3 Bad Spending Habits and Ways to Break Them

It probably took a recession for many Americans to realize how out of hand their spending had become. It was actually a little shocking to find out how so many people were in serious credit card debt, with seemingly no way out. If there was any good that the recession brought us, then it is to take a closer look at our spending habits. We’ve rounded up some pretty common and bad spending habits that almost everyone is guilty with, and not only that, we give suggestions on how to curb them. Read ...

The Real Cost of Borrowing Money

Borrowing money is convenient, because it means we can buy what we want, when we want it, without having to wait to save up the full amount. However, whenever you borrow to buy a house, a car or even a television, you need to think about the true cost of that item, and that goes well beyond the sticker price. The Real Cost of Borrowing Money to Buy a House The average house price in the US in 2011 is $272,200 and the median price is $222,600 so let’s say you are buying a house worth $250,...

15 Things People Forget To Budget For

The economy today is putting a strain on numerous bank accounts. It is essential to have a complete budget that covers all everyday expenditures and still leaves room for savings. Many people forget to include some crucial expenses which can sabotage an otherwise thoughtful budget. Here are fifteen things that people often forget to budget for. 1. Dues and fees - Various types of fees are due throughout the year and they are often overlooked. This includes annual credit card fees, gym members...

5 Ways to Save Money on Car Insurance

When looking for car insurance, there are many things that can be done to save money. Trying to cut back on many bills and expenses is normal and should be done. Everybody is looking to save money, and one place to start can be your car insurance. Below are five ways in which you can save money on car insurance. 1. Ask Your Insurance Agent about Discounts Sometimes the agent will not inform you or give you all the discounts that you and your family may qualify for. Be sure to research the ma...

Taking Control of Your Financial Life: Six Common Bad Habits That Are Costing You Money

In today’s unsure economy, most of us have made significant changes to the way we view money, spending, and our financial future. We’ve switched from name brand to generic, clipped coupons, and shopped for sales. Most of us feel pretty good about the changes we’ve made. Unfortunately, in spite of those changes, many of us have also developed some costly bad habits. Here, I am not talking about bad habits you can put a price on, like smoking or eating out too much (that’s another story); I’m t...

How to Get More Money for Your Trade-In

In most cases, using the trade-in value of your old vehicle to lower the down payment on a new one is a sound business practice. The more you can negotiate for your trade-in, the less cash you'll have to come up with for a new car. The key is to make sure you get what your vehicle is worth when the time comes to trade it in. Sell It Yourself When it comes to actual cash value, you may be better off selling the car yourself than using it as a trade-in. A private sale almost always brings a ...

How to Pay Off Debt – Fast!

Getting into debt can be really troubling! Before you know it, you’re essentially being crushed by minimum payments owed to seemingly everyone. It’s hard to get out of a scenario like this, but instead of feeling defeated by debt, you really have to work on strategies to overcome what you owe to these credit card companies in order to straighten your financial situation out. According to the Federal Reserve consumer credit statistics for 2010, the amount of debt Americans bear on their cred...

Can a Credit Card Really Be The Perfect Travel Companion?

With the last breath of winter still in the air, most people will be looking forward to sitting down and planning a holiday abroad. If this seems like a good idea, there’s one thing to remember before you leave behind the grey British shores in favour of some well-deserved sun - don’t forget to pack your credit card. Of course, for some, the expense of Christmas and the New Year may have had a nasty impact on their finances, leaving a getaway as the last thing on their mind. However, for thos...

Beating the High Cost of College

Trying to figure out how to pay for college is enough to stress out almost any parent with young kids. The good news is that if you take advantage of tax breaks, start saving early, and get creative with college credits, you can have plenty of money for your children to take advantage of a higher education, and gain a degree that ideally helps to prepare them for the workforce. One of the easiest ways to save for your child’s college education is by investing in a 529 plan. These plans all...

4 Financial Tips From Successful Entrepreneurs That Will Guide You To Great Financial Decisions

When you think about your finances, chances are you aren’t thinking happy thoughts. Finances can be a great source of stress, cause headaches, cause turmoil between loved ones, and on and on. But they don’t have to cause those types of issues. Handled correctly and carefully, your financial woes can be a thing of the past, once and for all. Entrepreneurs are known for acting their way to success rather than thinking about the issue over and over again, which is what many of us get caught in....