Money Blog

The Most Expensive Neighborhoods in the World

Michael — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:57:40 +0000

Any realtor will tell their clients that the three most important parts of any property are location, location and location. It’s a bit of a cliché but, like most clichés, it attained that status by virtue of being true. Since modern cities came into existence, some areas have been regarded as more desirable than others and, thus, have been able to demand more value for their property than others. This shifts over time. The inner-cities were once the more desirable urban locations, particularly when independent forms of transportation weren’t as readily available as they are today. Today, the most expensive parts of any city tend to be certain suburbs that lie outside of the inner city and, quite frequently, the inner city areas have become less desirable among the very wealthy. Some neighborhoods, however, are exclusive even relative to the standards of the wealthy. (more…)

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A Payday Loan Can Help Reduce Your Credit Card Bill

Liz — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:26:51 +0000

Would you rather have extra cash in hand than a high credit limit? If so, then credit card companies might just have a new plan to interest you. These plans are designed to give you substantial cash back, at a cost. What is the cost of these programs? How can a payday loan help you get more money in your pocket? If this sounds like a confusing prospect, you’re not alone. (more…)

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The Tax Man Cometh

Alan — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:09:53 +0000

Tax day is here and there are probably more than a few people sweating it out. Whether you aren’t able to file in time or haven’t got the money in hand to pay your taxes, April 15th can be worse than Halloween when it comes to horror stories. Luckily, in the midst of this recession, you can still find ways to meet your government and financial obligations as long as you’re willing to talk to the IRS and let them know what’s going on. (more…)

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Stopping Money Leaks in a Stalled Economy

Michael — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:23:49 +0000

You may be noticing the economy in the United States slowing down. The slowing of the biggest consumer engine in the world has an impact in the global economy, causing other economies to sputter and stall out too. If we are in a recession, you can thank the tanking of the housing market and the tightening of credit markets for the current conditions. This can leave families strapped for cash with the possibility of less income in the future. That’s why today’s strategy for survival may have more to do with conserving the money you do have, planning ahead for the long haul, and waiting out a tough economic market that might last several years. (more…)

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Good Boundaries Can Save You Money

Katie — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:19:03 +0000

When teenagers run amok, they generally are quite astonished at your lack of congeniality when you ask them why your home pc has viruses from online downloading. When faced with cell phone charges that are beyond the point of reason, due to having used it like a remote intercom with their best friend while they were out-of-state, they might flip their hair and wonder glibly why all grown-ups are so tight-fisted. If you are facing budget problems with your phone, your pc, your fine electronics, because your teenager or kid thinks they are free toys, you need to set some boundaries and save your sanity while saving your budget. (more…)

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Pros and Cons of Different Tax Preparation Strategies

Alan — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 12:14:39 +0000

There are numerous ways to prepare your taxes these days: do-it-yourself, professional filing, or computerized filing. What you choose to use can often help you save money, depending on your personal situation. Take a look at the different pros and cons of these different tax preparation strategies below. (more…)

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Drought-Busting Water Saving Money Tips

Alan — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:24:36 +0000

Global warming is having a major impact on many different areas around the world, and this, in turn, can affect our water conservation plans. There are a number of areas facing very dry seasons from the Southeast United States to many areas in Australia. The reasons for these are varied. Most of us think it’s because there is less water falling form the sky, but this is just one possible situation. Drought conditions can also be exacerbated by very hot weather that evaporates normal rainfall levels into the air, before it is conserved. Add to that increased usage of this precious resource and we have a calamity waiting to happen. If we don’t learn how to manage our water properly, it will end up costing us more and more, on an individual level as well as a collective social level. Learn to conserve water and reduce your expenses at the same time by doing the following. (more…)

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Easy Remodeling for Beginners on a Budget

Michael — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 18:10:05 +0000

Maybe you’ve moved into an apartment or gotten a new home. Now it’s time to make it your own. However, after spending a lot of money on moving expenses and/or closing costs, you probably want to watch the budget while putting your own stamp on your new digs. Take a few tips from the pros and do things that add a lot of design impact but are easy on your wallet. Think about the following when remodeling or redecorating a room: paint, plants, personality. (more…)

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Is It Time To Buy a House in Florida?

Katie — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:02:48 +0000

House depreciation is happening all around the United States. Some markets are getting hit more than others, like Florida. Florida enjoyed the height of price appreciation during the housing bubble, but now finds itself the #2 state highest in foreclosures, just after Nevada. With the glut of housing available on the market, prices have declined substantially over the last year.

The Florida Association of Realtors reviewed the actual declines and estimated that in 2007, the median house price in Florida dropped about 14%. Nationwide, the drop is much less with only a 1.8% drop in the median price which is now about $217,000. In Florida, the median price dropped to about $194,200. (more…)

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Understanding the Nature of Defined Contribution

Michael — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:08:40 +0000

The defined contribution plan is more popular than its counterpart, the defined benefit pension plan. In fact, there are many types of it. Common examples are the 403(b) and 401(k) plans. Profit sharing programs of private companies are also kinds of defined contribution.

So what’s the logic behind defined contribution?

With defined contribution, every member is given his own personal account. A certain percentage of your income is set aside and place in the retirement program. You will be able to obtain the money once you have already decided to retire. (more…)

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