Finance

• 4 Steps To Control Your Money

  Everyone I have ever spoken with claims to have the desire to be in control of their money. Most of these people will admit that they don’t feel like they have very much control over where their money is spent and a surprisingly large number tell that their money is in control of them. The people who feel like their money is out of control are not the same people who don’t know how to stop spending when they are out of cash, or when their checking account is perpetually overdrawn.

• 4 Thinking Points Before You Buy A House

  So you’ve been renting an apartment for a while and your friends are all buying houses and settling down to nice, quiet suburban lifestyle. Is this something you should be doing too? To put even more pressure on you, every other evening news cast is talking about the rapidly increasing value of houses in your area. Before you rush out and buy the first house you can get a loan for, perhaps it would be wise to stop and decide if buying a house is really what you should be doing. To help you, here are four things to think about.

• Cutting Cell Phone Costs

  The actual cost of a cell phone contract is befuddling. Cell phones are rarely viewed as luxury items anymore, although in reality, they aren’t a necessity. The cell phone – with its convenience and the natural independence it creates – has become a basic prerequisite these days.

• Flipping Houses For Profit: Start With The Right House

  Many real estate investors enjoy "flipping houses," or buying and selling houses quickly for profit. Not all house flips are fixers; however rehabbers make millions turning ugly houses into dollhouses. On the other hand, some inexperienced investors lose money buying houses that just don’t turn a profit.

• How To Save Money On Wedding And Baby Shower Favors

  Planning on having a wedding or baby shower soon? Getting favors is a nice way of saying thank you to your guests for coming. Here are some tips for saving money when purchasing baby shower or wedding favors.

• “On Demand” Energy Savings

  Why do the electric companies offer these programs? They’re in a tough position. We expect them to supply power whenever we request it. Without fail. That includes the hottest day of the summer when everyone’s air conditioner is running continually.

• The New Bankruptcy Law

  The credit card, created as a shopping convenience, has mutated into a device in which its use—and misuse—is epidemic. Consumer borrowing, once held in check by realistic limits, is today a national scourge. Understandably, when citizens find themselves extended beyond their limits, they seek a way out. The bankruptcy court is often the answer, with 1.56 million Americans filing in 2004, double that of a decade earlier.

• Save Money On Your Mortgage

  Many Americans love to treat their mortgages like some of their favorite kitchen appliances – they want to “set it and forget it.” Paying close attention to your monthly statement can actually protect you and your family. And using a few simple tricks can actually help you save a significant amount on your monthly expenses.