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I recently heard an interesting discussion on Dave Ramsey’s radio show about the length of time you need to live in a home in order for it to make sense going through the process and expense of purchasing it. It’s a rare occasion that I disagree with Dave Ramsey, but in this instance, I [...]

I spend a great deal of my life talking, thinking and writing about money. We are all familiar with the oft-repeated biblical phrase that says the “love of money is the root of all evil”. It is important to understand that “money” is not the emphasis here, but rather the “love of” money. We are [...]

iPhones are often criticized as expensive and ostentatious. Why buy a smart phone when you can make calls from a $10 pay as you go phone? It may seem like a waste of money, but used properly an iPhone can be a powerful tool in your personal finance arsenal. Here is just a small sampling of [...]

The first step to buying a used car is choosing a vehicle, or at least narrowing your options. Ask yourself: How many passengers do you regularly carry? What sort of trunk or cargo space do you need? What is the minimum gas mileage a car has that will stay within your budget? What would your [...]

As we approach the holidays and end of the year, many people are finding their wallets just a little thinner than normal. If you’re trying hard to stay within your December budget, consider some of these winter activities to save money this holiday season. Who said frugal activities cannot be fun and enjoyable?

Enjoy movies or [...]

Whether your child is involved in school sports, music, dance, theater, art or some other activity that goes beyond the scope of ordinary schooling, participation is costly. There are activity fees to pay, lesson providers to compensate, equipment and supplies to purchase and, on occasion, trips to go on. All of this starts to add [...]

I’m still trying to figure out why people think I’m foolish for using a credit card instead of a debit card.  I’m a Dave Ramsey listener and fan so I’ve heard him rant and rave over the credit card — burn it, torch it, drown it, just be sure to kill it (if you’re not [...]

Last week, when the President signs the expanded aid package, my husband and I (and many others) breathe a collective sigh of relief. The expanded aid package includes a seven month extension of the First Time Home Buyer Credit. While many people do not support the extension, I am grateful for it. Granted, my position [...]

If you’re already a homeowner, or plan to be you may at some point consider improving your home. Most homeowners have a mile long list of small improvements like painting rooms, fixing squeaky doors, or replacing worn-out flooring. The big projects, like remodeling the kitchen, and adding another room are the ones we dream about. [...]

Due to the credit crisis and recession, there are a lot of houses for sale. Homeowners who are trying to avoid foreclosure are selling many of these homes. Needless to say, it’s a buyer’s market and homeowners need to know all the tricks to help them sell their homes quickly. Fortunately, there are proven techniques [...]