Cheap real estate

Condos for sale now in these down markets at prices lower than new Toyotas. If I had boatloads of money and lived in the community, I'd be looking at some property to buy and rent. Increase the revenue streams and build a better retirement for yourself and your family.

Tired of bake sales and fundraisers at your school?

Aren't we all tired about hearing about cuts to school budgets, teachers losing jobs and reductions to school activities? Who wants to have another five or 10 bake sales and fundraisers next year? Hands?

Here's one option I just stumbled upon that seems like a win-win for school districts. I'm sure it would require local and superintendent approval, but something to think about.

According to the Associated Press, about a half dozen states already allow school bus advertising, including Colorado, Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Tennessee and Texas. And it's an idea being considered in Ohio, New Jersey and Utah.

LINK: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100319/ap_on_bi_ge/us_school_bus_ads

Networking for a job

Those in the market for a job are finding slim pickings out there right now, unless you happen to be in North Dakota, where the current unemployment rate is only 4 percent. The national average is about 10 percent this month.

Finding a job is becoming more difficult, but the Internet is making it somewhat easier (and hopefully faster). Someone created LaidOffCamp, an ad-hoc gathering of unemployed and nontraditionally employed people (including freelancers, entrepreneurs and startups) who want to share ideas and learn from each other.

LINK: http://laidoffcamp.pbworks.com/

Steps to take if you're laid off

From one of my heroes: Clark Howard. He and David Bach belong in some special Hall of Fame, in my opinion.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/03/12/clark.howard.unemployment/index.html

Source: CNN

Easy tips to avoid identity theft

Identity theft has become so rampant that nearly every family has been victimized. The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. In fact, you or someone you know may have experienced some form of identity theft.

Yours truly was hit when someone created credit card accounts to the tune of about $20,000 and was even paying on one or two of them. And someone else even tried to list a stolen Honda CRV in my name on eBay, where I have a flawless history of about 10 years.

If you ever find yourself the victim of identity theft or wish to prevent it, visit this site:
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/

Source: Federal Trade Commission

Coupons galore

Who doesn't use coupons these days? I use them for entertainment (movies, rentals), eating out, take-out and retail.
The Entertainment Book is nationwide and has reduced its prices. You'll find them filled with local coupons. Much better selection than ValPak and these coupons are typically good for one year.
I just punched in my zip code, 23236, and found the book reduced by 50 percent- down to $17.50. Use one or two coupons and it will pay for itself. It's loaded with pizza coupons too folks.
I'd pay another one, but we already have two.

What your credit card company won't tell you

Some consumers may feel relatively safe or content with new legislation aimed at credit card companies; however, credit cards are taking aim at those who regularly pay late. Prior to the new legislation, a number of banks did raise their past due fees.

Many will still charge a fee for a payment that is one day late. Many will still move your balance to a default rate, often 25 percent or more, if your payment is one day late.

Best option here:
If you carry a balance, schedule your payments at the credit card company's website or through your Billpay. If you go the latter, give you payment at least five days to reach its destination. Yes, it can take that long. I know because I've seen hundreds and thousands of payments take that long.

You may also want to schedule an electronic auto draft from your checking account. This is a great thing for car payments and mortgages. It simplifies life and the recipient bank will often cut you some kind of deal for participating. Watch your 30-year mortgage become a 25- or 26-year mortgage by making payments every two weeks. This might be something to consider, if you're in the market for a refinance.

ALSO, if you find yourself falling behind, if you've become unemployed, call your creditors. Let them know. You might encounter a human or maybe even a human bank. I've taken those calls and the banks can often work something out. Food for thought.

Things your financial aid office won't tell you

The upper classmen at most universities know the tricks and games behind financial aid. They know the forms must be completed early. The earlier, the better, they're told.

One of the running games at my major university was student loan money, often substantial amounts, was "delayed," when the tuition was due. This could happen even when applications had been completed months before.

Tuition couldn't be paid when the GSL money had not arrived and if your class wasn't paid for you lost your seat and/or could not attend the university. I know more than a few students in Iowa who were forced out of school that way. Fortunately, we could depend on the university to loan us emergency funds. This came with another financial aid application, demonstrated proof that you had pending financial aid, and a nice little administrative fee.

My loans were typically $1500-2000 a semester. I paid my way through school with hard work- often three or four jobs at once. Anyhow, the processing fee I paid was in the ballpark of $300. Now, multiply that by 20,000 students. Don't know how it happened, but the government's Guaranteed Student Loan program was guaranteed to get there, but frequently guaranteed to be late- even though the actual money often came from the same state.

Just one example. See the link below to avoid other pitfalls.
Link: http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/rip-offs/10-things-college-financial-aid-offices-wont-tell-you-15281/

Source: Smartmoney.com

A bunch of bologna

You receive an email from someone who appears to be a recruiter. A portion of the email indicates:


***The following is important information regarding your employment application.

We conduct thorough background checks on qualified applicants as part of our employment screening process. We only conduct background checks when we feel a position is available for an applicant.
Our Verification Check includes the following information:

Work Experience Verification
Educational Verification
Criminal Record Verifications
Consumer Report Verifications

Each employer has a unique and specific criterion that is used to determine the qualifications of certain positions that are available within their organization.

Erroneous information in your consumer report can prevent you from obtaining a job offer for which you are otherwise qualified. Companies in industries that provide employees with access to sensitive information rely heavily on the contents of these consumer reports.

We offer our applicants the opportunity to pre-verify the information that we obtain in our decision making processes.

To pre-verify your consumer report today:

As a convenience to our applicants and prospective employees, we have partnered with a company that enables you to receive your complimentary consumer report. Please visit http://www.empscreeninc.com/prescreen.htm to request your report. The link takes you to a spot where you can get a free credit report, but you also enroll in credit report monitoring at $14.95 a month. Ridiculous.

Any American can get a free credit bureau report or all the reports at once at http://www.annualcreditreport.com. This is the only legitimate website created for the purchase of the federal mandate giving each American one free report a year from each of the bureaus. This is a valid website and won't cost you a thing. FICO scores are available, but there is a small charge.

The take-away here: Be careful when responding to "recruiter" emails; some are bogus. And ALWAYS read the fine print BEFORE you get something on the internet. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you still question it, just conduct a Google search and see if any complaints pop up.

A quick way to save $250 a month

This is fairly simple, without any huge sacrifices. Think about some of these steps and either pocket the change, pay off a bill, or stow it in a money market acct, your 401K, etc.

http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/life/how-to-save-250-in-30-days-725690/