Mortgage Rates At Record Lows

January 1, 2009

30 year fixed rate mortgages finished the year at 5.14%. This is the lowest rate since record keeping began in 1964.

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Jeffrey Saut Sees Markets Bottoming

December 30, 2008

I all ways find the market opinions of Raymond James’ Jeffrey Saut enlightning and fascinating.  In his latest Investment Strategy note he quotes the views of Barron’s Stephanie Pomboy and then gives some stock tips:
In past missives we have suggested that the equity markets have been in a bottoming process since the October 10th capitulation [...]

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Gasoline Near Five Year Low

December 30, 2008

According to a  AAA survey, gasoline now costs $1.619 per gallon.  This is the lowest level since January 2004 when gasoline averaged $1.617 per gallon.
Gasoline is now down $2.50 per gallon since its record high of $4.114 in July of this year.
The falling price of oil is behind the drop in gasoline.  Oil now costs [...]

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Valuing Donation Items

December 29, 2008

We have put it off until very late in the year, but today our family is rounding up clothing and household items to donate to charity.
Besides helping out with a good cause, the donation will give us a tax deduction.   Note: if your non-cash donation is greater than $500 you will be required to file [...]

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National City Offers $150 Visa Gift Card With Checking Account

December 28, 2008

National City Bank is offering a $150 Visa Gift Card when you open a personal checking account.

Requirements:

Link your account with direct deposit within 60 days.
Use a debit card tied to the account at least 10 times within 60 days.

Offer is good through December 31, 2008
National City $150 Visa Gift Card Offer

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Remember . . . You Can Start A Business Anywhere

December 27, 2008

Remember . . . You Can Start A Business Anywhere

(via: How to Change the World)

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Maker of Invisible Shield Offers 30% Off Site-wide

December 27, 2008

Zagg, maker of the fantastic InvisibleShield line of products, is offering 30% off all its products until December 31, 2008.
For those of you not familiar with the product, the InvisibleShield is a scratch-proof film that goes over your electronic devices to protect them from everyday use.
You can get an InvisibleShield for cell phones — including [...]

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Why Do People Get Married?

December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!
I hope everyone is having a happy holiday season.  No posts about finance today, just something funny I wanted to share:
Why Do People Get Married?
52%: “We’re in love”
23%: To get pushy parents off our backs
15%: So they won’t go to hell for having sex
8%: Various (financial, security, lonely, hooked on multilayered cake)
2%: [...]

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10 Ways to Make Money in a Recession

December 24, 2008

Recession got you down?  Money tight?  Here are 10 quick ways to make some extra coin:

Take part in a healthcare study (check Craigslist or your local paper): most of these should not require that much time on your part.
Sell your extra stuff on e-bay or Craigslist:  one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Hit the rummage [...]

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Gallup Poll Shows 40% of Americans Currently Worried About Money

December 23, 2008

The Gallop organization recently completed a poll that shows about 40% of Americans are worried about money.  The same poll at the beginning of the year showed the number at 30%.
While the 40% number is high, it is actually down from its peak of 45% in October.
Another interesting point from the poll was that Americans [...]

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