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Step Farther from Debt BORROWING money for valid reasons at a time when it is most needed isn’t actually a bad idea. Most of us would agree that it is the most logical thing to do, especially during emergencies. But how do we really keep ourselves away from debt mess? The Art of Dealing with Debt Collectors ANNOYED with calls from debt collecting agencies? Pressured perhaps or threatened? People who have accumulated obligations that have been remiss often suffer from frequent calls to pay up. The Business of Buying Debt WHILE most of us would want to get out of a debt mess, there is actually a lucrative business whose business is to “buy debt”. While collecting somebody else’s debt is already in itself a big business, buying debt is a much lucrative scheme. Banks versus Money Markets PEOPLE would often consider the banks as a depository institution, limited to the function of being a place where we can keep our money safe. Seldom do we find people who’d consider investing their money in banks because of its small interest rates. Calculators for Millionaires CALCULATORS and ledgers, regardless of its brand, have become the most sought after things that most millionaires in the United States have been keeping wherever they go. Loans and Insurance Policies – Knowing Your Options When it comes to savings, insurance policies and loans, determining the options available to you is quite necessary. There are different selections you can choose from which may or may not apply to a particular situation you are dealing with at present and in the future. Choosing Your Fund Manager – The Right Way to Do It The fund manager is really the soul of the fund. The manager’s expertise in markets or industries the fund is exposed to is critical. This is the reason why it is important to try to look for one with a consistently high performance among its peer group for this actually reflects the manager’s investment skills despite market fluctuations. Planning for the Future - How It's Best Done Most people keep their hard-earned savings in bank accounts, but now more than ever, this practice is being questioned. The truth is that money sitting on deposit at the bank, according to experts, is a losing proposition. Saving for the Future – The Right Time is Always Now When the market goes up, it might be too expensive. When the market goes down it might go lower. The harder you try to figure out market timing, the more confused you are likely to become. How to Invest Your Savings Wisely You have worked hard and slowly acquired savings. Retirement is not too far away and you can see that your pension fund and savings will not keep you in the style to which you have become accustomed. A Primer on Subprime Mortgages The term “subprime mortgages” has leaped from business pages to the front page headlines. However, not a lot of people understand exactly what it means and how it caused the US economy to fall. The Deal about Bankers’ Bonuses Many people believe that top bank executives today earn way too much. Nearly everyone is further enraged when these overpaid bankers appear to have made significant mistakes and have been blamed for their part in the collapse of the economy, and yet still get substantial bonuses. Warning Signs of a Recession Recession is the economic term used to describe a certain period of general slowdown in the economy. The last recession that happened in the US was back in 2001, although the extent of that recession is not comparable to the global recession happening today. Ways to Save Money during the Recession One good thing that has come out of the economic recession is that more people are seeing the need to become savers instead of borrowers. It’s because the recession has shaken our faith on the economy. Student Loans Made Easier Are you having problems with your student loan? If so, there’s good news for you. Starting July 1, you may choose a new, more lenient, more manageable payment plan to help you get out of debt. Tactics Involved in Mis-Selling to the Elderly Seniors are often a target of mis-selling and other types of investment scams. Elderly people are a favorite among scam artists because they aren’t well informed about the intricacies of such financial products. Smart Banking: Avoiding Hidden Bank Charges & Other Fees All the information regarding the underhanded tactics that banks employ may have turned you off. You’re probably thinking you should do away with banks altogether but before you make that decision, know that all you need is to get smart about your banking behavior, and you won’t have to deal with hidden fees or any other sneaky tricks. PPI Claims: What You Need to Know The mis-selling of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) has caused a massive headache in the insurance industry, not to mention the harm it has caused thousands of people. Mis-Sold Insurance: Don’t Pay for Protection You Won’t Get! The mis-selling of financial products has become rampant over the past few years with customer complaints ranging from misleading sales tactics to unfair provisions that ultimately mean you can’t ever claim on your policy. Mis-Selling Insurance and Other Questionable Sales Practices The dubious practices employed by insurance agents can significantly eat up your resources and even as the government has been cracking down on mis-selling and other shady tactics, it seems agents are getting bolder in their attempts to make a profit. Get Your Money Back: Reclaiming Unfair Bank Charges Banks are known to unfairly charge their customers "extortionate fees" so that a lot of people are having a hard time saving money. These fees also potentially drive many customers even deeper into debt. A lot of people may not be aware but you can actually be compensated for these charges. Don’t Be a Victim of Mis-Selling The insurance industry has lately been rife with cases of mis-selling and scams have now extended to other financial and investment products as well. Many people may not be aware that they’re being scammed until a considerable amount of money has been taken from them. Courtesy Overdraft Protection Not Really a Courtesy A bank is a business and these institutions do need to make a profit if they are to survive and compete effectively in the financial industry. However, it would seem that these days banks will do anything to squeeze out as much income as they can from their customers, even if the practices are quite unfair. Beware of Deceptive Bank Charges and Other Unfair Tricks There used to be a time when banks were seen as the go-to place for keeping your finances safe but nowadays these institutions are imposing all sorts of unfair bank charges to their customers that you may actually end up spending more than what you’re actually saving. Bank and Credit Card Practices: What You Need to Know Banks and credit card companies employ a lot of underhanded practices that make it seem like the public is benefiting but in actuality, these tricks do more harm than good. If you have encountered a situation wherein you’ve been misled or deceived, banks and credit card companies may be held liable as there are laws that regulate such practices. The Top 3 Personal Finance Books With all the fuss regarding the global financial crisis, personal finance and money are such scorching hot topics these days. It’s no wonder a lot of authors capitalize on this trend by publishing lots and lots of personal finance books. The Power of Change in Personal Finance It seems that change is the underlying theme in the American culture today. With the new administration in the White House and a fresh sense of “new” things to come, people are looking to change their old ways and move on to a new and perhaps better way of life. Stay Away From These Financial Services Now that the recession is in full force, there’s no denying that thousands of jobs are lost, hiring of new employees as well as salaries of old ones are frozen, and stock and housing markets are running significantly lower than they have in decades. Why You Should Practice Proper Credit Card Maintenance In today’s world, everyone old enough to understand the concept of personal finance has at least one credit card. When it comes to getting a credit card, advice wouldn’t be necessary as applications show up in the mail or through the phone very frequently. It’s managing the card that needs to be taken care of. Who Wants To Be a Day Trader? You’ve probably come across this term even though it’s being used loosely nowadays. Technically, a day trader is a person who takes advantage of market momentum on a day to day basis. Instead of buying stock and selling it months, years or even decades after, a day trader makes sure that he buys and sells stock on the same day. Important Things to Remember When Borrowing Money Whether you’re setting up a small business, remodeling your kitchen set, paying some emergency bills, or for hospitalization, you’ll need to borrow money from time to time. There are a lot of financial institutions that offer loans such as banks and credit unions. How to Invest Wisely in This Bad Economy All anyone cares about today is finding the safest place to invest their money. The answer used to be in banks and the stock market, but after the catastrophic events in the past year, no one wants to put their money in those investments vehicles anymore. People are very skeptical nowadays. Have Yourself a Personal Financial Timeline Since day one of working as an employee, you’ve been working hard and disciplining yourself. You got promoted and experienced increases in your salary. You’re finally at the coveted position known as “in the black”, which means you now earn more than you spend. Four Easy Steps Towards Financial Freedom No matter how much people deny it, the job you have does not guarantee a stable financial life. Emergencies and accident happen, and they may not happen to you directly. Take the recent financial crisis for example; even the wealthiest and most careful professionals were victimized by it. Avoid These Stock Market Investing Mistakes It takes more than a trained eye to be successful in investing. Even the most financially savvy individuals still make mistakes when it comes to putting their money in investment vehicles in an effort to build their wealth. Investing 101: Understanding Time and Risk The recession has hit America badly. The events that took place from the mortgage crisis to the stock market crash, and down to the collapse of major companies, were really traumatic, to say the least. Finding the Best Investment for You When it comes to investing, a lot people are puzzled as to what type of investment vehicle they should put their money in. Choosing the best investment is often difficult simply because there are too many options out there. Do Not Be a Victim of These Online Scams It’s surely not the best way to be on the good side of people, but when it comes to making money, whether online or offline, you’ve got to be skeptical. The internet is like a jungle; it’s unregulated and composed of completely diverse individuals. Great Side Gigs to Earn Extra Cash We all face tough times financially. You know how it is; you get your paycheck and pay your rent and monthly bills, only to find out that you’re left with another crummy amount not even worthy of saving because you still have to eat today and next day and so on. How to Manage Your Monthly Cash Flow We all admire successful corporations. Why wouldn’t we? When it comes to managing their cash flow, successful companies are very meticulous. Even when these businesses are on rough roads Where to Put Your Money During an Economic Downturn As the financial markets are melting down, people are terrified to put their money in any investment vehicle. Even the smartest and bravest investor will cower down and tightly hold his money as he watches major corporations fall down. The Ultimate 4-Step Guide in Recovering From the Recession The recent stock market crash and the recession that followed later were truly traumatic events. If you are among those whose investments and savings were destroyed by the economic downturn, do not despair. How to Survive Bankruptcy Contemplating about the possibility of bankruptcy is not an uncommon thing people do. Now that the economic crisis is in its full force, many Americans have lost their jobs and are now completely desperate to make ends meet. Investing in Gold is Always a Good Bet While it is important to diversify investments, many people often forget to put their money on gold. Instead they concentrate too hard on the stocks, bonds, mutual and hedge funds. Many financial experts believe that you may be able to find great fortune in the gold commodities market. Be Aware of the New Tax Laws for 2009 Each year, the IRS releases changes in the US Federal income tax laws. Much hasn’t changed for the past years but the recession during the last quarter of 2008 has been a great deal of influence to the new changes in tax laws. Save More and Buy More at New Dollar Shops The economic slowdown that’s being experienced worldwide has definitely affected American consumers. People aren’t interested in buying expensive cars and television sets anymore. Outwitting Sneaky Traders and Signs We know how hard it is to come up with monthly budget. That’s why we’re more interested in teaching you ways on how to maximize this budget without sacrificing the stuff you need to buy. Let’s face it; we need not only food but cosmetics, clothes, shoes, etc. Taking the Supermarkets by Storm: Part 2 We all know that supermarkets are full of gimmicks and false/ deceptive advertisements. That’s why it’s important to be a wise and crafty buyer yourself, so you get what you want at the price that’s affordable to you. Taking the Supermarkets by Storm: Part 1 Supermarkets offer a wide variety of goods with different qualities, quantities and prices. With the birth of giants like Costco who offer bulk quantities of stuff like green peas, cooking oil and ham, other supermarkets are becoming more competitive. Hunting for the Best Deals on Major Appliances While many people are satisfied with smaller appliances, some would still like to invest in larger ones such as front loading washers, LCD television sets, home entertainment systems, etc. Making Bargain Hunting Enjoyable With the economic recession still active, people are now more interested in bargain sales more than ever. However, it isn’t true that merely being in a bargain center is enough to save you money. Shopping Wisely: Digital Cameras In times of economic downturn, it seems that charging your credit card when shopping is a bad decision, indeed. However, if your finances are relatively okay and you have some amount of disposable income, go ahead and swipe. Demystifying Consignment Shopping: Part 2 Consignment stores need not be confusing. Just like any type of business, consignment stores operate with its own particular form of economy and trade. Demystifying Consignment Shopping: Part 1 The thought of leaving your old stuff for a whole shop to sell to someone else may sound like a very interesting and lucrative deal. However, consignment shopping and selling isn’t as simple as it looks. Shopping for Sneakers: A Complicated Task Made Easier Buying a new pair of sneakers can be difficult. People often use their sneakers until the sneakers no longer look like rubber shoes. However, did you know that apart from the looks of the sneakers, other features are very important in picking off your new shoes of a rack?