HowToDoThings.com Recent Money Management Articles

How To Keep Your Finances Safe With Any Bank

coffeebuzz — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:02:39 -0500

How To Ensure Your Wachovia Account Is Safe

coffeebuzz — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:06:42 -0500

How To Make Money Fast

Mikey — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:39:28 -0500

There are really only two ways to increase your financial well being - earn more and spend less. In these troubled financial times many people are seeking new ways to make money fast. If you are looking to increase your income consider trying these tips.

How To Get Out of Debt Easily

bronwyn — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:54:27 -0500

How To Use Credit Cards Wisely

a2yands2n — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:31:08 -0500

It could have been quite long since you would have handled a few notes of currency, thanks to the advent of the Plastic Money. Due to the credit card revolution, there is no need for us to carry cash anywhere we go! We are never short of money to buy something which we really want; we never get into the trouble of not having enough cash for the rest of a holiday tour we are enjoying due to overspending, and we even get rewards and prizes from the credit card company because we spend through their credit card!! Hats off to credit cards. Almost all transactions that we do day to day are through credit cards. They have made things simple and convenient.

However, a credit card not wisely used is like a nuclear bomb in the wrong hands. The following points give you suggestions that can help you get the most out of your credit cards.

How To Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

jasonkeeley — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:50:58 -0500

How To Save More Money

Mikey — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:53:24 -0500

Saving money is important, whether the economy is booming or receding. With the cost of gas, food and utilities rising, it may be overwhelming to try to save any money at all. Still, if you follow these steps, you will be on your way to saving more money.

How To Save Money Without Making Drastic Changes in Your Budget

teacher — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:22:17 -0500

How To Be a Fiscally Fit Young Woman

miniguru — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:53:58 -0500

How To Make and Manage a Household Budget

ramb37 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:27:31 -0500

Making a realistic budget is a cornerstone to building a good financial foundation for you and your family. It really doesn't have to be too detailed or restrictive, though you do have to make some tough decisions on how you spend your money.

How To Save Money Easier

NiennaSeregon — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:28:05 -0500

How To Shop at a Wholesale Store

lilly — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:32:17 -0500

How To Save Money at the Grocery Store

tpenatzer — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:15:24 -0500

Never shop with children of any age. This is rule # 1 for a reason! You will end up spending twice as much as you intended. There are always things kids have to have that are not on your list. You will feel guilty saying no, and why even go through it?
Make a list and stick to it. The only exception is if you find a great unadvertised special. I sit down with the ads from the stores in my area and make a list trying to incorporate the sales into my meals for the week. I do not go to all the stores, usually just the one with the best deals. Sometimes I will get the majority of the groceries from Walmart and then pick up any really great specials at the grocery store. Some stores have great 'Buy 1, Get 1 Free' specials. Winn Dixie will run such specials on meats, and I imagine you can find a store in your area that does this as well.

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How To Understand Credit Reports

margnorton — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:54:13 -0500

Financial uncertainty, foreclosures, and tightened lending requirements define the life of many Americans today. Credit reports and credit scores have always been important but it's more crucial than ever for you to understand how credit works. Your credit history can be your friend, opening many doors for you. But if misused, it can make your life difficult, causing doors to slam in your face, as you helplessly watch. Having credit is a privilege. You should protect it just as you protect your good name. When talking to a creditor, you are at a disadvantage if you do not know how credit works. Read this and you are off to a good start.

There are three major credit bureaus in the U.S. Basically, they are all the same, but there are some differences and the reports are a different format. The bureaus are: Experian, Equifax (formerly TRW) and Trans Union.

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How To Benefit from The Fair Credit Report Act (FCRA)

margnorton — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:43:06 -0500

Credit mistakes happen. Even with today's technology (and good intentions), sometimes information is recorded incorrectly. Individuals with junior or senior as part of their name, victims of fraud, people in divorce situations, etc. sometimes find the information on their credit report is incorrect. When this occurs, you usually have to contact all three major credit bureaus - Experian, Equifax and Trans Union - and work with them individually to correct your report. Thanks to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have certain rights if you dispute the information on your credit report. The FCRA gives you the following rights:

How To Feed Your Family on a Budget

QueenMum — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:13:55 -0500

All over North America, grocery prices are going up. The increase in cost of simple staples like bread, cheese, and milk from five years ago can seem overwhelming. But before you let the anxiety of feeding your family lead to the loss of your hair, take a few moments to consider what you already have in your cupboards, and what your family likes to eat. You might find you have more meal options than you thought.

How To Stay Debt-Free

aphrodisiac101 — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:24:49 -0500

For every person who is working full time and living paycheck to paycheck, it has always been the case that being in debt is the norm.

Guess what? It isn't the norm. It's an epidemic that is spreading throughout the country. Being in debt had caused a lot of families to break down, elevated the divorce rate and affected children. Almost everyone who is in debt is digging their own grave 6 feet below the ground. Is this the life you want to have -- a life full of fear, anxiety, stress and misery? Here are some tips on how to stay out of debt.

How To Choose an Accountant

bronwyn — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:33:46 -0500

Is tax time coming up and you don't even know how to start? Are you running a small business and having trouble keeping track of finances? If so, you are not alone, and there is help! An accountant is a professional who takes care of the accounting needs of an individual or a business, including bookkeeping, tax preparation, financial advice, and more. Choosing an accountant is a highly individual process, as everyone has different needs.

How To Save Money Every Day

angeleyez320 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:03:49 -0500

I am a stay at home mother of 4. My husband is a truck driver who is gone a lot, but makes decent money. So all the finances and budgeting fall on me. Now even though we live in a one-income household, we are actually very successful. We own our own house free and clear. We own our own vehicles free and clear. That's right, we are mortgage and car payment free.

Now I am sure most of you have heard of the man who takes 2-ply toilet paper and separates the rolls into single ply rolls. Trust me, I don't go that far. Honestly I don't have time in the day to do that. A few of my tips are not conducive to everyone's lifestyles -- especially if you live in a city setting. But there are still a lot of things that you can do that will save you money every single day.

How To Fix Bad Credit

chane — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:19:18 -0500

The best way to fix bad credit is to be pro-active in removing negative account reports and adding positive account reports to your credit report. Both of these processes can take some time. The time to start fixing your bad credit is now, not on the day you are ready to apply for a loan. Depending on how bad your credit is, it can take as little as 1 or 2 months to fix and as much as 12 months to fix. Here are the steps to fixing your credit:

How To Choose the Right Part Time Job

aphrodisiac101 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:10:07 -0500

Are you someone working full time who wants to earn an extra income? If so, then this article is for you. As they say, nobody becomes rich by being an employee for all of his or her life. Most likely, if you are an employee, you are living paycheck to paycheck and may even be in deep debt. One way you can improve your life or at least lessen your debt is to find a part time job. Earning an extra income does not happen overnight. You need to assess what jobs you can do for a couple of hours per day that will suit your schedule and skills.

Here are few tips to help you locate a part time job that is right for you:

How To Save Money in Your Everyday Life

bronwyn — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:27:38 -0500

Most people are constantly thinking of how to save money, but not very effectively. There are some very simple ways to save money in your everyday life; although they may seem like small steps, they definitely add up!

How To Save Money on Grocery Shopping

bronwyn — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:41:42 -0600

As gas and oil prices go up, so does the price of food. Since groceries are not exactly a luxury, it is important to find ways to save money while grocery shopping. Luckily, there are some easy and effective ways to spend less money when you go to the supermarket!

How To Make Extra Money Online

kushta — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 00:44:26 -0600

In a world that, in many ways, has grown quite accustomed to talk of the "web" or the Internet, it is still surprising that some people do not know the moneymaking potential locked up in this virtual world. Any of them can take the opportunity to make a little extra money on the side or even build their own online businesses, with little to no start-up costs involved.

It may be that these people simply don't know that much about the various ways or methods that are currently being employed by web users every day to make that extra cash they need. Often the best place to start is with a little information. People want to know the sort of options that are out there. A typical question asked by those interested is: "How can I make extra money online?"

How To Get a Free Credit Report

thedave — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:44:05 -0600

Under Federal law you are entitled to a free credit report once a year. This report, by law, will show any and all information contained in the files of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). To receive your free credit report you must first complete the Annual Credit Report Request Form, which can be completed in any of the following three ways:

How To Protect Your Credit Rating and Your Identity

DeniseRichardson — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:25:07 -0600

What if your reputation or financial status is threatened by an inaccurate credit score caused by erroneously reported information? Or your personal information is stolen by an identity thief who hacked into someone else's computer without your knowledge? The truth is - odds are if it hasn't happened yet -it will. It is difficult to imagine the amount of time and the physical and mental energy it takes to deal with having your identity stolen...until it happens to you!

Identity theft (or inaccurate credit reporting) is often exacerbated by the fact that consumers typically don't review their credit reports or take any steps to prevent ID theft due to the false belief that they aren't vulnerable to fraud.

The reality is - data breaches continue to happen and thieves continue to find new methods to hijack, then sell our personal information.

How To Save Money Online

kushta — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 23:21:52 -0600

It's no secret that the Internet has changed our way of life: Users enjoy faster methods of communication and greater access to information than ever before. What many people don't realize is that the Internet also offers many opportunities for saving money. As online shopping has become more and more popular, businesses have been pressured into not only maintaining an online presence, but also competing for a thriving global consumer base. Online deals and specials are powerful persuasion for potential customers, and are therefore used by many retailers. If you know where to look, you can find many ways to save money online, such as traditional coupons that you can print out and carry with you, and online coupons that use links or coupon codes to save you money.

How To Ruin Your Credit Rating

bronwyn — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:38:43 -0600

Read at your own risk - these steps are guaranteed to ruin your credit rating and destroy your financial future faster than setting your wallet on fire!

How To Prevent Identity Theft

bronwyn — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:26:04 -0600

Identity theft is a frightening thing to contemplate. Identity theft has become increasingly widespread with the explosion of the Internet, as well as increasing credit card use. It can negatively affect your credit report and cause huge headaches. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to prevent identity theft.

How To Give Financial Gifts for Christmas

miniguru — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:16:35 -0600

It’s the time of giving. Christmas is approaching. We all have relatives and friends that could use a little extra moolah. What better gift to give than a financial gift? But you wonder, oh what, oh what should I give? Before you rush to your ATM machine to withdraw cash, consider giving one of the eight financial gifts below.

How To Easily Save $1200 a Year

mcdesign — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 12:59:31 -0600

You've got a couple weeks of vacation coming to you -- time away from work -- but now you are stressing even more because you have no money tucked away for a trip to a sandy, white beach to play in the surf; or a sight-seeing tour of a big city; or to fly over the Grand Canyon and gawk at the scenery; or even enough gas money to go camping.

Well, don't despair. With a little planning and a lot of self-discipline, you can easily tuck away $100 a month, penny by dollar, in a jar or bag labeled "Vacation Funds" and find you have $1200 at the end of one year. It won't hurt that much!

The following five ideas are based on personal experience, but once you think about it, you may find other ways to save. The secret to your success will hinge on taking this money that you would have normally spent and actually putting it in the jar or bag -- don't spend it somewhere else.

How To Eliminate Personal Debt Faster

omehaney — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:41:40 -0600

Do you remember when it was difficult to get a credit card? Well, these days it's not too hard at all. All the major retail stores have them and with on-the-spot financing, making it easier than ever to load up your wallet with plastic. And if that's not enough, you needn't look further than your mailbox to find credit applications or even pre-approved credit cards and loans. All this readily available credit makes spending more money than you have all that much easier.

Here are a few useful steps to follow to get out of the black hole of credit card debt a little bit faster:

How To Plan Your Retirement Savings

L_desu — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:58:57 -0600

To ensure a safe retirement people need to assume a more conservative posture towards the future. There is a need to pick your investments so that you can achieve an average return rate that is financially comfortable considering your expectation for the future. People naturally want to follow their dreams and personal goals, and in many times, only find the time and dedication for this pursuit after retirement.

Learn how to establish a savings plan, in eight reasonable and simple steps that are easy to manage and will allow you to build that retirement savings account without living a life devoid of fun.

How To Save Money When Buying a New Car

omehaney — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 20:41:34 -0600

Buying a new car is something most people do several times in a lifetime but not a lot of people take the time or have the know-how to negotiate the best deal they possibly can. People drive off the car lot every day with cars that they could have saved thousands of dollars on. You may have done the same and even felt as though you paid too much. By following some of the tactics listed below, you can put yourself in a position to better negotiate the price of a new car. Of course, all dealerships and sales associates are different and the results of these tips will obviously vary. Regardless, I'm sure you will have fun getting a better price on your new car and you will definitely feel much better when you do.

How To Keep Your Wealth

miniguru — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:16:30 -0600

If you thought making money was hard, keeping it is even harder. Follow the 8 rules below and you will learn to preserve, protect and enjoy your wealth.

How To Create a Budget

Mr. Finance — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 23:22:11 -0600

Are you one of those who always manage to have more month by the end of your money? Do you wonder where it all went but are not sure how to track all the "stuff" you pay for? Would you like to know how to keep up with how much you spent on the dentist last year? Then chances are you need a budget! Here are a few questions I always get from people I counsel.

How To Teach Your Children About Money

bronwyn — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:15:19 -0500

All parents wants their children to be happy and successful. Teaching children about money from a young age is one way to ensure their financial success in later life. Even very young children can be taught about money, by words and actions.

How To Save Money on Prescriptions

bronwyn — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:32:34 -0500

We all know that health care costs keep going up. Luckily, there are some ways to save money on prescription drugs so that you are not struggling to afford necessary medication! Savings will depend upon your health insurance plan and prescription drug coverage, but there are ways for everyone to save on their prescriptions.

How To Build Good Credit

kushta — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 23:32:07 -0500

Your credit history is possibly one of your most valuable assets. A good credit score enables you to qualify for loans, save money with lower interest rates and fees, get certain jobs, and qualify for an apartment. As important as good credit is to your quality of life, the sooner you start to build good credit, the better.

Because creditors are reluctant to trust consumers without a track record, building good credit from scratch can be difficult. Even once you start to establish a credit history, you will need to understand how your credit score is determined, in order to maintain a good credit score. This article provides advice on both points: getting started and understanding what you need to do in order to build good credit.

How To Use Credit Cards Responsibly

bronwyn — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 19:59:38 -0500

Credit cards can either be thought of as the best thing to ever happen to shopping or the reason for your debt, headaches, and sleepless nights. Credit cards are actually a wonderful tool -- when they are used responsibly. These tips will help you to stay on top of your debt and make sure that you are using your credit cards in the best way possible.

How To Make Some Extra Money

ralexander — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:11:43 -0500

Could you use a little extra money? If you are looking for creative ways to earn some extra money, use these tips and ideas to bring cash in for bills or just for fun.

How To Automate Your Savings Plan with my Own Payday

george_gilbert — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 18:28:10 -0500

Sticking with a savings plan is much easier when your savings deposits are made automatically. In myOwnPayday, you can set up an automatic savings plan using a "biller" to whom you make monthly payments as a normal part of paying your bills. Automating your savings deposits is done using the program's "linked biller" feature.

After setting up a special account to hold your savings deposits, you then set up a new biller to whom you "pay" your monthly savings deposits. After linking this new biller to your savings special account, all payments made to the biller will be automatically deposited into the linked special account. It sounds complicated, but it isn't. Here's how to set up your automatic savings plan in myOwnPayday.

Set up a new special account to hold your savings.

How To Save Some Extra Bucks

sbiddy — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:49:32 -0500

I am certainly not the most frugal person in the world, but I have worked on making some changes in my spending habits, and it has resulted in a few extra dollars in my pocket.

How To Earn Rewards For Paying Bills Using my Own Payday

george_gilbert — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:34:23 -0500

There are credit card companies that offer rewards for using their cards. Using such a credit card to make bill payments affords the opportunity to get something back just by paying your bills. The challenge to earning rewards for paying your bills with a credit card is to do so without either going into debt or paying interest. Doing so is exceptionally easy with myOwnPayday. The trick is to set up your billers in such a way that they can be managed normally in myOwnPayday while not actually making payments directly to those billers. Setting up a special account to receive the biller payments is key. Here's how.

How To Consolidate Credit Card Debt

kushta — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:26:20 -0500

Nothing is worse than feeling like you have accumulated more credit card debt than you can handle. And, realistically, almost any amount of debt can quickly become too much to handle, thanks to the high interest rates most revolving debt carries. For this reason, many people decide to consolidate credit card debt.

Why Consolidate Your Credit Card Debt?

The only reason to consolidate your credit card debt is because you want to get out from under it – and, realistically, who doesn’t? However, if you do not keep this goal in mind, you can easily make a decision that will cost you more in the long run, or even jeopardize your credit score. So remember, when consolidating your credit card debt, make sure every move you make will result in less interest and fees and/or a shorter pay-down period.

Consolidate Credit Card Debt on Another Card

How To Repair Your Credit Score

kushta — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 18:36:53 -0500

Your credit score is one of the most important factors in getting a loan, qualifying for a mortgage on a house, getting financed on a new car, or being approved for a new credit card. Repairing your credit score is essential if you want to be eligible for the best deals available. A high credit score tells lenders that you are reliable, and as a result you will get lower interest rates and better terms. On the other hand, a low credit score labels you as high risk, making lenders more likely to charge you a higher interest rate – if they don’t reject you altogether.

How To Set Up a Savings Plan Using my Own 10-Key

george_gilbert — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:29:13 -0500

There are generally two types of savings plans. One is where you decide to set aside a fixed amount or percent of your income with no purpose in mind other than accumulating savings. Then there are savings plans where you have a specific amount that you need by a specific date. This procedure addresses the steps you can use to set up the latter type of targeted savings plan. The purpose of the plan can be any goal, such as a large purchase, a vacation, something as far off as retirement, or just for "a rainy day."

Setting up a targeted savings plan requires that you know (1) how much you will need; (2) when you will need the money; and (3) the amount of interest your savings account will earn.

How To Contest Invalid Credit Card Charges

george_gilbert — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:53:33 -0500

Anyone with access to your credit card information can process charges against your account. However, you are not defenseless against this type of theft. There are Federal statutes that lay out specific guidelines for both the company that prepares your credit card statement, and for how you go about contesting invalid or incorrect charges.

How To Opt Out of Giving Your Personal Information

mbustamonte — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:09:59 -0500

The credit reporting agencies sell your information to creditors that are looking to make offers to the public for credit cards and loans. This information can be very specific (depending on the credit card company or lender's request to the credit reporting agency). This information can include your current debts, employment information and mortgage information.

If you are looking to apply for a loan, an increase of 10 to 20 points on your credit score can mean the difference between getting approved, a good loan or a great loan depending on your current credit score situation.

Here is what you need to do to Opt Out from the selling of your personal information;

Execute a lifetime opt out (as opposed to a 5-year). This should cut down on the number of unsolicited credit offers you receive and bring up your score at the same time.

The web site below is sponsored by the three credit reporting agencies and is secure. Use it with confidence.

How To Compare CD Rates

miniguru — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 01:27:50 -0500

I'm assuming you have accumulated a stash of cash. Now you want to invest it in CDs. Certificate of deposit accounts (CDs) are perfect if you want a high interest rate but are unwilling to sacrifice liquidity. This basically means that for a high interest rate, you lock up your money for a certain time period. This time period is called the maturity.

A great benefit of CDs is that they pay you interest. You have the option of reinvesting the interest or spending it. I recommend reinvesting your interest if your goal is to make your money grow. When you earn interest on your interest , it's called compounding, and it allows your money to grow faster.

You may be confused because there are a lot of Certificate of Deposits (CDs) out there. You wonder which one or ones you should purchase. With so many choices out there, you begin to feel dizzy. Fortunately, there is a methodical way to compare CD rates.