Were you lucky enough to get a pay raise recently? If so, what are you planning to do with it? Here are 4 tips on how to make your raise pay real dividends for you now and into the future:
1) Open a savings account
Baby boomers can probably remember parents or grandparents making regular deposits to a savings account at the local bank. Our current savings rate is a measly 2.5 percent – down significantly from the 7 percent average 30 years ago.
For example: If you saved an $80.00/month raise, at the end of one year you’d have $960.00. It’s not a huge amount for some, but it’s a start. And thanks to the wonders of compound interest you can watch it grow into a nice nest egg over time, especially if you continue to add new raises to your savings.
Savings account interest rates are on the rise. The online bank, ING Direct is currently offering 2.35% APY (annual percentage yield), with no minimum deposit, no fees, and your account is FDIC insured. Visit
Monitoring Your Credit Is Easy As 1-2-3!
Thanks to the FACT(Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions) Act, all U.S. residents will be allowed one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting agencies - Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian. This legislation makes it easy for you to keep an eye on your credit profile throughout the year easy as 1-2-3.
How To Save At The Gaspump
With some analysts predicting gas prices to peak at as much as $2.50 per gallon or more, those of us on a budget will have to find ways to meet the higher cost of fuel or cut back on our gas consumption.
Programs To Help You Fund Your American Dream
The American Dream of home ownership is on the rise across the United States. According to the latest figures available, the US homeownership rate reached a record 69.2 percent in the second quarter of 2004, up from 68.3 percent in 2003. And for the first time, the majority of minority Americans own their own homes.
