Ben Edwards's Blog: Money Smart Life, page 18
October 21, 2013
Can You Get Discounts for Paying Cash?
Now that the use of credit cards and debit cards has become so universally accepted, we can often forget that paying cash offers certain benefits. Some merchants and businesses may provide a discount for cash for a variety of reasons that we don’t normally think of.
Though we often associate merchants accepting cash as being primarily a tax dodge, there are actually very tangible reasons why a business might do it – and even provide you with a discount to encourage you to pay cash.
Cash Elimina...
October 18, 2013
How to Choose Keywords for Your Resume
It’s tough out there for job hunters. If you are looking for a new job, you need to make your resume stand out. And one way to do that is to include keywords. Not only can the right keywords on your resume cue a human resume reader to your fitness for a position, but they can also be helpful if some sort of digital filtering process is used.
Including keywords on your resume indicates that you understand the position and that you are qualified for it. If you want want to send the right impress...
October 17, 2013
11 Tax-Deductible Expenses During Business Trips
One of the great things about traveling for business is that what you spend, in many cases, is tax deductible. As I write this, I’m on my way to the Financial Blogger Conference(also called FinCon), where I will learn some new things, make a few business deals, and have a great time connecting with people I consider my friends.
It’s a great experience, in a city I’ve never been to, and some of the costs are offset by the fact that they are tax deductible.
What Business Travel Costs Can You Dedu...
October 16, 2013
2 Main Ways to Pay Down Debt: The Siege and the Assault
If you have debt, chances are that one of your financial goals is to get rid of it. Debt can be overwhelming, especially since you pay so much in interest that it reduces the effectiveness of your payments. As a result, it can become disheartening as you try to pay it all off.
A plan can help your efforts, though. When you have a plan to reduce your debt, you have a direction and a purpose. That can make a big difference. Map out what you want to accomplish, and as you follow your plan, you wi...
October 15, 2013
How to Sell Your House Without a Realtor
One of the advantages of having a real estate agent sell your home is that you have access to their expertise. In addition the agent is working on your behalf so that you don’t have to do as much with the nuts and bolts of selling your home. The biggest downside is the fact that you have to pay a commission.
Many real estate agents take a 5% to 6% commission on a home. On a $180,000 sale, 5% is $9,000 – that’s money not going into your pocket. Whether realtors are worth it is a topicwe’ve disc...
October 14, 2013
4 Reasons to Keep Tabs on Your Credit Report
You probably understand how important your credit report is. You know that it’s a record of your credit activities, and that it’s used to establish your credit score, and that others look to your credit report for information about how fiscally responsible you are likely to be.
However, even if you understand the importance of your credit report, you might not be keeping tabs on it as often as you should. Here are some good reasons to check your credit report on a regular basis:
1. Catch identi...
October 11, 2013
4 Ways to Use Social Media to Advance Your Career
There are plenty of people who think that social media is only for playing annoying games and sharing the meaningless minutiae of life. When used properly, social media can actually help you advance your career. It’s just one more way you can get ahead at work!
Social media is not only a way for you to keep in touch; it’s also a way for you to make connections and find others who can help you with your career. When you leverage your social media accounts properly, you can improve your career.
H...
October 10, 2013
Get Your Finances in Order Today – Before Things Get Worse!
When you feel overwhelmed, it is often difficult to become motivated to take action. This is especially true when you feel as though your finances are a mess. Disorderly finances cause problems, and can cost you more in the long run.
Even though it seems an insurmountable task, it is best to get your finances together as quickly as you can. Organize your finances now, and you can begin digging out of debt sooner, or get on the right financial path for a successful future.
Importance of Organizi...
October 9, 2013
How to Pay for Graduate School
Graduate school presents the opportunity for many to advance in a particular skill or specialize in a specific area of knowledge. In some cases, a master’s degree is a career move, landing you a better job, or a raise at your current job. Depending on what you want to do, there are situations in which attending graduate school can be worth it. I know my stint at graduate school has more than paid off, even though it got expensive, so todaywe’ll look at how to pay for graduate school.
The good...
October 8, 2013
What is Your Personalized Savings Plan?
Our retirement plan administator sent us a list of steps to follow to help us save our money. They point out that contributing to our 401(k) should be just one part of a more comprehensive savings plan.
Here are those steps that can also help you save some money!
4 Must-Do Savings Steps
According to them, the first four steps below are a “must-do” and should be done in the order listed.
1. Contribute to employer-sponsored retirement plans at least to the maximum company match. This ensures you’re...
