Smart On Money

Fixed Mortgage Rates Fall To Six Decade Low, But Few Can Take Advantage

September 12, 2011

If you’re looking to buy a home or refinance anytime in the near future you may have been happy to hear the news this past week that mortgage rates are now at the lowest levels in years. It is good news for those looking to buy, but there is a big caveat. Not everyone will [...]

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Roth IRA: Emergency Fund?

September 8, 2011

I recently found out that one of my associates uses her Roth IRA as an emergency fund. Rather than put money into a low yield savings account, or some other cash account, she uses her retirement account as an emergency fund. Technically, the basics of a Roth IRA are conducive to this arrangement. However, you [...]

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How We Paid Cash For Our New Car

September 6, 2011

Over the past 3 weeks my wife and I have been searching for a new car. We hadn’t originally been in a hurry to buy a new car, but an opportunity presented itself where we could sell our current car, a 9 year old Honda Civic, at a decent price to a family member. The [...]

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4 Side Hustles You Can Start If You Have A Pick-Up Truck

September 2, 2011

When it comes to finding more money in your budget, there is only so much you can do to cut your spending and live frugally. At some point, you might find that you can’t cut anymore — or that you don’t want to (after all, life is about living, too). This is when it becomes [...]

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Lower Your 2011 Tax Bill by Going Green With Home Energy Tax Credits

August 31, 2011

Although the U.S. government’s ability to function is heavily dependent upon tax revenue, taxpayers are not completely forgotten about. In fact, the government offers taxpayers breaks for taking certain actions or making certain purchases that are good for themselves, the economy or the environment. One such break is a tax credit available to homeowners who [...]

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Buying A Used Car? Watch Out For Flood Damage

August 29, 2011

One of the ways you can save money when you purchase a car is to buy it used. Used cars can provide you with a great way to get from here to there — without breaking the bank. Plus, you avoid the instant depreciation that comes the moment you drive a new car off the [...]

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How To Invest Money For Your Kids

August 25, 2011

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the average cost of raising a child rose to over $222,000 in 2009. (1) The 2010 annual Expenditures on Children by Families report revealed that the cost of raising a child rose by less than 1 percent from 2008. A big portion of this expense goes [...]

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Is Your Home Really Going To Be A Retirement Asset?

August 24, 2011

Many of us were raised to believe that buying a home is the key to a stable financial future. It is true that your home is likely to be your biggest purchase, but it may not do to rely too heavily on your home’s equity for retirement. The theory is nice: You buy a house, [...]

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Long Term Care Insurance Decision – Should You? Which One?

August 22, 2011

In the vast world of all kinds of insurance products, include finger insurance for a pianist, long term care insurance often takes the back burner because it is typically not considered until later in life and thus “skips the mind” per se. I was recently involved in the process of researching, screening and executing a [...]

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How To Avoid Rising Healthcare Costs

August 18, 2011

With the downgrade of the U.S.’s credit rating from AAA to AA food and healthcare costs are expected to increase, so be prepared.

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Are You Prepared For A Stock Market Drop?

August 17, 2011

The last few days have been quit volatile on the stock market. Big drops, big gains, bigger drops, more rallies, and more slides. With all this volatility, some people are in a panic, ready to sell. However, panic selling rarely does you any good when it comes to a long-term investing strategy. Being prepared for [...]

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