Archive for July, 2008

Bad News For Women: Need to Save More

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Grocery shopping
Creative Commons License photo credit: ralphbijker

Women are facing a financial problem. They generally earn less and start saving later, but they live longer than men: so how will they have enough money to fund their retirement? (more…)

Quick Overview of SEP-IRAs

Happy Retirement, Bunny
Creative Commons License photo credit: Manchester Library

Self-employed people are often a bit bamboozled over the whole IRA idea, but it’s not as hard as it sounds: the best way is to set up what’s known as a SEP-IRA, which stands for Simplified Employee Pension. Daniel Sorid recently wrote an overview which made the SEP-IRA process clear. (more…)

5 Recommendations to Build Your Personal Finance Library

beinecke
Creative Commons License photo credit: paul goyette

Scouring the internet is a great way to acquire knowledge, but there are few things better than a comprehensive book, written by an expert. That’s why, if you’re trying to build your personal finance library, it’s best to start with the basics. The following books pour are like a personable, accessible course in Personal Finance 101, giving you a solid base on which to grow your knowledge. (more…)

Move Your Life Online to Save Money

flickr time
Creative Commons License photo credit: Ordinary Guy

The internet isn’t just an easy way to do a lot of things these days - it can also often be a cheaper way. That makes sense because companies operating over the internet have lower overheads and can provide their services and products to customers more cheaply - so why not take advantage of it. (more…)

Money Mag Tests Fuel-Efficient Cars

080705 boothbay-2
Creative Commons License photo credit: Dan4th

We recently looked at the most economical used cars to buy as gas prices rise; now Money magazine has done a test on four fuel-efficient vehicles that you can buy new, figuring out which one is the most economical overall. Four cars were tested: the Ford Focus, the Smart for Two, the Volkswagen Jetta and the Toyota Prius. And the results turned out like this: (more…)

Seeing the Signs of a Housing Rebound

Sunset on a Mansion
Creative Commons License photo credit: >Kirill

Real estate prices across the United States have been hit really hard in recent times, but in some areas things are really starting to turn around. You have to keep a good eye on your local area to see when housing prices are starting to rebound, especially if you’re considering selling or buying. Money Magazine put out a list of signs that the housing market in your area is rebounding, so take a look at these indicators to figure out what’s happening to real estate around you: (more…)

Is It Time to Tap Into U.S. Oil Reserves?

Week 6 005
Creative Commons License photo credit: four4dots

The cost of gas seems to know no ceiling, and many Americans are feeling the pressure. Commuting comes at a premium, public transportation is gaining in popularity, and costs of all goods are on the rises. These factors leave many wondering if it’s time to tap into U.S. oil reserves. (more…)

Choosing Between a Lump Sum and a Monthly Pension

$5700
Creative Commons License photo credit: AMagill

Only 30 million Americans are lucky enough to be covered by a traditional pension plan, and if you’re one of them, you’ve probably wondered whether taking a lump-sum payment would be better than your monthly pension check. Though it may seem complicated, when you take the facts into consideration, the answer is clear: (more…)

Don’t Let Your Air Conditioner Make You Broke

Air
Creative Commons License photo credit: Jan Tik

When the summer heat hits and you just want to cool the house down, the electricity bill that comes with the air conditioning use can be crippling. But there are many ways to keep this bill as low as possible this summer: (more…)

Financial Impact of Giving Up Work for Children

Children, full of happiness
Creative Commons License photo credit: HAMED MASOUMI

Many new mothers dream of being able to give up work completely and devote their full attention to bringing up their children, especially in their pre-school years. However, as Girls Just Wanna Have Funds points out, many women are not completely aware of what a financial risk this step could be. (more…)