Search Smart Spending:

Browse by Tags

  • Need extra money? Here's how to find it

    Posted Apr 17 2008, 06:15 AM by Karen Datko Rating:

    This post comes from Nora Dunn at partner blog Wise Bread.

    There are a number of ways to stretch your dollars simply by rearranging your finances. Here are 11 tips to help you find some extra money.

    Change your withholding tax. If you typically receive a tax refund each year, ask your employer to reduce the amount of tax withheld from your paychecks. I know, I know. You like getting those fat checks at tax time each year. But in reality it's an interest-free loan to the government. Your money is much better in your own pocket, thank you very much.

    Reduce interest rates on your debt. As cited in a previous article, if you ask for a discount by calling your credit card company, you often will receive one.

    This also applies to other loans. If you happen to be drowning in your finances, you can call creditors and explain your situation, and they can make concessions for you. If the agent you are talking to can't do it, politely ask for the manager, who has more clout for granting rate discounts.

    Refinance your car loan. If your car is less than five years old, and you got your loan through a dealer, you may be able to do better. A Web site like Bankrate.com can help you find the best loan rates in your area, and Kelley Blue Book will give you a dollar value for your car.   Read More...

    Discuss ( 42 comments) 108,828 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this
  • 6 tax-efficient perks to ask for at work

    Posted Dec 27 2007, 08:27 AM by Karen Datko Rating:

    This post comes from Nora Dunn at partner blog Wise Bread.

    The days of employer/employee loyalty are long gone. No longer do people finish school and work their entire career at the same company, retiring with full pension and benefits for life.

    In fact, the average person will change not only employers but also careers multiple times before reaching age 50. Combine that information with layoffs and downsizing on the employer side, and "tenure" is a thing of the past.

    As a competent and dedicated employee, you can use this to your advantage. If you are doing a good job, your employer will want to keep you. And to do so, your company knows it might need to entice you to stay if your skills are marketable and you are in demand.   Read More...

    Discuss ( 6 comments) 9,724 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this
  • Consider an HSA during open-enrollment season

    Posted Nov 02 2007, 09:10 AM by Karen Datko
    Many employers are holding open enrollment in health-insurance plans, so it's time to think about your options as the cost of insurance continues to rise . The Sun's Financial Diary , in two excellent and comprehensive posts, explores switching to a high-deductible plan partnered with a health savings account . If your employer doesn't yet offer this combination, and you're unhappy with the available plans, you can pursue it on your own . Sun notes that an HSA allows you to invest pretax money to build savings for future health care and, eventually, retirement spending, but you must be enrolled in a high-deductible plan to start one. (We'll add that for people who don't have health insurance , the lower premiums of a high-deductible plan might put the cost of health insurance within their reach.)