Archive for 2009


$6,500 Home Buyer Tax Credit for Existing Homeowners

Posted by Madison on November 6, 2009

Good news for existing homeowners! You’ll finally be eligible to take advantage of the home buyer tax credit. When the President signed a bill today to Extend the $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit, it also included a provision for existing homeowners, referred to as long-time residents. To qualify as a long-time resident, you […]

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The $8,000 First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit that was set to expire on November 30 was extended today. The new deadline to take advantage of the first time home buyer credit is to have a signed contract by April 30, 2010 and close on the house by June 30, 2010. Update: The first time […]

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ING $50 Sign Up Bonus

Posted by Kate on

This week offers a great $50 bonus to one of our favorite banks, ING Direct. ING always offers the awesome $25 sign up offer for savings accounts. They’re back with another great opportunity to open an Electric Orange checking account. It’s our Free Money Friday offer this week! How to Get Your Sign Up Bonus […]

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Pay with Miles, Investing, and Credit Cards

Posted by Madison on November 5, 2009

We’re planning a big family vacation for next summer. Scott, me, the kids, and my parents are all headed to Seattle for a friend’s wedding. We decided to make a week out of it and make it a vacation. Gone are the days when Scott and I could book 2 tickets on Northwest with our […]

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What is a Dividend Reinvestment Plan?

Posted by Brian on November 4, 2009

Companies offer Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRP) to allow shareholders to purchase stock on a regular basis directly from the company. In addition to share purchases, dividend reinvestment plans reinvest any dividends paid into more company stock. A dividend reinvestment plan is a convenient way to build a large stock holding in a company over time. […]

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How to Save on Health Care Without Skimping on Quality

Posted by Amanda on November 3, 2009

Being frugal and saving money on everything run through my blood. I have patience, sometimes waiting years in order to score a great deal on an item I want, and I am willing to compromise on quality in some cases. However, like many of you, health care is not an area I am willing to […]

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Make the Most of Open Enrollment

Posted by Jill on November 2, 2009

I opened the mailbox on Friday and found a thick envelope from my employer: the Guide to Open Enrollment. During the next two weeks, employees of my company can renew our benefits selections or choose new ones for next year. If you find yourself in the same situation, it’s important that you take advantage of it. […]

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Prosper $50 Sign Up Bonus

Posted by Madison on October 30, 2009

Prosper is back just in time for today’s Free Money Friday offer. Prosper is giving a $50 sign up bonus! And it could quite possibly be the fastest $50 we’ve ever earned. I signed up my husband (because I already had an account) and it took a total of 4 minutes to get the $50! […]

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IRS Enrolled Agents, Investing, and Housing

Posted by Madison on October 29, 2009

To satisfy one of my crazy tax desires, I’ve decided to become an enrolled agent. Not exactly your typical free time hobby, but something I find intriguing. I’ve completed taxes for years and volunteered for VITA, so it’s really the next logical step. As an enrolled agent, you can practice and represent taxpayers before the […]

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Interest is, well, quite interesting. Instead of your money accumulating in your mattress or shoe box, it can now accumulate plus earn its own money. Money earning money—what a concept. And there are multiple ways to achieve this: you can open a savings account or purchase certificates of deposits in order to earn interest, or […]

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