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After watching the stories about the new credit card rules this week, I decided to do some digging and see exactly what options are available for those wanting to open new credit accounts. One story I heard was from a man with a long-time Macy’s credit account. He said his account is now charged interest [...]
There’s an interesting article today in the American Express Open Small Business section entitled “Creating Your First Small Business Budget.”
The basic tenet is that most small business owners are not financial gurus. They are experts in whatever industry the business operates. However, without being able to plan for income and expenditures for the year, there [...]
When an employee is hired in the United States, in most cases, the employer is required to pay a minimum amount per hour for the services of that employee. As of 7/24/09, that amount is $7.25 per hour. If that employee works 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year, the total gross wages [...]
During my lunch break, I usually read news articles and opinions from various news sites. One thing that is always fascinating is the paradox of how many people want to be like the various celebrities in the news, yet how out of touch those same celebrities are with real people’s lives. So many magazines at [...]
Q. I want to start the budget process but it’s overwhelming. Where do I start?
A. Good for you for seeing the importance of budgeting. Don’t be overwhelmed by what everyone says you should include in your budget. The best place to start is to look at your income. Since I come from a payroll background, [...]
Insurance agents offer a very personal and important service. They serve as advisors and consultants. Their job is to recommend products and services that help you protect your possessions and secure your financial security.
Good agents never use a cookie-cutter approach; they look individually at their clients. They listen first, and then offer solutions. They never [...]
One of my recent posts mentioned using software for managing your checkbook and tracking your spending. Several readers have asked for further suggestions on programs that they can use.
I have been using software since the mid-1990s to manage my own finances. First came Quicken. After installing updates for several years, I noticed that the interface [...]
Q. I’m a small business owner on the East Coast. I’m trying to make sure I’m spending my company’s money right. We are expanding and I want to avoid laying off the new employees that are coming on board now. Any tips?
A. To answer your question in detail, it would take up more space than [...]
While not a question from my readers, I thought it would good to go over something new that will help first-time home buyers. For those who purchase a home between April 8, 2008 and July 1, 2009 and who did not own another primary home for three years prior to the purchase that falls into [...]
Don’t you just enjoy the passing of an old year? 2008 brought many challenges from a financial perspective. Large and small corporations, retailers, stockholders, investors and regular employees all felt some pain. This post will have two major points. First, the biggest question everyone has is why did this happen. Last year, I was reading [...]
