Friday Finance Findings for August 6th

Hard to believe August is already here, but that means kids are soon headed back to school and football season is right around the corner. Granted, we don’t have kids at school age just yet, but I can only imagine how most parents feel when it’s time for them to go back to school. If you do have kids headed back to school don’t forget to check out my back to school saving tips.

And a quick announcement. I’m trying to put the final touches on a redesign of the site, so expect some changes later next week. It’s been a long time coming, but I’ve put it off because if it ain’t broke, why fix it? This design has served me well for a few years and it gets the job done, but it is a bit dated and heavy on the code, so it’s time to freshen things up a bit. So, stay tuned for that later next week.

6 Ways to Invest in Gold – Some people just can’t shake the idea of investing in gold. Whether it’s fear of the market or simply looking for something new to invest in, gold hasn’t been more popular. That being said, there are a number of ways you can invest in gold, some better than others.

Buy or Rent ‒ Which is Better For You? – Are you faced with the decision of whether you should buy or rent? You’re not alone. Especially in this real estate market, it’s often cheaper to buy in some places than rent, and in some cases it’s cheaper to rent and get even more living space. Here’s how you can help narrow down that decision.

9 More Ways to Maximize Back to School Savings – If my back to school saving tips weren’t enough, here are nine more ways.

Facing Debt Trouble? How I Deal With Debt Stress – Debt obviously takes its financial toll, but what people don’t realize is that it’s also emotionally draining. The burden of being in debt can actually force people into severe depression. Here’s how one person deals with the stress of being in debt.

New PineCone Research Paid Survey Signup Link – I’ve mentioned PineCone Research a few times on here and that’s because they are a legitimate way to get paid for taking surveys. In addition, they only open up the program to new people occasionally and on a limited basis, so if this is something you might be interested in, here’s how to take advantage.

Should You Invest in the Top Fund of the Decade? – How do you spot a good fund to invest in? Obviously you can go by past performance, but is that good enough? What about the best fund over the past decade? Surely they are doing something right.

What Will Retirement Look Like for Younger Generations? – Retirement doesn’t mean sitting on the porch and watching the world go by after age 65. The game has changed, and young people have their eye on something different. But what does retirement actually look like with Social Security problems, uncertainty in the stock market, and everything else going on in the world?

infant swimming – This is something we’ve thought about now that we have a small child, but haven’t actually gotten around to it. We had the same ideas surrounding the benefits as Steve and his wife do and this serves as a good reminder to start looking for classes.

Shop Sam’s Club Free: August 6-8 – If you’ve ever thought about joining a warehouse club to save money on bulk items but couldn’t justify the membership cost, this weekend is for you. Sam’s Club is free starting today and going through Sunday. Give it a try if you have one nearby.

Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Vs. Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) – What is all this AGI and MAGI business? You’ve seen them mentioned when reading about taxes or filling out your tax return, but do you know what they really mean? More importantly, does it even matter?

Additional Reading:

• Retire at 70? Avoid That With These Early Retirement Tips
• So You Think You Can Landlord? A Tenant From Hell Story
• Guaranteed Annuity Income: Is it Really Safe?
• A Roth IRA Isn’t Always Better Than A Traditional IRA
• 2010 Sales Tax Holiday Schedule
• You Need An Emergency Fund: Expect the Unexpected
• Investment Properties: Should You Become a Landlord?
• 8 Things to Consider When Starting Your Business