Is It Time to Reconsider the ARM?

October 31, 2011
When To Use ARM mortgage

Right after the mortgage meltdown, adjustable rate mortgages were vilified far and wide. You couldn’t find anyone, anywhere, recommending an ARM. Now, though, some are saying that ARMs have had a bad rap. After all, the ARMs that were especially devastating were those with extra low teaser rates, or interest-only ARMs that featured large balloon [...]

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4 Crucial Tips To Help You Save For Your Next Car Purchase

October 26, 2011
Save Up for your next car

Instead of financing a new car purchase, you can save your money, and buy a car with cash. Here are four important tips to help.

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What’s Next For Employer-Sponsored, Tax-Advantaged Retirement Accounts?

October 24, 2011

Everyone seems rather focused on the deficit right now. This isn’t surprising, considering the fact that we have a serious budget crisis brewing in the U.S. However, a lot of the plans to “fix” the problem involve getting rid of tax incentives for the people who need them most. One of the issues on the [...]

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2012 401k Contribution Limits And Rules

October 20, 2011
401k contribution limits 2012

In the past we’ve talked about which retirement accounts are best for different situations, and we looked at reasons why you might want to invest in a Roth IRA, 401k, Roth 401k or A Traditional IRA.  Depending on your age, your income, your current and future tax situations and a variety of other factors, you [...]

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How To Avoid Debit Card Fees

October 19, 2011
avoiding debit card fees

Last year congress passed a bill that empowered the Fed to cap the fees large banks charge retailers for debit card transactions.  As a result, big banks have lost a significant source of revenue and have responded by increasing the fees they charge their customers. By now you have probably heard all the commotion caused [...]

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When To Take Social Security: A Question Of Cash Flow

October 17, 2011
Timing of Taking Social Security

One of the biggest decisions you have to make as you approach retirement is when you want to begin taking your Social Security benefits. Indeed, this is an important consideration. For the most part, it depends a great deal on what you think your cash flow needs will be as you age. Do You Need [...]

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2012 Federal Income Tax Brackets: Official IRS Marginal Tax Rates

October 11, 2011
2012 Federal Income Tax Rates

The tax rates for 2012 are going to be higher due to inflation, while some 1 year cuts will be expiring. Some may see a tax increase.

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Here Come the Holidays: Could Layaway Save Your Christmas Budget?

October 10, 2011
Christmas Gifts On Layaway

The financial crisis, and the recession, prompted the return of of layaway. For years, many stores stopped offering the layaway option; it was pointless, since so many of them had co-branded credit cards and were more than willing to encourage people to use those to make purchases. (Not to mention the storage space multiple items [...]

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