Back in 1999, when I returned to the family business with my dad and sister, our business was not incorporated. The Internet was a budding phenomenon at the time, so I offered to take responsibility for using it to find out how to incorporate our business. I found a site that provided the steps to [...]
Don’t you love vacation time? Well, you’re not the only one getting a vacation. Some states are giving their taxes a vacation, too. Sounds preposterous? Not at all! Everyone’s always complaining about sales taxes. So some states offer a brief vacation from sales taxes on certain purchases each summer. Does your state offer one? 17 [...]
While Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke continues to insist that the American economy is on the road to recovery, however slowly, a multitude of other experts have begun sounding the horn, fearing an imminent double dip recession. For many American families struggling with high unemployment, skyrocketing prices on staples such as food and fuel, while [...]
How to Throw a Block Party on a Budget on the Ilyce Glink Show August 21, 2011: Summer is almost over, but before Labor Day approaches and the kids are all back in school, there is still time to squeeze in a lower cost neighborhood celebration. Guests and callers contribute their tips, suggestions and stories [...]
At least once during the summer, we throw a block party. Rain or shine, it's always a great time. Do you know how to throw a block party? Here are some ideas on how to organize a great block party without going broke. Print up invitations on colored paper. You want it to stand out [...]
Q: In one of your recent articles, you addressed the point of making one extra mortgage payment a year to reduce the term of a mortgage. Your response states that doing this will reduce the term of a 30-year mortgage by 12 years which is incorrect. It’s closer to 5 years; term will be reduced [...]
We’re stressed, relatively pessimistic, and unsure about where the economy going into a Presidential election year. Those are the unsurprising findings from the CredAbility Q2 Consumer Distress Index this week. The latest data reflects an average score of 69.20 on the index’s 100-point scale. Given that any number below 70 indicates financial distress, it is [...]
Q: We refinanced and took money out of our home in 2005 with a Texas home equity loan at 7.5 percent. Whenever I ask about refinancing with any one of numerous mortgage companies, I am told that any refinance would have to be a Texas home equity loan and the interest rate would be higher [...]
Q: I read your article my local paper titled “Mortgage Modification is Stymied” and I, too, am appalled at the treatment many borrowers receive in the modification process. Most of the large lenders simply have not staffed their servicing departments with enough knowledgeable people to handle the overwhelming volume of requests coming in. I think [...]
Once every three years, UBS Wealth Management Research publishes its Prices and Earnings study. The 2009 report has recently been updated, surveying prices and wages in 73 of the world's major metropolitan outlets. Because of persistent global economic fluctuations that have become a byproduct of the Great Recession, the study's data reflects new [...]
