Archive for October, 2009
States Want Tax on Web Purchases
Oct 12, 2009 - Some states are beginning to charge sales tax on internet purchases.
Way to Save #84: Sell Your Own Home
Oct 11, 2009 - Real estate commissions are among the costliest of fees, especially considering the value you get in return. If you’re in a lousy housing market, you may not have a choice: realtors will expose your home to the maximum number of potential buyers. But if the market’s popping, try selling it yourself, after reading a book [...]
Way to Save #83: Time Your Home Purchase
Oct 10, 2009 - October, November and December are the hardest months to sell a house, making them the best months to buy one.
Household Products Vinegar Can Replace
Oct 10, 2009 - You can do a lot more with a bottle of white distilled vinegar than just cooking.
3 Tips to Lower Your Rent
Oct 10, 2009 - As the foreclosure wave crests in many parts of the country, many people who used to own homes are joining the ranks of renters. But whether you're new or experienced to renting, it pays to know some tips that can help you with the cost.
Way to Save #82: Buy Stocks Direct
Oct 09, 2009 - You can buy nearly 1,000 different stocks by going direct to the company that issues them. While the fees charged for doing this vary from company to company, they are often much less than the fees you’d pay by going through a broker. DRIP refers to dividend reinvestment plans that allow you to reinvest quarterly [...]
Lessons For Landlords
Oct 08, 2009 - According to the National Association of Realtors, last year Americans bought nearly 2 million homes not to live in, but for investment. Which means many of those homes will become rental properties. Will all the new landlords be ready?
Way to Save #81: Don't Buy "Load" Mutual Funds
Oct 08, 2009 - A “load” refers to a commission, and there’s no reason for you to ever pay one. If you’re buying a mutual fund through a financial advisor of any kind (except ones you pay by the hour), you’re undoubtedly going to pay a load. Do your own research, buy your own funds, and don’t pay a [...]
Way to Save #80: Get A Retirement Plan
Oct 07, 2009 - Join your employer’s voluntary retirement plan, especially if it offers a match. After your debts are paid off, saving through a retirement plan has some great advantages, like investing automatically and being able to defer the taxes on the money you make. Even before you pay off your debts, you should enroll in a plan [...]
It’s Time to Purchase Like It’s 1999
Oct 06, 2009 - With prices falling on everything from houses to boats, if you're lucky enough to have money in the bank, there are definitely bargains to be had.
Way to Save #79: Know The Lingo
Oct 06, 2009 - When we shop for credit cards, or any loans for that matter, the focus is always on the interest rate you’re being charged. While that’s obviously the main thing, it’s not the only thing. In the case of credit cards, you also need to inquire about “grace period.” That’s the period of time you have [...]
Way to Save #78: Check For "Stealth" Fees
Oct 05, 2009 - Hidden fees abound in credit cards. They include fees for going over your credit limit, transferring your balance to another company and paying late. The only way you have of finding out about these fees is to call the issuer or read the microscopic print found on the original disclosure paperwork or monthly statements. You [...]
Way to Save #77: Give Yourself Credit
Oct 04, 2009 - If you’re going to have credit cards, get the best possible deals. If you pay off your balance every month, get a card with no fee. If you don’t, get the lowest possible interest rate, but don’t forget to include any annual fees in the interest price you’re paying. You can find good credit card [...]
Way to Save #76: Balance Your Checking Account
Oct 03, 2009 - Estimates of people who don’t bother to reconcile their checking accounts range from 6% to 20%. If you don’t keep track of what’s in your account, you should just carry cash. Because sooner or later, you’re going to be paying giant fees for bounced checks!
4 Places for Free Job Training
Oct 02, 2009 - Unemployment is now the highest since June, 1983. Now, more than ever, Americans need as many tools as possible to land a new job. If you're out of work, you're certainly not alone. But now might be a good time to enhance your future career choices by getting job training. And depending on your situation, you might find it free.
