QuickTips Index

Private Mortgage Insurance - How to Eliminate PMI
Private mortgage insurance, often referred to as PMI, is insurance that lenders require borrowers to pay for when they get a mortgage and don’t have enough equity in the home.

How the Housing Bill Can Help You – The Tax Credit for New Home Buyers
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a number of items meant to stimulate the economy, and the tax credit of up to $8,000 for first-time home buyers may be the most beneficial to individuals. Although this is a significant tax benefit, not everyone will qualify, and there is only a relatively small window in which you can take advantage.

How to Make Bi-Weekly Mortgage Payments
Chances are that if you have a mortgage currently you’re making monthly payments. The typical mortgage is structured so that you make a single payment each month for a total of twelve payments per year. The good thing about this is that it means you pay the same amount at the same time each month so there are no surprises and it’s easy to budget for.

If You’re Addicted to Spending and Accumulating Debt, Debtors Anonymous Can Help
Even with all of the advice and information available to help people break their overspending habits, for some, this desire to spend and rack up insurmountable debt becomes a serious problem that overtakes other aspects of their lives. As with any addiction, this can negatively affect your performance at work, quality of life, and relationships with family and friends.

Understanding the Alternative Minimum Tax
When it comes to taxes, there is a three-letter abbreviation that is feared, yet it’s still a mystery to most people. AMT stands for the Alternative Minimum Tax, and while it doesn't sound too harmful, if you’ve ever been hit with it you know that it can be quite painful.

How to Eliminate Credit Card Debt
Credit card debt is a major problem in this country. While not everyone has a credit card, those that do typically carry a balance. The interest rate on a credit card balance is usually between 10-30% APR. These high interest rates make it difficult for people to pay down their debt -- especially if only making the minimum payments each month.

Putting Your Investment Performance in Perspective
We all know that investing typically requires a long-term approach, but when the markets are in turmoil and we’re in the midst of a recession, it’s easy to lose that perspective and focus on what’s happening right now instead.

Save Money When Banking - Reduce Bank Fees
When it comes to saving money, you probably focus on things that you can directly cut out of your budget. Whether discretionary expenses, eating out, or other expenses, you typically can clearly cut these from your monthly spending. But what you may not realize is the impact that small bank fees can have on your budget.

Find Money to Pay Down Credit Card Debt
Are you struggling to come up with enough money to pay more than the minimum on your credit card debt? It can certainly seem as if there is never enough money to go around, but you might be surprised where you can find a few extra dollars to apply towards that debt and accelerate the payoff.

COBRA Premium Reduction of 2009
What happens if you lose your job which also provided your health insurance benefits? This is not an uncommon problem as health insurance in this country is largely tied to employment. So, what can you do? Luckily, there is some assistance available. It’s called COBRA.

Determining Whether or Not You Should Refinance Your Mortgage
If you have a fixed-rate mortgage and mortgage rates are falling, it only makes sense to consider trying to refinance at a lower rate. But as with most things in finance, it isn’t always a simple answer. Refinancing can certainly make sense, but it also costs money to refinance a mortgage. Depending on your specific situation, a refinance may actually end up costing you more money instead of saving money.

Make the Most of Your Income Tax Refund
If you’re expecting an income tax refund this year, you’ll want to make sure you put that money to good use. While it can feel like you’re receiving a windfall, remember that this is just excess money that you paid the government. This doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun, but this money can also provide a great boost to your other financial goals.

Tax-Equivalent Yield – Understanding Your Real Rate of Return
When investors are looking for safer investments that generate income, most think about bonds. There are many types of bonds, from corporate, government, and municipal bonds.

Using the Rule of 72 to Estimate Investment Returns
Compound interest is an amazing thing, and the Rule of 72 is a simple way to quickly estimate how long it will take your investment to double.

5 Tips to Cut Spending Leaks
Sometimes it is the little things that add up. Stopping the little spending leaks in your life may amount to significant savings over time.

Get Your Tax Questions Answered by Calling 1-800-829-1040
Are you looking for help with your taxes? Try calling 1-800-829-1040. This is the toll-free number for the IRS tax question line. With this number, you will be put in touch with someone right at the IRS who can assist you with your own personal tax situation if you have any questions.

Make Sure You Have Adequate Homeowners Protection
If you own a home, you probably have homeowners insurance. For most homeowners, this insurance was something that was purchased at the same time as the home, and little thought has gone into it since. This is certainly an area that you want to have adequate protection, because your home is probably one of your greatest assets. But, do you know what your policy actually covers?

5 Ways to Save on Gas
Make no bones about it, gasoline is expensive and it isn’t getting any cheaper. You don’t need to switch to public transportation to cut costs at the pump. There are a few basic things you can do that could considerably save money on gas.

3 Traits for Budgeting Success
Creating a budget is incredibly difficult, but where most people fail is trying to maintain the budget. It usually starts with good intentions, but just like dieting, it doesn’t take much to derail your entire plan. Here are three traits you must posses if you want to create and maintain a successful budget.

Check Your Tax Refund Status Online
Have you filed your tax return and are now awaiting a refund? The good news is that you don’t have to be left in the dark in regards to the status of your refund. The IRS has a great tool on their website that allows you to instantly check on your refund status.

Watch Out for Hidden Credit Card Fees
Credit card promotions that offer low interest rates can be quite tempting, but unless you read the fine print, you could be hit by hidden fees or unexpected rate increases. There are a few things to look out for when examining your credit card or when applying for a new card.

Beware of the Warning Signs of Too Much Debt
Do you have debt that is bogging you down and keeping you from reaching your financial goals? Using credit and debt can be a powerful tool that allows you to buy a home, a vehicle, send children to college, and even provide leverage for other purchases, but when you accumulate too much debt, it can pose a serious problem.

IRA Tips for Tax Time
2007 may be gone, but it isn’t too late to make 2007 IRA contributions. Unlike most tax tips that require action to be taken before December 31st, IRAs have an added benefit of being able to make prior year contributions up until April 15th. This is good news if you want to take advantage of the many tax benefits that these accounts provide.

Now's the Time to Review Your W-4 Tax Exemptions
If you work for an employer that automatically withholds taxes from each paycheck, then you have the ability to adjust how much is withheld by adjusting the exemptions on IRS Form W-4. This is important to review because many different changes in your life could impact the amount of money you should have withheld.

Examine the Roots of Overspending
To build wealth and reach financial independence, you simply need to spend less than you earn. It is an easy concept to understand, but why is it so difficult? To answer this question, you need to examine the roots of overspending. When you know what factors drive your spending, you can fight back and save money so that you can spend less than you earn.