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Entry bubble Saving Money on Home Heating

By: Jess | November 05, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

FurnaceWe've already changed the clocks and soon that winter chill is going to start creeping into the air (unless maybe you live in Florida, in which case, I'm a little jealous).

Winter usually means a spike in the cost of your energy bills from having to run the heat. But if you're looking to keep costs low this year, and really who isn't, the Federal Trade Commission's Weathering the High Cost of Heating Your Home offers several tips that will help you save money this winter.

Check out some of the suggestions:

  • Check drafty areas of the house (like the attic and basement) to be sure they are properly insulated to not let heat escape.
  • Look into installing a programmable thermostat that can keep your home at a cooler temperature when you're not there, and turn it up an hour before you get home.
  • Vaccum air vents, heaters and radiators regularly to prevent blocked airflow.
  • Seal any flues in your fireplace if you don't use it.
  • Close the doors to rooms that don't get used frequently.

What are your best tips for saving money on heating costs in the winter? Share them in the comments.

| Post a Comment | View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: heating   jess   money   savings  

 

Entry bubble Starting A Business? Government Can Help

By: Editor | October 23, 2009 | Category: Money

small business ownerOur guest blogger today is Stephen Morris, a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Small Business Administration working to help small business owners and entrepreneurs.  

Every challenge presents an opportunity. In a tough economy, many aspiring entrepreneurs have found their opening to start a business.

The good news is that Federal, state, and local governments offer many resources to help you achieve your dream of owning a business.

Start with a plan. A business plan is a strategic vision for your business and is often required for obtaining loans. There are a number of government resources online to help you get started on your plan.
• Small Business Planner
• Business.gov videos: Business Planning Tutorial
• Gauge your local competition with Census data

 After you’ve researched and developed a plan, you may want to attend training or a counseling session. Several government-sponsored groups provide this service for free or a nominal fee.
• In-person services near you

And of course, you need money to start your business. Federal, state, and local governments each operate loan and financial assistance programs for aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Learn more about financing a business
• Search for business loans and grants

Businesses need to follow all relevant laws, file necessary permits, and pay taxes. For more information about these and other steps to opening your business, check out 10 Steps to Starting a Business.

Wherever you are in the process, whether starting or expanding, the Business.gov Community is a great place to ask questions and share your experiences.

Additional resources
• USA.gov online services for business
• Are you doing business online? Specific information for Internet-based business

| Post a Comment | View Comments [6] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: business   business.gov   editor   guest_blog   money   sba   small_business  

 

Entry bubble Government May Owe You Money

By: Joanne | September 01, 2009 | Category: Money

I just read that my State Treasurer is holding onto 1.5 billion dollars in unclaimed money. That’s right – all the states are holding unclaimed money, and if they’ve got some for you, all you have to do is step up and claim it.

States end up with valuable things like abandoned bank accounts, forgotten stocks, uncashed checks, certificates of deposit, life insurance policies, safe deposit box contents, and recovered stolen property.

When I did a search I didn’t find any records that the state has money for me, but I did find a record that looks like there’s money waiting for my brother-in-law. Lucky him!

The federal government is also holding money for people. Pension funds, FHA mortgage refunds and federal tax refunds from the IRS are all piling up because the government doesn’t have your correct address. Searching for unclaimed property from the federal government is a little bit more difficult because you have to check with each agency individually, but USA.gov can help you determine if the government owes you money.

Times are tough, so don’t overlook this opportunity to collect money owed to you.

| View Comments [1] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: cash   government   joanne   money   pension   tax   unclaimed  

 

Entry bubble Summer tax tips from the IRS

By: Jess | August 13, 2009 | Category: Money

TaxesIf you're anything like me you probably think about taxes once a year, when it comes time to file in the spring.

But this summer the IRS is trying to get us to think about taxes a little more often. In fact, a few times each week they are sharing all kinds of tax tips, like seven tax tips for gambling wins and losses and the five tax scams to avoid this summer.

If you and your sweetheart tied the knot recently, you might want to check out the tips for the newly married. You'll learn where to file name changes so everything matches up when you sit down to do your taxes.

Another cool topic they address is income taxes for students with summer jobs. Did you know that the extra cash you earn mowing your neighbors' lawns is considered taxable income or that there are special tax rules for people who deliver newspapers? There are a few more great tips for students with summer jobs that are worth checking out.

Since no one wants to spend the time reading the entire tax code, these tips are a quick and easy way to brush up on things you may need to know when you're filing your taxes.

Feel free to share in the comments an interesting tip you learned.

| View Comments [5] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: irs   jess   money   tax_tips   taxes  

 

Entry bubble The Truth About Car Title Loans

By: Editor | August 11, 2009 | Category: Money

money in mousetrapWe have another guest blogger today. Marietta Jelks is the editor of the General Services Administration's Consumer Action Handbook.   

As editor of the Consumer Action Handbook , I was sickened to hear about car title loans, a form of predatory lending, because they prey on the most vulnerable and desperate consumers. In a title loan, a consumer in need of quick cash, will use their car title as collateral for a short term loan. No job or postdated checks required. Sounds simple enough, right? Wrong.

What the title lenders don’t say in their commercials is that you have to turn over your car title and keys when you get the loan. They’ll loan you a small fraction of the car value at sky high interest rates - as much as 25% for one month (300% APR)!! At the end of the month you are expected to pay the whole amount back, plus the exorbitant interest.

If you can’t pay the loan there are only two options. You could roll the loan over for another month, with more fees and interest. This generally leads to a dangerous cycle of borrowing and rolling over the loan amount. As the loan amount increases, it becomes almost impossible to pay the debt. The other option is for the company to repossess your car. Some companies even install GPS and starter interrupters when you take out the loan to make the repossession easier. Talk about customer service!

Unfortunately, there is no federal regulation of title loans now, but some states have put some rules in place to regulate the interest charged by these companies and investigate complaints against them. If you find yourself in a cash crunch, consider all of your options. Between family, non-profit organizations,  and Extension offices, there are solutions available.

For information on other predatory lending practices:

HUD - Predatory Lending Practices

USA.Gov 

St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank

Let us know if you’ve ever had an experience with a car title loan.

| View Comments [8] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: auto   car   car_title   car_title_loan   loan   money   repossess  

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