May 15th, 2013
**Today’s guest post is contributed by Brandon.**
Financing home improvement projects doesn’t have to be complicated. If you follow some simple steps to determine what type of program best fits your needs, you’ll be well on your way to getting your loan approved and getting your project started.
Step 1: Know Your Credit Scores
Many programs require minimum credit scores in order to qualify. If you don’t already know your scores, you can check them for free from Credit Karma .There are programs available for all credit types, from excellent to bad credit.
Continue Reading
|
|
|
|
May 6th, 2013
For one out of four Americans, “cash only” is a way of life.
17 million Americans lack access to any type of formal bank account and are classified as “unbanked.” In addition, 51 million Americans do access basic bank services such as a savings account, yet they still rely on alternative financial institutions as well. These individuals might frequent check-cashing joints, fall prey to payday lenders, and often incur exorbitant fees associated with such alternative banking methods.
Continue Reading
|
|
|
|
April 22nd, 2013
For one out of four Americans, “cash only” is a way of life.
17 million Americans lack access to any type of formal bank account and are classified as “unbanked.” In addition, 51 million Americans do access basic bank services such as a savings account, yet they still rely on alternative financial institutions as well. These individuals might frequent check-cashing joints, fall prey to payday lenders, and often incur exorbitant fees associated with such alternative banking methods.
Continue Reading
|
|
|
|
April 18th, 2013
These days, everyone is trying to
save a little extra money. And while it’s not a bad idea to pursue a few simple
money saving ideas, what we sometimes forget is that we can also improve our finances (and our credit) by finding ways to make a little more money. Pinching pennies and giving up our lattes only goes so far. Instead, take a look at the collaborative economy, where it’s easier than ever to earn more with what you already have. A growing number of people are providing services and short-term access to goods directly to each other - and you can take advantage of this new economy as well.
Continue Reading
|
|
|
|
April 8th, 2013
Even if your child hasn’t yet learned to walk, it’s never too early to start saving and budgeting for his or her college education. In these tough economic times, when it comes to creating and adhering to a successful savings plan for college, you may need to work over the long term to save enough money. In order to get a substantial head start on the rising cost of tuition, it’s a good idea to have several eggs in your basket when you're budgeting for college.
Continue Reading
|
|
|
|
April 1st, 2013
Spring is in the air. At least it is where I live (until it turns cold again, as it did last week... but the warm days outnumber the cold ones!). The snow has given to rain and I get to run outside again instead of at my local gym. This time of year usually coincides with a keen interest in cleaning the home and yard, sprucing it up after a long winter of accumulating clutter.
Continue Reading
|
|
|
|
March 25th, 2013
Getting married is one of the most exciting things that can happen in your life. But for those of us who work hard to maintain a solid financial plan, it can also be a scary financial endeavor. How do I know? Because I’m on that road myself. I’ve had a major shift in my financial philosophy since my early 20s that has led me to track all my spending and avoid buying anything I don’t technically need.
Continue Reading
|
|
|
|
March 18th, 2013
We all know not to grocery shop when we’re hungry, and we all know not to visit retailers selling handbags for more than our mortgage payments. However, there are several shopping mistakes that aren’t as easy to identify. Read on for a roundup of common errors and how to avoid them.
Continue Reading
|
|
|
|
March 14th, 2013
The most savvy consumers know that building your credit throughout your teenage and college years is crucial when it comes to loan interest rates and approvals in your 20's and 30's. The majority of us, however, have no clue how important it is to build your credit early. When I graduated college and went looking for a car loan, I was firmly in the clueless majority and was about to join those consumers who had learned the importance of building credit early the hard way.
Continue Reading
|
|
|
|
February 27th, 2013
I’m 34 years old. And I weigh 25 pounds less than I did at age 24. Whattt?! I’m not saying I was fat at age 24, but I always thought I’d gain weight as I got older. I figured nature would start taking its course…that I’d get a saggy butt and grow a fupa (if you don’t know what that is, Google it). So I took a look back and thought about what could have possibly changed to make me thinner now than I was in my 20’s. And, yes, I’ve had some diet and lifestyle changes… but not enough to make that drastic of a difference. I realized a big thing that changed was the stress level about my finances, especially my
credit score.
Continue Reading
|
|
|
|
