If there’s one upside to the economic mess we’ve been in for literally years now, it’s that interest rates are near an all-time low. If you’re keeping cash in a high-interest savings account, you probably wish rates would go up. But for people looking to finance a house, car, education or other major purchase, you […]
Articles by Jill
Prepare for the Holidays…Today
Posted byIf you get paid twice per month, there are only 7 paydays left until Christmas! Last year, we shared some ways to prepare for holiday spending. This year, I’m hoping to get started (and finished) even earlier. Here are 5 things I’m doing to smooth out holiday spending and usher in December with low stress […]
Carsharing Using Zipcar Rental
Posted byI attended college in Washington, DC and got through four years without ever owning or even using a car. But when I decided to stay in the area after graduation, I realized I might occasionally need a set of wheels. I planned to use public transportation for getting to and from work, but I knew there […]
Newlywed Finances Part II
Posted byThis is the second of two posts on newlywed finances. Yesterday we talked about having your first big financial talk, managing money, and setting a budget. Today, we’re going to look at a more long-term approach to dealing with finances as a married couple. Setting Goals Before you ever get married or move in together, you […]
Financial Management For Newlyweds
Posted byThis is the first of two posts on newlywed finances. This seemed to be the summer of weddings for many of my close friends (and lots of personal finance writers, including Amanda right here at My Dollar Plan!). In April and May, I had weddings or related events FIVE weekends in a row! Two friends […]
Are Municipal Bonds the Next Bubble?
Posted byIf you watch Suze Orman, you know that she LOVES to recommend municipal bonds. Municipal bonds allow you to loan money to a city, county or other local government. They are attractive investments because they are considered nearly risk-free and provide income that is exempt from federal taxes. As the stock market tanked, investors fled […]
How Far Would You Go to Save Money?
Posted byA year ago, I moved into a new apartment building. It’s a luxury building, and I was the very first tenant to occupy the 600 square foot space with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. At the time, the brand new building was offering 2 months free rent, bringing the pro-rated monthly total to just […]
Do you know the differences between a savings account and a money market account? Both provide a place for you to stash your money and earn a little interest. But the two types of accounts are not exactly the same thing. Let’s take a look at some of the basics. Definitions First of all, you […]
President Obama recently signed The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The financial reform act will be phased in over the next five years, with many provisions becoming law within the next 18 months. Along with permanently increasing FDIC insurance limits, the financial reform bill regulates investment and trading practices, hoping to prevent the […]
We all have financial goals we’re striving to meet. Maybe you have long-term goals like paying off debt, saving for a down payment, or retiring early. Or maybe you simply have day-to-day goals, like keeping your food budget to $200 per month, or bringing your lunch to work every day. Whatever your goals are, you […]