Archive for the ‘Financial Team’ Category

My Two Cents: MasterCard’s Mango Money

We came across a new product from MasterCard, called Mango Money, and were curious as to what it was all about. Here’s a summary (and the catch).

Underneath the Mango Money tree

MasterCard’s Mango Money card service allows users to deposit money into a prepaid account. Unlike credit or debit cards, there are no hidden fees associated with making Mango Money transactions or deposits (all fees associated with the card are clearly listed here). Mango Money users can sign up for a Mango Money card, deposit money into a Mango Money account, and use the card to make either debit or credit purchases. Anyone (including people who have bad credit) can sign up for a Mango Money card. S

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Two articles that caught my eye this morning

The Boston Globe suggests: When others are selling for tax reasons, it just might be time for you to buy

By selling at year’s end, investors can claim a deduction for a capital loss on the tax returns they will file in April. Most investors have until Dec. 31 to take their losses, while many mutual funds must do their tax-motivated selling by Nov. 30.

The tax selling usually creates bargains, as some stocks are pushed below their intrinsic value. Such stocks often enjoy a January bounce. S

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Clear Debt with the Good and Bad

Most people have credit card debt, mortgage debt, car loans, personal loans, and student loans. In essence, they are obligations we need to pay back for borrowing money. Not all debts are the same. What constitutes a good debt?

Mortgage Debt

Buying a house and having a mortgage payment is considered a good debt, as long as you can make the monthly mortgage payments. Making these payments consistently will strengthen your credit score. In addition, the interest portion of these payments can be written off your taxes. By making mortgage payments, you’ll be building up equity in your home, which you can leverage for other loans, or just retire debt associated with the house.

When taking out a mortgage it’s important to understand what product is best suited for you. Not

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How do People Get Into Debt?

It seems like everyone has nice cars these days, large houses and a whole lot to show.  Although, have you ever thought to yourself maybe these people are in debt?  A lot of the people that look “flashy” find themselves head over heels in debt.  You may be surprised as to who really is in debt, and who doesn’t have one dollar in debt.  You may also be surprised as to how they got themselves in that situation.  That raises the question, how do people get into debt?

How do People Get Into Debt?:

Not saving – First of all, the people that find themselves in debt are the people that don’t have good saving habits.  It is said that if you save 10% of each paycheck you bring home, you should be fine throughout your life.  Ten percent really isn’t that much.  Although to some, it is.

Spending more – It’s simple, people spend more money than they make.  They bring home a $500 check each week, and spend $150 on groceries, some on clothes, gas money, and entertainment.  Now they find themselves spending $550 each week.  That $50 turns into debt immediately.

Credit cards – When people get themselves into debt, they tend to use a credit card often.  They don’t pay their bills off in full which tacks on interest, and they keep spending which leads to even more of a problem.  Soon their cards are maxed out.

Health insurance – Health costs are extremely expensive if you don’t have good coverage.  So, unfortunately it is easy to get into debt this way as well.  Office visits, yearly checkups, tests, etc really add up over time even if you do have insurance!

Jones’ – The debt builders are also those that want to keep up with the Jones’.  The neighbors have a new car, now theirs isn’t as nice.  The neighbor children just got a trampoline and now their children want one.  It’s never ending.  If you’re not careful with your spending you will be in debt easily this way.

House/car – The people that have an ordinary house and car are in much better of a situation than those that don’t.  A big house means more furniture to buy, more to heat it, and the more your mortgage payment will be each month, same goes with a car and insurance.

It is very easy to get ourselves into debt.  If we buy what we want, don’t save, and don’t plan for the worst it can very well happen to anyone.  Although, the tops reasons for getting into debt are listed above!  Don’t fall into these categories.

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Tags: Debt

Obama’s Funding For Moms

You should not feel that since you are now mom, you cannot study. This is certainly not true. Yes, it is quite true that as a mom, you have a lot of burden on you. But you can still study. This is what our president Obama has pointed out. He has made it quite clear to the authority that they should do something for the moms. He feels that the moms should not be forgotten and they should be rewarded for the pain they bear.

As per the Obama’s stimulus plan, around $10000 has been fixed for each mom in America. Thus all the moms are entitled to get this money from the government. Hence, they can now sit back and then continue their study.

It is really quite sad that most of the single moms cannot continue their studies. They have to put their studies on hold.

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The Economics of Marijuana Reform

This is a three part series. Check out our other two other articles, “Pot: A Growth Industry” and “Marijuana U: Campuses Teaching Cannibas.”

Almost everyone has heard of the ongoing debate in California about whether or not to legalize and tax marijuana. People for legalization stress the added tax revenue marijuana could bring, as well as the money saved by not arresting and imprisoning nonviolent marijuana offenders. They realize that pot is already easy to obtain and that a significant percent of the population is already smoking it. In fact, the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that over 102 million Americans, or 41 percent, have smoked pot during their lifetimes.

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Caring For Your Credit During the Holiday Season

‘Tis the holiday season, a time when our cares are likely to shift from the state of our pocketbook to the contents of our plate or glass. It is a joyful, yet dangerous time for many folks who are struggling with credit card and other forms of debt. Unfortunately, the turn of the calendar to the new year does not wipe clean our debt and re-start the clock – but what a great thing that would be if it was true!

According to the National Retail Federation, the 2009 holiday season will result in an average expenditure of $682 for each American consumer on items such as food, gifts and decorations. Using credit cards for these expenditures always seem to be an easy way to pay at a later date, but is not always the best choice for everyone. Add t

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The Benefits of Savings Bonds

We all would love to start saving even more money each month.  Just to know that we’re putting away towards our emergency fund, retirement, etc is a great feeling.  Although you can save money, did you know you can save (and make) more money just by being patient?  If not, you should really look into what savings bonds have to offer.  If you’re interested in learning what the benefits of them are, continue reading below!

Motivation – First of all, if you start getting into savings bonds you are motivating yourself to save money.  You know that if you buy a $50 savings bond now, that it may be $100 in a few years.  That is great motivation!  If you’re only going to make 0.02% on your money, it’s not as rewarding.

Putting away – You are also disciplining yourself by putting away more money.  The more money you put away, the better.  Not to mention, the earlier you start, the more rewarding your future will be.

Making money – It’s great to know that just by having a savings bond you’re making money for the future.  What’s better than making money off the money that would just be sitting in your savings account?

Future – If you start getting savings bonds at a younger age, your future will be much better.  You can reward yourself will all the bonds you’ve been collecting over the years.  You will have much more money than someone that never got bonds and had an ordinary savings account.

There are several benefits to getting bonds.  If you’re patient, and don’t plan on spending the money that you’re saving, it is a good idea to get savings bonds.  They can’t hurt you, but can only help you out!

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