The Money Tracker Blog

With the summer season in full swing and the utility bills climbing, now is the time to take on a few DIY projects around the home. With a few simple tools and an open weekend, you can spend less on pesky bills and spend the savings on your upcoming vacation. Summer Home Improvement Projects Clean the Dryer Help your dryer run more efficiently by giving the hose a little TLC. Over time, dust, lint and other particles build up in … Read More

Adults Living at Home There comes a time in every family’s life where the young need to leave the nest. This transition, as most families have experienced, can be a difficult process.  The Pew Research reported 36 percent of adults ages 18 to 31 were still living at home in 2012, the highest percentage in more than 40 years. Below are some steps for your beloved offspring to start moving out and moving on, so you can have the place to yourself … Read More

Fix or Trade Your Car? Is it really still worth it to maintain an aging vehicle, or is it time to trade up? Out of necessity or frugality, Americans are keeping their cars longer than ever. A recent study by R. L. Polk found that the average age of American cars on the road stands at a record 10.8 years, and that Americans are holding onto their vehicles longer than ever before. If you are asking yourself whether it’s time … Read More

If you’re wondering “What is bank fraud?,” you’re not alone. Lots of people don’t know the difference between credit card fraud and bank fraud. If they did, they would probably adopt different habits when shopping online. Take a look at these different payment options for online transactions. Online Payment Systems There are many online payment systems available, each with their own blend of benefits and risks. One common risk between all these systems is the use of public networks. The … Read More

If you’re trying to come up with a mortgage down payment for your first home, read through the following tips and resources to help you reach your dream of home ownership in the next few years.  The median selling price for existing homes in December was $198,000, according to the National Association of Realtors reports. At that price, a young couple trying to buy their first home would need a whopping $39,600 for a traditional 20 percent down payment. Set … Read More

  If you’re on a budget, you’re likely dreading the pricey expectations of Valentine’s Day… —gifts, flowers, a romantic night out on the town. Don’t fold under the pressure to overspend. You can celebrate the holiday and show your thoughtfulness without breaking the bank. Here’s how.   1. Use Your Pen Surprise your sweetheart by doing something unexpected, like writing a poem or love letter. Start by expressing how you feel and speak from the heart—you can’t go wrong! Thanks … Read More

If you’re a parent of a teen, you already know why it’s important to look at cutting the cost of teen auto insurance.  When you add that cost to all the other auto costs, like the wear and tear on your car, new tires, plus the varying gas prices, you just know your budget is about to take a hit. Not only are you dealing with higher premiums by just adding your teen to your insurance, but you also know … Read More

Being debt free is often on the top of most goal lists any time of the year. That’s no surprise considering that according to the Federal Reserve, the average credit card debt per household is $15,799. TransUnion, one of the three credit bureaus, says average credit card debt per borrower is just under $5,000. Credit.com argues it’s $3,779. Does it really matter how much the amount is, when most people just want to see a debt free future on the … Read More

 It’s car-shopping time again as we start that end of the year stretch.  Before you step on the lot, read these 5 Regret-Free Purchase Car-Shopping Tips to ensure a regret-free experience. You’ve probably noticed that car sales are bouncing back. According to a recent National Automobile Dealers Association report, October numbers were up more than 8 percent over the same time last year. Employment at dealerships gained some ground as well; the number of jobs at franchised, new-car dealerships in 2012 rose … Read More

 Saving on energy bills will soon be on our minds. According the Farmer’s Almanac this winter is predicted to be an exceptionally rough one. With all the cost cutting going on at a national level, it helps to know everything we can do for cutting costs on a personal level. One way of saving on energy bills is to understand what goes into an energy bill. Often these bills can be so confusing, you end up paying more when you could … Read More