Time Is Running Out To Get The $8000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit

The $8000 tax credit is a great deal for people who are first time home buyers.   But let’s review the tax credit and it’s provisions:

First-time buyers can claim a credit worth $8,000 – or 10% of the home’s value, whichever is less – on their 2008 or 2009 taxes.

To qualify for the credit, the home must be purchased between Jan. 1, 2009 and Nov. 30, 2009.

You cannot have owned a house for the past three years to qualify as “first time” buyer. You also must live in the purchased house for at least three years, or you will be obligated to pay back the credit.

To get the credit, homebuyers have to earn less than $75,000 for singles or $150,000 for couples. If you make more than that you may qualify for a partial credit.

Getting the credit should be pretty easy, just claim it on your return.  One caveat, however.  You have to close on your new house by  November 30th.   That may sound like it’s a long way off, but in reality it’s coming a lot faster than you think.

The end of November is also tricky because of the Thanksgiving holidays. Keep in mind that with the holiday schedule, you’d be better off to try and schedule your closing for at least the week of November 16th, just to give yourself some extra time for unforseen issues that can often come up in the buying process (problems with the final walk-through, mortgage documentation problems, etc).

Yahoo Beats Google – in Personal Finance!

Hiring a Financial Planner: Angie’s List Has Suggestions

Just as do-it-yourself plumbing could lead to disastrous results, so too could do-it-yourself financial planning.

According to a recent poll of Angie’s List members, one in five said they have no financial plan in place. Of those who do have a fiscal plan, nearly half said they devised it on their own.

“Many people have a misconception that financial planning is only for the wealthy,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List (www.angieslist.com), the nation’s leading provider of consumer ratings on service professionals, including financial planners. “You don’t have to have a trust fund to make smart money decisions but you might need some good advice. Hiring a qualified, objective financial planner can help you get the most out of every dollar – and it could even help you avoid mistakes that could cost you big.”
More Top 10 Tips for hiring a Financial Adviser >>

Back-to-School Savings Lessons!

It seems like only yesterday that binders, looseleaf paper, book covers and #2 pencils were the staples (and scotch tape) of a back-to-school shopping list.  Now the latest high tech gadgetry, from calculators to thermos bottles, and backpacks to netbooks are vying to make the list.  Here’s how to keep it economical.

1. Go Green. Recycle supplies from last year,
Get kids to think green about reusing the markers, binders, pens and pads that have been gathering dust since last semester. The more students you have under your roof, the more likely your surplus pile is full of buried treasure.

2. Make the “A” List first.  Save the “B”  List for later.
Like overpacking for summer vacation, it’s easy to overload a shopping cart with more than what is needed for the first few weeks of school. Put the “must haves” on your A-list and the extra niceties on a “B” list. Some teachers have specific requirements fur supplies which may only be know after the first day of school. Avoid stockpiling unnecessary items until you know exactly what’s needed.
Find more Back-to-School Money Savers inside >>>

Saving More Money with the iPhone: There’s an App for That!

Could it be that using a SmartPhone (which aint cheap) to actually save a few bucks on the things you spend money on everyday is not as crazy a concept as it might sound?   Here are 5 practical ways to save money with the help of 9 very handy iPhone apps.

Save on Groceries. Which is cheaper, a 10-ounce bag of chips for $2.59 or a 2-pound bag of pretzels for $4,99? If your store does not list per-unit prices, CompareMe, ($1.99) can help you make smart buying decisions.

Free Kids Meals. You’ve heard of those “Kids Fly Free” promotions.  The KidsEatFree app ($1.99)  finds the special bargains where kids eat free. We recommend calling aheaad to make sure the listings are accurate.
Dial for more SmartPhone savings here >>>

Cash for Clunkers Explained

The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Program, more commonly known as the Cash For Clunkers Bill, has been one of the more popular financial incentives to come out of Washington in years.

The provisions in the bill allow for two different governmental rebates in the form of vouchers, either a $3,500 or $4,500 rebate based on the fuel economy of the vehicles involved in the deal. Vouchers can only be used to offset the purchase price or lease price of a new vehicle. The calculation that counts is the “combined” fuel economy of both your “trade in” and the new vehicle. Find the fuel economy figures at fueleconomy.gov

How to Quality for a Cash-Back Voucher >>

iPhone Apps Make Managing Money Even Handier

Smart phone devices like the Apple iPhone herald a new age of mobile computing by putting more computing power at your fingertips than a desktop computer could boast just a few short years ago.  With the latest crop of  downloadable applications or “apps”  for the iPhone, you can keep an eye on your banking, trading or brokerage accounts 24/7.  Here are 10 iPhone apps that place more convenient management of your money in one handheld solution.

1. Forbes Intelligent Investing provides access to feature stories and video conversation from Forbes, as well as forecasts and market commentary. Take a chance and use your shake function to pick from a lottery of quotes and video clips of Steve Forbes himself. Watch rare one-on-one interviews with financial luminaries  Cost: Free.

2. Morningstar offers an investment app that focuses on mutual funds. but also provide analysis of stocks, companies, mutual funds, and more  all inside a simple loading app. Cost: Free.
Read more about amazing iPhone Apps here

Increasing your Productivity at Work

In today’s economy, success depends on productivity.  Businesses most often lay off employees because they view departments as not cost-effective enough.  One way to ensure your value to your company (or to maintain the effectiveness of your small business) is to keep yourself working hard and task oriented.  This is obviously easier said than done, as anyone who has ever felt the need to procrastinate can tell you.  Here are some tips we’ve found successful in keeping ourselves task oriented.

Learn more about increasing your job performance