The Simple $10 Debt Elimination Solution
Ask a friend what money resolutions they made at the beginning of the year and your bound to hear them reply "Pay off my credit cards." Ask them how they planned on reaching that goal and most of them won't have an answer.
How To Create A Monthly Budget For Food
Food is not something we can do without. Cutting back on your food bill, though, can leave you with a substantial amount of money left in your pocket at the end of the month.
Getting the Kids Involved with the Food Budget
Our children used to love having a certain brand of cookie or snack, but unfortunately they were also the most expensive. I wanted to teach them about a budget without making them feel as if they were missing out on something so we invented "Family coupon night."...
At the end of the month, you'll have a money map. You'll know how much you're spending, and on what. And then you'll be able to make some changes (and perhaps even spare your "special Coffee Drinks")...
In an effort to stay as much on a budget as possible and track my spending I have finally found an easier way. I keep my check book in my purse and use is to record...
Why Is My $20 Bill Only Worth $5 Bucks?
With a $1000.00 balance on your card and $20.00 minimum payment due ($15.00 will be for interest. Only $5.00 will be for the principal to actually pay down the balance. Your new balance is $995.00. Yep! You paid $20.00, but it was only worth $5.00
Even if you didn't save all your receipts from last year, you still can analyze your expenses and use that information to help save money next year. For example, did you buy a latte every day before work? The average latte costs about three dollars. That works out to $15 per week for a grand total of $780 a year.
When you're looking at spending and budget issues, annualize everything. For instance, are you spending $10 a day on lunch? If you bring something from home, it will cost perhaps $3. That $7 a day that you save is $35 a week, over $1500 a year.
Budget for other people's birthdays every year by saving a small amount out of each paycheck and putting it into a birthday budget.
My husband and I have been married for 14 years and we have a 28k damage, 20k is all medical. I almost died and three kids and four miscarriages will do this to you.
Many Americans love to treat their mortgages like some of their favorite kitchen appliances - they want to "set it and forget it." Paying close attention to your monthly statement can actually protect you and your family. And using a few simple tricks can actually help you save a significant amount on your monthly expenses.
401k Match and the Credit Card
Many employers offer a 401k plan as a source for retirement. 401k is the best plan available and you should always take advantage of it especially if there is a match involved. Since the match is free money you can't let it slide by.
Only Buy Things That You Need On Sale
Don't buy things just because they are on sale! Only buy things you use and then wait until they are on sale, and use coupons!
Credit for Buying Real Estate Not the Same as Credit for Buying Cars
Forget what you've been told about credit. Qualifying for a real estate purchase requires different credit than automobile financing or retail credit.
Dangerous Debt Consolidation Loans
Now that the frenzy of refinancing has tapered off, many mortgage lenders have turned to alternate methods of marketing their services. Many banks have started pushing harder to sign up customers for home equity based debt consolidation loans.
Mortgages After Bankruptcy: Easier Than You'd Expect
Many American consumers fear that they won't be able to get a good mortgage if they claim bankruptcy. In fact, more lenders than ever will work with homeowners who have fallen on hard times and want to rebuild their credit. Before you start looking for a new home, cover these bases:
What Schools Should Teach About Credit: How to Help Your Teen Prepare for a Strong Financial Future
Our college-bound son just bought his first home at 21. He was able to buy a home for forty thousand under the appraised price, get a low interest rate, finance the closing costs, and pay no money down. How could he possibly do this? His credit score is over 700.
Never buy anything you can't pay for, at the time, except a house.
Tips and advice for managing your 401k. Post your ideas.
Shred Financial Papers Before Discarding
Invest in a paper shredder and shred all of your financial papers, receipts, etc. before you throw them away. There is too much identity theft out there and if they are shredded, no one can get your information.
Starting Over With Your Household Budget
When organizing your household budget, things can get a bit overwhelming. Do you know where your money goes? If you can't account for it, try scrapping everything you're doing with your money this month and start over.
When it comes to our finances, they're very abstract. Check cards and electronic bill paying don't make it much easier; the concept of exactly how much money is spent is a difficult one to grasp. In the days of cash, it was much easier to understand where our money went.
My Frugal Life: Tell Your Money Where To Go
It was about four and a half years ago, when DH and I found out that we were expecting our second child. It was quite a surprise, given that our first one was only 6 months old!
Avoiding Charitable Bankruptcy
It feels good to donate to a charitable cause. I write the check that I know will buy the last ingredient needed to find the cure for cancer, and it feels good. Then, I write the check to help pay for books at a school ravaged by floods, and it feels good, too. Next, there are the checks to preserve historical monuments, to feed homeless puppies, to cheer co-workers during times of loss, for multiple sclerosis, for women's shelters, polar bears, fire stationsgasp. All this charitable donating is leaving me feeling broke. How can I stay charitable and stay out of the poorhouse myself?
