We Are Home Owners!

Written by 30 Comments
Keys to House

It’s done.  We closed on our home this past Friday. We are now officially home owners!

I can’t believe it’s complete. It was only a few months ago that we started looking for a house.  We fully expected to be moving into a new home in the Fall but here we are with the keys to a new place.  When we sold our co-op last year the process took so long; perhaps about six months total.  I kidded with my wife – “Watch, we’ll end up buying a home lightning quick!”  I didn’t think that would actually happen!
Continue Reading

Should The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Deadline Be Extended?

Written by 27 Comments
Mortgage Loan

The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit deadline is quickly approaching. Those who signed contracts by April 30, 2010 have until June 30, 2010 to close on the deal in order to qualify for the tax credit.  To recap, the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit was initially extended in November 2009.  At that time, the credit was also expanded for existing home owners as well.  For first time home buyers the credit is $8,000 and for existing owners, buying new primary residences, the credit is $6,500.
Continue Reading

Fed Issues Final CARD Act Rules-Limits Credit Card Late Fees

Written by 5 Comments
Visa Credit Card

The Federal Reserve issued its final rules as part of the CARD Act of 2009. Their new rules work to help protect consumers from high late fees and other penalties.

Here’s a rundown of the new rules:
Continue Reading

When You Save Are You Really Saving?

Written by 33 Comments
sale tag

You always hear from people how they saved money on this or that. That’s great and all but sometimes I wonder – Did you really save?  I mean, what did you save?  Did you put money into your savings?  Did your wealth grow?
Continue Reading

Choices For Your 401(k) When You Leave Your Job

Written by 44 Comments
Gold watch at retirement

A 401(k) plan is an awesome vehicle to save for retirement!  

You get to lower your tax basis (the income you get taxed on).  You might get a great company match… What’s not to like?

But what do you do with your 401(k) if you leave your job? 

Do you take the 401(k) with you?  Where do you put it?  Should you leave it?

You have some choices for your 401(k) which I’ll outline for you below:

Choices For Your 401(k) When You Leave Your Job

Continue Reading

Buy Low. Better Yet, Buy Lower.

Written by 20 Comments
Gas Pumps

Why do people get excited when their favorite retailer holds a sale, but not when Wall Street does?

Let’s start with the obligatory disclaimer – this is not an encouragement nor a discouragement to buy or sell particular securities, stocks carry risk, consult a financial advisor but you don’t have to, etc.  That was for that infinitesimally small segment of the population that is a) literate enough to read this post, yet b) dumb enough to do whatever a disembodied online voice suggests.  There, now you can read the post absolved of any obligation to think.
Continue Reading