Use Credit Card Bonuses to your Advantage and Make a Killing
When most people hear the words “credit card,” they usually shut down and stop listening. With the irresponsibility of big banks and credit card companies in the past, this reaction is totally understandable. Heck, anything related to “borrowing” and most people run for the hills it seems! However, I want you to read this article closely. Please pain attention because credit cards are not evil. In fact, most people don’t realize the simple fact that you can make money off credit companies risk free with no consequences! I call what I’m going to explain to you the … [Read More...]
5 Ways to Pay Off Your Mortgage Without Breaking the Bank
Mortgages aren’t as easy to get as they were a few years ago. But even if you can’t refinance your loan there are steps you can take that will enable you to pay your loan off early and save you tens of thousands of dollars. There are different ways you can do this, making it easier to find a way that will work in your particular situation. Find one of the five below that will be most comfortable for you. For each example we’ll assume you have a 30 year mortgage for $200,000 at 4%, with a monthly payment of $955. Use this mortgage calculator to see how this will work for your … [Read More...]
Why You Should Be Debt-Free on Your Car
Car loans have become so common that most of us seldom think of buying a car without one. But you should think about doing just that, and there are a number of strong reasons you should. Other Big Debts are only getting bigger A house is an expensive proposition these days; so is a college education. Most people today are using debt to pay for the majority of these purchases, and thats forcing overall debt levels to get steadily higher. As the bigger debts get even bigger, one of the best ways to manage debt overall is to be debt free on everything else. That means no credit card debt, … [Read More...]
The Short and Sweet Guide to Compounding Interest
Who wants to work forever? No, I didn’t ask who wants to live forever, but who wants to work forever. When I got out of high school I said there’s no way I’m going to work till I’m old. Then I started working and wondered how I was ever going to get to stop working if they didn’t pay me enough to save for it. And there’s the kicker. You may not get paid enough, but you can most definitely save…..at least some or hopefully more. But should you invest in a Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, 401k, 529 plans or maybe become a day trader? Good question, but one thing all of these have in … [Read More...]
Zecco Review: a Broker for the Masses
As an investor, you need an account with a brokerage to gain access to the financial markets. When choosing a broker, you definitely have a lot of options to consider. Some brokers are better than others and the quality of your broker can make a big difference in how successful you are as an investor. One of the leading brokers in the industry today is Zecco. Zecco offers a lot of features at prices that are superior to what you will find with other brokerages. A Top Discount Broker Zecco is considered to be a discount broker because of the cheap rice is that they offer on commissions. With … [Read More...]
Top 10 Mother’s Day Gifts under $25
Mother's Day is around the corner so you know what that means: a new frugal gift guide for Mother's Day! No need to shop around this year, I did all the work for you! I scoured the internet and came up with the top ten Mother's Day gifts all under $25. Don't break the bank this year. Instead, buy her one of the following frugal gifts and I guarantee she will be one happy momma! 1. Digital Instant Read Thermometer Don't you just love it when technology makes life easier? If your Mom is a cook, this gift is for her. With a digital instant read thermometer, you can check the … [Read More...]
The California Sun Tax and How I Break it Down
After living in San Diego for almost two years now, I can confidently say that it’s expensive to live in California. No, not as bad as San Francisco or Los Angeles, but still a bit pricey. I call the extra living cost the “California Sun Tax.” As funny as that name sounds, it’s not funny when you see it take a toll on your wallet. Don’t get me wrong, I love the SoCal lifestyle but it does take a bit more in terms of regular income. This “sun tax” as I call it, breaks down into five major areas. These are areas that I have personally felt since moving to San Diego … [Read More...]
When Should you go for a Reverse Mortgage?
I’ve been reading up on reverse mortgages lately because I think it could be a good financial tool for my parents to pay their bills and add to the income that they are living on in their retirement years. I’ve found that it is actually a helpful program that even I may choose to use one day as a part of my retirement planning. Because I wanted to understand more about how reverse mortgages work, I looked up answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about them. Here’s what I found. What is a reverse mortgage? When you purchased your home, you made an agreement with your … [Read More...]
Fun in Budgeting Storage
These days, it pays to live a frugal lifestyle. Now, more and more families are riding out the economic climate by living in their budget and staying in their current homes, even if that means crowding into homes they’ve outgrown. If you’ve come to the point where you’re starting to fight with your family for elbow room, you may want to consider looking at home storage solutions away from home. Finding nearby self-storage facilities may be the answer you are searching for, especially when having a yard sale just isn’t an option. Besides, do you really want to part ways with that … [Read More...]
Do Your Kids a Favor and Open a 529 Plan
Have you heard of 529 college savings plans? If you’re a parent then you need to read this article. A 529 plan could be one of the decisions your kids will actually thank you for in the future. With skyrocketing tuition costs, it’s getting harder and harder to pay for college at the time of college. Very few people know this but the government offers a special savings account called as 529 college savings plan. They are typically offered through your state and vary when it comes to investing options and benefit. The 529 plan is modeled after a Roth-IRA account in the sense … [Read More...]
How to Buy on Craigslist and Score Great Deals
Craigslist is the mecca for buying used items from your neighbors for a fraction of the cost you would pay at a retail store. Craigslist isn’t just filled with junk, as some may have you believe, high-end items can be found from top of the line Bugaboo strollers to Pottery Barn furniture, used cars sold by owner, and gardening supplies. Craigslist is like an online garage sale, with the convenience of shopping from your own home. After many years of selling and purchasing items off Craigslist, I’ve narrowed down a few key tips about how to buy on Craigslist and score great … [Read More...]
Commonwealth
When was the last time you used the old fashioned barter system? Has it been a while? Bartering is the oldest form of commerce. It happens when I exchange something I have with you for something you have. For example, if I need a new television, I may be able to trade with you my iPod for your television. If you believe that to be a fair trade, then we agree to swap. Viola! I just got a television. It could also work for services. If I need my house painted, then I may be able to trade you two weeks worth of babysitting if you come and paint my home. We each take … [Read More...]
