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After awhile, it starts to seem obvious that you won’t be using a particular item anymore. From outdated gadgets to seldom played musical instruments to old furniture, there are trade-in programs that will provide you with credit toward a future purchase, allowing you to save a little bit of money by cashing in. In some cases, you can actually receive cash for your stuff — or swap it with someone else for free.
Whether your goal is to downsize your lifestyle, or just save a few bucks on your next gadget, a trade-in program or a buy back program can help you get a few bucks toward your next purchase, or even put some cash in your pocket. [ continue reading… ]
I placed 2nd in a golf tournament and I received the trophy today. I was so excited because I never won anything other than getting certificates and ribbons before so it made me really happy to say the least. My credit card balance, my next paycheck, the stock market tumbling all didn’t matter seem to matter. As someone who always thought about money – how to save more, how to earn more, how to accumulate more – this prompted the question “Does always thinking about money really make me happy?” [ continue reading… ]
One minute, they’re drooling adorably on a rattle, and the next thing you know they want to borrow your car keys. It might not happen quite that quickly, but it still can be pretty tough for parents to get used to the idea that their teenage children are ready to get behind the wheel. It doesn’t get any easier when you research how much it will cost to insure your brand new driver, since the addition of a teen driver can make car insurance premiums go through the roof. But you can keep costs in control if you follow these guidelines:
1. Re-evaluate your comprehensive and collision deductibles. Even with newer cars, you may not need the best comprehensive and collision insurance. If you raise your deductible to $1000 for these, you can save a great deal on your premiums, but still feel comfortable knowing your car is covered in case of a claim. Just make sure you have an extra $1000 in your emergency fund in case you do need to file a claim. [ continue reading… ]
Paying for health insurance expenses has become an ever-increasing source of irritation for many consumers. Even those fortunate enough to have decent coverage often find themselves squinting at long lists of detailed pages written in what appears to be a foreign language that only accountants or insurance clerks understand. For the average consumer, sorting through the health insurance jungle is a daunting task.
Beating the health insurance woes begins with understanding a few basics about how insurance works and what you need to know to get the most from your insurance. Here are 9 tips you need to know. [ continue reading… ]
This is a guest post by Jon. Though these financial tips will work for just about anyone, this is a special message for all the college students out there.
I know, that title sounds quite ominous doesn’t it? Well, that was the point! If you’re about to start college, you need to perform a reality check. Where do you stand with your finances? Have you even thought about creating a cash cushion? Chances are you probably haven’t.
And don’t assume that you’ll learn personal finance and money management skills in college. Here’s another reality check: college professors could care less about your financial success. College is about knowledge and learning, not about practical skills that have a huge impact on your day to day life. Don’t rely on others to teach you how to budget or save money. Start now before it’s too late.
So, if no one is going to help you learn about personal finance, who will? The answer is YOU and only YOU. Every ounce of responsibility falls on your shoulders now. Mom and Dad are no longer around to hold your hand through life. It’s “go time” and the race is on.
Now that you understand the severity of the situation, I’m going to share with you some tips that will help you on this quest for financial knowledge. [ continue reading… ]
Not too long ago, Fed Chair Ben Bernanke said that he expects a policy of low interest rates to persist. As a result, it looks like savers won’t get a break for a while. Making the most of your cash continues to be difficult with even high yield savings accounts offering a yield of right around 1%.
If you are concerned about making the most of your cash in 2012, you will have some limited options — and you may have to get creative.
Rewards Checking
Yes, there are still financial institutions offering interest bearing checking accounts. However, you will normally have to fulfill certain requirements, such as a minimum balance and/or a minimum number of debit card transactions. However, if you move your emergency fund or other long-term savings account to one of these accounts, you might be able to find an account with a rate above 2%. That beats just about any high yield savings account, and comes close to beating many 5-year CD rates. [ continue reading… ]
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