Archive for the ‘finances’ Category

The Fed and Interest Rates

Thursday, November 6th, 2008

The Fed, or the Federal Reserve Bank, is the government's bank. It is also considered the banks bank and is important to the balance of our economy. It handles all of the United States government's money and banking transactions. The Fed also governs a number of banks, setting limits on ...

How the Economy Effects Credit

Monday, October 13th, 2008

Trying to understand how the economy, the Federal Reserve, and even gas prices affect the credit card in your wallet can be difficult. However, along with other factors, they are all closely related. Most financial transactions involving banks revolve around the Federal Reserve and the interest rates they set. The Federal ...

Super Secrets for Selective Spending

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

According to a recent research study conducted by Visa USA, Americans are just NOT paying attention to where they are spending their money! There is no question that they are spending it, but things get fuzzy when they start trying to quantify where and how much cash they actually ...

6 Reasons To Pay Off Debt Sooner Rather Than Later

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

Debt (and plenty of it) is the predominant way of life for millions and millions of Americans.  Good, bad or indifferent, it is the mode of operation for most of us.  That simple fact is the primary reason why the current "credit crisis" is as severe and wide-reaching as it ...

Save It Before You See It

Thursday, April 17th, 2008

Could you benefit by saving money you don't see each month? I suspect that there are plenty of people that treat their money the way I do - whatever is left gets spent (and then some)! For people like me, figuring out a way to save money "automatically" can make ...

Instead of Foreclosure

Thursday, March 13th, 2008

There are many reasons why record numbers of homeowners are facing foreclosure.  Some got caught up in mortgages that didn't match their incomes; others got behind when interest rates adjusted upward; still others didn't know options other than foreclosure were possible when cash ran short.  Coupled with the other economic ...

10 Ways To Improve YOUR Economy

Thursday, March 6th, 2008

Unless you rush out to spend your tax rebate check as soon as it arrives, there isn't much you can do to help the U.S. economy.  We just have to hope that, eventually, the government efforts will work.  Until they do, we'll be stuck "waiting it out". While we are waiting, there may ...

Making It Through Money Emergencies

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Money emergencies are inevitable!  They occur at inconvenient times; they cause frustration and anxiety; and they are detrimental to budgets, especially tight ones.  Unfortunately, many people are unprepared to handle money emergencies without accumulating additional debt and/or risking long-term investments.   While it is impossible to stop money emergencies from happening, ...

Need Help Saving Money? Try “America Saves” Week

Monday, February 25th, 2008

Where is "saving money"on your list of financial priorities?  If it is a low or non-existent priority, you are not alone.  Millions of Americans live "paycheck to paycheck" with no financial cushion.  For the last couple of years, the personal savings rate in America has been negative.  Obviously, saving little ...

Will We Sabotage the Stimulus?

Thursday, February 21st, 2008

The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 is official.  Tax rebate checks will be on the way to millions of Americans as soon as the majority of the tax filing season is over.  While the arguing over details about who gets how much money has ended, the debate over the pros, ...