Buying your first home is intimidating, and the current economy makes it even tougher. According to a recent article in Market Watch, the inventory of starter homes available to first time home buyers is dwindling. Many homes are in need of major repairs, which drives up the investment cost.But … [Read more...] about How to buy your first house
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Expert advice on digging your way out of debt
When Miranda Marquit started writing about personal finance six years ago, she “was maxed out on my credit cards,” she admits. No more. And the publisher of Planting Money Seeds has a few words of hard-earned advice for anyone who has dug themselves into a debt hole so big they think they’ll never … [Read more...] about Expert advice on digging your way out of debt
Spring into summer vacation savings now
When it comes to planning a summer vacation, there are usually two types of people: Those who plan and book more than a year in advance, and those who decide to wing it and find themselves at the mercy of not being able to shop around. While last-minute travel deals are sometimes great finds, you … [Read more...] about Spring into summer vacation savings now
How to buy a house with 5% (or less) down payment
One hurdle many would-be home buyers face – or think they face — is the need to come up with a big chunk of cash to make a 20% down payment. The good news is that you don’t have to have 20% down, even in today’s tight credit environment, to buy a house.Buyers with good jobs and decent credit … [Read more...] about How to buy a house with 5% (or less) down payment
My purse has been stolen. Now what?
Quin Ryan was doing a good deed by driving her niece to daycare. Grabbing only the toddler and an umbrella, she entered the school, returning to her car in less than seven minutes to discover her driver-side window smashed and her purse, left on the seat, gone. Out of pocket: $2,500.Drugs, … [Read more...] about My purse has been stolen. Now what?
5 tips for getting your security deposit back
Move out of a rental, and you’re likely to have plans for the security deposit your landlord has been kindly holding for you. Make sure you get your hard-earned money returned when you vacate the premises by keeping the following five tips in mind.Pre-qualify your potential landlord. Before … [Read more...] about 5 tips for getting your security deposit back
How to create a retirement plan when you’re self-employed
Whether permanently or temporarily, by choice or by circumstance, many of us are self-employed these days. We're in this gig economy, where so many of us are making our own livings with our own small businesses. That's great. Except for one thing: People who are self-employed have to provide their … [Read more...] about How to create a retirement plan when you’re self-employed
Free, cheap and high-value ways to do your taxes
If you're looking to make this tax season easier than last year's, or if your financial circumstances have changed, we have a list of resources for you to consider.Online: Filing your taxes online is easy, and it may be free if your income is low enough and your financial situation has few … [Read more...] about Free, cheap and high-value ways to do your taxes
14 home improvements that save on your heating bill
Winter is definitely here, and for many that means high utility bills to heat their homes.While you can’t do anything about the chilly weather, you can take steps to make your home more energy efficient and pay less for heating.To start, the U.S. Department of Energy has a do-it-yourself … [Read more...] about 14 home improvements that save on your heating bill
How to find free fitness classes
Gyms are awesome and yoga studios are calming, but they can be really expensive. Some gyms even charge another few dollars for classes on top of membership fees.Staying fit is a money saver, but it can cost a lot to keep it up. Below are some places to look in your town for free fitness … [Read more...] about How to find free fitness classes
12 cheap, easy Christmas DIY decor projects
Ho-ho-homemade is the key to cheap, but pretty, holiday decorations. I mean, have you seen the prices on real Christmas wreaths? Here are some ideas we gleaned from various sources to help you put some sparkle into your holidays without busting the budget.Bonus: Most of these ideas are … [Read more...] about 12 cheap, easy Christmas DIY decor projects
Love free stuff? Here’s your guide to scoring freebies
By Jen SmithThere’s only one thing I love more than saving money, and that’s getting free stuff. Who doesn’t love the feeling of having and something and not paying for it? Legally, of course.I can understand why most people don’t take the time to look for freebies. Most offers … [Read more...] about Love free stuff? Here’s your guide to scoring freebies
An easy and cheap way to make your own Christmas ornaments
Every year throughout December our family does a Christmas countdown calendar. It's full of activities like making cookies with Mom, swimming with Daddy, driving around town looking at Christmas lights, and 21 more. One of those activities is always making homemade ornaments for our tree and as … [Read more...] about An easy and cheap way to make your own Christmas ornaments
11 Black Friday shopping tips to help you save
Some people love the rush of searching for deals and loading up their shopping bags on Black Friday. This year, retailers are encouraging online shopping, but most will open their doors after Thanksgiving for in-person bargain hunting. If you decide to venture out on one of the biggest shopping days … [Read more...] about 11 Black Friday shopping tips to help you save
6 holiday shopping apps to score deals and stay organized
Back in the day, holiday shopping prep was looking through the circulars from the Sunday paper, making a list of gifts you had to buy, and then heading to the mall. You had high hopes that the items on sale would still be there when you arrived, and depending on how late in the season it was, you … [Read more...] about 6 holiday shopping apps to score deals and stay organized
