When saving for retirement, don’t just save the minimum necessary to get by. Save enough so you can visit the grandkids, tour the country on a Harley or play golf every day—whatever you’ve always wanted to do. Since people are living …

The nuns who taught me to read and write would have said it was a character-building experience. My bank called it overdrawn. When the ATM refused my request for 20 dollars the other day, Catherine, my seven-year-old, looked at me. …

You may need more than one loan to complete your homebuilding project. The two loans most peple use are a construction loan and a mortgage. Generally a construction loan is a short-term loan used to fund construction costs. The funds are disbursed …

When mealtime rolls around, many Americans are leaving home and heading out for their meals. Restaurant sales are reaching an all-time high and almost half of all adults in the country are restaurant patrons on a typical day. If you’re contributing …

There’s no way to “repair” accurate, negative information in your credit history. Some credit “fixers” just take your money and run. Others attempt to trick credit bureaus into making changes. They don’t succeed. Many credit problems are caused by inaccurate information. …

Would you bend down to pick up a penny? A quarter? A dollar? What effort are you willing to put out to save small sums? You can easily find an extra $1,000 or more this year, by paying careful attention …

Contrary to what the advertisers of the world would have you believe, you don’t have to spend every penny of your paycheck to have a good life. Spending more money on more stuff won’t make you richer, thinner, sexier, more …

Think of your credit card as a convenient way to buy money. You pay anywhere from a teaser rate of 4% to a high of 19%, and wha-la, money is yours. If you pay the money back fast, it will …

Congratulations, you’ve found the home of your dreams! Now, you’re likely to need a mortgage. If so, be sure that your contract of sale has a clause that gives you 30-60 days to obtain a mortgage, and a penalty-free out, …

Somewhere between age fifty and fifty-five the retirement count down truly begins. Your head spins with the delicious possibility of more leisure time. Whether you decide to spend it on the proverbial golf course, or building a new business, the …

Maybe you’ve never been much for sticking to precise figures in your personal budget—you know, like your self-righteous Aunt Rhoda who boasts that she spends exactly 27.38% of her monthly paycheck on her mortgage, and not 1/100th more. Or perhaps you …

Imagine that you’ve just landed from Mars. You learn that you can go into a store and walk out with anything you want. And you don’t even have to pay for it! All you have to do is show this …

By now you’ve heard the horror stories of credit card abuse, and may have seen members of your own family burdened by unmanageable debt. Couple this with dozens of competing credit card solicitations, and you may be too traumatized to …

The most important aspect of borrowing from parents is psychological. Even if the folks say, “Pay us back when you can, dear,” don’t put your obligation to them on the back burner. Make a payback plan that includes simple interest …

Here are some essential tips to help you with the home buying process: 1. Get mortgage pre-approval. Before you start your home search, find a good mortgage broker and get pre-approved for the size loan you think you’ll need. This allows …

Shopping for a house in a hot market is like trying to get a date with someone who’s very popular. You have to make yourself stand out from the crowd so the object of your affection — or the seller …

While shopping with a friend, I was surprised to hear a beeping sound emit from her purse. “This must be an emergency,” she says, pulling out a cellular phone. “Only my family has this number.” As she spoke with her …

If you use a credit card, you’re probably in debt. In fact, 64 percent of all credit card holders in America surrender to the credit card trap, caught in a never-ending cycle of credit and debt. You can avoid the …

While deciding who will care for your children and your estate after you die may not be the most agreeable task, you shouldn’t use that as an excuse to avoid making a will. If you have children, you need a …

Here are some quick tips to help you select a new bank to do business with. 1. Ask neighbors and co-workers where they bank. Find out what’s good, what’s not so good and what their personal views are about the local …

Many of us have already scripted our children’s future in our heads. We dream of their high school graduation followed by college, a good job and, finally, their retirement. But while we are busy dreaming, most of us aren’t planning …

We all have a variety of needs and goals in our lives and money is one of the tools we utilize to meet these. Most people make the mistake of simply saving money in one account and utilizing it when …

If you feel confused about your 401(k) — what it is, why you should contribute to it, and how to invest the money in the plan — you’re not alone. Retirement plans have gotten so complex with so many choices, …

Should your teen carry a credit card? There’s no one right answer. Most kids learn their money management skills from their parents. So, before deciding whether or not your teenager should have access to plastic, you must first ask yourself …

One of the obvious changes you’d have to undergo through once you get married is how you manage your finances. Married life requires you to manage money in a different manner. Keep in mind that there are two of you …

Reverse mortgage is gaining popularity to seniors because it provides a solution to those who cannot keep up with the traditional mortgage. Nowadays, reverse mortgages are easily the best salvation for seniors who have mounting retirement and health income that …

Nowadays, accident happens everywhere you turn. When the time comes you are ready to leave your loved ones behind, remember that memories are not the only things you must leave. Although you may not have gained that much property or …

If you are nearing retirement, it is time for you to know if the money you have saved is enough to help you get through after retirement. This is the time to review your finances and plan everything carefully. There …

Simplify everything! Can you name your credit cards and their balances without looking them up? Can you name your bank and brokerage accounts without hesitation? Can you find financial papers at your desk in less than five minutes? Simplifying your …

Live by a budget. Keeping track of what you earn and what you spend will enable you to alter your lifestyle to meet your goals. Track Everything The best way to start a budget is to keep track of everything you spend …

It is a waste of time, energy, paper, and usually money to have a lot of credit cards, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, or insurance policies. Here are some tips to help you organize your finances to reduce stress and save …