Lower Your Cable Bill

 

       



Text From Video

Money Saving Minute #038 – Lower Your Cable Bill

Most of us are not happy about the amount of money we spend to watch TV however not many people will take the time to call their provider and simply ask for a lower rate.  No company wants to lose your business. Often, a conversation about your cable, Internet and / or phone needs can result in a bill reduction.  This is especially true if your contract is nearing expiration, or you are no longer under contract.  Most providers offer dozens of promotional package so it’s worth exploring your options.  Once you find the promotional package that fits your needs and budget, mark your calendar with a reminder to call back in eleven months to transfer into a new promotion. 

Credit Cards

       


Text From Blog

Money Saving Minute #036 – credit cards

 

Having a credit card in your wallet is a lot like adopting a Pit Bull as a pet.  When properly trained they can be your best friend…when left to run wild they can be trouble.

 

A properly trained credit card will not be used as an extension of one’s earnings.  The mentality of “I can’t afford it today but I can afford the minimum payments” is what will get a borrower into trouble.  Instead one should think of credit cards as a way to help them track their spending as well as earn rewards or cash back.  If you can afford to pay off the balance each month you are using your credit wisely.  If you can’t pay off the balance each month stop and ask yourself if you need the purchase enough to pay 18 to 25 percent more for the item.

 

If you are currently carrying balances on your credit accounts go to this webpage and download the credit card calculator.  This will help you to set up a target payment to get those balances paid off.

http://tinyurl.com/MSM-CCcalc

 

For more information about this or anything home loan related please contact Team Warzon.

 

Employer Benefits

       
 

Track Your Spending

       
 

 

 

TEXT FROM VIDEO

 

Money Saving Minute #034 – Track Your Spending

 

Tracking your spending will save you money.  Sounds pretty obvious, doesn't it?  But consider this, the same number of people that say ‘I already know that’ are equal to the same number of people that will say ‘where did all of my money go’?

 

So let’s get back to basics.  Tracking spending is not about self punishment.  Tracking is about looking at where your money goes and finding ways to comfortably keep more of it in your pocket.

 

Tracking starts with a 30 day snap shot.  For the next 30 days keep all of your receipts for cash purchase and make note of any incidental purchase such as vending machines.  Next take a look at your bank and credit card statements for the same time frame.  Examine all of your documentation to see where your money is going.  Again, this might seem obvious but once you take a good look you might be surprised at where your money is going.

 

 

 

Money Saving Minute #030 – Mortgage Insurance Options

Mortgage Insurance Options.  FHA is changing their mortgage insurance requirements.  Now is the time to have your mortgage reviewed to see if you are in the best position.  Click play for more information.

 

 

 

TEXT FROM VIDEO

Money Saving Minute #030 – Mortgage Insurance Options.  Last week we talked about the changes that FHA will be making to their annual mortgage insurance premiums.  It was mentioned at the end of the video that there are other options available.  Mortgage insurance is available for conventional loans for borrowers with less than 20% equity.  The difference is private mortgage insurance carriers have competition so the rates are often better than FHA.  Private mortgage insurance is also prorated to the amount of equity that you do have in a home.  Finally, private mortgage insurance will have payment options such as monthly, onetime payment or split premiums.  If you are currently paying mortgage insurance or have been in an FHA loan for several years now is a good time to have your mortgage reviewed.  Take a look at all of your options and make sure that you are in the best loan product before rates and programs change.

 

FHA Mortgage Insurance Changes

Money Saving Minute #029 - FHA Mortgage Insurance Changes
No joke, folks. It's coming and it's 28k big. There are other lending options and we should explore them all for you. For now, however, be aware of the deadline for the FHA annual premium changes.

 

 

TEXT FROM VIDEO

 

Money Saving Minute #029 – FHA Mortgage Insurance Changes

 

There are two changes on the horizon for FHA borrowers. The first went into effect on April 1^st. The annual mortgage insurance premiums on all FHA mortgages went up one tenth of one percent. This equates to about $8.34 per month per $100,000 borrowed.

 

The second change will go into effect on June third of two thousand thirteen. This change is a much more significant so listen closely. For case numbers requested after June third the mortgage insurance on all FHA loans with less than 10% equity will continue for the life of the loan. In plain English, if you are planning on buying a home with the minimum 3.5% down payment on a thirty year term you will be paying over $26,000 per $100,000 borrowed more in mortgage insurance over the life of the loan. 

 

The moral of the story my friends is if you are holding off on buying that new home in hopes that the price will come down stop thinking and put in an offer. Waiting until after June third is going to be extremely costly.



The Slow Cooked Truth

Money Saving Minute #025: The Slow Cooked Truth. The average American eats out five times a week. After a long day it's just too easy to stop and pick up dinner vs standing in the kitchen for an hour cooking for the family. But there is an alternative. Check out this weeks video and see how you could save your family money (and calories) but not spend all that time in the kitchen at the end of the day. By the way, I read a report this week that said that home prices have bottomed out. If you know anyone that is thinking about buying but is waiting for the "right time", have them call me. I would be more than happy to share this information with them. And remember, home buying starts with the loan. Call me today to get preapproved.

 

 

                          http://DanDahlen.blogspot.com                            

           IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE PLEASE TELL A FRIEND             

 

 

Text From Video

Money Saving Minute #025 - The Slow Cooked Truth

 

If you have been waiting for home prices to bottom out before you pull the trigger, now is the time to act. The B H V I Home Affordability Index is reporting that home prices have bottomed out and are beginning to rise. Buying a home starts with the loan. Call today to get preapproved.

 

Raise your hand if you are the person that comes home after a long day and enjoys spending the next sixty plus minutes cooking dinner.

 

That must be why average American eats out five plus times each week. For a family of four this can really add up both the cash and the calories.

 

A money and calorie saving alternative is to dust off the slow cooker and start searching the net for recipes. With a quick search I found recipes for lasagna, ribs, sweet and sour pork, white chicken chili and a whole lot more. Most of these have prep times of only five to fifteen minutes and cost per serving as little as a couple of dollars.

 

If your slow cooker is not equipped with a timer consider using a programmable light timer. This will ensure that your dinner is ready when you walk in the door but not over cooked.

 

This has been Money Saving Minute number zero two five, it’s your money and watching the Money Saving Minute each week will help you keep more of it. Subscribe to the right, share below and as always your comments are welcomed.