A huge group of tax filers out there deserves bigger tax returns, according to the IRS.
In its annual campaign, the IRS and its partners are reminding working people who don’t make great money they might qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
But they have to claim the credit designed to ease the burden of low- and moderate-income workers and families, and one in five who qualify don’t, according to the IRS.
Today I am featuring a video by the Dave Ramsey Group. I love the message and the fun, creative way they are sharing what they have to say.
Enjoy
A new poll from Harris Interactive shows that many Americans are continuing to cut back on their spending. Here is a break down of their findings over the last 6 months:
What ways have you cut back?
I highly recommend “Home Sweet Home” Credit Coaching Services as part of “Josh Mettles Lending Team” and here is why:
I’m a full-time Real Estate Agent and like many buyers was looking to buy a home in this fantastic buyers market. I put in an offer on a short sale home, filled out a loan application with Josh, and had him pull my credit. I found out my mid-credit score was 649. I was stunned! I hadn’t had a late payment since 2007 and thought my credit was better. I really wanted to make sure I qualified for the best interest rate known to man (with interest rates currently around 4%) and with my score at 649 that wouldn’t do. Josh told me I needed my mid-credit score to be atleast 680 to qualify for this best interest rate. I knew getting my score to this 680 level would save me ttens of thousands in interest over the long haul of my loan. So, I hired “Home Sweet Home” and they sat me down and I went over everything I could possibly do to quickly bump up my score. Immediately, I did everything they asked and in 45 days I found my mid-credit score went up 48 points from 649 to a wopping 697. I am now over the hump and will save tens of thousands on my home loan. I will continue to recommend “Home Sweet Home” and “Josh Mettle Lending Team” to all my clients whom I work with that are in need of higher credit. Thanks “Home Sweet Home” and Josh Mettle Lending Team!” ~ Dave G.
I am asking this question today as I run across more and more potential home buyers who have chosen a new vehicle. Why did you make that choice?
Is it the instant gratification?
Is it because it’s easier to qualify for a car loan?
Is it because your current vehicle is getting older and might break down or keeps breaking down?
I’m curious, please let me know your comments and reasons why you chose to get a vehicle first or you chose to take advantage of the historical interest rates and prices and purchase a home instead.
I strongly suggest if you are in the market for both, that you meet with a lender first and checkout your credit situation and what your options are. No matter what you decide to purchase, a low credit score will cost you.
So hold on to your wallets we are only a few weeks away. On average $65/person is spent on Halloween: children’s parties, costumes, cards, candy, decorations, office parties, gifts to others and the list goes on and on. So a family of 4 just took a $260 hit to their monthly budget… amazing how fast it adds up. Here are some simple steps to take before you start swiping the debt card.
Costumes:
Swap with friends, neighbors or siblings
Make your own with what you already have around the house
Go shop at a thrift store
Plan ahead and hit the after-Halloween sales for next year and get a jump on the holiday
Candy:
I know in my home if I buy it too early, I eat it and I mean I eat all of it. I will end up buying three times the amount I would have purchased if I just would have waited. So wait until a day or so before Halloween to make your purchase.
Buy in bulk: gather the neighbors and purchase the candy / split the cost. Price shop the stores for the best deals
Decorations:
Almost everyone loves to decorate for Halloween. Have your kids help out, make your own decorations instead of purchasing everything. Visit your local craft store. Keep your previous years decorations, you don’t have to buy new every year. Again, plan ahead, budget and purchase expensive items that you absolutely have to have after Halloween and try to catch an after Halloween sale.
Sticking to your budget and planning ahead will always save you money. Be thrifty, let the costumes, haunted houses and corn mazes be the scary parts of Halloween……… not your credit card statement in November!
Believe it or not, Christmas is just around the corner. We are quickly approaching the “Holiday Season.” Check it out an official Christmas Countdown Clock: http://www.xmasclock.com at the time of this posting we were down to 73 days 14 hours until Christmas.
This means if you haven’t been putting money aside all year for your holiday expenses, you still have time. Sit down and create a budget. Write out your list of who you normally buy for, what you would like to spend per person and don’t forget to add in shipping/handling and Christmas cards/postage.
Now look at your budget and see if this “list” is even a possibility. Remember you do not want the January hangover due to credit card bills showing up in your mailbox or email inbox. Maybe the neighbors will get homemade cookies this year instead of a store bought gift, maybe more people will receive cards with a handwritten message or poem. There are ways to cutback, if you start now you’ll give your self more time to come up with options.
Put the moneyin a separate envelope with your final list so you stay focused and avoid overspending on impulse items. Advertisers and stores are very good at tempting you with “sale” items and displays showcasing these items throughout the store or prompted “suggested” items as you checkout online.
Shop smart; you’ll be grateful you did.
Disclaimer: The rates listed on this page are based on national averages. Please contact us for specific programs and their associated APR.
