Finance Trails Blog

The Importance of Setting Goals in Personal Finance

The Importance of Setting Goals in Personal Finance

March 15, 2010 by Paul Walsh | Category: Budgeting

Personal finance is no different than life as a whole in that it is vital to set goals in order to reach your fullest potential. All of us want the most from our personal finances, so now is the time to set those goals and get on the right track!

Homebuyer Tax Credit Deadline Looms

Homebuyer Tax Credit Deadline Looms

March 14, 2010 by Michele Lerner | Category: Investing

Realtors around the USA are anticipating an early spring real estate market this year as homebuyers rush to get a property under contract by April 30, 2010 in order to qualify for the federal homebuyer tax credit.

Five Money Books Worth Every Penny

Five Money Books Worth Every Penny

March 13, 2010 by Aaron Smith | Category: This Week

This past week MSN Money writer Liz Pulliam Weston put together a list of five “money” books that are worth every penny you would spend on them. It’s a piece that is definitely worthy of your attention, since all of us need to stay current on the best approaches to managing money today.

Building Wealth through an IRA

Building Wealth through an IRA

March 12, 2010 by Paul Walsh | Category: Budgeting

An IRA is a retirement plan that has huge tax advantages and allows an individual to build up their savings for the future. How can an IRA be defined? Essentially the best way to describe an IRA is that it is a mixture between a savings account and an investment account, but with far more perks than either of them.

Five Steps to Investing in Your Future

Five Steps to Investing in Your Future

March 07, 2010 by Paul Walsh | Category: Investing

Everyone wants to be well-prepared for their future and make their money work for them. Investing in your future is basically the process of working hard to make sure that you are comfortable and can do what you want with your money later in life. How can you get there? Five steps, closely followed, can get you well on your way!

Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

March 01, 2010 by Michele Lerner | Category: Investing

Renters who have been watching home prices tumble probably have mixed feelings: on the one hand, this means that buying a home is more affordable than in recent years. On the other, renters may be more frightened than ever that they will make a mistake and buy property that could drop in value.

Why Penny Stocks Often Aren’t What They First Seem

Why Penny Stocks Often Aren’t What They First Seem

February 23, 2010 by Paul Walsh | Category: Investing

Penny stocks are typically defined as stocks selling for less than $1 per share on the market. For many investors there is a large amount of draw toward penny stocks because they are so cheap and the potential is so huge.

Tips for Novice Property Investors

Tips for Novice Property Investors

February 20, 2010 by Michele Lerner | Category: Investing

Bargain prices on foreclosures and even on traditional home listings are tempting a new group of individuals into investing in property. Before you take the plunge and buy an investment property make sure you consider the following tips.

Discount vs. Full Service Brokerage Investing - Making Your Decision

Discount vs. Full Service Brokerage Investing - Making Your Decision

February 20, 2010 by Paul Walsh | Category: Investing

It’s a classic question that comes up when discussing investments: should I invest myself using an online discount brokerage or get the help of a professional and use a full service brokerage? There is no single right or wrong answer to this question, but there are plenty of details to consider before making your final decision.

What's Your Money Style?

What's Your Money Style?

October 14, 2009 by Matt Swayne | Category: Investing

You can show your style in a lot of ways. It's how you dress. It's how you arrange your furniture. It's the car you drive. It's how you invest. Wait a minute... Do you have an investing style?

Investing: Why It Still Matters

Investing: Why It Still Matters

October 10, 2009 by Matt Swayne | Category: Investing

In the context of the economic downturn and 40-50% drops in 401k and IRA plans, is investment a dirty word? Read on to find out why investment matters.

Progress Report

Progress Report

October 08, 2009 by Paul Walsh | Category: News

What's happening with Finance Trails? It is time for an update of just where development is at in October 2009.

4 Questions Before Buying Assets

4 Questions Before Buying Assets

September 05, 2009 by Paul Walsh | Category: Investing

Assets are better than debt – this goes without saying. But what should you consider when acquiring assets? here we consider 4 questions everyone should ask.

5 Budgeting Tips for Small Businesses

5 Budgeting Tips for Small Businesses

August 07, 2009 by Paul Walsh | Category: Budgeting

Do you own a small business? If you do, you probably already know that budgeting is critical to your business success. Here you will find tips to help you budget better.

5 Tips on How to Invest Wisely

5 Tips on How to Invest Wisely

July 01, 2009 by Paul Walsh | Category: Investing

You know you want to make some investments, but you don't know where to start. Read these 5 tips on wise investment.

Managing Debt: Better the Devil You Know

Managing Debt: Better the Devil You Know

June 26, 2009 by Paul Walsh | Category: Budgeting

Debt is a common dimension of our modern lives. Credit cards, mortgages, loans - learn how to know and manage your debt with these tips.

Tight Budget Investing: Survival Tips

Tight Budget Investing: Survival Tips

June 13, 2009 by Paul Walsh | Category: Investing

Got no money, but still want to invest? In this article, we give tips on getting started with investment on a tight budget.

All About the 401k

All About the 401k

May 12, 2009 by Paul Walsh | Category: Investing

Every working American is entitled to the financial rewards promised by a 401(k) plan, yet one third of the US workforce have no 401k. Read on for why you should be focusing on your 401(k) now.

How to Budget: A Beginners Guide

How to Budget: A Beginners Guide

April 09, 2009 by Paul Walsh | Category: Budgeting

Living on a budget doesn’t mean you are in the pour-house; it simply means you are smart about your spending.Read on for some great tips on smart ways to start a budget.