3 Tips To Reduce Your Home Heating Expenses

January 12th, 2012 Saving Money Comments

The cost of energy has soared over the past ten years and it looks like it’s going to continue in that way. However it is still possible to make savings on your domestic heating bill if you follow these 3 tips.

  1. If you have any rooms in your home that you rarely, or never use, make sure the heating vents in those rooms are shut down. What is the point in wasting money heating rooms that you don’t use on a regular basis.
  2. Take advantage of the sun. This is free energy you can use to heat up your home. Make sure all your drapes and shades are open during the day. Close them all up again in the evening to keep the heat in.
  3. If you have fireplaces you are not using make sure the dampers are closed. When the damper is shut check it to make sure cold air is not still seeping in. When you are using the fireplace make sure any other heat in your home is reduced or turned off.
Read More »

Who Uses Your Credit Score And Why?

December 14th, 2011 Credit Score Comments

Your credit score is a very important bit of information that tells a lot about you. A credit score tells lenders about the likelihood that you will pay them back on time. But it is also used by employers, insurance companies, government, and landlords. Here is a summary of how and why each of these entities uses your credit score.

Lenders

Of course the most obvious user of your credit score is the person trying to make a decision as to whether or not to approve your loan application. If you are turned down for a loan, make sure to ask the lender what your credit score was. Credit scores are more readily available to lenders than they are consumers.

Read More »

3 Tips To Save Money On Gas

November 20th, 2011 Saving Money Comments

As we all know, the price of gas is constantly on the rise and every time we fill the tank it seems to cost us more than the time before. The three tips outlined below surely won’t drop the price of gas but if you put them to use they will certainly help you to make a tank of gas last longer and will reduce your regular trips to the gas station.

  1. First and most important, make sure that your car engine is tuned up and that your air filter is clean. Also that your tires are properly inflated (see manufacturers recommendations)
  2. When driving your car, try to avoid making quick starts or stops. Doing all this will mean that your car burns less fuel. This is why freeway driving wastes less gas than street driving. Try accelerating slowly from red lights and coasting toward red lights to save fuel.
  3. Consider forming a carpool. If you go to school or work ask around if anybody wants to form a carpool. You’ll all save money in the process. Get together with them and share the driving and fuel costs.
  4. Find cheaper gas. Use a mobile app on your smartphone to locate the cheapest gas stations in your area. Sites like gasbuddy.com also allow you to do this from home.
Read More »

Is There A Financial Window For Divorce?

November 11th, 2011 Debt Solutions Comments

Divorce is not easy. The right time for divorce is a difficult thing to decide on. However, there are times in a marriage when both family and financial considerations make that choice easier.

Couples without children who choose to divorce have fewer complications than couples with minor children. Younger children involve more immediate care issues, while older children often cause the divorcing parents to think about their future. Childless couples can choose to divorce when one or both parties in the marriage believe the situation has deteriorated beyond repair. However, the financial ramifications of divorce can negatively impact on both parties of the childless marriage.

Read More »

Debt Concerns At Different Life Stages

October 28th, 2011 Debt Solutions Comments

For most consumers, debt isn’t good or bad; it’s just the way of things. And while it’s true that change is part of many areas of life, how debt is handled isn’t one of them. What is required for a college student to manage their finances is the same for a retiree.

But what does change, are the life situations that will need your attention. Levels of income typically rise over time, while important milestones require a larger percentage of those funds – family, mortgage, retirement investments, etc. So for each life stage, specific financial goals need to be set with the primary objective of meeting or exceeding them.

Read More »

Steps To Avoid Foreclosure

October 19th, 2011 Debt Solutions Comments

An unfortunate effect of the recession is that more Americans than ever are facing the possibility of foreclosure as arrears have built up due to cashflow problems. However, while this is a serious state of affairs, there are some steps which can be taken to try and avoid losing your property.

The biggest mistake that most homeowners in financial difficulties make is hiding from their lender. Avoiding telephone calls and not answering mail is not an effective strategy to dealing with mortgage arrears, yet many people think the longer they can get away without talking to their lender, the problem might resolve itself.

Read More »
« Older Entries