Finance Globe

Before dipping your toes into the “self employment pool” it makes good sense to learn as much as possible about what your life is going to turn into. Just like anything, there are pros and cons of working for yourself. And just like anything, there are many myths circulating that could quickly get you off track.The more research you do the more you will understand what to expect as you make this career change. Below are...

With so much to look forward to, planning a vacation can be extremely exciting. From choosing a destination to searching for the best deal, you are going to find yourself making a lot of important decisions along the way.While most people understand the importance of using the internet to save money, some don’t realize they could still make mistakes that cost them dearly.Here are five vacation planning mistakes to avoid:1. Booking too soon or too late....

Green home building is projected to continue to climb in the next few years as Americans increasingly search out energy-efficient and environmentally responsible homes, industry experts reported this week.McGraw Hill Construction reported that last year, the green home-building industry accounted for 23% of residential construction and is projected to grow to between 26% to 33% by 2016. This increase would more than double the value of the industry, growing from $36 billion in 2013 to $83-$105...

Just because you are comfortable with your current car insurance agent and policy doesn’t mean you should never ask questions. It is your right to be informed, ensuring that you are getting what you pay for.Here are five questions to ask your current agent:1. Which discounts are being applied to my policy? Once you have the answer to this question, you can move onto something just as important: finding out if you qualify for additional discounts.Tip:...

Yep. I’m not exaggerating. If all goes according to plan we really will have saved over $33,000 by the end of the year. Admittedly, numbers aren’t my forte, so you’d be right to question that figure, but I guarantee my math’s not fuzzy and $33,000 is only the tip of the iceberg. That amount only speaks to the items on which I have hard data right now or don’t need the help of an expert economist...

In the past few weeks, hundreds of consumers have complained online about a mysterious $9.84 charge on their credit cards. The complaints have become serious enough for the Better Business Bureau to issue a fraud alert warning others to look out for a similar charge on their credit card statements. Consumers may be reluctant to report an unauthorized charge of such a small amount, brushing it off because $9.84 seems insignificant. However, there have been past...

At some point in your life, you’re sure to suffer some kind of major unexpected disaster that can disrupt your financial life. It may be a job loss, divorce, natural disaster, or unexpected pregnancy. How you handle the situation, as dire as it may seem, will make the difference between getting out of it successfully or making the situation worse. Don’t panic. Money problems, big or small, can be pretty scary. The uncertainty that comes along...

Being able to make a living without ever having to leave your home sounds like a dream come true. But, working from home isn’t without its challenges. Not everyone do it successfully and those who can have to adjust to working in such a flexible environment. Do something you like. Even at home, work is still work. With no one looking over your shoulder or forcing you to do your job, the excitement of doing something...

When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, as 40% of Americans are according to a 2013 survey conducted by Harris Interactive, the best thing to do is to cut back on your spending. Creating more distance between your income and your expenses will keep you from being broke before your next paycheck comes. With the money leftover from your paycheck (yes, you can have money leftover), you can start building a savings cushion to help take care...

For years, personal finance experts have been repeated, “Build an emergency fund.” Yet, year after year, statistics show that many Americans don’t have enough money in their emergency funds and more alarming, many don’t have any savings at all. Saving money isn’t easy, but it’s well worth it. However, those without an emergency fund may be rationalizing that it’s ok to put it off for one reason or another. The economy is getting better. When the...