Used car dealers have a bit of an image problem. I’m not going to get into the stereotypes or horror stories, but let’s just say there are additional considerations when buying used cars from dealers: Check out the dealer’s reputation. Google is your friend. You can see if complaints have been filed with local consumer… Continue reading Tips for buying used cars from dealers
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How to cut car costs
The following post was excerpted from Personal Finance For Beginners In 30 Minutes, Vol. 1, by Ian Lamont. All rights reserved. Autos dominate our lives. We depend on cars for work and pleasure. We plan our cities and new homes around them. Even when we’re relaxing in front of the television, advertisements for new cars… Continue reading How to cut car costs
How to limit spending on luxuries
It may sound easy to limit spending on luxuries, especially if you are someone who doesn’t do much shopping in the first place. But if you have a shopping habit, or a family member who likes to buy luxury items such as high-end laptops or expensive clothes, it’s not so easy. Here are some tactics for… Continue reading How to limit spending on luxuries
Jordan’s credit card problem
A sobering experience for me occurred a few years ago, when I happened to see the docket at the local small-claims court. It was filled with a long list of banks that had filed suit against people who had stopped paying their credit card bills altogether. Those defendants who showed up had two options: Negotiate… Continue reading Jordan’s credit card problem
Considerations when buying your first home
So you’ve reached that stage in your life when you are considering buying your first home. Maybe you just got married, or are ready to have kids, or have enough stability in your life where it makes sense to put down roots in a particular neighborhood. Then there are the financial considerations. If done sensibly,… Continue reading Considerations when buying your first home
Do you really need cable TV?
According to the Television Bureau of Advertising, nearly 60% of U.S. households subscribe to cable television. More than 30% use alternate delivery systems, including satellite TV. If you get full-service cable TV or satellite television, ask yourself the following questions: Do you really need hundreds of channels of cable TV programming? Are you actually watching… Continue reading Do you really need cable TV?
What is a mortgage?
The following post was excerpted from Personal Finance For Beginners In 30 Minutes, Vol. 1, by Ian Lamont. All rights reserved. If you’ve purchased a house or condo, you probably had to take out a mortgage. What is a mortgage? In a nutshell, mortgages are loans from banks that help homebuyers pay the difference between the… Continue reading What is a mortgage?
Rethinking life priorities as a first step to financial planning
The following post was excerpted from Personal Finance For Beginners In 30 Minutes, Vol. 1, by Ian Lamont. All rights reserved. The first step in planning for your financial future is seeing where you stand. But don’t whip out your latest bank statement and pay stub yet. Instead, I’m going to ask you a simple… Continue reading Rethinking life priorities as a first step to financial planning
Nolo online will review: My experience
Nobody likes to plan for death. Yet it’s one of the most important things you can do while you are still healthy. Having insurance policies, legal documents, and other plans in place can make it much easier for loved ones to handle your affairs, and to ensure that your assets are passed on according to… Continue reading Nolo online will review: My experience