Friday Finance Findings for November 16th
Posted on Sat, 17th November, 2007 by Jeremy (1) Comment »
I apologize that this comes a day late, but I had put this together on Wednesday and set the timestamp on the post so it would show up on Friday since we have family visiting. Apparently I changed the month to December instead of November, so this post never published. That’s actually not a bad thing though, since by preparing the list so early in the week, I missed a lot of great posts that came in yesterday and today, so it gave me time to edit it and provide even better links. So, enjoy!
The Fees Involved in Buying a Home – Over at my About.com site I put together a list that highlights many of the fees that are associated with buying a new home. It is important to understand all of the costs associated with the purchase, even if you aren’t paying for the fees directly out of your pocket.
Is My Money Safe if E-Trade Fails? – There has been a lot of discussion surrounding E-Trade and the possibility of bankruptcy. The Sun talks at length about the scenario and how SIPC comes into play.
Is Short Term Disability Insurance for Old Married People? – This is a very neglected type of insurance, and Ben shares a personal story that can highlight how important it is. Sure, there are certainly many more pressing financial issues to be concerned with, but if the loss of income could potentially put your finances in jeopardy and you can afford it, you should certainly consider this insurance.
Saving for a House: 401k vs. Brokerage Account – Thinking of tapping into some investments for a new house? Well, before you make any decisions, you may want to take a look at this nice comparison done by Jim over at BFP.
5 Ways Being Lazy With Money Got Me Into Debt – This one really hits home since there was a time I was extremely lazy with my own finances. I cared, but I didn’t care enough, and it got me into a bit of trouble early in life. A guest post at Lazy Man and Money shares a similar story.
How to Safely Borrow for a House Purchase – There is a lot of discussion lately surrounding the real estate market, and for good reason. SVB takes a look at some excellent things to consider when getting ready to make that home purchase. It is more important now than ever.
Another Great Way to Fund Your IRA – Nickel highlights a quick, yet very effective way to fund your IRA. If you are expecting a tax return, you may want to consider filing early since the deadline for the previous year’s IRA contributions is April 15th.
Wise Wedding Showers – Having gone to seemingly countless weddings, showers, and parties the past year or so, I can certainly see how some of these tips can be great ideas. It is amazing how much money some people put into these events. If you’re planning a wedding shower, be sure to check out these great ideas first.
Understanding Effective Tax Rates – If there is one thing that confuses many people, it has to do with taxes. Tax brackets, tax rates, marginal tax, effective tax, what does it all mean? NCN breaks down the important information to consider for 2007.
Mint: A Fresh New Online Personal Finance Tool – I haven’t used Mint yet, but this guest post at Get Rich Slowly is filled with screenshots and it makes it very tempting to give it a try.
How to Maximize Gift Cards – The holidays are coming, and for many people that means giving and receiving gift cards. FMF has some tips that can help you maximize the cards to the fullest extent.
The Changing Value of Retirement – Retirement itself is changing, and so are the numbers many people suggest you should have saved. How does your retirement picture stack up?
Carpooling for Fun and Profit – I wish I had the option to carpool, but unfortunately, I live in a very isolated area with no pool prospects. Nevertheless, it is becoming more popular and there are ways you can make it fun and maybe even save a few bucks.
The “Right Mix” of Stocks and Bonds? – There are a lot of rules of thumb out there regarding how to allocate your investments in stocks and bonds, but most are just that–rules of thumb. While there is some science behind it in terms of the Modern Portfolio Theory, there is no blanket allocation that is right for everyone. I have some posts in the pipeline to address this in the future.




Thanks for including my guest post on Lazy Man and Money!
I have the timestamp issue sometimes too. technology gets the best of me