Category Archives: Managing Money

Managing Money

Can You Afford To Buy A Home?

Leave a comment

Many people, especially young married couples, start thinking that they need to buy a house, and as soon as possible. Home ownership can be pretty cool… that is, if you can afford it.

A Usual House />

Diego da Silva via Compfight

Even if you have a pretty nice salary, individual or both spouses, you might find that owning a home costs way more than you expected it would. If you’re good at budgeting you might figure it out. If not… well, it could be harrowing.

Here are some things you need to know:
Continue reading Can You Afford To Buy A Home? →

Managing Money

10 Tips For Getting Out Of Debt

Leave a comment

Many times, when people are looking for ways to reduce their debt, they go looking for someone else to help them with their problems. The truth of the matter is that every person is capable of figuring their way out of debt if they have a job and are bringing in some kind of money. It may not be easy but it’s better to have some background knowledge to help you move forward.

Below are some tips to employ to help you gradually, or quickly, work your way out of debt.

1. Write down all your debts.


 

This is always the first step, because, as Dr. Phil might say, you can’t address what you won’t acknowledge. Take one month’s worth of bills and write down what each is, as well as the amount you’re expected to pay. For credit cards, write down the annual percentage rate. Also, write down how much you estimate you spend on things such as food, gas, entertainment, etc. Yes, this is about budgeting.
Continue reading 10 Tips For Getting Out Of Debt →

Managing Money

Saving Money By Staying In Regular Hotels Vs Resort Hotels… Sometimes

Leave a comment

There was a seminar I was going to that was being held at a top flight resort in out of state. Even though the resort had rooms, I felt it was important to research prices of other hotels in the area.

Hotel Lobby, Salamanca (Spain), HDR

Marc via Compfight

The problem wasn’t the nightly price of the hotel. Because it’s an organizational event they were getting a very nice cut rate for the stay. After that though, everything else was going to add up to a pretty penny before I did anything else. Can you imagine paying $20 for a hamburger via room service? In the end, moving to a regular hotel, even one that’s costing $5 more a night for the room, turned out to be more economical.
Continue reading Saving Money By Staying In Regular Hotels Vs Resort Hotels… Sometimes →

Managing Money

5 Things To Evaluate When Selecting A Bank

Leave a comment

Do you remember your first bank account? Mine was when I was 8 years old. My parents gave me an allowance but I had to put $5 away each week into a savings account. This was back in the 60’s and, at the time, it was a local bank.

rich piggy

frankieleon via Compfight

Times have changed and selecting a bank isn’t as easy anymore. Each bank has benefits and negatives about it. If you don’t want to feel like you’re being taken advantage of, you need to take more time evaluating banks and determining which one fits your needs the best before you go putting your money in one.

Here are 5 things you should evaluate banks on based on your circumstances.
Continue reading 5 Things To Evaluate When Selecting A Bank →

Managing Money

How Do You Feel About Paperless Billing?

Leave a comment

Some of us love paying our bills online. If you’re on the road or one of those people who doesn’t pay every bill two weeks in advance, so that you don’t have to worry about whether or not your bill was received in time, this is the easiest way to go.

Bills
Sarah Braun via Compfight

Unfortunately, there are some bills that won’t just let you pay online. They want you to sign up for their full paperless billing system, which they say will help save money because they don’t have to pay for paper or postage. You get your bill by email, you can check your account online, and THEN you can pay your bills online.
Continue reading How Do You Feel About Paperless Billing? →