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Money Saving Tips

How To Create A College Savings Plan For Your Kids

We all want to give our children the best opportunities they can get, but that is not always easy in today’s world, nor is it simple. A college education is a necessity for career opportunities in many industries, but the rising cost of education is making it very hard for many students to get their credentials without accruing massive amounts of debt. No one knows where this trend will go in the next few years, which makes it ever more necessary to make sure that you’re prepared. Starting a college fund for your kids is a great way to keep them on track for success, but how can you start saving?

The best way to begin creating a college fund for your kids is to know what kind of savings account options are available to you. A standard savings account with your bank may seem like the easiest choice, but it is not always the most beneficial. If you hold your child’s college fund in a savings account, it will still be counted as part of your total estate. This will make it more difficult for your child to receive financial aid from the government when he or she starts college.

March 26, 2013

Money Saving Tips

Study Shows Energy Star Homes Less Likely To Default

If you live in an Energy Star home or you’re in the market for one, there are definitely some benefits that come with owning one. They have great insulation. Their windows come with protective coatings that block ultraviolet sun rays. Their energy-efficient central air systems are quieter while reducing the levels of humidity within the home. They also come with appliances that are Energy Star certified; many of which use 50-60 percent less electricity than other standard models. Plus, there’s the added bonus of the fact that all of these things combined can save homeowners an average of $200-400 in utility bills annually.

Perhaps that’s a big part of the reason why a study that was recently released by the University of North Carolina – Center for Community Capital reveals that another benefit of having an Energy Star home is that it is much less likely to default than other ones. How much less likely? A whopping 32 percent, to be exact.

This data was released after approximately 71,000 Energy Star single-family homes were compared to similar homes that do not have that certification. What was discovered was that no matter where the homes were located, the value of the house or the loaner’s credit history (among other criteria), consistently, across the board, Energy Star homes did not go into default nearly as much. Another interesting fact that was also published in the study is that the more energy efficient an Energy Star house proved to be, the lower the risk of default became.

March 22, 2013

Money Saving Tips

5 Tips For Finding Low Cost Legal Advice

There comes a time in all of our lives when we’ll need some legal advice for something. It might be in reference to purchasing a new home or settling a tax bill or starting a new business, or even making a will. The thing is, because most attorneys charge by the quarter hour (and it can be some pretty hefty rates, at that), it can often be difficult to find the kind of legal advice that your budget can afford.

This is your lucky day. Below, we have provided you a list of five ways to find low cost legal advice so that you can resolve your situation without spending a lot of your money in the process.

Get some referrals. If you know someone who knows a lawyer who would be willing to speak with you, that’s great. If not, the American Bar Association is a network that has a list of attorneys all over the country who specialize in different law practices. By reaching out to them, they might be able to point you in the direction of someone who can assist you within your price range. You can contact them at AmericanBar.org.

March 13, 2013

Money Saving Tips

Easy Ways To Save Money On Expensive Legal Fees

It’s a pretty safe bet that all of us try and do whatever we can to avoid finding ourselves in a situation where we need to hire a lawyer. But sometimes life happens and we need some legal consultation or representation so that we can make the best decisions possible.

There’s no way around the fact that hiring (and especially retaining) a lawyer can be pretty expensive. The good news is that there are some things that you can do to significantly reduce the costs of having one. If you would like to know about some easy ways to save money on expensive legal fees, we have five for you below:

Look for a pro bono lawyer. If you’re someone who needs a lawyer due to a crime that has been committed, there are some lawyers who offer certain services for free. Although there aren’t a lot of law firms that will advertise this kind of service, you can contact them through their email address on their company website to ask. Or, you can go to your favorite search engine and put “pro bono lawyer” along with your city and state to see which ones are available within your area.

March 10, 2013

Money Saving Tips

5 Ways To Cut Your Biggest Wedding Day Expenses

Your wedding day should be a beautiful and memorable occasion, but it shouldn’t be a budget breaker. Couples all over the world spend tons of money on their weddings, and many have a hard time recovering from the financial hit. It shouldn’t be this way. It should be just about you and the one you love having a special day together; as long as you have each other it will be perfect. Luckily, there are many great ways you can cut costs on your wedding day without making the event any less special. In fact, these great expense reducing wedding day ideas can make your marriage even more memorable.

Host Your Ceremony Outdoors
One of the biggest wedding day expenses that couples have to finance is the venue. Finding the perfect place to host your wedding ceremony is never easy, and paying for it can be even more difficult. Consider hosting your ceremony outdoors to reduce this expense. There are plenty of great places to hold an outdoor ceremony, and they’re almost always going to be cheaper than indoor spaces. Best of all, an outdoor ceremony creates unforgettable scenery that will make your wedding as beautiful as it can be.

March 7, 2013

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