Following the examples of upset individuals everywhere, Frank Alford of New Albany is paying his property taxes in coins to protest the skyrocketing property tax rates!

Rates in New Albany have increased almost 50% since 2006, and while single home owners have received some relief thanks to recent legislation, individuals who own multiple rental properties like Frank have been left in the cold.

This isn't the first time Frank has used a small denomination to pay his property tax bill -- which came to $21,000 this year! The county clerk recognized Frank because he paid in singles last year. This year he hauled in a trash can containing approximately 400 pounds of Susan B. Anthony coins to pay his debt to the county, while carrying a sign that read, "Property taxes gone wild."

If you are interested in purchasing a home, now may be the right time to begin investigating your options. We are in the throes of a double downswing of the costs associated with entering the single family home market. What this means is that as real estate prices are deflating regionally, the interest rates on first mortgage loans to buy those properties are at rock-bottom levels. Deflated real estate markets aren't always bad things, when you're in the mood to buy some.

The tough part of the proposition right now is that bank money is very tight. When I bought my first home, a 2% down payment would get you a mortgage. In the current banking conditions, banks are sometimes seeking as much as 10% to 30% down payments on first mortgages. Here are some of the things you should consider if you want to do business in today's mortgage climate.

Our credit score is critical. Go over your credit reports with careful detail. Bring any errors to the attention of the reporting agency and clear up any outstanding issues. If your credit report and budget are a total mess, consider paying for a couple hours with a CPA who specializes in household finances and investing. They can help you understand how to get back on track. As always, a poor credit rating will be reflected in the mortgage terms you are offered. Today's bankers are more closely scrutinizing how we look on the books.

Pssst, Hey buddy, have I got a deal for you.

Every once in a great while you might get an approach similar to that at your friendly neighborhood resale shop. That can be especially true if it's a shop you're not very familiar with. When a thrift store employee or operator brings out something from under the counter which they have "saved for special customers,"... watch out! The chances are good that you'll be looking at an item from a questionable source.

Take for instance that mint condition collection of Buffalo Head nickels, or a complete set of sterling silver flatware in its own velvet lined case. The sales person may tell you that it came from an estate sale they were at that same morning. Take care about your purchase or you could become guilty of receiving stolen property. It's a dead giveaway when the store clerk suggests that you go outside to look at items they have in their car. Yeah, it's not on the shelves and it's not on the books. Ask them if you really look that much like an idiot.

It's a very small matter, yet an incredibly powerful one and it has come to my attention that even a few seasoned bank tellers don't fully understand the legal difference between the words and / or. It's as simple as this: when you open a joint financial account, you make the joint designation with one of those two words. The account can be in the names of John and Jane Doe, or alternatively it can read John or Jane Doe.

The word and designates co-authority over an account, whereas the word or designates that either party has independent authority over the account. This means that the and account requires the signature of both account holders when conducting business, while the or account can be utilized by either individual without the signature of the other account holder.