WiseBread.com recently released a list of the top 165 personal finance web sites.  WiseBread used traffic, incoming blog links, RSS subscribers, link authority, and Compete scores to determine the rankings.  The chart is also updated on daily basis so you can actually re-visit the chart each day and see different sites move up and down in the rankings. Personal finance […]

Here’s a quick look at some of the tax breaks the new stimulus plan authorizes (for a more detailed look see the Wall Street Journal): 1. Making Work Pay tax credit.  An eligible worker would get 6.2% of earned income up to a max credit of $400 (for two income earners it’s $800).  What this means is that workers would see […]

The Wall Street Journal’s Personal Finance blog, “The Wallet” recently posted an article on how to save money on rent.  The article also offers a free template on how to approach your landlord about reducing your rent, which goes to show that you can haggle about anything, even in one of the most expensive cities on Earth (thank to Rich […]

A SayEducate.com article recently suggested given that the current state of the economy will mostly likely worsen, homeowners should think about opening up a home equity line of credit.  The suggestion includes the following arguments: 1. If you are currently employed, a home equity line of credit will be more easily secured versus when you are out of work.  And if […]

I’m a big fan of doing it yourself.  However, I will always hire a pro when: 1. The project is important.  For example, I would never aim to re-wire my electrical system, run a new gas line, or put in a new roof because I lack the appropriate skill set. And even if I was able to learn the skill in record […]

The Wall Street Journal’s Karen Blumenthal has a highly relevant article on “Bill Creep” that is a must read.  Bill Creep is associated with auto renewing services that are purchased ala carte, such as adding cell phones to a plan, moving to a data plan for a Smartphone, premium channel upgrade to a cable subscription, increasing your Netflix subscription from […]

Kiplinger’s magazine ran an excellent piece in their February issue on how to cope with financial stress.  The article highlighted six key tactics to deal with a shrinking portfolio: 1. Everything passes.  Financial goings-on are cyclical, like most life events, so just wait out the negative cycles. 2. Exercise.  Working out can help with any type of stress. 3. Know […]

Most Americans aspire to owning a one-family home with a nice backyard and a white picket fence.  They imagine their kids riding their big wheel up and down the driveway and family barbecues on their back deck.  At face value, there is nothing wrong with owning a one family home, afterall, a home without tenants or extra maintenance comes without […]

They say that money can’t buy happiness and I certainly agree.  However, did you ever stop to think about what money can, indeed, buy? Here is a list of ten things that money can help you buy: 1.  Money can buy peace of mind.  Do you have trouble sleeping at night because you are worried about bills or your current […]

Now more than ever the idea of an emergency cash fund is critical.  Many personal finance gurus recommend that individuals and/or families put aside at least 3 months of living expenses in a conservative vehicle (such as a CD, money market fund, or traditional savings account).   Living expenses include: mortgage, taxes, utilities, food, gas, and car payments.   An emergency […]