There are not many things in life more exciting than buying a home. This is particularly true if you are doing so for the first time. Of course, your excitement can soon turn into stress if you are denied a mortgage. If this happens, it may not be possible to move forward with a purchase at the present time. There are things you can do in advance to improve your chance of an approval. Here are...
Are you contemplating the idea of buying a new car? There are many reasons for feeling this way: • Your current vehicle is no longer reliable.• Your current vehicle will cost too much to repair.• Your current vehicle no longer matches your needs. Regardless of why you are considering a new car, you need to decide for or against this at some point. The longer you wait the more frustrated you will become. Below are three...
No matter how you look at it, a budget is extremely important. This keeps you on track, day in and day out, regardless of your income and expenses. While some people prefer the old fashion method of a “pencil and paper” budget, others have come to realize the benefits of creating a spreadsheet. It may take a little bit of time to setup a spreadsheet that suits your situation, but in the end it will bring...
There are still a few months left before the calendar year turns, but now is the time to look toward the future. More specifically, your career related goals for 2016. Are you interested in becoming a self employed professional in the new year? Are you finally ready to take the leap and turn a new page in your career? If so, you are also ready to take on the planning process. If you are interested in...
When it comes time to request a car insurance quote, you have one thing on your mind: finding a company that provides high quality coverage at an affordable price. While this may be your primary goal, don’t stop short of asking the many questions that may be floating around your mind. Below are five overlooked questions to ask when requesting a car insurance quote. Once you have answers to these questions, you will better understand the...
You sense something’s wrong with your finances because you never seem to have enough money. Here are a few signs the problem is that you’re not making enough money. You already broke within a few days of getting paid. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck, or worse ending up broke before payday rolls around again, you may not be making enough money. You have to dip into savings to make ends meet. That’s if you still...
There is a good chance that your car and/or home insurance agent has discussed umbrella insurance with you. While some have purchased this type of coverage, others have put it on the backburner. Before you decide for or against umbrella insurance, it is important to understand what this type of policy offers. Here are the two primary points to keep in mind: • It provides liability coverage in addition to the limits of your car and...
If you plan on working as a self-employed professional, there are tax implications to consider. Before you take this step, it is important to understand the ins and outs of self-employment tax. This means answering three questions: • What is self-employment tax?• Who is required to pay self-employment tax?• How do you pay self-employment tax? First and foremost, self-employment tax consists of Medicare and Social Security taxes. This is similar to the Medicare and Social Security...
Cooler weather may be a welcome change from the summer's heat, but it won't be long before you'll need to crank up your home's heating system. Now is the time to get prepared and check that everything is working properly so you'll be cozy at home when it turns cold outside. Maximize your heating system's efficiency. Vacuum your air vents, clean or replace your furnace filter every month, and clear debris such as leaves, dirt, and grass...
When buying a home, most people realize the importance of qualifying for a mortgage. After all, they don’t have the cash to make an outright purchase. Despite the fact that a mortgage is typically necessary, most homeowners dream of the day when this expense is out of their life. Before you get too far ahead of yourself, consider these three benefits associated with a mortgage: 1. Mortgage Interest Deduction Did you know that the interest paid...
