Should you pay off the mortgage on the home you are living in? Mortgage interest rates are at historic lows and a fixed rate mortgage seems to be a deal of a lifetime right now, so why would anyone pay it off? Here are six reasons why paying off your mortgage is still worthwhile in the current economic climate. A Mortgage Is a Cost Even with a tax deduction, the interest you pay on a mortgage is still a cost. I don’t think it makes sense... 

Welcome to Wise Bread’s Best Money Tips roundup. Today, we’re telling you how to donate soap to charity, the best way to make quick pickles, and how to make the most of a resturant menu. Recycle Used Soaps for the Less Fortunate — Did you know that you can find a use for your used soap (if you find that you switch brands or just don’t want it anymore)? This amazing charity sanitizes it and…  Read More →

ShareThis Deconstruction ain’t just for English majors no more. With home sales on the downswing and recycling on the upswing, deconstructing is rapidly becoming a hot trend in the building industry. In essence, deconstruction is construction in reverse — turning lemons into lemonade. The increasingly popular process focuses on giving the materials within a building a new life, once the building as a whole can no longer continue.... 

ShareThis For Sale By Owner, also known as FSBO, has become very popular in recent years. Selling your own home doesn’t have to be the death trap many real estate agents would have you believe, but you DO have to be willing to do the legwork yourself. Your most important goal in a FSBO sale needs to be to reach potential buyers. If you think of everything you do to sell your home in that light, you will be much more likely to succeed.... 

Just over a year ago my spouse and I bought our first home — a foreclosure. There were a lot of repairs that needed to be made — an asbestos abatement to remove the original 1925 “octopus” furnace, refinishing hardwood floors, fixing locks, replacing electric outlets, and painting. We hired professionals for the major projects — furnace replacement, plumbing updates, and hardwood floor refinishing. And the easiest... 

What is the best purchase you ever made in your life? It could be something that changed your life, a bargain that felt like a steal, or an item that provided value beyond your wildest dreams. For example, when Thursday Bram purchased a digital camera to snap pictures, it turned out to be a great networking tool for landing new gigs . It was one of the best business investments she ever made. Share your “best purchase” story with... 

Welcome to Wise Bread’s Best Money Tips roundup. Today, we’re giving you all you need to tackle that nasty stove top, some tips for picking a credit counselor, and a chance to reminisce about the joys of Pudding Pops! Top 5 Articles 8 Cleaning Tips for Crusty Stove Tops — Ewww…We’ll let you get started on your nasty cooking surfaces, after a few tips from this article! Tip Nut How NOT To Buy Gift Cards on Ebay... 

One of the plants that I make sure to include in my garden every year is zucchini, mostly because as long as you stick the seeds in the ground and wave a hose past it every couple of days, you’ll wind up with plenty of it — it’s a tough plant and can be neglected a bit with no worry. The main downside to zucchini is just how much zucchini you can wind up getting off of one plant. If you’ve ever grown zucchini (or you’ve... 

Welcome to Wise Bread’s Best Money Tips roundup. Today, we ask about the impact of having a $1 trillion deficit, share 9 ways to cook with foil, and tell about a surprisingly large phone bill! Top 5 Articles What $1 Trillion Would Buy — Our nation’s deficit is nothing to sneeze at. Just look at the things it could pay for in this mind-boggling piece. Kiplinger 20 Ways to Avoid the Wedding Industrial Complex — Groom’s... 

ShareThis If you’ve started a small business and need advice, there are plenty of resources available to lend you a hand. The problem is that many of them are in the form of books, lectures, and “programs” that have no issue with charging you for their services. So what’s an entrepreneur with limited cash and just a handful of questions to do? Get in touch with these local experts. They’ll more than likely be glad... 

ShareThis All it takes is one weak moment to reach into your checking account or connected savings account and use those funds on something frivolous. That’s why it’s important to protect your savings from you! The way I do this is to create barriers between me and my savings. I protect my money from me. Trying Hard to Save Do you want more money set aside for emergencies, vacations, college expenses, or retirement? I’m sure... 

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So does anybody really know where the economy is headed? For a little while there, things seemed to be looking up, thanks to improved stock prices. But with the market having slipped again and unemployment continuing to brew, it’s hard to feel confident about the economy these days. Not to mention that we seem to be heading into round two of a stubborn recession, due to uncertain financial conditions in Europe. How we perceive this economy... 

Welcome to Wise Bread’s Best Money Tips roundup. Today, we give you a recipe for green french fries, the secrets of self-made millionaires, and ways to save on the putting green! Top 5 Articles Green French Fries — Stuck with extra zucchini? Perhaps you just need a crispy way to get your kids to eat veggies? This recipe reminds me of restaurant French fried Green Beans — but with a different member of the green family! (yum.)... 

Every time we discuss the subject of frugal living, someone somewhere always brings up opportunity cost. It goes something like this. “…my time is worth a whole lot more. If I’m going to spend the time clipping coupons, I might as well spend some time working on my side business.” Valid point no doubt, but there are many reasons why we share and practice frugality. Aside from…  Read More →