Finance Trails Blog
Credit or Debit Cards – Which One is Best for You?
June 16, 2010 by Jason Holmes | Category: Budgeting
Do you often get confused as whether to use a credit card or a debit card for making a purchase? It is quite difficult to reply it by a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ as it often depends upon the type of transaction that you’re making with a card.
Should You Convert Your IRA to a Roth IRA
June 01, 2010 by Jason Holmes | Category: Investing
Have you been putting your money in traditional IRA (Individual Retirement Account) for so long? If you want to manage your personal finance in such a way that you have more money at retirement, then you can think of converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA in 2010.
Why Isn’t Your Stockbroker a Good Investor?
May 26, 2010 by Mariusz Skonieczny | Category: Investing
It is truly amazing how many people entrust their entire life savings to stockbrokers who know absolutely nothing or very little about investing.
The Benefits of Price Comparison Shopping
May 08, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: Budgeting
No doubt about it, many people spend a ton of their money on shopping. Shopping for some is enjoyable, and for others it is a chore. No matter how you feel about shopping, it is something that must be done.
Small Business Budgeting: Flexibility is Crucial
May 05, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: Budgeting
In a small business, flexibility is essential all the way around, including inside the budget. Setting up a budget is an absolute must, but there are always going to be parts of that budget that are subject to change.
Neuromarketing and You, the Consumer
May 05, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: This Week
As the economy evolves and consumers purchasing habits change with time, marketers have found amazing ways to try to stay ahead of the game. As consumers, I think all of us should be aware of the realities of today’s advertising world.
Are Credit Cards Rewarding?
May 04, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: This Week
Credit cards have always been a controversial topic when it comes to personal finance. Some people think you should avoid them altogether, while others believe the rewards of having them are solid.
Exceptionally Low Interest Rates
April 29, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: This Week
The big news on Wall Street today was that the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates near 0%. In their monetary policy statement the FOMC said that they plan on keeping interest rates exceptionally low for an extended period of time.
The Benefits of Setting Realistic Goals in Personal Finance
April 28, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: Budgeting
The world of Personal Finance is a challenging one for everyone, but those who put in hard work and have a solid plan always end up in better shape than those who don’t. In life, setting goals is a great idea, because it can help increase your willpower and your chance of success. Personal Finance is no different than life in general. Goals are a huge plus, so long as they are realistic goals.
Paring Back For Retirement
April 27, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: This Week
Retiring comfortably isn’t a quick and easy process, but it is something that everyone wants to be able to do. I found Smart Money author Diana Ransom’s article “Paring Back So You Can Retire Comfortably” to be a great read. The article does a solid job of showing people where they might be able trim expenses to boost their nest egg.
Health Care Legislation Confusion
April 23, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: This Week
As the health care legislation passed through the congress and President Obama signed it into law, everyone knew there would be plenty of changes in the system. No matter how you feel politically about the changes, it would be wise to start preparing yourself. A potential downfall of a new program like this is the scam artists who use the public’s lack of knowledge to generate unscrupulous profits.
Three Places Inside Your Budget to Cut Costs
April 19, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: Budgeting
Planning a budget is never an easy task, and when the economy is in a slump as it has been for quite some time, it makes it even more difficult. The worst part is, planning a budget is difficult enough, but sticking to that budget is even tougher. There are always going to be unexpected costs that throw off your goals. The best solution is to give yourself more of a buffer inside that budget.
How to Spend Your Tax Refund
April 15, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: This Week
Tax Day is finally complete and many Americans are breathing slightly easier today. While I won’t make you think about taxes for next year, I do want you to think about exactly what should be done with your tax refund you will be receiving for 2010. The average tax refund was about $3,000 this year, much higher than normal.
Tax Time 2010
April 12, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: This Week
This time of the year just about everyone is scrambling to get their taxes completed and sent in. About half of all Americans file their tax returns after April 1st, so if you are just finishing up as the deadline looms, you aren’t alone.
Latest Trend in Housing: Multi-Generational Homes
April 09, 2010 by Michele Lerner | Category: Investing
Residential real estate investors should always try to be ahead of the curve when it comes to housing trends, anticipating the demands of potential tenants for years to come. Real estate experts and financial experts have become aware in these recessionary times that multiple generations of families are moving in together by choice and necessity to save on living expenses.
Greenspan and the Economic Meltdown
April 07, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: This Week
Today was an interesting day on Capitol Hill as former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan was grilled by a government panel about his possible role in the economic meltdown in late 2008. This was part of a series of investigations into what exactly pushed the economy over the edge and caused the huge credit crisis.
An Energy Audit Can Shine a Light on Potential Savings
April 06, 2010 by Michele Lerner | Category: Budgeting
Homeowners and property investors across the country have been stunned recently by the fall-out from winter storms: high utility bills. While it may be easy for some to shrug off those bills and happily look forward to spring and lower electricity use, most property owners can benefit from spending a few hours on a do-it-yourself energy audit.
Prioritizing Purchases inside Your Budget
April 03, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: Budgeting
Whether you are dealing with a small business budget or a personal budget, setting priorities is essential to your long-term success. It is easy to set lofty goals and talk the talk when it comes to finances, but reaching those goals depends on your priorities being in the right place. Let’s take a look at some ways to prioritize your budget to move toward a better future!
The Benefits of Investing in Mutual Funds
March 28, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: Investing
Mutual funds are one of the most popular ways to invest in the stock market today. Just like most investment options there are definitely positives and negatives to investing in mutual funds. Today I want to take a close look at the biggest benefits of investing in mutual funds.
Real Estate Investors and Homeowners Can Save on Insurance Costs
March 26, 2010 by Michele Lerner | Category: Investing
Plenty of consumers regularly review their auto insurance policies and compare rates from company to company, sometimes spurred on by the endless round of advertising by insurance companies. The same process should be used annually by property owners to see if they can save money on their homeowners insurance.
