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You are here: Home / Archives for Loan Shak

DIY Kitchen Garden- No Soil Required!

by Shakadoo Leave a Comment

3741604139_038a90376e_zI’ve always thought that buying soil is really stupid. I mean, why should I have to pay for dirt? It’s everywhere, and it’s already free. I realize that regular dirt isn’t ideal for growing most plants, and what you are really paying for is the nutrients in the soil, but still. It’s like buying bottled water when you have a perfectly good faucet at home, or going to an oxygen bar. Being the cheapskate that I am, I’m always looking to save money in the kitchen as well. That’s why I love this post by Tiffany at Don’t Waste the Crumbs. Here are a bunch of veggies that can be regrown only using scraps and water:

-Bok choy

-Cabbage

-Celery

-Garlic chives

-Green onion

-Lettuce

-Avocado

-Potato

Photo Credit: Karl Jonsson

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How To Find The Right Mortgage For You

by Shakadoo 1 Comment

4893848724_0f53240699_zWhile trying to get a mortgage, the main focus most of us have in our minds is getting approved for the smallest interest rate possible. And for good reason! Half a percent difference can save you thousands of dollars over the course of your loan. So, how do you find the best interest rate? Just check out these awesome tips by Bill Gassett at Max Real Estate Exposure:

-Shop around and compare lenders

-Perfect your credit- raising a few points will go a long way

-Pay as much down as you can

-Be upfront with your lender about any dings in your credit

-Consider a credit union

Photo Credit: nikcname 

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Applying For A Mortgage? Raise That Credit Score!

by Shakadoo Leave a Comment

27031853000_75d406bcca_zBefore applying for a mortgage, your credit score needs to be in the best shape of its lifetime. If you have a ton of student or credit card debt that you are struggling to pay off, now is not the best time for a mortgage. Having a lower score makes you more likely to be approved, and will most likely get you a smaller interest rate. For tips on building that credit score, check out this post by Popular AZ:

-Give yourself time- you will need to show 6-18 months of steady improvement

-Learn to read your credit report, contest any errors on it

-Make all payments on time- again, give yourself 6-18 months

-Pay off as much debt as possible

-Get a credit card, don’t spend more than 20% of your limit, and pay your bill completely off each month.

Photo Credit: CafeCredit

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What If You Can’t Pay Your Bills?

by Shakadoo Leave a Comment

14034459259_0bb1d3e049_zThe fact is, there are many Americans with no savings and no retirement plans. It’s not ideal, but it’s reality. There are millions of people just living paycheck to paycheck and working to get by. But what happens when a bill is unexpectedly high? What if you have a medical or car issue and can’t get to work? What happens when all the work is just simply not enough? What happens if you can’t pay your bills? Check out this post by Rosemarie at the Busy Budgeter for help:

-Make sure your spouse knows the situation, don’t try to hide it.

-Determine which bill can be paid late

-Call or email the bill company, let them know when you will be able to pay it.

-Ask them for help- see if they can give you a grace period, waive a late fee, etc.

-Think longer term- what can you do to make sure it doesn’t happen again? Get a working budget, cut unnecessary expenses, look into assistance programs if you’ve cut all the costs you can.

Photo Credit: Pabak Sarkar

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How Your Fitbit Can Make You Money

by Shakadoo Leave a Comment

15887437193_1a68c69e14_zThis is not a sponsored post, but I love my Fitbit. I got it a few months ago, and it was really eyeopening to see just how inactive I was. The first week or so that I wore it, I went about my normal routine and found out I only got about 3,000-4,000 steps a day. Now, I’ve basically doubled that and get around 8,000 a day. The recommended number is 10,000, but I’m always improving. Besides making you more active, you can also use your Fitbit to get rewarded for your activity! To turn your steps into cash, check out this post by Anna T. at Real Ways To Earn Money Online. Here’s her list of sites/apps that reward you for walking:

Achievemint 

FitStudio 

Bounts

Leap4Life 

Walgreen’s Balance Rewards 

Photo Credit: Joe Gambill

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Happy Labor Day!

by Shakadoo Leave a Comment

a3f2f9578f5808ba650731c6a3e9bd69

Photo from A Soft Place

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Wordless Wednesday: Bookcase Doorway

by Shakadoo Leave a Comment

e9ae5d10b1eae8499da359e879277c0e

Photo from Pinterest

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Frugal Tips For Hard Times

by Shakadoo Leave a Comment

8435859291_25c8460604_zSaving money is never a bad thing; if you have a steady, livable income, you should still never let anyone shame you for using coupons or looking for other ways to cut costs. If you don’t have a reliable income, it becomes even more important to pinch those pennies. Check out this awesome list by Emily Co at Popsugar Finance for ways to live more frugally today:

-Automate all your bills and savings- make sure they (and you) are always paid each month.

-Insulate your windows with blankets during the winter

-Cook frugally- use rice and beans, try to make any meat you cook last for more than one meal

-Pick your own fruit from a local orchard- you can get a lot of produce for a little money; can/preserve your leftovers.

-Check your bills each month to make sure you aren’t overcharged- speak up and call the company if you believe there is a mistake.

-Get a deep freezer and fill it with fresh fruits and veggies.

Photo Credit: Kenneth Leung

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Most Common Mortgage Questions

by Shakadoo Leave a Comment

6107062655_61eba7be5f_oWhat’s the hardest aspect of buying a home? The money stuff, of course– really getting down and crunching the numbers. How much can you afford? How much will your monthly payment be? How much is the interest rate? Can it change? Obtaining and understanding a mortgage is definitely one of the most difficult parts of buying a home. For an amazing and thoroughly detailed guide to mortgages, check out this post by Kyle Hiscock at the Rochester Real Estate Blog. Find out answers to some of these common questions:

-How do I start the process of getting a mortgage?

-What documentation is required?

-What is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval?

-Which type of mortgage is best for me?

-What programs are available for first time buyers?

Photo Credit: Virtual Eyesee

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What Are The Different Types Of Mortgages?

by Shakadoo Leave a Comment

28976073876_f57ed0c10b_zBefore I started writing about real estate, I honestly had no clue about anything to do with mortgages. Most millennials are probably in the same boat. The housing market collapse that we experienced in high school and college probably has something to do with most of us being skittish about the idea of buying a home. The friends I have that are planning on buying a home soon are trying to save as much cash as possible, so they can try to avoid a mortgage altogether.

However, paying for a home in cash is often not an option for most people. That’s where home loans come in. Before getting one, though, it’s important to educate yourself on the different types. If you’re totally clueless, like I was, this infographic by Platinum Home Mortgage is a great place to start. Here are some of the most basic mortgages that you may qualify for:

-FHA Loans- easier to qualify, low monthly payments, lower interest rates from the Federal Housing Administration

-Conventional Loans- more financing options, need good credit to qualify

-VA Loans- for armed forces vets, offers zero down payment and low monthly payments

-USDA Rural Housing Loans- limited to rural areas, offers zero down payment and low monthly payments as well.

Photo Credit: Investment Zen

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