How to Keep College Costs Low
I spoke with Nat Roers today on the set of WLTX and responded to some questions young viewers had regarding saving for college in the face of a huge pricing bubble and how to handle loans when you can’t get a job out of college. Here is the clip which includes some tips and pointers to minimize the cost of a college education.
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How to Maximize Your Savings
Do you have adequate savings for your future and are you prioritizing your savings goals? Here are some tips to get you in tip top shape.
The current savings rate is running 4% of income, in the 70s Americans were savings double that amount. Compare this to the savings rates of Asian countries, like China and India, where savings rates are close to 30%.
Why are we such poor savers and how can we save more?
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Insurance is the Foundation of Your Financial Plan-Are You Protected?
Risk Management 101
Are you financially fit enough to protect your love ones in the event of an emergency or incapacitation? If you are like most Americans you are likely woefully underinsured when it comes to protection from a death, disability or even a natural disaster than destroys your home.
Here’s a quick quiz to assess your ability to manage these risks:
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8 Ways to Save Big This Year
If you are like most Americans, you want to reduce your debt and expenses and increase your savings; but, with small pay raises and inflation, it seems there is never enough money left at the end of the month. Here are some simple ideas to help you save big. In fact, these ideas could shave up to $9,000 off your budget.
1. Reevaluate your insurance: A good rule of thumb is to look at competing quotes at least every three years. Complacency could mean you have policies with less coverage that are perhaps more expensive than comparable policies from other carriers. I suggest getting quotes from a few captive agencies such as State Farm or Allstate but also working with a broker to see if he or she can provide you with an alternative quote. A broker will work with several insurance agencies and provide you with more options and flexibility.
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Get your finances organized for 2012-Part 1 To Shred or Not to Shred
Do you have a resolution to be more organized with your financial documents and record-keeping in 2012? If so, here is a guide for you on what to shred and what to keep and for how long. In Part 2, I’ll discuss how to set up your financial files.
First consider purchasing a high quality shredder and/or scanner. This will facilitate the process. If the process is quick and easy you are more likely to maintain it throughout the year. A good quality shredder can be purchased for $300 or less at an office supply store.
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How to Make Financial Resolutions for 2012 that Will Last
It is the time of year to review our financial health and think about how we can improve our situation. As we reflect on our behavior to determine whether we were “naughty or nice,” we will likely identify a few areas that need attention. Unfortunately, almost half of American adults make one or more New Year’s resolutions annually — and then fail to achieve them. Here’s how to make New Year’s resolutions last the whole year and beyond.
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