budget
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Buying vs. Renting: Which is More Affordable in Today's Market?
Once upon a time, it was generally assumed that homes were cheaper to rent than to buy. It varied by market, of course, but it was assumed that buying a home meant a large down payment, costly insuran
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Building a Financial Safety Net: How Much Emergency Fund Do You Need?
Most financial experts recommend having an emergency fund – enough money to prevent a small emergency from becoming a major emergency. While most experts recommend you have an emergency fund, no
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Does Money Buy Happiness? Exploring Financial Well-being
How much money do you need to be happy? According to a study performed by Princeton economists, the ideal income for personal satisfaction is $75,000. Of course, other studies have shown that people c
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Home Ownership: Weighing the Pros & Cons (2024 Update)
Since the mortgage meltdown, many people have become wary of the idea that home ownership is a lofty goal that every American should aspire to. There are obvious pitfalls to buying a home that you can
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Home Office Tax Deductions: Maximize Your Savings
As more people enjoy the benefits of working from home on either a full- or part-time basis, it’s important to understand what money-saving tax deductions are available. Keep reading and we’ll cover w
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Essential Home Repairs: Don't Sacrifice Quality & Safety
When it comes to home improvement, there are two types of projects: the sexy “look at my gorgeous new and improved kitchen/bathroom/deck!” type of renovation, and the dreary “we’ve got to spend how mu
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Financial Writer's Honest Admissions: Where I Spend (Instead of Save)
I admit it. I’m a hypocrite. The first time I wrote a post on saving money on college expenses, I listed several savings options that I not only didn’t follow myself, but also that I would rather not
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Childcare Costs: A New Parent's Financial Journey
My son was born in late August, 2010, after a tumultuous summer which included quitting my teaching job, moving from Columbus, Ohio to Lafayette, Indiana, and buying a house. All that upheaval did mak
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Energy-Efficient Flat Screen TVs: Save Money & Power
One of the best ways to cut your energy bill and save money is to choose appliances and electronics that are energy efficient. If you’re in the market for a new flat screen TV or plan to buy one as a
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Gold Investing: Understanding Tax Implications & Considerations
When sharing advice about money and investing, many people recommend owning gold. “It’s never been worthless,” they’ll say, along with, “They’re not making more of it.” They’re right, of course, for t
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Flat Tax Explained: Understanding Proposals and Their Impact
I am old enough to remember Steve Forbes’s failed bids for the presidency back in 1996 and 2000, and young enough to have thought that his flat tax plan (which was the cornerstone of his campaign) was
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Top Online TV Streaming Services: A Comprehensive Guide
Technology is awesome. It has been almost a decade since my wife and I cut the cord on cable TV. That doesn’t mean we don’t watch TV. It simply means that we have given up on the need for
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GameFly Review: Free Trial & Game Rental Service
GameFly is offering new customers a FREE 30 Day Trial or a discounted bundle on their first three months of membership! GameFly is the “NetFlix of Video Games” and offers customers a chanc
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Is Home Renovation a Good Investment? Determining ROI for Remodels
Due to the soft real estate market, selling a home can take years and leave you with a big financial loss. Many home owners have decided that instead of going through the heartache, they’d rather stay
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Identify & Fix Budget Leaks: Stop Money From Slipping Away
My grandmother always used to excuse her (doctor-prohibited) food indulgences by saying “The little bit I have won’t hurt me.” Unfortunately, that kind of attitude can also plague budgeters and leave
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Preventing Buyer's Remorse: Smart Shopping Strategies
Have you ever bought something and shortly afterward wished you had your money back instead of the purchase? I know I have. I am referring, of course, to buyer’s remorse – that sinking fee
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Smart Shopping: A Comprehensive Guide to Researching Major Purchases
Making a major purchase is a big deal – both emotionally and financially. There are studies which show many people have a feeling of loss when they spend a large amount of money. Making a major
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When to Hire a Pro: Home Improvement Projects Best Handed to Experts
Over the past five years, my husband and I renovated a 1921 Craftsman style bungalow. We learned several things along this journey, including the fastest route to a marital argument. (It’s through ins
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Budgeting for Irregular Income: A Guide for Freelancers & Entrepreneurs
Calling all entrepreneurs, contractors, small business owners, and commission-based professionals! If you’re an individual who has ever lived on an unsteady income, you know budgeting can be an arduou
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Beyond the Latte Factor: More Effective Financial Strategies
By now, we’ve all heard about the Latte Factor—how cutting little expenses that you make on a daily basis can add up to relatively painless and big savings over the year. The only problem with this ki
budget
- Tax Savings Strategies: How to Reduce Your Tax Bill
- Investing in U.S. Treasury Bonds: A Comprehensive Guide
- Budget-Friendly Christmas Gifts: Smart Savings & Festive Fun
- Buying a Used Car from a Rental Company: A Smart Alternative
- Comprehensive Baby Budgeting Guide: Financial Planning for Your Newborn
- SWOT Analysis for Personal Finance: Identify Strengths & Weaknesses
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Accessing Funds: Understanding Profit Sharing Plan WithdrawalsIf you need cash, withdrawing from your retirement plan should be a last resort. A profit sharing plan, or 401K plan, is a type of retirement plan run by businesses for their employees. Usual...
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Investing Strategies: Balancing Index Funds and Individual StocksA discussion about personal finances can be a polite, congenial affair. Few people come to blows over insurance or budgeting. But some topics inflame financial passions, and one of them is invest...
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Hurricane Laura Recovery: Power Outages & Death Toll Reaches 16The Louisiana coastline devastated by Hurricane Laura began a long and gloomy recovery Friday as hundreds of thousands of people still without water and power confronted the possibility that basic ser...
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Halloween Costume Ideas: Avoid the Most Popular TrendsSome of us wait for Halloween all year long. It's our time to shine, to get weird and creative and eye-catching (and, if we're very clever, extremely punny). That great idea you've been nu...