Blog Posts by Quizzle.com

A Different Approach to Spending MoneyBy: Michael Dolen

We all know Benjamin Franklin's famous quote, "A penny saved is a penny earned." It's actually a misquote, but that's neither here nor there. The bottom line is that the spirit of this lesson is a cornerstone for good personal finance… or at least it used to be.

Contrary to popular belief, ol' Ben's quote no longer holds true. Why? Because back in his day, there was no IRS, no FICA tax, nor any of those other pesky things that shrink your paycheck. In the 18th century, a penny saved truly was a penny earned. However in the 21st century, a penny saved is much more than a penny earned.

Today: A Penny Saved = Two Pennies Earned?

Let's say Joe is a self-employed handyman who lives in San Diego and his adjusted gross income is $55,000 per year. He happens to be unmarried, which means he is in the 25 percent federal tax bracket. He would owe up to this much in taxes:

• 25 percent for federal income taxes. Income between $34,500 but not over $83,600 is taxed at 25

How to Save Money at PublixBy: Kate Parham

This is the last article in our 10-part series covering money-saving strategies at the nation's largest retail grocers, including CVS, Kroger, Walgreens, Target, Safeway, Rite Aid, Walmart, Albertsons and Whole Foods. For our final post, we're looking at Publix, the employee-owned supermarket based in Florida.

Publix has more than 1,000 retail locations in the South, promising customers a grocery store "Where Shopping is a Pleasure." Here's what you need to know about Publix before shopping (to ensure that promised pleasure):

Sales Cycle: Publix sales cycles run Tuesday through Wednesday, meaning that advertised sale prices change on Wednesday.

Bonus: Top 5 Places to Find Coupons

Rewards Program: Unlike many of its competitors, Publix does not have a rewards program or loyalty card. They do, however, participate in the uPromise program, which helps shoppers save for college with every purchase. You can sign up for this program online. Publix also offers online

Consider Doing Yard Work for a Neighbor for Extra CashBy: Juliana Weiss-Roessler

Want to start a new side business but you're afraid of the overhead costs involved with investing in equipment? Well, for some business ventures, you might already have the tools you need lying around the house. Here are a few ideas for making a little extra money with items you already own.

Needle and thread.

Become a seamstress! Many people are afraid to pick up a needle and thread even for simple tasks like sewing on new buttons. If you enjoy sewing, you can offer your services. Afraid you'll get in over your head? You can always let your clients know that you don't handle complicated things like wedding dresses.

Lawnmower and shears.

Offer to take care of your neighbors' yards - for a fee, of course. In the summer months, many people will welcome a reprieve, and it's likely you can offer your services at a much lower rate than most lawn companies.

Bike.

Have you been building up your leg muscles? You may be able to offer your services as a bike

How to Find a Great Financial PlannerBy: John D. Buerger, CFP®

I believe that every person in this country could use some financial planning help to make the smartest choices possible with their money.

From my perspective as a wealth coach and Certified Financial Planner professional today, I wish that I had known a financial planner 25 years ago when I was starting out on my own. I would have made very different financial decisions along the way and would be in a much better place today if I had.

Having been both a financial planner and financial planning client, I put together this list of the six secrets to choosing a financial planner:

1. Their Passion Is to Help.

The best doctors get into medicine because they want to help people live healthier and better lives. They don't do it for the money. The best lawyers have a fire burning inside from an early age to defend their case at all costs. They want - deeply and passionately - to fight for you in a court of law. Similarly, the best financial planners care about

Should You Rent Your Home?By: Kristie Lorette

There is no doubt that the prices of houses are making it a highly attractive time for people to buy a home. This is not the case for everyone, however. Just because the prices of homes are right does not mean that it's the right time to buy. Renting may be the better option, depending on your own personal financial situation and a few other factors.

Length of Stay

The first point you should take into consideration is how long you intend to live in the property. If you are in a job that transfers you around every few years, now may not be the right time to invest in real estate. While you may pay less of a mortgage payment, you likely won't recoup your closing costs and you may have a hard time selling when it's time to move onto your next job location.

On the other hand, if you are newly married and are planning to raise your family in the home, now may be the perfect time to buy. Because homes are "on sale" right now, you can buy a bigger home for less money -

Monthly Home Maintenance ChecklistBy: Daniela Baker

You already know that maintaining your car by changing the oil when you should, checking tire pressure regularly, and getting an engine tune-up once in a while is a great way to save money by preventing further expensive repairs down the road.

However, you may not think about similar things you can do in your home that can help you save money in the long run. Making a list of basic home maintenance tasks that are often overlooked will help you remember to do them on a regular basis and will allow you to prioritize appropriately. Here are just a few of the essential tasks you should do on a monthly basis:

1. Change heating and air conditioning filters.

Changing the filters can make your heating and air conditioning systems more effective, which means you save money on cooling and heating your home. When you change the filters, vacuum out the ducts immediately around them, too, which can prevent the next filters from getting clogged as easily and can keep excess

FHA Loans: Appeal to More Buyers, Sell Your Home FastBy: Kristie Lorette

To qualify for a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan, the home you are buying has to meet certain standards. While the FHA does not fund the mortgage directly, the government agency does insure the lenders that offer FHA loans to homebuyers. In fact, the FHA is responsible for insuring home loans for approximately 30 percent of homebuyers today.

FHA loans offer option to homebuyers who:

• May have lower credit scores (credit scores as low as 580 may qualify);
• Are unable to come up with a 20 percent down payment ;
• Or feel better about the security that a government-insured loan offers.