WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog/media/feedlogo.gif WalletPop Blog http://www.walletpop.com/blog en-us Copyright 2010 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Bank deposit error in your favor? Give it backhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/09/bank-deposit-error-in-your-favor-give-it-back/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/09/bank-deposit-error-in-your-favor-give-it-back/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/09/bank-deposit-error-in-your-favor-give-it-back/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

found moneyRemember when Uncle Billy in It's a Wonderful Life loses the bank deposit, and George's troubles ensue (and a holiday classic is born)? Or when Loretta Castorini in Moonstruck forgets a bank deposit as part of a series of comedic misunderstandings? Bank deposit bloopers happen in real-life as well, but the dollar amounts are considerably higher and the bank deposit bloopers are often caused by the bank, not the customer. And, the end-results of these bank deposit bloopers are, unfortunately, not always as heartwarming as in the movies.

Take Randy and Melissa Marie Pratt, whose perceived windfall turned into jail time, when they took an erroneous bank deposit and ran. Melissa made a bank deposit to FNB Bank in the summer of 2008 of $1,772.50, but the bank read the check as $177,250. When the central Pennsylvania couple saw the difference in their bank balance, they wrote checks to another account, quit their jobs, bought a new vehicle and moved to Orlando, Fla. They were in the process of buying a house before the bank deposit mistake was traced.

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Bank deposit error in your favor? Give it back originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>bank depositbank depositsbank errorbank error in your favorbank robberyBankDepositBankDepositsBankErrorBankErrorInYourFavorbankingBankRobberytheftJanean ChunWed, 09 Dec 2009 13:00:00 ESTTop 10 tips for getting the best equity loan ratehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/06/top-10-tips-for-getting-the-best-equity-loan-rate/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/06/top-10-tips-for-getting-the-best-equity-loan-rate/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/06/top-10-tips-for-getting-the-best-equity-loan-rate/#commentsFiled under:

home loan signWhen you're looking for a home equity loan, a major part of the process comes down to getting the best equity loan rate. Successfully getting the lowest equity loan rate can save you thousands of dollars. Here are the top 10 tips for making sure you get the best equity loan rate available to you, and traps to avoid along the way.

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Top 10 tips for getting the best equity loan rate originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>101: Mortgage101:Mortgageequity loan ratesEquityLoanRatesmortgagereal estateRealEstatetop 10 tips for getting the best equity loan rateTop10TipsForGettingTheBestEquityLoanRateJanean ChunSun, 06 Dec 2009 12:00:00 ESTBest free checking accountshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/03/best-free-checking-accounts/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/03/best-free-checking-accounts/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/03/best-free-checking-accounts/#commentsFiled under:

Even if you can't get a free lunch, free checking accounts seem to offer everything but. Banks and credit unions are freely offering their free checking account customers free checks (naturally), free ATM and/or debit cards, free e-statements, free online access, free unlimited check writing and free direct deposit transactions.

Additional features on free checking accounts may include free ATM use nationwide, overdraft protection plans and even cash bonuses for signing up. So why are banks so eager to get you to sign up for a free checking account that they'd push these unprofitable products? Through these free checking accounts, most banks hope you'll sign up for their other banking products and become a faithful customer.

Keep in mind that not all free checking accounts are actually free. In fact, though most banks offer free checking accounts, probably a quarter of all free checking accounts are completely free, with no restrictions at all. Don't be surprised if you see fees on your free checking account, even legitimate ones, such as fees for stop payments, canceled checks, check printing, insufficient funds or closing an account early. You might have to maintain a specific balance amount or be restricted as to ATM withdrawal limits per day or want to see your paid checks, so make sure your free checking account meets your financial needs and lifestyle. And don't expect to earn interest with your free checking account.

And beware the dark side of free checking accounts: Some people find out after the fact that they're getting charged every time they swipe their debit card, which can add up to be way more expensive than a not-free checking account.

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Best free checking accounts originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>101: banking101:Bankingbest free checking accountsBestFreeCheckingAccountsJanean ChunThu, 03 Dec 2009 16:00:00 ESTBest savings accounts for growing your moneyhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/03/best-savings-accounts-for-growing-your-money/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/03/best-savings-accounts-for-growing-your-money/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/03/best-savings-accounts-for-growing-your-money/#commentsFiled under:

With a little research, you can find the best savings account to make your money grow as safely and quickly as possible. What are the characteristics of the best savings accounts on the market today?

Competitive interest rates. The best savings accounts usually pay a slightly higher interest rate than checking accounts, while keeping your money liquid. Your savings account pays a rate of return on all the money in your account, which means you get paid for just letting your money sit there. If you're not planning on using or investing the money, it's better to keep it in these savings accounts than stashing it under your mattress.

Safety. One of the safest things you can do with your money is to put it into a savings account. The best savings accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000. And you can't say that about your mattress.

Extra features. The best savings accounts are the ones that make your life as easy as possible. Good interest rates aren't the only hallmark of the best savings accounts--you want to make sure to consider other options, such as: Does your bank offer CDs, if you plan to transfer some of your savings to CDs? If it's an online bank, do they have physical locations you can go to if you need to, say, print a check? How long do you have to wait for bank-to-bank transfers?

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Best savings accounts for growing your money originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>bankingbest savings accountsBestSavingsAccountsING Direct Orange savingsIngDirectOrangeSavingsinterestsavings accountsSavingsAccountsJanean ChunThu, 03 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST10 best electronic payment serviceshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/02/10-best-electronic-payment-services/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/02/10-best-electronic-payment-services/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/02/10-best-electronic-payment-services/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

bill payingImagine a world where you don't have to write or mail a check, handle paper money or swipe your credit card -- all you have to do is enter some information into a Web site to make a financial transaction. That's the world of electronic payments, and if you haven't discovered the convenience of electronic payments, it's time to get with the e-program.

Whether you're shopping online, paying a bill or using online bill pay through your bank, making an electronic payment is as quick and efficient as a couple of clicks. If you automate your electronic payments, you can also eliminate the "D'oh! I forgot to make my payment" moments in your busy schedule. And as long as you make your electronic payments from a secure server, with a firewall, your privacy should be protected. Plus, you save trees and stamps.


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10 best electronic payment services originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>billselectronic paymentsElectronicPaymentsonlineJanean ChunWed, 02 Dec 2009 16:00:00 ESTHow to find the best bank checking accounthttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/02/how-to-find-the-best-bank-checking-account/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/02/how-to-find-the-best-bank-checking-account/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/02/how-to-find-the-best-bank-checking-account/#commentsFiled under:

With all the checking accounts available, how can you figure out what will work best for you? Consider these tips from Bankrate.com:

Figure out what you need. If all you need from a bank checking account is simple checking, ATM or debit card access and bill pay, you can probably just get a free bank checking account. Basically, a free checking account won't charge you if you go below a minimum balance and won't charge a per item fee, such as a fee for each check you've written over a certain number of checks.

Shop around online. Go to the websites of several different banks to see what types of bank checking accounts they provide. Compare not only banks, but what they offer as far as free bank checking accounts vs. an interest bearing bank checking account. Also shop around for the bank checking account that offers the most options you need; for example, if you pay most of your bills online, look for that instead of a bank checking account that offers free paper checks.

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How to find the best bank checking account originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>101 banking101Bankingbest checking accountBestCheckingAccountJanean ChunWed, 02 Dec 2009 15:00:00 ESTGet out and network: How to find a business organizationhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/02/get-out-and-network-how-to-find-a-business-organization/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/02/get-out-and-network-how-to-find-a-business-organization/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/02/get-out-and-network-how-to-find-a-business-organization/#commentsFiled under: ,

Want to join a business organization, but don't know where to start? Maybe it's been a while since you ventured out of your social networking cave and met up with real humans. Not to worry -- our tips for understanding business organizations will take you from shy to savvy.

Chamber of Commerce. These general business organizations allow you to mingle with other professionals from a variety of industries via informal monthly mixers. Sometimes Chamber of Commerce meetings include special speakers, presentations or discussions on business topics to keep you plugged into your general business community.

Professional/trade associations. Professional business organizations can help you by providing industry statistics, industry newsletters and publications and, most important, a list of association members. Talking to other members of these business organizations can be an invaluable way of really digging into the trends in your local industry as well as bigger trends affecting the industry overall. Between the literature and the contacts, you can tap into trends and customer buying habits. Some examples of these business organizations are the American Medical Association, American Bar Association and National Association of Professional Organizers. Here's a secret tip: Join the trade association your top clients belong to, so you can get direct insight to what your customers want -- not to mention direct contact with a bevy of prospective customers.

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Get out and network: How to find a business organization originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>careersChamber of CommerceChamberOfCommercefind a business organizationFindABusinessOrganizationhow to understand a business organizationHowToUnderstandABusinessOrganizationnetworkingJanean ChunWed, 02 Dec 2009 09:00:00 ESTTop 10 tips for shopping for online loanshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/01/top-10-tips-for-shopping-for-online-loans/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/01/top-10-tips-for-shopping-for-online-loans/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/01/top-10-tips-for-shopping-for-online-loans/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This isn't your father's banker. Your father's banker was probably human. Today, you can get online loans without ever stepping into a bank -- actually, without even leaving your home. But that facelessness can be either convenient or dangerous. You need to be cautious when shopping for online loans, so you find a legitimate online loan provider and not a scam artist trying to take rather than give you money.

Here are the top 10 tips for getting online loans.

Online Loans Tip #1: Make the most of online advantages. One of the biggest benefits of shopping for online loans is you can easily compare rates and offerings and get qualified and approved quicker than from traditional banks.

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Top 10 tips for shopping for online loans originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>101 mortgages101Mortgagescredit scoresCreditScoresloansmicro loansMicroLoansonline loansOnlineLoanspersonal loansPersonalLoanstechnologytop 10 tips for online loamsTop10TipsForOnlineLoamsJanean ChunTue, 01 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST10 most popular 0% credit cardshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/01/10-most-popular-0-credit-cards/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/01/10-most-popular-0-credit-cards/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/12/01/10-most-popular-0-credit-cards/#commentsFiled under:

Credit cards offering 0% interest are as common today as ever, but realistically, it's getting harder for you to snag 0% credit cards. That's because pending credit card reform has major credit card lenders increasing APRs and looking only for applicants with excellent credit.

Most 0% credit cards also offer that attractive 0% rate for a limited time, frequently for just the first six months, and/or charge an annual fee that might eat up anything you gain by that 0% interest rate. Search for a 0% credit card with no annual fee, the lowest regular APR and the longest window of time at 0% interest so you can try to get your balance down to zero before the interest rate shoots up.

Here are 10 of the most popular 0% credit cards, according to Bankrate.com:

1. Capital One No Hassle Miles Rewards. This 0% credit card offers 0% interest on purchases until November 2010, with a regular APR of 13.90% and no annual fee. You earn 1 mile per dollar spent on purchases up to $1,000 and 2 miles per dollar spent above that amount every month. There is no limit and no expiration on the miles you can earn, with no blackout dates and no seat restrictions. Also, this 0% credit card has no foreign transaction fees. Or take it up a notch with the Capital One No Hassle Miles Ultra for Professionals 0% credit card, which varies in that it charges a $39 annual fee and offers 2 miles for every dollar spent.

Continue reading 10 most popular 0% credit cards

10 most popular 0% credit cards originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>101 credit debt101CreditDebtcredit cardsCreditCardsfeaturedno-interest creditNo-interestCreditten most popular 0 credit cardsTenMostPopular0CreditCardsJanean ChunTue, 01 Dec 2009 10:00:00 ESTTop 10 tips for finding a home loan refinancehttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/30/top-10-tips-for-finding-a-home-loan-refinance/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/30/top-10-tips-for-finding-a-home-loan-refinance/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/30/top-10-tips-for-finding-a-home-loan-refinance/#commentsFiled under:

Finding it hard to resist mortgage interest rates below 5%? You're not alone if you want a home loan refinance. Here are the top 10 tips to making sure your home loan refinance experience goes smoothly.

Home Loan Refinance Tip #1: Figure out how much equity you have. Get your property's value assessed and find out from your Realtor what the comps in your area are selling for as opposed to what they're listed for. Does your neighborhood have a lot of foreclosures? If so, expect your home value to have dropped in price, which can affect your home loan refinance. Most lenders today won't do a home loan refinance unless you have at least 20% equity and have proof of income.

Home Loan Refinance Tip #2: Make sure your credit score and income qualifies you. Because of the housing crisis fallout, lenders have stricter credit and income requirements. Get your credit and debt-to-income ratio in order before even beginning to think about entering the home loan refinance process.

Home Loan Refinance Tip #3: Prioritize your home loan refinance goals. Whether you want to lower your monthly payments or reduce your loan term, figure that out first to make sure you meet those goals with your home loan refinance.

Home Loan Refinance Tip #4: Don't assume you can't get a home loan refinance if you are under water with your mortgage. Even if your property's value is less than what you owe on it, it is still possible to get a home loan refinance. If you have a mortgage that is owned or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, you might still be able to qualify. Some federal programs even allow you to get a home loan refinance if your mortgage is 125% of your home's value.

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Top 10 tips for finding a home loan refinance originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>banksmortgagereal estateRealEstaterefinancingtop ten tips on home loan refinanceTopTenTipsOnHomeLoanRefinanceJanean ChunMon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESTBest sites for online coupon codeshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/30/best-sites-for-online-coupon-codes/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/30/best-sites-for-online-coupon-codes/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/30/best-sites-for-online-coupon-codes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Maybe you used to scorn coupon clipping as beneath you. But who knew the only objection to coupons was the scissors? Even shoppers who would toss those pesky newspaper coupon sections aside find online coupon codes irresistible. Today, online coupon codes get forwarded to family, friends and co-workers at the speed of light. So how can you get online coupon codes before the rest of creation finds them, impress your savings-savvy friends and get bragging rights to the best deals? Try these sites to find up-to-the-minute online coupon codes.

Slickdeals. This site features the top daily online coupon codes for everything from tech gear to retail. The forums are awesome, as the Slickdeals community argues passionately about whether each online coupon code is really a good deal or not.

WOW Coupons. This is one of the biggest sources for online coupon codes and free printable coupons for retail and grocery stores, including more than 48,000 national and regional pharmacy chain stores. WOW coupons also offers online coupon codes for restaurants and travel.

Bizrate.This site offers an updated database, allowing you to search for coupons by store and read reviews on the store itself. On each store's page, click on the coupon icon to find available online coupon codes, or go to bizrate.com/sales to find coupon deals for all stores.

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Best sites for online coupon codes originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>101 saving money101SavingMoneyBargain BabeBargainBabebest coupon sitesBestCouponSitescouponsfeaturedsaving moneySavingMoneyshoppingtechnologyJanean ChunMon, 30 Nov 2009 08:00:00 ESTTop 10 tips for loan refinancinghttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/29/top-10-tips-for-loan-refinancing/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/29/top-10-tips-for-loan-refinancing/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/29/top-10-tips-for-loan-refinancing/#commentsFiled under:

Interest rates are once again falling to irresistible levels, which means two words are on the mind of millions of Americans: loan refinancing. But how do you get the best loan refinancing deal while avoiding some of the loan refinancing traps that plagued so many of the ill-advised refinancers of the housing crisis? Here are 10 ways to make sure you do your loan refinancing right.

Loan Refinancing Tip #1: Find the right rate. This is probably the most common motivation behind loan refinancing. Anyone who has a high fixed-rate mortgage and sees those rates dropping is naturally tempted to switch to a low fixed-rate loan. Or if you have an ARM, you might take advantage of the low interest rates to get a loan refinancing locked in to a low fixed rate for the life of the loan.

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Top 10 tips for loan refinancing originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>101 mortgages101Mortgagesfeaturedloan refinancingLoanRefinancingreal estateRealEstaterefinancingtop 10 tipsTop10TipsJanean ChunSun, 29 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESTBest platinum cards for status spenders and rewards seekershttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/26/best-platinum-cards-for-status-spenders-and-rewards-seekers/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/26/best-platinum-cards-for-status-spenders-and-rewards-seekers/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/26/best-platinum-cards-for-status-spenders-and-rewards-seekers/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Remember the days when gold credit cards were the gold standard? Then platinum credit cards became the new mark of exclusivity. Since then, the platinum of platinum credit cards have morphed into black, clear, blue, plum, titanium and every other color imaginable in the status rainbow. How do you choose?

The good news is platinum credit cards are more available to average consumers. You don't need the highest income or credit scores to qualify for members only benefits, but generally just need a solid credit history and a FICO above 650. If you pass the criteria, you can earn platinum credit card points redeemable for prizes and merchandise, tap customer service benefits, accrue frequent flyer miles, get discounts and reap cashback bonuses. Most platinum credit cards also guarantee over-the-limit services, so you'll never again have to deal with the embarrassment of getting your card declined.

Let's take a look at some of the best platinum credit cards on the market.


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Best platinum cards for status spenders and rewards seekers originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>101 creditdebt101Creditdebtchoosing platinum cardsChoosingPlatinumCardscredit cardsCreditCardsFICO scoresFicoScoresJanean ChunThu, 26 Nov 2009 10:00:00 ESTTop 5 airline rewards strategieshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/top-5-airline-rewards-strategies/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/top-5-airline-rewards-strategies/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/top-5-airline-rewards-strategies/#commentsFiled under: ,

With an estimated 180 million members of frequent-flier programs and 10 trillion unused frequent-flier miles in circulation, what are the best airline rewards to spend your miles on? If you've done the right thing and accumulated most of your miles with one airline to maximize your redemption power, here's how how you can reap the benefits (or at least try):

Seats. Actual flights are the most popular use of airline rewards, but are also some of the toughest to redeem. Remember the first time you naively tried to redeem miles for a flight and found out that all dates were blacked out, sold out or would cost you triple the miles you expected?

Expiration is another problem with this particular airline reward. In fact, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) recently requested a review of frequent-flier programs for "deceptive business practices" for not giving customers a heads up that they are going to lose accounts or miles. Assuming Sen. Schumer's probe gets nowhere with solving this frustrating airline rewards problem, you need to call way, way, way ahead of your desired days of travel to get seats for the "advertised" miles. And don't neglect to research and manage your mileage program (most airlines allow three years of inactivity before miles expire, though JetBlue, AirTran and ATA only allow one year; Continental allows only 18 months; and Southwest allows 24 months).

Partners. This is where the bigger airlines rewards programs have an advantage. Continental and United; Delta and Northwest, etc., allow you to redeem miles with their partners, which increases flexibility and opportunities to get the flight you want.

Continue reading Top 5 airline rewards strategies

Top 5 airline rewards strategies originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Airline rewardsAirlineRewardsfeaturedfrequent flyer milesFrequentFlyerMilestravelJanean ChunWed, 25 Nov 2009 18:00:00 ESTTop 10 tips for college planninghttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/top-10-tips-for-college-planning/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/top-10-tips-for-college-planning/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/25/top-10-tips-for-college-planning/#commentsFiled under: , ,

While your kids are stressing about college, as in their essays and SAT scores, you're probably stressing about college planning, as in coming up with the money. Of course you want your kids to have the best education possible -- but have you seen what the best education costs these days? Don't worry -- with these top 10 tips for college planning, you may not have to spend the rest of your life paying for the next four years of your kid's life.

College Planning Tip #1: Negotiate your financial aid. You should start to receive financial aid packets from colleges about two weeks after receiving an acceptance letter, and these packets are crucial for college planning. In fact, it can help in your final college planning decision, as schools vary widely in what they'll offer, as they present what they can do to try to make up the difference between their fees and your expected contribution. They calculate this amount via several factors: your financial need, your kid's academic achievements and the aid they have available. This calculation often poses the biggest problem for middle-income families who are college planning -- they have too much to qualify but too little to pay.

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Top 10 tips for college planning originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>college planningCollegePlanningkids and moneyKidsAndMoneypaying for collegePayingForCollegescholarshipsTop 10 tips for college planningTop10TipsForCollegePlanningJanean ChunWed, 25 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST7 top tips for charitable givinghttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/7-top-tips-for-charitable-giving/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/7-top-tips-for-charitable-giving/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/7-top-tips-for-charitable-giving/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you're over the commercialism of Christmas and want to get into the spirit of charitable giving, charities are eager for the help. With the recession, many nonprofits have seen charitable giving drop, so your donation this year will mean more than ever. But just because you're feeling generous doesn't mean you shouldn't be wise. Here are the top seven tips for charitable giving and avoiding frauds:

Charitable Giving Tip #1: Be specific and proactive with your personal mission. Though you have more than 1 million charities to choose from, you're wise to focus your charitable giving on a few causes rather than spreading your donations thin. That way, you have a better chance of making a significant difference. This means doing some homework instead of just giving to any organization that solicits donations. Spend some time deciding what your specific mission is and whether you want your charitable giving to make a difference with that cause on a local, national or global basis. Don't just settle for a charity that is close to doing something in an area you're sort of interested in -- your goal with charitable giving is to hit the bulls-eye. (Also, check on the donor rights of your charity -- make sure it has a donor privacy policy, where it agrees not to sell or trade your contact information.)

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7 top tips for charitable giving originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>5 tips for charitable giving5TipsForCharitableGivingcharityfeaturedgivingJanean ChunSun, 22 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST5 top reasons to use free mortgage calculatorshttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/5-top-reasons-to-use-free-mortgage-calculators/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/5-top-reasons-to-use-free-mortgage-calculators/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/5-top-reasons-to-use-free-mortgage-calculators/#commentsFiled under:

Calculators may sound so junior high, but free mortgage calculators are actually highly sophisticated online tools that can help you save big money on your home loan. Some free mortgage calculators are simple -- you just input your mortgage amount, length of loan and interest rate to get a general idea of your monthly payments. Other free mortgage calculators involve filling out complex, page-long inquiries.

No matter the ease or complexity, here are five steps to effectively using free mortgage calculators.

1. Use free mortgage calculators to decide on a length of loan. The key here is to use the free mortgage calculator calculate the rate that will allow you the lowest payments in the shortest time period. While many financial advisors say 15-year rather than the full 30-year mortgage will help you save as much as possible on interest payments and free you up financially in the future, that simply isn't an option with most people's monthly budgets. To get a quick idea of whether a shorter-term loan is even something you can consider, use free mortgage payoff calculators to do the math. Find these anywhere from Realtor websites to this one at the Financial Planning Association.

Continue reading 5 top reasons to use free mortgage calculators

5 top reasons to use free mortgage calculators originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>101 Mortgages101Mortgagesmortgage calculatorsMortgageCalculatorsreal estate auctionRealEstateAuctionJanean ChunSun, 22 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST10 rules for saving for retirement, and the retirement savings calculators to helphttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/10-rules-for-saving-for-retirement-and-the-retirement-savings-c/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/10-rules-for-saving-for-retirement-and-the-retirement-savings-c/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/10-rules-for-saving-for-retirement-and-the-retirement-savings-c/#commentsFiled under:

It's never too early to start your retirement savings, but, as too many people are finding out the hard way, it can be too late. Make use of tools like free online retirement savings calculators and start building your retirement savings now.

Here are our top 10 rules for building your retirement savings, complete with retirement savings calculators to help you do the math.

1. Be realistic with your retirement savings goals.

You may have fantasies of taking a yacht around the world, but you have to plan your retirement savings according to your real needs, not your ideal wants. Use a retirement savings calculator to figure out how much you'll need to supplement Social Security, pensions and annuities, and aim straight for that retirement savings target.

Figure out what your retirement income will be with this retirement savings calculator; and what your expenses will be with this retirement savings calculator. For more information on Social Security, go to this retirement savings calculator.

Continue reading 10 rules for saving for retirement, and the retirement savings calculators to help

10 rules for saving for retirement, and the retirement savings calculators to help originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>calculatorretirementretirement planningretirement savingsretirement savings calculatorRetirementPlanningRetirementSavingsRetirementSavingsCalculatorJanean ChunSun, 22 Nov 2009 13:00:00 ESTPrepare now for ultimate retirement livinghttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/prepare-now-for-ultimate-retirement-living/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/prepare-now-for-ultimate-retirement-living/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/prepare-now-for-ultimate-retirement-living/#commentsFiled under: , ,

RetiredWhen it comes to retirement living, take your cue from the Boy Scout handbook. Be prepared, and you could truly enjoy your golden years; don't prepare, and you're headed for the dark side of retirement living. It's a choice that 58 million people will be facing by next year, when 20% of the population will be in the 50- to 64-year-old range -- those crucial pre-retirement living years. How can you prepare now to secure all aspects of retirement living?

Continue reading Prepare now for ultimate retirement living

Prepare now for ultimate retirement living originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>planning for retirementPlanningForRetirementretirementretirement livingRetirementLivingwillsJanean ChunSun, 22 Nov 2009 12:00:00 ESTBest charge card services ... and traps to avoidhttp://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/best-charge-card-services-and-traps-to-avoid/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/best-charge-card-services-and-traps-to-avoid/http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/11/22/best-charge-card-services-and-traps-to-avoid/#commentsFiled under:

Credit cardsBetween all the charge card offers that come in the mail and the charge card controversies in the news, how can you find the best charge card for you? In a recent WalletPop roundup, we researched the best charge cards according to specific services and features.

Charge card with the best interest rate: The Simmons First Visa Platinum. Don't be fooled by charge cards that offer 0% interest ... and then skyrocket after a limited time. Simmons First Visa Platinum is a solid low-interest-rate charge card with a 7.25% APR.

Continue reading Best charge card services ... and traps to avoid

Best charge card services ... and traps to avoid originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>101 credit debt101CreditDebtbest charge cardbest credit cardbest moneyback programbest rewards programBestChargeCardBestCreditCardBestMoneybackProgramBestRewardsProgramcharge cardChargeCardcredit cardCreditCardJanean ChunSun, 22 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST