Do You Qualify for Early IRA Distributions?

Since their inception in 1982, millions of Americans have used IRAs and their Roth cousins to save for retirement.  But there are some limits to the tax advantages that these accounts offer; the IRS has mandated that all monies that are withdrawn from a traditional or Roth IRA before age 59 ½ must be subject to a 10% early withdrawal penalty as a means of encouraging taxpayers to let the money in these accounts...

Do You Know Today’s Credit Card Rules?

In 2009 Obama signed into law a new set of credit card rules that protect consumers from unfair and predatory practices undertaken by some credit card companies. While these changes took effect in 2010, many credit card holders don’t know or don’t understand the new rules.  Below is a list of some of the changes and a description of how they impact you. Interest Rate Increases: Credit card companies can only...

Tampa/St. Petersburg CD Rates Survey for the week February 27, 2012

According to a recent Primerates.com survey conducted on February 27, 2012 of Tampa/St. Petersburg CD rates offered by the area banks & credit unions, Tampa’s/St. Petersburg’s largest financial institutions offered short-term savers 6 month CD’s with rates between 0.05% at Wells Fargo (www.wellsfargo.com) and 0.30% at Bank of America (www.bankofamerica.com) and TD Bank (www.tdbanknorth.com). Bank of...

Riverside, CA Mortgage Rates Survey – Week of February 27, 2012

According to a recent Primerates.com survey of Riverside, CA mortgage rates offered by the largest area banks & credit unions, three Riverside, CA institutions offered rates below 4.000% on 30-year fixed-rate conforming loans in the Riverside, CA area for well-qualified borrowers. Compass Bank (www.bbvacompass.com) and OneWest Bank (www.owb.com) offered the lowest rates in the City with 3.75% and the Provident...

San Diego CD Rates Survey for the week February 27, 2012

According to a recent Primerates.com survey conducted on February 27, 2012 of San Diego CD rates offered by the area banks & credit unions, San Diego’s largest financial institutions offered short-term savers 6 month CD’s with rates between 0.05% at Wells Fargo (www.wellsfargo.com) and 0.30% at Bank of America (www.bankofamerica.com). Union Bank (www.unionbank.com) has the highest 2-year and 5-year CD rate,...

Portland, OR Mortgage Rates Survey – Week of February 27, 2012

According to a recent Primerates.com survey of Portland, OR mortgage rates offered by the largest area banks & credit unions, one Portland, OR institution offered rates below 4.000% on 30-year fixed-rate conforming loans in the Portland, OR area for well-qualified borrowers. The Umpqua Bank (www.umpquabank.com) offered one of the lowest rates in the country with 3.75%. Five other institutions offered rates...

Pittsburgh CD Rates Survey for the week February 27, 2012

According to a recent Primerates.com survey conducted on February 27, 2012 of Pittsburgh CD rates offered by the area banks & credit unions, Pittsburgh’s largest financial institutions offered short-term savers 6 month CD’s between rates of 0.12% at Charleroi FSB (www.charleroifederal.com), and 0.30% at Fidelity Savings Bank (www.fidelitybank-pa.com). ESB Bank (www.esbbank.com) has the highest 2-year and...

Are You Covered Under the Mortgage Settlement?

The recent $25 billion mortgage settlement is the largest multistate settlement since the Tobacco Settlement in 1998.  The mortgage settlement seeks to help those affected by the mortgage and foreclosure crisis.  By helping those homeowners affected by the crisis, government leaders and bank officials hope to rectify mistakes made and to improve the housing market, which has crumbled since the start of the...

Leaking Money? Try a Zero-Based Budget

Zero-Based Budget Setting a budget can be the single best thing you do in order to fix your finances and make smart money decisions.  There are a few different ways to structure your savings and spending and you need to choose the one that works best with your financial habits and your lifestyle.  One option to consider that is successful for many is called a zero-based budget. What is a Zero-Based Budget? A...

Getting Control of Your Financial Life – Start With a Budget

Every successful business has a budget.  The United States as a nation has a budget.  Therefore it only makes sense for individual households to maintain one too.  But for those who have gone for years without a budget, and for those who have never developed one in the first place, getting control of your financial life can be an overwhelming task. This week we will look at budgets.  For many people, a simple...