Friday Finance Findings for April 10th
By Jeremy on Apr 10, 2009 with Comments 5
It’s amazing how time flies with a new child. It seems like just yesterday we were preparing to drive to the hospital and we’re now going on two weeks since she was born. Pretty amazing stuff.
One thing that is taking some getting used to is the new work schedule. It used to be that I could just sit down in front of the computer whenever I needed to and hammer away at a new post or article for a few hours and be done. Now, everything has to be done on a schedule that I can’t set, and usually in short 20 minute bursts of time. Obviously, I’ll become more efficient at this as time goes on, but for now it’s a huge change and much harder to manage.
Because of this change, it’s been even harder to keep tabs on what’s going on in the world of finance. This week’s Wall St. Journals are piling up at the end of the couch and my feed reader is busting at the seams with unread messages. But never fear, as I have still taken some time to sift through and pick out some highlights.
First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit – 2009 Version – Still have questions about that new home buyer tax credit for 2009? You’re not alone. Here’s a good summary of the credit, who qualifies, and what you have to do to take advantage of it.
Free Tax Advice from the IRS – April 15th is just around the corner, so where do you turn if you have a tax question? Believe it or not, the IRS can help answer many of your questions. Find out how to get in touch with them and answer those last minute tax questions.
What Makes A Good Stock Investor? – What does it take to be a good stock investor? Is it research? Technical analysis? Luck? Well, a lot of things go into being successful as an investor, and here’s some insight as to what it takes.
How To Earn Money With CashCrate – Would you like to make some extra cash? CashCrate is a program that allows you to try out new products and services and get paid to do so. Is it worth it? Find out more.
Networking is Never About YOU – The title of this post says it all, but there was another quote that sums it up perfectly: “If you only start your networking efforts when you need something, you’ll have trouble making a connection.” So true!
Six Simple Ways To Simplify Your Life – Raise your hand if you’d like a more simple life? I think most of us can agree that the daily rat race can be a bit tiresome, but there is hope. Here are six simple ways you can begin to simplify your life.
Save Money on a Diamond Ring – I could have used this advice about six years ago. When it was time for me to propose, I basically went to the store with little knowledge and an open line of credit. There are some good tips here to help you make the most of your money when it’s time to buy that ring.
Is Changing Your Own Oil Worth It? – If you read any finance book and most blogs, you’ll hear that changing your own oil is a big savings. Well, it can, and it may help you learn more about your vehicle, but the savings isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be.
Fees Charged for Using Credit Cards to Pay Taxes are Deductible – In these tough times more people are having to pay their taxes with credit cards. While I wouldn’t recommend that unless it’s an absolute emergency, there is a little relief. The 2.49% fee you pay may be deductible if you qualify.
Ask the Readers: Is Organic Food Worth it? – A good debate is ongoing over at Million Dollar Journey regarding organic food. I don’t mind organic, but don’t go out of my way to buy it. Obviously, some people have very strong opinions on this matter.
Filing for a Tax Extension is Easy – Worried that you won’t be able to beat next week’s tax deadline? An extension may be just what you need. It’s better than not filing on time and getting stuck with even more penalties.
Should You Borrow To Refinance Your Home Loan? – People are catching the refinance bug and will do anything to save a few points on their home loan. Some who are upside down are even considering borrowing money just so they qualify for a refinance. Are these people crazy, or is there some solid math behind these decisions?
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Filed Under: Friday Finance Findings
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Jeremy, thank you for the link to my article. After some feedback, I added some clarifications to the article. Also, I would love to hear your personal take on the issue.
I’m hoping that becoming a new father in a few months will force me to become more efficient. I don’t know how I will get by otherwise!
Thanks for the mention.
Jeremy,
Thanks for the link. I can’t believe how popular these first time home buyer credit articles are. While you may be frustrated by the WSJs pile (I can relate – I have two kids so I’ve convinced myself they pile up twice as fast), at least you’ve got your 529 set up in the first few days.
So clearly, you’re not one of those “Do as I say, not as I do” types.
If you (or anyone) figures out how to get more efficient with a small child at home, let me know – after 3 years and 2 kids I still haven’t figured it out… and just wait til you have one walking around, because then those 20-minute periods become 2-minute periods!
Thanks for the mention!
I guess I’m not cut out to be a stock investor then. I don’t fit the profile at all.