Sharing insights since 2007 on carefully saving money, investing, frugal living, coupons, promo codes because the little things matter in achieving financial freedom!
Here are a few expenses to consider before buying a new or used car.
Hidden Expenses of Buying a New (or Used) Car
Insurance Costs
One of the most well-known additional expenses of bringing home a new vehicle is insurance coverage. If you’ll be taking out a loan, you’ll need full coverage insurance, which can be pricey for many makes and models. Even comprehensive coverage can be expensive, so be sure to check with your insurance agent before choosing your next vehicle.
Oil
Many newer vehicles require special synthetic oils, which can cost $50 to $60 for 6 quarts. Also, larger vehicles, like full-sized trucks, require more quarts of oil than a smaller car. [ continue reading… ]
A few weeks ago, my wife and I had an unpleasant call from Visa cardmember services. They informed us that our credit card number may have been stolen and that we needed to call them immediately. After being connected, the representative asked me if I had made any purchases in Mexico recently. I replied that I hadn’t and told him I found the whole situation pretty crazy. His response? “It happens every day.”
The fact that Visa has representatives to deal solely with stolen credit cards means you need to pay attention. Numbers get stolen all the time, and while you should be able to recoup any lost funds, the process can still be a headache. To avoid getting your card stolen as my wife and I did, follow these tips.
Use Caution Online
The world is becoming smaller and smaller, and you can buy nearly anything you need online. This is wildly convenient, but it can also be wildly dangerous. You need to be careful about where you’re submitting your credit card number. Consider shopping at larger sites, which offer stronger security, or using services like Paypal to help keep your money safe. [ continue reading… ]
How many times have you skipped a doctor visit you needed because you didn’t have health care coverage?
After all, your shoulder hurts, but you can live with it, right? There’s no point in going to the doctor just so he can tell you about x-rays, meds, and therapy that’ll likely cost a few grand.
With or without medical coverage, health care costs are high. Furthermore, bills can damage your credit if you accrue medical debt and don’t try to clear it out. Ruined credit could mean prevent you from finding a better job or affording a new car.
When my sister was home from college one summer, she applied for a job at a chain bookstore that has since gone out of business. Though they called and asked her for an interview, they told her they were really looking for someone with a degree.
At the time, she chalked it up to the possibility that they wanted a permanent employee, rather than just a summer hire, but it still seemed odd that a retail establishment would care about the education level of its non-managerial employees.
Though these positions were previously open to anyone with a high school diploma or associate’s degree, they’re now requiring a four-year degree. While it doesn’t appear to have completely permeated the ranks of retail yet, it does include positions such as dental hygienist, receptionist, paralegal, file clerk, and even office courier. [ continue reading… ]
Online banking and shopping are some of the perks of our tech-savvy culture. But providing financial information for online activities can put your money (and your identity) at risk. The key to safe online financial transactions is to be informed and cautious.
Here are a few tips to help you stay safe while shopping and banking online.
How to Make Your Online Financial Transactions Secure
Don’t use the same user name and passwords for all of your accounts.
Choose a strong password filled with numbers, symbols, and lowercase/uppercase letters.
Keep track of your account info in a non-digital place, such as a notebook in your fire safe. This prevents hackers from seeing a list of all your passwords if they gain access to your computer, phone, or tablet. [ continue reading… ]
If you’re a renter, or are planning on renting in the future, you’ll need to deal with a landlord. Though there are many different types of rental situations, there a few ways to deal with landlords that’ll almost always apply.
Be Adamant
When my wife and I moved into our first place together, we settled on a small one-bedroom apartment. The complex was a run-of-the-mill operation with cheap rent. Getting in touch with the maintenance man was fairly easy, and most problems were solved quickly.
At our new townhouse, things work a bit differently. Upon arrival, we found out that the owner had accrued late charges on past-due HOA fees. In addition, the water heater needed to be cleaned and the fridge repaired. It wasn’t exactly what we were expecting. The landlord was supposed to be the owner, but she thought the real estate agent would be able to take care of things. We had to be quite adamant with the agent and the landlord to ensure every problem was solved. After a while, we got everything sorted out and back to normal.
When you have an issue at your rental unit, you need to pursue a solution. It’s in your best interest (and is your legal right) to have problems fixed. If your landlord is being difficult, present the lease showing their responsibilities. If they fail to hold up their end of the contract, you may need to pursue legal action. [ continue reading… ]
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