While the new car smell can be intoxicating enough to peak emotions and create a sense of attachment even before the finer details are all fleshed out, it is important for buyers to approach the purchase with a level head. A car is an expense that can and should be properly managed and this process starts with the handling of the negotiations before the purchase is finalized.
Take a look at the following tips for buying a new car.
Time Your Purchase to Get the Best Deal
Christmas is a notoriously great time to buy a car because car dealerships generally experience a slowdown while people are preoccupied with other types of spending. This means that on top of the general feeling of good cheer, they are eager to make a deal because they know that December is historically a slow month for sales. Car buyers can capitalize on this information and time purchases to get a great discount. TrueCar.com is a great resource for finding this type of information.
Don’t Let Dealers Leave You Out of the Loop
You may be interested in a car but for any number of reasons the dealer you originally approach is unable to provide you with a vehicle that meets your exact specifications but offers to contact a fellow dealer on your behalf. It can be tempting to spare yourself the hassle of tracking down the vehicle yourself but allowing dealers to communicate on your behalf puts you at a disadvantage. You may be at risk of binding yourself to a color or model that you did not want because your agreement was not specific or end up paying transportation and other fees that show up only at the signing date.
Trade-ins Can Go Sour if You Still Owe on Your Old Car
It is generally not a great idea to try to trade-in your current vehicle if you still have a loan tied to it. In these instances, the dealer agrees to pay off the outstanding loan within the time frame stipulated, but if this agreement is not in writing there is no guarantee that this will actually happen. You could end up with loan fees on your old vehicle because of tardy payments and this can do damage to your credit score.
Go for a Manufacturer Known for Giving Great Discounts
Another great way to save is to go for a manufacturer that has a reputation of giving fantastic discounts and buyer incentives. Some manufacturers are tighter on their sales prices than others and a bit of research can help you to narrow down your choices before you hit the dealership.
Buying a car is a lot more complex than simply deciding on a color and a style. There are insider secrets that can save you a great deal of money that can go a long way towards your insurance or even maintenance during the term of your ownership.
The Making Home Affordable Program was introduced by the Obama Administration as an attempt to stabilize the 
housing market. $75 million of government funding is devoted to preventing avoidable foreclosures under this initiative and the program is estimated to impact the lives of 7 to 9 million American home owners.
The program is divided into two main arms; the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) targets home owners who are current on their payments but need help to decrease monthly installments, whereas the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) is for home owners who have fallen behind on their payments and do not qualify for refinancing.
There are several stipulations attached to each program to help home owners determine which one better suits their needs. These stipulations are outlined below.
Eligibility for the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)
You may be eligible for this program if;
- You are up-to-date on your mortgage payments.
- Your mortgage is held with either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
- The outstanding balance on your mortgage is not more than 125% of the value of your house.
- You can prove you will be able to handle payments under the refinance. (To prove this you can get a letter of good faith from your current lender.)
It is important to note that signing up for refinancing does not guarantee that your monthly installment will decrease. The refinanced payment may be less if your current loan interest is substantially higher than the refinanced rate, but it may be slightly more or the same if your mortgage includes interest only payments but the advantage would be savings over the term of the loan.
Eligibility for the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)
You may be eligible for HAMP if;
- You are the owner of a 1-4 unit home with outstanding balances of less than
- 1 Unit: $729,750
- 2 Units: $934,200
- 3 Units: $1,129,250
- 4 Units: $1,403,400;
- Your first lien mortgage was originated on or before January 1, 2009.
- Your monthly mortgage is more than 31% of your gross monthly income.
- You have proof of a financial hardship that hinders the payment of your current mortgage facility, such as job loss, health problem or other circumstance.
- You are behind on your mortgage payments (although this is not a strict requirement as faithful payment of your mortgage does not necessarily disqualify you from this program).
Makinghomeaffordable.gov has a wealth of information on this program as well as more general information to help home owners understand how mortgages work.
With so many holidays promoting the gift of flowers and so many special occasions that warrant the same, people
have been spending a small fortune on flowers for decades. Sure, it’s great to send mom a bouquet for Mother’s Day and it’s common for husbands to send roses just because but there is a better way to get a better deal on the beautiful buds.
Here are some easy tips for saving cash on flowers deliveries:
Stick with the local florist. The online flower sites and big dogs like FTD and 1-800-Flowers do make big promises and you can call them at 2 am but essentially it all comes down to this: the big companies add a surcharge to the customers but call on the local florist too. You can do the same thing for free.
Specials are on Friday. At the end of the week, florists are ready to clear out their stock so Fridays and even Saturdays are the best time to ask for a deal.
Restock is Mondays. If you have a specific arrangement in mind, place your order on a Monday and you’ll stand a better chance getting what you want.
Ask for a Deal. Florists usually have no problem giving discounts to senior citizens, local organizations, and loyal customers. But you likely will not get a deal without asking for it first.
Make Flowers Last. Cut stems on an angle and be sure to change the water every other day. When you do change water, wash the vase with soap and water to remove bacteria that will kill the flowers. Use the preservatives the florist provides as directed. If you run out of preservatives, mix ¼ cup of 7 Up with ¾ cup of water and 2 drops of bleach.
Position Counts. Don’t put your flowers in the window. The sunlight is okay but its heat will kill the flowers. Also, never set your arrangements near a bowl of fruit. Fruit emits ethylene gases that kills the flowers.
Too Many Vases? If you are the recipient of regular flower deliveries, you may be up to your eyeballs in clear glass vases. Check with your local florist and see if they will recycle them for you.
No Smell? If you get arrangements that are not very fragrant, don’t worry. Flowers these days are meant to have long stems and longer lives and breeding practices have changed the way flowers smell.
Are you trying to save money, but just can’t seem to figure out how? Believe it or not there are some simple things 
that you can do that will get you saving. Follow these tips to save $100.00 or even more every month.
Your first step to monthly saving is to look at all of your household bills. Are there services you are receiving that you just don’t need? Most of us have several that we really could do without. Simply downgrading your cable package or eliminating extra channels you pay for like HBO can help to start the savings. Could you bundle your phone, cable and internet together to save money. Many people do. You may also want to consider eliminating your land line altogether. Most people have cell phones and find they don’t use their land line enough to warrant keeping it.
You should also look at other bills like your insurance premiums for example. Many times just with a few phone calls you can find a rate that is more favorable than your current one.
Next, look at what you spend on food each month. Do you grab your coffee to go and what about lunch when you are working? Do you pick up take out or head out to dinner frequently? If so, stop. Make your coffee at home and pack your lunch. Plan your meals ahead and save take out and dinners out for special occasions. Fixing it your self can be a fraction of the cost you spend out every day.
How about your grocery bill? Do you buy items that you really don’t need? Most of us do. Make a list before you head to the store of the items you really need and then stick to it. Don’t be tempted to add extras to your cart. You can also clip coupons and plan you meals around store specials that week for additional savings.
Finally, look at what you spend on entertainment. While we all need to have fun, there are ways to still do so and save money at the same time. If you rent movies a lot or purchase books, check out your local library instead. You might be surprised at the selection of items waiting for you that won’t cost a thing. Check your local paper for free or low cost events in your area. There is usually plenty available for people on a budget.
As a final piece of advice, keep in mind that it is only a savings if you save the money and don’t spend it elsewhere during the month. Often people will work hard to lower costs and save the money only to turn around and spend it foolishly somewhere else.
Most financial experts agree that having an emergency fund full of at least 3-6 months worth of living expenses is ideal
for financial stability. But many people who live paycheck to paycheck are not able to save such large amount and end up having extra financial struggles when disaster strikes. Disasters can range from losing a job, having to replace a roof, repair a car, or any other time a big ticket purchase is necessary.
In place of having an emergency fund bank account on hand, a credit card can be used as a suitable replacement but only if it is handled correctly. Unnecessary spending on credit cards can have the opposite reaction – instead of helping you in an emergency you can wind up deeper in debt. If you plan to use your credit card as an emergency back up, then you’ll need to do it the right way.
Here are some tips for using a credit card as an emergency back up:
Pay Off the Balances
While you may not be able to save 3-6 months of funds, you should still be putting at least something in an account. Just because you use a credit card as an emergency doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay off the bill. It can be very tempting to use that ‘extra’ cash for other things besides paying down debt but resist the temptation.
Have One Emergency Card
If you have several cards with balances you can’t pay off in full, you might consider dedicating only one for emergencies and ensure the balance is always zero so you will have access to your credit line when you need it. Don’t employ several cards for emergencies and then spend on them. When the time comes for a true emergency, you may not be able to use the cards.
Decide What ‘Emergency’ Means
To a college kid pulling an all-nighter, an emergency might be a large pizza. If you plan to use a credit card as back up, you need to define emergency and restrict other spending.
Shop for a Better Card
If your credit card situation is good and your credit score is sufficient, you may want to shop for a new card that is a better fit for emergencies. For instance, if current cards charge an annual fee, look for a card that doesn’t. It’s pointless to pay for a credit card you’ll only use from time to time, if at all.
Say No To the Advance
Depending on your emergency, you may not be able to use the credit card because only cash will do. If this is the cash, resist the urge to get a cash advance from your credit card unless you are certain you can pay it back in full before the grace period ends. Otherwise, not only will you be responsible for the amount taken, you’ll also have to pay for the high interest rates that generally come with cash advances.
Buying a home is one of the largest debts you will undertake and not being prepared in the beginning will be to your
own demise. There are many things that surround the purchase of a first home and going in ready to tackle the process works to your advantage.
Here are the top five tips for staying in the know about your first home:
Secure Financing
While it is exciting to start working with a realtor and visiting new homes, your first priority should be money. Have your budget on hand and decide how much you can afford to pay. Contact a loan officer and discuss your financial situation. Once you have been preapproved for an amount, you’ll be able to shop more realistically and save yourself a lot of time and hassle. Experts note that a good ratio of house payments in relationship to your income is one-fourth, meaning that no more than ¼ of your income should be dedicated to the mortgage, taxes, and insurance. You may be pre-approved for more than that but it is unreasonable to go outside of your budget.
Understand the Costs
Obviously your mortgage payment is a big consideration in the process but too many times new homeowners forget the rest of the expense of owning a home. There are down payments and closing costs to consider right away. Plus, you’ll need to factor in the utilities, home maintenance fee, and any potential repairs necessary. Be sure to understand how much insurance, taxes, homeowner association fees, and the like will be added on for your new home.
Check Out the Neighborhood
You may find the perfect house in a not so perfect place but because you think you are in love, you may neglect to consider the big picture. Real estate experts suggest sitting down and making a list of what you really want in a home and a neighborhood. There are many factors to consider such as proximity to the places you go most often, the commute to work, the distance and transportation to the local schools, and how the other neighbors relate. These are very important because committing to live in the new area means facing these issues daily.
Consider Your Lifestyle
While many people do buy a ‘starter’ home when just starting out, it is still a big commitment. If the house only has 2 bedrooms, you really need to consider how many kids you plan to have. That is just one factor in the equation. You’ll need to think about where you see yourself in a few years down the line. Some folks may find they are better off renting in the beginning so they can maintain flexibility for careers and such. But if you think you are ready to settle down, plan ahead for the future and don’t just live in the present.
Are You Ready?
A home is not only a huge financial responsibility it also takes a lot of work. Be sure you understand what it will take to keep things running smoothly. If you have a big yard, are your prepared to cut so much grass? It may sound like a simple question but if you are too quickly overwhelmed by the daily tasks of maintaining a home, you might want to wait. If you are ready to devote your time and money to the investment, call up a realtor.
It isn’t bad enough that dealing with debt can contribute to physical and emotional problems, it can now impact your 
chances of being offered a job in the future. More specifically, the impact debt has on your credit report will play an important role in whether or not you are hired for certain jobs. In a struggling economy, more and more employers are running a credit check on potential employees before offering them job positions. Ironically, people in debt need a job in order to get their finances back on track, however many employers are not willing to risk hiring an individual who appears to have difficulty managing money. The reasons are obvious if the position you are seeking involves money management, but other job offers can be lost that don’t revolve around money. Traditionally, credit checks have been done to gauge a potential employees reliability and responsibility. The theory is this, if you can’t be counted on to pay your bills on time, what other areas will you be found lacking in?
Of course the danger of employers using credit history to determine whether or not a person gets a job, is that a downward spiral of indebtedness will ensure. Without employment, a person struggles to pay bills, which in turn affects their credit history, which in turn is used again in the future to determine if they qualify for a job. With more companies requiring a credit check on potential employees, the 6.4 million Americans who are currently unemployed face a stark future, especially if they have fallen behind on their bills.
Another concern is the fact that many people who have not missed a payment are also seeing their credit score decline as a result of decreased or canceled credit card accounts. In this instance, an employer could actually decline a position based on a credit history that is not showing the big picture. The same can be said if there are errors on a credit report which could take up to two months to correct. In that time, the decision has already been made and the damage done for the job candidate.
To minimize the chances of having your credit history reduce your job opportunities you must pay close attention to the information provided there. Review your credit report three times annually (free of charge) to spot inaccurate information and correct it as soon as possible. If debt is impacting your credit, take every available step to reduce debt or work with creditors to lessen the impact on your credit report.
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