Refinancing my mortgage recently was definitely the right move for me, but it may not be for you! In this article, you will find out: 1) Is it a good time to refinance your home now — see when it makes sense and when it doesn’t. 2) How to refinance your home — details about each of the steps to refinance a home. 3) How much it costs to refinance a home mortgage — and how to lower those costs. 4) What is required to qualify for a home refinance. 5) How long it takes to do a home refinance these days.
Jobs & Money
Some Legitimate Dog Tax Deductions You Can Actually Take!
These are actual tax deductions, as quoted by people ‘in the know’ who share their advice about tax write-offs, as they relate to dogs. (Including dog foster parents, dog breeders, guard dog owners, Instagram influencers, and more!) Most of us cannot deduct our dogs or any expenses associated with them on our IRS tax returns. But that doesn’t stop people from trying! Lots of funny dog write-off stories here, too.
Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA: What’s The Difference? Which One Should I Choose?
Trying to between a Traditional IRA vs Roth IRA as a means of saving money for retirement? Here’s a list of the differences between Roth vs Traditional IRA, plus reasons to choose one over the other.
What Is A 2-10 Home Warranty… And Is It Worth The Cost? Here’s My Experience With A 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty
I bought a 2-10 home warranty when I bought my first (used) home… in addition to regular homeowners insurance. I definitely think a 2-10 home buyers warranty is worth the money! See how I’ve used it so far, and how much it costs.
Reverse Mortgage In Retirement: Some Tips Before You Use A Reverse Mortgage To Supplement Your Retirement Income
Here’s how to use SOME of the equity in your home to help supplement your retirement income. See how reverse mortgage works, how a reverse mortgage gets repaid, and how much home equity you’ll retain.
First-Time Homebuyers: 13 Steps To Buying A House For The First Time + 7 Valuable Lessons I Learned About Buying Your First House
Buying your first house is challenging, yet rewarding and well worth the effort! I just bought my very first house, and I’ve got some helpful tips for first time homebuyers. Here are the steps to buying a house for the first time, plus some valuable lessons that I learned firsthand.
How To Get College Credit By Taking A CLEP Test (CLEP Exams Saved Me Hundreds Of Dollars & Months Of Time In College!)
Taking a CLEP test saved me a lot of time and money on a college degree. Here’s how CLEP exams work, the biggest pros & cons of taking CLEP tests, and what you need to know before you take a CLEP test for college credits.
Got High Debts? Is Bankruptcy The Answer? See What Filing For Bankruptcy Will & Won’t Do For You
You may feel compelled to file for bankruptcy in order to eliminate debt. However, the truth about bankruptcy is that it’s not necessarily a fresh start. Instead, it’s an easy way out with some potential future problems over the longterm. Here are some of the issues you are likely to face if you file for bankruptcy.
Should You Buy Supplemental Health Insurance? Is Medical Gap Insurance Really Worth It?
Healthcare costs are going up. What if you can’t afford the deductible or monthly premium? Medical gap insurance (or supplemental health insurance) helps with that!
MyRA Is A Simple (Free!) Way To Start A Retirement Account… And You’re Guaranteed Not To Lose Money!
Just getting started in the workforce? Don’t make a lot of income? Opening a MyRA is a safe & smart way to start a retirement account on your own!
Top 4 Benefits Of Taking A Gap Year Before College – See How It Could Change Your Life
Taking a year off before college is becoming popular in the U.S. but parents don’t always understand. Here are 4 ways students benefit by taking a gap year.
5 Reasons To Avoid A Payday Loan + 7 Less Expensive Ways To Get A Cash Advance
A payday loan is a short-term high-interest loan. Fees are high if you don’t repay the loan on the day of your next paycheck.7 better ways to get cash fast.
How Do I Sell My Car? 3 Simple Things You Should Do To Sell A Used Car
When it came time to sell my car, these are the tips that I personally used. Hey, it worked for me!
Dealing With Debt Collectors? Know Your Rights! 3 Ways To Handle Stressful Situations With Collection Agents
Have debt collectors have been contacting you? Not sure what to do? These 3 tips will get you out of stressful situations when dealing with debt collectors.
Closing Credit Cards: How To Cancel A Credit Card Without Hurting Your Credit
If you’re closing a credit card, make sure you follow these steps or your credit rating could be affected. Here’s how to cancel a credit card properly.
7 Inspiring Personal Finance Books That You Won’t Find In The Personal Finance Section
These weren’t written as personal finance books, but they contain a wealth of information & tips that are unique, motivational, and extremely helpful with personal finance matters.
Before Buying A New Car, Here Are Some Important Things To Consider…
We are in the process of buying a new car. It’s been awhile since we’ve purchased a new vehicle, so I set out to do some research first. I’m sharing the info here, with the hope that it will be helpful to others who are also in the market to buy a new or used vehicle.
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. Here are some of the time-saving tips I use to keep all of our personal, household, and tax info organized. Plus tips for how long and which tax papers to keep.
Parents: Can’t Afford To Send Your Student To College? Here Are 8 Options You May Not Have Thought Of
Paying for college can seem like the most unattainable task ever — but it isn’t. Parents, if you want your child to go to college — and your child wants to go to — it CAN be done. Here are 8 great ways to pay for college including claiming unused federal funds, applying for grants, and other tips you may not have thought about.
Unemployed? 5 Tips To Deal With Debt & Manage Your Finances
Being unemployed comes with a lot of uncertainties. However, simply because you’re jobless doesn’t mean that you can’t keep a handle your finances during this time. Here are 5 ways to stay on top of your finances when you’re unemployed… with debt.
Debt Relief Scams: Warning Signs & What To Look For
Debt relief ads are everywhere. And they’re even more noticeable when you’re in debt and you’re paying attention to people talking about debt. However, debt relief scams are everywhere. Here’s what you should look for in order to avoid falling prey to a debt relief scam.
Should You Find A Roommate To Save On Housing Costs?
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.
Should You Sacrifice Your Retirement Money For Your Child’s College Education?
Retirement money vs college money… 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.
Alternatives To Becoming Homeless: 7 Housing Options That Will Save You Money
Many people don’t understand the causes of homelessness and can find themselves quickly in this position. While you may have to give up your house and life as you know it, here are some awesome homeless prevention tips for you. Here are 7 ways to lower your housing costs.
How To Get A Student Loan When You Have Bad Credit
Bad credit student loans aren’t that difficult to come by. Here’s everything you need to know about the ways to get a student loan when your credit isn’t the best.
Quiz: How To Tell If Your Auto Insurance Premiums Are Too High
See if you are paying too much for auto insurance and how to make your payments even lower! This quiz includes a thorough explanation of the answers in order to help you lower your auto insurance premiums and save money.
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. Here’s how to get your money’s worth from the time you spend in college.
How To Make Your Car Last 100,000 Miles… Or Longer
The average life expectancy of most cars is about 8 years and 150,000 miles. If a vehicle makes it to 200,000 miles, you are riding on borrowed time and the car is paying you back. Here are the best tips I’ve found to make your car last longer.
8 Things Parents Should Teach Their Children About Money
I learned a lot from my parents about money. Or rather, I should say, I learned about how NOT to handle money. My plan is to NOT pass these financial disorders on to my own kids. Here are all the best tips for teaching kids about money.
Flexible Spending Account 101: Tax-Free Health Care
If you have consistent, predictable, medical expenses that are already a part of your monthly budget, you can save money by NOT paying tax those medical expenses. By taking advantage of a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you get tax-free health care!
What If You Paid For Everything In Cash?…
Common sense tells us that it’s cheaper to pay in cash than with credit cards and loans. But just how much cheaper is a cash payment? Here are some interesting facts to get you thinking about using cash whenever possible with some helpful tips thrown in about credit calculators and some fun cash trivia.
How Your Debt-To-Credit Ratio Affects Your FICO Score & Home Buying Potential
All about your debt to credit limit ratio — what it means, all the ways your FICO score could affect you, and how to improve your debt to credit limit ratio and your FICO score. Plus, how to tell if you’ve got TOO much debt!
Little-Known Facts About Secured Credit Cards
If you’ve been thinking about getting a secured credit card you’ll want to know some basic info about getting a secured credit card and how they’re different from an unsecured credit card. If you need to improve your credit score which is the best option for you? Wondering if you should cancel your secured credit card? Have no fear… I’ve got the answers to your questions.
Credit Card Emergency: When Is It Okay To Use Credit Cards For Emergencies?
Do you have one credit card JUST for emergencies? Here’s what really qualifies as an emergency — what you should and should not use your credit card for.
How To Get The Best Auto Insurance Quotes Online
Comparing auto insurance quotes online enables you to sit comfortably at the computer where, in a matter of minutes, you can narrow your options down to the point where you are confident that you’ve met your needs at the most reasonable price.
Tips For Negotiating Closing Costs When Buying A New House Or Refinancing Your Current Home
Closing fees can range from $2,500 to $5,000… or more! Looking for tips on negotiating closing costs? Here’s a list of the home closing costs that can be negotiated, and those that can’t.
How To Tell If You Can Really Afford The Home You’re Living In
Do you think you can truly afford the home that you’re currently living in? According to Suze Orman, chances are you cannot. Here are some of the indicators that you cannot afford your home.
8 Things You Can Do To Lower College Expenses
Here are 8 things you can do to lower your college expenses including: applying to free colleges, taking college courses in high school, starting at a community college, starting with online courses, testing out of some classes, living off campus, living with your parents, renting text books.
Tips For Living Within Your Means (Especially When You Have No Money)
Experts tell us that the best way to stay out of financial trouble is to live within our means. Right? But there’s ‘living within your means’ and then there’s ‘living below your means’. Which boat are you in? Here are great tips that will help!
14 Little-Known Facts About Auto Insurance & The Factors That REALLY Determine Auto Insurance Rates
I remember a time when I had no idea how auto insurance rates were calculated. I needed coverage and paid whatever I was asked. I realized I was spending more than necessary when I looked into low-cost auto insurance and I’m sharing what I found out about how rates are determined and sharing some tips for getting the lowest auto insurance rates available to you.
Generation Y: Saving Money For The Future & The Quarterlife Crisis
If you’re a member of Gen Y, and you don’t have a savings account, then you probably don’t even care! Generation Y seems to be experiencing a quarter life crisis. Here’s what that means now… and for your future.
Learning From The Millionaire Next Door – How To Become A Millionaire
Want to become a millionaire? Here’s the profile of the typical millionaire. It’s a great list of things to strive for, and traits that you can actually achieve yourself.
Cheap Mortgages: Unique Ways To Save Money On Your Home Mortgage
These days, your best financial move is to find your own creative ways to save money on the home mortgage. In effect, cheap mortgages are easier to come by than you might think. You just need to do a few things differently.
Car Scams: Before You Buy A New Or Used Car… Read This First!
A collection of car-buying scams, plus tips to help you find the best car deal — without getting taken. Before you buy a new or used car, watch out for these scams.
Checking Accounts 101: The Best Way To Find A Bank With High Interest Checking
If you’d like to make money in the form of a high-interest yield from the money sitting in your checking account, then these tips for finding a bank that offers high interest checking are for you! Here’s how to find a bank offering high interest checking account rates right now, no matter where you live.
Check Out Our Fun Money Facebook & Twitter Pages!
Get fun frugal tips you can use every day! Lots of freebies, bargains & thrifty shopping tips. Plus, budgeting ideas to help reduce debt on our fun money Facebook and Twitter pages!
Pros & Cons Of Prepaid Debit Cards vs Bank Debit Cards vs Credit Cards
Been considering a prepaid debit card to replace your credit cards or debit cards that are backed by a bank? Here are the pros and cons of regular credit cards, regular debit cards, and prepaid debit cards. Would you believe that prepaid debit cards are actually cheaper?! I know you’ll find this information helpful if you’re looking for the best prepaid cards out there today.
How To Get A Lower Credit Card Rate… Immediately!
Tired of paying high interest rates on your credit cards? Getting a lower credit card rate is not as hard as you might think. You just need to know what to say! Here are lots of great phone scripts that have been proven to get lower credit card rates.
How Con Artists Use Your Dream Home To Commit Mortgage Fraud
If you think you’re too smart to be a victim of mortgage fraud, think again! Con artists are out there and they are very good. They know how to find your weakness and convince you that they are your savior. This video explains in depth how they do it.
Selling Gold Through Mail Order Isn’t Going To Bring You The Best Price
Are you all set to sell your gold jewelry and or coins as scrap? You should reconsider doing so because this is not the best way to get the best price for your gold.
