the411

Why Are My C.D. Rates So Low?

Yes, there's no denying it: Interest rates are abysmally low right now. Understanding "why" and the impact on your bottom line, can make a big difference in how you use C.D.'s in the future.

What are interest rates anyway?

Simply put, interest rates can be defined as the “Cost of Capital”, which to put in regular language just means the 'cost of doing business'. Let's take a look:

Why Signing On the Dotted Line Needs Careful Consideration

With tax returns neatly filed and over with until next year, it seems like the perfect time to talk about what your signature means, both on your tax return and other documents as well.  A signature by definition binds the individual signing the document [i.e. contract, agreement, form, etc.] by the provisions contained in the document, which means simply:  You are legally obligated to whatever is contained within them.  And in circumstances where you are married and signing as one of the parties to the contract—or tax return—you share in the legal responsibility, as well as in any legal consequences, that may arise.   

You don’t have to Spend Less this holiday season… you just have to Spend Right!

The holidays are around the corner, the time of year when things get a little crazy and, unless you’re careful, all that hard work you’ve done on cutting back spending can go out the window. But don’t worry! With a well-laid plan for spending these holidays, you can save yourself some moolah—and some anxiety!

Why not start now?  It won’t take more than 15 minutes here or there to come up with your holiday spending plan.  The below section will calculate your target "spend rate”—the amount that you can reasonably afford this holiday season—and teach you how to adjust as you go along so that you stay within that target.  

Do the New Credit Card Rules Affect You? (Hint: Yes, They Do!)

As many of you have heard by now, the Federal Reserve Board approved several new rules providing credit card protection from high and often unreasonable late and penalty fees. The new rules, which will go info effect on August 22, 2010, are meant to ensure that these fees are less costly and more fair for consumers.

The new rules are an amendment of Regulation Z, which implemented the older consumer credit protections established in the Truth of Lending Act of 1968. Since these rules are over 40 years old, the rights they provided are much more limited in comparison to the new amendments.

For example under Regulation Z a late fee payment would be the same amount for a $30 minimum payment as it would be for a much higher payment such as a $70 minimum payment. Under the new rules; however, credit card companies can charge a maximum late fee of $25 with only a few exceptions. 

Here is a breakdown of the rules that you will want to know about: