Articles

A Good Job, Or Health Insurance?

Should companies continue to provide health insurance to their employees?
Most people are fortunate enough to have ...Read more

A Piece Of The Puzzle

Most people consider “achieving wealth” as a mystery. It is thought that the management of money re... Read more

A Sign of the Times

Traditionally, California has had a low foreclosure rate. However, in the last quarter of 2006, 37,273 Default Notices were sent to California Homeowners; an increase of 36.9% since the previous quarter. ...Read more

Americans Feel Optimistic About Growth and Prosperity

The effects of higher interest rates and energy prices, combined with decreased home price availability have reflected a cooling-off period of the housing market. ...Read more

Are We Being Legally Mugged?

As the FAT CAT Oil Companies get richer by the day, the average American is working harder and lon... Read more

As Savings Begin To Fall

As more and more people are becoming dependent on credit cards and borrowing, saving accounts have n... Read more

Credit Repair: Is Self Help Best For You

It now seems almost impossible to turn on the TV or open a newspaper any more without seeing another... Read more

Death and Taxes

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes” Benjamin Franklin I, like... Read more

Divorced and Deep In Debt, It's Not All Doom And Gloom!

Almost half the letters I receive daily are from recent divorcees and for the most part their stories go something like this:

"The cost of my recent divorce has eaten up almost all of my 401(k) and I have been left deep in debt. I still own a home, although there is no equity left in it. I recently made the mistake of leasing a new car with insurance and lease payments that are the size of my house mortgage. ...Read more

Don't Wait On Appreciation, You Could Have Negative Equity

What is home equity? Equity is created when all your debts secured by the property are subtracted from your house value. As long as homeowners make the monthly payments, they see themselves as tenants and do not bother themselves with negative equity. But homeowners that are looking into the future, view negative equity as a curse. ...Read more

Getting Out Of Debt, The Smart Credit-Card Plan, The Perfect Paydown Strategy

Behavioral economist Meir Statman, recently said "getting out of debt is the financial equivalent of trying to quit smoking." Just like any bad habit, good intentions alone will not be enough. To ensure success, we need to break our underlying patterns of behavior. How is it we live in the richest most powerful country in the world, but the average American is more than $11,000 in debt. ...Read more

Identity Theft Hits Record Levels

In a country that prides itself on innovation and a citizen's right to privacy, why are we still living with the most antiquated personal credit scoring system in the world? Our SSN (social security number) is the key to our financial existence. It allows the world to see the good, the bad and sometimes the downright ugly. ...Read more

Insurance Companies: "Our Fair Weather Friends"

As the hurricane season gets underway, thousands of homeowners have started receiving unwanted letters from Allstate Insurance. The letter begins with, "We're writing to you with what we know is unfortunate news ...Read more

Interest-Only Or 50 Year Mortgages - Do They Really Make Sense?

With hotspots like Las Vegas, much of California and Florida still enjoying a lucrative real estate market, many banks and mortgage companies are now spreading out payments over 50 years to make them more affordable. Prior to these 50-year mortgages, interest-only mortgages were promoted and sold as the way to go. The real question here is which is better? ...Read more

Investing In Tax Liens / Tax Deeds For Higher Returns

With large numbers of Americans now looking for safer investments for their long-term wealth building programs. Most want higher returns than they can get from putting their hard earned money into Bank CD's. Many are seeking information about Tax Liens. Investing in Tax Lien/Deed certificates can, and will, enable you to realize safe, annualized returns that are guaranteed by the United States Government. ...Read more

Is Real Estate Still The Road To Riches?

With home sales slowing down and condo prices slipping, sellers all across the country seem unable to achieve their asking price.

Christopher Mayer, a Columbia University economics professor said recently "If you're expecting a short-term gain, you should be looking elsewhere," he had argued for many years that land shortages and rising populations would translate into ever-rising prices in the "superstar" cities like New York, San Francisco and LA. ...Read more

Loans Just Aren't What They Used To Be

There have been some recent changes regarding federal loan payment options. A "guidance" report was published on September 29, 2006 that spoke on the issue of mortgage payment options available to the public. The Federal Reserve, the Office of Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Office of Thrift Supervision all contributed to the "guidance" report. ...Read more

Money Makeover

You come home after a long day at work only to find numerous unwanted bills in your mailbox. As you sift though them, you start to get that sinking feeling. You know there is no way you can afford to pay all of them on time. It's at this time that you remember that you have a vacation coming up and you want to make the most of it. What you really need now is a money makeover and this is how you do it. ...Read more

Our Own Homes Are The Mother Of All Tax Shelters

When it comes to tax shelters, there's no better or safer place than our own homes. There are a vast number of companies out there spending a lot of money on advertising trying to convince us that we should be sending our hard earned dollars to some island in the sun, where (for a nice fat fee of course) they will keep our money safe and out of the hands of the IRS. ...Read more

Private Mortgage Insurance vs. Credit Insurance Which One is Right for You

Do you want to buy a house but are worried about how you will pay for it? Of course you are, and as frightening as the cost of loans are at the moment there is no need to worry because your loans are protected. When you start looking into mortgage or personal loans you will discover the term "credit insurance." Credit insurance protects the loan on the chance that you can't make your payments but it is usually optional. ...Read more

The Top 3 Estate-Planning Tips

Benjamin Franklin said on more than one occasion, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." Knowing this, why do so many Americans fail to keep an up-to-date Estate Plan. You would think the last thing we would want to do is pass away without ensuring the well-being of our loved ones. Most of us would agree that death is not the easiest subject to talk about, but we really should be prepared for all the legalities that follow our death. ...Read more

To Foreclose Or Not To Foreclose?

It is very unfortunate that about half of Southern Californian home owners are having issues paying their mortgages. Some homeowners are having to adjust to a spike in the adjustable-rate and they cannot handle it. For many that's a 20 percent to 30 percent increase in their home loan repayments! Insane, isn't it, ...Read more

What Really Happens When You File For Bankruptcy

It is very unfortunate that about half of Southern Californian home owners are having issues paying their mortgages. Some homeowners are having to adjust to a spike in the adjustable-rate and they cannot handle it. For many that's a 20 to 30 percent increase in their home loan repayments! Insane, isn't it. ...Read more

What You Should Know About Those Debit Card Overdraft Fees

I know that there are times when I would rather use my credit card to make a purchase but my conscience tells me to use money that I have, not spend money that I don't have. For the most part I listen to my conscience. I have, like most people, experienced a few overdraft fees in my life-time because of it. ...Read more

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