Personal Finance Blog - Spreading Financial Independence. Guest Bloggers Are Welcome

Guest Bloggers Are Welcome

6 Critical Benefits of Preparing Your Own Personal Budget

By: Art Of Saving Personal Finance Views: 2568 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

The role of a personal budget is to help you manage your finances and eventually become debt free. This is the dream of us all, isn't it? Most people shy away from doing the budget thing, but it is the best, most trusted and proven method for getting your finances in order. You can have your own budget completed within a couple of hours. Ready to begin? Let's go.Benefit #1. More

The Fastest Way to Pay Off Debt

By: Kristine A. McKinley, CFP, CPA Personal Finance Views: 2165 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

There's some debate among financial planners as to the best way to pay down debt. The basic steps in this method include:1. List all debts in order from the highest interest rate to the lowest interest rate. 2. Commit to paying the minimum payment on every debt. 3. Determine how much extra can be applied to the highest interest rate debt. 4. 5. 6. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. More

Making A Credit Card Work For You

By: Art Of Saving Banking Views: 3089 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Boosting Your Credit-Rating With A Well-Managed Credit Card A considerable obstacle standing between many Americans and the consumer goods they consider a necessary or desirable part of life is a ready way to pay for them. From a new piece of furniture to a car or even a house an age old problem stands in their way: MONEY – or rather how to get hold of it. More

Test Your Personal Finances Iq With This Quick Quiz

By: Art Of Saving Personal Finance Views: 2527 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Managing your spending habits, saving sufficient funds and clearly seeing your personal financial situation are important elements in managing your personal finances correctly. This test will give you an idea whether you need some more help, or if you're on top of this important part of your life. (The answers are listed at the end of this article.)Question #1. Question #3. More

The Advantages of a Store Card

By: Art Of Saving Banking Views: 2510 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

If your credit history is good, then you may stand to gain some benefits using a store card. Initially, you may be tempted to accept a store card because you might be given some discount on your purchases, usually, 10%. If you pay off your outstanding every month, regularly, then you may get other benefits in the form of discounts or first previews of new merchandise. More

Knee Deep in Debt

By: Academix Personal Finance Views: 4306 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Having trouble paying your bills? Getting dunning notices from creditors? Are your accounts being turned over to debt collectors? Are you worried about losing your home or your car?You’re not alone. Many people face a financial crisis some time in their lives. Whether the crisis is caused by personal or family illness, the loss of a job, or overspending, it can seem overwhelming. More

How To Overcome Debt

By: Frugal World Personal Finance Views: 4049 | Comments: 1 | Votes: 0

I was reading a startling article a few days ago that for the first time since 1933, the U.S. savings rate hit the lowest level. This is scary!We spend more money than we make, and we are accumulating debt at an alarming pace. But we have to understand that we will not be truly free until we are debt-free. I think the main problem is a lack of financial education. More

Millionaire in the Making

By: Amanda Gleason Personal Finance Views: 4020 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

love the CNN Money section's series "Millionaires in the Making". She's got all kinds of savings and brokerage accounts, however, what interested me most about her was her lifestyle. Jeanette's friends call her "commitment to finances" bordering on "obsession". She brings her lunch (I am a huge fan of bag lunches. More

The Dark Side of Prepaid Credit Cards

By: WiseSaver Banking Views: 3224 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

Prepaid credit cards are becoming increasingly popular. The problem is that greedy financial scoundrels have noticed this popularity increase and are trying to get in on the action. If you're considering getting one or two prepaid credit cards, there are a few things you need to know.1. The Good, The Bad and The UglyLike most financial tools, not all prepaid credit cards are equal. More

Your Money Really Matters, The Lost Art of Saving Money

By: Michael G. Shinn, CFP Personal Finance Views: 2359 | Comments: 0 | Votes: 0

The Lost Art of Saving Money Saving money is nearly a lost art in America. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the national household savings rate has fallen from 10.8 percent in 1984 to a negative 0.5 percent in 2005. Over the past 20 years, not only are households saving less, but we have finally reached the point where we are spending more money than we are making. (Michael G. More