First it was Cash for Clunkers, then Cash for Appliances, and now “Cash for Caulkers” aims to boost the home construction sector as the next significant economic stimulus proposal to provide rebates and encourage home energy efficiency. Lawmakers in the House approved a $6 billion measure to reimburse homeowners up to 50% rebates on the cost of installing energy-efficient appliances and retrofit projects.
Formally known as the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act, “Cash for Caulkers” is a crowning piece of Obama’s strategy to create jobs and strengthen the economy. Homeowner
Read the full post
Caulkers”, Caulkers” Stimulate
Despite forecasts that the implementation of the new Credit CARD Act might lead to rising credit card fees, a newly released study by Bankrate indicates that credit card fees so far are staying at levels close to those of last year.
The Bankrate credit card study examined the terms of 73 cards from 50 of the largest card issuers (40 credit cards from banks and 33 from credit unions). Overall, the study showed that the many basic credit cards have maintained low- or no-fee policies in the majority of areas.
Read the full post
Card Fees, Credit Card, Credit Card Fees, Fees
Have you been opening your wallet and dipping into your savings lately? A new government report shows that recent jumps in spending rates isn’t so bad after all, and in fact, is helping our economy.
A government report confirms robust spending growth for the sixth straight month, up 0.6% in the month of March. Retail sales also rose 1.6% in March, the highest number in the past months. This marks consumer spending at a three-year high, and with consumer spending making up about 70% of the U.S. economic acsavtivity, these numbers signal recovery. Growth in consumer confidence and spending means more hopeful signs of an economy getting back on its feet. <
Read the full post
Spending, Spending Back
Ring. Ring.”Hello?” “Hi, Mr. or Mrs. Such and Such, this is Mr. ABCD from the 123 Collection Agency. We’re calling because you owe a company money, and we now have the account in our possession, so you owe us too! We intend to call you daily and send you letters and drive you nuts with our empty threats until you pay up!”
Sound familiar? There’s nothing like finding yourself in over your head, trying to swim out of the financial cesspool and having to deal with these guys too. You’re trying to pay off your debts to the best of your ability, but they want more, more, and even more. Every time the telephone rings, you dread answering it. Do you resort to sarcasm and hanging up on them? Do you toss t
Read the full post
Now that new credit card regulations are in place, card companies have become more transparent about explaining to consumers the mechanics of credit card use. The new laws that went into effect in February of 2010 were passed to help protect consumers from being overcharged on their credit cards, having their payments credited too late, or being forced to pay extra steep interest rates on their card balances.
The new credit card laws require, for example, that card issuers apply payments made by cardholders differently than they used to. So rather than the card companies charging higher interest over a longer period of time the money paid on a credit card can be applied sooner toward debt reduction.
Read the full post
Credit Card, New
As the credit card act goes into effect, cardholders will want to pay close attention to the kind of card or cards they carry and how they might be affected by these new changes. Depending on what you have in your wallet, you might find yourself paying more, or in some cases, less. Either way, the new laws might affect you and you will certainly want to know about it. Some parts of the credit card act will make it more difficult to obtain certain kinds of credit cards, however, this could be a good thing. Credit card companies will no longer be able to extend credit haphazardly, and those who can’t afford the credit card won’t find themselves in the deep debt they knew they could not handle in the first place.
Student Credit Cards
Kiss those sign-up tables with enticing free perks goodbye! App
Read the full post
Change, Credit Card