Jobs & Money - The Fun Times Guide to Personal Finance

Which Tax Papers To Keep + Tips For Organizing 7 Years Of Support Documentation For Your Taxes

Each year around tax time, I go through all of our personal receipts, bank statements, household utilities, and medical bills/receipts in an attempt to stay organized. By staying on top of this and doing it just once each year, it's easier to find the information we need when the time comes for filing taxes. Now it's a breeze to find the appropriate support documentation for our tax forms -- and for the accountant -- each year. I thought I'd share some of the time-saving tips I use to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jobs & Money, Tax Tips Tagged With: office items and housewares, organizing tips, tax credits and deductions, Taxes 101

Parents: Can’t Afford To Send Your Student To College? Here Are 8 Options You May Not Have Thought Of

Perhaps your child's college fund was eaten up in bad investments. Maybe your savings plan didn't pan out as you hoped it would. Or perhaps you never had any money to save in the first place. Regardless, if you want your child to go to college -- and your child wants to go to -- it can be done. Here are 8 great options when you can't afford college... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jobs & Money, Kids / Students Money Tagged With: college, student loans and financial aid

Unemployed? 5 Tips To Deal With Debt & Manage Your Finances

Joblessness is one of the most unwanted situations that you could ever find yourself in. Nevertheless, you should know that it’s not an uncommon experience. Understand the fact that simply because you’re jobless doesn't mean that you can’t handle your finances. It’s a rather different and unique experience when it comes to handling your finances when you’re unemployed. However, it’s not impossible to deal with your jobless situation if you take effective steps to manage … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Budgeting Tips & Debt Relief, Jobs & Money Tagged With: debt relief, jobs

Debt Relief Scams: Warning Signs & What To Look For

Debt relief ads seemingly are everywhere these days, especially when you have a mounting pile of debt and you're paying attention to people talking about debt. These ads show up online and in the mail, and you may even receive phone calls offering debt relief services. The ads always say they can help you in one way or another, promising to erase all your debt or promising to get your creditors to settle for less than you owe. Be wary of them. Debt relief services are never as good as they … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Budgeting Tips & Debt Relief, Jobs & Money Tagged With: bankruptcy, debt relief

Should You Find A Roommate To Save On Housing Costs?

Is finding a roommate worth it? College students do it. Young single adults do it. Siblings do it. The best TV shows have even been based on it. Roommates can make a lot of things easier including making it easier to pay your monthly house payment! However, roommates aren't for everyone. Here are some things to think about before you try to find a roommate... … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home / Health / Auto, Jobs & Money Tagged With: home buying, saving money

Should You Sacrifice Your Retirement Money For Your Child’s College Education?

As parents, we often put our children’s needs and desires ahead of our own -- even if it means putting ourselves at risk. Our children's education is no exception. We will sacrifice and put aside money for our kids' college education, even if it means that we are not saving for our own retirement. Many experts advise against this. What The Experts Are Saying According to Miraim Caldwell at the About.com money blog: … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jobs & Money, Kids / Students Money Tagged With: college, retirement

Alternatives To Becoming Homeless: 7 Housing Options That Will Save You Money

A homeless man and his dog. Check out these alternatives to homelessness. photo by Adrian Miles on Flickr

Not long ago, Oprah Winfrey did a show on homelessness in the midst of the housing crisis. She showed many families who were either well off or middle class 1 year ago who are now living in sub-standard housing such as homeless shelters, tent cities, in their office space, etc. The show did end in a positive note with personal stories from people who found alternatives to being homeless. This is what I would like to address. While you may have to give up your house and life as you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home / Health / Auto, Jobs & Money Tagged With: home buying

How To Get A Student Loan When You Have Bad Credit

Did you know there are student loan options that have nothing to do with your credit rating? While you would have had to be very busy to ruin your credit before even starting college, it can still happen. This is especially true if you take a few years off before going to college. Regardless, there are student loan options that will get you through college in spite of your previous credit blunders. No reputable lender willingly advertises loans to borrowers with bad credit. However, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Jobs & Money, Kids / Students Money, `Popular Tagged With: college, loans, student loans and financial aid

Quiz: How To Tell If Your Auto Insurance Premiums Are Too High

How much do you pay for car insurance? You may think that you're paying the lowest possible premium right now, but the truth is there are several contributing factors that you have more control over than you may realize. As a result, you may be able to make your payments even lower! Take this quiz to find out how to lower your car insurance rates and save some money... 1. What kind of car do you drive? a) Sports car b) High-end luxury vehicle c) A smaller car with a low … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Home / Health / Auto, Jobs & Money Tagged With: auto insurance, gas and car costs

College Is Expensive: How To Get Your Money’s Worth

After you've determined how you're going to pay for college and then you actually start your college education, it's time to turn your attention to getting the biggest bang for your buck from the time that you spend there. Unfortunately, too many college students allow a lot of their college money to go to waste. Here's how to get your money's worth from the time you spend in college... How To Get Your Money's Worth From College It's important to keep these 4 things in mind at … [Read more...]