When it seems like everywhere you turn there is more bad news about the state of the economy, more people are becoming quite concerned about finding ways to keep their money safe. Even those who may have been big risk takers in the stock market have scaled back for fear that another dip in the stock market may cost them everything they have. With all the bank failures and bailouts that the economy has suffered in such a short period of time, it is no wonder why so many people have become so concerned. While you could always hide your money under your mattress, here are some simple tips that can help you keep your money safe no matter what the economy may throw at you. (more…)

You’ve heard of the big rebates being offered for changing out water boilers and heaters to energy efficient models, but who has a spare couple grand to spend right now, right? What you may not know is that there are plenty of small changes that you can implement to your house that are easily budgeted, that cost very little upfront and produce a great return on their investment over the course of a year. They can include changes in your daily habits, how you obtain a service, and/or simple household fixes that change your consumption habits without too much trouble. (more…)

If you’ve been hearing funny noises coming from your refrigerator, or you’re wondering how to reduce the energy consumption of your household, the federal government is going to make your life easier next year. Many states, in conjunction with a federal cash for appliances program, are offering rebates on energy efficient models of household systems like air conditioners, refrigerators, and clothes washers, and more. In addition, each state has other types of incentives, like utility and appliance discounts and rebates, that can be stacked together to provide an even bigger incentive to get rid of your old appliances now. The rebates will vary with each state, but all do require you to purchase an Energy Star model, which indicates that the appliance you are buying meets federal guidelines for energy efficiency. Even if you’re short of cash to front the payment for a new appliance, you can opt to borrow knowing that you will get that money back shortly from the program. A paycheck advance would work well if you can cover the the cost of appliance, and then repay the loan in the next paycheck cycle. This way, you don’t miss the opportunity to purchase these appliances while the rebate program is running. (more…)

With the current state of the economy, banks have become more and more stringent on who they loan money to. Only a few years ago you would have been able to qualify for a mortgage for an amount that was beyond what you could possibly afford. These mortgages usually required little to no money as a down payment, and borrowers could also qualify for no asset, no income mortgages that allowed them to purchase homes that they could realistically not afford. (more…)

If you’ve felt like you’ve been taken sometime during this recession, join the crowd. Bernie Madoff may have been a prominent scam artist that got caught, but there are bound to be hundreds more that are still out there trying to swindle money. The fact is that as times get tough, many people do try to scam other people as a way to generate income, and sometimes it can be hard to tell who the good guys or the bad guys are as greed takes a hold. For your protection, always deal with others in a business-like and professional manner to help you avoid being scammed, especially in your financial dealings where money is involved. (more…)

Times are often tough, but there many options for those who are need of money. From personal loans that are available at banks and financial institutions and pay day loans that are available online and at check cashing place in your area, you have ways to get money to pay past due bills and other financial obligations. Although bank loans have much paperwork to deal with, their interest rates are lower than any of the other options available to consumers. Payday loans are great because they are quick and easy and have very lenient credit guidelines. Once you get the money you need, you can pay off any bills and repay your loan when you can. (more…)

Congratulations and condolences to you, if you’re one of the 2009 college graduates to be entering the job market this year. You got the pig skin, that valuable diploma that tells everyone you’re worth something in today’s job market. How to capitalize on that in one of the worst job markets and make the most of your situation is the question facing many of today’s graduates. Unfortunately, they are competing with a glut of highly qualified, professional, people who recently lost their jobs and have years of experience under their belts. (more…)

Before you decide to settle your debt for less than it’s worth, realize that there are consequences to this action. It may be tempting to want to get rid of your debt overnight, but doing so can completely ruin your credit for many years. If you have an option to renegotiate the terms of the loan, or consolidating multiple loans, this might eventually be the best solution even if it adds 2 to 5 years of more debt elimination on your plate. If you choose to settle instead, that information is recorded in your credit history and it can affect your chances of getting an apartment, employment, or even financing for a home. (more…)

If you’ve taken to looking for unclaimed money you left behind in other states through missingmoney.com, you might be scraping the bottom of the barrel in ways to find extra money in your budget. Listed here are a few ways to squeeze extra money out of your budget, to fatten up your emergency fund, that might generate better results. (more…)

Visiting exotic locales and eating out at scenic restaurants make for a great family vacation, but it also can quickly add up to a budget killer. You don’t have to opt for a staycation just because funds are low, though. You can still plan family vacation ideas on a budget that help you to have fun while saving money on lodging. Here are some things to consider when you are trying to plan a budget-friendly vacation. (more…)