A 50 basis point increase in the Federal Reserve’s Discount Rate lifted the dollar to a nine-month high against the euro. The increased confidence in the buck worked against oil prices, sending a barrel of light sweet crude down 99 cents to $78.07 a barrel. B
Feb
19
A reader needs your help today. Her question touches on so many subjects we talk about here: Marriage and finances, credit, and paying off debt. Show her some support by letting her know how she can handle this delicate matter.
Currently I have $18,564.55 in total of consumer debt. My hubby has accumulated 3 times that with consumer, car loan and student loans. We want a house, and we are living with his parents until we can afford a down payment. My problem is that we’re not on the same page. I started a job recently and I’m planning to put away $1,000 in an emergency fund. After that, I will start my debt snowball. My
Feb
16
From personal experience, living in the dorms isn’t always the most pleasant experience, and many students choose to move out of the dorms after their freshman year. There are a lot of benefits to getting an apartment, including more privacy and your own room and kitchen, among other things. In addition, apartment living can give you more independence and freedom, since you can have friends over and do what you want without having to deal with the often overzealous campus security officers.
To that end, I’ve put together a short list of resources and tips if you are thinking about living off campus that will definitely help you save money and live more comfortably during your new adventure.
Finding an apartment. Tha
Feb
15
In a bid to remove speculation from the red-hot Canadian housing market, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced a series of new rules for first-time home buyers. Suggesting that during the current period of record-low rates, the temptation to take on more debt than would otherwise be prudent must be reigned-in to ensure buyers have sufficient capacity to adapt to higher interest rates.
The new regulations include:
- borrowers will now be required to meet the criteria for a five-year, fixed-rate mortgage rather than the less stringent three-year test
- down payment requirements for borrowers purchasing homes in which they will not be living (i.e.
Feb
14
Take 10 seconds right now and try to remember the exact moment when you first understood what money was, and why it was important to society as a whole.
- What emotions did you feel?
- What possibilities did you create in your mind?
- What attitudes and/or beliefs overcame you at that very instant?
Now, what about after learning money’s purpose in society and after experiencing the markets and investing world each and every day of your life? H
Feb
14
This is an awesome piece of music from Chris Botti featuring Lucia Micarelli. The only thing that bugs me about this video is Lucia’s ear sticking out through her hair. M