How much will credit card interest really cost you?

LifeLock

Free Extended Warranties

When should you buy an extended warranty?  The answer usually depends on what you are buying, what the standard warranty covers, and most importantly, how much it will cost.  Wouldn't it be easier if the extended warranty were free?  Enter a company that offers to double the manufacturer's warranty for free, FreeWarranty.com.  Simply sign up for free, browse through a list of available stores on their site, and then register the item.  FreeWarranty.com will extend the manufacturer's warranty for up to one year.  It really is that simple.

Check out various reviews of FreeWarranty.com HERE.

Repaying Your Debt

When it comes to a major purchase where financing is involved, there are a few options that can really save you money. In financing, there are two major elements to consider, time and interest. These combined elements are what determine the actual cost of your purchase. If you are paying 9% in interest for a $10,000 loan, the difference between paying the loan in 24 months vs. 48 months is a cost savings close to $1,000. Conversely, if you are paying that same loan off in 48 months with an 8% APR vs. 9%, you could save over $450 on that loan. But what if you already have a loan and can't negotiate how much you borrowed or how much interest you are paying? Good news, you still have time on your side. Save money by paying that loan off sooner.

Credit to FreeCreditScore.com financial resources

The Hater Chronicles

Take a Tip. Share a Tip.

Have you heard of Google's Tip Jar?

It's a collection of money saving tips submitted and ranked by the web community.  Tip Jar gathers tips in one place and invites people to rank them in order of usefulness.  Over time, the best and most useful tips will rise to the top.  Here is what Google's official blog says about Tip Jar:

Ideas are everywhere, but how do we know which ones actually work? At Google, we put a lot of stock in both the wisdom of crowds — the idea that lots of people responding to a given question can collectively find the best answer — and the value of community. We believe that people working together can help one another through even the most difficult times.

Check it out here: Google's Tip Jar

Card-Skimming Scam at Grocery Store

Financial Calculators from MyMoney.gov

MyMoney.gov is brought to you by 22 Federal entities that work on improving financial literacy and education.  Among their many resources, MyMoney.gov offers an impressive collection of financial calculators.  From tax withholding to retirement planning, there is a calculator for just about any of your financial needs.

Check it out here: http://www.mymoney.gov/category/topic1/calculators.html 

Notable Black Friday Deals

Over the 2010 Black Friday weekend, 212 million shoppers spent an average of $365.  That was an increase of almost 17 million shoppers from 2009.  And why not?  Retailers continue to make Black Friday the biggest deals and savings days of the year.  It has literally become an American holiday.  We've put together a list of notable Black Friday deals and resources.  Check them out here:

Apple: Black Friday Teaser

Amazon: Black Friday deals from Amazon

Best Buy: Door Busters by Best Buy

The Black Friday: The Official Black Friday 2011 Website

2011 Black Friday Ads: Store Hours for Black Friday 2011

What have you found?  Let us know.

What is a Bond?

"Simply stated, bonds are debt. Think of a bond as a kind of loan, but instead of you taking out the loan from the bank, you are the bank that is loaning the money. When you buy a bond, you are literally loaning your money to an entity - be it a company, city, state, or federal government - and receiving regular interest payments."

Check out this infographic from Mint.com: In Graphics: What is a Bond?

Cash Advance Loans

Bank of America's Wise Decision

Two months ago, Bank of America proposed a monthly service fee that would affect most debit card customers.  The announcement was immediately met with disdain and criticism.  It seems that the bank has wizened up.  David Darnell, the bank's COO, announced today that Bank of America has decided against the monthly service fee.  "We have listened to our customers very closely over the last few weeks and recognize their concern with our proposed debit usage fee. Our customers' voices are most important to us. As a result, we are not currently charging the fee and will not be moving forward with any additional plans to do so."

Wise decision Mr. Darnell.    

What is Credit Card Skimming?

Take Control of Your Finances with Mint.com

Annual Limits Relating to Financial Planning

The College for Financial Planning is one of the nation's leading providers of financial education. Every year they publish a printable reference sheet called the "Annual Limits Relating to Financial Planning". This document covers everything from IRA contribution limits to taxable standard mileage deductions. It's an informative fact sheet for all your financial planning needs.

Check it out here: http://www.cffpinfo.com/annualLimits.html