If you're a move-up buyer looking to purchase your second home, you might be pleasantly surprised by changes in one aspect of your experience: You can now apply for your mortgage completely online, rather than having to deal with all the onerous paperwork of yesteryear.In recent years, numerous lenders have streamlined mortgage applications to allow borrowers to have more control of the process, with a lot less hassle.The speed and ease of online and app-based shopping have [...]
Source Business - poconorecord.com http://bit.ly/2FxjKYY
الجمعة، 18 يناير 2019
Does Paying People to Move to a State Work? No One Really Knows
Many Midwestern and New England states are hoping to attract more residents by offering cash, student loan forgiveness and other incentives. But surprisingly, no one has studied whether these programs are effective.
Source Business & Money | HowStuffWorks http://bit.ly/2CtXmvS
Source Business & Money | HowStuffWorks http://bit.ly/2CtXmvS
Does Paying People to Move to a State Work? No One Really Knows
Many Midwestern and New England states are hoping to attract more residents by offering cash, student loan forgiveness and other incentives. But surprisingly, no one has studied whether these programs are effective.
Source Business & Money | HowStuffWorks http://bit.ly/2CtXmvS
Source Business & Money | HowStuffWorks http://bit.ly/2CtXmvS
Best Tax Software Programs
Tax season is a stressful time of year, but there is help available for those who want to file returns themselves.
Online tax software simplifies the filing process without costing you a lot of money.
But choosing the right software for your needs can be a challenge, so we’ve broken down each of the best tax software options for you.
Each of the tax products on the list has unique features and packages to choose from.
The best pick for you depends on how much you want to spend and how complex your filing needs are.
Without further ado, let’s dive into the top software picks so you can file your taxes with confidence this year.
Top 15 Best Tax Software Programs in 2019
1. TurboTax
TurboTax is widely regarded as one of the most user-friendly systems available to help you navigate through the process of filing your taxes.
This software features intuitive tools to help you find deductions, notify you of errors, and help you file your state return.
One of the most significant drawbacks of this software is pricing, and you can expect to pay a premium when you use TurboTax when compared to others.
There is a free option, however, but it is limited and more suitable for filing simple returns.
TurboTax is free in the following situations:
- W-2 income
- Limited interest dividend reported on 1099
- Standard deduction claim
- Earned income tax credit
- Child tax credits
If you’re filing a basic 1040EZ or 1040A, the Free version will be sufficient.
However, when it comes to itemized deductions, like business and side-hustle income, stock sales, rental property, Schedule 1 to 6, credits, deductions, and income, you will have to upgrade to the Deluxe version.
This version offers high-end features to ensure your tax filing experience is as quick and painless as possible.
You can read more about TurboTax here.
2. H&R Block
H&R Block produces popular software for filing taxes that features straightforward imports and 24/7 customer support via chat.
Another benefit of using H&R Block is it offers complete integration with many mainstream business apps, including Uber.
H&R Block employs a so-called “semi-guided” navigation system to guide users through the process of answering questions, entering income, and importing forms. Upon completion of each guided session, you get the opportunity to review all the information to ensure that there are no mistakes or omissions.
Like TurboTax, H&R Block is user-friendly, especially when it comes to importing forms. The software is also geared towards reducing the time and effort typically associated with tax prep.
H&R Block also offers “knowledge articles” that are easy to understand and provide sufficient information to help users file their taxes in accordance with the new laws. This software is ideal for traders, dividend investors, and landlords.
If your tax returns are simple, the free version of this software may be more than sufficient.
Take a look at our full review of H&R Block for more info.
3. TaxAct
TaxAct is a basic, high-performing tax software that mostly offers the same features as its competitors, including importing last year’s returns and W-2 as well as donation assistance and planning tools.
The software is online as well, so you can log into your account from different devices and locations.
If you need advanced tax software, TaxAct’s products may be the better option as they are, generally speaking, more affordable than packages from H&R Block and TurboTax.
There is also a free version that you can use if you qualify to file the 1040EZ.
If you have to file a 1040 or 1040A, however, you will have to upgrade to one of the paid versions.
TaxAct’s interface is relatively simple in comparison with its higher-end competitors.
If you prefer a straightforward design and value low pricing, TaxAct may be the more suitable option for you.
Get all the insight into this tax software in our TaxAct review.
4. E-file
Many users prefer E-file not because of its user-friendliness, but rather because of its low pricing. E-file is one of the most affordable tax software products available.
What’s more, if you qualify for a 1040EZ, you may be eligible for free federal tax returns.
In addition to the Free Federal E-file plan, you can also opt for the Deluxe Plus E-file or the Premium Plus E-file.
The paid versions are affordable in comparison with similar versions and offer the ability to deduct mortgage interest, receive support for form 1040A, and file with dependents.
In addition to all the features of the Free and Deluxe plans, the Premium plan also offers support for all deductions and credits, itemized tax deductions, and all personal and business income.
Another feature that users love is that they can pay for E-file tax preparation services using a portion of their refund, in addition to the usual debit and credit card options.
5. FreeTaxUSA
Like E-file, FreeTaxUSA is one of the most affordable tax preparation and planning services available. From the name, you may be forgiven for thinking that it is a free service, but this is not entirely the case.
FreeTaxUSA offers two online filing options: Free and Deluxe. While both of these plans allow for free federal filing, you will have to pay for state filing.
The Deluxe plan is affordable, and the price remains the same, regardless of the complexity level of your taxes. The software navigates you through a straightforward interview process and allows you to import your tax return from competitor software.
In addition, you can access tax and technical support via web chat.
With the Deluxe option, you get Audit Assist to answer your questions and help you prepare in the event of an audit.
6. Liberty Tax
Liberty Tax features a user-friendly interface and is a popular choice for tax software, especially since it allows you to import your W-2 through ADP, which saves time by auto-populating your personal information.
Another feature that users love is that this software shows your risk of being audited.
One of the most significant differences between Liberty Tax and most other tax preparation and filing software products is that it doesn’t offer a free version.
As a result, if you want to file a basic 1040EZ return, you will have to pay.
For itemized deductions or filing a 1040A, Liberty Tax’s basic version will be sufficient, but if you have investment income, you will have to opt for the premium version. With Liberty Tax, you can receive your refunds via direct deposit, prepaid card, or check.
7. Tax Slayer
Tax Slayer has an interface, features, and support that are comparable to that of their higher-end competitors like TurboTax.
There are several options available, including:
- Free package for 1040EZ filing
- Classic package for landlords, itemizers, etc.
- Premium package for audit assistance and access to tax professionals
- Self-employed package if you have a state return to file
- If your tax preparation and filing needs are relatively basic, the Free plan may seem like the best options. Keep in mind, however, that this plan only allows you to file a 1040EZ. You also will not be able to access free tax support.
The other plans offer a wide range of valuable features, including the ability to take a picture of your W-2 instead of manually typing in all the numbers. There is also a side-banner to help you keep track of the process.
If you need an effective tax planning service but are not willing to pay a premium for high-end software like TurboTax or H&R Block, Tax Slayer may be a viable option.
8. Credit Karma
Credit Karma is well-known for their credit monitoring service, and now you can use their software for federal and state tax filing for free.
Since it supports almost all forms, you can rest assured that it will be able to meet all your basic tax filing requirements.
If you have strict budgetary restrictions, Credit Karma may be one of your best tax filing service options.
Although this software doesn’t feature interview-style navigation, it has a user-friendly interface, and you will be able to see how your income, deductions, and credits affect your tax refund from your dashboard.
There are some drawbacks to this software.
The only forms you can import are W-2 and tax returns from the previous year. Credit Karma’s tech support is also somewhat lacking. If you are, for example, an active trader, this software may not be entirely suitable for your needs.
On the other hand, if you have basic tax filing requirements and a limited budget, look no further than Credit Karma.
9. Jackson Hewitt
Jackson Hewitt is a high-end tax planning service that allows you to file online as well as at its stores. It also offers a wide array of filing options, and you can choose one that fits your unique financial situation.
Another great thing about using Jackson Hewitt is the unlimited email and chat support.
Jackson Hewitt has three different filing options: one is free and two are paid. The free plan includes 1040EZ filing and straightforward tax return import, as well as unlimited live chat.
The paid plans allow you to report dependents, mortgage interest, student loan interest, and simple self-employed income.
Jackson Hewitt may be a suitable tax planning service regardless of your what your financial situation is. The Jackson Hewitt website is not clear on how each option is best for different users, and their services are not the most affordable in comparison with their competitors.
Their pricing and services are, however, on par with those of the market leaders.
10. eSmart Tax
eSmart Tax is Liberty Tax’s online tax software and features a Free and Premium version.
The Free version is suitable for users that want to manage simple tax filings like child and dependent care credit, while the Premium version takes care of business, investment, and real estate income.
eSmart Tax provides a wide range of additional features to make life easier for their users.
These features include accurate creation of 1040 returns with itemized deductions and quick and easy import of prior year return information from eSmart, as well as competitors like TurboTax, TaxAct, and H&R Block.
The tax preparation software also allows you to import your W-2 and 1099 forms to make return creation quicker and to eliminate errors.
If you have extensive experience with e-filing and are looking for an affordable solution, eSmart Tax may be a suitable option for you.
11. ezTax
ezTax charges a flat rate for federal and state tax filing regardless of the type of form that is required.
This tax preparation software is straightforward and easy to use for essential tax return preparation.
The software is mainly similar to other mid-range products. Before you complete the forms, you can choose from a guided or do-it-yourself option.
If you have some experience and know how to complete the forms, the do-it-yourself option will allow you to move through the process quicker.
ezTax can manage more advanced tax filing processes, but since this service charge the same fee for every type of 1040 that you are required to file, you will pay for, say, a 1040EZ, where other products offer these services for free.
12. Community Tax
Community Tax specializes in debt relief and also provides a complete tax assistance service.
Community Tax uses IRS tax records to ensure that all your income and expenses are accounted for, and their review team analyses returns to ensure that there are no mistakes.
As their client, you will also receive a dedicated tax preparer that has an IRS power of attorney.
Community Tax can help you with all of the following:
- Rental income
- Stocks
- Interest Income
- Dividends
- Unemployment compensation
- Gambling income
- Revenue out of the sale of assets
If you require assistance with your business’s tax return, Community Tax’s preparation and filing software will be a suitable option for you.
13. 1040.com
1040.com’s software focuses on simplicity and smart solutions to help their clients spend less time on tax return preparation and filing.
This product offers free help via chat and email, and they also have easy-to-read knowledge articles to provide you with sufficient information on tax filing and the procedures involved.
1040.com is aimed at meeting the needs of simple filers. If you qualify for 1040EZ, this software’s free version will be more than sufficient.
If you are a stock market investor, and itemizer, self-employed, or someone with dependents, you will have to upgrade to one of 1040.com’s paid versions.
If your tax filing needs are complicated, you may have difficulty with this software, however.
This product doesn’t offer the additional features like built-in calculators that real estate or stock market investors may need to file their taxes accurately.
14. OLT.com
OLT.com offers low-priced online tax services to support the most common filing situations.
There are two versions to choose from:
- Free, and
- Premium
The Free version supports all significant schedules with free federal filing and paid state filing.
With Premium, both federal and state filings require payment, but with this version, you will also receive full audit support and tax assistance from a professional.
The software also features informative articles to help clients with their tax filing and preparation.
One of the drawbacks of this tax software is that the interface is somewhat complicated and lacking in terms of user-friendliness.
15. DIY Tax
The most prominent benefit of DIY Tax is that this software offers accurate and free state and federal tax filing for everyone.
Also, it also allows you to import your taxes from previous years to save time and eliminate mistakes.
DIY Tax also provides free technical support. However, if you use this software and need support for the actual tax forms, you will have to pay for Liberty Tax’s support.
Bottom Line
If you qualify for 1040EZ filing, there is no reason for you to pay for tax software. On the other hand, if your tax filing needs are advanced, it may be worth your while to use tax software.
Just make sure you pick a service that offers a user-friendly interface, complete tax and tech support, simple importing, and comprehensive income and expenditure reporting, even if the price tag is high.
With one of the tax software options on this list, you should be able to handle the trickiest of tax filing situations with ease.
The post Best Tax Software Programs appeared first on Good Financial Cents.
Source Good Financial Cents http://bit.ly/2FIUHBB
Welcome to the New On-Site Penny Hoarder Community!
In July 2016, we created The Penny Hoarder community group on Facebook as a way for Penny Hoarders to come together to discuss everything from credit card debt to work-from-home jobs — all with like-minded people who shared similar goals.
But over the last couple of years, our little group has grown into a pretty big group, and that’s made it harder for you to find information and participate in discussions, and harder for us to keep an eye out for users who aren’t here for the true community experience.
So, we’ve made the decision to archive our Facebook community group — but don’t be sad: We’ve moved into a new (and greatly improved!) community platform that lives right here on our site!
The new on-site Penny Hoarder Community will make it easier for you to discover new content, share resources and tips, tackle tough questions, discuss your money woes and wins, and support your fellow Penny Hoarders — all while acting as a safe space for you to continue working toward your financial goals.
You can find the new Community here. To sign in, simply make an account or log in using your Facebook account. Then, take a look around to familiarize yourself with the new layout. You can create conversation threads, contribute to discussion boards, ask questions and “follow” topics you’re interested in.
We’ll see you in there, Penny Hoarder!
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
The Penny Hoarder Promise: We provide accurate, reliable information. Here’s why you can trust us and how we make money.
source The Penny Hoarder http://bit.ly/2Hl53tI
Cut the Cord: Here’s How to Watch All Your Favorite Shows Without Cable
With the average cost of cable running $1,284 per year, it’s no surprise that more and more people are making the decision to cut the cord and get their TV fix elsewhere.
But can you really still watch all the shows you love without paying the price of a hefty cable package?
Yes, you can. Here’s how to watch TV without cable.
1. Major Network Websites
You can view videos or full episodes from many of your favorite TV shows for free on network websites.
Broadcast channels like ABC, CBS and NBC offer a wide range of on-demand episodes, as do cable channels like TLC, TBS and HGTV. Just head to your favorite network’s website to check out what’s available.
Cost: Free
2. Sling TV
One major complaint about alternative TV services is there typically isn’t much offered for sports fans.
Sling TV by Dish Network is one solution. It offers live access to up to 52 premium channels, including CNN, Comedy Central and TBS.
That said, it’s live access; there’s no option to record a show you want to watch later unless you add on the Cloud DVR for $5 extra per month.
Cost: $25/month for the Sling Orange and Sling Blue plans, or $40/month for a combination of the two.
3. CBS All Access
You can find 10,000 episodes of CBS shows with CBS All Access live streaming. Available for your PC or mobile device, it also gives you access to live TV and special features like the Big Brother live feed when available.
Cost: Free one-week trial, then $5.99/month for limited commercials or $9.99/month for commercial-free access.
4. Hulu
You can watch a variety of popular shows streaming on Hulu the day after they air, plus entire series, including past seasons of current shows like “Modern Family” and classic shows like “The Twilight Zone.”
Hulu is also making its mark in the original content game, with exclusive series like “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Difficult People.”
The basic subscription is ad-supported, but you can upgrade to Hulu’s ad-free plan to watch almost everything commercial-free.
Hulu also offers a Hulu + Live TV plan that gives you access to more than 50 channels and up to 50 hours of live TV recordings in addition to the streaming features of the basic subscription.
Other add-ons are also available for additional fees, including HBO, Showtime, Starz and more.
Cost: Free 30-day trial, then $7.99/month for limited commercials, $11.99/month for commercial-free or $39.99/month for Hulu + Live TV.
5. Hallmark Movies Now
This streaming service offers hand-picked, heartwarming and family-friendly movies and TV series.
Hallmark Movies Now is commercial-free and available on a wide range of devices from your iPhone to your Roku to your Xbox 360. It also offers originally produced short films and programs, as well as an exclusive collection of Hallmark Hall of Fame features.
Cost: $5.99 a month or the annual plan for $59.99 ($4.99/month).
6. Netflix
Commercial-free and available on a number of platforms, Netflix has one of the largest libraries of shows and movies available for livestreaming.
It releases whole seasons of shows at once — great for binge-watching but not so great if you want to be up-to-date on your favorite shows so you can discuss them with your friends. You’ll have to wait for the latest season to end before you’re able to watch it on Netflix.
Netflix has also been a pioneer in original content, offering its subscribers exclusive access to hit shows like “Orange is the New Black” and “Stranger Things.”
Cost: Now $9/month for the basic plan, $13/month for HD and $16/month for the 4K plan.
7. HBO Now
If you’re addicted to HBO shows like “Game of Thrones” and “Girls,” you’ll find they’re not available on other streaming services.
If you want to watch them without renting countless seasons of DVDs, you’ll want to get HBO Now. It’s available for most devices — tablets, laptops, phones and desktops, but not video game consoles — and offers a 7-day free trial. Or you can opt for the HBO add-on with your Hulu subscription or your Amazon Prime subscription.
Cost: Free 7-day trial; $14.99/month after that.
8. Amazon Prime Instant Video
Amazon Prime’s instant video feature gives you streaming access to a number of popular TV series and movies, including the binge-worthy Prime original “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.”
The list is by no means exhaustive, and you’ll find it doesn’t have the most recent seasons of currently running programs. You do have the option to buy a TV season pass for about $10-$20 or pay around $1.99-$3.99 per episode to view additional shows.
If you already buy a ton of stuff from Amazon and can benefit from the free two-day shipping that comes along with Amazon Prime, it’s certainly an option worth considering.
Cost: Annual subscription for $119 ($9.92/month) or $12.99/month.
9. HDTV Antenna
Go old school and hook your TV up to an HDTV antenna to get basic broadcast channels with a high-quality picture. Add a TiVo or other DVR device and you’ll be able to record shows to view them later.
Find out which channels are available in your area and the best antenna for your needs at AntennaWeb.org.
Cost: $35 and up for the equipment.
10. The Library
Go really old school by checking out the offerings at your local public library.
I searched my nearby branch and was surprised to find DVDs of everything from “I Love Lucy” and “The Brady Bunch” to “Malcolm in the Middle.”
It’s not enough to satisfy the die-hard TV fanatic, but if you’re looking for a cheap way to pass a rainy day, you certainly can’t beat the price.
Cost: Free.
Kelly Gurnett is a freelance blogger, writer and editor who runs the blog Cordelia Calls It Quits, where she documents her attempts to rid her life of the things that don’t matter and focus more on the things that do. Follow her on Twitter @CordeliaCallsIt.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
The Penny Hoarder Promise: We provide accurate, reliable information. Here’s why you can trust us and how we make money.
source The Penny Hoarder http://bit.ly/2sDknYp
What to Do When Your Mortgage Application is Denied
You finally found the perfect house, and what seemed like a straightforward process yielded disheartening results.
Your mortgage application was denied, and it happened after all the time spent completing mountains of paperwork, answering countless questions, and having long conversations and meetings with your loan officer.
So, after getting angry and cursing the world, it’s time to soldier up and figure out what went wrong so you can fix it.
While having your mortgage application denied is not an ideal situation, it’s not the end of the world.
Potential Reasons Your Mortgage Application Was Denied
According to the Mortgage Market Activity and Trends report, in 2017, one in nine mortgage applications was denied. So, you are not alone.
But, what know?
Well, it’s time to figure out what happened and do something about it. Your first step is to find the reason for your mortgage denial. Once you know what went wrong, you can take care of the problem and try again.
As it turns out, there are several reasons why a mortgage application can be denied. And, get this, a few of them may not even be in your hands.
- Poor Credit History
- Debt-to-Income Ratio
- Recently opening or closing a credit card
- Recent purchase or lease of a new car
- Owing child support or alimony
- Not borrowing enough money
- Poor conduct by the Home Owner’s Association (HOA)
You shouldn’t be too discouraged if your mortgage application was denied.
If you were turned down for any of the reasons above, there are some specific steps you can take to get approved next time around.
Let’s take a closer look.
How to Get Approved On Your Next Mortgage Application
Poor Credit
Insufficient credit history and a low credit score are common reasons why mortgage applications are denied. If you shied away from credit cards, it might not have been the best choice.
Although true that credit cards can lead to more debt and a high debt-to-income ratio, using credit responsibly helps build your credit history and score. Lenders want to see that you are able to borrow money and repay it.
To build your credit history and score, be sure to put regular expenses on your credit card and to pay off the balance each month.
Keep in mind that your payment history makes up a whopping 35 percent of your credit score.
Debt-to-income Ratio
The debt-to-income ratio (DTI) compares your debts to your overall income. It helps lenders see how you handle your money.
It is considered to be the key factor in determining your creditworthiness when applying for a mortgage.
The ratio is calculated by dividing your total recurring monthly debt by your monthly gross income (income before taxes).
The debt-to-income ratio tells lenders whether you’ll be able to make your monthly mortgage payment based on your monthly debt.
The maximum DTI ratio for a would-be home buyer is 43 percent. It’s common for borrowers who have a higher debt-to-income ratio to run into problems trying to meet monthly payments.
The lower the debt-to-income ratio, the better. If your mortgage denial was due to a high DTI ratio, your best bet is to increase the monthly payments toward your debt, effectively lowering your overall debt and decreasing your DTI.
Recently Opening or Closing a Credit Card
Recently opening or closing a credit card adversely affects your credit history. Although it is true that having some credit card debt shows lenders that you know how to manage credit, you should refrain from applying for new credit at least six months before applying for a mortgage.
Remember that whenever you apply for credit, lenders check to see your credit utilization, which generates a hard inquiry that is reflected on your credit score. However, it’s not just applying for credit that affects your score.
Make sure that you don’t close any accounts either. If you do close an account, your credit score could decrease since you are removing the available credit, thus increasing your credit utilization percentage.
One thing that can prevent this situation is having made appropriate use of your other credit cards by maintaining low balances or better yet, paying the full balance every month.
If this was the case, monitor your score, pay as much debt as you can, and when the numbers are on your favor, apply again.
Recently Purchasing a New Car
Did you recently purchase or lease that new car you were eyeing? If so, you added an extra obligation that increases your monthly debt and your debt-to-income ratio.
If the new debt carries you over the 43 percent limit, there’s a very high possibility that your mortgage application will be denied.
Remember: A higher debt-to-income ratio means that more of your money goes out to creditors, and as lenders see it, you have less money to make mortgage payments.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, your credit score just dropped a few points as well. I’m not saying that you should not buy that dream car of yours.
However, you have to decide what’s more important at the moment. And if you are reading this, I’m guessing that it is the house.
Owing Child Support or Alimony
Owing child support or alimony will be considered to calculate your debt-to-income ratio as it is part of your fixed monthly expenses and, as such, counts toward how much of your money is tied on obligations.
Regarding your credit history and score, if you pay as agreed all is well.
Making child support payments on time is not included in your credit report. However, if you have back-child support, it can be reported to credit agencies.
Additionally, if there is a collection effort, it will show up on your credit report and can lower a high credit score by about 100 points.
If the collection shows up on your credit report, the negative information can remain on there for up to seven years.
If you owe child support, be sure to tackle the debt before the matter reaches a collection agency.
Not Borrowing Enough Money
Not borrowing enough money can also be the culprit of your woes. Many lenders have minimum loan requirements, and if you intend to borrow less than the institution’s minimum amount, your mortgage will be denied.
For example, if property values in your area have significantly dropped, and the amount you need to borrow is less than $50,000, large financial institutions could deny your mortgage application.
To some lenders, it’s not worth the trouble of approving a loan under $50,000; it’s just not profitable.
If that is why your application was denied, you merely need to look elsewhere.
Credit unions or community banks are good options because they can offer mortgages for significantly lower amounts.
Poor Conduct by the HOA
Poor conduct by the Home Owner’s Association (HOA) along with several other factors could make your condo non-warrantable in the eyes of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).
When the Home Owners Association is named in lawsuits, the project is not completed, most of the units are rented to non-owners or are short-term rentals, or the developer is still in control of the condominium, your mortgage might be denied, or the interest rates can be higher.
Not because of your credit but because of the high risk involved. If that is the case, you may want to look for another condo, or you could make a more substantial down payment.
Bottom Line
Lesson learned? Great! Now you know that even though a mortgage application denial might feel like the end of your home ownership dreams, it doesn’t have to be.
Your best bet is to understand what happened. With that knowledge in hand, you can get back on track to financing your home.
After you know exactly what went wrong, you can tackle it, fix it, and try again.
The post What to Do When Your Mortgage Application is Denied appeared first on Good Financial Cents.
Source Good Financial Cents http://bit.ly/2QWHMOn
Is Using Student Loans to Cover Living Expenses a Bad Idea?
Dear E.,
This is such an exciting time! Good for you — you’re making a big move for your education and career, while still considering the best way to manage the money details.
I’m also excited that you have savings ready to go as you prepare to focus full time on your studies. But I would encourage you to flip your thinking about how to use it.
Taking out a student loan with the idea of using it to pay for your living expenses is like writing yourself a blank check. Although you’re planning a frugal life with roommates and shared utilities, knowing your student loan money is there will be a temptation that will poke at you every semester.
You’ll be studying a lot, you’ll be tired and you’ll start treating yourself. A takeout meal here, a little splurge there. The mentality that you’ll pay it back later is a recipe for financial disaster.
Instead, I encourage you to do this: Take out student loans to pay for your coursework, books and supplies, with only a small cushion for financial emergencies or mandatory living expenses. Then, use your savings for the extra stuff, like food, clothing and general care.
If you know you’re spending the money you already saved on everyday expenses, you’re going to keep that in mind as you pay for things. It may be the same amount of money each month that you spend, but this mind trick will help keep you in line — and may encourage you to scrimp and save even more than you planned.
But don’t just fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid, accept a financial aid package and be done with it. Make an appointment to talk to a financial aid counselor at your school. These professionals have seen it all, including a teary-eyed, pre-column Penny who needed to figure out how to pay for graduate school after being laid off from her job.
The financial aid office will be able to review your financial aid offer and identify any additional grant or scholarship opportunities for which you may be eligible. And don’t just visit one time! Make it a routine to visit at least once each year you’re enrolled. Just as you’ll rely on your academic adviser’s guidance to succeed in your academic program, be sure to lean on the financial aid office, too.
Have a tricky money question? Write to Dear Penny and you might see your question answered in an upcoming column.
Lisa Rowan is a personal finance expert and senior writer at The Penny Hoarder, and the voice behind Dear Penny.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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A Frugal Person’s Guide to Coffee
Over the last few years, I’ve really begun to appreciate a cup of coffee in the morning, particularly on days when I need to tackle a lot of tasks that require focus and ideas. My personal preference is cold, black coffee, cold brewed in the refrigerator and consumed without sweeteners or cream (I’m actually sipping a cup of this as I write this article), but everyone has their own particular way that they like their coffee. Sarah, for example, likes hers quite hot with a bit of cream in it.
Of course, a morning coffee routine can be quite expensive. I used to drink coffee pretty regularly back in the day, but I did it by stopping at a local coffee shop on my way to work and dropping $6 or $7.
Even if I were to go to Starbucks and buy a venti black coffee, I would pay somewhere around $3. If my wife got her preferred drink, it would be somewhere closer to $5. (And I don’t even particularly like Starbucks – it usually has a “burnt” taste to my tongue that I don’t enjoy.)
If that $3 cup of coffee was an everyday thing, I’d be dropping just shy of $100 a month on coffee. That’s just not sustainable for me.
What do I do instead? I brew cold brew coffee in my own refrigerator, using 3/4 cup of coffee beans ground up with 32 ounces of water. This produces the equivalent of two venti coffees from Starbucks. This is about 2.75 ounces of beans, and I typically buy 42 ounces of this coffee for $20. That bag provides about 16 batches of my cold brew coffee, with each “batch” providing two 16 ounce coffees equivalent to that $3 venti from Starbucks. My cost for coffee, in other words, is about $0.62 for the same amount of coffee that I’d pay $3 for at Starbucks, and it’s substantially tastier in my opinion and doesn’t require much effort or equipment.
My wife basically does the same thing, except that she usually adds cream or some sort of flavored creamer to her coffee. The cost of her additives, on average, seems to add about $0.30 to the cup (depending, of course, on her specific choice of flavor additions), bringing her typical venti-sized coffee up to just shy of $1, but you’d be paying around $4.50 to $5 for the same thing at Starbucks.
Let’s break down exactly how I do this, step by step.
I use a simple cold brew coffee tool – no expensive machines. The one I use is very similar to this one, in that it’s basically a small glass pitcher with a fine sieve that you can insert into it, with measuring lines along the side. I picked mine up on sale at a local store for $10. I’ve made literally hundreds of batches of coffee with this, meaning the cost per batch of coffee is getting down in the one cent range.
Why do I choose cold brew coffee? It’s really easy to prepare. It doesn’t require extra filters or anything. It’s also less acidic and really smooth, and you can adjust the strength by how long you let the grounds sit in the water. It’s really easy to clean up, too.
You really don’t need anything more than this, except…
If you want to use whole bean coffee – and I really recommend it, because using freshly-ground beans is really flavorful and doesn’t require nearly as much grounds to make great coffee – you’ll also need a grinder. You don’t need anything fancy here, either. The one we have has been in steady use for ten years and seems to no longer be made; of the ones available easily on the market, I’d probably recommend this sub-$20 Mueller grinder. We grind coffee twice a week or more and have done so for ten years, meaning the cost per grind is now below a cent.
That’s it for equipment. Everything I need to make coffee for a very long time costs less than $50 and doesn’t ever need new filters or anything like that. It’s a fixed cost. The only additional cost is the beans.
My favorite “bang for the buck” coffee beans, as noted above, are Eight O’Clock Coffee original beans, which I buy in a large bag and keep sealed. It’s not the best coffee in the world, but it’s really good and I’d have to pay multiples of the price to get somewhat better coffee.
So, what’s my process?
In the morning, if I empty out the pitcher of coffee, I simply make another batch. I rinse everything out, then I measure out 3/4 cup of whole beans and grind them at the coarsest setting on our grinder. Then, I put those grounds right into the metal cold brew filter, fill the pitcher up to the 32 ounce line with cold water, and put it in the fridge. The next morning, when I pour myself some coffee from this pitcher, I toss the grounds, usually right into the compost.
If I happen to want hot coffee, then I just microwave some of the cold brew stuff until it’s piping hot. Some mornings, when Sarah’s in a hurry, she’ll snag some of my cold brew and microwave it rather than making her own. She has a drip coffee pot that she got as a gift in college that she’s still using most of the time, when she’s not pilfering my cold brew coffee.
Most mornings, I drink a single sixteen ounce cup of coffee, which, if you’re comparing to a typical coffee mug, is about two of those. The cost for this, if you’re including the residual cost of the cold brew coffee pitcher and the grinder, is about $0.65. As noted above, a similar sixteen ounce coffee at Starbucks is about $3, and the price is much higher at other coffee shops.
In terms of quality, I prefer what I make at home to Starbucks (because Starbucks has that vague “burnt” taste that I mentioned earlier), though I have had coffee at coffee shops that I probably prefer to what I make at home (though I’ve never really done a side-by-side comparison). I know that when we have more expensive beans, usually because they were gifted to us, I sometimes prefer the more expensive beans and I sometimes prefer my old Eight O’Clock standard, but the quality difference in the pricier beans is not enough for me to start buying much more expensive coffee.
I drink coffee about five mornings a week, so the total cost in a given week is around $3. Seriously – I drink coffee for a week at home for the cost of buying a single cup of what I like at Starbucks, and I prefer what I make at home.
What’s the take-home message here? If you’re in a routine of stopping for coffee on a frequent basis, try altering your routine and making it at home. There are lots of methods for doing so, most of which are quite easy and involve minimal cleanup, and it can be really tasty. My belief is that the method I describe above is about as easy as it gets for coffee at home and I’m really happy with the quality of coffee I get from this process.
Good luck!
The post A Frugal Person’s Guide to Coffee appeared first on The Simple Dollar.
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Got $500 and a Computer? Here’s How to Become a Real Estate Investor
Want to invest in real estate but don’t want to be a landlord?
Don’t give up on your dream just yet.
There’s a real estate investing platform that allows you to invest in dozens of properties around the U.S. starting at $500.
It’s through a company called Fundrise, and it does all the heavy lifting for you. No down payments, no property management, no playing landlord.
Invest in Real Estate — Regardless of Your Net Worth
It works similarly to investing in a company through stocks, but in this case you’re investing in pieces of real estate across the country — perhaps a luxury condo in Queens, New York, or a modern home in Los Angeles.
What’s the big appeal? Just like investing in stocks, you have the potential to earn passive income through quarterly dividend payments.
Since 2012, Fundrise investors have averaged a net annual return between 8% and 12%. For context, the average savings account these days accrues less than 1% interest.
But it’s worth remembering: You’re always taking a risk when you invest, and dividends are never guaranteed. And just like other forms of investing, you’ll pay some fees — about $5 a year for every $500 you invest.
If you want to get started in real estate and potentially start earning passive income, Fundrise could allow you get there.
Disclaimer: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Any historical returns, expected returns, or probability projections may not reflect actual future performance. All securities involve risk and may result in partial or total loss. Additional details regarding historical returns may be found at http://bit.ly/2m0nJ44.
The publicly filed offering circulars of the issuers sponsored by Rise Companies Corp. (parent company of Fundrise), not all of which may be currently qualified by the Securities and Exchange Commission, may be found at fundrise.com/oc.
Carson Kohler (carson@thepennyhoarder.com) is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.
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Jeff Prestridge: my sons' baby steps on the first-time buyers’ ladder
My middle son – one of three – and his fiancée have a great year ahead of them. Fingers crossed, they will move into their first-home in the coming weeks, a three-bedroom semi-detached house in Hertfordshire.
Once they have stamped their mark on it – a conservatory here, a new kitchen there – it will not be long before the wedding bells are ringing in Watford and the confetti falling like flakes of snow. Although I consider myself a rather phlegmatic individual, I must admit to a tiny tinge of emotion at the thought of it all.
At the age of 26, Mark will be the first of the three boys to get married. The reception has already been booked at the magnificent De Vere Latimer Estate in the rolling hills of the Chilterns in Buckinghamshire although Mark has yet to tell me the date (the Prestridges like their secrets). He did give me a guided tour with fiancée, Hollie, presumably to forewarn me about the expense of the occasion that I will (no doubt) be part-funding.
For the record, Latimer House, the hotel’s heart, is steeped in history and well worth a gander. Family wealth – the Cavendish clan – a key intelligence-gathering role in the First World War, and the site of an IRA bombing in 1974.
What I love about Mark and Hollie’s journey towards becoming first-time buyers is that they have done it primarily on their own. There has been no bank of Mum and Dad to help them with a home deposit. They have saved hard – admittedly made possible by both having good jobs – and they have made quite a few sacrifices along the way. They have also been extremely patient.
To begin with, they both lived with their respective parents. They then decided to rent a lovely one-bedroom flat on the outskirts of Watford. Independence at last.
But after a year, they realised two things. Firstly, they were compatible and could live together. Secondly, they were throwing money down the rental drain. Money they could be putting aside to build a deposit big enough to get them a mortgage for the kind of property they were interested in.
So, boldly, and with my wife’s full blessing (we are separated and live apart), they decided to forego their independence (albeit temporarily) and move into the Prestridge family home and save as much as they possibly could. It proved a winning strategy.
In fact, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Mark proved a master in the kitchen, Hollie got on with Susan (my wife) like a house on fire and feuds were few and far between, helped by the fact that they were able to escape to their eyrie on the top floor of the three-storey town house.
There has been no bank of Mum and Dad to help them with a deposit
On the financial front, they have opted for a two-year fixed-rate mortgage on the basis that when it comes to remortgaging in 2021, they will have built more equity in their home, enabling them to snap up an improved rate. Logical – and they did not even ask me for advice, using instead a trusty independent mortgage adviser.
Although Mark and Hollie have finally got their feet on the housing ladder, the market for first-time buyers remains challenging. This is evidenced by the fact that the average first-time buyer is now 30 and has a gross household income of £42,000.
But there are some encouraging signs. Although the number of first-time mortgages taken out last year will be slightly down on 2017, they remain substantially above the levels of the past decade.
While this government has got many things wrong on the personal finance front, I find it heartening it continues to help first-time buyers through various schemes. These include Help to Buy, which enables people to buy homes up to a value of £600,000 in England with just a 5% deposit (different rules apply in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales). The government provides an interest free loan (for five years) of up to 20% of the property’s value to make the numbers work.
There is also shared ownership, where you buy a share of the property (anything between 25% and 75%) and pay rent on the rest. Waiting in the wings is the Starter Homes scheme, which will enable first-time buyers to buy new-build homes at a 20% discount – up to a maximum home value of £450,000 in London and £250,000 elsewhere.
Also, it has reduced or removed the stamp duty burden for many first-time buyers,with purchases below £300,000 attracting no tax and ones between £300,000 and £500,000 only attracting 5% duty on a purchase price above £300,000.
Of course, it is still not a totally friendly first-time buyers’ market and the affordability hurdles for many aspiring homeowners remain too onerous to overcome.
But with perseverance, hard saving and support from loved ones (financial or, in our case, non-financial), you can get on the housing ladder.
JEFF PRESTRIDGE is the personal finance editor of The Mail on Sunday. He won the Contribution to Personal Finance Education category at the Santander Media Awards 2016. Email him at columnists@moneywise.co.uk.
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Harveys Furniture ruined my Christmas
Moneywise helps a reader who had Christmas ruined by a missing sofa.
Our reader, LN of London, ordered a Louise Redknapp designed sofa set in September from Harveys Furniture. You would have thought that would have been plenty of time for her new furniture to be in situ by Christmas, but you’d have been sadly wrong.
LN reports: “The order was delayed, not once but three times.We eventually received our order on 27 November – 11 weeks later.”
That was hugely inconvenient and annoying, but at least the order arrived. But that wasn’t the end of her problems.
LN explains: “The footstool came damaged – and the large sofa didn’t fit in our flat.”
She arranged for the large sofa to be taken away and dismantled so it could be redelivered in parts and assembled in the flat. The delivery never came and then things got even worse.
“After endless chasing I was told the sofa was also now damaged. We were then told that we won’t receive our sofa and footstool until the new year.”
Bear in mind that the original order was back in September, and you can understand her growing anger at the firm.
“The sofa had no cushions, so we ended up with nowhere to sit over the holidays”
LN continues: “My original sofa has now apparently been disposed of, but no one can explain to me what exactly has happened.”
Harveys arranged for a loan sofa to be sent to be used over the Christmas period but even that was messed up.
“The sofa came but there were no seat cushions, so it was sent back. I don’t know how incompetent you can be, to load a sofa without any seat cushions?” LN asks, reasonably. “With no sofa to sit on, Christmas is off,” she told me.
I approached Harveys to ask for an explanation for the sorry tale.
It said: “At Harveys, we take customer service very seriously. We were very sorry to hear about the delays with LN’s order, and we have been working with her to arrange a new date for delivery of her sofa and footstool, providing an alternative solution in the meantime. With all customer concerns, we follow clear processes to evaluate the matter and try to reach an agreeable resolution. We have offered financial compensation to LN and we are awaiting her response.”
LN responded: “Harveys said that it will be able to compensate us £500, which will be sent on to the finance company to be reduced from our remaining balance. It is not clear whether we will receive any compensation should we decide to cancel the whole order, which is something that I am very close to doing.”
I don’t blame LN for her anger. Harveys has failed her time and time again.
When I tried to contact the company through social media, several other disgruntled customers got in touch with similar complaints.
CB said: “I am outraged at the lack of customer support, false advertisement and just sheer lack of care for their customers. They’re very happy to take your money and after that they care less. They have ruined our first Christmas in our first house.”
KH said: “Louise Redknapp designed sofa and chair was ordered in October, I was promised (twice) it would arrive before Christmas. They are now saying 7 January. We have no sofa for Christmas.”
I’ll be contacting Harveys to try to help the other victims.
OUTCOME: Reader offered £500 compensation for sofa nightmare
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Cheap luxury cruises: how to book a good deal
Navigating a value-for-money cruise deal can be tricky. Here, we reveal top tips from the experts on how you can take to the waves without going overboard on costs.
While cruise brochures are full of price reductions, cabin upgrades and drinks packages, many itineraries contain exclusions and extras that first-time cruisers may not budget for. But if you know the tricks of the trade – from when to book to how to get a cheap cabin – you can save hundreds of pounds on the trip of a lifetime.
When to book
‘Wave season’ is the cruise industry’s sales period and runs from January to March each year. Alternatively, some cruise lines such as Celebrity, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean also run ‘choose-your-own-bonus sales’ at regular intervals.
Niamh Walsh, senior editor at travel search company Holiday Pirates, says the best time to book a cruise is either really far ahead or as last minute as possible.
“Unlike air fares, cruises go on sale many years in advance. For example, you can currently book Norwegian Cruise Line cruises as far ahead as May 2022. For popular cruises, the best value is when they just launch and when there is most availability,” she says. “For less popular cruises, prices normally drop the closer to the sailing date it gets. An empty cabin makes no money for the cruise line.”
Shop around
Hardly anyone pays the brochure price for a cruise. When you’ve found an itinerary you like, approach different travel agents for a price. Don’t be afraid to haggle or ask for extras such as a credit to your on-board account or a drinks package to be thrown in.
If you’re not too fussy about where you go, it is worth checking for discounts on websites such as Groupon and Wowcher.
Alexis Harrison, head of marketing at Wowcher, says: “We work closely with our travel partners to bring discounted cruises to our customer base, from Mumbai to the Caribbean. As we have seen the popularity of these types of holidays increase in the past couple of years, we’re always seeking out exclusive partnerships to bring new offers to our subscribers – and with an average of 20% to 30% off the direct price, this can save customers hundreds of pounds.”
Don’t be afraid to haggle and ask for extras to be included
Check what’s included
It is vital to understand what is included before you book a cruise. Some headline prices just cover the cost of accommodation on the ship, while other deals include airfares to ports, hotel nights, transfers and shore excursions.
Most cruises include food, but you might have to pay extra for ‘speciality’ restaurants or formal dinners. Some cruises include free alcohol and soft drinks, while others do not. Access to swimming pools and gyms will generally be included but babysitting, spa treatments, wi-fi, and laundry usually won’t be.
Drinks packages
If you like a tipple, then one way to save money is to pre-book a drinks package. These packages can be bought on board too – but at a higher price.
A drinks package offers unlimited or a pre-set number of drinks each day for a daily rate. But watch the small print before you sign up. Typical terms includes a ban on sharing drinks packages and a requirement to buy the same package for both every day of your cruise (so not just for a couple of ‘big’ nights) and for everyone in your cabin.
Repositioning cruises
Ian Crawford, cruise specialist at CruiseDeals.co.uk, says his biggest tip for saving money is to book a ‘repositioning’ cruise, when ships are moving from summer to winter destinations (or vice versa) as you’ll get to enjoy two destinations for a knock-down price.
“For example, Transatlantic Homecoming sees Marella Explorer return from the Caribbean to the UK with a 19-night cruise from Barbados to Southampton. The journey starts with six stops at Caribbean islands before more than a week at sea, which is only interrupted with two stops in the Azores. The ship then travels along the French coast to Belgium and crosses the sea to England’s south coast.
“This cruise departs on 28 April 2019 and costs £1,635 per person, saving a massive £722 per person – that’s less than £90 a night and includes flights, all meals, some drinks and tips,” he explains.
“Cruise firms are quite open to bartering”
Steve Bowles, 64, and his wife Sue, 64, from Essex, were interested in a specific Celebrity Cruises’ voyage around Europe for themselves and three other couples.
“We went to the Cruise Show (held in London and Birmingham) and talked to Celebrity Cruises about specific cabins and what our requirements were, and it worked out what its best deal was,” says Steve. “When we went for lunch, I phoned three online cruise companies we’ve used before – Cruise Club, Planet Cruise and Iglu Cruise – and asked for their best deals.
“Planet Cruise matched the price but gave us extra spending money of $100 to $150 (£80 to £120) per cabin and threw in 12 bottles of wine purely because we were booking four cabins at the same time. I played them off each other. They also added a basic drinks package, so the saving came to about £250 per cabin– that was off the Celebrity Cruises’ price at the show, which was already discounted. Cruise firms are quite open to bartering, especially if you are booking more than one cabin.”
The 10-day trip with Celebrity Cruises started in Rome and visited Portugal, Spain and several Greek Islands. It was Steve and Sue’s eighth cruise and on other occasions they have phoned three online cruise companies to ask for their best price.
“They will normally throw in some on-board spend. The nearer the time to the cruise, the better the deals if they have spare cabins,” adds Steve.
Bag a bargain cabin
The cheapest cabins on a cruise ship are ‘inside’ cabins. These generally don’t have windows and will be on the small side. ‘Ocean view’ cabins are the next cheapest and have windows looking out to sea. The most expensive options are ‘balcony’ cabins with a veranda, as well as suites.
“The absolute cheapest cabins are often guarantee fares. This means that you pay the lowest price available for an inside stateroom and are guaranteed a cabin somewhere on the ship,” says Asam Coulter, UK managing editor at comparison site Cruise Critic.
“You don’t get to pick which specific cabin number you prefer or which deck. It’s certainly a gamble – and you might get stuck with an unusual room that’s smaller than most rooms or with an awkward layout. On the other hand, you might get lucky and be upgraded to a room with a window.”
Solo cruisers have traditionally been charged extortionate single supplements, but times are changing and there are now more options for people travelling alone. Norwegian Cruise Lines, Saga and Cunard all have single cabins on some ships.
Tipping is typical
Tipping on cruise ships is a controversial issue and established systems may come as a surprise to tip-shy Brits.
On most cruise lines, tips are either paid upfront or a daily gratuity is automatically billed to your on-board account. So you’ll inadvertently be tipping the chef, whether or not you come down with food poisoning. Royal Caribbean International, for example, levies a service charge of between $14.50 and $17.50 (£11.50 and £14.50) per guest per day.
But tips aren’t compulsory: you can have them removed or reduced – just visit guest services during your voyage.
Check your travel insurance
Unfortunately, not all cruises are plain sailing. Just like on other types of holiday, things can go wrong. Travel insurance is vital – but cruises are not necessarily covered on standard single-trip or annual policies.
Matt Sanders, spokesperson for GoCompare travel insurance, says: “Look at getting a policy that’s tailored towards being on a ship and covers all the destinations on your itinerary, even if you’re only leaving the ship for a few hours. Cabin confinement cover, missed port cover, unused excursions and emergency airlift to hospital cover are all essential if you are embarking on a cruise.
“As always, make sure you read policy documents carefully to familiarise yourself with any exclusions and conditions. For example, if you’ve independently booked an onshore excursion and you’re late returning to the ship and it sails without you, your insurance may not cover you.”
“We got an upgrade – perks included a private bar”
Tom Collins, 34, his wife Sarah, 35, and their two children aged three and five, took a seven-day cruise on MSC Seaside in February 2018.
The ship set sail from Miami, visiting the Bahamas, Charlotte Amalie in the British Virgin Islands, St John’s in Antigua, then back to Miami.
Tom says: “We got a good deal by opting for a ‘grand suite’ rather than two rooms. It had a separate bedroom for us and the kids slept on a big pull-out sofa bed. It was at the front of the boat and had a big balcony. Effectively, we got an upgrade which entitled us to certain perks such as a private bar.”
The Collins family paid £3,400 for their cruise and spent a total of £5,000 once all extras were added. Flights to Miami weren’t included in the cruise fare, but Tom had Avios points which reduced the cost.
“There were kids’ club activities all day and childcare from 9am to 10pm, which was all included. We didn’t opt for drinks packages as it would have been about £600 and you’d have to drink a lot to get value from that. The excursions were all quite expensive so we just explored on our own,” says Tom, “One thing we didn’t know about was a service charge of about £40 a day billed to our room. However, I ended up getting that waived after my prescription sunglasses were damaged when they were dropped going through security when we were getting back on the boat after going onshore.”
Emma Lunn is a personal finance journalist who writes for the Guardian, Daily Telegraph, Mirror and Thisismoney.co.uk
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