When I was still working in Corporate America, one of the executives used to say that he looks to hire salespeople who are basically up to their eyeballs in debt. “The best sales reps are the ones with the biggest houses and the newest cars!” he used to say, meaning that, since salespeople are typically paid via commissions, the ones with the largest debt are the most motivated to make money and would therefore close more sales for the company.
[ continue reading… ]
When you approach an employer about the idea of telecommuting, it’s not unusual that the employer in question can try to negotiate a lower salary in exchange for allowing you to telecommute. The theory behind this tactic is that it costs an employee less to telecommute than to come into the office on a daily basis. But the actual numbers may surprise you — it may not be worth it for you to take the pay cut.
[ continue reading… ]
If you’ve ever examined your monthly budget closely, you’ve likely discovered that you spend quite a chunk of money every month on cleaning supplies and health and beauty items. To help take the pinch out of your budget, here are a few household uses for vinegar. (A gallon jug sells for around $3.99 or less in your average grocery store.)
Equal parts of vinegar and water can be used to clean:
[ continue reading… ]
When you get to the point in your life where you are ready to purchase a home, there are many unexpected expenses. Property assessments, inspections, taxes and improvements are bad enough, but tacking on excessive closing costs can be the final straw. Understanding some of the terminology and the tricks of the trade can help you minimize these costs and bring your house price down, so here’s a primer.
[ continue reading… ]
Getting an auto loan is a bit like investing in the stock market—it’s all about timing. But when you need a new car, you often don’t have the luxury or flexibility to bide your time until the market is just right. Luckily, you can still cash in on good deals when they appear by refinancing your auto loan. Car loan refinancing lets you pick the right time to lock in low interest rates so you can save money in the long run. Here are four clear signs that it might be time to consider refinancing your car loan.
[ continue reading… ]
Do adults take financial stress out on kids? No, according to a recent study. The study found that child abuse has actually declined nationally in the U.S. in spite of the economic deterioration. Of course, this could simply be the result of a decade-long effort to educate parents and teach them non-violent ways to deal with kids. But the interesting aspect of the study for us is that at least when it comes to financial issues, we don’t seem to take it out on our little ones.
[ continue reading… ]
