February
7
2010
Tax credits for homebuyers has not only been extended, but expanded to people who have already purchased and are living in a home. A government stimulus for the real estate industry will not only benefit homebuyers but will also help the economy, according to a video about the Housing Stimulus extension found on Coldwell Banker’s website.
The government extended the tax credit to April 30, 2010. Under the tax credit, first time homebuyers can receive up to $8,000 tax credit when they buy a home. In addition, “move up buyers” — people who have lived in their current home for at least 5 years, can receive up to $6,500 in tax credits from buying a different home.
The video, narrated by Jim Gillespie, president and CEO of Coldwell Banker, explains how this Housing Stimulus not only helps the average citizen, but is vital to the recovery of the economy.
Anyone who is interested in the tax credit must have a signed contract to purchase a new home dated before the April 30th deadline.
The income limits to qualify are $125,000 for a single person and $225,000 for a married couple. There is an additional $20,000 phaseout. For more information on this extension of tax credits for homebuyers, visit the Coldwell Banker website and view the video and other information.
January
28
2010
Last year, I discovered Dave Ramsey and his total money makeover plan. It was revolutionary for someone like me, who has almost always lived hand-to-mouth, to realize I could do his first step, which was to save $1,000 in a Savings Account as an emergency fund.
I didn’t realize it was something I could accomplish. That is because every penny that comes in to my house is accounted for — bills, food, etc. There is no discretionary income to fund a Savings Account. I lived a bare bones existence. I didn’t have cable, call waiting, new vehicles — basically I didn’t have any way to reduce my expenses because they already were as slashed as possible.
An emergency fund seemed impossible until I read other ways people had established theirs. The goal is to the get teh $1,000 saved as quickly as possible. Here is where the magic was — if you are really serious about getting that money, you can do it by selling some of your belongings. We live as minimalists, so I didn’t think we had anything to sell.
But we did. By selling items we had, such as an old beat-up dresser in the basement, a rusty old antique clawfoot bathtub in the garage and used pink girls’ ballet slippers, we funded the Savings Account in less than a month. I am still amazed. All I have to say is that if we can get money for a savings account, so can you.
January
21
2010
One of the small pleasures I especially enjoy during these cold, dreary winter months is putting the kids to bed and curling up in front of the TV.
It is too cold outside to do much else besides snuggle under a blanket with your sweetie and the remote (and maybe a glass of Pinot Grigio).
This fall I decided to splurge and bring some quality TV viewing into my living room. I began by searching online for DIRECT TV Deals in St. Paul, Minnesota and found several options to fit my needs on DirectSatTV.com.
I was surprised to find several specials, including one offer that showed DIRECTV Deals for as low as $1 a day. I spend more than that on coffee each day.
It also offered three free months of Showtime. I am a huge film buff. I would watch movies all day long if I could. During the summer I am usually busy and my movie watching drops off dramatically. However, during the winter, I could easily watch two movies a night, and have been known to do so.
I am very happy to have discovered DIRECTTV Deals only the click of a mouse away. It really helped me to figure out just what I wanted from direct tv and compare several options to tailor one that was just right for me.
January
9
2010
Are you a small business owner struggling to stay alive in this faltering economy? Once upon a time it used to be easy to obtain financing — whether you were an individual or a business.
Now it is next to impossible. But there are some options, including exploring Merchant Cash Finder.
One option is to look at alternative financing for businesses.
You can look at companies that are working with other businesses in the Business Cash Advance industry to help you obtain these loans.
If you are exploring a means to get a Merchant Cash Advance, be sure to review all offers before deciding. Many offer different terms and costs, so it is worth a little research.
December
30
2009
At some point in time, either for ourselves or for our parents, we may need to investigate Housing For Seniors. Sometimes our homes get too big or our needs become more complicated and overwhelming and it just makes sense to turn to others for help.
Even if we don’t end up using it, there are many different options for assisted living for seniors. Sometimes people have misconceptions about senior assisted living, thinking the only option is a nursing home when there are truly so many more options to choose from.
Assisted living facilities can offer everything from studio apartments to private bedrooms with private baths to shared bedrooms. It all depends on what fits your need. In some instances, there are specific facilities that specialize in Assisted Living for people with Alzheimer’s.
Other organizations provide in-home nursing care so you or you family member can stay home and receive the care needed. Skilled Nursing is a way families can get help with everything from diabetes to arthritis to dementia.
The facts are that we are all getting older and even if we take great care of ourselves there may be a point where we, or a loved one, needs some additional care and help. There are numerous options for just about every scenario you can imagine, if you just take the time to do a little research.
December
30
2009
I just learned about a new company that is working to revolutionize the way businesses advertise. DGDM is a company focused on building innovative products geared on improving the consumer marketplace.
The flagship company is called YuDeal.com, which specializes in real time advertising, social networking and analytics. A way to offer immediate coupons and discounts for services and goods. The business is working to revolutionize advertising in much the same way the search engine Google did for internet ads.
For instance, an example DGDM gives shows how a restaurant owner who needs to fill tables for that night immediately alerts people to a 20 percent discount if they dine in the restaurant in the next two hours.
December
29
2009
In Europe, generally speaking, people don’t spend money they don’t have. This is the smart way to live. Somehow, Americans have been caught up in the culture that bigger is better and that more is best.
We have come to believe that it is OK to spend money we don’t have. But nine times out of ten, we later regret it.
If you want to stay on budget, but have all the benefits of using a credit card, there really is no better way to go than to buy a reloadable, Prepaid Debit Card. You can use this card in stores, online — anywhere that a Mastercard is accepted.
This is a great idea for a gift for a grandchild who may shop at stores you’ve never even heard of. It is also a smart idea for college students living away from home who need money for living expenses, but may not have the maturity necessary yet to limit spending.
It is also a way to stick to a weekly budget. Because it is a reloadable, Prepaid Mastercard you can load it every week with your budgeted amount for expenses and then when it runs out, wait until the next week to put more money on it.
It is a little like the cash in an envelope budgeting system, where you withdraw a weekly amount of cash to spend, but this is a safer method. Rather than carrying around cash, you have a Prepaid Debit Card that helps you keep track of your spending in an easy, convenient way.
December
20
2009
I remember reading 20 years ago that one day every home in America would have a computer. It was mind boggling at the time and now it is nearly true. I do everything on the computer including online banking and trading stocks.
Online Trading just makes sense.
What used to be done in public is now done in the privacy of your own home. You can wake up in the morning, walk downstairs in your bathrobe and slippers and contact your Online Broker about what you want and what you need.
As you sip your coffee at your kitchen table, you can log onto your laptop and trade stocks, options, mutual funds, ETFs and fixed incomes at competitive prices.
Online brokerage firms now make it possible for people to do their Stock Trading at any time from anyplace you can get online with your laptop.
The world has become smaller and larger at the same time with the ease and convenience of accomplishing tasks online. Something that was hard for me to fathom only a few short years ago.
December
15
2009
It seems that right when the economy took a nose dive and people were looking for ways to make extra money, companies that buy gold sprouted up overnight.
Everyone from high-end jewelers to the corner pawn shop got into the act. People were reminded of the everlasting value of gold. But rather than investing in gold jewelry where you almost always take a loss when re-selling, it has become even more clear that buying gold coins is a more safe, secure and worthy investment.
While some people may have a gold coin or two laying around the house, it is becoming increasingly clear now that this is an investment that cannot go wrong.
If you are looking for a more substantial investment, it is worth checking into buying gold buillon.
Gold is thought to be a safe investment partly because gold in the form of something like a bullion coin can be liquidated in any country at any time.
With the uncertain economy, it helps to buy something that feels safe and secure during these turbulent times.
December
13
2009
Every few months I sit down with my budget and look over my expenses and try to figure out where I can save money. I divide my expenses into fixed expenses (mortgage, utlities, loans) and nonfixed (food, gas for car, etc.).
When I analyze my budget and look where I could possibly cut expenses, I usually ignore the fixed expenses. Big mistake.
Even though my auto insurance is under the fixed expense, I can still save money in this area with a comparison website that shows me cheap liability auto insurance.
Right now I pay $72 a month for my 2001 Honda Accord sedan. When I took about five minutes to plug in my information on this website, I received a handful of quotes, with the least expensive one being from Travelers Insurance quoting me $281 for a six-month policy.
That is $46.75 a month — $30 less than what I am paying for the exact same policy.
Just for fun, I tried to get a quote from my current company — Liberty Mutual, but was told to give them a call since I already have a policy with them. The fun part about this is that when I do give them a call, I’m going to tell them that I am able to get the same coverage for $30 a month less through Travelers Insurance. It will be interesting to see what they have to say.
What I liked about this site was that I was able to obtain several quotes in minutes and didn’t have to give highly personal information like my social security number in order to do so.
Obviously when I decide which company to work with, I can provide them all that information.
Taking the time to shop around and compare rates is the only way to truly get the best deal on auto insurance.