Etsy.com is a fast-growing site that allows artists to sell their goods and in some cases earn a living. Walletpop.com goes inside the bedroom/atelier of one such artist, Nguyen Le, who goes by her Etsy shop name KnitKnit. Read more!

WalletPop Wire

Renting out goats -- a great green business idea

Tom Barlow Dec 23rd 2009 @ 5:00PM EST Filed Under: Entrepreneurship, Green

Looking for a job in the great outdoors? Love animals? Like money? Then you might take a look at a growing new business in the U.S. -- renting out animals to clear troublesome brush.

The goat herd of Rent-A-Ruminant LLC is over 100 strong and voracious, cleaning up parks, construction sites, school grounds and private business greenery in the Seattle area.

Continue reading Renting out goats -- a great green business idea

$5 magazine sale at Amazon

Julia Scott Dec 23rd 2009 @ 4:30PM EST Filed Under: Bargain Babe

Here is another great last-minute gift: a magazine subscription. Amazon has a slew of mags for just $5 for a year, including:

Sunset
Health
Golf
Essence
Southern Living
This Old House
Coastal Living

These mags are $10 for a year:

InStyle
Entertainment Weekly

If you buy a magazine subscription as a gift, buy the most recent issue off the newstand so they get instant gratification on Christmas.

WiFi to soon debut in Ford cars

Madhusmita Bora Dec 23rd 2009 @ 4:00PM EST Filed Under: Technology, Transportation

You may soon be able to tweet, google and skype from the back seat of your car.

Ford announced that some of its 2010 models would carry WiFi capability. This means that passengers (and hopefully not the driver) will be able to browse the Net, read e-mails and shop online.

Ford is not a pioneer in this area. Previously BMW, Chrysler and GM have announced Internet connectivity in some of their models. But the Ford solution seems to be the most attractive.

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Best places to do all your shopping, pronto

Julia Scott Dec 23rd 2009 @ 3:30PM EST Filed Under: Shopping, Bargain Babe

If I had to do ALL my Christmas shopping say, now, I would chose one of the following stores to do the deed. No driving around to a dozen stores, no braving the mall. And for the record, I swear this is totally hypothetical. Wink wink.

Walgreens -- I dropped by the other day and they had a surprising number of good Christmas presents that I never expected to see, like a set of three stainless steels mugs for $10, the game Bananagrams for $16, and packs of Thin Mints for 2/$2.
Target -- They got toys, clothes, kitchenware, linens, and cards. Just be prepared to bump elbows as others are heading there too.
Dollar Store -- Your local dollar store (99 Cents Only, Dollar Tree, etc.) is ground zero if you are putting together gift baskets. With the range of items they sell, you can create baskets themed around spa/toiletries, gourmet foods, holiday decor, or letter-writing. Many of the 99 Cent Only stores also sell wine.
Trader Joe's -- Wine, excellent food, and dirt-cheap chocolate. Need I say more?
Frugal Rhode Island Mama found some great last-minute gifts at Staples.

Where would you head to wrap up all your holiday shopping? Not that you've procrastinated this long...

Military service members get increase in allowance for housing

Charles Feldman Dec 23rd 2009 @ 3:00PM EST Filed Under: Home, Real Estate, Career, Recession

While President Obama is preparing to send more military personnel to Afghanistan with the new year, for those servicemen and women who are remaining in the United States, the Department of Defense has announced an increase in 2010 for what is known as the Basic Allowance for Housing.

Continue reading Military service members get increase in allowance for housing

Better not pout, better not cry if homeowner's insurance covers holiday disasters

Gina Roberts-Grey Dec 23rd 2009 @ 2:30PM EST Filed Under: Insurance, Insurance-home

You probably wouldn't send a holiday card depicting the family dog biting the boss. Or one that shows a brand new flat screen falling out of the back of your truck.

While these scenes aren't ones you'd like to experience at the holidays, experts say it's wise to keep in mind that accidents (like these, as well as ones similar) do happen. Even at the most wonderful time of the year.

"Holidays mean more guests, more driving, and more new possessions than any other time of year. It's important to make sure all your presents, parties and travels don't fall outside your current coverage," said Tim Gaspar, president of Gaspar Insurance Services in Los Angeles.

Continue reading Better not pout, better not cry if homeowner's insurance covers holiday disasters

When it's worth it to fix an old appliance vs. buying new

Aaron Crowe Dec 23rd 2009 @ 2:00PM EST Filed Under: Saving Money, Shopping, Economizer

It doesn't take a math whiz to figure out that spending $200 to repair a clothes dryer is a better deal than paying $375 for a new one.

But the pluses and minuses can quickly clog your brain when trying to decide if the short-term savings is worth it when a few hundred dollars more would get you a new appliance that should last for years.

Continue reading When it's worth it to fix an old appliance vs. buying new

Got a bad credit deal? In 2011 you'll know why

Lita Epstein Dec 23rd 2009 @ 1:30PM EST Filed Under: Credit, Credit Reports, Credit cards

Have you been offered a bad credit deal by a lender but don't know why? Starting in January 2011, banks will have to tell you why and give you free access to your credit report any time you're given less-favorable terms, according to final rules issued Tuesday by the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission.

Until that time, lenders don't have to explain why you're getting particular terms on any form of consumer credit, including credit cards, auto loans, mortgages and student loans. The rule change doesn't impact business lending.

Continue reading Got a bad credit deal? In 2011 you'll know why

From IRAs to 529s, our experts answer your questions

Lan N. Nguyen Dec 23rd 2009 @ 1:00PM EST Filed Under: College, Retirement advice, Taxes-advice

With Christmas and New Year's just days away, WalletPop hopes to spread some holiday cheer. Here are answers to some of your questions to help usher in 2010 on the right financial footing.

Question: We're retirees age 70 and older holding an IRA rollover. In 2010, will we have to take money/stock out of our IRA? In 2009, we did not have to.
--Barbara J. LeFeve

Answer from Gary Lesser, author of Quick Reference to IRAs: For 2009 Contributions
The relief available for 2009 required minimum distributions (RMD) has not been extended. Thus, absent another extension (which I believe is unlikely), the next required minimum distribution from the taxpayer's traditional IRA will be for calendar year 2010. That distribution -- the 2010 distribution -- must be made by Dec. 31, 2010. However, for individuals reaching age 70 1/2 in 2010, the traditional IRA RMD amount may be distributed up until April 15, 2011.

Continue reading From IRAs to 529s, our experts answer your questions

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