Personal Finance news: Job, budget, savings, retirement, home - KFDA - NewsChannel 10 / Amarillo News, Weather, Sports
Member Center:
 |
 |
While most people realize that their personal creditworthiness is tracked on something called a credit report, few know much about it or their scoring system.
Certain projects, such as adding a well thought-out family room can be a wise investment, as they do add to the value of the home. Other projects, however, allow little opportunity to recover the costs when it's time to sell.
Depending on which estimate you believe, Obama's proposed budget would raise the tax bill of a household with a yearly income of $50,000 to $75,000 between $63 and $100 per year. However, that's not all you should know.
Every year, identity thieves misuse the personal information of more than 11 million Americans. This makes identity theft one of the fastest-growing crimes in the country.
There is a widening range of online tools that have been designed to help save hard-earned cash. The following Internet browser extensions have achieved popularity among consumers, thanks to a series of unique and practical benefits.
Tips for making the transition work for everyone.
This week we examine ways in which inflation nibbles away at your retirement income, especially in light of the President's proposal for Chained CPI adjustments to Social Security.
An emergency fund will help see you through an unexpected and potentially costly life event, such as a health crisis, a job layoff or a major home repair.
Whether you've always wanted to take mom to Mexico or splurge on a day at the spa, here are some easy tips for saving up dinero for Mother's Day and all year round!
Post-graduate degrees can often lead to a better paycheck as long as you choose the right field.
Both Warren Buffett and Tiger Woods do a few simple things spectacularly well to achieve their goals. While odds are quite high that you will never become Woods or Buffett, you don't have to in order to succeed.
With just a little bit of planning and foresight, next year's tax season can be less headache-inducing.
Many financial services firms try to help investors by sharing their opinions on a mutual fund. But other factors should come into play as well.
Surprisingly, there are actually a lot of similarities between the game of golf and investing.
iStockphoto.comIf you don't have a plan for the money when that refund check comes, consider these five options for letting the savings you accumulated last year bring you greater financial security and peace of mind in the years to come.
Comstock / Thinkstock.comIdentity thieves are sophisticated and may get your information despite your best efforts. That doesn't mean, however, that common sense precautions don't work.
The demand for credit counseling has risen over the last decade. Here are the risks and benefits.
Some recruiters and recruiting firms use more methods to source suitable candidates than others do.
How should aspiring investors best allocate funds for investing, and how much money should you have before you begin?
With the number of credit cards in circulation exceeding the nation's population, card issuers have developed various ways of sweetening the deal.
Both online tax software and tax professionals have their own set of advantages, but which one is actually better for your bottom line?
Two of the most popular methods are nicknamed the "snowball" and the "avalanche" methods. To determine which path is best for you, check out these pros and cons.
In order to file as head of household, you must meet several requirements. Find out whether being head of household comes with any tax benefits.
One in five consumers found at least one potentially major error on their credit reports, according to a recent FTC study.
It has been three years since the Federal Reserve's Credit CARD Act went into effect. In these three years, the act has had mostly positive impacts.
To create a good work-life balance, you might have to learn to say no to your bosses.
A condominium offers many of the advantages of home ownership with fewer of the hassles. That is, unless you're talking about getting a mortgage for one.
Wondering if you can qualify for a home equity loan? Recent indications suggest that second mortgages are on the rebound, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're easier to get.
Mortgage rates have been on the rise. Is this your last, best chance to refinance and save money with a super low rate?
You don't hear much about adjustable-rate mortgages these days, but for the right kind of borrower, they're still an attractive option.
With housing prices and mortgage rates as low as they are, many are tempted to take the plunge and become first-time homeowners. But how do you know if you're truly ready?
Here, a list of eight money wasters offer a chance to keep more of your money in the bank.
If your income falls short, consider some creative ways to bring in some extra cash without adding too many hours to the work week.
The CFPB has rolled out long-awaited new rules for residential mortgages. So what will be the impact on mortgage borrowers?
Long-awaited "qualified mortgage" rules have been issued by the CFPB, setting forth guidelines to protect borrowers from predatory lending.
Some 3.8 million homeowners will share in an $8.5 billion settlement over improper foreclosure and mortgage servicing practices.
If you are among those who want to focus on making financial gains this year, follow these suggestions to ensure that 2013 is a robust year.
The home appraisal is very important when refinancing a mortgage. So how can you make sure you get the highest appraisal possible?
It is time to face a sobering reality: Creditors want to collect on the charges you made while you were caught up in the holiday festivities.
The way mortgage rates have been falling the past three years, a lot of homeowners are not only refinancing their mortgages, they're doing it for a second or even a third time.
Should you be worried that Congress will take away your mortgage interest deduction as part of the "fiscal cliff" negotiations? For the great majority of homeowners, the answer is "no."
Protect yourself from identity theft and fraud with safe-shopping tips.
Now that the election is behind us, current and potential homeowners may be wondering what will be the impact of Obama's re-election on the mortgage and housing markets?
You've probably heard that it's a good idea to check your credit reports for errors once a year. But which errors are the ones that do the most damage to your credit score?
Been thinking about buying a home? Well, maybe you should put it on your Christmas list.
You probably knew that homeowners can refinance underwater mortgages through the Home Affordable Refinance Program. HARP is now available for other types of properties as well.
If you're applying for a mortgage for the first time, the whole process can seem pretty intimidating. There's a lot to understand and it can get confusing at times.
The new rules exist to protect consumers who need help with unmanageable debts, but it is still important to understand what these rules mean when seeking debt relief help.
5 steps to starting the New Year with a better financial plan.
There are a lot of good reasons to refinance your mortgage, especially with rates as low as they are. But there can be some pretty good reasons not to refinance as well.
There are a lot of people with decent incomes who would like to buy a house right now but are afraid they can't come up with the down payment.
Bank of America is erasing the debt on 150,000 second liens for mortgage borrowers in financial difficulty.
Here's a look at five ways to maintain a healthy credit score.
With home prices and mortgage rates as low as there are, it's an attractive time for young people to buy their first home.
Perhaps the only thing more difficult than watching someone you love struggle financially is having that person ask you for money.
You don't hear a lot about adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) these days. That's too bad, because they're still a good choice for many homebuyers, believe it or not.
America's richest communities have been cross-referenced with how much, or little, those who live there give to charity. If you're looking for donations, you may want to avoid New York.
Grocery bills are a big weekly household expense, so it's important to shop smartly. Follow these tips to keep your spending low while filling your grocery cart.
Can you qualify for a mortgage to buy a home? It's a straightforward question, but often one without a simple answer.
The average cost of a public college education is $21,000 per year. Private schools can cost twice that. You want your children to have the best, but how to pay for it all?
Mortgage lenders would have to offer borrowers a straightforward "no fee" home loan to make it easier to compare competing offers under a set of new rules proposed.
Using a credit or debit card is certainly easier than carrying a wad of cash, but both carry some risks. Here is what you should be aware of.
It can cost $500 to get an elementary school student ready for class, and twice that for a high school student. Here are some ways to lower that number.
Though home prices and mortgage rates are both unusually low right now, many borrowers are also short of money. So the 40-year mortgage may be an attractive option for them.
If you have a retirement account, you may be able to borrow from it to help pay for a home, but it's an area where you ought to proceed with caution.
When shopping for a mortgage, most borrowers focus on trying to get the lowest rate. But you can also save a lot of money by paying attention to the fees paid at closing.
U.S. home values appear to have bottomed out, posting their first annual increase in five years, according to the newest Zillow market report.
With interest rates as low as they are, a lot of borrowers are being tempted by 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. But for many, a 30-year loan may still be the best option.
Money problems, drinking and drug use are among the social and economic factors that make low-income couples less likely to marry and more likely to divorce than couples with more money, a new study suggests.
Regardless of your reasons for wanting to close a credit card account, review these basic do's and don'ts before you take action.
While being self-employed can offer a lot of advantages, it can also make it more difficult to qualify for a mortgage when you want to buy a home.
Did you know that you may be able to negotiate certain changes to your account? Learn how to use your card holder power to your advantage.
If wedding bells are in your future, read on for more cost-saving tips guaranteed to give you a beautiful, memorable day without breaking the bank.
If you're a high school or college student looking for work in the coming months, here's some tips on how to make your own form of employment, whether you're looking to pad your resume or line your pocketbook.
A penny saved is a penny earned, so the saying goes, and in these challenging economic times, it pays to find creative ways to save as many pennies as you can.
One of the most important terms you'll come across when shopping for a mortgage is APR, or annual percentage rate. But what exactly does it mean?
New rules that recently took effect are giving financially pressed homeowners a fresh opportunity to qualify for a HAMP loan modification.
Choosing the right size data plan will let you use your phone to its fullest, without overpaying for a plan you don't use or expensive overages. Here's how to size up your usage.
Renting (or leasing) can be a good stepping stone toward home ownership, but before you sign on the dotted line, find out the answers to these all-important questions.
Making a balance transfer may save you money, but it also could hurt you in the long run. Here are six steps to take before switching credit cards.
Figuring out finances can be confusing... but it doesn't have to be.
Before you embark on a new relationship, or if you are seeking to make your partnership stronger, consider these eight questions couples should ask about love and debt.
Here are steps to take for financial recovery after health problems, fire or natural disaster.
| INFORMATIONAL DISCLAIMER The information contained on or provided through this site is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional financial or accounting advice. Always seek the advice of your accountant or other qualified personal finance advisor for answers to any related questions you may have. Use of this site and any information contained on or provided through this site is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties. |
 |  All content © Copyright 2000-2011 WorldNow and KFDA. All Rights Reserved. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
|
