Saving for a Mortgage Down PaymentDuring the housing boom, mortgage lenders eased down payment requirements to get more people into homes. The down payment was literally nothing in some cases. In fact, the availability of 110% mortgages — loans for 10% more than the value of a home — amounted to a negative down payment. As any prospective home buyer [...]
How to Support a Family on a Single IncomeI often get asked the question – “How can my family live comfortably off of a single income?”. In my response, I always let people know that it is possible and is not that hard. My wife and I have chosen to support our family on one income (by me) and have her stay at [...]
How to Build Passive Income Stream With Rental PropertyOut of all of the personal financial strategies, one of the most lucrative financial moves is that of purchasing property to lease out to renters. Doing this, if done correctly, can earn you a fantastic return for your investment, as well as earn you a passive income. If you follow some basic guidelines, it could [...]
Refund Anticipation Loans May Be Coming To An EndStarting in 2011, the IRS will be making it harder for consumers to get their hands on a quick income tax refund. The popular refund anticipation loans, which are short-term loans based on the anticipated amount of a tax refund. The loans are given to consumers who do not want to wait several weeks for [...]
Do you need a whole life insurance policy? When it comes to life insurance, most people knows very little about the subject, and the many alternatives available only add to the confusion. Typically, we don’t take enough time to sit down and understand each type of life insurance policy and which one is the best [...]
Savings Basics: How to Get Started with Savings AccountsOne of the keys to financial freedom is developing a habit of saving. It sounds really basic, but many people have trouble with this, and many just don’t know how to start. Here is an overview of how you can get started with savings accounts. The article will cover types of savings accounts, how to [...]
Is It Better To Buy Or Rent? [Infographic]Everyone is talking about how now is a great time to buy a home. And, on the surface, it looks like the perfect time. Home prices are low, and mortgage interest rates remain at near-record lows. There is some argument, though, that it might be better to buy a home in six months; without the [...]
What To Do When the Tax Bill Is Due But You Don’t Have the CashBack in April you might have filed your federal income tax forms only to find you actually owe money to the government instead of breaking even or getting a return. It can be a trying time for anyone especially in light of the recent recession woes affecting personal finances. If you discovered that you owe [...]
Not everyone has the time or inclination to master the subject of personal finance. Luckily, it is not always necessary to master it. In the same way you can hire an electrician without understanding the inner workings of home wiring, you can hire a financial advisor to get your money in order. There are all [...]
5 Tax Deductions To Take This YearTax season just ended. Do you really want to think about taxes already? You do if you are interested in reducing your tax liability and saving money more efficiently. What you do now can result in tax savings when April rolls around again. A tax deduction is an expense that can lower your taxable income, [...]