Did you know?... First time homebuyers can get up to $8,000 in the form of a tax credit from the U.S. government. And you don't have to pay it back!
Hopefully this will provide an added incentive to get people house hunting again.
So... who exactly qualifies? How does it work? How do you take advantage of this incredible tax credit?
Continue reading: Federal Tax Credit Facts
Most of us will be asked to write a letter of recommendation at one time or another. However, it's not always easy to find the right words. Sometimes, it's difficult to just get started!
Whether the reference letter is for a job, a scholarship, a grant, or some other opportunity, there are some key points you will want to make when writing your letter of recommendation.
Why? Because the better your letter is, the more likely your friend or relative will get what it is they are seeking.
Here are the most important things you will want to include when writing a letter of recommendation or reference letter for a friend or colleague...
Continue reading: How To Write A Reference Letter
When cash is low, barter is better.
More people are turning to online barter exchange these days in lieu of purchasing items with cash.
When you barter, if you have something laying around you can get rid of (or perhaps a service you can perform), you simply do that in exchange for items you need.
Here are the best bartering sites and a little about the basics of bartering for newbies...
Continue reading: Online Barter Exchange
What types of jobs are minimum wage jobs?
...You might be surprised!
Below you will find:
- some minimum wage jobs that most people wouldn't think of
- some high-paying jobs that most people wouldn't realize
- some tips for moving beyond minimum wage jobs
Continue reading: Examples Of Minimum Wage Jobs
There are times when making use of a hotel for periods longer than, say, a week would make sense.
Whether it be because of employment circumstances, moving, or even an extended vacation, an extended stay at a hotel or motel may be just the answer you're looking for when it comes to finding a cost-effective solution to your housing needs.
The big question becomes: are extended stay hotels a practical option?
Continue reading: Extended Stay Hotels & Motels
Have you ever taken advantage of free resources only to discover that you are stuck with a bill or a major inconvenience?
Now, I am not one to knock getting free stuff. I love free stuff... to a certain degree.
But I also think you should be aware of what those free things will really cost you.
Continue reading: Are Freebies Really Free?
Over the last few years in the health industry, it has become increasingly common for annual increases in premiums.
If you are unfortunate enough to move up "age brackets" that same year, it is possible to get a special birthday gift of 2 premium increases!
This actually happened to myself earlier in the year and I realized it was a good time to evaluate my coverage and determine what could be done to help reduce the monthly premium.
Even with the constant increases in premiums it is still possible to get affordable health coverage, you just have to know what to do and where to look!
Continue reading: 7 Ways To Save On Health Insurance
Times are tough these days. Many people are jumping at the chance to bring in a few extra bucks.
You've seen the cash for gold commercials on TV, right? They say that you can mail in your old damaged and out-of-date gold jewelry, and they'll send you cash. It looks like quick easy cash, that's for sure.
With promises of big checks and no risk on your part, they even go so far as to say if the offer isn't what you expected, they'll gladly return your jewelry!
With gold prices escalating toward the $1,000 per ounce mark (see Live Market Prices), it doesn't take a very large pile of scrap jewelry to amount to enough cash to mean something -- especially when you're having a hard time meeting your day-to-day living expenses.
The big question is:
Is it worth it to send away your gold in exchange for cash? Are the cash for gold companies you see online and in TV commercials likely to pay you what your gold is really worth?
Continue reading: Cash For Gold - Should You Sell Yours?
While it may be too late for some year-end tax tips, there are still some things you can do to reduce what Uncle Sam will be looking to collect from your hard earned income this year.
As you know, April 15th is the dreaded deadline to file your taxes. It shouldn't be a surprise; it comes the same time every year.
Despite the knowledge that preparing my tax return is inevitable, I too am among those who procrastinate until the last week. I usually wait until just before penalties are assessed to finally prepare my tax return.
Continue reading: Last-Minute Tax Tips
There is a lot of talk in the news lately about credit card companies having unfair business practices.
Here's how to tell if your credit card company is unfair or not.
Now, consider this...
Can you imagine your children being overlooked for admission into a good college because other students who went to their high school did poorly at the school, even when your child's scores are superior to those other students?
Can you fathom a dentist drilling and filling teeth that don't need cavities just because your neighbors generally get cavities in the teeth they have targeted?
What if you were denied car insurance because you once visited a car wash that has a customer base of people who get into accidents.
Well, if these scenarios sound a bit odd and unfair, imagine how Kevin Johnson of Atlanta (who has a near excellent credit score) felt when his credit card limit was dropped nearly $7,000 based on nothing more than a store he shopped at!
Never mind that his credit score was impeccable. Never mind that he never carried a balance. Never mind that he owned his own home and was a successful business man.
One innocent stop at one store led to his account being flagged as a potential credit threat.
Continue reading: Credit Cards Profiling Shoppers
Bartering For Great Deals - The Best Online Barter Exchange Websites