Friday Finance Findings for December 3rd

We are finally approaching the end of another year, and it’s always a busy time for most of us. The holidays keep us busy and can often do damage to the budget as well. So, there’s no better time than now to start brushing up on some finance tips to get you geared up for the coming new year. Why wait until January to turn a new financial leaf?

Speaking of not waiting, we bought a new camera as sort of an early Christmas gift so I’ve been spending a lot of time playing with that lately. I’ve always been a photography fan, but I never made the transition from 35mm SLR so I gave up on it with film and developing being so expensive. But, we finally made the switch to a DSLR and it’s great. For those who might be curious, I picked up a Canon EOS Rebel T2i. The best part is most of my old Canon lenses and gear work on this camera so I’m getting use out of old stuff again. Here’s a shot from a recent sunset:

To kick things off, I’d like to share a few deals with you that can save big money this coming holiday:

• Macy’s Friends and Family Sale: 25% off storewide, free shipping, and more
• Timberland Friends and Family Sale: 40% off and free shipping
• Kohls 20% Off Any Order
• Newegg Shell Shocker: Save up to 60%
• Sears Deal of the Day: 20-50% off

10 States to Relocate for Lower Taxes – Who doesn’t hate paying taxes? Well, taxes are a fact of life for most of us, but there are ways to reduce the burden. One way is to relocate. It’s true–some states and even cities are better than others when it comes to taxes. So, where should you move to save? Find out.

Sony Card $50 Bonus Promotion – Free money is good, so if you are looking to score a few bucks you might want to check out this $50 promotion on the Sony card.

Inexpensive Christmas Gifts for Coworkers, Teachers, and Others – With the economy struggling and people still pinching pennies it can be difficult to spend money on gifts like we used to. That doesn’t mean you have to eliminate gifts this holiday season. Here are some inexpensive ideas that will still bring a smile to someone’s face.

working for a salary ‒ a bad deal? – Think you have a good job? Think again. Being a salaried employee working for somebody else can provide stable income and a decent quality of life, but it probably isn’t going to make you rich.

Best Housing Markets for Long-Term Homeowners – If you don’t have plans of moving any time soon you’re in luck. The longer you stay in one place and pay down that mortgage, the better. But are some housing markets better than others in this regard? You bet.

What Are Your 2011 Goals? – We’re just a few weeks away from the new year, so have you sat down and come up with your 2011 goals yet? This is something I need to do real soon myself since 2011 will be a make it or break it year for me and I will have some important decisions to make.

Have You Forgotten That Stock Markets Go Up? – It’s easy to get down on the market when it’s always seeming to go down, but have we already forgotten about how markets can rise? Being narrow sighted isn’t going to help your long-term goals.

Should I Buy Refurbished or Preowned? – You can obviously save money buying preowned and refurbished products, but is it worth it? I don’t have a problem with it most of the time and will always scout out these deals first.

Corporate Profits at All-Time High. Unemployment at 9%. What does this Mean? – How is it possible that corporate profits are at an all time high while unemployment is still at a staggering 9%?

Other Great Links:

• LIFE Can Mess Up Your Budget – You create a budget yet things still don’t add up. Here’s why.
• Choosing a Lender: Tips to Help You Make Informed Student Loan Decisions
• How to Debrief Yourself After Interview Rejection If your interview didn’t go the way you’d planned, use these “debriefing” questions to help prepare for your next interview. And remember: persistence pays off when it comes to your job search.
• Canadian financial planning designations and courses to look for in a financial advisor.
• Why Budgeting is Like Dating – Budgeting can be exciting when you first begin. However, like so many relationships the budget begins to have cracks, then flaws, then serious issues. If you can’t overcome and work with these issues, much like dating, it will soon end in heartbreak.
• Home Office Insurance: Do You Need It?
• USPS Holiday Shipping Cut Off Dates for Military Members. Do you have a friend or family member stationed overseas? Then you need to plan ahead if you want Christmas packages to arrive in time for the holidays!