Sounds like a great idea but what gas stations have discount cards? Or am I just missing the point altogether? I currently have a friend that is just using a prepaid card that gets reported to the credit bureau regularly. I don't really understand how that works since it is not a credit card. We will see how it works out for her and I'll report on the progress.
Read More...
I'm more of a loosey-goosey when it comes to finances. I pay my bills but instead of saving as I should, I usually just save a small portion of the excess and spend the rest on fun things for me and the kids. I didn't have the opportunity as a child to do much so I'm very conscious about doing things with my children.
Read More...
Yes, you can use the funds from a 529 for expenses other than tuition. There is even a clause now that you can use it for a computer and internet access. Housing on campus is no problem as long as they are students at least 1/2 time and some off campus housing can qualify as well. Books, fees, etc. are all college related and funds can be used as long as the student meets the criteria.
Read More...
I am definitely in the zone of loosely budgeting. I really like to be able to have fun and treat my kids to things I didn't have. Saving is important but is it important enough to budget so tightly that you can never go out and eat or to a show? I really have a hard time with this and it shows since my savings is practically non-existent.
Read More...
Great information, Wanderer. I can see where you would need renter's insurance and liability for a situation like that. I just have one question. What is the difference in a contract for purchase and a mortgage company as the lien holder on a note? I mean you still have to provide insurance even though you don't totally own the house. Seems like there should be some way around all that. Just thinking...
Read More...
I guess you and me both, Centsiblesaver. Born to be in the poor house because my risk tolerance is just about nil. I just can't seem to bring myself to put money into something that is not guaranteed to some degree or another. Just means that I'll never be rich except in family.
Read More...
Me neither. The government has put us in its pocket and pulls us out when it needs cash. Really depressing about the SNAP benefit amounts. One single person gets around $194 per month. The Republicans want to cut that amount. I was talking to a friend in the human services industry and she said it is really low due to those old food prices. How can you expect a person to make it for a month on $194 even working if they are an uneducated wage earner?
Read More...
I totally agree with Wanderer that I do not trust the mortgage industry. I have offered ARMs myself and after I did an extensive amount of r4esearch, I turned them down as well. It all sound really good on paper but when you get into the meat of the agreement you might be screwing yourself.
Read More...
I never paid just one dollar for any of the loans (and I do mean loans plural). I always paid them off but I was put right back into a situation where I was going to be short again. I finally broke free with a bonus I got unexpectedly. Thank God and my boss for that. It could have been much worse.
Read More...
I would be petrified to invest my money in Panama, Colombia, or any of those other countries in South America. My luck is that I would get involved with some individuals that had ties to the Cartels but were using legitimate businesses to cover their dealings. That is the kind of luck I have. No investing out of the US for me.
Read More...
There are many companies that provide robo-advisors. You hear about them on television all the time. Some of the best are Charles Schwab, Vanguard, and Fidelity Go. Nerd Wallet has a whole page on the percentages and options for each plan. Gosh, did I just admit to being a nerd?
Read More...
I don't know what state you live in, but here in New Mexico, there are establishments that have what they call "title loans". You take your car to this place and they look at it and if you have a clear title to the car they will loan you money on it. Unfortunately, so states do not have limits on the amount of interest they can charge so they take advantage of people's need to have extra cash and low credit. Credit is not required for this type of loan hence the very high interest rates.
Read More...
I'm glad they are pursuing faster chips. Having to leave my card in the machine while they process my order holds me up. Sometimes the chip won't work at all. Innovations are good, however, I wonder if these innovations are leading us toward personal tattoos with our account info for a scan at the store or possibly a retinal scan? You know it's probably coming.
Read More...
I don't know the names but I have been reading about machine learning and how they are making machines that can do the jobs of financial advisors. You can join these companies online and they will help you trade correctly and from statistical data in order to make a profit.
Read More...
Thanks, Wanderer & Joker! This was some really good information. I was on that list at one time but that was many years ago when it was first opened. Now that you guys have mentioned it, I will effort that again. I totally get too many text & phone unwanted solicitations. Like you said, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained".
Read More...
Now he has really done it. "It" being, provoke a nuclear country that is lead by a young, Korean bully. He played golf too much and the North Korea’s General Kim Rak Gyom was annoyed with Trump spending too much time on the golf course and stated, "He doesn't realize the gravity of the situation, in his slam of our leader. Trump fired back (of course) with "North Korea would be met with “fire and fury like the world has never seen” if it continued to provoke the U.S." This is what I said all along. Trump has no idea about how to handle foreign policy and he obviously can't hire the right people to delegate it too. North Korea is just warming up and I don't even want to think about the people we abandoned in Iraq and Iran. Note: The Bible says that the anti-Christ will come from the middle east. Just saying.....
Read More...
The taxes are due at the end of the year (i.e., December 31st). It would probably be beneficial to pay them immediately upon the settlement being paid, however, you could wait. You can take longer to pay but there will be penalties and interest. The IRS doesn't forgive or forget!
Read More...
Interest rates are dependent on supply and demand - when economic growth is high, demand for money is high, so interest rates are pushed up. Government borrowing and fiscal deficit also affect interest rates- since the government is the biggest borrower in the debt market, the level of borrowing also determines the interest rates.
Read More...
I just wanted you to know I am really enjoying this forum. Not only is it informative, everyone seems to have a wonderful sense of humor! It is very different from some of the financial forums out there and that is a good thing. Keep up the good work and I'll see you around the forum!
Read More...
I only have the one daughter and myself. I am intrigued by the idea to start a savings account so that you can accrue interest on the money that the IRS uses for free. At least, you would be earning a little and it would be accessible for emergencies.
Read More...
