Finance Globe

U.S. financial and economic topics from several finance writers.

The Importance of a Test Drive before Buying

The Importance of a Test Drive before Buying
Are you in the market for a vehicle? It doesn’t matter if you are buying new or used, it is important to take a test drive before you begin the negotiation process. Some people consider a test drive a lot of fun. Others consider it a waste of time. Here is why this is something you should do: 1. Learn more about the vehicle. Simply put, you don’t understand the finer details of a vehicle until...
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Frank
I completely agree Chris. I would also add that if you are buying a new brand of a car or even a new model, it is highly recommend... Read More
Friday, 23 October 2015 10:28
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3 Ways to Prepare for the Holiday Shopping Season

3 Ways to Prepare for the Holiday Shopping Season
This topic comes up year in and year out, however, many people continue to make mistakes during the holiday shopping season. It’s not that they don’t have fun. Here is the problem: they neglect to take the right steps regarding their budget, shopping list, and overall approach. If you have run into issues in the past, if you want to avoid a similar fate this year, there are a few things you can do to get...
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Frank
Setting a budget for a holiday shopping season is very difficult to do. You want to provide great gifts for your family and friend... Read More
Wednesday, 21 October 2015 16:21
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Don’t Make these Mistakes when Searching for a Credit Card Online

Don’t Make these Mistakes when Searching for a Credit Card Online
There used to be a time when applying for a credit card meant waiting for a good offer to arrive by mail. While you may still receive these offers from time to time, the industry has changed quite a bit. In today’s day and age, the best way to find and apply for a credit card is online. As convenient as it may be, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. More importantly,...
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Frank
It is very important to research thoroughly before getting a credit card. One additional thing you need to consider is if you are ... Read More
Friday, 16 October 2015 09:32
Finance Globe
In my opinion, the ideal scenario is to get a cash back card (1.5% ideally) and only use this for purchases you would make anyway.... Read More
Friday, 16 October 2015 12:01
Frank
I agree cash back is great, and especially if you do not want to get in what I would call the "credit card game". I also really li... Read More
Monday, 19 October 2015 11:20
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Top Benefits of Paying Bills Online

Top Benefits of Paying Bills Online
Go back in time a couple decades and nobody was paying their bills online. Instead, the only option was to send a check at the appropriate time of the month. While this is still a way of life for many, others are taking full advantage of technology. There are many benefits associated with paying bills online. If you have avoided this in the past, the following points may be enough to push you in this direction...
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Frank
I would completely agree with everything you said Chris. I would also add. 1. Record keeping – Paying online will store your payme... Read More
Thursday, 15 October 2015 09:03
Finance Globe
Totally agree. If a utility company doesn't allow online bill pay, then auto-draft is the next best option. My garbage company doe... Read More
Friday, 16 October 2015 02:19
Wanderer
This option took me awhile to build up the trust for automated systems (two years) but today, only way. Love auto-pay (at least th... Read More
Friday, 16 October 2015 05:57
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3 Ways to Save Money on Vehicle Maintenance

3 Ways to Save Money on Vehicle Maintenance
If you own a car, you know one thing to be true: you must stay on top of regularly scheduled maintenance if you want it to remain in good working condition. The problem with this is that vehicle maintenance is not always cheap. If you are looking for ways to save on this expense, there are three simple options to consider: 1. Do it yourself. Even if you don’t know much about vehicle maintenance, you may...
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Finance Globe
Nice post Chris, I'm not an expert, but the first place I usually go to for a check engine light is Auto Zone or Advanced Auto Pa... Read More
Wednesday, 14 October 2015 12:19
Frank
That is a great recommendation. I actually did that last week, and the issue was an $8 part. If I would have taken it to an auto r... Read More
Thursday, 15 October 2015 09:00
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How to Improve Your Chance of Getting a Mortgage

How to Improve Your Chance of Getting a Mortgage
There are not many things in life more exciting than buying a home. This is particularly true if you are doing so for the first time. Of course, your excitement can soon turn into stress if you are denied a mortgage. If this happens, it may not be possible to move forward with a purchase at the present time. There are things you can do in advance to improve your chance of an approval. Here are...
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Frank
Thanks for the advice Chris. I would like to stress the importance of working towards improving your credit score. Not only will i... Read More
Tuesday, 13 October 2015 16:16
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What’s Holding you Back from Buying a New Car?

What’s Holding you Back from Buying a New Car?
Are you contemplating the idea of buying a new car? There are many reasons for feeling this way: •    Your current vehicle is no longer reliable.•    Your current vehicle will cost too much to repair.•    Your current vehicle no longer matches your needs. Regardless of why you are considering a new car, you need to decide for or against this at some point. The longer you wait the more frustrated you will become. Below are three...
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Finance Globe
Unless you have money to burn, a good meet in the middle solution is to find a car with a good driver history (Carfax vin check) t... Read More
Thursday, 08 October 2015 11:18
Frank
Some people are very into cars while others do not want to spend more money than needed. I would rather allocate my resources to o... Read More
Sunday, 11 October 2015 09:53
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3 Ways a Budgeting Spreadsheet Improves Efficiency

3 Ways a Budgeting Spreadsheet Improves Efficiency
No matter how you look at it, a budget is extremely important. This keeps you on track, day in and day out, regardless of your income and expenses. While some people prefer the old fashion method of a “pencil and paper” budget, others have come to realize the benefits of creating a spreadsheet. It may take a little bit of time to setup a spreadsheet that suits your situation, but in the end it will bring...
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Frank
Spreadsheets are by far the absolute best tool to use for budgeting. Excel is the most common, but I know there are several other ... Read More
Sunday, 11 October 2015 09:48
Frank
If anyone needs any recommendations on some great templates to use for budgeting, please feel free to reach out to me, and I will ... Read More
Monday, 12 October 2015 10:55
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3 Ways to Plan for Self Employment in 2016

3 Ways to Plan for Self Employment in 2016
There are still a few months left before the calendar year turns, but now is the time to look toward the future. More specifically, your career related goals for 2016. Are you interested in becoming a self employed professional in the new year? Are you finally ready to take the leap and turn a new page in your career? If so, you are also ready to take on the planning process. If you are interested in...
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Wanderer
Remember, as part of the Business Plan look out three years (even though it may be an estimate) and allow for an emergency fund (s... Read More
Tuesday, 06 October 2015 07:29
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5 Overlooked Questions to Ask when Requesting a Car Insurance Quote

5 Overlooked Questions to Ask when Requesting a Car Insurance Quote
When it comes time to request a car insurance quote, you have one thing on your mind: finding a company that provides high quality coverage at an affordable price. While this may be your primary goal, don’t stop short of asking the many questions that may be floating around your mind. Below are five overlooked questions to ask when requesting a car insurance quote. Once you have answers to these questions, you will better understand the...
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Frank
As I am not an expert in car insurance, what is the difference between limited tort and full tort option?
Sunday, 11 October 2015 09:45
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