What Are the Best Savings Account Rates? Does it Matter?
Do you wonder what is the best rate of return that you can get on a savings account, does it really matter? Toward the end of this article I will give you some rates I found, but even though it does matter, it doesn’t matter as much as you think, so don’t sweat it too… Read More »
Free Fun Idea, Free Museum Admission 9/29/12
Bargaineering.com had a great post for those that are looking for something fun and free to do this weekend. Smithsonian Magazine Sponsors Free Museum Day by Jim Wang Museum Day Live! is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian Magazine where you can get admission into participating museums across the country absolutely free. This year, Museum Day… Read More »
Kids Saving More Money
Do you think your children are learning from their parent’s financial woes and are practicing better personal finances, such as saving more money? The Wall Street Journal yesterday reported in “Watching Parents Fail Sparks New Rebellion: Saving Money.” I think this could indeed be true, I know we have been transparent with our kids about… Read More »
Options for the Unbanked
Several media sources report that 1 in 12 households or 10% of Americans today do not use bank checking accounts, but use cash for everything. Most people have had checking accounts at some point. Some have had to close them because they never learned to manage them well. Others closed accounts after life’s circumstances put… Read More »
How Does Inflation Affect Savings?
People are aware of inflation, since it is talked about all the time on the news and they see gasoline prices increasing astronomically and erratically. You may have heard someone talk about loss of purchasing power, but what does that mean? As a quick review, when you invest or save money, and you pull it out… Read More »
How to Sell Your Scrap Gold
The price of gold is climbing again to about $1,800 per ounce, close to its all time high of $1,895 on 9/6/11, so many people are thinking about selling their old gold jewelry they have lying around. If you are interested in selling yours, here are a few tips to help you get the most for… Read More »
Financial Diligence Is Required More Now Than Ever
Various news sources last week reported that inflation-adjusted median incomes haven’t increased since 1995. The recession is partly to blame, since many higher paying white-collar jobs are gone. Over the past 20 years many factories have moved overseas, so higher paying blue-collar jobs are rare. As if those challenges aren’t enough, those with modest incomes have a… Read More »
Credit or Gift Card Positives, Negatives and Innovation
The banking industry has never been known as innovators or centers of creativity, that’s why an article in the Wall Street Journal caught my attention today: Ice-Cream Bank’s Rocky Road. I’ll get to the article in a moment, but my gripe with credit cards and gift cards is that although they provide a definite convenience,… Read More »
Low Cost Hearing Aid Solutions
Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal had an interesting article about some lower cost alternatives for people with hearing loss. Some people can’t afford FDA approved hearing aids, since they often cost up to $4,000 a pair; often insurance doesn’t pay for them either. According to the article, 20% of 36 million Americans suffer from hearing loss, so these… Read More »
College Education Tax Deductions and Credits
If you have a child that will be going to college, it is a good idea to become aware of the various tax credits and deductions that may be available to you. These have been around a while; they include the HOPE Scholarship Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit created by The Taxpayer Relief Act… Read More »
