“The best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray.” True dat, Robert Burns. True dat. I don’t know anything about Mr. Burns, the poet who penned those wise words, but I suspect he must have had children. If all had gone according to plan I would have finished this half of the “Relapse Recovery” column weeks ago and the holiday shopping tips I was going to share would still have relevance for most of...
Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. While some people re in position to make a “cash deal,” most rely on a mortgage to get into the home of their dreams.Choosing a mortgage lender is not something you should do on a whim. With so many options, it is enticing to seek out the lender with the lowest rate, complete an application, and hope for the best. After all, you...
Are you in the process of comparing local banks, hoping to find the one that is right for you? If so, you know you have many options – this is particularly true if you live in or around a large city.While it is easy to believe that all banks are the same, for the most part, nothing could be further from the truth. Your job is to compare your options, focusing on the pros and cons,...
With 2013 coming to an end, now is the time to review your budget for the new year. Are there any changes you can make to keep more money in your pocket? Rather than focus on the general theme of saving, you should dig deeper to find specific ways to improve your financial situation.Do you get the feeling you are spending too much money every month on cable service? If so, you are in the same...
"Deals" are everywhere you turn during the holiday season. Retailers are just as eager to make a dollar as consumers are to save a dollar. Some offer seemingly extraordinary discounts while others lure you with special financing deals, especially with higher-priced items. “Pay no interest until 2015,” one might read. Another may offer “0% for 18 months.” While you may see more of these offers during peak shopping seasons, like the winter holidays, many retailers offer...
To some, the idea of being self employed is just about as good as it gets. These people are tired of reporting to others and are looking for freedom within their career. While the benefits of self employment run deep, you don’t want to move forward just yet. Instead, it is important to realize what you are getting yourself into before taking the leap.If you are unsure of whether self employment is right for you, answering...
Before going on a shopping trip, one of the first things you do (or should do) is figure out how much money you’re able to spend. You check your current account balance, consider what bills and income you have coming in the next few weeks, then decide what you can safely spend. If you haven’t been following that (or a similar) plan when you shopped in the past, keep those steps in mind for your future...
Are you a college student? Have you come to the realization that you need a job? If you answered yes to both these questions, you are in the same position as many others at your school (as well as other institutions throughout the country).On one side of things, you understand the importance of finding a job as soon as possible. On the other side of the equation, you are likely concerned about the search process and...
With the new year around the bend, there is no better time than now to take a strong look at what 2014 will bring to your business. For many, this means a focus on finances.Has your business gone without the use of a credit card in the past? If so, you may want to change your approach in the new year.Applying for a small business credit card may be one of the best moves you ever...
We can get so bogged down by the demands of our daily lives that we forget about the future, about planning for it and taking steps to make sure we’re securing the future we desire. Sometimes daily life can be so demanding that we forget to even think about the future, much less plan and actively work for it. It can be hard to focus on what we want for our lives decades from now, especially...
