Eyewitness News Is On Your Side With Ways To Help You Watch Your Wallet!
By Annette Newell | Posted Monday, November 17, 2008
THERE’S NEW HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS AT RISK OF FORECLOSURE.
IN TONIGHT’S WALLET WATCH: CONSUMER REPORTS RECOMMENDS THAT HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE HAVING TROUBLE MAKING THEIR PAYMENTS, LOOK INTO A NEW FEDERAL PROGRAM.
AS OF LAST MONTH, THE HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS PROGRAM STARTED RESTRUCTURING MORTGAGES.
THIS PROGRAM CAN HELP THOSE WHOSE HOMES HAVE DROPPED IN VALUE, BECAUSE IT REQUIRES BASING THE LOAN ON A NEW APPRAISAL.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HOPE FOR HOMEOWNERS PROGRAM, LOG ONTO http://www.hud.gov/hopeforhomeowners.
By Annette Newell | Posted Friday, November 14, 2008
THE ECONOMY HAS LED TO ANOTHER PROBLEM WE NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR: TOXIC GIFT CARDS.
IN WALLET WATCH: GIFT CARDS ARE POPULAR FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
BUT CONSUMERS WILL LOSE ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR ON WORTHLESS ONES, FOR COMPANIES THAT HAVE GONE BELLY UP.
IF YOU’RE HOLDING ONTO A CARD FROM THE SHARPER IMAGE, OR BOMBAY COMPANY, IT’S TOO LATE.
THEY’RE OUT OF BUSINESS.
AS FOR LINENS ‘N THINGS AND CIRCUIT CITY, BETTER MOVE FAST.
CONSUMER REPORTS SAYS IF YOU HAVE A GIFT CARD FROM A STORE IN CHAPTER 11, RUN, DON’T WALK THERE, AND BUY SOMETHING QUICKLY.
DO YOU HAVE IDEAS TO PROTECT YOUR MONEY, IN THESE TOUGH TIMES?
SEND THEM HERE ON WNCT DOT COM’S WALLET WATCH SECTION.
By Allan Hoffman | Posted Friday, November 14, 2008
If you have some extra money and really good credit, now is the time when you are most likely to find a great deal buying a new car. Not only because of the economy, but also because the new cars are coming out and dealers would like to clear the lots. However you have to know what you are facing.
Times have changed, and these days most car dealerships have raised the credit score requirement to get a loan. It used to be they would accept a low of about 650 but today, many require a 760 or higher, which is very good.
Also, your interest rate is going to be higher if you have a lower score. Some interest rates are as high as 15 percent. In fact one couple said there interest rate was 22%.
So what is your best bet? Well if you have a second mortgage on your home then one expert told me you can loan the money to yourself. Of course you have to set up an automatic transfer to your second mortgage just as it were to a car loan company but remember…..you can claim the interest on the second mortgage on your taxes!
By Annette Newell | Posted Thursday, November 13, 2008
WHEN MORE PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS, YOU WANT TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO SAVING YOURS.
IN TONIGHT’S WALLET WATCH: CNN MONEY OFFERS TIPS ON HOW TO RECESSION- PROOF YOUR JOB.
THINK OF WAYS TO GENERATE REVENUES OR CUT COSTS.
FIND PLACES TO PINCH PENNIES, OR IDENTIFY CHEAP NEW SOURCES OF REVENUE.
GET YOUR SKILLS UP TO DATE.
TAKE CLASSES, AND JOIN TRADE ORGANIZATIONS.
NEVER STOP NETWORKING.
WHETHER YOU MOVE INTO A NEW JOB AFTER A LAYOFF CAN DEPEND ON HOW MUCH YOU’VE CONTACTED AND HELPED OTHER PEOPLE.
By Allan Hoffman | Posted Wednesday, November 12, 2008
With all the bad economic news and business closing we are starting to see in the east, how do you prepare for the possibility of getting fired.
The fact is, anyone can be fired, so there are some financial things you can do and some personal things too.
The experts say you should have enough money in the bank to pay for three months worth of living expenses. While this is a good idea, realistically, it is rare for most of us to have that much.
They also say how you leave a job is more important than why you left. Even though you are hurt and angry don’t say or do anything that isn’t classy and could affect your next job prospect.
Finally, get copies of your performance evaluation reviews to show to a future employer. If they are good, they can sometimes make the difference.
By Annette Newell | Posted Wednesday, November 12, 2008
YOUR COMPANY HAS A PLAN TO SURVIVE A RECESSION.
DO YOU?
IN WALLET WATCH: THE HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW SAYS ACT LIKE A SURVIVOR TO PROTECT YOUR JOB.
FIRST: LIGHTEN UP.
RESEARCH SHOWS BEING FUN TO BE AROUND MATTERS.
PEOPLE WILL CHOOSE A CONGENIAL COLLEAGUE OVER ONE WHO’S MORE CAPABLE BUT LESS LOVABLE.
DON’T BE THE ONE WHO’S ALWAYS IN A BAD MOOD.
SURVIVORS FOCUS ON CUSTOMERS’ NEEDS.
YOU’RE LESS LIKELY TO LOSE YOUR JOB, IF CUSTOMERS FIND YOU INDISPENSABLE.
BEING AMBIDEXTROUS INCREASES YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL.
IF YOU’RE NOT ALREADY WEARING MULTIPLE HATS, IMAGINE HOW YOU CAN.
By Allan Hoffman | Posted Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Alright, it’s time to get ready for the holidays...that means setting up a budget for yourself and sticking to it.
“Tightwad Tod” at http://www.consumereports.com came with five ways to help you reach that goal and its all at your fingertips on the web:
Get the buzz on advertised Bargains:
Two websites will help:www.fatwallet.com http://www.slickdeals.net
Get Sales Circulars:
Try these websites: http://www.sundaysaver.com and http://www.SalesCircular.com
Check Price Histories.
It’s good to get into the habit of watching prices of the things you want year round. Try:
http://www.pricespider.com
Ship your Christmas Gift Direct:
Many people have a present shipped to them and then send it to Uncle Jim in Peoria. For some ideas on the best way to do that try:
http://www.shipgooder.com.
Look for those Sunday Paper Discounts:
If you’ve already tossed the Sunday paper, then sign up with http://www.dealalerter.com. They will send you email notification when the price of that item you’ve had you eye one drops.
By the way, you may want to wait a few weeks before you buy. With today’s economy, there will more than likely be some pretty good deals. Also, get more advice from:
MrConsumer.com.
By Annette Newell | Posted Tuesday, November 11, 2008
IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, IT MAKES SENSE TO GO BACK TO THE BASICS TO SAVE MONEY.
TONIGHT’S WALLET WATCH COMES FROM MIGHTY BARGAIN HUNTER DOT COM.
ENTERTAIN LOW-COST OR FREE.
A TRIP TO THE LIBRARY OR A WALK AROUND THE PARK ARE FREE.
BUY USED WHENEVER IT MAKES SENSE: ESPECIALLY WITH VEHICLES.
TRY BUYING A SCRATCH AND DENT DRYER, OR A USED DISHWASHER.
SPEND TIME AT YARD SALES, THRIFT STORES, AND FLEA MARKETS.
PLACE A LITTLE MORE WEIGHT ON “NEW TO YOUR CHILDREN” RATHER THAN “NEW” WHEN BUYING TOYS.
By Annette Newell | Posted Monday, November 10, 2008
IN THESE TOUGH TIMES; MANY ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO STRETCH HOLIDAY DOLLARS.
TONIGHT’S WALLET WATCH COMES FROM CONSUMER REPORTS BLOG.
GET THE BUZZ ON UNADVERTISED BARGAINS.
BARGAIN HUNTERS SHARE THEIR FINDS AT FATWALLET.COM AND SLICKDEALS.NET, COMBINING SALES, REBATES, AND COUPONS.
FIND SALE CIRCULARS ONLINE.
SEE WHAT’S ON SALE AT STORES AT SUNDAYSAVER.COM AND SALESCIRCULAR.COM.
CHECK PRICE HISTORIES.
JUST BECAUSE IT’S ON SALE, DOESN’T MEAN IT’S A BARGAIN. PRICESPIDER.COM, DISPLAYS PRICES AT HUNDREDS OF STORES OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS.
By Allan Hoffman | Posted Monday, November 10, 2008
