I originally found this amazing video on Consumerist (highly recommend you subscribe to them!), but they pointed me off to CNN who chronicled this story of the woman who saved 97% on her grocery bill. 97%!!! WOW. Here’s the math:

Total before coupons: $152.86
Coupon savings: $144.70
Total after coupons: $9.43

Quite a feat, I say. Check out the video to get a lesson from the Coupon Queen.

CNN Video: Woman saves 97% on her grocery bill just by using coupons was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

The following is an official press release from the Fed regarding its decision today, with a  translation (for the rest of us) mixed in for all the financial jargon by Bob Walters, Chief Economist for Quicken Loans. Obviously, our version is in bold. Enjoy!

Release Date: April 29, 2009

For immediate release

Now

Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in March indicates that the economy has continued to contract, though the pace of contraction appears to be somewhat slower. Household spending has shown signs of stabilizing but remains constrained by ongoing job losses, lower housing wealth, and tight credit. Weak sales prospects and difficulties in obtaining credit have led businesses to cut back on inventories, fixed investment, and staffing. Although the economic outlook has improved modestly since the March meeting, partly reflecting some easing of financial market conditions, economic activity is likely to remain weak for a time. Nonetheless, the Committee continues to anticipate that policy actions to stabilize financial markets and institutions, fiscal and monetary stimulus, and market forces will contribute to a gradual resumption of sustainable economic growth in a context of price stability.

The Fed received super secret, on the low-down, information that the economy is contracting.  How do they figure this stuff out?!

The Fed also points out that the consumer continued to spend (you can’t hold a shopper down!), but that businesses have cut back significantly.

Lastly, they mention that all the money they are pumping into the economy ishelping and should continue to help as time goes on.

In light of increasing economic slack here and abroad, the Committee expects that inflation will remain subdued. Moreover, the Committee sees some risk that inflation could persist for a time below rates that best foster economic growth and price stability in the longer term.

They say here that because the economy isn’t doing well  (they call it “economic slack”), inflation (prices) will stay low.

In these circumstances, the Federal Reserve will employ all available tools to promote economic recovery and to preserve price stability. The Committee will maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and anticipates that economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels of the federal funds rate for an extended period. As previously announced, to provide support to mortgage lending and housing markets and to improve overall conditions in private credit markets, the Federal Reserve will purchase a total of up to $1.25 trillion of agency mortgage-backed securities and up to $200 billion of agency debt by the end of the year. In addition, the Federal Reserve will buy up to $300 billion of Treasury securities by autumn. The Committee will continue to evaluate the timing and overall amounts of its purchases of securities in light of the evolving economic outlook and conditions in financial markets. The Federal Reserve is facilitating the extension of credit to households and businesses and supporting the functioning of financial markets through a range of liquidity programs. The Committee will continue to carefully monitor the size and composition of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet in light of financial and economic developments.

This is the “kitchen sink” paragraph.  They say here that they will do everything in their power to pull the economy out of a tailspin.  Stuff like:

• Taking short term rates to 0% (yay!  Free money!)
• Spending $1.25 trillion to purchase mortgages to keep today’s mortgage rates low
• Buy $300 billion of Treasury securities (kind of a neat trick to buy debt from yourself…)

Questions? Just holler: blog@Quizzle.com

Fed funds rate stays at 0%; Federal Reserve Press Release Translated was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

Yes, death and taxes are often uttered in the same breath, but tax time doesn’t have to be all bad news! As a homeowner, you may be eligible for more tax breaks than you know. We’ve assembled some tips to help you get the most tax perks from homeownership, and keep as much money as the law allows! So watch this video from our friends at Quicken Loans to get the best tax tips for homeowners. Enjoy!

Homeowner & Mortgage Tax Tips was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

No surprise, they decided to keep targeting the Fed funds between 0-.25%. In bigger news, they announced they would spend another $1.2 trillion buying mortgage-backed securities and other debts from Fannie Mae.  Immediately following the announcement, mortgage rates dipped about .375 points to under 5% on 30-year fixed loans.

That’s why many of you Quizzlers saw a mortgage rate alert on your homepage – we’re giving you the hook up! And you know who to call to help you out with your mortgage, right? RIGHT?! (hint, hint)

The following is an official press release from the Fed regarding its decision today, and a translation (for the rest of us) of all the financial jargon by Bob Walters, Chief Economist for Quicken Loans:

For immediate release

Now

Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in January indicates that the economy continues to contract.  Job losses, declining equity and housing wealth, and tight credit conditions have weighed on consumer sentiment and spending.  Weaker sales prospects and difficulties in obtaining credit have led businesses to cut back on inventories and fixed investment.  U.S. exports have slumped as a number of major trading partners have also fallen into recession.  Although the near-term economic outlook is weak, the Committee anticipates that policy actions to stabilize financial markets and institutions, together with fiscal and monetary stimulus, will contribute to a gradual resumption of sustainable economic growth.

The Federal Open Market Committee (10 people who decide things for the banking system), also known as the “Fed”, is seeing that the economy is getting worse.  Job losses = less spending by consumers.  Businesses can’t borrow = less spending by businesses.

Despite all that bad news, the Fed feels that, over time, all the money they have pumped into the economy will start to turn the economy around.

In light of increasing economic slack here and abroad, the Committee expects that inflation will remain subdued.  Moreover, the Committee sees some risk that inflation could persist for a time below rates that best foster economic growth and price stability in the longer term.

Given that the economy is essentially a train wreck, and given that people will be spending less, and given that when people spend less companies have to lower prices – the Fed expects that prices (inflation) will remain low.  In fact, the Fed is more worried that prices might actually fall (which, believe it or not, is also bad for an economy).

In these circumstances, the Federal Reserve will employ all available tools to promote economic recovery and to preserve price stability.  The Committee will maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 0 to 1/4 percent and anticipates that economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels of the federal funds rate for an extended period.  To provide greater support to mortgage lending and housing markets, the Committee decided today to increase the size of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet further by purchasing up to an additional $750 billion of agency mortgage-backed securities, bringing its total purchases of these securities to up to $1.25 trillion this year, and to increase its purchases of agency debt this year by up to $100 billion to a total of up to $200 billion.  Moreover, to help improve conditions in private credit markets, the Committee decided to purchase up to $300 billion of longer-term Treasury securities over the next six months.  The Federal Reserve has launched the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility to facilitate the extension of credit to households and small businesses and anticipates that the range of eligible collateral for this facility is likely to be expanded to include other financial assets.  The Committee will continue to carefully monitor the size and composition of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet in light of evolving financial and economic developments.

The Fed will keep short term rates (the rates at which banks borrow from each other) at 0%.  That was no surprise.
What was a surprise (and a happy one for those of us at Quizzle & Quicken Loans), was that the Fed decided to go on a shopping spree that would make Donald Trump blush.  The Fed decided to:

•    Purchase an ADDITIONAL $750 billion of mortgage backed securities (on top of the $500 billion they agreed to buy last November).  THIS is the decision that caused mortgage rates to fall significantly.
•    Purchase an additional $100 billion of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac debt.  This will allow those companies to buy up more loans – which will also be good for mortgage rates.
•    Purchase $300 billion of long term Treasury securities.  This will drive down government rates.
o    So – in sum, the government just agreed to spend $1.2 TRILLION.  They will be putting it on their credit card.  (How would you like to get that bill?!)

Federal Reserve Talks, Mortgage Rates Drop was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

Quizzle has it’s own video now! A couple of very talented peeps from the Quizzle Marketing team put together this super simple video to describe Quizzle. While I could say a million super things about Quizzle, I think this video really does it in a special way.

We’re really excited that Quizzle is now in movies! Our hope is that more people learn about how useful Quizzle can be to their financial goals. Check out the video above, or see any of our lovingly produced Quicken Loans videos, designed to bring clients all the information they need to make smart financial decisions!!!!

Quizzle Is a Movie Star! was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

So the little rodent fondly known as Punxsutawney Phil popped up this morning. And since the sun was shining, he saw his rotund little shadow.  And then he sang out loudly,

“A bright sky above me;
Showed my shadow beside me.
So 6 more weeks of winter it will be.”

Okay, he didn’t sing. Clearly, he doesn’t even talk (or does he?!). But that’s how the story goes. Groundhog, dude with a top hat and sunshine. I don’t get it either. But we have a super Quizzle + groundhog image for y’all today. Did ya catch it? That beauty is the fine web-craftsmanship of Mr. Chris Kaufman.

In other (more relevant) news, we’ve got an awesome list of American-based companies that you can buy from to fill your lovely Quizzle home. From cookie cutters and baskets to lighting and bunkbeds, we’ll highlight some of American-made companies you’ll want to check out for your next home project.

Phil is also welcome to utilize this list for his….um, hole.

Alfresco Grills Outdoor Cooking (Commerce, CA): Spiff up the patio with an open-air kitchen, including refrigeration, burners and grills.

Better Living Heating and Air (Holiday Island, AR): Makers of Sun AireTM Ductless Heaters and Sun AireTM Air Purifiers, all made in USA.

Bunk Beds Etc (Cedar Park, TX): American-made, safe and sturdy bunk beds finished in your choice of 5 colors.

Closets To Go Custom Organizers (Tigard, OR): Custom closet organizers and closet systems manufactured using wood panel products.

Cookie Cutter Collectibles (Dover, AR): Just for fun, copper cookie cutters in over 400 shapes. (We didn’t count, but we’ll assume they’re right.)

Cooking.com Cooking Accessories: This is an excellent source for American-made KitchenAid Artisan mixers, All-Clad cookware, Lodge cast-iron cookware, Nordiware bakeware, and VitaMix mixers.

Country Curtains (Stockbridge, MA): Dress up the living room with a great assortment of USA-made muslin, lace, sheers, and more.

Crate and Barrel Furniture : You can’t deny the classic design of Crate and Barrel furniture. Contemporary wood, metal and glass furniture, pillows, mirrors, framed prints and more. Type in keyword “USA”.

Harden Furniture (McConnellsville, NY): Family-owned since 1844, this manufacturer crafts hardwood and upholstered furniture using American-grown lumber from their own sustainable forest plots.

Hubbardton Forge Lighting (Castleton, VT): Hand-forged floor and table lamps, chandeliers, and ceiling lighting fixtures, available from Light N Leisure.com .

Jiffy Steamer (Union City, TN): travel, home, and professional steamers for removing wrinkles from clothing, draperies, and tableclothes.

Kenmore-brand appliances :Some models are made in the USA and are available from Sears and KMart.

Mantel Shelves of Lapeer (Lapeer, MI): Wooden mantels and shelves in a variety of sizes and finishes, as well as custom orders. Crafted from hardwoods milled in Lapeer, Michigan.

Norwalk Furniture (Norwalk, OH): Upholstered furniture — the majority is made here with U.S. and imported materials. Manufacturing facilities in Norwalk, OH; Cookeville, TN; Valdese, NC; and Fulton, MS.

Oak Barn Furniture: A collection of Amish-made solid wooden furniture for every room. The site features Mission and Shaker styles in oak, cherry, and maple, made in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

Oreck Vacuums: Oreck manufactures upright and cannister vacuums manufactured in Long Beach, MS. (Some other products are imported.)

OxiBrands: (800) 745-5186. OxiBrands in Livonia, MI makes products for the interior and exterior of your home that are environmentally safe. The O-2 Algae and Mold System uses a two-part process to remove mold and mildew and provide years of protection. OxiWood Cleaner and Brightener restores graying wood on decks, fences and other wood surfaces. The OxiOut Emergency Stain Stick is great for getting out food and coffee stains on clothes.

Peterboro Basket Co. (Peterborough, NH): Hand-woven baskets for serving, saving, organizing, laundry and more.

PYREX Glassware (Charleroi, PA): All PYREX glassware is made in USA, including the new Grip-Rite line with silicone strip to keep the glass from sliding on countertops. Heat-resistant glass that goes from oven or microwave to table to dishwasher. (Plastic covers and metal bakeware imported.)

KitchenAid makes Stand Mixers and Blenders at its Greenville, OH facility. Coffee grinders made in India and assembled in Greenville. Other products imported. (Use keyword “KitchenAid USA” in the Chef’s Catalog.)

Rainbow Vacuum Cleaners (Cadillac, MI): vacuum cleaners that use a water filtration reservoir to trap dust, dirt, and allergens.

Ridgeway Clock Co. (Zeeland, MI): American-made Grandfather clocks. Shop by brand at TheFurniture.com.

RugsUSA (GA): Braided ,contemporary, and Persian style rugs by Colonial Mills, Shaw Rug and Mohawk Industries. (Use keyword “USA”.)

Shop-Vac (Williamsport, PA): Upright and portable wet/dry vacuum cleaners for industrial, commercial or home use. Available from many home improvement stores.

Sloan Flushmate (800) 533-3460: The pressure-assisted technology developed by this New Hudson company helps toilets save water with every flush.

Squeak-Ender (800) 854-3577. If you have a squeaky floor, Squeak-Ender from E&E Engineering, a Warren, Michigan company, can be a solution. These are little jack-like attachments that draw the subfloor against the floor joist, eliminating the squeak. Duh. SQUEAK-ENDER.

Stacks and Stacks HomeWares : Kitchen, laundry, and drawer organizers, as well as sports racks (Use keyword “made USA”).

Sub-Zero Freezer Co. (Madison, WI): Sub-Zero brand built-in and undercounter refrigeration, Wolf gas/electric dual fuel ranges and more.

Sur La Table : Broad selection of culinary items, including utensils, bowls, Lodge and Nordicware, and wooden cutting tables (use keyword “made USA”).

Whirlpool Corp.: manufacturing facilities in U.S., making clothes washers (Clyde, OH), topmount refrigerators (Evansville, IN), dishwashers (Findlay, OH), side-by-side refrigerators, counter-depth refrigerators, trash compactors, ice makers (Fort Smith, AR), built-in ranges, cooktop ranges, built-in microwaves, warming drawers, freestanding ranges (Tulsa, OK).

Quizzle on Groundhogs & Buying American for Your Home was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

Found out about your great site from another great site, ClarkHoward.com. Your free report has made my day in this gloomy economy. I found out how good a shape I’m in. What an ego booster.

Thanks so very much to all the wonderful people that make up Quizzle.com.

Love, (okay he didn’t write that, we’re paraphrasing!)

Bernard S.

_____________________

I think this is a great online tool to access where an individual is financially. It’s so easy and simple to get started. I love this.

XOXO, (okay, us again!)

Mika S

____________________

This is excellent. It is wonderful to have something like this available to me. Thank you very much for providing the opportunity to use it.

Yours Always, (obviously our interpretation)

Sharon B

If you have some love to share or even something you’d like to suggest (anything!), just give us a holler: blog@quizzle.com. Or maybe you tweet? Follow us on Twitter – we’re @Quizzle. Have a Quizzlating weekend!

Quizzle Love Letters was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

So, here is a very cool freebie from TV Queen Oprah and her favorite finance expert, Suze Orman. From now until Thursday (January 15), you can download Suze’s new book, the “2009 Action Plan,” for free! It’s  over 200 pages and goes over everything from credit to real estate to 401k to saving for college.  Pretty awesome!

But you do have to hurry – it won’t be available after Thursday. So get over to Oprah.com and download it! Heck, with your free credit report in Quizzle and Suze’s advice, you can totally get yourself on the right financial path in 2009!

Quizzle Tip: Download Suze Orman’s “2009 Action Plan” Free at Oprah.com! was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

If you’re not sure where to start, Quizzle has you covered. Take a deep breath and we’ll make this as simple as possible. We’ll assess, act & automate. I’ll be your financial fitness trainer.

1. Assess.  Oh hey, Quizzle fits beautifully in here, doesn’t it?

Free credit report comparing all your debts, rainy day funds, budget tool…yes, we need all that. Clear your dining room table; pull out all your bills.  Pinpoint all your “problem areas.” Are there just nagging issues there that you’ve been meaning to do something about, just “haven’t had the time”? Time is money – and you’re wasting it.

2. Act. Let’s do something about those issues, yes?

If you have credit card debt, ask yourself why. That list on your credit card statement….was each one of those card swipes necessary? If they were, consider consolidating. Call your current credit card company and tell them you want a lower rate. You’d be surprised what you can get by just asking. If they won’t budge, find a 0% introductory offer somewhere else and start shedding the wallet weight.

Mortgage an issue? Like I’ve said before, you’d be nuts to not consider refinancing right now. If you haven’t talked to a banker yet….well, let’s just say I’m going to make you run an extra lap for that one. Do it. Mortgage rates are at 37-year lows. It does not hurt to check and it could potentially save you hundreds of dollars.

What else? You probably know a thousand ways to save a little cash, don’t you? You just might not do them yet. You might not need to cut coupons (hey, everybody is doing that, too), but how often are you buying lunch on the fly? A little planning ahead in this department can not only save you some dough, but you could enjoy healthier cooking and eating with your family.

Need motivation? Check out more than 25 Ways to Save from the Frugal for Life blog. Easy stuff. These are like the push-ups…we all know how to do a push-up and we know they’ll put us in better shape, but how often are you nose-to-ground? Drop and give me 20!

3.Automate Ah yes. Back to cruise control, but now we’re traveling at a safe speed.

Here you are at Quizzle, so I know you have the Internet. No hiding. Is your internet/cable/gas/electric/rent/mortgage/insurance payment automatically deducted? No? Well, come on – nearly all service providers allow automatic deductions from your bank account. Sign up! Not only will you never have to suffer a late payment (Ouch! Credit! Ouch!), but your life could become significantly less stressful. No hunting for stamps (ooh! Saved $.42!) and no midnight “Did I pay that?!?” panics.

What about the money you get to keep? Is your paycheck direct deposited? Are you contributing to a retirement fund? What about overdraft protection on your checking account? Ask your bank about linking your checking and savings so you never have to pay an overdraft fee again. It’s your money and no one is going to do this stuff for you. Driving by the gym does not equal pounds lost, right?

As you can see, the key here is automating. Once you begin to automate, you’ll have much less to worry about. And really, with these lovely online inventions like Quizzle or Quicken Online that are totally FREE, you have no excuses. We all know technology is a great thing – start utilizing it for your finances and you’ll be surprised how much easier your life can be. If you follow these easy rules, the only pounds you should gain are a few extra in your wallet.

New Year Resolution #1: Financial Fitness in 2009 was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!

In an aggressive move, they lowered another .75 percent, targeting a new Fed funds rate between 0 – .25%. This is the lowest Fed rate on record (I looked).

The following is an official press release from the Fed regarding its decision today, and a translation (for the rest of us) of all the financial jargon by Bob Walters, (who is EVEN SMARTER than me – GASP!) Chief Economist for Quicken Loans:

Release Date: December 16, 2008

For immediate release

Now

The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to establish a target range for the federal funds rate of 0 to 1/4 percent.

This is a new one.  Usually the Fed (that group of bankers that determine what short term rates will be) establishes a specific target rate.  This time they have established a target RANGE.  Fancy… it is quite extraordinary that they have taken short term rates effectively to 0%.

Since the Committee’s last meeting, labor market conditions have deteriorated, and the available data indicate that consumer spending, business investment, and industrial production have declined.  Financial markets remain quite strained and credit conditions tight.  Overall, the outlook for economic activity has weakened further.

In the last 6 weeks or so, lots of people got laid off, and both people and businesses are spending less dough.  Banks are tightening lending guidelines  And the economy is in a general uphill battle.

Meanwhile, inflationary pressures have diminished appreciably. In light of the declines in the prices of energy and other commodities and the weaker prospects for economic activity, the Committee expects inflation to moderate further in coming quarters.

Prices of stuff is falling.  Given that gasoline and oil prices, food and other raw material prices are falling, and given that the economy is likely to continue to be struggle, the Fed thinks the price of stuff will continue to be low for months to come.

The Federal Reserve will employ all available tools to promote the resumption of sustainable economic growth and to preserve price stability.  In particular, the Committee anticipates that weak economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels of the federal funds rate for some time.

The Fed is throwing the kitchen sink, the dishwasher and the Ginsu knives at the problem.  They have taken short term rates to 0% and they are spending money to fix things as if they could just print it on paper (oh…  they can…)  Given the economy’s struggles – the Fed believes that short term rates are going to stay low for quite a while.

The focus of the Committee’s policy going forward will be to support the functioning of financial markets and stimulate the economy through open market operations and other measures that sustain the size of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet at a high level.  As previously announced, over the next few quarters the Federal Reserve will purchase large quantities of agency debt and mortgage-backed securities to provide support to the mortgage and housing markets, and it stands ready to expand its purchases of agency debt and mortgage-backed securities as conditions warrant.  The Committee is also evaluating the potential benefits of purchasing longer-term Treasury securities.  Early next year, the Federal Reserve will also implement the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility to facilitate the extension of credit to households and small businesses.  The Federal Reserve will continue to consider ways of using its balance sheet to further support credit markets and economic activity.

This paragraph basically says that the Fed is going to spend A LOT of money buying bonds from Fannie and Freddie and buying mortgages to help out the mortgage market (hooray!) Beginning next year, the Fed will use the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility to help in extending credit to small businesses and others.  In other words – since the banks in America have tightened lending – Uncle Sam is going to help!

Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Christine M. Cumming; Elizabeth A. Duke; Richard W. Fisher; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Sandra Pianalto; Charles I. Plosser; Gary H. Stern; and Kevin M. Warsh.

All the smarty-pants agreed.

Kelly’s Nerdy Notes: If you’re reading this and haven’t considered talking to a mortgage expert about refinancing, you may want to check your pulse. 30-year fixed rates are hovering in the low 4-5% range right now and for mortgage nerds like me, well, that’s kind of like having a party in my number-crunching head.

My strongest suggestion is not to wait. This kind of history is usually short-lived. All homeowners should take 15 minutes to make absolutely sure they’re in the right mortgage. This is, for lack of better nerdy words, a truly historic time in the world’s economy. And ….lucky you, your friends at Quizzle and Quicken Loans are ready to help.

Questions? I love e-mails! KLaVaute@Quizzle.com

Fed Targets Rate Near 0%; FOMC Statement Translated was originally featured on Quizzle Wire

Quizzle.com is the easiest way to get a complete understanding of your credit. Visit Quizzle.com to get your free credit report and score. No credit card or social security number necessary!