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Rent versus Buying in this market

By: Art Of Saving Home Loans Views: 1860 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Art Of Saving

Rent versus Buying in this market: Nearly a full third of households are still renting...but if you are one of them, you could be paying a hefty price. Is there a "bubble"? The simple answer is "no". Even if interest rates move a bit higher, it won't be enough to cause a nationwide slide in home prices. The key to a healthy housing market is the job market. But is it too late? More

Life Insurance For Estate Planning

By: WiseSaver Estate Planning Views: 6129 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

WiseSaver

There are many reasons to put together an estate. One of the main reasons for those who already have grown children is to ensure that their assets are divided and distributed equally among all the heirs. This is not wise. If you list your estate as the beneficiary, then the proceeds of your life insurance policy will first have to go through probate. This could make your estate taxable. More

Ways to Lower My Bills

By: Peter Suhai Personal Finance Views: 13349 | Comments: 1 | Votes: 1

Peter Suhai

In order to reduce expenses and save money, it is vital to know where your money is spent. That is why the best way to lower bills is to create a budget and stick to it. Creating a Budget: The first step toward taking control of your financial situation is to do a realistic assessment of how much money you take in and how much money you spend. More

What Do I Do with my Tax Refund?

By: Jill Cooper Tax Planning Views: 2198 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Jill Cooper

It's that time of year when all that "free" money starts rolling in. I'm talking about the bonus money, you know -- the fun money (otherwise known as our tax refund)! We are going to do so much with it and it seems to have such amazing powers. I mean a $1000 tax return can buy a car, furniture, big screen TV, or a family vacation all in one fell swoop. It is not mad money. More

Tips for saving on your car insurance

By: Academix Insurance Views: 4138 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Academix

Recently I received an invoice from my car insurance company requesting a payment. At that time I realized that it was over 4 years since I requested current rate information. I started wondering if they have better rates now or whether some other company offers better pricing. The next step took some time. Good luck! More

Credit reports and FICO scores

By: Peter Suhai Banking Views: 5028 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Peter Suhai

Knowing your FICO score can help you save money on a car or home loan. The first step is to know what is in your credit report. You can obtain this information free by going to http://www.AnnualCreditReport.com. You are entitled to a free credit report from each of the three national credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) once every 12 months. More

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Credit

By: Yolanda Trimble Tax Planning Views: 2184 | Comments: 3 | Votes: 0

Yolanda Trimble

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 replaced the clean-fuel burning deduction with a tax credit. A tax credit is subtracted directly from the total amount of federal tax owed, thus reducing or even eliminating the taxpayer’s tax obligation. The tax credit for hybrid vehicles applies to vehicles purchased or placed in service on or after January 1, 2006. More

Turn Personal Expenses Into Business Deductions

By: Thomas Norton, CPA Tax Planning Views: 2594 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Thomas Norton, CPA

Most small business owners have heard that they're supposed to get special tax breaks. The problem is, they don't know what they are or how to go about claiming them. Not surprisingly, the IRS doesn't go out of its way to spell it out for you when you go to file your income taxes! There is a general rule in tax law that says all "ordinary and necessary" business expenses are deductible. More

Age limit for "kiddie tax" to go up again

By: Steven Leibold, EA Tax Planning Views: 16662 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Steven Leibold, EA

Do your children have savings accounts or other investments held in their own name? If so, the tax on those investments could change. That's because recent tax legislation will expand the "kiddie tax" to cover children up to age 19 starting in 2008. For full-time students, the age limit will be even higher - up to age 24. Prior to 2006, the kiddie tax applied up to age 14. Steven C. More

Home Equity Line of Credit

By: Art Of Saving Home Loans Views: 3289 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Art Of Saving

A home equity line of credit means a homeowner can use his home as collateral for a loan. In other words, your home can be a source of credit to pay for education, purchase of a car, retirement plans or improvement of home. The bank or the institution will provide you the detailed information as to how you can make use of HELOC. Interest rates are subject to change now and then. More