.  As a giver and a receiver of Mother’s Day gifts, I’ve learned that something that is unique and from the heart has much more value than something that is expensive. Here are 9 awesome ideas for Mother’s day gifts that are sure to be cherished! The post Totally Fabulous Mother’s Day Gifts appeared first on…

  • The Financial Woman Financial Freedom Checklist

    Camille Gaines
    4 May 2013 | 5:57 am
    For Saturday’s Savvy Rich Art, I created this Financial Freedom Checklist. What is Financial Freedom for you? Define it….then create it! The post The Financial Woman Financial Freedom Checklist appeared first on Financial Woman.

  • Ditch the The Psychology of Money

    Camille Gaines
    2 May 2013 | 10:25 am
    Why is it that money holds an emotional grip on us? It’s the psychology of money that sabotages us. I believe it’s because money affects our entire existence….where we live, how we live, what we do, what we wear, and even what we eat. Money provides our primary needs for food and shelter, so the thought of being without it hits us at our very core. How can we overcome this? Think of money as a tool. Money is made of paper and metal. Use those tools to create the life you want.  When it’s a tool, you make better money decisions. Ditch the psychology of money. And use…
 
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    Control Your Cash: Making Money Make Sense

  • Somebody Slap This Man

    admin
    24 May 2013 | 4:43 am
    “1st floor; sports logo gear, Lee Brand jeans, and soon, our husky Hispanics section.”So this is what it’s come to.Kohl’s, the amazingly outdated department store chain with its radiant white perfume counter and its Semiannual Men’s Suit Events, is on the defendant end of a new lawsuit. The basis for this suit is so stupid that it’s hard to recite for you here without seething, but we’ll attempt.Some shoppers feel they were defrauded. They don’t question the quality of the merchandise, nor do they claim that they were charged a different price than that which appeared…

  • Free Credit Cards: Fact or Fiction?

    admin
    22 May 2013 | 11:15 am
     Guest post time! This one was written by Jason Bushey. Jason is a full-time personal finance blogger, and he runs the credit card comparison website Creditnet.com. Not only that, but we agree with just about everything he says. You read now:  Google the term “free credit cards” and you’ll see close to 500 million results displayed. Some results are legitimate, others not so much.So is there really such a thing as a free credit card? Technically yes, but it’s really up to the cardholder to determine how long that card stays “free”. If it’s free credit…

  • Carnival Of Wealth, Turning the Corner Edition

    admin
    20 May 2013 | 4:39 am
     No, not that kind of turning the corner. (Sorry.) The incompetent submitters are dropping off, week by week. Even better, a new roster of outspoken ones continues to gradually supplant them. Who knows, within a few decades the Carnival of Wealth might be good from top to bottom. We could hit some rough spots today, but the road looks smoother than ever. Let’s begin: Newcomer Rob Aeschbach wins for most striking post title: Why You Should Be Doing Estate Planning at the DMV. And not just because you’ll have plenty of time on your hands. Rob regales us with a tale of…

  • Of Course You Should Take “No” For An Answer

    admin
    16 May 2013 | 4:14 am
    Dashing young men have all the advantages.Word association time.Self-help book. Go.68% of you said Napoleon Hill’s Think And Grow Rich, which is close enough to 100% for our purposes.It’s the classic of the genre, if not its progenitor. Even if you haven’t read it, you’ve subconsciously committed its most famous concepts to memory. Visualize your success. If you can conceive and believe, you can achieve. Don’t take no for an answer. Hill was writing bumper stickers and motivational posters before people had cars and cubicle walls to affix them to.This isn’t a book review, or at…

  • Carnival of Wealth, Findlay Toyota Are Filthy Cretins Edition

    admin
    13 May 2013 | 4:04 am
    Yes, the Antichrist makes an appearance on CYC this week. We can explain. That’s him, standing next to an felonious and unapologetic evil psychopath of a dog murderer. That’s Rich Abajian, general manager of Findlay Toyota, which is a dealership near CYC headquarters. Last week a CYC acquaintance – a septuagenarian lady – had occasion to involuntarily do business with them. This is what happened.The lady in question drives a 2002 Camry, which she keeps in impeccable condition and barely drives. Last week the check engine light came on.For those of you who…
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    Savings Scoop| Save, Make, Manage Money Better

  • Make Money Today With Ibotta

    Andrea
    6 May 2013 | 11:00 pm
        Make money today with Ibotta. Here’s how: Before shopping, choose your offers by completing tasks in the Ibotta Product Gallery. Choose your earning level for each product offer by completing as many tasks as you like such as reading a fact, answering a trivia question, watching a video, etc. Once you complete at least one task per product offer, the product offer is automatically added to your shopping list on the Ibotta app so you can earn money for purchasing the item. Choose Products  Before shopping, choose your products and complete the tasks. The more you complete,…

  • Free Sweetheart Frame, Lowes Build and Grow Clinic

    Andrea
    6 May 2013 | 9:00 pm
      Mother’s Day is right around the corner! This Sweetheart Frame makes the perfect gift!   From project basics to giving your child the opportunity to say, “I built it!” our Build and Grow kid’s clinics are a great way to help build confidence! Bring the kids into any Lowe’s store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.   Just sign up in advance for the free Lowe’s build and grow workshops, and parents must be present at the…

  • Simple Ways to Celebrate National Pet Week

    Andrea
    6 May 2013 | 4:45 pm
      •    When buying items for your pet use pet coupons it will save you money. •    Find a favorite spot in your house or yard and take pictures with your pet so you can create a scrapbook, Facebook page. •    Be sure to feed your pets food that’s good for their health •    Make sure your pet gets enough exercise. •    If you like pets but don’t have one volunteer at a local pet shelter to provide a pet in need some TLC. •    Take your pet to a local nursing home to give a little joy to the residents. •    Give your pet his/her favorite…

  • National Poetry Month 2013

    Andrea
    16 Apr 2013 | 8:45 am
        April is National Poetry Month if you are looking for something fun and free to do with the family that’s educational, and entertaining then spend a day or two learning about poetry. Poetry month started in 1996, by the Academy of American Poets; the reason we have a month that celebrates poetry is to introduce people to the pleasures of poetry, and highlight poets like Robert Frost, Langston Hughes, Elizabeth Barrett Brown, and more remarkable poets. Poetry can be motivational, inspirational, and fun! It doesn’t matter how old or young you are anyone can enjoy reading or…

  • FDOS, Happy Vernal Equinox Day

    Andrea
    20 Mar 2013 | 7:00 am
      Hello Spring 2013 if you haven’t figured it out yet. Today is the vernal equinox ; meaning that it’s the first official day of spring. It’s time to open the windows, air out the house, pack up the sweaters, and break out the shorts because the days are longer, flowers are blooming, the birds chirping, and the bees are buzzing. So, roll up your sleeves and put on some gloves because it’s time to get your spring cleaning done. Go through your closets, cabinets, and anyplace that needs to be cleaned out, if you haven’t used anything in two years get rid of…
 
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    Smart Balance Transfers

  • Rewards Pro – Why I Don’t Care About Airline Status

    Jason Steele
    22 May 2013 | 4:11 am
    Airlines have traditionally structured their frequent flier programs to reward their most frequent fliers, of course. But at the same time, their co-branded credit card users seem to have become more valuable to the airlines than those who actually purchase tickets. And when you combine this fact with other recent airline industry trends, it becomes [...]

  • Is A Shorter 0% APR Financing Offer Better With A Sign Up Bonus?

    Jason Steele
    20 May 2013 | 4:13 am
    When it comes to promotional balance transfer offers, applicants search for the longest terms possible. And while the CARD Act requires that these offers last a minimum of six months, the best offers currently on the market last as long as 18 months. Citi features both the Citi Simplicity® Card and Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card [...]

  • Get An Airline Credit Card That You Can Actually Use

    Jason Steele
    17 May 2013 | 4:10 am
    Nearly every airline offers a co-branded credit card that allows customers to earn frequent flier miles. But all mileage programs are not equal, and the value of their miles will vary from person to person. So how do credit card applicants choose the best card for their needs? Consider the following: 1. What airline will [...]

  • New Sapphire Preferred Benefit: Triple Points Dining Out On “First Fridays”

    Jason Steele
    15 May 2013 | 4:15 am
    Ever since it was introduced, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card has rocketed to the top of the reward credit card market. Chase Sapphire Preferred® has gained so many dedicated followers due to the strengths of the Ultimate Rewards program as well as the double points for dining and travel. But now, Chase has introduced its [...]

  • Ideas To Plan A Rewards Point Trip

    Jason Steele
    13 May 2013 | 4:10 am
    Banks offer dozens of reward credit cards, and it can be easy for cardholders to become overwhelmed when trying to plan a trip using their points or miles. In fact, how cardholders spend their rewards is nearly as important has how they earned them. Here are a few principles to consider when planing a vacation [...]
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    Credit.com Blog

  • Have Government Programs Helped Homeowners?

    Credit.com
    24 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The national housing market is seemingly improving all the time, but unfortunately for many homeowners across the country, negative equity is still a significant burden that can lead to large amounts of stress and financial difficulties. However, government programs still continue to help these people to better deal with the lingering issues underwater mortgages can cause. Federal efforts like the Home Affordable Modification Program and other initiatives have helped a large number of people whose homes are now worth less than they owed on their mortgages through April,…

  • 7 Tips to Protect Your Identity In a Disaster

    Kelly Santos
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The giant tornado that tore across the Oklahoma City area recently, killing dozens of people, is a sobering reminder that we can never be fully prepared for a natural disaster. With tornado and hurricane season underway and summer’s heightened risk for brush fires just around the corner, it’s a good time to take steps to protect your loved ones — and their identities — from harm. Here are some steps to secure your identity before and after catastrophe strikes: 1.  Create a family ID theft protection plan. Make front-and-back copies of personal documents and store…

  • This Week in Credit News: Identity Theft Galore

    Kali Geldis
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The biggest news this week is all about identity theft, as one government program may have caused thousands of identities to be exposed to scammers. Are Cell Phones Causing ID Theft Problems? A government program called Lifeline that provides government assistance to low-income individuals so they can obtain landline and wireless phone service is at the root of a recent data breach that exposed many participants’ birth dates and Social Security numbers. In all, more than 170,000 records for people enrolled in the program through TerraCom and the subsidiary YourTel America may have…

  • 7 Signs Household Finances Are Getting Stronger

    Credit.com
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The economic recovery is certainly in full swing and has been for some time now. That, coupled with better habits related to handling debts of all kinds, has led millions of consumers to see significant improvements in their finances over the last few years. Household debt of all kinds slipped some $110 billion in the first three months of the new year alone, bringing total nationwide obligations to just $11.23 trillion, down appreciably from the all-time high of $12.68 trillion observed in the third quarter of 2008. Here are seven signs that household finances got stronger in the…

  • How Credit Scores Predict Your Behavior

    Barry Paperno
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    Credit scores, as with most attempts to make sense of our world, operate on the assumption that the near future will look a lot like the recent past, and that going forward, people can be expected to behave pretty much as they always have. That is, credit scores base their predictions of the future on their knowledge of the past. To leverage this knowledge of the past with the idea of building a crystal ball view into the future, the people who build credit scores thoroughly analyze credit bureau information to understand how consumers have gotten to where they are now, and, most importantly,…
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    Money Help For Christians

  • Why Are You Working? 3 Destructive Ways to Approach Work

    Craig Ford
    23 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Unity in work effort can be a glue that binds a marriage and family together.  When there is unity about your working commitments, you’ll hear phrases like: Thanks for all your hard work supporting our family. Thank you, mommy or daddy, for everything you do to put a roof over our head. Honey, come and sit down and relax after a hard day at work.  Can I get you anything? If you’re hearing those types of phrases, it’s likely that your family sees work as a blessing to the home. Unfortunately, work can also be a wedge that drives families apart.  When work is a wedge,…

  • 13 Successful Marriage Habits: A Cheat Sheet for Married Couples

    Craig Ford
    21 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    My wife and I just celebrated 13 years of marriage. While we clearly don’t know everything there is about marriage, I’m convinced that we’ve learned at least one important thing about marriage for every year we’ve been married.  We’re also certain that many of you are much more qualified to write this post.  However, since it’s my blog, I guess I have the opportunity to share my thoughts. 13 Tips for a Successful Marriage 1.  Avoid debt. Anytime you invite debt into your home, you invite an extra layer of stress.  Debt is a mistake magnifier.  Look,…

  • Announcing 2013 MH4C Writers Challenge: Get Paid to Write an Article

    Craig Ford
    16 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    As you know, I write all of the content on this blog. In 2012, I tried an experiment called the MH4C Writers Challenge.  I invited my readers to submit articles related of finances.  I took my 10 favorite articles and let you vote for your favorites.  I thought it was a lot of fun because I was able to give out $435 worth of prizes, expose you to some great writing, and I was able to take a month off writing. To be honest, sometimes I just feel the need to take break from the demands of coming up with new articles each and every week.  Since there will be a lot going on this summer, I…

  • The Crucial Difference Between Jesus’ Financial Teachings and the Rest of the New Testament

    Craig Ford
    14 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    One thing most Christians have down pat is the knowledge that the Old Testament and the New Testament are to be read and interpreted differently because they fall under different dispensations. Specifically in regards to finances, I think we may need to learn to read and interpret passages during the ministry of Jesus differently than passages during the establishment of the New Testament church. Finances and Jesus’ Ministry Jesus had a very temporary view of his ministry.  By the middle of the gospel of Mark, Jesus is clearly communicating that he has his eyes set on Jerusalem where…

  • How a Change in Your Grocery Shopping Strategy Can Save Time and Money

    Craig Ford
    9 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    For the last few months, my wife and I have been trying an experiment to see how the change would impact our bottom line with grocery shopping. Grocery Shopping Before the Strategy Change Step #1: My wife would make a menu and a grocery list. Step #2: My wife would make a weekly shopping trip to Walmart/Sam’s.  Walmart is the cheapest place for groceries because of price matching. The problem is that Wal-mart is 5 miles from our house, and Wal-mart is SO MASSIVE that it’s not a fun place to do grocery shopping. Less than a mile away from home is a Safeway grocery store.
 
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    Centsible Life

  • 50 Free (or nearly free) Things to Do This Summer

    Kelly
    25 May 2013 | 6:30 am
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  • BarelyThere Comfort & Cute: Fashion Friday

    Kelly
    24 May 2013 | 11:35 am
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  • Pressing Reset on the Backyard

    Kelly
    22 May 2013 | 10:52 am
    Centsible Life's feed has moved! Update your reader now. This feed has moved to: http://www.thecentsiblelife.com/feed Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from Centsible Life.

  • Prayers for Oklahoma

    Kelly
    21 May 2013 | 6:27 am
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  • May 20th Menu: 365 Day Meal Plan

    Kelly
    20 May 2013 | 7:05 am
    Centsible Life's feed has moved! Update your reader now. This feed has moved to: http://www.thecentsiblelife.com/feed Update your reader now with this changed subscription address to get your latest updates from Centsible Life.
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    The Daily Reckoning

  • Cooking the Gold Books

    Addison Wiggin
    24 May 2013 | 10:57 am
    We got a small, if bitter, taste of gold’s “Zero Hour” in the second half of April. Either that, or the world’s largest banks engineered a takedown of gold for the purpose of staving off  Zero Hour… for now. As you’ll recall from these pages in March, “Zero Hour” is the name we give to the moment when the price of real, physical gold in your hand starts to break away from the quoted price on the commodities exchanges. That is, the “physical price” becomes much higher than the “paper price” on CNBC’s ticker. The catalyst, we suggested, would be when a major…

  • Bubbles for Bubbles’ Sake

    Addison Wiggin
    24 May 2013 | 9:44 am
    “Look, I’m sick of reading about bubbles — no matter what the conversation,” wrote our own Greg Guenthner in yesterday’s Trend Playbook. “It’s clear that the 2008 crash remains a psychological burden to most investors. So they continue to categorize any rising asset price as a bubble.” Heh. Greg has always taken a more well-traveled road than we have. We hope he’s right… but we’re more hopeful he doesn’t see what we write here today. It’s just that we can’t help ourselves. The news cycle this morning was so…well….bubbly. Before we even started…

  • Investing in the New Captains of Industry, Part III

    Dave Gonigam
    24 May 2013 | 8:30 am
    In 2011, PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel’s venture capital firm put out a white paper called We Wanted Flying Cars, Instead We Got 140 Characters. His thesis was that computers are getting faster, cheaper and better… but when it comes to transportation, energy, commodity production, food production — “real stuff” — human progress is at a standstill. What you seem to be suggesting is that iPhones and Twitter might eventually deliver us a flying car. I’m not really familiar with Peter’s thesis; I’m not really sure he really means what he says. One of his best friends is [Tesla…

  • IRS on the Hot Seat

    Jeffrey Tucker
    24 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    “I have not done anything wrong,” Lois Lerner, head of the IRS’ nonprofit division, told a congressional hearing. “I have not broken any laws.” Then she invoked her Fifth Amendment right not to be second-guessed by the Congress that is supposed to be watching over all agencies of government. Seeing the IRS grilled like this is something many people have waited for their entire lives. It’s lovely and a sign of the times (government has never been this unpopular). But contrary to Ms. Lerner, it is possible to not break laws but still do wrong things. The…

  • Stealing the Spotlight

    Greg Guenthner
    24 May 2013 | 7:02 am
    It was another crazy session for the Nikkei today. After rising 3% out of the gate after Thursday’s bloodbath, the Japanese index embarked on a wild ride. By early afternoon, it had given it all back and more. Still, it fought higher to finish the day with a modest gain. That’s a 3% rise after 7% drop— ending in a small gain after another downside scare (in case you were keeping score). That’s enough torment to keep the average Japanese investor awake for many nights to come. I suspect this is just the beginning of some wild price action across the Pacific… Meanwhile, U.S. stocks…
 
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    Canadian Finance Blog

  • Friday Links

    Tom Drake
    24 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    This week Rob Carrick of the Globe and Mail shared his insight into Mutual funds vs. ETFs: Know the Nuances in the Fees You Pay. We all know that priorities help us get the important things done and that’s why Retire Happy discussed how to go about Setting Financial Priorities. Boomer and Echo revealed How TFSAs Can Make You Rich.  You may be surprised. Investors will want to read this week’s The Passive Income Earner post where they list their Top 20 Dividend Stocks – May 2013. This week the Dividend Ninja tackled the question, What Happens to Bonds When Interest Rates…

  • What is a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)?

    Tom Drake
    23 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    We all want what’s best for our children, and we want to make sure that they are able to get the best possible education. However, the cost of higher education is going up, and it can be difficult to save up to cover those costs. This is where something like the RESP can help a great deal. You have the chance to take advantage of the power of investing and compound returns with a tax-advantaged account used for the benefit of your child. What is an RESP, and How Does it Work? A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) allows you to save for a child’s post-secondary education. You…

  • What to Do after Winning the Lottery? 3 Top Tips for Windfall Money

    Alan Schram
    22 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    I think everyone has fantasized about winning the lottery. So much of our lives are spent working towards specific financial goals. Everyone wants to pay off debt, buy their dream house, and spend every summer on a tropical beach and every winter on a mountain. Some people want a wardrobe where they can wear different clothes every day of the month, and others want to spend their life on a boat or the beach. The lottery is one way that we can fast track all of those plans in order to make our dreams come true immediately. Of course, from a financial perspective, the lottery is a poor…

  • Review: Scotiabank Scene Visa Card

    Tom Drake
    21 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Do you like movies? If you like movies, the Scotiabank Scene Visa card might be just the credit card for you. You can earn points for free movies and other entertainment, just by spending on what you already love. Scotiabank Scene Visa Review: Rewards Program In order to take full advantage of this credit card program, you need to be a member of the Scene program, which allows you to earn points at Cineplex Entertainment theatres. Membership is free, offering you the chance to earn free movies. Some of the ways to earn points include: Sign up bonus of 250 Scene points. Every time you see a…

  • The Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) Explained

    Tom Drake
    20 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    The Universal Child Care Benefit, or UCCB, is a $100 taxable monthly payment to help with the cost of raising children under six years old. This can be a great way to receive a little extra cash each month, and since you are entitled to it, it can be worth it to take advantage. Who is Eligible for the UCCB? To be eligible for the Universal Child Care Benefit, you must be the primary care giver of a child under the age of six and a resident of Canada. If you already receive the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) then you are automatically set to receive the UCCB. “Primary caregiver”…
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    Credit.com Blog

  • Have Government Programs Helped Homeowners?

    Credit.com
    24 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The national housing market is seemingly improving all the time, but unfortunately for many homeowners across the country, negative equity is still a significant burden that can lead to large amounts of stress and financial difficulties. However, government programs still continue to help these people to better deal with the lingering issues underwater mortgages can cause. Federal efforts like the Home Affordable Modification Program and other initiatives have helped a large number of people whose homes are now worth less than they owed on their mortgages through April,…

  • 7 Tips to Protect Your Identity In a Disaster

    Kelly Santos
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The giant tornado that tore across the Oklahoma City area recently, killing dozens of people, is a sobering reminder that we can never be fully prepared for a natural disaster. With tornado and hurricane season underway and summer’s heightened risk for brush fires just around the corner, it’s a good time to take steps to protect your loved ones — and their identities — from harm. Here are some steps to secure your identity before and after catastrophe strikes: 1.  Create a family ID theft protection plan. Make front-and-back copies of personal documents and store…

  • This Week in Credit News: Identity Theft Galore

    Kali Geldis
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The biggest news this week is all about identity theft, as one government program may have caused thousands of identities to be exposed to scammers. Are Cell Phones Causing ID Theft Problems? A government program called Lifeline that provides government assistance to low-income individuals so they can obtain landline and wireless phone service is at the root of a recent data breach that exposed many participants’ birth dates and Social Security numbers. In all, more than 170,000 records for people enrolled in the program through TerraCom and the subsidiary YourTel America may have…

  • 7 Signs Household Finances Are Getting Stronger

    Credit.com
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The economic recovery is certainly in full swing and has been for some time now. That, coupled with better habits related to handling debts of all kinds, has led millions of consumers to see significant improvements in their finances over the last few years. Household debt of all kinds slipped some $110 billion in the first three months of the new year alone, bringing total nationwide obligations to just $11.23 trillion, down appreciably from the all-time high of $12.68 trillion observed in the third quarter of 2008. Here are seven signs that household finances got stronger in the…

  • How Credit Scores Predict Your Behavior

    Barry Paperno
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    Credit scores, as with most attempts to make sense of our world, operate on the assumption that the near future will look a lot like the recent past, and that going forward, people can be expected to behave pretty much as they always have. That is, credit scores base their predictions of the future on their knowledge of the past. To leverage this knowledge of the past with the idea of building a crystal ball view into the future, the people who build credit scores thoroughly analyze credit bureau information to understand how consumers have gotten to where they are now, and, most importantly,…
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    The Dividend Guy Blog

  • Dividend Links

    MD
    24 May 2013 | 2:22 pm
    Let’s jump right into the links today: 1. Cisco: Let Me See That LONG @ Barel Karsan. 2. Dividend Yield on Cost Is Irrelevant @ IS. 3. 6 Confident and Secure Companies Boosting Dividends @ DGS. 4. Dividend Stock Holdings Of Top Hedge Fund Managers @ Dividend Ladder. 5. Two Reasonably Appealing Stock Ideas @ Dividend Mantra. 6. Best Brokerage Accounts for Dividend Investors @ DGI. 7. What Happens to Bonds When Interest Rates Rise? @ Dividend Ninja. 8. Life Insurance And Estate Planning @ The Passive Income Earner. 9. Investing In Gold And Silver @ Retire by 40. 10.

  • Can Disney’s Wonderful Realm Please Investors As Well as My Kids?

    Mike
    20 May 2013 | 5:01 am
        Following my analysis on Mattel (MAT) and Hasbro (HAS) from last week, I’m closing this toy stock series with the most famous company in the eyes of children: The Walt Disney Company (DIS).   Note: The stock is currently showing a dividend yield of 1.14%. This definitely does not fit my Dividend Growth Investing Model. But the company has recently started to increase its dividend and it makes a great comparison to Mattel and Hasbro who are pretty much alone in the toy industry paying distributions over 3%.   Disney (DIS) Business Description:   If you have been…

  • Dividend Link Time

    MD
    17 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    I hope you all have a great long weekend! Any plans? 1. Building Wealth Through Dividend Investing @ Dividend Ladder. 2. International Allocation through Conglomerates @ The Passive Income Earner. 3. Reinvesting Dividends @ DGSI. 4. Is Coca-Cola the perfect dividend paying stock? @ My Own Advisor. 5. What advice I would give my 23 year old self @ Retire by 40. 6. Rackspace (RAX)… Buy, Sell or Hold? @ IS. 7. One Year Older, One Year Closer @ Dividend Mantra. 8. T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (TROW) Dividend Stock Analysis @ DGS. 9. Time To Bust Some Financial Myths @ Financial…

  • Hasbro – Made For Fun? or Getting Tired of the Same Toys?

    Mike
    16 May 2013 | 4:21 am
        On Monday, we looked at the toy industry with Mattel (MAT). Following up on this series, we will check out another important player in the industry; Hasbro (HAS). While Mattel is part of my Best Dividend Stocks for 2013, Hasbro was part of my selection for 2012. The company has been up by 32.34% this year and was up by another 12.57% for 2012. After a gain of almost 50% in 17 months, is there any more room for profit of have you missed the train?   Hasbro (HAS) Business Description:   Hasbro is a worldwide leader in children and family entertainment. It is mostly known…

  • Let’s Play With Mattel (MAT), Are We Going to Have Fun?

    Mike
    13 May 2013 | 2:00 am
        The month of May is starting out strong on the stock market as most investors are patiently waiting for a correction. Since it’s spring time and we are all looking to spend more time  playing outside, I thought of doing a small analysis series of toys & entertainment dividend stocks. Today we start with Mattel (NASDAQ: MAT), a stock showing a year-to-date return of +23.84% as at Monday May 6th before the market opening. This stock has been selected at the beginning of the year to be part of my book of The Best 2013 Dividend Stocks.   Mattel (MAT) Business…
 
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    Steadfast Finances

  • How to Drastically Reduce Your Spending

    CJ
    8 May 2013 | 7:38 am
    In this poor economy, many people find themselves having to drastically reduce their spending in order to make ends meet. However, there are a lot of people who leave things hanging in the balance for too long. Then their only options are to have cereal for dinner and steal loo paper from the company’s bathroom. Clearly, you have decided that you’d rather not be one of these people. However, you have come to recognise that your finances are not as healthy as they once were, and the only option left to you is to cut your spending. Assuming your situation is not teetering on the edge of…

  • Making Plans for Retirement

    CJ
    28 Mar 2013 | 2:55 pm
    If you are planning to retire within the next few years, it is important that you make plans for your retirement. Having a set plan ahead of time will help you out in the long run, especially because if you do not have many saved and things prepared, you may end up struggling to keep up with the cost of living upon retiring from the workforce. There are many ways for you to begin planning for your retirement, and remember that the sooner you start to save money, the more money you will have in the future when you need it the most. Keep a Savings Account If you have not already done so, open a…

  • Six More Tips to Put You on the Road to Riches

    Dominique Brown
    4 Mar 2013 | 3:00 am
    Benjamin Franklin, one of America’s greatest minds, wrote what can be best described as America’s first book on personal finance: “The Way to Wealth.” Many argue that it is the best book ever written on personal finance, and I agree that it contains priceless wisdom on the subject. One of my favorite quotes is, “If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some.” Therefore, it is with a great deal of modesty that I offer you six more tips on building wealth. 1        Get Financially Literate Not every wealthy individual has an MBA. In fact, many of the…

  • Ways to Ruin Your Finances

    CJ
    2 Mar 2013 | 1:00 pm
    No one is perfect with managing their money, but some people are worse than others. In my days, I’ve seen some pretty stupid stuff. I’m not saying that I don’t expect people to make mistakes, but there’s a difference between learning from your mistakes and not. If you are looking to improve your financial situation, one of the best ways that you can do something about it is to learn what NOT to do. The path to financial success is sometimes learning to avoid certain mistakes. Here are a number of things you should not do. Bury Yourself in Debt Regardless of whether it…

  • Top 3 Mistakes that Will Destroy Your Credit

    Dominique Brown
    25 Feb 2013 | 3:00 am
    Most people do not know the importance of credit until it is too late and their credit is destroyed. Credit is such a difficult thing to build up, but it can be destroyed in an instant. This is why it is always good to exercise caution with your spending and credit lines. If you have never learned about credit, however, you are certainly not aware of how your actions today can affect you tomorrow. You may not know anything is wrong until you go to buy a car or a home and find that you are rejected because of a low credit rating. Don’t let this happen to you. By avoiding these mistakes in…
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    Fiscal Fizzle

  • When to Pull Out of the Market

    Wojciech Kulicki
    8 May 2013 | 9:45 am
    You may have heard that the Dow, an old and reliable measure of stock market performance, recently surpassed 15,000 for the first time in history. The media is making a big deal each time we hit one of these milestones, and it’s generating a lot of water cooler talk and frenzy among the most novice of investors. As a result, I decided it was prime time for a frank discussion about getting out of the market. There are a few “truths” about the stock market, or so we’re lead to believe. Truth #1 is that the majority of people (a.k.a. “the herd”) buy stocks…

  • 4 Years of Fiscal Fizzle

    Wojciech Kulicki
    17 Apr 2013 | 7:09 am
    The first post on Fiscal Fizzle was published on February 1, 2009. In four years, the personal finance space in the blogosphere has changed considerably, expanding from a few hundred blogs to literally thousands with more starting up every day. I feel privileged to have been part of the growth of this space and see so many people get interested in personal finance and start sharing their stories and their knowledge. As Fiscal Fizzle moves into its fifth year, 2013 has thus far been a quiet year on the blog. Behind the scenes, our family was busy welcoming our second child into the world,…

  • Keeping Your Focus in Economic Recovery

    Wojciech Kulicki
    25 Mar 2013 | 8:45 am
    This post originally ran on the blog in 2009, when it seemed recovery was around the corner. Nearly 4 years later, recovery is still slow in coming, particularly in my sector of the economy, but we’re seeing positive signs everywhere, including the housing market. I wanted to revisit some of the principles that I published because they will become more and more important the faster we begin to recover out of the recession.  A lot of people are talking about recovery–you can feel the buzz in the air, and the excitement of many of us who have felt the pressure of the economy take a…

  • Seasons

    Wojciech Kulicki
    5 Mar 2013 | 9:23 am
    If you’re shooting for consistency in your financial plan, you are bound to be disappointed. Instead, I try to find a sense of balance between different seasons, seasons that can vary widely at times from incredible highs to incredible lows. For starters, there are times of flat growth or stagnation, times of accelerated growth, and times of spending. When we moved in with my in-laws more than a year ago, it was the start of a new season–an opportunity to greatly increase our resources. When we had a new baby and bought a house within the last two months, it was another season…

  • Adaptu Alternatives

    Wojciech Kulicki
    1 Feb 2013 | 11:30 am
    Over the years, I’ve heard more good things about Adaptu from readers than I did about almost any other software or tool out there. It seemed that people who used it really liked it. It was their partnership with Man vs. Debt during his RV tour around the country that initially got me turned onto them, and I could see what the buzz was about, though I never fully migrated over to the system. At its core, Adaptu was a financial aggregator–one of perhaps hundreds that exist on the Web. All perform the same core functions–pulling all of your financial accounts and data…
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    Money Problems Money Solutions

  • Who’s At Risk Of Needing Debt Relief?

    Moneyproblems Answers
    7 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    If you have more debt than you should, you’re not alone. Four in ten Canadians report they carry credit card debt and a quarter of Canadians have an outstanding balance on their line of credit. Who is at risk of having to seek professional debt relief solutions like credit counselling or bankruptcy to deal with their debt problems? The truth is that debt problems affects Canadians from all walks of life – all ages, all income brackets, married or single, working, retired or unemployed. A recent study by Hoyes, Michalos & Associates, Joe Debtor: Who Is He? Who Is At Risk? revealed…

  • How Much Debt Will Your Coffee Pay Off?

    Moneyproblems Answers
    2 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Canadians love their coffee. According to the Coffee Association of Canada the average Canadian coffee drinker consumes approximately 2.8 cups of coffee per day or almost 20 cups per week. Of that coffee, 40% is consumed outside the home. That’s a lot of coffee being purchased ‘on-the-go’. If you are carrying debt you would like to repay, what is the ‘opportunity cost’ of buying your coffee to go rather than using that same money to pay off your debt? To figure that out let’s continue with our average coffee drinker. And because this is Canada, we’ll…

  • When Line Of Credit Debt Turns Bad

    Moneyproblems Answers
    25 Apr 2013 | 5:45 am
    Personal Lines of Credit (LOC) have become increasingly popular in recent years. The financial industry has sold the allure of instant access to ‘affordable’ credit to fund large purchases, unexpected expenses, home renovations – whatever we wanted to purchase but could not afford today. The success of this product has been nothing short of amazing. Growth has outstripped credit card debt by more than 5 times over the past ten years. That’s good right? Unfortunately, no.  Like with credit card debt, consumers have all too often over-used line of credit debt, finding…

  • Credit Card Debt: Nature or Nuture

    Sharon Hoyes
    4 Apr 2013 | 5:00 am
    Let’s face it, credit card debt is almost the norm today. We are accustomed to using credit cards as part of our every day life. When used wisely, the benefits of credit cards are very appealing – they are easier to carry than cash, can help us build up our credit rating and offer rewards we desire. But the very nature of credit cards, combined with our own spending habits, can lead to serious debt problems. Causes of Credit Card Debt Sometimes the causes of debt are beyond your control. Debts due to divorce, job loss, income reduction, or illness are all too real and are…

  • Debt Mistakes. A Learning Opportunity

    Sharon Hoyes
    28 Mar 2013 | 7:53 am
    “Good judgement comes from experience, a lot of which comes from bad judgement”. We all know too much debt is not a good thing, but debt management is not necessarily a skill we all possess. It’s not like you set out with the objective of borrowing more than you could afford. Debt slowly creeps up on you while you are focused elsewhere, whether making ends meet, dealing with a marital breakdown or other family crisis. The good news is we can all learn from our past mistakes, using them as an opportunity to make changes, improve and move forward. The key is not too look at…
 
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    JoeTaxpayer

  • An Illogical Situation

    Joe
    25 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    I was hoping for an appropriate political cartoon to share regarding the Apple fiasco from this past week. I was counting on a scene titled “The Big Apple Circus” and the Senators who grilled Tim Cook would be illustrated as clowns asking rhetorical questions about the tax code. Instead I’ll be happy with a Star Trek reference to acknowledge the latest film to hit the big screen.

  • More Damned Charts

    Joe
    23 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    You ever have something pointed out to you, something you never noticed before, and then you see it every place? When I wrote Lying With Charts, I offered one of the most manipulated charts I had come across in some time. There are also many that aren’t manipulated, but are still not quite up to “telling it like it is,” with how they are constructed. First, a disclaimer. I love Forbes Magazine. The articles are top notch, well written, well researched, and when opinion is offered, even when you disagree, you find a strong case made by the writer. The following chart was…

  • The Senate vs Apple

    Joe
    22 May 2013 | 7:30 am
    There are times that truth to me is stranger than fiction. Earlier today, I saw Tim Cook questioned by multiple senators regarding the US taxes Apple pays. A brief disclaimer, I happen to be an Apple fan, but I’d feel no different if the CEO of any other large company were called to testify.  And I don’t have too much respect for our politicians, a few minutes at a time is all I can listen to them. Fortunately, there’s TiVo and it pause button. It seems that it just occurred to our esteemed Senators that companies like Apple don’t pay US tax on earnings that were not…

  • The Good, Bad and Ugly of DIY Financial Advice

    Joe
    21 May 2013 | 2:16 pm
    A guest Post from Tim Aldiss - Financial regulations are always put in place with the intention of lending further transparency to decision making processes. However, the eventual results do not always mirror the initial vision. Although providing a new breed of qualified investment advice may help investors avoid financial pitfalls, many individuals are now distancing themselves from this prepaid and often times still confusing arena. The end result has been that markedly fewer people are seeking the services of a financial adviser; indeed, less than one-third of all adults will consult…

  • An Overdrafted Roundup

    Joe
    19 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Let’s start this week with My Retirement Blog’s U.S Retirement System a Success. To be fair, Andy doesn’t quite agree with the title, but was referencing a paper put out by the Investment Company Institute (ICI). I’ll be reading the paper and writing my own take on it later this week. Now that she’s finished her Walk For Hunger (congrats for passing $2000 raised, and your team for $5,000+!!) Stephanie is asking herself, “Was my Traditional to Roth IRA conversion a mistake?” You see, she did fine projecting her tax bracket, but the extra income negated…
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    Financial Samurai

  • How To Make A Lot Of Money In The Stock Market And Still Feel Like A Loser

    Financial Samurai
    23 May 2013 | 3:38 am
    Slow and steady often wins the race. On May 5, 2013 I wrote an article called, “Should I Invest In China? A Top Down And Bottoms Up Perspective.” My simple thesis was that with the Yen depreciating to 100+ due to Abenomics coupled with strong world markets, China must inevitably catch up in a risk-on environment. I then identified the Chinese internet space as the most laggard sector where investors should consider putting money to work. Chinese internet stocks have been going straight down for two years. Stock picks included BIDU, SINA, and RENN. So what happened with the stock…

  • Why I Dislike Investing In The Stock Market Even In Good Times

    Financial Samurai
    21 May 2013 | 6:56 am
    Sell too soon. Buy too early. Sound familiar? Welcome to the club. I am the King of making suboptimal trades due to fear and greed. Whenever I’m about to make a trade, I begin to have delusions thinking I’m smarter than the market. After all, I need to have conviction if I’m going to put tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars to work. When my bid gets lifted or my offer gets hit, I’ve already made a mistake. Why? Because there are two sides to every trade and in that brief transactional moment the other side is usually always getting the better deal. For example,…

  • Documents Needed When Renting An Apartment

    Financial Samurai
    20 May 2013 | 3:48 am
    After two years, my beloved tenant is leaving me for another man. My tenant is a single woman in her 50s who sold her house on the east coast to start a new life in San Francisco. She’s always wondered what the west coast fuss was all about so she decided to see for herself. After a year of work, she met someone and is now moving in with him. I’m so sad to see my tenant go as she’s been wonderful. Yet, I’m so happy she’s found new love! I don’t know what it is about my rental property but every single tenant ends up marrying or finding someone special. Good…

  • How To Avoid An Audit Based On Discrimination By The IRS

    Financial Samurai
    17 May 2013 | 1:48 pm
    It should come as NO surprise to long time Financial Samurai readers that the IRS admitted to targeting conservative groups since Obama became President. The government already discriminates against those who make over a certain amount by charging higher taxes even though they already pay for the majority of all taxes. Meanwhile, the deductions and credits you get for things such as education and children get eliminated if you make over an absurdly low amount. Conducting body cavity searches to shake more tax dollars out of Republicans is business as usual. Make no mistake that if a…
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    Automatic Finances

  • Is There A Manufacturing Skills Gap?

    Fred Siegmund
    14 May 2013 | 2:42 pm
    President Carter’s domestic policy advisor, Stuart Eizenstat, and Robert Lerman, an Urban Institute Fellow, claim there is a skills gap in manufacturing that threatens America’s manufacturing comeback (“Bring back the apprentice”, Washington Post, May 5, 2013). Readers are asked to accept a citation from an unnamed survey that claims 600,000 jobs go unfilled because the skills gap is real and America needs an apprenticeship program. The authors worry that “[we] are at risk of squandering this historic opportunity – mainly because firms interested in investing in the United States…

  • The New Minimum Wage Proposal

    Fred Siegmund
    24 Apr 2013 | 8:15 am
    The Obama Administration recently proposed an increase in the minimum wage to $9.00 an hour. The current minimum continues at $7.25 an hour where it has been since July 24th 2009, the date of the last of three planned increases passed by Congress. The proposed increase is a little over 24 percent over the three years from 2009 to 2012, more than inflation but still hardly a self-supporting wage. At $9.00 an hour per full-time employee, the increase converts $3,640 [$1.75 x 2,080] of profit to cost per full-time minimum wage employee. To employers of low-wage jobs like ushers, lobby…

  • Flaws in the American Health Care System

    Fred Siegmund
    25 Mar 2013 | 8:50 am
    Recently, the Obama Administration announced the time has arrived to appoint health care experts to an Independent Payment Advisory Board as part of its duties under the Affordable Care Act. The legislation gives the advisory board authority to change Medicare reimbursements for doctors and determine new ways to deliver quality health care. However, the flaws in health care go much deeper than reimbursements. One of the flaws the advisory board cannot address with reimbursements comes because physician services operate as a separate component of the health care industry. Some of America’s…

  • Does Cutting Unemployment Benefits Increase the Supply of Labor?

    Fred Siegmund
    28 Feb 2013 | 1:57 pm
    A Washington Post article (“N.C. looks to cut jobless benefits“ 2/13/13) describes cuts in unemployment benefits as a drastic proposal from North Carolina lawmakers. Under the new plan, benefits would drop from 26 weeks to 20 and the maximum benefits from $535 a week to $350. The governor believes they have little choice because they have a budget crisis. But the quotations from business supporters give another reason: cuts are needed to improve the economic climate and rebuild unemployment insurance funds. Lew Ebert, the president of the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, told…

  • In Virginia, the Sky is Falling

    Fred Siegmund
    20 Feb 2013 | 9:27 am
    In the Chicken Little folk tale, Chicken Little and his friends Henny Penny, Lucky Ducky and Foxey Loxey becomes hysterical when they all agree the sky is falling. In Virginia, delegate Robert G. Marshall believes the Federal Reserve Bank will bring financial hysteria with hyperinflation like Germany after WWI. He wants to protect Virginians by having a new Virginia currency. He got the Virginia legislature to allocate $17,440 to study a metallic-based currency for Virginia. He was quoted as saying, “This is a serious study about a serious topic. We’re not completely powerless.” Every…
 
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    Saving Money Today

  • 10 Ways To Cut On Energy Costs At Home

    Mike
    14 May 2013 | 5:10 am
    When it comes to reducing energy costs, little gestures can go a long way. By apply these 10 simple tricks at home, you will shrink your energy bill, all the while doing something good for the planet! 1. Fight the Phantom Load! You probably think that your TV, DVD, computer, microwave and other appliances use electricity only when you are using them. Well, it is wrong: The phantom load, or standby charge, is the amount of electricity used by appliances when they are plugged, regardless of if they are used or not. You’d be surprised by how much energy phantom loads represent. Try and unplug…

  • Saving in the City: Ways to Lower Mortgage Costs in an Urban Area

    Mike
    9 Apr 2013 | 6:08 pm
    When the economy takes a nosedive and the unemployment rate remains at all-time highs, homeowners begin to scramble to look for real ways to lower their mortgage costs. Before refinancing a home, homeowners often search for other avenues of cash to help with mortgage cost such as increasing savings, applying for loans, or pursuing a second job. These can be especially difficult for home owners who reside in large cities and other urban environments as demand for low interest loans and competition for available job vacancies are high. Mortgage holders in a city or section of a city are often…

  • Comparing Business Broadband Packages

    Mike
    24 Jan 2013 | 6:21 pm
    If you need to upgrade your broadband to a faster/better business package you might be wondering where to start looking. There are now so many telecoms companies on the market, all claiming to provide super-fast speeds and excellent value for money. Many providers like to bamboozle customers with obscure jargon and a barrage of numbers, so if you want to make an informed business broadband comparison, it’s a good idea to do your homework first. The most basic broadband packages usually offer an asymmetric digital subscriber line connection, or ADSL for short. This type of service is…

  • What is PMI?

    Mike
    18 Dec 2012 | 6:34 pm
    If you’re shopping for a house as a first time homebuyer you probably can’t afford to put down 20 percent of the sale price as a down payment.  That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to secure a mortgage or buy a home, but it does mean you’ll likely be required to pay private mortgage insurance. PMI is a type of protection for the lender in case you default on the loan and the home ends up going into foreclosure.  The charge can vary depending on how much you are borrowing and how much you are putting down, but generally PMI costs somewhere between $50 and $150 per month. Typically…

  • Should You Use a Realtor or Sell Your Home Yourself?

    Mike
    27 Nov 2012 | 7:49 pm
    When you’re selling your home you want to try and get as much money as possible.  You also want to minimize your expenses, which means you may be tempted to sell your home without the aid of a realtor and his 6 percent commission.  After all, if the house sells for $300,000 giving up $18,000 in realtor commissions can feel like a kick in the butt. Nevertheless, the decision to exclude an experienced realtor should not be taken lightly.  Personally, when we put our house on the market, we wanted to time the transaction so we could move over the summer because we didn’t want to pull the…
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    Personal Finance Blog

  • Building Up Your Savings Accounts

    Sherry Tingley
    6 May 2013 | 1:47 pm
    Save For Rainy Days Every year a survey called the Financial Literacy Survey, questions about 2,000 adults that are over 18 years of age. Results from this year indicate that building a savings account is the one area of improvement that people need to make. About two in five people say that their emergency savings account is something they are constantly worried about. The same amount of people are worried about not having enough money set aside for retirement. So how can you save more money? Give Up A Bad Habit People enjoy habits because they make life easier and require less thought. It…

  • Achieving A Financially Successful Life

    Sherry Tingley
    19 Apr 2013 | 4:36 pm
    One of the basic foundations for building and maintaining a successful financial life focuses on using regular income to provide you with a basic lifestyle and money in savings to meet emergencies. This may take years to accomplish, but proves to be the foundation of financial success. Good Cash and Credit Management Practices Managing cash and credit is a skill that can be beneficial for a lifetime. People sometimes fail to realize that credit card companies are in the business of making money off people who can’t do basic math or don’t project into the future how much their…

  • 5 Lifetime Financial Objectives

    Sherry Tingley
    2 Apr 2013 | 12:42 pm
    Financial success means something different to every person. Some want to have enough money to pay the rent, pay their mortgage and just get by, while others seek to acquire a huge estate. You may want to be a millionaire by age 30, however most people just want to have a comfortable lifestyle. Few people reach financial success without restraining their current spending. Becoming active in savings for future consumption is a habit everyone needs to get into. According to the book “Personal Finance,” by E. Thomas Garman, from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State…

  • 5 Reasons People Avoid Reading Personal Finance Articles

    Sherry Tingley
    1 Apr 2013 | 2:59 pm
    Personal finance articles are written to help people gain better information about helping themselves improve their financial condition, yet the people who need this information the most often avoid it altogether. Why? Reason #1 – Lacking Belief The mindset of a person that is struggling financially is negative. Plain and simply, they do not believe they have the power to change their lives. They then convince themselves that nothing is going to help so why look for help. Reason #2 – Firm Belief They Are Doing Everything Right Along with lacking belief, people think that there is…

  • 5 Tips for Mutual Fund Investments

    Richard Cox
    26 Jan 2013 | 4:47 am
    Many new investors fall into a common trap created during bull markets, as a percentage of your paycheck is automatically invested into the mutual funds tied to your 401(k) plan.  This automated process leads many investors to rely on the relatively easy, cheap and low-risk approach to capitalize on the long term benefits of stock ownership.  But even with this easy process, it is still possible to make costly mistakes that can diminish returns and put your wider portfolio in danger.  Coolchecks.net customers and anyone who wants to maximize their investments need to be aware of some…
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    Control Your Cash: Making Money Make Sense

  • Somebody Slap This Man

    admin
    24 May 2013 | 4:43 am
    “1st floor; sports logo gear, Lee Brand jeans, and soon, our husky Hispanics section.”So this is what it’s come to.Kohl’s, the amazingly outdated department store chain with its radiant white perfume counter and its Semiannual Men’s Suit Events, is on the defendant end of a new lawsuit. The basis for this suit is so stupid that it’s hard to recite for you here without seething, but we’ll attempt.Some shoppers feel they were defrauded. They don’t question the quality of the merchandise, nor do they claim that they were charged a different price than that which appeared…

  • Free Credit Cards: Fact or Fiction?

    admin
    22 May 2013 | 11:15 am
     Guest post time! This one was written by Jason Bushey. Jason is a full-time personal finance blogger, and he runs the credit card comparison website Creditnet.com. Not only that, but we agree with just about everything he says. You read now:  Google the term “free credit cards” and you’ll see close to 500 million results displayed. Some results are legitimate, others not so much.So is there really such a thing as a free credit card? Technically yes, but it’s really up to the cardholder to determine how long that card stays “free”. If it’s free credit…

  • Carnival Of Wealth, Turning the Corner Edition

    admin
    20 May 2013 | 4:39 am
     No, not that kind of turning the corner. (Sorry.) The incompetent submitters are dropping off, week by week. Even better, a new roster of outspoken ones continues to gradually supplant them. Who knows, within a few decades the Carnival of Wealth might be good from top to bottom. We could hit some rough spots today, but the road looks smoother than ever. Let’s begin: Newcomer Rob Aeschbach wins for most striking post title: Why You Should Be Doing Estate Planning at the DMV. And not just because you’ll have plenty of time on your hands. Rob regales us with a tale of…

  • Of Course You Should Take “No” For An Answer

    admin
    16 May 2013 | 4:14 am
    Dashing young men have all the advantages.Word association time.Self-help book. Go.68% of you said Napoleon Hill’s Think And Grow Rich, which is close enough to 100% for our purposes.It’s the classic of the genre, if not its progenitor. Even if you haven’t read it, you’ve subconsciously committed its most famous concepts to memory. Visualize your success. If you can conceive and believe, you can achieve. Don’t take no for an answer. Hill was writing bumper stickers and motivational posters before people had cars and cubicle walls to affix them to.This isn’t a book review, or at…

  • Carnival of Wealth, Findlay Toyota Are Filthy Cretins Edition

    admin
    13 May 2013 | 4:04 am
    Yes, the Antichrist makes an appearance on CYC this week. We can explain. That’s him, standing next to an felonious and unapologetic evil psychopath of a dog murderer. That’s Rich Abajian, general manager of Findlay Toyota, which is a dealership near CYC headquarters. Last week a CYC acquaintance – a septuagenarian lady – had occasion to involuntarily do business with them. This is what happened.The lady in question drives a 2002 Camry, which she keeps in impeccable condition and barely drives. Last week the check engine light came on.For those of you who…
 
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    FiGuide - A Retirement Plan That Works!

  • How To Fund Your Way To College

    Kimberly J. Howard, CFP®, CRPC®, ADPA®
    24 May 2013 | 7:26 am
    With the cost of college rising quicker than the inflation in this country, figuring out how to save for college can be quite a task. However, college is the best investment that can be made—individuals with college degrees make twice as much, on average, than those with just high school diplomas. So, the perilous road towards saving for college must be taken. Check out the following ideas to make saving for college a little bit simpler for you: Where to Save Some people prefer saving their money in bank accounts as opposed to stocks. With bank accounts, though there are no tax breaks, you…

  • A Fee-Only Financial Planner Can Help You Live Within Your Means

    Claire Emory, MBA, CFA, CFP®
    24 May 2013 | 5:52 am
    Financial planning can help you reach retirement goals and keep you from making spending blunders and keep you from developing a lifestyle in which you are constantly trying to make up for spending mistakes. In “Signs You’re Living Beyond Your Means” Yahoo! offers some tough love for those of us who think we are doing just fine but fail to realize that we are overspending.  By their definition you’re living beyond your means if: “You couldn’t survive financially without your job’s income for at least six months.” You’re saving less than 10% of your pay. Your…

  • Three Ideas For Improving Annual Shareholder Meetings

    Matthew J. Illian, CFP®, AIF®
    24 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Most annual shareholder meetings are nothing more than a required dog-and-pony show. Genworth Financial’s annual shareholder meeting held on May 15, 2013, was no exception. Several improvements could be made to make these meetings more inviting. The room was filled up just as it had been the last time I had attended the Genworth shareholder meeting two years ago. Behind the executive panelist table, the first three rows were full of dark suits, mostly men, who are either current or pending directors waiting for election. Shareholders were left to find seats behind this cadre of fraternal…

  • The Market At A Record High: Now What?

    Troy Von Haefen, CFP®
    23 May 2013 | 5:33 am
    This question has been one frequently asked by my clients and friends lately. What do we do now that the market is perched at a record high?  Do we buy into this rally, or do we sell out of it? This exposes the two emotions that can lead to failure with investing:  fear and greed. Greed I’m amazed how we tend to forget the pain of 2000-2002 and 2008-2009.  While we sit at record highs, the pains of yesterday seem to be a distant memory.  Greed is now peeking its ugly head around the corner once again.  I am hearing some discussions from average investors stating they want to buy a…

  • Young Adults: Begin Financial Planning Now And Benefit Later

    Claire Emory, MBA, CFA, CFP®
    23 May 2013 | 5:28 am
    If you think financial planning is for older adults or those who are near retirement, think again. Some older adults have put things in place so they can retire well. Others may be panicking and trying to find a way to make up for a lack of retirement planning…so if you are a young adult, planning now will help you avoid belonging to the latter group when you get older. Yahoo! published an article entitled “13 Money Lies You Should Stop Telling Yourself by Age 30″ and it gives some good food for thought about the ways you can fool yourself into financial neglect. “If I…
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    Budgets Are Sexy

  • Last Box of Books Giveaway: Business & Marketing

    J. Money
    24 May 2013 | 2:50 am
    You know, it just occurred to me that it might cost a pretty penny to ship all these heavy ass books to you winners! Haha… oh well… what are bloggers for? :) Speaking of winners, before we go and launch our last box giveaway here, let me go and pick the two from last week’s boxes before I forget. Hold please… Okay, back! The winners of last week’s book giveaways are… dum dum dee dumm…. Box #1: Melanie from MyPenWritesRed.com Box #2: Joel Congrats guys! Pass me along your mailing address (email it to me, don’t put it in the comments for all to…

  • Hip-Hop, Steampunk, and Star Trek.

    J. Money
    24 May 2013 | 2:22 am
    Happy Friday, yo. Here be some good reads from da week – ya dig? I Know a Secret About Kohls @ Enemy of Debt 7 Financial Lessons From Hip-Hop @ MSN Money Is it ever too late to start saving? @ Donna Freedman 4 Good Reasons Why Some Quarters Are Painted Red @ Len Penzo Career Advice for Young Professionals from Successful Go-Getters @ Brazen Careerist And these be my giveaways up in hurr: Steampunk USB Flash Drive [Giveaway] @ Take Our Stuff $100 Kohls Gift Card [Giveaway] @ Take Our Gift Cards Star Trek & Star Wars Comics [Giveaway] @ Take Our Comics *Drops the mic*

  • 4 Awesome Entertainment Ideas for Only $1.00

    J. Money
    23 May 2013 | 2:44 am
    (Guest post by Joel from Save Outside the Box) Want to go do something really fun but you’re just flat out broke? I’ve been there. Here are some options that’ll only set you back a single George Washington for those of you that are monetarily challenged, or just cheap as hell. 1. Attend a major league baseball game. What!? That’s possible? Oh yes. America’s pastime is back in session and a few major league ballparks around the country offer $1 seats to catch a game. One of the teams that offers this is the Atlanta Braves – they open up 186 seats 3 hours prior to every game for…

  • Got in a car accident yesterday…

    J. Money
    22 May 2013 | 2:36 am
    You know those movies which show you what your life would look like if you had chosen a different path? Well, yesterday morning I chose the wrong one quite literally, and ended up smacking right into a brand new car as it cut across my lane without looking. Ugh… All of us are safe and sound and no one hurt at all (or else I wouldn’t be able to blog this right now, haha),  but nonetheless it shook us up a bit. And luckily the person I hit freely admitted she was in a rush and wasn’t paying attention when she made the turn so she agreed it was her fault. We’ll see if…

  • Back To Living Off One Salary Again! (Womp Womp)

    J. Money
    21 May 2013 | 2:48 am
    The Mrs. has officially ended her part-time job to start on her dissertation, so we’re back to a one salary household again! After a solid 7 months of bringing home an extra $1,600 a month too – yikes… This will be our 2nd time in a year living off one paycheck! And I’m not gonna lie – I’m going to miss those sexy little greenbacks. They were so cute! ;) But with many important things in life, you often have to cut something out in order to advance into other, brighter, areas. And right now that means no distractions whatsoever for an entire year, or…
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    Smart On Money

  • Are Credit Report Errors Costing You?

    Miranda Marquit
    23 May 2013 | 9:03 am
    Recently, my husband and I refinanced our home. During the process, we were rather surprised to find that, on my credit report, our mortgage loan was duplicated. That’s right: It looked as though we had two mortgages, instead of one. When figuring out our debt-to-income ratio, things could have been ugly, since it the credit report made it look like we were spending close to $3,000 a month in mortgage payments. We might not have qualified for the refinance — let alone got the best mortgage rate offered at the time. Duplicate accounts have long been a problem on my credit report,…

  • Has Your Home Offered You A Solid Return So Far?

    Miranda Marquit
    21 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    One of the cool tools offered by CNN Money right now is a calculator that lets you see whether or not your home has been a good investment. You enter information on when you bought your home, as well as how much it cost. Then you enter how much it is worth right now. The results display your total return and your annual return. You can also see how your home’s value has fared in comparison to investments like stocks and bonds. I entered my information in the field, and found that my annual return is 1.0% on my home. This isn’t surprising, since the appraisal associated with the…

  • Would You Rather Talk About Your Wallet Or Your Weight?

    Miranda Marquit
    2 May 2013 | 10:45 am
    There are certain topics that make us uncomfortable. Weight and money are two of those subjects. So, when it comes down to it, would you rather tell people your real weight? Or discuss your income? According to the latest COUNTRY Financial Security Index survey, most Americans would rather talk about their weight. An Aversion to Talking about Income The survey points out that 68% and 58% of women would rather talk about their weight than their wallets. Even though men are clearly more comfortable talking about their weight than women are, women still really don’t want to talk about…

  • 5 Ways to Combat Rising Health Care Costs

    Miranda Marquit
    9 Apr 2013 | 8:19 am
    Yesterday, I received a pleasant surprise when I went to pick up a prescription. I’ve been paying around $100 a month for this particular prescription, since it hasn’t been covered. Ever. No matter my plan. But thanks to the PPACA, it is now covered. I had to ask the pharmacist if there was a mistake. While there are a lot of strong feelings surrounding the health care reform law, the reality is that it did lower my cost in this one area. Will my premiums go up? Probably. But they go up every year — and have been going up every year before PPACA. I haven’t noticed a…

  • Road Trip! 3 Ways to Save Money and Have Fun

    Miranda Marquit
    1 Apr 2013 | 8:18 am
    One of my favorite ways to travel is via the road trip. Depending on your situation, a road trip can be cheaper than flying. And if you really plan it right, you can have funand save money in the bargain. 1. Your Car If your car has been well-maintained, it will get better gas mileage. This can save you the longer your trip is. On top of that, you are less susceptible to breakdowns in the middle of nowhere. I once had a $435 tow bill because my car broke down in the middle of nowhere. Keep your car properly maintained, and you’ll always be ready for a road trip. Also, consider taking…
 
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    Financially Poor

  • Reducing Your Credit Card Debt with Balance Transfers

    Kevin
    24 May 2013 | 6:27 pm
    Credit card debt is easy to rack up and difficult to pay down. One reason that it can be so hard to pay off credit card debt are the high interest rates that many cards carry. If you are only able to make the minimum payment you might find that every dime you are paying toward your credit card is only covering the monthly interest. It might seem like a lost cause and like you will never be able to get out of debt, but there is hope. Learning to use balance transfer offers to your advantage can help you to reduce your credit card debt and pay down your balances much more quickly. If you…

  • What Is Your House Worth To You?

    Kevin
    22 May 2013 | 6:07 pm
    Let me just paint you a picture. You have a two income family with two children and a lovely house. Your mortgage payment is around $1200 a month plus taxes and insurance. It’s not too bad and hovers around 30% of your income, so you’re sittin pretty. Bam!! One of you loses your job, and your mortgage payment is now 60% of your income. In order to pay the mortgage you have to pay your other bills with credit cards in hopes that you get a new job soon. But the economy sucks, your cards are maxed out, and you’re passed due on the mortgage, so the bank is foreclosing on your home. You…

  • The Importance of Payday Loans

    Kevin
    22 May 2013 | 10:29 am
    Many people often show an aversion towards loans that are not properly warranted. For these people, any form of debt is often bad debt. The truth however can be wildly different; loans or debt are bad when you don’t use them properly and you are not able to pay off the loaned amount in time. However, if you can take care of these concerns, you can actually be confident that the loan is good especially if it betters your situation in the way you envisioned the loan would help you. Enter payday loans! The importance of payday loans lies in the fact that it is one of the most readily…

  • IR35 Explained

    Kevin
    21 May 2013 | 9:15 am
    If you run, manage or own your own company then you will have more than likely heard about the ‘IR35’ legislation, and if you haven’t you should have. At ClearSky Accounting, as an accountancy expert, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about IR35. What is IR35? The IR35, so called after the Inland Revenue (now Her Majesties Revenue & Customs) press release number 35 of that year, is ‘Intermediaries Legislation’ introduced to ensure companies working through intermediary companies, such as personal service companies, are paying the appropriate tax. Why was it…
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    Couple Money

  • What NOT to stock up on in your stockpile!

    guest poster
    20 May 2013 | 1:13 pm
    Stockpiles can be very important for your household and are there to assist in saving you hundreds of dollars. From toilet paper and body wash to canned foods and condiments, you can stock just about anything. Finding great deals is key and with the rising costs of household items and groceries, you want to snatch any bargain out there to build that right up. But have you thought of some of the items that you should not stock up on, unless you take extra measures? You wouldn’t think that there was such a thing, but there is. Fresh fruits and vegetables are an obvious no-stock item. Why?

  • Why Parents Shouldn’t Pay For College

    Elle
    15 May 2013 | 4:37 pm
    So Monday was about some reasons parents choose to pay for their kids’ college. For some parents, they have been planning on this as soon their kids were born and they have worked hard to give this gift. Why Parents Shouldn’t Pay For College Now on the other side is the debate, there are just as caring and sincere parents who argue that having their kids pay for their own college tuition is a great opportunity that they want them to have. Some reasons I’ve heard boil down to: Self-Sufficiency: I’ve heard parents say that part of the college experience is to learn…

  • Should Parents Pay for College?

    Elle
    13 May 2013 | 9:33 am
    There are many parent debating whether or not they should pay for college for their children. For us, we’re a bit divided. My husband and I want to have a bit of money to help out with college, but we don’t want to give an unlimited line of credit. We’ve discussed this before as well. Right now we’re focusing on paying down the last student loan before we make any contributions in a college fund. I think that parents should get their own finances in order before killing themselves over a college fund. Hopefully we’ll only have a year or so before we have to sit…

  • Don’t Go Broke Fixing Your Car!

    Elle
    8 May 2013 | 4:55 am
    I mentioned that maintaining your car is financially important as car emergencies can ruin a family’s budget quite easily. For couples looking at paying down debt, investing more for their future, or saving up for a paid for vacation, it can be incredibly frustrating to see huge expenses come up with their cars. Every Car Needs Maintenance Fortunately though, many car expenses aren’t emergencies, but simply scheduled repairs that weren’t planned. While you can definitely minimize many big repairs, you still have to spend money to keep your car running, especially if you…

  • Net Worth Review: Wrapping Up the Debt Movement

    Elle
    6 May 2013 | 5:46 am
    At the beginning of the month we examine last month’s finances and see how it’s affected our net worth. The purpose of the net worth reviews is to give us a regular system to look at our accounts, see what’s changed, and analyze what went well and what we need to work on. April was a month of money moving around. We had taxes to pay for my business, our car needed to be repaired, student loans were paid down, and we opened IRA as we simplified our finances. The Debt Movement Over? So April was the end of The Debt Movement‘s 90 day challenge. If you remember Jeff had a huge goal…
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    Beating Broke

  • The Paleo Diet: A Good Alternative For Those With Celiac and Gluten Intolerance?

    MelissaB
    24 May 2013 | 5:54 am
    I’m a carb and sugar lover, and I’m guessing I’m not alone among Americans.  Pizza, bread sticks, pasta, bread. . . we are a nation that loves carbs.  For many of us, though, digesting carbs is a challenge.  Dr. Joseph Murray of the Mayo Clinic analyzed blood samples from the 1950s to those now and “confirms estimates that about 1 percent of U.S. adults have [Celiac] today, making it four times more common now than it was 50 years ago”  (CBSNews.com).  Nearly that same amount has Celiac disease but have not yet been diagnosed Even if you don’t have…

  • Earning > Saving

    B.B.
    20 May 2013 | 5:24 am
    Saving is a finite solution. You can only save so much, can only be so frugal. Your power for earning is unlimited with the right resource (you), the right tools (knowledge), and the right force (hard work).  That isn’t to discount saving.  Saving is an important part of the equation too.  But, because of it’s limited ability, it can only be so much a part of your overall wealth and financial independence equation.  Do you know what limits savings’ ability?  Your earnings. You can only save so much as you earn.  If you only earn $8 an hour, you can only save $8 an…

  • Attention Google Reader, um, Readers

    B.B.
    19 May 2013 | 7:00 pm
    Be warned. This post has absolutely nothing to do with personal finance. It does have to do with how some of you get your personal finance articles from Beating Broke, however. More specifically, with those of you who use Google Reader to read the articles here on Beating Broke.  The latest stats show that there are a couple hundred of you or so.  Last month, Google announced that they would be discontinuing the Google Reader service on July 1st, 2013.  As a result, if you use Google Reader, you will no longer get updates from this and other websites. Now is the time to make a few changes…

  • Personal Crowd Funding?

    B.B.
    15 May 2013 | 5:58 am
    We’ve all heard about the many different crowdfunding organizations out there.  Probably the most famous of them is Kickstarter.  Or maybe Indiegogo.  Adam from Man vs. Debt recently crowdfunded his documentary “I’m Fine, Thanks” through Kickstarter.  Using crowdfunding sites has become pretty popular.  It’s a great way for artists and creators to fund the products that they are creating through the fans while still giving something back to the fans. Recently, I found a site called GoFundMe.  It’s another crowdfunding site.  Except, in this case,…

  • Signs You Are Carrying Too Much Debt

    Guest Contributor
    13 May 2013 | 6:02 am
    Gary Dek is a contributor to Gajizmo.com and is always looking for ways to make and invest money. Gary previously worked for an internet company on their M&A team, as well as investment banking and private equity firms in California. Some of life’s necessities, like homes and arguably cars, cost more than most people can save in 5 or 10 years. This means they have to borrow money to be able to pay for their needs. Unfortunately, if you are like many Americans, you have probably borrowed money for things you want and cannot afford. The average American family carries more than…
 
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    Denise Richardson

  • What Private Information is Available Online?

    Denise Richardson
    17 May 2013 | 12:52 pm
    What do you think would happen if you tried to search public records for information about yourself? You may be surprised by what you find. There is quite a bit of information that is considered public, either through public records...

  • Fraud Alert: Beware of Tragedy Related Scams

    Denise Richardson
    30 Apr 2013 | 7:02 am
    The Boston and Texas tragedies remind us that when disaster strikes, we are not always prepared to deal with the magnitude of the chaotic wake that follows such events in our communities. Our desire to help those in need can...

  • FTC Warns Tenant Screening Sites on FCRA Duties

    Denise Richardson
    23 Apr 2013 | 6:43 am
    The Federal Trade Commission has warned six companies operating websites that share information about consumers' rental histories with landlords that they may be subject to the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).If it turns out they collect information...

  • How Can a Secured Credit Card Build Your Credit Score?

    Denise Richardson
    5 Apr 2013 | 11:37 am
    Whether you are trying to establish credit or clean up a dirty credit history, you've probably considered the option of applying for a secured credit card. A secured credit card requires you to open and maintain a savings account as...

  • Consumer Financial Complaints Database Goes Live: Track, Sort, Search, Download

    Denise Richardson
    2 Apr 2013 | 7:07 am
    The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) goes live with the nation's largest public database of federal consumer financial complaints, opening up to consumers across the country information on more than 90,000 individual complaints on financial products and services."By sharing these...
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    First Generation White Collar

  • Steve Jobs: Secret to Life

    L. Marie Joseph
    18 May 2013 | 7:59 am
    What an inspirational video of Steve Jobs. Short and to the point. Enjoy!

  • What do people want more than Sex and Money?

    L. Marie Joseph
    7 Apr 2013 | 12:30 pm
    There are two things people want more than sex and money: recognition and praise -Mary Kay Ash   If you’re an entrepreneur, better yet one with many employees, these two words are valuable. Your success will not last long if you don’t praise your employees. This keeps them motivated, energized and well loyal to you. Entrepreneurs are not successful on their own, they need help. This comes in the form of employees, interns, contractors, lawyers, accountants, etc.

  • Pound Foolish: Exposing the Dark Side of the Personal Finance Industry

    L. Marie Joseph
    9 Feb 2013 | 5:07 pm
    This seems like a book that is perfect for your financial bookshelf. Finally, someone had the balls to say that some of these financial gurus just playing a game on the middle class. “If you’re not saving x amount of dollars a year, you’re a loser” If you don’t have a $100,000 saved by the time you reach 40 years old, you’re not trying hard enough” As the author writes sh!t happens. These personal finance gurus talk as if you don’t go through life events. Perfect people don’t have life events happen to them. Saving 15% of your income your…

  • Kevin Trudeau Video on Success

    L. Marie Joseph
    5 Jan 2013 | 1:44 pm
    I’m not a big fan of Kevin Trudeau, however, I ran across this video and I completely agree with this speech. around it 6:16 becomes an eye opener for me!

  • You Must Take Intelligent Risks — Reid Hoffman

    L. Marie Joseph
    1 Jan 2013 | 1:04 pm
    Reid Hoffman (Founder of LinkedIn) describes why companies must take risks to create breakout products and innovations. He also shares the importance of holding and testing contrarian views throughout the entrepreneurial process.
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    Stack The Chips

  • Top 5 Ways To Save Using Online Coupons

    ipadedwin
    15 May 2013 | 12:28 am
    Online coupons are pretty straightforward. There is really no mystery to their use. You find stuff you want to buy online. You find an online coupon that helps you save money on the stuff you are buying. You enter the coupon code in the checkout page of your process, you get the savings. Simple enough, right? Well, not so fast. The sad truth is that people don’t take advantage of online coupons as they should. Instead, they leave millions of dollars on the table on an annual basis. What a waste. In these hard economic times, every little bit of savings counts. Follow the tips below to…

  • How To Establish A Healthy Savings Habit

    ipadedwin
    4 May 2013 | 7:19 pm
    Did you know that it only takes 21 days to establish a good habit or break a bad habit? 3 weeks. You only need to do something for 21 days straight to keep doing that thing. Conversely, you only need to keep from doing something for 21 days straight to get off the habit. Powerful, no? The good news is that this ‘rule’ can apply to many things in life not just quitting smoking or kicking a drinking habit. You can use the 21 day rule to lose weight or acquire good job habits. Most importantly, you can use it to your favor when trying to gain good financial habits. The most…

  • 3 Signs You May Have A Spending Addiction

    ipadedwin
    21 Apr 2013 | 4:49 pm
    Spending addiction is a real thing. It might just seem like a made up syndrome used to rationalize away the bad habits of the Real Housewives characters, but it’s not. People with spending addictions find the draw of the nearest shopping mall or internet retailer too much and they can’t control themselves enough to resist purchasing something. This very real condition has a psychological basis. Unfortunately, unless you are aware of your problem and willing to get help, you can’t truly overcome the addiction. Like alcohol or drug addictions, spending addictions have a chemical basis in…

  • 4 Things To Do With Your Tax Return

    ipadedwin
    10 Apr 2013 | 7:11 pm
    With tax season right around the corner, you’re probably dreaming of getting a big fat check from the IRS. While getting bonus money is always a great feeling, too many people run out and spend the check before it even deposits in their bank accounts. Rather than blowing your IRS return this year, look at 4 things you can do with your check that will actually benefit you for more than a couple hours of retail therapy. 1. Save it This seems like the most obvious choice, but it’s surprising how few people save their tax returns. Saving the money is a great way to start your emergency fund…

  • Cut Up Your Credit Cards The Right Way

    ipadedwin
    25 Mar 2013 | 1:46 am
    There’s nothing more dramatic in one’s attempts to save money than cutting up your credit cards. As dramatic as this might seem. It might be short-sighted, impulsive, and ultimately counterproductive if you do it wrong. Like with most things in life, there is a wrong way and a right way to cutting up your credit cards. Don’t act rashly. Don’t act out of impulse. It is understandable that you are stressed out about the high interest rates charged by most cards, and the fact that you are racking up more debt than raking in income. However, you have to play your cards…
 
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    Savvy Saving Bytes

  • Oh No! Here Come the Budworms Again!

    SSB
    20 May 2013 | 7:00 pm
    In passed summers I have lost countless battles with budworms as they happily gorged themselves silly on my geraniums and petunias.  As tiny, newborn worms, they stealthily bored into tender, young flower buds and ate their way out, speedily decimating every bud in flowerpots. Fatter and feistier, they then feasted on every blossom in sight. And [...]

  • Biggest Scam of All: Sham Weight-Loss Products

    SSB
    13 May 2013 | 8:35 am
    Bathing suit time is thundering up the road. After a year comfortably concealed under roomy, forgiving, cold weather duds, is your body ready? If not and you’re considering purchasing a weight-loss product that claims dramatic results in a remarkably short time, you might want to take a look at a recent survey by the Federal [...]

  • Thoreau on Simplicity, Success and Stardust

    SSB
    6 May 2013 | 4:40 pm
      Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden Pond”, a celebration of solitude, simplicity and self-sufficiency, has inspired and instructed us since it was written in 1854. Thoreau’s ideas and insights about life, formulated while living alone with nature at Walden Park for two years, resonate to this day. On defining success, he said: “If the day and the [...]

  • Are You Eating Rice Harvested in a “Cancer Village”?

    SSB
    29 Apr 2013 | 4:33 pm
    After reading an article in Marketplace.Org about toxic rice harvested in one of China’s “cancer villages” I made a disconcerting discovery.  The US imports 7% of its rice from a number of countries, one of which happens to be China.  Could there possibly be any connection here? This particular story started in the 1990s in [...]

  • Tulip Time: Mundane Matters Take a Spring Break

    SSB
    15 Apr 2013 | 8:41 am
    Marching along eastside avenues and blooming up and down side streets, spring tulips have blossomed in their radiant, annual show. When I first moved to New York years ago, I don’t remember particularly noticing the flowers. But every year since then, more and more tulips have popped on more and more streets in ever widening [...]
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    Money Fox

  • Five Ways You Know You Have the Right Bank Account

    The Financial Fox
    14 May 2013 | 11:00 am
    These days, almost everyone has at least one bank account. The days of stashing your money under the mattress are long gone. In fact, some of us rarely even see cash. We get paid directly into our accounts, bills are paid by direct debit and purchases are made using cards. So, having a bank account that works well for you is very important. However, many of us still use the same account that we’ve had for years. It’s usually the same one that we opened in our teens. If we’re honest, we’d probably admit that our circumstances have changed a bit since then. So, how do you know if…

  • Cloud Computing for Small Business: From Accounting To Backups

    The Financial Fox
    23 Apr 2013 | 4:16 am
    There’s no doubt about it – cloud computing is made for the small business owner. At a basic level, it saves you money. There’s no need for email servers, file servers or any specialist software. In addition, you can use cloud computing services through virtually any platform, from your laptop to your mobile, giving you the facility to conduct business and collaborate with your colleagues from wherever you happen to be and at any time of day or night. But it’s not simply about data storage; cloud computing is set to revolutionise the way we do business, even at ground level. Level…

  • Medical Advances Pointless Without Private Health Cover

    Guest Post
    23 Apr 2013 | 3:28 am
    Knowing that we have health cover in case something goes wrong gives us peace of mind, but it is also giving many sleepless nights, as they toss and turn and worry about how they are going to pay for it. Private health insurance is considered an indicator of preventive health levels and the higher the level of care a member has, the better their level of preventive health can be assumed to be in developed nations. But there are some diseases where medicine has not yet given us conclusive evidence as to how to deal with their development or treatment, really testing the level of family health…

  • Australians Wish They Could Save More Than They Are

    Guest Post
    20 Apr 2013 | 3:35 am
    One nugget of wisdom that has emerged in the wake of the global financial crisis is that people are now saving far more than they used to, before the crisis. That was then – this is now. Back then, we used to splurge on credit card purchases, thoughtlessly increasing our credit limits to sky-high thresholds. We shopped indiscriminately, without ‘shopping around’ for better prices first. In essence, we were callous and inconsiderate with our personal finances; yet, luckily, this is no longer the case. While the recession did leave a few dramatic effects behind it (increasing numbers of…

  • Work-at-home Solutions Prove Increasingly Efficient in Australia

    Guest Post
    18 Apr 2013 | 3:49 am
    The boom of the online workforce has been touted in the media for several years now, with the advent and increased accessibility of social networking websites. Along with them, professional platforms also grew prominence, as did recruitment and contracting portals such as Freelance.com. At the moment, some 85,000 Australian companies are hiring staff online, thus reaching a two-fold goal. Not only are they accessing the best talent in the world in next to no time at all, but they’re also doing some serious overhead management. In the words of one entrepreneur, hiring a web dev or designer…
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    Owning Gold Blog

  • Owning gold – a small downside with a huge upside.

    dhkenrick
    20 May 2013 | 4:19 pm
    When you invest money there is usually a reasonable upside and a huge downside. Just ask anyone who invested their savings in Enron or with Bernie Madoff. Yes, those are extreme examples. But there are thousands of other cases where honest people invested their savings in the hope of a reasonable growth in their savings, but instead lost it all. It was the same with real estate. People invested what they had, borrowed heavily, and hoped that their home would grow in value and cover their debts. But that didn’t happen. Instead they faced foreclosure. They lost everything. Even of you play it…

  • Why you should buy physical gold, not paper gold.

    dhkenrick
    19 Apr 2013 | 6:48 am
    The quick answer to why you should own physical gold is that you can’t trust the banks or your government. Eric Sprout, the billionaire precious metals trader, recently conducted an audit of how much gold the U.S. government has been buying and selling over the last few decades. Here is his conclusion: “We used this framework to analyze supply and demand in the US going all the way back to 1991, which is as far back as the FT900 documents go. Over the span of 22 years, the total amount of gold that the US has exported – above and beyond its supply capability – is almost 4,500 tonnes!

  • I bet you have never seen this much gold before.

    dhkenrick
    9 Dec 2012 | 11:59 am
    Here is a sight you won’t see very often. In fact, I’m not sure this gold vault has ever been made public before. This video shows you just some of the gold that is stored by the Bank of England. As you watch the video, you’ll get a sense of just how much is there, and how much it is worth. Take a look. Seeing all this gold in storage should be reassuring to all of us as owners of gold. First, it confirms the real value of gold as a reserve currency. Central banks don’t own and store gold just because it is rare and shiny. They own it because it represents real wealth, outside of the…

  • In a world where you own almost nothing, you can still own gold.

    dhkenrick
    2 Dec 2012 | 4:33 pm
    We live during a time of rampant consumerism. We buy stuff, and we think we own it. But much of the time we don’t. Your home is mortgaged and owned by the bank. It’s not yours. Your car is leased, or purchased through a bank loan. It’s not yours. You bought that flat screen TV with your credit card. Yes, you own that TV, which depreciates in value of every day. But your credit card company owns the debt, which earns them money every month. How about your job? Is it yours? A generation ago it was reasonable to assume you had a job for life. Not anymore. That job isn’t yours to keep.

  • 2 Reasons why you should store some of your gold overseas.

    dhkenrick
    26 Nov 2012 | 7:33 am
    Owning gold is all about protecting yourself and your wealth. It’s the money you keep outside of the banking system and out of reach of Wall Street. It’s about planning for the future and avoiding risk. It’s about coming out on top in the event of a catastrophic social or economic event. To achieve this end, most people store their physical goal either at home or in a bank safety deposit box. For most eventualities, that’s fine. But there are scenarios that would make it hard or even impossible to access or benefit from owning gold when it is all stored within arm’s reach, or even…
 
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    Compare Australian Credit Cards and Offers

  • Frequent Flyer Credit Cards with No Foreign Transaction Fees

    Isaiah
    24 May 2013 | 10:27 pm
    the Bankwest Qantas Platinum Mastercard can make for a useful travelling companion, take it overseas without having to pay over the top international transaction fees.

  • Need Answers on Questions with Credit Cards and Travel?

    Isaiah
    16 May 2013 | 7:38 pm
    CreditCardFinder Q&A: Insurance excesses, rewards & travel cards – a published response to an email from Colleen. We had a user ask a couple of seriously interesting questions a few days ago and we thought we’d share the answers in the form of a post. A lot of people have questions similar to what’s listed [...]

  • American Express Gold Class Tickets – Exclusive Offer

    Isaiah
    15 May 2013 | 11:42 pm
    Exclusive Offer: to CreditCardFinder.com.au Receive two Gold Class double passes (4 tickets in total) for Event Cinemas* when you sign up for an sign up for the American Express Platinum Edge credit card, valued at $158. To be eligible for this offer, new customers must apply and be approved for the card before 31 May [...]

  • The American Express Card

    Isaiah
    8 May 2013 | 7:01 pm
    The American Express Green Card is back. Take advantage of having no pre-set credit limit and a range of exclusive perks with an American Express Card The American Express card gives you the freedom to take advantage of a charge card that isn’t restricted by a pre-set credit limit. You have the flexibility to spend [...]

  • NAB Traveller Card

    Matt
    7 May 2013 | 12:22 am
    Travel overseas with foreign currency without carrying cash The NAB Traveller Card is the ideal solution for anyone planning to travel overseas. You’re able to load multiple currencies onto the card, so you can withdraw cash in the local currency at your destination. When you use your card to pay for purchases or to withdraw [...]
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    MarketProSecure.com

  • Is YNAB Worth Your Time and Investment?

    David White
    24 May 2013 | 8:50 am
    From time to time, we come across new apps and programs designed to help manage consumers' finances. Some are remarkable and others, well...aren't.The post Is YNAB Worth Your Time and Investment? appeared first on MarketProSecure.com.

  • SAC Capital Pulls Investigation Cooperation

    Armin Daker
    20 May 2013 | 9:04 am
    The hedge fund, SAC Capital Advisors, worth $15 billion and front and center of an insider trading investigation, just got more interesting. The government, it seems, is no longer going to receive its unconditional cooperation.The post SAC Capital Pulls Investigation Cooperation appeared first on MarketProSecure.com.

  • Ponzi Convict Madoff tells CNN “I Can’t Sleep”

    Donna McGill
    17 May 2013 | 9:00 am
    Citing his son's suicide, Bernie Madoff told CNN this week that he can't sleep and that he earns just $40 a month doing manual labor behind bars. He also said that while he worked for awhile as a clerk in the prison commissary, he's now doing maintenance and upkeep on the phones and computer systems.The post Ponzi Convict Madoff tells CNN “I Can’t Sleep” appeared first on MarketProSecure.com.

  • DJI Closes Above 15,000: What Does It Mean For You?

    Kevin Mulligan
    15 May 2013 | 8:53 am
    The Dow Jones Index (DJI) closed above 15,000 for the first time in history last week. This puts the major stock indexes – Dow Jones, S&P 500, and the Nasdaq – up 15.37%, 14.55%, and 13.81% for the year. Is this a time for investors to be fearful or greedy? Should you follow the old [...]The post DJI Closes Above 15,000: What Does It Mean For You? appeared first on MarketProSecure.com.

  • 4 Moms and Money Rules

    Donna McGill
    13 May 2013 | 9:03 am
    Now that Mother's Day is now officially over, many of us were talking about how moms influence their kids and when it comes to money, there are not many whose influence outweighs moms. Moms and money - formidable pair, yes? Can you relate to any of these "Mom Talks"?The post 4 Moms and Money Rules appeared first on MarketProSecure.com.
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    CreditCardsCo Blog

  • Credit Card Debt Drops in Early 2013

    Brian Weston
    23 May 2013 | 1:11 pm
    TransUnion reported today that the average credit card debt fell to $4,878 in the first quarter of 2013. This is great news and ideally will reveal a more confident consumer heading into the summer months.The "Credit Card Debt Drops in Early 2013" is a post taken from: Credit Cards Blog. If you see this message please report to CreditCardsCo.com . The post Credit Card Debt Drops in Early 2013 appeared first on CreditCardsCo Blog.

  • Should You Be Worried About Troubled Banks?

    Scott Townsend
    16 May 2013 | 1:15 pm
    It's difficult to put your faith - or keep your faith - in your bank when it seems like every other day presents another scandal. And let's face it - 2013 is definitely shaping up to be the year of the scandals.The "Should You Be Worried About Troubled Banks?" is a post taken from: Credit Cards Blog. If you see this message please report to CreditCardsCo.com . The post Should You Be Worried About Troubled Banks? appeared first on CreditCardsCo Blog.

  • $32 Billion Overdraft Fees Paid to Banks in 2012

    Brent Thomas
    9 May 2013 | 12:20 pm
    If there's ever been a reason for consumers to consider prepaid debit cards, the $32 billion in overdraft fees that were paid to the nation's biggest banks last year is the perfect justification. Is it time for you to bail on your big bank?The "$32 Billion Overdraft Fees Paid to Banks in 2012" is a post taken from: Credit Cards Blog. If you see this message please report to CreditCardsCo.com . The post $32 Billion Overdraft Fees Paid to Banks in 2012 appeared first on CreditCardsCo Blog.

  • Prepaid Debit Cards: the Pros and Cons

    Carolyn Spiel
    2 May 2013 | 1:02 pm
    When it comes to prepaid debit cards, there are usually two schools of thought: they're the ideal alternative to a bank account or they're risky financial products with too many fees. Both are accurate, for the most part.The "Prepaid Debit Cards: the Pros and Cons" is a post taken from: Credit Cards Blog. If you see this message please report to CreditCardsCo.com . The post Prepaid Debit Cards: the Pros and Cons appeared first on CreditCardsCo Blog.

  • Why Do Fewer Americans Own Homes?

    Brian Weston
    26 Apr 2013 | 12:55 pm
    There are fewer Americans who own homes today. The recession and lax mortgage rules from the past decade play a role, but smart credit card choices can help rebuild credit.The "Why Do Fewer Americans Own Homes?" is a post taken from: Credit Cards Blog. If you see this message please report to CreditCardsCo.com . The post Why Do Fewer Americans Own Homes? appeared first on CreditCardsCo Blog.
 
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    Good Financial Cents | Financial Planning and Retirement Blog

  • 6 Secrets of Successful Investing for Building Wealth

    Kevin Mulligan
    24 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    This is a guest post by Gary Dek from Gajizmo.com. Everyone dreams of being rich, but the chances of winning the lottery or inheriting wealth from a distant relative are pretty slim. Building wealth isn’t a result of idly daydreaming about success or money; high income earners have worked and sacrificed to achieve their dreams. While some luck may be involved, most successful businessmen and women agree that luck is a small part of the secret to successful investing. After all, capital is necessary if you plan to make money with investments and the only way to raise or build your own…

  • Are You Cut Out for an Online Course?

    Miranda Marquit
    23 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    A college degree is almost a requirement to get any job these days. Employers want to see an Associate’s degree at minimum, but a Bachelors degree is preferred. At the same time college costs continue to skyrocket making getting a great education an expensive proposition for many. One of the ways that you can improve your education is to go online. Many schools now offer online courses that can help you work toward your degree. My husband teaches online courses for Utah State University, allowing students a degree of flexibility in their educational pursuits. Additionally, schools like…

  • Top 10 Best (and Free) Online Budgeting Tools

    Miranda Marquit
    22 May 2013 | 3:30 am
    In these tough economic times, many recognize the importance of financial planning. You want to ensure that your resources are directed to best effect, and that means creating a spending plan that works well for your situation, and helps you prepare for the future. Good budgeting software can help you take charge of your finances. Happily, a large number of free online budget tools exists. You can get help for nearly any budgetary need you have. Here are some of the best free online budget tools that can help you chart a course to financial freedom: Mint.com This is the online budget tool…

  • Dollars and Cents: Does 401k Rollover Affect Roth IRA Contrbutions?

    Jeff Rose
    21 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    It’s time for another edition of Dollar and Cents. This is where I answer one of your questions. If you have a question, either use the contact form on the blog or use my Facebook Fanpage. This week question brings up something I’m semi-obsessed with – the Roth IRA! If you rollover a 401k into an IRA is this amount subtracted from what you are able to contribute that year? So if I rollover my 401k next year if I leave my current employer, will I still be able to contribute to my IRA as usual up to the limit or will the rollover affect this? Resources: With each Dollars and…

  • Home Sweet Home: What is the True Cost of Having Your Own Home?

    Jeff Rose
    20 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    Waking up in a place of your own with the birds chirping right outside your window is a great feeling. You go outside and enjoy your coffee on the back porch, simply enjoying the quiet that comes with not living in an apartment. Your neighbors are friendly, the sun is shining, and you know it is going to be another great day of owning a home. Everything is going great… until the peaceful morning is ruined by the sound of your air conditioner going out. As romanticized as owning a home has become in America, there are some significant costs associated with buying, owning, and maintaining…
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    Wallet Blog

  • Small Claims Court: How to Win Against Deadbeat Clients

    John Kiernan
    22 May 2013 | 12:29 pm
    Posted by: John KiernanMany people —including yours truly— work as consultants on a contract basis. Typically, this is a straightforward business arrangement. Consultant does the work, client pays as dictated by the signed contract. But some clients aren’t always so forthcoming, which means it might be time for a visit to small claims court. The filing fee ($15-$150) depends upon your state and the amount you’re claiming in damages. Likewise, the dollar-amount limits for claims range between $2,500 and $25,000 depending upon the state in which you work and reside. Nevertheless, the…

  • Sequestration: So Much For The Tired & The Poor

    Lynn B. Johnson
    13 May 2013 | 4:03 pm
    Posted by: Lynn B. JohnsonWhen sequestration’s automatic budget cuts went into effect on March 1 of this year, many were unclear as to how these cuts would affect daily life and social programs. We were told that although the sequester would reduce the federal budget deficit by $1.2 trillion dollars over 10 years —as required by the Budget Control Act of 2011, which was enacted in part to resolve the debt-ceiling crisis— the cuts would not go into effect immediately. Well, it’s two months later and few people seem to be talking about where these cuts are headed, so Wallet Blog did…

  • Our Wealth Disparity & What it Means For Future Generations

    Lynn B. Johnson
    1 May 2013 | 10:15 pm
    Posted by: Lynn B. JohnsonLast week, the Pew Research Center announced that between 2009 and 2011, the mean net worth of the wealthiest 7% of U.S. households increased by an estimated 28%. Meanwhile, the rest of us saw our net worth fall 4%. This makes sense, right? After all, the richest people typically invest the bulk of their wealth in the stock and bond markets (and can afford to ride out economic valleys), while the less affluent are more likely to call their homes  their primary investments. Sub-prime loans and the myriad ways that foreclosures hurt the housing market —too many…

  • Check That Charity Before Opening Your Checkbook

    Lynn B. Johnson
    25 Apr 2013 | 9:00 am
    Posted by: Lynn B. JohnsonAmericans like to help. In fact, total charitable contributions by individuals, corporations, and foundations was an estimated $298.42 billion in 2011, up 4% from 2010, according to a report from the Giving USA Foundation and the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. Unfortunately, there are people who try to profit from tragedy. In 2009, the FTC launched the “Operation False Charity” initiative in conjunction with Attorney General offices and law-enforcement departments nationwide in order to crack down on “fraudulent telemarketers claiming to help…

  • Break Out of Your Grocery Rut (and Save in the Process!)

    Lynn B. Johnson
    18 Apr 2013 | 9:15 am
    Posted by: Lynn B. JohnsonSome people shop at the same store at the same time on the same day, week in and week out. If this sounds like you, you’re missing out on some great bargains. Here are some ways to break out of your grocery rut and save money on your food budget. Couponing? Nope. Couponing is only a good deal if you’re actually going to use the item you’ll save money on. I don’t use coupons because typically they’re only good for processed food items that I don’t typically purchase. Instead of spending time going through every coupon in the newspaper, spend your time more…
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    One Family's Blog

  • Tracking Charles Akre's Akre Capital Management Portfolio - Q1 2013 Update

    ks
    19 May 2013 | 11:00 pm
    Below is a spreadsheet that highlights the changes to Charles Akre's Akre Capital Management US long stock portfolio as of Q1 2013. Please check out our previous update to have an idea on how the portfolio is progressing:  The portfolio vaulted almost 30% this quarter from around $1.4B to over $1.8B. There were a large number of minor stake adjustments and a small number of significant [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Tracking David Tepper's Appaloosa Management Portfolio - Q1 2013 Update

    ks
    19 May 2013 | 9:41 pm
    Below is a spreadsheet that highlights the changes to David Tepper's Appaloosa Management's US long stock portfolio as of Q1 2013. For a look at how his portfolio has progressed, see our previous update:  Tepper increased Apple (AAPL) stake last quarter to his largest position at over 10%. This quarter saw an about-turn as the stake was reduced by almost 50% to a still large 5.07%. With [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Tracking Francis Chou's Chou Associates Portfolio - Q1 2013 Update

    ks
    18 May 2013 | 8:33 am
    Below is a spreadsheet that highlights the changes to Francis Chou's Chou Associates US long stock portfolio as of Q1 2013. For a look at how his portfolio has progressed, see our previous update: The portfolio remained steady this quarter. There were only four changes to the portfolio and they were all stake reductions: Goldman Sachs (GS) and Sprint Nextel (S) stakes were reduced [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Tracking David Winters' Wintergreen Advisors Portfolio - Q1 2013 Update

    ks
    18 May 2013 | 8:06 am
    Below is a spreadsheet that highlights the changes to David Winters' Wintergreen Advisors US long stock portfolio as of Q1 2013. For a look at how his portfolio has progressed, see our previous update: Wintergreen's portfolio vaulted around 19% this quarter from $759M to $906M. There were several minor stake increases: Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ), Coca Cola (KO), and Franklin [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]

  • Tracking Lou Simpson's SQ Advisors Portfolio - Q1 2013 Update

    ks
    18 May 2013 | 4:17 am
    Below is a spreadsheet that highlights the changes to Lou Simpson's SQ Advisors US long stock portfolio as of Q1 2013. Please check-out our previous update to see how his portfolio has progressed:  Most of the portfolio was incrementally adjusted this quarter. Large changes include Directv (DTV), Oracle (ORCL), and Moodys Corp (MCO) which were hiked to 10.23%, 10.24%, and 6.80% [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]]
 
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    Cash The Checks

  • 5 Common Money Pits And How To Avoid Them

    Edwin C.
    15 May 2013 | 8:12 pm
    If your New Years resolution is to save more money this year, it’s vital that you know what the five most common money pits are and how you can avoid them. We all fall prey to wasting cash at some point or another, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Take a look at this list and see if you’ve been fooled by any of these money pits. 1. Bread So bread itself isn’t a money pit, but being tricked into believing that only same-day bakery bread is safe for eating is. Bakeries often mark down day-old bread that’s perfectly fine for eating. You can save as much as 50% of the price by just…

  • 5 Things Money Can’t Buy

    Edwin C.
    8 May 2013 | 6:59 pm
    It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of going to work, coming home, eating, sleeping and paying bills. While it may seem like money makes the world go round, there are some things money can’t buy. Take a minute to look at all the things in your life that are free and you’ll soon feel the stress of your personal finances lifting off your shoulders. Read on to discover 5 things money can’t buy and count your blessing for the things nobody can ever take away from you. 1. A sunny day Money definitely can’t buy good weather. Whether you prefer hot baking sun that’s…

  • 3 Ways To Save On Your Cell Phone Bill

    Edwin C.
    30 Apr 2013 | 6:46 pm
    In today’s economy people are looking for any way they can find to save a dollar. More people are clipping coupons than ever before and small luxuries such as coffee and take-out are on the decline. In a world where you are constantly denying yourself small pleasures, it might be worth it to find a bigger way you can save money so your morning latte doesn’t have to get the deep six. Cell phones are an item most people aren’t willing to get rid of, but there are ways you can trim the bill to make it more affordable. A large portion of your monthly budget probably goes to pay for…

  • 6 Ways You’re Wasting Money

    Edwin C.
    16 Apr 2013 | 6:26 pm
    Many people are trying to trim their budgets and save as much money as possible. Coupon use is at an all-time high and more people are surfing the net to find tips for saving money than ever before. However, you don’t need to look far to find places that you’re wasting money. Read on to discover 6 ways you’re wasting money and put an end to your wasteful ways. 1. Organic Produce Organic produce is often no more organic than regular produce. Lenient regulations make it possible for growers to label their produce as organic if it really isn’t. Instead of spending all that money on a…

  • 5 Signs You Need A New Tax Preparer

    Edwin C.
    4 Apr 2013 | 11:17 pm
    With tax season winding down, most people have already had their appointments with their tax preparers. It’s time to reflect on that experience and decide if you need to find new help for next year. Not all signs of a bad tax preparer are obvious, so don’t feel bad if you recognize one or more of these signs. Your tax specialist promises a big refund If your tax person is promising you a large return before they’ve even seen your tax documents, that’s a pretty good sign that they are up to no good. While a lot of people may be tempted to go with whomever promises the largest return,…
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    Appraisal Archive - AuctionWally - Auction Theorist and Strategist

  • How much is my Kachina doll worth?

    walt kolenda
    19 May 2013 | 2:07 pm
    Sherry asks? I don't know if this is Hopi or not, I've donated it to a local auction and want to know how much it's worth.AW says: Although you didn't send a measure,emt, it appears from the pictures and the plants in the background that your Kachina is about 4 feet tall. He's contemporary and is pretty neat. It's definitely in the Hopi style, and one would hope from the feathers in his headdress that he was made by a Native American. (they are the only ones allowed to use eagle feathers) but without a signature or attribution, I have now way of knowing for sure. I'm going to assume for the…

  • How much is my German Tea set worth?

    walt kolenda
    23 Apr 2013 | 8:49 am
    Hello from Martha Johnson.This is a very pretty little tea set - 17 pieces (including two lids), 6 cups/saucers (the cups measure 3" across), a creamer, a lidded sugar and the pot, also lidded.  There are no chips or cracks.  The bottom of each piece reads 'Bavaria, Waldershof, Germany and has a little crown.Bavaria, Waldershof, Germany tea setAW says: That is an adorable tea set, and it has several things going for it, one is that it's in an attractive floral print that will appeal to a lot of people. Second, it's a complete service, and third, it's in excellent condition. Circa…

  • How much are these jadite foo dogs worth?

    walt kolenda
    23 Apr 2013 | 8:46 am
    Martha asks:I have these jade foo dogs.  10" x 3"  As you can see, one of the dogs has a black spot under the tail, and black spots seem to have seeped under the jade. Jade foo dogsAW says: These are what is referred to as a yellow jade, with a Celedon type of color. Sometimes also called Jadite as some variations of jade are. This color is a bit more desirable and collectible than the green jade in most cases. Mainly because it's older and more rare. The black imperfection doesn't help the value, but this is a wonderful old sculpture and it doesn't completely destroy the value…

  • How much is my bronze urn worth?

    walt kolenda
    23 Apr 2013 | 8:14 am
    Barry says:I was told this urn is bronze and that it was imported from France.  It was purchased from Sandra or Susan (not sure) F. in Sandestin, FL.  Told it reailed for $5,000. The only marking on it looks like an S-- (see image 5627).  It weighs almost 16 pounds.  It stands 16 inches tall. Its base is 6 inches in diameter. Lion heads on both sides.  The lid is removable. Please let me know if you have further questions.  Thanks!Hello Barry,Your Bronze does appear to be one made by a French animalier aka an artist known for sculpting animals. It's very likely a…

  • How much is my sleeper sofa worth? Furniture appraisal

    walt kolenda
    9 Apr 2013 | 4:48 am
    Mary asks:I would like an appraisal of this hide-a-bed 1950's(I think) sofa. It has been reupholstered and the right end is loose and needs some fixing. I'm ready to get rid of this but because of its unique style wonder if it is worth anything. The mattress had a Chittenden and Eastmen label, a bedding company in Burlington IA. Would appreciate any help you can give me  Vintage Chittenden and Eastman sleeper sofa.AW says: Chittenden & Eastman began in 1866 and were one of the leading mattress companies in the US. In the 1950s & 60s they really started to emphasize their…
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    Financial Highway

  • 10 Great Graduation Gifts for Under $20

    Linsey Knerl
    22 May 2013 | 3:30 am
    Know a grad?  Almost everybody does, and while you may want the very best for that newly graduated guy or girl, many of use can’t afford much more than a twenty for their gift (especially if you’ve received dozens of invites!)  These gifts won’t seem cheap, and they can really make an impression: A letter of recommendation – This costs you nothing but time and an investment of your word.  Dole it out to only those grads you trust and can honestly recommend, and let the grad know in their “congrats” card that they’ll have a letter waiting when they’re ready. A gas card…

  • Ways You’re Wasting Money & Don’t Even Know It

    Craig Donofrio
    21 May 2013 | 3:30 am
    Ever since I got new place and did an inventory of my necessities and niceties, I figured out I was overspending at my old pad. Common things I realized I didn’t need, use, or even want were eating up an eighth of my paycheck. Read on below to see what they were, how much it used to cost, and how to replace it with something cheaper. 1. Having a Landline Landlines are antiquated. Comcast charges $29.95 a month for unlimited talk and text on their landline phones for six months, and then shoots back up to $39.95 -$44.95 a month.  I was also surprised to see accessible voicemail listed a…

  • How to Use Social Media in Your Job Search

    Kristen Kuchar
    16 May 2013 | 3:30 am
    Looking for a job can be stressful. While job search engines are great, using social media to land a job is a sometimes overlooked, but fantastic tool in finding a job. It allows you to showcase your work how you’d like, be creative, and connect with people very easily. Here’s how to use social media to find a job: LinkedIn The most important social media to use in your job search is LinkedIn, since recruiters often search the site for potential candidates and job searching is it’s primary role. Use your job title or summery to mention that you are looking for a job and describe the…

  • Peer to Peer Lending Worked for Me!

    KathrynV
    15 May 2013 | 3:30 am
    This post was originally published on August 13, 2011. This is an updated version. I don’t typically write first person stories about my own financial situation. However, I had a really positive experience with social lending. Although a lot of people have used peer-to-peer lending for both borrowing loans and investing money, there are still many people out there who don’t know if social lending is right for them. That’s why I thought I’d break from my traditional format to share my first person story about why social lending worked for me. What is Social Lending? Just in case you…

  • Tablet Vs. Laptop: What to Consider Prior to Purchase

    Myscha Theriault
    14 May 2013 | 3:30 am
    Many mobile professionals are under the impression they need to own every portable computing device and gadget on the market in order to be the best whiz kid on the block. One of the decisions many people struggle with is whether or not a tablet or laptop will meet their mobile needs. When considering the tablet versus laptop purchase, there’s more to think about than simply how often you travel. A number of issues factor into an informed choice, and I address several of the prominent ones below. (See also: Inexpensive Overhead Solutions for Starting Your Small Business) What’s Your…
 
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    Credit.com Blog

  • Have Government Programs Helped Homeowners?

    Credit.com
    24 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The national housing market is seemingly improving all the time, but unfortunately for many homeowners across the country, negative equity is still a significant burden that can lead to large amounts of stress and financial difficulties. However, government programs still continue to help these people to better deal with the lingering issues underwater mortgages can cause. Federal efforts like the Home Affordable Modification Program and other initiatives have helped a large number of people whose homes are now worth less than they owed on their mortgages through April,…

  • 7 Tips to Protect Your Identity In a Disaster

    Kelly Santos
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The giant tornado that tore across the Oklahoma City area recently, killing dozens of people, is a sobering reminder that we can never be fully prepared for a natural disaster. With tornado and hurricane season underway and summer’s heightened risk for brush fires just around the corner, it’s a good time to take steps to protect your loved ones — and their identities — from harm. Here are some steps to secure your identity before and after catastrophe strikes: 1.  Create a family ID theft protection plan. Make front-and-back copies of personal documents and store…

  • This Week in Credit News: Identity Theft Galore

    Kali Geldis
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The biggest news this week is all about identity theft, as one government program may have caused thousands of identities to be exposed to scammers. Are Cell Phones Causing ID Theft Problems? A government program called Lifeline that provides government assistance to low-income individuals so they can obtain landline and wireless phone service is at the root of a recent data breach that exposed many participants’ birth dates and Social Security numbers. In all, more than 170,000 records for people enrolled in the program through TerraCom and the subsidiary YourTel America may have…

  • 7 Signs Household Finances Are Getting Stronger

    Credit.com
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    The economic recovery is certainly in full swing and has been for some time now. That, coupled with better habits related to handling debts of all kinds, has led millions of consumers to see significant improvements in their finances over the last few years. Household debt of all kinds slipped some $110 billion in the first three months of the new year alone, bringing total nationwide obligations to just $11.23 trillion, down appreciably from the all-time high of $12.68 trillion observed in the third quarter of 2008. Here are seven signs that household finances got stronger in the…

  • How Credit Scores Predict Your Behavior

    Barry Paperno
    23 May 2013 | 9:01 pm
    Credit scores, as with most attempts to make sense of our world, operate on the assumption that the near future will look a lot like the recent past, and that going forward, people can be expected to behave pretty much as they always have. That is, credit scores base their predictions of the future on their knowledge of the past. To leverage this knowledge of the past with the idea of building a crystal ball view into the future, the people who build credit scores thoroughly analyze credit bureau information to understand how consumers have gotten to where they are now, and, most importantly,…
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    Money Fox

  • Five Ways You Know You Have the Right Bank Account

    The Financial Fox
    14 May 2013 | 11:00 am
    These days, almost everyone has at least one bank account. The days of stashing your money under the mattress are long gone. In fact, some of us rarely even see cash. We get paid directly into our accounts, bills are paid by direct debit and purchases are made using cards. So, having a bank account that works well for you is very important. However, many of us still use the same account that we’ve had for years. It’s usually the same one that we opened in our teens. If we’re honest, we’d probably admit that our circumstances have changed a bit since then. So, how do you know if…

  • Cloud Computing for Small Business: From Accounting To Backups

    The Financial Fox
    23 Apr 2013 | 4:16 am
    There’s no doubt about it – cloud computing is made for the small business owner. At a basic level, it saves you money. There’s no need for email servers, file servers or any specialist software. In addition, you can use cloud computing services through virtually any platform, from your laptop to your mobile, giving you the facility to conduct business and collaborate with your colleagues from wherever you happen to be and at any time of day or night. But it’s not simply about data storage; cloud computing is set to revolutionise the way we do business, even at ground level. Level…

  • Medical Advances Pointless Without Private Health Cover

    Guest Post
    23 Apr 2013 | 3:28 am
    Knowing that we have health cover in case something goes wrong gives us peace of mind, but it is also giving many sleepless nights, as they toss and turn and worry about how they are going to pay for it. Private health insurance is considered an indicator of preventive health levels and the higher the level of care a member has, the better their level of preventive health can be assumed to be in developed nations. But there are some diseases where medicine has not yet given us conclusive evidence as to how to deal with their development or treatment, really testing the level of family health…

  • Australians Wish They Could Save More Than They Are

    Guest Post
    20 Apr 2013 | 3:35 am
    One nugget of wisdom that has emerged in the wake of the global financial crisis is that people are now saving far more than they used to, before the crisis. That was then – this is now. Back then, we used to splurge on credit card purchases, thoughtlessly increasing our credit limits to sky-high thresholds. We shopped indiscriminately, without ‘shopping around’ for better prices first. In essence, we were callous and inconsiderate with our personal finances; yet, luckily, this is no longer the case. While the recession did leave a few dramatic effects behind it (increasing numbers of…

  • Work-at-home Solutions Prove Increasingly Efficient in Australia

    Guest Post
    18 Apr 2013 | 3:49 am
    The boom of the online workforce has been touted in the media for several years now, with the advent and increased accessibility of social networking websites. Along with them, professional platforms also grew prominence, as did recruitment and contracting portals such as Freelance.com. At the moment, some 85,000 Australian companies are hiring staff online, thus reaching a two-fold goal. Not only are they accessing the best talent in the world in next to no time at all, but they’re also doing some serious overhead management. In the words of one entrepreneur, hiring a web dev or designer…
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    StepChange MoneyAware

  • We ask Facebook – fun and frugal bank holiday ideas

    Rachel
    24 May 2013 | 5:51 am
    Will you be breaking the barbie out this bank holiday? Barbeques, lie-ins, picnics…bank holidays are usually a chance for many of us to have a little break with some (hopefully) nice weather. Lots of people will spend their day travelling, enjoying the outdoors or getting together with friends. Even if you’re struggling with debt we believe that everyone should be able to enjoy their bank holiday regardless of their financial situation. We wanted to know if our Facebook followers had any bright ideas on how you can have some fun on the cheap. As always, they didn’t disappoint! Have…

  • Debt in Mind makes it to Parliament!

    StepChange Debt Charity
    17 May 2013 | 8:39 am
    Debt and mental health are linked They say from small acorns can spring mighty oaks. Well, from our acorn sprung something seriously mighty indeed! Our work alongside our friends at the Mental Health Foundation for Mental Health Awareness Week began as a simple belief that debt and mental health are intrinsically linked and that we should make more people aware of the connection between the two. But not only have thousands of people been made aware of our Debt in Mind campaign, but it’s also attracted attention from those who can make real changes to better the lives of so many. This…

  • How Samaritans can help you

    Samaritans
    16 May 2013 | 8:38 am
    Samaritans are in your corner At Samaritans, we’re aware that people are feeling under increasing pressure over money. At the start of the current financial crisis in 2008, one in 10 of our calls was about money, debt and related issues. Since then, this figure has risen to one in six. Although we know that worries about debt or the threat of losing a home can cause stress and depression, it’s important to understand that suicide is complex, and it is seldom the result of a single factor. It is likely to have several inter-related causes. For example, years of worry over money and debt…

  • Let’s get physical: Fitness and your mental health

    Suzannah
    15 May 2013 | 8:54 am
    Physical activity is good for the mind as well as the body This year for Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mental Health Foundation are focusing on the positive effects exercise has on our overall wellbeing. Many of us wish we lived a healthier lifestyle, but putting it into practice can seem easier said than done. A recent press release from the Mental Health Foundation claims that people would rather do boring housework than work out, and 28% of us exercise less than once a month. Our Wellbeing guide outlines not just the physical benefits of exercise but the emotional and mental ones too.

  • Our debt advisor awarded best in the country!

    Jess
    10 May 2013 | 8:57 am
    Hip hip hooray for our Trish! Leeds debt advisor Patricia Cassidy beat off tough competition to be crowned Debt Counsellor of the Year at the Credit Today Awards 2013.  Patricia was there in person to collect her award at last night’s ceremony held at the plush Grosvenor House Hotel in London. A panel of experts voted that she most consistently gave top notch debt advice, sympathetically dealt with difficult cases and worked to promote debt issues internally. Competition was tough in a category with seven other nominees, including advisors from Baines & Ernst, ClearDebt, Christians…
 
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    freemoneywisdom.com

  • Foreign Exchange and International Money Transfer News

    H. Abbas
    17 May 2013 | 12:42 pm
    The (Daily) Mirror tells how Chancellor George Osborne’s driver dropped him off at a roadside burger joint then, artlessly, parked the car in a disabled bay to wait for his passenger’s return.  A bystander took a picture of Mr Osborne getting back into the car and sent it to the paper, providing The Mirror with a wonderful opportunity to craft an article excoriating government policy.  It talks of the “outrage” at the Chancellor’s failure to supervise his driver and uses it to blame him for everything from welfare cuts to that funny stain on the sofa. The…

  • 5 Ways to Easily Damage Your Credit Score

    Sicorra
    14 May 2013 | 3:06 am
    Your credit score is something that you should always be aware of since it is the one important number that lenders and creditors use to assess your credit worthiness. It is vital that you take good care of your credit standing because a good credit score can help you when you apply for an account, a loan or mortgage. In this post we’re featuring five ways you can damage your credit score. Read on so you can steer clear of them. Failure To Pay On Time Or Missed Payments Late or missed payments on your credit card or your loan can shave off a lot of points from your credit score. Your…

  • Five Things that are Way More Important than Money

    Kevin
    14 May 2013 | 3:06 am
    It can often seem as if money is the measure of all things. This is especially true in the personal finance world where the answer to nearly any question seems to somehow involve money. This is a good time to step back and realize that there are a few things that are way more important than money. You can completely wipe out financially and rebound, but once lost, each of the five items below range anywhere from tough to impossible to reclaim. Your relationship with Jesus Christ In Mark 8:36 Jesus asks us: What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? He was of…

  • 7 Summer Jobs for College Students

    Kevin
    14 May 2013 | 3:02 am
    It’s springtime, and if you are a college student this is the prime time to be thinking about that summer job you’re hoping to get. There are the typical summer jobs out there  working in a grocery store, waiting tables, parking cars and cutting lawns  but there also jobs that offer both better pay and working conditions. Here are just a few Tutoring Just because you are out of school for the summer doesn’t mean everyone else is. There are high school and college students who are either taking summer school courses, or are taking advantage of the long break to strengthen…

  • 8 Ways to Spend Less on Gas

    Sicorra
    14 May 2013 | 2:54 am
    Gas prices have gone up again and it’s time to be even more careful with your expenses. Here are eight ways to spend less on gas and be more cost-efficient when it comes to commuting. Consider your transportation options first. Don’t let driving be your default mode of transportation. Consider your other options first. Can you walk or bike to your destination? Is there public transportation that can take you there? Can you carpool with other people? Try to think with cost savings in mind and you’ll find that driving your own car may not always be the best option if…
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    Help Me To Save

  • How Big an Insurance Excess Do You Accept?

    Karen Bryan
    24 May 2013 | 12:08 am
    I did a quick check on travel insurance for one of our sons. He’s going to Berlin for five nights. As he’s not sure if he’ll go abroad again over the next 12 months, it seemed that a single trip policy might be the best bet for him. Prices started from £3.25 for the five [...]How Big an Insurance Excess Do You Accept?How to save money. Copyrighted content published on Help Me To Save.

  • Head Versus Heart: Which Wins in Your Financial Decision Making?

    Karen Bryan
    21 May 2013 | 12:02 am
    There can be a fair old battle on the head versus heart front when you are making decisions. Who can say what’s the best formula to try to ensure that you come to the ‘right’ decision the majority of the time. It’d be foolish to disregard a thorough and logical evaluation of the options when [...]Head Versus Heart: Which Wins in Your Financial Decision Making?How to save money. Copyrighted content published on Help Me To Save.

  • Should You Delay Taking Your State Pension?

    Karen Bryan
    17 May 2013 | 12:01 am
    In the UK, there is the option to delay taking your state pension, officially called State Pension Deferral, in order to receive either a larger pension or a lump sum payment. You can defer your State Pension regardless of whether you continue working or not. As an example, if you agree to start drawing your [...]Should You Delay Taking Your State Pension?How to save money. Copyrighted content published on Help Me To Save.

  • Watch Out For “Escape of Water” Excess on Home Insurance

    Karen Bryan
    14 May 2013 | 12:07 am
    I spent some time looking online for buildings insurance quotations for our son’s flat in Glasgow. I didn’t go for the cheapest price, but what I thought was the most comprehensive cover. I initially thought I’d found a good price which included accidental damage, home emergency and legal cover, with an excess of £100, for [...]Watch Out For “Escape of Water” Excess on Home InsuranceHow to save money. Copyrighted content published on Help Me To Save.

  • More Focused on Feathering Their Own NEST Than Providing Best Pension for Members

    Karen Bryan
    9 May 2013 | 12:12 am
    I’ve been doing a lot of research into personal pension charges, so I decided to look at charges on the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST). There’s an 0.3% annual management charge (AMC). I was surprised to learn that there’s also an 1.8% contribution charge (CC). That means for every £100 paid into your NEST pension [...]More Focused on Feathering Their Own NEST Than Providing Best Pension for MembersHow to save money. Copyrighted content published on Help Me To Save.
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    NerdWallet Credit Card Blog

  • Under Fire, CTA Revamps Fees on Ventra Transit Card

    Anisha
    24 May 2013 | 11:22 am
    Following criticism from consumer groups, the Chicago Transit Authority announced changes to the Ventra prepaid debit card’s fee schedule that make it a far more affordable choice for Chicagoans. We wrote about the Ventra card when it was announced in March, noting that it lacked a surcharge-free ATM network and charged for basic services like withdrawals and customer service. The card simply couldn’t compete with other prepaid debit offers. But now, new changes are afoot: There is no withdrawal fee or surcharge for customers who use Allpoint ATMs There are around 1,000 Allpoint…

  • Q&A: What’s a Good Business Credit Card for International Travel?

    Anisha
    23 May 2013 | 3:51 pm
      I need some advice. I have a small, nonprofit organization and I travel both domestically and abroad. I have an American Express business card, but many of the international destinations I go to don’t accept it. I’d like a Visa or MasterCard. Which of those two do you recommend? I’d prefer cash back to airline miles. Your best bet is the Capital One® Spark℠ Cash Select for Business. It’s a Visa, so you don’t have to worry about the card’s acceptance internationally. It has no foreign transaction fee, so you don’t have to pay an extra 3% of whatever you purchase…

  • Target and Macy’s Sue Visa, MasterCard over Credit Card Interchange Fees

    Anisha
    23 May 2013 | 12:15 pm
    Target and Macy’s filed suit against credit card networks Visa and MasterCard, beginning yet another battle in the credit card swipe fee war. Though a previous settlement entitled retailers to $7.2 billion and temporary caps on swipe fees, a number of big-box retailers broke away to reject the suit. This is another setback for Visa and MasterCard, coming just two days after the National Retail Federation announced that it would oppose the settlement. The initial lawsuit Back in 2005, Mitch Goldstone of ScanMyPhotos.com accused Visa and MasterCard of using their combined 70% share of the…

  • United Credit Card Now Has No Foreign Transaction Fee

    Anisha
    23 May 2013 | 7:53 am
    Starting June 1st, the excellent United MileagePlus Explorer will add another benefit to its suite of perks: It will have no foreign transaction fee, making it appealing to international as well as domestic travelers. We’ve long recommended the United credit card for frequent travelers because it waives the first checked bag fee for up to 2 people on the same reservation. Now, it’s proven its worth for international travel as well. Why the United card? We’ll start with this disclaimer: The MileagePlus Explorer is worthwhile if and only if you fly United often. The main…

  • Q&A: What’s the Best Business Credit Card for Home Improvement?

    Anisha
    22 May 2013 | 10:58 am
    I have an established construction business and need a credit card expenses such as home improvement stores and paying for gas. However, I do not want my social security number to be attached to my business card. Any suggestions? There are two questions here: How do I get a business credit card that isn’t tied to my personal credit history, and what’s the best credit card for my business spending needs? We’ll tackle them one by one. Is it possible to get a business credit card without linking it to my personal credit report? In the end, someone will have to be liable for the debts on…
 
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    Card Hub

  • Why Should You Care About Your Credit Standing? To Get a Job, For One Thing

    John Kiernan
    24 May 2013 | 11:29 am
    Posted by: John KiernanWhile everyone is probably more concerned with whipping their bodies into shape for beach season, it’s important to not forget about our credit scores as well.  That might sound a bit odd, but studies show the difference between an out-of-shape credit score and an excellent one can be hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of your life.  Not only could we all use that money in this economy, but a bigger wallet might even attract more attention than a flat tummy. Kidding aside, maximizing your credit standing is essential in this day and age.  In addition…

  • Ask The Experts: Evaluating the CFPB’s Final Rule for Stay-at-Home Parents & Credit Cards

    John Kiernan
    23 May 2013 | 5:52 pm
    Posted by: John KiernanSay what you will about the NRA and the AARP, the most powerful lobby around might be that of motherhood.  Just think:  public pressure from women’s groups in the interest of stay-at-home mothers actually led the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to go back and tweak the landmark CARD Act of 2009 – legislation enacted to reform the personal finance landscape. The Change That Sparked a Movement You see, the CARD Act contained a so-called “ability-to-pay” clause which required banks to abandon the long-held practice of evaluating household income and personal…

  • Ask The Experts: What to Make of the IRS “Tea Party” Scandal

    John Kiernan
    22 May 2013 | 12:18 am
    Posted by: John KiernanWho knew what when?  Whose heads should roll?  Is Democracy itself in jeopardy?  The recent turmoil surrounding the IRS’s Nonprofit Division has sparked no shortage of sensationalism or bravado-filled calls to action. But is it possible that we’re failing to see the forest for the trees?  Sure, an arm of the IRS used right-wing buzzwords to help identify organizations trying to take advantage of tax breaks meant to encourage advancements for the public good, rather than the causes supported by one particular political group or another.  But might this…

  • Hallmark Holidays: Transforming a Cause for Celebration into Big Business

    John Kiernan
    21 May 2013 | 9:45 pm
    Posted by: John KiernanHow does a holiday become a holiday?  That question may have crossed your mind recently as we transition from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day, shelling out hard-earned money for gifts all along the way. Some holidays obviously have historical roots, while others are largely corporate creations, but for a holiday to achieve staying power it needs consumer interaction (and lots of it).  With mainstream acceptance, a holiday can find a home on every calendar and grow into a huge source of revenue for business.  Without it, well, just look at the likes of National Walk…

  • Ask The Experts: If I Could Make One Policy Change to Fix the Federal Deficit, I Would…

    Lynn B. Johnson
    17 May 2013 | 11:28 pm
    Posted by: Lynn B. JohnsonOne of the most pressing issues facing our nation these days is the federal government’s massive budget deficit.  The deficit and its implications for the already prodigious national debt have been front and center in the national discourse as a $315 billion surplus in 2001 has gradually transformed into an $885 deficit in 2013 under the weight of tax cuts, healthcare policy changes, and spending tied to the War on Terror, Wall Street “bailouts,” the 2009 economic stimulus, and the oft-forgotten interest continuing to accrue on amounts already owed.  With…
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    Forex Research Blog | FXTechstrategy

  • 25 May 2013 | 12:26 am

    25 May 2013 | 12:26 am
    USDCHF – Having backed off higher prices to close lower the past week, there is risk of further declines in the new week. Despite this it continues to hold on to its broader upside bias suggesting the mentioned weakness is corrective. On ending it USDCHF should eventually return to the 0.9838 level, its May 2013 high where a violation will aim at the 0.9850 level. Further out, resistance resides at the 0.9900 level with a turn above here exposing the 0.9970 level. On the downside, support comes in at the 0.9576 level followed by the 0.9400 level where a breach if seen will target the 0.9331…

  • AUDUSD: Further Declines Envisaged.

    24 May 2013 | 1:35 am
    AUDUSD: With AUDUSD seen reversing its recovery attempts on Thursday, there is risk of further downside. Support comes in at the 0.9592 level where a break will target the 0.9500 level. Other supports are located at the 0.9450 level and the 0.9400 level. Its daily RSI is bearish and pointing lower supporting this view. On the upside, immediate resistance resides at the 0.9700 level followed by the 0.9800 level and then the 0.9851 level. Further out, resistance resides at the 0.9900. All in all, the pair remains biased to the downside medium term. Trusted by 3,000+ Traders, FXTechstrategy…

  • EURUSD: Bearish, Faces Further Downside Threats.

    23 May 2013 | 2:14 am
    EURUSD: With a failed attempt on the upside seeing EUR closing lower on Wednesday, further down side is likely in the days ahead. A return to the 1.2750/35 levels, its key support levels is now expected. Below here will push it further lower towards the 1.2650 level and then the 1.2600 level. Its daily RSI is bearish and pointing lower supporting this view. On the upside, resistance resides at the 1.2950 level where a break will target the 1.3050 level. Bears may come in and turn the pair back down. But if this fails, expect a recapture of the 1.3150 level. Further out, resistance resides at…

  • GOLD: Halts Weakness But Still Vulnerable Medium Term

    21 May 2013 | 10:46 am
    GOLD: The commodity turned off its intra-day low at 1,338 level to close higher on Monday but continues to maintain its broader downside bias. This suggests on ending the mentioned recovery it should retarget the 1,338/21 levels. Below here if seen will aim at the 1,300.00 level and possibly lower. On the upside, GOLD will have to return above the 1,488.00 level to end its broader downside and then resume its recovery. Further out, resistance is seen at the 1,590.40 level followed by the 1,619 level. Its daily RSI is bullish and pointing higher supporting this view. All in all, GOLD remains…

  • GBPJPY: Bullish, Broader Bias Remains Higher

    21 May 2013 | 12:36 am
    GBPJPY – With GBPJPY continuing to hold on to its broader upside, we look for it to strengthen further in the days ahead. This will leave it targeting the 157.00 level where a violation will aim at the 159.00 level and then the 163.05 level. Its daily RSI is bullish and pointing higher supporting this view. O the downside, in case of any pullback, the 150.54 level will be targeted where reversal of roles as support may occur. Further down, support comes I at the 149.94 level. All in all, the cross remains biased to the upside. Trusted by 3,000+ Traders, FXTechstrategy Forex Research Helps…
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    CreditDonkey

  • Barclaycard Arrival Card Review: 40,000 Miles Bonus Offer Worth It?

    24 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    If you want to earn 2x miles with all purchases and have the flexibility to redeem miles toward any airline purchase, consider the Barclaycard Arrival World MasterCard. The $89 annual fee card lets you earn miles quickly with no mileage caps and a 10% back offer when you redeem them for travel. In addition, a 40,000 bonus mile offer makes this card an attractive choice.

  • Make Your Money Stretch Further on a Cross-Country Road Trip

    23 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    A cross-country road trip can be an affordable way to see what lies between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. But with gasoline averaging over $3.50 a gallon in the U.S. , a little planning can go a long way in helping you stay within your budget to see America the Beautiful .

  • The Bright Side (Really!) of Minimum Wage Jobs

    22 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    So, you braved the hordes of people looking for work, scraped together passable references, and maybe passed a drug test. Congratulations, you got yourself a minimum wage job!

  • 4 Ways to Live Within Your Means

    21 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Most people have not saved enough to maintain their current lifestyle for even one month, according to an April CreditDonkey.com survey . While many Americans have been living paycheck-to-paycheck for some time, this new survey shows that majority have not learned to cope with stagnant wages and raising prices.

  • Study: Best Small Cities for College Grads

    20 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Many people straight out of college want to head to New York, San Francisco, or Chicago to enjoy the big-city excitement during their 20s. But for some, a smaller, more manageable city with strong job opportunities is a better fit for their lifestyle.
 
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    California Bankruptcy Blog

  • The Important Concept of “Fraudulent Transfers” Explored in a New Local Appeals Court Ruling

    Norma Duenas
    24 May 2013 | 6:40 pm
    On April 30, 2013, the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals—which hears appeals of bankruptcy court decisions throughout the greater West Coast region including California—published an opinion (In re Fitness Holdings Int’l, Inc.) which gives me the opportunity to explain “fraudulent transfers.” This is a bankruptcy concept that is widely misunderstood. There are at least [...]The post The Important Concept of “Fraudulent Transfers” Explored in a New Local Appeals Court Ruling appeared first on California Bankruptcy Blog.

  • Do I Have to List All My Debts In My Bankruptcy?

    Norma Duenas
    23 May 2013 | 1:16 pm
    As bankruptcy lawyers we often get asked the question “Do I Have to List All My Debts In My Bankruptcy?”.  Some of the reasons that people have indicated for keeping a particular credit card or debt  include:     For Emergencies-They would like to have a line of credit or credit card that they can [...]The post Do I Have to List All My Debts In My Bankruptcy? appeared first on California Bankruptcy Blog.

  • Why Do I Have to Pay the Bankruptcy Attorney Before He Files My Case?

    Norma Duenas
    22 May 2013 | 4:15 pm
    In almost all client meets the question comes up “Why Do I Have to Pay the Bankruptcy Attorney Before He Files My Case?”. When you decide that you need to file for Chapter 7  bankruptcy to protect yourself from creditors, in most cases you want to file right away.  The need to file right away [...]The post Why Do I Have to Pay the Bankruptcy Attorney Before He Files My Case? appeared first on California Bankruptcy Blog.

  • Social Security Income Not Considered in Good Faith Inquiry

    Norma Duenas
    21 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    A recent 9th circuit decision is an important victory for debtors in the debate of whether Social Security income needs to be considered in calculating the Chapter 13 plan payments.  The decision found that Social Security income should not be considered when conducing a good faith analysis under 11 U.S.C. 1325(a). In the case of [...]The post Social Security Income Not Considered in Good Faith Inquiry appeared first on California Bankruptcy Blog.

  • Saving Your Home from Foreclosure through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

    Norma Duenas
    21 May 2013 | 3:03 pm
    The two main consumer bankruptcy options can help prevent the foreclosure of your home. Filing a Chapter 7 case can help a little, but maybe enough. Chapter 13 can provide a great deal of help. Through Chapter 7 If you are in a situation where you want to keep your home and your mortgage lender [...]The post Saving Your Home from Foreclosure through Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy appeared first on California Bankruptcy Blog.
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    The Penny Hoarder

  • How to Make Money Selling Virtual Gold

    Jen
    22 May 2013 | 7:34 am
    Back in January, we highlighted Ailin Graef, creator of the online persona Anshe Chung, who became the first virtual real estate tycoon by amassing property in the online game Second Life that’s worth over a million (real) US dollars. With an initial investment of just $9.95, Graef was able to build an online empire that eventually spawned the creation of multiple other businesses (such as a virtual avatar school and even a brick and mortar graphic design studio). While it can be hard to imagine making any money from a virtual game, let alone millions, it is possible. The secret is…

  • Does Somebody Have a Life Insurance Policy On Me?

    Kyle Taylor
    21 May 2013 | 7:28 am
    While it is possible, it’s usually quite unlikely that you will have a life insurance policy in your name without you knowing about it. This is mainly due to the fact that it is very difficult to apply for life insurance in someone else’s name, without them knowing about it first. When applying for life insurance, you may be asked to undergo a medical exam, or you may be asked to release your medical records to the insurance provider. Either of these actions will need your presence or your signature. If the life insurance application goes ahead, you will still need to sign the…

  • Make Money While Shopping

    Jen
    20 May 2013 | 7:19 am
    If you like to shop or dine out, imagine getting paid to frequent your favorite stores, cafes and restaurants–all while scoring free perks and merchandise in the process! f you’ve ever heard of a mystery shopper or a secret shopper, then you know that these people are hired by companies to independently rate products, customer service, and overall shopping experience. In order to combat the grim statistics that 2 out of every 3 shoppers who quit shopping somewhere do so because of poor customer service, companies pay mystery shoppers so they can better evaluate their stores’…

  • Cruise Your Way to Extra $$ and a Free Vacation

    Jen
    16 May 2013 | 5:25 am
    I’m an avid traveler who is always on the hunt for the next great adventure–at a fraction of the typical cost. No stranger to pinching my pennies in order to take a trip, I’ve honed a few strategies over the years that have allowed me to travel completely free of charge or at steep discounts. Recently, I’ve been researching how to take my efforts up to the next level and get paid to travel for free. Get paid to travel for free? In short, yes, it is possible to not only vacation for free, but to also earn money while on said vacation. If you’re looking for a…

  • How to Make Money As a Professional Skier

    Kyle Taylor
    15 May 2013 | 6:45 am
    Do you know anyone that’s a professional skier? Unless you live in Denver or something, my guess is no. Initially, you might think that a professional skier is about as lucrative as a professional bowler (which, by the way, is absolutely NOT lucrative), but it couldn’t be farther from the truth for many of the good ones anyway. So how do professional skiers make money? Giving Lessons Just like in any sport, there are many people that wish to learn how to ski and will actually pay money to get some instruction. This doesn’t sound like it would offer a lot of money, but on those luxury…
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    Learn Financial Education

  • How Stock Market Works

    Gily Tenorio
    23 May 2013 | 5:08 am
    For some of us who are new to stock investing, a good video tutorial about the basics of stock market would definitely help a lot. Some people learn quicker if they see and hear something about the topic they are interested. Stock market and investing in stocks seem to be complicated for newbie because of many technical and financial terms. Thus, it is very important that you have the patience when studying these terms. It will be helpful also to read websites and blogs that discuss stock market investing. There are also plenty of video tutorials about how to buy and sell stocks online, most…

  • How to Create More Jobs in the Philippines

    Gily Tenorio
    14 May 2013 | 6:37 am
    Unemployment is one of the worst problems the Philippines has been facing for many years. It is definitely the one reason why many Pinoys are going abroad to work because they can’t find any job opportunities in the country. Lately, it is good to hear that the Philippines was upgraded by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s into an investment grade. This prompts investors to closely look for any investment opportunities in the country which could translate to more money and businesses going inside our country. However, these recent developments do not translate easily to more jobs for…

  • Happy Mother’s Day

    Gily Tenorio
    11 May 2013 | 4:56 pm
    I just want to greet my wife, my mothers, sisters and all those mothers out there, a very Happy Mother’s day! You are all inspiration to all of us. I cannot imagine a life without a mother, that’s why it a great blessing if you have still have a mother. Be sure to say gratitude to them and how much you love them. I have found a good video in YouTube about Mother’s day. I hope you would like it, here’s the video.       What to Read Next: Happy New Year! I Love Korea Video Contest Media

  • The 8 Traits Successful People Have in Common by Richard St. John

    Gily Tenorio
    7 May 2013 | 2:53 pm
    Are you successful in your field? Do you want to be successful in life or the career that you have? Being successful is subjective since it has different meaning depending on the person you’re asking. I want to be successful someday by following these 8 traits. I found a video about how to be successful in any field of career you may have which is very much align on what the Bible teaches about success. The video presentation is from Richard St. John, the best selling author and TED Talks presenter. He wrote a book about his interviews on more that 500 successful people in the world…

  • How Can You Prevent Phishing

    Gily Tenorio
    6 May 2013 | 1:52 pm
    If you visit most of the websites of Philippine banks, you’ll probably notice a warning on their web page about phishing. So what exactly is it all about? According to Wikipedia.com, phishing is is the act of attempting to acquire information such as user names, passwords, and credit card details (and sometimes, indirectly, money) by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Phishing is commonly done through sending email with a link to a bogus website. This bogus website is exactly the same as the true web page of the bank or any financial institution.
 
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    Consumer Help Central

  • How To File Bankruptcy: Income For Means Testing

    Jay Fleischman
    25 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    Income is money that you make. And more. When we look at the means test, we begin with a discussion of your income averaged out over the past six months. If you’re married and living together, we look to your spouse’s income as well. It’s all part of the quest to determine how much has come into your household. The shameful part is that it’s not a straight line from paycheck to income. Why Your Spouse’s Income Matters Most of my married clients balk at the notion that their spouse’s income needs to be involved in the means test. After all, the reasoning…

  • Federal Student Loans – The New Adjustable Rate Mortgage?

    Jay Fleischman
    24 May 2013 | 12:35 pm
    Is Washington poised to turn federal student loans into the new adjustable rate mortgage? On July 1, 2013 rates for new federal student loans will double to 6.8 percent, from 3.4 percent. Washington is, understandably, a little anxious to change the law to provide for a better solution. A failure to do so will put millions of student loan borrowers in jeopardy, which in turn raises the possibility of more student loan defaults. So in a fit of pre-recession thinking, the House of Representatives on May 23, 2013 passed a bill that lowered those rates. For now, that is. The bill, if passed, will…

  • How To File Bankruptcy: The Means Test

    Jay Fleischman
    24 May 2013 | 12:00 am
    If you file bankruptcy, you’ve got to complete the means test form. Period. One of the odder requirements of the bankruptcy law rests in the means test. The thinking behind it is that people who have had an income higher than more than half of the other people in their state for the six months prior to filing bankruptcy are better able to repay their debts. Live in California and have three other people living under your roof? If you’ve got primarily consumer debts and made more than half of the other people in California with three other people living with them, you’ve got…

  • How To File Bankruptcy: Credit Counseling

    Jay Fleischman
    23 May 2013 | 7:00 pm
    Pop quiz time.  What’s the biggest waste of time and money in the bankruptcy law? It makes no sense on any level. In order to file for bankruptcy you need to go through a mandatory credit counseling certification process. Note that I didn’t say you need to go through credit counseling, that “take all your credit card debts and combine them into a single monthly payment” process you know from late-night television and newspaper ads. Nor did I say you needed to review your financial situation with a certified financial planner to see if there’s another viable…

  • How To File Bankruptcy Again When You’re Back In Debt

    Jay Fleischman
    23 May 2013 | 11:45 am
    If you find yourself in over your head after filing for bankruptcy, there are options. Life has a funny way of going left when you want it to go right. You file for bankruptcy, go through the process, and come out the other end. Though you swear you’ll never be in that situation again, sometimes the unexpected happens. An unreimbursed medical expense, job loss, or other money crunch puts you in the financial hole again. Can you file for bankruptcy again? For A Second Bankruptcy, Consider Your Goal First Depending on what you need to accomplish, you may not even care about getting a…
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    Credit Card Wisdom

  • Maximizing American Express Membership Rewards Points

    Credit Card Wisdom
    22 May 2013 | 7:10 am
    Long before Chase offered its innovative Ultimate Rewards program, American Express cards featured its Membership Rewards program. And while these points are incredibly flexible, it is up to cardholders to extract the most possible value from their hard earned points. Here is how I do it: First, I avoid the “Pay With Points” option. This [...]

  • Making The Points You Already Have More Valuable, Retroactively

    Credit Card Wisdom
    15 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Bank operated reward systems are not as complicated as the airline’s frequent flier programs, but they do have their nuances. It is a poorly understood reality that most of these programs have several different reward options, depending on which credit cards the customer holds. Some cardholders may only be able to redeem their points for [...]

  • How I Book Awards

    Credit Card Wisdom
    8 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    When people first start collecting miles, they often have a goal in mind for what they want to use them for. Once they reach that goal, they feel like they have accomplished something and are ready to book their award flight. In reality, they are perhaps only half way to their goal. In fact, the [...]

  • Credit Cards From Online Travel Agencies

    Credit Card Wisdom
    1 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    I have never been a big fan of online travel agencies. For my money, I would prefer to book my air directly with the airline, and my hotels directly from the hotel chain, and so forth. But there is no denying the convenience of using one of the major online travel agencies, especially when you [...]

  • Planning a Big Trip

    Credit Card Wisdom
    24 Apr 2013 | 3:00 am
    If I were to teach a college level class in credit card rewards and award travel planning, the final exam would be the planning of a big trip. By big, I mean more than just a long weekend to a domestic location. No, a big trip for me is two weeks or more on another [...]
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    Simple Debt-Free Finance

  • New Car Loans Set Record as Buyers Take Out Bigger Loans!

    Joe
    9 May 2013 | 10:49 am
    New car loans are setting records as Americans are going deeper in debt and for longer terms for new autos, according to the Yahoo! Finance article, Car Buyers Take Out Bigger Loans, Set New Record: American car buyers, attracted by new models and cheap financing, are taking out bigger auto loans and stretching out the terms of those loans to a new record length Americans pay more for longer with new car loans © emilio labrador Recession? What recession? In fact, everything is right back where we left off in 2008. According to Experian Automotive, the average new car loan in the fourth…

  • The Truth about Tax Cuts for the Rich (and Trickle Down Theory).

    Joe
    8 May 2013 | 9:06 am
    The modern Democrat party decries “Tax Cuts for the Rich” and claim such policies are responsible for the 2008 economic crash. Such politicians favor taxing the rich as a means to economic prosperity for all, but evidence suggests that this would be the wrong policy. Thomas Sowell explains the truth about “Tax Cuts for the Rich” (and Trickle Down Theory). Here’s a video of Thomas Sowell, author of Trickle Down Theory and Tax Cuts for the Rich, explaining the fallacy of that “Tax the Rich” mindset: In a nutshell, proponents of taxing the rich treat…

  • What a Mortgage Paydown Is, and Why You Should Consider It.

    Joe
    29 Apr 2013 | 9:33 am
    So, you’ve searched, gone to open houses, negotiated with lenders, and you’ve finally the keys to your new home in hand. Only it isn’t yours because, like most, you’ve taken out a mortgage. Now comes the issue of paying off your home mortgage loan. No worries. There are a lot of strategies out there to cut the debt on your house, but we’re going to focus on one: the paydown. First, terminology: A paydown is when you, the debtor, pays both the principal — the amount you’ve borrowed from a creditor — and the interest at the same time on any given loan.

  • Top 4 Ways To Get Financially Savvy With Your Mobile Device.

    Joe
    28 Apr 2013 | 11:58 am
      Being budget smart and tech savvy often go hand in hand and for obvious reasons. Technology has made it easy for you to accomplish almost anything—including keeping track of your finances and spending with Excel spreadsheets. With the popularity of mobile devices, it comes as no surprise that budget cautious users are starting to shift their financial spreadsheet tracking onto smartphones and tablets. If you’re starting to make use of your mobile device to stay on budget yourself, here’s some advice on how to stay smart and stay on top of your financial tracking sheets while on…

  • 4 Tips for Finding Cheap Exotic Vacation Deals Online.

    Joe
    27 Apr 2013 | 8:11 am
    If you are looking to take an inexpensive trip with your family there are plenty of things that you can do. You can go camping, fishing or even take a road trip. These are all fun vacation options that won’t break the bank. However, sometimes you want to visit an exotic island with the family and spend your vacation days in a more luxurious fashion. Many people believe that these sorts of family trips are way out of their budgets, but with the right amount of planning, everything is possible. Exotic vacations can be reasonably priced, you just need to know where, when and how to look for…
 
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    Thirty Six Months

  • “So What Do You Do For Work?”

    Marissa
    24 May 2013 | 5:51 am
    I’ve recently passed my 1 year mark of being self-employed, and not a day goes by that I don’t have to go into a 20 minute explanation of what I do, and who I work for.  And while I normally enjoy those discussions, and just finished a post on that particular topic, I thought I was would share some key points of those conversations.  WHEN PEOPLE TELL ME THAT THAT I HAVE THE EASIEST JOB IN THE WORLD (after seeing me work 16 hours days 7 days a week).   WHEN THE SAME PERSON ASKS HOW TO GET STARTED DOING MY JOB.   WHEN RANDOM PEOPLE HEAR THAT I’M HIRING.   WHEN…

  • Get Creative. Save Money. Win $10,000!

    Marissa
    17 May 2013 | 9:17 am
    Yeah, you read that right. ING Direct and Walk off the Earth are partnering together to give away $10,000 in the Superstar #SaverSearch! All you have to do is show them your most creative ways to save money. And because ING Direct is the best bank ever, they have not only 1, but 3 prizes. Prizing: 1st place winner – $10,000 2nd place winner – $3,000 3rd place winner – $2,000   Here are some ideas. Yeah, it really is that easy! How do you enter? To enter the contest, all you have to do is create and upload a video that showcases the most original way you save your money.

  • On Attempting to Stay Wired In

    Marissa
    8 May 2013 | 6:26 am
    You know those days/weeks where live gets away from you, and you have no idea what day of the week it is, and have to consult the calendar on your phone to know what day it was? Yeah, that just happened to me. We’re all living our lives a bit more through technology these days, and for the most part this shift has occurred for the sake of convenience and simplicity. Businesses are able to run more smoothly, students lead easier lives, and general communication has never been simpler. However, there are also negative consequences of relying more heavily on technology, and one is that we…

  • Carnival of MoneyPros – (Step Away from your computer and go outside- Edition)

    Marissa
    4 May 2013 | 2:24 pm
    Roger Wohlner @ The Chicago Financial Planner writes Target Date Funds: 6 Considerations Before Investing – Target Date Funds are a popular option in many 401(k) plans. Here are 6 considerations to think about when deciding whether Target Date Funds are right for you. SB @ One Cent at a Time writes How Much Debt Is Too Much Debt – Most people have some kind of debt. It might be a mortgage, an auto loan, a student loan, or even a credit card balance. Having debt isn’t a bad thing as long as you are taking steps to pay it off. It’s having too much debt that can cause an…

  • On Voting with Your Wallet

    Marissa
    25 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am
    Let’s talk about smart buying for a second, shall we? You may have read my previous post about being a potential hoarder, and are aware that I can get really excited about wanting certain items. Then going out and buying 5 of the same one. It happens to the best of us. I’m happy to note that there are a lot of people like me. We just like things.  Things make us feel accomplished. Although I’m more likely to spend money on lunch or dinner with friends or go away than buy something pricey (unless its electronics). But I digress. Because of the fear of being a potential…
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    Thirty Six Months

  • “So What Do You Do For Work?”

    Marissa
    24 May 2013 | 5:51 am
    I’ve recently passed my 1 year mark of being self-employed, and not a day goes by that I don’t have to go into a 20 minute explanation of what I do, and who I work for.  And while I normally enjoy those discussions, and just finished a post on that particular topic, I thought I was would share some key points of those conversations.  WHEN PEOPLE TELL ME THAT THAT I HAVE THE EASIEST JOB IN THE WORLD (after seeing me work 16 hours days 7 days a week).   WHEN THE SAME PERSON ASKS HOW TO GET STARTED DOING MY JOB.   WHEN RANDOM PEOPLE HEAR THAT I’M HIRING.   WHEN…

  • Get Creative. Save Money. Win $10,000!

    Marissa
    17 May 2013 | 9:17 am
    Yeah, you read that right. ING Direct and Walk off the Earth are partnering together to give away $10,000 in the Superstar #SaverSearch! All you have to do is show them your most creative ways to save money. And because ING Direct is the best bank ever, they have not only 1, but 3 prizes. Prizing: 1st place winner – $10,000 2nd place winner – $3,000 3rd place winner – $2,000   Here are some ideas. Yeah, it really is that easy! How do you enter? To enter the contest, all you have to do is create and upload a video that showcases the most original way you save your money.

  • On Attempting to Stay Wired In

    Marissa
    8 May 2013 | 6:26 am
    You know those days/weeks where live gets away from you, and you have no idea what day of the week it is, and have to consult the calendar on your phone to know what day it was? Yeah, that just happened to me. We’re all living our lives a bit more through technology these days, and for the most part this shift has occurred for the sake of convenience and simplicity. Businesses are able to run more smoothly, students lead easier lives, and general communication has never been simpler. However, there are also negative consequences of relying more heavily on technology, and one is that we…

  • Carnival of MoneyPros – (Step Away from your computer and go outside- Edition)

    Marissa
    4 May 2013 | 2:24 pm
    Roger Wohlner @ The Chicago Financial Planner writes Target Date Funds: 6 Considerations Before Investing – Target Date Funds are a popular option in many 401(k) plans. Here are 6 considerations to think about when deciding whether Target Date Funds are right for you. SB @ One Cent at a Time writes How Much Debt Is Too Much Debt – Most people have some kind of debt. It might be a mortgage, an auto loan, a student loan, or even a credit card balance. Having debt isn’t a bad thing as long as you are taking steps to pay it off. It’s having too much debt that can cause an…

  • On Voting with Your Wallet

    Marissa
    25 Apr 2013 | 7:00 am
    Let’s talk about smart buying for a second, shall we? You may have read my previous post about being a potential hoarder, and are aware that I can get really excited about wanting certain items. Then going out and buying 5 of the same one. It happens to the best of us. I’m happy to note that there are a lot of people like me. We just like things.  Things make us feel accomplished. Although I’m more likely to spend money on lunch or dinner with friends or go away than buy something pricey (unless its electronics). But I digress. Because of the fear of being a potential…
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    Compare Wallet: Making Sure Your Money Isn't Accepting Second Best

  • When Consolidating Student Loans Makes Sense

    Kari Luckett
    24 May 2013 | 11:05 am
    The month of May has always marked the time when college students across the nation finally make their walk across to receive their diploma. Many students were fortunate enough to receive scholarships and grants, while others took out student loans, even using extra money for shopping sprees. The average college student graduates from their undergrad program with about $24,000 in student loans. (Source: Q1 2013 FRBNY) The overall amount of delinquent student loans is about $909 billion, with $986 billion in total student loans. (Source: Q1 2013 FRBNY) If you are a college graduate now faced…

  • Best Debt Consolidation Programs Online

    Kari Luckett
    24 May 2013 | 6:13 am
    As we mentioned earlier this week we wanted to bring you the top debt relief programs on the market based on their BBB rating, track record and company website. TopConsumerReviews.com performed an analysis of the top 10 debt relief programs available today. These programs were evaluated on multiple factors including what solutions they provide and how many options are available, the cost of their services, and dependability- have they received a good BBB rating, are customers happy, etc.  The top 10 on that list in order include: National Debt Relief Curadebt (tied with National Debt Relief…

  • The Ins and Outs of Bitcoins

    Kari Luckett
    22 May 2013 | 8:13 pm
    Over the past several months, there’s been all this talk about Bitcoins. Some of us are reading the news daily and have pretty good grasp of what it is and what’s going on around us in terms of its acceptance, but others don’t have a clue what a Bitcoin (BTC) is. I first heard about this new form of non-managed “currency” last month and was intrigued by the idea of world acceptance for a single form of currency, so I’ve been following all related news. In short, a Bitcoin can be explained as the first world-recognized, de-centralized digital currency. You pay with traditional…

  • Will Your Credit Card Work Overseas?

    Michael Pruser
    22 May 2013 | 8:00 am
    The summer season is coming up and that means one thing: vacations!  Whether it’s a family vacation to see relatives in Europe or cruise through the Caribbean with friends, chances are you’ll be trekking the world in one way or another.  Along your ventures, you’ll have to pay for something, and a lot of you will carry the native land’s cash that you’ve converted at customs.  However, what if you are on that cruise hitting up different spots daily.  Constantly turning over and converting your cash for another form of currency could be a big time waster when…

  • Moore Tornado – How You Can Help

    Heaven Stubblefield
    21 May 2013 | 11:22 am
    Imagine waking up tomorrow knowing that everything you have ever worked for was gone. Your home, car, office, and belongings have all been wiped off the face of the earth. This nightmare is a reality for hundreds of families in Moore, Oklahoma who lived through “the biggest, most destructive tornado in the history of the world” last night. The tornado wiped out 30 square miles of a highly populated Oklahoma City suburb, leveling everything it touched to the ground. Many compared the storm to the devastating tornado that hit Moore on May 3, 1999, resulting in $1.1 billion in…
 
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    Argel Tiburcio

  • Grow Your Money Like Bo Sanchez: 3 Ways to Invest

    Argel Tiburcio
    20 May 2013 | 6:54 pm
    A Quick Recap First Now that we have learned about determining your Net Worth, creating your Cash Flow Statement, preparing your Safety Account, setting your Financial Goals, having a Spending Plan and knowing all about Risks and Insurance, it is now time to grow your money by investing! Are you excited to learn how Bo [...] The post Grow Your Money Like Bo Sanchez: 3 Ways to Invest appeared first on Argel Tiburcio. You Might Also Like: The Bo Sanchez Guide to Living Rich for Less [Part... ...this is just an excerpt, you can read the full article at http://www.ArgelTiburcio.com

  • How Safe is Your Monthly Income from Personal Disability?

    Argel Tiburcio
    13 May 2013 | 3:50 pm
    The Morbid Truth Yes, it’s another morbid topic. We’ve talked about life insurance and its different types. Now we’ll know about another type of insurance which is Disability Insurance. But before that, let’s imagine a possible scenario first. Let’s say we know an active-income-producing breadwinner guy who works from Monday to Friday. Of course, in [...] The post How Safe is Your Monthly Income from Personal Disability? appeared first on Argel Tiburcio. You Might... ...this is just an excerpt, you can read the full article at http://www.ArgelTiburcio.com

  • The Zen of Life Insurance

    Argel Tiburcio
    6 May 2013 | 1:00 am
    What is Life Insurance? Now that we already know the types of risk, let’s focus on one risk that most people don’t even think about: the risk of losing their life. Actually, I do not want to sound morbid but losing our life is 100% guaranteed to happen. Everybody dies. What we don’t know is [...] The post The Zen of Life Insurance appeared first on Argel Tiburcio. You Might Also Like: 4 Sure-Fire Ways to Handle Life’s Risks Warning: Do Not Ignore Risk Management If... ...this is just an excerpt, you can read the full article at http://www.ArgelTiburcio.com

  • 4 Sure-Fire Ways to Handle Life’s Risks

    Argel Tiburcio
    29 Apr 2013 | 3:53 pm
    Ways to Handle Risks In a previous post, we talked about risks and what it means to you. So know that you understand what risks are, the next question is “How do I handle risks?” Believe it or not, you are currently doing these ways to handle risks and you just don’t know it. 1. [...] The post 4 Sure-Fire Ways to Handle Life’s Risks appeared first on Argel Tiburcio. You Might Also Like: Warning: Do Not Ignore Risk Management If You Want To Become Wealthy The Bo... ...this is just an excerpt, you can read the full article at http://www.ArgelTiburcio.com

  • Warning: Do Not Ignore Risk Management If You Want To Become Wealthy

    Argel Tiburcio
    22 Apr 2013 | 3:50 pm
    What are Risks? It’s never enjoyable to think about risks. However, if you get the big picture and you really understand risk management, you will actually feel more secure and more relieved. Do you know that almost everything you do involve risks? When you cook your breakfast, you have the risk of accidentally getting burned [...] The post Warning: Do Not Ignore Risk Management If You Want To Become Wealthy appeared first on Argel Tiburcio. You Might Also Like: How to Determine Your... ...this is just an excerpt, you can read the full article at http://www.ArgelTiburcio.com
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    Feeds : dailyworth

  • Note to Self: Small Indulgences are Worth It

    23 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    In an effort lately to spend less and save more, my husband and I took a hard look at our regular monthly credit card charges. Largest amongst them was our $50.80 monthly New York Times print subscription. Stopping the thump of the newspaper on our front step each morning would save us $600 a year, we realized. But this was no small sacrifice. We both love reading the newspaper. Not a tablet, not a smartphone screen, the actual paper product that, if you’ve done due diligence, leaves your fingers stained black. The one you can read family-style, passing around sections, and tear apart…

  • 5 Questions to Ask Yourself About Retirement

    23 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    Sailing around the world, gardening from sunup to sundown, long walks on the beach... Thinking about retirement can seem surreal and even silly when most of us are so caught up in the day-to-day grind of life. However, it is important to take time to think about it -- and the earlier the better! -- to develop a plan that will truly help you make your dreams for retirement a reality. An easy way to think about retirement planning is to ask yourself -- and your spouse, if applicable -- the five W’s: Who? What? When? Where? Why? Your answers will provide the basis to then answer the sixth…

  • Ask an Advisor: Is it Too Late to Start Saving?

    23 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    I’m 57 years old and wondering: Is it too late to save money for retirement? I expect to be working for another 10 years. Is that realistic? -- Maria, Trenton, NJ Unfortunately, the American dream of retiring at age 65 seems to be a thing of the past. I think many of us will be lucky to be able to retire at age 70! There are plenty of reasons why most Americans do not have enough saved for retirement. Perhaps you suffered a financial blow (or several), or took time off from work to be a caregiver, or sacrificed to pay for your kids’ college. Whatever your reason, the good news is…

  • What Is a Brokerage Account?

    22 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    Looking for a way to invest money for retirement, college or a shorter term goal like buying a house or starting a business? Assuming you're already contributing at least what your company matches in its retirement plan (if there's one available) and that you have an adequate emergency fund, you may want to open a brokerage account. It offers an option besides a 401(k) to invest in the market. Through a brokerage account, you can buy and sell stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and other types of investments -- in some cases without having to pay taxes on the growth. Although…

  • Inside the “Stiletto Network”

    20 May 2013 | 5:00 pm
    At its core, Pamela Ryckman’s new book, "Stiletto Network: Inside the Women’s Power Circles That Are Changing the Face of Business," is an inspiring tale of female friendships—the kinds that can lead to landmark business deals, supernova start-ups, and $1 billion IPOs. The kinds of catalytic relationships that were once the sole province of men. No longer. Ryckman, a business reporter, spent years interviewing power brokers like Silicon Valley venture capitalist Heidi Roizen and Susan Lyne, CEO of AOL’s Brand Group (and former CEO of Gilt Group). Her discovery: Female…
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    Money Q&A

  • Are Your Budget Assumptions Throwing Off Your Family Finances?

    Hank Coleman
    24 May 2013 | 6:35 am
    How accurate is your family’s monthly budget? Do you have false budget assumptions in your family’s monthly budget? Do you guess at certain things that you put in it? You’re not alone. A lot of people do not have the write math in their family’s monthly budget. You need a budget, but you also need an accurate budget. Budgets are built on both facts and assumptions. You know exactly how much money your home mortgage will cost you. You know how much your car payment or credit card minimum balance payments are at the end of each month. But, there are many things in your…

  • This Week’s Podcast: Essential Estate Planning Questions and Answers with Rob Aeschbach

    Hank Coleman
    21 May 2013 | 3:43 pm
    This week on “Your Money Your Choices”, the Money Q&A podcast, we talk to Rob Aeschbach who is a veteran, financial planner, and personal finance blogger who is passionate about helping people take control of their finances. He’s the publisher and lead writer of the personla finance blog, RobAeschbach.com. In the podcast, Rob talks about why everyone needs an estate plan, the essential tools that you need, and helps to answer your estate planning questions. Over half of all young parents in America do not have a last will and testament. They often think they do not need an…

  • Carnival Of Retirement – 71st Edition

    Hank Coleman
    20 May 2013 | 5:56 am
    It is my great honor to host this week’s edition of the Carnival of Retirement. It is the 71st Edition of the Carnival of Retirement. There is a a ton of great personal finance and retirement specific articles this week in the Carnival of Retirement. You don’t want to miss them. Roger Wohlner @ The Chicago Financial Planner writes Stock Market Highs and Your Retirement – Over the past 13 years we have seen two market peaks followed by pronounced market drops. As someone saving for retirement what should you do at this point? Dividend Growth Investor @ Dividend Growth Investor…

  • Ten Ways To Earn A 10% Rate Of Return On Your Investments

    Hank Coleman
    13 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Are you getting the best rate of return on your investment? The market is heating up but are your investments? Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine just discussed 45 ways to boost your investment yield in their latest issue. I have to say that I was pretty disappointed in their recommendations. I love the magazine, but I didn’t really care for a list of mutual funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). I wanted concrete ideas on how to earn a 10% annual rate of return on my investments. US Treasuries are earning less than 1% and money market funds are not fairing much better.

  • Why Facebook And Social Media May Be Ruining Your Career

    Hank Coleman
    8 May 2013 | 8:05 am
    Some estimates say that almost half of all Facebook users age 18 to 34 check their Facebook accounts right when they wake up in the morning. Over a quarter even check their friends’ statuses before they get out of bed. Twitter addiction isn’t much better. One study says that over 20% of Twitter users use their accounts as their only means to find out the morning news. While there is a growing explosion of the use of social media and its addictive properties, there is a danger to its overuse as well. American workers and companies are feeling the wrath of overuse and unhealthy social media…
 
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    Bad Credit Blog

  • What is an underwater mortgage?

    Allison K.Watkins
    15 May 2013 | 3:49 pm
    If you’ve watched the news over the past few years since the housing crisis, you’ve probably heard the term “underwater” thrown around a bit; “underwater mortgage,” “underwater homeowner,” and “underwater home” all refer to the same situation, but do you understand what it means to be underwater? And what your options are if you find yourself in this precarious situation?   First, a definition. An underwater mortgage describes a situation known as negative equity: when the outstanding balance on a loan is greater than the value of the asset used to secure that loan.

  • What is Bankruptcy: The Basic Truth

    Allison K.Watkins
    15 May 2013 | 3:47 pm
    What is Bankruptcy: The Basic Truth   When thinking about personal finances, there’s one word that strikes fear into the hearts of most people: bankruptcy. It’s a word that has a lot of implications, and causes a lot of stress, but not everyone really understands what it is or why it’s used. Bankruptcy can be a pretty complicated process, but I’ll give the basics of two of the most common types of bankruptcy here: chapter 7 and chapter 13.   Chapter 7 bankruptcy is also known as a liquidation bankruptcy, and basically involves the sale of almost all assets that belong to a…

  • Top 5 Mortgage Companies in the US: No. 5,Amerisave

    Allison K.Watkins
    27 Apr 2013 | 10:18 am
    Another of the very large mortgage lenders, Amerisave states that their goal is to “provide low rates and excellent service to every customer.” And by offering a large number of different types of loans, they aim to cater to anyone needing a mortgage, whether it’s a regular home loan, a Federal Housing Administration loan, a VA loan, or anything else. They also offer adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) and interest-only loans, which require that you only pay the interest during an initial period. Fannie May Approved: Amerisave is an approved Fannie Mae mortgage lender, meaning that it has…

  • Top 5 Mortgage Companies in the US: No. 4, Wells Fargo (Wachovia)

    Allison K.Watkins
    19 Apr 2013 | 7:22 am
    Wells Fargo (which now covers all Wachovia home mortgages as well) is one of the largest providers of home mortgages in the United States, and has a presence in 40 states. Because of this, Wells Fargo is able to provide a wealth of resources to its customers that help them determine which loans are the best for their particular situation, as well as services that help keep customers informed of their obligations and options. Smarter Credit Center:Applying for a mortgage can be an intimidating process, and doing research is of paramount importance—fortunately, Wells Fargo provides a lot of…

  • 5 questions to ask your mortgage provider before signing the contract

    Allison K.Watkins
    19 Apr 2013 | 7:19 am
    Signing a mortgage is a big deal. In fact, it’s one of the most significant financial events that many people experience in their lives. And because of the recent mortgage crisis, it’s quite obvious that people often don’t really understand how their mortgage works. Here are five questions that you can ask your mortgage provider before signing your loan to make sure that you fully understand what you’re getting and what your responsibilities are. What’s the interest rate? This seems like an obvious one, but it is by far the most important. In order to comprehend your interest rate,…
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    Forex Weekly Technical Indicators Statistic Record

  • Forex Technical Analysis (19 May 2013) - Next Week Outlook

    Ayatollah Rock
    18 May 2013 | 7:57 pm
    MACD Settings:- First EMA = 12 | Second EMA = 26 | Signal EMA = 9 Stochastic Settings:- Period = 5 | Average Period Fast = 7 | Average Period Full =7 Bollinger Bands Settings:- Average = 20 | Standard Deviation = 2 Date: 19 May 2013 Time: 10:19 AM (+8 GMT) EUR-USD Technical Indicators 4 Hourly Daily Weekly Monthly MACD Up Down Down Up Full Stochastic Down Down Up Down Bollinger Bands N/A N/A N/A N/A Chart Formation N/A N/A Head/Shoulder Flag Market Direction Neutral Down Neutral Neutral Market Comments As discussed here (Forex Technical Analysis) Now that the Head/Shoulder formation is…

  • AUD-USD Weekly Technical Analysis (13 May 2013)

    Ayatollah Rock
    13 May 2013 | 7:00 am
    MACD Settings:- First EMA = 12 | Second EMA = 26 | Signal EMA = 9 Stochastic Settings:- Period = 5 | Average Period Fast = 7 | Average Period Full =7 Bollinger Bands Settings:- Average = 20 | Standard Deviation = 2 Date: 13 May 2013 Time: 9:48 PM (+8 GMT) AUD-USD Technical Indicators 4 Hourly Daily Weekly Monthly MACD Down Down Down Down Full Stochastic Up Down Down Down Bollinger Bands Bottom Bottom Bottom Bottom Chart Formation N/A N/A N/A N/A Market Direction Neutral Down Down Down Market Comments MACD and Stochastic both goes down in Weekly time frame supported by Daily and Monthly Time…

  • EUR - USD Technical Observation (12 May 2013)

    Ayatollah Rock
    12 May 2013 | 7:11 am
    MACD Settings:- First EMA = 12 | Second EMA = 26 | Signal EMA = 9 Stochastic Settings:- Period = 5 | Average Period Fast = 7 | Average Period Full =7 Bollinger Bands Settings:- Average = 20 | Standard Deviation = 2 Date: 12 May 2013 Time: 10:02 PM (+8 GMT) EUR-USD Technical Indicators 4 Hourly Daily Weekly Monthly MACD Down Down Down Up Full Stochastic Down Down Up Down Bollinger Bands Bottom Bottom Middle Middle Chart Formation Head/Shoulder Head/Shoulder Head/Shoulder Flag Market Direction Down Down Sideway Sideway Market Comments Sharp downfalls of the EUR-USD create flagging formation.

  • Forex Technical Analysis (09 May 2013)

    Ayatollah Rock
    9 May 2013 | 7:21 am
    MACD Settings:- First EMA = 12 | Second EMA = 26 | Signal EMA = 9 Stochastic Settings:- Period = 5 | Average Period Fast = 7 | Average Period Full =7 Bollinger Bands Settings:- Average = 20 | Standard Deviation = 2 Date: 09 May 2013 Time: 09:51 PM (+8 GMT) EUR-USD Technical Indicators 4 Hourly Daily Weekly Monthly MACD Down Up Down Up Full Stochastic Down Down Up Down Bollinger Bands Middle Middle Middle Middle Chart Formation N/A Head/Shoulder Head/Shoulder Flag Down Market Direction Down Neutral Neutral Down Market Comments Ever since the EUR-USD made its correction upward it has been…

  • Forex Technical Analysis (29 April 2013)

    Ayatollah Rock
    27 Apr 2013 | 3:31 am
    MACD Settings:- First EMA = 12 | Second EMA = 26 | Signal EMA = 9 Stochastic Settings:- Period = 5 | Average Period Fast = 7 | Average Period Full =7 Bollinger Bands Settings:- Average = 20 | Standard Deviation = 2 Date: 27 April 2013 Time: 6:32 PM (+8 GMT) EUR-USD Technical Indicators 4 Hourly Daily Weekly Monthly MACD Up Up Down Up Full Stochastic Up Down Up Up Bollinger Bands Top Middle Middle Middle Chart Formation Head/Shoulder Head/Shoulder Head/Shoulder N/A Market Direction Up N/A N/A N/A Market Comments The short and intermediate term maybe going sideways to fight support/resistance…
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    Creative Money

  • Four Steps To Getting Out Of Debt For Good

    Mindy Crary
    14 May 2013 | 5:03 am
    In my blog, I don’t talk a lot about the nuts and bolts of personal finance, but recently, I was working with an individual client who was struggling with getting out of debt. I realized that I was forgetting how hard it can be, to make a shift from thinking of yourself as a person who “always” has debt to someone who is debt free. The “Getting Out Of Debt” Mindset Components Your mindset is what you believe about the world and everything in it…it’s the paradigm and belief system you use to make all of your decisions, and 90% of the time, people aren’t totally conscious…

  • Your Financial Management Spring Cleaning Checklist

    Mindy Crary
    6 May 2013 | 5:28 pm
    Maintaining control and clarity over your financial management system can be a pain in the . . . neck.  It’s easy to get obsessed on the one or two things that you think are going to make or break your current, short-term financial life (underwater mortgage, staggering student loan debt, being 8 ½ months pregnant . . . ).  Reality is that slow, incremental consistent steps with your financial management system win out over dramatic action every time. 10 Steps for Simple Financial Management  I recently saw a list of over 30 things that a person should do to clean up their financial…

  • 5 Easy Ways to Save Money on Food

    Mindy Crary
    30 Apr 2013 | 1:56 pm
    This week’s post is a companion piece to my own post on ways to save money on food, from Sonnet Lauberth.  Sonnet is a holistic health coach, food educator, blogger, and writer on a mission to help people create fresh food that nourishes their body and tastes good! She is the voice behind For The Love of Fooda seasonal cooking blog that’s filled with recipes to help you live a healthy, sustainable life.  We’re joining together to bring you Conscious Money, Conscious Eating. What are your biggest challenges to eating healthfully?  There are a few I hear from readers and my…

  • How You Can Save Money On Food

    Mindy Crary
    22 Apr 2013 | 11:55 am
      If you’re looking to cut back on your spending, you are probably wondering how you can save money on food as a budget item; which makes sense, because it’s much easier to cut back on a variable expense like food, versus a fixed expense like rent or mortgage.  There are a lot of good websites that discuss frugality with food—Wisebread, for one—but if you’re just starting out in your quest to find ways to save money, sometimes it can be overwhelming.  How You Can Save Money On Food I admit that I wasn’t very good about figuring out how you can save money on…

  • Trying to make sense of the Boston Marathon explosion? Yeah, me too . . .

    Mindy Crary
    17 Apr 2013 | 10:56 am
    I didn’t feel right about writing about money this week.  Somehow, it seemed trivial to write about personal finance when almost 200 people are injured or dead from the explosions.  I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop as we figure out how this could happen. I’m not political.  Most of my political views are shaped by Aaron Sorkin (the writer of West Wing and The Newsroom).  However, from a political standpoint, I believe that the constant onslaught of fundraising and position emails should have stopped for more than a day, as a moment of respect and reflection for our dead…
 
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    Three Thrifty Guys

  • Get Rewarded for Searching: Bing’s Attempt to Take On Google

    Aaron
    24 May 2013 | 2:14 am
    I’m sure you remember the blind taste test of the ’70′s and ’80′s where Pepsi took on its rival Coke to determine which soft drink people prefer. It was a fairly successful ad campaign for Pepsi as many of the blind taste testers tended to pick Pepsi over Coke. While their methods have been called into question – most recently by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Blink - who (in his own research) found the results of the Pepsi Challenge to be flawed because most people will tend to prefer a “sweeter” tasting drink (Pepsi) when doing a “sip…

  • MagicJack Reviews: 30 Day Free Trial of MagicJack Plus

    Charlie
    22 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    About a month ago, I decided to take a 30 day trial of Magicjack Plus‘s home phone service to review it compared to my existing Ooma Telos services. As a guy that’s always looking at ways to save more money, I heard that the MagicJack Plus was a comparable VoIP phone service. In addition, during a recent call with my great aunt (who is 86 years young),  I asked her who she was using for her home phone service, and to my amazement she was using MagicJack. I thought, if someone at 86 years old could figure out how to hook up this VoIP provider, then I needed to evaluate this…

  • Ooma Small Business Phone: Now Offering Phone Savings to Businesses

    Charlie
    21 May 2013 | 9:21 am
    Recently while reviewing the Ooma website I noticed that Ooma just released the Ooma Small Business Phone Service! With how successful my Ooma Telos Phone Service has been for me personally (check out my home phone service review) this may be a good option for businesses that needs five phone extensions (or 15 virtual extensions), and at a good price point. Here are the features they offer and price breakdown.  Ooma Small Business Setup Price: $249.00 (for base unit), and $19.99 monthly per line. Link to purchase – [Direct Purchase Link] Link to purchase the Linx Adapter –…

  • Side Income Stream Idea: Vacation Rental Property

    Aaron
    20 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Charlie and I are big proponents of passive income or side income streams. In other words – creating alternative revenue sources to your current full-time gig. Over the coming months – we hope to provide you with some more side income ideas that you can chew on or possibly implement into your financial picture should they match your goals or passions. One such idea that I would love to put into action someday is vacation rental property. I’ve talked before about our owning a rental property (and the joys and pitfalls of being a landlord) – but I think there is a…

  • Why Do Gas Prices Keep Going Up (and What You Can Do to Save)

    Aaron
    17 May 2013 | 1:58 am
    Here in the Midwest, we are experiencing a higher than normal spike in gas prices. The local news stations tell us it is due to several oil refineries closing down at the same time for maintenance. Yet, this is not unusual – and over the past several years – we have grown accustomed to rising gas prices. And, I’m sure  you’ve wondered, “what causes them to go up?“.  So, to answer that, I thought I would bug a nationally known gas retailer, Speedway based out of Ohio. They were kind enough to answer my inquiry about fluctuating gas prices. The main causes…
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    Money Infant

  • Giveaway: Samsung 50-Inch 1080p LED HDTV

    Steve Walters
    30 Apr 2013 | 11:43 pm
    I don’t really watch all that much television, but when I do watch the occasional movie it sure is great to see the action (or comedy or romance) on a quality HDTV. The problem is that a large HDTV is likely to set you back nearly $1000 and that’s just as true here in Thailand as it is anywhere else in the world. But you don’t have to spend that money. This is a first for me, I am helping to sponsor a giveaway on a Samsung 50-Inch 1080p LED HDTV. Imagine this TV in your family room The giveaway for this amazing high def television is being kindly facilitated by the folks at Quote Me A…

  • Money Mistakes You Should Avoid To Live in Financial Harmony

    Steve Walters
    28 Apr 2013 | 1:08 am
    Every financial step we make is very important and can lead to very serious consequences. That’s why it’s necessary to avoid spontaneous decisions because later we may regret about them. But making mistakes is a part of life, only through making mistakes and wrong steps we can gain some experience which is priceless. There’s a short list of mistakes you should avoid to be happy with your financial life. Not Saving Money There are so many people who live only for today and don’t really care what will happen tomorrow. Maybe sometimes it’s the right thing but only not when you manage…

  • Stacking Debts Away

    Steve Walters
    25 Apr 2013 | 6:47 am
    Getting rid of debt is often thought to be an uncomfortable and overbearing task. One for which, you will most likely need the help of a professional, of course, at a cost! The bad news is, you have debt and yes, it can get uncomfortable at times. However, there is good new. In most cases, you will not have to hire a professional! All you will need to do is buckle down and make financially wise decisions. With that said, below is a simple plan that I like to call Stacking Debts Away. Stacking Debts Away Main Objective: This plan is designed to get rid of debts of all kind at an accelerated…

  • How Much Do Americans REALLY Pay in Taxes?

    Steve Walters
    18 Apr 2013 | 8:01 am
    I don’t normally talk about tax issues because other than at this time of year I don’t think much about them. However, in the spirit of the just passed tax season I want to spend a little bit of time examining how much taxes REALLY hit your finances. April 15th is famous as tax day and most people focus on their federal income taxes, but if you look deeper you will quickly see that your federal tax burden is the least of your tax worries. In fact, for a median income earner, the effective federal tax rate is around 11 percent. And that doesn’t take into account the credits you receive…

  • Are You Buying Gold?

    Steve Walters
    17 Apr 2013 | 7:51 am
    As you may or may not know, gold saw its largest losses in over thirty years Monday. The price dropped by nearly 10 percent in a single day to levels not seen in 26 months. The nearly $135 drop was unprecedented. So, does this mark a bear market for gold or a huge buying opportunity? Across Asia, where owning physical gold is considered a very wise thing to do, buyers flooded gold shops Tuesday. In India, it was reported that shops were actually selling out of gold. Here in Thailand hundreds of buyers crowded shops all over Chinatown to buy gold. All the physical buying across Asia served to…
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    Kitces | Nerd's Eye View

  • Weekend Reading for Financial Planners (May 25-26)

    24 May 2013 | 9:38 am
    Enjoy the current installment of "weekend reading for financial planners" - this week's issue starts off with a series of practice management articles, including a discussion of the emerging talent shortage for experienced advisors, how to choose a practice management coach to work with, and making a decision at the crossroads of business growth about whether to continue being an advisor or become a CEO of an advisory firm. There's also an article on the importance of watching the words that you use in your business, another about the positive impact that happiness can bring to your…

  • The Rise Of The Spousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT)

    22 May 2013 | 4:06 am
    In late 2012, a new estate planning strategy emerged - the so-called "Spousal Lifetime Access Trust" (or SLAT for short). The basic concept of the SLAT was relatively straightforward: it would function like a bypass trust, but be funded during life instead of at death, with the intention of using it to take advantage of the then-current $5.12M estate tax exemption before it dropped back to $1M as was scheduled for 2013. Ultimately, the estate tax fiscal cliff didn't happen, but the SLAT remains valid in 2013 and beyond for a new purpose: planning around state estate taxes, and the…

  • How To Be "No Longer Awkward" When Planning For Grieving Clients

    20 May 2013 | 4:02 am
    Working with grieving clients is a difficult challenge for many planners; most people simply do not have very much experience working with others who are grieving, and the uncertainty about what to say or do - or not say or do for fear of offending - leads many to avoid such potentially awkward situations altogether. Yet the reality is that experiencing loss, and grieving for it, is a fact of life, especially when we recognize that the kinds of "loss" triggering grief can encompass a wide range of circumstances, from the death of loved ones to a loss of role or routine to an…

  • Weekend Reading for Financial Planners (May 18-19)

    17 May 2013 | 9:07 am
    Enjoy the current installment of "weekend reading for financial planners" - this week's issue starts off with an announcement by the CFP Board of a new initiative to increase the number of women entering financial planning (currently only 23% of CFP certificants), a discussion from FPA's lobbying group of the current advocacy priorities in Washington DC for 2013, and a surprising article about industry trends showing that using virtual advisors isn't just about young people as many of the new startups in this space are reporting a significant number of Baby Boomers using their…

  • MailBag: Tips And Best Practices For Financial Planners Building Media Visibility

    16 May 2013 | 4:06 am
    Many readers of this blog contact me directly with questions and comments. While often the responses are very specific to a particular circumstance, occasionally the subject matter is general enough that it might be of interest to others as well. Accordingly, I will occasionally post a new "MailBag" article, presenting the question or comment (on a strictly anonymous basis!) and my response, in the hopes that the discussion may be useful food for thought. In this week's MailBag, we look at a question about how to get started and best practices for building media visibility, getting…
 
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    Epic Finances - Investment Blog

  • Tips and Advice for Investing in Gold

    Carmello
    25 May 2013 | 8:06 am
    Recently we brought you a blog  filled with tips and advice for investing in silver.  Today’s blog is going to be similar and yet quite different as it focuses on  the precious metal gold, including gold coins and gold bullion. If you’re looking to diversify your portfolio and invest in a bit of one of the world’s most famous and popular metals then you’ve come to the right place. So sit back, relax and as usual,  enjoy. Investors who  love gold will tell you that, if you want to protect your investment against inflation, weakness at the stock market, currency fluctuations and…

  • Top Tips for Investing in Silver

    Carmello
    18 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    It is a well-known fact that when  our nation’s economy weakens many start to lose trust in what would be called conventional forms of investing. During these times there is usually an accompanying spike in precious metal investing, particularly silver. Prized for millennia silver is beloved for its sheer beauty and also its physical properties that allow it to be made into a wide variety of different items. While we’re not espousing that investing in silver is the best it does offer an investor looking to diversify their portfolio the opportunity to do so at moderately low risk. With…

  • Investing Tips for the New Investor – Part 4 of 4

    Carmello
    11 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Hello and welcome back to the 4th and final part of our 4-part blog series on investing tips for the new investor. If you’re just joining us you are about to get some of the best advice that a new investor could want before beginning their stock investing career. If you’ve been with us since Part 1 then you know that the advice and tips that you are about to get today are going to be more of the same excellence that you’ve seen in parts 1 through 3. So, if you’re ready, let’s get started. Enjoy. Safety nets, anyone? If you have a time machine then it’s going to be easy for you to…

  • Investing Tips for the New Investor – Part 3 of 4

    Carmello
    4 May 2013 | 3:30 am
    Hello and welcome back for Part 3 of our 4-part blog series on investing tips for the new investor. If you are just joining us you may want to go back and take a look at the first 2 parts of this 4-part blog series before continuing. That being said, the information that you will find in this blog should be useful no matter what you’ve already read before either here on our website or on another blog. Part 3 is chock-full of more great tips, advice and excellent info that any investor can use although it’s geared towards the new investor who is just getting started. So sit back, take…

  • Investing Tips for the New Investor – Part 2 of 4

    Carmello
    28 Apr 2013 | 4:00 am
    Welcome back for part 2 of our 4-Part investing tips blog series. Hopefully you got a lot out of the 1st Part and have a little bit better idea about how you should go about getting started in the investment game. Part 2 will give you more of the same great advice, tips and information that you need in order to invest intelligently and build an excellent, diversified portfolio.  So without further ado let’s get started.  Enjoy. Anchors away?  There is a concept in behavioral finance called ‘anchoring’  which refers to the practice of clinging to a specific reference point in your…
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    cheapbohemian

  • What I Did All Summer

    cheapbohemian
    10 May 2013 | 7:38 am
    (...and Also All Fall, Winter, and Most of the Spring) Sorry I'm late. But read on--I have a poem for you at the end of all this. Even better: IT'S NOT MY POETRY! So, I miss you guys, and I miss being the cheeky, moxy-afflicted personality of the Cheap Bohemian. But out in the world, a lot has been happening. I keep meaning to come back here and look at all of it through my Cheap lens, and maybe even impart some money wisdom. But a lot of what has been happening has been so profound (and frankly some of it, so profoundly not funny) that words have failed me. Repeatedly. That's a good…

  • Poem Tuesday

    Lisa Schamess
    12 Mar 2013 | 10:00 am
    The Clam Mary Oliver Each one is a small life, but sometimes long, if its place in the universe is not found out. Like us, they have a heart and a stomach; they know hunger, and probably a little satisfaction, too. Do not mock them for their gentleness, they have a muscle that loves being alive. They pull away from the light. They pull down.They hold themselves together. They refuse to open. But sometimes they lose their place and are tumbled shoreward in a storm. Then they pant, they fill with sand, they have no choice but must open the smallest crack.Then the fire of the world touches…

  • Thrift Shop Boyz

    Lisa Schamess
    30 Jan 2013 | 5:48 pm
    Garrett Wesley Gibbons is a very talented individual. Those guys Macklemore & Ryan Lewis aren't too shabby, either. Also, THIS. Via Alert Reader Amina.

  • CB Redux: Virginia Woolf Is My Homegirl

    Lisa Schamess
    28 Jan 2013 | 2:30 am
    Money dignifies what is frivolous if unpaid for. --Virginia Woolf Once in a great while, I make quick surveys of the creative, political, intellectual, and philosophical forces of the known world who were also Cheap Bohemians. Where better to reboot this effort with a tribute to the woman who made the phrase "money and a room of one's own" the battle cry for generations of us? It's Virginia Woolf's birthday today, and that makes it a very good day. Go to the source and read the 1929 book based on her lectures to the dons and swans of Cambridge. You'll come away with a solid grasp on just how…

  • Poetry Thursday: Stanley Kunitz

    Lisa Schamess
    25 Oct 2012 | 6:11 am
    This, hands down, is my favorite poem toward the Thanksgiving season. Take the time to hear Stanley Kunitz speak his profound witness here. Enjoy, my tribe. Thank you for traveling with me. The Layers by Stanley Kunitz I have walked through many lives, some of them my own,  and I am not who I was,  though some principle of being abides, from which I struggle  not to stray. When I look behind,  as I am compelled to look  before I can gather strength  to proceed on my journey,  I see the milestones dwindling  toward the horizon  and the slow fires…
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    Savvy Scot

  • A Promise of Paradise – Why I am Not Buying Property in Mexico

    savvyscot
    23 May 2013 | 4:28 pm
    Whilst vacationing in Mexico, I was fortunate enough to stay at a large 5 star hotel – The Grand Bahia Principe Sian Kaan. The hotel is actually a giant resort made up of 4 hotels in addition to a world championship golf course. The boundary of the Grand Bahia makes a vast footprint on the Rivera Maya – hundreds and hundreds of Acres. Whilst the 27-hole golf course takes up a large portion of this space, dense untouched forests remain within the perimeter of the resort. A large development in currently underway to transform much of this space into new neighborhoods; offering a lifestyle…

  • 5 Reasons Regular Financial Check-Ups are Important

    savvyscot
    22 May 2013 | 12:30 am
    Every six months or so, I used to go to the dentist for a check-up. Since moving out of home to University, the check-ups became less and less frequent – realistically becoming annual check-ups. Unfortunately since graduating and moving to London a couple of years ago I am ashamed to admit I haven’t visited a dentist. This would probably make it almost two years since I have visited a dentist. Check-Ups are Preventative A check-up is intended as an exercise to avoid something bad happening. In the example of the dentist, regular appointments ensure that bigger problems can be…

  • The Future of Payments

    savvyscot
    21 May 2013 | 4:06 pm
    In the last few decades we have come on leaps and bounds in how we use money – in terms of how we store it, spend it and keep it secure. It was Barclaycard which introduced the very first credit card in the UK back in the 1960s, sending cards out to all their customers and introducing the first ATM cash machine a year later. Since the introduction of credit and debit cards, the need to carry lots of cash has been reducing, and with the latest developments in payment solutions people are starting to wonder whether we might eventually move towards a totally cashless world. Since 2008…

  • A Secret World – Diving Angelita and Calavera (Temple of Doom) Cenotes

    savvyscot
    20 May 2013 | 4:12 pm
    Hola Amigos! A couple of days back I took you on a diving adventure into the Mayan underworld. Together we explored the caverns of Casa and Grand Cenote and the hidden wonders within. To avoid repeating myself, I am going to assume that you all know what a cenote is and understand that Mexico has no rivers or lakes due to the limestone rock. Instead, a vast network of underground tunnels connect a series of caves; a mixture of fresh and sea water which spans the length of the country.   Cenote Angelita Before we traveled to Mexico, we had heard stories about Angelita being a ‘very…

  • Diving the Cenotes – Grand Cenote and Casa Cenote

    savvyscot
    18 May 2013 | 3:28 pm
    Have you ever tried Scuba Diving? Ever since I first put on the gear a few years back, I have been addicted. Last year, I posted about diving in Roatan – one of the bay islands in the Caribbean and then again about the amazing sensation called String of Pearls that can be seen at night underwater – My wife and I have a dream to own our very own dive center one day – in the meantime, we are exploring the world and scouting for a location (and saving a bit)! Today I am going to take you on two dives in Mexico. The Riveria Maya offers a number of special underground caves and…
 
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    I Need Money

  • Upgrading from a Small Business Venture

    admin
    22 May 2013 | 2:03 pm
    A small business is usually how any person starts off in a world that requires plenty of sales and services needing to be provided to the populace, but what most business owners want is to expand and become larger over time, which means a larger profit margin. A small business is typically only a small amount of employees, if there are any, and the startup was all funded by the person who wanted to create it, but the downside to expand into a larger company is the excessive expenses involved. That is why small business owners seeking to upgrade and expand seek out different options in order…

  • Where to Cut When You Need Money

    admin
    20 May 2013 | 2:08 pm
    Many of us are currently feeling the strain when it comes to living expenses and paying the bills and when you see that even governments around the world as well as the in U.S are cutting their spending, you know that the drive to save cash is something a lot of us are having to do. Sometimes our personal finances can take a big hit with an unexpected bill or expense that we didn’t see coming and very often people make cuts in the wrong areas as a knee jerk reaction to what might be a temporary financial crisis. Take stock If you need to cut your spending urgently to free up some much…

  • Is Your Credit Score Good? 3 Reasons Why It Should Be

    admin
    12 May 2013 | 2:15 pm
    Have you ever worried about your credit score? Probably. Between the many ads advising us to get a credit report and the numerous articles found online about the importance of good credit, you probably are aware of how crucial a good credit score is. Determined by five different factors (your credit payment history, the amount of debt you have, the number of credit inquiries that were made on your account, the types of credit you have and your credit account history), your credit score can make you or break you. Why? Here are three most important reasons why a good credit score is important.

  • World Debt 101

    admin
    29 Jan 2013 | 12:01 pm
    With the global debt crisis still going strong and now immediate end or obvious solution in sight, many questions are being raised about fiscal policy around the world. As debt burdens pile up and governments seek ways to keep up with the repayments, observers and policymakers are split on how best to tackle the problem. In this infographic from IronFX.com, we investigate the current state of world debt. Which countries are struggling the most beneath huge deficits? Which have been relatively well insulated from the economic shocks and are holding out? Who owes the most abroad? How is the…

  • Australia’s Mobile Banking Users to Outnumber Desktop-Based Users by 2018

    admin
    8 Jan 2013 | 2:24 pm
    Various recent statistics informed, on the one hand, that Australians are much more likely than British and American citizens to use mobile banking apps, and, on the other, that Australia is a major market for Wi-Fi and 3G-ready smart phones, it’s no wonder that the official news has finally emerged. The news comes from Westpac, which has recently informed that, by 2018 mobile banking services users will outnumber online banking services. The announcement was made by Jason Yetton, the bank’s business banking group executive, during talks at the FST Media 7th Annual Technology &…
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    Zoho Blogs

  • Countdown to Zoholics

    Raju Vegesna
    24 May 2013 | 2:58 pm
    We are just a few days away from Zoholics and we are looking forward to inviting you to the event. We have around 50 sessions lined up for you along with keynotes from Sridhar Vembu, Ray Wang and Chris Silva. If you haven’t installed the Zoholics mobile app, I recommend doing so. It is available on iPhone, iPad and Android. Presentations for the sessions will be available through our iPhone and iPad apps. For those of you attending the CRM Training Track, we will be providing CRM training material to complement the sessions.…

  • gUnify and Zoho CRM – Automatically Log VOIP Phone Calls from Google Apps to CRM

    Gopal
    24 May 2013 | 7:30 am
    This is a guest post by Harprit Bhui, coFounder of gUnify, a cloud-based Unified Communication System connecting Zoho, Google Apps, and Broadsoft Hosted VOIP. gUnify is specifically designed and built from the ground up for businesses running Google Apps. It is compatible with hosted PBX systems running on Broadsoft and Zoho CRM. gUnify seamlessly integrates Google Apps, phone systems, and Zoho CRM to enable automatic call tracking and logging directly from Gmail. As an organization, communication is the key to your success.…

  • 5 Ways to Recruit the Best and Brightest Graduates from the Class of 2013

    Austin Ries
    22 May 2013 | 10:18 am
    Over the past month, tens of thousands of college students across the United States earned their associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degrees. And after the graduation celebrations die down, these students will each begin pursuing a profession in a number of different career fields. So what does this mean for you as a small business owner? How can you capitalize on these young, energized and passionate young adults? A number of graduates will begin working for large companies because these businesses can offer enticing salary, benefits and security packages, as…

  • Simplify Getting Paid With Braintree

    Reshma Roy
    21 May 2013 | 9:10 am
    We have been on an integration spree since the beginning of this year. After the first two successful integration with Stripe and 2Checkout, Braintree is the latest payment gateway to be integrated to Zoho Invoice and Zoho Books. If you haven’t begun accepting online payments from your customers, now is a good time to get started. Not only is creating a merchant account in Braintree is quick and painless, but also configuring it to Zoho Invoice and Zoho Books is easy.…

  • Customer Spotlight: Migrating from Salesforce to Z-CRM Saves Young Company Huge Money

    Arun
    17 May 2013 | 9:59 am
    “It all started with Jim Cramer.” For those of you unfamiliar with Jim Cramer, he is a popular American television personality, former hedge fund manager, and host of CNBC’s Mad Money. As Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. (ICT) founder and CEO Bob Joseph tells the story, “Years ago, I was watching Mad Money and he was pushing Sales Force’s CRM solution.  I knew we were at the point in our company growth where we needed a good CRM solution and one that could accommodate our growth.  So, from Cramer’s recommendation we began our customer relationship management with Sales…
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    Money Estate - Personal Finance Tips Blog

  • The Best Way To Get Out Of Debt Is To Never Get Into It!

    Aira
    24 May 2013 | 2:13 am
    It is a sad fact that many millions of us have been in debt for most of our working lives, and we will probably continue in this fashion for the foreseeable future. There have been many articles and posts written about how to dig ourselves out of this financial quandary. We also have the option, [...]

  • When To Use A Financial Planner

    Aira
    22 May 2013 | 11:01 pm
    Managing your money can be a complicated task. With so many different tax rules, investment options and other factors that impact your ability to live financially independent, it is important that you find a competent adviser who can help you. What is a financial planner and when should you hire one? What Is A Financial [...]

  • How to Know if You Are Getting the Best Car Insurance

    Aira
    22 May 2013 | 12:05 am
    Car insurance policies come with a broad range of features – some of them are important, and others are less so. The best car insurance policy is defined by the type of coverage that the policy affords, and not so much by the amount of money you pay. That’s not to say it’s not important [...]

  • Some Financial Tools Used for Trading Purposes

    Aira
    20 May 2013 | 11:58 pm
    There is no dearth of online financial trading instruments or tools. Such tools may range from basic-level practice programs to advanced software. The latter analyzes previous trading strategies for the veteran traders. Some of these instruments serve as simple interface for online trading, both stock market and forex. Nevertheless, there are others who offer achieves [...]

  • IPhone Apps To Manage Your Money

    Aira
    20 May 2013 | 12:25 am
    The current economy has made managing money more important than it ever has been before. Smart phone technology has continued to increase rapidly to allow for the development of an application for just about anything. Anyone that owns an iPhone and is looking to manage their money is in luck. There are 5 great apps [...]
 
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    Wealth Creation

  • Saving on Electricity: It’s About More Than Just the Best Price

    Money Cactus
    20 May 2013 | 5:27 am
    Acquiring the best possible deal on your expenses, be they personal or business, means having the option of shopping around.  And nothing is more frustrating to the frugal business manager than having only one option when making a purchase. For years, that was the case with electricity.  The firm or cooperative that set the poles and strung the wires was also selling you the electricity. Fortunately, that is changing.  Now it’s more than just good utility management that can cut your electric bill.  Much like long distance became a free-for-all (remember 10-10-321 and all those…

  • Protecting Your Wealth by Making Sure You Have the Best Mortgage Rate

    Money Cactus
    16 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    Finding the best rate for your mortgage can be a challenge. This is true whether you are purchasing your very first home, or refinancing your existing one. In order to protect your investment, it’s important to have some basic level of understanding about how mortgages work, as well as the differences in adjustable and fixed interest rates. The best way to protect your home is by ensuring you receive the best mortgage possible for your situation and understanding the options that are available to you – comparing through a service like www.ratesupermarket.ca is ideal, but the next…

  • Why Your Income Protection Might be Letting You Down

    Money Cactus
    13 May 2013 | 4:30 am
    Income protection insurance (which is also sometimes known as PHI – permanent health insurance) is a way to ensure that you still receive an income should you become unable to work for a prolonged period of time due to illness or injury. What you may not be aware of, however, is the incapacity definition on which the plan would pay out. For example, with some income protection policies, the cover will only pay out if you are unable to do any occupation. So, you may no longer be able to carry on in your current role but you may be able to do something else – which means the policy…

  • How a Pickle Factory Got Out of a Pickle (or What to do when your company is in serious debt)

    Money Cactus
    29 Apr 2013 | 4:12 am
    You know it is really sad (and a little scary) to see so many companies struggling at the moment. It is big news where I live in Australia and some well known companies have disappeared after falling into financial trouble that they just couldn’t get out of. Recently a local company called Spring Gully Foods found themselves in this very situation. They are a fourth generation family-run business that had been trading for over 65 years selling pickles, jams and chutney and doing quite well out of it. Until one day, when sales just seemed to stop. Over a period of 6 weeks the company…

  • Don’t Make This Mistake With Your Life Insurance

    Money Cactus
    23 Apr 2013 | 6:34 am
    I hate paying for life insurance, or any insurance really. It bothers me that I’m giving away money for something that (I hope) I will likely never use, but these days the risks outweigh the rewards of foregoing this expense. That doesn’t mean I’m happy about it though. Fortunately, things that bother me usually also motiviate me in some way. In the case of life insurance, I was motivated to find ways to ensure I was covered without paying large sums of money, so I did some homework. Unfortunately I did the homework around the same time that my wife and I had our first…
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    Wealthy Turtle

  • Mortgage Escrow Accounts Explained

    Mike Collins
    24 May 2013 | 2:14 am
    If you’re currently paying a mortgage on your home, odds are you’re paying your property taxes and homeowner’s insurance through a mortgage escrow account.  But what is a escrow account and is it really necessary? A mortgage escrow account is kind of like a forced savings account.  When you make your monthly mortgage payment, you’re not only paying for the principal and interest on your home loan, you’re also paying a one-twelfth of your property taxes and home insurance premiums. Your lender holds onto the funds in an escrow account and submits payment each time a property tax or…

  • Does Your Child Need a Big Birthday Party Every Year?

    Melissa Batai
    22 May 2013 | 2:45 am
    When I was young, I had one big birthday party when I was 5.  My cousins came as well as a few friends from school.  We had the party at my house, and my mom made the treats as well as the cake.  We played some games, and I opened some presents.  Honestly I don’t remember much about it except for being blindfolded and trying to pin the tail on the donkey, but I’ve seen pictures of the event, and it looked like we had fun. Compared to kids today, my birthday party experience seems downright boring, though I’m sure I was delighted. The rest of my birthdays were celebrated…

  • Dividend Aristocrats List -The Best Dividend Paying Stocks

    Mike Collins
    20 May 2013 | 2:15 am
    If you’re looking for a list of the best dividend paying stocks to invest in, you’ve found it. The S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats list is monitored closely by investors who prefer stocks that pay dividends. Each of the companies on the list has demonstrated a consistent and long term policy of dividend growth. In order to be included on the Dividend Aristocrats list, a company must be a member of the S&P 500, have a market capitalization of $3 billion, and an average trading volume of $5 million.  Most importantly, they must have increased dividends every year for at least 25…

  • Black Market Disney Guides and Link

    Mike Collins
    17 May 2013 | 7:09 am
    My wife and I are planning a family trip to Disney World later this year so naturally my ears are tuned into any sign of Disney in the news.  I was a bit surprised when I heard this story though. It seems there is a group of wealthy families that don’t like to wait on line for the rides like the rest of us.  They’ve found a little loophole that lets them skip the long lines and head right to the front of the pack. How? Simple…they hire a black-market handicapped guide and pretend they’re related.  Disney offers handicapped visitors and their families special access…

  • Book Review – How Much Money Do I Need to Retire?

    Mike Collins
    15 May 2013 | 5:16 pm
    Todd Tresidder is a well-known financial coach and founder of FinancialMentor.com and he was kind enough to send me a free kindle copy of his book How Much Money Do I Need to Retire?  Today I’m going to share some of my thoughts on Todd’s book. When most people think about retirement they imagine a specific amount of money they need to accumulate in order to throw off the shackles of their day job and live the life they always dreamed about.  They bounce around to some of the many retirement calculators available online in search of the “magic number” that will set them free.  But…
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    Bank On Yourself

  • Why you need Dow 32,000 today

    Pamela Yellen
    15 May 2013 | 3:10 pm
    I have an important question to ask you, and taking a moment now to answer it may rattle you… When do you think the Dow will go to 32,000?” Does that seem like a crazy or dumb question?  It’s not.  I’ll explain why in a moment, but I have another question for you first: What would you consider to be a minimum acceptable annual return on your money for taking on the nerve-wracking risk and volatility of the stock market? 5%?  7%?  Maybe even 10%? Over the past two years, we surveyed tens of thousands of people about this, and most responded that they wouldn’t…

  • How will these 3 financial surprises affect you?

    Pamela Yellen
    22 Apr 2013 | 9:48 am
    There have been three recent surprising revelations I urge you to pay close attention to, if you have any money invested in the stock market and/or you have an IRA, 401(k) or other government qualified retirement plan… 1. The ugly truth about the stock market’s new record highs Take a look at the chart below which reveals how, when measured in real purchasing-power terms, the S&P 500 Index is nowhere near its March 2000 high. In fact, the index would have to increase by another 32% today, just to get you even (in real dollars) with where you were more than 13 years ago:…

  • Retirement confidence hits record low

    Pamela Yellen
    3 Apr 2013 | 4:46 pm
    Here’s what to do… Americans’confidence in being able to retire comfortably is at a record low, despite the economy showing signs of improvement and the stock market hitting record highs. To compensate for their lack of retirement funds, more people are planning to postpone retirement. That’s according to the just-released annual study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The statistics are bleak: 57% of those surveyed report having less than $25,000 in total household savings and investments. Only 24% reported savings of $100,000 or more Only 24% are very…

  • Who Will Win the Retirement Saving Race – The Tortoise or the Hare?

    Pamela Yellen
    6 Mar 2013 | 9:01 am
    This is a race between the tortoise and the hare. The tortoise is a savings vehicle earning a steady 5% interest, year after boring year. The hare is an investment account earning a much more exciting annual rate of return of 8% every year except one. The object of the game is to help the hare cross the finish line ahead of the tortoise, 10 years from now. To play the game, click the blue box below. Type an amount of money to give the tortoise and the hare, and press ENTER. Then click the brown box. Type a year for the investment account to sustain a 30% loss, and press ENTER. Every year…

  • Why do so many people prefer THEIR facts to THE facts?

    Pamela Yellen
    22 Feb 2013 | 9:03 am
    As Mark Twain noted… Most people’s egos prefer THEIR facts to THE facts.” And I’ll bet you can think of several people who are guilty of that right off the top of your head, can’t you? One of my mentors, Dan Kennedy, also noted, “People are quick to dispense advice on any subject, regardless of their qualifications. Most people don’t even distinguish between ‘opinion’ and ‘knowledge.’ That’s why you must.” When it comes to Bank On Yourself, there’s a lot of opinion being dispensed as fact… and I thought…
 
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    Investment Fraud Attorneys | Hermann, Cahn & Schneider, LLP

  • Dispute Resolution Smackdown: Group Arbitrations vs. Securities Class Actions vs. Individual Arbitration – Part 3

    Jay Salamon
    10 May 2013 | 1:37 pm
    This article was originally posted on Stock Market LossWhen Attempting to Persuade Arbitrators, a Dozen Victims are Better Than One. “So okay,” you say. “Group cases sound like they’re better than class actions.  But what if I had a really big loss and have the money to afford litigation costs. Wouldn’t I be better off suing on my own than being part of a group?” Not necessarily. It’s true that when a lawyer is yours alone, he or she will advance your interests alone.  It’s also true that a group representation presents a few potential conflict situations for your…

  • Dispute Resolution Smackdown: Group Arbitrations vs. Securities Class Actions vs. Individual Proceedings – Part 2

    Jay Salamon
    9 May 2013 | 1:06 pm
    This article was originally posted on Stock Market LossWhile Class Members Surrender All Control to the Lawyers and Court, Group Arbitrations Keep Clients Involved and In Charge. As we noted in part 1, securities class actions tend to produce paltry returns for victims, while group arbitrations generally result in significant individual recoveries. There are many reasons for the disappointing results in class actions, but in our opinion, the main problem is the inherent conflict of interest between class action attorneys and their clients. Though class counsel technically have a strict duty…

  • Dispute Resolution Smackdown: Group Arbitrations vs. Securities Class Actions vs. Individual Proceedings – Part 1

    Jay Salamon
    8 May 2013 | 12:56 pm
    This article was originally posted on Stock Market LossModest Losses? In Group Arbitrations, a Lot of Little Can Be Really Big We’ve said it before, we are not a fan of class actions. In fact, except for the lawyers who handle them, no one is a fan of class actions. Class actions definitely play at least a small role in deterring bad corporate behavior, but as a remedy for victims seeking compensation, it grades out at a D-minus. Yes, you can opt out of a class actions and sue on your own. But what happens if you’re in litigation limbo, with losses big enough to really hurt but not…

  • Hermann, Cahn & Schneider’s Investor Advocates In The News

    Jay Salamon
    9 Apr 2013 | 1:31 pm
    This article was originally posted on Stock Market LossThe Cleveland Plain Dealer’s award-winning business reporter and columnist, Teresa Dixon Murray, has written a timely article prominently featuring extensive comments from one of our team members, the inimitable Hugh Berkson. The article, which links to our Stockmarketloss.com website, reminds investors to be particularly watchful for fraud and scam investments when the financial markets and many brokerage accounts are on the rise. Hugh gives some valuable tips to help you avoid becoming a victim. You can find the article here:  With…

  • FINRA Will Appeal Schwab Ruling

    Jay Salamon
    26 Feb 2013 | 2:14 pm
    This article was originally posted on Stock Market LossYesterday, we discussed an anti-investor ruling that permits Charles Schwab & Company to force its customers to waive their right to participate in class actions against Schwab. That ruling potentially could lead to such a restriction becoming an industry-wide practice. We mentioned that FINRA might choose to appeal the ruling. The word “might” no longer applies. FINRA has announced that is in the process of filing an appeal. FINRA Will Appeal Schwab Ruling
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    DINKS Finance

  • Weekly roundup: Fast and Furious, The Hangover and Memorial Day

    Kristina
    24 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Good morning and happy Friday Dinks.  As I write to you this morning I can hardly contain my excitement because today two totally amazing movies are being released and I don’t know which one to go see first. In a mere few hours I will be off work and ready to go to the movies to see either the new Fast and Furious movie or the new Hangover movie. Which one should I see first? Action movies are my favourite type of movie, but then again, I also love a really good cry until you can’t breathe comedy, aka The Hangover 3. It’s Memorial Day weekend in the United States so if you aren’t…

  • Reader Confessions: I don’t know how much money I spent

    Kristina
    23 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Good morning Dinks. We all try to track our income and expenses, we try to live within a budget and we save for our future. But let me ask you a question – do you really know how much money you are spending and saving. If I asked you what percentage of your income you spend on food every month and you had to answer this question right now would you know? LearnVest and Chase Blueprint recently published an article where 8 readers share their secrets to not spending.  I honestly believe that temptation is a big part of spending; it’s also a big reason why people get into debt. If we avoid…

  • How I went to NYC for only $400

    Kristina
    22 May 2013 | 2:00 am
    Good morning Dinks.  I just got back from a weekend getaway to New York City and I had a great time.  I love New York so much and I always have a great time when I visit the city.  This time I had a really great trip in New York City, I had a wonderful day at an event and I got an amazing deal on my whole trip, so that makes the entire weekend a little bit better – don`t you agree? Getting a good deal on an already great vacation makes the trip even better. I like to share my life experiences, both good and bad, so I am going to let you know how I spent the weekend in NYC for only $400.

  • Fund that 401K

    James
    21 May 2013 | 7:26 pm
    Hi All, I’ve been at my new position for about six weeks now – roughly three pay periods.  I’ve been contributing the maximum to my 401k and have been getting company match.  This evening I sat down and had a look at my retirement balance.  It made me smile.   The total is about $1,600 which is great for having contributed twice! So, if you have a retirement account, don’t forget to max it out.

  • Rock Solid Personal Finance Tips From Eric Tyson

    James
    21 May 2013 | 12:14 am
    If you’re a long time reader of the DINKs, you’ll know that we make an effort to bring high quality personal finance information. To whit, we wanted to share some key recommendations made byEric Tyson. Tyson is a former journalist with the San Francisco Chronicle, and has taught courses on personal finance at several universities in the bay area. Tyson’s book Personal Finance for Dummies is the best all around introduction to the topic I’ve read in years. Tyson gives a number of tips worth considering: 1) Don’t Procrastinate: If you wait to meet your financial…
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    rVoice | rplan

  • Attention Young Investors: 5 Tips You Need To Know!

    17 May 2013 | 8:55 am
    Here at rplan, we offer tools and functionality to help investors with their investment decisions, and we are always trying to find new ways to make understanding your investments as easy as possible. As a young investor myself, I can honestly say that I have both made mistakes and learned some valuable lessons from them; here are a few of the ones that stuck with me most, which I hope will help other investors avoid the same pitfalls. Don’t Put It Off I am very lucky to have had individuals explain the importance of investing to me so I was able to start in my mid-twenties.

  • Revenue and Customs Brief 04/13 - Payments of Trail Commission

    18 Apr 2013 | 10:43 am
    On 25th March 2013 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) issued a Brief (04/13) on the subject of payments of trail commission. In this brief, HMRC announced that starting in this tax year, they will in some cases consider rebate payments on investment funds to be taxable as income. This ruling came as quite a surprise to us - first, because it was so sudden (it was only announced a few days before it was due to come in force); and secondly, because in many cases investors have already paid income tax on that money (where they invested their income, only to have the consequent rebates

  • A fund is for life, not just for easter

    2 Apr 2013 | 3:59 am
    We have a week left of the so called ‘ISA season’, accompanied by the normal mad panic by marketing people to push the latest fund or investment idea and a similar rush by us investors to work out what to do before the 2012/13 ‘ISA allowance’, like Cinderella’s coach, turns into a pumpkin. So what should you do over these next few days to make best use of this valuable tax benefit? Here are five key principles you should think about when making your decision - remember, you are making an investment choices first and foremost - tax should not be the main consideration. In other

  • 7 Easy Steps to Becoming a Better Investor

    14 Mar 2013 | 9:24 am
    What does it take to become a good investor? Do you need a degree? Do you need to be wealthy to invest? Not at all. Being an investor is not a fast game of "buy buy, sell sell". It is about building wealth over time, a lot like you would in your cash savings account but you make your decisions based on investment options to help grow your wealth faster. So here are 8 easy steps to becoming a better Investor: 1. Decide on your goal amount This is important, once you know your target you can build a savings plan around this. The key is understanding what you're investing for -

  • 4 Easy Ways to Reduce Charges on Your ISA

    27 Feb 2013 | 8:30 am
    We are now in full swing of the ISA season and whether you are shopping around for a new provider or just topping up on your ISA allowance before April, it’s important to keep an eye out for those charges that can potentially have an impact on your returns. So here are 4 simple ways to reduce charges on your stocks and shares ISA. Watch out for initial charges Although it is becoming more and more frequent for providers to negotiate with fund managers to either discount or remove the initial charge completely, it is still very important to be aware that some funds can have up
 
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    Wallet Hub

  • Changes to the Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction

    Ross Garner
    1 May 2013 | 3:51 pm
    Posted by: Ross Garner As budget debates have consumed Washington, eyes have turned towards modifying the mortgage interest tax deduction.  Long considered untouchable, changing the way homeowners can deduct their mortgage interest has drawn support from both sides of the political spectrum, though the solutions proposed range from eliminating the deduction all together to reforming the program into a tax credit. Originally designed in 1986 as a way to increase the rates of homeownership, many now argue that this deduction goes to the wrong borrowers, disproportionally rewarding those with…

  • Looks like a Good Time to Get a Mortgage

    Ross Garner
    24 Apr 2013 | 8:25 pm
    Posted by: Ross Garner It’s pretty much a given that you’ve seen an advertisement at some point in the last few years telling you that “now is the best time to buy a house!” before quickly moving on to pictures of happy couples and new homes with “Sold!” signs in front of them. While that whole spiel has become rather cliché, it’s perhaps truer now than ever before. Not only are rates sitting at record lows, but most projections have the cost of a mortgage increasing in the near future as the economy continues its slow but steady recovery. That’s important because even a…

  • The FHA Might Need a Bailout

    Ross Garner
    17 Apr 2013 | 11:33 am
    Posted by: Ross Garner Over the last few weeks we’ve documented important changes to the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) mortgage insurance program and suggested there might be more on the horizon.  Well, it looks like the biggest one yet is about to land: the FHA will likely require a bailout from the federal government.  For all 79 years of its history, the FHA has operated without ever taking a taxpayer subsidy.  But due to extraordinary losses it is becoming increasingly likely that the agency will have to take one by September 30, when it is required by law to be solvent.

  • FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums to Rise, Again

    Ross Garner
    3 Apr 2013 | 9:23 am
    Posted by: Ross Garner In the years after the 2008 collapse, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has taken on a bigger and bigger role in the mortgage market.  Rather than pull back during the crisis years, the FHA continued to back new mortgages, allowing many borrowers to purchase homes they otherwise would not have found loans for. The effect on the FHA, though, was less positive.  For several years running, its Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund has lost money as more and more defaults and foreclosures have hit the balance sheet.  The MMI Fund is predicted to have a negative…

  • Will the Changes to FHA Reverse Mortgages Work? Probably Not.

    Ross Garner
    28 Feb 2013 | 12:00 am
    Posted by: Ross Garner Back in September, we identified a looming disaster in the reserve mortgage market and concluded that major changes might be needed to prevent the system from collapsing like the larger mortgage market did in 2008.  With a few months behind us, it’s starting to look like we hit the mark: the FHA recently announced sweeping changes to their reverse mortgage products, and hinted that more changes could be coming. Most importantly, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will suspend the fixed-rate Standard Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) on April 1.  Better…
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    From the Desk of Robert Jacobs

  • What is a Revocable Living Trust? A Useful Estate Planning Tool

    Robert Jacobs
    20 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Follow @robertjacobs01 The Revocable Living Trust is an estate planning tool not just for billionaires. Depending on the direction of your financial plan, it may be good option for you and your loved ones. photo credit: 401(K) 2013 via photopin cc Nuts and Bolts of the Trust A trust is similar to a will. It is a vehicle that distributes your assets after your death. There are multiple types of trusts and they should be set up by an attorney. There are two types of trusts, a simple (living or revocable) and a complex (irrevocable). A simple trust is an entity that forwards income to…

  • The Credit Score Breakdown: Don’t Believe the Hype

    Robert Jacobs
    13 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Follow @robertjacobs01 Why are we obsessed in America with the credit score? Is it a sign of winning with money? You may be surprised to learn what is in the credit score breakdown, what it means, and the myth’s surrounding its use. photo credit: i am real estate photographer via photopin cc The Breakdown of the Credit Score (FICO) Most of us know what the credit or FICO score is, but very few Americans know the score is based on. Your credit score consists of the following: 35% is Payment History: How well you kept up with payments. 30% is Debt Level: How much debt you have. Too…

  • What Are Bonds? And Why to Stay Away From Them

    Robert Jacobs
    9 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Follow @robertjacobs01 Have you ever heard that bonds should be part of a “diversified” investment portfolio? You may be asking, what are bonds? Bonds are a type of investment and should be avoided in today’s economic climate. photo credit: Thomas Hawk via photopin cc What Are Bonds? A Bond is basically debt in which an investor agrees to loan money to a company or a government entity in exchange for a fixed interest rate. This interest rate is usually paid by the bond issuer twice a year. A bond consists of the following: Par Value: Initial price of the security. Usually…

  • What is Social Security? The Nuts and Bolts.

    Robert Jacobs
    6 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    You are probably familiar with the term “Social Security.” But do you know how it works? Social Security is more than just retirement income, the program consists of  various benefits and rules that most Americans are unfamiliar with. photo credit: 401(K) 2013 via photopin cc Benefits of Social Security? Primary Insurance Amount: The primary insurance amount (PIA) is used to determine the amount of each monthly benefit. Widowed benefits: If a worker covered by Social Security dies, a surviving spouse can receive survivors’ benefits. The benefit is equal to the…

  • Debt Help: Coaching You to Become Debt Free

    Robert Jacobs
    2 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    Have you heard the term, “crack kills?” Let’s change the term to “debt kills.” Debt kills alright, it kills your finances, and many Americans need help solving their debt problem. photo credit: Images_of_Money via photopin cc A Way of Life Over the past sixty years, debt has become ingrained into our culture, it’s a way of life. Our society finances everything. How did it get this way? I think the main reason is that debt is way of getting things now. We have grown increasingly inpatient over the years, and want instant gratification. Why not, when debt…
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    Modest Money

  • Frugal Options for a Long Distance Move

    Guest
    24 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Photo: Paul Keller The following is a guest post. If interested in submitting a guest post, please read my guest posting policy and then contact me. Next month marks the 4 year anniversary of fulfilling a childhood dream of mine, moving to Colorado from my native New Jersey. When I moved, I was no stranger to the costs and rigors of moving, but the long distance move was a whole new experience. If moving can be expensive, it pales in comparison to long distance moving. Luckily, there are a variety of options, and a frugal person can make their way across country (or countries) without…

  • What is a Reverse Mortgage Loan?

    Guest
    23 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Photo: Sonia Belviso The following is a guest post. If interested in submitting a guest post, please read my guest posting policy and then contact me. A reverse mortgage loan is a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured loan for home owners ages 62 years and older that use a portion of their home’s equity as collateral. How Can I Qualify for a Reverse Mortgage Loan? To be eligible for a reverse mortgage loan, borrowers must meet a few basic requirements. Borrowers must be at least 62 years old and have sufficient equity in their home. In addition, there must not be any liens against…

  • Blogging Your Way to Wealth

    Guest
    22 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    Photo: Search Engine People Blog Check out my new guide for starting a blog to learn how to go about properly creating your own blog. Previously I mentioned that I was open to other bloggers contributing to my weekly blogging tips series. At the time this offer didn’t generate much interest. I guess as this is mostly a personal finance blog fellow bloggers were more comfortable writing about finance topics. Still, I’d love to hear people’s stance on particular blogging strategies. I know my approach is far from the only approach one can use to succeed. This week’s…

  • Re-Mortgaging to Consolidate Debt

    Jeremy
    22 May 2013 | 5:00 am
    Photo: Chris Potter The following is a guest post. If interested in submitting a guest post, please read my guest posting policy and then contact me. One of the best ways to consolidate debt can be through re-mortgaging, but it does have its drawbacks and may not always be the most lucrative route for you to take. The main danger is the psychological one. For the first seven years of this century, many people seemed to view their homes as ATM machines – re-mortgaging too heavily whenever they felt like treating themselves to something expensive like a new car or an exotic holiday, kidding…

  • UK Household Breakdown Infographic – Budgeting and More

    Jeremy
    21 May 2013 | 6:00 am
    I don’t share much infographics on my blog, but it’s pretty interesting to see how people are spending their money even if it’s not for the country I live in. I’d like to see an infographic like this for Canads or the US. I found one of the more interesting parts was how much they spend on transportation. Looks like most people are spending more on transportation than housing. You sure wouldn’t find many people with that kind of budget here in Canada, at least not in big cities. If transportation really is that expensive, I can see why people might be more likely…
 
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    Take A Smart Step

  • Not Enough Money? Stop Playing the Lottery and do this Instead

    Andrea
    21 May 2013 | 4:00 am
    Have you ever said “I don’t have enough money”?  Well, you are not alone, many Americans feel this exact same way.  Unfortunately it is impacting how much we can do both financially and emotionally – it is stressing us out, draining us emotionally, increasing our worry and frustration and that does not even touch on the financial side of the equation. As much as you would like to win the lottery and have all our problems go away, that is not a great plan. If you would really like to feel like the weight has been lifted, the stress is gone and in general just feel good about…

  • How to Improve Your Financial Situation: Starting Today!

    Andrea
    16 May 2013 | 2:17 pm
    Recently I was asked to give out three actionable steps that anyone could walk away with to improve their financial situation.  At first I thought this would be a difficult task, but realized that it really does boil down to three steps. Three Ways to Improve Your Financial Situation: Start learning about money and at the same time take action – just because you touch money every day does not mean you should know everything about it.  Just like a language you must take the time to learn about it.  Start small with a subscription to a money magazine and work your way to books, coaching…

  • Debt Pay off or Retirement Savings: Are You on the Right Track?

    Andrea
    14 May 2013 | 11:43 am
    The hardest part of personal finance is that it is personal.  A solution that is one size fits all does not exist; each and every single one of us is different.  Add on top of that the possibility that there can be multiple right answers for each person and you can quickly see why managing your money can seem so overwhelming. Let’s take one of the most commonly argued questions and find the right answer for you. Should I pay off debt or save for retirement? First let’s look at the positives of doing each of these items right now: Pay off Debt: frees up dollars in your budget for other…

  • How to Set Goals You Actually Want to Achieve

    Andrea
    7 May 2013 | 9:39 am
    Planning a vacation without picking a location would be a pretty hard task to achieve.  You would not be able to arrange how to get there, where to stay or what to do.  When you select your vacation destination it allows you to make plans that help you get there. Setting goals is not any different than planning your vacation.  First you need to know where you want to go, and then you can make arrangements to get to that destination!  The steps you take to get you to your destination are your goals. When you know where you want to go then goal setting becomes easy.  The following three…

  • Looking for New Ways to Manage Your Money?

    Andrea
    30 Apr 2013 | 7:02 am
    If you are always looking for the new and exciting information to manage your money, I have bad news.  When it comes to the basics of money they don’t change, in fact one of the best books on money was written back in the 20’s (The Richest Man in Babylon)! You don’t build a solid foundation if you constantly spend more than you bring in, you can’t deal with life’s surprises if you don’t have an emergency fund, and you can’t create wealth without saving. So if you are tired of hearing pay off your credit cards and save for an emergency fund, yet both of these are problems…
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    Personal Financial Management

  • Most Gay-Friendly Cities

    Divya
    24 May 2013 | 3:15 pm
    Happy Pride Month!  To celebrate, NerdWallet crunched the numbers to put together a list of the most gay-friendly cities based on municipal laws, community and peer support, and safety and tolerance.  The cities listed fulfill the following three requirements: Do the laws support gay residents?  We used the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index to assess the municipal laws affecting LGBT residents.  The index measures the equality of each city’s non-discrimination laws, relationship recognition, employment practices, city services, law enforcement and municipality…

  • Don’t Let Debt Collectors Drive You Up the Wall

    Arthur Comings
    23 May 2013 | 12:41 pm
    As seniors, we’re perfect targets for debt collectors on the telephone. Since many of us are retired, we’re more likely to be at home when the harassment comes, and we’re more apt to still have the land lines that they like to call on. Some of us will be less likely to push back against the aggressive techniques employed by some agencies, too. And to top it all off, we don’t know much more than the average American about what our rights are when the phone’s ringing off the hook. But we do have rights, and it’s our responsibility to use them. The Fair Debt…

  • Could You Spot a Ponzi Scheme? Bernie Madoff Speaks.

    Cliff Goldstein
    22 May 2013 | 10:00 pm
    Bernie Madoff was arrested in December, 2008 after authorities uncovered that his firm had perpetrated the largest financial fraud in U.S. history. Today, Fox Business Network’s Adam Shapiro will be conducting an exclusive interview with Madoff, to try and uncover some of the motivations behind his scheme, as well as any other players who may have known about the fraud but remained silent over many years. Among the many reasons that this fraud was able to go for as many years as it did, is the fact that nobody had taken the time to look closely at Madoff’s registrations and custodial…

  • NerdWallet’s Top Metro Areas for Veterans

    Annie Wang
    22 May 2013 | 7:50 am
    With Memorial Day coming up this weekend, NerdWallet wanted to salute our armed forces by looking at the best metropolitan areas for veterans. We wanted to find the areas with excellent support systems for veterans easing back into civilian life. NerdWallet calculated the best metros for veterans by answering the following questions: Are there opportunities for veterans? We looked the overall unemployment of rate of the metro areas as well as the ratio of unemployed vets compared to the rest of the population to see if job prospects were good. Is there peer support? We analyzed veterans as a…

  • Healthiest Places in America

    Divya
    20 May 2013 | 5:49 pm
    Which cities have the most outdoorsy, fit, healthy residents?  NerdWallet sifted through the fifty largest metro areas to find the ones with the best indicators of health, including health scores for the residents, health insurance coverage and a high prevalence of doctors and clean air.  NerdWallet assessed the health score according to the following factors: How fit are the residents?  We assessed fitness of residents through the American Fitness Index, a composite index that includes the CDC’s Selected Metropolitan/Micropolitan Area Risk Trends Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance…
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    The Truth About Credit Cards.com

  • Do Consumers with More Credit Cards Have Higher Credit Scores?

    Colin Robertson
    20 May 2013 | 12:20 pm
    An infographic released recently by Credit Karma revealed some interesting characteristics about credit card usage and credit score. For those with so-called excellent credit scores, 750 and higher, the average Credit Karma user had $4,829 in credit card debt on 6.7 credit cards. While nearly seven credit cards may seem excessive, it was the norm

  • Square Stand Looks to Replace the Traditional Cash Register

    Colin Robertson
    16 May 2013 | 11:58 am
    If you haven’t already heard of the company “Square,” you will. They continue to revolutionize the payments industry, and their latest release looks like something straight out of Apple’s design book. The company introduced their latest product this week, the “Square Stand,” which pretty much makes traditional cash registers look like a thing of the

  • New Chase AARP Credit Card Launched: 3% Cash Back on Gas and Restaurants

    Colin Robertson
    8 May 2013 | 2:59 pm
    If you’re an AARP member, listen up. Chase has teamed up with the organization to offer a great credit card deal to members over 50. First and foremost, the new “AARP Signature Visa Card from Chase” comes with a $100 cash back opening bonus when you spend $500 within the first three months of account

  • Float Looks to Supplant Credit Cards

    Colin Robertson
    7 May 2013 | 5:10 pm
    A new company named “Float” wants to eradicate credit cards for good, though let’s be honest, there’s no chance of that happening. The company has developed a novel approach to lending, seeing that they offer interest-free loans with no penalties or fees. You may be wondering how that’s even possible. At first glance, it kind

  • Don’t Commingle Your Purchases and Balance Transfers

    Colin Robertson
    3 May 2013 | 1:24 pm
    As I always say, credit cards make for complicated business. They almost seem designed to confuse consumers, though the issuers wouldn’t agree with that statement. Thankfully, the CARD Act and other recent measures have evened the playing field somewhat over the past several years. But there are still plenty of “traps” if you don’t navigate
 
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    theamateurconsumer.com

  • A Liberated Consumer’s 3 Commandments for Never Going Broke Again!

    Lou Rodriguez
    14 May 2013 | 7:27 am
    Every financial Guru on the planet and in the blogosphere has methods for securing your financial future.  It usually starts with putting a $1000 dollars away for an emergency fund and then moves on to paying down debt. After that, most tell you to move on to investing and well, you get the picture.  The [...]

  • 10 things I learned from Financial Literacy Month 2013

    Lou Rodriguez
    6 May 2013 | 9:49 am
    Another year, another Financial literacy Capability month in the books. Did it mean anything to you? Did you or anyone you know learn anything or feel less financially inept than last year because of it? Here are 10 things I learned from this years farce: 1. Banks and Creditors Have no Business Leading the Financial [...]

  • How Close Are You to Being Broke? Here’s a Hint; You’re Closer Than You Think!

    Lou Rodriguez
    30 Apr 2013 | 4:24 am
    How’s your “rainy day” fund looking these days? If you just laughed at that question, you probably already know the answer to how close you are to being broke. If you read the question and asked yourself, “what the hell is he talking about – rainy day fund?”, then you’re about to get rained on! [...]

  • Do You Have to Be Financially Inept to Go Broke?

    Lou Rodriguez
    18 Apr 2013 | 5:59 am
    Why do I keep reading, especially during financial literacy month,  statements like this from respected journalist and personal finance experts all across the blogosphere; the next generation is growing up as financially inept as the last. Does anyone really believe that every person over the last 2 decades of this “so called” financial literacy movement [...]

  • Is The Financial Literacy Movement Just an Illusion?

    Lou Rodriguez
    8 Apr 2013 | 6:03 am
    Let’s start with some basic history about the financial literacy movement;  in the United States, the movement really started to pick up steam in 1995.  That’s when former Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Credit, William E. Odom, was credited with the concept that led to the formation of the Jump$tart Coalition.  And no; that’s [...]
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    Moneycation

  • Financial news: 05/23/2013

    A.W. Berry
    23 May 2013 | 3:00 am
    • AP: Median CEO pay ↑ 6.5% to $9.7 million in 2012 • CNN: Grandparent money scams are on the rise per the FTC • NYT: Mall kiosk industry is more profitable than perceived • BI: Cable, fiber & satellite subscriptions ↓ 80,000 per study • DOL: Jobless claims 05/18 340K ↓23 K; average 339.5K, ↓.5K • MW: Stock market crash more likely in 2013 than 2015 • ZH: Risk on investing at '06 levels, lacks global growth • Fox: Target's Q1 yr-over-yr earnings ↓ .27 cents per share • Reuters: April used home sales 20K ↓ forecast, yr-over-yr ↑ 9.7% • Bloomberg: Piplines…