Making it as a small business owner is tough enough without all the confusion caused by misleading credit card branding and the illogical application of the Credit CARD Act of 2009. However, despite being the backbone of our economy and being personally responsible for business credit card use, small business owners were largely excluded from the credit card bill of rights that characterizes the post-CARD Act credit card landscape. So, what can you, as a small business owner, do to have the best chance of business success? What should you believe and what information must be disregarded?
Archive for May, 2011
Everything You Want to Do with Your Money Is Wrong
May 27, 2011When managing money, people are often their own worst enemies. Some folks tend to overestimate their ability to manage money and underestimate the risks and complications involved. This means that millions of people are missing out on big opportunities to save, invest and spend more wisely. Here are some ideas for how you can manage your money smarter – often by “doing” less.
Recasting: The Best-Kept Mortgage Secret
May 26, 2011You know about refinancing. You know about mortgage modifications. But, have you ever heard of recasting? While it was once a popular way to adjust a home loan so borrowers could afford to make the monthly payments, recasting is now one of the best kept mortgage secrets. While recasting does not change the interest rate or the balance of the home loan, it does re-amortize your mortgage, which can potentially reduce your monthly payment. The catch is that it often costs the borrower money—sometimes as much as $5,000 in up-front fees.
Managing Money Disagreements in Your Relationship
May 25, 2011Disputes about money are cited as one of the leading causes of divorce, so if you’re in a committed relationship, learning to manage those disagreements is important. Deciding where to spend (or not to spend) your cash can be emotionally charged, so before you bring up the subject, make sure you’re in the right frame of mind. The goal is to compromise so that both of you walk away happy.
10 Popular Gas Credit Cards: The Pros & Cons of Each
May 24, 2011With prices at the pump hovering around four bucks a gallon, all of us are looking for ways to save money on gas. One such strategy is to use credit cards that give a discount or rebate on fuel. But before you jump on the bandwagon, make sure you understand the pros and cons of each card. A number of them have confusing reward caps, spending tiers, and other drawbacks that aren’t always obvious at first glance.
Secrets of Extreme Couponers
May 23, 2011TLC’s latest show, Extreme Couponing, gives us a glimpse into the life of the ultimate bargain hunters, who treat couponing like an Olympic sport. On one episode, one discount shopper slashed her grocery bill from $600 to less than $3. On another episode, an extreme shopper saved 98 percent on her grocery bill. So what’s their secret? How are these deal seekers able to pay less than 10 percent on all of their bills? Check out these four extreme couponing strategies.
Heading toward Foreclosure? Get Help with a Foreclosure Counselor
May 20, 2011Foreclosure is as much an emotional process as it is a financial one. If you’re heading down the path to foreclosure, one of the people you want on your side is a foreclosure counselor. Working with a team of foreclosure specialists that includes a foreclosure counselor helps to take the emotion out of the process to help you make sound financial decisions as you move through it. Learn what a foreclosure counselor does – and does not do – to help you during this tough time.
SmartyPig Review: Online Savings for the Goal-Oriented
May 18, 2011Learn more about some of the great financial tools offered inside of Quizzle, including SmartyPig, an online “piggy bank” that helps people save for specific goals like a wedding, vacation, car, a down payment on a new home, home improvement or other “big ticket” expenses.
5 Steps for Finding a Great Handyman
May 17, 2011Most homeowners can see the value in hiring a handyman to help them with projects around the house but at the same time they can also see the large number of complaints filed by unhappy homeowners all over the Internet. The fact of the matter is that hiring a good handyman will free up a lot of your time and help reduce your stress if you don’t particularly enjoy chores around your home. Read on to discover five steps to help you find and hire a good handyman that you are guaranteed to be happy with.
Budget Sommelier: 5 Delicious Wines under $10
May 16, 2011There are hundreds of high-quality, elegant, delicious wines for every budget—even those who want to spend less than $10. Your best option is usually to hit up an inexpensive store (our favorites are Kroger or CostCo) that offers at least a 10 percent discount with the purchase of six or more wines. Try these five highly drinkable wines to satisfy your palate and your wallet.
