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• Preparing Financially for the Holidays
  As soon as the calendar flips to November, holiday decorations begin appearing in stores with the not-so-subtle reminder that we only have a few short weeks to make this the most perfect holiday season ever. Give yourself a break this year.. As soon as the calendar f
• And How Would You Like to Pay for This?
  Now that you have a list of who you’re giving gifts to, what type of gifts you’re looking for and how much you’re going to spend on each gift recipient, it’s time to pause and take a quick check on your finances. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you head out to “shop ‘til you drop” Ho
• Seasonal Stories
  Fall Home Buying 101 Want to become a homeowner? Wonder what it will take to get there? Click here to check out our new series on "Home Buying 101" - a step-by-step monthly guide to turning the dream of homeownership into a reality . Open Enrollment It's fall - the "open enrollment" season for thous
• Planning for Next Year
  Don’t despair. What can you learn from your overspending this year? Here are some questions to ask yourself so you don’t find yourself repeating the same mistake come next December: 1) What did I spend money on? Look back over your charges and categorize where you overspent. In other words, WHAT did
• Restoring Financial Sanity
  The first step toward successfully paying off your holiday debt is taking it out of the emotional realm. Beating yourself up or throwing up your hands in surrender won’t solve the problem.. The first step toward successfully paying off your holiday debt is taking it out of the emotional re
• Financial “Things to Do” Before the Year’s End
  With the holiday season officially underway it can be easy to spend most of your “financial thinking” on all of the holiday gift-giving, traveling and entertaining you will, or would like to be able to, do. But there are five simple things that you may want to consider doing to tie up some financial
• Saving for Next Year’s Holidays
  Once you’ve begun to alter your plans for next year the next step is to create a plan to save over the next 11 months so you have some money on hand toward those expenses – even just 10/week adds up. Come next December you could have nearly 500 saved.. Once you’ve begun to alte
• Holiday Entertaining
  Office parties. Neighborhood parties.. Office parties. Neighborhood parties. Open houses and formal dinners…the holidays are a time for entertaining. Whether you’re giving the party or simply attending, taking a few minutes to think ahead can help save you money in the long run. Here are
• Gift Giving
  According to Beverly Howell, family economics specialist at Mississippi State University, families spend an average of 750 on gifts at holiday time. Think back to last year – do you remember how much you spent on gifts?  Did you feel comfortable spending that amount or did you have to charge items t
• The Single Woman
  Scenario: Rosa is a 40-year old single woman living in Rhode Island. She is a manager of media development for a large Fortune 500 company.. Scenario: Rosa is a 40-year old single woman living in Rhode Island. She is a manager of media development for a large Fortune 500 company. She earns
• Budgeting and Reducing Variable Expenses
  Budgeting is an important financial discipline to help plan spending, and create and invest savings. Encourage the person you are helping to . Budgeting is an important financial discipline to help plan spending, and c
• Searching for a Service or “Blue Collar” Job
  According to the U.S.. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics nearly 15 percent of all Americans work in what are considered “blue collar” or service jobs. Who are “blue collar” workers?  They are the people who provide valuable service work for us everyday – they are electricians, plumbe
• Making it a Home
  You have finished the hunt for a new home, signed the papers and moved in. Now what?  How can you begin to really make this new place a welcome home for you and your family?  Home Safety Owning your own home means that you are now financially and legally responsible for what happens to people while th
• Elementary-age school children
  At this age children can begin to take a more active role and grasp bigger concepts regarding money. Reinforce the concept of coins and paper money and introduce the concepts of checks and credit cards.. At this age children can begin to take a more acti
• Handling the Hangover of Holiday Overspending
  Are you reluctant to open your mailbox lately? Nervous to see just how much you actually spent over the holidays? If you’re starting off the New Year already in debt from holiday spending, don’t panic… start planning.. Are you reluctant to open your mailbox lately? Nervous to see just how much
• Shopping for a Mortgage
  As the song goes, "My Momma told me, you better shop around." When it comes to buying a home, shopping around means not only finding the right home, but also finding the right mortgage.. As the song goes, "My Momma told me, you better shop around. When it comes to buying a home, shoppin
• Discount Shopping Benefits
  Being part of a military family entitles you to base privileges including access to the Commissary, Exchange and MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) centers and activities. Commissaries are on-base discount grocery stores.. Being part of a military family entitles you to ba
• Back to School Shopping on a Budget
  The National Retail Federation estimates that parents can expect to spend approximately 600 on back-to-school costs. School supplies, clothes, sports physicals, books…it all adds up.. The National Retail Federation estimates that parents can expect to spend approximately 600 on back
• Saving
  Saving money is not something that we, as Americans, are very good at. In fact the U.. hing that we, as Americans, are very good at. In fact the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that America’s personal savings rate is the lowest in the industrialized world. .Saving money is a critical habit to develop a
• Credit Card Companies Face Significant Changes Under New Law; Consumers to Benefit
  The new credit card legislation signed into law by President Obama contains numerous provisions that will have a real impact for Americans who use credit cards as a personal financial tool. More than 700 million credit cards are used by Americans (Nielson Report, 2008) and the total amount of debt A
• Budgeting for Beginners
  If you’ve never used a budget before – either because you don’t like the idea or because the thought of budgeting scares or intimidates you, consider changing your perspective. At its most basic, a budget is a tool.. If you’ve never used a bu
• Why Should I Care About Saving?
  Saving means to put some money aside for later use. When your kids are little, you encourage them to put some of their birthday money in their piggy bank.. Saving means to put some money aside for later use. When your kids are little, you encourage them to put some of their birthd
• 10 Great Things to Do with Your Tax Refund
  According to the IRS nearly 75% of all Americans will get a tax refund this year, averaging nearly 2,500. Do you anticipate receiving a refund? If so, don’t just rush ahead and spend it.. According to the IRS nearly 75% of all Americans will get a tax refund this year, averaging nearly
• Paying for Child Care
  As you think through what type of child care you would like to secure, plan according to your finances. If you don’t already have one, start by . As you think through what type of child care you would like to secure, plan
• Paying for Child Care
  As you think through what type of child care you would like to secure, plan according to your family’s finances. If you don’t already have one, start by . As you think through what type of child care you w
• Travel Tips
  There’s no time like the holidays to visit friends and family. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, about 5.. There’s no time like the holidays to visit friends and family. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, about 5.8 million Americans make
• Other Financing Options
  If you can’t pay cash for a computer, consider a few alternatives before taking on a potentially expensive loan or charging the purchase on your credit card. For example: Determine what system you would like to get and then really competitively shop both at stores in your area and online. You might
• 15 Useful Tips for Entrepreneurs
  1. Believe in yourself.. 1. Believe in yourself. If you don’t, your customers won’t either. 2. Set clear goals. If you don’t know where you are going, you will never get there. 3. Practice your elevator pitch. That’s the 30-second description of your business that you can use to let someone know who
• Financing the Purchase of a Foreclosed Property
  Unless you are able to pay cash for your purchase you will need to find financing – which means getting a loan to pay the required costs and agreeing to repay the money lent (plus interest) over a specified period. y cash for your purchase you will need to find financing – which means getting a loan to pay the req
• Buying vs. Leasing
  To buy or to lease that is the question. But what, exactly, is leasing and is it a better deal than buying? Let’s review.. s the question. But what, exactly, is leasing and is it a better deal than buying?  Let’s review. Buying a car. When you buy a car, you, well, buy it. Meaning that you either p
• Should You Refinance?
  KNOWING EXACTLY when is the perfect time to refinance would require a bit of psychic ability on your part. That's why many experts say if you find a good deal that saves you a significant amount of money, it's probably not worth trying to beat it by predicting mortgage-rate moves. So what rate would
• Moving In
  Congratulations! After doing all the work of finding a place, negotiating and signing a lease and possibly finding a roommate or two, you’re ready to move in. Since it’s your first place you may not have a whole lot of furniture to move in, but before you run out to fully furnish your new place it’s
• College Education Cost Planning
  Being able to pay for – or help pay for – a child’s education is one of most parents’ significant, and costly, financial goals. In fact “Money” magazine found that: 41% of parents plan to pay their child’s full college bill 54% plan to pay some costs 95% plan to pay at least something toward their c
• What Happens if I’m In Over My Head?
  Okay, so maybe you’re reading this and you’re thinking “It’s too late for me! I’ve already maxed out my cards! Don’t panic – there are some steps you can take to get control over you credit card spending and on the path to financial stability: Write it down. Gather your credit card statements and fi
• Common Financial Myths Single Women May Believe
  Most women heard or sensed certain negative messages about money growing up such as: men should or will earn more money than women; men are better in math and therefore in understanding how to work with money than women; a woman’s income will most likely as be a “second income” within a family’s fin
• Managing Your Grocery Bill When Food Prices Rise
  Climbing grocery prices have caused millions of Americans to reconsider purchases. Unfortunately, according to the US Department of Labor, food inflation is expected to continue.. Climbing grocery prices have caused millions of Americans to reconsider purchases. Unfortunately, ac
• Avoiding Additional Debt
  It’s important to encourage the person you are trying to help to avoid taking on debt or increasing existing debt if at all possible during this time. While it may not be possible to avoid borrowing some money during this crunch urge them to: try to only use cash when shopping keep a record of charg
• Condominium
  A condominium (commonly referred to as a "condo" is not a type of home; it's actually a form of ownership. When you purchase a condo you are actually purchasing both an individual residence (usually called a "unit" and partial ownership of all the common areas in the development such as recreational
• Other Investments
  Some other types of investments that you might hear or read about are: real estate – buying property (residential or commercial) and then making money from renting it, leasing it, or selling it at a higher price to another buyer real estate investment trusts (REITs) – a way to purchase an interest i
• My Budget Summary
  Congratulations! Creating a budget takes time, patience, and, admittedly, a little bit of courage. By taking this first step you’ve empowered yourself.. Congratulations! Creating a budget takes time, patience, and, admittedly, a little bit of courage. By taking this first step you’ve empowered yourself
• Budgeting on a Military Salary
  Budgeting can seem very difficult on a military paycheck, especially if your servicemember is not earning a lot and if you, as a spouse, are unable to bring in steady additional income to supplement the military pay. Often it can be difficult for a military spouse to earn additional regular income b
• Medical Debts and Bankruptcy
  Our family’s medical debts are pushing us to the brink of bankruptcy. Is that where you are right now? The statistics are sobering.. Our family’s medical debts are pushing us to the brink of bankruptcy. Is that where you are right now?  The statistics are sobering. Half of all U.S. b
• A Single Mom
  Scenario: Candy is struggling right now. She works at a local super mart.. Scenario: Candy is struggling right now. She works at a local super mart. She has two kids and wants to do the right things but just can’t seem to get things to go her way. She can’t make ends meet, there is more month than m
• Moving in with Family
  At some point most people and/ or their loved ones consider whether or not it would be feasible and/ or desirable to move in with other family members. While you may be interested in moving in with a family member (or having a parent or loved one move in with you) be aware that it's an option that has
• Independent Living
  Independent living communities (also known as retirement or senior communities) offer seniors a secure environment in which to live independently without having to worry about home or yard maintenance. These communities offer a variety of housing types including condominiums, apartments, or townhome
• Shared Housing
  This arrangement, also known as "home sharing, is when two or more people agree to share a house or apartment as well as all housing responsibilities and expenses. If you are single, divorced or widowed, think about whether or not you have a close friend(s) or family members with whom you would feel
• Single-Room Occupancy SRO
  This housing option means renting a single room in a resident hotel or private home. SROs were originally conceived as a way of adapting and using older hotels in urban areas but today SRO units are also available in other types of buildings that have been adapted for resident use and even homes in
• Health Insurance Options During Retirement
  Health care is one of the biggest spending categories for seniors.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the average American age 65 or older spends more than 4,100 out of pocket on health care costs annually.. Health care is one of the biggest spending categories for seniors. Accordin
• Finances
  The personal finance statistics for military families are sobering. A 2006 national survey found that: 22% of all servicemembers reported occasionally or usually having trouble paying bills 26% of all servicemembers have not invested for their future financial needs and goals within the past two yea
• Benefits
  Because military work can be so demanding, there are numerous perks and benefits for service members and families alike. One of the most attractive benefits of working in the military is guaranteed, free healthcare and other, related health benefits.. Because military work can be so demanding, there a
• Your Blended Families’ Financial Reality
  Eight out of 10 people who divorce remarry, and, according to U.S.. Eight out of 10 people who divorce remarry, and, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics they usually do so within three years. But in addition to having some marriage “experience, divorced men and women with children who
• Rent to Own: Quick Convenience or Overpriced Commitment?
  The rent-to-own industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that attracts consumers with the promise of taking quick possession on "big-ticket" items, like furniture, appliances, computers and electronics (TVs, DVD players, stereos, etc. with no down payment, no credit check and often no upfront cas
• What Do You Need a Computer For?
  Quick – why do you want a computer? Knowing how you plan to use a computer will help narrow down your computer shopping selections and speed up the process. Before you hit the mall or computer store take a few minutes to think through why you need to buy a computer.. Quick – why do you want a
• Repaying Your Student Loans
  Every year thousands of college graduates leave their campuses, usually with a degree, but almost always with debt. In fact, a recent study by the National Center for Education Statistics shows that nearly 50% of college graduates have student loans averaging 10,000.. Every year thousands of c
• Walking Into a Bank
  You can find a bank in a lot of different places. There are stand-alone bank buildings and bank offices in grocery stores and shopping malls.. You can find a bank in a lot of different places. There are stand-alone bank buildings and bank offices in grocery stores and shopping malls. Once you
• Questions to Ask a Salesperson
  It can be helpful to think about buying a computer like buying a car. Rarely will you want to walk into a car dealership and buy the first car you see.. It can be helpful to think about buying a computer like buying a car. Rarely will you want to walk into a car dealership and
• What's New This Month
  July '09 : IOUs Issued by the State of California Strapped for cash, the state of California has started issuing more than 3 billion in IOUs to businesses, individual tax payers and county governments to whom it owes money. California state government officials have indicated that the IOUs – which
• Story File
  The SIFMA Foundation for Investor Education seeks to provide you with the best information, tools and resources available to help your followers become more financially literate. We have compiled this story file based on year-round evergreen topics.. Investor Education seeks to provide you with the b
• Finding the Right Home
  What words come to mind when you think about finding a new home? Exciting? Scary? Overwhelming? The truth is that finding a new home can be all of those things. The way you feel about finding a new home can depend on why you're moving and how much time you have to find a home.. What words come to mind w
• What to Do When It Becomes Difficult to Pay Your Mortgage
  Change happens. When you bought your home you may have budgeted carefully and never anticipated having difficulty making your mortgage payment.. Change happens. When you bought your home you may have budgeted carefully and never anticipated having difficulty making your mortgage payment. But ma
• Setting up Direct Deposit
  Direct deposit is when you choose to have payments due to you directly deposited into your bank account instead of having a paper check, money order or cash mailed to you at your workplace or home. Types of payments that you can have directly deposited into your bank account include: Paychecks Tax r
• I don't know where to begin.
  The most important part about beginning to save and invest is just that…beginning. In fact, changing your attitude toward saving and investing may be the biggest hurdle you have to overcome.. bout beginning to save and invest is just that…beginning. In fact, changing your attitude toward saving and investing may be
• Set a Course for Where You Want to Go
  Once you have evaluated where you are financially – what income, savings, expenses and debt you have – you are now able to begin setting a course for where you want to go financially in the future, and take steps in that direction. Following are a few tips for thinking about your financial goals: Ac
• Your First Car
  Nothing spells freedom like having your own car, right?  If you’re thinking about buying a car, take some time to think through your needs and get educated on what’s involved in buying a car so you’re not the one being taken for a ride. It can be intoxicating to walk onto a new car lot – all that hor
• Buying Green When it Comes to Groceries
  One of the hallmarks of the “green movement” is buying food that is either more locally grown (to reduce the cost and environmental impact of shipping food) and/or buying organic. By buying locally-grown food you are reducing the transportation cost (and environmental impact of that transportation)
• Best Way to Use Credit
  Now before you think that you should never use credit cards, it’s actually a good idea to use them…IF you can use them wisely. Why? Well, establishing a good credit history makes it more likely that you’ll be approved for loans you might apply for later like a home mortgage or car loan..
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities
  Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) can be a very attractive housing alternative because they offer the security of knowing that your long-term housing, services and nursing care will all be provided in one development as you age. CCRCs are age-segregated, meaning that it is a housing com
• What Long-Term Care Insurance Will Cost You
  The premium for long-term care insurance, or the amount of money that you will have to pay yearly to maintain coverage, is usually higher than for other forms of insurance – anywhere between 2,000 - 8,000 per year. The cost of your premium will depend on several factors, including: The cost of car
• The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005
  The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act significantly changes how, and under what conditions, individuals can file for bankruptcy. The most significant changes to bankruptcy law apply to Chapter 7 bankruptcy because under Chapter 7 debtors are able to discharge, or not have to re
• Next Steps: Recovering from a Service Member’s Death
  As you work through the initial grief of losing your loved one it is important to know what resources the military provides: Legal Assistance Your casualty affairs officer will accompany you to a meeting with a Department of Defense legal assistance officer where you will learn about the benefits an
• Buying a Newly Built Home
  At some point most of us have thought about our “dream home. Wouldn’t it be fun to choose your floor plan, appliances, carpet and paint? It’s also nice to think that you could be the home’s first owner.. At some point most of us have thought about our “dream home. Wouldn’t it be fun to choose your floor
• Improve Your Finances with a Little Math
  Math. Whether you were good at math in school or not, you can make math work for you…and not necessarily the way you think when it comes to money.. Math. Whether you were good at math in school or not, you can make math work for you…and not necessarily the way you think when it comes to money. The
• What Every Homebuyer Needs to Know Before Agreeing to a Mortgage
  Are you or a loved one considering becoming a homeowner? Taking on a mortgage loan to purchase a home can be an intimidating and confusing process. A Federal Reserve study for the Federal Trade Commission found that a significant percentage of homebuyers did not understand key features and costs of
• Moving Day
  The big day is almost here. Moving day.. The big day is almost here. Moving day. Before you get to enjoy the excitement of moving into your new home, you’ve got to make it through the tedium and trial of actually boxing up and moving all your possessions. Having your tools and materials rea
• Selecting a Lender
  Congratulations. You invested some real time last month to educate yourself about the not-so-simple-to-understand mortgage.. Congratulations. You invested some real time last month to educate yourself about the not-so-simple-to-understand mortgage. Now that you know the basics about what a mortgage
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
  A long-term disability can be financially devastating. While you may be able to use personal savings to cover your expenses temporarily while not working, most people are financially unprepared to be suddenly out of work for an extended period of time, or be permanently unemployable..
• Living on Less: What to Do When Your Pay is Cut
  Every day workers of all types, across all industries, get the bad news from their boss that their pay is going to be cut. Whether it’s because your company is going through a tough financial stretch, or because the economy at large is making it impossible for your employer to make payroll, or becau
• When There is a Gap Between Income and Expense
  That’s another way of saying that you’re spending more than you’re earning! Instead of feeling automatically overwhelmed or fearful, consider it just as a piece of information that can help you determine what you’re fearful of or concerned about. Even though the thought of having more debt/expenses
• A Basic Computer System Overview
  If you have never purchased a computer before, the jargon can get confusing and the choices can get overwhelming. Most computer systems that you will probably consider will include basic hardware, an operating system, and software.. If you have never purchased a computer before, the
• Giving Wisely
  Every year millions of people support nonprofit organizations to care for people in their communities, strengthen causes they feel strongly about, and reach out to people affected by disasters. Giving is a noble and generous act of caring and service.. Every year millions of people support nonprofit or
• Selling Your Home Part II
  Once you have decided to sell your home, and prepared it to put it on the market you have several choices to make.. Once you have decided to
• 16 Warning Signs You Could Be Heading for Financial Trouble
  We’ve all done it before – forgotten to pay a bill on time, charged more on our credit cards than we should, etc. But there are some financial “red flags” you should pay attention to realize that without a course correction, you’re headed for financial trouble.. – forgotten to pay a bill on time, charged more on