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An Easy Way to Avoid the Monthly Fee on Your Checking Account
Tweet Share on Facebook August 31, 2012 CommentThere is no doubt that checking accounts have become more expensive for American consumers after new financial regulations led banks to generate less revenue. In addition to the rise in monthly fees, the criteria for waiving these fees may also have been more stringent. Luckily, one common loophole may help you avoid that hefty monthly fee.
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16 Ways to Make Haggling Work for You
Tweet Share on Facebook August 30, 2012 CommentIt happens in markets and stores all around the world: Buyers and sellers haggle over prices. Sometimes they succeed and a deal is struck. Other times the buyer walks away empty handed.
Here in the United States, dickering over a purchase is often confined to yard sales and flea markets. But there's no reason that you can't apply your haggling skills to any potential purchase. Not only will you find that you get greater value for your dollar, but you might decide that shopping is more fun with a little friendly negotiation.
Try these 16 ways to make haggling work for you:
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5 Ways to Save on Your Labor Day Celebration
Tweet Share on Facebook August 30, 2012 CommentWith Labor Day around the corner and the kids heading back to school, you're no doubt planning an end-of-summer celebration to revel in those last lazy days. And given that it's the last real holiday until Thanksgiving, it's a not-to-miss opportunity. But since many of us have been tightening our belts and trying to conserve in these financially trying times, it's natural to want to keep the festivities budget-friendly.
Here are some ways to throw a big party on a small budget:
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Political Risks to Your Retirement
Tweet Share on Facebook August 29, 2012 CommentBrace yourself for political drama, because we are nearing the final stretch of the presidential election. As all elections go, promises will be made and broken, character attacks will consume every free minute of TV advertising, and each side will accuse each other of threatening the financial future of everyday Americans.
The problem is it may not matter which side is elected. Many of the major political policies being proposed by either party have severe consequences for future retirements. While there is no way to fully avoid potential losses to your retirement via changes in legislation, there are some actions you can take to mitigate risks.
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Know All Your Banking Options When Going Back to School
Tweet Share on Facebook August 28, 2012 CommentBack-to-school season is an exciting time for students, but purchasing all the necessary supplies and settling onto campus can also be expensive. One aspect of returning to school that should not be costly is your banking. Too often, students pick the large nationwide banks for their student checking when better options exist right on campus in the form of university credit unions. While you may see big banks giving out T-shirts across campus and advertising “free student checking,” be sure to know all your options. Here are a few tips to help you save money and compare the best choice for banking at your school, as taken from NerdWallet’s Student Checking Tool.
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6 Ways to Earn Quick Cash Without a Second Job
Tweet Share on Facebook August 27, 2012 CommentIf you’re struggling to make ends meet and don’t have the time to take on a second job, you could just make some extra money on the side. Sometimes even a second job isn’t enough to cover those extra expenses or pay down that debt you’ve wanted to get rid of for a while. If you’re working a full-time job and have other responsibilities to take care of, finding a second job can be a challenge in itself. Fortunately, there are a number of online and offline opportunities that could give your income that much-needed boost.
Here are six ways to earn some cash without getting a second job:
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5 Reasons Not to Use an Online Bank
Tweet Share on Facebook August 24, 2012 CommentIn the future, you'll probably tap your Google Goggles (or whatever) against your barista's Google Goggles when you want to pay for your coffee. Maybe you'll be able to simply think about what sort of tip you want to give her, and it will appear in her virtual tip cup. Your life will be totally unburdened of having to handle physical money, and many people, for a variety of reasons, seem to think this is the best possible use of the technologies we currently have available to us.
Our current banking landscape would have seemed similarly absurd to someone three decades ago: that you can simply take a picture of a check, send it off to your bank through a computer the size of a deck of cards (only thinner), and your bank will put this money in your account—and, stranger still, this bank doesn't have any physical branches. "Yeah, right!" says the 1982 version of yourself upon hearing this, as he leafs through the LPs at Tower Records looking for Air Supply's latest, “That sounds like science fiction.”
Some 30 years later, here we are: Everyone does online banking, and mobile deposit is becoming a standard feature on many checking accounts. For many, a brick-and-mortar bank simply isn't necessary. In fact, many online banks offer much more competitive rates and fees, in part, because of their low overhead costs.
But just because these conveniences are here, does it mean everyone needs them? Perhaps not. Here's a few reasons online banking might not be for you:
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How to Help a Friend Facing Foreclosure
Tweet Share on Facebook August 23, 2012 CommentYou don't need to go very far to find someone whose home is in foreclosure. According to RealtyTrac.com, one in every 666 housing units received a foreclosure filing in June 2012. And that's for just one month. Even though they may not talk about it at the next BBQ, there's a good chance that you know someone who either has lost their home or is facing that possibility.
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The Best Prepaid Cards for Every Type of Consumer
Tweet Share on Facebook August 21, 2012 CommentOh how the prepaid card market has changed. A few years ago, the words “prepaid card” likely conjured up pictures of those international calling cards that hang by the register in many convenience stores. Now, the images swirling through your head could very well be of Magic Johnson hooping, Suze Orman shrieking financial advice, and Lil’ Wayne rapping. Demand for prepaid cards (not to mention big-name celebrities to endorse them) has increased dramatically since the cap on debit card swipe fees was implemented in October 2011. Unfortunately, with so many of us shopping for our first prepaid card and new offers regularly hitting the market, choosing the right one can be difficult. The trick is knowing what to look for.
You see, prepaid cards are known for often charging a multitude of small fees, which means the wrong card can cost you around $300 per year. Identifying the way you intend on using your card allows you to focus on minimizing the fees that will come into play most often and ensure that your card has the features you need. It therefore pays to check out the following breakdown of the main roles that prepaid cards play in people’s financial lives and the specific offers that best suit each, according to Card Hub’s 2012 Prepaid Cards Report.
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Cheap Ways to Pack a Healthy Lunch this Season
Tweet Share on Facebook August 20, 2012 CommentWhether you’re getting the kids ready for back-to-school season or preparing for another long week at the office, make sure everyone in the family is eating a good lunch each day. Relying on cafeteria food, vending machines, convenience foods, and takeout can derail your diet—and also put a dent in your wallet. Packing your own lunch is one of the best ways to save money on food, and you’ll find it’s much easier to eat healthfully because you’re in control of what goes in that lunch bag. Choosing nutrient-rich, wholesome foods is one of the best ways to keep your diet on track. And, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to do it.
Here are some cheap ways to pack a healthy lunch this season:
