For many pet owners, pets are family members deserving of the best care—especially when it comes to their health. That’s why many people consider purchasing an insurance policy in the hopes of saving money on their pets’ health care. According to a survey of pet owners by the American Pet Products Association, pet owners in [...]
Consumers can now get their FICO Credit Score for free. With a free FICO credit score, consumers can better understand their credit report and credit history. By making the credit score free, borrowers can see how their credit score will affect how much they can borrow as well as how to manage their finances and [...]
Are you paying too much for your auto or homeowners insurance? How about your other insurance policies? TV is full of commercials telling you that you can find great discounts on insurance by shopping for insurance online —and you do tend to save money, says Loretta Worters, vice president of communications for the Insurance Information [...]
As a parent, figuring out how to save for college can be a daunting task—especially when you consider the rising cost of higher education. According to the College Board, a non-profit organization that helps students prepare for college, the average cost of a private college rose to $30,094 this year, while the cost of a [...]
The house next door to me just sold for $369,000. The owners bought it in the 1970s and paid $27,000. After all costs and fees, their profit will be over $300,000. That’s good for them—but what about for you? Is buying a home the right move? The real estate market is still good for buyers [...]
Glinkonomics (Ilyce's take on what's going on in the economy this week), Ilyce discusses whether FHA loans are a bad deal due to mortgage insurance costs. If you need a mortgage and can’t afford a 20 percent down payment, are FHA loans a bad idea? Recently, the Federal Housing Administration’s mortgage insurance has skyrocketed, making [...]
When you’re in a committed relationship, you and your significant other may consider opening a joint account in order to help you manage your money and household budget. Doing so can help you save money, but it can also cause big headaches. For this reason, merging bank accounts should only be done after the two of [...]
How to stick to your budget during holiday shopping. 8 tips to help you get into the spirit of the holiday season without going overboard. As you wander around the festively decorated stores with your eggnog latte in hand, it’s easy to get carried away by the season. Before you know it, your shopping cart [...]
Despite a recent upswing, today’s mortgage interest rates remain low. If you’re considering a refinance before rates edge up, it’s important to first understand your options. Refinancing your mortgage can be a good choice if you want to lower your interest rate or monthly payment, or if you need to tap into your equity in [...]
Over the years, I have regularly helped my clients with their tax audits after the IRS determined that their businesses were really hobbies. Filing taxes as a sole proprietor of a business means you can take advantage of tax deductions you may not have access to if your activity is a hobby, so it’s important [...]
