Month: October 2009

[Updated Nov] - See this post for details on the home buyer credit extenstion approval and new provisions: 2010 First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension Approved and Expanded to Existing Home Owners. New Provisions Not Retroactive A number of would-be home buyers and the real estate industry are anxiously wondering if…

I recently checked my Vanguard 401K account and was very pleased to see that it was up 20% in the last quarter! Still well down from high late last year but at least it's moving in the right direction now. However, my return could have been even greater had I…

With the recent release of Microsoft's new operating system, Windows 7.0, I now have two enticing choices when it comes to getting a new laptop. I currently have a desktop PC running Vista (which isn’t as bad as some make it out to be) and an older model laptop. Thanks…

MISTAKE #1 - Choosing a real estate agent who is not committed to forming a strong business relationship with you HERE’S HOW TO AVOID IT: Making a connection with the right real estate agent is crucial. Choose a professional who is dedicated to serving your needs—before, during and after the…

It's that time of year again when workers have to review and are able to modify their employer sponsored health care insurance and other "fringe" benefits. Unfortunately as I reviewed my health care benefits it seems that my employer is providing less (like excluding Chiropractic benefits) but raising premiums, co-pays…

When the $787 billion Economic Stimulus Bill – known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – was signed, there was a promise to provide full transparency on it’s expenditure and to ensure that every dollar is tracked. Like so many earlier government promises, this one also is starting to…

[Latest Stimulus Check Update for Seniors] While multiple rounds of stimulus payments have been made over the last two years, many are asking if the government will make another (4th round) of payments to help folks cope with higher inflation and the rising costs of basic goods and services. $900…

Today, I'm going to show a few ways to save money using credit cards. However, to take advantage of this, you have to pay your bills in full every month. If not, then credit card issuers are taking advantage of you. Also, I just want to mention that credit cards…

The Labor Department reported recently that unemployment reached 9.8 percent in September, the highest level since 1983, and that 10% unemployment is likely by early next year. With record unemployment and a need to ensure the economy doesn't fall back into a recession, the Obama administration is considering the addition…

As a result of the recession, social security retirement and disability benefit claims have risen 50% more than expected. Bloomberg reports that the 150,000 extra retirees claiming benefits may add to the financial pressure on the entitlement program and that expenses would exceed revenue beginning in 2016, with the social…

Doh! I just received a speeding ticket in the mail after getting booked by an automated speeding camera while driving through Maryland a couple of weeks ago. After doing some research on automated speeding cameras I found that more and more states (90%) are using fixed speeding camera's because they…

There are a number of factors that come into play when calculating your life insurance premium. It would therefore be worthwhile to know exactly what goes into the calculation process and whether you can do anything to reduce your life insurance rate from your end. Insurance companies all have certain…